Rumer Godden’s extraordinary book, In This House of Brede, is about an enclosed community of Benedictine nuns in England in the middle of the 20th century. Early in the story, a financial crisis (caused by the impetuous choice of a previous leader) threatens to overset the abbey. The newly-elected Abbess realizes she needs to act …
About two years after my husband and I began our co-ministry in western Massachusetts, I decided to put a small garden out in front of the Parsonage in which we lived. What I had not realized was how big the front yard was, and the garden I envisioned (and originally planted) looked like someone …
The spiritual practice that anchors Samhain is attentive, intentional waiting which, let’s face it, is not a highly developed skill or favorite activity of our culture. In fact, the resistance to waiting has become almost pathological. Case in point: those two women who camped out in front of Best Buy for 22 days so they …
Many years ago, I discovered that Orthodox Jews have a prayer for every activity and event in the day, a short prayer of gratitude that acknowledges the wonder and grace of the unfolding moment: a prayer for awakening, for rising from bed, for washing hands, drinking water, preparing food, eating food, dressing. Literally everything. This …
Lying fallow is a good time to notice the things around us that are coming to the end of their natural cycles (everything from patterns of behavior to leggy houseplants to the elastic in our underwear). Other seasons are so filled with activity – both inner and outer – that the quiet events or tired …
Samhain is a rich spiritual season, comprising a panoply of holy days that vibrate with psychological paradox and dare us to risk confronting our deepest fears, most violent demons – and greatest hopes. The winter solstice is a month away, one of the highest of high holy days. For the community of faith that calls …
In my family system, I am the oldest of three siblings and I am substantially older: seven years older than my brother and ten years older than my sister. [And (while I have the chance) I would like to note that being the oldest – for all of you who are in some other family …
During my silent retreat — while I am disconnected from the internet — I have chosen three blogs from the past year to adapt and pre-post. This one is updated from the final Wednesday Reflection in Beltane (late July 2014). It is equally valid as a reflection during the liminal time passing from Lughnasadh into …
This was first posted on 2 April 2014– before many of you were reading my blogs. During my retreat, I am taking the time to revisit some of the exercises that have been most fruitful in my own spiritual journey and to see what new revelations might appear. As we lean into the season that …
Welcome to Samhain. Saturday’s Musings (1 November 2014) contains an introduction to the winter quarter and the start of the Irish year in the old tradition, in case you missed it. During my retreat, I am editing and revisioning some older blogs from a time when there were only nine readers. I hope you find …