I'm finally tackling my second service on the four classical elements (Earth, Air, Fire, Water). This one will be Water. For the meditation, I'm doing a rather poetic meditation on the flow of water as a metaphor for the flow of life/time. Traditionally, we follow the meditation with a musical meditation. Normally, it's classical music from a rather lectionary-like three year schedule the sound guy worked out. I prefer to pick something that fits my theme, and in this case I have two popular songs that I've long been fond of that fit the flow idea:
this is just to announce for those interested that I have a youtube channel that has 'videos' of mine.
My best friend died this February and, with all other things that have been happening in my life, it has been affecting me and I'm sorry for any spillage onto people here at WC.
Or the metaphorical a*muse*ment of a magnificent Muskoka May 24 weekend….
I ironed today. Now for some this isn’t monumental but for me it is – my partner is still reeling from the shock.
I don’t even like doing laundry. I view it as a necessary evil or an excuse to shop for more – clean – clothes: But ironing, my heavens, what an exercise in futility.
I’ve always had a hard time meditating – because I have a hard time sitting still, and just focusing on my breathing.
I know all the benefits. Meditation is supposed to relax you and allow you to concentrate better. It’s good for your health – reducing muscle tension and headaches, along with your respiratory and heart rates.
I'm not one to pray much. Or, to be honest, at all. I follow prayer in service, and bow my head for grace, but I don't do much more than that. I mean, there are occasional moments when I'll make a conversational comment to God (like "Ooh, nice one there!"), but I have never understood nor been satisfied with what most people see as a necessary part of being a Christian.
This week, I had an interesting experience. I joined a group on Facebook which was a discussion and exchange of resources for Lent. Two notifications came - one for "Happy Ash Wednesday", and one for "Happy Lent". I sent a private message saying that while I understood the intent, "Happy Lent" and "Happy Ash Wednesday" didn't seem quite theologically apt.
What is consciousness? I've heard neuroscientists types describe it as a purely physical function. But every religion seems to believe that it exists beyond the death of the body (heaven, nirvana, etc.). Do you think it part of us or exists separately? Is it "I", or is it more than that.
I know, it's confusing to think about. I'd appreciate hearing what others think about the nature of consciousness.
So I've been thinking about smoking. I have never done it, personally, which I guess is rare. Many of my friends in high school smoked, but they were always respectful of those of us who didn't. I understood the smoking-as-rebellion thing then, and I understand the smoking-as-a-craving thing now.
