You cannot help but wonder what Christ would have thought!
Wednesday, 9 December 2009
A very selective Christmas message?
You cannot help but wonder what Christ would have thought!
Sunday, 29 November 2009
Bring a still, calm voice, to the Garden . . .
Last year we visited Venice. It is a deeply spiritual place – not just because of the intensely atmospheric architecture and juxtaposition of buildings and sky with the lapping waters of the canals and sea, but also the sheer scale and number of churches. In one such church I was deeply moved by the singing of a catholic priest as he started an afternoon service for visitors with a rendition of “All people that on earth do dwell” (the Old One Hundredth in Anglican parlance).
A few weeks ago we had the privilege of observing Buddhist monks leading congregations in prayer in Kyoto, and again, it was the singing from the front – the person leading the service – that captured my spirit and sent me soaring on a spiritual high!
Since then I have been exploring the internet for more evidence of what Thomas Moore has described as “Zen Catholicism” (see Writing in the Sand). There is plenty, and all of a sudden my fascination with the symbolism and purpose of the Zen Gardens of Kyoto, the role that they play and why they are suddenly so attractive to an enquiring western mind such as my own, has come crashing together in a noisy cacophony of thoughts and ideas much as poor old Elijah must have had to deal with in his mountain side cave. (Did Elijah exist? I don’t care – if he did, that’s great; if not, his story is suitably apocryphal to explain to what I am currently experiencing: oh for a still, quiet voice, and calm!)
In my recent, limited, readings on Zen and Christianity, I am starting to recognise a universality in their paths, their messages of love and peace, their explanations on where to find the Kingdom of God and so on. It does not matter one iota whether we are brought up as Buddhists, or Christians, or Muslims or Shintoists! All seek the same relationship with God, all seek to better Mankind and, if Zen is about thinking deeply about religion and the nature of all things (quite apart from just Man), then we can all can learn from it!
In the bustle of everyday life we never seem to find the time, or the place, to sit and be quiet, to listen to the still calm voice from within: and if we do, the noise from our own minds comes crashing in with everyday concerns and worries. Zen Buddhists use devices such as “koans” (answerless questions – “mu” - and intensely deep ideas to ponder) and gardens on which to focus their minds as they practice the emptying of trite and everyday concerns from their minds as they perform “zazen”.
Jesus said, "If your leaders say to you, 'Look, the (Father's) kingdom is in the sky,' then the birds of the sky will precede you. If they say to you, 'It is in the sea,' then the fish will precede you. Rather, the (Father's) kingdom is within you and it is outside you. When you know yourselves, then you will be known, and you will understand that you are children of the living Father. But if you do not know yourselves, then you live in poverty, and you are the poverty." The Gospel of Thomas.
What am I doing here?
Thursday, 26 November 2009
Kyoto
The greatest highpoint for a gardener was obviously the temples and gardens of Kyoto.
The artifice and art of both the gardens and beautiful Ikebana flower arrangements. The amazing topiary and shrub pruning. The symbolism of every element used in the design - the significance or meaning of of which I could only hazard a guess.
Nijo Castle and grounds.
Arashiyama: Togetsu-kyo bridge; Tenryu-ji; Bamboo forests; Kameyama Koen; Okochi Sanso Villa (a private garden); Jokakuko-ji; Gio-ji (fantastic moss garden); Adashino-nembutsu-ji; Atago torii (lovely old thatched roofs).
Northern Higashiyama: Tenju-an (Zen garden); Konchi-in (Zen garden); Nanzen-ji; Kotoqu-an; Eian-do; along the philosopher's walk to Honen-in and Ginkaku-ji (Zen garden with the Mt. Fuji structure).
North west Kyoto: Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Temple; Ryoan-ji (possibly the most famous Zen garden, war memorial to Burmese campaign).
Southern Higashiyama: Taini Neguri (where we entered the absolute darkness of the womb of the Bodhisattva); Kiyomiza-dera; Ishibei Koji (spectacular side street); Ryozen Kannon (war memorial to all unknown soldiers killed in WWII); Chion-in (the Vatican of Buddhist complexes in Kyoto); Shoren-in (spectacularly decorated rooms over-looking a lovely garden.
Daitoku-ji: A huge complex of working temples into which we went: Daisen-in (Zen Garden); Ryongen in (a 400 year old Camellia - the oldest in Japan?); and finally Koto-in (a sublime Zen garden amongst others and impressive Ikebana display).
SUMMER, SAISHO-IN
The evening bell, solemn and bronze
in the grandfather temple down the hill,
sounds dimly here.
Slow beat of the mountain's heart, perhaps,
or determined pulse of pine tree (gift of the birds)
growing out of the crotch of the slippery mountain tree.
