www.theburninghand.com
  • Chop Wood
  • This Is Me
  • Rule of Life
  • Meditation
  • Mother
  • Trail 2
  • Contact
  • Thin
  • Book
  • Lessons
  • Dance
  • Maharaj-ji
  • Baba Ram Dass
  • Poppy
  • Quantum
  • Greta
  • Wendell
  • St. Dorothy Day
  • St. Max
  • Sabbath-Day
  • St. Francis
  • Praxis
  • Tribe
  • St. Francis
  • Trail of Days
  • Making It Sacred
  • Sanctuary of the Heart... Daily Prayers

Democracy...

7/27/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
The supreme task of democracy in the 21st century is for the individual person to transcend self... and to identify instead as all... for the personal to become fully and completely Planetary...
0 Comments

Beatitude Bliss...

7/12/2021

0 Comments

 
Picture
Well, I have (years ago) argued with Franciscan Father Richard Rohr, but I'll not do that here, only adding that I am sure that he would agree that prophetic witness is an essential aspect of authentic spirituality and self-change. The core values of this prophetic witness are feminism and nonviolence: indeed, beatitude bliss depends upon both: in transformation and in social change...

​In its formative self-definition, Christianity understood itself as Way... as in way of life... this is clear in the Acts of the Apostles. Way was the non-dualism of belief and action: a seamless garment woven around the Sacred Presence... Sharing goods in common, mutual aid and reverence, equality-in-the-Christ-Body, and nonviolence were the evidence of a radical change of mind / change of heart...

​One can easily imagine the Holy Mother instructing way-followers from her particular vantage point of the Magnificat: her synthesis of centuries of prophetic witness... What was it like to experience birthing-pains while at the same time the divine presence was made flesh, in and through her? What must it have been like to teach the rEvolution of the Magnificat to the Children of God?

​One can study, if having the mind to, all of the wheeling-and-dealing that went on between Empire and Early Christianity: between bishops, monks, and theologians attempting to corral a wild God with certainty and definition: and with an equally wild Sacred Spirit that could not be tamed... Nevertheless, original sin became the origin point of Christian faith effectively replacing way of life... Magnificat became "Virgin Birth" and Beatitude became "doctrine" and both receeded into the nether-world of virtual heresy... and yet, and yet...

Unable and unwilling to surrender to the "revenge" of the Powerful Angry Christian, whether Bishop or mob, some folks simply walked away... some became nuns, monks, and seekers of caves and silence and peace... Others, went "underground"  but always remembering and clinging to what the P. A. C. called the "mystic path" and warning always of the cost of heresy... but remembering and clinging nevertheless... On the one hand there was Augustine, but on the other, there was Hildegard... There were Crusades and there was St. Francis... 

​Francis dared the risk of heresy and re-united with primitive Christianity in faith as way of life: in his heart he jumped the divide of dualism, united with the Magnificat and the Beatitudes, settled into the Bliss they yield, and rEvolutionized once more the meaning of faith... Francis' poem, Canticle of the Creatures, unveiled the essential pansacramentalism of the Christian insight: the Divine Beloved waits in ecstatic expectation behind / within the everyday and the everything of all of our daily lives... this sacred insight can be buried beneath layers of history, doctrine and evident obfuscation, but it can not be denied... 

In case you have yet to notice, there is a world-wide, and most assuredly here in the "United" States, an assault on truth... Don't kid yourself, but Trump and Minions are only a symptom of this assault: it extends way beyond his / their feeble delusions of grandeur, and it goes right to the heart of the matter: Christianity has failed precisely because it has given itself over to a vain attempt to tame a God who simply can not be tamed! It has neglected both the Magnificat and the Beatitudes: replacing their liberating power with a vapid theology of original sin and a mythical power over the keys of heaven... Various flags and the Ten Commandments (which quite conveniently has replaced "Thou shalt not kill" with "an eye for an eye") are the ever-present "side-arms" of the Christians who make war upon truth...

