Speaking of Spirit

Today, as we observe Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, we were surprised by a call from the grandchildren. They wanted to ask us questions about what it was like to have lived during the same time as the Rev. Dr. King. I'll be honest, it was an emotional conversation for both Roger and me. Our perspectives were completely different since I was, in the 60's, a child in the projects of South Boston and Roger was a preacher's son in the South. Answering the children's questions not only reminded both of us of why we are, who we are today, but also brought us great hope. One of the most poignant questions came from our oldest granddaughter, who asked what we remembered of the day Rev. Dr. King was assassinated. I, very emotionally, told her that I remembered feeling like the Light had gone out in the entire world. However, I was also reminded of my mother telling me that the Light had simply passed to others to finish the work.  As a young activist, I dreamed of seeing what Mart...

    Friday night, social media was flooded with comments, memorials and quotes from a gently fierce woman, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. As the news of her death from cancer spread around the world, people began asking questions like, "Can anything else go wrong in 2020?"  and making statements like, "Now, we are lost." But, I see it differently. Yes, my social justice, activist heart broke at the news that Justice Ginsburg was no longer with us on this physical plane. However, in an email to one of my daughters, I wrote something that inspired this post.  I wrote that with her death, I now knew what the disciples must have felt when they learned that Jesus had died.  A TZADDIK Not long after writing to my daughter, I read that "according to Jewish tradition, a person who dies on Rosh Hashanah, which began tonight, is a tzaddik, a person of great righteousness."  How perfect!  Justice Ginsburg absolutely embodied "great righteousness."  While my ...

The world is going into the fifth month of life with COVID 19. In most places, isolation is the new way of life. Phrases like "social distancing" and "quarantine" have become the buzz words of 2020. These words sound ominous, but perhaps we aren't looking at this from the best point of view. Isolation comes from the Latin root for "island." When we think about it, every continent is its own island - huge land masses that are floating, literally, on the Earth's surface. If one is out on the sea, an island can be a respite or a curse, which is why so many lighthouses were built on islands.  Staying with the metaphor of the lighthouse for a minute, let us consider what life was like living as the caretaker of a lighthouse. This was an important position back in the days before automated lights and electricity. The lighthouse keeper had to literally light the lamp and keep the light in good working order. The keeper also saved lives when storms...

 Bray Beach, Ireland (c) 2014 LMN “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”  ~ Charles Dickens ~ When Dickens penned these words over 150 years ago, he was writing of the world he knew. However, today, this iconic text speaks volumes about the state of things today.   In the past few days, many of us have seen or heard of the best and worst of humans, governments, and leaders. We have seen people fighting over rolls of toilet paper at one moment, only to turn and see young people delivering food to shut-ins and the elderly.  The Light and Dark of these days has been quite visible to all.  There is much Wisdom to be found, but also much foolishness.  Humankind has heard the Truth as well as the ...

“Maybe you have to know the darkness  before you can appreciate the light.”  ~ Madeline L’Engle ~ This is a time of great anticipation in many faith paths around the world. In the northern hemisphere, it is a time where the darkness of winter descends on the Earth. The longest night of the year comes at the end of December. Therefore, it is no wonder that Light, in the form of fires that warm and candles that brighten are an intricate part of so many celebrations. During the earliest times of humanity, Solstice Yule fires brought light and warmth to the cold winter nights. Judaism celebrated the Miracle of the Lights with the lighting of the menorah. Christians used a circle of candles to observe the time before the birth of Jesus, who is called the Light of the World. The African diaspora, primarily in the US, remember their ancestors at this time of year with the lighting of seven candles. Each candle is a reminder of a specific virtue or trait.  ...

Angels: symbols of hope, safety, enlightenment Photo Credit: (c) 2018 Linda M. Rhinehart Neas As I decorated for the holidays, I became acutely aware of the many symbols I have found comfort in over the years. Symbols that belong to the stories of how peace and love can be found in the darkness of hate and chaos.  For example, after a prolonged illness as a child, when it was believed that I might die, the sister superior of our school gave me a little paper Angel to remind me that God was watching over me and sent me Angels to protect me from harm. That became a story of great importance in my life; one that, for me, was valid, real and for which I have had many qualifying experiences. But, for other people, angels are so much fluff. Some people classify angels with the Easter Bunny and Tooth Fairy, myths told as a child that hold no real usefulness in our adult world. Karen Armstrong, a former nun, writer and creator of the Charter of Compassion, wrote in "A S...

The days have been getting shorter as we whirl toward the Winter Solstice on a planet where the daily news seems darker than the skies. How do we keep our balance?  In ancient times, the people of the North brought in evergreens and lit huge fires, both reminders that life continues. Many of the traditions in cultures around the world focus on the balancing of Light and Dark at this time of year.  Unfortunately, as humans evolved and our world went from agrarian and hunter/gatherers to industrial/technical, we have cast aside many of the traditions and rituals that helped people keep the equilibrium. If these rituals and traditions are practiced, often, the meaning has been long forgotten. Like bells without clappers, there is no rhyme or reason to what we do any longer. How do we cope? How do we find meaning in chaos?  On Doctor Oz's website, the physician, Dr. Kulreet Chaudhary, suggests using ancient ayurveda practices to help maintain a healthy balanc...

Photo: (c) 2017 L M R Neas Winter Solstice will soon be here - the longest, darkest day of the year. Let us embrace this time of darkness. Let us use this day of nighttime to reflect on the year past. Let us look to the evergreens that surround us and remember that they hold the promise that spring will return. They also remind us that Life continues, always. Let us give sincere thanks for the bounty that sustains us as the Earth slowly warms again, allowing us to plant another harvest.   As the sun rises on the 21st, let us be ever grateful for the lengthening of days to come.  May we all be blessed by both the Light and the Dark, which is a constant duality in our lives. May we learn to embrace both, finding respite and healing in the dark and rejuvenating, creative energy in the light. Many blessings to all as this Winter Solstice passes over us.  Blessings!

December Super Moon (c) 2017 Linda M. Rhinehart Neas Light is an important symbol in all cultures. Whether it is the sun, the moon, a lighthouse, or a candle, images of light have been in our culture since humans first communicated. But, why? For some, light was symbolic of Creator, for others, light represented understanding ("see the light").  The symbolism of light represents life, goodness, wisdom, purity, Divine Power, intuition, love and hope. Depending on your culture, you may have seen, read, or heard of light being used in one or more of these metaphors. During the winter days ahead, you may light candles on a menorah, advent wreath or a kinara. You might dance around a bonfire or float candles on little boats down a river. You may even decorate your home with tiny lights. Whatever way you use light during this Season of Light and Love, think about the symbolism.  Why are you doing this? May the lights we ignite during the darkening days ahead fil...