View allAll Photos Tagged SPIRITUAL
Macro Monday - theme: what I wanna be when I grow up.
Maybe artists have it easier than some others. I feel grown up and successful, yet driven by the same curiosity I've had all my life. I love the path I'm on. My work and my play completely intermesh. If anything, I wish I was this grown up 10 or 20 years ago as I am inspired to use my skills and talents to do lots more, learn lots more. In other MM images today I'll reveal some of my more concrete desires and goals for my future, but here is a big one that's not so definable. I'm using incense and smoke to represent the ethereal ever-changing/never-changing path toward my spiritual enlightenment.
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- “Do not touch me…”
Gospel of John, chapter 20, verse 17 (John 20, 17)
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I was with you, Father,
at the moment of creation.
I could not fail to know the elements and master them.
What would it be to
lift the stone of a tomb
compared to your will as Creator?
You taught me how the world is composed
and made me your son,
but I was a participant
in creation.
The followers who followed me
believed in You and in me,
Your son.
They will be happy to see me rise again,
but I will weep
for those still chained
in hell,
and my hands
will silence their strident cries.
Poor souls,
who migrate toward nothingness.
The fear,
God,
of these blind depths,
of these people who have not had
the splendor of your reins.
Because you do not know,
Father,
what it means
to sit at Your right hand
as a king.
A gentle but not cowardly king
who mediates
between your divine wrath
and the lust and unbelief of man.
I,
who am just,
love man
and ask your forgiveness
through this slow agony
that has lasted for centuries
for the world.
Behold, Lord, I give you back my spirit
in the form of a white dove
that will fly toward heaven.
And no other way
have you built peace
than with the groins of a bird
that brings the olive branch to your lips.
Father,
I will rise again,
and I will sit at your right hand.
POEM OF THE CROSS - Alda Merini
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- “Noli me tangere …”
Vangelo di Giovanni, capitolo 20, versetto 17 (Giovanni 20, 17)
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- Ero con te, Padre,
al momento della creazione.
Non potevo non conoscere gli elementi e dominarli.
Cosa vuoi che sia
sollevare la pietra di un sepolcro
in confronto alla tua volontà di Creatore.
Tu mi hai insegnato come è composto il mondo
e mi hai reso figlio,
ma ero partecipe
della creazione.
I seguaci che mi hanno seguito
hanno creduto in Te e in me,
Tuo figlio.
Saranno felici di vedermi risorgere,
ma io piangerò
per quelli che sono ancora incatenati
nell'inferno
e le mie mani
faranno tacere i loro stridori.
Povere anime,
che migrano verso il nulla.
Lo spavento,
Dio,
di queste profondità cieche,
di questa gente che non ha avuto
lo splendore delle tue redini.
Perché tu non sai,
Padre,
cosa vuol dire
sedere alla Tua destra
in veste di re.
Un re mite ma non codardo
che fa da intermediario
tra la tua collera divina
e la lussuria e la miscredenza dell'uomo.
Io,
che sono giusto,
amo l'uomo
e ti chiedo perdono
attraverso questa lenta agonia
che dura da secoli
per il mondo.
Ecco, Signore, io ti rendo il mio spirito
in forma di bianca colomba
che volerà verso il cielo.
E non altrimenti
Tu hai costruito la pace
se non con gli inguini di un uccello
che porta l'ulivo alle tue labbra.
Padre,
io risorgerò,
e siederò alla Tua destra.
