Posts Tagged ‘Gentle Art of Blessing’
Pierre Pradervand: Blessing and the Oil Spill
Instead of hate, BLESS
I’ve seen some interesting feedback on Facebook and Twitter about the oil spill, and one of the questions running around is “What is your idea on how to fix the oil leak in the Gulf?” Some responses were serious, and some not so, like “take all the execs of BP and plug it up with them!”
People are upset. And I would hope, people are also working to find solutions. Last night I watched Cousteau’s grandson go diving in the oil infested waters, and he likened the oil burning through the ocean above him to dark clouds in the sky. It was shown that the leak is 25 miles deep, and is now hallmarked as the largest oil spill in history, exceeding the Exxon tragedy.
Those are tough words to hear. (more…)
The Only Thing That Matters by Pierre Pradervand
A blog post by our beloved Pierre Pradervand, author of The Gentle Art of Blessing.
It has been my privilege to travel widely through the five continents of the world in the course of a very active existence. I have met people from all walks of life, from prostitutes to presidents, saints and sinners. I have witnessed incredible poverty, amazing acts of daily heroism (especially from women). I have studied numerous belief systems, religions, philosophies, met those who were certain they were going to save the world and many doing their best to destroy it. But if I had to mention one single thing which I believe the most important by very very far for, not only the survival, but the harmonious evolution of mankind, it is simply LOVE. (more…)
A Three Hour Tour….
Recently I had a surgical procedure late in the afternoon at a surgery center. We did notice the snow starting to fall gently as I was taken to the center. While there, almost 3 hours, the snow fell some more and the wind picked up a little too. Nowhere in the weather forecast was there a hint of snow predicted. Okay, there were lots of mishaps at the surgery center, like getting a hematoma where the IV was first placed and other oddities, as well as the snow.
So, now it was 5 PM I am trying to not feel too drugged-up and I get a call from my daughter — she was going to pick my up and take my home. She is stuck at the bottom of the hill from her home and not going anywhere. I looked at the nurse and politely asked her to call for a cab. Hmmm… A recording comes on saying I am 30th in line, nope that will not work.. This place is closing in 15 minutes… Hmmm….???? (more…)
From Masculine Win-Lose to Feminine Win-Win
Today I’d like to introduce a thoughtful piece by one of our favorite authors, the delightful Pierre Pradevand, author of The Gentle Art of Blessing.
For many millennia, especially since the creation of the first cities, societies which were dominated by men were run essentially on the basis of a win-lose (competitive, Darwinian, masculin) paradigm. As long as technologies were extremely primitive, population density very sparse, and communications almost inexistent, this model could seem to function – and in fact, it did function for those in power: the nobility, the military, the rich, the clergy of all creeds and men.
However, with the advent of the Industrial Revolution, things changed dramatically. From around one billion in 1800, world population has reached close to seven billion today. (more…)
The Gentle Art of Blessing
Tomorrow marks the release date for our re-issue of an updated version of Pierre Prandevand’s Gentle Art of Blessing. And Wednesday, November 11, we are thrilled to have Pierre both visit our office and then do an event at the New Renaissance Bookstore Wednesday evening at 7:00 PM.
Pierre Pradervand has worked for decades in personal development and social justice across the world, and currently lives in Switzerland so it is a real treat to have such a beautiful and inspiring gentleman with us in Portland. I have watched a video of one of his talks and it was incredibly moving and profoundly inspiring.
In his wonderful book, The Gentle Art of Blessing, described blessings in these simple but eloquent terms:
“To bless means to wish, unconditionally and from the deepest chamber of your heart, unrestricted good for others and events; it means to hallow, to hold in reverence, to behold with awe that which is always a gift from the Creator. He who is hallowed by your blessing is set aside, consecrated, holy, whole. To bless is to invoke divine care upon, to speak or think gratefully for, to confer happiness upon, although we ourselves are never the bestower, but simply the joyful witnesses of life’s abundance.
For you Portlanders, don’t miss Pierre’s exclusive event, one-night only, at New Renaissance Bookstore.
