Monthly Archives: October 2017

finite mindfulness

“Mindfulness when struggling with addiction means doing things in a finite way in the moment. My son Daniel says it’s being peaceful.”

– Angela Einstein

I love this quote! Angela is a crusader when it comes to helping heal addiction and her philosophy is as surprising as it is unique. (check out her website) and see how she is connecting celebrities to help with the mission of Rock the Record Straight™)
I am going to be thinking about how her idea of finite mindfulness relates to life practices in general whether struggling with addictions or simply seeking peace-of-mind and transforming negative feelings and thoughts.
Many spiritual practices turn our attention towards the infinite, which can help us see the larger picture of Oneness, yet it can sometimes also serve as a spiritual bypassing of sorts, which can become a habitual distraction, addictive in detaching (or hiding) rather than coping with what is present in our lives.
 
Bringing it to the finite perspective – which is truly what we have in each given moment –
is not only more manageable, but also practical in a spiritual sense because it opens the door to deep gratitude for the life we have, even if we are struggling in the moment, we are present to it and able to do something about it.
Thank you Ange – I needed this gem of inspiration today!  

UUs, Music and Appropriation

THIS! Was a wonderful episode of The VUU interview with DeReau K. Farrar and Dr. Glen Thomas Rideout! I love the arc of the conversation. Important for us to contemplate as we build our worship services music, poetry, sermons – liturgy, all of it.
It could have gone on for another hour easily – – I hope they invite them back for another interview as I look forward to having more discussions about what ReNeau identified as the reality that for most UU Sunday services are more about social affirmation rather than spiritual development and Glen Thomas speaking about the vital role of embodiment for healing on a visceral level in our services and in our lives.  Let us truly do the work of healing our wounds and intentionally transform our Sunday Services, and our mission and our purpose, to that of Spiritual Growth, to the Sacred embodied. Amen.

UPDATE: January 2019:

In this video, members of the Navajo Nation say that they are not offended by cultural appropriation.  They feel:  “It is unfortunate that we live in a culture where outrage has become a recreational pastime….it hurts cross-cultural relationships, it hinders us helping to understand each other.” (4:03 minute mark)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4JC58UYeaBs

(Note: This is not an endorsement of The VUU. View The VUU with caution. Sometimes it is wonderful, other times it does not live in to content/context that resembles any kind of Love).

the mystic is…

The mystic
—that is, the person who is ripe with this love consciousness that’s born in the night—
is not more holy but is granted a greater realization of the infinite holiness of the simplest of things.
– Richard Rohr

Speaking by Heart Workshop at Rowe Center

There are still a few full and partial scholarships available for this wonderful workshop offered at Rowe Center by Rev. Stephen M. Shick next month (November 5-7, 2017) Ideal for ministers, activists, or anyone yearning to communicate with greater effectiveness socially or in your business. Whether you’re a seasoned speaker or you are about to face your first audience, the practice of Speaking by Heart enhances your presentation as it releases you from attachment to your script, thus allowing you to fully connect with those you are speaking to. Thanks to the UU Fund, you may be able to attend for free or reduced rate. Visit the website for details and to enroll in this life-enhancing curriculum.
Rev. Stephen M. Shick has practiced speaking without a manuscript for more than 20 years. Stephen’s love of the spoken word began with hosting a nationally syndicated radio program for 12 years. As a principle founder of Community Ministry and the founding director of Unitarian Universalist Peace Network and the Unitarian Universalist Service Committee’s US programs, Stephen has used this style of speaking nationally in keynote speeches, workshop presentations, and public and congregational worship. He is a national CENTER Presenter on this subject for the Unitarian Universalist Ministers Association. Harvard Divinity School has co-sponsored this program for its students and community leaders.  Stephen is author of two books, Be the Change and Consider the Lilies.