Edward Hays ~ Author, Artist & Storyteller
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I’ve got a gut feeling that….

8/26/2015

 

I’ve got a gut feeling that….


Dear old and new friends, 

     A “gut feeling” is an occasionally heard reference for an inspiration or a hunch. “Trust your hunches” is wise advice, even if it sounds like something you would find in a Chinese Fortune Cookie. It originated from an old superstition that touching the hump on the back of a hunchback brought good fortune. Japanese Samurai warriors were trained not to react to some sudden unexpected event intellectually, rather to respond by directions of their belly brain, their guts. Even Shakespeare in Act II of his Troilus and Cressida refers to it when the actor Thersites demeaningly says of Ajax, “(he) who wears his wit in his belly, and his guts in his head.”

     To the ancients this bodily turnaround of brains and guts was more understandable than it is today to us since we only consider our intestines as organs of disposal of waste. However, not for the Greeks. In Mark’s Gospel his original Greek word for compassion literally refers to a “churning of the gut!” When we’re encouraged to be compassionate towards the poor, the less fortunate or aliens, we think of that as a socially good idea, not anything that should feel like a belly ache. It could even be asked, do those who upon seeing the homeless and hungry who feel nothing suffer from constipation? That same Greek word for compassion is used for pity. Yet for us to pity some afflicted person usually means to mentally “feeling sorry” for them, not to have some agitation and heaving of your intestines.

     We consider of our brains and our intestines as being not only at opposite ends of our bodies but worlds apart. We give little thought to our intestines as long as they are working properly, yet your brain and your guts are actually intimately linked! Your brain is anatomically isolated, guarded by a blood-brain barrier that allows the blood to bring in nutrients, but keeps out any pathogens and inflammation. However, of your needed brain chemicals about 5O% of the dopamine (a neurotransmitter that helps control the brain's reward and pleasure centers) and the vast majority of serotonin (the brain chemical crucial to mood and motivation) originate in your intestines!

     Inspirations, sometimes symbolized by a large illuminated light bulb over the head are, along with hunches, considered to descend from above instead of ascending from out lower regions. Poets, artists, or home kitchen cooks, when stalled by some obstacle have been inspired to create an entirely new masterpiece or delicious dish. Inspirations don’t come in eye-blinding lightning bolts from above but mysteriously invisibly after a silent pause, as was the case with Arturo Toscanini.

     Arturo Toscanini (1867-1957), the brilliant Italian conductor, during a rehearsal of Debussy’s La Mer was unable to describe to the orchestra the effect he wanted them to achieve with a certain passage of music. Stymied, he paused, and closed his eyes for a moment. Then he quickly took out his silk handkerchief from his coat pocket and tossed it up high in the air! The orchestra looked up mesmerized as they watched the slowly swirling, graceful, descending silken scarf. When it finally settled on the floor, Toscanini smiled and said, “There, play it like that!”

Are You an Atheist?

8/19/2015

 

Are You an Atheist?


Dear old and new friends, 

     A recent poll by the New York Times asked the question, “Do you believe in God?” The published results showed that 36% said yes, while 25% answered not sure, and 39% saying they did not believe in God. The atheists win! If you were asked that same question, how would you answer? As for me personally, I don’t believe in God. 

     At least I don’t believe in the God of the Biblical book of Joshua who commanded Joshua in capturing Canaan to slaughter every man, woman and child! I’m an atheist of the God of Leviticus who condemned as an abomination the love expressed with another of the same sex. Among that 39%, I’m also a nonbeliever in the gods of success and war, of winning at any cost, and the fat cat gods of Wall Street and the marketplace. 

     As a growing number of people lose their belief in God, the brilliant scholar Teilhard de Chardin worried that “…humanity losing its faith in God would also lose a zest for living.” Now faith is invisible, yet in observing people while shopping or in passing on the street I don’t see many faces expressing happiness or a zest in life. The majority of faces appear worried, often angry, and empty of any expression. Yet at the same time there are two occasions when people seem vivacious; first, those animated by their city’s football team winning a big game, and second, those at rock concerts (whose frenetic joyousness might be attributed to ear-blasting loud music and/or perhaps drugs and alcohol). 

     Catch quick glimpses of your face in store windows and mirrors, and see if unconsciously your face appears as worried, hassled or glum. If the other faces we see in daily occasions seldom reflect an enjoyment or gusto for life, is this because of “their or your” God? In which God do you believe? The one of the Catechism, or maybe the one of your race, religion or nationality? The only true God who enthusiastically gives life is the God of Love. Enthusiasm (en = “in” + theos = “God”) is being inhabited by God within you! Constantly being conscious of that innermost Presence of Love inspires living in a delight that can’t be hidden. 

