An Earnest and Thoughtful Discussion by Stephen Colbert

Stephen Colbert on joy, Pope Francis, and being a fool for Christ

September 15, 2015
Back in April, Comedian extraordinaire Stephen Colbert sat down for an interview with the Salt + Light Media, which has finally seen the light of day. Colbert sheds his famous persona for an earnest, thoughtful discussion, and the results are compelling and heart-warming. Below the video, I've hastily transcribed some highlights.

On faith and reason:
"Carl Sagan said that 'Buddhists believe that their God is so great that he need not actually exist'....I really like that, because it reminds me of St. Anselm of Canterbury's ontological argument for the existence of God. You know, "the fool says in his heart that there is no God, but by God he means that being then which no greater being can be conceived," and he goes into this lovely 13 step proof that God must exist because we conceive of the word. It's logically perfect. It's completely unsatisfying. Faith ultimately can't be argued. Faith has to be felt. Hopefully you can still feel your faith fully and let your mind have a logical life of its own. They do not defy each other, but compliment each other. Because logic itself, I don't think--for me, Aquinas might say differently--logic itself will not lead me to God. But my love of the world and my gratitude toward it will. Hopefully I can use my mind to make my jokes and not deny my love for God at the same time."

Being Able to Relate is Good!

Not Your Daughter’s Jeans
I was browsing through Nordstrom the other day (my favorite department store!), and I stopped by a jeans rack. Buying a pair of jeans can be a little like trying on swimsuits and evening dresses. Not always the most fun thing If your body isn’t perfectly proportioned. (and mine is not!). There are just some areas that don’t always fill out and fit in the seams the way I’d like them too. So when I find a pair of jeans that hold it all in well, I grab them! (And, I may grab them in several colors.)

I was super excited because as I pulled these jeans up and over my legs and hips–and in a size, to be honest, that I’m hoping to fit into!,–and I was p-l-e-a-s-e-d. They slipped on easily, which is always a good sign, and fit like a glove–and the bonus is they had enough give in them to be super comfy, too! (Comfort is my new standard in clothing and shoes these days.)

As I began selecting several styles and colors of the same brand, I commented to the clerk how well they fit. She looked over the tops of her glasses, nodded and smiled with a bit of a smirk. I asked what the “NYD” stood for…

She smiled again and said, it’s short for “Not Your Daughter’s Jeans, dear. Many women don’t want to buy them when they hear that.”

A loud belly laugh escaped me, “Ohhhhhh. That explains it! No wonder they fit so well!”

Brilliantly made to fit a premenopausal body. That’s me.

A couple of years ago, I was buying True Religions—same size as my daughter. Well, the hips are a little thicker now, and there’s just a little more cush in my tush these days for no other reason than padding is probably considered a good thing–but not so much for my wardrobe. To be honest, I welcome a little bit higher waistband these days.

Instead of resisting with negative thoughts that are truly redundant about my changing body, I am grateful I’ve found jeans that fit well and help me tuck it all in! (And, the bonus is I feel sexy in them too.)

(For the guys who are reading this–maybe you can relate to your belt size growing an inch or two–you know how you always wore a size 34 and suddenly you are now buying a 36?)

The point of me sharing this with you is that even though my personal goal is always to look and feel the best I can for the age I am, I don’t sweat the kind of change that is imminent, and you shouldn’t waste precious energy doing that either.

Everything changes—including bodies, and when we are in THE CHANGE, it’s a time of aging gratefully and that is aging gracefully.

To be honest, the other option just doesn’t look as good on us. I’d rather be the woman walking down the street who gracefully owns my mantle of age and true essence of beauty than the woman wearing the mini skirt who clearly resists what cannot be fought.

Save the swimming upstream for the salmon to do. That’s what I tell myself.

There are a few simple daily practices that I follow that help me feel great and graceful as I go through change.

Here are my top thirteen “No Sweat” self-care tips for aging gratefully: ( &gracefully!)

