For Sunday, January 29th, 2012

Hello all, as has been taught for thousands of years, this life is a temporary flickering image, a thin shadow of a far greater reality. What are casually sown seeds in this life become a harvest of intensity later on. As we watch political dramas unfold we can see that those who have tremendous responsibility are often the least aware of this lesson.

May we sit this Sunday for their hearts to open beyond the distractions of their positions. May they see a greater plan at work. May their Divine connections be strengthened, and ours as well.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday, January 22nd, 2012

Hello all, the long term effects of our decisions reverberate outward for years. This can be seen to great effect in a democratic government which relies upon a voting populace. If it's true that the will and attitudes of a people are reflected in it's elected officials, then careful choice is important.

May we sit this Sunday for insight and guidance during this election year, not only for ourselves but for all those involved in our political process. May we sit for the patience, love and wisdom to see clearly and to choose well.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday, January 15th, 2012

Hello all, here's a short clip from David Roth's song "Five Blind Men".

http://www.davidrothmusic.com/DR_45/Rising%20in%20Love/09%20Five%20Blind%20Men.mp3

The song talks about five blind men following a wise man into the woods and coming upon an elephant resting in a glade. The wise man watched as each blind man examined a different part of the animal and thereby had a completely different view of it. The man at the trunk said, "It's a hose." The man at the ear said, "It's a fan." The man with a leg said, "It's a tree." The man at it's side said, "It's a wall." And the man at the tail claimed it was a snake.

At that point the elephant, gentle and kind, simply turned around, which knocked the blind men to the ground. Upon rising each now had a different part of the animal to inspect. Comparing notes they came to realize that each had only a partial understanding before but together they saw a greater whole. Dancing and singing they then lead the wise man out of the woods, who followed along as humbly as he could.

Even with all his great knowledge he did not have their joy. For they knew, by deep experience, that what you see depends entirely upon where you stand and how you feel.

May we sit this Sunday for that greater view, the lessons within, and that amazing joy.

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday, January 8th, 2011

Hello all, here's a quote from Edgar Cayce

"In the first cause, or principle, all is perfect. In the creation of soul, we find the portion may become a living soul and equal with the Creator. To reach that position, when separated, must pass through all stages of development, that it may be one with the Creator."      Reading 900-10

In this we see the plan for growth and development, that all of creation leads to fruition and fulfillment. The higher levels, so easy for us to miss, are always with us, always on our side. May we sit this Sunday for that knowing, for that restful beauty, that in the final result we are all in loving, molding hands.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday, January 1st, 2011

Hello all, as we enter this new year, this new cycle of time with everything from presidential elections to the Mayan calender within it, there is much which is unknown. In our human condition we typically value knowing and certainty over wonder and amazement. Yet wonder and amazement are hallmarks of the openness which brings growth.

 

While there is openness in naivety, there is also openness in great wisdom and its companion trust in spiritual truths.

 

This Sunday, at the dawning of a new year and a new cycle of all our lives, may we sit for the openness to move forward with wonder, for growth with brings amazement, and for spiritual guidance whether in turbulence or contentment.

 

Thank you,

 

Richard

I messed up...

With apologies to all - and especially to the One whose birthday I put in the wrong month, the actual date is June 16th. Shepherds are up all night keeping watch over their flocks during lambing season which is in the May / June time frame.

 

My human frailty strikes again...

 

Richard

For Sunday, December 25th, 2011

Hello all, creation requires three - God, the source of all; Christ, the active principal; and Spirituality, the supporting mechanism. In this season many celebrate the physical incarnation of the active principal, the Christ Light in human form.

 

According to the story a young teen aged orphan named Sarah, used by the innkeeper for the dirtiest of jobs, knew to set aside provisions for an upcoming event. When three travelers arrived at the inn, Mary, a donkey, and a rather nervous father-to-be, Sarah took them to a pre-arranged secluded spot with the provisions.

 

A birth is a very spiritual event, a mother is spiritually enhanced during her pregnancy that she may bring forth life and the entry of a new soul. How much more pure must the birth of the Christ Light be? Over the years the resulting phenomena has been loosely translated to merely describe a bright star in the sky.

