For Sunday August 28th, 2022

Hello everyone, the Tham Luang cave rescue in Thailand shows the beauty of humanity. Over the course of nearly three weeks more than 10,000 people, from 17 different countries, came together to try and save the lives of 12 kids and their soccer coach.

 
Despite our endless wars, the distraction of political justifications, and the illusion of separation – the entire world was treated to a demonstration of compassion, and an answer to the question, "What is the value of human life?"

 
May we sit Sunday evening in gratitude for that compassion. May it uplift our lives. May our compassion lift the lives of those around us.

Thank you all,

Richard

"Thirteen Lives" a movie by Ron Howard

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tham_Luang_cave_rescue 

For Sunday August 21st, 2022

Hello to all, some species of beetles have eltrya, wings that, due to circumstance, have hardened into shields. This seems to be an excellent metaphor for the human tendency to willingly reduce our flight in exchange for protection. There may well have been a time in each of our lives where we 'pulled our wings in' out of fear for our safety, emotional or otherwise.

This may have been a wise and useful choice at the time. But the beauty of releasing protections to regain flight is easily forgotten.

May we sit this Sunday in search of those moments where it is now safe to once more spread our wings. May we find what needs to be released to continue our ascent. May we support others on our way.

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday August 14th, 2022

Hello everyone, when Tom Sawyer had his NDE he was 'blasted' into the spiritual realm. Afterward he could immediately go into the highest meditative state at will. It can be very different for those of us who've not had that launch.

However, we are encouraged in our efforts by the anonymous 14th century mystic who wrote in The Cloud of Unknowing:
"...in the beginning is it usual to feel nothing but a kind of darkness about your mind, or as it were, a 'cloud of unknowing'. You will seem to know nothing and to feel nothing except a naked intent toward God in the depths of your being. Try as you might, this darkness and this cloud will remain between you and your God. You will feel frustrated, for you mind will be unable to grasp him, and your heart will not relish the delight of his love. But learn to be at home in this darkness. Return to it as often as you can, letting your spirit cry out to him whom you love. For if, in this life, you hope to feel and see God as he is in himself it must be within this darkness and this cloud. But if you strive to fix your love on him forgetting all else, which is the work of contemplation I have urged you to begin, I am confidant that God in his goodness will bring you to a deep experience of himself."

This fits well with Tom's advice to do 'nothing' meaning to attain the Buddhist concept of the 'no thing' in your meditations.

 
May we sit this evening, and every time, for 'nothing'. It could be the greatest 'something' we've ever had.

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday August 7th, 2022

Hello everyone, this Sunday may we focus our loving intentions upon those impacted by the flooding in:

Eastern Kentucky
Missouri
Illinois
Southwest Virginia
West Virginia
Las Vegas Valley
Phoenix
Flagstaff
Death Valley National Park
and Eastern Kentucky – again!

Thank you all for your kindness and your good hearts,

Richard