Disqus - Latest Comments for ruthhousman

Re: The Singing Tree | Americans for the Arts

ruthhousman — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 08:13:50 -0000

This is so beautiful. I came to this site as I am teaching a course called Re Tale Therapy at Regis College in their LLARC (Learning In Retirement Program) and today we are discussing Kate Seredy's The Singing Tree and also the subject immortality as a follow up to Tuck Everlasting. I wanted to read about Kate's book, The Singing Tree and came to this description above and these most wonderful pictures! This is, entirely moving, and this, along with this early morning sunrise over the water here in Scituate, MA, really makes my Day!

Thank YOU. I would love to hear more.

Re: What are you thankful for?

ruthhousman — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 06:34:08 -0000

I am thankful and I am th angst full, meaning life has this bipolar aspect in every possible respect and I am being gifted a story, call it visibly downloading from the Source. I keep a Diary of not just constant astounding story by way of coincidence, otherwise known as synchronicity, but a Diary that is following words, in deep ways, across the universe of language following the letters, the deconstruction of language, and see that within this geode, there is a story, a script. Knowing as I must, that the story comes out all right in the end, a constant echo of Anne Frank and another Diary, keeps me sane, keeps me grounded, and I can say I see hearts and roses wherever I go, and constant metaphoric mirroring connectivity. This keeps me filled with gratitude, with both, being the bittersweet, that conscious awareness that this IS consciousness, the E..motion (emotion) that pulls us all forward down the stream, into and past the rocks. We all bleed, and we all feel, and the need that fuels all this has to be LOVE. I hear the AV in the word LOVE itself. Stop, listen hard. And for me, the constant total knowledge that G_d is in the wings, that AVES itself, with AV, is part of an ongoing most beautiful story, keeps me on track, even as I fall down, and wail, and go to The Wall, to Jerusalem's Wailing Wall, daily, with the massive ongoing question WHY? I see the "Y" itself, in one iteration, as man, hands lifted to the skies, asking, asking. Answers will come and do come. And life is an opening of doors. L'dor va dor. Life is a door, life is, adore. And so it is, I give thanks, and I say, every day, Thank YOU for bringing me to this place at this time.

Re: Making President Obama Laugh

ruthhousman — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 10:16:52 -0000

This came to me, this morning, from a good friend. It is 11/11/11, and there is a significance to elvenses, historically, as many have written. Apart from this, I think that LEV for LEVITY which is certainly part of the word itself ELEVEN, and all aspects of rising, are for fun, for making each other laugh. I am glad Obama laughed nd that a student, an "eleve" in French (back to the word, eleven), made Obama laugh. I think it's about, we need the "light" and also, In the Beginning Was the Light. I am saying, we need to actualize, and we do, all aspects of words, and there is a deeper alchemy to words, and this, I am plumbing. Perhaps a Plum role. I say, this story is about LOVE.

cELEbrate!

And EL of course, one of the names for G_d as in Elohim.

Re: What is the secret to Jewish unity? Is the Shema sufficient as a “unity pledge”?

ruthhousman — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 07:49:46 -0000

The Shema is still the most powerful of prayers, and when we say it we unite all that was and bring those who uttered these words with us, into the present, and so the weight of this, throughout years of suffering, hope, love and despair, is within these words. All here. And that one ness is deeply about us all, because we are one and yet diverse, scattered as seeds to the wind, and taking root in places where we are nourished, following so many routes, around the world. There is Divinity within, and, without, and none of us is Without, in the deepest sense of the word. What powers one, powers us all, and we are mandated to work for peace, for unity, to heal the broken places. That is the man, and the woman, "date" we're yearning for, namely, hands around the world.

The unity pledge requires action, big and small. Mite and Might are aurally synonymous, and it is in the little acts of kindness that we perform that do bring sparks, equal to those who are well known among us, as major philanthropists and beyond. We are all stars, each of us having a profound and equal role. Ego must take a backseat to this recognition. We're all in this together. We must do this in "concert", in a concerted way. This symphony has a conductor.

You cannot tell the dancer, from the dance (Yeats).

I would say, an opportunity to "twitter" as birds twitter, to share thoughts, as we're doing here, is very important. G_d is in "the wings".

Re: SOF Observed - Resting, and Remembering John O’Donohue, in...

ruthhousman — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 18:18:05 -0000

I have read parts of this wonderful article and pieces on this luminous poet. I love what he wrote about the Greek word for beauty, being also "calling", and I do believe he would say beauty calls to us, and we are deeply, called to beauty. The sensitivity of perceiving beauty in nature and all things, should lead us towards awe, sensitivity, and a deepening of our connectivity to all living things. I would hope that beauty is thus connected to truth, as in Keats' most beautiful words, and also that the awe or wonder of creation will bring us all into a new consciousness of what it is to love!

