This body will return to earth become one, again, with the round world: seep into soil, dissolve decay into richness life-giving dust, remnants of a kind flame, scattered motes of blown smoke collected by the smallest of creatures; water, the most of me, pattering outside a listener's window becomes Water of Life once more runs … Continue reading Going Home
Word Allergies:
No.1 “Journey” and “Growth”
There are some words that I am allergic to when used in the context of spirituality. Two of them are journey and growth. Both of these words encapsulate really positive ideas and images. They have the connotations of movement, hope, change, possibilities, potential. Nevertheless, they need tempering. The bottom line is this: God is here, … Continue reading Word Allergies:
No.1 “Journey” and “Growth”
Thomas and Friends
I was listening to a patient (RIP 7 June) this morning talking about how useless she feels just lying in bed all day without anything to do, feeling guilty that everyone is looking after her, being so kind, and that she can't help anyone in return. I was reminded of the stories of Thomas the … Continue reading Thomas and Friends
Taking Refuge
Breathing in, I go back to the island within myself.There are beautiful trees within the island,There are clear streams of water,There are birds, sunshine and fresh air,Breathing out I feel safe.I enjoy going back to my island.Thich Nhat Hanh
How to pray
The anonymous, 14th century author of the Cloud of Unknowing gives this advice in chapter 3 on how to pray: This is what you are to do: lift your heart up to the Lord, with a gentle stirring of love desiring him for his own sake and not for his gifts. Centre all you attention … Continue reading How to pray
Speckled Wood
I saw another butterfly on the way to the hospital — a speckled wood. I prepared myself for the possibility by bringing my camera and snapped it myself.
Male Orange-tip Butterfly
https://butterfly-conservation.org/butterflies/orange-tip Three times a week I make the journey from home to the West Mid. I value the 1¼hr journey—the ½hr train journey and the walk either end. I am learning how to pray in this time. It is, notwithstanding, an unpleasant experience for me: I am surrounded by traffic, people and unremitting noise and … Continue reading Male Orange-tip Butterfly
Fat
In another statement that demonstrates how we, as a society, fail to join the dots, Alan Johnson is concerned about the level of obesity in this country. Well done: very up with the Zeitgeist, Al. Well, if we spend so much time and money and space encouraging and manipulating ourselves into being nothing more than … Continue reading Fat
Dharma Transmission
I just love this poem. It's nearly a year since my last post. Ergo, Esther’s nearly 1 year old. I've been busy!
On being a patient
Our new daughter, Esther Ruby, was born at 20:23, Saturday 29th July. The antenatal care was wonderful — presence without unwanted interference — and, when Claire needed a caesarean section, wonderfully professional whilst remaining human. For me, it was an interesting and important experience of living between two worlds: that of the patient and that … Continue reading On being a patient