Meditating with Hildegard
“There is the music of Heaven in all things.”
— Hildegard of Bingen
Posted by Patricia Adams Farmer on November 19, 2022
The Queen's Message
Posted by Patricia Adams Farmer on September 20, 2022
As millions of people world-wide mourn the death of Britain’s Queen Elizabeth II, I remember her beautiful Christmas message from 2015. As the head of the Church of England, she was a devoted Christian, but her words of unity, hope, and love surely resonated with many people, including those who do not share her faith:
“It is true that the world has had to confront moments of darkness this year, but the Gospel of John contains a verse of great hope, often read at Christmas carol services: ‘The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. . . .’ Despite being displaced and persecuted throughout his short life, Christ's unchanging message was not one of revenge or violence but simply that we should love one another.”
Rocking Chair Meditation
Posted by Patricia Adams Farmer on July 14, 2022
I rock. Everyday. Sometimes twice a day — every time I get a chance. I particularly like to rock in the dark, before bedtime, as it works better than sleeping pills. My rocking chair has become my favorite place to read, to dream, to chat with a friend, to listen to music, to drink tea — carefully — and yes, to meditate. I rock away stress, bad news, obsessive thoughts, back pain, and the despair of this world.
After rocking for only a few weeks in my Amish-made wooden rocker, . . .
Sunflowers for Distressed Hearts
Posted by Patricia Adams Farmer on March 19, 2022
"The sunflower is mine."
—Vincent van Gogh
Why Not Paint Your Dream?
Posted by Patricia Adams Farmer on February 25, 2022
Over two centuries ago, a 19-year-old man left France to follow his dream of joining the fight for freedom in the American Revolution. Against the will of the French King, the Marquis de Lafayette procured his own sailing ship to take him to America. Some called him foolish, but soon he was called a hero, and eventually he brought France into the war. Without him, it is unlikely we would have won our independence.
If we could ask Lafayette, "Why did you come to help us?" . . .
L is for Listening
Posted by Patricia Adams Farmer on October 12, 2021
"All things in the universe want to be heard."
— Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spiritual Literacy
Listening may be the key to unlocking the doors that separate us, to gaining wisdom, to communing with birdsong, and finding intense joy in music — but make no mistake: listening is hard work. I preach sermons every Sunday, and I am well aware that if I go over twelve minutes, no matter how scintillatingly or profound I imagine my words to be, my flock will (if still awake) become restless and dreamy, some playing with lunch possibilities or recipes in their heads. How do I know this? Because when I am in the pew, that's exactly what I do — food taking up an excessive amount of space in my head.
Once, after fifteen minutes of listening to a preacher, . . .
When Fear Hurts
Posted by Patricia Adams Farmer on September 27, 2021
In Alan Gorden's new book, The Way Out: A Revolutionary, Scientifically Proven Approach to Healing Chronic Pain, he speaks of "catching your fears" as part of his therapy. Gordon demonstrates through neuroscience, case studies, and storytelling that fear plays a huge role in most chronic pain. Fear can create pain, he says. Learning how to be aware of our fears, observing them, and "catching" them before they get too cozy inside us may be the very image many of us need, chronic pain or not.
When we feel safe, our bodies and minds flourish in beautiful and healthy ways . . .
Return to the Body
Posted by Patricia Adams Farmer on July 28, 2021
The first step on a spiritual path today is a return to a sense of one's own body.
— Martha Heyneman
The Open-Ended House
Posted by Patricia Adams Farmer on June 22, 2021
Open-ended: That's how I describe the home where my husband and I now live. Since we purchased our well-worn (shabby-sans-chic) historic house 3 years ago, we have been renovating and restoring. For us, it's a matter of DIY (do it yourself) on a shoestring budget.
Despite our busy lives, we've managed to restore a great deal . . .
Mysteries and the Spiritual Sleuth
Posted by Patricia Adams Farmer on May 5, 2021
Remember Algebra class and "solving for x"? A puzzle. An Unknown. A math mystery. Turns out, math and the spiritual life are not so far apart. In fact, in the Alphabet of Spiritual Literacy, x is a symbol for "The Mystery" — the spiritual home for the great mystics and a vital part of every spiritual journey. Mystery, or the "Great Unknown," invites us to make room in our souls for mystery, intrigue, and the ineffable "more-ness" of the spiritual adventure. But like math class, could part of that lavish landscape of spiritual unknowns include not only sacred mysteries, but very worldly ones as well?
To be honest, if I were given a word association test with the word, "Mystery," . . .
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About This Blog
Welcome to Process Musings for the spiritually curious, the creative, and the open-hearted. We, Jay McDaniel and Patricia Adams Farmer, are two bloggers from the world of process thought, inspired by the philosophy of Alfred North Whitehead. This multi-faith blog features articles, essays, stories, videos, and poetry which invite you to discover fresh possibilities for wholeness, creativity, and joy. Read more.