MariJo waited to die, and now we learn again about grief

By: Mata H Topics: Religion & Spirituality

My friend MariJo died today. She had been fighting cancer for about 9 years, after riding the roller-coaster of successive remissions, clean bills of health and relapses. Traditional methods, prayer, alternative approaches, special Native American healing beads, meditation, chemotherapy, psychiatric support, radiation, special diets, surgeries upon surgeries -- you name it. Her family (2 daughters, one son..the youngest in high school) and her husband have been tireless in their devotion and care for her. When Ron called me today, he said it was the 40th anniversary of their meeting.

"The Evangelical Manifesto" Is that a wolf ear I see underneath the sheep hat?

By: Mata H Topics: Religion & Spirituality

Evangelical Christians have issued a document called "An Evangelical Manifesto". Well,more accurately, a group of 75 evangelical leaders have done so. Their names can be found here. Some names, like the president of the Southern Baptist Church (who was not invited to comment), however, are notable for their absence. Others have also pointed out the lack of any female or African American names on the list.

Listen up and find the gold in silence

By: Mata H Topics: Religion & Spirituality

Listening deeply is something we have to learn to do. We can't do it just like that. When the other person is talking he or she is trying to express his or her difficulties and sufferings, and needs us to listen to that. But if we are not capable of listening, then the person who is speaking will not feel any relief in his or her suffering, and will finally give up talking. - Thich Nhat Hanh

Dorothy Day - courageous advocate for the poor

By: Mata H Topics: Religion & Spirituality

"The greatest challenge of the day is: how to bring about a revolution of the heart, a revolution which has to start with each one of us."-- Dororthy Day

I want to like Eckhart Tolle's work. I just can't get there from here.

By: Mata H Topics: Entertainment & Books Religion & Spirituality

I want to like Eckhart Tolle.

Oprah does. And I like Oprah and admire her spirit.