December 9, 2016
What's Happening This Week at SpiritualityandPractice.com
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Editor's Pick
Directed by Barry Jenkins
One of Most Spiritually Literate films of 2016, this tender portrait of an impoverished and vulnerable black man lets us witness him rising to his full, authentic humanity -- able to stand his ground in the diverse, baffling, and demanding world in which we live.
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Practices
Each culture has its own way of bringing light to the dark days around the Winter Solstice. The lovely tradition of St. Lucia's Day, December 13, comes down to us from some of the world's happiest people, in Scandinavia.
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E-Courses
A new e-course by Roger Housden
January 1 - 31, 2017
We celebrated the New Year in 2015 and 2016 with a January poetry e-course led by Roger Housden. Both daily, month-long programs were so popular that we are now heading into our third year with all new, vibrant, and inspiring poems. Let your spirits be lifted as 2017 begins! Read more and sign up here: www.SpiritualityandPractice.com/PoetrytoLiftYourSpirits
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Looking for a special, meaningful gift idea? Let your friend or loved one choose his or her own e-course from Spirituality & Practice's large catalog of current and on-demand programs. We have four gift-certificate options available, starting at as little as $21.
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Films
Directed by Jaco Van Dormael
This zany, enchanting Belgian fairy tale depicts the difference between the whims of a cantankerous and aggressive God and the wise, merciful, and wildly creative ministry of his daughter.
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DVDs
Directed by Chris Kelly
This dramedy takes on the very serious matter of coping with the dying and death of a parent. Tenderly and convincingly rendered, it is distinguished by its use of humor and laughter as stays against death.
More DVDs: Don't Think Twice, Heart of a Dog, The Hollars, Just Eat It, Neither Heaven Nor Earth, The Secret Life of Pets, 1000 Rupee Note,
Saving Mes Aynak
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Books
Inviting readers to try a creative form of walking meditation, Mammano presents adventures based on themes like Amazement, Wildness, Darkness, the Liminal, the Surprising, and the Familiar.
More Books: Finding the Blue Sky, Joy in Every Moment, Reading for the Common Good, The Revenge of Analog
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Children's Books
By Susan D. Sweet and Brenda S. Miles
Exploring the city with his grandpa, a calm young gorilla shows mindfulness in his appreciation of luscious little details such as savoring a banana or noticing the curves and colors on a ferry ride.
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Blogs
By Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
An unprecedented number of trees are dying in California's forests. We pray to realize the trees' life-sustaining value so that we look for ways to protect them from drought, disease, and wildfires.
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KidSpirit Youth Voices Blog
By Ryeaan Chaudry
"Just as one act of disrespect can harm someone, one act of appreciation, recognition, or respect can improve relationships and even repair broken ties," this young writer reminds us.
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Elder Spirituality Project
By Joel H. Baron and Sara Paasche-Orlow
"Most of Torah's teaching is about how to live. But there is a special section within its wisdom that also speaks to us about how to die," writes Arthur Green in his foreword to this collection of 42 end-of-life stories of Hasidic holy men.
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From Our Wisdom Archive
By Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Something handmade which expresses your creativity. A toy, game, joke book, or something whimsical that makes you laugh. Copies of recipes, perhaps family favorites served on a special occasions. Enjoy these suggestions of gifts with meaning attached to them.
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A Thought to Carry with You
Alice Walker, the Pulitzer Prize winning American novelist, short story writer, poet, and activist, writes:
"Do you ever wonder,
old lover of mine,
where so much love comes from?"
It's not the question we normally consider. Maybe we ask where so much suffering comes from. Maybe we ask why we aren't loved more. Maybe we ask what we can do to make life better. But to ask about the world's abundance of love? That's rare. She goes on to say:
"I wonder this often,
because no matter how distressing the world is,
wherever I am,
there never seems to be a shortage of love.
Is this true, as well, for you?"
-- Alice Walker, quoted in WomanPrayers by Mary Ford Grabowsky
This week, keep your eyes and heart open, and see if you can catch glimpses of how Alice Walker could come up with this grand and unusual notion. Perhaps you will even discover that it is, indeed, true for you as well. Or even that much of that wealth of love emanates from you. That could prove to be an inexhaustible source, because in the act of being loving -- and in that act alone -- we get a chance to be the center of the universe, a dignified representative of the true Sun who shines with ceaseless beneficence upon all.
Blessings,
Your Spirituality & Practice Team
Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat
Patricia Campbell Carlson
Darren Polito
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