Saturday, April 16, 2011
Heal The World.
What is the missing element? Love your neighbor as you love yourself. We've all heard the phrase, now let's try living it!
To Love Is To Be There
"To Love is to be there." -Thich Nhat Hanh
Our minds seem to be constantly moving from past to future. Rarely do we rest in the Present Moment. The time we spend dwelling on the past does not help us, and the time we spend in worry about what the future may bring takes energy away from us. Only in the Present Moment do we have the opportunity to accept the past and build a better future by truly being in the moment and being available to those we love in the Here and Now. For our sake, as well as for the benefit of others, let us find the time to embrace the Present Moment and to Be Here Now!
Blessings,
Ralph
True Spirituality and Forgiveness.
What is the measure of any system of spirituality? Its ability to forgive.
Friday, April 15, 2011
What Did Jesus Really Teach?
This is a question I have found asked in blogs, on UTube, and in churches of all denominations. What did Jesus really teach? Of course each person who asks this question usually believes that they have the answer. They tend to think that Jesus taught whatever it is that they believe...that which is approved by their church or religious denomination. But really, what did Jesus teach? How can we find out? Where do we turn to for this information?
I believe the answer to this question lies in the earliest documents which survive from the era of the early 1st century Jesus Movement; namely The Sermon On The Mount, The Didache, and what has come to be known as the "Lost Gospel of Q" or simply "Q". All these documents are now thought to represent the teachings of the Jesus Movement prior to the year 70 of the Common Era, although some scholars do disagree on some of these dates. But there is enough consensus to begin a reconstruction of the earliest Gospel of Jesus...a Gospel which stresses these basic points:
1. Love God who created you.
2. Love your neighbor as yourself, doing unto others as you would have others do unto you.
3. Love your enemies. Bless those who curse you. Forgive and you will be forgiven.
Blessings,
Ralph
Monday, April 4, 2011
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Sunday April 3, 2011. Meditation at "The Rustic Hermitage".
Yesterday was a wonderful time of new discovery in old places. Due to the presence of other private retreat groups we were unable to meet in our usual location for meditation. Instead we had the opportunity to use a new facility which we otherwise might have missed, the "Rustic Hermitage" located at The Hermitage Spiritual Retreat Center in Pittsburg Mo. It was a rare treat!
Words really can not describe the place, nor even pictures (alas I forgot the camera!) do justice to it. But I will take a stab at providing a description any way. The Rustic Hermitage is a small cabin (about large enough to fit one comfortably and to hold a sitting group of up to 8 snugly) which has been divided into 4 living areas during an individual retreat. There is an area for sleep with a single bed; an area for prayer and meditation, an area for study, and an area for eating. There are no walls or obvious dividers on the inside, just one open room separated by function and a slight difference of floor elevation. The cabin is located deep in the woods of Lake Pomme de Terre in a setting that is quite and peaceful beyond words. Outside the cabin is a spring stream and water fall which trickles softly past. Fr. Paul told me we should have a fun and fruitful experience, and he was right. On our next trip out I will try to take pictures for the websites to give the readers a better understanding as to the peacefulness of the location. Let it suffice for now to say we had a very peaceful and rewarding meditation far from the world of Koran burning Christian extremists attempting to incite Muslim extremists. This was an oasis of peace in a desert of fear and misunderstanding. A peace and closeness to God our world so desperately needs at this time in our history.
Peace and Blessings To All,
Ralph
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Shamati
Despite all outward appearances we are one people; one man with one heart.
Let's start acting like it.
UNITY!
Sunday, March 27, 2011
St Francis Place Meditation Group.
St Francis Place Meditation Group is currently meeting at the Hermitage Spiritual Retreat Center in Pittsburg Mo., just 30 minutes away from Bolivar Mo., and 60 minutes outside of Springfield Mo. We will be meeting Sundays from 2 to 5 PM. Coming atrractions will include a workshop on Meditation and the Art of Crochet taught by Heydi. Those interested in an 11th Step Group should inquire with Ralph, as he is working on bringing one to our area. Will post more details as they become available.
Blessings,
Ralph & Heydi
St Francis Place
Wheatland MO.
Blessings,
Ralph & Heydi
St Francis Place
Wheatland MO.
Sunday, March 20, 2011
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
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