For Sunday December 27th, 2015

Hello everyone, as we prepare to face another year of political extremes let us recall the lesson of Hitler and Ghandi, that a person's personal views typically reflect the individual's internal strife. 

And, by virtue of this video age, that listening to someone with the sound turned off allows us to get a 'feel' for the person without the distraction of words. 

May we sit this evening for the strength and courage to observe with clarity and kindness. May we allow others the space to follow their own path. May we see the Divine within all whom we meet.  

Thank you,

Richard

For Friday December 25th, 2015

Hello everyone, may we each find that the Yule Hole of our hearts reaches out infinitely. 

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday December 20th, 2015

Hello all, at a recent interfaith prayer service for the people involved in the San Bernardino tragedy the common thread among all the speakers was to find peace within yourself, and then pray for the lost.

The suggested technique was this: with full recognition of understandable human reactions from heart-sinking sadness to thoughts of righteous anger, just stop and take a breath, or two, let those breaths make space for the Divine to come in. When you've made a connection with the Divine, then pray for the victims, who are innocent, as well as for the perpetrators, who are lost. 

Our greatest enemies, the fear and anger which shuts out the Divine, always come from within. May we sit this Sunday for inner purity. May we sit for those in pain. May we sit for those who are lost in the dark. May we sit for all who struggle.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday December 13th, 2015

Hello everyone, in seeking to solve world problems look first within. Finding even an unpleasant truth within ourselves not only allows us to heal that piece, but to see and understand the larger dynamics of the world. 

Said in another way introspection as a process of self-improvement is essential in life, yet it ought not be self-enclosing. Introspection properly used leads to greater awareness, and awareness leads to compassion and truth. 

This process of starting within to find a personal truth then seeing it at work in the outer world leading to the enhancement one's compassion, is a microcosm of a greater circle. The beginning and the end are one.

Let us sit this evening for that personal process and for the end result. May we find our demons. May we lovingly release them. May we see the unbroken circle of our existence.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday December 6th, 2015

Hello everyone, a flyer which advertises roll-playing as a costumed character shows Star Wars characters to be extremely popular. Taking a closer look shows that people portraying anonymous Storm Troopers from Darth Vader's Galactic Empire, the villains known as "Vader's Fist," far exceeds the number of people playing characters from Luke Skywalker's Rebel Alliance, known as "The Good Guys."

Can it be that more people are attracted to the appearances of external power, weaponry and mass mobilization, than to a sense of personal freedom and ethics? It's hard to say.

However, there apparently are many in this world who are desperately attached to the illusion of external power, the idea that one can force people and situations into some manner of conformance. 

In truth, the future of our world depends upon authentic power, having a personal relationship with the Divine Source.

May we sit this Sunday for authentic power. May we find it within. May we support it without. May it be the wish of the world.

Thank you,

Richard