All Comments By Patrick
On Sep 12, 2023 Patrick Watters wrote on The Practice Before The Practice, by Mark Nepo:
I have found (now in my 8th decade on the planet) that one must first be quieted before any good can be obtained. The notion of emptiness, kenosis, is the “practice before the practice” for me in this season. The contemplative life calls one to silence and solitude, and in turn to allowing the mind to empty and “drop down” into the “heart”. This idea is common to most good religions and faith traditions, even indigenous vision quests include the emptying…
On Sep 3, 2023 Patrick wrote on The River Of Silence, by Zenju Earthlyn Manuel:
Thank you, mahalo, wopila tanka…
On Aug 15, 2023 Pádraig wrote on What You Are Is Perfect Imperfection, by Emannuel:
Service Space is for me, in my mind and heart, a “Universal Christ” community without naming itself at all…and yes, Mr. Rogers would also agree that we are all “perfect imperfection” in Divine LOVE.
Hoofnote: Don’t you just love that the author here is named Emmanuel, which means “God with us.”
On Aug 7, 2023 Patrick wrote on A Turtle's Silver Bead Of Quietude, by Gayle Boss:
We had a resident Pond Turtle for years. Ticky the kids named her. She was always around and kept our snail population in check. The dogs never bothered her and she was happy to let the kids hold her. Every winter she would bury herself beneath an old clubhouse next our majestic Oak (Aidan). When that old clubhouse was torn down years later there was Ticky’s intact shell minus her body. Now that shell is a sacred rattle because of course all turtles are sacred.
Mitákuye oyàsin, hozho naashadoo, beannacht. [translation: All are my relatives (Lakota), therefore I will walk in harmony/beauty (Diné), blessed to be blessing (Irish).]
On Jul 26, 2023 Patrick wrote on Sound Of The Genuine, by Howard Thurman:
Discovering (meeting) Howard Thurman late in my own life (70’s) is like embracing a long lost brother.
On Jun 1, 2022 Patrick wrote on Opening To Greater Life, by Thomas Berry:
In times such as these Thomas Berry and others offer perspective beyond the brokenness and violence by discovering wisdom in nature. }:- a.m.
On Apr 26, 2022 Patrick wrote on Two Types Of Heartbreaks, by Parker Palmer:
It has been said that all of life in this broken, violent world is holding great suffering in and with Greater LOVE. }:- a.m.
On Apr 19, 2022 Patrick wrote on When Science Is The Arbiter Of Metaphysics, by Paul Kalanithi:
As a scientist and man of faith as well, this resonates with my own heart. It is truth that both of my sons, cosmologist and ecologist respectively, embrace as well.
On Apr 5, 2022 Patrick wrote on Say Wow, by Chelan Harkin:
Chelan is delightful in poetry and though a bit young in The Journey nevertheless a budding mystic in her own right. I hope to hear more when she arrives at the place of double her current age.
On Mar 29, 2022 Patrick wrote on Do What You Please, But I'm Watching, by Hubert Benoit:
Meditation—the contemplative life is true life indeed.
On Feb 22, 2022 Patrick wrote on Cognitive Bypassing, by Russell Kennedy:
When we discover the truth that the fullness of life in this world is holding great suffering in and with Greater LOVE, we are on our way to abundance and healing of ourselves, and others too. }:- a.m.
anonemoose monk— a “wounded healer†to quote Henri Nouwen
On Jan 25, 2022 Patrick wrote on The Simplest Meditation, by Melvin McLeod :
Jesus of Nazareth would simply say, “Come away with me to a quiet place.†Rumi bids come lie down in a field where it is all too much to talk about. It is ancient wisdom. }:- a.m.
On Jan 18, 2022 Patrick wrote on Mercy, by Rudy Francisco:
Ah yes, there is the Tibetan monk in me as well. Whenever my wife asks me to get rid of a spider, moth or other critter in our house, I gently take them outside and release them. }:- a.m.
