For Sunday May 31st, 2015

Hello all, it is typical and usual for us to desire a comfortable, pleasing life. Yet it is through the process of suffering that we all meet our true selves, that part of us which comes up from the layered depths of our psyche. And it is our anger which shows us whatever it is that we truly hold dear. 

In the ongoing life of the soul these are necessary experiences to have. Over a lifetime and more they accumulatively teach us of our 'relationship to' and 'relationship with' the Divine. 

Our difficulties are our teachers.

May we sit this Sunday for awareness of the deep value of our teachers. May we look them squarely in the eye. May we find ourselves there. May we lose ourselves in the Divine within.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday May 24th, 2015

Hello all, the essence of beauty lives always within us, as a birthright. When we spot it in the outer world it resonates within. As David Whyte says in his book Consolations, "Beauty is the harvest of presence, the evanescent moment of seeing or hearing on the outside what already lives far inside ... the conversation between what we think is happening outside in the world and what is just about to occur far inside us."

As we strive for worldly transformation, may we sit this evening for the expression of spiritual beauty from within. May we be attuned to recognize it. May we join in whole heartedly. May it be.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday May 17th, 2015

Hello all, the ancient Tibetan mantra 'Om Mani Padme Hum' is a six syllable meditation on generosity, ethics / morals, patience, diligence, renunciation, and wisdom; one concept for each syllable. It is an attempt to put that which is ineffable into words, to bring higher beauty down to a scale which can be stated - that it might be passed on. When done well it carries us far beyond dictionary definitions. 

May we sit this Sunday for that opportunity to launch ourselves beyond our typical thoughts, and beyond all thoughts. May we lose ourselves in a greater awareness. May we finally find 'ourselves.'

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday May 10th, 2015

Hello all, to reach out and ask for help when we find ourselves 'missing the mark' is an elegant thing. The simple phrase 'Dear God, fill my heart' carries many changes. Self-honesty is essential to notice our position and a degree of humility is required to do the asking. The final outcome is as much as we can be open to.

May we sit this evening for these qualities. May we find them within ourselves. May we bring them forth honestly. May divine will be done.

Thank you,

Richard