All one, perhaps - -
bell, mountain, tree . . .
and steady cicada vibratto
and little white dog
and quiet artist-priest, carver of the Noh masks,
fashioning a bamboo crutch, symbol of strength, symbol of concern.
All cool under nodding crowns of the vertical forest,
all seeking this place,
all finding in this place - -
hidden yet open to all - -
the spirit in the cedar's heart.
(Anon)
___ ___ ___
Verse seen at the entrance to Saisho-in: a small, Eighth Century Buddhist temple in a mountain gorge near Kyoto.
Sunday, 25 October 2009
A controversial week reviewed
I do not subscribe to Matthew Parris' view, either, that the article was justifiable as it "merely reflected the conversations in the pub". That form of acquiensence is, in my mind, illustrative of cowardice and suggests an element of self-loathing. A journalist of far higher standing, he could have used that to far greater good. A disappointing response from an out gay man, however - also a former Tory MP - perhaps he really is the face of the modern Conservative Party.
That was followed by the British National Party being provided a face and voice on the BBC Question Time programme. I think that was a huge mistake, and the subsequent opinion polls that suggest a following of 20% across the country give little cause for optimism.
Providing people like Moir and Griffin a platform opens up the way for other extremists - Christian, Muslim, nationalists and extreme socialists etc - to voice their equally unsavoury views. If we are serious about protecting democracy, and the freedom of speech and conviction, then we must be on our guard that they are not eroded by the voices of extremism using those fundamental rights as a cover from whence to gain personal power over the voices of moderation, toleration and co-operation.
In my Father's house there are many rooms ... there may indeed be: but that does not mean there is room for hatred and people of such evil dispositions.
And finally we have the Church of England in complete disarray because the Pope has offered about 600 priests a home in Rome. Nothing new in it: I wish them well. Their desire to be led by the voices of the past, rather than moving forward in Faith that these two wings of of the broader church that is Christendom, could one day draw in together and find a single unified voice, is saddening. One of their number described the Church of England as the Church of Political Correctness ... he may be right: but at least it is an inclusive church and not one divided by sex, sexuality (on the surface), and other perceptions of imperfection.
Wednesday, 14 October 2009
Green Champion points
Saturday, 26 September 2009
Thoughts on the current God debate and baptism
Given that, if we were able to prove that no God existed, we would almost certainly not change anything, what if the converse was to happen, and we were able to prove that God existed? What would we do differently?
Thomas Moore, in his excellent book: Writing in the Sand, makes the point that until we have gone through a process of metanoia, a radical shift in our ways of thinking (and living), we will, like Nicodemus, never understand what Jesus meant when he said:"I tell you that no one could see the kingdom of God unless he were born from above." I take this to mean in part that we have got to shift our vision not away from the current science-orientated arguments but through science. In St. Mark's gospel we are told "Shift your vision, and put your trust in the exciting new ideas." Hiding away and putting our hands over our eyes and ears won't find God for us!
In a few weeks time, Jeff and I are to become God parents. You will know from previous blogs that Jeff and I rarely attend church outside of the occassions of state (funerals and weddings) and differ hugely in our views on spirituality and religion - and consequently for quite different reasons paused before accepting. For Jeff, taking part in a ritual that he does not believe in is difficult. Additionally for him it is has been about looking back to the tradtional role of God parents becoming in loco parentis in the event of some awful catastrophe befalling the parents. Would we be expected to be that under such circumstances? We are both over fifty, and consequently the poor mite would be in the hands of people almost old enough to be her grandparents! We joked in Paris last year how we would have to borrow her for shopping expeditions in the future (echoes of shopping with my late mother) - but beyond that would be frankly hopeless!
The child's parents are open about the opportunism attached to their choice of particular church for this baptism, as it has (unlike our closest church) an extremely good school associated with it.
Putting that aside, though, my pause has been to question in two parts: firstly - will the parents, through this process, renew their own baptisms into the Christian faith (Moore's "symbolic and ritual expression of metanoia") or (the cynic speaks), then cease to attend church until they require the vicar's signature on their child's application form?
And second, more importantly, concerns myself: will I, as a confirmed Christian (and I think that I am revising what that means), by taking part in this hugely symbolic ceremony for those of the Christian faith, find from so doing that I am able to undergo my own metanoia and return to the church more substantively?
There is a very strong tide that flows through me that is constantly seeking the strength, the confidence and the knowledge, to put to rest doubts about the basis of my own faith and to be able to reassure those closest to me - not so much in the truth of organised Christianity as it now is - but in the fundamental existence of God. I have difficulty with, and indeed am often distracted by, people that constantly profess their particular interpretation of Christ's mystery and mission. They are usually judgemental, subjective and completely disrespectful of those not sharing their view.
