The story of time unfolds before us within the layers of this rocky globe. The story of cosmic life creating, sustaining and absorbing aspects of the physical world unfold with each layer of sediment. Of all the rocks in the universe, we inhabit this orb, the third rock from the sun. Drawing from a biblical reference: life wisely built a house upon this rock.
Rocks are constantly hurling through space, sometimes breaking through our atmosphere, and within them, elements that make life possible. We are composed of such minerals and yet what is the true composition of our life? From dust and gas in distant space, to the consciousness of the human soul, a sacred journey continuously reveals a cosmic secret.
Read moreWhat are the perplexities of life? Human beings attempt to solve the mysteries of the natural world. We attain vast amounts of information and greater understanding yet, the body, the mind and the universe all remain a tremendous mystery to us. And that is only in the objective domain. What about the spiritual domain? The tremendous mystery of the transcendental experience perplexes us even more. What is the true nature of our subjective experience?
Read moreWe will hear these sublime and thought-provoking words: O rest in the Lord, wait patiently for Him, And He shall give thee thy heart’s desires. We may ask: what are these “heart’s desires”, the fulfillment of which God will grant us?
Read moreWhat does it mean to be fully present? Is it a quality of time and place? How do we walk on the path of life with the awareness of the abiding presence of Soul?
Read moreThe heart may be hindered and the mind disturbed. Everyone faces the confusion of the dual tendencies of life. They often seem to tear us asunder. What then is the solace of the Soul?
Read moreAs we ring in the new year, there is a feeling of beginning anew and starting fresh. We make plans and resolutions for the year ahead to change habits and attitudes for the better. We make promises and vows to be wiser, healthier and happier. With a look back at the lessons we learned in the year that has passed, we prepare ourselves for the next steps along the spiritual path.
Read moreDuring this blessed holiday season we celebrate with hearts and minds full of joy. As seekers of enlightenment we feel the profound joy of spiritual awakening, symbolized so beautifully in our holiday traditions and manifested so wondrously in Nature. Truly, at this time of year, Heaven and Nature sing in response to the holy birth of Christ consciousness. We will consider the true origin of this Joy and how this helps us bring Joy to the World!
Read moreThe beloved carols of this holy season give us pause to contemplate the most divine and sublime expressions. The traditions, old and new, give our hearts gladness as we “feel” the Soul awaken. With acts of kindness, charity and love we recall the story of the mystic birth. It is a message to every soul.
Read moreSometimes we look at life as if from a great distance. We view the objects of creation as separate from ourselves. And in the process, our journey becomes one of struggle and turmoil. We begin to feel distant from God, from others and ourselves.
When the heart struggles, there is feeling of separation, of absence, of abandonment. Does absence make the heart grow fonder? If our soul is of identical nature with the God of the universe, where can we go where God is not?
Read moreWe dedicate a prayer for one who is in need. We dedicate a poem or song to one whom we love. We dedicate ourselves to a passion, one to which we commit our full attention and energy. And all that dedication has something in common…What is it?
Examine, observe, and get to the heart of the matter. A life of dedication! What dedication! We know it when we see it but how do we achieve it?
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One of the most difficult things we experience in life is the act of waiting…for an answer to our prayer, for a call from a loved one, for a problem to be solved, or for a pain to heal. Turning our thoughts of self-reflection to what it is we do while we wait may shed some light on our own quality of consciousness. Are we productive? Are we constructive? Are we positive? Or, do we become fearful and anxious about the outcome? Do we fritter away the time or do we spend that time in preparation? What do we do while waiting?
The season of Advent, a Latin term that means “coming”, gives us a special time to explore how we subjectively prepare and guide ourselves to receive the source of illumination and inspiration that awaits us.
Read moreHave you ever stopped to count your blessings? We have so much to be thankful for in this life: family, friends, bountiful and nourishing food, warm and safe homes – just to name a few. But let us always be most thankful to Him from whom all blessings flow. Thanks be to God!
Read moreWe often hear the words “moral compass” and we understand the meaning of this inner guidance. We look for direction in life. We discover realms of consciousness that transcend our worldly senses. These “other-worldly” maps help us to unfold along the path of life. They sharpen our attunement, deepen our connection and expand our love.
If we had to “map out” our spiritual progress, what landmarks would we include? What symbols would our map key offer? Do the lines of longitude and latitude reveal how to reach our destination? What is required in our spiritual mapmaking?
Read moreWhere do we find profound wisdom to guide us on the pilgrimage of life? How do we get to the top of the mountain when the altitude challenges us with every breath and we struggle to maintain the energy and equilibrium to continue? How do we dive to the very depth of the sea when both our body and mind try to carry us back to the surface?
From our first breath to our last the infinite mystery of the soul is imprinted upon our consciousness. It is always within our reach.
Read moreWhere do we set our sights in the spiritual life? Are we sailing out on the high seas of adventure to an unknown place? Or are we settling into a safe harbor? Do we seek a new dwelling place or reunite with a familiar one? Perhaps the experience is determined by the quality of our consciousness. If we are at home in the world of duality, can we find our way within the subjective realm?
Read moreMany of us come to church on Sundays to find sanctuary from the trials and tribulations we all inevitably face in daily life. This, of course, is a good thing and we must continue to do so. But, we must also learn to find that sanctuary of peace which resides eternally within each of us. This abode of peace may be experienced when we close our eyes and, in deep meditation, find ourselves serenely alone with God.
Read moreAs the colors of the leaves change and we approach Diwali, the festival of light, we might ask ourselves by what light do we see? Is it the consciousness of illumination or the senses of our worldly existence? Do we act from the vision of love or from the blindness of ego?
Read moreConsider the words from the beautiful prayer of St. Francis. Is it our thought to be cared for or to offer care? Do we wish to be understood or do we try to understand? Do we desire to be loved or do we devotedly give love? After all, it is in the giving of ourselves that we receive.
Read moreThe observance of Navaratri or Durga Puja is a celebration of the victory of good over evil. The divine Goddess Durga emerges victorious to help restore Dharma. The nine days of Navaratri are dedicated to Goddess Durga and her nine avatars.
If the celebration of good over evil should be cause to celebrate, what it is the path to such restoration of Dharma? What is the power of good that it should extinguish darkness?
We not only wish to imagine the power of goodness, we desire to realize and embody it.
Read moreTruth must incarnate in living expression. Mahatma Gandhi’s life was an experiment with living, not merely professing, the ideal of Advaita. The Advaitist realizes one existence. Such self-knowledge and self-liberation guides the individual to a life that is universal in awareness, compassionate toward all, and selfless in service.
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