The Restory Retreat Centre

  Buttoning and Unbuttoning (1/2) The "smallness" of life can sometimes feel heavier than its great tragedies. A life needn't be "full" of tragedy. If it's "empty" of meaning, that emptiness can eventually become a crushing weight bearing down on the one living that life.  The Conversation Elements From The Conversation In contemplative spirituality, the "buttoning and unbuttoning" is resolved not by ignoring or sidestepping the task, but by changing the nature of the button. Instead of an obstacle to be overcome so that life can "begin," the act becomes life itself. Music ABBA's song  describes a life where the "buttons" are done perfectly, but the person inside is sleepwalking. Lord, We are not blind to the burden of the repetitive . The same plate, the same path to work, the same buttons, the same masks we put on. Please help us with the discouragement for “the next thing.” We know deep down that a task that is ...

  Knoop en Losknoop (1/2) Die "kleinheid" van die lewe kan soms swaarder voel as sy groot tragedies. 'n Lewe hoef nie "vol" tragedie te wees nie. As dit "leeg" van betekenis is, kan daardie leegheid uiteindelik 'n verpletterende las word wat neerdruk op die een wat daardie lewe leef. Die Gesprek Elemente Uit Die Gesprek In kontemplatiewe spiritualiteit word die "knoop en losknoop" nie opgelos deur die taak te ignoreer of te systap nie, maar deur die aard van die knoop te verander. In plaas van 'n hindernis wat oorkom moet word sodat die lewe kan "begin", word die daad die lewe self. Musiek ABBA sing hier van 'n lewe waar al die knope perfek vas is, maar die persoon daarbinne is 'n slaapwandelaar. Here, Ons is nie blind vir die las van die aanhoudende nie. Dieselfde bord, dieselfde pad werk toe, dieselfde knope, dieselfde maskers wat ons opsit. Help ons asseblief met die moedeloosheid vir “die volgende”. Ons weet ten ...

  Growing Older The Conversation Elements From The Conversation Annie Dillard's advice on writing is also applicable to life in general.  Music May the wisdom that comes with age, help you to do Mary Oliver's 3 things. All our love. George & Matilda

  Ouer Word Die Gesprek Elemente Uit Die Gesprek Annie Dillard se raad t.o.v skryf is ook van toepassing op die lewe in die algemeen. Musiek Mag die wysheid wat met die jare kom, jou help om Mary Oliver se 3 dinge te doen. Al ons liefde. George & Matilda

  Death, And My Life "Man, who is born of a woman, is few of days...." Job 14:1 (ESV)                                       The Conversation Elements From The Conversation With our love. George & Matilda

  Dood, En My Lewe "Die mens.... sy lewe is kortstondig, soos 'n vonk wat opskiet." Job 5:7                                         Die Gesprek Elemente Uit Die Gesprek Met ons liefde. George & Matilda

“…the wise man looks into space and does not regard the small as too little, nor the great as too big, for he knows that there is no limit to dimensions.”                                                                                        Lao Tzu It is often difficult to say what the reasons are in choosing the next book to read. In some cases it is obvious, like when you receive a copy as a gift and you cannot wait to open it on that very first sentence. Oh, I love first sentences! Other times though, there is almost a lull in the reading air with no sense of direction and a myriad of choices. During such times, I wait. It is exciting, trusting the bigger scheme of things that’s tapped into my essence and subconscious to make suggestions, or o...