The longing to see and perceive the whole, even as one notices and responds to the distinctive character of this or that particular facet of the whole: this is something that characterizes both the contemplative and the aesthetic gaze. The contemplative gaze often draws upon an aesthetic intuition in which combinations of color, form, texture, and dimension help to conjure an image of the Divine or an image of the space in which one encourages the Divine. Such images work, paradoxically, to open the imagination to a certain way of seeing and to signal the limits of images and the imagination in helping us apprehend the Divine. The effort it takes to look at things this carefully, deeply, and inclusively and to represent them truly and honestly can hardly be overstated. We are still struggling to understand how the practice of attention to the subtle workings of the natural world can be integrated into a unified spiritual vision and how such a vision can contribute to a more thoughtful, respectful way of inhabiting the world. Part of this work will surely involve giving more careful attention to the aesthetic dimensions of our experience- the way light, color, texture, and form appear before us in the world and enter into our consciousness. Such attention can and often does open out onto a wider and deeper sympathy for the life of particular places and a concern for their well-being…….Douglas E. Christie

this play of light and cloud and emotion and the dulled senses can lead us to a deeper understanding of our weightlessness….our temporal grounding….may the play be compassionate and light-hearted……

To that man of high aim whose body,
mind and soul act in correspondence,
all secrets of nature become revealed
to him. He feels within himself, as everywhere,
that universal life wherein there is no distinction,
no sense of separateness, but all around,
all bliss, unity and peace.
…..Virchand R Gandhi

needing a good belly laugh

There are two basic motivating forces: fear and love. When we are afraid, we pull back from life. When we are in love, we open to all that life has to offer with passion, excitement, and acceptance. We need to learn to love ourselves first, in all our glory and our imperfections. If we cannot love ourselves, we cannot fully open to our ability to love others or our potential to create. Evolution and all hopes for a better world rest in the fearlessness and open-hearted vision of people who embrace life….John Lennon