For Sunday January 17th, 2019

Hello everyone, from the book "Living Your Divine Life" -- "The enlightened person perceives the Infinite Splendor of Divinity in all beings and the Christ's kingdom 'near you,' among you,' and 'within you.' This is a state of being where every thought and act in life is a spiritual exercise, and our reality is the thought of God manifest in human form." - Orest Bedrij 

It's clear that humanity is far from this divine goal. We tend to operate within an often unrecognized fog of prejudices, biases, self-absorbed desires, and many distractions. And yet - it is our destiny to attain exactly that ultimate spiritual reality.

May we sit this Sunday to release all things of the smaller self, that we may hear the whispers of the larger Self. May we remember that we are already One, and that separation is our own illusion. May we see far beyond ourselves.

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday January 20th, 2019

Hello to all, as we come to see the Divine at work in all people and things, our hearts open and gratitude flourishes. It also works in reverse. Focusing upon gratitude opens our hearts, where Oneness emerges as through a fog.

Writer A.J. Jacobs started with something small, a simple cup of coffee. His efforts to thank those responsible for it took him around the world. 

https://www.ted.com/talks/aj_jacobs_my_journey_to_thank_all_the_people_responsible_for_my_morning_coffee#t-917095 

Oneness, being that it is an all encompassing One, can be approached from every direction that exists. May we approach it this Sunday evening from within. May we see that we are all connected, spiritually. May we act, knowing we are all connected in the physical as well.

Thank you all,

Richard

https://www.ted.com/talks/aj_jacobs_my_journey_to_thank_all_the_people_responsible_for_my_morning_coffee#t-917095

For Sunday January 13th, 2019

Hello to all, "We must recognize that the suffering of one person or one nation is the suffering of humanity." - Dalai Lama

For those who know we are all One; whether we inflict it, or condone it, or justify it, or allow it while looking away, we are complicit in the suffering of humanity. 

With all the wars, famine, pestilence, dis-ease, political strife, and personal challenges adrift in the world at this time it's easy to feel overwhelmed. Yet there is always something within our reach. Tom Sawyer credited Kathi Ann Middendorf with changing the attitudes of an entire division of IBM by simply smiling honestly and saying, "Hi" as she walked down the hallways.

May we sit this evening to recognize suffering, to see our complicity, and to find ways of helping no matter how seemingly small.

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday January 6th, 2019

Hello everyone, we were created with the seed of unconditional love deep within. We have the ability to love someone who is angry, someone who is fearful, we can even love someone who has done us wrong. To do so is a beginning for unconditional love on earth.

It's also important to love ourselves unconditionally. The self-honesty through which we expose our frailties must be matched by the self-love to release them and forgive. This same forgiveness can be extended to others.

May we sit Sunday evening for our own forgiveness. May we extend it to others. May we begin to touch upon bringing Unconditional Love to Mother Earth.

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday December 30th, 2018

Hello to all, in a recent conversation the phrase 'your healing will be your teaching' came up. It refers to the idea that the process of healing from a dis-ease or difficulty can provide you with the knowledge and experience to teach from your healing. 

Many who have faced great challenges have gone on to become great teachers in life, helping others to face similar challenges and beyond. Helen Keller, Nelson Mandela, and Elie Wiesel come to mind.

May we sit Sunday evening for the insight to know our weaknesses, the courage to face them, and the love to heal from them. And, may our efforts bring benefit to others. 

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday December 23rd, 2018

Hello to all, the word dissociation is a psychiatric term typically used to describe a state of 'disconnecting from one's surroundings' during times of trauma. It is a survival technique in extreme trauma. But here's a question; in situations which are safe and quiet, can it be learned and used to deepen meditation?

Can we learn to 'step outside our bodies' with meditative relaxation techniques? Can dissociation be crafted and perfected? Can it be used to "leave" everything and clear a path or pathway to the Unitive?

May we sit this Sunday, perhaps with the help of the attached meditative script, to reach beyond the physical, to search for the path to the Unitive, to find our way home. 

