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Merry Christmas

A CHRISTMAS GIFT FROM e.e. cummings

Posted on December 19, 2016 Leave a Comment

yosemite-chapelWatching the increasingly commercial emphasis during the Christmas Season, it is little wonder Albert Schweitzer described a kind of naïveté where people are unaware of the silent, spiritual battles within. Although blatant commercialism was far less intense during the time Henry Thoreau wrote “Walden,” (1850) it probably contributed to his efforts to strive to avoid reaching the end of his life and realize that he “blew it” and would not get a second chance.

Advent can be a special time of the year when, along with preparing to celebrate the birth of Christ, people can look forward to the beginning of a new year of spiritual growth and renewal.

As a wonderful example of this, after much contemplation, e.e. cummings resolved that he was a “Little Church,” and offered his opinion of what that meant.

i am a little church(no great cathedral)
far from the splendor and squalor of hurrying cities
-i do not worry if briefer days grow briefest,
i am not sorry when sun and rain make april

my life is the life of the reaper and the sower;
my prayers are prayers of earth’s own clumsily striving
(finding and losing and laughing and crying)children
whose any sadness or joy is my grief or my gladness

around me surges a miracle of unceasing
birth and glory and death and resurrection:
over my sleeping self float flaming symbols
of hope,and i wake to a perfect patience of mountains

i am a little church(far from the frantic
world with its rapture and anguish)at peace with nature
-i do not worry if longer nights grow longest;
i am not sorry when silence becomes singing

winter by spring,i lift my diminutive spire to
merciful Him Whose only now is forever:
standing erect in the deathless truth of His presence
(welcoming humbly His light and proudly His darkness)

Perhaps Cummings is offering a common man’s interpretation of the bold proclamation that St. Paul made to the Corinthians over 2,000 years ago.

“Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own;”

Whether approaching the Christmas Story from an anthropological, historical or religious perspective, it is without a doubt the greatest human story ever told. It is childlike, welcoming and inclusive and offers every living human the challenge of accepting that they are living, breathing sacred events.

Volumes have been written about the story of the Magi carrying precious gifts to Bethlehem:

“And when they saw the star, they rejoiced exceedingly with great joy. And they came into the house and saw the Child with Mary His mother; and they fell down and worshiped Him; and they presented to Him gifts of gold, and frankincense and myrrh.” Mattthew 2.

The Bible (and other corroborating stories) indicates that the Magi returned to their respective homes, however, little has been written about how the event changed their lives. In fact, if they did create the original “Epiphany,” perhaps they discovered that spiritual awareness is the quintessential essence of being human.

The great irony here is that they presented gifts to the Christ child but, in return, received the unspeakably perfect gift of the Holy Spirit and the realization that they too were made in the image of God. If so, there is little doubt that their journey home was filled with joy, merriment and laughter and they rejoiced and were exceedingly glad.

Merry Christmas

Lowell H. Young
Author: Biodesign Out For A Walk

[email protected]

Posted in: Reflections | Tagged: Advent, e.e. cummings, existence of God, faith, Little Church, Lowell Harrison Young, Merry Christmas, miracle of life, Yosemite Temple

Christmas—Celts—Jesus Christ The Apple Tree

Posted on December 20, 2015 Leave a Comment

Screen shot 2015-12-20 at 12.35.25 AMAlthough there is some doubt as to the author of the lyrics for “Jesus Christ The Apple Tree,” many musicologists have suggested that they were inspired by the Biblical book; “Song of Solomon,” 2:3:

“As the apple tree among the trees of the wood,
so is my beloved among the sons.
I sat down under his shadow with great delight,
and his fruit was sweet to my taste.”

Although the authorship of the lyrics may be in doubt, Elizabeth Posten is credited with the most popular melody version. However, the beauty, mystery and wonder of the hymn may be highly influenced by the arrangement (instrumentation) and where and how it is performed.

