Mysticism Courses in San Antonio

Carl McColman reports about the Mystics Course in San Antonio that will be starting on Sept. 12. He gives a good description of the three year course here. I am starting the third year and so will be attending the first meeting on Russian Spirituality.

On Facebook, Carl brought to my attention an article in the San Antonio Newspaper where my name was mentioned about the course. First time I've been in the newspaper! A few days before, the reporter called and asked me about taking the Mystics Course, especially since I drive from Corpus Christi to attend the monthly meetings. Here's a mish-mash of info from our phone conversation:

Mystics course open to all faiths

By Abe Levy- San Antonio Express-News (8/29/09)

Jan Hilton starts most days sitting in a living room chair, facing an iconic image of Jesus created 1,400 years ago in a Middle Eastern monastery.

Before she prays and meditates there for 20 minutes, she looks into the eyes of the picture.

“It creates the right frame of mind,” she said. “It’s just remembering that in awareness of the quiet is the divine.”

A spiritual director at an Episcopal church in Corpus Christi, Hilton said that same feeling of connection to God is one that has been enriched by her interest in mysticism. She has enrolled in a class about modern mystics that will begin next month in San Antonio.

Called “Christian Mysticism: History, Wisdom and Insights,” the course will include scholars talking about mystics from various Christian faith traditions, organizers said. In addition to talks about mystics, time is set aside in class for participants to practice prayer and meditation.

The course begins Sept. 12 and continues for one Saturday a month through May. It is the last part of a larger three-year course about mysticism sponsored by the Contemplative Outreach of San Antonio, the Ecumenical Center for Religion and Health and the Oblate School of Theology. The course beginning in two weeks will focus on contemporary mystics, starting with those from the Russian Orthodox tradition, and includes Simone Weil and Thomas Merton.

The class is open to people of all faith backgrounds with an interest in Christian mysticism, regardless of whether they attended the earlier portions of the course, organizers said.

The course came about in response to a growing interest among Christians of many backgrounds united in a desire to have a deeper connection to God. Past classes explored ancient and medieval mystics, such as the teachings of desert monks, said Ed Alcott, the course coordinator and an adjunct professor at Oblate.

“Spirituality is really the reason for religion,” he said, “but we can get off topic and oftentimes we have deep spiritual people who can help bring us back.”

For Hilton, the course helped her continue the spiritual journey that began after her mother’s death 17 years ago. Not a regular at any church while growing up, she wanted to speak to God but didn’t know how. Now, she regularly quotes Father Thomas Keating, regarded as the founder of the centering prayer movement.

“I’m learning more about these people and admiring their depth of love and knowledge they attained,” she said. “And that there’s a commonality in mysticism among all religions that the source of all is one God and one love.”

Here’s the website about the program: www.christianmysticismsa.org.

Our deeper wanting

Reading and reading again, but this time back in theology and not in novels or mysteries. I am finally trying to get some research done for my final paper for the Shalem Program for Spiritual Guidance. After that, I'll have momentum for working on my final papers for my master's degree in theology (finally).

Today I read a paragraph about how our "deep wanting" is a sign of God's presence. The depth of a conversation or of love or grief points to and feels like a deep connection within, which can also be identified with God's Love.

Thomas N. Hart writes that a spiritual director's "goal is to help a person get in touch with his or her own deepest wanting, on the conviction that being authentically oneself and being the person God wants one to be are one and the same. The director is trying to help a person separate out genuine deep wanting both from extrinsic shoulds and from trivial passing fancies, and to encourage a person to move confidently in the direction of his or her own deep wanting, as the surest index he or she has of God's purpose." (78)

Hart, Thomas N. The Art of Christian Listening. Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1980. 78.

I have felt that depth in a conversation with my children and with friends, where we touch true parts of ourselves in a long-remembered talk. These times are special, and I believe that they are connected through God's Love in each of us, joining us together.

