Ramadan (Arabic : رمضان‎ Ramaḍān, Arabic pronunciation: [rɑmɑˈdˤɑːn] ) (also Ramadhan, Ramadaan, Ramazan) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar , which lasts 29 to 30 days. It is the Islamic month of fasting , in which participating Muslims refrain from eating and drinking [1] and is intended to teach Muslims about patience, humility, and spirituality. Muslims fast for the sake of God (Arabic : الله‎, trans: Allah ) and to offer more prayer than usual. Compared to the solar calendar , the dates of Ramadan vary, moving backwards by about eleven days each year depending on the moon ; thus, a person will have fasted every day of the calendar year in 34 years' time. Muslims believe Ramadan to be an auspicious month for the revelations of God to humankind, being the month in which the first verses of the Qur'an were revealed to the Islamic prophet , Muhammad .

Contents

[hide ]

· 1 Origins of Ramadan

· 2 The Beginning of Ramadan

· 3 Practices during Ramadan

o 3.1 Fasting

o 3.2 Prayer and reading of the Qur'an

o 3.3 Iftar

o 3.4 Charity

o 3.5 Laylat al-Qadr

· 4 Eid ul-Fitr

· 5 Cultural aspects

o 5.1 Decorations

· 6 Economic aspects

· 7 See also

· 8 References

· 9 External links

[edit ] Origins of Ramadan

The word Ramadan is derived from an Arabic root rmḍ, as in words like "ramiḍa" or "ar-ramaḍ" denoting intense heat,[2] scorched ground and shortness of rations. Ramadan, as a name for the month, is of Islamic origin. Prior to Islam and the exclusion of intercalary days from the Islamic calendar, the name of the month was Natiq and the month fell in the warm season.[3] The word was thus chosen as it well represented the original climate of the month and the physiological conditions precipitated from fasting. In the Qur'an, God proclaims that "fasting has been written down (as obligatory) upon you, as it was upon those before you". According to a hadith , it might refer to the Jewish practice of fasting on Yom Kippur .[4] [5]

[edit ] The Beginning of Ramadan

Hilāl (the crescent ) is typically a day (or more) after the astronomical new moon. Since the new moon indicates the beginning of the new month, Muslims can usually safely estimate the beginning of Ramadan.[6]

There are many disagreements each year however, on when Ramadan starts. This stems from the tradition to sight the moon with the naked eye and as such there are differences for countries on opposite sides of the globe.[7] More recently however, some Muslims are leaning towards using astronomical calculations to avoid this confusion.

For the year of 1432 Hijri , the first day of Ramadan was determined to be August 1, 2011.

[edit ] Practices during Ramadan

[edit ] Fasting

Main article: Sawm

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk.

The month of Ramadan is the one in which the Qur'an was sent down - right Guidance to mankind, and clear signs of Guidance and Distinction of truth from falsehood. Those among you who witness it, let him fast therein. Whoever is sick or on a journey, then a number of other days. God desires ease for you, and desires not hardship. Thus may you fulfil the number of days assigned, magnify God for having guided you, and perhaps you will be thankful.

Ayah 185, Sura 2 (Al-Baqara ), translation by Tarif Khalidi see:[2] [8]

Ramadan is a time of reflecting, believing and worshiping God. Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam and to avoid obscene and irreligious sights and sounds. Sexual intercourse among spouse is allowed after one has ended the fast. During fasting intercourse is prohibited as well as eating and drinking, one is also encouraged to resist all temptations while you are fasting. Purity of both thoughts and actions is important. The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the inner soul and free it from harm. It also teaches Muslims to practice self-discipline, self-control,[9] sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate; thus encouraging actions of generosity and charity (Zakat ).[10]

Muslims should start observing the fasting ritual upon reaching the age of puberty , so long as they are healthy, sane and have no disabilities or illnesses. The elderly, the chronically ill, and the mentally ill are exempt from fasting, although the first two groups must endeavor to feed the poor in place of their missed fasting. Also exempt are pregnant women if they believe it would be harmful to them or the unborn baby, women during the period of their menstruation, and women nursing their newborns. A difference of opinion exists among Islamic scholars as to whether this last group must make up the days they miss at a later date, or feed poor people as a recompense for days missed.[11] While fasting is not considered compulsory in childhood , many children endeavour to complete as many fasts as possible as practice for later life. Lastly, those traveling (musaafir) are exempt, but must make up the days they miss.[12] More specifically, Twelver Shī‘ah define those who travel more than 14 mi (23 km) in a day as exempt.[10]

[edit ] Prayer and reading of the Qur'an

In addition to fasting, Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Qur'an. Some Muslims perform the recitation of the entire Qur'an by means of special prayers, called Tarawih , which are held in the mosques every night of the month, during which a whole section of the Qur'an (Juz' , which is 1/30 of the Qur'an) is recited. Therefore the entire Qur'an would be completed at the end of the month.

Ramadan is also a time when Muslims are to slow down from worldly affairs and focus on self-reformation, spiritual cleansing and enlightenment; this is to establish a link between themselves and God through prayer, supplication, charity, good deeds, kindness and helping others. Since it is a festival of giving and sharing, Muslims prepare special foods and buy gifts for their family and friends and for giving to the poor and needy who cannot afford it; this can involve buying new clothes, shoes and other items of need. There is also a social aspect involving the preparation of special foods and inviting people for Iftar .

[edit ] Iftar

Main article: Iftar

Iftar in Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Is Istanbul ,Turkey

Muslims all around the world will abstain from food and drink, through fasting, from dawn to sunset. At sunset, the family will gather the fast-breaking meal known as Iftar . The meal starts with the eating of a date — just as Prophet Muhammad used to do. Then it's time for the Maghrib prayer, which is the fourth of the five daily prayers, after which the main meal is served. [13]

Over time, Iftar has grown into banquet festivals. This is a time of fellowship with families, friends and surrounding communities, but may also occupy larger spaces at mosques or banquet halls, where a hundred or more may gather at a time.[14]

Most markets close down during evening prayers and the Iftar meal, but then re-open and stay open for a good part of the night. Muslims can be seen shopping, eating, spending time with their friends and family during the evening hours. In many Muslim countries, this can last late into the evening, to early morning. However, if they try to attend to business as usual, it can become a time of personal trials, fasting without coffee or water.

[edit ] Charity

Charity is very important in Islam, and even more so during Ramadhan. According to tradition, Ramadhan is a particularly blessed time to give in charity, as the reward is 700 times greater than any other time of the year. For that reason, Muslims will spend more in charity (sadaqa), and many will pay their zakat during Ramadhan, to receive the blessings (reward). In many Muslim countries, it is not uncommon to see people giving food to the poor and the homeless, and to even see large public areas for the poor to come and break their fast. It is said that if a person helps a fasting person to break their fast, then they receive a reward for that fast, without diminishing the reward that the fasting person got for their fast.