Re: SOF Observed

ruthhousman — Thu, 06 May 2010 20:23:45 -0000

There was a display of pages of the St. John's Bible recently at Regis College in Wellesley, MA and these pages are so beautiful. I don't think it's a question of how money is spent, meaning this work of art OR money for the poor. Having seen this absolutely "divine" manuscript, and feeling deeply the love and passion that has gone into this project, I have nothing but praise for those involved, and praise is also, a reverent form of "prays".

Re: Our Former Guests' Perspectives on Vodou and Living

ruthhousman — Tue, 19 Jan 2010 18:10:12 -0000

perspectives on recent events: It seems like the question that's inevitable in the wake of this catastrophic earthquake in Haiti, is where is God in all this? How can a God of love allow these events, these seismic, and in this case Size mic, events, to happen? Is God active in our lives or is God a passive bystander? We do attribute miracles to God or the intervention of Saints, depending of course on religious background. And for some, there is no God, because such events negate the existence of a "Prime Mover" in our lives. For many, science alone, in terms of random but also determined sequences of events, is sufficient.

A rabbi once told me, Ruth, life is paradox at all levels, get used to it. And surely life is entirely bounded by paradox, and one paradox has to be free will vs determinism, and where we posit God in this profound equation.

Certainly geology has answers and there is a science of plate tectonics. What we don't know, is whether these events are truly Acts of God, or whether it's all a game of chance, meaning the plates will collide, sooner or, later. Or is there a timing to all of this, and meaning beyond meaning? We do know one thing, and that is, compassion is the Source of how we not only obtain meaning, but what we do, all of us, in what is known as Tikkun Olam by the Jews, or the healing of the world, by others.

If all the world's a stage, and a staging ground, and we the actors, then still, we need to Act, and what is Seen and Scene, is what we must do in the wake of such utter despair and devastation.

Re: Critical Remarks from a Listener — an Opportunity

ruthhousman — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:39:32 -0000

Thanks to Mary for your beautiful words, quoting Mother Theresa and your own deep poetry of soul.

May you and yours experience a "full, filling Thanksgiving".

with best wishes to SOF and the programming that is deep and about spiritual truths.
I hope you adopt many of the suggestions on line to augment your show, and make it shine. As for Sweden, I lived there for two years as a child, spoke Swedish fluently, and, as a child, found myself in a wonderful place of trolls and magic. The Swedish system of caring for the elderly, for those who have various "handicaps" is truly beautiful. They do offer "social tours" and we can learn so much from programs that incorporate the elderly into housing for all ages, from gas station attendants who are hired when here they might not find jobs, and for the all around attention to life and how it should be lived, for everyone, with grace and dignity. That was my experience and I imbibed this, even as a child. All places have ups, and downs, but it is true that we have so much to learn from what other countries are doing, to care for those we marginalize. And this is deeply, about spirituality, and this in a country that doesn't practice that much, organized religion.

Re: Critical Remarks from a Listener — an Opportunity

ruthhousman — Sun, 22 Nov 2009 22:31:18 -0000

I haven't found any esoteric boring ideas on speaking of faith, and I rather like the mix. I do think it would be great, as I have said, to do more in depth interviews of people who are making a difference in their communities across the country, because there are so many, and I would say the deep words of people who write the books, are perhaps, not the only words worth recording and hearing. There is this apocryphal story of the great rabbi who had a destination and this was, to travel through the desert to speak to the great man. He had a camel driver and he ignored this man, leaving him unceremoniously behind in the shadows. He did not notice him. It was, actually the rabbi who was left in the dark, not realizing that the destination was behind him, with that camel driver.

The word camel itself can be deconstructed into two words CAME and EL and I am saying, that it is the small person, the one we often ignore as not important, who holds the keys to greatness of spirit, and perhaps a discourse on mystery, and spiritual truth.

Re: Critical Remarks from a Listener — an Opportunity

ruthhousman — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 12:37:10 -0000

Hi Marymetta, I just received your commentary on my email and it's nice to know one's writing is being read, and that you share this same feeling, about including so many people in our lives, who are truly often invisible to the world at large but very great in terms of spirit, action, and how they affect us all.

