The Charter for Compassion

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Book: A Child's Way, Writing Inspiration

There are a few modern women authors who have been such a part of my spiritual/emotional maturing process that I feel they are friends.  Of course I might be a bit starstruck if they actually did show up at my kitchen table. They are a diverse group with very different voices and still a similar message of love, forgiveness and feminine wisdom.  Included are Sue Monk Kidd, Marianne Williamson,  Linda Schierse Leonard and Karen Armstrong

 

A few mornings ago, Karen Armstrong did show up.  I’m not sure how it started.  My husband and I did a search for something on the internet and found her speaking on one of my favorite websites, ted.com. (Technology, Entertainment and Design: ideas worth sharing).   She was speaking about the golden rule and her recent award by TED to create a charter for compassion. 

 

Carrie and I quoted Karen’s research on compassion in the last chapter of our book. So I was especially curious as to what she is up to now.  She is an amazing woman with an English accent that sounds like my friend, Kate  doing an impression of a member of British royalty.   She is one of those ordinary women accomplishing extraordinary things, a real inspiration. 

 

Here is the link to hear Karen Armstrong on ted.com http://www.ted.com/talks/karen_armstrong_makes_her_ted_prize_wish_the_charter_for_compassion.html

 

Then you can join me and Eve Ensler, Melissa Ethridge and His Holiness the Dalai Lama and sign the Charter for Compassion at the following link.  http://charterforcompassion.org/

Soul and Authentic Voice

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Book: A Child's Way, Writing Inspiration

“Each person, when they share their own thoughts, their own way of experiencing, their own voice, offers a way in for others or a light along the way.  As each person adds their own spark of life this enlivens the way (takes it out of rules and regulations and makes it accessible and vibrant). This can broaden the way – making it possible for more people to find their way to spirit, God, awakening…”  This thought came to me this morning in moving meditation something called eurhythmy that I do most mornings to help me to center and begin to create the space to work/play.  Of course as they often are, these thoughts were hard to pin down.  I tried to keep them fluid and flowing AND to give them a place on the page.

When I am caught up in doing it right – I freeze.  I find in the writing circles

Season of Slowing Down

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Book: A Child's Way, Retreat, Writing Inspiration

Long ago, people intuitively knew this was the season of slowing down. In ways we don’t remember, spirituality was connected to the earth and the seasons.  When the days grew shorter and the nights longer, people knew to go inward for the gift of their own inner light.  There was a hush – you can imagine.  How do we reconnect with this hush, this stillness that connects us with our selves, and our family and friends?

Whether you are celebrating Christmas, Hanukah, or Kwanzaa, the traditions of the holidays are meant to nurture and nourish us.  They are meant to help us feel connection with each other and to our spirituality.  If we get caught up in fulfilling all the traditions in some kind of holiday fantasy of perfection, it won’t nurture us –