“In God we trust” vs “self-reliance”: are these two ideals opposed to one another? Are they contradictory? Ralph Waldo Emerson and others of the so-called “New England Transcendentalists” were proponents of the ideal of “self-reliance” while the official motto of the United States is “In God We Trust.” In whom shall we place our trust and rely on for guidance, God or our self, or both?"
Read moreAnd Lo! The Bird Is On The Wing
This expression is found in the poetry of the Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam. It beautifully and subjectively refers to the transient nature of the construct of time and gives us pause to consider the eternal nature of the Soul. Living in the world of duality, do you choose to comprehend life through the window of time or through the sky of infinity? Why limit your consciousness to the observable conditions of time, space and causality?
Read moreWho is a Prophet?
What vision will take us beyond the physical domain? What voice will lead us in the wilderness? The rishis, sages and saints reach beyond the mundane world of sensory perception by the means of spiritual knowledge. But what inspiration brings one to truly “see” with the eye of inner vision?
Read moreSwadharma
“Everyone is essentially divine. We are the divine Self. The ideal of human existence is the recognition of our spiritual Self. Religion is the realization of our divine nature, otherwise called Self-realization. When we realize our true Self, spirituality guides our daily life and conduct. Life guided by spiritual vision insures inner contentment and world peace.” This is our swadharma. It is our own dharma. It is the ideal that nourishes our every thought, word and deed as we progress toward a larger life.
Read moreBlessings of Soul
What are the blessings we count as the divine gifts of our life? Do we see only the good and the beautiful as blessings? What if we should regard every experience and encounter of life as a blessing of soul, a blessing from God? How then would we live?
With such pure and devoted consciousness we will offer thankfulness for every aspect of life. We will begin to realize our oneness with all of life. For this final Sunday worship service before our two month summer recess, we come together to share our prayers of devotion for the blessings of soul.
Read moreTwo Little Birds
“Two little birds, linked by mutual friendly bonds, reside in the selfsame tree; one of them is engrossed in the enjoyment of sweet fruit, while the other merely looks on with perfect serenity.” This verse is found in the Svetasvatara Upanishad, the Mundaka Upanishad and in the Rig Veda. The two little birds residing in the “selfsame” tree are symbols of our own dual nature: our sense identified limited self-consciousness, and our soul identified infinite Self-consciousness. Our spiritual journey may aptly be defined as the gradual sublimation of our finite self-consciousness into our infinite Self-consciousness.
Read moreSails Unfurled
On the sea of life we must often cross the stormy waters of undulating waves. What is our course relative to the winds of change? How do we move forth with unfurled sails in the direction of freedom and perfection? With what consciousness do we stand at the helm?
Read moreSecond Nature
When something becomes second nature to us, it becomes a deeply ingrained habit. We want to develop good habits that will nourish us with calmness, patience and courage.
When we work at a task everyday we naturally become knowledgable about every aspect of that activity. It becomes our dedication and focus. In fact, it becomes part of our entire being. It becomes self-fulfilling.
Read moreLead Kindly Light
As seekers of enlightenment we endeavor to realize the full meaning of the scriptural teaching “God is the Light of the Heavens and the Earth.” We glory in light of the manifested world around us yet we know that the light of the sun is but one manifestation of the effulgent and transcendental light of God. We wish to open our eyes and directly see the Light of our Divine Creator. How does the Light of God lead us and what path will follow as we walk our spiritual path?
Read moreThy Piercing Truth
“This above all: to thine own self be true.” We are all familiar with this famous quote from Shakespeare. But the questions must be asked: What is this “self” of ours, and what must we do to be “true” to it? What is our true nature? Often when people change the direction of their lives due to discontent, unfulfillment or disillusionment they will say “I felt like I was living a lie.” What does it mean to live the truth?
Read moreYours, Mine, Ours
Consider the language we use on a regular basis. How often do we use possessive adjectives to describe the things and people of our life? This is mine. That is yours.
If we bring our awareness to how much of life’s conflicts arise in the separation of ourselves from God and others, we will begin to realize the challenge in the life of yoga. For where we can find oneness in such separation?
