Sunday, January 04, 2015

stillness

Pico Iyer has a TEDbook http://find.minlib.net/iii/encore/record/C__Rb3183210?lang=eng
on the idea of
In an age of speed ... nothing could be more invigorating than going slow.
In an age of distraction, nothing can feel more luxurious than paying attention.
In an age of constant movement, nothing is more urgent than sitting still. 
Look on the TED talks where you can find them (yt has most of them).  The book is short, and worth the quick read.   Today in the local library there are 68 holds on 18 copies.

Opportunity for contemplative, quiet moments are, as he reminds us, like the Sabbath that has fallen by the wayside as we are increasingly scheduled and try to fill our lives with activity and productiveness.  The day of rest is the only Commandment that is called "Holy".  The rest are important, but otherwise rather ordinary by comparison.

If you have not already heard of Thomas Merton and Matthieu Ricard, their stories are fascinating.  Leonard Cohen, Emily Dickinson are in their company,