John Michael Talbot - Holy is His Name - Quiet Reflections Part 4

Back to Kauai~Pearl Cove revisited!

Thank You Sherita, my Pearl, for asking your mortal remains to be rested on the beach in Kauai where we solemnized our marriage vows. I wish to remake this trip as the opportunity arises, especially the last time. The spirit or physical attributes of that Aloha Spirit so present here is very rejuvenating. As I mentioned earlier on this blog/journal, I am aware that the Peaceful ambiance one imagines when arriving on island is somewhat a symbol or perceived construct. There has been much non Aloha in the islands past and conversely there is an Aloha Spirit almost anywhere in God's creation if we choose to see it and nurture it to fruition. With that caveat noted it is way easier to feel the Spirit here, so Mahalo Nui Loa my Pearl for the touch! I love you with all my heart and I always will. That being said does it preclude the likelihood of my finding another soul mate in this dimension to collaborate with on this circular path of life? I believe not. Just as we love our children equally with all our heart and God loves all His creation equally, without limit or condition, we have an example of how we can love to the greatest manifestation possible with a like minded spirit. You and I were a blessing to each other and to our connections as a couple. As stated in an earlier letter you appear to have been moved forward as having mastered the lessons of life. I'm here with your memory and love to carry on as the Spirit leads. I'm listening! Love! RV

Kauai! ~ The End of the Rainbow

I've been to Hawaii three times in my life. Considering how much I seem to love the place you'd think I'd go every chance I could. Lately Hawaii has been on my mind again and since the weather here is getting wintry this weekend I'm headed back to Kauai for a bit. I believe that the mystery and beauty of that Island is almost a picture of my spiritual journey, especially of late, and especially this trip. More on that to come or as they say in Jamaica, soon come :O). Since I have to leave for the SuperKids program in Jamaica on November 4th guess I can't stay in Kauai too long this time. Gosh this "retirement" thing is hard work! :O) Back to Kauai and Hawaii. Considering the beauty of Creation, The beautiful linguistic use of the same word to describe Love, Hello, and Goodbye (that's not even considering the beautiful job they do with only a 13 letter alphabet)(that may also say volumes about the efficaciousness of the plethora of philosophical, theological, etc works out there at the hand of man), The commingling of so many races over the centuries to give the image of homogeneity. If one is to look closely these are the flesh of many of the parts of the body of thought I'm trying to express. The connectedness of all creation, Love being the center of all beginnings and departures, and the all of humanity being one big family. The thought has occurred to me that Paradox has also been a big part of Hawaii which is also a big part of the Emerging movement in recognizing the non dualistic, non judgemental, balance of apparent opposites in the biggest picture of the "Cosmic Christ". I see that paradox in the beauty born from the relationship of Fire and Water, and Air. I see that paradox in the plain fact that in spite of the image we have today of this Idyllic Paradise one can readily see, in the not so distant past a very tribal and violent lifestyle, not so distant at all if one is to wander off the beaten track into a natives "herb" garden. The same beach upon which Sherita and I were married in 2004 and where her ashes were scattered last year was also the scene of a major massacre in 1796 when King Kamehameha tried to conquer Kauai. It is becoming very clear to me that Kauai is playing a significant part in my growth for the future. It has been the site of Great Love and Great Suffering and possibly Great Love again. Death (the ultimate frontier) and New Beginnings. The "Circle of Life" goes around again. Hang on and keep rowing! Aloha, ALOHA, A LO HA! Mahalo E ka Haku! Roberto Vincente

An Eagle Soaring!

The past couple of months have been very meaningful for my path. During this time I have traveled through the period of the second years anniversary of Sherita's passing, her memorial, both of our birthdays and the ripening of the fruit of the spiritual path upon which I've been of late. Actually that path started so many years ago. I have recently felt an amazing gift of connection with creation and I feel very blessed to be present in God's Creation at this time, if time has anything to do with anything. A close friend stated that "I don't do Old, I just do Happy"! Very profound; In that if we stay as active as possible (mind,body, and spirit) from a cup 1/2 full perspective the negative aspects of mortal life will have a very hard time catching up with us. This perspective of looking at the whole of creation, relating to that creation, gliding forth on our flight with the eddies and thermals (of the breath of God) is very well exemplified with the image of the Eagle in flight. In this part of Southern Oregon that same image could come from the Osprey, which are also very special, but the Eagle is very special indeed. Much more will be posted here in the near future as I am confident of the opening of a new phase of my journey which I choose to record here and hope to share with many. During the balance of the year(there goes that time thing again) I hope to find great joy in experiencing not only the "mentoring of youth" from the local corrections department (via the Foster Grandparents Pgm) but also a revisit to Kauai leading to a fresh direction, a literacy project for "Superkids" in Jamaica, Thanksgiving and Christmas celebration with family, and Lord only knows what else, and that pleases me very much. Hope you're along for the ride! !Pax Christi! RV

