The Restory Retreat Centre

  What The Mystics Know 4) The Mystical Journey Is A Journey Of Paradoxes “Those who find their life will lose it,  and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.” ‭‭Matteus‬ ‭10‬:‭39‬ ‭NRSV       ‬‬ “All who exalt themselves will be humbled,  and all who humble themselves will be exalted.” ‭‭Matthew23‬:‭12‬ ‭NRSV     ‬‬ “Therefore I am content  with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities  for the sake of Christ;  for whenever I am weak, then I am strong.” ‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12‬:‭10‬ ‭NRSV               ‬‬ The Conversation Elements From The Conversation Music "Bittersweet music is the sound of the soul stretching toward the light, even in the darkest moments." Susan Cain                                "Bittersweet" is in itself a paradox. As always, with our love. George & Matilda

Notes from a different drummer Learning the unforced rhythms of grace The practical How. In our previous post Strange companions we said that we'll follow it up by introducing paradox as well. True to our word, here is that introduction.  “Nobody goes to that restaurant because it is too crowded”; “Your mission is not to accept the mission. Do you accept?” or “Don't go near the water 'til you have learned how to swim” are humorous examples of paradox. A paradox (taken from the Greek para and dokein meaning “to seem contrary to”) is something that at first glance appears to be a contradiction, but looked at from another angle is not a contradiction at all. All fine and interesting, but what does it have to do with us? Everything. One of the major elements in the contemplative life and spirituality is a tolerance for ambiguity, uncertainty and being comfortable with paradox. For that reason much of its wisdom comes in the form of paradox: ...

AND FOR NO REASON Photo by Ralie du Preez And For no reason I start skipping like a child. And For no reason I turn into a leaf That is carried so high I kiss the Sun's mouth And dissolve. And For no reason A thousand birds Choose my head for a conference table, Start passing their Cups of wine And their wild songbooks all around. And For every reason in existence I begin to eternally, To eternally laugh and love! When I turn into a leaf And start dancing, I run to kiss our beautiful Friend And I dissolve in the Truth That I Am. ("The Gift" - versions of Hafiz by Daniel Ladinsky) After my previous post, Caught in the amber , I had a very stimulating discussion with a friend who sent me the above poem as a response. The carefree lilt in Hafiz's poetic voice is exactly what I yearn for, but I must admit that more often than not, I am forever seeking answers to the many whys and wherefores that life present us with. Call it design, ...

L'Arbre de vie by Seraphine Louis Oil on Canvas, 1928 Much Madness is divinest Sense- To a discerning Eye - Much Sense - the starkest Madness - "Tis the Majority In this, as All, prevail - Assent - and you are sane - Demur - you're straightway dangerous- And handled with a Chain -                             - Emily Dickinson 1862 George's post Whistle while you work sparked some lively conversation and also got me thinking in top gear. It reminded me of a film we saw a while back and which made an indelible impression on me. That of the life of the French artist, Seraphine Louis. To draw you into the conversation that led to this post, please follow the link above that will also take you to the comments at the end of the post. An excerpt from Medicographia 103  explains her tragic life this way: "What a singular destiny that of Séraphine Louis. Born into a needy peasant com...