17/3/2010

St. Paul's Cathedral has been on this site for over 1,400 years. It has withstood the WW2 bombings of London and stands today as one of the most beautiful religious and architectural landmarks you will ever lay eyes on. You will have to pay to tour St. Paul's. Bring some good walking shoes because you can climb up over five hundred tight steps to the Golden Gallery where you have 360 degree views of town. If you are claustrophobic, out of shape, or afraid of heights you may want to pass on that though. It was a gorgeous day when we went and the view of the city was spectacular. In the whispering gallery you can hear whispers from the other side. There is a nice memorial to the Americans that lost their lives fighting along with Britain in WW2 towards the back of the Cathedral. That made me feel pretty patriotic and proud of our country. It's also nice to see another country thank us for the sacrifice. Take some time to look around, this place is beautiful.

Listed in: London calling

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9/1/2009

Now I am past all comforts here, but prayer
         William Shakespeare

I walked into Saint Paul's Cathedral on a typically cold, drizzly, gray, early November day in London.  Walking into the cathedral, stepping through its massive doorways into the entryway, or nave, which is the main part under the high-domed ceiling, the cathedral stretched out in front of me, a monumental work of art, engineering, and human production.  I stood there for a few moments to take it all in.  As cold as it was, I felt enveloped in warmth.

Instead of touring the church to check out the frescos, paintings, stained glass, plaques, and statues, I sat down on a pew and prayed quietly for family and friends, and sat in quiet contemplation.  There were sounds around me - the footfalls of those nearby, the continuing service in Latin reverberating off the high-domed ceilings, and camera shutters going off - but, the background noise melted away because there's something special about sitting is such a grand structure, a church or cathedral that's built for serious purpose, that helps in prayer, meditation, or contemplation.  

No matter what our religious faiths or backgrounds may be, there's always room for spiritual growth if we yield to our inner calling.  

There are no atheists on turbulent airplanes
         Erica Jong

The Cathedral, as it stands, was designed by the great Christopher Wren who was commissioned to help rebuild London after a fire destroyed the city in the late 17th Century.

The cathedral is located in London's business district, called the Square Mile, embracing EC1 through EC4 and is home to London's largest finance, law, accounting, and insurance companies.  One of my closet friends, Davinchi, who grew up with me on the streets of inner-city Los Angeles, works in the Square Mile.  I can see the Cathedral's dome from his office.

Saint Paul's Cathedral is a beautiful cathedral to tour and admire, and a perfect spot to seek quiet contemplation and prayer...

I bequeath to God a soul polluted with many sins, but I hope purified by Jesus Christ
         Samuel Johnson, Last Will and Testament, Dec, 1784

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