“Wonder is the beginning of wisdom.” ― Socrates

Many of us have heard of the Seven Principles of the Unitarian Universalist Association of Congregations, but less of us have heard of, or explored the Six Sources. Like the Principles, these are not doctrine, dogma, or commandments.

Given our diversity of beliefs, the Principles and Sources were collected from among our Association as points of covenant and agreement; Principles we aspire to and Sources we are inspired by. The first source is: “Direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of the spirit and an openness to the forces that create and uphold life.”

For short, the “Mystery and Wonder” source.

Let’s embrace “Mystery and Wonder” as our Faith Development Theme in November.

Where do you find yourself in AWE?

Wondering at something you don’t know, or just the shear awesomeness of something. Perhaps listening to music, watching a sunset, looking through a microscope, marveling at a coincidence, feeling the warmth of the sun, or basking in the affection of another person….

This month look for moments where you experience a feeling of transcendent mystery and wonder. Stay with those moments for longer that you usually might. Don’t rush onto the next thing, but really take it in. Allow these moments to renew your spirit. Feel into those deeper forces that create and uphold life. And take a moment to experience Gratitude; to say “thank you.”

Here are some resources to get you started:

-“Holy Now” a song by Peter Mayer

– there is a great visual meditation with this song by Christine Paintner on Youtube

-Robin Ince’s TED talk for science lovers- https://www.ted.com/talks/robin_ince_science_versus_wonder

-Age of Miracles by Karen Thompson Walker

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“We are an impossibility in an impossible universe.”  Ray Bradbury

 “A [person] should hear a little music, read a little poetry, and see a fine picture every day of his life, in order that worldly cares may not obliterate the sense of the beautiful which God has implanted in the human soul.” ― Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

“The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our senses to grow sharper.” ― W.B. Yeats

“To see a World in a Grain of Sand, And a Heaven in a Wild Flower, Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand, And Eternity in an hour.” ― William Blake, Auguries of Innocence

Yours in Faith,

Michelle