To begin with, the topic of the sermon for Sunday, July 19, 2009 was extremely thought provoking. One of my prayer partners had a wonderful conversation with me about the meaning of the word itself and how it is applicable to church. Well, hang on heathcliffe, what an awareness of not only our attitudes as Christians, but also our attitudes and perceptions of others that we feel are different from ourselves.
In doing research on the topic itself before church, I came across many cultural and societal differentiations as well as spiritual. The most comprehensive statement was found on the MOST website and is as follows: “An attitudinal orientation of hostility against non-natives in a given population.” After much thought, meditation and prayer, I have reached a conclusion in my life that perhaps I need to work on better understanding various cultures even within Houston itself.
The feelings that I am having are of a migrant worker status, very transitory here in Houston, and not to be taken seriously. In other words, I to shall pass on to the next job, the next adventure, the next whatever, and will no footprint here in Houston, because it is not the way things have been done. I hear the demeaning way people talk about each other, IE: Wetback, Spic, Kike, Tennessean, Californian, Northerner, among others, and here I have concluded that being an outsider with different ideals, norms, situations, that I am not allowed to express these ideas, because of some preconceived notion that I and people like me will take over and change things. A great fear here in Houston, perhaps founded or perhaps unfounded, this remains to be seen.
In my feelings, growth does not mean destruction, knowledge leads to wisdom, communication with understanding leads to a melding and appreciation of various cultures and societal norms. Perhaps we are all afraid of the realities that surround us, varying ideologies, varying ways of doing things, each one not superior, but just a way of doing things. In my way of thinking and feeling, there is not a right way or a wrong way, there are just many ways to do anything and everything.
Without creating alarm, perhaps the question could be “What Would Jesus Do?”. We tend to leave that question as a stand alone question, however, I do see things a bit differently, and follow up with the question, “How Would Jesus Do It?” Just another way of looking at a very popular question in our Christian way of life. Are we Acting as a Christian should Act (by perception), or are we putting our Christian way of live into Action itself? Acting a part is exhilarating, to say the least, but actually living the life is a whole different concept perhaps, that many are not familiar with. Acceptance and understanding are majors parts of feeling and sharing love. Going on the premise that we are all sinners and are save by grace, are we not all equal in the eyes and sight of God? The bible speaks in Romans as well as throughout the New Testament of the differences that already existed in the Christian Faith, and the acceptance/understanding issues of the day. Perhaps we have not learned yet that in our cultural diverseness, there is a great strength and power for learning other ways, and while we may not adhere to them personally, they are all valid ways of expressions of faith, hope and love.
I believe for now, these are enough questions to approach a situation in all our lives and carry forward from here…
Monique Ruffin
The Real Cost of Health Care Reform
The debate over health care reform continues, and each day there seems to be more ridiculous claims that have nothing to do with the plight of everyday Americans who need access to a doctor for preventive care or unexpected illnesses. As I watch and participate in the conversation I feel as though something is always amiss. There is finger-pointing, name-calling, correcting and defending—all of which distract attention from the core reason we are having this conversation. Accessible and affordable health care will offer Americans peace of mind to live creative, productive and whole lives. Health care provides a peace of mind needed to fulfill one’s unique potential. The matter of peace of mind and its value is getting buried under the debris of lies, confusion and compromise.
I can gratefully boast that at the age of 40 I have never had any physical health issues, but for those who have found themselves debilitated by pain and illness, the true cost of our current health care system is apparent. Those Americans who have fallen into the spiral of worry, fear and isolation due to illness know very intimately how being sick can force you to confront your physical and emotional limitations. The current debate about the cost of health care seems to have overlooked what the individual and the collective forgo when a person is emotionally crippled under unaffordable health expenses. What poor health care costs our nation in creativity, productivity and innovation is enormous. This scenario applies as much to the individual quality of life as to businesses struggling under the pressure of rising health care expenses. Money that could be invested in training and providing an environment geared towards innovation and growth is currently being filtered down the health insurance drain.
There is no value one can place on peace of mind. When my toddler was born with Downs Syndrome I fought tooth and nail to make sure he’d have state-funded health insurance. I wanted to sleep at night knowing his every medical need would be provided for, knowing that such a safety net would allow me the freedom to focus on preventive measures crucial for his development. Losing my own health insurance has been a by-product of leaving my job to care for my son. Honestly, sacrificing my health care was a low price to pay considering what may have been at risk.
