For Sunday, January 9th, 2010

Hello all, firstly - the documentary video 'Forgiving Dr. Mengele' is about Eva Kors, a woman who chooses to forgive her childhood tormentor, the man who tried to kill her and did kill the rest of her family. Her inner strength shines through in every frame. In discussions with other Auschwitz survivors her spiritual wisdom shines as well. However, when she takes her concept of forgiveness to Palestine, where she is seen as an oppressor, she is overwhelmed and has trouble coping with the situation.

Secondly - there is a quote from a medical student, who grew up in a dysfunctional family, in Barbara Whitfield's The Natural Soul: "Spirit helped me to understand that all of the conflict was necessary for all of us to grow at our own rate and according to our own spiritual readiness."

The merger of these two paragraphs is in forgiving humanity itself for having inadequacies. We are on a path which at times has immense difficulties, but I trust will end well. To grow through our dis-ease then come to reach out and help others is an integral part of that path. While caught up in a dis-ease this can feel fairly far out of reach. But when enough love is attained to promote strength and healing the great beauty of the process can be seen.

May we sit this week for that beauty, for that fullness of heart, for the completion of our spiritual paths.

Thank you,

Richard