[edit ] Laylat al-Qadr

Main article: Laylat al-Qadr

Sometimes referred to as "the night of decree or measures", Laylat al-Qadr is considered the most holy night of the year.[15] Muslims believe that Laylat al-Qadr is the night in which the Qur'an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad . Also, it is believed to have occurred on an odd-numbered night during the last 10 days of Ramadan, either the night of the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th. Shiites also commemorate the attack on Imam `Ali ibn Abi Talib and his subsequent martyrdom every year on the 19th, 21st and 23rd of Ramadan.

[edit ] Eid ul-Fitr

Main article: Eid ul-Fitr

The holiday of Eid ul-Fitr (Arabic : عيد الفطر‎) marks the end of the fasting period of Ramadan and the first day of the following month, after another new moon has been sighted. The Eid falls after 29 or 30 days of fasting, per the lunar sighting. Eid ul-Fitr means the back to the fitrah ; usually a special celebration is made. Food is donated to the poor (Zakat al-fitr ); everyone puts on their best, usually new, clothes; and communal prayers are held in the early morning, followed by feasting and visiting relatives and friends. The prayer is two Raka'ah only, and it is sunnah muakkad [16] as opposed to the compulsory (Fard) five daily prayers. Muslims are expected to do this as an act of worship, and to thank God.

[edit ] Cultural aspects

[edit ] Decorations

Ramadan is met with various decorations throughout the streets. In Egypt , lanterns are known to be a symbol of Ramadan. They are hung across the cities of Egypt, part of an 800 year old tradition, the origin of which is said to lie in the Fatimid era where the Caliph Al-Muizz Lideenillah was greeted by people holding lanterns to celebrate his ruling. From that time lanterns were used to light mosques and houses throughout the city.

In other Muslim countries, lights are strung up in public squares, and across city streets, to add to the festivities of the month. In the West, many Muslim households have taken to decorating the inside of their homes to make Ramadhan a more special time for their children.

[edit ] Economic aspects

In Egypt, national statistics have pointed to substantial increase in consumption of food, electricity, and medications related to digestive disorders during the month of Ramadan as compared with the monthly average in the rest of the year.[17]

humble little 1 cup teapot (for macromondays- humility)

.............also humbling myself by playing with the BGC today- at least for part of the time

#ds582 Illustrate heat in one of its many forms in a photograph today. (requires imagination here-- a freshly brewed pot of tea, can you envision the steam coming up out of the spout??)

**slider sunday-- still working on blurring, or rather how to blur distracting things in the background and softening up pics. just using the iphoto's options-- when will i get into photoshop??

ATSH #64 serene

(Agatha Christie)

I believe poise, and savoir faire are best acquired this way, the hard way, because it also brings the humility that makes a person compassionate. Without compassion, beauty is.. obnoxious..

This is an immature (fledgling) male cardinal. His brilliant red feathers are coming in, but in patches and splotches. But soon he will be a gorgeous crimson gem flashing in the trees.. which is of course, a blessing and a curse.

View On Black

J ai délibérément mis cette photo floue pour protégé l identité du lieu et la personne qui y est présente .

This shot is not on focus intentionnally in order to protect the identity of the person and the location where the photo was taken

.

Signed & dated mccccxxxiii ;

from a book

There's always this shy friend to teach you something about humility.

MacroMonday Theme: Humility

Patience, confidence, precision, discipline, safety, risk, caution, learning, asking for help, accepting my limitation. Yep, I get all that from a few pieces of pipe. Most of it works good right now. One joint needs remedial tutoring. Patience, it's just a leak. We need to cook clean and wash for now.

Repossessing Virtue: Humility Is the Basis of My New Faith (December 14, 2008)

(this essay originally appeared on SOF Observed as part of the Speaking of Faith series, "Repossessing Virtue" at speakingofaith.org/first-person/repossessing-virtue/)

Editor's note: We asked our listeners and readers to tell us their stories about the moral and spiritual aspects of the economic downturn. In the coming months, we'll be featuring some of these on SOF Observed an as part of our First Person project, "Repossessing Virtue."

Jessica Sundheim reminds us that personal transformation and understanding happens at any age. She kicks off this first person exploration, and continues our series of interviews with wise voices, including Martin Marty, Prabhu Guptara, Esther Sternberg, Rachel Naomi Remen, and others to come.

Since I was very young, like just about everyone I know, I had a strong mechanism deep within that could smell injustice, layer upon layer of it. I knew at age three that going to daycare sucked, and I knew that my peers were favored because we were cared for by their mother. However, the complexity of greater social injustices didn't really begin to sink in until I turned 25. Before then I think of myself as a protestor/whiner. I saw the injustice at face value and whined about it. Growing up on poverty and years of watching PBS documentaries of war demonstrations, the liberation of concentration camps, civil rights marches, The Wonder Years, and listening to my parents old LP's of The Beatles and Janice Joplin had left their mark.

The tragedy of 9/11 took place just weeks after my 23rd birthday. It was shaking, like someone had struck a chord that had resonated for years and then on 9/11 someone struck a new chord, a chord no one knew. I quit my job to stay home with my kids. I flew home to Tennessee with my toddler and eight-month-old baby to visit family. We bought a new car. We waited. I was ready to act, but no direction came. I also began to seek out spiritual renewal and joined a very fundamentalist Bible study. Soon, my car was tuned to a different station, one that focused on my family and my role in it instead of news and the world. My head was filled with directives to isolate, seclude my young, and become as perfect as possible. My goal was to be Jesus Christ and to get everyone else to be just like me.

The mechanism that smelled injustice began to be tweaked. "Could it really be injustice if the person isn't a Christian? God works for the good of those who believe in him." Personal behavior and faith status became the stick with which I measured out those who suffered for no cause of their own and those who deserved it. No longer a sheep in the flock, I wasn't even the shepherd; I was the butcher, me and about 5 million others. So when the war that I had been fated to protest for years came, I was blinded by a belief system that mandated an eye for an eye.

My belief system had little sympathy or compassion for people who could not control their sinful nature. I didn't even believe in funding public schools, or that women should work outside the home. Our society was falling apart because of working women, sex, Godless public education, taxes, and fast food. I really, really believed in this.

Shortly after 9/11 my husband became the director of an environmental learning center. Two years later, when the funding was cut and the center folded my life changed. I started a cleaning business at seven months pregnant because no business would hire me, and I got a job as a coordinator for an after school program (in a public school). I also became vehemently opposed to any business that would have the audacity to discriminate against a pregnant woman.

My husband worked endlessly. He had three jobs. He went to tutor at the school at 3:00 p.m., from there he went to his overnight factory job at 6 p.m. He got home after working an 11-hour shift at 5 a.m. At 9 a.m., after four hours of sleep, he went on call as an EMT with the local ambulance service. He could still catch some sleep if he didn't get a call. Without the paycheck that we had become accustomed to, public school began to look like a good deal, my dream of home schooling was fading. Something I had railed against for years (welfare) began to look like a social safety net. I'll never forget the time I was at a Christian women's meeting and the director of the food shelf leaned over and said, "You can go to the food shelf so many times per year. You should go." She squeezed the life out of my hand, as if to say if you don't go I'll hurt you. I went.