On Jan 17, 2022 Patrick wrote on Maybe, Said the Farmer, by Author Unknown:
Yin & Yang must be held together for us to experience true peace. }:- a.m.
On Jan 11, 2022 Patrick (aka anonemoose monk) wrote on Thoughts Are Just Thoughts, by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche:
Many things may seem that way at first, but if we sit with them without judgment or presuppositions they may begin to reveal truths. As a scientist myself, I allow both neuroscience and physics (among others) to behind to explain such often obtuse ruminations.
On Jan 11, 2022 Patrick (aka anonemoose monk) wrote on Thoughts Are Just Thoughts, by Dilgo Khyentse Rinpoche:
Yes, it is true “thoughts are just thoughtsâ€, but many of us have known and seen the power of thoughts to affect to emotions and behavior. The practice of meditation has as a key element the dissolution of thoughts. }:- a.m.
On Jan 7, 2022 Patrick (aka anonemoose monk) wrote on There Is Just One Thing To Do, by Byron Katie:
Simplicity and gratitude — heaven on earth. }:- a.m.
On Jan 4, 2022 Patrick (aka anonemoose monk) wrote on Three Questions For A Better World , by Charles Gibbs:
Bold, challenging questions that we must all ponder. And then we must act in loving, grace-filled response depending on which group we are in. The wealthy may have the most difficult time, as Jesus of Nazareth noted in his encounter with the rich, young ruler.
On Dec 21, 2021 Patrick (aka anonemoose monk) wrote on A Map To Here, by The Gnostic Writer:
As mystics throughout the ages have experienced, it is the path of emptying, becoming nothing, centering the mind down into the “heart†that leads to awakening and discovery. I choose to call it surrender to Divine LOVE. There is much more I could say/write regarding that, but may this suffice. }:- a.m.
On Dec 14, 2021 Patrick wrote on You Are Not Alone, by Tracy Cochran:
Wopila tanka! ðŸ™ðŸ½â™¥ï¸
On Dec 8, 2021 Patrick wrote on Exhausting Quest For Perfection, by Brene Brown:
Perfectionism is a waste of good time, when all of life is holding great suffering in and with greater love. “There’s good to be done.†(Eddie Aikau)
On Nov 30, 2021 Patrick wrote on Unconditional Love Really Exists , by Ram Dass:
“Some believe in a God of wrath and become wrathful with others as a result—They conceive of God as the manipulator of the universe, rather than its blessing-Maker. . . .†~Sister Joan~
From a daily meditation of Friar Richard Rohr and the Center for Action and Contemplation.
On Nov 30, 2021 Patrick wrote on Unconditional Love Really Exists , by Ram Dass:
Teach this triple truth to all: A generous heart, kind speech, and a life of service and compassion are the things which renew humanity. ~Gautama Buddha~
Such a life emanates from Divine LOVE Themselves. Many Christians will recognize these words as “Christ speechâ€.
Today’s “Awakin Weekly†references an experience of Richard Alpert (Ram Dass) when he and others were immersed in Divine LOVE. Such LOVE supersedes anything of man or his religions.
Hoofnote: To be a mystic monk is to be lost to the institutional church and man-made religion. }:- a.m. (anonemoose monk)
On Nov 23, 2021 Patrick wrote on Kintsugi, by Stefano Carnazzi:
kintsugi is great spiritual truth
On Nov 16, 2021 Patrick wrote on If It Can Suffer, It's Real, by Yuval Noah Harari:
Therefore, all of life for us humans is holding great suffering in and with greater love.
On Nov 16, 2021 Patrick wrote on If It Can Suffer, It's Real, by Yuval Noah Harari:
Truth & Power -- the universe suffers . . .
}:- a.m.
}:- a.m.
On Nov 9, 2021 Patrick wrote on Conscious Completion, by Rosie Bell:
‘Abide’ is indeed a beautiful word. It connotes a sense of humility, contentment and whole-hearted surrender to love. }:- a.m.
