Comments on: Equinox balance

By: Louis Claude de Saint-Martin, Duality and Meditations on the Tarot « Meditations on the Tarot

Mon, 19 Apr 2010 21:07:11 +0000

[...] Equinox balance (anchormast.com) [...]

By: Experience Oneness: The White Sun Contemplation | What's It Take Blog

Experience Oneness: The White Sun Contemplation | What's It Take Blog — Wed, 31 Mar 2010 06:04:51 +0000

[...] Equinox balance (anchormast.com) [...]

By: Tess

Tess — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 09:33:29 +0000

Bjorg Nina, thank you for your visit and hope to see you again. Have a good Easter!

By: Bjorg Nina

Bjorg Nina — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 19:06:25 +0000

heisann!

I´m looking for a new blog to visit, may be I will come back.
We have some in common!
Have a nice Easter!

By: Tess

Tess — Tue, 23 Mar 2010 12:21:34 +0000

kigen, I love the breadth and depth of your knowledge!

By: kigen

kigen — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 15:04:42 +0000

The stones in your magnificent illustration are cantilevered, without any external bracing. I once worked in a building whose architecture was cantilevered where my office was located, which produced a very odd though stable feeling about one’s location. In your example the balance is accomplished both vertically and horizontally. The Christian cross is sometimes discussed in terms of its soaring vertical beam, in continuity with (rather than in counterpoint to) its broad, or inclusive horizontal embrace.

By: Tess

Tess — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 10:56:26 +0000

@rebecca: I think your vocation as Mother (I just mistyped that as “vacation” – hardly!) is a wonderful recognition, and perhaps we often discount the parts of our lives that are action because it seems so normal.
Yes, I think Carl’s review of the introvert book is interesting. My feeling is that there are probably more introverts and contemplatives (not necessarily the same thing) than are immediately noticeable, because the extroverts are grabbing the attention.
I do think, though, that conventional Christian churches/congregations, with their clear “rules”, hierarchies, built-in social community and activities like soup kitchens or whatever, naturally attract people who want all those things and that those people tend to be the most visible.
@Norman: you’re absolutely right, of course, prayer is action. And thanks very much for your link – I’ve responded at more length in a Facebook DM. I’m conscious in myself of a reluctance to the sort of action that could be described as “lady bountiful”. A kind of guilt complex about being a middle-class white woman, reasonably well off. But then, self-consciousness is something that’s followed me round like a mangy dog all my life.
@Karen: thanks for your comment and welcome to my blog. I’m right with you on paradox, which I think is one of the most important words in any spiritual path. Again, it’s getting away from the either/or to reach the and. I think your spiritual director was absolutely right, presence and witness are of huge importance. I’m sorry you’re worn out!!

By: Karen

Karen — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 01:31:54 +0000

For me balance is paradox – a complete contradiction – which I’m not sure is a correct way to say it. I do think prayer is action especially for introverts and there’s the paradox. Going places and doing while not leaving my apartment. When I am out and about I think I hope that small actions of kindness are worthy. I spent 40 some years in an active life and I’m worn out!

We all have different strengths don’t we? One spiritual director told me don’t ever underestimate presence.

rebecca – I too would like to know where Carl got his numbers –

By: Norman

Norman — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 19:03:22 +0000

Or perhaps prayer IS action.
As in Martha and Mary…….

Take a look at THISif you have a moment:

Best wishes with your Franciscan Project, Tess

By: rebecca

rebecca — Sun, 21 Mar 2010 16:27:33 +0000

“perhaps it’s not for us to know whether it’s making a difference” feels very true. We must do what is put in front of us and also respond to “calls” as they present themselves to us.

I very, very frequently have to remind myself of a powerful experience that I had on a labyrinth several years ago in which I became very clearly aware that my FIRST vocation is that of Mother. (And it’s not the first vocation that I would CHOOSE because I often feel so inadequate.)
I forget that mothering is definitely action in the world and then discount that work.

Re your “elsewheres”: Did you read Carl’s post about introverts in the church? I can’t get the book, but am intrigued about new awarenesses about how introverts and contemplatives fit into the picture of the church. He says in another post (somewhere) that there are only a handful of contemplatives present in most churches and that really threw me for a loop. I often feel so lonely, but I never thought that I was THAT alone. I wanted to ask him where he got his numbers but he had just posted that he was no longer able to respond to comments. What is your experience?