For Sunday, May 2nd, 2010

Hello all, here's a little story:

One day up in heaven God was flowing along in his typically loving, creative way when he began singing a song. During the words 'Zip-a-dee-doo-dah' he gathered up the bits and pieces of energy that would come to be the physical universe. As he sang 'Zip-a-dee-ay' a wild chaotic spiral of galaxies, stars and planets burst forth from the endless exuberance of His timeless moment. On the word 'My' humanity itself came into being. A vast array of diverse peoples breathed into existence by boundless Love and the sheer Joy of Creation.

As He spoke the word 'oh' humanity came to hear His voice and notice it's own surroundings. The material world was found to hold many enticing possibilities. Attachments were formed as attention turned from the timeless connection with Source to the limited enchantments of time and space. As he sang the second 'my' humanity's hearing faded from timelessness into limitation leaving only the ongoing hum of the beginning of 'my' to be heard.

As time has passed the story has come down us that "Om" is the sound of all creation. It is possible that it merely signifies the limits of our perception, and we have yet to hear the fullness of God's song.

This Sunday may we sit for that fullness, in ourselves and in the world.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday, April 25th. 2010

Hello all, something on the radio recently sparked a thought. The event being reported upon seemed to me to be an anger-based impulsive reaction to some previous situation. It seemed that replying in a thoughtful manner to the previous situation was a concept that was quite lost.

As I look back on my own life I see many times where I have reacted on the impulse of anger, regretting it later after thoughtful observation. And I know that in my work life, and with friends, I much more appreciate being responded to thoughtfully than receiving an angry impulse reaction.

So, anger-based reaction or thoughtful response, which ever way is chosen becomes the set-up, the foundation, the building block of the future we will soon be a part of; whether it be tomorrow, next year, or next generation.

Let us sit this Sunday for the concept of thoughtful response, in ourselves, in our leaders, in the everyday popular world.

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday, April 18th, 2010

Hello all, reports this week of an earthquake on the Tibetan plateau has caught my attention. In 1981 an earthquake nearby, in the Lhasa valley, fulfilled an ancient prophecy. It was the signal that it was time for Tibetans to go out into the world and spread their spirituality, not necessarily their religion, but rather their compassion. This quake signals no less of a need for compassion today.

This Sunday may we sit for the people of the earthquake, for the increase of compassion, for a grace-filled completion of spiritual prophecy.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday, April 11th, 2010

Hello all, I don't recall if I've mentioned that I'm directing a play for the first time, a comedic melodrama. The amount of preparation work is surprising. Arranging rehearsals around the schedules of a 15 member cast is daunting. There are 5 cast members who have never acted before and appropriately require extra coaching. It's easy to get buried for hours in the daily flurry of emails. I had to fire an uncooperative cast member this week and find a replacement. And there's also a dance number. I don't have to choreograph that, whew.

I have been 'whelmed' by the busy-ness of it all. I've found it very challenging, engaging, invigorating - and difficult to step away from.

Yet I notice that whatever aplomb I may bring to the effort is a direct reflection of spiritual growth. The ancient saying "As Above, So Below" is not only a guidance and a prophecy, it can also be observed, striving for it's own fullness, in an ordinary day. We need only take the time to see with loving eyes.

This Sunday may we take that break, step back from our day, see with the broad perspective of loving eyes, and join in with the ongoing beauty of "As Above, So Below".

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday, April 4th. 2010

Hello all, I heard Mark Johnson speak on "Peace Talks Radio". He continues to make these kinds of videos under the heading of "Playing for Change". His foundation of the same name provides music schools, lessons, a bed for the night, whatever is needed in impoverished areas of the world. A quote, as near as I can recall, from Mark, "Religion and politics can do a lot. However, they're both steeped in separation. Music can more easily bring people together."

Here's one of the videos, One Love:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4xjPODksI08&feature=channel

This Sunday may we sit for the true One Love, as it lives in all hearts, is expressed in all cultures, and is lived from within.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday, March 28th, 2010

Hello all, listening within can be a scrambled business. Outside voices, internal biases, and the busy-ness of life are sometimes confusing static in the search for the small, still voice from Above. And that voice may be small and still only because our ears are so largely tuned to the distractions. What would we hear, how might we view life, if we heard the song of that voice clearly throughout our days, could see through it's eyes?

Through all true religions, from all great prophets and saints, out of the mouths of babes and the eyes of the aged, from time immemorial, the lesson has not changed. The message holds true. Connect with Source.

May we sit this Sunday to listen with attuned ears, to see the limitless beauty, to bask lovingly, and loved, in a warm connection with Eternal Source.

Thank you for all you do,

Richard

For Sunday, March 21st, 2010

Hello all, the importance of attitudes continues. The middle east, and those involved in peace efforts for the region, perhaps could use a boost. May we sit this Sunday for the leaders, and the populace as well, to have an upgrade of their attitudes. May we petition God that this be done.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday, March 14th, 2010

Hello all, the final outcome of all creation is assured. At the proper time all things return to the Source. However, the pathway is yet unknown, and is created daily, even minutely; by us.

This came in an email today, the underlining is mine:

"And keep the mental attitude and activities in the creative directions; as in that which has been indicated. Know that ye cannot live alone. Others are not only dependent upon you, you are dependent upon others - in every phase of thy experience. For ye are a part of the whole experience, and ye add to or detract, according to thy own attitude."
Edgar Cayce Reading 1467-16

Or more simply put - As ye sow, so shall ye reap.

