ABOUT

‘Sacred’ is defined as meaning ‘holy’ and ‘hallowed’ but also as ‘blessed’, ‘cherished’ and ‘worthy of awe and respect.’
Religious belief is a part but not the entirety of it.
Kings and priests manifest sacredness – but so do buildings, and so does nature: the sun, moon and stars, vistas, rivers, mountains and trees, and so much more…
The people of our daily lives can too – especially those brilliant minds who excel, bestow wisdom and excite our imaginations.
What I seek firstly for SEEK THE SACRED is to foster some moments of stillness to set against the days’ relentless motion, find a way to help hold fast when life presents so much movement, so many changes, taking place on so many fronts.
I want STS to be a place to explore what, for me, I deem ‘worthy of awe and respect’, to share and celebrate it with you. This may be secular, may be spiritual: the binary of secular and spiritual not impossible.
I do not believe I’m alone in my seeking.
Philosopher Charles Taylor writes of how many of us are ‘in search of something more in this secular age, to experience an undefined spirituality, to be moved by what is powerful and deep. Not necessarily needing to know where this is found, whether in heaven or on earth or in the depths of our own being – or even whether these alternatives are exclusive.’
My inspiration for STS began with study in the visual arts of Christianity: sacred paintings but also carvings, sculpture, mosaic, architecture.
Because of this and because the Miscellany follows a yearly calendar, I will showcase each month some of the astounding classical works of art depicting the relevant festivals celebrated in Christian calendar.
Beyond that, having worked and travelled in Africa and south Asia, my curiosity kindled about how these cultures communicate what matters most to them, my aim under each of STS’ different subject heads is to frequently go broader than the Western European tradition.
I like Enuma Okoro’s column in the Weekend Financial Times where the eclectic works of art she chooses often come with excellent insights. At this year’s beginning she posed a question, writing – I paraphrase – ‘All of us are creators… Our lives are a work in progress … What if as a new year begins we were to guide our choices and behaviours by considering our emotional life and wellbeing, and what practices we could take up to benefit these? It might be transformative – regardless of all that life might throw at us.’
What if…?
I like ‘what ifs.’
I’d like it if you would like to subscribe to this blog – and to let us others know about it so they can too.
Feedback on concept and content is welcome and will be gratefully received.