​Within the limitations of a blog, there can be no in-depth critique of Christianity, nor of any other religion. However, no in-depth critique is needed, is it? I mean seriously, one has only to open one's eyes and look and see! It is not just faith, but the entire Planet that is @risk! And in their madness, the fundamentalists of all stripes, want this Planet to burn! What is the alternative? It's in the Magnificat. It's in the Beatitudes. It's in the franciscan vision of a radical (into the roots) pansacramentalism. It's in sacred agitation for equality, for social justice, for peace, and for the Planet. It's in the construction of an alternative reality: we are not destined for "burning", rather, we are destined for "bliss"... Herein lies the difference and the very home of truth... 

​Finally, it's fine if you doubt my words, but ask yourself
how often did Jesus say anything about original sin? Now, contrast that number with how often he said, "The Kingdom of God (heaven) is within you"? The Kingdom of God is within us as a direct consequence of our humanity: it is our natural condition... we are expected to tune-in, turn-on to the Beatitude Bliss, and extend the Kingdom by our way of life... which is precisely why the first followers of the Way joined into intentional communities... it's easier to live a dynamic festival life with sisters and brothers as companions of the way... 

​"God's purpose is to bring in the age of shalom, which implies not only peace, but all aspects of a restored and whole human condition: truth, community, wholeness, communication, and justice." -- David Kirk (Quotations from Chairman Jesus)

0 Comments

    Author

    Robert Daniel Smith was privileged to serve the homeless and marginalized for 30 years in California. He is living now almost within shouting distance of the Twin Cities. He is a poet, artist, writer, and long-time  Companion of the Way still dreaming... 

    ​Recommended Reading:

    ​Son of Man by Andrew Harvey


    ​Be Love Now by Ram Dass

    ​Be Here Now by Ram Dass

    The Rebirthing of God by John Philip Newell

    The Hope by Andrew Harvey

    The Return of the Mother by Andrew Harvey

    ​Creation Spirituality by Matthew Fox

    Loaves and Fishes by Dorothy Day 

    Sacred Pleasure by Riane Eisler

    Occupy Spirituality by Adam Bucko and Matthew Fox

    Autobiography of a Yogi by Paramahansa Yogananda

    The Self-Aware Universe by Amit Goswami, Ph.D.

    Bhagavad Gita by Eknath Easwaran

    The Wisdom Jesus by Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault

    ​Living the Eternal Way by Rev. Ellen Grace O'Brian

    Listening For The Heartbeat of God by John Philip Newell

    Archives

    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    September 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    December 2019
    November 2019
    October 2019
    August 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    August 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011
    December 2010
    November 2010
    September 2010