This health care debate has focused on the issue of cost without addressing the price of peace of mind, and the mind, body and spirit connection. When my son failed several hearing tests during the first year of his life, without concern of cost, we were referred to the best facility for hearing in California. I was very worried about the probability of my son suffering from hearing loss, but having access to the necessary care granted me a peace that allowed me to show up in my parenting and as his advocate. Not being forced to worry about funding freed me to care for my child. Offering access to the millions of uninsured and underinsured will likely free those Americans to nurture their inherent talents and lead more productive lives that will benefit the collective.
Our citizens are our greatest resource. Providing an atmosphere that maintains capable, innovative and creative citizens is the cost of living in a free and civilized society. As Americans we often claim to be best and the brightest in the world. Truth be told, the statistics say otherwise. We’ve all heard that the US is trailing and in some cases near the bottom of infant mortality rates and life expectancy. That can change now if we are willing to consider the real value of health. What can you create without your health? What can you give without your health? Can you serve without your health? For the millions of Americans who live in fear of getting sick and not being able to afford seeing a doctor, what is the cost of sacrificing the gifts and talents that are untapped within them?
Our nation is young and we are at a pivotal point in history. We have an opportunity under the leadership of President Obama and the millions who went to the polls last November to begin creating a society that understands and values human beings. We have an opportunity to build a nation that is at its core compassionate and safe for all. We will profit as a society from the cures and inventions that propel us forward medically, environmentally and socially. These cures and inventions are presently undiscovered within a child who only needs the proper environment and nurturing to realize his talents. As the health care debate wages on, let us consider the creativity and genius we are currently sacrificing under the current health care system.
Just the other morning I heard a quiet ringing. It hadn’t occurred to me it may be the phone until my son, who is now 2 1/2, placed his hand to his ear and started saying hello. He, unlike his mother, recognized the quiet ringing as our home phone. I simply couldn’t hear the phone clearly, so the answering machine beat me to it. I’m deeply grateful my son can hear perfectly. Ironically, I have no insurance coverage to obtain the hearing test my son was able to receive, clearing him of any hearing loss. God bless America.
Please join our morning prayer and inspiration conference call Prayers CHANGE U.S. We meet Monday - Friday at 7am-7:15am (PST) by dailing (308) 344-6400 access code 468459#. Or you can listen to to recording anytime by dailing (641) 715-3470 access code 468459#. All faiths, beliefs and philosophies are welcome. All I ask is that you be willing to lend your energy and intention to creating a America that works for all people.
does fear of flying or death take us thereto know life older than any witnessand now past, may have eyes forseen our dareto greedily seek for our uniquenessonce tearing free from our primitive rootmore fragile than the tree, to think and willcould humanity take us from disputeor will violence feed us our fatal pill?concern not for another's attendancewho keeps to assuage intellectual prideas captains map amoral contrivanceof right, but confess a just course abidethey'll speak with no doubt of true directionwhile more, appeasing perceived mutiniesthan terms imbibed in common religioncould we know truth from man's hypotheses?coroners will define life from its deathand vision life's divination by linelike rings of trees never reveal its breathwill Horus' eye remain bounded in trinefingers and symbols just point back at youlike breath is not caught in your reflection Nihilism, will words always bring you towhy, do we accept nothing over One?
Written 3/17/2009, Copyright ME Wilson
The concept known as "Health has some rather strange travels. From early recognition as the motivating factor to efective living to the 1986 World Health Organization's "resourse for everyday life". It has been used to describe the chief ingrediant to beneficial life.
It has not, however, included the use of 1/3 of mans ability to exist. In the january 2006 issue of The American Journal of Public Health, an article by Lester Breslow MD of UCLA medical school ask for definitions of what "health" is that takes in our present understanding of mans nature and the scientific understanding of the nature of life.
He briefly mentions that all prior scientific study has concentrated on the characteristics of disease and has taken the view that disease is to be measured by its effects on the body and mind wwhile giving only passing mention to the character of a portion of man delineated as the spirit or soul.
