This is related to my recent post Rituals, Customs and Sentiments.
For a moment let’s pause all arguments for or against a higher power of any kind. What is left then are actionable techniques that work. They work because humans have experimented with them for millennia. Here is a quick list I wrote down while sitting in a park, under these marvelous Stony Pine trees… It’s an incomplete list, I am sure, but there is a lot here that could be taught to people of any or no faith.
-
- practice
- meditation
- prayer *
- yoga
- training compassion
- service
- feeding hungry
- attending to ailing
- cleaning
- cooking
- ceremony or rituals
- lighting incense
- lighting a candle
- fasting
- wearing special clothes, robes, or covering head
- gratefulness
- meal prayer/giving thanks for food
- daily reflection/giving thanks for people/situations
- movement, esp. synchronized or done in a group
- dancing
- tai-chi in the park
- bowing
- gestures
- music!
- singing together, hymns
- karaoke?
- listening to music (Bach on a church organ!)
- chanting
- architecture
- sacred buildings
- sound!
- scale!
- libraries?
- practice
* I think that prayer can be a practice and is not limited to communicating to a higher power. A prayer can be the focusing of one’s attention. It can be an expression of gratitude and thanks. It can state one’s intent.
sweet
can we always be nice/sweet?
Most likely not – but it sure is worth trying – imo.
From your posts , you make an excellent effort. I enjoy reading them.
When I listen to your music – it feels sweet.
I have a sweet story to tell (otherwise might forget)
I live near a river – 100 mile river. Parts you can fish in – other parts, – a good pair of water shoes will get you to the other side.
The other day – i saw an egret fishing. Sat by the river to get a better look. …bird was on other side and further north. When the egret saw me …took off but then decided to land south of me but still on other side – very interesting bird to watch. Next moment a frog hops on the stone beside me and we are both watching the bird, which now takes off again and lands in front of us – about 2 arm lengths away. We just marvel at the bird. Frog hops away and egret starts to take off. Like a kids story – very cute.
Today – i went back to the same spot waited but my friends did not show up :)!