For Sunday October 1st, 2017

Hello to everyone, a living caterpillar wraps itself in a cocoon and dissolves into a messy white goo before emerging as a butterfly. There is nothing about the goo which suggests a butterfly. However, if you closely examine an adult caterpillar you'll find the beginnings of a set of wings just beneath its skin. So it sometimes is with us. 

We each have what we need inside to take flight but often have to go through a transformation first; minds need to expand, and most importantly, hearts need to open. The white goo is a messy but essential step. 

May we sit this Sunday with an acceptance of whatever 'white goo' we may find in our lives. May we take comfort in the wings within. May we see the wings in others.

Thank you,

Richard

For Sunday September 24th, 2017

Hello everyone, here's a quote from Vincent Van Gogh. "The heart of man is very much like the sea, it has its storms, it has its tides, and in its depths it has its pearls too." 

We see the the storms in harsh antagonistic attitudes, the tides in the swing and sway of public opinion, and the pearls come forth in the way strangers swarm in to help each other during times of disaster. 

May we sit this Sunday for those who are caught up in natural disasters, for those caught up in disasters of their own making, and for the beautiful friends and strangers who swarm in to be of help.

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday September 17th, 2017

Hello everyone, we are exposed to a lot of strife in this world. We find far too many opportunities to engage in the anger of it's 'us' against 'them' or the paranoia of 'they' are against 'us'. This mangled frenzy of 'divisiveness above all' was sorely put to the test with hurricanes Harvey and Irma. Sadly, it too often takes a natural disaster for people to wake up to their inner heart and reach out a helping hand yet – it did happen. 

Huge masses of people worked together to help out neighbors and strangers alike before, during, and after the storms. 

This is where we find the real truth of humanity, in our natural compassion. Such disasters are not designed to be 'tests'. The Earth and the weather have to do their thing, after all. But we can see it as having passed a test of our innate spirituality.

May we sit this Sunday in gratitude for our actual truth. May we remember it well into the future.

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday September 10th, 2017

Hello all, if you would care to let us take not just this Sunday but this full weekend to pray for all those involved with Hurricane Irma.

Respectfully,

Richard

For Sunday September 3rd, 2017

Hello to all, as has been said many times - those who aggravate us are our greatest teachers for they bring emphasis to the least loving facets of our natures. The justifications for our opinions can be unassailable in our minds and our righteousness unquestionable in our minds. But if we are less than loving, then it's all in our minds.

Anger carries great power, fear subverts responsibility, revenge claims to be its own reward. Yet all of them come from the smaller self, which is separated from our home in Universal Consciousness.

May we sit this Sunday for true knowledge of ourselves. May we find the self-love which becomes outward-love, which is the language of Universal Consciousness.

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday August 27th, 2017

Hello everyone, other than absolute saints each one of us can be divided up into two parts. There is the part of us which is continuously connected to Universal Consciousness, and there is the part of us which has separated itself from Universal Consciousness, commonly called ego. The job of those who love outwardly is to learn to identify which part of us our impulses are coming from.

The fruits of the ego, anger, fear, and revenge, are powerful, addictive, and temporarily satisfying. But the fruits of the spirit bring contentment, an encompassing satisfaction, inner peace, and kindness toward self and others.

May we sit this evening for the capacity to identify and choose well from among the impulses that arise in our daily lives. May we have the courage to search for greater guidance, and the strength to follow it.

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday August 20th, 2017

Hello to all, we see much disturbance in the news these days. We have our understandable reactions to it; fear, anger, sadness, disgust, disapproval, etc. To be able to recognize our initial personal reactions, set them aside, and search for something greater from within ourselves can be very helpful.

We would not think so highly of Nelson Mandela if he had persecuted his jailers. We would not be so impressed with Malala Yousafzai if she had wished to kill the people who shot her. 

Are they exceptional people or are they good people who found exceptional strength and compassion within themselves?

May we sit this Sunday for the strength and courage to find our own greater selves – and to reach out to others from there. 

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday August 13th, 2017

Hello everyone, the ancients tell us of the two waves of souls coming to the Earth plane, the first getting lost and forgetting their spiritual beginnings with the second wave coming as a rescue attempt. They also tell us that some of the second wave became lost as well yet still retained many of the 'spiritual gifts' of charisma, intuition, and perhaps more. 