 

Too much energy can burn one who is not spiritually prepared. Sarah, least of the least, was midwife to the Christ child. She never questioned why she was more gifted than those around her. She fulfilled her major spiritual responsibility at a very young age and went on to live her life.

 

May we sit this Sunday for the humility to do what is asked of us; for appreciation; for thanks that such a birth ever occurred...

 

And may we give thanks once more, perhaps without the commercial trimmings, during lambing season when shepherds diligently watch their flocks, on July 16th.

 

Thank you,

 

Richard

For Sunday, December 18th, 2011

Hello all, looking around in the political and corporate arenas one can see the desire for control at work. Take-overs, power-plays, coups large and small, all are considered to be simply politics or business as usual. Yet still, we know that "Do unto others as ye would have them do unto thee" is not only a hint toward karmic law but also fosters spiritual development while producing the greatest results for the greatest number in this lifetime.

 

In this season of thankfulness and of giving, of political one-up-man-ship and corporate intertwining, let us sit for 'doing unto others as we would have them do unto us'. May its beauty become a living, intimate knowledge within our hearts and may it shine outward into the world.

 

Thank you,

 

Richard

For Sunday, December 11th, 2011

Hello all, here in the northeast there is a lot of controversy about the process of hydraulic fracturing (fracking) to release natural gas from the earth. The possible long term health and environmental issues are enormous. And the amount of short term money to be made easily blinds those in leadership positions.

 

May we sit this Sunday to ask that God's Light shine down upon all those involved in this situation. May wisdom and compassion be known in all hearts. May we hold Mother Earth warmly within our hearts.

 

Thank you,

 

Richard

For Sunday, December 4th, 2011

Hello all, a Tibetan Lama was once told that science will soon be able to eliminate all dis-ease and dis-comfort in the world. His reply was, "And what would be the point?"

 

Through grace and humility, our challenges teach us. In turn we reach out to others and connections grow. The care, concern, and compassion which comes to us and spreads out from us is a spiritual glue holding the world intact.

 

May we sit this Sunday for that 'spiritual glue' to flow through and from us, warmly assisting in our progress and that of human kind.

 

Thank you,

 

Richard

For Sunday, November 27th, 2011

Hello all, as sunlight passes through the stained-glass windows of a cathedral, God's Light passes through us. Pure Light is transformed into myriad colors, textures, and shapes by who we individually are. At our best we enhance the world with our translucence.

May we sit this Sunday for the clarity to shine forth upon the world as needed and as we each are given to do.

 

Thank you,

 

Richard

For Sunday, November 20th, 2011

Hello all, we here on the Earth plane are meant to be the physical hands and voices of God. As co-creators our calling is to reproduce Heaven in material form. We are as stained glass windows transforming pure Light into colors and shapes as it passes through us in a constant, moment by moment, expression of "As above, so below" a physical re-creation of pure Love.

 

In order that we may fully express all the colors and shapes of ourselves we have been given enough separation to act freely, according to our individual interests and desires. This ability to explore allows us to bring forth exceptional beauty in many ways.

 

May we sit this Sunday for the beauty we may produce. May it come from Above and be expressed by us in our daily lives. May it enlighten our hearts and the hearts of those around us.

 

Thank you,

 

Richard

For Sunday, November 13th, 2011

Hello all, keeping your heart open while staring straight into a difficulty can be a path to growth. Watching the various wars, revenges, mis-deeds, greeds, and difficulties of today's world can be heart-rending. While turning away may provide a needed respite, it leaves the long run wanting. Whether in our individual lives or on the world stage the truth holds, "The heart is the only thing which works better after being broken." 

 

If we have the courage to see ourselves fearlessly, with an unwavering honesty, we find answers within. Our breaking or broken hearts will show us truth, our truths. We each have our own. It is ours to hold and cherish as a trusted guide.

 

May we sit this Sunday for that graceful, courageous process of seeing beyond anger, recriminations, and justifications. May such Graces live within us. May such Graces live in the world.

 

Thank you,

 

Richard