For Sunday, January 2nd, 2011

Hello all, in Barbara's book The Natural Soul her husband Charles defines humility as "the openess and willingness to learn more about self, others and if we choose, the God of our understanding." That would seem to be a good note to start the new year with. May we sit this Sunday for that openess, that willingness, that absence of internal obstacles which we call humility. May it be an ongoing trait in ourselves, and in the world at large.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday, December 26th, 2010

Hello all, this week comes with a thank you to the tender heart and poetic insight of Theodor Geisel...

"Every Who down in Whoville, the tall and the small, was singing, without any presents at all! He hadn't stopped Christmas from coming, it came! Somehow or other, it came just the same. It came without ribbons! It came without tags! It came without packages, boxes or bags!

He puzzled and puzzled till his puzzler was sore. Then the Grinch thought of something he hadn't before! Maybe Christmas, he thought, doesn't come from a store. Maybe Christmas... perhaps... means a little bit more!

And what happened then? Well, in Whoville they say that the Grinch's small heart grew three sizes that day. And then - the true meaning of Christmas came through, and the Grinch found the strength of ten Grinches, plus two."

This Sunday may we find that strength of heart, that 'little bit more' meaning which informs each day and is honored in this season. May we welcome the prodigal Grinches in our lives to join the feast, and in doing so fulfill ourselves as well.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday, December 19th, 2010

Hello all, here's a little poem:

As shepherds washed their socks by night,
All argyle, green and brown,
An angel of the Lord came 'round,
And looked upon their frowns.

"Fear not," said he, for the mighty dread
Of odor gave them woes;
"Glad tidings of great joy I bring,
To free thy troubled nose."

With a careful nod to poetic license, the message still holds. No matter what's happening in the world, there is always hope. May we sit this Sunday for that hope, that saving grace, for ourselves and for all.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday, December 12th, 2010

Hello all, the economic successes of the 80's and 90's supported a desire for abundant consumerism. Those years are often pointed to proudly as a highlight, yet the fuller results are only now being felt. Because of them we are currently dealing with a huge dependence upon foreign oil with attendant wars and massive federal deficit, poisonous hydrofracking for natural gas, a garbage patch the size of Texas in the Pacific Ocean, and a world wide economic collapse to name a few. All can easily be traced to an 'I want everything' attitude, with no greater thought toward the future than 'more will come somehow'.

 

It's often said "mind is the builder". That which we dwell on mentally becomes our physical reality, for better or worse. We have the freedom to think as we will - and the responsibility to learn from results.

 

Will we have the humility to review our attitudes? Or will we drown in our own garbage?

 

This Sunday may we sit for learning, for lessons, for humility. May the Light come down upon our leaders and decision makers, which in many ways is us. May we all listen within. May we all focus on Above and act accordingly here below.

 

Thank you,

 

Richard

For Sunday, December 5th, 2010

Hello all, at this time there are concerns over political attitudes, both national and international. There is the awareness of the end of a lifestyle, and long term ecological problems, where 'fracking' is just getting under way amid Pennsylvania farm land. Friends and friends of friends are facing huge personal challenges. And a teary-eyed woman asked a mall Santa for a Christmas miracle, without further explanation.

Whether a natural function of life on Earth, the cleaning up of karmic requirements, or the result of human frailties in action, there are many things to be faced which come under the heading of 'sad and bad'.

Ecclesiastes and the resulting folk song "For everything there is a season..." is leaned upon for strength and guidance here. From the highest perspective nothing is wasted, everything is used as a lesson to show the way home. This Sunday may we sit for the learning of that lesson, for what is most loving overall, both within ourselves and for others as well.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday, November 28th, 2010

Hello all, I'd like to ask that we focus on the situation surrounding the Korean penninsula this week. May God's Light come down upon those involved. May God's will be fulfilled. May all look upward for guidance.

 

Thank you,

 

Richard

For Sunday, November 21st, 2010

Hello all, there are so many things happening in this world, so many areas which deserve attention. Do we pray for them all? Do we pray for that which is the key to all?  Can evolutionists come to recognize the joy of creation? Can creationists see the beauty of evolution? Might political parties to release their clamoring for power? Is it possible for all individuals to simply be open to Above?

