Ley lines dowsing – Are they valid entities?

ley lines

Review of The Sun and the Serpentine by Paul Broadhurst and Hamish Miller.

Some matters talked about in new age circles are attractive for those who have a sense that there is a mystery to life. Two examples of topics that resonate are ley lines and dowsing – and they come together in this book. But do ley lines exist and does dowsing work?

Ley lines are alleged alignments of such places as ancient monuments and megaliths, ridge-tops and water-fords. It is claimed that these lines have spiritual power and that their intersection points resonate a special psychic or mystical energy.

Taize

Taize Style Music Weekend Friday 11 November 2011 – 16:00 to Sunday 13 November 2011 – 14:00 Purley Chase Centre, Warwickshire   What is the Weekend about?  •Gathering for Taize style worship morning, noon and evening. •Time and space for bible study with personal and group reflection. •Opportunity for singing practice, walking, resting or circle dancing. … Continue reading Taize

Adventure – How to find it for free?

adventure

Ever gone travelling off the beaten track? Young people may do this before they embark on a new career and those recently retired from an old one can also seek somewhere different. They go off to exotic locations to discover what is there and at the same time find out something about themselves. Perhaps we all need a thrilling time occasionally, to get away from the hum-drum aspects of everyday life. Travelling is not an option for everyone. However, the journey can be found in other ways.

Gilead by Marilynne Robinson – A review

Gilead

This novel is one of President Obama’s favourite books. It is widely acclaimed as a book of meditative calm and spiritual intensity. Despite its success with a secular audience it unusually has a lot of openly religious content. Revd. John Ames is a Congregational minister and the chief character and narrator. He had experienced great sorrow for a long time in his life after the death of his wife and daughter. Many years later when 69 years of age however he meets and marries his second wife, Lila, who is much younger than him. The book has a quiet gentle almost mystical feeling of peaceful old age – a letting go of the things of life. John remembers grief but never without comfort, loneliness but never without peace.

Healing through Symbols and Bodywork

Workshop Purley Chase Centre Tuesday 18 October 2011 – 10:00 and  Wednesday 19 October 2011 – 16:00 Come for one or two days of talks, sharing in groups, one to one sessions of Reiki healing, spiritual counselling, life symbols, space to reflect and enjoy nature in the lovely grounds, walk a labyrinth, dance and movement.  Come for one of … Continue reading Healing through Symbols and Bodywork

Autumn Film Festival

Friday September 16th: Diary of a Country Priest (1951) (dir. Robert Bresson) ‘A film that words fail’ – Los Angeles Times More information Friday September 23rd: A Man Escaped (1956) (dir. Robert Bresson) ‘A heart-stopping, palm-sweating, emotional roller-coaster ride with an ending that makes your heart leap for joy’ Timeout More information Friday September 30th: … Continue reading Autumn Film Festival

Criminal punishment – How might this work?

criminal punishment

Nearly 75% of those aged over 18 and charged with offences committed during the riots, had prior criminal convictions. A few commentators have adopted a condemnatory attitude. “These people are just scum and that’s the end of it.” And there is a common view that trying to throw light on the riots in terms of social problems is tantamount to excusing individual actions. Social explanations do not erase responsibility of individuals but labelling these people as criminals does not help us understand why they became the way they are. Examining any relevant factors in society is not to justify behaviour but to try to throw some light on it. I would suggest a spiritual attitude is to condemn the behaviour but not the person: it is to look to enhance civil and moral order.

Suite Francaise by Irène Némirovsky – Review.

Suite Francaise

This book has received critical literary acclaim as a masterpiece. The author gently captures the tragedy of war-time France, the conquered and the conquerors, and exposes the inner hearts and minds of the people in a way that is totally convincing. Daily emotional life is described in detail.

The social upheaval of war is made worse by the sudden invasion and escape from bombing. The plight of the refugees, their panicky exodus from Paris – villages invaded by exhausted hungry women and children battling to find a place to sleep, cars abandoned after running out of petrol. In the midst of this horror and turmoil of disorder, we see simple dignity of a modest couple searching for their lost son as well as greedy people trying to save their valuables and the murderous evil of the mob.

The Riots and Disorder

The recent riots in Britain, starting in London and quickly spreading to other cities in England, left many people feeling shocked, insecure and even frightened. For a short time we were reminded what life is like if laws of order (e.g. the commandments in the Bible) are not observed in our society. Afterwards, the debate … Continue reading The Riots and Disorder