The Creation Spirituality Lineage Calling All Social and Environmental Activists, Mystic Explorers, Justice Makers, Cosmic Thinkers, Earth Keepers Daily Meditations with Matthew Fox |
Grace
& the Reinvention of Work, continued 12/29/2023 |
One example of the power of human grace reinventing one’s work emerged recently in Iran when a 70-year-old operator of a fish market stall started to groove in public—which is a violation of Iranian law. |
The result? A new kind of anti-government protest was born. The fish seller’s upbeat folk song attracted crowds who joined in by clapping and chanting a chorus consisting of “Oh, oh, oh, oh.” It caught on and people were dancing in the streets, shops, sport |
An Iranian fish seller who published videos of himself dancing has inspired daring imitators across the country. His Instagram now has 400,000 followers. RadioFree Europe/Radio Liberty
|
stadiums,
classrooms, malls, restaurants, gyms, parties. In a major tunnel in Tehran, traffic stopped for an impromptu dance to the music. In parks, young women danced with hair uncovered and young men created a hip-hop dance. A 32-year-old DJ said, “It’s obvious that joining this dance trend sends a strong message. It’s a way of
protesting and demanding our freedom and happiness.” Islamic clerics in power for 43 years have forbidden women and men to dance in public. The dance became an act of civil disobedience, and it all began with a 70-year-old fish market seller whose nicknane is Booghy. He tells us he dances “to make people happy. I
only want people to be happy and to change their mood.” When the video of him dancing went viral, he had 128,000 followers on Instagram. |
International channel WION offers commentary on the
nationwide dance protest inspired by Sadegh Boughi. | But on December 7, the group of 12 men who sang the chorus behind him on
the video were arrested and Booghy’s Instagram went dark. A post from the judiciary said: “This page has been shut down for creating criminal content." Those |
arrested were interrogated for hours, beaten and forced to sign a pledge they would not sing and dance in public again. When the news got out, a movement called the “happiness campaign” took off and 80 million viewers saw the video. The government backed down. Booghy’s Instagram followers now number 1.2
million, with dozens of tribute pages.* Clearly street workers practicing joy can be mystics and prophets and carriers of grace for others. |
*Farnaz Fassihi and Leily Nikounazar, “A Viral Dance and ‘Happiness Campaign’ Frustrates Iran’s Clerics.” New York Times, December 16, 2023.
See Matthew Fox, Creativity: Where the Divine and the Human Meet.
And Fox, Creation Spirituality: Liberating Gifts for the Peoples of the Earth.
And Fox, The Reinvention of Work: A New Vision of Livelihood for Our Time.
Banner Image: Screenshot of Sadegh “Booghy” Boughi’s viral Instagram page. |
|
Queries for Contemplation What lessons do you learn from this contemporary story of reinventing work happening in
Iran? |
Responses are welcomed. To add
your comment, or read other comments and enter into dialog, please click HERE to go to our website and scroll down to the Comments field. |
Creativity: Where the Divine and Human Meet
Because creativity is the key to both our genius and beauty as a species but also to our capacity for evil, we need to teach creativity and to teach ways of steering this God-like power in
directions that promote love of life (biophilia) and not love of death (necrophilia). Pushing well beyond the bounds of conventional Christian doctrine, Fox’s focus on creativity attempts nothing less than to shape a new ethic.
“Matt Fox is a pilgrim who seeks a path into the church of tomorrow. Countless numbers will be happy to follow his lead.” –Bishop John Shelby Spong, author, Rescuing
the Bible from Fundamentalism, Living in Sin |
|
Creation Spirituality: Liberating Gifts for the Peoples of the Earth
Fox’s spirituality weds the healing and liberation found in North American Creation Spirituality and in South American Liberation
Theology. Creation Spirituality challenges readers of every religious and political persuasion to unite in a new vision through which we learn to honor the earth and the people who inhabit it as the gift of a good and just Creator.
“A watershed theological work that offers a common ground for religious seekers and activists of all stripes.” — Frederic and Mary Ann Brussat, Spirituality and
Practice. |
|
The Reinvention of Work: A New Vision of Livelihood For Our Time
Thomas Aquinas said, “To live well is to work well,” and in this bold call for the revitalization of daily work, Fox shares his vision of a world
where our personal and professional lives are celebrated in harmony–a world where the self is not sacrificed for a job but is sanctified by authentic “soul work.”
“Fox approaches the level of poetry in describing the reciprocity that must be present between one’s inner and outer work…[A]n important road map to social change.” ~~ National Catholic Reporter
|
|
In the Beginning There Was Joy: A Cosmic Celebration for Kids of All Ages
The first book in the Father Fox’s Fantastical Fables series tells the story of the big bang and how humans fit into the awesome, fantastical, cosmic picture! With artwork curated from illustrators around the world, this book expresses the joy and wonder of all peoples and cultures, planting seeds of respect, cooperation and hope to work together for the healing of our planet. "Matthew Fox does it again, here for our young ones, who so need a positive, cosmic vision to thrive, or even survive, in a sad time." - Father Richard Rohr, Author of The Universal Christ "Matthew Fox offers a resounding
affirmation of what our souls have always suspected: we are made for joy." - Mirabai Starr, Author of God of Love and Wild Mercy Receive a 20% discount when you buy this and one other book from Matthew Fox’s store! Use Promo Code 20% at
checkout. |
|
UPCOMING EVENTS See Matthew Fox's full calendar
HERE |
SPECIAL EVENT: 5-DAY WORKSHOP IN AQUINAS’ HOMETOWN OF ORVIETO, ITALY
WITH MATTHEW FOX, MESHI CHAVEZ, AND CLAUDIA PICARDI
JUNE 9-14, 2024
LEARN MORE HERE. |
Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book “Confessions: The Making of a Post-Denominational Priest ” in an Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat.Thursday, January 18, 4:00-6:00 pm PT Register HERE |
Join Matthew Fox as he lectures on “What the Mystics Tell Us About Dying “ at the Conference on Death, Grief and Belief, “Emerging Spiritualities: Death and Bereavement Across the Spiritual Spectrum,” Saturday, January 20, 9:00am – 5:00pm PT Register HERE |
Join Matthew Fox as he discusses his book “The Lotus & The Rose” in an Our Lady of the Prairie Retreat. Thursday, February 15, 4:00-6:00 pm PT Register HERE |
|
Creation Spirituality Conversations |
Hunger for Wholeness:
What is Wholeness in the Midst of Crisis with Matthew Fox (Part 1) In the midst of increased violence between Israel and Palestine, Ilia Delio and theologian Matthew Fox discuss the state of the world today and how to have courage in Part 1 of their conversation. Ilia and Matt discuss his mentor, Marie Dominique Chenu, the influence of liberation theology
on social justice in the church today, and what can still be learned.
|
|
Inspired by this post? Share your insights on Universeodon, Instagram or Twitter using the hashtag #RevDrMatthewFox and tag Matt with @RevDrMatthewFox FOLLOW MATTHEW FOX: |
|
|
|
