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Hello everyone, it may have been Thomas Merton who said, "If we saw ourselves as we truly are, we would fall down and worship one another." This reminder of our actual spiritual size and reach is comforting after recent tragedies. It is possible to become very lost in this world, yet our true nature lives on.
May we sit this Sunday for that true nature to come through. May we set aside our obstacles, even for a moment, to see ourselves as we are. May we see ourselves as Stanley saw Lyn Mocejunas, "Sails now full, with a fresh breeze: all is drenched with love."
Thank you,
Richard
Sunday, December 30
Wednesday, December 19
Further comments on December 21st - and a focus for Sunday the 23rd...
Thank you to all who wrote in. Something Barbara said brought up another thought. Barbara wrote:
Richard,
I can totally relate to what you wrote.
If I wrote out the story of the last 20 years of my life, I can see a theme that goes along with the theme of the Harmonic Convergence and now "the end of the world as we know it."
And thank goodness it feels like a new world, at least inside of me and around me too. The way to change our world for the better is one person at a time and if we are a student of our own inner life IT is happening.
Love to you,
Barbara
The idea that a prophecy can be fulfilled in many different ways brought this story to mind:
More than 1000 years ago there was a prophecy which was highly celebrated by the Tibetans of that time. The prophecy stated that the borders of Tibet should be sealed, no outsiders should be allowed entry, in order to preserve the spiritual purity of their culture. It went on to say that some time in the future there would be a cataclysmic event in the Lhasa valley which would kill 3/4 of the people living there. This event would be a signal that it was time for Tibetans to leave the Tibetan plateau and carry their spirituality out into the rest of the world. This is not to say their religion, but their spirituality, the true compassion of their hearts.
In the course of time the borders were not sealed and much of the western world crept in, a car, a movie camera and projector, flashlights, wrist watches, magazines, and so on. It turned out that when the actual cataclysmic event occurred, an earthquake which cracked an ancient and holy temple in 1981, there was no one in the valley to celebrate the fulfillment of the prophecy. It was just a horrifying earthquake to them. However, Tibetans had already been flung to the far corners of the globe by other events. The prophecy had been fulfilled, though not in the manner foreseen so long ago.
The sad part is that spiritual sensitivity had diminished to the point where no one in the Lhasa valley could recognize the culmination of a prophecy which had been proclaimed so many years before. Perhaps we're in a similar situation now.
Perhaps there is something beyond our cultural imaginings, beyond the quick and easy doomsday scenarios so popular and sensational, which we are here to be a part of.
May we set aside our previous ideas, our thoughts, biases, and beliefs, and simply be. May we be the observers who join in when called, the volunteers who respond from the heart. For those who feel pulled to assist a world in transition, may we each answer as called.
Thank you,
Richard
Richard,
I can totally relate to what you wrote.
If I wrote out the story of the last 20 years of my life, I can see a theme that goes along with the theme of the Harmonic Convergence and now "the end of the world as we know it."
And thank goodness it feels like a new world, at least inside of me and around me too. The way to change our world for the better is one person at a time and if we are a student of our own inner life IT is happening.
Love to you,
Barbara
The idea that a prophecy can be fulfilled in many different ways brought this story to mind:
More than 1000 years ago there was a prophecy which was highly celebrated by the Tibetans of that time. The prophecy stated that the borders of Tibet should be sealed, no outsiders should be allowed entry, in order to preserve the spiritual purity of their culture. It went on to say that some time in the future there would be a cataclysmic event in the Lhasa valley which would kill 3/4 of the people living there. This event would be a signal that it was time for Tibetans to leave the Tibetan plateau and carry their spirituality out into the rest of the world. This is not to say their religion, but their spirituality, the true compassion of their hearts.
In the course of time the borders were not sealed and much of the western world crept in, a car, a movie camera and projector, flashlights, wrist watches, magazines, and so on. It turned out that when the actual cataclysmic event occurred, an earthquake which cracked an ancient and holy temple in 1981, there was no one in the valley to celebrate the fulfillment of the prophecy. It was just a horrifying earthquake to them. However, Tibetans had already been flung to the far corners of the globe by other events. The prophecy had been fulfilled, though not in the manner foreseen so long ago.
The sad part is that spiritual sensitivity had diminished to the point where no one in the Lhasa valley could recognize the culmination of a prophecy which had been proclaimed so many years before. Perhaps we're in a similar situation now.
