Quick, what does your state seal look like? If you’re like me you might have some vague idea from press events or jury duty. In my mind’s eye there was a crest with a sheaf of wheat, some scales, and a banner inscribed with Latin. I was asked to contemplate mine last night and the results were very instructive.

Last night my husband and I attended a gathering of like-minded folks in a loft downtown for a talked entitled: Ever Upward: The Inner Meaning and Practice of the Spiritual Culture of NYC. We were there at the invitation of my friend, Sascha Lewis from . As we walked in and took our seats, we noticed the image of the New York state seal on a screen at the front of the room. “That’s an odd introductory image,” I whispered to Peter, “I don’t know that I’ve ever really seen that.” “Where are the beavers?” he responded, “I really thought there were beavers in that seal.” Continue Reading »