THE B ZINE
BE inspired … BE creative … BE peace … BE
Volume 1, Issue 2
a publication of Bequine Again and The Bardo Group
This Month our Theme is
Preparation
THIS SEASON in the Christian Church is Advent, a time of spiritual preparation for birth of the Christ spirit in the hearts of human kind.
If you are not Christian, you might use this time and these practices as preparation for the birth of your highest Self as represented by the founder or a saint of your own religion or as an awakening to the Essential Spirit within. If you are atheist, you might see this time as preparation for the birth of the very best You. Inspiration and suggested spiritual practice are gifted to us by Terri Stewart, Priscilla Galasso, JD Gore, and Rev. Tandi Roberts.
In this issue we also look back with Corina Ravenscraft at November and its gifts of Gratitude and Rememberence as we cross the threshold into December. Corina’s second feature is a celebration of December.
Jamie Dedes reviews Writing Your Self: Transforming Personal Material by John Kilick and Myra Schneider. Working with this book might be a good way for you to kick-start the fast-approaching New Year. We have poetry from Jamie, Joseph Hesch, Terri Stewart and Myra Schneider and a sampling of Naomi Baltuck’s singular photo stories, both inspired and inspirational.
Other features include a reflections on: an Ethiopian coffe ceremony with Karen Fayeth; life and isolation with Joseph Hesch, World AIDS day with Tracy Dougherty; the presence God with Liliana Negoi; and an artful meditation by the Rev. Tandi Roberts.
You will find team and guest bios HERE along with links to their work and/or websites.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Features/Preparation
Slowly We Go, Terri Stewart
Prepare Ye – The Way and the Wilderness, Priscilla Galasso
Preparation, Frank Watson
Preparation Ritual, Tandi Roberts
I Knew Advent, JD Gore
Features/General Interest
For the Love of a Good Cuppa, Karen Fayeth
Lifting Stones, Lilliana Negoi
World AIDS Day, Tracy Daugherty
Remembrance and Forgiveness, Corina Ravenscraft
Seasonal Cheer, Corina Ravenscraft
Swann in the City, Joseph Hesch
Book Reviews
Nine Gates: Entering the Mind of Poetry, Jamie Dedes
Writing Your Self: Transforming Personal Experience, Jamie Dedes
Poetry
Finding Silence, Myra Schneider
Beneath the Surface, Joseph Hesch
You Just Missed it, Joseph Hesch
The Leaves Still Fall, Joseph Hesch
The Republic of Innocence, Jamie Dedes
Winter Is Here, I Know, Jamie Dedes
Photo Stories
Embracing the ‘M’ Word, Naomi Baltuck
The Many Degrees of Spooky, Naomi Baltuck
Virgins No More, Naomi Baltuck
It’s Never Too Late, Naomi Baltuck
Art
Light from Darkenss, Becky Withington
Illustrations:
Header: Adoration of the Shepherds, Gerardvan Honhorst (1622)
Above: Angel Gabriel’s Annunciation to Mary, Murillo (1655)
Below: A page from an 11th-century Gospel of Matthew (1:18-21) with Matthew 1:21, (35) providing the origin of the name “Jesus.”
The BeZine 
Lilliana – your piece made me think of the Sufi quote, “I laughed when they told me the fish in the water was thirsty.” My spiritual center shifted during a conversation with my partner Steve. He asked me to tell him the story of Christianity, and I began with the Salvation idea that we’re all separated from God. He calmly said, “What if you’re not?” I had no sure reply.
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Naomi – Hanukkah Sushi!!! I love it!!! (Must have you over for breakfish sometime…my daughter’s portmanteau for kippers, salmon, etc. at breakfast.)
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