Though composing one of three parts of what most consider to be the totality of humanity, (body, mind, and spirit), it is only tangiently viewed as it relates to his 'health". Dr. Breslow argues rightly that todays medicine is concerned with and measures only chemicals and markers of disease states. It has no measures to evaluate "health" only illness. Is there anyone in all of creation who believes a human being can be healthy without a healthy spirit?
I am not refering to the religious definitions that speak of a eternal piece of humanity that will eventually leave his body and mind behind but the envisioning, creative portion of mankind that is responsible for communicating with worlds of possibilities that can find their expression in the here and now. All inventions of man first saw their birth in an image of possibilities in the spirit that was transfered to the mind for cretion in this reality.
Without exploring and utilizing the faculties of this vital portion of humanity how can "health" be defined let alone realized. I have written to Congressman Conway (D-Michigan) in detail, at his request, regarding these subjects and The Trivalent Understanding pioneered by Prometheus of Ohio Inc. (a Health education Company).
I only hope that the next century of America's growth will include not only a meaninful definition but a sicere search for "Health", thank you.
These are legitimate questions. Is the cocky, dominant, top-gun attitude the best for making ethical decisions? In war should we be "removed" from our targets? What numbers are acceptable "collateral" casualties? Where is the leadership? Where is the humanity in war? Where's empathy? When is a response too much?
I taught high school students at the American International School in Israel for one year in the late '80s. [I had previously spent my junior year in Jerusalem at Hebrew University.] We had kids from around the globe. In one senior English class, I had an Israeli (born Canadian) student who had just been chosen to join a pilots program in the Israeli Air Force. He was a blonde, blue-eyed Tom Cruise type. He was also the son of a Jew for Jesus, a Christian convert. His mother objected when I assigned "Native Son" to the class. She didn't want her son to have to read about such a bleak situation. I explained that it was an important work of literature. She didn't want him becoming depressed by it, she countered. I asked how reading a book and discussing issues was more dangerous than choosing to be a pilot and making life and death situations for those people living on the ground. I never got an answer. You might say it's easy for me to prattle on; after all, I'm not living through bombardment as are the Israelis and, more so, the Palestinians in Gaza. Sitting in a safe place in the states leaves me in a different emotional situation than if I were over there. So, I can only imagine how people's judgments are affected by the stress on all sides. As Amos Oz and A.B. Yehoshusa wrote in a recent articles, Hamas can be blamed for launching the attacks, but there needs to be a cease fire.The way forward has to be one of eventually coming together--or at least balancing the seesaw. Like the yin and yang or the two halves of the kabbalistic star...the one on top is not superior, it is merely the one above. The half on the bottom--this is very important--is not inferior. It is the root. The two halves make one. Like in the creation story where the first human was made in the Creator's image with both male AND female parts (Adam/Adamah), they complete each other. (It wasn't until much later that the superiority/inferiority tale emerged.)
People don't have to love or even like one another, but they can respectfully work for a more just future for all the people living in Israel and the Palestinian territories. The way forward is not more bombs and rockets.
I love much about Israel--I have friends who live there; I'm hopeful about a Palestinian state.
Meeting your "enemy" and walking through their world for a day is one way to start. Let's refuse to be enemies and make a better future. Taking risks for what is right is strength, too. Peace.
“Rosa Parks sat so Martin Luther King could walk. Martin Luther King walked so Obama could run. Obama ran so we could fly.” – JayZ
Imagine a World where each and every one of was committed to discovering who we are truly here to be, committed to unwrapping our gifts, to living from our deepest Being. Imagine a world where we support each other in that quest. Imagine a world where we are seen for our potential to Become – Buddha to be, Gandhi to be, Einstein to be. Imagine a world where we greet each other with compassion and an open heart – Dalai Lama to be, Amma to be, Mother Theresa to be. Imagine a world where we thirst for justice and respect – Mandela to be, Joan of Arc to be, Ang San Suu Kyi to be. Imagine a world where we dare to be ecstatically different – Rumi to be, Mary Magdalene to be, Wonder Woman to be. Imagine a world where we stand up for the planet as part of who we are – St. Francis to be, Julia Butterfly to be, Al Gore to be. Imagine a world beyond the constructed boundaries of class, colour or creed. Imagine a world where a black man can become president of the United States of America – Rosa Parks to be, Martin Luther King to be, Barack Obama to be.
