Alan likes to teach us fun words, the title is one of those words. Gotta love Alan and all of his Quaker wisdom.
Another good one from Alan, 'Virtue has to be an action.'
I have math class in 20 minutes..15 now.. and my prof forgot to post our assignment that kinda sorta means I can't do it, as she would say. So here I am.
I have calmed down so so much since I last posted. I still get weepy at times, I cried during the Ash Wednesday service at the Chapel last week. I cry reading Gandalf sutff- and mind you, I love to cry, I really do, but I don't love beeing so upset I literally cannot contian it. I didn't cry at Chapel so much about Scope, but that's another story for another time and this might not be the place to articulate it anyway.
I've been doing meditation for my new discipline- it's going well, I attribute calming down to setting 30minutes a day to do this.
I finally went to the UU that meets in Kulas yesterday. Josh and Chris went with me. I loved it, and I will be going back. It's everything I wanted it to be, AND there is a significant ritual aspect which I didn't expect but love. The sermon was opened up to discussion DURING the sermon! How cool is that? Anyway the people were, of course, welcoming and friendly. I had a conversation with one of the members after the service and was telling her about myself, and I said "I used to be a Christian, and I've been wandering around for a long time...but this seems like a perfect community" and she replied "I used to be a Christian too, and then it stopped working." And I was like "HELLO NEW CHURCH!"
But, seriously- I think it might be the first time I've ever had a conversation like that with an older person. I don't mean "older person" in a negative way either, but...seriously. It was so refreshing! I can't wait to go back. I have not missed getting up on Sunday mornings though, let me tell you.
My math class is starting in 2 minutes.. I should probably go to it.
I think I will finish this first. Math can wait.
After a series of crumby days and weeks, I realized it's really the little things. I say that all the time- and I really do love the little things. But, it's something like meeting someone who loves one of your favorite authors... or knowing someone that smiles every time they see you, I mean every time- not every time we talk, but if they're in class and see you walk by the door- for that split second they see you every Monday Wednesday and Friday afternoon around 1:55, they smile- it's these things that are not only wonderful on the surface but they show me that other people do care, and that we do live a relational existence. It's these silly little things that lift up bad days. It's a friend who sees an article in the paper about Hobbits and brings it in for you because they know you're a Lord of the Rings geek... It's people saying "Well I heard her laugh in the hallway, so she must be here.." The things that often get lost in the murk and mire of life that can show us what it really means to be alive.
I'm five minutes late. I guess math can't be avoided forever.
I leave you with this, which I have quoted a from a lot recently... everyone things I'm talking about the stupid book, but I'm not!
"TURNING and turning in the widening gyre
The falcon cannot hear the falconer;
Things fall apart; the centre cannot hold;
Mere anarchy is loosed upon the world,
The blood-dimmed tide is loosed, and everywhere
The ceremony of innocence is drowned;
The best lack all conviction, while the worst
Are full of passionate intensity.
Surely some revelation is at hand;
Surely the Second Coming is at hand.
The Second Coming! Hardly are those words out
When a vast image out of Spiritus Mundi
Troubles my sight: somewhere in sands of the desert
A shape with lion body and the head of a man,
A gaze blank and pitiless as the sun,
Is moving its slow thighs, while all about it
Reel shadows of the indignant desert birds.
The darkness drops again; but now I know
That twenty centuries of stony sleep
Were vexed to nightmare by a rocking cradle,
And what rough beast, its hour come round at last,
Slouches towards Bethlehem to be born?"
William Butler Yeats
Monday, February 22, 2010
Tuesday, February 9, 2010
"Things fall apart..."
Today has not been my day.
I must betray what I set out to do here and be totally honest. I don't have that liberty right now. I'm just very upset. Not even just sad... I'm fire-y pissed too. Disappointed. Frustrated. I feel like, somehow, I've failed. Myself. Others. I failed to be what I wanted to be...what other people needed me to be... I don't know. My heart is breaking though... Hopefully everything works out. I almost hope I am really wrong about everything. Making it all up in my head.
I just feel so heavy.
"the center cannot hold..."
Today has not been my day.
I must betray what I set out to do here and be totally honest. I don't have that liberty right now. I'm just very upset. Not even just sad... I'm fire-y pissed too. Disappointed. Frustrated. I feel like, somehow, I've failed. Myself. Others. I failed to be what I wanted to be...what other people needed me to be... I don't know. My heart is breaking though... Hopefully everything works out. I almost hope I am really wrong about everything. Making it all up in my head.
