In Western culture, Sunday is viewed as a day of rest, coming out of the Biblical creation story that ends on: "Then God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it, because in it He rested from all His work which God had created and made." In other parts of the world, of course, there are other Creation stories, other calendars and other holy days. Monday usually marks the beginning of the week. Living in the U.S., I post on Sundays but as a (semi-retired) Minister, Sunday is mobile, sometimes marking the end of the week, sometimes the beginning, but always a day to affirm the Goodness of Life, and I encourage you to join me in that simple practice.
If your days include scrolling social media, online and TV news flashes, and radio broadcasts, it may be difficult to remember the spiritual significance of affirming the Good when conflict, tragedy, and threats from both nature and human drama dominate the news. So today I remind you to simply take a moment, a meditation, an outing, a prayer, even a conversation, to recognize, name, and appreciate the Good that continues. Savor it. Know it as genuine and as your understanding of the even larger, unfathomable reality of Good. Let (let, not force) any shadows that may fall around that Good dissolve. You don't have to take care of the shadows in this practice; this spiritual practice is to affirm and support the Good, the Beautiful and the True.
As part of my own practice today, I recognize the amazing work and dedication of the firefighters who have been battling 3 large fires in near Los Angeles: the Bridge, Line, and Airport fires. I dedicate this post to them as spiritual expressions of Good. The Line fire began during Labor Day weekend. The other two followed a few days later, as extreme heat hit these areas and the danger and scope rapidly spread. The bravery, dedication and skill of these firefighters goes beyond the term 'good', but rather, elevates to the realm of Spiritual Good, encompassing skilled firefighters and their support teams such as strike teams of engine and hand crews, water tenders, wildfire falling module units, and those manning infrared imaging and aircraft. In all, it is a massive effort that includes the circle of other states in an intricate, mobile necessity of trained, dedicated people and equipment. Spiritual Goodness further expresses through the Cal Fire website that meticulously and generously provides not only daily life-saving updates for those in the area, and but also conveys powerful messages of living in community. As the message from the Chief put it, "We are all here to help each other". The website clarifies daily closures and evacuations, listing shelters for residents, and shelters for large animals and small animals. As I write, these fires are now all over 56% contained. The weather this past week suddenly shifted to much colder, more moisture, and calmer wind.
Yes, the terrain, some structures and homes have burned. There have been injuries and loss of wildlife. Yes, the Line fire was arson, and the Airport fire crew suffered a transport rollover that insured several of the crew, some seriously. These are sobering events that we can acknowledge and recognize as loss. We have our social structures for justice, and our means of resilience and recovery. We have knowledge and prayer for healing. I maintain that the recognition of Good, even when coping with loss, opens new possibilities of continued and expanding Good. Not all of us can rest on Sunday, but we can find Good wherever we are. It maybe as simple as a bite of food, or a lovely smile, or a flitting butterfly, or a space of peace within our own hearts. Give it life, savor it, name it Good, and very Good. (Susan Nettleton)
Poetry https://www.ayearofbeinghere.com/.../rainer-maria-rilke-i...
https://www.poetry-chaikhana.com/.../Isawagreatli/index.html