Perhaps there is something beyond our cultural imaginings, beyond the quick and easy doomsday scenarios so popular and sensational, which we are here to be a part of.
May we set aside our previous ideas, our thoughts, biases, and beliefs, and simply be. May we be the observers who join in when called, the volunteers who respond from the heart. For those who feel pulled to assist a world in transition, may we each answer as called.
Thank you,
Richard
Friday, December 14
For Sunday December 16th, 2012
Hello all, the shooting at Sandy Hill Elementary School in Connecticut has brought to mind Tom Sawyer's reply when asked about the shootings at Columbine and Virginia Tech. Here are some highlights from his answer:
It is a subject that has many aspects and has festered for over three generations. Since the '50's there has been a dissolution of the core family. Child raising moved away from chores and responsibilities toward entertainment. The idea of "a man's word is his bond" began loosing ground. Society became promiscuous, in the true sense of the word, and we knew it. The '60's were worse, easier yes, but worse for the children. Modern conveniences replaced the need to work hard on a daily basis. It became easier to lie and be forgiven rather than take initial responsibility. The family dinner became lost for many households, and weekends were for each individual, separately. There were fewer and fewer people who would take care of themselves and do sports, work, or prioritize 'doing good and interesting things' rather than just 'seeing and being seen'. Entertainment began to push societal limits for a 'shock and awe' effect. Movies, sports, and even religions have tweaked their organizations in order to keep and/or hang onto their numbers. Schools have been the worst where, for fear of hurting the self-esteem of the child, administrations have taken on the role of being heroes rather than teachers, discipline has continually slackened. In movies and from societal attitudes came 'well nobody pays all their taxes anyway' and 'a rip-off is ok, it's not like a real crime'.
He goes on to mention the impersonality and total insensitivity of computers. He wrote this response in 2007, before the spread of social media, and said that he ought to write a treatise on the social climate that developed so children could kill. He died a few weeks later.
May we sit this Sunday for honest, real connections between people, truly from the heart. May we sit for living our own honorable lives, and supporting others in their search and growth. May we sit for increasing spiritual connection in the world at large.
Thank you,
Richard
It is a subject that has many aspects and has festered for over three generations. Since the '50's there has been a dissolution of the core family. Child raising moved away from chores and responsibilities toward entertainment. The idea of "a man's word is his bond" began loosing ground. Society became promiscuous, in the true sense of the word, and we knew it. The '60's were worse, easier yes, but worse for the children. Modern conveniences replaced the need to work hard on a daily basis. It became easier to lie and be forgiven rather than take initial responsibility. The family dinner became lost for many households, and weekends were for each individual, separately. There were fewer and fewer people who would take care of themselves and do sports, work, or prioritize 'doing good and interesting things' rather than just 'seeing and being seen'. Entertainment began to push societal limits for a 'shock and awe' effect. Movies, sports, and even religions have tweaked their organizations in order to keep and/or hang onto their numbers. Schools have been the worst where, for fear of hurting the self-esteem of the child, administrations have taken on the role of being heroes rather than teachers, discipline has continually slackened. In movies and from societal attitudes came 'well nobody pays all their taxes anyway' and 'a rip-off is ok, it's not like a real crime'.
He goes on to mention the impersonality and total insensitivity of computers. He wrote this response in 2007, before the spread of social media, and said that he ought to write a treatise on the social climate that developed so children could kill. He died a few weeks later.
May we sit this Sunday for honest, real connections between people, truly from the heart. May we sit for living our own honorable lives, and supporting others in their search and growth. May we sit for increasing spiritual connection in the world at large.
Thank you,
Richard
Saturday, December 8
For Sunday December 9th, 2012
Hello to all, the problems of humanity are many-fold, multi-layered, and mountainous. Over generations and through the eras we have gotten ourselves into quite a fix with economies, religious differences, inter-racial difficulties, wars between countries, and road-rage among neighbors. To be embroiled in such thinking is to be lost, entangled within self.
There is always an opportunity to open our minds to search for spiritual answers. From garbage collector to government leader each person may do this in their own life, in their own place.
May we sit this Sunday for the willingness to take up that search in ourselves, willingness in others, and willingness in the world at large. May it be that Divine Light come down to provide us guidance.
Thank you,
Richard
There is always an opportunity to open our minds to search for spiritual answers. From garbage collector to government leader each person may do this in their own life, in their own place.