Imagine a world where each person reached just a little bit further, towards compassion, sustainability, harmony and creativity. Imagine a world that stretched even further, to the place where ecstasy lives. Imagine a world of celebration for life in all it’s joy and all it’s pain. A world where nothing stands in the way but fear itself. Where fear is just a passing fancy, replaced by unyielding hope, undying trust, indestructible vulnerability. A world where everyone and everything that happens to you is part of an extraordinary opportunity to learn and grow and evolve. Imagine a world that reflected back all the love in your heart, beaming right back at you, blinding you with it’s brilliance. Imagine a world where the extraordinary life you are here to live is here. Imagine if you could start living that life, right now. Your fierce light shining bright.
You can. Yes, you can.
~Velcrow Ripper
www.fiercelight.org
We know that the earth grows smaller and smaller each day. We can no longer exist as separate nations. We look for a sense of renewed deep belief that is necessary for human beings. And the answer is: the earth, itself--in the feeling of oneness and unity that it gives to us. We are all members of the same bio-world. Wherever, however, we live, we all have the same needs for air and water. We all have the same needs for nutrition. We all see the same sky, touch the trees and plants, have communions with the other animals around us. These are factors which bind us together into one, a unified whole celebrating Our Mother Earth's spirit. www.circleoftheearth.org
With the hope, unity and excitement of Barack Obama's victory, many have commented that we're feeling a sense of both national and spiritual renewal that's almost like a revival.
To that end, please take a look at a design I created:
www.cafepress.com/teachers4peace
We have been holding on eight long years for the opportunity of this day. Be sure to vote twice during this election: once at the polling stations, and then again with your state of mind.
Recall the disappointment in 2000 when Al Gore lost to G.W. Bush? Can you imagine what it may have been like to have had Gore as President instead? Despite Gore's loss, look at the tremendous good Gore has done to bring a great deal of awareness to global warming over the past few years. On the contrary, Bush started his eight year run as the worst President in American history at a time when the world needed that the least.
In 2004, we had the opportunity to exit Bush out of office, yet Bush won again against John Kerry. The suspected voting suppression, manipulation, and fraud of 2000 (which many just could not quite believe could be true at that time) disuaded voters in the 2004 election, some complacency set in--and in any case, the election was stolen again. With Bush's regime, the world has been changed forever.
Now here we are in 2008 with an opportunity to exit Bush (and the policies and thematics that McCain would appear to carry forward), and more, to bring in Obama: perhaps the most progressive and liberal President any of us have seen in our life times so far. Personally, I see that Barack Obama is the best realistic candidate for American President since JFK, perhaps even Abraham Lincoln. We are blessed to have this opportunity.
Yesterday, while browsing through FaceBook.com, I was shocked to see someone in my own personal network posting a status note that made the assertion, "In this election do not vote." Complacency is one thing, yet I'm highly perplexed why anyone would make an assertion against voting. I made a reply comment, saying that this is like saying, "IN THIS MOMENT DO NOT BREATHE."
Aside from politics, candidates, and the issues--the right to vote, and the initiative to take personal action to vote--is the core and fundamental component of democracy. Each individual vote comprises a piece of the total collective body. Together we vote, together we forge our collective shape, and move forward in social evolution. While it is true that the political landscape has turned vile nearing the cusp of the 21st Century, and real crimes are being committed to deter and alter votes--we simply cannot afford to allow ourselves to become further deterred as individuals locked in complacency, depression, denial, or ungrounded idealism. If we lose our will to vote, we are losing the breath to keep our collective body alive.
The origin of the word "vote" comes from the Latin "vovere" which means "to vow". When we vote, we literally vow to participate in animating the collective spirit by our own action, and define the collective body by our individual perspective and choice.