I'll never forget that experience. I, a hard working, educated, sober, business woman was going to a food shelf! The people were so nice. The form was one page, about five questions. I thought we'd get enough food for one meal, but I had to pull my car around so that I could unload box after box into my car. We were given so much, I couldn't fit it all in my cupboards. We ate every last can of tuna, box of instant potatoes, and even SPAM with relish.

Humility is the basis of my new faith.

I do not look at the state of our country's economy as a crisis in the same way as most. The state of affairs is an opportunity, in many ways. I still have a sense of justice, and so I think that someone should pay for the frivolous, machismo, arrogant politics and policies of the last 15 years. But, I know that for the most part the powerless, not the propagator, will suffer most in this mess.

However, poverty for me is no longer a judgment handed down to the lazy, uneducated, drunken, egocentric sloth. I no longer define poverty by neighborhood, class, education, or even bank account. Poverty is to lack the ability to help others as one would want to help oneself. Poverty is the inability to forgive — the blind, misinformed faith that isolates and secludes a person from joy, self-forgiveness, compassion, and love for one's neighbor.

Our family has gone through a financial crisis much like what the country is facing now. We have learned a lot and I feel that we are better off. The leadership I am looking for at this time is a leadership that believes in everyday people. Leadership that doesn't look at the person's bank account or position of status to find value, but instead a leadership that understands the inherent value of every citizen of this country. A leadership that doesn't seclude or isolate, but reaches out to all of us and in turn gives some useful direction, a map.

What am I doing differently? I am no longer a secluded housewife. My kids go to school. We moved to a new community. I am grateful for welfare, food stamps, and Medicare even though we no longer use them. The food shelf still rocks. Involved in my local political party, I fought hard for a candidate with real vision as a delegate to the DFL state convention. (I am the former chairperson for the Big Stone County Republican Party). For the last year I worked two jobs, helped plan a fundraiser, door knocked for Barack, had a house party, marched in a lawn chair brigade in many parades for my local candidate for Minnesota House Seat 10A. As the volunteer coordinator for A Center for the Arts, I naturally voted "yes" on the constitutional amendment.

I find wisdom at a unique church. The church is actually two churches, United Church of Christ and a Presbyterian church, which came together to worship in the same house when a tornado blew through town almost a hundred years ago. The six of us live in a two-bedroom house on the tracks in the "ghetto" of Fergus Falls, and I let the kids play with the neighbors. I could not be more different, or any further from my old idea of "perfection."

I find leadership in my elders, veterans, the people who grew up during the Great Depression, and my grandmother. I also look for ways to be of use. I find spiritual renewal in many forms of art, but my favorite is dance. I enjoy other's points of view and I don't always know mine. I like collaborating.

I once called into an MPR pledge drive during SOF to protest the show and withdraw my membership. I am sorry. Now, I want to tell you thank you. This [essay] is humongous, but it's been a journey and I wouldn't be the person I am now without having listened to the different ideas and perspectives (especially an interview with an Evangelical fundamentalist a few years back). Your show makes a difference, so I look forward to tuning in.

Jessica Sundheim was born during the Carter administration and lives in Fergus Falls, Minnesota.

Alcatraz

Check Out My Blog

Giovanni di Nicola da Pisa ( attr. )

If you would like to print this comic in your publication, you can get permission for only $10 US by going to www.ReallyGoodComics.com.

To download a high resolution image click on the Actions button above, click on "View all Sizes" and then download the original.

"Life is a long lesson in humility."

~ Barrie

memories from the flower museum in Chiba (Japan)

Thanks for stopping by

and God Bless,

hugs, Chris

I've long since become an anti-religion type of person, it's responsible for so much bullshit it's not funny. Yet seeing how the Japanese behave and partake at the shrines and temples in their respective faiths, I saw something new and unique. I saw no angst or motives, just a welcoming of a way to see and be calm in light of the events of the day, like a part of life as opposed a indoctrination. Rose tinted tourist glasses maybe, but those temples and shrines touched me in ways I didn't think anything would again...

Deep humility in being there.

See more here

"Will Tahu find the humility and patience to earn deeper knowledge of fire and learn that not everything can be taken by force?"

Fourth creature of the series to make the G2 creatures into large and powerful elemental masters. Ikir came to completion in one day after I began tinkering with his head design. It's a good feeling when a moc comes together straightforwardly.

As usual, I recycled the head, but gave the creature different eyes from the rest. Boat studs made for great bird eyes in this case.

With Ikir, I thought that Tahu's challenge is basically the fact that he can't reach the flying bird. Assuming Tahu is fairly hot tempered, his trial is to learn that he can't simply force and take everything he wants. Instead, with Ikir, he must learn to earn, wait, give and compromise until he finds the connection he needs with Ikir.

"O God, you led the blessed Martin, your confessor, to heavenly glory along the way of humility; grant, we beseech you, that being made humble by his example, we may deserve to be exalted with him in heaven. Through Christ our Lord. Amen."

– Collect for the feast of St Martin de Porres (3 November).

Statue in the Basilica of St Dominic in Cordoba, Argentina.

Ramadan (Arabic : رمضان‎ Ramaḍān, Arabic pronunciation: [rɑmɑˈdˤɑːn] ) (also Ramadhan, Ramadaan, Ramazan) is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar , which lasts 29 to 30 days. It is the Islamic month of fasting , in which participating Muslims refrain from eating and drinking [1] and is intended to teach Muslims about patience, humility, and spirituality. Muslims fast for the sake of God (Arabic : الله‎, trans: Allah ) and to offer more prayer than usual. Compared to the solar calendar , the dates of Ramadan vary, moving backwards by about eleven days each year depending on the moon ; thus, a person will have fasted every day of the calendar year in 34 years' time. Muslims believe Ramadan to be an auspicious month for the revelations of God to humankind, being the month in which the first verses of the Qur'an were revealed to the Islamic prophet , Muhammad .

Contents

[hide ]

· 1 Origins of Ramadan

· 2 The Beginning of Ramadan

· 3 Practices during Ramadan

o 3.1 Fasting

o 3.2 Prayer and reading of the Qur'an

o 3.3 Iftar

o 3.4 Charity

o 3.5 Laylat al-Qadr

· 4 Eid ul-Fitr

· 5 Cultural aspects

o 5.1 Decorations

· 6 Economic aspects

· 7 See also

· 8 References

· 9 External links

[edit ] Origins of Ramadan

The word Ramadan is derived from an Arabic root rmḍ, as in words like "ramiḍa" or "ar-ramaḍ" denoting intense heat,[2] scorched ground and shortness of rations. Ramadan, as a name for the month, is of Islamic origin. Prior to Islam and the exclusion of intercalary days from the Islamic calendar, the name of the month was Natiq and the month fell in the warm season.[3] The word was thus chosen as it well represented the original climate of the month and the physiological conditions precipitated from fasting. In the Qur'an, God proclaims that "fasting has been written down (as obligatory) upon you, as it was upon those before you". According to a hadith , it might refer to the Jewish practice of fasting on Yom Kippur .[4] [5]

[edit ] The Beginning of Ramadan

Hilāl (the crescent ) is typically a day (or more) after the astronomical new moon. Since the new moon indicates the beginning of the new month, Muslims can usually safely estimate the beginning of Ramadan.[6]

There are many disagreements each year however, on when Ramadan starts. This stems from the tradition to sight the moon with the naked eye and as such there are differences for countries on opposite sides of the globe.[7] More recently however, some Muslims are leaning towards using astronomical calculations to avoid this confusion.

