Sunday Spirit muse DIETY - RELIGION - SPIRIT - HUMOR

Spirit Muse

Sun Day

Thoughts on Deity, Religion, Spirit and Humor 

Ken Chen
Descartes In Love

"Love, accepting that we are not pure and lucent hearts, ricocheting towards each other like unlatched stars—no, we are tainted with self.

We sometimes believe the self is an invisible glass,

just as we believe the body is a suit made of meat.

Doubt all things invisible.

Doubt all things visible."

Einstein On God

"Often misquoted, Einstein strove for clarity in regard to his personal beliefs.

Some early photographs, thoughts written by his own hand, and the writings of his biographers comprise this well-referenced excerpt from the Christopher Hitchens

book 'The Portable Atheist.'  Read by Nicholas Ball."

http://youtu.be/SKt9EgENzGI

Bertrand Russel
In his direct and uncompromising style, the aged philosopher

makes no bones about his opinion in this short clip.

2 Minutes
http://youtu.be/2aPOMUTr1qw

H.H. The Dalai Lama

"My religion is very simple. My religion is kindness."

"There is no need for temples,

no need for complicated philosophies.

My brain and my heart are my temples;

my philosophy is kindness."

A 'religion', I continue to aspire to, and a philosophy I must remind myself to remember.  I'm still 'practicing' staying conscious enough in the fleeting 'now' of my days to reign in the flow of emotions that sometimes catch me in their whirlwind grasp - toss me around and round.

Mary Oliver

A favorite poet, a self declared Catholic, whose ability to be in, and to express the world most eloquently, moves me. 

"To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work."

Hers, I think, is a decidedly spiritual point of view, mystical in respect of the mysteries, solidly grounded in the natural world. Several of her wonderful poems are here, at this attractive site.

http://peacefulrivers.homestead.com/maryoliver.html

 Carl Sagan

"Life is but a momentary glimpse of the wonder of this astonishing universe, and it is sad to see so many dreaming it away on spiritual fantasy."

 "God, for you, is where you sweep away all the mysteries of the world, all the challenges to our intelligence. You simply turn your mind off and say God did it." 

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Lighten Up

Without laughter the spirit is hollow.

A favorite irreverent trickster 

George Carlin 

"The only good thing ever to come out of religion
was the music."

I love the music, from gospel to Bach. It inspires me, even when I stumble over some words or phases.  I changed the words of one tune in order to be able to sing it without reservation - "Amazing Grace how sweet the sound that saved a soul like me felt better than wretch, even though I'm no way sure where, if anywhere, that entity resides.  Some say it's in the pineal gland. Some say it's too ethereal to have a home.  I feel like it just might be the nucleus of every cell, or lurking in a dark chamber within the recesses of the original reptilian brain. 

Here's a 10 Minute clip from his live show.  I leave it to you if he makes you laugh the way he does me (with the warning that there is quite a bit of profanity, so, it's up to you.)

http://youtu.be/6RT6rL2UroE

I also love

Lily Tomlin

No Lack of Spirit Here - Can't find any specifically religious quotes or clips, though I remember some gorgeous references in - 'The Search For Signs of Intelligent Life In The Universe' - (I was fortunate enough to see the Broadway show way back when it opened, but I've seen the DVD and, if you can, do buy, get from the library, or rent it . It's  realy, deliciously, delightfully brilliant). Here is an amusing 'interview' with her, nothing like any interview you might expect.

"Lily Tomlin appears on Night After Night to pitch her new movie, but instead of appearing as herself, she is interviewed as "Kate", a wealthy Manhattan socialite who bankrolled the movie and only has a passing acquaintance with Lily Tomlin.  Further, it appears she doesn't even like Lily that much.Alan does a great job playing along - (it includes a very brief clip of the film)

 -10 minutes-

http://youtu.be/6RT6rL2UroE

Her Official Website

http://www.lilytomlin.com/

The Tao Of The Poet

Sparrow

"Imagine a president whose philosophy might be summed up in six words:

Pay attention. Do no harm. Rejoice."

Read More of this Essay Here

Utne.

 

How about you?

All thoughts most welcome.