It can be helpful and true to think about the mass population of America (and of the world) as having similar psychological and energetic constituents as an individual human being. Psychologist Carl Jung describes the fundamental psychological concept involved with the dynamics of the conscious and unconscious, which can be applied to either the individual or the collective psyche:
"The psychological rule says that when an inner situation is not made conscious, it happens outside as fate. That is to say, when the individual remains undivided and does not become conscious of his inner opposite, the world must perforce act out the conflict and be torn into opposing halves." (AION: 126)
The notion of the collective unconscious was introduced by Jung as a "reservoir of the experiences of our species." And Eckhart Tolle, in his book A New Earth, speaks about the "collective ego":
"A collective ego manifests the same characteristics as the personal ego, such as the need for conflict and enemies, the need for more, the need to be right against others who are wrong, and so on. Sooner or later, the collective will come into conflict with other collectives, because it unconsciously seeks conflict and it needs opposition to define its boundary and thus its identity. Its members will then experience the suffering that inevitably comes in the wake of any ego-motivated action. At that point, they may wake up and realize that their collective has a strong element of insanity."
Clearly, what we have been largely observing for the past eight years are various manifestations of the collective ego struggling against the evolutionary tide of the collective conscious as we move into higher human potentialities of a 21st Century global society. We have witnessed the collective ego emerging with it's shadowy type of power in the events around 911, the wars in the Middle East, the surmounting economic crisis, partisan politics, voting fraud, and more. The old structures do not want to give into the new change. The extremism of McCain's campaign very well characterizes this egoic manifestation by it's harsh partisan division, aggressive attack ads, impulsive recklessness, contradiction, deceit, slander, and, even in the last few weeks, the internal dissension among key members of the Republican party itself. This CNN video report of Peruvian Shamans (in majority favor of Obama) reflects a traditional awareness of the fundamental energy dynamics going on around the representatives of Obama and McCain.
The origin of the word "conspiracy" comes from Latin "con-" which means "together with", and "spirare" which means "to breathe". Although the common taken meaning of the word "conspiracy" is heavy with the extreme power dynamics of the collective ego in action, what it literally means is "to breath together". I propose that this is the true meaning of conspiracy, and that we have an opportunity to reinterpret and deepen our understanding of the greatest conspiracy that is occurring upon the cusp of the 21st century. After thousands of years of our collective's noble struggle to know ourselves within the massive backdrop of the cosmic unknown--we have come very far in our collective evolution, and are now becoming self-aware of ourselves, beginning to make a clearer distinction between our collective conscious and unconscious, our collective ego, and our collective superconscious. Yet the task is not to attempt to banish the collective ego by lashing out at it; that is simply more collective ego. As is recommended in the psychological process of individuation, the goal is to integrate and transform the ego with the authentic self. As a collective, we must recognize our collective shadow as ours, consciously and with wisdom utilize the resource of it's energy and power, and consistently aim with our highest consensus intentions to create a world that can harmoniously orchestrate all of our diversity, and continue along our pathway toward the stars.
So at this moment in history, among the shadow of the collective ego struggle--occurring right now as voter suppression and fraud--be certain to follow thru with your vote (vow) to breath into our collective body, participate in the new pronoia conspiracy to evolve everybody. If you think you may choose to not vote, consider that perhaps you are playing into subtler levels of the voter suppression dynamics that have been set forth upon the collective body. When you do vote, you are taking responsibility in activating your own individual conscious evolution, and participating in the conscious evoltion of the collective.
Psychologist Carl Jung says, "As far as we can discern, the sole purpose of human existence is to kindle a light in the darkness of mere being." And spiritual pioneer Andrew Cohen reminds us that "You Are It".
No matter what happens with the results of this election, there is always the golden opportunity to choose to be present, to maintain equanimity, and to be rigorous with oneself as a conscious individual upon the collective path of evolution. This is the divine vote, your reverent vow to persist with the inherent quintessential nature as a conscious being. Above all, breathe ...
[This blog article is also posted at Michael Gaio's blog here ]
During the past few weeks, while I've engaged in deep research of new trends in internet marketing and social media for my own entrepreneurial initiatives, I've also been keeping track of much of the on-line media involved with the Obama campaign. Of all the great promotional videos that have emerged--my favorite has been this one pioneered by MC Yogi and a local California media team:
MC Yogi: Obama '08 - Vote for Hope
This high quality media production really captures the progressive edge, and may have really helped ground-in votes from the younger "hip" demographic. I've participated in helping this outstanding video go viral in it's organic distribution (nearly 250,000 views in just a few short weeks) by leveraging my own social media tool and skills across my networks.
