For Sunday May 26th, 2013

Hello all, from the point of view of spirituality we are eternal creatures going through a temporary learning process. This process has lessons of great intensity and for good reason. It gives 'weight' to our learning. Just as struggling makes accomplishing worthwhile, our difficulties deepen the learning process. The 'veil' between this world and the next keeps us engaged here in the physical while working toward the spiritual, rather than pining dreamily after it.

From the chaos of natural disasters to the quagmire of political / human relations we are thoroughly bathed in a 'school of Light'. Each one of us has a part, and we pass at our own speed. May we sit this Sunday for complete fulfillment. May those involved in horrendous difficulties find strength and courage. May we do our part to assist. May that which is Loving be expressed in words and actions towards ourselves and others, whenever needed.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday May 19th, 2013

Hello all, as we experience the world being tested by disruptive forces, the Boston Marathon bombing and such, it's important to remain personally centered. As those who are spiritually lost seek to spread the lower influences of anger, fear, and revenge we ought not join in. It's a con-job, trying to drag us into their world view. Human justice must take it's course, yes, but the act of maintaining true compassion for all those involved will assist the world most in the long run.

May we sit this Sunday for the higher influences of the Creative Forces to be expressed in this world; expressed in thoughts, words, and actions; the attitudes of all.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday May 12th, 2013

Hello everyone, the ongoing difficulties surrounding North Korea's nuclear arms program reminds us that a desire for external power is based on fear. As numerous talks, negotiations, decisions, and political stances continue may we sit for a move beyond fear. May we sit for the Light of the Creative Source to come down on those involved. May we sit for movement toward a spiritual perspective and fulfillment.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday May 5th, 2013

Hello all, here's a quote from an Edgar Cayce reading: "Be glad you have the opportunity to be alive at this time, and to be a part of that preparation for the coming influences of a spiritual nature that must rule the world. These are indicated, and these are part of thy experience. Be happy of it, and give thanks daily for it."
Reading 2376-3

With all the difficulties in the world it's easy to lose sight of the overall picture, that we are involved in a spiritual process. While the outcome is sure and unwavering the path itself is chosen daily by attitudes and actions. The above quote is a fine reminder to accept the world as it is and still do our part. May we sit this evening for the strength and courage to maintain our spiritual aims amidst mayhem.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday April 28th, 2013

Hello all, religious texts of all traditions are meant to lift us up and out of our human psychology, into a more spiritual realm. However, they can also be easily misinterpreted and even co-opted into justifying lesser human behaviors. It could be a matter of personal and social inclination. It could also be a matter of lack of higher guidance.

This Sunday may we sit for the expression of higher guidance in areas where misinterpretation is all too common. May we sit for those who have a greater understanding to come forth and be heard, may there be a way prepared for them to speak, may there be ears to listen.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday April 21st, 2013

Hello everyone, with any disaster there is a respondent increase in compassion and last week's tragedy at the Boston Marathon reminded us that there are always volunteers. While only a few people caused the horror, there were hundreds who responded with courage and compassion. Then too, on a high spiritual level far beyond our typical awareness, there can be a volunteering to be personally involved in the blasts, a volunteering to be of service to humanity by giving one's life over to the opening of hearts.

Aside from the distractions of anger, revenge, and the need for human justice, the lesson of any difficulty is in the compassion brought forth. Let us sit this evening for that opening up, that bringing forth which may well be the foundation of humanity's spiritual future.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday April 14th, 2013

Hello all, to face the world as we find it; to face the world with a loving heart; to face ourselves and our relationship to the world openly, without internal obstacles, requires faith. The 'master plan' is well in hand and we need only fulfill our parts within it. There can be no other outcome than a return to Source, no matter the circuitous route. We need only connect to Source to assist.

