Love, in its many forms, should be encouraged and held sacred. Too often, unless that love falls within the parameters of the current paradigm, it is not only openly discouraged but also actively quelled. In this discussion, we each bring…
Blog Archives
Social Web
The social perceptions of reality help to draw us together as a group. It forms the basic foundation of how we define symbols, systems, and outcomes. Without this consensual reality, conflict and dissonance occur, sometimes at an amplified rate. What…
Tagged with: community, ethics, fellowship, growth, individual, life, paradigm, reality, reflection, self
Posted in Musings
Posted in Musings
The Vinegar Tasters
There is a traditional Taoist parable called the Vinegar Tasters. It has been repeated and retold hundreds of times as well as being the basis for numerous paining. The parable (see below) details the philosophical differences between the three big…
Tagged with: Buddhism, Confucianism, ethics, parable, paradigm, pathway, philosophey, taoism, The Vinegar Tasters
Posted in Informaitional, Musings
Posted in Informaitional, Musings
Engaged Spirituality
The following is copied from Wikipedia as an informational. The writing is done by a author outside of the Retreat: “Engaged Spirituality refers to religious or spiritual people who actively engage in the world in order to transform it in…
Tagged with: civil rights, community, Engaged Buddhism, Engaged Spirituality, ethics, growth, human rights, individual, Liberaition Theology, peace activism, reflection
Posted in Informaitional
Posted in Informaitional
What Reward Forgiveness?
What is the reward of kind or forgiving behavior? In our society, a certain amount of ruthlessness is expected to “get ahead”. Expressions such as “nice guys finish last” abound. What then, is the reward of being forgiving and gentle. …
Thoughts to Actions
Taoism presents the idea of action without thought, wu wei, action that is non-action. Martial arts touches on a similar idea where movement comes from practice so that it becomes second nature. Much of this can be distilled into a…
Fertile Ground
A regular at the retreat will be leaving in the next few days for an overseas job. Because he cannot take them, his wife and children will be staying in the local area. I and another with a green thumb…
Tagged with: children, community, conciousness, ethics, fellowship, habits, integrity, skill of kindness, tomatoes
Posted in Gardening and Nature, Musings
Posted in Gardening and Nature, Musings
The Skill of Kindness
I have wondered for the past few days about the nature of kindness. I grew up in a family (several actually) where the concept of “teach a man to fish” and “God helps those who help themselves” were predominant themes. …
Tagged with: community, ethics, fellowship, integrity, kindness, teach a man to fish
Posted in Musings
Posted in Musings
Nian Xióng Hall 