For Sunday January 25th, 2015

Hello all, the spiritual transition of humanity and the world is always in our hands, every one of us, at every moment. Here's a partial reading from Edgar Cayce:

Each act, each thought of each body adds to the bringing about of His Kingdom in the earth, or adds to that which prevents it from becoming manifest in this material plane . . .

Reading 911-6

The future is created by our everyday, momentary choices. May we ask for guidance as we delve into the divine expression of every day.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday January 18th, 2015

Hello all, the news media has recently covered a couple instances of moderate Islamic voices promoting a more open and loving interpretation of the Quran. In the quest for true spiritual leaders in the world this is a good thing.

May we sit this evening for the continuing spread of spiritual truths, open hearts, and the voices of true leaders. 

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday January 11th, 2015

Hello all, in any situation there is always an ideal manner in which it may be handled. We always wish that this 'ideal' will be found or attained but our ability, and our responsibility, is simply to bring that ideal to the situations we find ourselves in.

May we sit this evening for the strength, courage, and wisdom to achieve the ideal within ourselves - that it may be brought forth into the world.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday January 4th, 2015

Hello all, roughly 22 American service men and women take their own lives every day, more than 8000 a year. This speaks to not only a problem with our military system but also a societal misunderstanding of suicide. 

There is the story of a young man who, driven by despondency over the direction and seeming uselessness of his life, leaped off the Golden Gate Bridge. In the instant the railing was out of reach he was struck with a clear and unavoidable knowing, "Everything is fixable, except this."

He was one of the small percentage of people who survive such drops and his story is somewhat known. 

As an effort to escape personal torment suicide completely fails. Tom Sawyer came back from his NDE and taught this, "Suicide is the saddest thing free will allows us to do" and "Suicide doesn't work." 

In the words of Rudolf Steiner, "In addition to the sudden feeling of being 'hollowed out' the suicide-er is filled with an intense awareness of everything that drove them to the suicide, and also of their complete inability to do anything about it."

Would a more general awareness of these teachings help prevent suicides? Hard to say. But if it saves even one, it's worthwhile.

It's a big order but, may we sit this Sunday for those who have taken that horrendous step and for those who consider it. May deep spiritual teachings be known and accepted. May all find the courage and strength to complete their natural lives. 

Reverently submitted,

Richard

For Sunday December 28th, 2014

Hello all, a promise lies within us, a promise which is sometimes dormant and sometimes ignored. Yet, as deeply spiritual creatures that promise still holds, as true and pure as the moment it was given.

Heaven on Earth occurs in the instant we give ourselves over to it. In the words of T.S. Eliot, "At the still point, there the dance is."

May we sit this Sunday for the dance which is found in stillness, for 'Heaven on Earth' to be, and our promise fulfilled.

With reverence, 

Richard

For Sunday December 21st, 2014

Hello all, a request has been made to sit for the children and families who have suffered during the school shootings in Peshawar, Pakistan. It is difficult to grasp the depth of their pain, and to avoid being pulled into an understandingly human emotional vortex.

In such cases it is spiritually appropriate to also sit for the lost souls who committed the atrocities. Here is a quote from Edgar Cayce:

Speak gently, speak kindly to those who falter. Ye know not THEIR own temptation, nor the littleness of their understanding. Judge not as to this or that activity of another; rather pray that the light may shine even in THEIR lives as it HAS in thine. These are the manners in which the sons and daughters of men may KNOW His way. In this mundane sphere there comes to all that period when doubts and fears arise, even to doubting thine OWN self. These may EASILY be cast aside by knowing that He is IN His holy temple and ALL is well.

Reading 2112-1

Reverently submitted, 

Richard

For Sunday December 14th, 2014

Hello all, there seems to be two meanings for the phrase 'having a strong faith.' First, and most often used, is the concept of belief in something; whether it's belief in the existence of something unseen or in a future yet to unfold. Such beliefs might be held and defended very intensely but they are still largely in the area of thought and it's processes.

Secondly there's the much deeper level of the heart. "Strong faith' in the realm of the heart refers to having the ability to love, using the power of love. Here we touch on the beginnings of spiritual healing; an honest smile, a gentle hand on the arm of someone in grief, or lending a kind ear. 