I just feel so heavy.
"the center cannot hold..."
Monday, February 1, 2010
Of Quaker Mischief and the Misanthropic Parakeet.
Got back from Gethsemani at 5:30ish last night. It was such an amazing trip. I just got done looking through all the pictures that we've put on Facebook. I sincerely wish we were still there. My friends are such amazing people- and because of the trip I acquired a new one in Aryn! =) I think it makes sense to go through the trip chronologically (though I tried to recap in Merton class today and FAILED, forgetting a major part of the trip =/ Lameness prevails.)
1/29/10
I drove my mom and I here before Spiritual Disciplines, she took my car home so it wouldn't sit up here for the weekend. Put all my stuff my Connie and went to class for a bit. We departed at 10am. The weather was good for travel- cold, but no snow or anything. We got to the Merton Center around 3:30? Between 3:30-4. [This is the part I managed to forget earlier] The guy who works there showed us around. They have a rather extensive collection of Merton-stuff. Books. Dissertations. Pictures. Poems. More books. One of his typewriters. A pair of his boots. <3 One of his cameras. Some of his photographs.
I've fallen hard for Tommy by this point, if not earlier. Then! We listened to a recording of him teaching novices. I enjoy the timbre of his voice. And his laugh. I'm not ashamed, either.
We headed off to Bardstown, which sadly lacks any sign of minstrels or bards- though it is quaint. We had dinner at a place called Kres(s(o's. I think that's how it is spelled. I had their signature pasta dish- with chicken, shrimp, and a cream sauce. It was good.
We made it to the monastery for 7:30 Compline. In the dark. It was really affecting. After that we headed to our house, at Bethany Springs. It was gorgeous. Homey. Tracy, the Hostess, was a doll. We had tea (tea, and more tea!), craisins, and tasty other foods. Katie made cupcakes for Katelynn's birthday (I s'posed to as well, and forgot). Andy, Matt, and I stayed up til around 11 (probably closer to 11:30). Everyone else went to bed before us.
We got up around 2:50am for 3:15...Vigil? (I can't keep track of the order of the names or the exact times, either) It was also in the dark. We didn't go back to sleep before the next office, at 6:15. We had tea instead! I don't really recall everything precisely for the next 2-3 hours of the day... I know we stuck around for awhile, went to the library of the Retreatist wing{?}....went back to the house, the group had breakfast, I showered... we went to the 10:15 office and then had Mass at 10:30[?] before then. The next service was at 2:15. We explored after that. (Sometime before or after we went to the giftshop, got cheese fudge a card...) Took many pictures, found Tommy's grave =( and then headed to the House. (I took a nap...blankets!)We were there til 5:30? and then came home, again, for lasagna dinner. It was pretty good. The bread was tasty. We sang happy birthday to Katelynn. Back to Compline at 7:30, and that was it for the night..for services anyway. We headed back to the House. Some of us watched a Merton movie. Talked. Drank tea. Ate craisins. There was some mediation. I journaled a little. Went to sleep.
1/31/10 I don't think anyone got up to go to 3:15 with Alan. I got up around 6:30? initially. Kate came down shortly after that, so did Katie. We chatted, drank tea. I can't remember if we were up til other people got up, I know I eventually went back to my bed and slept until right before we had to leave. We went to Terce at 10:20, didn't stay for Mass though...and we're on the road to home! I was sad to leave and so were a few others! We got Tbell for lunch (this amuses me very much). Got back to BW around 5:30, none of my family picked up their phones so I rode home with Kate! Thank God they were there! I would have been stranded.
All in all it was a great weekend. I have to go read for class now!
1/29/10
I drove my mom and I here before Spiritual Disciplines, she took my car home so it wouldn't sit up here for the weekend. Put all my stuff my Connie and went to class for a bit. We departed at 10am. The weather was good for travel- cold, but no snow or anything. We got to the Merton Center around 3:30? Between 3:30-4. [This is the part I managed to forget earlier] The guy who works there showed us around. They have a rather extensive collection of Merton-stuff. Books. Dissertations. Pictures. Poems. More books. One of his typewriters. A pair of his boots. <3 One of his cameras. Some of his photographs.
