I have a ritual:

My home has a stairs. In the landing there is a small pedistal with a statue of Budda.

every time I go up or down the stairs (10,000 times a day!)

I pat him and say "om mani padme hum" and think...regard the jewel in the lotus,

Then  I say "Thank you Lord, for this day.", sometimes "and for all that have preceded and those to come)

...by then
I have reached the end of the stairs...and somehow I feel a lot better.

Hinduism, Zen, Christianity, Taoism, Mahayanna Buddism.

Plant your own garden and decorate your own soul, instead of waiting for someone to bring you flowers.      Veronica A. Shoffstall

I used this quote recently in a thread started by Musicsoothes. It was in response to Dogorious’ comment that he hoped he will have the nerve to apply for jobs I might only dream of.

Being Born Anew. John 3:16. Fourth Sunday of Lent. March 21 2009.

There is a new book out by Phyllis Tickle which is causing quite the stir in religious circles. Phyllis Tickle is an academic, a publishing agent, and a popular writer on spirituality. Tickle’s new book is called “The great Emergence- how Christianity is changing and why”. Tickle is not the first scholar to believe that we are currently living through a significant time of religious, cultural, social and intellectual change which is on a par with the Protestant Reformation.

Changed by the Desert. First Sunday of Lent.

Text: Mark 1: 9‑15 Preached by Rev. James Murray at Dominion-Chalmers United Church, March 1 2009