On Nov 2, 2021 Patrick wrote on Secret Kinship With The Other, by Richard Powers:
Mitákuye oyàsin, hozho naasha doo, beannacht. ðŸ™ðŸ½♥ï¸
translation: All are my relatives (Lakota), therefore I will walk in harmony (Navajo/Diné), blessed to be blessing (Irish Gaelic).
translation: All are my relatives (Lakota), therefore I will walk in harmony (Navajo/Diné), blessed to be blessing (Irish Gaelic).
On Oct 26, 2021 Patrick wrote on Self-Compassion Over Self-Esteem, by Kristin Neff:
Most "good religion" of man are based in a belief that humans emanate from Divine LOVE. As such, we are of course worthy of love, grace, mercy and compassion. When we embrace that truth we experience the fullness of our humanity and are enabled to be all of that to and for others. }:- a.m.
On Oct 5, 2021 Patrick wrote on Mother Trees In A Wood Wide Web, by Suzanne Simard:
Trees of course have no sense of human gender, some even carry the "male" and "female" together both physically and spiritually. We have given our trees names for the purpose of conversing with them, but again, gender looses its meaning when conversing with trees. Why even giant Aidan, the 300+\- year old Oak is certainly a "mother tree" having nurtured both humans and animal neighbors for three centuries.
}:- a.m.
anonemoose monk
}:- a.m.
anonemoose monk
On Oct 2, 2021 Patrick wrote on Difference Between Healing and Curing, by Michael Lerner, PhD:
Wounded healers help others see the difference between home (this world) and our true Home in Divine LOVE, in this way inner healing occurs and surpasses cure. }:- a.m.
On Sep 21, 2021 Patrick wrote on A Life On The Ground, by Parker Palmer:
Such a vitally, life-saving perspective on the deep, dark nights of the soul in depression. I have been one of the fortunate ones to experience the spiritual depth and hence life of this "grounding", including ending my own life. We must share this truth, this love, as "wounded healers". }:- a.m.
On Sep 14, 2021 Patrick wrote on We Are All Beggars, by Chaz Howard:
Henri Nouwen wrote often of the notion of "wounded healers", those who knowing the bottom chose to be healing presence rather than respond in anger and violence.
On Aug 31, 2021 Patrick wrote on We Actually Never Experience 'It', by Culadasa:
And thus, our true fullness in humanity is not realized until the ego self dies, or to put it in another sense, until we experience emptiness, nothingness. Mystics of perennial tradition and various religions have known this and tried to express it for others, but each must experience it on their own.
}:- a.m. anonemoose monk
}:- a.m. anonemoose monk
On Aug 30, 2021 Patrick wrote on Response Is Different From An Answer, by Ariel Burger:
Timely and thank you. ðŸ™ðŸ½♥ï¸
On Aug 17, 2021 Patrick wrote on Four B's Of Resilience And Worth, by Saul Levine:
Keys to abundant life and simple contentment-- }:- a.m.
On Jul 27, 2021 Patrick wrote on Who Me, Stealing?, by Constance Habash:
Even more subtle is the form of stealing (asteya) called appropriating or co-opting. While we should indeed learn and apply what others have to teach us, we must first acknowledge the giver, then apply the knowledge so gifted in new ways. }:- a.m.
On Jul 6, 2021 Patrick wrote on Heart Is Not About Emotions, by Cynthia Bourgeault:
Only the heart can truly hear, and it is in silence and solitude that this is most possible. }:- a.m.
On Jun 1, 2021 Patrick wrote on Path With Heart, by Jack Kornfield:
In my 70's I have come to see that it is in silence and solitude firstly that we are enabled to walk in our hearts and love others. For in silence and solitude we simply practice the presence of Divine LOVE from Whom we emanate. }:- a.m
On May 18, 2021 Patrick wrote on A Fixed Place To Stand, by Richard Rohr:
A "fixed place to stand" is not achieved by striving, but only in complete surrender to Divine LOVE. It is the "emptiness" (kenosis) of Buddhism and the like. }:- a.m.