After the video was initially released, I was told by friends that MC Yogi lives nearby, and that a few people who managed the media production are people I know and have worked with here in Marin County. I had a good feeling that I would likely have an opportunity to meet MC Yogi and congratulate him on such a successful production and contribution. That opportunity finally came last night when I attended the "Groove Garden" dance party in Fairfax--where MC Yogi did a live rendition and rap of the same "Vote for Hope" song for Obama. Directly after his performance, I approached MC Yogi, and shared with him my appreciation of the production, and let him know that it really inspired me. He is a great guy, and my further encouragement led him to also peform several more crowd-inspiring raps for Ganesha, Shiva, and other spiritual reverences.
It's great to realize that with just a few creative minds and some dedicated skill and time--nearly anyone can make significant contributions toward progressive change in this world.
See MC Yogi's website here: www.mcyogi.com
Six weeks ago I committed to canvas for the Obama Campaign in the battleground state of Virginia. Little did I realize that going door-to-door would be a powerful spiritual experience, or that I would meet so many people whom I carry in my heart and prayers daily. I think Barack Obama has been an excellent example of the kind of leadership that encourages people to cross boundaries, build bridges of respect and understanding, and find common ground with people who are different from ourselves.
While my family roots on both sides are over 200 years deep in the state of Virginia, until 6 weeks ago, I was totally unfamiliar with the communities of Woodbridge, VA in the historically Republican-voting Prince William County. For an introvert like me, knocking on the doors of strangers takes me out of my comfort zone, especially since I have never campaigned for any presidential candidate before. I confess, before going out I say a prayer that the divine in me will acknowledge the divine in all the people I meet.
Going door to door each Saturday I have met people and heard stories that put a human face on the hopes and challenges that ordinary Americans are living out every day. I have talked to the World War II veteran who is worried about health care and what may happen to his disabled spouse with no other relatives if he precedes her in death. I have been welcomed by the young couple with a 2-year old son who are excited about voting for the first time in their lives.
I have seen the foreclosure and home auction signs in low and moderate income communities of native born and immigrant U.S. citizens, and I have listened attentively to those more well-to-do voters whose greatest concern is higher taxes. Whether a struggling or affluent community, I saw proudly displayed American flags in many forms -- flying from flag posts, on decals, or in the form of lawn ornaments. Workers whose vehicles go without paint jobs, small business owners without health care for their families, and successful business and homeowners who fear that the American dream will not be passed on to their children and grandchildren. No longer strangers, these are my Virginia neighbors.
In one of my journal entries, I asked myself how did so many of us make enemies of our neighbors because of political and religious differences when we have so much in common with regard to our hopes and dreams for ourselves and this country? I could chalk it up to the failure of politicians and religious leaders who are invested in keeping Americans divided in order to strengthen their power base, but I also have to think about my role in drinking the Kool-Aid of "us versus them."
It's very easy to maintain a sense of moral self-righteousness when all your relationships are with "our kind of people" -- whether "our kind" live in the city, small town, suburban or rural America. Identify as NASCAR or NPR. Drive pick-up trucks, SUVs or hybrids. Vote Democrat, Republican, Green Party, or Independent. Worship like us or don't worship at all.
However we categorize ourselves or others, the "us versus them" mentality means we all lose. People become expendible. We scream, shout and call names. We stop trusting our neighbors. We act out of our worst instead of our best selves even if we only think or say negative things about other people among our own circle of family and friends.
I am truly grateful for the surprise blessings that the Obama Campaign has given me. Going door-to-door in Prince William County, I discovered what a member of my covenant group said about her experience in working with disabled and wounded veterans: you get a larger sense of who you can call "your people" when you are willing to cross the boundaries of your comfort zone.
Another friend likes to say "the real test of your 'spiritual program' (or religion) is how you behave when life gets hard." Canvassing has not been easy. It has tested me, but canvassing also has taught me what it means to put my faith in action and live my values.
Knocking on doors for the Obama Campaign in Virginia has required courage I didn't know I had. In addition to giving up my Saturdays, canvassing has required sacrificing my desire to be right and given me practice in the art of being present and listening to those who view me as "other."
