I am writing from the House of Peace, the main house at Mt. Irenaeus. I have come here for a time away from, a retreat, on the Feast of St. Nicholas. It has been several years since I’ve been on a retreat like this. It’s just a day of quiet in a still spot with some of the most peaceful and holy men I know.
Today I came across a story of healing for a Vietnam war veteran who was so traumatized by that experience that he still bore the scars thirty years after the fact. I sent that story on to some friends today. I read the entire book three Christmases ago. Now, we learn that our president wants to start another war. He’s saying the that we need to bring peace through bombs and bullets. Its just pure bull.
A while back I purchased Wayne Dyer’s, “Change Your Thoughts, Change Your Life.” It’s only the second or third audio book I’ve ever purchased. I’ve really enjoyed listening to it when I’m out driving around. I listen to very little radio and very little television. I even read very little news on the Internet with … Read more
Recently Olean, New York and the surrounding area has been driven into a frenzy at times over the public display of a nativity set on the lawn of city hall. I’ve read with interest the articles pro and con in the local newspaper defending or condemning the decision. Politicians and other scalawags use religion as a method to divide the electorate and it’s become so common that we fall for it without question. Is this really the spirit of Christ or even Christmas?
I just visited Brother David Steindl-Rast’s site and this is a great video and commentary from an old friend. [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-LlXHPBhC4]
I just saw a clip of a segment with Charlie Rose and Karl Rove in which Mr. Rove stated some unbelievable items. I just have to wonder what parallel universe Karl is in. Does he think everyone is asleep? Do you remember what was going on five years ago this fall? [youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gTqACtWRJT0]
Tomorrow will mark the day most folks in the United States celebrate Thanksgiving. It’s the official holiday. I try to remember to be grateful more often than once a year. I don’t remember to give thanks everyday, but when I do I remember that I have much to be grateful for.
My very good friend, Brother Joe Kotula, OFM who is one of the most peaceful and loving people I know sent me this lovely link which I hope you too will enjoy and send to your friends. Take a moment to enjoy this and may the Lord give you and your family peace this Thanksgiving. … Read more
I’m sitting on my porch enjoying the warmth of supplied by our QuadraFire pellet stove. It’s amazing how much heat is produced from the burning wood pellets. It’s biomass fuel and very efficient. The pellets come in 40 pound bags and very little ash and almost no smoke result from the combustion.
I’ve been thinking as I listen to Wayne Dyer’s commentary on the Tao Te Ching. So much of my life is spent in being and doing and what is really important in me and in my life is really non-being. I’m grateful for this book and these moments of insight that have come from it. Until now, the concept of non-being has been elusive. What were they speaking of?