On May 4, 2021 Patrick wrote on See The Universe In A Sunflower, by Thich Nhat Hanh:
Nhat Hanhis physically deteriorating in his last years as he prepares to walk on, but his life has spoken well of love. }:- a.m.
On Apr 27, 2021 Patrick wrote on Blessing For The Longest Night, by Jan Richardson:
In a similar sense, to be lost is to discover a new way as Bayo Akomolafe has written.
On Apr 27, 2021 Patrick wrote on Blessing For The Longest Night, by Jan Richardson:
To breathe the breath of God first requires an emptying that we may draw in slowly and deeply to fill the space that is left. }:- a.m.
On Apr 20, 2021 Patrick wrote on Rich Man And The Beggar, by Hindu Parable (Author Unknown):
Ah grace, it is a beautiful, mysterious thing. }:- a.m.
On Apr 6, 2021 Patrick wrote on Invisibility In A Time Of Transparency, by Akiko Busch:
In my later years and especially this season (>70) I am living into a word Divine LOVE (God) gave me when I asked -- "obscurity". It is in silence and solitude that I "know" all is indeed well, as Lady Julian found in the same way. She cloistered herself as an "anchorite", I find this place off in the wild or even in my own backyard. For the truth is it is more a spiritual posture or attitude than a geographical space or place. Great Mystery revealed and yet impossible to express in human language or words.
}:- a.m. "en Christo"
}:- a.m. "en Christo"
On Mar 30, 2021 Patrick wrote on Ambiguity Of Violence, by Robert Sapolsky:
Robert Sapolsky is an amazing human being and neuroscientist.
He is also one of many scientists who profess to be atheists. I suspect that attitude is due mostly to “bad” religion? I might also suggest that most atheists are actually agnostic, especially the scientists. Even Einstein knew he didn’t know.
Having abandoned religion myself during college, I “returned” later though with a very different perspective on spirituality. I have remained a scientist through it all.
He is also one of many scientists who profess to be atheists. I suspect that attitude is due mostly to “bad” religion? I might also suggest that most atheists are actually agnostic, especially the scientists. Even Einstein knew he didn’t know.
Having abandoned religion myself during college, I “returned” later though with a very different perspective on spirituality. I have remained a scientist through it all.
On Mar 30, 2021 Patrick wrote on Ambiguity Of Violence, by Robert Sapolsky:
It is true that behind most if not all human evil is brokenness.
That said, we must exercise great caution and compassion when confronting it.
}:- a.m. (anonemoose monk)
That said, we must exercise great caution and compassion when confronting it.
}:- a.m. (anonemoose monk)
On Mar 23, 2021 Patrick wrote on A Higher Level Of Conscious Engagement, by James O'dea:
"Both/And" is the key and of course it starts with our own selves. #transformation #change
}:- a.m.
}:- a.m.
On Mar 16, 2021 Patrick wrote on Two Drops Of Oil, by Paulo Coelho:
Always observing yet never forgetting. This is The Journey we call life. }:- a.m.
On Mar 9, 2021 Patrick wrote on Thirsty For Wonder, by Mirabai Starr:
Ah, green pastures and quiet waters. And I'm reminded of Rumi -- "Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing there is a field. I'll meet you there. When the soul lies down in that grass the world is too full to talk about."
On Mar 2, 2021 Patrick wrote on The False Dichotomy Between Being And Doing, by Rob Burbea:
There is muchcould say here, but words often confuse. As we engage in a "pod" concerning water, we are learning that surrender to "flow" is often the best or only way through, the only way of truly "seeing".
On Jan 26, 2021 Patrick wrote on Solitude Is Where Community Begins, by Henri Nouwen:
Henri is as usual delightful here, and the wonderful image of the dervish too.
On Dec 15, 2020 Patrick wrote on The Moment We Encounter True Happiness, by Ilie Cioara:
I often dismiss with my mantra when outside and simply listen as I let my mind empty. It has become easier in my 70th year.
