The Madawaska Institute for Culture and Religion
Where Spirit & Life Meet
The Practice of Spirit-ful Mindfulness
May 1 to May 3, 2012
A workshop for anyone who hungers for a simple spiritual practise that offers
an oasis in the overwhelming and relentless `busyness’ and noise of daily life,
and an antidote to the persistent anxiety of the economic and ecological decline of a post 9/11 world.
Life persistently tests us and calls us to hold our hearts open to each other,
How we enter a room or a place tells us much about the event. If we wander in, or there is no grand entrance, we know it is a more casual event. If we stop and greet before we find our seats, then know we are some kind of community event. If we come in and bow in prayer, we know there is a preparation for a religious experience. If there is a great procession we know that it is formal and we expect something to happen.
I wanted to like this book for it has some very wise people, who love the church, writing in it. But I have problems. It was a quick read that was unsatisfying. Unsatisfying because of the nature of the book. I am not a fan of one page reflections. I want some depth when I read. It had hints of depth but each vignette stood on its own, no follow up by other posters. ( It came from posts on Emerging Spirit) They did not seem to engage one another or the ideas of others.
The earthquake that devastated parts of Haiti forces us to rethink our assumptions about reality. Over the past few weeks we have heard and seen many voices offer their response of words to make sense of the event. Along side those words has been the overwhelming responses of care. This out pouring of gifts and action lift our spirits, and for many this is enough to solve the existential questions that arise in such a wide spread disaster.
Transforming Christian Theology: For Church and Society. Dr. Philip Clayton
Nov 10 and 11 at Dominion -Chalmers United Church, 355 Cooper Street, Ottawa ON,(corner of Cooper at O'Connor). www.dc-church.org(Sponsored by Ottawa Presbytery and the Madawaska Institute)
Dr. Philip Clayton is currently Professor of Religion and Philosophy at Claremont Graduate University and Ingraham Professor at Claremont School of Theology. Professor Clayton's website