After a good night’s sleep, I wake up and drink hot lemon water and get off to a peaceful start. I meditate and journal my gratitude and feelings.
Get off the scale and focus on being healthy rather than thin. I look in the mirror and thank those parts of my body that remain beautiful even though they are changing shape.
Keep moving… If I find myself sitting to work, I get up and stretch or walk around my kitchen and talk. Don’t just sit there!
Exercise daily—especially in the morning. 
This helps boost the metabolism and sustain energy all day long.
Eat well. Good wholesome food. Raw food. Food that heals. (And, when I reach into the fridge, the cool box is good for hot flashes too! I’ve been known to hang out there for awhile.)
Laugh a lot and cry generously too. Laughter is the best medicine, and “every tear is worth a thousand words.”
Speak positively. Saying positive things feels good and leaves a powerful ripple effect on others, too.
Be playful and smile as much as possible.
Be grateful for the simple ordinary things… like clean air and flushing toilets, running water, and soft linens and scents of gardenia and rose.
Engage. Most of all, remember how blessed it is to get another day to LIVE—to be here now. So be present for every moment of it!
Bring in fresh flowers- and spend time gardening and in nature.
Play music and dance in the bathroom naked–as if no one is watching. (And, hopefully no one is!)
Don’t sweat the small stuff, don’t sweat the change either. Remember those minor annoyances are not important and simply won’t matter next week, and they steal the joy right out of the present moment.
Keep in mind as you care for yourself gently in this time of your body transition, that they may not be your daughter’s jeans, but they fit you beautifully. And, you are a woman whose time and wisdom has earned you every curve. Wear it well. Don’t sweat the change; OWN what fits you perfectly, right where you are at this stage of life as you are taking care of yourself and living your most vibrant life now.

By Kristine Carlson|September 17th, 2015|Living The Big Stuff

Grief

The "Weeping Angel,"

 a monument to Henry Clay Lathrop, brother of Jane Lathrop Stanford

Psychologist and theologian Gerald May said:

"Grief is neither a disorder nor a healing process;

it is a sign of health itself, a whole and natural

gesture of love.

Remember This Date

...the swift flight of a single sparrow...

The following is the opening scene of the last of 10 episodes of The Tudors.  King Henry VIII voice is heard: "When we compare the present life of men on Earth with their time of which we have no knowledge; it seems to me like the swift flight of a single sparrow through a banqueting hall on a winters day.  After a few moments of comfort, he vanishes from sight into the wintry world from which he came.  Even so, man appears on Earth for a little while but of what went before this life or what will follow, we know nothing.

The following is a quote from a Latin work by Bede called "Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Anglorum" (Ecclesiastical History of the English People.  Book II.  Chapter 13) finished in 731 AD.  Something Henry would probable have read.

Here is the full quote translated from the Latin:  "When we compare the present life of man on earth to that time of which we have no knowledge, it seems to me like the swift flight of a single sparrow through the banqueting hall where you are sitting at dinner on a winter's day with your thanes and counsellors.  In the midst there is a comforting fire to warm the hall;  outside, the storms of winter rain or snow are raging.  This sparrow flies swiftly in through one door of the hall, and out through another.  While he is inside, he is safe from the winter storms:  but after a few moments of comfort, he vanishes from sight into the wintry world from which he came.  Even so, man appears on earth for a little while:  but of what went before this life or of what follows, we know nothing."

