“We must approach mysticism, which comes closest to overcoming the hierarchical masculine concept of God – a mysticism to be sure, in which the thirst for real liberation does not lead to drowning in the sea of unconsciousness… The mystical certainty that nothing can separate us from the love of God grows when we ourselves become one with love by placing ourselves, freely and without guarantee of success, on the side of love.”

Dorothee Soelle (1929 – 2003), German liberation theologian

World Animals Day (Feast Day of St Francis of Assisi)

“How it is that animals understand things I do not know, but it is certain that they do understand. Perhaps there is a language which is not made of words, and everything in the world understands it. Perhaps there is a soul hidden in everything and it can always speak, without even making a sound, to another soul.”

Frances Hodgson Burnett (1849 – 1924), author of The Secret Garden, quoted in Fragments of Holiness for Daily Reflection

“God has implanted in your heart his wisdom. So throw out of your heart everything that contradicts this wisdom. While foolishness overwhelms wisdom, you are like a deep dark lake where true life cannot survive. When you have thrown out foolishness, follow the path that leads to freedom. This means obeying the wisdom that already shines within you. And as you do so, your own soul will come to life. The wisdom of God which he has implanted in every person brings great blessings, both spiritual and material. It brings prudence, discretion and sound judgment. It enables people to use their abilities to the full in the service of others. Evil cannot enter those who obey the inner wisdom.”

Saint Hildegard von Bingen (1098 – 1179)

International Day of Non-Violence

“Non-violence is not a garment to be put on and off at will. Its seat is in the heart, and it must be an inseparable part of our being.”

Mahatma Gandhi, born Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, on this day in 1869

International Day of Older Persons

“An old woman cried everyday under the tree. People did not know why.
One day, a monk passed by and asked her why she cried so sadly. The old woman said, “I have two daughters, the elder selling umbrellas and the younger selling dried food. On sunny days, I cry because my elder daughter cannot make a living as nobody buys umbrellas. On rainy days, I cry because my younger daughter cannot make or sell dried food.”
The monk then told the old woman, “I can make you happy! Oh dear, you should think of your elder daughter on rainy days. You will be happy because people buy umbrellas from her. On sunny days, you should think of your younger daughter because she can earn a lot of money by selling dried food.”
The old woman was suddenly enlightened. Since then, she laughed everyday under the tree.”

Zen Parable

“Be the master of your will and the slave of your conscience.”

Hasidic Proverb

Artwork – Baruch Nachshon

“Ever since the Song of Solomon was written, it’s been clear that food not only nourishes our bodies but reconnects us to our physicality. It’s no surprise to anyone who has seen the astonishingly sensual photographs of peppers created by Edward Weston.

As fruits and grains reach their fullness in this season, they call us back to ourselves, to the passion that drives forward the human race. Take in the textures, soft, meaty, or pliant. Take in the rich smells, the intoxication of tastes. Live when you eat.”

From Earth Bound: Daily Meditations For All Seasons by Brian Nelson

“Earth Mother teach me of my kin,
Of Hawk, and Dove, and flower
Of blinding sunlight, shady knoll,
Desert wind and morning showers.
Teach me every language of
The creatures that sing to me,
That I may count the cadence of
Infinite lessons in harmony.
Teach me how to honor
The Sacred Spaces of all,
Gently melding with the whole,
Answering the whippoorwill’s call.
Steamy tropics to glacial ice,
To thundering ocean tides,
In every grain of desert sands,
Your beauty forever abides.
Oh, Mother of every kingdom,
Let me claim my family’s love,
From the whales of the deepest oceans,
To the Winged-ones, high above.
Expand my limited vision
Until I can truly know
The missions of my Relations
And the blessings they bestow.”

Jamie Sams

“Bombs and pistols do not make a revolution. The sword of revolution is sharpened on the whetting-stone of ideas…

Any man who stands for progress has to criticize, disbelieve and challenge every item of the old faith. Item by item he has to reason out every nook and corner of the prevailing faith. If after considerable reasoning one is led to believe in any theory or philosophy, his faith is welcomed. His reasoning can be mistaken, wrong, misled and sometimes fallacious. But he is liable to correction because reason is the guiding star of his life. But mere faith and blind faith is dangerous: it dulls the brain, and makes a man reactionary.”

Shaheed Bhagat Singh, Indian independence fighter, born on this day in 1907

International Day for the Total Elimination of Nuclear Weapons

“The goal of the Christian religion is not the idolizing of Christ, not christolatry, but that we are all “in Christ,” as the mystical expression goes, that we have a part in the life of Christ. This saviour is a wounded healer, and he heals so that we may become as he is. Be as he is, laugh as he laughs, weep as he weeps. Heal the sick, even those who without knowing it have contracted the great neuroses of our society, who know no mercy within themselves and their children when they consent to the nuclear state and technologies inimical to life. To feed the hungry means to do away with militarism. To bless the children means to leave the trees standing for them.”

Dorothee Soelle