Brian’s Reflection: Tuesday, October 23, 2007
When fascism comes to America it will be
wrapped in the flag and carrying a cross.
- Sinclair Lewis, American playwright,
whose play “Main Street” debuted
on this date, 1920. Lewis was the first
American to win a Nobel Prize for Literature
Could anyone be more an American than Sinclair Lewis?
My friend Connor told me decades ago that America would eventually be a Fascist country. I doubted him. I was wrong. If we use the criterion of Sinclair Lewis, I think we have reached that stage. The flag has become, for many, the symbol of a patriotism that includes only militarism and power and force in pursuit of American world hegemony. Well, politics is politics, and fear of social collapse is fear of social collapse. I regret that the flag has been confiscated by one special interest group - and more, that this travesty has somehow been permitted. Listen to the news. Americans now have to protect themselves against covert widespread government invasion of their freedoms.
Of course, I am more concerned, being a Christian, about the “cross”. The Klan burned crosses on the lawns of the victims of their racial and religious bigotry. The cross has been confiscated, at least in popular “religious” media, by those who stand for things that I believe would be tant amount to re-crucifying Jesus. Jesus stood for God’s unconditional love, Mercy, Justice, “new revelation” through the Spirit of Truth. No self-respecting Christian dares put a cross or Christian bumper-sticker on their car anymore - it stands, in the eyes of the majority of Americans, and especially young Americans, for bigotry, violence, exclusion, narrow-mindedness, judgmentalism, hate. How God must weep.
The flag stands for the universal rights of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. Justice and Liberty and equal rights under the law for ALL. The Cross stands for Divine unconditional Love, the dignity of every human being, the supremacy of Compassion, the generosity of blessedness, the humility of redeemed sinners, the rejection of coercion and ignorance.
If you are a true American, reclaim the Flag and the Cross for their true meaning. Reject the flowering Fascism that is spreading its ugly, inhuman shadow over the Land.
The alternative is enslavement, and fear ….. and, in the words of the Hebrew prophets, “the destruction of the land”.
Brian+
Monday, October 22, 2007
Sunday, October 21, 2007
Brian’s Reflection: Monday, October 22, 2007
The great secret that all old people share is that you
really haven't changed in seventy or eighty years.
Your body changes, but you don't change at all.
And that, of course, causes great confusion.
- Doris Lessing, author, winner of the 2007
Nobel Prize for Literature, born on this
day, 1919 (born in Persia)
Well, what do the “old people” think?? Is Doris correct?
I’ve thought about what she said. In essence, personally, I believe she is right. My body is collapsing - but my inner sense of self is, on one level, the same. I have the same delight in the beauty of the World, the same appreciation for fun, the same wonder in the universe, people, myself, many many things. Maybe enhanced some, but it’s an ebb and flow. The freshness is still there, sometimes sharpened a bit, sometimes softened.
Where I might disagree is this: I’d like to think that my inner spirit has grown. That I’ve learned some things, enhanced some learnings, maybe gotten a little better at living out the learnings. But, actually, I’ve known those things for a long time. Just needed to activate them. And I go up and down.
So, I guess I haven’t really changed much.
A pleasant indication of Eternity perhaps!
Brian+
The great secret that all old people share is that you
really haven't changed in seventy or eighty years.
Your body changes, but you don't change at all.
And that, of course, causes great confusion.
- Doris Lessing, author, winner of the 2007
Nobel Prize for Literature, born on this
day, 1919 (born in Persia)
Well, what do the “old people” think?? Is Doris correct?
I’ve thought about what she said. In essence, personally, I believe she is right. My body is collapsing - but my inner sense of self is, on one level, the same. I have the same delight in the beauty of the World, the same appreciation for fun, the same wonder in the universe, people, myself, many many things. Maybe enhanced some, but it’s an ebb and flow. The freshness is still there, sometimes sharpened a bit, sometimes softened.
Where I might disagree is this: I’d like to think that my inner spirit has grown. That I’ve learned some things, enhanced some learnings, maybe gotten a little better at living out the learnings. But, actually, I’ve known those things for a long time. Just needed to activate them. And I go up and down.
So, I guess I haven’t really changed much.
A pleasant indication of Eternity perhaps!
Brian+
Friday, October 19, 2007
Brian’s Reflection: Saturday, October 20, 2007
I saw that all beings are fated to happiness:
action is not life, but a way of wasting some
force, an enervation. Morality is the weakness
of the brain.