U. S. Drought, especially TX

Drought Monitor

Rain clouds today, but only 1/4 inch of rain. Last week we had 1/3 inch of rain. This is the most it has rained in over three months. We are over 15 inches below normal for 2009 rainfall here--in south TX.

Japanese Maple in Japan

Courtesy of the LuEsther T. Mertz Library, New York Botanical Garden.
Utagawa Hiroshige III (1842-1894) Japanese maple from Kakyo Tokyo meisho, 1881. Woodblock print.

This was found at the Human Flower Project. I think it is beautiful. Not only do I love Japanese Maples, but I so appreciate Asian art.

Today is all that matters.

Thanks to Jennifer at An Orientation of Heart, I got another new book about health. And it reminds me of something a therapist told me 14 years ago, "CHOOSE HEALTH." That's what this book is gently pointing to: Fit from Within by Victoria Moran.

What I am hoping is that I will start living with only THREE meals a day. That cuts out a lot of snacking. With Infinity Squared and Jennifer leaving comments about it being healthier to have two snacks a day, I am planning to do that. Plus, that makes a healthier diet more livable!

Moran stresses staying here right now. Here are some quotes:

"It's dangerous to get caught up in 'When I get thin. . . ,' 'When I get this thing licked. . . ,' and other states of future glory. This is the day you've got. No matter how praiseworthy your eating and exercise are today, your weight isn't going to be very different when you go to bed tonight from when you got up this morning. The tiny changes will add up, but don't concern yourself too much with them. Just stay in today." (42)

"Today is it, and what you do today is all that matters. Staying centered in the now keeps you aware of what you're doing. You're far less likely to eat absentmindedly when you're firmly rooted in this day, this meal, this project, this conversation. When you stay focused, you fully experience the day--its events, its sensations, its nuances. Life will become richer and more gratifying. You'll have fewer regrets, because regrets belong to the past. You'll worry less, because worry is about the future, and when the future becomes the present it won't be nearly as frightening. The present almost never is." (42)

My Dog is my Teacher

My good friend Trudy Kenyon gave me this card today, as she was reminded of it when she saw the video "GoD and DoG" the other day. She painted this last year. It is also a reminder of how our dogs (and other pets) teach us how to live.

Trudy paints many types of pictures, which she makes into cards or prints for friends. I am the lucky recipient of many of her paintings in the form of cards, because she knows I like cards so much. I love hers.

Friday Five: I Like Myself

Singing Owl over at RevGalBlogPals wrote today's Friday Five:

Lately I seem to be encountering many people who have a very difficult time finding anything good to say about themselves. They are able to extend grace and forgiveness to others but find it difficult to extend that same grace to themselves.

With that in mind, let's share some healthy affirmation today! Tell us five things you like about yourself!

1. I am a loyal friend. I really value my friends.

2. I am a good cook, especially a good baker. I like to cook from scratch.

3. I like to learn; I like to read. There is so much to learn, all our lives!

4. I like to send cards, notes, and postcards. I used to be a very good correspondent but the internet seems to have changed those long handwritten letters to shorter, more infrequent and/or typed mail.

5. I like to smile.

Come into my heart, Lord Jesus

Lord Jesus Christ,

come into my heart,

pray in me and with me,

that I may learn from You

how to pray.

Amen.

*Probably from Mother Teresa

Dr. Siri of Laos

I'm still reading too much. Just finished my fourth Dr. Siri mystery.

And so I'll have something to put in my blog, I'll put some advice given to Dr. Siri by his old friend Daeng here:

Daeng had taught a girl working for her to read, despite schools kicking her out in Laos.

So Daeng told Dr. Siri: "Oh, its much more than nice, Siri. It didn't change the world. It isn't going to get her a job reading the news over the propaganda airwaves. She'll still serve noodles and wipe tables. But she's different inside now. She has a new love in her life, and I gave it to her. . . .You don't measure your own success against the size or volume of the effect you are having. You gauge it from the difference you make to the subject you're working on. At our age, you go for the small things and you do them as well as you can."

