Tag Archives: Mysticism

PENTECOST: ECSTATIC UTTERANCES IN A UNIVERSAL LANGUAGE

Posted on May 27, 2012 by nancyjfinleysd

Today is Pentecost.  Pentecost is more meaningful to me than either Christmas or Easter.  To me, the meaning of the Pentecost story universalizes the experience of the divine world intersecting with the material world.  In the story, at a gathering … Continue reading →

Posted in Christ, individualism, Pentecost, Religion, spirit, Spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 1 Comment

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

CASTRATING THE EGO

Posted on December 27, 2011 by nancyjfinleysd

As we approach the new year, it’s time to purge.  I find it’s a good time to take stock and empty myself in preparation for the unknowns to come. You may have heard the story of the zen master who tells the student … Continue reading →

Posted in attachment, belief, Hafiz, humility, Kenosis, MYSTICISM, Spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

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

ONE OF THE REASONS WHY I LOVE THE EUCHARIST

Posted on November 2, 2011 by nancyjfinleysd

Here’s another gem from Joseph Campbell: “A ritual is the enactment of a myth. And, by participating in the ritual, you are participating in the myth. And since myth is a projection of the depth wisdom of the psyche, by … Continue reading →

Posted in Carl Jung, Christ, eucharist, Jesus, Joseph Campbell, MYSTICISM, passion, Religion, Spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

A POEM THAT BEGS TO BE SHARED

Posted on October 18, 2011 by nancyjfinleysd

Monet Refuses The Operation by Lisel Mueller Doctor, you say there are no haloes around the streetlights in Paris and what I see is an aberration caused by old age, an affliction. I tell you it has taken me all … Continue reading →

Posted in aging, Art, Monet, MYSTICISM, nature, Spirituality, Uncategorized, vision | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

WORSHIP AS A WAY OF LIFE (but do I have to get down on my knees?)

Posted on August 6, 2011 by nancyjfinleysd

I know some folks resist the idea of “worshipping” a “higher power” because it suggests subservience or a hierarchical view of the cosmos – God is “above” and we are but mere mindless minions “below.”  But “worship” in its simplest … Continue reading →

Posted in faith, MYSTICISM, nature, Religion, Science, spirit, Spirituality, Uncategorized, worship | Tagged , , , , | 2 Comments

BRILLIANCE AND HUMILITY

Posted on August 5, 2011 by nancyjfinleysd

I believe that brilliance comes from a source larger than what one individual can produce.  So the truly brilliant are also truly humble.  They are aware that their radiance is a mere refection of the Light that comes out of darkness. … Continue reading →

Posted in belief, faith, individualism, nature, Science, Spirituality | Tagged , , , | 3 Comments

RELIGION FOR THE RELUCTANT, CH. 6: WHEN RELIGIOSITY BECOMES IDOLATRY

Posted on May 6, 2011 by nancyjfinleysd

Let me begin with a quote from one of my favorite poems by W.B. Yeats: “Turning and turning in the widening gyre; the falcon cannot hear the falconer; things fall apart; the center cannot hold.” So many of us can’t … Continue reading →

Posted in idolatry, MYSTICISM, nature, Religion, spirit, Spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 2 Comments