For Sunday March 1st, 2015

Hello all, under the heading of 'steal and reuse good stuff' here is Stanley Peele's latest writing dealing with reactions to a crime in Chapel Hill, NC. He covers a lot of ground here and centers on the deep responsibility encased in the phrase 'We create the world.' May we sit this evening for the true depth which it calls for from within us.

Thank you Stanley,

Richard

OUR REACTION TO THE TRIPLE MURDER

A newlywed couple, Deah Barakat, and Yusor Abu-Salha, and Abu-Salha's sister, Razan Abu-Salha were murdered in Chapel Hill on Feb. 10, 2014.

 

Our first reaction to that was horror.  The second reaction was fear.  Many people asked the police, "Are we safe?"

 

The third reaction was anger – that the lives of three promising young students could be snuffed out in an act of violence.   Two of the comments that were made were "I hope he is fried," and "Lethal injection is too kind.  He should suffer a painful death."

 

The fourth reaction was a heartfelt appreciation of the promising lives of the victims.

 

The fifth was an intense interest in the lives and background of the victims and the alleged killer.

 

The sixth was an intense feeling of sadness about the increase of violence in the world.

 

*           *         *

 

At one time, the native people of Hawaii practiced the philosophy of Ho'oponopono.

 

The belief was that if a person was sick, caused disharmony or committed a crime, that his family and friends shared the responsibility.   When a child became sick, the child's family would get together.  Then each one would ask, "Is there anything I have done to bring about this sickness?"

 

In other words, it was not as much a process of blaming others as it was a philosophy of looking at themselves with honesty and openness.

 

The responsibility expanded beyond the parents -- to include family, friends and those who interacted with the sick child.  This idea expanded to include all the people in the village.   It can be expanded to cover all the people in the world.  Total responsibility.

 

They thought that in order to change reality, they would have to change themselves.

 Their philosophy was that everything that exists is a projection from ourselves. All consciousness is a part of the whole: any error that a person clears will benefit everyone.   Thus, they would say to other members of the family:    "I'm sorry. Please forgive me. I love you.  Thank you."

You may feel this idea is hard to swallow.  

However, this way of thinking brings us closer to the realization that when a person commits a horrible crime, we should look at ourselves to see if there is an echo of the crime within ourselves.

If we say, "I hope he fries," this may be an understandable reaction.  But it may also reveal the anger and violence within ourselves.

Thus, we can recognize that a particular act of violence exists in this world as a result of a worldwide belief in vengeance.

It takes honesty and courage to truly examine ourselves for traces of violent thoughts. If you are driving on a highway, and another driver suddenly pulls right in front of you, do you get angry?   Do the actions of President Obama or Representative John Boehner make you angry? 

The next time you have a disagreement with a friend, and he is angry with you, say these four sentences to him:

"I'm sorry.  Please forgive me.  I love you.  Thank you." 

This does not mean you change your mind about the argument.  You and your friend still disagree.   However, it changes your outlook from blaming your friend to loving him.  Blaming others is a sure way to promote the disharmony of this world.

The man who killed these three people forgot who he is.  Let us not forget who we are.

 

       This is a time to reflect on our own lives; a time to shine light into the world; a time to talk to God, and to listen for that small quiet voice.

 

       It is a time to tell our precious family and friends that we love them. 

 

Right now, say these words: "I'm sorry.  Please forgive me.  I love you.  Thank you."

That wasn't hard, was it?  Just quietly saying those four sentences can ease some of your stress.

Thus, you create peace.  Peace in your heart and peace in the world.

Stanley Peele          Feb. 19, '15

For Sunday February 22nd, 2015

Hello everyone, it is said that it is useless to seek transformation, rather you should seek the Love which brings it. To paraphrase Krishnamurti:

As long as you think in terms of transformation, there cannot be transformation. This can be understood when there is no choice, no seeking of a result, no condemnation, nor justification. Where there is love, there is neither choice nor search for an end, nor condemnation, nor justification. It is this love that brings about transformation.

May we sit this week for the Love which solves our greatest problems. May we find it within. May we share it with all.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday February 15th, 2015

Hello everyone, there is a spiritual grid work surrounding the Earth which acts as a kind of spiritual glue, keeping the Earth's systems in harmonious balance. It cannot stop a storm or earthquake from occurring, the Earth must do it's thing after all, but it can mitigate the effects. 

This 'spiritual glue' is maintained by the kindness and compassion of open hearts; no matter the race, nationality, or belief system. 

May we sit this Sunday for that spiritual glue. May the grid work hold. May we do our part with each thought within ourselves and every person we meet.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday February 7th, 2015

Hello all, if you could line up all the plants and animals in the world you would find astonishing similarities. Trying to chronicle the exacting differences between some animals, and even between many plants and animals, could drive you wacky. Or, alternatively, might open your mind to the vast unending joy of creation.

From microbes which live in solid ice, to entire colonies at the sunless bottom of oceans, to insects found miles high in the air, the Earth is a playground for creation.

The joy of such creativity is still untold in human history. With our psychological tendency to catalogue, measure, and compare, the vast majority of us have yet to see it. In our thinking we even separate ourselves from each other. 

How long can we look at the beauty of fractals, a mathematical expression of the endless joy of creation, and not see the same in humanity and nature?

May we sit this Sunday for infinitely unfolding joy. May we find it within. May we share it with all.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday February 1st, 2015

Hello all, it can be argued that the major religions have failed their spiritual teachings in favor of dogma and ritual. However, spirituality being ever-present, it can still be found with the right eyes. Old teachings tend take on new views when seen through the clear vision of the heart. 

