#Contemplation

BSD (Blue Screen of Death)bsd@matrix.rocks
2025-05-23

"Octavo Día" is a song by Colombian singer Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll from her 1998 album *¿Dónde están los ladrones?*. The song is written in Spanish and explores themes of spirituality, faith, and the search for meaning. The title translates to "Eighth Day," which is a reference to the biblical creation story, where God rested on the seventh day, and the eighth day could symbolise a new beginning or a day of reflection.

The lyrics of "Octavo Día" delve into the complexities of faith and the human experience. Shakira sings about the struggle to find answers and the search for a higher power. The song is introspective and contemplative, reflecting on the human condition and the quest for understanding and purpose.

The song does not necessarily dismiss religions as untrue or as mere fantasies. Instead, it seems to explore the personal and often challenging journey of faith and belief. It touches on the idea that people may turn to religion or spirituality to fill a void or to find meaning in their lives, which can be interpreted in various ways depending on the listener's perspective.

Here are some key points from the song:

-
Search for Meaning: The lyrics reflect a search for deeper meaning and understanding in life.
-
Spiritual Reflection: The song encourages listeners to reflect on their own beliefs and the role of faith in their lives.
-
Personal Journey: It highlights the personal and often introspective nature of spiritual and religious beliefs.

Overall, "
Octavo Día" is a thoughtful and introspective song that invites listeners to ponder their own beliefs and the role of faith in their lives, rather than dismissing religion outright.

MusicBrainz:

- ¿Dónde están los ladrones?,
https://musicbrainz.org/release/6f58dbef-35c5-4c8d-bef5-abbcb39efccf
- Octavo día:
https://musicbrainz.org/recording/46829841-fab1-4004-9d05-e692a6279377

#religion #humanbehavior #humannature #music #musician #shakira #latinmusic #latinpop #biblical #reflection #lyrics #song #OctavoDía #SpanishMusic #LatinMusic #Spirituality #Faith #Reflection #Introspection #BiblicalReferences #SongAnalysis #MusicLyrics #Contemplation #PersonalJourney #MeaningOfLife #FaithJourney #ShakiraSongs #FijaciónOralVol1 #MusicThemes #SongMeaning #MusicInterpretation #soccermom #milf #columbia #columbian

Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll
Carl McColmananamchara
2025-05-21

As the literature for Centering Prayer puts it, prayer is a gesture of consent to the action of the Spirit in our lives.

Read more 👉 lttr.ai/AezSf

Carl McColmananamchara
2025-05-21

And even though the example from my life could give you the  impression that apophatic prayer is more advanced or mature than cataphatic prayer, it's a mistake to view these two approaches hierarchically.

Read more 👉 lttr.ai/AextL

Marie du jour, 20 May: Père Jacques

The Incarnation is likewise a work of love. The Holy Spirit knew the Virgin Mary in advance, for he taught her the rich lessons of prayer.

Consider Mary’s long hours immersed in prayer concerning her community and the drama of divine love for all humanity; concerning the fall of the human race and the mighty power of God. In those silent hours of prayer, the Holy Spirit inflamed Mary’s heart and swept her up into the bosom of the triune God. There, Mary was immersed in the ocean of God’s being.

Mary’s hours of prayer! Therein, God’s presence attains a new and unprecedented level.

God is going to ask Mary to allow her body to bring about his Incarnation. He is going to embody himself in a mysterious way in the offspring to be born of her pure blood, divinely preserved from every stain of sin. The Holy Spirit is the author of this wondrous work of love.

“The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore, the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God” [Luke 1:35].

Servant of God Père Jacques de Jésus

Retreat for the Carmel of Pontoise
Conference 12: The Holy Spirit, the Master of Prayer
Saturday evening, 11 September 1943

Jacques, P 2005, Listen to the silence: A retreat with Père Jacques, translated from the French and edited by Murphy F, ICS Publications, Washington DC.

Featured image: This detailed image of Mary at the Loom by William Henry Margetson (British, 1861–1940) comes from his oil on canvas painting that was executed in 1895. It is part of the collections at the Victoria Art Gallery in Bath, England. Image credit: Victoria Art Gallery / ArtUK (Public domain)

⬦ Reflection Question ⬦
What would it take for me to let prayer form me, instead of trying to shape everything myself?
Join the conversation in the comments.

#contemplation #HolySpirit #incarnation #inspiration #PèreJacquesDeJésus #prayer #VirginMary

John Britton/Fanad ArtJohnBritton@pixelfed.social
2025-05-19
Monk has been on his travels again. Writ large this time :A3/ink

#ink #art #irishartist #calm #contemplation #donegal
JanPVJanPV
2025-05-19

Suddenly happening upon a place where the diaphanous membrane between this world and the next, past and present, this universe and the other, is clearly sensed.

Dappled shade cast by mature trees in an abandoned mansion house setting.A trackway on a sunny early summer evening. Trees line the route on one side and overhang the track, along which rail carts carrying slate to Porthmadog once ran.A couple of lonely trees in an otherwise barren mountain valley in Eryri. A dry stone wall runs from the shaded foreground into the sunlit distance.
2025-05-19

"VEIL OF CONTEMPLATION". Abstract digital painting by A.G. (c) 2025. All Rights Reserved.