Cotterill, Colin. Anarchy and Old Dogs. NY: Soho Press, 2007. 186-187.

Dr. Siri said his mantra would be "Go for the small things and do them well."

That reminds me of the priest in Zambia who told our small group from Oblate School of Theology in 2006 that so many things needed to be fixed there that it was easy to be overwhelmed and thus accomplish little. Instead, he told us to pick one thing and concentrate on that.

GoD and DoG

From both Ellie and Roberta:

Hot Fudge Sauce!

MJ asked me if I would make our family's favorite hot fudge sauce tonight, so her boy friend CJS could try it. Of course, CB and I would like that, too!

This is such a good recipe that I give it to friends and to new brides and to anyone who wants it. I am going to share it here, as it is the BEST hot fudge sauce I have ever had. It is from an old Hershey Foods cookbook: Hershey's 1934 Cookbook. Ed. Josh Gaspero. Hershey foods Corporation: 1971. (p. 38)

Hot Fudge Sauce

Combine in a pan:
1/4 cup Hershey's cocoa
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
1 Tbsp. cornstarch

Add and blend thoroughly:
1/2 cup light corn syrup
1/2 cup milk

Bring to a boil; boil 5 minutes.

Remove from heat; stir in
2 Tbsp. butter
2 tsp. vanilla

Cool, without stirring, until pan feels warm to hand. Serve.

Makes 1 1/2 cups sauce.

Tonight it was delicious!

Afternoon of waiting

I've been called to jury duty. Usually, I've gone in the morning, so I wait with many other people in a large room until about noon to be let go--and then call back for a few days. However, this time I must appear at 1:15 pm, so I assume that I will be waiting until 5 pm. That will be my afternoon, reading. I am taking two Dr. Siri mysteries along.

My friend NKE in CA told me that where she lives, they have computerized jury selections. When she is chosen to serve, she has to daily check in on the computer several times a day until she is told her status. That sounds easier.

Peace Arch Park

Son DC's picture of CB, Jan, and MJ
(the post behind CB marks the border between WA and Canada)

Whitney and Ashley

We just got back from an amazing event in Corpus Christi, TX: the celebration of a union of two women (who were legally married in Massachusetts in March). Their parents gave a lavish party, with frozen margaritas and lots of food--and lots of fun. There was a "mock" ceremony outside, which replicated the vows they said to each other in March. Then an aunt and uncle sang and played a song dedicated to Whitney and Ashley; the only words I can remember are that "their love interweaves us together." I like that.

There was so much joy and happiness radiating among the people that I was reminded of my son's wedding, which seemed just as happy. It was surprising that a few people came who are religiously opposed to gay marriage; they must have come as friends of the family. They did not act disapproving and were participating in the happiness shared. I'm glad.

May blessings of love and joy abound
in the lives of
Whitney and Ashley
forever.
Amen.

Wishin' and Hopin'

I spent too much time reading The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo by Steig Larsson this week. Oddly, it was a Christmas gift (from Terry and Dennis of Seattle) and I'd never gotten around to reading it until now. I've definitely been in "reading mode" since our vacation. This was a mystery that drew me in and kept me reading until the end. It could be classified close to the thriller genre, which makes me think that finally husband CB will like a book I recommend.

I had seen the following book at book stores in Seattle, but was not interested, because I hadn't read the first book. Immediately upon finishing Larsson's first mystery, I ordered the second, which I am waiting on.

That brought to mind that silly romantic song from the 1960's "Wishin' and Hopin'."

Now I am waiting for the UPS truck to drive up with that package, containing The Girl Who Played With Fire by Steig Larsson. (I'm glad our dinner is already simmering on the stove.)

This is how I'll spend this weekend, as the heat continues here in south TX--probably the 46th and 47th consecutive days of temperatures above 96 degrees F.

