Day Eight: Belief

Word of the Day: Belief

Image of the Day: collage of labyrinth, St George's Square Gardens, Edinburgh

Token of the Day: Tibetan Prayer Flags

What is my belief? What do i believe?

1. I believe in the innate goodness of all creation (though i do struggle with oppressors, dictators...and wasps...)


2. I believe in God, that Divine Spark that is within us and all around us, Creator, Sustainer, the Great I Am who is beyond name and description, who cannot be defined


3. I believe in angels, fairies, unicorns and the power of other magical, mythical creatures to guide us, to remind us to play, to inspire us

Belief includes, for me, all the elements of this first week: to believe i need sparkle, breath, love, wisdom, passion, and inspiration.

Belief truly is strongly connected with love in its very etymology. Belief comes from the Middle English beleven, from Old English belēfan, from be- + lȳfan, lēfan to allow, believe; akin to Old High German gilouben to believe, Old English lēof dear.The word love is from Old English lufu; akin to Old High German luba love, Old English lēof dear, Latin lubēre, libēre to please. So we have a connection between belief, pleasing, love, dear, allow and also alteration (Middle English bileve).

But the question still remains what is it? What comes to mind is that passage from Mark 9:24 Lord I believe, help my unbelief. If we are to do something well we have to believe in it not just think that it's a good idea. I have to be integrated, intentional, authentic. But doubt is always with us, often like a bad smell lingering around our feet. And perhaps our doubt, our unbelief is as important as our belief. It is the shadow which throws the belief into high relief...

Labyrinth - a maze? Simply some intricate, purposefully convoluted web in which to get lost? Well, maybe that's true about some but the labyrinths we have taken a keen interest in are interactive installations for spiritual journeys. They are for anyone who wants a break from surfing the surface of culture to contemplate the deeper things of life. Labyrinth reshapes a 12th-century ritual for the 21st century. Our first labyrinth was at the Bield in Perthshire (see http://www.bieldatblackruthven.org.uk/) and the experience was truly wonder-filled. These labyrinths are not hidden with high hedges so that there is a struggle to find the centre, rather there is one path which follows a pattern and leads one slowly, meditatively to God, casting aside our outward concerns as we focus on each step. The journey outwards is about our relationships with ourself, others and Gaia. The path, the journey, the discovery is open to all - simply believe that you are welcome and enter in...

And prayer flags... The Tibetan word for prayer flags is Lung ta meaning Wind Horse. When the wind blows our prayers are carried where they are needed. Whenever we see prayer flags we are reminded to pray for the welfare of all people and all creation, to be kind, compassionate and joyful. There are 4 creatures in the corners of each flag - they are the "Four Dignities": the Garuda (wisdom), the Dragon (gentle power) the Snow Lion (fearless joy), and the Tiger (confidence).

What harm can belief do?
What good comes with unbelief?
Risk believing
Turn away from those who sow seeds of fear and failure
and be filled with wisdom, gentle power,
fearless joy and confidence.
Then your hopes and dreams will be carried
as prayers on the hooves of the Wind Horse
and Compassion will belong in your heart.