On Nov 10, 2020 Patrick wrote on The Three Narratives, by Joanna Macy:
Reminds me greatly of Macy's dear friend Richard Rohr and his Widom Pattern of order, disorder, reorder.
On Sep 22, 2020 Patrick wrote on Learning How To Think, by William Deresiewicz:
Ah but we all (women and men) aren't necessarily effective or efficient when we are being pulled in many different directions. Better to do one thing at a time well, then move on the next. Even busy homemakers ("mister moms" too) discover this truth.
On Sep 22, 2020 Patrick wrote on Learning How To Think, by William Deresiewicz:
As Curly in the film City Slickers said, "One thing." â˜ðŸ¼
On Sep 15, 2020 Patrick wrote on Movie Of Me, Now Playing 24 Hours A Day, by Krishna Das:
It’s all part of “belonging” — simply sit with it, hold it, then let it hold you. }:- a.m. “en Christo” #TUC
On Sep 8, 2020 Patrick wrote on The Broken Piano In 1975, by Marti Leimbach:
Sit with this, hold it, let it speak something else to you.
On Sep 8, 2020 Patrick wrote on The Broken Piano In 1975, by Marti Leimbach:
My all time favorite piano piece as well. Jarret not only made do with the old piano, but they thrived and created something perhaps "better" and beautifully new. We can do the same with everything life hands us. }:- a.m.
On Sep 1, 2020 Patrick wrote on Glory And Terror Of It, by Irina Tweedie:
“Let everything happen to you: beauty and terror.” ~Rilke~
On Sep 1, 2020 Patrick wrote on Glory And Terror Of It, by Irina Tweedie:
“Oh no dear one, he’s not safe, but he is good.” Mr. Beaver
There is more good going on than we can see, and in it, in Divine LOVE, we are far richer than we know. }:- a.m.
There is more good going on than we can see, and in it, in Divine LOVE, we are far richer than we know. }:- a.m.
On Aug 25, 2020 Patrick wrote on The Wisdom Of Uncertainty, by Jack Kornfield:
The mystics and poets of every good faith tradition know this truth and have tried as best they can to express it, most often simply in their own lives when words are inadequate. }:- a.m.
On Jun 16, 2020 Patrick wrote on Four Types Of Listening, by Otto Scharmer:
The first three use our ears and brain (mind), but I would suggest that the fourth is “heart listening”, when the mind drops or centers down into the deep of “heart” where words and explanations disappear and only divine knowledge is left. }:- a.m.
On May 26, 2020 Patrick wrote on The River Cannot Go Back, by Kahlil Gibran:
And so it is with Divine LOVE (God by any other name), by entering into LOVE we become one with LOVE, and discover from whence we came in the first place. T.S. Eliot expressed this as well in Little Gidding. }:- a.m. (anonemoose monk)
On May 12, 2020 Patrick wrote on What Can You Trust?, by Doug Powers:
It was meant to read "depths" of our hearts, but I suppose there is a dying as well that must happen, the false self or ego?
On May 12, 2020 Patrick wrote on What Can You Trust?, by Doug Powers:
It is a good article for as far as it goes. It leaves us to wrestle with the questions ourselves. For me personally, and many who have been brought to their knees, it is about finding trust within the deaths of our hearts, wherein Divine LOVE "speaks" to us. We must start there, with ourselves.
On May 6, 2020 Patrick wrote on Life May Itself Be A Koan, by Rachel Naomi Remen:
I love the notion of the koan for it is ultimate truth that requires our holy surrender. It is often in this surrender to the unknown that things become known, that truth reveals itself. But we must put striving aside to come to it.
Einstein noted that problems can not be solved with the same mindset that created them. My son, an astrophysicist and professor, likes to say, "Things are impossible until they're not."
