Tao

Although I have been a Quaker and attended regularly meetings for twenty-five years and when as a teenager , I studied the scriptures and attended an Anglian church, I have always been uncomfortable with Christianity as my religious base.

About Ten years ago, I studied Buddhism and meditated with Buddhist monks, I learnt a lot about meditation but still did not find a fit with my own beliefs.

I began to voice my own definition of what I thought of as God. Which was an essence in the Universe or a creative force in the universe which was also within all living organisms including man/womankind.

I also studied as a Quaker healer and had very real experiences of channeling the Spirit. I have given and received healing. I also hold Jesus and his tteachings in very high regard.

Last week I was introduced to Zen calligraphy and for the following few days  I practiced making marks of Chinese letters using this method.

On Sunday I picked up a book from Wellington Quaker Meeting library on Tao.

Imagine my surprise when I found that my definition of God was formulated by the Chinese in the 6th century BC and they called it Tao.

I feel that I have made an important step in my spiritual journey. I have a sense that I am not extraordinarily different and that there are other people that  have had this philosophy for many hundreds of years. But I feel that also one should respect one's own culture and not try to chase moonbeams in other people's culture.

If anyone practices Taoism or Tao meditation I would love you to comment. I am now on a new turning in my path and would like to make the right steps.

Art Exhibition

Since I last wrote I have had a setback with health in that I am now diagnosed with Polymyalgia instead of fibromyalgia which has meant a change in medication.  During that time I have undertaken to support Taunton Live 2016.

I did not realise how much work would be involved and I am very grateful to Chris Dart for helping me hang the exhibtion and also to Taunton Quaker Meeting for adopting me as an artist.

For those who would like to view an overview of the exhibition here is a link

Taunton Live 2016 - Creative Corner


The exhibition centred around my research into the origin of nursery rhymes and networking with other artists in the town and talking to visitors it was very successful.

History - Taster of Chris Lawson's talk on " Quakers and Chocolate."

As part of the celebrations and outreach for Taunton's new Quaker Meeting House a series of talks are planned over the next five months.

This is an example.  It is the first in the series.  While it is a short introduction, further information may be obtainsed from Minehead Quaker Meeting in Somerset.

https://youtu.be/FQlLRXHld9s

Click the blue link.

G is for Going Places- The new Taunton Quaker Meeting House

I attended the opening of the Taunton Quaker Meeting House and here are my personal reflections in a little video:

https://youtu.be/9jNkadv6iCg

I do hope youenjoy the occassion and best wishes to the Meeting in the future.