I am emotionally drawn strongly to the mysticism, the ritual, the colour, the music and the evocative architecture of the church - particularly of the Catholics and Celtic Christians. I equally, though, appalled by the newer interpretations of the narrative of the life of Christ by happy clapper TV evangelists and the strangely Victorian values of the modern African church.
In part - much is because I am a gay man. That indeed makes me an outsider where modern Christian morals or morality are concerned. But the history of the Church, and the narrative of the Gospels, is littered with outsiders - and in the latter case, John's Gospel is my comfort: "In my Father's house are many rooms. I am going there to prepare a place for you. I will come back and take you to be with me that you may also be where I am." We are told not to judge but to accept and according to Thomas Moore, in the Greek gospels the word "agape", which means to respect or esteem highly as one would a valuable jewel, was used to transcribe Christ's instruction to his followers on how to treat others.
So, while I set out to find basilea, metanoia, therapeia and agape that are, according to Thomas Moore, the calling of both Jesus and of the early Church, I wonder: what would I do differently if I could prove God existed?
There's a challenge indeed!
Friday, 25 September 2009
Japan beckons
My father fought in Burma during the Second World War and, I guess sub-consciously at least, I grew up with a dis-respect for the Japanese as a consequence (Dad was wounded by a sniper). However, once I started gardening and studying horticulture in the 1970's, I started to see Japan in a different light completely. How can one not be charmed and indeed enthralled by their attention to detail, their skill and love of craftsmanship, their knowledge and respect for the natural and spiritual worlds?
Much more recently, I have assumed the stewardship of the Kyoto Garden in Holland Park - a wonderful oasis of colour and serenity in the very heart of West London. It's an important garden in its own right too as a living symbol of the friendship and mutual respect that now has been restored between the people of Great Britain and Japan.
And topping that is my growing fascination with Japanese food. I was never a great fan of fish until I tasted fresh tuna sashimi . . . now I can't get enough Japanese food! Fortunately we are not too far away from one of London's finest restaurants: Tosa, (King's Street in Hammersmith).
I look forward to the bustle of Tokyo, the Bullet Train and finally Kyoto in the autumn!
Sunday, 23 August 2009
Is compassion a bad thing?
Wednesday, 19 August 2009
Amsterdam 09
Sunday, 26 July 2009
It served me right of course . . .
Bottled water
Saturday, 18 July 2009
Challenges facing local authority leisure services
Space is obviously at a premium and knocking down houses to create some more wouldn’t win votes.
Childhood and adult obesity – while the pharmaceutical industry may see this as a development opportunity … the leisure industry should not!
The “Silver Fox” phenomena of an increasingly agile and able 60+ generation. The looming pension crisis is likely to mean that many will have more time than money to occupy themselves as fully as they would wish.
An increasing number of aging people using our facilities brings with it the need to balance active recreation with passive recreation – noisy corners with quiet ones, Japanese Gardens with Adventure Playgrounds etc.
Our biodiversity is under extreme threat and this is demonstrated by the presence of Japanese Knotweed across Britain. The plight of the humble bee is finally starting to strike a chord with the general public… but are we doing enough?
Global warming and climate change – the impact of these upon the residents and wider environment are going to be enormous. How do we cool the atmosphere in a boiler house of concrete, York stone and tar macadam?
Rapidly increasing costs of transport and core key services such as gas and electricity.
Waste reduction and the escalating costs of its disposal to the local authority. Plastic bottled water is now the norm in place of public drinking fountains yet in Australia communities are now banning bottled water… something to watch disappear with the plastic shopping bag?
What to do with green waste generated in the parks? Can it be fully recycled?
Budgets and the financing of the local Government settlement are going to come under increasing strain as the pressures of the current economic recession force a correction in public expenditure. This challenge cannot be over-estimated.
There is the economic well-being of residents to consider as well. If they cannot afford to use our leisure facilities what do we need to do to help?
Gender and race issues. It is probably fair to say that practically every nation on earth is represented in the borough. Economic hardships coming out of the current recession can be very quickly translated into gender, racial, or homophobic attacks and recent events in Northern Ireland, as well as reports from Stonewall, suggest that these are now on the increase.
Security and perceptions of security in public spaces. Addressing anti-social behaviour doesn’t just cost money, it also has a depressing impact upon the lives of many people and there are too many examples of a leisure space right on the front-line.
The very special needs of sections of the community that have very precise and quite complex requirements such as those which a number of very dedicated charities endeavour to meet.
The skills shortage in the front-line leisure services that we provide via our contractors and the need to offer (as well as to encourage the local take-up) of apprenticeship positions in the parks and leisure centres.
We need to ensure that the skills and competencies of our own client teams meet the challenges that we face.