I've fallen hard for Tommy by this point, if not earlier. Then! We listened to a recording of him teaching novices. I enjoy the timbre of his voice. And his laugh. I'm not ashamed, either.
We headed off to Bardstown, which sadly lacks any sign of minstrels or bards- though it is quaint. We had dinner at a place called Kres(s(o's. I think that's how it is spelled. I had their signature pasta dish- with chicken, shrimp, and a cream sauce. It was good.
We made it to the monastery for 7:30 Compline. In the dark. It was really affecting. After that we headed to our house, at Bethany Springs. It was gorgeous. Homey. Tracy, the Hostess, was a doll. We had tea (tea, and more tea!), craisins, and tasty other foods. Katie made cupcakes for Katelynn's birthday (I s'posed to as well, and forgot). Andy, Matt, and I stayed up til around 11 (probably closer to 11:30). Everyone else went to bed before us.
We got up around 2:50am for 3:15...Vigil? (I can't keep track of the order of the names or the exact times, either) It was also in the dark. We didn't go back to sleep before the next office, at 6:15. We had tea instead! I don't really recall everything precisely for the next 2-3 hours of the day... I know we stuck around for awhile, went to the library of the Retreatist wing{?}....went back to the house, the group had breakfast, I showered... we went to the 10:15 office and then had Mass at 10:30[?] before then. The next service was at 2:15. We explored after that. (Sometime before or after we went to the giftshop, got cheese fudge a card...) Took many pictures, found Tommy's grave =( and then headed to the House. (I took a nap...blankets!)We were there til 5:30? and then came home, again, for lasagna dinner. It was pretty good. The bread was tasty. We sang happy birthday to Katelynn. Back to Compline at 7:30, and that was it for the night..for services anyway. We headed back to the House. Some of us watched a Merton movie. Talked. Drank tea. Ate craisins. There was some mediation. I journaled a little. Went to sleep.
1/31/10 I don't think anyone got up to go to 3:15 with Alan. I got up around 6:30? initially. Kate came down shortly after that, so did Katie. We chatted, drank tea. I can't remember if we were up til other people got up, I know I eventually went back to my bed and slept until right before we had to leave. We went to Terce at 10:20, didn't stay for Mass though...and we're on the road to home! I was sad to leave and so were a few others! We got Tbell for lunch (this amuses me very much). Got back to BW around 5:30, none of my family picked up their phones so I rode home with Kate! Thank God they were there! I would have been stranded.
All in all it was a great weekend. I have to go read for class now!
Sunday, January 24, 2010
The road goes ever on and on
I didn't mean to be away for so long. School doesn't even have me that busy. I should be sleeping though. Alas...
I am sitting her flipping through LOTR: FOTR...I've only read about 100 pages. Not enough! But, I am here to share my favorite passage in the book, and part of the movie too, (so good they had to include it!)
Page 60
"I wish it need not to have happened in my time," said Frodo.
"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."
Sure, it's small- only a few sentences... but it is so twisted up with all my memories and all the time I spent with this book, this story, and Tolkien. For fans, for serious fans, how can this book not be religious? It WAS my religion for a few years. My religion, companion, friend, escape, commitment, obsession... So much. Gandalf, whether or not he's an adequate Christ figure, was someone to turn to in times of need, doubt, sadness... He's not just a character in a book to me, he's so much more.
I probably sound insane so I'll stop now. It just works its way into my heart and tugs at everything...
In other news- today is day 13 of fasting (well, it hasn't technically started yet, as the sun has not risen quiet yet ;) but that's almost 2 whole weeks! I've been entertaining the idea of posting my reflection journal entries on here. I might at the end. They're a little spastic, and probably redundant.
Merton trip is this coming weekend! *Dances around room happily!* I cannot wait! I wish we were going later for a) warmth and b) it looks so pretty and green in the Spring! with flowers and bright green grass! I'm sure it will be just as awesome, though.
Scope is doing "A Kingdom Without Walls" this week. It ties in splendidly with the stuff we worked on for MLK week. It's about tolerance and acceptance and inclusion. It's a really great LTQ episode. Last week we made kits for Haiti- our small contribution to all the help they need right now!
I saw this on Twitter today: All God does is watch us and kill us when we get boring. We must never, ever be boring. ~ Chuck Palahniuk.
I don't agree, but it is interesting to think about. I don't think we should be boring, either.