We are all of us equal. I learned a profound truth a long time ago, and that is, the small things we do for each other are equal to anything big that is done, that we all recognize, that is published far and wide. We are all of us the family of man and all in this together. So the marathon IS the human race and I would say compassion and love is the laurel. So small IS big, and I do believe those who are stars, are only one of many in a firmament of stars. It's often darkness visible that brings in the light. I think we have opportunity to be angels for each other, oppor TUNE ity, and I do know for us all, it's about that music, about harmony and "unisong".

There is a river that runs out of Eden and what it carries is a profound truth about LOVE.

As we approach Thanksgiving I am thanking all those people who made my days, a little bit brighter, and as for those who gave me pause, who hurt me, I learned from this lessons in sensitivity, and so for everyone who was and is part of my story, I say, THANKS for bringing me to this place. Happy Thanksgiving!

Re: Jewish Academy's football team sets a precedent

ruthhousman — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:04:00 -0000

This is a great story. A friend just tagged this for me. As to Adonai Echod, God is One, this should reverberate for everyone, Jew and non Jew. The ECHO in the word Echad or Echod, depending on how it's pronounced. As to ONE, it's also aurally WON.

I expect God is on both sides and so, let the best team win, from game to game.

God is about affirmative action.

So, those in the bleachers, who are making these ugly comments, STOP, because the way to unity and one ness, is the way of love. Whoever gets this, truly gets it, always wins in the greatest game of all, called LIFE.

Re: SOF Observed - Countdown to Compassion Andy Dayton, associate web...

ruthhousman — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 12:05:07 -0000

Hi Andy Dayton: Thanks so much for responding to me this DAY, following a deep discussion with a friend overseas about life's burdens and what we can do about this, individually and collectively.

It's nice to feel one isn't invisible in this vast sea of words.

In the Zohar, the Book of Splendor, a profound spiritual text, recently translated by Daniel Matt and others, there is repeated mention of: A River Flows Through it Out of Eden. We are meant to take note of this. There is a symphony that follows our days, running contrapuntally to all of our lives. To pick up the beauty of the strings, the percussion, the cymbals, this inchoate story, is to feel, deeply, that what is right is so clear in such videos as the ones above. If I were to characterize this video with a color I would say, violet, for that which is most spiritual.

I honestly believe this entire story is coded in the words we speak. Once you see it there is no going back. The keys are in the aleph bet. The letters.

Yes, words are so easy, and acts are so hard. Maybe the first ACT is over and now, it's time to move forward in the greatest act imaginable, to work, to truly work hard, to change this world in ways of peace, love, compassion.

And for this, we will need everyone. Anyone WILLing and able please apply.

Shakespeare: all the world's a stage...
maybe WILL was right and this is why we so feel his beautiful words.

Re: SOF Observed - Countdown to Compassion Andy Dayton, associate web...

ruthhousman — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 19:42:43 -0000

I often wonder why it is people need to identify the "other" in ways that are about exclusion and inhumanity. It's an old, sad story, that has cost millions of lives and has produced such brutality and sadness. I know it's time to embrace again a clarity of vision and purpose that is about one's fellow man, this family of man, around the world. This video says it all.

It's an old message, this message of compassion. I am seeing this everywhere on the Web, namely, so many people working with the same heartfelt mission, to make this world a better place. For "crying out loud", let's Do IT!

I see, in my heart of hearts, in my fondest dreams, hands across the world. We can do it. We can do it now. If not now, then, when? Eliminate cruel and make a masterpiece out of our lives and create then, a master peace, as crewel is also for embroidery of the finest kind. And kind is for man kind, a mandate, a man date.

Life is a journey and I think the journey stops here, at the River. It's time to recognize why we're here and what this story is all about. Love is the answer. Love has always been the answer. Why should something this simple be so hard?

Re: SOF Observed - The traditional view of God the Creator is...

ruthhousman — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 10:12:04 -0000

Who created God? If something was there, before God, did God create this or was this something there before God, herself? We have here a mystery, and it is profound. But I do believe, deeply, that all words are "divine" and that God herself/himself, created language, and this is for us to probe and like disrobing, the robe in probe itself, it's a neverending mystery that just keeps unfolding, like the "rose". The sun, a "rose" this morning.

I am following a profound and beautiful story that has everything to do with the potential of words, so yes, to BARA, and now we have BARA CK, and who knows whether he will do the Noble Thing in promoting world peace or whether it will be the "No Bell" prize.

Why is it we can, all of us, use this miraculous clay, the alchemy of language?

I am saying it's divine, and to ask that question, is to open more doors than you can possibly imagine. And I would say, in deep ways, I have been tossed some of those keys. Life is a door, life is adore.

Is there proof of the existence of God? Maybe it's time to take a closer look at the miracles in our own lives and wonder, what is it, moves us, E motion itself?