- Arthur Rimbaud, French poet, born on
this day, 1854
Ah yes, yes! How we avoid happiness, we human beings. Sounds crazy, right? But it’s true, I perceive. Forever setting up barriers to being happy. We are taught, or we teach ourselves, to believe that “action” will bring us happiness, spending huge amounts of energy trying to manipulate the World and others (and often our inner selves). Delusion, or, to put it in the words of the Hebrew Scriptures, “a chasing after wind”.
But I think Rimbaud really hits the nail on the head with “Morality is the weakness of the brain.” Think of what we have done to each other in the human race under the guise of morality! I have an archetype in my mind of how the human perversion of morality works. Remember that scene of the judge, in Harold and Maude, fulminating about the fact that Harold (age 18 or so) and Maude (age 80 or so) might have made love? That fat, red, flushed, slavering visage of disgust? Completely failing to see the happiness of love at any age, wanting to regulate and control and forbid. How we use so-called morality as a way of shielding ourselves, in fear, from the happiness of caring, loving relationships. And in doing so, create vast legions of emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually warped human beings.
I side with Rimbaud’s insight. We are, by nature, “fated to happiness”.
God has gifted us. We reject the gift at our peril.
Brian+
I saw that all beings are fated to happiness:
action is not life, but a way of wasting some
force, an enervation. Morality is the weakness
of the brain.
- Arthur Rimbaud, French poet, born on
this day, 1854
Ah yes, yes! How we avoid happiness, we human beings. Sounds crazy, right? But it’s true, I perceive. Forever setting up barriers to being happy. We are taught, or we teach ourselves, to believe that “action” will bring us happiness, spending huge amounts of energy trying to manipulate the World and others (and often our inner selves). Delusion, or, to put it in the words of the Hebrew Scriptures, “a chasing after wind”.
But I think Rimbaud really hits the nail on the head with “Morality is the weakness of the brain.” Think of what we have done to each other in the human race under the guise of morality! I have an archetype in my mind of how the human perversion of morality works. Remember that scene of the judge, in Harold and Maude, fulminating about the fact that Harold (age 18 or so) and Maude (age 80 or so) might have made love? That fat, red, flushed, slavering visage of disgust? Completely failing to see the happiness of love at any age, wanting to regulate and control and forbid. How we use so-called morality as a way of shielding ourselves, in fear, from the happiness of caring, loving relationships. And in doing so, create vast legions of emotionally, spiritually, and intellectually warped human beings.
I side with Rimbaud’s insight. We are, by nature, “fated to happiness”.
God has gifted us. We reject the gift at our peril.
Brian+
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Brian’s Reflection: Friday, October 19, 2007
"God in his wisdom has provided man with natural forks —
his fingers. Therefore it is an insult to Him to substitute
artificial metallic forks for them when eating."
- Condemnation of the fork by the Roman clergy
I read somewhere that there was a “Feast of the Fork”, celebrating the use of the fork in Europe, 1098. (I suspect it was Garrison Keillor.) From where came the fork into Europe? No one is sure. I think all the “facts” here are dubious. But I like such dubious things!
There really are, however, words of condemnation from the Roman clergy, as quoted above. And there lies a caution. Often, people who “believe in God” are sure that they speak for God. (Priests are often special culprits.) And often such people condemn new understandings, new ideas, as ungodly. God’s followers have caused the deaths of millions throughout history, most often in a vain attempt to preserve their power and authority.
From my perspective, a determined effort to preserve the status quo is always suspect. “God” is not essentially about the preservation of the status quo. God is essentially about transformation and change. Which is why it “is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God”. When I hear people condemning a “new thing”, I’m on my guard. And I’m excited! To me it’s a sign that God is about Her usual wonderful mischief, pointing me to a new possibility. As soon as a Hindu tells me that there has to be a caste system, I know what God is whispering. Women as inferior. Galileo excommunicated. Slavery justified. A male-only priesthood. I feel the fear, and I know where to look for the Light.
“Behold I have begun a new thing!” When I sense that call to newness, or hear the condemnation of the “establishment”, I perk up and get ready for the divine adventure.
Brian+
"God in his wisdom has provided man with natural forks —
his fingers. Therefore it is an insult to Him to substitute
artificial metallic forks for them when eating."