POEMA DELLA CROCE - Alda Merini
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This photographic story, with text, which I propose as my last work for Flickr in 2025 (2026 is now just a few minutes away), tells of the procession of the Holy Crucifix of Aracoeli, which took place in March of this year 2025 in the town of San Marco d'Alunzio (in the province of Messina). The procession normally begins on the morning of the last Friday of March each year, but there is an exception to this rule: when it coincides with Good Friday, then the procession is brought forward to the previous Friday. The procession of the Holy Crucifix of Aracoeli is an ancient penitential rite. On the feast day of the Crucifix, Holy Mass is celebrated in the Church of Aracoeli in San Marco d'Alunzio. On this occasion, the Holy Crucifix is celebrated. Crucifix (which is located in the church at the end of the right nave, at its feet is the painting of the Virgin of Sorrows pierced by seven swords), Christ on the Cross is removed by the devotees from the hook on which it is hanging, is carried outside the church, here it is raised and fixed on the float, the sermon of the priest who has climbed onto the float next to the Crucifix takes over, under the Cross is fixed the painting of His Sorrowful Mother, then they are carried in procession by the men (and women) in blue hoods called "babbaluti", they proceed invoking the pity and mercy of the Lord with a constant and rhythmic lament, saying "Signuri, Misericordia, Pietà!"; this is the norm, but this year the bad weather has brought some changes, the float on which they hoisted the SS. The crucifix with the kneeling babbaluti was not located in the churchyard, but inside the church. Christ was covered with a large sheet of cellophane to protect it from the rain, while the painting of the Madonna with swords in her heart was placed at her Son's feet only after the procession returned to the church. San Marco d'Alunzio is a charming town in the Messina area, located in the Nebrodi Mountains of Sicily. The procession takes place in honor of the Holy Crucifix of Araceli. This religious-penitential event is also known as the "procession of the babbaluti." These are those who, by vow or grace received, have chosen to carry the fercolo containing the crucifix and the painting on their shoulders in procession. they head to the nearby Church of Santa Maria dei Poveri or to some private home nearby where, sheltered from the curiosity of the faithful, they wear a simple but characteristic indigo-colored cloth habit, consisting of a tunic and a conical hood that covers the entire body and leaves only the eyes and hands free. It is not uncommon, however, for the penitents, rendered anonymous by the habit they wear, to also include women, who, to avoid any possibility of recognition, wear a pair of gloves; The babbaluti are 33 in number to commemorate the 33 years of Christ. The number is odd, in fact the 33rd babbaluto does not carry the vara. He (should be the “capo vara”) proceeds backwards, looking towards Christ and his Mother, and at the same time checks that everything is in order among the babbaluti, guiding the vara along the path, even if it is moving backwards (this is a way of proceeding in carrying the vara or fercolo, present in various Sicilian religious processions). So, the 32 (+1) "babbaluti" carry on their shoulders the float that bears the Holy Crucifix of the Araceli church (the statue of Christ was created by Scipione Li Volsi, in the year 1652, he was a sculptor and plasterer of the Sicilian Baroque), at whose feet, on the float, is tied the painting of Our Lady of Sorrows, whose chest appears pierced by seven swords (it is an 18th century painting), however, as already described, this year the painting, to protect it from the rain, was placed on the float only upon the return of the procession to the church. Before the procession begins, the babbaluti advance barefoot, wearing only heavy, hand-knitted stockings of raw wool. Before entering the church, they must walk a path of purification. When they approach the ancient church of Araceli, they bow and kiss the ground, thus receiving permission to enter the church. This, however, occurs through a side door, called the "false door" (in Sicilian dialect, "porta fausa"). Having entered the church from the side, they now exit through the main entrance, allowing them to take their places, kneeling in front and behind the float. To enter the "porta fausa," the babbaluti proceed in pairs, with the last babbaluti, the eldest, proceeding alone. After the priest's long-awaited speech, the procession can begin, winding through the streets of the picturesque and welcoming village of San Marco d'Alunzio. Along the way, the Babbaluti pace their steps, accompanying the mournful and plaintive jugular vein that invokes the Lord. Devout men and women walk alongside the Babbaluti, walking alongside the float, touching it, sometimes caressing it... just to have physical (and spiritual) contact with it. Finally, after completing a specific route, the procession returns to the ancient church (of Norman origins) of Aracoeli. Every time I attend this touching event, I am completely overwhelmed by emotion (which, however, I cannot abandon, lest I lose concentration while taking photos). The highlight is when the crucified Christ is removed from the hook fixed to the wall by expert men, and then carried (it seems to float) above the heads of the devotees, supported aloft with their hands, and hoisted and secured to the float. In these moments of intense emotion, it is common to see in the eyes of the devotees, shining with tears, that profound emotion of their relationship with this Christ, which has lasted forever: it is as if they were in the presence of the true Christ, in flesh and blood. This is the atmosphere experienced in those moments, this is the magic of the procession of the Most Holy Crucifix and His Mother, represented by the painting of Our Lady of Sorrows pierced by seven swords (an iconography of Spanish origin).