Einstein's comment "You cannot solve a problem with the same level of thinking that created it" speaks toward seeking that higher perspective. May we sit this Sunday for those higher realms where paradoxes blend into understanding, where difficulties are seen as lessons, where life is a sacred adventure.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday, November 14th, 2010

Hello all, I was recently reminded of an ancient Jewish teaching; "If you seek to save the world, set your own house in order first." This teaching has survived because it is true on many different levels. First, our own house, our own domicile. To care for ourselves enough to provide ourselves with whatever decent living arrangements which may be within reach. Secondly, our house as our body. To care enough to attend to our health and well-being. Then, our house as a metaphor for our lives. Psychologically dealing with the ebb and flow and obstacles of life in a self-loving, and outwardly loving, manner is a strong foundation. Upon this foundation may we reach ever higher spiritually toward the purity which is the Source of all we know.

This Sunday may we sit for that purity to shine through our lives on all levels, for all people.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday, November 7th, 2010

Hello all, from Aristotle's explanations of nature to Galileo's celestial observations to Newton's laws of physics to Einstein's thought experiments to the non-intuitive world of quantum physics, humankind has been on a quest for knowledge. At each stage of the progression there have been major obstacles, and yet the quest continues. The distraction of employing this historic build-up of scientific knowledge to produce war machinery and profit is a current obstacle.

If it is true that centuries of synchronistic scientific advancement has been for the purpose of establishing a 'proof' of that energy which has been called God, Allah, Nirvana, Valhalla, The Light, and so on, then science needs to find it's center once again. Scientists and philosophers would do well to compare notes with an eye more toward common ground than division.

This Sunday may we sit for this rekindling of purpose, this resurrection of old guidance, this brand-new realization of an ancient pact.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday, October 31st, 2010

Hello all, as humankind endures the chaotic processes of nature; volcanoes, earthquakes, tsunamis and weather, as well as the self-imposed chaos of politics and elections, with the ongoing difficulties of money, power and fame, may we recall this quote from Albert Einstein:

 

"The life of the individual only has meaning insofar as it aids in making the life of every living thing nobler and more beautiful. Life is sacred, that is to say, it is the supreme value to which all other values are subordinate."

 

May the fullness of this sacredness come to those who help, to those who would lead, to those who choose, and to ourselves as well.

 

Thank you,

 

Richard

For Sunday, October 24th, 2010

Hello all, early on in our country's history politics attracted the 'best and brightest' of each generation. The sense of crafting a country for the good of all was large. However, during the past 50-100 years the lures of money, fame and power has increased. Politics has become big business, the public is manipulated for personal gains, and a toll has been taken. These days very few people who are heartfelt and intelligent would choose such a career. The proper combination of political shrewdness and personal compassion is rare. Gandhi, Lincoln, and Mandela come to mind though there are and have been others.

With elections coming let us sit this Sunday for those who seek office and for those who cast their votes. May the Light come down that we choose wisely and fulfill our greater calling.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday, October 10th, 2010

Hello all, one can see the use of anger to energize an electorate in the furthering of personal political goals in our times. History shows that the defining of, and rallying toward, an enemy results in material benefit to a few and monumental suffering to most.

The greatest advances in humanity have come through cooperation. While still difficult to achieve at times, it has served us better in the long run.

This Sunday may we sit for cooperation, for upliftment, for the rising above the typical attitudes of our day. May the doors of our hearts be open. May we see the way.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday, October 3rd, 2010

Hello all, we humans have the free will to make choices. On a vibrationary level these choices can lean toward pure, more loving, or polluted, more selfish and self-absorbed. Whatever vibrations we produce, according to our choices, which are driven by our desires, we become receptive to those vibrations from then on. This is commonly referred to as 'that which goes around comes around' or karma.

A quote from Einstein, "You cannot solve a problem with the same level of thinking that created it" refers to the need to attain a higher perspective. Opening to a finer and subtler reality, to the purer vibrations, is an essential growth for ourselves and the world.

This Sunday may we sit for those who call themselves leaders, and for those who elect and follow them, and for ourselves. May we have the self-honesty to recognize ourselves as we are, to have and honor the desire to attain better, to listen Above.

Thank you,

Richard
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