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Monday, December 24, 2012

Lighting A Candle for Newtown

IMG_0151.JPG (2)One of my favorite TV shows is The Big Bang Theory. Roommates Leonard Hofstadter and Sheldon Cooper are brilliant physicists, who understand everything about how the world works, but don’t understand the first thing about social interaction.

One Christmas their neighbor in the apartment across the hall, Penny, lets on that she has bought Sheldon a Christmas present and it bothers him completely because unless he orders his world perfectly he can’t cope.  According to him, if someone buys you a present, you have to buy a present back.  But not any old present; no, it has to be a comparably priced present.  Not too much because that would be gross.  Not too little because that would show lack of caring.

Although it’s a very funny scene, I've lived in that awkwardness of here comes Christmas again with the old familiar anxiety of '”did I get the appropriate gift!?” So Sheldon Cooper has a solution, he goes to a department store with friends and purchases a whole range of gift baskets from modest priced ones to very expensive ones. His plan is to receive Penny’s present first, open it and evaluate it, and then pretend he has to step into his room (feigning gastric discomfort).  When her returns, he’ll have with him the appropriately priced gift basket and later return all the unused gift baskets to the mall.

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Monday, December 17, 2012

Help from the Gita: Response to Newtown, Connecticut Shooting

At times like this many of us find ourselves questioning how to respond to the world, asking, how does the idea of unity and allness play out in such a situation? What am I supposed to think?
I remember a trip back to South Africa when I had a chance to visit our spiritual community there.  I had already been the minister in the US for many years, having many opportunities to see Good at work in the world, to face various personal and organizational challenges, and to navigate through life assisted by this philosophy of oneness.  I felt faith filled.
It wasn't until I got to South Africa that I had an opportunity to examine my faithfulness to the teaching in a completely different setting. Here we enjoy a relative sense of well-being  safety and freedom.  In South Africa I watched metaphysicians who were living in a world of relative danger; a prevalent feeling of threat, where outside the church armed guards watched the parking lot in a city where newspapers reported the most recent murder and rape tolls regularly.
Could I do the same?
I watched the members of the church community say and sing the same things we say here:  “There is only one life…” and I wondered if I would be able to do the same thing with so much unsettling danger all around me on an ongoing basis.
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What the Bible teaches us about Essential Oils. It's all in there!



The Bible contains a few short references to essential oils that can inform us about many of the important characteristics of these precious oils. Enjoy the slides. These slides were used at a free presentation about essential oils at Stepping Stones Books & Gifts in Santa Rosa. www.steppingstonesbookstore.org



There are references to other fragrant plans, trees and recipes for anointing oils in the Bible, such as Ceder wood, Frankincense and Myrrh.  The oil, or ointment mentioned in the Bible that this slide show is referring to, is spikenard, or nard, as it is referred to in the text.  Today, spikenard is available more easily than it was in Bible times, and it is treasured for its calming and rooty fragrance.  It is definitely an special fragrance, and not everyone loves the deep, earthy flavor it gives of.  I sure do.

More reading on Essential Oils
  


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Sunday, December 16, 2012

The War on Christmas, or the war on thinking?

IMG_0135

I would think that if modern Christians knew what modern Christmas is about, they might very well want to wage war on it! My guess is that if people, in general, knew what ancient popes used Christmas for, they might indeed step strongly away from it and the dark deeds committed in its name.

But nothing is that simple in life and Christmas is no exception.  Unfortunately, in our 5-second-information-sound-bite society and low tolerance for complexity and our rejection of education, what Christmas is and what it does and where it came from and why we observe a kind of secular version of it is, simply not interesting to many people.

And what to do with all of that information if I do read up?  Will I have to throw the baby out with the bathwater?  Or, will I have to think for myself?  Don’t you just hate that!


But, but, is practicing Christmas un-Christian?  

