Collective Autumn Triduum Vigil: It is the first day of the Autumn Triduum, October 31st, All Saints' Eve or Halloween. As we join with one another in vigil across this passage way from death to life, it is important to recognize the main overarching theme of this type of passage which is, in the words of Cynthia Bourgeault, to taste that in ourselves which already lies beyond death in order that we might begin to live from that place now.

We are just about to begin our next Foundational Wisdom Practice Book Circle, Series I, in which people will gather to engage one of Cynthia’s principle books Centering Prayer and Inner Awakening. This Wisdom Practice Book Circle will be an opportunity to anchor us amidst the growing intensity of current conditions in the psychological, biological, and spiritual atmosphere individually and collectively.

Awhile back one of my teachers Deborah Rose Longo lead J.G. Bennett’s version of the seated Gurdjieff Exercise “Lord Have Mercy.” This version of the exercise was called “Gospodi Pomiluj” which is “Lord Have Mercy” in Russian.

When I look at the mountain sides covered in these majestic saguaro, I recognize that they stand as a large community revealing what it looks like to stand as they do with strength, stability, resilience, sturdiness, and dignity.