Faith and Will - the book

I'm enjoying a nice little, recently released book, "Faith and Will" by Julia Cameron, best-selling author of "The Artist's Way." Ms. Cameron's straightforward, easy to understand writing seems to me to be a primer for faith as understood by practicing Christians. Its content subtitle is "Weathering the Storms in Our Spiritual Lives" and indeed, she taps the reader on the shoulder with reminders of why we may begin to believe in God, how to continue to believe, and why we may doubt from time to time.

Last night's read before my lights out time was on page 160 with this quote -

Proverbs 1:5 - "Let the wise also hear and gain in learning."

"This Scripture (according to the author) advises us that no matter what level we have reached in our faith, there is always another level that we can go to. There is no limit on how close we can get to God. God is always ready to be still more intimate with us. God is always ready to be even more our companion and our mentor. There is no upper ceiling on our relationship with God. There is always room for more growth, more tranquility, more faith."

I found that of great comfort to fall asleep by and to reflect on again this a.m. Where am I in my faith and am I ready to be yet more intimate in relationship with God? Do I believe that God is interested in even matters I might believe too unimportant to bother Her with? Well, do I? How about you? Something seemingly trivial in your life that bringing it before God might ease your burden, your pain, your fear? Questions I ask from time to time of myself - Julia Cameron has given me a reminder of living in the faith that I espouse.

Are you caring for your soul today?

Image via Wikipedia

From Thomas Moore's CARE OF THE SOUL - chapter 6, page 119 -

"In the soul, power doesn't work the same way as it does in the ego and will. When we want to accomplish something egoistically we gather our strength, develop a strategy, and apply every effort. The power of the soul, in contrast, is more like a great reservoir or, in traditional imagery, like the force of water in a fast-rushing river. It is natural, not manipulated, and stems from an unknown source. Our role with this kind of power is to be an attentive observer noticing how the soul wants to thrust itself into life. It is also our task to find artful means of articulating and structuring that power, taking full responsibility for it, but trusting too that the soul has attentions and necessities that we may understand only partially."

According to the book cover, Mr. Moore "is a leading lecturer in the areas of psychology, mythology, and the imagination and he lived as a monk in a Catholic religious order for twelve years, having degrees in theology, musicology, and philosophy." For whatever reason, I had predetermined that the book was probably written from his Roman Catholic point of view, while in fact he speaks of the soul really from his disciplines of psychology, mythology, and the imagination - perhaps, so far anyway, not neccessarily tilted from his Roman Catholic faith side - his degrees there being in theology, musicology, and philosophy. So, coming up against a "different" or more diverse representation of the soul than that I expected, how do I feel about the book so far - like it, not, am suspect from a Christian point of view, disappointed that he views the soul from other than what I expected?

I am NOT disappointed - rather from my own rational, perhaps simplistic point of view, I find this book provokes my awareness of a gift from the only unknown source that I feel comfortable in crediting and that would be God. I embrace the concept that my soul is part of the total gift of life from my Creator and that viewing it as "a great reservoir or, in traditional imagery, like the force of water in a fast-rushing river," gives me tremendous comfort and grounding knowing that I've probably just tiptoed into the water of what my soul is capable of achieving while in this mortal life and that through awareness of the gift, perhaps I can hope to grow into a life to be worthy of that for which it was intended.

So, I'll be continuing in this book and looking for the message that is there for me and my soul together to interpret or not.

Have you found books in your library borrowing or buying that you thought you would know all about and suddenly found a new concept that you either totally disliked or totally embraced? Do you cast aside books with which you disagree or labor on? Do you read an occasional book because you should? Do you think your soul (the shrinking or the expanding soul) has anything to do with the book selections you make?

I hope you think about and care for your own soul this day and perhaps in doing that you 'll be caring for someone else's as well. Happy Sacred Life Sunday!

