BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: GUEST,LTS pretending to work
Date: 20 Mar 08 - 05:55 AM

Maudy Thursday today... a day of quiet inflection and Last Suppers...

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: Jim Lad
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 11:27 AM

Snif! Snif!








          Is that smoke?

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: Jim Lad
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 11:26 AM

Snif?

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: GUEST,George Sandstone
Date: 19 Mar 08 - 09:38 AM

The shore of a Paleozoic sea. Warm sun. Meandering stream across vast salty mudflats. Dreamy white clouds. The moon is much closer. No jet contrails, no plastic bags. Small sticks washed down from the hills by a river rot in the warm sandy mud. No insects. No fish. Deep-breathing exercises mandatory(oxygen is at 10 per-cent of current levels). Unimaginably still except for the breeze. Quiet genetic mutations over two hundred million years.

There, the first flower.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: Jim Lad
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 07:15 PM

Forgive me Father for I have sinned ....

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: Joybell
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 06:50 PM

Ahhhhh! Thanks again, Liz.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: theleveller
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 09:24 AM

I like to have 10 minutes quiet contemplation each morning on the train into work.

I find it gives me the inner strength I need to SCREAM AND SHOUT for the rest of the day.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: GUEST,LTS pretending to work
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 09:18 AM

I did a thing at work on Friday, which has had repercussions...

When I'm stressed out, I like to write the problems down on a sheet of paper and mull it over. After a few days, the problems don't seem so bad or else they've resolved - whatever happens, it stops me ripping people's throats out or going into meltdown. That's what I did on Friday. All the problems in our office, the phones, the workload, the distribution, the communication problems... wrote 'em all down and printed out a copy to take home and peruse over the weekend.

Unfortunately, due to trouble with the printers, a copy escaped and found its way into the hands of one of our higher managers. She was not happy, and apparently, due to me leaving early and not being in yesterday, I missed a huge screaming match and subsequent witch hunt.

However... it seems to have had an effect - today is a lot calmer in the office; we've been told that the phone problem we're all suffering from is being resolved sooner rather than later, Post to work is being doled out in a fairer manner and the other problems are being addressed.

Sometimes, the quiet approach is better.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: Catherine Jayne
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 08:15 AM

Mmmmmm sat in a comfy chair with a soft blanket and a purring cat.

Just had a lovely chat with a good friend. Harry's having a nap which is giving me quiet time to go through the plans and RSVP's to his naming ceremony.

This is a good place.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: GUEST,LTS pretending to work
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 05:03 AM

I'm sitting at my desk pretending I'm not here, and I hope my colleagues will do the same.... that way I might actually get some work done and ease my aching shoulder - the phone is diverted to someone else and I've got my ipod on... Beatles at the moment, Long and winding road. Just right for the frame of mind I'm in at the moment.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: My guru always said
Date: 18 Mar 08 - 02:58 AM

Thanks for the Labyrinth OM, lovely idea.

I've thought of this thread many times in the past couple of days & I send thanks again to you Liz for helping me to find time.

'Here' is refreshing, decluttering, a sharing place. A place to smile over good memories and let go of sad ones. I needed to be here just now!

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: GUEST,lox
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 09:02 PM

Actually, I'm just starting to enjoy the process of slaving over a hot stave.

Music in silence! That's where it's at!

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: GUEST,lox
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 08:17 PM

Oh bloody hell ...

I've been coming in here for years and now suddenly it's a tourist attraction ...

... ah well ... nowhere is sacred ...

... I'm going to become a stylite and sit on top of a tall column and fast for a month ...

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: open mike
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 06:17 PM

I find a labyrinth just the thing for calming..(check out these PDF files) here you can download one to print, and trace the path...
this one is like the one in
Chartres Cathedral in France

This one is more Roman or Greek (Classical or Minoan Crete style)


in either case, follow the white path to the center, and if you
should want to do so , you can equate the path towards the center
as the past (or reflect on where you are coming from) and the center
as "NOW" and the outward journey as the future....unless that all is
too much work and you just want to "be" in the moment.


Here is the text of a flyer I wrote to accompany a labyrinth I made
which is painted on a tarp...16 feet by 16 feet.
At the entrance I had a bowl of small stones with
an invite to choose one and hold it while walking
the path...and take the stone to commemorate the
experience.

