Blog
Singing in the rain: The psychology of positive emotion
August 11, 2014
Singing in the rain When beauty touches us, it awakens our aesthetic response, ranging from contentment and satisfaction to delight, rejoicing, and awe: these modes of experience register our recognition of universal beauty. The most common positive emotions are joy, gratitude, serenity, interest, hope, pride (paired with humility), amusement, inspiration, awe, and love.[1] As long as positive emotions arise from perceptions that are in the ballpark of reality or from actions that are good, the… Read More
What all goes into vitality?
August 7, 2014
Walking in beauty heightens the resonance between beauty in our surroundings and beauty in ourselves; and this resonance enhances vitality. Vitality is associated with energy, enthusiasm, zest, and vigor. As psychologists describe it, vitality involves the entire personality, embracing several kinds of value: biological, psychological, social, philosophical, and spiritual. Vitality expresses physical health and stamina as well as mental well-being; it includes being decisive and effective in getting things done; and it is… Read More
Harmonies in the physical creation
August 4, 2014
Rising to a full appreciation of the beauties of nature, we engage ourselves on all levels. We could systematically describe these levels, beginning with perception, moving through the intellectual discovery of harmony, and culminating with the spiritual realization of divine beauty. But full experience does not usually come at the conclusion of a systematic process. The full experience of natural beauty unifies all these aspects and more. To give you the best chance to profit… Read More
Walking in beauty
July 31, 2014
A Navajo prayer introduces the concept of walking in beauty. With beauty before me, I walk With beauty behind me, I walk With beauty above me, I walk With beauty below me, I walk From the east beauty has been restored From the south beauty has been restored From the west beauty has been restored From the north beauty has been restored From the zenith of the sky beauty has been restored From… Read More
Coming attractions
July 28, 2014
Congratulations! You have done the heavy intellectual lifting and are ready for Part II: Walking in beauty. We begin with living amid the beauties of nature. During the month of August this blog will present a series that guides you into a better appreciation through posts on the following topics. The psychology of vitality. Barbara Fredrickson and the psychology of positive emotion. The secret of John Muir’s full and unified aesthetic perception of Yosemite and… Read More
Chuang-Tzu and living the truth
July 24, 2014
We find truth by following the way in simplicity, as symbolized in a story by Taoist philosopher Chuang-Tzu. Cook Ting was cutting up an ox for Lord Wen-hui. At every touch of his hand, every heave of his shoulder, every move of his feet, every thrust of his knee, zip! zoop! He slithered the knife along with a zing, and all was in perfect rhythm, as though he were performing the dance of the Mulberry… Read More
Worship in spirit and in truth
July 21, 2014
Prayer allows the hungry heart to express itself and to be transformed. Prayer processes desire; we honestly express our feelings and then let God change them. In the light of that transformation, prayer gives way to thanksgiving, and thanksgiving carries us like an updraft that birds catch as they circle higher. Thanksgiving leads into worship. Worship involves a variety of practices, as part of a group or alone. Here worship refers to our highest, most… Read More
Prayer for divine wisdom
July 17, 2014
As it dawns on us that prayer addresses the God of all creation, we realize that being a good son or daughter and friend means being responsible for our side of the relationship. When there is time and need for a thorough prayer process, we do not content ourselves with a quick glance “above” to see what may immediately come to mind. Responsibility demands preparation. It would not be right to ask God to do… Read More
The spirit within
July 14, 2014
God is above us and yet close to each one of us. His love surrounds us and indwells us. We may aspire to center our lives on God without realizing that his spirit is the center of our very being. Awareness of the indwelling presence of the eternal God adds meaning to the thought that spiritual living is centered living. Countless persons have discovered an inner source of energy, power, wisdom, insight, peace, love, joy,… Read More