Tag Archives: Worship

November 2010 Soul and Solace

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Living in Sept. 12

Looking toward Thanksgiving has me gazing backward to our family worship time the weekend of Sept. 11. We folded paper into thirds so that it opened like the Isenheim Altarpiece (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isenheim_Altarpiece). On the outside we depicted events from history, from around the world, and from personal experience that carried elements of Sept. 11, 2001: the hatred, the terror, the violence, as well as the dignity, the valor, the mythic heroism. Inside the paper altarpiece, we depicted our choice to live in a Sept. 12 world: first acknowledging the truth of Sept. 11 (as well as other events and experiences that rock us to the core), then choosing to live the next day and the next . . . in hope.

What practices would belong to your Sept. 12 world? What, for you, is hope? How important is hope in your life?

“Ahh, Bach!” Moments

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In the TV series M*A*S*H—one of my all-time television favorites—, Season 1, Episode 14 (“Love Story”) Radar has fallen for Nurse Louise Anderson. They are from opposite worlds: his unschooled and earthy, hers scholarly and sophisticated. In trying to impress her, we hear the following conversation about music:

Radar: Ahh, Bach!
Louise: What does that mean? “Ahh, Bach”?
Radar: Uh, just that. Ahh, Bach.
Hawkeye: I think once you’ve said that, you’ve said it all.
Radar: Ahh, Bach.

I’ve begun thinking about “Ahh, Bach” concepts and moments in different venues, such as food, literature, art, music, etc. This is the beginning of a series of “Ahh, Bach” ideas. Each one will feature an exposition of an idea or object that is an “Ahh, Bach!” concept: an idea so obvious that you’ve said it all.

So, as we begin, let’s think about classical music. Is “Ahh, Bach” definitive of the genre? I am moved by all of his works in ways that few other composers have done, but that is not to disparage Beethoven or Handel or Mozart. Hey, Tchaikovsky? Even as I write this, I’m thinking of Beethoven’s 5th and 9th symphonies. They rock! Maybe classical music doesn’t have just one “Ahh, Bach” moment. Maybe it’s filled with “Ahh, Bach,” “Ahh, Beethoven,” “Ahh, Tchaikovsky,” and more (this is only the big names).

What do you think? Do we have any modern classical composers in this realm? Who’s a contemporary “Ahh, Bach” and why?

April Soul and Solace

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Poet Muriel Rukeyser wrote, “The universe is made of stories, not atoms.”

During April, explore the power of active, attentive listening to another person’s story. Try this: at least once a week, when a friend, family member, co-worker, or acquaintance speaks, give him or her your full attention. Maintain eye contact, ask questions only for clarification, and refrain from giving advice unless specifically asked. During the listening time, seek to encourage the other person’s soul, imagining that person as a powerful and beautiful story.

At the end of April, ponder these questions: What effect, if any, did the practice of active listening have on my soul and my story? How did my listening affect the persons to whom I listened? Do I imagine the universe made up of atoms or stories or . . .? Where might my imagining lead?

March Soul and Solace

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As spring approaches, nature stirs to life; we see it almost shaking itself awake. Join the life stirrings that surround you. For Soul & Solace this month, take a sensory walk, inviting God to nourish you through what you see, hear, smell, feel, and taste. You might take five separate walks, awakening a different sense to God’s presence in each one. You can share your sensory walk experiences on this blog. We’d love to hear from you!

Welcome to A Spacious Place: Creativity and Spirituality Center

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Welcome to the A Spacious Place blog. We invite you to join us on a creative and spiritual journey. This blog is not a place to argue viewpoints, but, rather, a place spacious enough to both hear and be heard. Since persons of all ages could be reading the blog, we do ask that contributors employ respect in both language and tone.

We welcome your comments, questions, ramblings, or art work. Also, each month will feature a creative/spiritual practice for your exploration. If you try it out, we’d love to hear your experience. So fingers to keyboards, everyone—let’s create together!