It's a small word change from 'you must love God' to 'you must be the love of God'

The new age phrase 'you are a God' can be applied in a self-centered manner or it can carry the responsibility of loving others as God loves.

And, how deep is the truest meaning of 'we are made in His image'?

May we sit this evening for the ability to see with new eyes. As all the great religions were inspired by Love, may we find that Love within, and spread it without.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday January 25th, 2015

Hello all, the spiritual transition of humanity and the world is always in our hands, every one of us, at every moment. Here's a partial reading from Edgar Cayce:

Each act, each thought of each body adds to the bringing about of His Kingdom in the earth, or adds to that which prevents it from becoming manifest in this material plane . . .

Reading 911-6

The future is created by our everyday, momentary choices. May we ask for guidance as we delve into the divine expression of every day.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday January 18th, 2015

Hello all, the news media has recently covered a couple instances of moderate Islamic voices promoting a more open and loving interpretation of the Quran. In the quest for true spiritual leaders in the world this is a good thing.

May we sit this evening for the continuing spread of spiritual truths, open hearts, and the voices of true leaders. 

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday January 11th, 2015

Hello all, in any situation there is always an ideal manner in which it may be handled. We always wish that this 'ideal' will be found or attained but our ability, and our responsibility, is simply to bring that ideal to the situations we find ourselves in.

May we sit this evening for the strength, courage, and wisdom to achieve the ideal within ourselves - that it may be brought forth into the world.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday January 4th, 2015

Hello all, roughly 22 American service men and women take their own lives every day, more than 8000 a year. This speaks to not only a problem with our military system but also a societal misunderstanding of suicide. 

There is the story of a young man who, driven by despondency over the direction and seeming uselessness of his life, leaped off the Golden Gate Bridge. In the instant the railing was out of reach he was struck with a clear and unavoidable knowing, "Everything is fixable, except this."

He was one of the small percentage of people who survive such drops and his story is somewhat known. 

As an effort to escape personal torment suicide completely fails. Tom Sawyer came back from his NDE and taught this, "Suicide is the saddest thing free will allows us to do" and "Suicide doesn't work." 

In the words of Rudolf Steiner, "In addition to the sudden feeling of being 'hollowed out' the suicide-er is filled with an intense awareness of everything that drove them to the suicide, and also of their complete inability to do anything about it."

Would a more general awareness of these teachings help prevent suicides? Hard to say. But if it saves even one, it's worthwhile.

It's a big order but, may we sit this Sunday for those who have taken that horrendous step and for those who consider it. May deep spiritual teachings be known and accepted. May all find the courage and strength to complete their natural lives. 

Reverently submitted,

Richard

For Sunday December 28th, 2014

Hello all, a promise lies within us, a promise which is sometimes dormant and sometimes ignored. Yet, as deeply spiritual creatures that promise still holds, as true and pure as the moment it was given.

Heaven on Earth occurs in the instant we give ourselves over to it. In the words of T.S. Eliot, "At the still point, there the dance is."

May we sit this Sunday for the dance which is found in stillness, for 'Heaven on Earth' to be, and our promise fulfilled.

With reverence, 

Richard

For Sunday December 21st, 2014

Hello all, a request has been made to sit for the children and families who have suffered during the school shootings in Peshawar, Pakistan. It is difficult to grasp the depth of their pain, and to avoid being pulled into an understandingly human emotional vortex.

In such cases it is spiritually appropriate to also sit for the lost souls who committed the atrocities. Here is a quote from Edgar Cayce:

Speak gently, speak kindly to those who falter. Ye know not THEIR own temptation, nor the littleness of their understanding. Judge not as to this or that activity of another; rather pray that the light may shine even in THEIR lives as it HAS in thine. These are the manners in which the sons and daughters of men may KNOW His way. In this mundane sphere there comes to all that period when doubts and fears arise, even to doubting thine OWN self. These may EASILY be cast aside by knowing that He is IN His holy temple and ALL is well.

Reading 2112-1

Reverently submitted, 

Richard

For Sunday December 14th, 2014

Hello all, there seems to be two meanings for the phrase 'having a strong faith.' First, and most often used, is the concept of belief in something; whether it's belief in the existence of something unseen or in a future yet to unfold. Such beliefs might be held and defended very intensely but they are still largely in the area of thought and it's processes.

Secondly there's the much deeper level of the heart. "Strong faith' in the realm of the heart refers to having the ability to love, using the power of love. Here we touch on the beginnings of spiritual healing; an honest smile, a gentle hand on the arm of someone in grief, or lending a kind ear. 

Thought on it's own, no matter how intently held, is incomplete. Faith that's based in the heart will bring thoughts which need no defending. Their truth will be as clear as "I am."

May we sit this Sunday for that clarity, for the "I am" to emerge from our hearts to the hearts of others we may meet. 

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday December 7th, 2014

Hello all, someone mentioned the phrase 'detached from humanity' in describing a drug addict recently. It seems that same phrase can cover a multitude of human ills, from racial tensions to family squabbles to political strife.

If so, then the cure for detachment is to connect with humanity, our own and theirs. Simply taking the the time to listen with our hearts is a great step in any interaction. Then to reply honestly from our hearts will complete the cycle. We may not get the same quality in return every time but when we do it's suddenly more than worthwhile.

In a recent phone conversation the distressed caller spoke so honestly from their heart that it prompted a higher quality of listening. This is the cycle we're looking for.

May we sit this Sunday for that higher quality in our communications, may we strive to express it, may we hear it when offered, may we immerse ourselves in it's free and open beauty. 

Thank you all,

Richard