May we sit this Sunday for the willingness to take up that search in ourselves, willingness in others, and willingness in the world at large. May it be that Divine Light come down to provide us guidance.
Thank you,
Richard
Sunday, December 2
For Sunday December 2nd, 2012
Hello all, as humanity inches itself toward spiritual destiny, like a flower bud opening one petal at a time, occasionally clinging tightly curled, may we ease the transition with our own lives, our own hearts, our love for self and others. May we show tolerance, patience, and an understanding of difficulties encountered in growth.
This Sunday, as we observe a tremulous unfolding of faith, may we reach for the depths of our own as we sit in time, loving a common future.
Thank you,
Richard
This Sunday, as we observe a tremulous unfolding of faith, may we reach for the depths of our own as we sit in time, loving a common future.
Thank you,
Richard
Saturday, November 24
For Sunday November 25th, 2012
Hello all, as the holiday weekend winds down may we take one more opportunity to give thanks for who we are in this life, for those who are with us, and for the eternal guidance which brings us through.
Thank you,
Richard
Thank you,
Richard
Friday, November 16
For Sunday November 18th, 2012
Thank you,
Richard
http://heart-session.blogspot.com/
Saturday, November 10
For Sunday November 11th, 2012
Hello to all, in his excellent course "Awakening Kundalini" Lawrence Edwards teaches that meditation 'prepares the container of the mind' to accept various energies with equanimity. On a basic human level this allows us to take on personal challenges with greater ease and stability, from a greater perspective.
From that higher perspective, everyone, everywhere has a thirst for the Divine, and is equally lovingly important. With the co-incidence of this Veteran's Day may we sit for that higher sight which sees all wars, all peace, and all people as being on the same path, and with whatever difficulties, as moving toward the same goal.
Thank you,
Richard
From that higher perspective, everyone, everywhere has a thirst for the Divine, and is equally lovingly important. With the co-incidence of this Veteran's Day may we sit for that higher sight which sees all wars, all peace, and all people as being on the same path, and with whatever difficulties, as moving toward the same goal.
Thank you,
Richard
Friday, November 2
For Sunday November 4th, 2012
Hello all, this Sunday I would like to ask us to sit for all who are involved in our political election process, especially the politicians themselves whose souls are sorely tested by the intense distractions of money, power, and influence ad nauseum. To be in a position of great responsibility and to also be spiritually lost cannot be a good thing.
May we sit for the politicians, for us voters, and for gratitude that it will soon be all over.
Thank you,
Richard
May we sit for the politicians, for us voters, and for gratitude that it will soon be all over.
Thank you,
Richard
Saturday, October 27
For Sunday October 28th, 2012
Hello to all, many people understand the need for a fundamental change in how we live on Earth. Even as politicians seek power, corporations seek money, and various wannabees seek influence, the essential requirement of life is to live through the heart. Humanity needs the experience of it's inter-connectedness, it's interdependence. We ought not use each other for personal gains nor are we truly enemies of each other. We either deeply know our connection or we miss it.
May we sit this Sunday for the expansion of our connection, for the 'knowing' of our connection, for us knowing ourselves. May we reach out to those who are still asleep, to those who are waking, and to the sleeping parts of ourselves. May we join in the one thing which can balance the Earth, our highest and truest self.
Thank you,
Richard
May we sit this Sunday for the expansion of our connection, for the 'knowing' of our connection, for us knowing ourselves. May we reach out to those who are still asleep, to those who are waking, and to the sleeping parts of ourselves. May we join in the one thing which can balance the Earth, our highest and truest self.
Thank you,
Richard
Tuesday, October 16
For Sunday October 21st, 2012
Hello all, here's a quote from Mary Ann Williamson sent in by Ceri Booth:
I think about how "temporarily inaccessible to the power of the Atonement" (ACIM) a heart must be, to think it right to shoot a little girl because she says she wants to go to school.
But it's not like with the Nazis during WW2, where if you simply got rid of them, the phenomenon they promulgated was for all intents and purposes gone. We can't just kill enough Taliban and make it all go away. There's an ideology there -- deep and entrenched and being taught to thousands of children -- that bullets alone cannot destroy.