The Brothers Karamazov

Image via Wikipedia

Yes, it is true that I have just finished my second, yes, that is second reading of The Brothers Karamazov. Admittedly, the first reading must have been 25 years ago and why I decided it was important to read it again, I'm not quite sure. But now that the 956 pages have been devoured, or I should say chewed upon for quite a number of weeks, I have come to a conclusion and that is -

My first reading left me a bit clueless as to the importance of this piece of literature. Reading it the second time, I find that my conclusion - well, my conclusion remains the same!

Now Wikipedia points out that Sigmund Freud called it "The most magnificent novel ever written" and it is generally acknowledged to have had a deep influence on many writers and philosophers that followed it. At the Wikipedia link, you can download a full book report of The Brothers Karamazov. I would suggest you should plan on a long trip to "the reading room" to even get through the wiki words about the K Brothers. I am personally now reading the summary to find out where I've gone wrong in my personal evaluation of the book - or in order to confirm my humble opinion that one can read many other books in order to open one's heart, mind, and psyche, in much less time with a lot more benefits than eyestrain and aggravation!

Closing......in the words of newscaster, Rachel Maddow of MSNBC, maybe some of you readers out there would like to "talk me down" on this point of view......anyone game?

Day - A Book of Hours*

"Every day love corners me somewhere
and surrounds me with peace
without having to look very far or very hard
to do anything special."

*Quote from - Thomas Merton - A book of Hours edited by Kathleen Deignan

Photo - SS from Book of Hours pages from personal journaling

A Book of Hours

Some of you may have read my post references to a wonderful retreat that I attended the first week in Advent. The event was entitled - A Contemplative Art Retreat: Exploring Monastic Rhythms Through Art & Movement. It was an exhilarating event encompassing mind, body, and spirit. Through the adept leadership of Christine Valters Paintner, it was one of the most refreshing, mind and heart opening experiences that I've ever attended.

I bring the subject up again now as during the retreat there were many reading sources available to the attendants and on the first day I picked up a book entitled - Thomas Merton, A Book of Hours. During free time on the first day, I glanced through the small book, kept it as bedside reading for two nights but then feeling guilty at not sharing it with others, placed it back on the reading table. It seemed to rest there with no takers and then again, prior to the retreat conclusion, I took it to my room again. I was so moved by this book and decided that it would definitely make it on to my Christmas "wish list" as a "no brainer" idea for the adult children who swear they can never find a gift suitable for me. Well, as you would imagine, the ac weren't going for "wish lists" this year and no book was under the tree for me.

It wasn't exactly a hardship, of course, but everywhere I've turned in the last few weeks I've heard or read Merton's words speaking to me. So, surprise, you'll be happy to know that I have the book in my hands now and plan to savor it daily. Opening and slowly reading the cover intro, why was I not surprised to read these words from one of the collaborating authors, James Finley, who working with Kathleen Deignan edited Merton's writings into a Book of Hours format for daily use......

"You are holding in your hands a way to join Merton on the listening path. I sense Thomas Merton is somehow nearby, waiting in each thing he says to encourage you not to doubt all that God might achieve in you, all that God might express through you, as you surrender to God in silence."

I felt truly blessed upon reading this prayer for myself and I now offer to you readers the wish that you will take personally Merton's prayer and encouragement through your day.

Joyous Sunday!

New year, new soul?

Yesterday, prior to church, my candles, Bible, and assorted readings gathered at my spot upstairs for a little pre-church worship. Having read a chapter this week from the book "Lectio Divina" by Paintner and Wynkoop, I was intent on listening with my heart today.

