For Sunday October 10th, 2014

Hello all, the poet Rumi says the reeds used in musical instruments, once cut from their source, make only crying sounds. We can look back at world history, or any individual life, and recognize the 'crying sound' of being cut off from our own Source.

More specifically, I'd like to ask that we direct our energies to the 'crying sound' of the Ebola epidemic again this week. Something as simple as an early detection test would be a great help.

In petition for the Light to come down,

Richard

For Sunday October 5th, 2014

Hello everyone, a celebration of life was held today for Elaine Sawyer, widow of Tom Sawyer. Famous for growing beautiful roses even into late December, this is one of her poems...

We all live by means of water, life force from our creator.

Water... life for humanity, spring drink of dew upon the newborn grasses.

Spring we renew again and unbeknownst to fellowman we grow by true

nature's water to become leaves upon the trees of life so warmed by sun rays

- our truest love for one another grows.

Summer is parched searching for falls rest.

Fall leaves turning mixed rays of light -

Succumb to winter slowly dying. It is renewed by almost a

death experience - it seems... the Winter game.

We are circles unending... the renewing seasons of life.

Elaine Sawyer 1994

May we all fulfill our loving place in circles unending...

Richard

For Sunday September 28th, 2014

Hello all, a recent conversation brought up the idea that it's the little things that count. Here are two examples far more elegant than I. The first is a video of Reinee Pasarow talking about her NDE:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=aM6anwqDJOs

And the second is a reading from Edgar Cayce:

There is that access, then, that way, to the Throne of grace, of mercy, of peace, of understanding, within thine own self. For He has promised to meet thee in thine own temple, in thine own body, through thine own mind . . . And then enter into the holy of holies, within thine own consciousness; turn within; see what has prompted thee. And He has promised to meet thee there. And there shall it be told thee from within the steps thou shouldst take day by day, step by step. Not that some great exploit, some great manner of change should come within thine body, thine mind, but line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little, there a little. For it is, as He has given, not the knowledge alone but the practical application--in thine daily experience with thy fellow man--that counts.       Reading 922-1

May we sit this evening with the beauty we may find here...

With loving thanks,

Richard

For Sunday September 21, 2014

Hello all, once again the question of what's important brought up the ebola epidemic. May we petition for the Light to shine down upon all involved. May we join in with our best.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday September 14th, 2014

Hello all, while overshadowed by seemingly unstoppable war news the ebola epidemic continues. In this sometimes overwhelming onslaught of horror and outrage may we take a moment to quiet ourselves and ask that God's Light come down. May lessons be learned and attitudes change. May we reach out in whatever way falls to hand.

In reverence,

Richard

For Sunday September 7th, 2014

Hello all, in his book Enlivening the Chakra of the Heart, Florin Lowndes lays out seven stages of descent by which things on this Earth may have arisen from purely spiritual archetypes. He describes the development of a pencil but you can also see the, somewhat slower in time, the opening of hearts. The sequence is:

Spiritual Archetype

Descent through a 'family tree' or related concepts

The dawning intention, discovery, conception, motivation in the human mind

Creation

Embryo stage

Birth and growth

Maturing, perfection, completion

If we look back from the Magna Carte in England; to the Declaration of Independence in America; to our own Labor, Suffragette, and Civil Rights movements; to Tiananmen Square; to the Arab Spring we can trace a growing sense of compassion in the world, the caring for self and others. The difficulty of the struggle and the various obstacles involved also become very clear. 

Currently the news media is filled with reports of difficulties and obstacles as 'lost souls' kick back in fear-driven anger. Yet, history shows us that archetypes come through, hearts open and minds change. 

May we sit again this evening for the fulfillment of spiritual archetypes. May they pass down through those involved into full completion. May we have a loving understanding of the difficulties and be of assistance as we can.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday August 31st, 2014

Hello everyone, the sudden passing of Elaine Sawyer has brought some introspection. Mike McGinnis writes:

"Although I will come to a point where I can celebrate her life and death, right now I feel the loss. Tom and Elaine were my second family during a very crucial time in my life. Elaine did have a challenging path which I come to believe as a gift since it inspires growth, which is the primary reason we are here. She persevered and had her own awakening, becoming an inspiration to myself and many. I regret not being able to stay in touch with the Sawyers and so many others. 

