Dear Folks -
I began the talk I offered in Ordinary Life this week by playing the introduction to the film Fiddler on the Roof. Because of copyright restrictions the audio of the film is not on the audio file of the talk. You can see it by going to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gRdfX7ut8gw
That evening I was able to watch the entire movie. It is LONG and, I thought, good. It is very much about how a community of Jewish people in Russia, prior to the Revolution, try to hang on to their lives and lifestyle through the use of tradition and humor. I recommend the film to you.
Tradition does play a vital role in our lives, especially in our religious and spiritual work. Also, of value and matters that often trump tradition are the roles of reason and experience. If we are to find balance in life, we must be open to seeing and thinking clearly.
That is what this "life talk" is about. The cartoons, optical illusions and logic problem can be found by viewing the presentation slides.
The full text I spoke from is below.
Much love,
Bill Kerley
To download the complete text of the talk, click here Download 1:20:13 - Complete text
To download the presentation slides, click here Download 1:20:13 - Being Balanced
To download the audio of the talk, click here Download 01202013 - Mp3
Read moreDear Folks -
During the talk I gave in Ordinary Life this week I passed out a handout of Richard Rohr's notion of the "Cosmic Egg." You can download that handout from the link below. Unfortunately, it doesn't look like we captured an audio version of the talk.
The title of the talk I gave is "Practical Mysticism." It is based on the wisdom teaching: "don't let your left hand know what your right hand is doing." It is, in my opinion, very similar to the Zen saying "what is the sound of one hand clapping?"
Mysticism, among other things, provides us with deeper ways of knowing and seeing which give us room to be more loving and freer.
The full text I spoke from can be downloaded below.
Much love,
Bill Kerley
To download the complete text click here Download 1:13:13 - Complete text
To download the Cosmic Egg handout click here Download Cosmic Egg Handout
To download the presentation slides click here Download 1:13:13 - Practical Mysticism
Read moreORDINARY LIFE - Thoughts and Ideas to Help You Live a Happier Life
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Summary of January 6, 2013
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Dear Folks -
Before giving a brief summary and then the full text of the "life talk" I gave in Ordinary Life this week, I'd like to share some information with you.
As many of you know, my beautiful bride - Dr. Sherry Beeman - and I offer a relationship seminar several times a year that is sponsored by St. Paul's. Some time ago the complete seminar was recorded. Until just recently, however, we didn't have the technical ability (that means I didn't know how to do it) to make this readily available.
Thanks to the work of Susanna Hooper you can now either listen to or download the audio of this seminar. To do so go to the "Resources" page of
www.billkerley.com
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This week in Ordinary Life I began what I had to say talking about how the sending and receiving of Christmas cards calls up for me an experience of both judgment and hope. If we are to experience hope for our future, we must develop the willingness to see that how we are currently doing things is neither wise nor useful. We have a choice - we can follow the teachings of Jesus to "go deeper within and further out." Or, we can keep doing what we are doing. One shift in awareness I suggest is adopting the position of embodying the belief that regarding our current situation(s) no one is to blame but everyone is responsible.
The full text I spoke from is below.
Much love,
Bill Kerley
To download the complete text click here Download 1:6:13 - Summary
To download a pdf of the presentation slides click here Download 1:6:13 - Judgment and Hope
To download the talk in Mp3 format click here Download 01062013 - Mp3
Read moreDear Folks -
The title I gave the "life talk" I gave in Ordinary Life this past week was -
"Question Everything! Even This"
Our culture, which is clearly troubled, lures and seduces us into seeking "easy and comfortable" answers. If we keep doing this, we will keep getting the same sad outcomes we are getting.
This talk was partly inspired by something Jim Wallis wrote about the ninth anniversary of the war in Iraq. I quote him at length.
Then I look back at what was going on in this country in the 60s.
Looking back we can usually clearly see how "mistakes" and misjudgments were made. Sadly, we don't seem to be able to use this matter of perspective to change the direction we move into the future.
This section of the talk is partly my response to the tragic shooting in Connecticut.
I end with two bits: The Hidden Camera episode that reveals the inherent wisdom we all have and a story of Morgan Freeman's mother telling him that the best news in the world can be contained in an eight note scale on the piano.
The full text I spoke from is below.
Much love,
Bill Kerley
To download the text click here Download 12:23:12 - Summary
To download the presentation slides click here Download 12:23:12 - Question Everything.key
To download the audio of the talk click here Download 20121223 - Mp3
Read more