\u2022 I went today, Sunday, November 17, because it is the last day of the passing week. It seemed doubtful that people would gather on a Monday, first day of a work week, just before Thanksgiving and the ensuing holiday season.<\/p>\n
I was 39 years old on that day in 1978. I am now 80 and looking back.<\/p>\n
It was a mildly cloudy day. I could see the city of San Francisco from my home in El Cerrito before I left. The traffic getting out of Berkeley was horrific for a Sunday morning. Some main streets were closed altogether. Diverted traffic was narrowed down to one lane. Drivers were trying to squeeze out other drivers, blocked traffic, etc. But eventually I got to Evergreen Cemetery.<\/p>\n No one came. I was all alone. I waited and took pictures, sat on one of the green benches. It was very quiet and dry, with a gentle breeze, and no sign that anyone would show. My attention turned to the surrounding natural environment. I believe Nature tries to tell us something about life and its creator in general. <\/em>But are we listening?<\/p>\n Sitting alone in silence and noticing the surrounding quietness and relative stillness of certain things, faithfulness, non-rushing, thankfulness for life itself. The perspective that distance and time can give. Those values appear to be very important, right now and today. The experience later at Best Buy was very, very different. It was noisy and crowded, a marketing environment. Issues of judgement and self-worth, trust and identity were constantly and indirectly raised.<\/p>\n In the world of technology we inhabit, we increasingly rush about \u2013 sometimes madly, often pre-focused \u2013 fixed on the gadget in our hand. It takes time to slow down and find value in solitude, and to appreciate the ecosystem\u2019s surrounding quietness and stillness.<\/p>\n \u2022 Monday, November 18: I discovered that I was wrong. There was<\/em> a service scheduled for late Monday morning. I missed it!<\/p>\n \u2022 Friday, September 18, 2020: I think of Lucy (Australopithecus) whose collective remains are located somewhere in Africa.\u00a0 She\u00a0 is considered our earliest human ancestor,\u00a0 and lived about 3.2 million years ago, and must have had certain numinous experiences, too.\u00a0 She may have asked the ancient question, in her own way: \u201dWhere can I escape from thy Spirit; Where shall I flee from thy presence\u201d? (Psalm 137:7, NEB). Lucy may have come to a similar conclusion, \u2018If I lie in the grave, Thou are there.\u2019\u00a0 (Psalm 139:8). There is nowhere that God is not!\u201d<\/p>\n * * * * *<\/p>\n Looking back, I offer this prayer.<\/p>\n Teach us, Holy One, to slow and quiet down amidst the turmoil in which we are frequently engulf. Teach us, Holy One, Prayer Hymn:<\/p>\n God be in my head and in my understanding; Knock, Knock. Is anyone there? The inescapable and nameless presence is there!<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jonestown.sdsu.edu\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/09\/20191117_113436.jpeg\")
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\nTo feel the warmth of the sun,
\nTo experience the wetness of the rain.
\nTo feel, experience and notice the strength of the strong blowing wind,
\nand the gentle breeze. Amen.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nGod be in my eyes and in my looking;
\nGod be in my mouth and in my speaking;
\nGod be in my heart and in my thinking;
\nGod be at my end and at my departing.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n