Re: SOF Observed

ruthhousman — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 08:13:59 -0000

I found this short piece very meaningful. For me, it's very clear that, as beautifully stated, language is the key, and it unlocks a host of shared experience. There are words that simply don't translate nor can they ever, completely, from one language to another and yes, the meanings are lost in translation. There's a deep beauty in all languages and that Ojibwe, should become again, a living language is a beautiful idea. I hope this school flourishes. We can learn from each other. Thought and words are so closely connected and it is surely about breath itself, or soul, and in Hebrew known as ruah, that is about the making of sound, the stringing together of letters, like so many shining beads. With thanks

Re: Critical Remarks from a Listener — an Opportunity

ruthhousman — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 09:24:47 -0000

'Bak' to the future: I was thinking, since you often interview men and women who have published on the subject of faith/spiritual issues, maybe you could interview some artists. For example, there is Samuel Bak who lives in the Boston area, an artist (born l933) whose work is riveting in its depictions of Holocaust-related subjects. For some his work is too difficult to contemplate in its anguish. What is he trying to tell us? Does he believe in God? There is so much art that is related to spirituality and we know, surely, that the crucifixion itself, resulted in art throughout history, including this day. A cogent book on the subject of pain and creativity, Enduring Creation, Art, Pain, and Fortitude by Nigel Spivey whose BBC series, How Art Made the World with accompanying book, is truly wonderful as is this book. I think any exploration of spiritual issues needs to confront the issue of pain in our lives, because suffering both turns us towards the Divine and also turns us away. How can there be a God that condones such suffering in life? Most arguments that are against the notion of Divinity do bring up this very difficult subject. Spivey begins his book with Auschwitz, the statement by Adorno, "All culture after Auschwitz.. is trash."

I think it would be wonderful to engage on these issues, and to engage with the contemporary artists of our time, whose works do bring us into contact with the ineffable, one way or the other, those eternal questions, who are we? where are we going? what are we doing here?

Think about it: Thou "art" and talk about it.

Just a suggestion.

Re: Critical Remarks from a Listener — an Opportunity

ruthhousman — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 16:15:34 -0000

Hi, I love what you're doing on SOF. I came to your site fairly recently and I am sorry I didn't know about you sooner. I enjoy your interviews. I always find something provocative to wake me up. I also love your recent commentaries section from listeners all over. I read many of the Muslim respondents on your recent "map" and I am grateful you included my words earlier in God as Novelist.

Maybe, and this is not self-serving, you should feature some people who are spiritually active who are not big names in the community, because we are myriad and I think it's not how much one is published but what one is saying and doing. So gather these rosebuds too as I would like to hear from the people in the streets who are deeply spiritual and who have fabulous stories to tell. INTERVIEW them! Studs Terkel did this and his books were beautiful and deep. We are all in this together.

I am in touch with some native American Indians and their feelings about the sacred, about justice, and truth, permeate all that they do. They truly "touch the earth". I have learned to look up the meaning of seeing an animal unexpectedly, a deer in the woods, an eagle perched on the posts by our pool. I feel the depth of this and they surely have accessed deep spiritual truths that have to do with the symbolic and beauty of these happenings. So many, many incredible people. Not everyone has written extensively but they are living lives that could be, incredible novels.

I am seeing a story, an ancient story, coded in words themselves, as secrete is to secret. Perhaps the biggest secret of all is being revealed, a story about LOVE. I do believe in the power of names and naming and I think it's time we asked the question, how is it we can do this alchemy with words themselves, constantly?

As dovetail is to carpentry, to pieces that fit together perfectly, so in the split, I am seeing a dove tale, about peace and like Teilhard de Chardin I too believe there's an arrow to evolution itself, as in the word love within the word, running backwards. I see movement. This story is about love and I believe, deeply, there is music running contrapuntally to all stories and that we are all connected in one vast fabric, that is slowly being revealed. There is a timetable to history.

Re: SOF Observed

ruthhousman — Thu, 27 Aug 2009 13:32:13 -0000

I found the comments on poverty and what happened due to the War on Poverty, meaning the emasculation of Afro American males to be insightful. It seems that any effort to help people ought to be guided by the principle that people want to be productive and that throwing money at a problem is not a solution. It seems that programs that work around the world help set people up in activities they generate and are enthusiastic about, whether it's learning, running a business, or health care initiatives that involve Them. Any time we come to a situation that feels wrong, we ought to first talk in depth to the people who are living the experience, understand their culture, with humility, and then find out how they perceive their dreams and ways to actualize them. They must be involved as active partners and as equals.