The Inner Life

Today's image is a photo of the floor of St. Patrick's Cathedral in Dublin. Even the floor is amazing!

I went to the Unitarian church again this morning. It continues to feel like the right place for me. Each time I go, I meet a few new people. But the main thing I like is the readings, singing the hymns and being together in a sacred space. Today's theme was "The Interior World". The first reading was from a Sufi, Hazrat Inayat Khan. It comes from a longer passage but here's the part that was read:

"There is no end to the variety of the outward appearance of spiritual souls in life; but at the same time there is no better way of living in this world and yet living the inner life than being oneself, outwardly and inwardly. Whatever be one's profession, work, or part in the outer life, to perform it sincerely and truthfully, to fulfill one's mission in the outer life thoroughly; at the same time keeping the inner realization that the outer life, whatever be one's occupation, should reflect the inner realization of truth. "

The speaker talked about a book I'd like to read called "Intimacy With God" by Thomas Keating. He is the person who termed the phrase "centering prayer" which is a catholic form of meditation. They use a divine word or phrase to bring the mind back to present.

Before the service I made a new friend. I met with Marian who has lived in this area for many years. I got her name from a friend in NYC who was my supervisor over 20 years ago. And I re-connected with her from a mutual friend at the dog park. Funny how these connections work! Marian is a very interesting person with many shared interests. She has just published her first book which I bought a copy of. It is poetry, short stories and some essays. She also hosts a radio show and interviews all kinds of artists and writers.

And later in the day I snow shoed with Karen. We both love the winter sky and she is a good tracker so I am learning about animal tracks and scat.