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Il presente racconto fotografico, con testo, che propongo come ultimo mio lavoro per Flickr dell’anno 2025 (oramai mancano pochi minuti al 2026) parla della processione del Santissimo Crocifisso di Aracoeli che si è tenuto nel marzo di quest’anno 2025 nel paese di San Marco d’Alunzio (in provincia di Messina). La processione normalmente inizia la mattina dell’ultimo venerdì del mese di marzo di ogni anno, c’è però una eccezione a questa regola, quando si realizza la coincidenza col Venerdì Santo, allora la processione viene anticipata al venerdì precedente. Quella del SS.Crocifisso di Aracoeli è un antico rito penitenziale, il giorno della festa del Crocifisso, a San Marco d'Alunzio si celebra la S. Messa nella Chiesa dell'Aracoeli, in questa occasione il SS. Crocifisso (che si trova nella chiesa in fondo alla navata di destra, ai suoi piedi è posto il quadro della Vergine Addolorata trafitta da sette spade), il Cristo sulla Croce viene tolto dai devoti dal gancio sul quale è appeso, viene portato all’esterno della chiesa, qui viene innalzato e fissato sulla vara, subentra il sermone del sacerdote salito sulla vara accanto al Crocifisso, sotto alla Croce viene fissato il quadro di sua Madre Addolorata, quindi vengono portati in processione dagli uomini (e donne) incappucciati di colore blu detti “babbaluti”, essi procedono invocando la pietà e la misericordia del Signore con un costante e ritmato lamento, dicendo “Signuri, Misericordia, Pietà!”; questa è la norma, ma quest’anno il cattivo tempo ha portato qualche cambiamento, la vara sulla quale hanno issato il SS. Crocifisso con i babbaluti messi in ginocchio, non si trovava sul sagrato davanti la chiesa, ma era dentro la chiesa, il Cristo veniva ricoperto con un ampio foglio di cellophane per proteggerlo dalla pioggia, mentre il quadro della Madonna con le spade nel cuore, è stato messo ai piedi di Suo Figlio solo al rientro della processione nella chiesa. San Marco d’Alunzio è un ameno paese del territorio Messinese, sito sui monti Nebrodi, in Sicilia; la processione si svolge proprio in onore del Santissimo Crocifisso di Araceli, è questa una ricorrenza religioso-penitenziale conosciuta anche come "processione dei babbaluti", essi sono coloro che per voto o per grazia ricevuta, hanno deciso di portare in processione sulle loro spalle il fercolo con il Crocifisso ed il quadro; essi si dirigono nella vicina Chiesa di Santa Maria dei Poveri o in qualche abitazione privata lì vicino dove, al riparo dalla curiosità dei fedeli, indossano un semplice ma caratteristico saio di tela di colore indaco, costituito da una tunica e un cappuccio di forma conica tale da coprire l'intero corpo e lasciare liberi solo gli occhi e le mani, non è raro purtuttavia che tra i penitenti, resi anonimi dal saio che indossano, vi siano anche delle donne, le quali per evitare qualsiasi possibilità di riconoscimento, indossano un paio di guanti; i babbaluti sono in numero di 33 per rievocare i 33 anni di Cristo, il numero è dispari, infatti il 33° babbaluto non porta la vara, egli (dovrebbe essere il “capo vara”) procede all’indietro, rivolgendo lo sguardo