Act in favor with all sentient beings

Is there life to it? Does it lead to love?

How is that for a couple of good questions? A project? A move? A relationship? What does it feel like when you consider these questions? I learned about these queries through a Quaker study group. I don’t know if Quakers invented it, but they brought it up.

This blog is a review of the last 10 days. It’s random and locally sourced.

“We seek communion with the divine,” is how Quakers put it.  We were talking about what happens when Quakers sit in silent worship. Not saying much.

Works for me.

A day before sitting with Quakers, I had been to a spin class. It was my third time and I was just getting the hang of how to get on the bike and program the digital gadget to validate my efforts. This class was called “explicit cycling.” I didn’t know what that meant. I assumed it meant we would be cycling in a clear and purposeful way.

It meant that we would be riding to rap that would block out communion with the divine. Not that I planned on that during spinning, but I’ve never heard such assaultive language strung together. It was a sustained spew of F#@*, M-F#@%, ass, niggah, and more.

I pedaled hard on the bike despite an F$%@ storm pelting me the whole way. It wasn’t just that word, it was the onslaught of anti- woman, and in my opinion, anti-life, anti-love language. I am not a college kid so I may have no idea what is going on, but I do know the feeling of energy behind words and sounds.

Oddly enough, the class was 95% women. Very strong appearing women.  So was the instructor.

I don’t like misogynist rape culture rap. If you do, let’s agree to disagree.

“We hold each person in the room in the light. We believe the divine surrounds us and is within us at the same time.” So, the Quakers also say.

A few days later, I had some people over to make aromatherapy goodies, like body butters, bath salts, and room sprays. Before making the goods we ate lentils. Spicy dal. Turns out this was a real modern-day Epicurean party!

Around 300 BC, Epicureans started gathering for meals to discuss politics, gardening, ideas. All were welcome. The meals were simple; the emphasis was more on the connections between each other, the conversations and sharing of ideas.

Epicureans believed in a social contract, the agreement to not harm each other. They described morality in terms of this agreement.

Can we bring this movement back?

I was soaked with heavenly aromas and good cheer after this simple event.

I forgot about the rap music.

On a different day, I listened to an I-Ching talk while stretching. It repeats what the Quakers say, and what many others say:
Be the carrier of light; speak kindly; lead with compassion.

Simply, the best advice I heard from all the input was:
Act in favor with all sentient beings.

That brings a life to choices with a leaning toward love.

Next time you are wondering about something try asking:
Is there life to it? Does it lead to love?