WE BELIEVE that heaven is within us, and that we experience it to the degree that we become conscious of it WE BELIEVE the ultimate goal of life to be a complete freedom from all discord of every nature, and that this goal is sure to be attained … [Read more...] about How willing are we to experience heaven on earth? (how to wake up from this nightmare)
current events
How to vote for sanity (even between elections)
I not only say the Serenity Prayer on a regular basis, I use it as a way to deal with almost anything that bothers me. I reset my day and my mind quite frequently by saying aloud the 12-step version of this prayer, usually with other people. … [Read more...] about How to vote for sanity (even between elections)
pop quiz: How you are with rain may be how you are with life
It’s raining a lot in California this year (a break from a decade of drought), so I’ve had to get re-acquainted with my rain gear and my tolerance for getting wet. Because I’ve lived in many corners of the US (and known a lot of humans), I’ve seen … [Read more...] about pop quiz: How you are with rain may be how you are with life
Maybe we need a marriage of spirituality & politics… to reveal a world that works for everyone
Ever since I (gently?) mocked others for being “La la la la la, I don’t listen to the news,” I’ve developed a sudden aversion to the news. It makes sense, of course. I can’t remember a worse stretch of news in my lifetime. My self-inquiry led me back … [Read more...] about Maybe we need a marriage of spirituality & politics… to reveal a world that works for everyone
La La La La La (I don’t listen to the news)
But maybe I'll drop off a casserole for the family of Renee Good... Some people in my orbit proudly state that they’re shutting out all politics (hence, most news) as “divisive.” They say things like “I just don’t need the disturbance,” “everyone … [Read more...] about La La La La La (I don’t listen to the news)
Happy New War oops I mean Year — yes, it’s dysfunctional to pretend it isn’t happening
As we start a new year, the government starts a new war; we may be affected by this and other events in the news (such as an ICE protester being shot and killed in Minneapolis yesterday). Yet, many of us are walking around pretending like it isn’t … [Read more...] about Happy New War oops I mean Year — yes, it’s dysfunctional to pretend it isn’t happening
Sweet Baby Jesus, save us from this nightmare
we've waited long enough Isaiah 9:6: “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Matthew … [Read more...] about Sweet Baby Jesus, save us from this nightmare
Cooperate with the reality you want (not the one you don’t)
Did you ever have one of those snaps of yourself that you judged at the time of taking, wishing it didn’t exist, but then years later you see it again and think—hmmm, I looked great back then, I wish I knew it? What if that were true about your whole … [Read more...] about Cooperate with the reality you want (not the one you don’t)
We must meet physical force with soul force
we are not about war At Saturday’s 7,000-strong Hands Off rally/picnic in Sacramento, I was saddened that many of the speakers, especially those much younger than I, continued to use the metaphor of war to activate the crowd to action to protect, … [Read more...] about We must meet physical force with soul force
Chewing on Sacred Sticks
“Oh no,” said Matthew, “Toby is eating the ‘sacred sticks’!” Matthew wanted to help me, but his housemate’s dog was busily destroying something important to him. Matthew had recently returned from a pilgrimage to New Mexico, where he had stumbled … [Read more...] about Chewing on Sacred Sticks
Is this my pain? (or is it someone else’s?)
As we proceed through life, we assume that our thoughts, beliefs, feelings, and body sensations are our own. I’m willing to believe that some of my thoughts and beliefs, while masquerading as mine, are heavily influenced by the collective … [Read more...] about Is this my pain? (or is it someone else’s?)
Oh Happy Day in this Season of Lent
Last Sunday our New Thought Gospel Choir and I (a humble soprano) performed the song Oh Happy Day (our performance can be seen and heard here starting 1:00:05 minutes in) at the Center for Spiritual Awareness in West Sacramento. As I sang it, Oh … [Read more...] about Oh Happy Day in this Season of Lent