This week in the news we hear of a woman, born in this country with no ethnic connections to the Middle East, who has indulged in violent tendencies. After these many years of war, with all attendant accusations, justifications, recriminations and spins solidly in place on every side, what are we reaping? What attitudes do we promote by our actions?

We search ourselves, as has been taught; and we pray for others, as we've learned. This Sunday may we sit for the raising up of earthly attitudes, for a higher perspective on the part of our leaders, and for the strength and courage to fulfill all our roles.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday, March 7th, 2010

Hello all, transitions, personal and global, are seldom smooth. The transition from a materially oriented life, often fraught with fear, to one spiritually based, guided by a loving concern for the wholeness of humanity, is an especially large leap. For those who feel called to assist this process, individually and communally, it can appear quite daunting at times. With the free will of so many different people involved, the many varied cultures on Earth, political instabilities and environmental concerns abounding, we cannot begin to think that we in any sense are causing the transition to happen. We can only be shepherds. Blessedly, we are not alone.

As with raising a child, or reaching out a hand to a friend, we must honor their own pathway even while holding open the door we have found. Whether you write a rambling paragraph (imagine a smile here) or entire book, whether you run for office, pray in silence, smile at a stranger, hug a loved one, or deliver a needed 'finger-shaking at the tip of the nose' lecture, we can still be only shepherds, loving shepherds with great patience.

There is an old Jewish proverb: If you seek to save the world, put your own house in order first. To that I would add: Share the beauty you find along the way, however it comes to hand.

This Sunday may we sit for transitions, for the patience to endure them, the strength to undergo them, the inner beauty to make them shine.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday, February 28th, 2010

Hello all, I find I'm still thinking about politicians working together for public good this week. I have a couple of quotes addressing this. The first is from the world of business, please note the date:

"No employer today is independent of those about him. He cannot
succeed alone, no matter how great his ability or capital. Business today
is more than ever a question of cooperation."
Orison Swett Marden   (1850-1924, American author, founder of Success Magazine)

And the next came from a clean joke website:

"Not all the teeth put into our laws these days are wisdom teeth."

The many problems of today require wisdom and cooperation, as they always have. So, may we sit this Sunday for our leaders and problem solvers to listen within, to listen from Above, and to have the strength to cooperate amidst the vast distractions of modern life.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday, February 21st, 2010

Hello all, our local school system receives extra financial aid by having a large number of students in 'advanced placement' classes. The classes are enlarged with good average students, who sometimes struggle to keep up. The teachers are encouraged to become better teachers, and the administration gets the money it needs.

There are difficulties in Washington DC which sound like an 'us versus them' attitude within branches of government. The problem seems to be decisions being made based more on personal or party gain than on public good. In such instances it's easy to imagine the influence of power and wealth as being a tremendous distraction.

Admittedly, these are simply stated examples, and I do not have specific answers. Yet there is a common element, concern for the public and the future is too often placed on the back burner. So, this Sunday may we sit for cooperation to be prized above conquest, for the future to be more valuable than momentary desires, for inner guidance to rise above outer influence. May we sit for our decision makers, of all parties and levels, that they may listen within and consider well before acting without, and perhaps ourselves as well.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday, February 14th, 2010

Hello all, an image occurred to me last Tuesday evening as I entered meditation. I 'saw' myself cradling Barbara at chest height, much as one might cradle a child, although she was fully adult sized and absolutely weightless. To be holding her warmly, and directly in line with my heart, was comforting and satisfying. My mind wandered from time to time but the image stayed for the entire session.

The next morning I had an appointment to tutor a reluctant student. Her attitude switched from 'I'm cute so you'll let me do less' to 'If I have to work at this then I don't like you' at a moment's notice during the weeks we had worked together. I thought it was a bit childish for someone of seventeen to put so little effort into her own senior project. I had talked with her faculty adviser and quite honestly was considering dropping the volunteer position. On the way there I had the image of cradling the student.

I didn't know what to expect when I walked in. I didn't know what I would do. However, at the moment of eye contact I smiled. Honestly. She smiled as well. Please, never underestimate the power of an honest smile. We went on to have one of our best sessions ever. Did her attitude change because of the cradling? I can't say. Did my attitude change because of the cradling? Yes.

This Sunday may we sit and cradle those whom we have difficulties with, those whom we love, and maybe ourselves a little bit too.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday, February 7th, 2010

Hello all, in a conversation recently the subject of the Tiger Woods scandal came up. After all the jokes were thoroughly reviewed this commonly asked question arose, "Should celebrities be held to higher moral standards than lesser known folks?" Perhaps the question misses the point. It may be that celebrities are assumed to have higher moral standards due to an inner desire on the part of the public to have someone to look up to.

In the early 70's I moved into one of 5 or 6 apartments above a laundromat. Within a year the roof caught fire and was damaged to the point where we all had to move out. The firetrucks and debris in the street made it a public event. During the moving out an elderly woman came up to me and said, "I'm sorry to see you go. I live alone and I always felt better seeing your light on at night, knowing you were there." I had never met her before. She lived across the street and 3 houses down.

You never know who you may be the hero of, often in seemingly small ways and yet mean a lot to others. This Sunday may we sit for all heroes, and the hero within us all. May we be open to the Light of divine guidance that we may shine in our lives and be available for others to see.

Thank you,

Richard