Thought on it's own, no matter how intently held, is incomplete. Faith that's based in the heart will bring thoughts which need no defending. Their truth will be as clear as "I am."

May we sit this Sunday for that clarity, for the "I am" to emerge from our hearts to the hearts of others we may meet. 

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday December 7th, 2014

Hello all, someone mentioned the phrase 'detached from humanity' in describing a drug addict recently. It seems that same phrase can cover a multitude of human ills, from racial tensions to family squabbles to political strife.

If so, then the cure for detachment is to connect with humanity, our own and theirs. Simply taking the the time to listen with our hearts is a great step in any interaction. Then to reply honestly from our hearts will complete the cycle. We may not get the same quality in return every time but when we do it's suddenly more than worthwhile.

In a recent phone conversation the distressed caller spoke so honestly from their heart that it prompted a higher quality of listening. This is the cycle we're looking for.

May we sit this Sunday for that higher quality in our communications, may we strive to express it, may we hear it when offered, may we immerse ourselves in it's free and open beauty. 

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday November 30, 2014

Hello all, as protests continue around the shooting in Ferguson, MO., one question stands out - where is wisdom? There's plenty of blame to go around. Cries for justice ring out. Certainly there is a high level of frustration on all sides, along with the occasional call for calmness. But where is wisdom, insight into the human heart, and a larger perhaps uplifting perspective?

At the end of apartheid in South Africa the Truth and Reconciliation Commission understood that the focus of retributive justice is to fix blame for the past, but the basis of restorative justice is to create the future.

Our courts and judicial systems must do their thing, but our future lies in whatever we may do next. Under the heading of "There's no one you couldn't love if you knew their story" let us sit this Sunday for the wisdom and love to treat all we encounter as we wish to be treated ourselves. 

With heart-felt thanks to all,

Richard

For Sunday November 23rd, 2014

Hello all, the traditional Irish folk song 'Bonny Portmore' is a lament of the demise of Ireland's old oak forests, often sold for English shipbuilding. Loreena McKennitt's version features the lines:

All the birds in the forest they bitterly weep,

Saying, "Where shall we shelter, where shall we sleep?"

  - and -

If I had you now as I had once before,

All the Lords in Old England would not purchase Portmore.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=niS4Emp64q8

It's a reminder that money is fleeting, often gone in one generation. But our children, our grandchildren - and their grandchildren, will have to live on the land we leave behind.

May we sit this Sunday for the realization that money is not the final measure of life, that there are many to come along behind us, and that we are merely shepherds upon this Earth for a short time. 

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday November 16th, 2014

Hello everyone, someone said recently, "If you look closely at my scars, you can see glimpses of gold." She was talking about her arm, but it holds just as true for the heart. As time passes, and life teaches its lessons, we all gain cracks and missing pieces. And, in time, it's possible for the repaired places to be stronger than the original. 

The Japanese art of Kintsugi is a method of repairing pottery using a resin mixed with gold. It's also a philosophy which speaks to breakage and repair becoming a part of one's own history. 

May we sit this Sunday for cracks and missing pieces to be repaired, strengthened, and to shine like gold; in ourselves, in others, and in the world.

With grateful thanks to all,

Richard

For Sunday November 9th, 2014

Hello all, just as each moment of life is precious, those moments may also be very difficult. And since we are spiritual beings having a human experience there is always a balance to be met. In the case of the long-term care of a loved one there is a beauty which cannot be measured, while the difficulties sometimes too easily encroach upon our humanness. 

May we sit this evening for those who have, are, or may yet be dealing with a long-term care situation. May support be found. May forgiveness for missteps be immediate and complete. May the beauty shine through along the way.

In gratitude,

Richard

For Sunday November 1st, 2014

Hello everyone, Eda Long just sent this quote from Thomas Merton:

"You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith, and hope."    

~Thomas Merton

This seems to apply equally well to personal and worldly situations. Each of us has, at every moment, the opportunity to respond from our best and for the best.

May we do so this Sunday evening, and every other moment we may find.

Thank you,

Richard