Muslims For Peace.

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

Music. The Quitter

Seth Breitman...

True Spirituality and Forgiveness.

What is the measure of any system of spirituality? Its ability to forgive.

People Uniting For Good. Kabbalah Congress 2010.

Everything Comes From Above - Unity Sessions

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

Brian McClaren: Rediscovering Christian Faith

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

Shamati

Despite all outward appearances we are one people; one man with one heart.
Let's start acting like it.

UNITY!

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.

The Cosmic Christ. A Discussion With Fr. Richard Rohr.

The Shift, with Wayne Dyer. Part 1.

Watch The Shift (Part 1 of 3) in Educational & How-To  |  View More Free Videos Online at Veoh.com

A Zen Parable: The Story of the Student and the Thief.

There is a Zen Koan which goes something like this:

Once there was a Zen student who was meditating in his room. A robber broke in while he was meditating on the floor, put a knife to his back, and demanded money. "I keep the money in the jar over on the table." The student said without opening his eyes. The robber went over to the table and took the money from the jar. "They are coming around in the morning to collect taxes." said the student. "Leave a little money so I will have enough to pay them." So the robber put some money back into the jar, and turned to leave the room. "Don't you say 'Thank You' to someone who gives you a gift?" asked the student. So the robber thanked the student, and left the room.

After some time, the robber was caught by the police. He confessed to many crimes, among them the robbery of the Zen student. The police went to the home of the student to seek his testimony against the robber. The student refused to testify. "The man came in, I gave him some money, he thanked me, and that was that." is all the student would say about the robbery.

Eventually the robber was convicted of his many other crimes, and spent several years in prison. When he was released, he went back to the Zen student. "Will you accept me as your disciple?" the man asked.

This story points to a truth that is found in both Buddhism and in Early Christianity; that of Universal, Unconditional Love. Love of friend and foe alike. Indeed the student in this story is unable to distinguish between friend and foe. He treats the robber as he would an old friend asking for a loan. He does not seek to recover any of the money that was lost, with the exception of the small amount of money needed to pay his taxes; the same amount of money which the robber put back voluntarily into the jar. This same teaching, in different words, can be found in the Sermon On The Mount: "Love your enemies; do good to those who hate you; pray for your persecutors." And again, "If someone takes from you your coat, give him your shirt as well." An early Christian document known as the Didache (The Teaching Of The Twelve Apostles To The Nations) is even more to the point, "If someone takes anything from you, do not ask for it back, for indeed you can not." The lesson contained here is clear; Love is more important than property, even the Love of one's enemies.

The effect of such Love is clearly shown in the above story. After seeing the error of his ways, the man returns to the student, much as the Prodigal son returns home to the Father. "Will you accept me as your disciple?" The young Zen student suddenly becomes a Master! All though the simple act of teaching from one's life example.

This is a lesson we all can learn from today. Today, if a Temple or Church is broken into, more often than not the people of that Temple or Church wish to demand "justice". They take the offender to court and seek restitution. A few years ago a local church was broken into by a man who was high on drugs and alcohol. He ransacked the Pastor's office looking for money, finding none. In the process, however, he caused considerable property damage. The man was arrested by police who responded to a silent alarm. The Pastor of that church wished to forgive the incident completely. Insurance would cover the damage. All he wanted was for the man to get addictions counseling and become a better husband and father in the process. A church elder, who was also the county prosecutor, would not hear of such a plan. He sought to make an example of this thief who broke into and damaged "his" church. What lesson was taught to this man and his wife and his four children? Basically this; that the church is no different from any other institution. Cross the church and you pay a price equal to, if not greater than, offending any other "worldly" organization. As far as the church is concerned, money and property are always the bottom line. As Christians should we not strive to be better than this? As Paul once wrote, "If you share in blessings that are imperishable, how much more should you share in the perishable things?" Jesus sums it up well in this commandment, "Be Perfect (in Love) as your Heavenly Father is Perfect." Let us live as our Saviour and Master demands.

With Metta in Christ,

Ralph