I read some, I listened some, I read some more. The feeling of energy and rest were right, the lighting was right, the message.....where was the message? I reread the Bible verses, I went back and opened up the little zine "Crossing the Threshold: New Year, New Beginnings" Page 20 - reading, listening, where was the message? Whoops and duh, epiphany - I kept rereading these words and thinking weren't they lovely - not only lovely, but so meaningful -

For last year's words belong to last year's language And next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning.
T.S. Eliot, "Little Gidding"

AND

The object of a new year is not that we should have a new year. It is that we should have a new soul.
G.K. Chesterton

What wonderful words were captured in the zine and placed right in front of my nose, in my hands. I'm only 5 days into the new year and last year's words seem so gone and a new voice is filling my heart and mind - perhaps my soul is.....? Perhaps my soul is what?

Intimidating, frightening, humbling to project my soul's direction and to finish that sentence - yet one's soul cannot stay the same anymore than one's self can stay the same, so perhaps my soul is what? I'm not sure. How would you finish that sentence for your own soul?

Transformation, The Long Way Round

Reading the marvelous book by Sue Monk Kidd*, "When the Heart Waits", I find so many words that resonate with me, it is difficult to select a specific, only one today for contemplation. However, just returning from a very hard workout at the YMCA, my fingers have walked me back to this section of the book.....

Ms. Kidd relates a marvelous story from her childhood regarding the catching of tadpoles. If you happen to have the book, for a reminder it's on page 18-19; her telling of the tale leads to her back to this thought - "Transformations come only as we go the long way round, only as we're willing to walk a different, longer, more arduous, more inward, more prayerful route."

How true that reflection is in my life on so many levels. The YMCA workout - why do I go there regularly? Why do I sweat like a piggie, strain like an ox (pretty huh?) and on Yoga days, attempt to bend into pretzel poses? It has something to do with where my body wants to go , or stay, and what my inquisitive mind, placed in Drs. Roizen and Oz books, has discovered about getting there. As we age and slow our daily routines, our flexibility as well as our strength begins to wane. Yes, hopefully it is inevitable that we age - I don't argue with that and really don't mind it (not much!!!) but I do want to be in the best shape I can be for living life to its fullest - so going to the YMCA regularly for classes, varied in style and purpose, is my effort to take the long way around to living a longer and more comfortable life.

I've started to use my paints and brushes again and am loving the activity. It challenges my mind, my hand to eye stuff, small muscle/big muscle dexterity. But, whoops, I'm remembering, results don't just appear. They have to be contemplated, studied, canvas or surface must be prepared. In collage, many pieces must be gathered and mapped, AND for me, there has to be some photography, research, and sketching done prior to laying down a finished piece. Again, the long way around I've found brings me more satisfying results.

Finally, no place is clearer or more satisfying than the long way round with God. Why not just a quick "hi" and "let's get on with it" day? And sometimes that is what happens - not on God's side but on mine. Fortunately, at least I believe that God is careful and patient and although heavenly knowledge, far exceeding my earthly attempts at braininess (is that a word?) knows I need more than that quick "hi" - some days I think that will do. Having now communed with God for most of my life, sometimes more faithfully than other times, I realize without a doubt that there's nothing but the long way 'round for me to feel the presence, to know the comfort, to honestly confess and beg for forgiveness. I'm grateful that God has given me the life I've had so far. Some lessons have definitely been learned by going the long way 'round. Those lessons are the ones that I believe lead me to transformation of body, mind and spirit.

So how 'bout you? Long way 'round - does it or has it ever taught you lessons to be remembered?

Photo - SS - in prep for next collage
*Sue Monk Kidd book on loan from Lucy

"beautiful boy" by David Sheff

Having just read a book given to me as a gift from daughter, Sarah, the question coming to mind prior to reading it, was "why this book?" The title was enough to put me off and ponder why Sarah thought that I would choose to review an addiction story, as if the ones that I know "up close and personal" aren't informative enough?

The book (that I now recommend) is "beautiful boy - a father's journey through his son's addiction." The book is, as its title states, a father's journey, etc. It is a painfully, poignantly written recollection of a perfectly normal, beautiful child, ascending into the world of drugs pulling the family sans drugs, into the bottomless chasm of his addiction to methamphetamines.

