Refuge

 As I read and reread the following quote, the more it brings me to acceptance. This morning I woke with the knowing that peace already exists, and it is eternal.  Does that mean that we humans are living peacefully? Alas, no. As much as we need the healing of peace, we often go in the opposite direction- creating more chaos, more strife, more separation, more grief.  

Yesterday, I stopped at a small Japanese restaurant that sits in a narrow strip mall. I had never been there, but despite the noise both inside and outside the restaurant, I found peace. I found a place to rest and be nourished. I also found a place where I could listen to two very young children talking to each other and the adults who were with them.  No, I could not understand them, but they seemed to understand one another. They were speaking the language of discovery. The parents were encouraging the children to speak familiar words because that is what generally well intentioned parents do. Yet, I loved listening to those children delight one another. I felt no need to hear words I already knew.   

As I was leaving, I told the parents that I so enjoyed hearing the children, and I gave them a blessing for a happy family.  Yes, that blessing surprised the adults, but I think these fortunate children probably understand the joy of blessings very well.  

"If two or more people love one another deeply, they may come to that profound level of awareness and mind-expansion in which no words are necessary because their intimacy is not built on words. And the stronger the love, the more profound will be the silence and the deeper will be the enlightenment. Furthermore, if this love goes to the core of their being, it brings a realization of something more than the people involved -- it brings a consciousness of the all; it contains an element of universality."

~ from SILENT MUSIC by William Johnston     

      

image:  "Beyond the Fence"  San Leandro

Room to Move

 "You must have a room, or a certain hour or so a day, where you don't know what was in the newspapers that morning, you don't know who your friends are, you don't know what you owe anybody, you don't know what anybody owes to you. This is a place where you can simply experience and bring forth what you are and what you might be. This is the place of creative incubation. At first you may find that nothing happens there. But if you have a sacred place and use it, something eventually will happen."

~ Joseph Campbell   

  

This quote came this morning from an email from Friends of Silence. There are indeed times when unknowing is more powerful, more healing than knowing. Allowing ourselves time to find the balance between the two states is essential now. For the past few days I have been pondering the Greek word, metanoia. It is often translated as change. Yet, I recently heard a short presentation by Kathleen Flanagan, Director of Franciscan Ministries, and her talk expanded my understanding of what metanoia means. Her premise was that when both Jesus and St. Francis experienced metanoia, they were led deeper into their ministries of serving the poor, sick, and dying. Our metanoias can lead us to more fully understand our own calls to serve. 

Too often, we try to harden ourselves against change. However, after reading Rupert Sheldrake's book The Physics of Angels, co-authored with Matthew Fox, I now envision our souls as fields of energy, and I do not believe these fields can be hardened, although our thinking and attitudes certainly can be. In her lovely book, The Yogi's Way, Reema Datta writes, "The Upanishads [ancient Sanskrit texts] describe our true Self as devoid of any fixed quality or characteristic." She goes on to explain that quantum physics has revealed that we are made up of cells that are made up of molecules that are in turn made up of atoms that are 99.9 percent empty space. Datta writes that again, according to her understanding of quantum physics, every object and person is a "field of pure potentiality" rather than fixed beings ( p. 106)."        

It is, of course, perilous to quote someone about quantum physics, or really, any subject, when you yourself know absolutely nothing about it. However, I love the phrase "pure potentiality". I once read that Stephen Hawking (1942-2018) contended that a better human was possible, and I have always believed, and will continue to do so, that humanity is headed in that direction. In a period that could truly be an exciting time of exploration and learning, I am sorry that the US voted to cling to a backward and solidified notion of who we are as a people. That decision, while by no means unilateral, is costly and disappointing, and is impacting not only us but the world. Hardened hearts and minds are seldom catalysts for growth and new understanding, but I will continue to hold the idea that at least some of our potential for good can be explored in this time.   

          

Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing,
There is a field. I'll meet you there.
When the soul lies down in that grass,
The world is too full to talk about.
Ideas, language, even the phrase each other
Doesn't make any sense.

Rumi, translated from Persian by Coleman Barks and John Moyne   

 

       

 

image: Half Moon Bay, a few years ago 

Novena, Day 5

 The last time I sent these novenas (2021), I changed the word love in the first and last lines to Christ. For this cycle, I reverted to Parrish-Harris' version. However, today I seek the great light that is Christ. However weary or ill we may feel, the work of Rupert Sheldrake has convinced me that our souls are energetic fields, always radiating.  Our work is to align our minds, bodies, and souls so we do not block the path to the work we are here to do.  In his deeply insightful book, Ladders to the Light, Steven Charleston writes, "I think you and I have been recruited as spiritual medics...Socially, economically, and politically, people are struggling around us. People are anxious, angry, and afraid." He goes on to say that it is into this reality that the spiritual medic is called upon to "leave the trenches and stand on open ground for the sake of peace."   

Take care of yourselves, dear friends. Your light is so needed in this world. 