Yes and No.  It depends on who you ask and how you observe it and whether or not you are a Christian in the first place, and what kind of Christian and how you interpret the scriptures, and sigh….And don’t think it’s any easier if you’re not a Christian. There are things to think about…unless, of course, you just don’t care about knowing what the traditions you hand to the next generation are all about.  I find that most people prefer not knowing what Christmas is about and where it comes from. Those who do know, tend to be lenient with the meaning of the traditions and prefer to go with the flow of warm fuzzy feelings generated by glitter, gifts, and family.

Few know of its somber history when ancient Popes with almost god-like authority allowed its celebrations to victimize Jews and to consolidate their growing control absorbed such practices as tree decorating and re-branded them as acceptably Christian.  Non-Christians who celebrate Christmas have no problem singing eggnog-warmed Christmas carols about the good king, Wenceslas, or about the silent night when a virgin delivered the Prince of Peace, not knowing and not believing or sometimes not understanding the words at all.   

I can see why a Christian might get bent out of shape.  I guess it’s like when people summarize my faith tradition as positive thinking, and then go ahead and write a book about how to think yourself into prosperity.  I don’t like it one little bit. 

One perspective among modern Christians (and also our Puritans of the past) is that Christmas is a decidedly un-Biblical practice. Why?  Because nowhere in the Bible does are Christians instructed to celebrate Jesus' birthday, to throw a party, roast a turkey, give a gift and put up a fir tree... and it doesn't mention December 25th. (No one knows the date of Jesus' birthday. The date of December 25 is thought to have coincided with the conclusion of the week-long pagan celebration of Saturnalia, a period of lawlessness, indulgence, and revelry.)

But wait... can Christians celebrate Christmas anyway?  Is there another perspective? 

Well yes!  There is another perspective.  You might say that just because the Scriptures are silent about the form and practice of celebrating the birth of the central figure of Christianity, doesn't mean Christians can't make a special celebration of anything in the Bible. There is no scriptural rule for or against it. 

Relief. For Christians, that is.   

The very presence of the accounts of the birth of Jesus in the gospels—albeit that they don't match perfectly, and assuming you’re not going to get all nitpicky about the inerrancy of the word—suggests that the reading of the story regularly would be appropriate. The reading of the gospels as part of Christian worship and education is customary. I suppose a reading of the scriptural account of the birth of Jesus on an annual basis to celebrate and teach new generations would be just fine, especially if it were done with awareness about incorporating non-biblical practices.

Whoops, there’s the problem, all those things we do and practice over and above the reading of the story.  I ask people why we give gifts at Christmas, why do we hang mistletoe, why do we bring a tree inside and decorate it. Most people don't know and don't care. Santa Claus, Father Christmas Saint Nick, they don't know who, or what, or why; but they do—they tell me—love everything that the season is about.  Sigh.

But, but, isn’t it pagan?  

Yes and no.  Some people believe Christmas is a thinly disguised version of an ancient pagan celebration called Saturnalia which took place on December 25.


But wait, is that completely true?

“No!” says Dr. Richard P. Bucher, quoting two theories that point to other reasons for placing the celebration of Jesus’ birth on December 25.  One says that Julius, Bishop of Rome in the 300’s carefully researched the details available to him to arrive at December 25.  He had the official records
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What is God? Who is God? And what does he, she, it do?


I prefer to ask the question What is God, rather than Who is God, to help me drop the tendency to create God in my own human likeness.  We have progressed so far past the former anthropomorphic concept of god with human attributes and qualities that people are thinking about what God is to them.  No person can possibly give a complete answer, however, in attempting to define what God is to ourselves we contribute to each other's understanding. 

I frequently suggest to people I am working with that they imagine they are suddenly responsible for the religious education of the world's children, and that they are to write a definition of what God is without drawing upon the authority of any text, or any existing religious idea.  Just to see what they come up with.