al Cristo ed a sua Madre, e nel contempo controlla che tutto sia in ordine tra i babbaluti, guidando la vara lungo il percorso, anche se il suo andamento è a ritroso, (questo è un modo di procedere nel portare la vara o fercolo, presente in diverse processioni religiose siciliane). Quindi, i 32 (+1) "babbaluti" portano sulle loro spalle la vara che reca il Santo Crocifisso della chiesa dell’Araceli (la statua del Cristo è stata creata da Scipione Li Volsi, nell'anno 1652, egli fu uno scultore e stuccatore del barocco SIciliano), ai cui piedi, sulla vara, viene legato il quadro della Madonna Addolorata, il cui petto appare trafitto da sette spade ( è un dipinto del XVIII secolo), purtuttavia come già descritto, quest’anno il quadro, per proteggerlo dalla pioggia, è stato messo sulla vara solo al rientro della processione in chiesa. I babbaluti prima dell'inizio della processione avanzano a piedi scalzi indossando solo delle pesanti calze di lana grezza realizzate a mano, devono percorrere, prima di entrare in chiesa, un cammino di purificazione: quando essi giungono in prossimità dell'antica chiesa dell'Araceli, essi si chinano e baciano in terra, ricevendo in tal modo il permesso per poter accedere dentro la chiesa, questo però avviene da una porta laterale, chiamata "falsa porta" (In dialetto siciliano “porta fausa”), una volta entrati in chiesa lateralmente, ora fuoriescono dall'ingresso principale, potendo così prendere posto, inginocchiandosi sul davanti ed alle spalle, della vara; i babbaluti per accedere alla “porta fausa” procedono in coppia, l’ultimo babbaluto procede da solo, lui è il più anziano tra i babbaluti; seguirà l'atteso discorso del sacerdote, terminato, potrà iniziare la processione che si svolge per le vie del pittoresco ed accogliente paese di San Marco d'Alunzio. Lungo il percorso i Babbaluti cadenzano la propria andatura accompagnandosi alla mesta e lamentosa giugulatoria che invoca il Signore . Ci sono uomini e donne devoti che procedono assieme ai babbaluti camminando a lato della vara, toccandola, ora accarezzandola...pur di avere un contatto fisico (e di rimando spirituale) con essa. Infine, dopo aver compiuto un preciso percorso, la processione fa rientro nell'antica chiesa (di origini Normanne) dell'Aracoeli. Ogniqualvolta sono presente a questa toccante ricorrenza sono completamente inondato da emozioni (alle quali però non posso abbandonarmi, perderei la concentrazione nel realizzare le foto), il momento clou è quando il Cristo Crocifisso viene tolto dal gancio fissato sul muro da uomini esperti, per poi essere portato (sembra galleggiare) sopra la testa dei devoti, sostenuto in alto con le mani, ed essere issato e fissato sulla vara; in questi momenti di intensa emozione è comune vedere negli occhi dei devoti, lucidi di lacrime, quella emozione profonda del loro rapporto con questo Cristo, che dura da sempre: è come se si trovassero al cospetto del Cristo vero, in carne ed ossa, questa è l’atmosfera che si vive in quei momenti, questa è la magia della processione del SS. Crocifisso e di Sua Madre, rappresentata dal quadro dell’Addolorata trafitta da sette spade (iconografia di origine spagnola).