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday December 16th, 2018

Hello to all, here's a quote which seems useful at this time:  "Arguments will seldom change the aspects or the views of any. And truth itself needs no champion, for it is of itself champion of champions – and needs no defense; only for self to live according to that which IS the truth!"   – Edgar Cayce 1669-1 

Cayce is asking us to live the truth, but before that we must find what is far beyond our surface life, to find that which is honest, loving, and eternal. 

May we sit this evening for sight which is far beyond the work-a-day world. May we attain some degree of sight into the Divine depths. May we bring it back to live in this world.

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday December 9th, 2018

Hello everyone and nearly Merry Christmas, as we celebrate 'the one' whose spiritual job is not yet finished let us work toward the Oneness which is within our reach. Here again a connective process:

Step one; get the hands busy, find or join an activity which can be done with a group. 

Step two; the community spirit which is built during the activity is the engagement of hearts. 

Step three; it is the engagement of people's hearts which changes the brain and thereby the thinking.

May we sit this Sunday in the unity which is promised but we have not yet attained. May we reach out and make the connections we can. May Thy Will be done in all things.

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday December 2nd, 2018

Hello all, I apologize for the lateness of this posting. Due to illness in other Santas I got caught up doing Santa until 8pm. The original schedule said I'd be done by 2pm. So with this in mind, let's sit tonight for all those who portray, and those who help the portrayal, of Santa throughout the world. Collectively, they bring a great deal of joy to the Earth.

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday November 25th, 2018

Hello everyone, if you're looking for hope in the world among the myriad distresses which dominate the news cycles – look toward nurses, hospital clowns, and volunteers sifting through the ashes of Paradise, CA. In other words, look for the helpers. If you're trying to measure the heart of the world amongst all the war, look for the helpers. If you're searching for the 'spiritual glue' which holds societies together, look for the helpers. 

All these helpers, and vastly many more, hold the seeds for the future of the human race. They hold those seeds in their hearts. And, anyone can join them. 

May we sit this Sunday in gratitude for all those who have been helpers to us in the past. May we sit for the opportunities to be helpers ourselves in the future. May we sit for the courage and outwardly loving heart which is required to fulfill helping.

Thank you all for your help,

Richard

For Sunday November 18th, 2018

Hello everyone, it's difficult to find any way to state this quote more clearly:

"At the most basic level, it's how we treat each other that will make the difference. As we recognize the extent of the pain and anger in the world, the importance of loving kindness becomes even clearer." -- Judge Stanley Peele 

Those who annoy, those who injure, and all those who are lost, are still on their own personally crafted path to Oneness. May we sit this Sunday for the depth of courage and self-awareness required to extend loving-kindness to all. 

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday November 11th, 2018

Hello everyone, it is possible to love someone who is in a state of fear, and when they are angry. It's even possible to love someone despite whatever 'wrongs' they may have committed.

Doing so can be called the beginnings of unconditional love, reaching out to others. It's also essential to do so for ourselves. 

The self-honesty which brings an awareness of our own internal difficulties is also a loving doorway for viewing the same difficulties in others. Then the forgiveness we wish for ourselves, once given, can be extended.

May we sit this evening for our own forgiveness. May we extend it to others. May we begin to touch upon Unconditional Love.

Thank you all,

Richard

For Sunday November 4th, 2018

Hello to all, the ancient Grecian story of Pandora's box and it's content of troubles for humanity, when seen from a high enough spiritual level, was not intended as punishment but rather as challenges to provide growth and movement.

We can look at our societal troubles of today through the same lens. Exposing the angers, fears, and discord which are abundant in our national discourse provides us with a chance to address them healthily, giving us a reason to search for wisdom.

May we sit this evening for the proper attitude, enough courage, and the will to act from a loving place within.

Thank you all,

Richard

PS Here's a treat I just found: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UiVcYDyPA6I&index=23&list=PLqU_mQ9bmQDoZ7Mzth0s4qgJj0TqTxap0