beingblog:

I chose this photo of Pope Benedict XVI from 2008 to head Mary Jo McConohay’s insightful commentary and analysis, “La Sorpresa: The Papal Resignation, in the Latin American Eye.” 

Is Latin America the future of the Roman Catholic Church, or will the home to liberation theology be relegated to the sidelines when the next pope is chosen?

“Half of the cardinals who will vote are from Europe, but only a quarter of Catholics live there. Whoever is elected, dramatic church changes do not appear imminent.”

 ~Trent Gilliss

beingblog:

“Usually when we hear or read something new, we just compare it to our own ideas. If it is the same, we accept it and say it is correct. If it is not, we say it is incorrect.

In either case, we learn nothing.

If we read or listen with an open mind and an open heart, the rain of the Dharma will penetrate the soil of our consciousness.”

~Thich Nhat Hanh from Heart of Buddha’s Teaching

Hear more Thich Nhat Hanh in Brother Thay: A Radio Pilgrimage

photo by Martina K. / Flickr, cc by 2.0

derwolfsmantel:

Typical Soviet cavalryman. Note the snaffle bit - the Soviet cavalry were one of the few that favoured the snaffle over the double or curb. This was inherited from the Cossacks, and the entire cavalry arm made the conversion during WWI. 

via

(via historyofeurope)