Understandably, there are many inspiring versions that have been sung in churches and cathedrals, however, my very favorite was produced by Thomas Moore in a CD titled: “The Soul of Christmas: a Celtic Music Celebration with Thomas Moore.” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8pKdbstX9PE

Organ music has its place, however, the combination of Celtic instruments and the beautiful voices of Susan McKeown and Nikki Matheson produce a deep sense of rural spirituality that conjures up visions of the Irish, Scottish and English countryside. Additionally, the mystery, wonder and poignancy are intensified when we appreciate the darkness out of which the song emerged.

The Celts were people in Iron Age and Medieval Europe who spoke Celtic languages and had cultural similarities.

In the 5th century BC Herodotus referred to Keltoi living around the head of the Danube and also in the far west of Europe. In the first century BC Julius Caesar reported that the people known to the Romans as Gauls (Galli) called themselves Celts, which suggests that even if the name Keltoi was bestowed by the Greeks, it had been adopted to some extent as a collective name by the tribes of Gaul. The Celtic ethos included severing the heads of enemies, a practice that Roman soldiers regarded as barbaric. [Some info adapted from Wikipedia]

Understandably, without the guarantee of food that modern agriculture has accorded billions of people, the Celts lived close to the earth and relied on the capricious whim of 100s of deities. They also believed in animism, which suggested that all forms of life possess a soul. The Druids were the educated sect of Celts and were responsible for religious ceremonies. This included the practice of human sacrifice which the Greeks and Romans also described as barbaric.

Modern Christmas celebrations in the US are often a mélange of customs and beliefs that range from frivolous to deeply sacred. However few people know that the practice of couples kissing under the mistletoe was derived from the Druid practice of all the men kissing the most beautiful female virgin of a village, under an oak tree with mistletoe, before she was burned as a sacrifice to the “god of the harvest.” Little wonder that practices like these are now considered pagan.

The birth of Christ radically changed various religious and ethnic beliefs and practices. This spiritual awakening, and subsequent evolution, may not have been more dramatic than within the Celtic society. As more and more Celts embraced Christ’s message of “peace on Earth, good will toward men,” the Celts became far less barbaric and far more compassionate. However, they did not give up their deep love of nature or connection to the earth.

Perhaps, one of the most beautiful examples of them blending their past with their new knowledge is the Celtic version of, Jesus Christ The Apple Tree.

Jesus Christ the Apple Tree
The tree of life my soul hath seen
Laden with fruit and always green
The tree of life my soul hath seen
Laden with fruit and always green
The trees of nature fruitless be
Compared with Christ the apple tree

His beauty doth all things excel
By faith I know but ne’er can tell
His beauty doth all things excel
By faith I know but ne’er can tell
The glory which I now can see
In Jesus Christ the apple tree.

For happiness I long have sought
And pleasure dearly I have bought
For happiness I long have sought
And pleasure dearly I have bought
I missed of all but now I see
‘Tis found in Christ the apple tree.

I’m weary with my former toil
Here I will sit and rest a while
I’m weary with my former toil
Here I will sit and rest a while
Under the shadow I will be
Of Jesus Christ the apple tree.

This fruit does make my soul to thrive
It keeps my dying faith alive
This fruit does make my soul to thrive
It keeps my dying faith alive
Which makes my soul in haste to be
With Jesus Christ the apple tree.

For over 2,000 years, Christ’s life, light and legacy have been rejected, ridiculed, scorned and scoffed at, however, the nearly 3 billion, self-confessed sinners, still try to follow His example and for them, Christmas Day is the most wondrous and sacred birthday celebration of the year.

Merry Christmas.

Lowell H. Young
Author: Biodesign Out For A Walk

www.facebook.com/biodesignoutforawalk
www.biodesignoutforawalk.com
www.linkedin.com/LowellYoung
www.goodreads.com/BiodesignOutForAWalk

Posted in: Reflections | Tagged: Biodesign Out For A Walk, faith, Jesus Christ the Apple Tree, Merry Christmas, Nature

Mary: The Most Powerful Woman in he World

Posted on December 14, 2015 Leave a Comment

Mary[Feature article in National Geographic Magazine: Dec. 2015]

Excerpt: Biodesign Out For A Walk, chap. 2, Looking For A Map.

