Blessed are the peacemakers …
“When I despair, I remember that
all through history the way of truth
and love have always won. There
have been tyrants and murderers,
and for a time, they can seem
invincible, but in the end, they
always fall. Think of it … always.”
~ Mahatma Gandhi
The site of Gandhi’s martyrdom
The Mahatma’s final footsteps
“The spirit of the Sermon on the Mount
competes almost on equal terms with
the Bhagavad Gita for the domination
of my heart.”
“Today supposing I was deprived of
the Gita and forgot all its contents but
had a copy of the Sermon, I should
derive the same joy from it as I do
from the Gita.”
~ Mahatma Gandhi
Photography;
David & Linda Redpath © 2020
A declaration of liberation
that Sermon on the Mount.
Yet the Hive of Self Flagellation,
that holy cow of superstition,
has somehow turned
freedom into a millstone
around the neck of humankind.
Blessed are those
who find their way home
by choosing peace and love
over hatred and aggression.
In this world of darkness
seething with grasping greed
and mindless violence,
there are none so blind
as the hollow self-righteous.
There is a light
above and beyond
this shadow horizon
where the shallow religious
preach hateful division.
Always much to overcome
to see clearly
the bright morning sun.
More a decision
than an emotion,
love is simply
a heavenly point of view
perceived through
a mighty swell of inspiration,
like the king tide
of a surging ocean.
Be not deceived,
the opposite motivation,
that driving force of destruction,
comes mainly
from you know who
… who is too lowly to mention.
In the big picture,
according to scripture,
there’s a celestial future
of endless possibility.
It all starts with a single decision,
for there is an open invitation
from the author of eternity,
the Father of all creation.
~ by David B. Redpath
Like Mahatma himself, your glorious poem is charismatically compelling and energetic.. well done David…
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Greatly appreciated, Ivor 🙏
Thanks for staying up so late
for this belated posting ⌚ 😎
Or were you out and about for
a bit of Christmas shopping? 🎁
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No.. Dead tired
But not dead yet
My ticker has been reprieved
No more cables up my sleeve
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Blessed are the pacemakers✌️
That reminds me of something
Dylan, the other Poet Laureate,
once said (He’s the one who
doesn’t reside in Geelong 😇) …
I ain’t dead yet
My bell still rings
I keep my fingers crossed
Like them early Roman kings
Bring down my fiddle
Tune up my strings
I’m gonna break it wide open
Like the early Roman kings
I’ve had my fun
I’ve had my flings
Gonna shake ’em all down
Like the early Roman kings
~ Bob Dylan
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Thank you David,
Dylan at breakfast
A welcome starter feast
Later celebrate with beer
We’ll raise our schooners and cheer
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Like a regular ⛵
seafaring buccaneer 🏴☠️
Have a great Christmas, Ivor.
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And have great Christmas too David, to you and yours, peace and health.. 🌏😎
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Exactly necessary for this time. On a personal and global level.
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Too true, Petru ☮️
Yet, with a big dose of hope, faith,
and love, we can make it through 🙏
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😽
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That’s a very enlivening post. And your thoughts at last are really beautiful.
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Thanks for plugging in, Yash 🔌
We could all do with a bolt ⚡
of high voltage inspiration after a
year that would flatten the battery
of even the most heavy duty🔋
Let me know if you find any 😎 💛
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Beautiful 🙏🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻my friend
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Thank you kindly 🙏
Beauty is in the eye 👁️
of the viewfinder 📸 😎
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🙏🙏🙏
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Beautiful, David. I was inspired many years ago by Gandhi Ji’s devotion to the study of all religions, calling it a “sacred duty.” It is what I tried to teach my children, to find the Divine light within themselves and to see it in all others. I’m currently reading Mary Magdalene Revealed, A Christianity We Haven’t Tried Yet. It would be interesting to know what Gandhi thought of her Gospel. Thank you for sharing the photos too. ♥.
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My pluralistic pleasure, Niki 😇
I’ve read how women played a crucial
role in the spread of Christianity, and
that the early church regarded Mary
Magdalene an “apostle to the apostles”.
Centuries later some old patriarch, the
same one who decided sex was the
‘original sin’, branded Mary Magdalene
as the prostitute from the gospel story
in order to push aside the involvement
of women in the running of the church.
(Big mistake, on both counts. The
next thing you’ve got a church that’s
an all boy’s club spruiking celibacy.
No wonder there’s not much
satisfaction with organised religion.)
Yet, the fact remains that women were
the last disciples at the cross and the
first at the empty tomb …
Now Mary stood outside the tomb
crying. As she wept, she bent over
to look into the tomb and saw two
angels in white, seated where Jesus’
body had been, one at the head and
the other at the foot. They asked her,
“Woman, why are you crying?”