There is the political landscape and the aspirations of Members to deliver the aspirations of their Cabinet Plans.
There is the need to promote our leisure services using the instruments and technology of the day in order to ensure that we reach a wide audience. This will include the conventional local media and the internet for booking as well as promotion, and the use of social networking sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Socialscope.
And finally, whilst the list could continue for sometime more – there are the complex issues of understanding how leisure impacts upon the individual.
So how do we start to tackle these challenges over the next 5 years?
I am proposing two broad steps:
We must move forward in partnership with the community through, for example, far greater involvement and promotion of volunteer schemes and encouragement of Friends groups.
We must actively support and partner the private sector so as to avoid unnecessary competition for the same services and consequent dilution of quality by saturation at the expense of other opportunities.
We must work closely with the other services such as the Police, Government agencies, the PCT, and other partners.
We must ensure that our contracted providers of front-line services share our vision and, while not setting aside the need for profit, ensure that their services are real value for money and that they play their part in meeting the challenges the local authority faces.
We must work across divides such as political and individual ambition.
We must work as part of a network of local authorities. Co-operation with surrounding boroughs and communities can lead to greater economies and more holistic service provision.
We must foster and encourage initiatives such as Tidy Britain’s Green Flag and Green Pennant initiatives as well as Britain in Bloom which brings together the wider community to improve the overall environment.
OUTLINE ACTIONS:
Identify who are our partners.
Audit what they do, look for synergies and opportunities to either broaden the spread or increase the depth of our joint service delivery.
Step out of the silos – look for grounds maintenance contractors in the leisure centre and indoor leisure managers in the park and the local authority's aspirations in their board rooms.
STEP TWO: DEVELOP THE LEADERSHIP
The leadership, at every level, must be focussed upon the challenges.
The quality of our strategic thinking and processes must be strong – open to challenges, not defensive of the status quo.
Decision making must be transparent and accountable.
We must not shy from taking tough decisions.
While we must foster and encourage the voice and work of the individual, we must speak as one at the point of delivery.
Leaders must, at every level, be given the space and support to lead and develop (am I the only subscriber to McKinsey?).
We need to be present in the workplace as well as working smarter.
All decision making must be inclusive of the people we lead, and the community we serve; the city of which we are a part and the wider community.
OUTLINE ACTIONS:
Carry out an honest and open assessment of ourselves, the organisation and the demands being made of us so as to identify what needs doing and what can be done.
Develop our leadership and technical skills.
Broaden the stake-holder base to encourage individuals to take pride and ownership in their contribution to our public service.
Be ready for risk – without it, the “future” remains grounded.
Be strategic - look outside and around us at what is going on in the wider world – follow Baden Powell's scouts and “be prepared”.
Thursday, 25 June 2009
The bees are buzzing ...
Saturday, 9 May 2009
Twitter and tweating
Wednesday, 22 April 2009
The Schools' Inspector
A Schools' Inspector carrying out his inspection of a class noticed a piece of paper on which a child had written what appeared to be a poem.
After quickly scanning it he exclaimed, "Why, that's a marvellous piece of poetry! May I read it out to the class?" he asked the teacher.
"Certainly," she replied and sat back to listen.
Yesterday Yesterday Yesterday
Sad Sad Sad
Today Today Today
Happy Happy Happy
Tomorrow Tomorrow Tomorrow
Hope Hope Hope
"Oh, no!" piped up a little boy from the back of the room, "That's not a poem - that's my spelling ...."
Monday, 20 April 2009
Grow your own ... on your window ledge
Sunday, 19 April 2009
Religion
The Police - foul we cry!
I'm deeply saddened by the death of the newspaper salesman - in my mind he was clearly the victim of being in the "wrong place at the wrong time" as much as a probable unprovoked assault by an over-hyped police officer responding perhaps instinctively to the scenes of anarchy around him. I am however bemused by the hurt shown last night on television by the woman "beaten back" by a police officer: not because I applaud his actions in anyway - but by how she thought she was not opening herself to harm by taking part in a violent controntation with the Police.
London sees many marches and demonstrations every year - they pass off peacefully enough and as one who takes part in the Gay Pride march I am grateful for the presence of the Police - particularly when passing those yelling abuse.
I recognise too, though that those marches held by extremists tend to bring out the very worst in both those demonstrators and police officers intent upon "having a go". The Thin Blue Line is there to protect our democratic right to legitimate peaceful protest as much as it is there to protect lives and property. Officers of all ranks who attend these events with their faces covered or identification numbers obscured should be dismissed: not given the opportunity to retire (on a very good pension) or resign (with their honour in tact). They bring their colleagues and service into disrepute and are as much a threat to our democracy as the extremists who hijack legitimate debate or public peaceful demonstration.