Spiritually Speaking

The point of Zen Buddhism is awakening, to live life in a state of openness to what is going on right now, in this moment. As I meditate daily, I become aware that much of my life is run by habit patterns.

After many years of research, interviews, talks, presentations and writing, a momentous event recently occurred here in Canada: The Truth and Reconciliation Commission offered up its findings and recommendations.

Eating and drinking in a sacred or ritual meal is common to many spiritual traditions. Christianity has its own meal practise, known by different names: Holy Communion, the Mass, Eucharist – which means “thanksgiving,” the Lord’s Supper.

Time seems to enter into every moment of our day. We talk about having no time, about time-consuming activities, or that a problem is taking too much time to resolve.

These days the news seems particularly full of divisive attitudes and behavior generally unconducive to feelings of oneness or social cohesion.

For more than half of the world’s population, the moon is more than a lamp for the night sky or a muse that could be cheese or a person depending on who you ask.

In the course of my routine life I spend quite a bit of time in small group conversation. Generally the goal of these groups is to nurture and encourage the flourishing of spiritual life and practice.

There is conversation these days which is carried on with great energy. The topic might loosely be called the pathology of society. On one side there are those who advocate for people who bear the stigma of obvious brokenness.

I often find myself wrestling with finding words that will make a difference. It is at the heart of a minister’s job, after all.

I have been a part of two recent events with youth, which has me thinking about the future. News headlines and most prognostications about the state of the world are depressing.