- Condemnation of the fork by the Roman clergy
I read somewhere that there was a “Feast of the Fork”, celebrating the use of the fork in Europe, 1098. (I suspect it was Garrison Keillor.) From where came the fork into Europe? No one is sure. I think all the “facts” here are dubious. But I like such dubious things!
There really are, however, words of condemnation from the Roman clergy, as quoted above. And there lies a caution. Often, people who “believe in God” are sure that they speak for God. (Priests are often special culprits.) And often such people condemn new understandings, new ideas, as ungodly. God’s followers have caused the deaths of millions throughout history, most often in a vain attempt to preserve their power and authority.
From my perspective, a determined effort to preserve the status quo is always suspect. “God” is not essentially about the preservation of the status quo. God is essentially about transformation and change. Which is why it “is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Living God”. When I hear people condemning a “new thing”, I’m on my guard. And I’m excited! To me it’s a sign that God is about Her usual wonderful mischief, pointing me to a new possibility. As soon as a Hindu tells me that there has to be a caste system, I know what God is whispering. Women as inferior. Galileo excommunicated. Slavery justified. A male-only priesthood. I feel the fear, and I know where to look for the Light.
“Behold I have begun a new thing!” When I sense that call to newness, or hear the condemnation of the “establishment”, I perk up and get ready for the divine adventure.
Brian+
Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Brian’s Reflection: Thursday, October 18, 2007
Everything comes to him who hustles while he waits.
- Thomas Alva Edison, inventor, who died on this
day, 1931, age 84
Oh good. This gives me the chance to quote yet again the wonderful sign at the end of the counter at Nonnie’s Café in Orleans on the Cape. I used to go there early for breakfast while all my lazy friends slept. Great pattie (is this spelled correctly?) sausage, sourdough toast, yokes perfectly runny, and the best - the best - crispy homefries!!
The sign said, “All things cometh to those who waiteth – as long as those who waiteth work like Hell while they waiteth”. I suspect it was put there by those 50-something ladies who waitheth-ed on the tables - and certainly did work like Hell on those packed summer mornings. (There was often a line waiting for the 6am opening, and still one when I left.)
Prayer answers itself. That’s the way prayer works. Prayer is, in a sense, the Edison-esque hustling you do while you are waiting for your heart or your spirit or your brain (maybe the body too) to “get” the answer. Jesus said, “Whatever you ask in my name will be given to you”. This was not a magic formula. It means the hard work of bringing our will and heart and mind into line with God’s. And that can take some hustling! It’s hard work, shaping oneself into the “image of God”. Very hard work - we all know the tremendous resistance that the Ego and the pride can put up.
Trying to conjure up an “answer to prayer” is useless. The “answer” already exists - since the God we know has only the best answers ready for what we need. Prayer is Hustle. It’s “Working Like Hell” to clear away the often huge clutter of “spiritual” debris that has come crashing down around us by our unloving behavior and self-delusions. When we clear the dust and clutter, the Answer awaits.
All the joy and peace we want awaits. Hustle!
Brian+
Everything comes to him who hustles while he waits.
- Thomas Alva Edison, inventor, who died on this
day, 1931, age 84
Oh good. This gives me the chance to quote yet again the wonderful sign at the end of the counter at Nonnie’s Café in Orleans on the Cape. I used to go there early for breakfast while all my lazy friends slept. Great pattie (is this spelled correctly?) sausage, sourdough toast, yokes perfectly runny, and the best - the best - crispy homefries!!
The sign said, “All things cometh to those who waiteth – as long as those who waiteth work like Hell while they waiteth”. I suspect it was put there by those 50-something ladies who waitheth-ed on the tables - and certainly did work like Hell on those packed summer mornings. (There was often a line waiting for the 6am opening, and still one when I left.)
Prayer answers itself. That’s the way prayer works. Prayer is, in a sense, the Edison-esque hustling you do while you are waiting for your heart or your spirit or your brain (maybe the body too) to “get” the answer. Jesus said, “Whatever you ask in my name will be given to you”. This was not a magic formula. It means the hard work of bringing our will and heart and mind into line with God’s. And that can take some hustling! It’s hard work, shaping oneself into the “image of God”. Very hard work - we all know the tremendous resistance that the Ego and the pride can put up.
