For Sunday July 28th, 2013

Hello everyone, once again I have a special request this week. Stanley Peele's health has been difficult for most of this year. Why I ask to focus upon him I don't know. It just feels right.

May we hold Stanley and Carolyn Peele in our hearts this Sunday evening. May God's love shine down for their highest good. 

With reverence,

Richard

For Sunday July 21st, 2013

Hello everyone, for those beset by troubles there is an answer; whether psychological, from within one's own mind and emotional make-up; or external, having to deal with people, places, situations, The answer is often stated as 'the only way out is Up'. That is, a clear connection to the Divine lessens the experience of suffering. And there is even more available, patiently awaiting our attention. 

The opportunity is here not only to be more loving within our circumstances, but to be loving beyond them. 

The simple request, "Please fill my heart, that I may follow Thy will" carries answers unseen. This prayer may begin with a personal desire to climb out of a dark hole, and then, with increasing depth, extend even to loving that which is the cause of one's troubles. And then again beyond - to loving the world as it is.

We are creatures of free will. We may recreate the world as we recreate ourselves. Perhaps it may be said, "We recreate the world only as we recreate ourselves" not as a matter of laws, rules, thoughts and belief, but as a matter of an actual change of heart.

May we sit this evening with that simple prayer, "Please fill my heart, that I may follow Thy will" - and see where it takes us.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday July 14th, 2013

Hello all, sometimes it seems we get things into our heads best by taking them on the chin first. The Dalai Lama says, "Your enemies are your greatest teachers." So too, difficult circumstances can also be fine teachers. The view from within the perspective of humanity may be one of, "Oh, no, why must I deal with this?" But the view from outside of humanity, from the perspective of spirituality, may well be, "There, this is a good chance to clean this up." 

As we work our way through the chaos and karma of life, we may be accomplishing far more than we perceive. Obstacles have a way of becoming stepping-stones when viewed with higher vision.

May we sit this evening for that higher vision, or at least an awareness of it's availability. May we sit for a greater realization of what we may be accomplishing in this life, even when we are deeply uncomfortable. We are told there will come a time when all will be known. May we sit tonight for the willingness to fulfill a Higher Will.

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday July 7th, 2013

Hello everyone, I hope this gets out to all of you this time. 

With even a brief look at our nation's struggle for independence, and ensuing growth, you can see the hand of Providence at work. It wasn't simple and easy, but there was guidance from Above at many key moments. A quick look at Egypt's situation today clearly shows the degree of difficulty. With your permission, may we petition the Creative Forces to shine upon those involved in, or affected by, Egypt's transformational time. May the highest good be done for all.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday June 30th, 2013

Hello everyone, I have to admit I'm very taken by Barbara Whitfield's new book Another F*ing Growth Experience, in it she mentions the concept of 'being nobody special'. Here's a quote I especially like:

"In a society where everybody has to be somebody special, what a joy it can be to walk along and be nobody special. It is freeing, peaceful and serene. We learn to listen and hear. And where we are when we are nobody special is in the heart of our True Self (or Soul)."

I would like to ask that we sit for that peaceful serenity tonight, that we be 'nobody special' for that short time, and sit in the heart of our True Self.

Thank you all for all you do,

Richard

For Sunday June 23rd, 2013

Hello to everyone, we have several new people on the list this week so, just to clarify: We sit for 20 minutes starting at 9pm on Sunday nights for concepts such as you'll find below and then do the same again on Tuesday nights for each other in groups of three. I'll send out a separate email for Tuesdays. Participation is entirely voluntary and adjustable as needed. 

At the Southeastern Spiritual Conference recently there was a lot of discussion about prayer and about anxiety. The intersection of these two seemed to come at "Dear God, please fill my heart." A full heart is always of service, and has no space for fear which drives anxiety.

In this world as we know it there is a need for full hearts. May we sit this evening for that within ourselves and within others. May we each do our part to be and spread a fullness of heart.

Thank you all for all you do,

Richard

I'll be away from Sunday June 9th to Tuesday June 18th, 2013...

Hello everyone, I'm sending out a bunch of these Heart-Session Meditations at once to fill in until I get back. I'll be at my sister's wedding and then down to the Southeastern Spiritual Conference. It's a wonderful opportunity to reconnect with family and friends and I'm really looking forward to all of it. Here we go...

Sunday, June 9th: Our culture has sought out ever more sensational forms of entertainment, both violent and voyeuristic. Looking back at 50 years of movies, TV and the media at large shows that people have been happy to indulge base desires for financial gain. Now, we often see these things acted out. The question comes to mind, "What are we promoting?" With each choice we make, whether voting, buying, sharing, speaking, or even thinking, we are promoting something. As the world has it's turmoil, may we sit for wisdom, may we sit for courage, may we sit for Divine guidance, for ourselves and others.

Tuesday, June 11th: We have Mary Ruth Dobbins, Vaughn Boone, and Pat Eby on the list for this day. I'll be with Vaughn and Mary Ruth on Tuesday. I'll let you know if they begin to glow...   :o)

Sunday, June 16th: God's Love for humanity differs from humanity's love for God. We have physical, emotional, and psychological limitations which come with being human. God simply Loves without limitation - without condition. The condition of the world is created by us. We create its texture by how we live upon it; by what is inside our hearts, by how we treat ourselves and others. We create and re-create our own little piece of the world daily, by our actions and attitudes. While there may be people and situations in the world with which we are uncomfortable and often disagree, if we are to follow the precedent, we are to Love. We are to Love in spite of ourselves. Under the heading of "As Above, So Below" may we sit this Sunday for that perfect Love, for the perfect expression of it upon this Earth.

Tuesday, June 18th: With love in our hearts we embrace Ceri Booth, Neidra Clark, and Mary Owens this week. We lift them as we are lifted.

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday June 2nd, 2013

Hello all, as the situation in Syria seems to be getting more and more complex may we sit for a greater and greater simplicity, that of the Light of God shining down upon all those involved. While human responses to the struggle are many, and often discordant, spiritual responses have a clear goal - the furthering of humanity according to it's needs. What is spiritually needed may not always be easy nor comfortable, but it comes from a loving Eternity rather than from our own too often short-sighted and self-absorbing thoughts.

May we petition the Creative Forces to shine down and illuminate whatever the next step is on our most Loving path.

Thank you,

Richard

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