For the year of 1432 Hijri , the first day of Ramadan was determined to be August 1, 2011.

[edit ] Practices during Ramadan

[edit ] Fasting

Main article: Sawm

During the month of Ramadan, Muslims fast from dawn to dusk.

The month of Ramadan is the one in which the Qur'an was sent down - right Guidance to mankind, and clear signs of Guidance and Distinction of truth from falsehood. Those among you who witness it, let him fast therein. Whoever is sick or on a journey, then a number of other days. God desires ease for you, and desires not hardship. Thus may you fulfil the number of days assigned, magnify God for having guided you, and perhaps you will be thankful.

Ayah 185, Sura 2 (Al-Baqara ), translation by Tarif Khalidi see:[2] [8]

Ramadan is a time of reflecting, believing and worshiping God. Muslims are expected to put more effort into following the teachings of Islam and to avoid obscene and irreligious sights and sounds. Sexual intercourse among spouse is allowed after one has ended the fast. During fasting intercourse is prohibited as well as eating and drinking, one is also encouraged to resist all temptations while you are fasting. Purity of both thoughts and actions is important. The act of fasting is said to redirect the heart away from worldly activities, its purpose being to cleanse the inner soul and free it from harm. It also teaches Muslims to practice self-discipline, self-control,[9] sacrifice, and empathy for those who are less fortunate; thus encouraging actions of generosity and charity (Zakat ).[10]

Muslims should start observing the fasting ritual upon reaching the age of puberty , so long as they are healthy, sane and have no disabilities or illnesses. The elderly, the chronically ill, and the mentally ill are exempt from fasting, although the first two groups must endeavor to feed the poor in place of their missed fasting. Also exempt are pregnant women if they believe it would be harmful to them or the unborn baby, women during the period of their menstruation, and women nursing their newborns. A difference of opinion exists among Islamic scholars as to whether this last group must make up the days they miss at a later date, or feed poor people as a recompense for days missed.[11] While fasting is not considered compulsory in childhood , many children endeavour to complete as many fasts as possible as practice for later life. Lastly, those traveling (musaafir) are exempt, but must make up the days they miss.[12] More specifically, Twelver Shī‘ah define those who travel more than 14 mi (23 km) in a day as exempt.[10]

[edit ] Prayer and reading of the Qur'an

In addition to fasting, Muslims are encouraged to read the entire Qur'an. Some Muslims perform the recitation of the entire Qur'an by means of special prayers, called Tarawih , which are held in the mosques every night of the month, during which a whole section of the Qur'an (Juz' , which is 1/30 of the Qur'an) is recited. Therefore the entire Qur'an would be completed at the end of the month.

Ramadan is also a time when Muslims are to slow down from worldly affairs and focus on self-reformation, spiritual cleansing and enlightenment; this is to establish a link between themselves and God through prayer, supplication, charity, good deeds, kindness and helping others. Since it is a festival of giving and sharing, Muslims prepare special foods and buy gifts for their family and friends and for giving to the poor and needy who cannot afford it; this can involve buying new clothes, shoes and other items of need. There is also a social aspect involving the preparation of special foods and inviting people for Iftar .

[edit ] Iftar

Main article: Iftar

Iftar in Sultan Ahmed Mosque in Is Istanbul ,Turkey

Muslims all around the world will abstain from food and drink, through fasting, from dawn to sunset. At sunset, the family will gather the fast-breaking meal known as Iftar . The meal starts with the eating of a date — just as Prophet Muhammad used to do. Then it's time for the Maghrib prayer, which is the fourth of the five daily prayers, after which the main meal is served. [13]

Over time, Iftar has grown into banquet festivals. This is a time of fellowship with families, friends and surrounding communities, but may also occupy larger spaces at mosques or banquet halls, where a hundred or more may gather at a time.[14]

Most markets close down during evening prayers and the Iftar meal, but then re-open and stay open for a good part of the night. Muslims can be seen shopping, eating, spending time with their friends and family during the evening hours. In many Muslim countries, this can last late into the evening, to early morning. However, if they try to attend to business as usual, it can become a time of personal trials, fasting without coffee or water.

[edit ] Charity

Charity is very important in Islam, and even more so during Ramadhan. According to tradition, Ramadhan is a particularly blessed time to give in charity, as the reward is 700 times greater than any other time of the year. For that reason, Muslims will spend more in charity (sadaqa), and many will pay their zakat during Ramadhan, to receive the blessings (reward). In many Muslim countries, it is not uncommon to see people giving food to the poor and the homeless, and to even see large public areas for the poor to come and break their fast. It is said that if a person helps a fasting person to break their fast, then they receive a reward for that fast, without diminishing the reward that the fasting person got for their fast.

[edit ] Laylat al-Qadr

Main article: Laylat al-Qadr

Sometimes referred to as "the night of decree or measures", Laylat al-Qadr is considered the most holy night of the year.[15] Muslims believe that Laylat al-Qadr is the night in which the Qur'an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad . Also, it is believed to have occurred on an odd-numbered night during the last 10 days of Ramadan, either the night of the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th. Shiites also commemorate the attack on Imam `Ali ibn Abi Talib and his subsequent martyrdom every year on the 19th, 21st and 23rd of Ramadan.

[edit ] Eid ul-Fitr

Main article: Eid ul-Fitr

The holiday of Eid ul-Fitr (Arabic : عيد الفطر‎) marks the end of the fasting period of Ramadan and the first day of the following month, after another new moon has been sighted. The Eid falls after 29 or 30 days of fasting, per the lunar sighting. Eid ul-Fitr means the back to the fitrah ; usually a special celebration is made. Food is donated to the poor (Zakat al-fitr ); everyone puts on their best, usually new, clothes; and communal prayers are held in the early morning, followed by feasting and visiting relatives and friends. The prayer is two Raka'ah only, and it is sunnah muakkad [16] as opposed to the compulsory (Fard) five daily prayers. Muslims are expected to do this as an act of worship, and to thank God.

[edit ] Cultural aspects

[edit ] Decorations

Ramadan is met with various decorations throughout the streets. In Egypt , lanterns are known to be a symbol of Ramadan. They are hung across the cities of Egypt, part of an 800 year old tradition, the origin of which is said to lie in the Fatimid era where the Caliph Al-Muizz Lideenillah was greeted by people holding lanterns to celebrate his ruling. From that time lanterns were used to light mosques and houses throughout the city.

In other Muslim countries, lights are strung up in public squares, and across city streets, to add to the festivities of the month. In the West, many Muslim households have taken to decorating the inside of their homes to make Ramadhan a more special time for their children.