Balance according to "Calvin" - & Hobbes not John :O)

Last night President Obama announced the primary troop pull out of Iraq. Of course there was a goodly amount of political posturing in the process and then the usual debate on both sides of the "war" issue. Such machinations are expected but it is disturbing to go through the process. Some of the greatest criticism came from the left as Obama tried to acknowledge the "good intentions and patriotism" of then President Bush. This attempt to take a higher road is a problem for President Obama. My confidence in him remains unchanged but I am concerned about his "political" future as he doesn't seem to be pleasing enough people in his own chosen party and the results are all about numbers. In one of the liberal pundents program there is a reference to the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes in which there is a dispute between Calvin and Hobbes about the fair distribution of proceeds of a project. They end up with a compromise but Calvin comments that " A good compromise leaves everybody mad". I believe maybe we need something beyond the idea of compromise as a methodology for finding a beneficial path to a goal. I fear that such a movement is entering into the "transformational" spirit world and will be a very difficult achievement coming from a historical and mind centered posture. That is the reason for the picture above. The Giraffe's seem to be relating much more effectively from a "heart" level than a "head" level. Obviously even if we are able to relate at a heart level, action of necessity will need to come also from the mind. So there does need to be a Co-Operation of the two. Or at least an agreement between the two to work together rather than make it an adversarial conflict. I don't always agree with the writing of Jim Wallis of Sojourners. His column is titled "Hearts & Minds" which seems to be just what I'm referring too above. And I do agree with his latest article "Time to End This War". It is referring to a substantial reframing of our presence in that part of the world, a whole new approach. I agree and will close this post with a couple of excerpts from that article.

"How might we reduce and defeat the causes of terrorism in the first place? Nonmilitary strategies should lead the way, with the focus on humanitarian assistance, sustainable economic development, and international policing. It should be led by civilian nongovernmental organizations, both faith-based and secular, that have been in the region for years, are locally rooted, and are more trusted by the people than the U.S. government using aid as an adjunct to military operations.....Effective development needs security. We should start in areas that are secure and then grow to additional parts of the country, providing only the security necessary to protect the rebuilding (think international here, my words). That kind of peacekeeping would be more likely to gain the international support we need in Afghanistan, from Europe and even from Arab and Muslim countries.

The current strategy will only lead to more casualties--U.S. and Afghan--while strengthening popular support for the Taliban as an anti-occupation force. It is a strategy of endless war that is ultimately doomed to failure." Success in that area of the world will come only with co-operation not occupation! Pax Christi! RV

Eat! Pray! Love! Center!!

Very idyllic morning here at home. Rained last night after a day in the upper 90's. Very cleansing and as far as I know no forest fires were started from the lightning. Today, after attending Grace, I'm going to go see the new movie "Eat Pray Love". Borrowed the book from Veronica and just finished reading it. The first third was a bit hard to get into and I suppose the whole thing is kind of a "chick" book and probably the same could be said about the movie. There are some well stated parts of the book and thought I'd share a few of them here before I return it to my daughter. The poles in our lives still seem to be such a hurdle in the path toward understanding. Why must it always be "male or female", "liberal or conservative", "republican or democrat", "this religion or that", "my way or the hi way"? A man should be able to read and glean from Elizabeth Gilbert as a woman from Clive Cussler. Anyway the parts of Gilbert's book which I appreciated were mostly centered in the spiritual realm of understanding who and where God was, and how to most authentically be in touch with the divine. No surprise there I should think. I need to return the book to Veronica so I will post some excerpts on this site. One very important point to be made however is the disclaimer Elizabeth made regarding the nature of Paradise. She calls Bali a Paradise and then proceeds to explain the history of that country as being anything but Paradise. The point is that regardless of the blessings nature has given us to live in we as human beings, in our early stage of transcendence, can really mess up God's Will. The same point can be well stated about the bounty and blessing which we as Americans have squandered so much of the time. Just watched a PBS special on 1968 and the assassinations of Martin and Bobby. I know we are, as a society, better than the world of the 60's but is is sobering and tearful to realize how little we've come and how far we have to go. Suppose it's only going to happen one person at a time. How many more martyrs will it take?