I found the likelihood of enjoying this book slim as, regrettably, I have too many friends, family and relations who could have written this book almost to the letter.....one such would-be author, having referred more than once to her addict son, as her "beautiful boy." But surprisingly, once I did pick up this book and begin to read it, I find it hard to put down for several days.

Right from the beginning, I was spellbound with the personalization of the facts. The facts that to those outside a family's inner circle might seem contrived or possibly exaggerated as to "what's really happening" in the life of a family with an addicted member. As I came upon the all too-familiar scenes and stories I've personally experienced, my mind kept nodding, yes, yes and questioning how does/did this happen and why can't we/they "fix" it?!

The addiction facts are there. The addicts' stories, lies, promises, recovery, relapses have a familiar ring to them. The pain, the hurt, the blame, the guilt, the sorrow - shared like stones splashing and rippling through still pond water - no caring family member or interested bystander is spared from "getting wet"!

In recommending this book, I would share my personal sense of release found in the reading - release from the burden of guilt, unduly taken on by we/us the parents, friends, and families. The assurance that we/they are not wrong in wanting to offer our/their family member comfort, aid, love, even cash, etc. but reminding ourselves/them as all good Al-Anon (Al-Anon here encompassing all addiction support groups) literature and counseling will advise, the addict must "fix" themselves. We cannot do it for them. We cannot hasten the addicts' recovery because we find a better method, or that we have better ears to listen or better words to offer than does the immediate family. The addict may briefly retreat and bathe in the promises of an outsider but the fact remains no repair is complete until the addict decides to enter into, endure, and begin to grow into their own life and the living of it.

This book sends a powerful message to addicts and their life circle of family, friends, and acquaintances. I recommend it. I know some of you reading these comments will relate to them. Thank you Sarah.

Little book reviews and recommendations.....

Two long days of travel with planes, airport concourses, followed by lazy afternoons and evenings of relaxation allowed me to gallop through a couple of good books this past weekend. They were such good reads I plan to linger over them again in the near future for more in-depth enjoyment. (You may find these familiar titles that you've already enjoyed!)

Kitchen Table Wisdom by Rachel Naomi Remen, MD. I'd heard a little about this book and frankly thought it was another "feel good" book of quotes. Wrong - Ms. Remen relates her experiences as a medical doctor, seeing beyond the prescribed manner of detached treatment of patients by professionals trained to sublimate their personal feelings and emotions toward patients, into the realm of true care and leadership in patients' personal self-awareness to bring healing and peace to the dying as well as physical recovery to many. Stories of the spiritual side of humanity never fail to grab me!

What We Ache For by Oriah Mountain Dreamer. The subtitle, as you might imagine with the author's last name Mountain Dreamer, is "Creativity and the Unfolding of Your Soul." I purchased this small used volume after visiting Oriah's blogsite. I was not disappointed with her "how to" style. Tending towards "The Artist's Way" in its content, I found her admonishment to practice, practice, practice, while ignoring your own as well as others' discouragement, to be inspirational......what can I say - I like this stuff!


Three Cups of Tea by Greg Mortenson. Although I didn't read it this weekend, rather this month, I highly recommend this book. Here are the opening lines of Chapter 22 - "The Enemy is Ignorance" -
As the U.S. confronts Saddam Hussein's regime in Iraq, Greg Mortenson, 45, is quietly waging his own campaign against Islamic fundamentalists, who often recruit members through religious schools called madrassas. Mortenson's approach hinges on a simple idea: that by building secular schools and helping to promote education-particularly for girls - in the world's most volatile war zone, support for the Taliban and other extremist sects eventually will dry up.
- Kevin Fedarko, Parade cover story, April 6, 2003.

This is a wonderful story of one man's efforts to make a difference in the world!! Click on the Three Cups of Tea link and see what he's accomplished - remarkable.

Have you read any of these? What books are waiting on your bedside table for reading right now?