WALK THE LABYRINTH---TOWARDS THE ONE

IN MANY LANDS LABYRINTHS HAVE BEEN USED FOR CENTURIES.
THE PATH LEADS IN TO THE CENTER AND OUT AGAIN.
THERE ARE NO "WRONG TURNS" OR "DEAD ENDS"

A LABYRINTH IS A SACRED SPACE. IT CAN BE WHERE MAGIC HAPPENS .
LIKE DNA, THE BUILDING BLOCK OF LIFE, THE PATH IS A SPIRAL.

THE JOURNEY ALONG THE PATH OFFERS OPPORTUNITIES
TO THINK, MEDITATE, CENTER, MAKE A WISH, RE-ASSESS.
BEFORE YOU WALK THE PATH, TAKE A MOMENT TO TAKE A DEEP BREATH.
CLOSE YOUR EYES AND SEE YOURSELF AS PART OF THE INFINITE UNIVERSE.
NOW BRING YOUR FOCUS BACK TO YOURSELF.
NOW TURN YOUR ATTENTION WITHIN YOURSELF TO
BODY, MIND AND SPIRIT.
THE LABYRINTH CAN BE A PLACE WHERE THE
PHYSICAL PLANE AND THE SPIRITUAL REALM INTERSECT.
YOU MAY WANT TO VISUALIZE YOUR LABYRINTH JOURNEY IN THREE PARTS:
THE WAY IN COULD REPRESENT THE PAST
THE CENTER COULD BE THE NOW, THE PRESENT
AND THE WAY OUT COULD SYMBOLIZE THE FUTURE: TOMORROW.
IF YOU APPROACH THE LABYRINTH WITH A SPECIFIC INTENT,
TO CONCENTRATE ON SOMETHING YOU WANT OR IMAGINE
FOR YOURSELF, ANOTHER PERSON, YOUR COMMUNITY, THE WORLD
SOMETHING YOU HOPE TO GAIN, TO LOSE, TO CHANGE.
CHOOSE A SMALL STONE TO HOLD WHILE YOU WALK.
YOU MAY KEEP THIS SMALL TOKEN AS A REMINDER OF YOUR WALK,
TAKE THIS EXPERIENCE WITH YOU INTO YOUR DAILY WALK THROUGH LIFE

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: Mrs.Duck
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 05:30 PM

After a manic day at school I have turned off the TV, sent the kids to bed and am sitting in quiet solitude trying to console myself that in 48 hours Ofsted will have gone away and I can start relaxing for Easter!

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: MMario
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 03:56 PM

Liz - you more or less use the children as brushes and paint the eggs.. At least that's how it appears when they are done.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: Wesley S
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 03:50 PM

Slow intake through the nostrils..........
Slow exhale through the mouth.........

Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh
Ommmmmmmmmmmmm

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: GUEST,Scooby Doo
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 03:46 PM

Just the place i need to be right now after Tom was put to sleep.


Yas

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: autolycus
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 03:34 PM

Nice

Ivor

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 17 Mar 08 - 05:45 AM

How do you dye eggs with children? I use onion skins and beetroot juice....

What colour to they turn?

The silver birch tree opposite my window here is literally shining in the occasional sunbeams - it's put out its first spring leaves and catkins and they are an incredible shade of lime green that contrasts amazingly with the dark slate roof and terracotta brick of the houses behind it... a beautiful reminder that Spring is on its way, even in the midst of the city.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 16 Mar 08 - 02:44 PM

As I sit here quietly eating my apple,
In the peaceful, mudcat quiet Chapel.
I contemplate which of the threads to read,
Not the 'nasty' ones, I have no need.
I enjoy the music threads learning anew,
And maybe pick up a good folk song or two.
But sometimes I visit this section, BS
Where I see some are happy, some in a mess!
But this is one thread which I love to see,
To know that others, like peace, like me!

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: MMario
Date: 16 Mar 08 - 12:46 PM

I just finished dyeing Easster Eggs with 16 kids. I need this.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: ranger1
Date: 16 Mar 08 - 12:23 PM

Damn. Must leave and go to birthday party of four-year-old niece. Mother-in-law will be there. I will desperately need to return later. Sigh.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: autolycus
Date: 16 Mar 08 - 10:41 AM

keep it down, Liz

Ivor

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: Bobert
Date: 16 Mar 08 - 09:37 AM

.....................................................................

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 16 Mar 08 - 08:19 AM

Finally, my 8 years in a library are put to good use...


SSSSHHHHH!!!

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: Emma B
Date: 16 Mar 08 - 07:44 AM

Jim - you've got to give up those half cigarettes! :)

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: autolycus
Date: 16 Mar 08 - 07:38 AM

But outside. We want quiet in here. Unless the banjo has no strings.