I hope, I truly do, that there is a reunion in the next realm, where Tom, Elaine and the many others that knew and loved them, will reunite to laugh and celebrate. 

Thanks Elaine for your inspiration, support and memories!"

For many years Tom and Elaine's house was a second home for me as well. I didn't see her as often after Tom passed and am now realizing how important it is to say, "Thank you" while communication is still easy, familiar, and fulfilling.

So, may we sit this Sunday for completion. May all that is to be find it's fulness. May our connections be loving and full.

Thank you to all of you,

Richard

For Sunday August 24th, 2014

Hello all, this came up during a consideration of the events in Ferguson, MO. It is Thomas Merton interpreting Chuang Tzu, the Taoist sage:

So, when the shoe fits,

The foot is forgotten.

When the belt fits,

The belly is forgotten.

When the heart is right,

"For" and "against" are forgotten.

May we sit this evening for the Light to shine down and set hearts right.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday August 17th, 2014

Hello all, the untimely passing of Robin Williams has brought an awareness of suicide to many. Tom Sawyer, who was placed into a suicide scenario as a teaching moment during his NDE, devoted many years to suicide prevention. His general comment, "suicide doesn't work" is echoed by Rudolph Steiner who said, "...in addition to suddenly feeling 'hollowed out' one is left intensely aware of everything that drove them to it, along with losing all ability to do anything about it."

That which is required for re-balancing after choosing to remove oneself from the physical realm is extreme. It is said to be the worst thing free will allows us to do. 

Many people, during an NDE or meditation perhaps, have met a loved one who committed suicide and been given great assurances from that meeting. What is often not realized is that the suicider was exactly recreated for the needs and desires of the loving one. Yet, the entity who committed the suicide has no experience of the meeting. They are totally involved in the process of balancing.

It's a lot to ask but may we sit this Sunday for those with thoughts of suicide, for those who may be of loving assistance, and for those who are secluded in a suicide scenario. May the Light shine down upon them all. May we be helpers whenever called.

Reverently,

Richard

For Sunday August 10th, 2014

Hello everyone, perhaps the ebola crisis in Africa could use some attention. From the individuals infected, to their communities, to the medical staff, and the international effort needed to address this issue, may the Light shine down for the highest good of all involved. 

Whether there is karmic balancing, lessons in compassion, or simply willingness to work together, to be fulfilled, may it all be attended to according to Thy will.

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday August 3rd, 2014

Hello everyone, if we come to a deep internal realization that we are observers, of the world and of ourselves, then we may step back from our thoughts and change the focus of our observing. An example - we may be mulling over some trying personal difficulty when we stub a toe. Our focus of attention suddenly goes to our toe. We may carry over some of the emotional anguish of our problem but our attention is fully fixed upon our poor toe and the previous thoughts are forgotten, at least for a time.

So, given that it's possible to refocus ourselves, may we drop our thinking and focus upon our hearts? What does the area around your heart feel like at this moment, or at any moment of your choosing? When a search like this is fruitful you find a much quieter place than thinking ever allows. 

You may well find a place of wisdom and a very different kind of intelligence. It's an intelligence which knows exactly what to do at the moment it needs to be done, without any previous thought or experience. This is what is meant by 'heart-thinking', viewing the world from the point of view of your heart.

May we sit this Sunday for that heart-centered perspective on the world. It starts simply, search the area around your heart for whatever you may find there. If you are unsure of what you've found, please keep searching. It will make itself known.

Gratefully,

Richard

For Sunday July 27th, 2014

Hello all, may we take this opportunity to sit for the difficulties surrounding the Gaza strip? May the Light shine down upon all involved for their highest good and the spiritual development of all humanity.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday July 20th, 2014

Hello all, humanity is undergoing a transition, slowly yes, but transitioning none the less. Despite endless media reports we are moving away from a reliance upon external power as a means of control, which is always motivated by fear. On a very grassroots level, and whether they consider themselves spiritual or not, people are increasingly concerned for the welfare of others. It is this increase in personal compassion which makes the difficulties of the world seem more horrifying as we go along. 

For there to be improvement the world must be loved as it is; allowing tolerance, patience, and an understanding that each person's path is of their own choosing to guide us.

May we sit this Sunday for that loving of the world. In it's own time, and with all the loving assistance we can muster, may 'As above, so below' come forth in the world.

Reverently,

Richard