    

I greet this day with Christ in my heart. 

I respond to the actions of others with love. 

Adversity and discouragement will beat 

against my shield of love and become soft as rain. 

My shield of love sustains me when I am alone, 

Uplifts me in moments of despair

And calms me in times of confusion. 

I awaken to the new day with vitality

and joy of living. 

As my courage increases, my enthusiasm rises. 

My desire to greet the world overcomes every fear.  

I accept happiness from the sources made available to me. 

As I become stronger, I cast aside the shield

And walk unencumbered among the family of humanity, 

giving and receiving. 

The radiation of unconditional love awakens the joy 

of living in everyone I meet. 

I greet this day with Christ in my heart.  

  

Rev. Carol Parrish-Harra

        

image:  "Community of Light", February 2025, my backyard

Novena, Day 4

 "Don't be afraid to struggle." I am pondering those words that were written on a poster that depicted a determined young girl who was either hiking or running. I was at the dentist office, and I did not have a chance to really investigate it. The words have stayed with me, though. This morning the words, "stay planted" came to mind and I wrote them in my journal. I interpret those words as an encouragement to be present, and yes, connect. Connect with love. 

Our roots are deepening. We are stronger than we know, and others, the seen and the unseen, are standing with us.    

    

Day 4

I greet this day with love in my heart. 

I embrace all of humanity, seeking qualities to admire. 

Though I often have not been able to see clearly,

With love I will tear down walls of separation 

which have been built. 

In their place I will build bridges of connection. 

I love the ambitious, for they inspire me to greater action. 

I love those who fail, because they teach me endurance. 

I love the young, for the faith that they hold, 

the elders, for the wisdom they offer. 

I embrace the ugly and the beautiful, 

the rich and the poor, the meek and the bold. 

I acknowledge the spark of divinity 

that resides in each life I meet. 

I greet this day with love in my heart. 

  

Rev. Carol E. Parrish-Harra     

      

I am thinking that this photograph was taken in British Columbia, but I do not know for certain.  Canada, and the friends I have there, are on my heart and mind.      

 

Novena, Day 3

 Because of what is going on in our nation I think some of us will struggle with the second line of this novena. Yet, I appreciate the reminder to watch my fight or flight responses.  When my mind calms, I  hearing the psalmist singing, "Be still and know that I am God."

I am enjoying going through some of my older photographs. I love this image because I see a choir singing in the blooming.  Maybe I will get to the point when I can hear the singing. For now, I simply celebrate the joy of form and color.  

This morning the wind is rising, and the sky is overcast. It is a beautiful hymn of praise. 

I greet this day with love in my heart.
I will love those I confuse as enemies
and find ways to know them as friends.
I encourage my friends as they become
my brothers and sisters.
I will find ways to applaud.
I release harmful words and thoughts.
When I am tempted to criticize,
I will find compassion.
When I am moved to praise,
I will speak out clearly.
I will join the birds, the wind, and the sea
as nature speaks praise for the Creator.
I will become as music with the children of God.
As I remember my resolve, I will uplift my life.
I greet this day with love in my heart.    

   

  Rev. Carol E. Parrish-Harra

The Book of Rituals          

          

Novena, Day 2

 The Blue Nile Lilies are not yet in bloom, but I love the movement in this photograph.  Life is energy. May we always radiate love, no matter who and what we are facing. 

This photograph was taken in my front garden years ago. The lily, which is at least 30 years old, continues to do well. I draw inspiration from all the plants in my garden, but the older ones sing a special message: "Simply be."  

Day 2  

I greet this day with love in my heart. 

Henceforth, I look on all life with compassion. 

I realize the rebirth within myself. 

I love the sun, and it warms me. 

Yet, I love the rain for it cleanses my spirit. 

I love the darkness for it shows me the stars. 

I welcome happiness for it expands my heart; 

I endure sadness for it teaches me compassion. 

I experience the challenges of my life 

as they aid in my growth. 

I greet this day with love in my heart.    

 

Rev. Carol E. Parrish-Harra 

The Book of Rituals      

        

Novena Day 1

 I first shared this novena in 2005 and again in 2021.  This morning, as I watched the morning light change, it came to mind once more.  A novena is a cycle of 9 days of prayer. Exactly why, I do not know, but it feels appropriate to begin the novena again.   

The photograph is from some years ago. I have always loved it. Even though firmly rooted, the rose has a sense of expectancy, maybe even longing to greet what is beyond the gate. I believe the conversation has already begun.     

I greet this day with love in my heart. 

This is the great secret to happiness. 

This unseen power of love can open the hearts 

of humanity and bless all of life. 

I will make love my most effective tool, 

Bringing the energy of life to myself and others. 

Love will melt the blocks within and around me. 

Opening me to the joy of life. 

I liken love to the rays of the sun which can 

soften the cold of the harshest day. 

I greet this day with love in my heart.   

 

Rev. Carol E. Parrish-Harris, 

The Book of Rituals