Tales from the Firebird

A Storytelling Performance for Children | Saturday 14 July 2012 | Swedenborg Hall 20-21 Bloomsbury Way London WC1A 2TH | Free Admission The firebird, or phoenix, is a vivid and re-occurring image in myths and fairytales throughout the world. This brilliant bird has magical powers, helps those in trouble, knows all the languages, and at … Continue reading Tales from the Firebird

The pace of life — How to reduce it?

Pace of life

Do you long for a break from the merry-go-round of deadlines, things that must be done, demands from relatives, children, and the job? Do you often feel that you never having enough time in the day to fit everything in? Is part of the problem that we tend to assume that our well-being depends on filling every moment with some thing? That being less economically active not only stops us getting on in life but also leads to boredom and not keeping up with others? Perhaps this assumption is right, but don’t we sometimes take it a bit too far?

What to believe – How do I decide?

what to believe

In deciding what to believe sooner or later you come up against something that is greater than yourself. Toddlers make every effort to get their own way but eventually have to submit to parental authority. Young people test their limits climbing mountains or visiting wild places until forced to acknowledge their helplessness in meeting the … Continue reading What to believe – How do I decide?

Apocalypse of John

Exhibition of paintings by Roland Smith Also talk & film screening Swedenborg House, 20-21 Bloomsbury Way, London WC1A 2TH | 12 – 5 pm Saturday 23rd June 2012 The Swedenborg Society, although a secular organization, has long enjoyed a strong relationship with the ‘Swedenborgian’ Church of the New Jerusalem, or New Church  (est. 1787). On Saturday … Continue reading Apocalypse of John

Mindfulness Residential Weekend Workshop

Purley Chase Spiritual Centre Warwickshire 29th June to 1st July 2012 This weekend residential event focuses on mindfulness. This is suitable for anyone who is aware of being sometimes surrounded by disharmony and problems. Who wants to experience feeling less disconnected, drained, or distressed by what goes on around them. What is mindfulness? Through mindfulness … Continue reading Mindfulness Residential Weekend Workshop

Good Omens: A review

Good Omens

When I was lent the book Good Omens by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman, I suspected I would have a mixed reaction to it. This fantasy novel is not meant to be taken seriously and has been lauded by many as hilarious. Yet it deals with what I feel are serious issues. It certainly made me laugh, yet in poking fun at religious names and events in the Bible.

Conviction or doubt about spiritual ideas?

conviction or doubt

General ideas about what is true about life come from all around us — family, the mass media, books. These concepts have often seeped through from current and past thinking for example from politics, philosophy and religion. We absorb such ideas because we tend to be interested in making sense of our lives, why we are here, where we come from, and where we are going, not to mention fathoming the reality of suffering, misfortune, and chaos that we find all around us. But life goes on and we are obliged to make the best fist of it using what values and principles we have learned about and accept. The question arises: Is it better to have conviction or doubt about your ideas?

Factbending & the inside of the head.

People like truth. What is accurately right. They think it is all-important, yes?  But just because something is true, do we select which bit of it to say? Should there be a bouncer at the door where accuracies line up to hit the truth club? Another short video from Offthelefteye [youtube_sc url=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a-nJX6_XUXU&feature=relmfu]