“They have taken my Lord away,”
she said, “and I don’t know where
they have put him.”
At this, she turned around and
saw Jesus standing there, but she
did not realize that it was Jesus.
He asked her, “Woman, why are you
crying? Who is it you are looking for?”
Thinking he was the gardener, she said,
“Sir, if you have carried him away, tell
me where you have put him, and I will
get him.”
Jesus said to her, “Mary.”
She turned toward him and cried out
in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (“Teacher”).
~ Book of John
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Every time I read this, I feel chills head to toe. I wrote a song about this moment. Easter Morning Mary’s Song. Do you want to read it? And David, well said about the early church decisions. =) ♥.
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It would be a privilege to read it ☑️
Easter Morning was the Dawning
of the Age of Gloria in Excelsis 🎶 ⬆️
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Thank you, David. ♥.
https://nikiflow.wordpress.com/2015/04/05/easter-morning-marys-song/
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Your sermon was food for thought and insightful. I will leave it at that. 🙏🏼🌎✌🏻💙
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Thanks for sampling, Elle 😎💛
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You put it out there, I’ll sample it. 😁🥸😎
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To quote Icehouse
a great Aussie band …
“When I get this feeling,
it gets in my system.
I can’t put the brakes on.
Oh, I can’t help myself.” 😎
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Beautiful soul filled words. I loved the Mahatma quote “An eye for an eye will make the whole world blind” so true and it never stops. Lovely collection of photos by Linda. Blessings to you both.
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Gratefully received on a reciprocal
blessing basis, Nanette 🙏 😎
Yes, an 👁️ eye for an eye 👁️ is
strictly old testamental. Just as a
tooth 🦷 for a tooth 🦷 is a bit
antidental. What if the injury was
completely accidental 🤔 🕶️
And yes, Linda is very good with all
the travel photography ✈️📷 ☑️
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Wise words 😊
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You know what they say, Suzanne;
When there’s no wisdom handy
. . . go for the Gandhi ✌️👌 😎
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Such exquisite beautiful poem, for an incredibly inspiring personality.
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Thank you, Praghalba 🙏
It was quite an experience to visit
the place of Ghandi’s martyrdom,
in New Delhi. Despite the fact he
was staying at a rich mansion at
the time, he still maintained a
simple, and very humble, existence.
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He is a deep lesson for who he was. I haven’t yet had the privilege to visit, so truly appreciated your post.
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I have a confession to make.
During my visit to Gandhi Smriti
I was wondering around the back
garden and noticed these white
stone footprints leading to the
spot of Ghandi’s assassination.
I must’ve been a bit jet lagged
(that’s my excuse anyway) and
assumed visitors were to walk
upon them as a path leading to
Gandhi’s Martyrdom shrine.
As I did so an obviously horrified
security guard came and explained
that they were the last steps of the
Mahatma, so to kindly get off them.
But, I can now say, with complete
honesty, that I have truly walked
in Mahatma Gandhi’s footsteps 👣
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My heart smiled a deep smile for your genuine heart :))) You were indeed guided/meant to walk those footsteps, in all your innocence _()_
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Thanks for your gracious
forbearance, Praghalba
(and that of the security
guard, who thankfully
wasn’t armed). 🙏 😎
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_()_ :))))
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Blessings, especially in this season to you, David, and to all yours.
To include the vastest portion of what is yours which is all of us; and some of us, here on a different continent, under cover of snow darkness…. who know that hopeful change is coming because people went out to be the change.
Sarah
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Thank you 🙏 You too, Sarah 💛
Hopefully 2021 is the start of
a much brighter era ( allowing
for not too much human error 🤞)
Big change is in the wind 🌀 🌎
May it be mostly for the better 🤔
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wonderfully uplifting, David; good to see a new post from you; we have been deprived too long 🙂 I love the phrase: ‘the hollow self-righteous;; so good to hear ‘One Love’ again 🙂
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Thank you very much, John.
Good to hear from you too.
The borders are open, so I’ve been
on the run. A busman’s holiday,
so to speak, seeking sanctuary,
and some fun in the sun ☀️
after an eternity of isolation ♾️ 😎
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I understand; welcome back 🙂
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Fortunately, some Bob Marley
tunes le reggae all the way 🚙 🎶
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Sending you peace and all good things David 🤗💫 smiles hedy
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With much appreciation, Hedy,
peace and positivity back in your
direction 💫 ☮️ ✨ 💜 😎 🙏
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Fantastic. Good to see you posting again 🙂
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Thank you muchly 🙏 Been on
a bit of a busman’s holiday 😎
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None so blind as the self righteous 👍
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Being nicely right starts with
choosing some erroneous 💛😎
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Awesome post, David!! 😊😁✨✨✨👍
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Thanks Chuck 🙏
Have yourself a very merry
Mahatma Christmas 🎁😎
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That’s what the world needs, David!! Loved the post and the photos too!
