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