[edit ] Economic aspects

In Egypt, national statistics have pointed to substantial increase in consumption of food, electricity, and medications related to digestive disorders during the month of Ramadan as compared with the monthly average in the rest of the year.[17]

Painting Cabinet 29

Bartholomeus Breenbergh (1598 - 1657), worked in Rome and Amsterdam

Roman Ruin Landscape with Christ and the centurion of Capernaum, 1637

Oil on oak wood

Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe

After he had on behalf of Karoline Luise auctioned the picture for 860 livres, wrote Jean-Henri Eberts proudly to Karlsruhe. "The Bremberg (sic!) is a capital work and would be in the view of all connoisseurs in peacetime 2000 livres worth." In fact, it is a major painting by the Dutch landscape painter whose style was strongly influenced by a multi-year stay in Rome. It tells the story of the Roman centurion, asking Jesus for the healing of a faithful servant and who is rewarded for his faith and humility (Matthew 8.5-13).

Malereikabinett 29

Bartholomeus Breenbergh (1598 - 1657), tätig in Rom und Amsterdam

Römische Ruinenlandschaft mit Christus und dem Hauptmann von Kapernaum, 1637

Öl auf Eichenholz

Staatliche Kunsthalle Karlsruhe

Nachdem er das Bild im Auftrag Karoline Luises für 860 Livres ersteigert hatte, schrieb Jean-Henri Eberts stolz nach Karlsruhe. "Der Bremberg (sic) ist ein kapitales Werk und wäre nach Ansicht aller Kenner in Friedenszeiten 2000 Livres wert." In der Tat handelt es sich um ein bedeutendes Gemälde des holländischen Landschaftsmalers, dessen Still maßgeblich von einem mehrjährigen Aufenthalt in Rom geprägt war. Es erzählt die Geschichte des römischen Hauptmanns, der Jesus um die Heilung eines treuen Dieners bittet und für seinen Glauben und seine Demut belohnt wird (Mt 8,5-13).

Collection

The foundation of the collection consists of 205 mostly French and Dutch paintings from the 17th and 18th centuries which Margravine Karoline Luise acquired 1759-1776. From this collection originate significant works, such as The portrait of a young man by Frans van Mieris the Elder, The winter landscape with lime kiln of Nicolaes Pieterszoon Berchem, The Lacemaker by Gerard Dou, the Still Life with hunting equipment and dead partridge of Willem van Aelst, The Peace in the Chicken yard by Melchior de Hondecoeter as well as a self-portrait by Rembrandt van Rijn. In addition, four still lifes of Jean Siméon Chardin and two pastoral scenes by François Boucher, having been commissioned directly by the Marchioness from artists.

A first significant expansion the museum received in 1858 by the collection of canon Johann Baptist von Hirscher (1788-1865) with works of religious art of the 15th and 16th centuries. This group includes works such as two tablets of the Sterzinger altar and the wing fragment The sacramental blessing of Bartholomew Zeitblom. From 1899 to 1920, the native of Baden painter Hans Thoma held the position of Director of the Kunsthalle. He acquired old masterly paintings as the tauberbischofsheim altarpiece by Matthias Grünewald and drove the expansion of the collection with art of the 19th century forward. Only his successors expanded the holdings of the Art Gallery with works of Impressionism and the following generations of artists.

The permanent exhibition in the main building includes approximately 800 paintings and sculptures. Among the outstanding works of art of the Department German painters of the late Gothic and Renaissance are the Christ as Man of Sorrows by Albrecht Dürer, the Carrying of the Cross and the Crucifixion by Matthias Grünewald, Maria with the Child by Lucas Cranach the Elder, the portrait of Sebastian Brant by Hans Burgkmair the elder and The Nativity of Hans Baldung. Whose Margrave panel due to property disputes in 2006 made it in the headlines and also led to political conflicts. One of the biggest buying successes which a German museum in the postwar period was able to land concerns the successive acquisition of six of the seven known pieces of a Passion altar in 1450 - the notname of the artist after this work "Master of the Karlsruhe Passion" - a seventh piece is located in German public ownership (Wallraf-Richartz Museum, Cologne).

In the department of Dutch and Flemish paintings of the 16th century can be found, in addition to the aforementioned works, the portrait of the Marchesa Veronica Spinola Doria by Peter Paul Rubens, Moses strikes the rock and water flows for the thirsty people of Israel of Jacob Jordaens, the still life with kitchen tools and foods of Frans Snyders, the village festival of David Teniers the younger, the still life with lemon, oranges and filled clay pot by Willem Kalf, a Young couple having breakfast by Gabriel Metsu, in the bedroom of Pieter de Hooch, the great group of trees at the waterfront of Jacob Izaaksoon van Ruisdael, a river landscape with a milkmaid of Aelbert Jacobsz. Cuyp as well as a trompe-l'œil still life of Samuel van Hoogstraten.

Further examples of French paintings of the 17th and 18th centuries are, the adoration of the golden calf of Claude Lorrain, preparations for dance class of the Le Nain brothers, the portrait of Marshal Charles-Auguste de Matignon by Hyacinthe Rigaud, the portrait of a young nobleman in hunting costume of Nicolas de Largillière, The storm of Claude Joseph Vernet and The minuet of Nicolas Lancret. From the 19th century can be found with Rocky wooded valley at Civita Castellana by Gustave Courbet, The Lamentation of Eugène Delacroix, the children portrait Le petit Lange of Édouard Manet, the portrait of Madame Jeantaud by Edgar Degas, the landscape June morning near Pontoise by Camille Pissarro, homes in Le Pouldu Paul Gauguin and views to the sea at L'Estaque by Paul Cézanne further works of French artists at Kunsthalle.

One focus of the collection is the German painting and sculpture of the 19th century. From Joseph Anton Koch, the Kunsthalle possesses a Heroic landscape with rainbow, from Georg Friedrich Kersting the painting The painter Gerhard Kügelgen in his studio, from Caspar David Friedrich the landscape rocky reef on the sea beach and from Karl Blechen view to the Monastery of Santa Scolastica. Other important works of this department are the disruption of Adolph Menzel as well as the young self-portrait, the portrait Nanna Risi and The Banquet of Plato of Anselm Feuerbach.

For the presentation of the complex of oeuvres by Hans Thoma, a whole wing in 1909 at the Kunsthalle was installed. Main oeuvres of the arts are, for example, the genre picture The siblings as well as, created on behalf of the grand-ducal family, Thoma Chapel with its religious themes.

Of the German contemporaries of Hans Thoma, Max Liebermann on the beach of Noordwijk and Lovis Corinth with a portrait of his wife in the museum are represented. Furthermore the Kunsthalle owns works by Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller, Carl Spitzweg, Arnold Böcklin, Hans von Marées, Wilhelm Leibl, Fritz von Uhde, Wilhelm Trübner and Max Klinger.