    RSS Feed

Copyright (c) Michelle Smith   All Rights Reserved  2017
Photos used under Creative Commons from tejvanphotos, heather aitken, PixFav.com, Rennett Stowe, Never Edit, dsgetch, Jeffrey, spiritchasa, red line highway, luciefly, np&djjewell, Milton Keynes Museum, pmarkham, Wonderlane, Flikkersteph -4,000,000 views ,thank you!, KOREA.NET - Official page of the Republic of Korea, homethods, igo.rs, Daniel Dudek-Corrigan, WarmSleepy, MizGingerSnaps, niiicedave (back from AK USA), rachel_titiriga, neotint, mRio, regan76, Chilanga Cement, Goldmund100, nevil zaveri (thank you for 20+M views:), Sasha Y. Kimel, Evoflash, ianmalcm, National Farm Worker Ministry, CapCase, Larry Lamsa, nathanborror, philozopher, iamathis, keepitsurreal, Elvert Barnes, NASA Goddard Photo and Video, *ErinBrierley*, archer10 (Dennis) 85M Views, Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com, recommendgroup3, normalsanik, philwarren, Rod Waddington, Nic's events, edenpictures, ell brown, Eneas, skugga2shadow, PiConsti, matsuyuki, Lucie Bluebird-Lexington, Christiaan Triebert, Kyle Taylor, Dream It. Do It., Schwarzkaefer, K. Kendall, satanoid, Rod Waddington, Adrian Thomson, Rod Waddington, Neon Tommy, Javmorcas, EU Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection, hams37, DigitumDei, Dean Hochman, Rob React, Marion Doss, Celestine Chua, Bold Frontiers, Bobfantastic, Daniel M. Hendricks, The National Guard, micadew, Pero Kvrzica, Pan American Health Organization PAHO, Feed My Starving Children (FMSC), Abode of Chaos, zugaldia, jorgemejia, 1nativeTexan, A. Strakey, STUART_BURNS1, Jan Tik, erix!, greensefa, Meanest Indian, miketnorton, eliduke, K. Kendall, willthomas7, Southbank Centre London, fuseboxradio, alden0249, Chuckfranky, **** j a z z z i ***, eliduke, kevin dooley, iz4aks, Loco Steve, U.S. Embassy New Delhi, geckzilla, InSapphoWeTrust, PhotoHenning, Miradas.com.br, srslyguys, otterbeintheatre, Sasha Y. Kimel, Dick Thomas Johnson, justin, cattan2011, Rebecca Harms, ** RCB **, jdg32373, thisisjamesj, Glyn Lowe Photoworks., www.ilkkajukarainen.fi, eugenenoodleman, swong95765, WarmSleepy, scazon, albany_tim, hoyasmeg, austinevan, Easa Shamih (eEko) | P.h.o.t.o.g.r.a.p.h.y, Filipe Moreira, Old Sarge, BlatantNews.com, .shyam., puroticorico, Jim, the Photographer, rajkumar1220, mike.benedetti, Lost Albatross, babasteve, Alex E. Proimos, Falling Heavens, cliff1066™, pixiduc, To Tuscany, Space Ritual, Walt Hubis, qwrrty, Geoff Livingston, nyoin, jeffreyw, Cea., tibchris, Friar's Balsam, Pink Sherbet Photography, Trilok Rangan, cscott2006, Kris Krug, spratmackrel, Celestine Chua, Shashank Mhasawade, AlicePopkorn, mhiguera, waitscm, mikekwaan, Lost Albatross, rajkumar1220, Alan Cleaver, philipmatarese, @jbtaylor, Anosmia, ryPix, Illusive Photography, Beverly & Pack, Mike Licht, NotionsCapital.com, Paul Lowry, Ben Sutherland, kamshots, National Farm Worker Ministry, k763, Wonderlane, BAMCorp, bm.iphone, QuotesEverlasting, markbyzewski, greensefa, DonkeyHotey, Feed My Starving Children (FMSC), VinothChandar, jamarmstrong, Ian W Scott, olcoge, carulmare, eleephotography, rajkumar1220, AlicePopkorn, billy verdin, Melody Campbell, PixFav.com, cyberien 94, symphony of love, Cory Kipa Photography, Mulligan Stu, Jack Heart, creativedc, yummyporky, Liz Henry, beaumontpete, Karen Eliot, Formula_d, cuatrok77, Eneas, Monica Arellano-Ongpin, YIM Hafiz, AlicePopkorn, dalbera, TausP., Song_sing, Duncan~, Ed Coyle Photography, h.koppdelaney, L. N. Batides, oseillo, K. Kendall, omnos, francesco sgroi, akshay moon, popejon2, Waiting For The Word, DeeAshley, rajkumar1220, mira66, NASA Goddard Photo and Video, Jean-Luc Toilet, Morgaine, Јerry, silviostarr, mahalie, jGlidePhotoATL, bixentro, AirHaake, VinothChandar, niyam bhushan, tedeytan, Kıvanç Niş, kevin dooley, secretlondon123, mike 23, christian.greller, OliBac, quinn.anya, goat_girl_photos, yeowatzup, revmags, jlwelsh, doubledareyaa, bberburb, Cea., clkohan, Feed My Starving Children (FMSC), garlandcannon (on hiatus), kdinuraj, TheAlieness GiselaGiardino²³, Raphael Goetter, omnos, jeet_sen, rajkumar1220, gbaku, Pink Sherbet Photography, payneshut, timmarshall, cutemosaic.com, Balaji.B, Morgaine, sadeog, DrStarbuck, michaelvito, VinothChandar, Emily Stanchfield, ninja 4 life, Carly & Art, The Jewish Agency for Israel, McD22, Ashok666, Zanastardust, grahamc99, Sharon Mollerus, dental ben, WarmSleepy, Flikkesteph, quinn.anya, h.koppdelaney, Katrin Lorenzen, ernenn, Fairy Heart ♥, Spirit-Fire, Lynda W1, Bob Doran, miheco, micadew