}:- a.m. (anonemoose monk)
Einstein noted that problems can not be solved with the same mindset that created them. My son, an astrophysicist and professor, likes to say, "Things are impossible until they're not."
}:- a.m. (anonemoose monk)
On Apr 1, 2020 Patrick wrote on The Call, by Oriah Mountain Dreamer:
Lover of all souls.
On Dec 31, 2019 Patrick wrote on Meditation: A Process Of Retraining The Mind, by Bhante Gunaratna:
For those of us who follow a “Christian” path, this is the contemplative way to become “en Christo”, one with Universal Christ. It is of course similar to states alluded to in other faith paths. }:- a.m. (anonemoose monk)
On Jul 23, 2019 Patrick Perching Eagle wrote on Opening Thy Palm, by Rabindranath Tagore:
“To give is perhaps the greatest gift we can receive.” }:- ♥ï¸ anonemoose monk, proverbs on the hoof
On Jul 16, 2019 Patrick Perching Eagle wrote on Greatest Of All Religions, by Pir-o-Murshid Inayat Khan:
The greatest of all religions is of course not “religion” at all. And the “study” of life will always be ultimately about relationships, relationships of all kinds because everything is connected. }:- ♥ï¸ anonemoose monk
On May 14, 2019 Patrick Perching Eagle wrote on Do You Direct Your Mind Or Does Your Mind Direct You?, by Yogi Bhajan:
If the mind controls the will and we have nothing else, we are in big trouble! But in “centering down” the mind into the “heart” we bring it under the influence of Divine LOVE. Therein the mind is informed, even transformed and thus the will. }:- â¤ï¸ðŸ™ðŸ¼ anonemoose monk
On Feb 19, 2019 Patrick Perching Eagle wrote on It Doesn't Matter If You Believe In It, by Kazu Haga:
At the Center of the Universe, of all things, is a Relationship — Divine LOVE, the Source of Beloved Community from which all things emanate. This is perennial Truth that mystics, indigenous people, and most faith traditions hold as common knowledge. }:- â¤ï¸ anonemoose monk
On Oct 30, 2018 Patrick wrote on No Rush, No Dawdle: The Secret Of Proper Timing, by Tom Maxwell:
“Mindfulness” is simply being present to what is. Not necessarily an easy state of mind and body to reach especially in our highly distracted technological and secular age. The truth of mindfulness is a perennial truth that contemplatives have known for centuries and tried to “practiced”. It is the emptying of nothingness of Buddhism, the “centering down” of Christianity, and other “practices” among the religious.
On Aug 28, 2018 anonemoose monk wrote on Bedrock On Which We All Stand, by J. Krishnamurti:
"There are no perfect people or institutions, only the struggle to be whole." Richard Rohr
If we can seek Divine LOVE (God by any other name), we may be enabled to rise above the brokenness and begin The Journey toward wholeness and Home. }:- â¤ï¸
#RelationshipNOTreligion
"The Spirit of Truth can produce this kind of fruit in us: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control." (from a letter to Galatia, a "moosage version")
It is increasingly sad how in this secular age we try to explain goodness aside from (God) Divine LOVE. As if broken humanity has the capacity for goodness aside from inner healing by LOVE. Yet, I do understand as religion has done much harm in the world. }:- 💔>â¤ï¸
On Jul 24, 2018 Patruck Watters wrote on Communication As Mutual Entrainment, by Ursula LeGuin:
Face to face dialog (listening) is the beginning of peace. }:- â¤ï¸ anonemoosecmonk and Thich Nhat Hanh too ðŸ˜
On Jun 12, 2018 Patrick Watters wrote on Somehow I'm Always Held, by Jeff Foster:
"Somehow" yes, I have known this too. Now closing in on 70 years, I have found deep Truth in some of the meditations of Richard Rohr, his book titled Falling Upward is applicable in a holy way. }:- â¤ï¸ Patrick Perching Eagle (aka anonemoose monk)
On Oct 10, 2023 Patrick wrote on Coddiwomple, by April Rinne: