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Chattering Mind

When I last toured George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate, I was astonished to see and touch a tree that the father of our country planted himself (well, I’m not certain he did the actual shovelling, but…). You’ll find photographs of that tree and other trees of historic significance in these two worthy coffee table books:…

The Mulla was resting under a huge oak tree next to a field of melons. As he lay there, he thought, “Hmm, everyone says that the Creator has a grand plan, but look at this majestic oak tree with its ridiculously small acorns, and these spindly melon plants, with their huge fruits. I’d say the…

The Jewish commemoration of the world’s trees–Tu B’Shevat–(also known as the birthday of the Tree of Life) falls on the full midwinter moon, this February 12th. If you care to celebrate this holiday with your children (who will be immediately responsive to the notion that trees are important) or if you are planning any kind…

You may be seeking deeper intimacy. Spiritual intimacy. You may be wanting to be known more deeply and seen more truly–by your partner or by your own gorgeous self. You may want to be relished, ravaged, broken open, loved for who you truly are. What a coincidence–Valentine’s Day is coming up. Here is what the…

I caught the tail end of PBS’s program on Deitrich Bonhoeffer last night, and I was so moved by the quote used to end the program, that I ran to my desk to find the paragraph online. Actually, what’s interesting, is that this famous passage from a letter to Bonhoeffer’s wife is often condensed. And…

Chattering Mind is now on an e-mailed Beliefnet newsletter called GLOW that can rest peacefully within your virtual inbox of work memos, love letters, and spam, gently beckoning you to open it up and savor its helpful contents. “Helloooooo. Find peace. Open GLOW.” Don’t you hear the music? Don’t you already feel more relaxed? Actually,…

Speaking of relationships…. I once met a man at a party who said he was getting a divorce. “Oh, I’m so so sorry,” I said. “It’s okay,” said he. “I didn’t really know my wife.” Then I lamented, “Oh! Well! Who’s to say anyone ever really knows anyone these days!” “No, really,” the man insisted.”We…

I find this next Bonhoeffer quote of great interest to people sometimes described as “spiritual, but not religious.” Actually, I am a Presbyterian who writes on contemplative spiritual matters that might appeal to those of emerging or blended faith. Despite my interests, I feel vaguely disconnected from the vocally religious, sensing more of a loving…

As promised, from David Deida’s “Blue Truth.”: “Naive youth gets lost in the brief rush of pleasure. Depressed grown-ups linger in the not-enough of vacant embrace. The truth is that every moment is tangibly insubstantial. The true lover surrenders beyond all hold, as naked life is. “But to get to this point requires outgrowing your…

More from David Deida, “Blue Truth: A Spiritual Guide to Life & Death and Love & Sex.” “Modern-day spiritual culture tends to be a lukewarm miasma of stiffened women and spineless men–very efficient and quite prudent. Once you have balanced your inner masculine and feminine, after you have achieved self-sufficient wholeness, you may naturally desire…
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