In the building of the adjacent Orangerie works of the collection and new acquisitions from the years after 1952 can be seen. In two integrated graphics cabinets the Kupferstichkabinett (gallery of prints) gives insight into its inventory of contemporary art on paper. From the period after 1945, the works Arabs with footprints by Jean Dubuffet, Sponge Relief RE 48; Sol. 1960 by Yves Klein, Honoring the square: Yellow center of Josef Albers, the cityscape F by Gerhard Richter and the Fixe idea by Georg Baselitz in the Kunsthalle. The collection of classical modernism wandered into the main building. Examples of paintings from the period to 1945 are The Eiffel Tower by Robert Delaunay, the Improvisation 13 by Wassily Kandinsky, Deers in the Forest II by Franz Marc, People at the Blue lake of August Macke, the self-portrait The painter of Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, the Merzpicture 21b by Kurt Schwitters, the forest of Max Ernst, Tower gate II by Lyonel Feininger, the Seven Deadly Sins of Otto Dix and the removal of the Sphinxes by Max Beckmann. In addition, the museum regularly shows special exhibitions.

Sammlung

Den Grundstock der Sammlung bilden 205 meist französische und niederländische Gemälde des 17. und 18. Jahrhunderts, welche Markgräfin Karoline Luise zwischen 1759 und 1776 erwarb. Aus dieser Sammlung stammen bedeutende Arbeiten, wie das Bildnis eines jungen Mannes von Frans van Mieris der Ältere, die Winterlandschaft mit Kalkofen von Nicolaes Pieterszoon Berchem, Die Spitzenklöpplerin von Gerard Dou, das Stillleben mit Jagdgeräten und totem Rebhuhn von Willem van Aelst, Der Friede im Hühnerhof von Melchior de Hondecoeter sowie ein Selbstbildnis von Rembrandt van Rijn. Hinzu kommen vier Stillleben von Jean Siméon Chardin und zwei Schäferszenen von François Boucher, die die Markgräfin bei Künstlern direkt in Auftrag gegeben hatte.

Eine erste wesentliche Erweiterung erhielt das Museum 1858 durch die Sammlung des Domkapitulars Johann Baptist von Hirscher (1788–1865) mit Werken religiöser Kunst des 15. und 16. Jahrhunderts. Zu dieser Gruppe gehören Werke wie zwei Tafeln des Sterzinger Altars und das Flügelfragment Der sakramentale Segen von Bartholomäus Zeitblom. Von 1899 bis 1920 bekleidete der aus Baden stammende Maler Hans Thoma die Position des Direktors der Kunsthalle. Er erwarb altmeisterliche Gemälde wie den Tauberbischofsheimer Altar von Matthias Grünewald und trieb den Ausbau der Sammlung mit Kunst des 19. Jahrhunderts voran. Erst seine Nachfolger erweiterten die Bestände der Kunsthalle um Werke des Impressionismus und der folgenden Künstlergenerationen.

Die Dauerausstellung im Hauptgebäude umfasst rund 800 Gemälde und Skulpturen. Zu den herausragenden Kunstwerken der Abteilung deutsche Maler der Spätgotik und Renaissance gehören der Christus als Schmerzensmann von Albrecht Dürer, die Kreuztragung und Kreuzigung von Matthias Grünewald, Maria mit dem Kinde von Lucas Cranach der Ältere, das Bildnis Sebastian Brants von Hans Burgkmair der Ältere und die Die Geburt Christi von Hans Baldung. Dessen Markgrafentafel geriet durch Eigentumsstreitigkeiten 2006 in die Schlagzeilen und führte auch zu politischen Auseinandersetzungen. Einer der größten Ankaufserfolge, welche ein deutsches Museum in der Nachkriegszeit verbuchen konnte, betrifft den sukzessiven Erwerb von sechs der sieben bekannten Tafeln eines Passionsaltars um 1450 – der Notname des Malers nach diesem Werk „Meister der Karlsruher Passion“ – eine siebte Tafel befindet sich in deutschem öffentlichen Besitz (Wallraf-Richartz Museum, Köln).

In der Abteilung niederländischer und flämischer Malerei des 16. Jahrhunderts finden sich, neben den erwähnten Werken, das Bildnis der Marchesa Veronica Spinola Doria von Peter Paul Rubens, Moses schlägt Wasser aus dem Felsen von Jacob Jordaens, das Stillleben mit Küchengeräten und Lebensmitteln von Frans Snyders, das Dorffest von David Teniers dem Jüngeren, das Stillleben mit Zitrone, Orangen und gefülltem Römer von Willem Kalf, ein Junges Paar beim Frühstück von Gabriel Metsu, Im Schlafzimmer von Pieter de Hooch, die Große Baumgruppe am Wasser von Jacob Izaaksoon van Ruisdael, eine Flusslandschaft mit Melkerin von Aelbert Jacobsz. Cuyp sowie ein Augenbetrüger-Stillleben von Samuel van Hoogstraten.

Weitere Beispiele französischer Malerei des 17. bzw. 18. Jahrhunderts sind Die Anbetung des Goldeen Kalbes von Claude Lorrain, die Vorbereitung zur Tanzstunde der Brüder Le Nain, das Bildnis des Marschalls Charles-Auguste de Matignon von Hyacinthe Rigaud, das Bildnis eines jungen Edelmannes im Jagdkostüm von Nicolas de Largillière, Der Sturm von Claude Joseph Vernet und Das Menuett von Nicolas Lancret. Aus dem 19. Jahrhundert finden sich mit Felsiges Waldtal bei Cività Castellana von Gustave Courbet, Die Beweinung Christi von Eugène Delacroix, dem Kinderbildnis Le petit Lange von Édouard Manet, dem Bildnis der Madame Jeantaud von Edgar Degas, dem Landschaftsbild Junimorgen bei Pontoise von Camille Pissarro, Häuser in Le Pouldu von Paul Gauguin und Blick auf das Meer bei L’Estaque von Paul Cézanne weitere Arbeiten französischer Künstler in der Kunsthalle.

Einen Schwerpunkt der Sammlung bildet die deutsche Malerei und Skulptur des 19. Jahrhunderts. Von Joseph Anton Koch besitzt die Kunsthalle eine Heroische Landschaft mit Regenbogen, von Georg Friedrich Kersting das Gemälde Der Maler Gerhard Kügelgen in seinem Atelier, von Caspar David Friedrich das Landschaftsbild Felsenriff am Meeresstrand und von Karl Blechen den Blick auf das Kloster Santa Scolastica. Weitere bedeutende Werke dieser Abteilung sind Die Störung von Adolph Menzel sowie das Jugendliche Selbstbildnis, das Bildnis Nanna Risi und Das Gastmahl des Plato von Anselm Feuerbach.

Für die Präsentation des Werkkomplexes von Hans Thoma wurde 1909 in der Kunsthalle ein ganzer Gebäudetrakt errichtet. Hauptwerke des Künstlers sind etwa das Genrebild Die Geschwister sowie die, im Auftrag der großherzöglichen Familie geschaffene, Thoma-Kapelle mit ihren religiösen Themen.