In this video, Rev. Joyce Duffala, who co wrote Seeing Good At Work with me, takes the topic a step further and talks about what "It" does.  What does that thing called God, do?  What an excellent question.  What do you think It is and does?




Further reading

John Hefferlin's explanation of God



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Saturday, December 15, 2012

Holiday Gifts Made in The USA from Nordstrom?

Not Made Here

I'm interested in bringing a balance to my shopping by increasing the amount of local products I buy (I'm still griping over the locally made olive oil, so darn expensive, but so awesome, and there is the feel-good thing that happens when I check out and x amount of dollars was spent on local goods).  I also keep on the look out for products made in the USA and this has been an eye opening experience.  Especially last year around Fourth of July when I discovered just how many USA flags are not made here.  It wasn't easy finding a flag made in the USA.

Made Right Here
This morning I read an article about Nordstrom and skeptically imagined that most of the clothing items in the store's catalog were probably like the flags I found, made somewhere else.  I visited Nordstrom's online shopping catalogue and entered "USA" in the search field mostly as a joke to see what holiday gifts made in the USA I could find from Nordstrom.

Well, the search results made me sit up straight in my chair.  There was a whole list of items, a big generous list of items for men, women and children in the Made In The USA grouping.  Funniest of all was a Vintage Havana "Salt and Pepper" Sweater for big girls with a Union Jack flag on the front. 

Revenge!

I wrote an article about how shopping for products in the USA isn't all that difficult with a little effort, but I didn't realize it was as easy as this!  I'm thrilled.  To be certain the search results weren't a mistake I clicked on article after article of clothing, the Hudson Jeans Slouchy Skinny Legs for men sure enough says "made in the USA" and the Zero Gravity "Guadalupe" iPhone 5 Case, "made in the USA" and the Govino Shatterproof Champagne Flutes also, "made in the USA."  I love it.

Might Be Made Here

I did a similar search for "USA" on Target's online catalog and checked a few items, like the Crane Nursery Ultrasonic Humidifier.  The item says "Made in the USA or Imported."   Er... well, which is it?  Same with the Maggie Bags Tote of Many Colors (red, white and blue flag-like design) "Made in the USA or imported."

More Search Results

Macy's too, for a search on "USA" yielded all kinds of interesting stuff, like a Meatloaf Pan with Insert, clearly stating "made in the USA."  But some items in the search result do not clearly state where they are made. The point is, it's really not that difficult to bring some balance and find products made in the USA.  Just some balance.


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How learning about forgiveness is an ongoing process


Learning about forgiveness is an ongoing process.  Sometimes it seems that progress is being made and then, when I return to the subject, I discover old resentments can be as fresh as the day they were born.   So I make a practice of scheduling time, at least once a year, to think about forgiveness, to learn from people who teach about forgiveness so that I keep progressing.

Dr. Fred Luskin, in this video, tell about how he got his start speaking at Churches at the Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa.  He has written extensively about Forgiveness work and has helped many of us in Santa Rosa walk a gentle path through the sometimes challenging terrain of letting things be.


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Neiman Marcus unveils 2012 "fantasy gifts" list




On the list of fantasy gifts from Neiman Marcus fantasy catalogue are the following gift items for the season:


  1. A 2013 McLaren 12C Spider special-edition sports car. There are only 12 of them, so the $354,000 price tag shouldn't be a shock.
  2. A part in the Broadway show "Annie: The Musical" for $30,000, you just walk on and be amazing for the show. No talent needed.
  3. Instant hen farm for $100,000, with a stylized chateau like hen-house and ten hens to lay the eggs.
  4. His and hers watches from Van Cleef & Arpels, along with a trip to Europe for $1.0M+
  5. Dinner for 10, with tequila tasting, prepared by famous chefs, for $250,000
  6. A jetpack for $99,500 which can lifts the wearer up at a stunning $32 mph.