2025-05-18

sounds and colours of realness
exploding into the actuality of
moments drifting through time at varying speeds
accelerating decelerating
moving in confused motions, imploding
then exploding again
into a kaleidoscope
of psychedelic things...

#poetry #poetryblog #poems #ProsePoetry #poemsonmedium #consciousness #contemplation #freethought

Read “of psychedelic things…“ by for-much-deliberation on Medium: medium.com/@formuchdeliberatio

#silentsunday in the #pnw from our trip last year! Soon we will return, looking forward to #Vacation #reflections #contemplation #meditation #love & #peace to all of you on the #mastodon #Fediverse & Beyond❣️🕉️❤️

Landscape photo of a lake in the PNW. The tree line tapers down into the distance and is reflected in the blue waters with brilliant cloudless blue sky above.
Carl McColmananamchara
2025-05-17

Some people find that joyful immersion into religion (or monasticism) gives them mystical flight. Others walk a different path.

Read more 👉 lttr.ai/AeuA0

Liam Sturgessliamsturgess
2025-05-17

Eleven years ago today, Past Liam shares his thoughts on the inevitability of death (don't worry — it's not as gloomy as it sounds!) and a musical update!

rumble.com/v6tib51-past-liam-o

Quote of the day, 18 May: St. John Paul II

Contemplation of the Virgin presents her to us as a loving Mother who sees her Son growing up in Nazareth (cf. Lk 2:40, 52), follows him on the roads of Palestine, helps him at the wedding at Cana (cf. Jn 2:5) and, at the foot of the Cross, becomes the Mother associated with his offering and given to all people when Jesus himself entrusts her to his beloved disciple (cf. Jn 19:26).

As Mother of the Church, the Blessed Virgin is one with the disciples in “constant prayer” (Acts 1:14); as the new Woman who anticipates in herself what will one day come to pass for us all in the full enjoyment of Trinitarian life, she is taken up into heaven from where she spreads the protective mantle of her mercy over her children on their pilgrimage to the holy mountain of glory.

Such a contemplative attitude of mind and heart prompts admiration for the Virgin’s experience of faith and love; she already lives in herself all that every believer desires and hopes to attain in the mystery of Christ and the Church (cf. Sacrosanctum Concilium, n. 103Lumen gentium, n. 53).

Therefore, Carmelites have chosen Mary as their Patroness and spiritual Mother and always keep before the eyes of their heart the Most Pure Virgin, who guides everyone to the perfect knowledge and imitation of Christ.

Thus, an intimacy of spiritual relations has blossomed, leading to an ever-increasing communion with Christ and Mary. For the members of the Carmelite Family, Mary, the Virgin Mother of God and mankind, is not only a model to imitate but also the sweet presence of a Mother and Sister in whom to confide.

St Teresa of Jesus rightly urged her sisters:  “Imitate Our Lady and consider how great she must be and what a good thing it is that we have her for our Patroness” (Interior Castle, III, 1, 3).

Saint John Paul II

Message of John Paul II to the Carmelite Family (excerpt)
25 March 2001

Note: Today, 18 May, marks the birthday of Saint John Paul II (1920–2005), whose love for the Blessed Virgin Mary shaped his entire papacy. In this excerpt from his 2001 message to the Carmelite Family, he reflects on Mary’s contemplative presence and her role as Patroness, Mother, and Sister to all who seek to follow Christ in the spirit of Carmel.

John Paul II 2001, Message to the Carmelite Family, Vatican.va, 25 March, https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/messages/pont_messages/2001/documents/hf_jp-ii_mes_20010326_ordine-carmelo.html

Featured image: St. John Paul II is seen here during his pastoral visit to Cali, Colombia on 4–5 July 1986. Image credit: Hernan Valencia / Flickr (Some rights reserved)

⬦ Reflection Question ⬦
How does Mary accompany me as both Mother and Sister on my journey toward Christ?
Join the conversation in the comments.

#ChristAndTheChurch #contemplation #faith #love #mercy #MotherOfGod #StJohnPaulII #VirginOfCarmel

Carl McColmananamchara
2025-05-17

"... I patiently explained that I wasn’t talking about superficial romance, or the confusion of affection and eroticism, but rather that I understood love in a spiritual sense to refer to infinite compassion, mercy and care ..." lttr.ai/AetQs

Carl McColmananamchara
2025-05-17

Here’s the thing: once you know that there’s a deeper love pulsing behind and through all things, you can’t unknow it.

Read more 👉 lttr.ai/AetN2

2025-05-14

The very latest "After Prayer" by the young pioneer of islamic magical realism .

Prints of her beautiful works (and sometimes some rare originals) are available on her website:
safialatif.com/info

Carl McColmananamchara
2025-05-13

What does it take to be a contemplative? Is it the same thing as being a mystic? If not, then what's the difference?

Read more 👉 lttr.ai/AentA

2025-05-11

Valse d’Aouste - Amuserie sonore du 10 mai 2025

Ode des hauteurs, de pierre, d’air et de couleurs. Par amour des montagnes, aussi petites soient-elles, et de ce que l’on voit depuis leurs fronts.

Flûte en sol, bourdon et textures synthétiques (Arturia microfreak)
#flûtealto #valse #arturiamicrofreak #orage #nuages #contemplation

2025-05-11
Crow contemplating the mysteries of the universe
#crow
#trees
#green
#wisdom
#contemplation
Crow perched on wall, gazing thoughtfully into a woodsy valley

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