Ivor

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 16 Mar 08 - 02:59 AM

Hmmmmm... this was a good idea wasn't it. Shame that I couldn't even bribe the child to go out for half an hour yesterday. I may have to go into hiding for the afternoon today.

Lead - this is a chapel of QUIET, if you ask Nurse very nicely, she'll explain to you what quiet means without using blunt force.

LTS

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: Jim Lad
Date: 15 Mar 08 - 08:52 PM

Cof!

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: Bill D
Date: 15 Mar 08 - 08:24 PM

Here is something to contemplate:

Idyllic scene from my screensaver collection

click, let it load, then hit F11.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: Joybell
Date: 15 Mar 08 - 05:50 PM

I like a sad banjo. Not bluegrass. Plaintive and gentle.
"I have taken down my banjo for I could not sleep and I'm playing by my little Tillie's grave..."

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 15 Mar 08 - 04:52 PM

Your banjo might be good as firewood on that lovely open fire!

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: Megan L
Date: 15 Mar 08 - 04:44 PM

NO NO NO

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: Leadfingers
Date: 15 Mar 08 - 04:31 PM

Can I bring my banjo ?

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: autolycus
Date: 15 Mar 08 - 01:24 PM

Gor my slippers on.

I'll just pop an LP on, but with headphones. I won't even conduct.


   Ivor

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: MMario
Date: 15 Mar 08 - 01:19 PM

First spring flowrs of the season bloomed this morning - a couple of snowdrops uby the East side of the house. With most of the ground still snowcovered and mud where there's no snow - the promise of spring is conducive to contemplation.

I'm just going to stretch out on that mossy bank.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: KT
Date: 15 Mar 08 - 12:24 PM

mmmm....great idea......

I've just opened my eyes, looking out the bedroom window at a magnificent snow capped mountain rising out of the ocean, sun gleaming white on the peaks, complemented by the shaded crevices....the sky, a brilliant, cloudless blue.....the water, alive with the gentlest tiny ripples, beckoning.....hafta be there and a part of it......going to bundle up and walk on the beach in the morning sun.....

KT

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: ranger1
Date: 15 Mar 08 - 11:04 AM

Mmm...cup of cocoa, good book, comfy armchair in front of the fire, and lapful of sleepy cat. Does life get better?

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: Tinker
Date: 15 Mar 08 - 10:32 AM

There I've stoked the fire and now I'm just going to sit and watch the flames --- the cat on my lap has knocked the book aside and I'm finding I don't even miss it.....

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: topical tom
Date: 15 Mar 08 - 10:32 AM

Birding, watching the squirrel antics, having a cup of coffee, reading the paper, then logging into Mudcat.A good book is also most restful. Ah, la dolce vita! May it last all of us a long time!

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: Dave Earl
Date: 15 Mar 08 - 09:43 AM

AAh thats nice

Favourite chair - improving book -gentle music - chums on here

Composing myself for a hectic evening shift'

Dave

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: Georgiansilver
Date: 15 Mar 08 - 08:48 AM

Shhhhhhhhh.........
What a lovely idea Liz...good thinking.

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: Becca72
Date: 15 Mar 08 - 06:45 AM

Sorry to disturb...I'll just be over in that corner with my book...

Subject: RE: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: My guru always said
Date: 15 Mar 08 - 03:44 AM

Good idea Liz, I'll be popping in for a few minutes now and again over the next week or so.

Here I can sit and watch the birds feeding (a gaudy cock pheasant yesterday) and smile at the squirrels antics. Here is a few moments rest in a cluttered world, but still good to have a connection with it and know that others are finding some space!

Subject: BS: Mudcat Chapel of Quiet.
From: Liz the Squeak
Date: 15 Mar 08 - 02:48 AM

Well, work has been frantic this week, tempers are frayed, voices have been raised in anger and the cats had their own Formula 1 race up and down the stairs this morning at 4.30am... I know, because I've been awake since 2.00am!

So I'm looking for somewhere quiet to spend a few minutes, recharging my mental batteries and composing myself for a day of cleaning. The Tavern is very nice but it just doesn't have that internal quietness that can be found in certain places.

So, whether your chapel is a mediaeval stone building, a favourite chair in the library or the depths of a beech wood at sunrise, pull up a pew and sit for a while in contemplation, contentment and deep breathing exercises. Hildegarde of Bingen is playing on the computer here, the subtle scent of lemon green tea is on the air and the road outside is empty of all traffic - come and enjoy!

LTS - still not sure if I'm unwinding or unravelling, but the journey is good with company.