LISTENING POST
Members of the Society of Friends (Quakers) have a practice at their meetings of spending some time in silent meditative "listening." Whenever they receive a thought that they feel they should share with others, they rise and briefly state it. There are no questions, agreements, or criticism by the others although another may share whatever thought they have received along the same thread as a prior thought.
We invite you to participate in this "listening post" by clicking HERE to send your thought. In the absence of a stern Elder to guide the content and brevity of your thought, it may be edited. In the hope that your thought is inspired by the One, there will not be any reference to the "author."
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"JUST TELL THEM I AM"
I know God does exist. In knowing, you do not have to prove or disprove what is known to anyone. All that is needed is to know that God is. When we go to define The One, we place limitations on our knowing and understanding. Whatever definition we use will fall short and others will try to prove or disprove the definition. This is why God instructed Moses, "Just tell them I am." The Buddha remained silent when asked to describe God because any words used would be inadequate. The Upanishads also contain the phrase "Just tell them that I am."
ONLY ONE
Often we get caught up in looking at or trying to understand the labels people use to describe their faith. We have to remind ourselves that there is only One God or supreme being over all others. We have to remind ourselves that there are many different ways to show our love and worship of that One. The labels are not important, just the love that each person has in his or her heart.
LET US BE THANKFUL
We are on such a wondrous journey of learning and growth.
Unite the heart and mind. Take each step as if guided by love.
Knowledge and wisdom will grow. We will see -- We are One.
LEADERSHIP
Leadership is demonstrated in action and words. Without formal churches and temples, we show our faith in the way we interact with others. As you awaken each day, the One is with you. You are both in and embody the church or temple of the One.
TO WALK THE MIDDLE PATH
All men and women are good at heart. As they begin the journey of love, or the middle path, they are full of love, hope, humility, and enthusiasm. They have not yet fully learned the need for balance, the process of growth, understanding, and wisdom. To progress fully, they will experience the extremes of the 98 stations. Some will lose focus and become stuck in one of the stations thinking that is all there is to life. They will see life as evil and everyone as not good. They will try to control others and get them stuck in the extreme of that same station. This prevents further learning and growth for a time. To walk the middle path and not become stuck in a station is not an easy task. There will be times - lots of times when a person will be called upon to use the power and force of one of the extremes to correct an out-of-balance situation. This is necessary and right. This does not make a person evil or not good. Yes, others and even we may view ourselves as not good for that moment or station in time. This does not change the fact that we are good at heart. We need to return to the 99th station, middle way, or the path of love as quickly as possible after each visit to the extremes of a station. It is only the path of love that balances the world and all the extremes. It is truly the middle path. All who strive to walk upon it are good and doing the work of God, the One, or Allah.
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WHEN ASKED "WHY?"
Sometimes it is best to remain silent. The question is not missed or ignored. The person asking the question must find his or her own answer. Why? This is for the seeker to discover. Asking questions and finding answers are part of the journey of learning and growth. To always respond to another's question takes focus away from your own situation and life. There are and will always be the questions of "why?" Whatever answers are given, the seeker will not fully accept them till the answers are experienced within.
THE GHOSTS OF THE PASTIn our hearts and minds, we carry many things and thoughts forward from the past. When we dwell on them, fear them, cling to them, or just plain let them dominate our current thoughts -- they hold us in bondage to that past. To go forward and take care of life in the present, we have to let them go or, at least, break the domination they have on our hearts and minds. We have to live in the present moment and deal with our present opportunities. The ghosts of the past will leave us only when we are willing to let them go.
A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY
The first step of a spiritual journey is to simply recognize that "God is." From there, your path will be guided in a way you can relate to and can understand. As you develop, the heart and mind begin to work in harmony; love and reason go hand in hand. You will begin to live your professed faith - not just talk in terms of what others believe. You will learn to recognize the brotherhood of all mankind - not just those of your religion or sect. Love for all will balance your way and prevent you from becoming attached to an extreme station. This is a path that I have walked. It is a living path full of experience, life, learning, and growth.
A MYSTERY
It is a mystery to me how I have lived to this day. Each morning I wake up is a mystery and a joy. What today has in store, I do not know. I go on with the tasks I find before me. I meet a few people and listen to their words. A few come to listen and learn. Together we take a sacred journey. We unite our hearts and minds. We explore the mystery called life.
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NEVER ALONE
Even when we think we are alone, we are not. The One knows our thoughts, fears, hopes, and dreams. Someone is near to guide us if we but look and listen. Living is a wondrous journey if we stay focused on today.
FEAR AND LOVE
In our society that is so based on fear, we should realize that as long as we have fear in us, we have not yet attained to the perfection of love because perfect love drives out fear. As long as we have fear, we have not learned all that we are capable of learning. We have not yet developed our full potential to love. We have not yet learned that we are capable of love because God first loved us.
LIGHT
Those who have walked in darkness may still see a great light.
COMPULSIVE GREETERS
I don't want to be one of those people who speak to every stranger they see. It probably wouldn't be so bad if I spoke to (or maybe just smiled at) every fifth person I don't know. I'll probably have trouble though remembering how many I've passed by with no greeting..
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