Tag Archives: opening

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

I’M GIVING UP GUILT FOR LENT

Posted on March 11, 2012 by nancyjfinleysd

Lent is the season of penitence and many people sacrifice something as a nod toward their notion of holiness – something they might feel guilty about.  I’ve been guilty of scrupulosity, so as a Lenten discipline I’m trying to abstain.  What … Continue reading →

Posted in attachment, guilt, humility, Kenosis, Lent, Penitence, scrupulosity, shadow, Spirituality, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , | 6 Comments

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

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

MUSINGS OF A MALL SANTA

Posted on December 1, 2011 by nancyjfinleysd

Behind the big window I sit in the North Pole set, sweating in red and white, scratching the skin behind my long white beard. The elves herd long lines of harried parents      hoping to create flashbulb memories       clutching … Continue reading →

Posted in attachment, Christmas, hope, idolatry, Kenosis, Santa, Uncategorized | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

‘TIS THE SEASON…

Posted on November 30, 2011 by nancyjfinleysd

’tis the season to be quiet.  It’s advent.  It’s dark and still.  That is, it’s dark and still except for all the holiday lights and non-stop Christmas music, the mad pace of consumerism, the stress of high expectations.  For those … Continue reading →

Posted in advent, faith, hope, Jesus, Kenosis, Love, Religion, 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

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

P.S. ON PARADOX

Posted on September 26, 2011 by nancyjfinleysd

“One must not think ill of the paradox, for the paradox is the passion of thought, and the thinker without the paradox is like the lover without passion: A mediocre fellow.” Kirkegaard, S. (1985). Philosophical Fragments.

Posted in intellience, MYSTICISM, paradox, passion, Religion, Uncategorized | Tagged , | 1 Comment