Michael Harding

A friend came visiting recently and the story is at the end of the episode. The rest is just one beautiful idea; Be grateful in every moment

Can I share with you how special you are. And one of the ways you are special is that the earth knows it. The ground beneath you knows you, and cherishes you. Don't be alarmed. I'm not off my head. It really makes sense, and this idea opens the door to a sense of being more and more deeply in relationship with the earth we live on. This is the root of what might be called Sacred Space. Sacred space is where we find our deepest connection with the cosmos. And here's the amazing thing; it's where you are standing right now.

I sit in silence. And the silence is a presence. and then something rises up out of the silence. And this is the way I write.As an example I chose three reflections from different moments in the past 20 years. Moments when I felt isolated as a man. Moments when I wasn't sharing my feelings. And somehow I wonder if it's a man thing to be so inarticulate about feelings and emotions. And sometimes I think that prayer has been the thing that rescued me. the thing that turns the isolation of depression into the solitude of serenity and joy. So that's how I write. I never quite know what I'm saying until I've said it. Be well and keep safe in the storm tonight.

You're going to love this. End of year in the Christian calendar with the Christmas music starting on Sunday. So chill out, and relax and just enjoy this moment. The year is over. Be loved. Be calm. Be your deepest self. and if you're listening on platforms for free please please go to Patreon.com/Michael Harding and subscribe. just give me the price of two coffees per month and I bring you four hours of heart felt meditations. Ah go on. Thanks and blessings.

here is a mix of two stories from the Irish Times Columns, one is my reaction to the movie Kneecap and the other at the end of the podcast is about a dear friend and neighbour who passed away recently. In between the two stories is a meditation on prayer. I hope you love it. 

Stop fidgeting, as the teacher used to say in primary school. Be still and pay attention. And here I am 65 years later still trying to be still and stop fidgeting.

Stop fidgeting, as the teacher used to say in primary school. Be still and pay attention. And here I am 65 years later still trying to be still and stop fidgeting.

This is part one of a two part reflection on the fundamental preliminary teaching in Tibetan Buddhism - The precious of human life. The second preliminary is that all actions have consequences. These two ideas together are the foundational ground of all teachings. And they make total sense in terms of the Christian remembrance of all souls in November. So I put the two together this week, and I've also made a plea for subscribers. If you get these podcasts on platforms where they are free, and you can afford to subscribe please go to Patreon.com/ Michael `Harding and make a subscription which will help the podcast continue and will also help those who can't afford to pay. You are supporting me, and you are supporting people who want to listen for free by your subscription. So thank you for that and enjoy the podcast.

There's a spider that makes an appearance at the beginning of this, and it led me to think about non-violence, and by the end of the meditation I was back with Yeshua, and I'm particular that dark night when he was approached by Nicodemus, an affluent chap who had a few questions for the Rabbi. But in essence it's another meditation on being in the present moment and how religious practises, whether they be Christian or Buddhist or something else, have a propensity to generate happiness. I hope you like this small song in praise of religious faith on this the Feast of All Saints.