Talking about God is a tricky proposition at best, particularly in an inter-faith setting like the Celebration Circle, where a variety of theological viewpoints coexist. As part of my ongoing attempt to be spiritually inclusive (as well as politically correct) over the past 17 years of being Spiritual Director of the Circle, I've been tap-dancing all around the "G-  word", searching for a gender-neutral, historically valid, trans-traditional term to refer to the Great Mystery Which-Cannot-Be-Named-But-Which-We-Yearn-To-Name-Anyhow.
 
This isn't the time or space for a complete discussion of the topic, because there are so many factors to consider.  For now, suffice it to say that these days, I generally use the word "Spirit" to refer to the Un-nameable One.  Derived from the Latin word spiritus, meaning "breath," this label implies a flow, an impersonal movement of energy, a continuous state of unfolding that is simultaneously within and around me.  It also suggests something that I can invite, welcome, and choose to actively participate with.  A Holy Other who is also me, not a Being so much as a Becoming - yet still a Presence that I reach out (and in) for, and which I believe reaches out to me as well.  See?  I told you It is tough to talk about!  Still, despite some linguistic limitations, Spirit is the name I use, and it usually works for me.
 
So imagine how surprised I was last weekend, while sitting at a nice, quiet dinner party at my friend's Hill Country home, enjoying the peaceful, panoramic view on the patio - along with several other friends and neighbors - when suddenly one of the other guests turned around in her chair and screamed, "Shut up, Spirit!"  at the top of her lungs.   The rest of us were stunned into a split second of total silence, until she explained that she was just yelling at her dog named "Spirit," which had been barking up a storm next door.  Then, of course, we all started laughing.
 
The others quickly resumed their conversations, but I kept chuckling under my breath and reflecting further on the incident.  Why hadn't I even noticed the barking before?  And what was the puppy trying to tell her owner, Mary?  Maybe he was hungry, or bored, or wanted to be at the party, too.  In any case, Spirit (the dog) was clearly saying something, but Mary was preoccupied with other matters, and simply wanted the hound to hush. 
 
It felt like my Inner Guidance was quietly tapping my shoulder to ask "What's so funny, Rudolf?" and inviting me to pay close attention to what had just happened.  Asking me to notice the amusing but discomforting parallels to my own life.  Reminding me that Spirit is forever trying to show, tell, or teach me something - but I'm usually too busy to listen.  In effect, I spend much of my time either ignoring Spirit altogether, or telling it to shut up because I've got More Important things to do than listen to the quietly insistent whispering of the Still Small Voice - even when its barking at me...
 
Thanks for the light-hearted reminder, Spirit!

With blessings and hopes of seeing you Around the Circle,