Friday Five: Rules

After a family vacation with our four children and three additional "partners," I am more aware of rules, spoken and unvoiced. Expectations are not always clearly expressed, but are still expected. . . . unbeknown to all unless one is not fulfilled! So how about writing about rules in your families and workplaces? Choose one or more for each category, especially if one seems odd or funny to you now.

1. Formal rules in family of origin
After I fractured my skull in first grade, an emphatic rule was NOT to dive into swimming pools. I did not learn to dive until junior high and was terrified to try for the first few times.

2. Unwritten and unspoken rules in family of origin
Don't cry--go into the bathroom and shut the door if you cry.

Get good grades, though my mother was always proud that she did not "pressure" me about grades.

Since I've been in recovery, I've realized that we practiced the rules of an alcoholic family:

• Don't talk
• Don't trust
• Don't feel

3. Formal rules in current family or workplace
Tell beforehand, where you will be or call and give that info, with some kind of a time period stated.

4. Unwritten rules in current family or workplace
You must like cottage cheese pancakes!

And I realized on the vacation we took on the WA beach that the formal #3 rule is now unspoken or unwritten, because my daughter's boy friend disappeared for almost five hours without telling anyone where he was going running. After three hours, we were very frightened. We were not sure where he was or how to reach him on this lonely beach next to an Indian reservation. Thankfully, he was found.

5. When was a time that you became aware of different rules in different places/families than your own?
I especially became aware of this when we returned from our vacation and the boy friend's dad laughed off the incident. Their family doesn't check in that often with each other. I think it involves both safety and respect for others.

When I was struggling with little sleep because I answered the cries of my toddlers, I realized that many families have their kids cry themselves to sleep so they will sleep through the night. Due to the influence of La Leche League on my parenting, I continued to hold and/or nurse my young ones until they went back to sleep. I believe trust is built this way.

Vacation Pictures

Lake Quinault, WA Rain Forest

AA and son DC, MJ and CJS
at Ballard Locks (in Seattle)

Rabbit totem in Pioneer Square, Seattle

DC coming out of fountain in downtown Seattle

View from rented house in Moclips, WA

Beach at Moclips, WA

CB and Jan at Ocean Crest Restaurant our last night in Moclips, WA

MJ, AA, DC, BJ, and CJS at Peace Arch Park (border between USA and Canada)

Happy as a clam?

This makes me think of our time on the Moclips beach in WA. Nine people together for three nights and four days; we were mostly happy. It was a fun time.

I brought back a bag of driftwood I collected there. Today I tried baking them in the oven, and oh, did the house stink! After complaints from CB (and myself, I must admit), I put them outside, where they still are laying on cookie sheets on the deck bench.

Back home!

We got back to hot Corpus Christi, TX last night. Today it was 99 degrees F. That's quite a shock after the lovely weather in WA State.

We had a wonderful time, which I will relate when I download pictures and have washed all the clothes (and completely unpacked).

Thank you for prayers for our sister-in-law Chris. Please keep them coming. There is good news about Dennis--the surgeon removed ALL the cancer when he cut out half of Dennis' liver.

And now I want to recommend these books that I read on our vacation:

The Help by Kathryn Stockett

This takes place in Jackson, Mississippi in the 1960's when the civil rights movement was gaining momentum in the USA and just before women's lib grew into consciousness. The voices of two black "help" and the Junior League ladies they serve, with one new college graduate wondering where she fits in contrast the attitudes prevalent at that time. This is excellent!

How to Be Good by Nick Hornby

This is a silly, but provocative, book about a female physician in London in a strained marriage with two children. Her husband has a spiritual conversion, and she struggles with his pious giving as she wonders what "being good" is. Is one only "good" in comparison to others? Is it necessary to have those "more" good or "less" good to gauge one's worth?

I Am the Messenger by Marcus Zusak

Since I loved reading The Book Thief by Marcus Zusak, I got this book for our vacation. I read it after MJ and devoured it. It is very easy reading, but is thought provoking. After a failed bank robbery, Ed becomes the messenger, recieving messages of his next mission via aces. Through acts of kindness to those around him, Ed is being led by the hand through a journey of self discovery and sometimes is helped with the advice of pie eating hit-men. The ending is unexpected.