I'm happy to celebrate other people's prosperity. I'm also struck by how odd this list comes across at a time when the country seems to be struggling with joblessness, foreclosures, rising gas prices and homelessness. Reading the list got me to thinking, what would I do if I had a spare $1.0M dollars? Buy a watch? I don't think I would. There are so many people I know for whom $100 would make a huge difference right now. I am remember with gratitude an anonymous donor who last year in December gave me $1000 in 10 $100 bills and asked me to distribute them to members of the community who might need them.

I don't think I'll forget the experience. Some recipients literally burst into tears when I told them that some unknown person wanted them to have a little something extra for the season. One woman cried so hard that for a moment I couldn't tell if she was happy or sad.

If you had an extra $1.0M, what would you do with it?
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Friday, December 14, 2012

Response to Newtown, Connecticut Shooting


I was minding my own business on this, the second day of my pre-Christmas vacation, taking a voluntary break from news feeds and focusing on catching up with my hobby writing on various blogs and social media.  I love doing that.  Then I noticed a status update by a cousin, something about gun control and what would it take.  I didn't take it all in, assuming it was simply a comment on the ever present pseudo-confusion about whether or not it is the fault of guns or of humans that death is caused through shooting. 

I carried on, writing about essential oils and this and that, and uploading and download, not reading the news.  Instead, I started to pick up a thread of anguish in short status updates, and without consulting the news service I gradually became aware that something horrible had taken place.

When I did read it all, on this and that news service, it had the effect of numbing my brain, and draining the joy out of my heart.  I sat still and frozen for a long time. It may be impossible to understand the impact the shooting has had on the family and those involved, yet when I think about the children in my life who I love I can feel an immense and deep rush of emotion when I imagine life without any one of them.  And my heart expands in love for those who have been affected by this event.

Now I’m going to call all the children in my life that I know and love, to hasten to tell them I love them, very, very, much, because in the wake of the news from Newtown, Connecticut I know of little more to do than what my faith tradition has taught me and that is to love one another.

I notice I want to understand more than what is currently available to be understood by me.  I want to make sense of it.  But, as is typically the case, during times of immense shock, sadness and tragedy, we humans are least capable of making sense of things, and must trust the passage of time to create perspective and produce understanding.  In the mean time, while in this state of disorientation, I try to be mindful to not abandon my love for humanity.

During times of emotional distress, I use this modified meditation to help me find peace.  I used it with great effectiveness during the trouble Haiti experienced, and I offer it here today again on behalf of the people of Connecticut:


As love enters, fear vanishes.  I am so filled with Love that no fear can enter my thoughts.  I am not afraid, for I know that a Perfect Intelligence guards and governs all of life.   This perfect Love in me casts out all fear.  I know that the Spirit of Life within the people of Connecticut is alive and strong.
There is nothing in me that can obstruct the awareness that Spirit is where they are.  I daily remind myself that their Life is wrapped in Gods Life.   I know there is something at the center of my being that is absolutely certain of Itself, and that same something is in all people.
I know that this consciousness I am establishing in me is making a beneficial and powerful contribution to their experience and is adding to the ease and success of the relief effort.
Today I have faith that this word of prayer I am speaking is dissolving every negative thought or impulse that would throw a shadow of unbelief across the threshold of my expectation.
I feel my oneness with the people of this country and through that oneness I release a powerful courage and strength. I give thanks that through this knowing, something magnificent is being birthed. I lift my cup of acceptance, knowing that the Divine outpouring will fill it to the brim.
Today I consciously identify myself with everything that belongs to goodness, truth and beauty, and I do so for my fellow citizens. I identify myself with the Living Spirit–with all the power, all the presence and all the life there is.  I am at peace.
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Affirmative Prayers for Others

The practice of developing personally meaningful words to use in prayer is becoming more interesting to people who are returning to prayer as a spiritual life. These slides offer suggestions to stimulate your own prayerful thoughts for yourself and for others.

   

Enjoy more content here:

Click here for a free online Affirmative Prayer library

 
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