Setting The Mood In Motion

Stone Parliament of Art would like to extend warm holiday wishes to everyone.
To set this mood in motion here are pictures from The Church of The Nativity, Bethlehem.
Visiting Israel was a highlight for me and in the future I hope to share some amazing stories. Anyone who has travelled to this part of the world knows how deep an impact this place can make - it touches the soul in a very special way.

I wish I could take credit for the beautiful photography below, but they were sent to me by a special friend who has given me permission to post them. Thank you! The first one is my favorite. Ancient columns have always intrigued me, wondering about past generations who travelled on these stone pavers.

Church of The Nativity, Bethlehem

inside the church...

the original manger site...

The spot where baby Jesus was born.

ART and Ignatian Spirituality

As soon as you look at the world through an ideology you are finished. No reality fits an ideology. Life is beyond that. That is why people are always searching for a meaning to life… Meaning is only found when you go beyond meaning. Life only makes sense when you perceive it as mystery and it makes no sense to the conceptualizing mind.

The above statement is the thought of Fr. Anthony de Mello, S.J. I seemingly enjoy applying this thought to art. People tend to look at a work of art and search for the meaning of the piece. What is it the artist was trying to convey? One must go beyond that approach and look deeper into the art work...each artist has his/her own way of exploring the soul_ the 'spirit' of the work that is evolving. Yes, often a mystery. Thus, can we say the art work only makes sense when you perceive it as a mystery and that it makes no sense when one tries desperately to conceptualize it in his/her mind? Or, can it be said that the art work is a mystery and each one of us sees it in a different light...in which, that 'light' is the mystery unfolded. Thoughts?

De Mello was a Jesuit priest and psychotherapist who became widely known for his books on spirituality. He hosted many spiritual retreats and was considered by some a gifted public speaker. I never had the opportunity to attend any of his seminars, but friends tell me they were an awe inspiring experience, that de Mello was a gifted charasmatic presenter. Click here to visit his Centre for Spirituality.
His quite controversial paradigm for Catholic dogma is mainly because many of his ideas were influenced by Thai Buddhist teacher and founder of monasteries Ajahn Chah - who, some say, was a kind of teacher to him. Despite the Church's condemnation, his works are popular especially among those interested in Ignatian Spirituality.





*De Mello died suddenly in 1987.
Painting: Acrylic on Canvas, Francesca

Guelph's Cardinal Thomas Collins - He's one of us!

Maple Leaf cardinal Archbishop of Toronto Thomas Collins wears a Toronto Maple Leafs jersey as he walks in St. Peter's Square in the Vatican Thursday. The Canadian Press

"There's no question Thomas Collins is one of us...the Archbishop who earned BA at Waterloo became cardinal this past weekend.
Born and raised in Guelph, he served as an altar boy at Church of Our Lady and frequently dropped by the Guelph Daily Mercury office on Macdonell Street, where his father Thomas Sr. was the circulation manager and his uncle, Joseph, the editor." Read more HERE.

Collins Newly-elected Cardinal, Thomas Christopher Collins, of Canada, arrives for a special audience Pope Benedict XVI held for newly-elevated cardinals, in the Pope Paul VI hall at the Vatican, Monday. Pope Benedict formally created 22 new cardinals on Saturday Feb. 18.
Andrew Medichini/The Associated Press - From HERE.

A few people went to Rome from Guelph for this day. I can't wait to hear more about it from my friend who was part of a political group that travelled to the Vatican. For anyone interested, you can read more about Tom Collin's humble beginnings HERE.

Ash

Lent? Better question____why not Lent? It's been observed for over 2000 years...a forty day period of fasting, prayer and giving to the poor which concludes by the celebration of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus. "J" the man himself prayed, fasted and called on us to die to ourselves asking us to pick up and carry our cross...and we all have some 'cross' to carry in some shape or form___ large or small it can get pretty heavy at times.



I prefer not to focus on 'sin' during this period, but I very much welcome the 40 days to reflect on how I've been living a Christian life and that does include praying/meditating, giving more and allowing myself to be taken out of my comfort zone. Practiced all year but seemingly more pronounced during the Lenten season I ask the Great Spirit to speak to me through fasting and meditating. Today I'll receive ashes on my forehead and hear the words, "Remember, O Man, that you are from dust and to dust you shall return," remembering my own mortality and need for ongoing strengthening of being______after all, it is from ashes we came and to ashes we shall return.

At Dusk. NOT your average Political BBq

It wasn't just any BBq, but one that left me emotionally affected. Picture this - a slow procession of men moving up the hill to waiting prayer carpets as the 'call for prayer' filtered through the still night air in quiet whisper. Men from the Muslim Society of Guelph prayed together as others listened with reverence. It was extremely moving . I hesitated publishing these photos because they're hazy, but if you can set that aside I hope you'll be able to feel the moment. It wasn't only a Liberal Party barbeque, but also an extraordinary cultural sharing. Those who remained until dusk witnessed the breaking of the Muslims day of fast, Ramadan. The last photograph is a favorite of mine appropriately named "Prayer In Motion"

* I was given permission to capture these photos. With respect & thanks.

Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. It is the Islamic month of fasting, in which participating Muslims refrain from eating, drinking, smoking, and indulging in anything that is in excess or ill-natured; from dawn until sunset. Fasting is meant to teach the Muslim patience, modesty and spirituality- a time for Muslims to fast for the sake of Allah, and to offer more prayer than usual. During Ramaḍan, Muslims ask forgiveness for past sins, pray for guidance and help in refraining from everyday evils, and try to purify themselves through self-restraint and good deeds. As compared to solar calendar, the dates of Ramadan vary, moving forward about ten days each year as it is a moving festival depending on the moon. From HERE