For Sunday May 19th, 2019

Hello to all, let us keep in mind that separation is an illusion. As we meet others, some of whom we will disagree with, let us see our greater connection rather than our divisions. If we could see deeply enough into other people, possibly through the 'windows of the soul', we would find much of our own lives reflected there; concerns, problems, joys, and love. 

May we sit this Sunday for that deeper sight. May we spend the time listening. May we look deeply. May we find ourselves in our searching.

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday May 12th, 2019

Hello everyone, it has been said that one version of a perfect life is to be born highly spiritual as babies naturally are, losing that spirituality as a result of living life in this material world, then regaining that lost spirituality in your later years. 

This fits under the heading of a perfect life due to the vast learning process involved in moving from materiality to spirituality, and to the ineffable beauty of remembering the experience of ecstatic joy. 

May we sit this evening to further that process along. May we recognize what's available to us, open ourselves to the wonder of what can be, and give our will over to the freedom of Divine Will.

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday May 5th, 2019

Hello everyone, laughter is under rated, sidelined to sitcom laugh tracks, kid's shows, and comedy clubs it's usefulness as a cleanser is easily missed. And, a quick look at the evening news will show how far we have to go before achieving conscious Oneness. There is serious work to be done. 

This is not to say that a light-hearted attitude is all that's needed get the job done or that you should view serious work light-heartedly. But, if you yourself are Light-hearted, you will do the much needed serious work far better.

Laughter yoga groups abound, somewhere below the mass public radar. They are cleansers of human fear and anxiety. Laugh each day, even if you don't feel like it – especially if you don't feel like it. And, once each week laugh until you get a belly-ache. The laughter may lead to crying and yawning, both excellent cleansers as well, but will leave you more free.

May we sit this Sunday with a smile. May this 'secret weapon' cleanse our attitudes. May these new attitudes bring us internal peace from which to do our work.

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday April 28th, 2019

Hello to everyone, it is said that as the pure white Light of God shines through the stained glass window of your soul, your individual beauty is brought to shine upon the world. 

Our job is to keep the window clean, free of the scratches, dirt, and cloudiness which so easily poor forth from our human psychology and frailty. Personal discernment is essential.

May we sit this Sunday for the clarity of our shining. May we bring our personal beauty fully into the world. May God shine through us onto all others we meet. 

Thank you all,

Richard

A TED Talk that goes well with this evening:

https://www.ted.com/talks/casey_gerald_the_gospel_of_doubt?language=en#t-1071703 

For Sunday April 21st, 2019

Hello everyone, Charles Whitfield has defined humility as the willingness to learn more about ourselves, or in other words, the willingness to have doubt. Absolute surety can be a self-made prison as we search our way forward in this life. It can stop us from seeing and close us off to what is and what may be. Absolute surety can be the end of openness and wonder.

None of us can know the full truth. The true full truth is beyond human consumption. The human body cannot contain it. Yet it must be moved toward. 

May we sit this evening for the willingness to see ourselves clearly, without the obstruction of surety. May we trust in a higher good. May we reach out to touch that which cannot be seen, which can only be known in the realm of the heart.

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday April 14th, 2019

Hello everyone, it is possible to love someone who is in a state of fear, and when they are angry. It's even possible to love someone despite how they may have hurt you personally. Doing so can be called the beginnings of unconditional love, of reaching out to others. It's also essential to do the same for ourselves. 

The self-honesty which brings an awareness of our own internal difficulties is also an invitation to love others despite their human frailties. The forgiveness we wish for ourselves can be extended to all others.

May we sit this evening for our own forgiveness. May we extend it to others. May we begin to touch upon Unconditional Love.

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday April 7th, 2019

Hello to everyone, in his book The Seat of the Soul, Gary Zukav describes 'external power' as the use of military, financial, and legal processes as a means of controlling this world; and 'authentic power' as the spiritual realm of the human heart. He goes on to say that the long prophesied spiritual transformation of the Earth depends upon society, and whole countries, making the transition from a reliance upon external power to a full integration of the authentic power of the heart.

It begins with individuals. It begins with us. As we make our own personal transitions to authentic power, to guiding our lives with the deep intelligence of our hearts, we affect the world around us and bring us closer to that ancient promise of our own future.

May we sit this evening for the fulfillment of that ancient promise within ourselves. May our thoughts and actions bring it closer. May we create the foundation which we came here to build.

Thank you all,

Richard

With apologies, again!

Ok, so I just got back from a weekend of white water canoeing and am a bit tuckered out. That's why I forgot to put the date in the subject line of this week's focus. 

However, as a bonus treat, here's a video of me showing the bottom of my canoe to the sky yesterday. It's a bit blurry, but look for the red flash. It was very refreshing.

Love to all,

Richard

Hello everyone, the simplicity of this statement matches it's poignancy:
"At the most basic level, it's how we treat each other that will make the difference. As we recognize the extent of the pain and anger in the world, the importance of loving kindness becomes even clearer."

Those who annoy, those who injure, and all those who are lost, are still on their own personally crafted, but difficult, path to Oneness. May we sit this Sunday for the depth of courage and self-awareness required to extend loving-kindness to all.

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday March 24th, 2019

Hello to all, we are told that the twelve fruits of the Holy Spirit are charity (or love), joy, peace, patience, benignity (or kindness), goodness, longanimity (or long-suffering), mildness (or gentleness), faith, modesty, continency (or self-control), and chastity. These fruits would be well used in these turbulent times.

Not only ought we promote them within ourselves, but also celebrate them when found in others. 

May we sit this Sunday to attain the depth of spiritual connection which brings these gifts, and which the world needs so much. It's that simple, and that difficult.

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday March 10th, 2019

Hello to all, the ancients tell us that the human 'surface mind' is a force of discord, pride, greed, infatuation, cruelty, and ignorance. And yet, as seeds become trees and caterpillars become butterflies, it can become more conscious. It can enter into lucid self-knowledge and realization of the Absolute Infinity within itself.

When we recognize that the Universal Mind which created and maintains the physical universe is far more trustworthy than our limited thoughts and opinions, then we can see others with more compassion. We are all 'on the path' in our own manner.

May we sit this Sunday for the deepening of our realization. May we see 'others' as part of the One. May our compassion spread over all.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday March 3rd, 2019

Hello everyone, no kindness is ever wasted however small it may be. Even the effect of a simple honest smile, given once, lives on within the receiver of it. 

Imagine for a moment a straight line running from now into the distant future. Now imagine another line starting from the same place but angled just a tiny bit, only a quarter of a degree.  In the years of our lives the final outcome of those two lines can be far, far apart. 

That's what a simple honest smile can do over the course of a lifetime. You don't know until the end how much change you've actually made with it.

May we sit this Sunday for the smiles we give and share, for laughter which may come, and for the tender lives we touch in loving ways. 

Thank you,

Richard