Evaluation without Litigation

When I was updating the list of sermons I've preached, I noticed a pattern: Almost all of my talks have been about spiritual practices, some corporate but mostly personal ones like praying the Psalms, spending time in nature, or offering hospitality. But what about the latest sermon, Intervention: Risk, Folly, and Inner Healing? What personal spiritual practice is involved in the process of intervening in another's life?

Pool at the Getty Villa in Malibu, CAI would like to nominate watching -- keeping watch over your intention, your tone of voice, and what that tone conveys about your intention. In his witty little book, Would It Kill You to Stop Doing That? A Modern Guide to Manners, Henry Alford dubs this sense of restrained caring "Evaluation without Litigation" and quizzes Project Runway's Tim Gunn about how to "make it work". I picked up these pointers from Henry and Tim: 

1. Know who you're criticizing -- both their background and their own intention. 
2. Talk only about things that the other person can change.
3. Prioritize your concerns, expressing the bigger ones before sharing the tiny annoyances.
4. Voice your concerns in a neutral tone. 

#1 calls for empathy practiced not at the emotional level, but in the sense of being able to see the world from another person's point of view.

#4 suggests that you suspend any inclination to pass judgment and instead transmit a certain indifference to the outcome. Alford explains that this is part of Gunn's "Make it work!" mantra that the budding designers on the show hear every episode. Gunn told him: 

I don't really care whether you 'like' your design or not. I want to know whether it's working or not, and how it can be made to work better. Like and dislike -- I don't want to sound disrespectful of either of those words, but they don't get you anywhere.

Here the inner watcher can help -- by keeping an eye on our ability to express such nonchalance and to deliver it in a non-anxious tone of voice. And this, in turn, can be a rare gift to the other person, making it possible for them to weigh your criticism or caution without fear of how it might affect you emotionally or impact your friendship.  

World Labyrinth Day 2011 - May 7

Celebrate World Labyrinth Day on Saturday, May 7, and join people all over the globe using this wonderful tool to walk for your special intention. 

In the Washington DC metro area, you can enjoy a self-guided labyrinth tour sponsored by Living Labyrinths for Peace, (703) 217-6706, an organization that unites Art and Science, Technology and Nature with Spirit for Labyrinth Creations and Education that lead the way from Inner Peace to World Peace.

Check out these local labyrinths:  

• “Dance of the Labyrinth”: Art/technology labyrinth with computer programmed light boxes on which to walk.   Hours:  10 am – 5 pm. Living Labyrinths for Peace Center:  57 N St. NW 20001 near North Capitol and New York Avenues.  Enter from First Street NW.  Ring doorbell or contact:  Sandra Wasko-Flood, (703) 217-6706

• The Unitarian Universalist Church of Arlington: Outdoor painted labyrinth.  Hours:    9 am – 2 pm.  4444 Arlington Blvd., Arlington, VA 22204. 703-892-2565,   Contact:  Leah  Pelegrino,  (703) 920-1540

• St. Thomas’ Parish (Episcopal):  Permanent outdoor labyrinth.  Open daylight hours. 1772 Church St. NW, Washington DC, (Between P and Q on 18^th St. near Dupont Circle): Contact Deborah Greenbush, (202) 332-0607

• St. Luke’s Episcopal Church: Open during daylight hours. Outdoor Breamore-style labyrinth created with turf and pavers.  6030 Grosvenor Lane, Bethesda 20815. Contact: (301) 531-1800

• Brookside Gardens: Outdoor labyrinth.  Open sunrise to sunset.  1800 Glenallen Ave., Silver Spring, MD 20902-1369, Contact Michael Clarridge at Serenity Space, (301) 526-9023. Group Walk:  1 pm-2:30 pm

Technology and the Garden

What sounds like a fascinating symposium will take place May 6-7, 2011, at Dumbarton Oaks -- "Technology in the Garden," with speakers, panels, and films that look at the history, present state, and potential future interaction among technology, design, horticulture, and place. I plan to attend and hope to see some of you there. 

Walking space for wounded warriors

Labyrinth in the making, June 2010 (Source: Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund)The newest labyrinth in the Washington, DC, area is at a cutting-edge facility for studying and treating the most difficult cases of traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder among American military service members. The $65 milliion National Intrepid Center for Excellence opened its doors in June 2010 on the grounds of the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, MD. The seven-circuit Santa Rosa labyrinth, with Chartres-style lunations and petals, is at the heart of the center's "Central Park" refuge, along with skylights, benches, and plants. Funding for the Center came from the Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund.

For a photo of the labyrinth being walked on opening day, visit Daylife.

Labyrinth Walks with Sue Mosher

Labyrinth at Wisdom House retreat center, Litchfield, CT

I'm excited to announce a bunch of labyrinth events where I'll be doing presentations, starting in November. 

First, on November 14, Cedar Lane UU Church in Bethesda, MD, will hold its annual Fall Labyrinth Walk with a food drive to support the Manna Food Drive in Montgomery County, MD. I'll be presenting a brief introduction to the labyrinth and will be available to answer your questions about the labyrinth, including its history and practice. 

Then, starting on December 10, I'll be doing a year's worth of labyrinth programs on the second Friday evening of each month, from 7 to 9 p.m., on the crypt level of Washington National Cathedral. These programs are part of the Cathedral's year-long celebration of the 15th anniversary of the Center for Prayer and Pilgrimage. In addition to the labyrinth, the "Re-center from the Center" evenings will also offer the ancient spiritual practices of chanting, silence, worship, and prayer.

All these are listed on the DC Metro Labyrinth Events calendar on this site. 

If you or your organization are interested in having a labyrinth program either at your site or at one of the labyrinths available in the DC area, please get in touch with me. 

Also, I've been reminded lately that folks get some inspiration from photos of the many outdoor labyrinths I visit -- and that I am way behind on posting them! So, I offer here a picture of the last labyrinth I visited, back in September.