Truth

Truth 

I love the symbolism in this picture. The nine-pointed star with the symbols of the 9 different world religions encloses a spring - perpetually replenishing itself with the Waters of Life. When we partake of those waters (i.e. when we read and act on the Word of God)we sustain ourselves spiritually. Our hearts are uplifted - like the birds that soar upwards from the pool of clear guidance.

And if we but knew it, what that picture also says - that all religions spring from one source - is something we must all acknowledge for us to be able to go beyond our superficial differences, see the underlying unity and work to build civilization instead of tear it down. That truth really is within us all - we just need to recognize it.

It reminds me of this quotation by Robert Browning, which I copied into a notebook when I was a student (many aeons ago):

“Truth is within ourselves,
it takes no rise from outward things,
Whatever you may believe.

There is an innermost centre within us all,
where truth abides in fullness,
And, to know, rather consists in opening out a way.

Whence the imprisoned splendour may escape,
than in affecting entry for a light
Supposed to be without."

Mighty fine ska music!

The Skatalites 

Now this is a group that plays authentic music! They were playing here as part of their 40th anniverary tour. Of course not all the members have been with the group that long, but three of them actually have.

I had never heard of ska until my son mentioned that he liked it, and one day I was playing a Police cd a friend had given me and he said it sounded like it had some ska elements in it. I realise now that they were influenced by the originators of ska music, The Skatalites themselves. In fact there was a ska revival in the nineties, spawning such bands as The Mighty, Mighty Bosstones and No Doubt.

They were predated though in the eighties by one of my favourite reggae/ska bands, UB40. Their concert here was amazing - everyone stood and moved with the rhythm the whole night.

They say that reggae would never have developed had it not been for ska. And where would we have been without the sweet sound of Bob Marley?

So thank you to The Skatalites for their music and for a great concert, which even the antics of a couple of idiots jumping up on stage did not manage to spoil. It was a refreshing change from some of the awful contemporary stuff that passes for music on the radio these days.