These three ways lead to the heavens:asserting the truth,not yielding to anger,and giving…— Dhammapada, verse 224 Right now, if I get one more email that’s fairly vibrating with fear and anger regarding the economy, Sarah Palin, John McCain, and on and on, I think I might have a case of the vapors. Yes, I am … Read more
Summer Sunby Robert Louis Stevenson Great is the sun, and wide he goesThrough empty heaven with repose;And in the blue and glowing daysMore thick than rain he showers his rays. Though closer still the blinds we pullTo keep the shady parlour cool,Yet he will find a chink or twoTo slip his golden fingers through. The … Read more
Tolerance is the homage which the finite mind pays to the inexhaustibility of the Infinite.— Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan (1888-1975) On this day in 1888, Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan was born. He was an Indian philosopher and statesman. He was widely admired as a master of the English language, a spellbinding orator, a dynamic leader, and a generous … Read more
A Night-Rain in Summer by James Henry Leigh Hunt Open the window, and let the airFreshly blow upon face and hair,And fill the room, as it fills the night,With the breath of the rain’s sweet might.Hark! the burthen, swift and prone!And how the odorous limes are blown!Stormy Love’s abroad, and keepsHopeful coil for gentle sleeps. … Read more
If more of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.— J. R. R. TolkeinLughnassadh (pronounced “LOO-nahs-ah”) or the Anglo-Saxon “Lammas,” is one of the Greater Sabbats and honors the First Harvest. In agricultural traditions throughout the Northern Hemisphere, this marks the start of the harvest cycle, … Read more
Mockingbirdsby Mary Oliver This morningtwo mockingbirdsin the green fieldwere spinning and tossing the white ribbonsof their songsinto the air.I had nothing better to dothan listen.I mean thisseriously. In Greece,a long time ago,an old coupleopened their door to two strangerswho were,it soon appeared,not men at all, but gods.It is my favorite story–how the old couplehad almost … Read more
The Power and the Gloryby Phil Ochs Come and take a walk with me through this green and growing landWalk through the meadows and the mountains and the sandWalk through the valleys and the rivers and the plainsWalk through the sun and walk through the rain This is a land full of power and gloryBeauty … Read more
Happy birthday today to Starhawk – gifted writer, earth-healer activist, and witch. Starhawk is one of the most respected voices in modern earth-based spirituality and a founding Mother of the Reclaiming tradition of Witchcraft. She is also well-known as a global justice activist and organizer, whose work and writings have been directed at awakening the … Read more
Through a little girl’s eyes, my father’s hands were so big. They folded over mine, swallowing them up as they taught me to tie my shoes. They patiently screwed together bicycles and swing sets, they wiped off chocolate mustaches. They wrapped around the handle of a hammer, hanging the same pictures over and over, each … Read more
In gratitude for the life of Lynn GroszYou have generously given so many treasures.Even now, you call me to awaken and remember: Have you ever tried to enter the long black branches?by Mary Oliver Have you ever tried to enter the long black branchesof other livestried to imagine what the crisp fringes, full of honey,hangingfrom … Read more