Trying to conjure up an “answer to prayer” is useless. The “answer” already exists - since the God we know has only the best answers ready for what we need. Prayer is Hustle. It’s “Working Like Hell” to clear away the often huge clutter of “spiritual” debris that has come crashing down around us by our unloving behavior and self-delusions. When we clear the dust and clutter, the Answer awaits.
All the joy and peace we want awaits. Hustle!
Brian+
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Brian’s Reflection: Wednesday, October 17, 2007
Three influential Republicans Senators are condemning President Bush for claiming
he has the authority to ignore a new law banning the torture of prisoners during
interrogations. Bush signed the torture ban just last week. But he also quietly issued
what is known as a signing statement in which he lays out his interpretation of the new
law. In this document Bush declared that he will view the interrogation limits in the
context of his broader powers to protect national security. Legal experts say this means
Bush believes he can waive the anti-torture restrictions.
- News item, Oct 17, 2007
Is torture, for any reason, a Christian “value”?
Brian+
Three influential Republicans Senators are condemning President Bush for claiming
he has the authority to ignore a new law banning the torture of prisoners during
interrogations. Bush signed the torture ban just last week. But he also quietly issued
what is known as a signing statement in which he lays out his interpretation of the new
law. In this document Bush declared that he will view the interrogation limits in the
context of his broader powers to protect national security. Legal experts say this means
Bush believes he can waive the anti-torture restrictions.
- News item, Oct 17, 2007
Is torture, for any reason, a Christian “value”?
Brian+
Sunday, October 14, 2007
Brian’s Reflection: Monday, October 15, 2007
I have an everyday religion that works for me. Love
yourself first, and everything else falls into line.
- Lucille Ball. “I Love Lucy” debuted on TV
on this day, 1951
Can you believe it?!! I can’t really hoist it in. Fifty-six years ago! I was five years old. But I wouldn’r have missed I Love Lucy for anything. That one room flat with the door into the kitchen. Ricky’s carrying on and his Baba-Loo. Grumpy Fred and Ethel the perfect foil for Lucy. But Lucy best of all - with all those wild schemes and her perfect timing. They are eternal – they are hilarious and bang on today. I love Lucy most because she was always up for a crazy adventure. So am I!
Whatever else Lucille Ball may have meant by her comment on her “everyday religion”, she is, I think, on the money about loving yourself. However you get there - and most of us probably have/had a hard time of it! - we must get there if we are ever going to be able truly and authentically to love beyond ourselves.
I’ve known a lot of people who were brought up to believe that they had to love others, and/or God, first, and to “forget” themselves. They might have done helpful, or caring, or kind things, but I suspect that it never becomes authentic Love until they also love themselves. Unless you love yourself, or have been shown that you can love yourself, you are never playing with a full deck. And if you will pardon the mixed metaphor, love of self clears the deck for a generosity of self-giving that nothing else can fully match.
And besides, Love takes bravery and freedom - and it is often a very brave and freeing thing to love yourself. When we do, “everything else falls into line”.
Brian+
I have an everyday religion that works for me. Love
yourself first, and everything else falls into line.
- Lucille Ball. “I Love Lucy” debuted on TV
on this day, 1951
Can you believe it?!! I can’t really hoist it in. Fifty-six years ago! I was five years old. But I wouldn’r have missed I Love Lucy for anything. That one room flat with the door into the kitchen. Ricky’s carrying on and his Baba-Loo. Grumpy Fred and Ethel the perfect foil for Lucy. But Lucy best of all - with all those wild schemes and her perfect timing. They are eternal – they are hilarious and bang on today. I love Lucy most because she was always up for a crazy adventure. So am I!
Whatever else Lucille Ball may have meant by her comment on her “everyday religion”, she is, I think, on the money about loving yourself. However you get there - and most of us probably have/had a hard time of it! - we must get there if we are ever going to be able truly and authentically to love beyond ourselves.
I’ve known a lot of people who were brought up to believe that they had to love others, and/or God, first, and to “forget” themselves. They might have done helpful, or caring, or kind things, but I suspect that it never becomes authentic Love until they also love themselves. Unless you love yourself, or have been shown that you can love yourself, you are never playing with a full deck. And if you will pardon the mixed metaphor, love of self clears the deck for a generosity of self-giving that nothing else can fully match.
And besides, Love takes bravery and freedom - and it is often a very brave and freeing thing to love yourself. When we do, “everything else falls into line”.
Brian+
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