Category Archives: Taoism

Easter Message from Obi-Wan Kenobi: “The Force will be with you, always.”

Posted on April 7, 2012 by nancyjfinleysd

Several years ago during Easter dinner, a young friend asked, “What’s up with Easter?”  This particular Easter celebration was a secular one and my friend was unschooled in religious stories and symbols.  I think her curiosity was sincere and that … Continue reading →

Posted in atheism, belief, Christ, despair, Easter, faith, hope, Jesus, Love, Religion, Science, Star Wars, Taoism, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | 1 Comment

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

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

Kenosis, God, and the Tao

Posted on January 8, 2011 by nancyjfinleysd

I love this idea of self emptying (from the Greek kenosis).  Not only does it feel really good to gently let go of grasping, it creates a spaciousness out of which flow some surprises regarding God and my relationship with God.  … Continue reading →

Posted in Kenosis, Spirituality, Taoism | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

My body is a koan, Part 2

Posted on January 8, 2011 by nancyjfinleysd

A few more thoughts:  My body is an imperfect and leaky container for the divine.  Sometimes I feel trapped, inconsolable, and called to share in God’s suffering about the pain of embodiment and sin.  My joints ache and my mind is … Continue reading →

Posted in Kenosis, Spirituality, Taoism | Tagged , | 1 Comment