by Banksy

http://www.banksy.co.uk

Blessing in the Chaos

Thank you to Oasis: worship in the spirit of Taizé in Paddington, Sydney, for sharing this blessing at their recent service. This prayer helps us to enter into silence. It is an “opening into the quiet”… Please click the links in the title to read more about the prayer and the author.

Blessing in the Chaos by Jan L Richardson

To all that is chaotic
in you,
let there come silence.

Let there be
a calming
of the clamoring,
a stilling
of the voices that
have laid their claim
on you,
that have made their
home in you,

that go with you
even to the
holy places
but will not
let you rest,
will not let you
hear your life
with wholeness
or feel the grace
that fashioned you.

Let what distracts you
cease.
Let what divides you
cease.
Let there come an end
to what diminishes
and demeans,
and let depart
all that keeps you
in its cage.

Let there be
an opening
into the quiet
that lies beneath
the chaos,
where you find
the peace
you did not think
possible
and see what shimmers
within the storm.

The Art of Appreciation

“Ta” is slang for thank you often taught to and used by children before they can pronounce the word ‘thank you’. The chocolate cake above was shared at an Australian thanks-giving feast. Do you give thanks to God or a higher power? Why, why not? If so, how do you show your appreciation?

A Chinese Temple in Ho Chi Minh City

Phuoc An Hoi Quan Pagoda

 

Phuoc An Hoi Quan Pagoda is one of the Chinese clan temples (belonging to the Fujianese) in District 5, Ho Chi Minh City’s Chinatown. District 5 is the old Cholon, once one of the most tremendous Chinese cities in the world – to read about it in its heyday you can’t do better than Gontran de Poncins‘ wonderful book From A Chinese City.
The Phuoc An Hoi Quan is just two minutes walk from the Quan Am pagoda (that’s not counting the ten minutes you will spend drumming up the courage to cross the truly terrifying Hung Vuong Rd.), so you should really plan to do both at once.
There are reasonably concealed benches in the temple courtyard so it makes a nice place to sit and people watch without being hassled. Bring a fan.

The statue of Kwan Yin to the left of the courtyard as you enter is a very popular and lucky statue in this part of town.

And interestingly the robes for Kwan Yin that are donated by people who have had their prayers answered are embroidered with the names of the donors or the people they want blessed.

This is the first time I have seen this. I wonder if it’s new or old?

There is also a lucky horse to your left as you enter the temple – it is mean to be lucky for travellers to stroke its mane.

Details:

Phuoc An Hoi Quan Pagoda is at 184 D. Hung Vuong, District 5, Ho Chi Minh City.
It is meant to stay open till 6pm, but they normally won’t let you in after 5.30.
It’s a 10-15 minute taxi ride from downtown Saigon.
Photography is allowed, and you don’t have to take your shoes off to enter this temple.
You can purchase incense and offerings inside the temple, where you will be charged the true local price.

Stephanie Dowrick at Shearer’s on Norton – Feb. 8, 2012

Stephanie Dowrick has just released a fascinating new book called Everyday Kindness, and one of the rare opportunities to hear her speak about it is coming up early next year.
Stephanie will be speaking at Shearer’s Bookshop on Norton St. in Leichhardt, Sydney. It’s a great venue, and tickets are strictly limited, so I recommend you call up and book them ASAP.
Details:

Stephanie Dowrick at 7.30pm on Wednesday 8 February 2012

Bestselling author Stephanie Dowrick is returning to Shearer’s! We’ve hosted several events with Stephanie in the past and they are always hugely popular. Her new book, Everyday Kindness, takes kindness as its inspiration and theme. Through this, she makes a calmer, happier and more rewarding life immediately possible. At home, work and in the wider world, there are countless opportunities when a moment of consideration or kindness – given or received- will transform your day. Whether it is a hard time to be endured, or a wonderful time to be shared and celebrated, it’s our willingness to think well of ourselves and act kindly towards others that makes all the difference. Entry $10 Entry for Frequent Shopper Members $7 Everyday Kindness will be available at $5 off the RRP on the night. Bookings are essential for this event. You can purchase your tickets in store, or by calling Shearer’s on (02) 9572 7766

At Shearer’s Bookshop, 99 Norton St, Leichhardt.

Eremos Turning 30 Next Year

Dear Members

Next year 2012 Eremos Institute reaches an important milestone as it celebrates its thirtieth anniversary. This period of time has been one of rapid change in our culture, which if anything, sees an increase in spirituality within the context of a complex multicultural Australia.

The Eremos Council wants to celebrate this achievement while taking the opportunity to imagine the future. As we plan we are looking for feedback about how best to do that within our resources and in ways to maximise participation by members.  We welcome your responses, interest, and an indication if are interested to volunteer some time and skills to help shape this event or series of events. Specifically, we need a chairperson for the 30th Anniversary event/s and a team of to assist. Are you in a position to take on the role of chairperson for this project? Or be part of a team? Living in Sydney is not a prerequisite. Please indicate your interest to Kate Scholl in being part of such a project…. The Eremos Council meets on 17th November and would appreciate feedback to Kate by 16th November.

If you have any ideas you’d like to offer, please don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments below.

St Peter Julian’s Church, Chinatown

If you are ever around Sydney’s Chinatown and want a brief moment of respite and prayer, a wonderful place to visit is St. Peter Julian’s Church on George St. It has recently been renovated inside, and is spacious, quiet and quite beautiful. The perfect place to light a candle and spend some moments in meditation.