In a few days I know I shall be tested even more as I become a full-time volunteer for the campaign through Election Day. Hopefully I will meet this test with compassion, humility, and gratitude that I am able to be of service to a vision larger than my individual concerns. Hopefully, I will model the excellent example of Barack Obama in these final days of Election 2008.
By Lauralyn Bellamy, MA, MDiv
[Note: Do not assume other Unity ministers or the denomination itself share this opinion. This is one minister’s heartfelt understanding.]
He counsels his readers:
“If you’re paying attention to the outer world and allowing your emotions to drag you that way, you are in the world and of the world and being ‘led to destruction.’ If you’re simply ‘observing’ the outer world – watching without emotion…does it matter to you who wins the election? Look out! If you have an emotional investment in the ‘out’ come, you are leading yourself to destruction. Seek the kingdom of God first, and you will see the divine order in whatever happens in the outer. Be the unemotional observer in the world but not of the world, and you will see ‘a new heaven and a new earth…’”
I don’t believe this is what Jesus taught. Humanity is not incarcerated on earth, our purpose being to stay out of trouble and bide our time until released from this prison of flesh, this cruel world, and transported to the gates of Heaven.
We are not to treat this world as the waiting room of some shabby, cosmic bus station, reading spiritual tracts, doing spiritual exercises, and minding our own business until our bus comes to carry us “Home.” Nor is Heaven achieved on Earth by denying material existence, “tuning on, tuning in and dropping out.”
There is among the spiritual-not-religious, a desire to “rise above” the dirty world of politics. We are so put off by the name-calling, lying, and the news media’s addiction to tabloid sensationalism – that we want to put our fingers in our ears, close our eyes and chant our favorite mantras at the top of our lungs to drown out this “tower of Babel.” If you are among those so disgusted with the way the current Presidential campaign is being waged and reported that you don’t have the stomach to vote, I would invite you to spend five minutes in silent reflection on these words:
“We the people of the Unites States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the Unites States of America.”
“To establish justice” is a religious mandate.
“God has shown you what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God.” – Micah6:8
Jesus made Micah’s teaching his only test for judging his followers:
"For I was hungry and you fed me; I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink; I was homeless and you invited me in; naked and you clothed me…When you did this to the least of my brethren you did it to me." - Matthew 25: 31-46
Throughout the bible, justice is a verb, an action taken to right a wrong, restore a loss, or heal what is broken. Spirituality breathed the Constitution into being! Justice, tranquility, protection from harm, the common good and liberty are collectively named, “Blessings.” Re-read our Constitution and ask, “What am I doing to ‘secure the Blessings of liberty’ for future generations of Americans?”
The Constitution regards humanity created by God to establish Heaven-on-Earth by means of democracy. The risk of being in the world is becoming distracted from the truths we profess to our fear that the candidate/cause we support will lose, driving us into that hellacious world where the ends-justify-the-means.
When we call the Other Side names, question their intelligence, patriotism, or motives; satisfactory atonement is not abandoning politics, but apologizing for our behavior and returning to the spiritual practice of advocating for justice, the common defense and the general welfare of America as best we can.
If you haven’t registered to vote, do so today! Tuesday, Nov. 4th, cast your vote! The blood of American patriots paid for it. Failure to vote? Now that would be a sin! # # # [[WORD COUNT: 747]]
It is sad to me the extent to which people in the modern age still try to pry on the superstitions and fears of the masses. And it is the saddest to me when this is done using religion. I just cannot abide by such hate-mongering.
The vast majority of people are members of some religous orginization. And most of the ones that aren't, have some form of spirituality. And the rest, still believe in the power of Good. This is because most of us search for a higher meaning and a greater good.
But the selfish and the callous people will try to play upon the fears of these spiritual people. And this will cause them to fall into all kinds of detrimental arguments that they believe are saving the world. It just pains me inside.
Hindu.com reports that the All-India Congress in India is praying for Obama's success. They are also giving him a gold-plated iHindu dol which is currently being prayed over and will continue to soak in the energies of various Hinu temples before being sent to Obama.
Wow.
This year marks my 20th year as a voting American and, correct me if I'm wrong, but I cannot recall anything like this. The level of enthusiasm around the globe for a (barely) presidential nominee is unprecedented.