Read moreDivine Mother
On Mother’s Day we reflect on the divine qualities of Mother: selflessness, unconditional love, a patient, understanding, and compassionate heart.
We all know what it means to have a “mother’s intuition,” but all souls are potentially intuitive. And yet, for many of us that faculty lies dormant. We often go against our intuition. We lack confidence. We lack clarity.
How do we develop our intuitive faculties?
Always remember to draw from that sacred, infinitely vast cosmic life energy from its source within you. It is that very life-giving power that pervades the whole universe. Awareness of that power helps to cultivate the light of intuition.
Read moreBeauty of Yoga
Through the conditions of constant change and conflict of desires, how do we witness the perfection of soul. Will the peace of a balanced mind and the elegant beauty of equipoise direct us to a state of higher living? Is there an art as well as a science of yoga?
Read moreStill With Thee
The inspiration for this Sunday’s service comes from a beautiful hymn we look forward to singing together during the service: “Still, still with Thee, when purple morning breaketh." In my mind this phrase has an interesting and inspiring double connotation. Does it mean that whatever befalls us in life God is always (still) with us? Or does it mean that in calmness (stillness) we realize the presence of God? Does it refer to the idea that “if I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there." (Psalm 139:8)? Or, to the sage guidance given in Psalm 46:10: “Be still, and know that I am God.”?
Read moreArise
What will lift our consciousness to the supreme source of all? What will elevate our thoughts to that which is noble and sublime?
There is the mighty forest that raises our vision to towering heights. And there is the exalted cathedral which inspires our voice to soar in worship.
There are majestic mountains that both span and scale our horizon. With them we climb eternally higher. There are the stars of the sky. And by their light they remove the boundaries of our universe.
Look upon the lotus as a symbol of the purity and bliss of the soul that dwells within all creation. Look upon the cross as a symbol of ascending power of the eternal, and immortal reality of God.
What power of soul will arise within us?
Read moreTrue Discipleship
What does it mean to be a disciple? The truth and ideal as taught and exemplified in the life of a sage or prophet may not bring the same inspiration among followers. Some will identify with the personality, but not with the source of the truth espoused. Some will be transformed in their consciousness and conduct. And others, though attracted to the teachings, may be totally unchanged in their individual lives. Where is the fertile ground for true discipleship?
Read moreTo Study God
We all have moments when we ask ourselves or are asked by others: What is my religion? What do I believe?
Countless philosophers have studied and asked endless questions of the creator and the created, only to find that they must continually ask new questions and study the truth of existence ever more. What is the goal of this constant search?
How do we study God? Do we read scripture? Do we pray for enlightenment? Do we call upon nature? Do we seek a guru? Perhaps we may take comfort in our ideal that to study God, to study the soul and its activity throughout life will lead us on a path to a greater knowledge, love and existence.
The poet-composer Rabindranath Tagore, wrote: “In the freedom of consciousness we realize the sense of unity with our larger being, finding fulfillment in the dedicated life of an ever-progressive truth and ever-active love.” In order to study God, should we not study life itself?
Read moreResignation
As we draw nearer to the blessed Holyday Easter, perhaps our minds are contemplating one of the most dramatic and poignant moments in the history of all religion: that of Jesus of Christ Consciousness on the cross. Jesus’ final words before departing this plane of consciousness were “Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit,” the ultimate expression of resignation. But must we wait until the final moments of our life on earth to practice resignation? Or, is there a way to practice this in day-to-day living? What did Saint Paul mean when he said “I die daily”?
Read moreUnfolding Nature
Unfolding the perfection of love, truth and beauty is the activity of the soul, ever revealing itself. How do we guide this effort that we may unearth its treasures? Do we look to nature for her example? Do we direct our lives toward an ideal? What is the nature of unfoldment?
Read moreSpotlight of My Mind
What is single-pointed concentration? How can it be achieved? If your work is all-absorbing and you put your body, mind and heart into it, the result is complete self-dedication. In such dedication, time and effort are practically unknown. The practice becomes timeless and effortless. When attachment and worry are present, time can be experienced as long and the effort difficult. But when the devotee sees only the source of devotion, there is no other desire than to keep the spotlight of the mind ever focused on that source.
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