✨✨😊
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Beautiful David. Your work is always so moving and meaningful! ❤️
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Thank you very much, Cindy 💛
We can only but do our best 😎
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That is soooo true 🤗
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Love is indeed more a decision than an emotion. Thank you for the uplifting post.
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My pleasure, Magarisa.
Thanking you 🙏 decisively 💛😎
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Beautiful ❤
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🙏 🌈 ♾️ 💛
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Aye, was just wondering when you would pop up again in the WordPress Sphere…glad ya did!!! I always look forward to reading your poems. This one definitely put me in a peaceful state. I could use a bit more peace and joy and cheer, guess I’ll just live vicariously through yours!! Excellent poem!!! Hope you have a Merry Christmas David!
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Thank you, Cara 🙏
You too 🎄🎁
And glad to be of service 😎
Like one of your Wyoming twisters,
the eye of the storm can seem like a
peaceful place to a ramblin’ drifter.
2020 is moving on.
Hopefully 2021 will be much nicer.
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You’ve captured the spirit of peace in your poem excellently. Well done 💪💯
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Thank you very much, Mara 🙏
All I was saying ♾️
is give peace a chance 🎶 😎
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Dear Redpath!! You have admired
our Mahatma Gandhi, and tbis is
very well written. I am impressed
you know so much. You know that
after receiving the freedom since
August 1947, all Indian was
celebrating independence. Then,
due to the partition done by British
rulers, there was a holocaust, at the
border of India and Pakistan, with
much suffering. At that time
Mahatma Ghandi was doing the work
to try and stop the violence in those
suffering area. Indians said he was a
magician and messenger of peace,
as everywhere he went a peaceful
atmosphere was established
automatically, without the need of
force. So we call him the Mahatma
(a revered holy person). Your poem
about him and the Indian situation
is most impressive and inspirational.
Well done, dear Redpath.
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Thank you very much, Aruna.
Asia, the Middle-East, Africa
… how the colonial powers ruled,
and then arbitrarily divided up,
or amalgamated, their captive
territories is still causing chaos
today. The Indian Partition was
the worst tragic example.
Kurdistan was torn apart. The
long suffering Kurds are gradually
being annihilated by those they
were entrusted to by the Colonial
overlords. Even the USA, under
Trump, recently betrayed them,
with horrific consequences 😪
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Yeah.you have given most sad and tragic historical facts.thanks for sharing,dear Redpath!!
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Beautiful
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Thank you, Rupa 🌹
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I was thinking about you just the other day, wondering when we’d see another post. This one is just the message of hope the world needs right now. Perhaps if we just toss a little holy water on he who shall not be named, he will burst into flame and be gone.
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My vote has been posted ✉️ 📮
I have faith it will be counted 💦👿🔥
Perhaps there’s more chaos to come
before the vaccine of peace kicks in,
but at least You Know Who 🙊 that
unmentionable beast, is on the run.
A change of climate is just the action
needed to get some positive reaction🌎
Wishing you the best for 2021, Liz 💛
and don’t neglect to have some fun 😎
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Thank you, David. I think we’re on the road to recovery, but it’s going to be a very long and winding road. As for fun, I’ll take pleasure in the little things, bad puns and such.
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May this festive season grant
us all a Presidential pardon…
to laugh, to sing, and have fun.
Have a virus resistant Christmas,
Liz, in hope of an eternal vacation
to come 🙏🎄♾️ 😎
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And to dance like there’s no one watching!!
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If no one is watching 👀 . . .
I tend to leave my clothes on 😇
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😀
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Hola David, Thank you for reading my humble offering. It was fitting that you walked in Gandhi’s footprints! Wishing you and your wife a joyous Christmas and a healthier New Year. Cheers! Peace & Love
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My pleasure, Joy ☑️
And yes, my long suffering wife,
Linda, never tires of hearing me
say that I’ve walked in Gandhi’s
footsteps 😎 All the best for a
virus free vaccination season🎄
💉💪 🎁👌🎅
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Gandhi is an epitome of nonviolence and truth. Sadly there are people who are against a harmonious evolution. You put your thought beautifully.
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Thank you very much, Akam 🙏
One of my favourite Gandhi quotes;
“There is a sufficiency in the world for
man’s need but not for man’s greed.”
