Comments on: A Mundane Life

By: Ash

Ash — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:41:29 +0000

Thanks Joakim…Crane Day…that’s wonderful. I especially appreciate your focus on connectivity. Depending on the angle at which we look at our place in the order of things, we can feel gratitude, pride, joy, and even deep humility. Thanks for connecting here at Sacred River

By: Ash

Ash — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:36:37 +0000

Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. At Sacred River, we don’t see life as corrupt and needing salvation, but as something sacred within itself. It’s in our nature to look past the small habits of living. Fortunately, we have the ability to choose to not only pay attention to our ordinary actions, but to alter our interpretations of them as well. That is quite extraordinary.

By: Ash

Ash — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:33:15 +0000

Small rituals like the one you mention are some of the most precious in my book. I too have to be reminded from time to time of the sacredness of ordinary life, but less so than when I was younger.

By: Joakim

Joakim — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 10:45:59 +0000

Today it’s Crane day here in Sweden. It’s not holiday, but a chance to celebrate the return of the cranes, the light, spring, melting of snow and the beauty Snowdrops growing. Always a good thing to be reminded of the connectedness of things!

I like your simple but beautiful ritual, Janet. It’s so easy to forget the value of our daily lives and that it is a thing to celebrate now and then.

One of the best places to cope with disruption is a sauna. Collect some friends, sit in the darkness and heat, talk, release, cry, massage and sing together. Sing songs for strength, for connection, for comradeship. Warmly (!) recommended!

By: Ropian

Ropian — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 09:07:20 +0000

When nothing big happens and I’m busy running errands, I try to savor the small things of everyday life: a good meal for lunch, a talk with my girlfriend, doing my sports etc. Other times I need to keep my goals in sight which gives me strength on the way to reach it, be it working hard, or running many errands after work. I guess there really are multiple and different approaches. Good to have a place where we can share them.

By: Janet

Janet — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 21:08:28 +0000

I think the tasks of mundane life can be wonderfully meaningful and fulfilling, but often it takes extra effort for me to re-orient myself toward the sacred when there aren’t any obvious reminders.

This is one reason holidays (holy days) and celebrations are important. I’m trying to find more ways to mark ordinary milestones (seasonal, personal, etc.) and use those occasions for reflection.

Yesterday I put a green cloth on the kitchen table and added a bowl of fresh fruit and a vase of daffodils. I was alone and the house was quiet, and I felt a deep surge of gratitude for our life together and hope for a bright future. It wasn’t an elaborate ritual, just a moment in our sunny kitchen. I need to make more moments like that.

By: Brian

Brian — Mon, 23 Mar 2009 02:20:59 +0000

Very well put – reminds me of the Lennon song that says “life is what happens to you while you’re busy making other plans.” I think spirituality involves being aware of that life which is going on all the time, mundane or otherwise.