Oh- I am not sure if I wrote about it before or not, by my family has given me soooo much flack for fasting. My dad, being a smartass, asked if we needed to say grace over dinner the other night. (We don't say grace...well, on Christmas and Easter...but we don't have that here...) And he asked me why I couldn't just do anything "normal" for once in my life. Supportive, I tell you, so supportive. Can't I just got to Gethsemani and never come back???
It's late, I need to read still... so I must be off!
-Rachael
(ps- I wish there was some way to record my thoughts while they're sloshing around in my head while I work because I think about awesome things while vacuuming and can never remember how I worded them afterwards which is really lame! I also (tend to) entirely forget what I thought about)
I am sitting her flipping through LOTR: FOTR...I've only read about 100 pages. Not enough! But, I am here to share my favorite passage in the book, and part of the movie too, (so good they had to include it!)
Page 60
"I wish it need not to have happened in my time," said Frodo.
"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."
Sure, it's small- only a few sentences... but it is so twisted up with all my memories and all the time I spent with this book, this story, and Tolkien. For fans, for serious fans, how can this book not be religious? It WAS my religion for a few years. My religion, companion, friend, escape, commitment, obsession... So much. Gandalf, whether or not he's an adequate Christ figure, was someone to turn to in times of need, doubt, sadness... He's not just a character in a book to me, he's so much more.
I probably sound insane so I'll stop now. It just works its way into my heart and tugs at everything...
In other news- today is day 13 of fasting (well, it hasn't technically started yet, as the sun has not risen quiet yet ;) but that's almost 2 whole weeks! I've been entertaining the idea of posting my reflection journal entries on here. I might at the end. They're a little spastic, and probably redundant.
Merton trip is this coming weekend! *Dances around room happily!* I cannot wait! I wish we were going later for a) warmth and b) it looks so pretty and green in the Spring! with flowers and bright green grass! I'm sure it will be just as awesome, though.
Scope is doing "A Kingdom Without Walls" this week. It ties in splendidly with the stuff we worked on for MLK week. It's about tolerance and acceptance and inclusion. It's a really great LTQ episode. Last week we made kits for Haiti- our small contribution to all the help they need right now!
I saw this on Twitter today: All God does is watch us and kill us when we get boring. We must never, ever be boring. ~ Chuck Palahniuk.
I don't agree, but it is interesting to think about. I don't think we should be boring, either.
Oh- I am not sure if I wrote about it before or not, by my family has given me soooo much flack for fasting. My dad, being a smartass, asked if we needed to say grace over dinner the other night. (We don't say grace...well, on Christmas and Easter...but we don't have that here...) And he asked me why I couldn't just do anything "normal" for once in my life. Supportive, I tell you, so supportive. Can't I just got to Gethsemani and never come back???
It's late, I need to read still... so I must be off!
-Rachael
(ps- I wish there was some way to record my thoughts while they're sloshing around in my head while I work because I think about awesome things while vacuuming and can never remember how I worded them afterwards which is really lame! I also (tend to) entirely forget what I thought about)
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Classes
So, I think I have between 5-6 drafts sitting on here that I don't know where I was going with...or couldn't articulate properly how I feel about whatever it was I decided to write about. I think I get worried that what I am writing isn't really valid or important- until it struck me that what I write doesn't always have to be some highly polished deep thing, because that's not how I work as a person OR feel spiritually. My religious life is such a mess, so much chaos and uncertainty I don't think I could ever articulate it all with precision and eloquence. Some of the stuff I was trying to write about is also difficult for me to address, personally...and really confront it.
Might I note it is freezing in the Chapel! I need to bring a blanket with me here, my coat just isn't cutting it. (Today is a day I wish I lived on campus...as always, really).
I'm taking a lot of religion classes this semester. 5, actually. Spiritual disciplines, Merton, Christianity in the New Testament, colloquium, and my LOTR/Gandalf & religion independent study. (I'm also taking math and international cinema). Now, I don't need to be taking half of these classes... but I want to, so I am. I really want to be immersed in religion this semester, so no matter which way I look I really am encountering God.
Spiritual disciplines seems like it will be interesting as well as fulfilling. We have to pick 3 disciplines to do, 5 weeks each. I've decided to do fasting for my first. I'm going to do it Ramadhan style and eat only after sunset, which is kind of early right now, so I am going to aim for eating after 7. Then I want to do meditation, and then perhaps service. I am toying with the idea of starting mediation now as well as fasting. It's been years since I've done mediation on a regular basis, and it was rewarding before so I feel like it would be now. Alan is also giving us the option to hand-write our journals which makes me exceedingly happy. I think it will be much more beneficial for me that way.
