Not Shut Up in a Cloister

THE BLESSINGS PROMISED US
BY CHRIST WERE NOT PROMISED
TO THOSE ALONE WHO WERE PRIESTS.

WOE UNTO THE WORLD, INDEED,
IF ALL THAT DESERVED THE
NAME OF VIRTUE WERE SHUT
UP IN A CLOISTER.

~Heloise

Of Note: Heloise, a French nun, writer, scholar, mystic and abbess who lived from 1098 - 1164, knew of what she spoke. Before becoming a nun, she lived a double-life as consort and then secret wife of the famed nobleman and philosopher Peter Abelard. Back then, a nobleman could not marry a woman from a humble background but that social more did not stop a destined couple from uniting and producing a son, names Astrolabe. Heloise's uncle and protector did not take this lying down and proceeded to have Abelard attacked and castrated while at the same time physically abusing the new mother. The star-crossed couple then entered separate monasteries to escape the uncle's wrath, only to begin a florid, romantic correspondence that lasted many years. Abelard put an end to it eventually and the writings that followed showed the brilliance of both minds at a time when European scholarship was in a dark. period. Heloise eventually overtook Abelard in renown for her insightful and scholarly writing at a time when women did not rise to such heights. Abelard's greatest claim to fame was his marriage to this remarkable woman. Both are remembered for their deep and abiding love for the other, and the names Heloise and Abelard have gone down in history as the quintessential example of star-crossed lovers.

Today's Weather Report: It was a frigid -25 degrees Fahrenheit last night--surprising for a February day. This is typically a January temperature. While it is colder than cold here, it has been heating up even more in Egypt where President Mubarak has announced that he will step down this evening. Even though the masses may not understand it, the energy they have been producing is shooting out in all directions and having a profound effect upon the environment. While gloating over the fall of perceived enemies, the leaders of Iran and Syria believe they are immune from fiery trajectories. That is surely a misconception on their part, and they should watch their backs. A window may be opening where the beleaguered population in the Middle East will use the fire produced to proclaim freedom from dictators, who have held them down for so long. Freedom is not something we gain; it is something we already have as part of our divine inheritance. We give it away until we recognize these facts. One recognized, however, the energy released will not be held back and will burn anything in its path. That is just what we are seeing now. We can help by consciously adding our supportive thoughts to the crowds, many of whom are making the ultimate sacrifice for the good of all.