Von den deutschen Zeitgenossen Hans Thomas sind Max Liebermann mit Am Strand von Noordwijk und Lovis Corinth mit einem Bildnis seiner Frau im Museum vertreten. Darüber hinaus besitzt die Kunsthalle Werke von Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller, Carl Spitzweg, Arnold Böcklin, Hans von Marées, Wilhelm Leibl, Fritz von Uhde, Wilhelm Trübner und Max Klinger.

Im Gebäude der benachbarten Orangerie sind Werke der Sammlung und Neuankäufe aus den Jahren nach 1952 zu sehen. In zwei integrierten Grafikkabinetten gibt das Kupferstichkabinett Einblick in seinen Bestand zeitgenössischer Kunst auf Papier. Aus der Zeit nach 1945 finden sich die Arbeiten Araber mit Fußspuren von Jean Dubuffet, Schwammrelief >RE 48:Sol.1960< von Yves Klein, Ehrung des Quadrates: Gelbes Zentrum von Josef Albers, das Stadtbild F von Gerhard Richter und die Fixe Idee von Georg Baselitz in der Kunsthalle. Die Sammlung der Klassischen Moderne wanderte in das Hauptgebäude. Beispiele für Gemälde aus der Zeit bis 1945 sind Der Eiffelturm von Robert Delaunay, die Improvisation 13 von Wassily Kandinsky, Rehe im Wald II von Franz Marc, Leute am blauen See von August Macke, das Selbstbildnis Der Maler von Ernst Ludwig Kirchner, das Merzbild 21b von Kurt Schwitters, Der Wald von Max Ernst, Torturm II von Lyonel Feininger, Die Sieben Todsünden von Otto Dix und der Abtransport der Sphinxe von Max Beckmann. Darüber hinaus zeigt das Museum regelmäßig Sonderausstellungen.

de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Staatliche_Kunsthalle_Karlsruhe

dogwood in bloom | Tacoma, WA | May 2015

Folsom Street Fair 2011

a local said to me " you'll have something to tell your kids"

folsomstreetfair.org/

folsomstreetfair.org/fair-info.php

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Folsom_Street_Fair

San Francisco

USA

DSC_9989

Standing Humbled by God's Creations

El Retablo de Señor de la Paciencia y la Humildad (The Altar of the Lord of Patience and Humility) at la Basílica Nuestra Señora del Pilar is a polychrome hand wood carving made in the 18th century and attributed to Spanish sculptor Andalusia. Christ is pictured seated on a rock, waiting for his crucifixion. On both sides are San Pascual Bailón and San Benito de Palermo--the latter of which was restored in 2004.

La Basílica Nuestra Señora del Pilar (Basilica of Our Lady of the Pillar) at Junín 1904, was inaugurated in 1732, making it the second-oldest church in Buenos Aires, as part of a convent belonging to Padres Recoletos. The church owes its name to the patron saint of the city of Zaragoza in Spain, the hometown of Juan de Narbona who financed the construction starting in 1716. Construction was started by Italian Jesuit architect Andrés Bianchi and it was completed by Juan Bautista Premoli.

The order of the Recoletos was expelled in 1822 by Governor Martin Rodriguez, and after their property was expropriated, the convent became a mendicant's home in 1934 and then a retirement home. It returned to ecclesiastical use opening as a parish church in 1829, and was declared a Basilica in 1936 by Pope Pio XI.

The pristine white unadorned exterior is a modern alteration. The colonial-style building was originally a sun yellow. Inside, the basilica fetures outstanding Spanish colonial artwork and six German Baroque-style altars, the center one of which is overlaid with Peruvian engraved silver and features an image of the Virgen del Pilar.

Los Claustros Historicos Del Pilar (The Cloisters), which date from 1716 and still have their original floors and some fixtures, was opened to the public in 1997 as Museo de los Claustros del Pilar. The 3-floor museum features religious artifacts and photographs documenting Recoleta's evolution.

“To become truly great, one has to stand with people, not above them.”

-Charles de Montesquieu

For this week's MacroMondays group theme of "Humility" - my inspirations was to look up quotes on humility and let them guide me. This particular quote reminded me of the mindset when I was hired on as a manager at several of my previous jobs. Respect does not come by position or by what you say, but by EARNING the respect by your actions - showing you are one with the team and doing the work... That is why this quote touches my emotions...

On a separate note, in reading through the web page on quotes on humility I was hoping someone would do the following quote (my wife wouldn't volunteer for this one.. lol):

“Humility is like underwear, essential, but indecent if it shows”

Some humility

Wind blowing through spider web

Fifth of a second

1 - something soft (spider webs are icky and soft)

2 - something roundish (dew drops)

3 - orton effect (fun!)

I was so upset at the wind, even though I love the wind, and I hate the heat, and the dew was perfect. It kept blowing the web almost constantly, so I had to wait for it to stop, quickly (manually) focus with the macro lens, and then take the shot. Again...and again...and again.

The Orton effect is there, it's just subtle. I worked it in Photoshop mightily until it looked right to my eyes. Hope it looks right in yours.

Letchworth State Park. Upper Falls

When is prayer heard?

Every prayer said with humility and anguish is always heard by God

“What makes humility so desirable is the marvelous thing it does to us; it creates in us a capacity for the closest possible intimacy with God”

~Monica Baldwin

My first try at a diptych, the first is a Sikh man in the sanctum of the Gurudwara Seesganj Sahib at Delhi and the second is the "hijra" who came to our house to bless my newborn nephew.

Requiring humility, disclipline, and deep sacrifice. Offering only the occasional peacefulness silently in return, rowing is the closest thing to religion in my life.

This sport is esoteric & so elusive that you spend many quiet morning hours alone with your thoughts; the relentless wind and dawning day your only companions. Who else would routinely risk hypothermia at that black hour? There is no one on shore but the geese. The life of responsibility and ticking clocks awaits you--as soon as lactic acid begins to win & you head for home. Silently you glide towards the awakening sun. Once in a while (once a year that is) the shores of the same quiet Charles river overflow with throngs of people who share your strange but daily toil. They speak the same language, of limbs on fire.

And it swells your heart!! On dark quiet lakes in Quebec and Switzerland where the mist rises hours before you do; on warm brown rivers in Thailand and Brazil, these fellow rowers begin their days with the same painful poetry as you--in that narrow little boat.

So in the end it is not your absentee father's haunting voice that brings a tear as you round the last bend of the long long race. But the loud cheers of these beautiful strangers from the river's edge that push you on, far past the searing pain pleading with you to stop. From the familiar depths of their own experience, your fellow oarsmen encourage your success. They have become your lungs & precious breath when needed most. You move with them in one seamless powerful motion, far transcending this moment & its aching self.

Rowed in my 10th Head of the Charles this weekend. I'm officially a "masters" athlete now. That's me in the red boat, 4th person from the front. Terrific weather on Saturday, we had a long but smooth row; great rhythm & swing. And of course, speed. That taste of blood in your lungs & the relentless demand for more speed! I had an oustanding day, on & off the water.