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©PhotographyByMichiale. All images are copyright protected and cannot be used without my permission. please visit me on Facebook, too! www.facebook.com/photographybymichiale
9/52
It was freezing cold. Water was pouring down on me, swallowing the doubts of losing myself in that moment itself. Will I get sick? Will my camera stop working? Will somebody see me in the woods, by myself, in the pouring rain, losing balance on a slippery fallen tree? I felt the piercing thorns on the ground touching my bare feet, and the wet wild grass felt like honey. I was dripping rain from head to toe, and I was shaking deeply immersed in the cold I could feel in my bones; and, in that moment, I felt at home. Alone, quietly, at home. Completely balanced within my own soul. And it all felt as if pierced by destiny. This week's theme and the inspiration I was supposed to seek, grasped a full circle without effort, right there. This photo in itself might be unable to portray "spirituality" but I know what this moment felt like in my skin, mind and heart, so it's still what matters most.
Spirituality is as much as dual as it is not. It's galaxies of peace, and quietude and sincerity. And I could grasp it entirely in this moment. I was one with nature, and that is but home.
Acrylic on canvas 24in x36in
Transcendence comes from the Latin prefix trans-, meaning "beyond," and the word scandare, meaning "to climb." When you achieve transcendence, you have gone beyond ordinary limitations. The word is often used to describe a spiritual or religious state, or a condition of moving beyond physical needs and realities. One way to achieve transcendence spiritually might be to dance or fast for a long time. If you have trouble letting go of material needs, then you will have a difficult time achieving transcendence.
"The culture of a people, in their traditions and thoughts, remains eternal through the generations."
Driss Reffas
“La culture d'un peuple, dans ses traditions et ses pensées, demeure éternelle au fil des générations.”
Driss Reffas
Feeding Spiritual Sensations.
Desejos pacíficos súplicas graciosas eternas Cristo Jesus perfeito Senhor pai alegrias tempos de justiça,
Responsiones fidelium Sancti Spiritus salute honorem alis angeli suspensam blanda mundi cupiditatibus liberum Alleluia frequentet candelas ardentes orationes presented,
ابتهاج الخلاص سعيد الشكر العبادة القديسين الرحيم القلوب الكريمة يثمن انتصار المجد المغذى للأرواح,
Règne Jésus L'unité protectrice de la miséricorde éternelle de Dieu préservant les fruits sacrificiels,
αγκαλιάζοντας αγάπη ανάσταση παρουσία ευλογημένες γραφές που παραδίδουν αριθμούς εξορμήσεις διασχίζουν ζωντανή αφοσίωση,
צליינות הגוף המוסרי בוהק אורות בוערים התומכים בפולחן כוחות קדושים אלוהיים הטבע חופש חירות שערי צדק,
穏やかな天使たちは王国を償う聖なる働き栄光の養子縁組喜びを捧げる純粋な恵みキリストの財産救い主永遠の祈りはアーメンに答えた.
Steve.D.Hammond.
10" x 22" - Acrylic & Oil Wash On Cradled Wooden Board.
For my small show "Terrible Magic"/ group show at C.A.V.E. Gallery.
Textures Only Competition #110
Original image with thanks to Haags Uitburo
Thanks to Sienna62 for this texture:
www.flickr.com/photos/siennapictures/4956922511/in/pool-8...
70th Explored Image
Contest winner
Built in 1930 as Loew's 175th Street Theatre this building in New York's Washington Heights neighborhood is now a church and performing arts venue.
At her behest, the sad clouds scatter; at her behest, snow falls from a summer's sky.”
Outfit - Petite Mort - Jet Anne Dress
Classic/Maitreya - Maitreya FIt Shown
Black Fashion Fair - April 15th - 29th 2016
Taxi
maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Hype/41/38/27
Petite Mort
Taxi
maps.secondlife.com/secondlife/Paedra/209/70/501
What Are We Doing Now??:
. . . a complete contrast to the previous image. It is still spring.