That's why, in answer to those who think we should keep the subject of spirituality far away from politics, I think the exact opposite. We didn't say, "Spirituality has nothing to do with AIDS," and we shouldn't say, "Spirituality has nothing to do with war." There HAS to be a spiritual solution to this, or the tragedies will only get worse. We are burdening our military with a mission that we should all be contributing to. That
May we sit this Sunday for those whose hearts are closed; for those whose thoughts and emotions run without guidance; for those who, like ourselves, have weaknesses and vulnerabilities. May we sit for God's Light to come down and illumine the future of all.
Thank you,
Richard
I think about how "temporarily inaccessible to the power of the Atonement" (ACIM) a heart must be, to think it right to shoot a little girl because she says she wants to go to school.
But it's not like with the Nazis during WW2, where if you simply got rid of them, the phenomenon they promulgated was for all intents and purposes gone. We can't just kill enough Taliban and make it all go away. There's an ideology there -- deep and entrenched and being taught to thousands of children -- that bullets alone cannot destroy.
That's why, in answer to those who think we should keep the subject of spirituality far away from politics, I think the exact opposite. We didn't say, "Spirituality has nothing to do with AIDS," and we shouldn't say, "Spirituality has nothing to do with war." There HAS to be a spiritual solution to this, or the tragedies will only get worse. We are burdening our military with a mission that we should all be contributing to. That
's why we need a holistic politics. Military might is like allopathic medicine; it needs to be backed by psychological, spiritual and emotional support.
So let's do something radical: let's meditate today, and pour God's light on every extremist of any kind. Let's remember that that which is not love is a call for love. Let's spend a minimum of five minutes every day, pouring the Light and Love of a Divine Creator onto those who we are tempted to fear, or even hate. Imagine extremist groups, then send love to them like the medicine it is, to heal their minds and restore us all to sanity. For only love has the ability to cast out fear. Let us pray for a divine intercession from a thought system beyond our own. We cannot do this by ourselves. For true peace on earth, we need a miracle. Amen
So let's do something radical: let's meditate today, and pour God's light on every extremist of any kind. Let's remember that that which is not love is a call for love. Let's spend a minimum of five minutes every day, pouring the Light and Love of a Divine Creator onto those who we are tempted to fear, or even hate. Imagine extremist groups, then send love to them like the medicine it is, to heal their minds and restore us all to sanity. For only love has the ability to cast out fear. Let us pray for a divine intercession from a thought system beyond our own. We cannot do this by ourselves. For true peace on earth, we need a miracle. Amen
"Life is not measured by the
breaths we take, but by the
moments that take our breath
away"
breaths we take, but by the
moments that take our breath
away"
Thank you for being part of my life!!
Have a Blessed Day! Ceri
May we sit this Sunday for those whose hearts are closed; for those whose thoughts and emotions run without guidance; for those who, like ourselves, have weaknesses and vulnerabilities. May we sit for God's Light to come down and illumine the future of all.
Thank you,
Richard
Wednesday, October 10
For Sunday October 14th, 2012
Hello all, it is said we must 'see with a new Light'. As we look upon our world and our troubles we must see with new eyes. What it takes to change others I do not know. What it takes to change ourselves is in our hearts. May we look upon the world in a loving manner. May we see it as lost, in need of guidance from Above coming through each heart.
May we sit this Sunday for those new eyes, these new hearts, and a world in touch with inner, higher beauty.
Thank you all lovingly,
Richard
May we sit this Sunday for those new eyes, these new hearts, and a world in touch with inner, higher beauty.
Thank you all lovingly,
Richard
Friday, October 5
For Sunday October 7th, 2012
Hello all, it's easy to be disappointed in our political system. With election day approaching each party becomes more entrenched, the level of discourse worsens, and the time and effort spent on swaying a few undecided voters skyrockets. Under the heading of "Thou shall not worship false idols" we find money, power, influence, prestige, money again, and (it seems) more money.
Fortunately, the only true power in the universe is Love. All else falls away as this lesson is learned.
May we sit this Sunday for that continuing lesson. As we stumble our way along, guided by an unseen hand, may we find good footing and a loving outcome. May we raise the spiritual level of our own selves and petition the Light to shine down upon those who are still unseeing.
Thank you,
Richard
Fortunately, the only true power in the universe is Love. All else falls away as this lesson is learned.
May we sit this Sunday for that continuing lesson. As we stumble our way along, guided by an unseen hand, may we find good footing and a loving outcome. May we raise the spiritual level of our own selves and petition the Light to shine down upon those who are still unseeing.
Thank you,
Richard
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