“The Smithsonian Institute and National Geographic Society were selected as curriculum models of study because of their goals of integrating the activities of plants, animals, and humans. Thus, plants, animals, and man became the first of many triads that would be considered.”

The reason that National Geographic and Smithsonian Magazines were so appropriate to the emerging Biodesign Class was because they were not subject to the Constitutional laws of separating Church and State in public education. They were also not blinded by the “politically correct,” humanistic bias of ignoring all examples of mystery, wonder and spirituality that cannot be explained by science.

Modern biology (bio=life, logos=study) is a vast area with many subdivisions. All were open to our studies, including physical and cultural anthropology. Physical anthropology primarily focuses on the origin and evolution of mankind, while cultural anthropology probes tribal socio-cultural, ethnic, spirituality and survival skills. These topics can all be discussed in a public high school without teaching about any specific religious beliefs.

The Geographic article on Mary is a perfect example. The editors presented Mary as a spiritual guide for billions of Christians (and also some non-Christians). Intriguingly, she is mentioned 34 times in the Islamic Holy Book, the Quran, which is more than she is mentioned in the Holy Bible. In addition to her Biblical connection with Jesus, the Quran supports the traditional historical contention that she was his mother and therefore considered one of the most righteous women in Islam.

Whether Mary is “the most powerful woman in the world” may be debatable, however, what is not debatable is that she is the most important female in the Christmas Story and thus the most noteworthy woman to have lived on Earth. There are 1000s of shrines or sacred places created in her honor. Over 2,000 people claim to have seen apparitions of her and numerous people claim to have had conversations with her. She has been honored by billions (?) of statues, statuettes, icons, paintings, mosaics and stained glass images. Each year, 1 million people, from diverse faiths, ethnicities and nationalities visit the statue of Mary at Medjugorje, Bosnia/ Herzegovina.

Many years ago, I learned that there are countless Christian shrines erected on the vast trail network of the European Alps. Shortly after that discovery, I received a postcard from an ex-student featuring one of these shrines. The message was poignant, terse and soulful.

“Hi, Mr. Young: I was hiking high up in the French Alps when I came to this shrine. There was a bench, stone marker and rustic cross. As I was resting, the beauty of the alpine scenery suddenly overwhelmed me. And then, I was shocked by a mysterious epiphany; the whole year of Biodesign made sense! Hugs, “K.”

I have no explanation for what happened to “K,” but I think that most people would describe it as a miracle.

This harkens back to Loren Eiseley, one of the preeminent anthropologists of the 20th century. In his splendid book, The Immense Journey, he wrote:

“The reader who would pursue such a journey with me is warned that the essays in this book have not been brought together as a guide, but are offered rather as a somewhat unconventional record of the prowlings of one mind which has sought to explore, to understand, and enjoy the miracles of this world, both in and out of science.”

As a highly learned anthropologist, Eiseley was well aware of countless “miracles” like the one that “K” experienced. Furthermore, when he described himself as, “pressing his hands against the confining walls of the scientific method,” he conceded that many of these mysteries are beyond the grasp of scientists.

As evidence of this, he wrote elsewhere:

“…whether we speak of a God come down to earth or a man inspired toward God and betrayed upon a cross, the dream was great, and shook the world like a storm. I believe in Christ in every man who dies to contribute to a life beyond his life. I believe in Christ in all who defend the individual from the iron boot of the extending collective state…”

Although I understand the Geographic editor’s noble intentions of their feature article on Mary, I doubt that if she were living she would consider herself as the “Most Powerful Woman in the World.” Still, she seemed to be well aware of the fact that she had been singled out as utterly unique to human history.

Luke 1:46

“My soul magnifies the Lord,
47 and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,
48 for he has looked on the humble estate of his servant.
For behold, from now on all generations will call me blessed;
49 for he who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.”

Wishing you a Merry Christmas.