So the first excerpt from the book in question was not noted until she was in India and concerned the nature of God. Most other faiths, the monotheistic ones, refer to the Hindu faith as a polytheistic pagan religion. This passage kind of sheds another light on the subject. "...Yoga is about self-mastery and the dedicated effort to haul your attention away from your endless brooding over the past and your nonstop worrying about the future so that you can seek instead, a place of eternal presence from which you may regard yourself and your surroundings with poise. Only from that point of even-mindedness will the true nature of the world (and yourself) be revealed to you. True Yogis, from their seat of equipoise,man see all this world as an equal manifestation of God's creative energy- men, woman, turnips, bedbugs, coral: it's all God in disguise. But the Yogis believe a human life is a very special opportunity, because only in human form and only with a human mind can God-realization ever occur...."Our whole business therefore in this life," wrote Saint Augustine, rather Yogically, "is to restore to health the eye of the heart whereby God may be seen.""

I saved this post before finishing. It's now Monday and I have seen the movie. As I expected it was a very pretty love story set in a very pretty part of the world. After reading the book I know that this "Love" story should be capitalized due to the transformational journey Ms Gilbert took that year. However the movie kind of left me as a little "l" love story. Very Hollywood. Anyway there were some important parts to the book I'd like to relate to a bit. In the Indian Ashram Liz is still tormented with her "failed" marriage and subsequent love affair. Her new friend Richard seems to give her some wise council regarding mortal love and its role in our transformational journey. He calls a "Soul Mate" (which Liz considers her love affair, and maybe her husband at some point, to be) a "mirror, the person who shows you everything that's holding you back, the person who brings you to your own attention so you can change your life." I'm not sure I agree with his definition entirely but I would agree that you do see yourself more clearly in the eyes of your soulmate and this may very well be of help in transforming your life. The most interesting part of this chapter is how he equates our physical, mortal Loves in this life, soul mate or otherwise, with being doors and sometime blockages to experiencing a greater level of Love, even to "someday love the whole world. It's your destiny." How I see it is that the capacity of Love is limitless, boundless, and our realization of that vastness is very much a progression. Love is divine and as such is not finite. I believe that a "soulmate" can be a channel to this realization, even beyond this dimension.

One of the better parts of the movie, sophomorically deals with Liz's episode of forgiveness on the roof of the ashram. "The rules of transcendence insist that you will not advance even one inch closer to divinity as long as you cling to even one last seductive thread of blame. As smoking is to the lungs, so is resentment to the soul; " In separation/divorce counseling we say that forgiveness is a gift you give yourself. Liz puts it this way. "From that place of meditation, I found the answer - you can finish the business yourself, from within yourself. It's not only possible, it's essential"

I have said and done many things in my life which I would reverse if possible. We as human animals tend to overuse this gift of speech and one of the suggestions of "mystics" in many persuasions tout the benefits of silence as a practice. Ms Gilbert puts it "Learning how to discipline your speech is a way of preventing your energies from spilling out of you through the rupture of your mouth, exhausting you and filling the world with words, words, words instead of serenity, peace, and bliss." As Liz is leaving India she laments the departure and is presented with the following phrase, from God, which restates the fact that the answers are within us. "You may return here once you have fully come to understand that you are always here." Pax Chrisi! Roberto Vincenti

The Beauty and Blessing of Music!

Thank You my God for giving me this day! I am doing my weekly volunteer stint at the Ashland Community Hospital in the Health Resource Center (Library). I was speaking to an old friend of mine, Donny, who was waiting for his wife, Kate, in surgery. Donny is what I would call a troubadour for God. He sings, whistles, plays guitar, and other instruments in service to the elderly of our community. He has a very good voice but a beautiful spirit within. It occurred that in an earlier post a few days ago I referred to the examples of Gods touch or presence within His creation. Among these were living water, rainbows, flowers, newborns, smiles, forgiveness, labyrinths and other forms of spiritual art. In this last mention could be considered Music but I believe that it is very deserving of its own mention although it is also truly art and in many cases spiritual. At the out set I would say that music is a gift from God which really sets humans apart from much of creation. I believe this to be true but at the same time it is important to remember the natural beauty of the music of birds of the air, whales of the deep, and many other of our partners in the beauty of Gods creation. The written word can also be an example of this gift. Probably the field of poetry is even more special as one could say that it is a melding of the written word and music. In our conversation Donny suggested a book of spiritually diverse but common themed poems called "Love Poems from God". by Daniel Ladinsky. Some of the authors I'm familiar with and some not but all seemed very worthwhile reading. Poetically Yours! RV

Baby Steps are still Steps!

Blessings on your Sunday! So what about that picture I posted on the last blog? I try to find a fitting picture to add into each thought. What I was looking for on that one was a picture of someone loving a child or maybe two normally opposing animals laying down together to symbolize the "Blessing of Blessing, or Loving". Couldn't find such a picture at that time so I chose the one which shows two "warriors" looking each other in the eye. One could perhaps say that they were looking into each others "third" eye. The point I see with this is they are not totally trusting each other but they aren't in combat either. They are taking the first steps to seeing that within each, which is shared between them, their common humanity. Baby steps are still steps. Seeing that "Divine spark" or that "created in the image of God" reality within each other. The quotation at the bottom is in answer to a persons query as to what the term "Namaste" means. Even though it is not a normal Christian term it certainly is a good description of what we are to see, "The Spirit of Christ", within each of our human brothers and sisters. What I'm referring to here is a very true reflection of the "Cosmic"nature of the "Christ". The power of the Creator of the cosmos shared with His creation. Almost beyond belief, isn't it.