     Zorba, a fictional character based on a real person, for me manifests zest for life. Zorba the Greek is Nikos Kazantzakis’s great novel about a scholarly, withdrawn and shy Englishman who hires a burley Greek named Zorba as a worker, who then increasingly becomes his mentor on living life with zestful passion. Zorba refers to the Englishman as “Boss,” and once while he is away he writes him this letter about his abundant enjoyment in life. “Boss, in my contract with life, I let the brakes off when I get to the most dangerous slopes. The life of a man is a road with steep rises and dips. All sensible people use their brakes, but Boss I did away with my brakes altogether a long time ago, because I’m not afraid of a jolt. When a machine goes off the rails we mechanics call that “a jolt!” The devil knows if I take any notice of the jolts I get. Day and night, I go full steam ahead, doing just what I like…. Every man has his folly, but the greatest folly of all in my view is not to have one.” 

     Believe in the God of Love...and experiment not using your brakes!

A Two Worded Spirituality

8/14/2015

 

A Two Worded Spirituality


Dear old and new friends,

     Often spiritual disciplines seem complicated. Here’s a simple one, so down to earth no one could guess you were involved in a holy action that’s only two words long: “Be kind.” It is taken from the fourth chapter of Ephesians, verse 32: “Be kind to one another.” That sounds so easy, yet I assure you it isn’t effortless—at first. You might ask if being kind isn’t just old fashion courtesy, proper etiquette. I recall an early lesson taught to me as a teenager by my mother, “Edward, a gentleman never causes pain!”

     Etiquette easily becomes only external, while genuine holy kindness flows from the heart and soul. “Be kind to all” can be a short, simple rule of life that becomes effortless by taking time to express it until it is habitual. The writer of Ephesians saw that simply being kind to one another was a cure-all for the rudeness, anger and bitterness of his day. Now two thousand years later kindness is the Alpha medicine for we who live hectic lives of impersonal, hurried encounters, and even rude behaviors.

     Our Kindness results from being in the Mystical Christ, so we are kind to our kindred; we are in a family-relationship with everyone and all creation. That has been proven today by quantum physics.

          Be kind to those you love…and those you know and don’t know. Kindness means a                 loving respect that treats others not like they are inhuman robots or clogs in a                       machine, but as one’s kinfolk.

          Be kind to strangers, of whom the ancients wisely said were angels in disguise; be kind           to the homeless, the migrant and alien.

          Be kind to animals, your pets and stray cats, to birds, and dogs who bark at you like               angry rude bosses.

          Be kind to all of creation you come in contact with in your daily life. Treat trees or                   dandelions not as inert “things” but rather with a gentle reverence as God-inhabited               sacraments and relatives of yours.

          Be kind finally to yourself! Stop being a constant judge and jury of your actions and               thoughts. Don’t become mechanical like all the machines around you; take naps, read           novels and do other unproductive activities. Be deadly serious about playtime, having             fun and relaxing.

     Kindness is shown by thoughtful words, smiling greetings, and by wordless gestures as in this true story. John Ceil Rhodes was a South African and fabulously wealthy man since he owned the Kimberley diamond mines, and was also a rigid observer of proper dress and behavior. A young man invited to dine with him arrived late by train in Kimberley and had to go directly to Rhodes’ mansion in his rumpled, dusty travel clothes. Joining the other guess all attired in formal evening dress as they waited for the appearance of their host, he stood embarrassed, painfully out of place. Finally John Rhodes appeared in a shabby, old blue suit! The young man learned only later that previously Rhodes had been in full formal dress, but upon learning of the young man’s dilemma rushed off to change his clothes.

A Whimsical Spirituality

8/5/2015

 

A Whimsical Spirituality


Dear old and new friends, 

     A healthy spirituality takes neither the seeker nor his or her spiritual practices too seriously. Recent years have seen exercises in how to have no self, living in the now, and the Zen of breathing and walking. Recently I came upon a few short Zen-like sayings, but regret I don’t know the authors’ names. Nonetheless, ponder the following. 

                           If there is no self,
                           whose arthritis is this?

                           Be here now.
                           Be someplace else later.
                           Is that so complicated? 

                           Drink tea and nourish life.
                           With the first sip…joy.
                           With the second…satisfaction.
                           With the third…peace.
                           With the fourth…a danish. 

                           Wherever you go, there you are.
                           Your luggage is another story. 

                           Accept misfortune as a blessing.
                           Do not wish for perfect health,
                           or a life without problems.
                           What would you talk about? 

     In Christian spirituality the words of Jesus are often presented for meditation and guidance. His last words naturally are of greatest importance. We also know the four Gospel writers reported his words differently. The following are Jesus last words as he ascended up into heaven.

          In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus farewell words are, “Beware of Rome!
          Her imperial style will smother your spontaneity and freedom.” 

          In the mystic John’s Gospel, Jesus says, “It’s an illusion. I neither go up
          or down. I reside in your heart. Holy Communion is easy.” 

          In Luke’s Gospel, Jesus says, “I’m going up, up, up beyond the clouds,
          into the unending starry cosmos. Come, follow me.” 

          And in Mark’s Gospel, Jesus says, “Do this in memory of me. Enjoy life and
          have fun just as I did when I was among you.”


    Edward Hays


    Picture
    Haysian haphazard thoughts on the
    invisible and visible mysteries of life.

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