The Coroner's Lunch by Colin Cotterill

I gave this book to my son BJ for his birthday in April, but he never wanted to read it. He brought it along on our vacation trip for me. It is the first book in a series of mysteries about a Laotian doctor who is 72 years old in 1970's Laos, after the Communist takeover. It was interesting about the locale and time period, as well as good character development of the various people involved. I am going to read the four other books in this series.

Prayers needed!

At the end of a my husband's family's barbecue, with 25 people attending, his brother took a few of us aside to tell us that his wife has a recurrence of breast cancer. It has been 12 years since she was first diagnosed and suddenly there is cancer in various organs. It is a shock, as she looks and feels great.

Please, oh, please pray for Chris.

Bellingham, WA in fun and sadness

With recent trips to Seattle, where I am again, and Canada, my blogging has been infrequent, and my visits to other blogs even less. Suddenly I am learning that Fran and Jaliya are taking breaks, and I wonder who else. . . . as I seem to be doing the same.

We had a busy three days in Seattle, doing lots of sightseeing and even saw a play on Capital Hill where the daughter of one of my oldest friends was the star. It was good to see Dennis getting a little more active, though he still gets fatigued easily. My kids had two long, long visits with him on Friday and Saturday, which seemed to energize and tire him at the same time. I'm so glad they love him and Terry.

Now we're at CB's parents' house in Bellingham, WA. Today is the summer family barbecue and reunion of all CB's siblings and their children. One great-grandchild is coming; she's one year old. CB has two sisters and one brother, so this is a large clan gathering. We bring nine, counting MJ's boy friend CS. Approximately 25 will be here.

After a dinner at Chuck's sister's house last night, I was suddenly and unexpectedly struck with grief, having none of my own family around at all. Since I was an only child, my dad was an only child, and my mother had just one sister, I have no family left in Bellingham. (You may recall that I have a distant cousin Margaret in Calgary, Canada.)

I am sad that my children's partners will only know CB's family, hearing stories of their past. Yes, I can tell a few tales of my family, but the children are not seeing the places or anyone else remembering them, like CB's siblings. It's just the way it is. This is reality, which I am re-learning to accept. . . .and am surprised that I have this to do all over again.

Seattle again!

Different airlines are taking my family and me to Seattle this week. Six of us are flying to Seattle on Tuesday (from either Corpus Christi or Austin), and only BJ is flying on Friday (from Houston).

Friends Terry and Dennis and daughters AE and KA are being generously hospitable by opening their homes for us to stay with them. Even after Dennis' major surgery, he and Terry want CB and me to stay with them. AE and KA are inviting four of our young adults to stay with them.

The weather is cooling down in Seattle, so our time there may be more typically rainy and cool. We will see. . . .

Our trip is divided into three parts, oddly going north then southwest. First we'll be in Seattle, then up to Bellingham to visit CB's family, and after that we'll spend a few days in Moclips, which is on the coast north of Aberdeen.

Holding On

My friend Nancy commented on the post Living to Die about something Madeleine L'Engle wrote in her book The Rock That Is Higher.

In "The Rock That Is Higher", which my Bible study group is reading right now, in the first chapter, Madeleine L'Engle writes about being in a car accident:

"The ancient words of the Jesus Prayer, 'Lord Jesus Christ have mercy on me,' surfaced in my mind. They have been with me for many years, like a deep, inner fountain. When I wake up in the night they are there--those strong, affirming words. They were with me as I sat in the crumpled car."

Later, in the hospital: "The Jesus Prayer was still with me, a strong rope to which I held like a sailor fallen from a ship."

And: "My only prayer was the Jesus Prayer and that was there for me because it has been part of my inner rhythm for many years, the prayer that fulfills Paul's exhortation to pray constantly, at all times, and in all places."

76 Trombones!