Lowell H. Young
Author: Biodesign Out For A Walk

www.facebook.com/biodesignoutforawalk
www.biodesignoutforawalk.com
www.linkedin.com/LowellYoung
www.goodreads.com/BiodesignOutForAWalk

Posted in: Reflections | Tagged: Biodesign class, Christianity, faith, Merry Christmas, National Geographic

Soul: The Greatest Christmas Gift

Posted on December 7, 2015 Leave a Comment
Photo credit: mountainproject.com
Photo credit: mountainproject.com

Excerpt: Biodesign Out For A Walk.

On an unscripted whim, I had them close their eyes and asked
 them how many of them had a soul? Every hand shot up.
“Hands down,” I said.
“How’d we vote?” someone asked.
I answered, “One hundred percent positive. I guess this class has a lot of soul.”

“The soul is the name for the unifying principle, power, or energy that is the center of our being. To be in touch with soul means going back to the sacred source, the site of life-releasing energy, the activating force of life, the god-grounds; to venture forth and confront the world in all its marvelous and terrifying forces, to make sacred our hours here; to learn to pay such supreme attention to the world that eternity blazes in to time with our holy longing. Soul-making this.” The Soul of the World, by Phil Cousineau and Eric Lawton.

One year, shortly after we reached the top of Yosemite’s Half Dome, a group of rock climbers were completing climbing up the face. They were surprised to be greeted by a welcoming party of excited young adults. I was setting up our camp area about 200 yards away, but voices often travel clearer and farther in the mountains.

Climber: “What are all you guys doing up here?
Student: “We are all in a high school advanced biology class.”
Climber: “You’re bullshittin’ me!”
Student laughing: “No it’s true.”
Climber: “So, your biology class just happened to wander up here?”
Student: “No, our teacher led us up here.”
Climber: “Damn! He must have big balls!

I laughed out loud, but was suddenly embarrassed by what I considered to be a crude metaphor and that I had been eavesdropping. More importantly, however, I was tempted to hurry over and tell him that it was the students who were the courageous ones. I wondered if he had read Carl Jung:

“Whenever there is a reaching down into innermost experience, into the nucleus of personality, most people are overcome by fright, and many run away…The risk of inner experience, the adventure of the spirit, is in any case, is alien to most human beings.”

Jung etal, described the spiritual journey as potentially far more scary than any physical or mental challenges. On the other hand, maybe the climber was acting out Joseph Campbell’s purpose of life; “The Soul’s High Adventure.”

Perhaps it didn’t matter. After all, The Class was not only experimental, but experiential and existential. This meant that any discoveries that students made would be their own and not of my doing. Over 24 years there were many books that I discovered that would have been very helpful, but they also would have altered the many paths of discovery that were vital to the students’ spiritual growth. The best example of this (and now one of my favorite treasures) is a small (but powerful) book, “The Soul Of The World.” Phil Cousineau paired amazing quotations with Eric Lawton’s spectacular photos into a breathtaking book. It has been a deep source of inspiration for me since it was released in 1993. Cousineau included profoundly inspiring “poems, prayers and promises” from men and women from all walks and major religions, including people who are Red—Yellow—Black—White. He paired the inspirational lines with photos of some of the most beautiful and or sacred places on planet Earth. The book proved to be a powerful validation of the collaborative journey that about 500 students had shared with me. I was able to draw freely from it for the last five years of the class.

Nearly 15 years after the Biodesign Class of 1979 decided to embark on a journey of the soul, Cousineau and Lawton confirmed just how spiritually aware those students were. Jung, Thoreau and John Muir were correct when they noted that many people will live their entire life without probing their own spirituality. John Muir wrote: “Most people are on the world, not in it—have no conscious sympathy or relationship to anything about them—undiffused, separate, and rigidly alone like marbles of polished stone; touching but separate.”

The rock climber demonstrated tremendous courage climbing the face of Half Dome, but I wonder if it equaled the courage that it took for each of the 700 students to follow Loren Eiseley, Carl Jung and John Muir by embracing wonder and terror and thereby discovering that “Going out For A Walk was really going in.”