Any degree of connection to Source is a blessing to all. May we sit this Sunday for that connection. May we sit openly. May we sit for the good of all and for 'Thy Will be done'.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday April 7th, 2013

Hello to everyone, through movie and TV screens our culture has played out a romanticized fascination with guns and violence across generations. It is deeply ingrained and still ongoing. While horrifying, it is not surprising that troubled people turn toward such physical force as a method of expressing power in this world. Meanwhile our corporate/political machinery vies within itself for favored simplistic solutions. Yet the answer to cultural violence is deeper than limiting the number of bullets in a clip, adding more guns as a deterrent, or background checks on original purchasers.

As so many times before, and many times yet to come, may we sit for guidance; may we petition for God's Light to come down; may we sit for the courage to be open and honest within ourselves and with others.

As this world moves toward a more spiritual existence may we 'prime the pump' once more with a thoughtful, compassionate view towards all.

Thank you from my 'heart of hearts',

Richard

For Sunday March 31st, 2013

Hello all, I've received an email from Ceri Booth about and old friend of many of us:

"We have sad news that Marge O'Toole passed away Wednesday evening following a stroke. Jim and her daughter Stephanie were with her when she quietly passed.

Per Marge's wishes, no funeral service will take place. We haven't yet determined if a memorial service will occur, but will let you know if so"

Marge has been in our hearts for many years. She often came to the spiritual conferences in Geneseo NY put on by Carol Chesbro and was a great friend to all.

On what can be a very busy Easter Sunday may we find a moment to sit for the fullness of her spiritual resurrection, and ours as well.

With loving thanks,

Richard

For Sunday March 24th, 2013

Hello to all, in the opening of hearts we tend to move slowly, event by event. The common human frailties of self-protection and the distractions of selfish desires / impulses conspire to keep us walled up. We seem to go about in silence while a vast yearning need for connection goes unspoken, uncalled-to.

Births, deaths, weddings, and meditative trances tend to bring us out of our shells, each in their own manner. Then it is up to us to maintain our openness, to keep breathing and to be willing.

The answering of one heart to another is a powerful expression of spirituality. May we sit tomorrow evening for that opening and answering within and between us. May we be willing. May we have the courage. May we be as we are meant to be upon this Earth.

With reverent appreciation,

Richard

For Sunday March 17th, 2013

Hello everyone, in the spirit of St. Patrick's day may sit for the greening of the Earth and the removal of all 'snakes' from our psyches. Short and sweet this week.

With great reverence,

Richard

For Sunday March 10th, 2013

Hello to everyone, I have sad news and a request from a friend. Many on this list knew Tom Sawyer and perhaps something of his connection to his grand daughter Vanessa. Vanessa died on March 4th due to a drug overdose. Tom's son Todd and his wife Aretha have been living on high alert for the last 7-8 years as they've dealt with her addictions. This is not the outcome they ever wanted but they trust that Vanessa is now in the loving hands of her grandfather.

Todd has asked for our assistance in healing his family. In his own words, "If there's something you can do, I'm asking." He's referring to his mother Elaine, he and Aretha, and their son Alex.

While there is a great deal of strength in his family this kind of pain can be shattering. May we ask for God's Light to come down upon them, that they find the courage to face life as it currently is, that their healing be ongoing and beneficial to all.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday March 3rd, 2013

Hello all, someone recently mentioned the answering of prayers. We so often receive the answers we need, beautiful, loving and subtle, rather than what we wanted or expected. Our divine paths may be circuitous for good reasons. Perhaps there is more to learn, more to be helpful about, more to receive and engage in by going the long way around. Following such a path requires courage to face situations; faith to begin stepping in an unfamiliar direction; and an open mind to receive what must be done along the way.

Tom Sawyer had looked forward to a complete transformation of humanity during his lifetime. That has not occurred as of this writing, but Divine guidance is still at work in the world. This Sunday may we follow our highest guidance as we receive it; may we trust in the loving appropriateness of outcomes; may we give ourselves over to that which is more than us alone. May we find within us the strength to love beyond ourselves.

Thank you,

Richard