A Book Suggestion for Young Readers

Painting by Svetlana Novikova

The Cat who went to HEAVEN (A Children's Novel) by Elizabeth Coatsworth
Publication 1930

An impoverished Japanese painter sends his housekeeper out with a few small coins to buy food. Instead, she brings home a cat from the dock, stating that the house is "lonely". The painter is initially very unhappy with this choice, as he is hungry. He remarks that he can't even remember what rice cakes taste like, and states that cats are devils. However, he is somewhat consoled when he notices that the cat's white coat actually has three colors, which is considered lucky.
The unusually good behaviour of the cat causes the painter to feel more affectionate, and he names the animal "Good Fortune". At breakfast, the painter notices that the cat appears to be paying homage to the image of the Buddha, and he comments on his own lack of prayer because of the hard times he has lived through. Soon after, he notices the hungry cat catch, and then gently release, a small bird. The cat behaves very well, even removing itself from the room when it cannot be useful, and following proper social behaviour.
Almost completely destitute, the painter is given a commission by the monks at the local temple. They hired him because of a divination; they had put slips of paper with various artists names out in the courtyard, and his was the one left after the others had blown away. The artist has to paint a picture of the dying Buddha, surrounded by animals who came to pay homage to him. The artist is given a large sum of money as a first payment, to "put his mind at ease".
As the artist progresses with the painting, he meditates on the life of the Buddha and the Buddha's previous lives, in order to be able to paint each part of the scene sincerely.
Towards the end of the painting process, and after painting many other animals, the painter realizes that his cat, who he now sees as a truly noble being, cannot be represented in the painting. The story says that the traditional belief in his time was that cats are supposedly cursed, because of their pride and sense of superiority, which apparently caused them to refuse to bow before the Buddha in his lifetime, and that this therefore means they are barred from achieving Nirvana. Consequently, the prevailing thought is that no cat may go to Heaven.
When the picture is completed, Good Fortune seems to notice and sadly protests the lack of any cat in the painting. Deeply touched by her grief, the artist finally paints a small white cat at the back in the corner, aware however that this may displease the monks. Upon seeing that the artist has done this, Good Fortune dies of joy. By her grave is a peach tree with a bell hanging on it; the housekeeper sings that she can hear the bell singing " Rejoice!"
The painting is finally delivered, and is greatly praised by the monks until they notice the presence of a cat, at which point they reject it completely. The painter is in disgrace. But the evening brings the news of a miracle. The painter arrives to find the picture being adored in the temple: the image has miraculously changed, and the dying Buddha now extends his hand in blessing over the white cat sitting right next to him.

~a Buddhist Homage

Life and Death are but an illusion.

Happy and Sad are just a state of mind.

Love and Compassion alleviates the suffering

Of All sentient Beings — those who have been

our Mothers and our Fathers.

To recognize the interconnectedness of all beings

Is to know peace! ~ a Buddhist Homage.

5 Lesson We Can Learn from Elephants by Heidi Templeton

5 Lessons We Can Learn from Elephants. ~ Heidi Templeton
elephant journal Via elephant journal on Jan 24, 2013

If you were opening my presents on Christmas day you would see a common theme: elephants!

My family got the memo on my minor obsession with these gentle giants! Their intelligence, instincts and family values have captivated me and I believe they have such a great message.

Here are five lessons we can learn from them and apply to our everyday life:

1. Listen to your elders.

Elephants are born with fewer survival instincts than many other animals. Instead, they must rely on their elders to teach them the things they need to know. They’ve been there and done that. Easier said than done, right? Yeah, for me too but they’ve seen a lot of change and you can learn from the good and the bad. Of course every situation is different and sometimes you can learn what not to do, and if your elders are anything like mine you’ve learned not to leave the house without wearing lipstick!

2. Have thick skin.

An elephant’s skin is extremely tough and measures about an inch thick. I’ve learned that this one takes major practice. With the Internet these days everyone is a critic and everyone has an opinion (I’m sure I’ll get a couple of opinions with this blog). Instead of getting emotional about things, take a deep breath and walk away. Hey—at least you put yourself out there!

3. Eat your fruits and veggies!

Elephants are herbivores. 75 percent of Americans don’t eat enough fruits and vegetables. It’s no wonder why Americans are suffering from digestive and heart diseases and cancers. An apple a day goes a long way!

