Latest news with #devotion
New York Times
a day ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
A Novel About a Friendship So Fierce, It Feels Like Worship
LONELY CROWDS, by Stephanie Wambugu In a novella collected in Gertrude Stein's 1909 book 'Three Lives,' Melanctha, a young biracial woman in a segregated American coastal town, yearns for the kind of knowledge and life experience that social norms (and her controlling father) forbid. At 16, she meets the older, sexually progressive, alcoholic Jane Harden, who teaches Melanctha everything she knows — including the power of worship itself. 'There was nothing good or bad in doing, feeling, thinking or in talking, that Jane spared her,' Stein writes. 'Sometimes the lesson came almost too strong for Melanctha, but somehow she always managed to endure it and so slowly, but always with increasing strength and feeling, Melanctha began to really understand.' Reading 'Three Lives' in an undergraduate literature seminar at Bard College, Ruth, the narrator of Stephanie Wambugu's extraordinary first novel, 'Lonely Crowds,' finds herself so moved that she slams the book shut and hurls it across her dorm room, shaking. 'I followed this character on her search for wisdom and felt I had actually taken part in her endeavors in the way dreaming of falling is like falling,' she says. 'I understood what it meant to sit at Jane's feet and how quickly those long hours spent kneeling at her feet must've passed because I understood devotion.' Devotion — unquestioning, self-sacrificing, one-sided, sublime — is the overwhelming concern of this bildungsroman about two best friends from suburban Rhode Island making their way into adulthood and the art scene in 1990s New York City. The object of Ruth's is Maria, the only other Black girl in their Catholic school class, whom she first encounters in line to purchase school uniforms. Ruth sees a woman and child turned away by the shopkeeper for insufficient funds, and the girls make eye contact as Maria is shuffled away, her 'wide black eyes' utterly 'without shame.' For the 9-year-old protagonist, the only child of working-class immigrants — her strict Kenyan mother works as a secretary in a doctor's office and her dejected, disillusioned father struggles to hold down a job — it's infatuation at first sight. Let Us Help You Find Your Next Book Let us help you choose your next book Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Daily Mail
5 days ago
- General
- Daily Mail
'Don't put that man in front of me again': Charles's friends reveal truth about King's thorny demands after exodus of Highgate gardeners - and say problems started after one key sacking: RICHARD KAY
His funeral wreath of white roses was alone on top of the coffin. But it was the accompanying words that summed up the then Prince of Wales's enduring devotion. 'For dearest Paddy,' the prince wrote, 'the finest and most loyal of old friends that anyone could hope for.' Signing off, he added: 'With affectionate and grateful remembrance, from Charles.'
Daily Mail
22-07-2025
- Daily Mail
Family pay heartfelt tribute to missing mother Rachel Booth, describing her as a 'guiding light' and praising her 'strengths, love and devotion' after police divers found her body in a lake
The family of a mother-of-three whose body was found in a lake paid tribute to her kindness and described her as a 'guiding light whose strengths, love and devotion touched us all'. Rachel Booth, 38, went missing during the night on Friday sparking a huge police search. Her belongings were found close to a lake leading to police divers conducting a search over three days. A woman's body was found yesterday at the lake, in Oakmere, Cheshire, and this morning police said her family had confirmed identification. Her death is not being treated as suspicious. In a statement issued via Cheshire Police, Ms Booth's relatives said: 'Rachel, who was known to us as Helena, was a cherished member of our family. 'She was a guiding light whose strengths love, and devotion touched us all. Her kindness was constant and her presence a strength to everyone she knew, a loving mother, wife, daughter and sister who can never be replaced but always present in our hearts. 'Her absence leaves a space, but her smiles are a memory we will treasure for ever.' The family added: 'As a family we would also like to offer our sincere thanks and appreciation to all the services and business that supported Cheshire Police and their officers during the search for Rachel.' Ms Booth, who was married with three sons, was last seen in the early hours of Saturday morning at a garage seven miles from her home, in the village of Barnton, near Northwich, Cheshire. She was filmed on CCTV when she called at the 24-hour Waitrose shop of the Shell petrol station, in Sandiway, on the main A556, at 3.50am. Ms Booth, a keen runner who is believed to have jogged from her home, was dressed in black leggings, a black vest top and trainers, and it is believed she may have run to the garage. Later on Saturday, officers from Cheshire Constabulary closed off the Wild Shore Delamere water sports centre, which is used for open water swimming, paddleboarding and wakeboarding and is around 1.7miles further along the main road towards Chester. Several police cars and fire engines were also seen in attendance. On Sunday, police confirmed specialist divers were on the site searching the lake, which is next to a collection of holiday lodges at Delamere Lake Sailing and Holiday Park. Ms Booth's mother, Chrissie Widdowson, 59, shared the police's appeal to find her daughter on Facebook. According to social media, Ms Booth, who has sons aged 13, 10 and six, married her husband Carl, 47, in November 2022. A source told the Mail a close family member reported her missing and there was evidence to suggest she had travelled to Wild Shore, where the main police activity was focused. Her belongings are believed to have been found close to the lake. A member of staff at the petrol station also claimed that she bought milk and a bottle of wine from one of his colleagues, who told him she had jogged to the petrol station and didn't seem 'disturbed or flustered.' One man, who 'grew up around the corner' from Ms Booth posted on Facebook that 'she is honestly one of the nicest people you could meet.' Another said she had 'three gorgeous boys' and a 'loving husband.'
