(not necessarily in that order)
I was pondering and pondering what to write tonight, but my jetlagged brain simply wouldn’t cooperate.
So I ended up scrolling through Facebook for inspiration and found this absolutely wonderful quote by Swami Kriyananda.
How comforting that the key to overcoming doubt is dwelling on the thought of how much God loves us.
It also reminds me of another deeply inspiring quote, this one by the French saint, Jean Vianney: “If you knew how much God loves you, you would die for joy!”
That’s what tonight’s performance of Christ Lives: An Oratorio was: an experience beyond words!
In fact, we had to invent some new ones to capture how we felt when it was over.
Instead of “shell-shocked”, we were “JOY-shocked”; and instead of gobsmacked, we were “GOD-smacked.”
It was such a powerful experience that I can’t even write about it yet.
This is so true. Too true, actually.
You really can’t have the one without the other (although I’ve wasted way too much energy in the past arguing with God about His timing).
Pretty much says it all, doesn’t it?
A reassuring thought for the day.
As much as I love the peace and quiet here in the foothills of the Sierra, there are days when I really miss living near the ocean.
I’d give a lot right about now to be able to spend an hour or so walking along the sand, listening to the surf, and giving it all to God.
As I was walking through the meadow above Rajarsi Park this morning, looking at the buildings where I get to work every day, I was struck yet again by the incredible beauty of where I live.
I breathed in the perfectly clear and crisp October day with the sun shining, the autumn foliage standing out in the distance, and the palpable sense of peace and serenity permeating the scene.
Then I stopped and took a quick photo to try and capture the moment.
Two thoughts alternated in my mind as I walked on. First I found myself thinking about how fortunate I am to live in such a unique place. Beautiful, peaceful, knowing everyone, surrounded by spirituality.
But then I remembered that — even though it’s something to be constantly grateful for — living in the “perfect place” is not really the point.
Self-realization is the point. Knowing my oneness with God and all that is, that’s the point. In the meantime, I try to remember that this life which seems so real to me is God’s dream.
Yes, I’m living a beautiful manifestation of God’s dream compared to many other people on the planet, but still…the ultimate goal is to awaken from the dream into the pure light and love of God.
I discovered and promptly fell in love with this quote by Helen Keller today:
“I believe that God is in me as the sun is in the color and fragrance of a flower — the Light in my darkness, the Voice in my silence.”
What evocative imagery! I loved being prompted to ponder “how the sun is in the color and fragrance of a flower”.
And I love absorbing myself in the truth that God is expressing in, through, and as each one of us in much the same way.
It was quite windy when I took my walk this morning and I found myself stopping a few times to simply watch and listen to the wind in the trees.
Which got me to thinking about a half-remembered poem from childhood. The little bit I recalled spoke of how we know the wind is there even when we can’t see it, because of the effect it has on the things we can see.
And I realized that this also describes how I know God is there, because of the effect on things (especially myself and other people) that I can see. And by the changes I’ve experienced as a result.
I searched for the poem, of course! My recollection of it was pretty sketchy, but it might very well be the poem below.
BY ROBERT LOUIS STEVENSON
I saw you toss the kites on high
And blow the birds about the sky;
And all around I heard you pass,
Like ladies’ skirts across the grass—
O wind, a-blowing all day long,
O wind, that sings so loud a song!
I saw the different things you did,
But always you yourself you hid.
I felt you push, I heard you call,
I could not see yourself at all—
O wind, a-blowing all day long,
O wind, that sings so loud a song!
O you that are so strong and cold,
O blower, are you young or old?
Are you a beast of field and tree,
Or just a stronger child than me?
O wind, a-blowing all day long,
O wind, that sings so loud a song!
We met through our spiritual community, so a love for God was what we shared before we even became acquainted.
We laughed a lot as our friendship grew. In fact, the first gift I ever gave him was a favorite photo of Swami Kriyananda laughing uproariously.
But I’m pretty sure love started to grow the first time we rehearsed together for a concert. It was like recognizing a kindred spirit (and, yes, we recently finished watching Anne of Green Gables!). 😄
The pictures above are from the weekend of our wedding at Ananda Assisi (we had two ceremonies, in order to accommodate family on both continents).