April 29, 2016

What's Happening This Week at SpiritualityandPractice.com

Editor's Pick   

By Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat 

Edward Hays was a dear friend to Spirituality & Practice, and his many books inspired us to embrace an ever fresh vision and practice of everyday spirituality. In his last written words, he quoted Elizabeth Kubler-Ross: "I'm going out dancing among the galaxies."

Practices   


Even if we only have two smell receptors to a dog's 220, think of all that fragrance brings to your life! Though typically undervalued, this sense helps you recall memories, assess events, and even taste.

More Practices: Beltane, Be Kind to Animals Week 
 
E-Courses   

Every Body's Prayer
A new e-course by Lindsay McLaughlin and
Patricia Campbell Carlson
May 2 - 27, 2016

Starts Monday! Movement opens the world to us and ties us with tenacious ribbons of gratitude to nature, one another, and the Holy. Read more and sign up here: 
Wisdom Stories from the Sufi Tradition
A new e-course by Kabir Helminski
May 1 - 28, 2016

Starts Sunday! Immerse yourself in timeless wisdom from the great mystics. Plumb the depths of 20 stories with a Sufi Shaikh's commentaries and a worldwide community's responses.

Read more and sign up here:
www.SpiritualityandPractice.com/SufiStories
 
Films

Directed by Tom Tykwer

What happens when a salesman having a midlife crisis travels to Saudi Arabia where he hopes to convince the King to purchase a holographic teleconferencing system for a new planned city?

More Films: Dough, Viktoria, American Side, The Wait, Rio, I Love You 
DVDs

Directed by László Nemes

In a radical reframing of the genre of Holocaust movies, the camera focuses tightly on Saul -- a prisoner forced to do grisly tasks while trying to perform a mission of mercy -- so that we experience what he experiences.

More DVDs: The Last Man on the Moon  
Books   

The Power of Forgiveness
By Joan Gattuso

Bestselling author and Unity minister Gattuso offers tools to dismantle your hurts, grievances, and suffering so you can heal the past and live fully.


More Books: Wholeheartedness
Children's Books   

By Danny Parker and Matt Ottley
Designed for children ages 4 - 8, this comforting book encourages self-confidence, as young Toby little by little learns how to get by in life without the constant companionship of his parachute.


Arts   

Arts Reviews
Hockney
Directed by Randall Wright
This documentary collage of interviews and reminisces is worthy of one of England's "national treasures."

David Hockney, A Bigger Picture
Directed by Bruno Wollheim
When Hockney returns in his 70s from Los Angeles to his native Yorskhire, his paintings celebrate the landscape.

More Arts: Eva Hesse
Blogs   

Praying the News
By Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat

Join us in grateful prayers for the heroism of Dayko, a rescue dog who gave his life saving at least seven people from the rubble of the April earthquake in Ecuador.

More Blogs: The Problem with Inattention

Traditions   


Sincerity, generosity, modesty, devotion, compassion: these are just a few of the noble character qualities espoused by Islam. Find out about children's resources, women's changing roles, the Qur'an's wisdom, the Hajj, and more through these books, films, and a video.
 
From Our Wisdom Archive   


Pete Seeger's indefatigable joy spread into his folk songs, his civil rights and environmental activism, and his cheerleading for musical groups of all kinds. "In each of my concerts," he said, "there are some old songs which you and I have sung together many times before, but which can always stand another singing. Like another sunrise, or another kiss, this also is an act of reaffirmation." Enjoy a selection of his music here.  
A Thought to Carry with You  
 
Lambing season has arrived in the temperate north, reminding us of a quote by Charles Dickens in The Old Curiosity Shop: "Although we cannot turn away the wind, we can soften it; we can temper it, if I may say so, to the shorn lambs." A lamb is delicate enough, as you will know if you have seen them trying to get their legs to cooperate as they stumble forward, fall, and scramble up again in their first steps. But a lamb shorn looks even more woefully vulnerable. Without her wonderful wool coat, what does she have to protect her?

She has her mother, the same mother who, in the lamb's first steps, knew to walk away temptingly and circle back encouragingly until the lamb knew how to follow. A shorn lamb in the wind can stand or lie in the shelter of her mother's body, and although the wind remains strong and chilling, she finds it softened and tempered.

Perhaps you have heard the proverb that goes along with this image, although it is little used today: "God tempers the wind to the shorn lamb." These are good words to bear in mind, as are so many forgotten proverbs. You may find them of comfort to you personally, if you are facing a cold tempest in your life. Perhaps you are not as alone as you think. And you may be able to apply them also to someone you know who faces his or her own bitter storm. You cannot take the storm away, but can you do one simple thing to soften its blows? In so doing, you bring to earth the motherhood and fatherhood of God and are a messenger of mercy.

Whether you find yourself this week on the receiving end or the giving end of this proverb, we wish you and yours a lovingly tempered journey.

Blessings, 
Your Spirituality & Practice Team 
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Patricia Campbell Carlson
Darren Polito