UAE Moments
15-07-2025
- Business
- UAE Moments
♉ Taurus: Daily Horoscope for July 16th, 2025
Today, Taurus, the Universe invites you to embrace the beauty of simplicity. As the Moon dances through Aries, it highlights the importance of focusing on what truly matters. Let go of unnecessary complexities and find joy in the little things, like a walk in nature or a heartfelt conversation. Love Horoscope Today, dear Taurus, the stars encourage you to embrace the warmth of love in all its forms. Whether it's a gentle hug from a loved one or a heartfelt conversation with a friend, cherish these moments. Your natural loyalty and devotion shine brightly, making you a beacon of comfort for those around you. Remember, love is not just about grand gestures but also about the small, everyday acts of kindness. Let your heart guide you, and don't shy away from expressing your feelings, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone. Career Horoscope In the realm of work, Taurus, today is a day to harness your natural endurance and dedication. The Moon's influence encourages you to tackle tasks with patience and determination. Whether it's a project that requires meticulous attention or a new challenge that demands creativity, trust in your abilities. Your steady approach and attention to detail will not go unnoticed. Remember, success is not always about speed but about the quality of your work. Take pride in your achievements and let your work speak for itself. Health Horoscope With the Moon's influence today, Taurus, it's a perfect time to focus on your well-being. Consider starting your day with a calming routine, like a morning walk or a few minutes of meditation. These simple acts can ground you and set a positive tone for the day. Remember, your body is your temple, and nurturing it with healthy habits will bring you peace and stability. Embrace the simple pleasures, like a warm cup of tea or a good book, to recharge your spirit and maintain your inner balance. Finance Horoscope Financial matters take center stage today, Taurus, as the Moon highlights practical concerns. It's a good day to review your budget or plan for future expenses. Your natural caution and wisdom will serve you well in making sound financial decisions. Consider setting aside some time to explore new investment opportunities or ways to save more effectively. Remember, every small step you take towards financial security is a step towards peace of mind. Trust your instincts, and don't be afraid to seek advice if needed.
The Guardian
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Guardian
Devotional practices are core to world religions – and fan culture – but they are no longer for me
When I was a high schooler, it was the done thing to write the name of your favourite band on your school backpack, broadcasting your allegiances and through them assert your identity. Canvas bags were festooned with the lightning font of AC/DC and Led Zeppelin, lined up outside classrooms as far as the eye could see. And then there was my bag, with 'Life is God' in big bubble writing along the flap, the smell of the permanent marker filling my head with the feeling of floating heavenwards on the wings of truth. I was prepared to be scorned, spat upon, ridiculed. There was nothing I wanted more than to be persecuted, like the early Christians, in order to prove my devotion to God. Devotion has its roots in the Latin devovere, to vow. It goes beyond love, implying an active, passionate desire to prove one's love. Swifties know what I mean. Devotional practices extend back hundreds of years before pop stars began cashing in the human inclination to revere. Thirteenth-century Christian flagellants would whip each other to atone for sins and share in the suffering of Christ, their saviour. Devotion can be a jealous kind of love. According to the Jewish Torah, Abraham was prepared to kill his own son Isaac when Y-w-h asked him to, stopping before the blade nicked Isaac's skin only when Y-w-h spoke from the heavens and told him he had passed the test of love. Devotion to Christ, Allah, Shiva, Vishnu and a range of other gods has long been manipulated by powerful elites to motivate sectarian violence. But devotional practices do not have to be violent. Well known for its pantheon of divinities, Hinduism offers bhakti, the way of devotion, as one of the possible paths to moksha – liberation from the cycle of reincarnation. Popular bhakti sects follow Vishnu or Shiva and their various avatars, and followers engage in devotional practices such as yoga, self-purification, chanting and temple worship. A devotee expresses and develops her connection to her chosen avatar in the role of mother, father, brother, sister, daughter, lover. Devotional practices are still core to world religions (and modern fan culture) because of, to quote Céline Dion, the 'power of love'. Devotion brings together human emotion, story and intent, weaving ever stronger ties to group and godhead. Without devotion, religion becomes a dry intellectual exercise, inadequate to motivate people to acts of heroism or sacrifice. Hinduism has a tradition of jnana, a path to moksha via philosophical study and contemplation. But, as my 13-year-old self intuitively knew, it's hard to develop spiritual fervour for a philosophical construct. 'Life is Hope in the Face of the Impossibility of Knowing For Sure if the Universe Has Purpose' just doesn't fit on a backpack. Even some schools of Buddhism, a famously non-materialist tradition, allow followers to cultivate devotion to figures such as Kuan Yin, a bodhisattva of compassion. Islamic Sufi poets such as Rumi, and Christian saints such as Gertrude the Great, or Teresa of Ávila, wrote devotional works about God as their divine lover. The Tao Te Ching makes no mention of a godhead, but that hasn't stopped religious Taoists from deifying Lao Tzu, the text's author. On balance, I would have to say that religious devotional practices to a specific godhead are no longer for me. In the years since I let my backpack speak on my behalf, I have left behind institutional religions. I dislike the idea that there is a 'being', no matter how metaphorical, to whom I owe allegiance. I still bow to the awesomeness of nature and cosmic mystery. But ducking my head to a god feels, well, blasphemous. I no longer wish I was an early Christian like Saint Peter, asking to be crucified upside down, because I wasn't good enough to die the way Jesus did. As a non-religious pastoral care practitioner, I sit with my co-workers for 10 minutes or so at the start of each day. We share a quiet, contemplative space, preparing ourselves to be present. Some of my co-workers are Christian; sometimes, they pray. I listen, part of me wishing I could feel what they feel. When they finish, I whisper along with them, 'Amen.' Jackie Bailey is the author of The Eulogy, the winner of the 2023 NSW Premier's literary multicultural award. When not writing, she works as a funeral celebrant and pastoral care practitioner, helping families navigate death and dying
