Sophia as Rachel

Hi. I've posted a few times under "Rachel", my Hebrew name. I must say, Howard, that your post about the barrier that "seems" to exist between critique and non-critique of the Order has pushed me to overcome my reticience over using my monastic name on this site. I could put it down to shyness--and also to giving myself freedom to critique as a friend. But I have come, through reading a number of posts (especially Laura's as I noted at the time), to see this as dishonest to myself and the truth of my perception of situations developing at the time that I did leave.

A number of people have commented on the value of this forum. It certainly is healing to comprehend that your own perceptions were and are shared. But what is happening recently is that we are using this space to construct a way forward. I don't think any of us would be here without something having touched us profoundly via our experiences at the Abbey--at Shasta or Throssel.

In the monastic Rules as I remember them, there is something about one 'friend' going to another when something is observed that is off-base. With the understanding of a four-part Sangha, this forum offers friend to friend dialogue, and thus the opportunity for mutual learning and respect.

Buddha recognizes Buddha, Buddha bows to Buddha.

Hi Sophia -- welcome, again and still

L.

Hi Sophia--and great to see you here as Sophia!

Sophia, did you run the zafu stuff operation at one time? If so, I remember you with great fondness. Your good cheer amidst all the fluff floating everywhere impressed me greatly!

Yes, that was me!

Sophia wrote:

Hi. I've posted a few times under "Rachel", my Hebrew name. I must say, Howard, that your post about the barrier that "seems" to exist between critique and non-critique of the Order has pushed me to overcome my reticience over using my monastic name on this site.

Buddha recognizes Buddha, Buddha bows to Buddha.

.
Welcome Sophia! Now you just need to choose an avatar (FYI the Church Lady is already taken)...

Update: The Church Lady is now available!

Isan wrote:

Update: The Church Lady is now available!

Well, we might have to share that good lady's image . . . I need her help every now & then . . .

From sidebar conversations with Sophia I suspect she doesn't have a drop of true Church Lady in her

Sophia/Rachel, I remember you just after an abdominal surgery. I am a Regietered Nurse and warned you about all that thrusting to get those knots out of the Zafus. Did you ever get to Law School? Fondly John

Hi John,
You have a good memory! No, I left law and politics behind when I entered the monastery. I am currently a grad student: working on an MA in education while studying Hebrew. My speciality is the development of Jewish and Christian ritual practice in late antiquity.

Hey Sophia

Hope your birthday's everything you'd like it to be.

Cheers Howard

Yup - many happy returns.

Howard and Mark,

I'll leap in here, only because I know that Sophia is very busy, has just returned from a summer abroad, and has not been on the Forum in a while.

And I will also be extremely presumptuous in extending thanks to both of you from both Sophia, and H Sophia!

Sophia's birthday is in November.

H Sophia specified today as her birthday when she registered on the Forum, but has not posted yet. (Perhaps today will be the day?!)

Hi All!

Thanks Kozan! Yes, it's true: my birthday is in November, but I appreciate the warm greetings.



And yes, I just returned from Israel, and have started classes here already. Lost the password to the Forum in the shuffle, so please forgive my delay.

all my best,

Sophia