Merton looks to be awesome as well. Great people! And I cannot wait for our trip!
Christianity in the New Testament seems to be cut-and-dry, biblical history class. It's my first (and only) scripture class, so it wil be interesting to do.
In colloquium we are reading Speaking of Faith! Which is my favorite religion book! I am so so so excited to read this book with my friends in the department. It has touched my life so much. I really hope they enjoy it. (I've quoted it here before). This was the book that introduced me to tikkun olam. I am sooooooo excited I can barely stand it!
My LOTR/Gandalf and religion indy study is going to be amazing. The books I am looking at are fantastic. It's just going to be a lot of reading. A ton. A crap ton. Starting with re-reading LOTR and the Hobbit (hopefully!) by the end of next week. I need to get it out of the way asap so I can start my research.
I have to be off now for Christianity, but I will write more... things are swinging in me
Might I note it is freezing in the Chapel! I need to bring a blanket with me here, my coat just isn't cutting it. (Today is a day I wish I lived on campus...as always, really).
I'm taking a lot of religion classes this semester. 5, actually. Spiritual disciplines, Merton, Christianity in the New Testament, colloquium, and my LOTR/Gandalf & religion independent study. (I'm also taking math and international cinema). Now, I don't need to be taking half of these classes... but I want to, so I am. I really want to be immersed in religion this semester, so no matter which way I look I really am encountering God.
Spiritual disciplines seems like it will be interesting as well as fulfilling. We have to pick 3 disciplines to do, 5 weeks each. I've decided to do fasting for my first. I'm going to do it Ramadhan style and eat only after sunset, which is kind of early right now, so I am going to aim for eating after 7. Then I want to do meditation, and then perhaps service. I am toying with the idea of starting mediation now as well as fasting. It's been years since I've done mediation on a regular basis, and it was rewarding before so I feel like it would be now. Alan is also giving us the option to hand-write our journals which makes me exceedingly happy. I think it will be much more beneficial for me that way.
Merton looks to be awesome as well. Great people! And I cannot wait for our trip!
Christianity in the New Testament seems to be cut-and-dry, biblical history class. It's my first (and only) scripture class, so it wil be interesting to do.
In colloquium we are reading Speaking of Faith! Which is my favorite religion book! I am so so so excited to read this book with my friends in the department. It has touched my life so much. I really hope they enjoy it. (I've quoted it here before). This was the book that introduced me to tikkun olam. I am sooooooo excited I can barely stand it!
My LOTR/Gandalf and religion indy study is going to be amazing. The books I am looking at are fantastic. It's just going to be a lot of reading. A ton. A crap ton. Starting with re-reading LOTR and the Hobbit (hopefully!) by the end of next week. I need to get it out of the way asap so I can start my research.
I have to be off now for Christianity, but I will write more... things are swinging in me
Friday, December 18, 2009
Holidays
I am procrastinating on going to my grandma's tonight. She wants me to come over to help her bake cookies. I am skeptical. She hasn't called me all day though, so maybe she forgot? Is it bad that I hope she did? Probably. Speaking of grandparents, my grandpa loves to send out crazy email forwards. They're so ridiculous I've asked him to stop sending them to me a few times- he doesn't listen. But anyway, the other day he sent out this forward about the real reason for the season (I hate that phrase...) and lah-de-dah. I drafted a response that said "Jesus was actually, probably, born in March." I haven't sent it, and I probably won't because it would turn into a giant battle. A battle that I have come to realize is inevitable. I had to laugh because one of the characters on Bones pointed this out in last weeks episode Daisy responded to a Christmas dinner invite by saying "If it's in March, I will come to a Christmas dinner..." or something. I might just be a little disgruntled because I hate Delilah, she's a DJ on 102.1 and she's sooooo stupid and ignorant it drives me crazy and her voice! Ah. But yeah, I just... Christmas is not about Jesus for me and hasn't been...I know that I would have said he was at some point, but never REALLY was what it was about. It's about family. But, really... and what I think frustrates me the most is that the early Christian church said Jesus was born in December so friggin close to the Winter Solstice aka Candlemas or Saturnalia to help persuade "pagans" into accepting their tradition, as a means of appeasing them. Most of what I cherish, and what most people actually cherish about the holiday season can be linked to those celebrations. Not to mention the other factors. It's just....it's narrow. It's insanely narrow. Christmas isn't the only holiday that happens right now, Christianity isn't the only religion that finds this time of year to have some significance.
