sumangali.org - Part 3

May 10th, 2008

The Spirituality of Emily Dickinson

Emily Dickinson referred to herself as a pagan. Some biographers would go so far as to label her a druid for her worship of nature. But was this apparently stubborn heathen life really built on atheism? On the surface what seems a blatant rebellion against the Christian reforms sweeping New England in the 19th Century [...]

May 3rd, 2008

Cowfish Out Of Water

I was in the sea, snorkeling I think, or maybe diving. It was a long time ago. The sun heaved magnificent light into an already magnificent ocean, and all was bathed in lucid unearthly beauty below. I was very fond of cowfish. They were like cartoons, little horns like raised eyebrows, boxy bodies puffing happily [...]

Apr 27th, 2008

The Eye of the Beholder

I don’t mind admitting that beauty is crucial for my inspiration: in itself, and as a context for other experiences. Beauty owns a door through which I reach the vestibule of love for God, from which I can (potentially) access doors to other spiritual qualities: service, patience, trust, carefulness, willingness, (et al, ad infinitum). If [...]

Mar 25th, 2008

The Railway People

There was an earthquake in England last month. It was a small one, but our biggest in a quarter century, so it caused due commotion. It woke my friend in town, and in her half-sleep she thought the wind had got up and was buffeting her house. It woke me too, I remembered later. “It’s [...]

Mar 21st, 2008

Good For Your Health: 7 Surprises

MOZART IS GOOD FOR YOUR HEALTH Mozart’s music lowers stress, heightens intelligence and relieves heart disease. It could even improve your eyesight, and doctors may soon prescribe it for epilepsy. According to Roger Dobson in The Independent, Mozart is a Medical Maestro: “Mozart soothes the beating heart. A study at Oberwalliser Hospital in Switzerland on [...]

Mar 15th, 2008

Dolphin Saves the Whales

While I’m on the subject of life-saving miracles, the BBC reported this week that it’s not just humans who take an interest in whale conservation. A bottlenose dolphin, known in her local neighbourhood as Moko, is taking it as seriously as any dolphin can. Mr Smith and his team of humans were getting nowhere fast [...]

Mar 10th, 2008

Meditation Saves Life

It was an ordinary day in Ningbo, China, but an extraordinary miracle took place in a muddy 5-metre ditch. Was it really a miracle, or simply the wise employment of a meditation technique? Maybe a combination of the two. The Times reports: “Wang Jianxin was working at a construction site in the booming city. The [...]

Feb 17th, 2008

Mr Magorium and Pipe Organ Pizza

Mr Magorium’s Wonder Emporium The heart in this film is undeniable, and it’s definitely not just for children. As the film’s motto goes: “You have to believe it to see it.” (It’s alone worth watching for a cameo appearance by Kermit the Frog, out shopping, dodging stares from the public). Mr Magorium (Dustin Hoffman) is [...]

Feb 11th, 2008

Learning To Live

I met my second nephew for the first time last week, eight days after his arrival on earth (that’s me on the right, at a similar age). His expressions changed fast, as if dreaming. What could he dream so soon? Memories of other worlds or other lives perhaps. I wondered what his dreams would be [...]