Hello all

[Lasting Quiet]

I'm a new member and will be a fairly quiet one.

My path is fairly new - I came upon it a local spiritualist church after a series of difficult times. I like the very simple philosophy of spiritualism - the importance of love and service, the integrity of the spirit and life after 'death'.

I attend a development circle which has become essential to me now and am progressing day by day. I think I need a more definite commitment to study.

Ivy Northage's Chan revelations have been significant to my learning in the last few months. I've also been reading Paramahansa Yogananda's commentaries on the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayam. They bring much light to a soul more used to darkness than light! I read various other things as well.

So I am looking forward to browsing the forum and contributing where I can. Life is good.

[Briony Haldane]

Welcome Lasting Quiet! Your journey so far sounds very interesting and your thoughts about further study seem exciting Spiritualist churches have been a source of support and inspiration for many people. There is a very active one in my area and they do a lot of education and support work, not to mention social activitism.

I hope that you will contribute wherever possible as I have found this gives me the best experience on this forum. Yes, there are many here that may perhaps have more information or training, but everyone has something to contribute that is unique to them.

Enjoy your browsing! There is much to see

[Echo]

Be Welcome, Lasting Quiet.

The Rubaiyat are much loved in certain quarters round here

[EyeCanBlackStars]

Welcome! You have a very good outlook on life. Thanks for sharing!

[Haruth]

Welcome to the forum Lasting Quiet

It's nice to hear that you have found a place which is opening you to the truly unique and special individual that you are. Walking into the light, of whatever shade calls to you, is such an empowering moment, and I wish you every success in your studies in the hope that you are led back to your self.

As a 'reading' member of the forum you join a significant band... Feel free to chip in any time, you will find your input always welcomed here

Namaste

[Lasting Quiet]

Welcome Lasting Quiet! Your journey so far sounds very interesting and your thoughts about further study seem exciting Spiritualist churches have been a source of support and inspiration for many people. There is a very active one in my area and they do a lot of education and support work, not to mention social activitism.

I hope that you will contribute wherever possible as I have found this gives me the best experience on this forum. Yes, there are many here that may perhaps have more information or training, but everyone has something to contribute that is unique to them.

Enjoy your browsing! There is much to see

Thank you Briony Haldane. I like the sense of community in our church, and the harmony in our circle. This church was the place where I received help and a sense of coming home ans I will stay there for a while to see what service I can give.

Be Welcome, Lasting Quiet.

The Rubaiyat are much loved in certain quarters round here

Thank you, Echo. I was advised by spirit in my circle to seek out the Rubaiyat. Although I had read it as a young woman I didn't understand then that it is a spiritual allegory. It is quite beautiful.

Welcome! You have a very good outlook on life. Thanks for sharing!

Thank you for the welcome!

Welcome to the forum Lasting Quiet

It's nice to hear that you have found a place which is opening you to the truly unique and special individual that you are. Walking into the light, of whatever shade calls to you, is such an empowering moment, and I wish you every success in your studies in the hope that you are led back to your self.

As a 'reading' member of the forum you join a significant band... Feel free to chip in any time, you will find your input always welcomed here

Namaste

Thank you, as well.

It still somewhat surprises me that I had to live so long before finding the understanding that I have now, and I know it is just the beginning.

[Echo]

The Rubaiyat repays much reading with flashes of understanding. My own dog-eared little copy went to war with my grandfather, and came to me via my mother.. and I take it everywhere. I love so many of the verses, but perhaps my favourite passage is the allegory of the Potter:


As under cover of departing Day
Slunk hunger-stricken Ramazan away,
Once more within the Potter's house alone
I stood, surrounded by the Shapes of Clay.

Shapes of all Sorts and Sizes, great and small,
That stood along the floor and by the wall;
And some loquacious Vessels were; and some
Listen'd perhaps, but never talk'd at all.

Said one among them — "Surely not in vain
My substance of the common Earth was ta'en
And to this Figure moulded, to be broke,
Or trampled back to shapeless Earth again."

Then said a Second — "Ne'er a peevish Boy
Would break the Bowl from which he drank in joy,
And He that with his hand the Vessel made
Will surely not in after Wrath destroy."

After a momentary silence spake
Some Vessel of a more ungainly Make;
"They sneer at me for leaning all awry:
What! did the Hand then of the Potter shake?"


That last couplet is beautiful. I find so much tenderness for humanity in it.

[Blank Rune]

Hi Lasting Quiet,

Thank you for showing up here and thank you for reminding me about Paramahansa Yogananda. I have a book on him tucked away somewhere...I'll have to revisit it.


N. _________

[Lasting Quiet]

Hi Lasting Quiet,

Thank you for showing up here and thank you for reminding me about Paramahansa Yogananda. I have a book on him tucked away somewhere...I'll have to revisit it.


N. _________

Thank for the welcome.

I read a section of Wine of the Mystic every day but I also have a version of his comments on the Rubaiyat which was published in India and has some variations.

Wine of the Mystic has some beautiful illustrations.

[Lasting Quiet]

I am delighted by what I have seen so far.

Everything from the forum posts to photographs, blogs and poetry.

I'm looking forward to seeing more, little by little.