http://ukspirituality.org/blog A conversation about liberal spirituality in the 21st century Fri, 15 Feb 2008 21:51:24 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en From Hart to Hearts Mona the cat (who came to live with us last October) is approaching a year old, and has grown into a very sweet companion to us all.  She sleeps in my daughter Claire’s bed with her most nights, and once Claire has been awakened, she’ll seek me ... http://ukspirituality.org/blog/2008/02/15/19/   From Hart to Hearts I’ve been thinking a lot about joy over the past few weeks. It started when I attended a solstice celebration. As a part of that gathering, we were all invited to take a ... http://ukspirituality.org/blog/2008/01/17/18/ A new study, described in Scotlands Sunday Herald, says that fully 50% of Europeans are no longer attached to a particular religious institution but continue to have a sincere interest in spirituality. The researchers are calling this the 'Fuzz Fidelity' denomination - it is virtually the same group as ... http://ukspirituality.org/blog/2008/01/10/fuzzy-fidelity/ At last, someone is getting serious about the abuses being committed by religious groups that promise wealth for the faithful - where 'faithful' often means handing over hefty donations or fees to churches and pastors. US Senator Charles Grassley is launching a probe of groups that are raking in ... http://ukspirituality.org/blog/2007/12/28/the-abuse-of-prosperity-preaching/ 18th December. Christmas shopping and volunteering Going to the shops today to get presents that people have demanded gifts for Christmas, happily this shopping trip handedly coincides with the Volunteer Centre Christmas party. I have sent Santa a long list of wants, and a short list ... http://ukspirituality.org/blog/2007/12/23/curb-your-enthusiasm/ As people have for thousands of years, a group of 45 gathered together to mark the longest night of the year at Friday’s Winter Solstice event at Unity Church in Islington. The evocative ceremony was rich with words, chanting, music, silence, candle lighting, and the highlight, a labyrinth walk, symbolically ... http://ukspirituality.org/blog/2007/12/22/14/ Having moved here from the United States in February, I find that I’m especially looking forward to Christmas, and surprisingly, Advent. Advent wasn’t a season that we celebrated in my family or in my church growing up. That is, we didnt’t celebrate it more than living through the usual so-called ... http://ukspirituality.org/blog/2007/12/03/what-are-we-waiting-for/ At this stage in my life, spirituality is about connection, trying to feel part of something greater than self and hoping for feelings of community in a world that can seem isolated and isolating. Prior to this understanding I have spent time on ‘self improvement’ workshops, read some great books ... http://ukspirituality.org/blog/2007/11/25/you-are-beautiful-innocent-and-whole/ Learning to slow down. Learning to pay attention. It’s a difficult task for any of us, and it seems to be getting harder day after day. There’s a story that I often tell at the ... http://ukspirituality.org/blog/2007/08/29/learning-to-slow-down/ I like candy floss. There's something delightful about its airy fluffiness and that incredibly sweetness! I even like the artificial colouring! Too bad there's nothing really there and it doesn't do you a bit of good. I've been wondering if some of what passes for spirituality these days ... http://ukspirituality.org/blog/2007/08/03/junk-food-spirituality/