For Sunday June 1st, 2014

Hello everyone, poet Maya Angelou died this past Wednesday. One of her well known quotes is, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." 

Maya Angelou made people feel wonderful. Her wisdom was born of experience seen through a loving heart.

We all may not have her poetry in our bones but we all have experiences and a loving heart to view them with. May we bring them together in our lifetimes for the highest good of all, for the highest good of ourselves. Even if we raise ourselves only a speck, it's still very worthwhile.

Thank you for everything,

Richard

For Sunday May 15th, 2014

Barbara Whitfield has sent in this request for Sunday night. The attached picture is looking across the famous Coffee Pot Rock toward Oak Creek Canyon.

"And could we pray also Sunday night for the safety of people living in Sedona Arizona. And let's visualize rain falling in the canyon to put out the fires!"

In the karma and chaos of everyday living may we always respond from our hearts.

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday May 18th, 2014

Hello all, when we've had a degree of heart opening we find a deep compassion bubbling up from within. This compassion has no bounds. It's not only for those whom we already love and enjoy the company of but extends to those we may have hurt in this life, and even to those who may have injured us in some manner. 

This moment of intense clarity also contains intense pain, pain from knowing what we have done, and from knowing what others will feel during their own heart-opening moment - without the built-in protection of mind games; those thoughts, ideas, prejudices, and dogmas which so cleverly justify our attitudes and actions.

With the understanding that this very appropriate pain is a teacher, may we sit for the fulfillment of compassion. May we sit for its fulfillment in ourselves, in others, and in the world at large.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday May 11th, 2014

Hello all, the continuing tragedy of the Boko Haram kidnapping of 276 schoolgirls is manyfold. From the children themselves, to their families, to political distractions, to those whose attitudes and thoughts bring them to be involved in such atrocities; so many are lost in so many ways. 

Sitting here at this distance may we trust that spirituality uses everything which occurs, whether purposeful or chaotic, for the highest good of all. May we search ourselves that what we bring to this world is helpful. May we petition the Light to come down upon all those who suffer, in whatever form, in this situation.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday May 4th, 2014

Hello all, for those among us who may have ever done something which caused pain in another; in the course of time we come to a point of full awareness of what we've done and the fullness of its effects, then there is a deep sadness. It is an intensely painful sadness which is not endless but is immeasurable in its depth. At that moment we would do anything to set things right. Likewise, when someone has injured us they will also, at some point, go through a similar painful intensity. 

These situations are a natural outcome of increasing compassion. It ain't easy, but it's one of the greatest teaching experiences of life. 

May we sit this Sunday for the willingness to be open to such compassion. May we sit for fullness, awareness, and the realization that we truly are all One. 

With reverence,

Richard