4. Touching is an important form of communication.

Individuals will greet each other by stroking or wrapping their trunks; the latter also occurs during mild competition. Older elephants use trunk-slaps, kicks and shoves to discipline younger ones. You can interpret this one a couple of ways, but everyone raises their kids differently! What I want you to take away from this is to shake hands, hug and kiss. Touching is one of the greatest forms of communication and hugging is actually shown to reduce heart disease—it relieves tension, stress and it’s great for relationships!

5. Drink more H2O!

When an elephant drinks, it sucks as much as two gallons (7.5 liters) of water into its trunk at a time. Then it curls its trunk under, sticks the tip of its trunk into its mouth, and blows. Out comes the water, right down the elephant’s throat. Water helps you look and feel younger, it lubricates the joints, it’s great for your skin, aids in weight maintenance and detoxifies! Depending on your level of activity shoot for one to three liters a day.

Like a lot of wild animals, elephants need our help—poaching has dwindled their numbers immensely and with ivory products in high demand elephants are in danger! Please check out the International Fund for Animal Welfare http://www.ifaw.org/united-states to see how you can help.

“The attitude of gratitude is the highest yoga.” ~ Yogi Bhajan


Heidi Templeton is a Tampa Bay Area yoga instructor specializing in vinyasa, hot and standup paddle board yoga. When she’s not practicing asana, you can find her in the kitchen cooking up vegetarian dishes. Heidi is sharing her love for all things health and wellness on www.facebook.com/HeidiFit.

Charles Eisenstein: Mentality of War

“Who needs 'please' when we've got guns?”

JACK JOHNSON

Charles Eisenstein: Mentality of War
Published: March 5, 2014
n
“… I am a bit wary of the conventional narrative about global warming, in which reducing CO2 and other greenhouse emissions is the top environmental priority. This narrative lends itself too easily to centralized solutions and the mentality of maximizing (or minimizing) a number. It subordinates all the small, local things we need to do to create a more beautiful world to a single cause for which all else must be sacrificed. This is the mentality of war, in which an all-important end trumps any compunctions about the means and justifies any sacrifice. We as a society are addicted to this mindset …

The mentality of war … is also the mentality of usury … As society becomes increasingly monetized, its members accept that money is the key to the fulfillment of any need or desire. Money, the universal means, becomes therefore a universal end as well … The pursuit of it subsumes the small or unquantifiable acts and relationships that make life truly rich, but that the numbers cannot justify. When money is the goal, everything that cannot be translated into its terms gets squeezed out.

… Environmentalism is reduced to a numbers game. We as a society are comfortable with that, but I think the shift we must make is deeper. We need to come into a direct, caring, sensuous relationship with this forest, this mountain, this river, this tiny plot of land, and protect them for their own sake rather than for an ulterior end. That is not to deny the dangers of greenhouse gases, but ultimately our salvation must come from recovering a direct relationship to what’s alive in front of us.”

Charles Eisenstein – The More Beautiful World Our Hearts Know is Possible

The Saving of a Hump Back Whale

by Gregory Wood

Empathy 14: A female humpback whale had become entangled in a spider web of crab traps and lines. She was weighted down by hundreds of pounds of traps that caused her to struggle to stay afloat. She also had hundreds of yards of line rope wrapped around her body, her tail, her torso, a line tugging in her mouth.

A fisherman spotted her just east of the Faralon Islands (outside the Golden Gate) and radioed for help. Within a few hours, the rescue team arrived and determined that she was so badly off, the only way to save her was to dive in and untangle her…. a very dangerous proposition. One slap of the tail could kill a rescuer.

They worked for hours with curved knives and eventually freed her.

When she was free, the divers say she swam in what seemed like joyous circles. She then came back to each and every diver, one at a time, nudged them, and pushed gently, thanking them. Some said it was the most incredibly beautiful experience of their lives.

The guy who cut the rope out of her mouth says her eye was following him the whole time, and he will never be the same.

May you be so fortunate … To be surrounded by people who will help you get untangled from the things that are binding you.

And, may you always know the joy of giving and receiving gratitude.