Christmastime is a wonderful time to awaken us to the fact that the journey we are on is a “spiritual journey,” a journey that would not be possible without the gift of Soul.

Wishing all of you a soulful, merry Christmas.

Lowell H. Young
Author: Biodesign Out For A Walk

www.facebook.com/biodesignoutforawalk
www.biodesignoutforawalk.com
www.linkedin.com/LowellYoung
www.goodreads.com/BiodesignOutForAWalk

 

 

Posted in: Reflections | Tagged: Bio-spirituality, Biodesign class, Half Dome climbers, Lowell Harrison Young, Merry Christmas, soul, soul medicine, Yosemite, Yosemite Temple

A Modern Christmas Story

Posted on December 21, 2014 Leave a Comment

Mail Attachment“WE have seen the highest circle of spiraling powers. We have named this circle God. We might have given it any other name we wished: Abyss, Mystery, Absolute Darkness, Absolute Light, Matter, Spirit, Ultimate Hope, Ultimate Despair, Silence. But we have named it God because only this name, for primordial reasons, can stir our hearts profoundly. And this deeply felt emotion is indispensable if we are to touch, body with body, the dread essence beyond logic.” - Nikos Kazantzakis

Kazantzakis was a Greek writer/philosopher who gained fame by writing, Zorba The Greek. However, nothing he wrote would compare with the fame, notoriety and condemnation that he experienced after writing, The Last Temptation of Christ, which was also made into a movie.

Wikipedia:

“The figure of Jesus was ever-present in his thoughts, from his youth to his last years. The Christ of The Last Temptation of Christ shares Kazantzakis’ anguished metaphysical and existential concerns, seeking answers to haunting questions and often torn between his sense of duty and mission, on one side, and his own human needs to enjoy life, to love and to be loved, and to have a family.”

The Catholic Church, perhaps understandably, reacted in horror and imposed a liturgical sanction banning all Catholics from seeing the movie. I am not Catholic and can only guess that the thought of Christ being fully human, to the extent of experiencing normal male sensuality, was deemed blasphemous or too disturbing to tolerate. I am not a theologian, however, it seems to me that if Christ were “fully human,” Kazantzakis would be vindicated and the story of Jesus would be more compelling.

This brings us back to the tension of the “dread essence beyond logic.”

Standing on the edge of the Diving Board on top of Yosemite’s Half Dome was beyond logic.
Standing on the brink of Grand Canyon was beyond logic.
Standing on the Mendocino Coast headland during a storm was beyond logic.
Sitting in a circle of students, in the dark, on top of Half Dome, with a single candle illuminating every face, was beyond logic.
Surviving a terrifying ice storm on the cables of Half Dome was beyond logic.
Holding my wife’s hand, as she was giving birth to our last child, was beyond logic.

All of these events involved bewildering moments when logic was absolutely useless.

Nearly 40 years ago, a very curious “Indian Boy” joined the Biodesign Class and began exploring his sense of spirituality. The similarities between The “Great Spirit” of Native Americans and the white man’s God seemed compatible. However, in a rebellious pique, he shook his fist at the heavens and shouted, “The Christian Trinity is not logical.” It may have been the most courageous and profound statement of his young life. Part of his journey is described in, Biodesign Out For A Walk, chapter 29, Wayne, and it was definitely not logical.

It took me all these years to see Wayne’s story as a modern Christmas story.

There was little logic involved when three Magi traveled from different parts of the Middle East, following a star to Bethlehem. Some accounts suggest that their arduous journey took two years and involved traveling on camelback over challenging desert terrain. Their gifts of gold, frankincense and myrrh, offered to the Christ-child, marked the first Christmas celebration on Earth.

2014 years later, whether in St. Luke’s description of an announcement from an angel or Linus instructing Charlie Brown on the meaning of Christmas, the message survives:

“Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.”

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Lowell H. Young, Author: Biodesign Out For A Walk

 

Posted in: Reflections | Tagged: Biodesign Out For A Walk, Merry Christmas, The Last Temtation of Christ

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