As always, the head of the chuck was a great opportunity to re-connect with old friends from Philly, Boston & Barcelona--2 of whom I raced aginst! Kind of a reunion weekend.

p.s. Photography credit for this shot goes to my friend Dirk, who shot this from the Anderson bridge.

“It is God's power that carries us through every moment. If we are aware of this, we will spontaneously be humble, our attitude towards the Almighty will be transformed into an attitude of worship, our focus on Him will blossom with our every step and we will be successful in our efforts."—Amma, Awaken Children

"He must increase, but I must decrease."--John 3:22-30

"He that humbleth himself shall be exalted. "—Luke 14:11

"They shall cast their crowns before the throne, so saying: Worthy art Thou, our Lord and our God, to receive the glory, and the honor and the power: for Thou didst create all things, and because of Thy will they are, and were created. "—Rev. 4:11

“Isn't it true that the air we breathe is our home, that the blue sky, the rivers, the mountains, the people around us, the trees, and the animals are our home? A wave looking deeply into herself will see that she is made up of all the other waves and will no longer feel she is cut off from everything around her.”—Thich Nhat Hanh

“An umbilical cord links you to the sun. Another umbilical cord links you to the clouds in the sky. If the clouds were not there, there would be no rain and no water to drink. Without clouds, there is no milk, no tea, no coffee, no ice cream, nothing. There is an umbilical cord linking you to the river; there is one linking you to the forest. If you continue meditating like this, you can see that you are linked to everything and everyone in the cosmos. Your life depends on everything else that exists—on other living beings, but also on plants, minerals, air, water, and earth.”

—Thich Nhat Hanh

Sisters of the Holy Humility of Mary, Religious of Christian Education, Sisters of Charity of Mother Seton, School Sisters of Notre Dame, St. Josephs, Dominicans, Mercy, Franciscans of PA, Sisters of Providence of St. Mary of the woods, Sisters of the Holy Child Jesus,

Her humility knows no bounds!

through everyone's childlikeness...of humility, affection, and innocence...that Humanity will hopefully experience peace...

Kaore te kūmara e kōrero mo tōna māngaro = The kūmara does not speak of its own sweetness.

also listen

www.radionz.co.nz/national/programmes/teahikaa/audio/2018...

Planeta

www.planeta.com/new-zealand

www.planeta.com/maori

www.planeta.com/maori-proverbs

Madonna of Humility, The Blessing Christ, Two Angels, and a Donor

Andrea di Bartolo (Siense, 1389–1428)

Tempera on Panel, c. 1380/1390

Inscription: AVE MARIA GRATIA PLENA

(Latin, "Hail Mary, full of grace...")

If finally you have lost your illusory flight the arrogance ... you collect the humility residual and ... walking again

◘

Lounge Beats by Paulo Arruda

hosta flower

1/125, f/2.8, Tri-X, Mamiya-Sekor 80mm f/1.9 C + #1 tube on M645. HC-110, 1:160, 38 min @ 22C semi stand

Sketchnote of Fr. Quinn Conners' homily given at St. Rose of Lima at 8:45 Mass this morning.

Öffne deine großen schwarzen Satinaugen,

die wie Kissen sind, in die man sinkt!

Schmeichle meine Füße, phantastische Sphinx!

Und singe mir all deine Erinnerungen!

Oscar Wild

Chiesa (Church) San Canziano. Scultore (Sculptor): Antonio Bonazzi

We often wear material things to protect our body...but little that we know that there are people out there who protect our Spiritual Life...that our essence as human beings, and that is as a Children of God...may still be preserved and defended...and these people teach us to be compassionate...to see greater than the material things that lure our senses and bodily desires...they may be workers behind the enjoyments of those who are more blessed...who needs to be acknowledged for their humility...who truly protects Humanity…

Because I love being an American, let me share just a little personal experience I had today that concerns public spaces, transportation, terrorism, and the need to protect civil liberties (including the right to make photographs in public).

I was accosted by an MBTA employee when I took this shot waiting for an Outbound train at Central Square Station in Cambridge---a smaller stop on the Red Line between MIT and Harvard---and was told in no uncertain terms that photography is strictly forbidden on the T. This assertion was, of course patently incorrect and misinformed. Having recently passed through Grand Central in New York and taken photos in those few moments without fuss, I was struck when this happened by how well New York has adapted to the pressures of living in the "New Age of Vigilance" as I like to term it, whereas folks at home in the Boston area are still trying to sort things out. In New York, I was just one of many tourists vying for a space on the platform to take "the grand shot of Grand Central". Here in Boston, the big nerdy Asian dude with the thick glasses and the tiny tiny camera is a threat to security. Now, I'm no militant activist, but I will say I will not bend to paranoia and misinformation, nor be pushed around by someone with nothing better to do in the course of "just doing his job".

To Whom It May Concern: Wanna make a dent in the threat? Take a lesson from our Founding Fathers and educate yourself, better yourself, and carry yourself with some humility as an American, with respect for the rights you profess to protect. No, I don't mean walk around like a mouse. Meditate for real on the word humility. It's a word we Americans need to come to terms with in its positive aspects. As for me, I'll do the same, and say I'm with Ben.

"Those who would give up essential Liberty, to purchase a little temporary Safety, deserve neither Liberty nor Safety." -- Benjamin Franklin

Masolino da Panicale (Tommaso di Cristofano Fini), Panicale di Valdarno 1383 - Florenz 1440

Madonna dell'Umiltà (ca. 1430 - 35)

Masolino wurde wahrscheinlich in der Werkstatt von Gherardo Starnina ausgebildet und arbeitete von 1403 - 1407 als Gehilfe des Bildhauers Lorenzo Ghiberti in Florenz. Dort wurde er 1423 Mitglied der Arte dei Medici e Speziali (Zunft der Ärzte und Apotheker, zu der auch die Maler gehören) und ab 1425 begann er zusammen mit Masaccio mit der Ausmalung der Brancacci-Kapelle der Florentiner Kirche Santa Maria del Carmine. Seine Arbeiten in Florenz gehören zu den bedeutendsten Werken der Frührenaissance.

Das Gemälde der Madonna del Umità (Madonna der Demut) wurde 1930 auf dem Antiquitätenmarkt in London angeboten und seine Zuschreibung an Masolino war lange Zeit strittig. Darstellungen Marias als Madonna dell'Umiltà waren in der Übergangszeit von der Gotik zur Renaissance ein sehr beliebtes Thema der Florentiner Kunst. Die Madonna, die das Jesuskind stillt, sitzt hier nicht auf einem Thron sondern ganz bescheiden auf einem Kissen, das am Boden liegt.

The Beautiful Complexity all around Us

All around us there are innumerable cells working together to form beautiful, complex organisms, bacteria populating the planet, all this wonder. And all we see are our mundane little problems. All we see is some irrelevant expectation of ours not met, or chance playing to our seeming disadvantage.

But remember the miracle that makes you possible. 100 million million living beings cooperating seamlessly and in symbiosis with 10-20 times as many microbes in your body to make it possible for you to exist, to live, to be conscious.

Read more at my blog post Scales of Life – From an Atom to the Human Body