Photo-Realism
Thanks to the following for elements of this image:
সহজ মানুষ ভজে দেখনারে মন দিব্য জ্ঞানে
পাবিরে অমূল্য নিধি বর্তমানে, পাবি বর্তমানে।
সহজ মানুষ ভজে দেখনারে মন দিব্য জ্ঞানে
সহজ মানুষ ভজে দেখনারে মন দিব্য জ্ঞানে।
ভজ মানুষের চরন দুটি,
নিত্য বস্তু হবে খাঁটি।
ভজ মানুষের চরন দুটি,
নিত্য বস্তু হবে খাঁটি।
ওগো মরিলে সব হবে মাটি
মরিলে সব হবে মাটি,
ত্বরা এই ভেদ লও জেনে
ত্বরা এই ভেদ লও জেনে।
সহজ মানুষ ভজে দেখনারে মন দিব্য জ্ঞানে
সহজ মানুষ ভজে দেখনারে মন দিব্য জ্ঞানে।
শুনি ম’লে পাবে বেহেস্ত খানা,
আসলেতো মন মানে না।
শুনি ম’লে পাবে বেহেস্ত খানা,
আসলেতো মন মানে না।
ওগো বাকীর লোভে নগদ পাওনা,
বাকীর লোভে নগদ পাওনা
কে ছাড়ে ভুবনে
কে ছাড়ে ভুবনে।
সহজ মানুষ ভজে দেখনারে মন দিব্য জ্ঞানে
সহজ মানুষ ভজে দেখনারে মন দিব্য জ্ঞানে।
সালাতুল মেরাজুল মোমেনিনা,
জানতে হয় নামাজের ব্যানা।
সালাতুল মেরাজুল মোমেনিনা,
জানতে হয় নামাজের ব্যানা।
বিশ্বাসিদের দেখাশুনা,
ওগো বিশ্বাসিদের দেখাশুনা
লালন কয় এই ভূবনে
লালন কয় এই ভূবনে।
সহজ মানুষ ভজে দেখনারে মন দিব্য জ্ঞানে
সহজ মানুষ ভজে দেখনারে মন দিব্য জ্ঞানে।
পাবিরে অমূল্য নিধি বর্তমানে, পাবি বর্তমানে
সহজ মানুষ ভজে দেখনারে মন দিব্য জ্ঞানে
সহজ মানুষ ভজে দেখনারে মন দিব্য জ্ঞানে।
(লালন গীতি)
[ F P - E X P L O R E D]
___________________________
taken with Canon EOS 40D with EF 50mm f1.8II
taken from Barudi, Narayangang, Bangladesh
copyright: Abdul Aziz Apu
plz contact: apu029@gmail.com
Leicaflex SL
50mm Summicron
Fomapan 100
Rodinal 1:100
60 mins (30 secs agitation, 2 inversions at 20 & 40 mins)
Cassadaga Spiritualist Camp, Florida
Standing at the crossroads of Seance Circle and Metaphysical Street, considering which direction to head.
A small ancient temple on the hill of Ciqikou ancient town in Chongqing, where the monks guide our soul quietly...
This is China~~
When through the old oak forest I am gone,
Let me not wander in a barren dream,
But when I am consumed in the fire,
Give me new Phoenix wings to fly at my desire.
Words by John Keats
♫ - Pieter Bourke & Lisa Gerrard
for Flickriver - Sophie Shapiro
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Due to her many works for God and a high degree of holiness, Teresa de Jesus of Spain was declared a Saint by the Roman Catholic Church. Due to her Wisdom recorded, she is one of the three named female Doctors of the Church. She was born at Avila in Spain in 1515. She joined the Carmelite Order, made great progress in the way of perfection and enjoyed mystical revelations. When she reformed the Order, she met with much resistance, but she succeeded with undaunted courage. She also wrote books filled with sublime doctrine, the fruit of her own spiritual life. She died in Avila in 1582. Our class is beginning reading her book "The Way of Perfection" (2000 study edition with English text prepared by Kieran Kavanaugh, O.C.D., whom I have known for many years. It will be my second read of this classic). If you care to also read this edifying masterpiece on bettering your life spiritually, order from
For more information on this marvelous woman, start at en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teresa_of_avila