It is from this group of 'lost second wave' that we find false prophets, selfishly driven and enamored of the wealth, power, fame, and followers that can be accumulated by the use of their 'gifts'. Herein lies a lesson – we are all susceptible to some extent. 

In order to recognize these common human frailties in others it helps to first identify them within ourselves. 

May we sit this Sunday with self-awareness, self-honesty, and a true desire to clarify our connection to Universal Consciousness.

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday August 6th, 2017

Hello to all, the ancients tell us there were two waves of souls which came to the Earth plane. The first wave, quickly lost in the experiences of the material world, forgot their connection to Universal Consciousness. The second wave, intended as a rescue attempt, had to involve themselves in materiality but retained a memory and some connection to Universal Consciousness. 

In modern times these groups can be roughly described as those who love outwardly and those who love selfishly. The goal of the outward-loving is to reach, connect, and remind those who self-love that Universal Consciousness is available and waiting.

May we sit this Sunday with the understanding that we are all One, yet some are lost. May we reach out in an honest, heart-felt manner whenever possible. May the separated return to the Universal.

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday July 30th, 2017

Hello everyone, on the surface these appear to be tumultuous times with groups of people spread out like islands in a turbulent sea. Yet we know that far beneath that surface we're all very connected. Traveling between islands brings to mind the grand and eloquent word 'coddiwomple' meaning to travel purposefully toward an unknown destination. 

While we know the final destination is an awareness of our connections, the unknown part is when all islands will grasp the insight to look below the surface.

May we sit this Sunday for the experience of our connections. May we know their truth. May they guide our lives.

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday July 23rd, 2017

Hello everyone, in times of turmoil and anxiety it's wise to remember the ancient saying, "When you walk toward the Light, the shadow of your burdens will always fall behind you." And, there are a number of techniques to help you walk toward the Light.

*Belly Breathing – 'fight or flight' responses cause chest breathing, belly breathing can be calming.

*Gratitude List – an accounting of things you are grateful for can help refocus your attention.

*Third Eye Mantra – focusing on the third eye area while repeating the Serenity Prayer, or the Lord's Prayer, or Om Mani Padme Hum, or whatever you find that works to direct your attention spiritually upward.

These things, and others, work to strengthen our connection to our Higher Selves. They also disconnect us from the residue of old fears and angers which the subconscious mind clings to. 

May we sit this Sunday for the original meaning of the word 'Amen' which was, "I commit." May we commit ourselves to improving our spiritual connection and thereby reap the contentment and satisfaction which comes from 'walking toward the Light'.

Amen,

Richard

For Sunday July 16th, 2017

Hello everyone, science tells us that all the planets, stars, and galaxies are in their exact positions because all of the others are in their own exact positions. It is the great harmony of nature, the great balance inherent within Universal Consciousness.

Humans, with the free will to separate themselves from Universal Consciousness, have drawn themselves out of balance with a love of power, wealth, and the various attractions of material sensations.

Yet the connection to Universal Consciousness is still available. It can be found in an appreciation of nature, the laughter of a child, and in meditation.

May we sit this evening for our own connection. May we find our internal balance. May we 'set things right' within our own hearts.

Thank you all,

Richard

Prayer for Vaughn Boone

Vaughn Boone completed his passing through of this life on July 13th at 11:45pm, aged 101 exceptional years. Husband, father, teacher, healer, mentor, magician, he was many things to many, many people. Now he is more. There is an unbroken chain reaching upward from our glorious tiny little lives all the way back to our Universal Source. He has always been a sturdy link in that chain, now a notch higher.

We who were fortunate to call him friend celebrate his graduation from this life, even as we grieve. 

He played many tricks during his time here; ropes, cards, coins, and flowers would appear and disappear; jokes, ventriloquism, songs, and music poured forth; stories, healings, and an eager helping hand all flowed from his open, loving heart. 

He did many tricks, but his greatest was to evoke the Master Magician within the hearts of those upon whom he poured his love. The same Master Magician who he always held dear and always served. The same Master Magician who holds all of us dear.

We like to say, "God speed" or, "Go with God" and, "May God be with him" when someone we love passes. We try to express what we wish for them. We innocently miss the point. Our human words cannot convey the otherworld beauty within which Vaughn now lovingly resides.  

Let us celebrate his life, emulate his love, and look forward to meeting him again when we all come together in the Greater One.

Reverently submitted,

Richard