~ Mahatma Gandhi
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Have a great Christmas, David! ❤
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Thanks 🙏 You too 💛
Buon Natale, Anna 💐😎
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Love is the only answer, and Happy Christmas!
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You too, Lara 💛☮️♾️
And thank you for reminding me
of a favourite Dylan lyric …
Love is all there is,
it makes the world go ’round
Love and only love, it can’t be denied
No matter what you think about it
You just won’t be able to do without it
Take a tip from one who’s tried
~ Bob Dylan / Johnny Cash
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(swoon) thank you
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Great post with beautiful collection of photographs!
I wish peace and love for all…
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Thank you, Debasis 🙏🌎 ☮️ 🌍♾️
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Most welcome 🙏
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Reblogged this on B +Ve !!.
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Gandhi’s words certainly inspired an excellent poem on your part, David.
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Thanks Christopher 🙏
A quote from Gandhi is worth more
than a box of Christmas candy 🎁🍬😎
“You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is like an ocean; if a few
drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean
does not become dirty.”
“Where there is love there is life.”
“There is no god higher than truth.”
~ Mahatma Gandhi
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Amazing
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Thank you, Rubaiya 🙏
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What great pics as always; Lovely Linda is the bombastic best at capturing the cheeky but benevolent David ;)) 😎😈🙏😇👩❤️👨
Lovely reminders in the quotes, plus some pretty deep thoughts of your own…
“Yet the Hive of Self Flagellation,
that holy cow of superstition,
has somehow turned
freedom into a millstone
around the neck of humankind.”
So true… it’s when we see ourselves non-compassionately that we tend to see others that way, and it self-propagates… and yes, truth and love really do win, when the true effort is made, every time… as say your next lines. Hugs and happy holidays to you and yours, and may the time together be merry and bright 🎄🎉🎶❤️🔆💚
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A merrily on high to you too, Lia 💌
Have a mile wide yuletide ☑️ with
lots of seasonal joy on the side🎄😎
I’m blessed beyond imagination havin’
Linda as a travellin’ companion 💞
Thanks for noticing & commenting 👍
I do hope, for the sake of future
generations, that the gyroscope
within the human conscience will
collectively resume functioning 🙏
As the song goes, learning to love
yourself 🎶 is a good beginning 💝
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🥰❤️💖💗🧡💝💛💜🌀🎶🙌
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Reblogged this on Phil Slattery's Blog and commented:
I am not a fan of the stereotypical American Christmas motifs and hyperbole. This article by a new follower is much more to my taste and gets more to the essence of the holiday season than anything I have seen in a long time.
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Celestial future it is. Reading your writing after a long time and its awesome as always.
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Thanks for that, Kritika 💛
Whilst many have been going
lock down crazy, I’ve never
been so busy. My kingdom for
a vaccination 💉to break free
of all this compulsory isolation.
Then I can take a vacation and
get back to some contagiously
serious blogging 😎
“Life is what happens when
you should be writing.”
~ The Frustrated Blogger
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My pleasure always 🙂
I agree with the quote. Looking forward to more posts from your end I am guessing a lot is in mind of ‘The Frustrated Blogger’. 😀
Happy Blogging 🙂
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Great post! I’ve nominated you for an award. Feel free to check it out on my blog if you wish!🙂
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Thank you very much, Ritisha 🙏💛
I would reciprocate if I could, but
I’ve been blocked like permafrost❄️
from playing with others 😎
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You’re very welcome! That’s alright – thank you for visiting my blog anyway!😊
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Mr. Redpath, amigo mio – this post called out to me, as I am a big fan of Mr. Gandhi.
And of yourself, too, of course! I really loved the pictures you shared here, how fantastic
that you got to visit Gandhi´s resting place. What an inspiration he was and is!
Love that Graffiti-Art-piece, but what I enjoyed most here were your lines ” Blessed are those who find their way home by choosing peace and love…” and “More a decision than an emotion, love is simply a heavenly point of view perceived through a mighty swell of inspiration…” So beautiful!!! I just melted. Very poetic and true… So glad to be reconnecting, I have been a bit absent of the blogosphere for the last months. I hope you are keeping well, amigo. Much love and big hugs to you!💜 💜 💜
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Oh, our Gandhi Bapu.
You are so much kind. Really, He
was a great and kind hearted person.
His paintings are most beautiful
and your poem is most inspirational.
Well done, dear Redpath.
Sorry for being late.
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My pleasure, Aruna.
It was an honour and a privilege
to visit Gandhi Smriti.
So glad you liked my tribute to
the Mahatma, Aruna 🙏❤️
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Your comment is my pleasure🙏🙏🙏🙏❤
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Yeah.i am so happy.most welcome,dear Redpath.🌷🌷🌷🌼🌻🌺
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