Neuroscience. Creativity. Contemplative.
All Things Merge photo by m r n
What’s going on in the brain?
Current Readings
Fascinating work, discussion, and practicum.
Awhile back, in my spiritual direction peer group, we shared resources that are beneficial in helping us grow, both in us personally and in our vocation of ministry.
I finally picked up these pages and keep picking them up—a slow read and one worth sitting with, allowing space to let the content appear in the confluences of the day. Brain awareness, patterns of relationships, and so much more—”What is? And oh my! What has been missed?
*How well is the family of God doing collectively? “
If you have an answer whether good, bad and ugly you’re probably right.
Good only because our God is good. Bad, well, truth has been distorted or dispelled. Ugly, is there a connection to beauty?
These are my first responses. *What are yours?
The beautiful gleanings of this reading have so far been with two very important words: Joy and Hesed: “Joy: The Face of Jesus That Transforms” (from chapter three). “Hesed: Our Relational Glue” (chapters four and five)
Hesed, Hebrew word meaning—
“steadfast love” “loyal kindness” “loving kindness” “mercies” “faithful love”
I highly recommend this read or posted here is an audio link to the book. May these offerings bring forth loving conversation.
Quill and Cross in the Borderlands by Anna M Nogar
Sor Maria de Agreda and the Lady in Blue
The Blue nun is another descriptor often used in New Mexico. Our state has many connections to Spain, mystery, faith, and (indigenous) beautiful peoples of the land.
My daughter first introduced me to the Lady in Blue, and then recently I met artist, Joshua S. Franco whose painting drew me in, to her, again. Her life and appearing are written about from 1628 to the present. What is so fascinating about her?
Nun, writer, and missionary. And more.
A highlight of these pages is local author: Anna M Nogar. She “is an associate professor of hispanic Southwest studies in the Dept. of Spanish and Portuguese at the University of New Mexico.” (noted on the back cover)
Hopefully this perks your interest in one way or another: Art or historical reading!
Christine Valters Paintner
Her writings, creative contemplations, and guiding practices have been a significant inspiration in creativity—especially with photography (with Eyes of the Heart).
Now recently, I’ve come in contact with this book which has kept the “stirring up” of creative desire and longing to keep “Arising” to where my hope is others like you will become curious about your own “creativity.”
Invitation.
Pause for a moment. Wonder about your “creativity” —What kind of things do you put your hands to when you slow down? What isn’t easy but challenges you to try something?
If you haven’t pondered this in awhile, maybe this season is an opening of grace for you. Please take a walk or sip some coffee or wine and listen with the Psalm 139 [AMP], here are a few verses sprinkled:
“O LORD, you have searched me throughly and have know me…
…You understand my thoughts from afar…
…You are intimately acquainted with all my ways…
For You formed my innermost parts, You knit me together in my mother’s womb…
My frame was not hidden from You, when I was being formed in secret, and intricately and skillfully formed…”
As you listen-in to the One who Created you, may His loving voice offer creative inspirations into your own life, presently.
And may the guidance of the Artist’s Rule follow!