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I'm posting a letter I've written to Barack Obama, and the lyrics to a song I wrote. Please contact me if you would like to make use of the lyrics in some way.
Dear Barack Obama,
One of your heroes is M. K. Gandhi. You care about social justice. We are on the same wavelength. I have never been on the same wavelength with a political candidate for president before. I would like us to work together for peace, for equality and acceptance, and for stewardship of the earth. I'll write songs, become active in your campaign, and you can do your best to work for change as President of the United States after we get you elected. Fair?
I am guessing that part of what has brought you into this place and into this passion for change has been your tuning into God through a spiritual practice. I am requesting that you view your connection with the Divine as vital to your work. Be like the Dalai Lama, who spends the first hours of each day in meditation! I will do the same and soon the world will become a more humble place.
Sincerely,
Jennifer E. Anderson
P.S. I have written a song/poem for your campaign.
A New Hope
I cowered in my corner
While they took their rage to war
My fears welled up inside of me
'Til I could speak no more
I could speak no more
Have the clouds passed us over?
Can I be free to sing?
Can I open up my heart now
Can all the voices ring
All the voices ring
A new hope is burning
A new hope brings me here
A new hope, all my yearning
A new hope is here
So put away your sword and shield
Let the children out to play
Let the same sun shine upon us all
As we find a new way
A new way
Can I open up my heart now?
Can all our voices ring?
All our voices ring
Each year in America there are 650,000 people released from prison.
THE SENTENCING PROJECT Research and Advocacy for Reform
http://www.sentencingproject.org/
The Voting Rights of many former inmates can be restored under certain conditions. The rules vary from state to state.
The rules for each state are compiled for easy access at The Sentencing Project web site. There's also information on the history of reforms in various states.
Did you know, for example, that in the state of Tennessee former inmates pay the equivalent of a "poll tax" to restore their voting rights? The ACLU has filed suit on this issue.
THE SENTENCING PROJECT provides a comparison of the 2008 Presidential Candidates' platforms on criminal justice issues such as: sentencing policy, re-entry, the dealth penalty, and felony disenfranchisement.
Continued:
This is a beautiful tribute to Barack Obama and We The People:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Ojuupmnvmw
You've Got to Have Love
You've Got to Have Hope
Stand Together!
OBAMA'08
Thank you to everyone who participated in the creation of this inspiration!
It has already been established that the 4/16/08 "debate" between the Democratic Presidential Candidates, the media mess of ABC, was long on "gotcha" politics and short on substance.
More frightening than the absence of journalistic integrity by the moderators were the Bush/McCain-sounding statements of Senator Clinton on the topic of Iran.
George Stephanopoulos asked the candidates if U.S. policy should be to treat an Iranian attack on Israel as if it were an attack on the United States. Senator Clinton's response sounded as if she's proposing the same policy toward Iran that was employed by the Bush administration to attack Iraq. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7xyd_IRgGs
Her remarks on the "Umbrella of Deterrence" are strikingly similar to her vote to authorize war in Iraq due to concerns about "weapons of mass destruction."
Senator Clinton:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kw70_uJ7y_s http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K3jppzkF0QM http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-dFmTAPmrbo http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TWb2wBnTOlU
ABC News presented what was suppose to be a debate between the Democratic Presidential Candidates, presumably a "debate" over the serious issues facing America.
A debate of the issues implies that the moderators would provide questions on: the war, torture, diplomacy, the economic crisis, employment, healthcare, education, trade agreements, the environment, taxes, equality, and poverty, for example, to both candidates.
In an actual debate the candidates would take turns presenting their positions on a given issue. Their positions would then be compared and contrasted with follow up questions by the moderators.
Instead of a true debate, ABC News provided the viewing public with another example of why media reform is urgently needed. The moderators did not ask serious questions on the important issues facing this country. Senator Obama remained Presidential despite the distraction tactics and bias of this forum.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=87cDt00k63E
Information on media reform, media justice, and a media monitoring project are listed below:
The "Compassion Forum" with the Democratic Presidential Candidates was clearly Senator Obama's night. The topic of "compassion" led me to repost this link.
Please take a few moments to watch:
http://wmsikhsoc.blogspot.com/2008/01/weekly-video-bhai-sahib-mohinder-singh.html