I can't get over the frustration either. Every year it drives me nuts. I don't know how people deny so many things.
That all being said- I am no Scrooge. No Grinch. I love this season, this holiday is only second to Halloween for me. I love decorating and the whole insanity that is Christmas preparation. I love decorating trees (we have 4!) and lights, and gifts! And all the food and cookies.
I guess I don't think that someone's birth is really as important as what they do with the time they are given (if you can place this quote, I will bake you 2 dozen cookies, cyberspace). I don't think Jesus was really born of a virgin under a massive star that people followed....and I don't think it's really important when he was born, or where, but what made Jesus important was his message and how much he responded to the Divine lure. I find it interesting that Christianity doesn't really have a holiday just for God.
In the spirit of Christmas cheer, I guess I will go to my gram's now and make her freaking cookies. And maybe help her wrap some gifts. She'll make me spend the night...and will drive me crazy; but she's family, and that's what this season is all about for me. (Friends too, but they're family anyway in my book!!!!) (I also love this season cause all of my old friends come home! But I do miss my college ones...why can't I have both?) (Isn't that always my question? I'm greedy)
Oh! And before I go, I've sketched out at least 10 paintings and written 4 new poems and the start of s short story since break started- novelty! Creativity! Yay for answering the creative, divine lure!
<3
I can't get over the frustration either. Every year it drives me nuts. I don't know how people deny so many things.
That all being said- I am no Scrooge. No Grinch. I love this season, this holiday is only second to Halloween for me. I love decorating and the whole insanity that is Christmas preparation. I love decorating trees (we have 4!) and lights, and gifts! And all the food and cookies.
I guess I don't think that someone's birth is really as important as what they do with the time they are given (if you can place this quote, I will bake you 2 dozen cookies, cyberspace). I don't think Jesus was really born of a virgin under a massive star that people followed....and I don't think it's really important when he was born, or where, but what made Jesus important was his message and how much he responded to the Divine lure. I find it interesting that Christianity doesn't really have a holiday just for God.
In the spirit of Christmas cheer, I guess I will go to my gram's now and make her freaking cookies. And maybe help her wrap some gifts. She'll make me spend the night...and will drive me crazy; but she's family, and that's what this season is all about for me. (Friends too, but they're family anyway in my book!!!!) (I also love this season cause all of my old friends come home! But I do miss my college ones...why can't I have both?) (Isn't that always my question? I'm greedy)
Oh! And before I go, I've sketched out at least 10 paintings and written 4 new poems and the start of s short story since break started- novelty! Creativity! Yay for answering the creative, divine lure!
<3
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
I believe
For many of Alan's classes, he assigns a credo. Unfortunately for me, I have not had one of those classes yet.
I really want to write one. My lame attempt for now will be this list... A list of things I believe and a list of things I don't believe
I believe...
in: soul/self
reincarnation
karma
the golden rule
we are interconnected
the power of compassion
Light
Community is pivotal
No one religion is "correct"
free will
tikkun olam
anam cara
we are "created"
science and religion can work together
in evolution
ethics: no mind-altering substances
chastity
no lies
no adultery
no killing
respect
compassion
children are innocent
I do not believe...
in Hell
Jesus "died" for our sins
in sin/original sin
the cloud of unknowing
an interfering God
an angry punishing God
predestination
in absolutes
that God is omnipotent
I really want to write one. My lame attempt for now will be this list... A list of things I believe and a list of things I don't believe
I believe...
in: soul/self
reincarnation
karma
the golden rule
we are interconnected
the power of compassion
Light
Community is pivotal
No one religion is "correct"
free will
tikkun olam
anam cara
we are "created"
science and religion can work together
in evolution
ethics: no mind-altering substances
chastity
no lies
no adultery
no killing
respect
compassion
children are innocent
I do not believe...
in Hell
Jesus "died" for our sins
in sin/original sin
the cloud of unknowing
an interfering God
an angry punishing God
predestination
in absolutes
that God is omnipotent
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