Category Archives: mind

ASH WEDNESDAY AND THE THIRD EYE

Posted on February 21, 2012 by nancyjfinleysd

On Ash Wednesday many of us will have ashes put on our forehead, on our “third eye,” if you will.  Why do we engage in this pagan-like behavior?  (Yes, this ceremony, like others practiced by many Christians, has pagan roots.)  Why … Continue reading →

Posted in Ash Wednesday, body, intellience, mind, MYSTICISM, nature, pagan, paradox, Religion, Spirituality, Taoism, Third eye chakra, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Christopher Hitchens: R.I.P.?

Posted on December 17, 2011 by nancyjfinleysd

If you haven’t yet heard, Christopher Hitchens died at the young age of 62.  He’s the guy who wrote God is Not Great and was a celebrated essayist railing against religion and for rationalism.  He really knew how to piss … Continue reading →

Posted in atheism, belief, Hitchens, intellience, mind, Religion, Science, Spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

GUM ON MY SHOE

Posted on November 14, 2011 by nancyjfinleysd

Sometimes I step in gum.  It’s annoying.  It impedes my ability to move freely.  Attachments are like that.  They interfere with travel to spots on the map that call us to a larger life, places where we might find adventure, solace, wisdom,  joy, … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, belief, hope, humility, Kenosis, mind, MYSTICISM, Spirituality, Taoism, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

PARADOX IS THE THUMBPRINT OF GOD

Posted on September 17, 2011 by nancyjfinleysd

Men are born soft and supple; dead, they are stiff and hard. Plants are born tender and pliant; dead, they are brittle and dry. Thus whoever is stiff and inflexible is a disciple of death. Whoever is soft and yielding … Continue reading →

Posted in belief, body, despair, faith, hope, intellience, mind, Spirituality, Taoism, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Chapter 4, Religion for the Reluctant: Anhedonia

Posted on April 5, 2011 by nancyjfinleysd

Anhedonia means without pleasure.  If it’s pervasive in your life, it might be a sign that you are depressed. That’s not what this chapter is about.  Anhedonia can be specific to situations – like going to the dentist.  For some … Continue reading →

Posted in Carl Jung, Christ, Jesus, Joseph Campbell, mind, Religion, Spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

RELIGION FOR THE RELUCTANT: Chapter Two

Posted on February 27, 2011 by nancyjfinleysd

So maybe the door is opened a bit.  Maybe it’s not so hard to imagine a reality greater than what we can detect with our senses.  The next hurdle for many of us is the question of who or what … Continue reading →

Posted in Love, mind, Religion, Spirituality | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

AN EXPERIENCE OF CLARITY

Posted on January 29, 2011 by nancyjfinleysd

  AN EXPERIENCE OF CLARITY           In January of 1990, when my late husband and I were in Kyoto visiting the Golden Pavilion gardens, I had an extraordinary experience that I now understand might qualify as “mystical.”  Below is an excerpt … Continue reading →

Posted in mind, MYSTICISM, spirit, Spirituality | Tagged , | 5 Comments