For Sunday March 30th, 2014

Hello everyone, here's an experiment for this week. Sit comfortably with eyes closed and breath normally - other than to pause for a moment at the top and at the bottom of each breath. Also, comfortably and gently move your eyes from side to side while closed. 

It seems that when the conscious mind takes over these typically autonomic systems it has a quieting influence on the subconscious mind. This is useful in itself. However, by decreasing 'brain chatter' it also may open a greater conscious connection to the higher self. 

Shall we try that this week? It's an experiment with no goal other than to explore. 

Lovingly,

Richard

For Sunday March 23rd, 2014

Hello everyone, here's a quote from J. Krishnamurti about meditation:

"The brain was aware of its environment but quiet without response, uninfluenced but recognizing without responding. It was very quiet and words had faded with thought. There was that strange energy, call it by any other name, it has no importance whatsoever, deeply active, without object and purpose; it was creation, without the canvas and the marble, and destructive; it was not the thing of human brain, of expression and decay. It was not approachable, to be classified and analyzed, and thought and feeling are not the instruments of its comprehension."

May we sit towards that unapproachable yet omniscient energy which comes into view only when the brain sets everything aside and simply observes.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday March 16th, 2014

Hello everyone, here's a quote from Mr. Fred Rogers, “In the external scheme of things, shining moments are as brief as the twinkling of an eye, yet such twinklings are what eternity is made of -- moments when we human beings can say "I love you," "I'm proud of you," "I forgive you," "I'm grateful for you." That's what eternity is made of: invisible imperishable good stuff.” 

May we sit this Sunday for such expressions of eternity brought forth in this world.

With grateful thanks,

Richard

For Sunday March 9th, 2014

Hello everyone, as humanity struggles between spiritual callings and material attachments we seek balance in our daily lives and progress over all. Can we give up everything to be the monk on the mountain top? Is it even appropriate for us in this lifetime? 

Perhaps it is right for us all to occasionally be the monk on the mountain top then, with whatever we may have attained, bring that back and incorporate it into our material life. We would thereby begin to bring beauty out of silence and wisdom out of Oneness.

Knowing the difficulties of the world, may we sit this Sunday for personal development. May we be the change we would like to see, may it spread anew from our simple efforts.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday March 2nd, 2014

Hello all, I'd like to ask once more that we sit for the situations in Venezuela and the Ukraine. As those involved struggle between holding the status quo and moving toward a more spiritual / humane world may we petition the Light to come down, may we give them what energy we can, what energy they may need.

Thankfully,

Richard

For Sunday February 23rd, 2014

Hello to all, in the Ukraine, and by some reports in Venezuela, people are realizing that human life is meant to be more than fodder for corporate or governmental interests. At best we are witnessing the beginnings of a global wave of human compassion which began in Tianenmen Square and is yet ongoing. Clearly, there are those who feel threatened by the change. 

May we sit this Sunday in petition for the Light to come down upon all those involved in this growing wave of compassion. Its time has come, no matter the many bumps in its birthing.

Respectfully,

Richard

For Sunday February 16th, 2014

Hello all, as world media focuses upon the Olympics with it's dramatic accomplishments of teams and individuals, let us see the gathering of hearts which occurs there. The little kindnesses and camaraderies which create honest connections between people of distant lands may well be the lasting gifts of these events.

Whether we're digging our way out of a new batch of winter snow or basking in the glow of family and friends, may we take a moment to appreciate the heartfelt connections which can occur across the globe when folks are honest and kind to one another.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday February 9th, 2014

Hello all, as the situation in Syria continues on it behooves us to focus them upon them once more. The path to a spiritual world is bumpy and help is always worthwhile. 

So, for all who are involved in the difficulty, may we petition the Light to shine down upon them for their highest good.

Reverently,

Richard

For Sunday February 2nd. 2014

Hello all, the old question, "If a tree falls in a forest and no one is there to hear it, does it make a sound?" has an answer. No. 

The question isn't really referring to physical trees but rather to physical existence itself. Science shows that without observation potentials never resolve into being, nothing occurs. Now science does a great job of pointing out wondrous things for us to observe. But it has a great reluctance to look backwards at what is doing the observing. Certainly things exist without our physically being there to look at them, the backside of the moon for example, or the interior of the Sun. But something finer than our crude, fragile human bodies is at work here. It is something which we are intricately involved with and connected to, deeper than breath itself. 

May we sit this Sunday for that place where the physical falls away, the place known in some cultures as 'the void' or 'the no place' where the mystery of mysteries resides. May we sit for that reaching. May there be attainment.

Respectfully,

Richard

For Sunday January 26th, 2014

Hello all, in his Commentaries on Living Series III J. Krishnamurti says, "The earth and everything upon it became holy. It was not that the mind was aware of this peace as something outside of itself, something to be remembered and communicated, but there was a total absence of any movement of the mind. There was only the immeasurable."

May we sit this evening for that absence of mental movement, for that which is beyond description and beyond knowing, for that which is immeasurable. 

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday January 19th, 2014

Hello all, difficulties such as the atrocities in Syria deserve loving attention, that we may move toward One Humanity.

May we sit this Sunday for those involved, those suffering, and for those who may well be called 'lost souls' on this Earth. May the Light shine upon them. May answers be found. May they see past distractions of the self and open themselves to Divine guidance.

Submitted with reverence,

Richard

For Sunday January 12th, 2014

Hello everyone, as our culture launches itself forward into the thrill of new technologies we would do well to look back and learn from what's been left in our wake. With an estimated 300,000 people being affected by the chemical spill into the Elk River near Charleston, WV it behooves us to give energy to the needs of those people, and to the river as well. It also behooves us to be aware of the implied lesson; it is entirely possible for our culture to drown in its own garbage. 

May we sit this Sunday for 'cultural wisdom', may an all encompassing compassion be prized over personal desires of the self. May we attend to those in need and also tread lightly upon our home, the Earth.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday January 5th, 2014

Hello everyone, a watch is known as a timepiece, something which keeps time. However, a watch is not like a silverware drawer which keeps your knives and forks ready for use again when needed. When a watch 'keeps time' it simply keeps it. You don't get it back to use again.

As each moment is precious in itself, absolutely unrepeatable, it behooves us to spend it wisely, lovingly. Each sunset is its own performance. Every smile brings its own sunrise. As we sit this Sunday may we smile within and engage in a Divine performance of the moments of our lives.

Thank you,

Richard