In his sermon today pastor Tim spoke of the "Compassion" which Christ had for the people who had been following him for days as He preached. He spoke of feeding many from the very few resources at hand, loaves and fishes, the miracle of feeding of the multitudes. It wasn't His job to feed them but He felt their hunger. As Pastor Tim spoke I was reminded of a story Pastor David(Rapp) related on the same miracle account. As I say this I'm not pretending to be a great scholar of the scriptures but what comes to me does meld very well with the spirit of what the Emergent movement refers to as the most accurate meaning of the message of Jesus. Anyhow Pastor Dave was relating the essence of a sermon he had done regarding the same biblical story. In his application of the story David was suggesting that just perhaps instead of a straight multiplication of the "resources at hand", (which of course Jesus could very well have done), maybe what could have happened was something like this. When He asked to see all the resources at hand people pulled what little, or a lot, they had hidden in their packs and after His blessing, they saw their little bits in a different light, they all shared as they had need, and in deed had in their midst even a surplus. Which story is a greater miracle? What can this world do, right now, to relieve suffering, feed the hungry, and Love our brothers, sisters, and all creation? I believe we can do miraculous things but we have to start by not consuming so much individually and killing each other in the name of god, and poking holes in Gods Earth without thought to safety(just gallonage).

Namasti! Pax Christi! Shalom! Aloha! and Mahalo Daddy! RV

Aadil Palkhivala:
The gesture Namaste represents the belief that there is a Divine spark within each of us that is located in the heart chakra. The gesture is an acknowledgment of the soul in one by the soul in another. "Nama" means bow, "as" means I, and "te" means you. Therefore, Namaste literally means "bow me you" or "I bow to you."
To perform Namaste, we place the hands together at the heart charka, close the eyes, and bow the head. It can also be done by placing the hands together in front of the third eye, bowing the head, and then bringing the hands down to the heart. This is an especially deep form of respect. Although in the West the word "Namaste" is usually spoken in conjunction with the gesture, in India, it is understood that the gesture itself signifies Namaste, and therefore, it is unnecessary to say the word while bowing.
We bring the hands together at the heart chakra to increase the flow of Divine love. Bowing the head and closing the eyes helps the mind surrender to the Divine in the heart. One can do Namaste to oneself as a meditation technique to go deeper inside the heart chakra; when done with someone else, it is also a beautiful, albeit quick, meditation.
For a teacher and student, Namaste allows two individuals to come together energetically to a place of connection and timelessness, free from the bonds of ego-connection. If it is done with deep feeling in the heart and with the mind surrendered, a deep union of spirits can blossom.
Ideally, Namaste should be done both at the beginning and at the end of class. Usually, it is done at the end of class because the mind is less active and the energy in the room is more peaceful. The teacher initiates Namaste as a symbol of gratitude and respect toward her students and her own teachers and in return invites the students to connect with their lineage, thereby allowing the truth to flow—the truth that we are all one when we live from the heart.

The Blessing of Blessing!

Blessings on Your day! I've attached a video link to you tube which was shared with me by a new friend. I confess that I have a tendency to judge. It's probably a pretty common trait for us humans which of course doesn't justify our rampant overuse of the practice. Of course judgements are important in daily life as that is what life consists mostly of, making choices. We choose our foods (unless we have none), we choose where we live (unless we are a prisoner of some description), we choose our friends and mates (unless we are not free to do so), etc., etc., etc.. In our choices each of us has an opportunity to be "the body of Christ" as St Therese put it and we have the opportunity to practice "The Spirit with in me Blesses, Acknowledges, Sees, the Spirit with in You" as I understand is the meaning of "Namasti" within the Hindu tradition. I believe that the essence of the wisest choices are their focus on the Unconditional Love with which they are practiced. Please Lord, Bless me today and all ways with such a Spirit of Love and forgive me for the plethora of times in my life I've fallen short of this goal. Namasti! Pax Christi! RV

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WegAgepCYfo A beautiful collage of thoughts and music relating to the blessing of blessing. I especially like the segment near the end which refers to the impossibility of judging and Blessing at the same time. This thought may seem simplistic but when you see another with love in your eyes and heart it usually makes lots of barriers and fears fall away. This dynamic is most readily seen and experienced with children and animals.

"Pretty Penny~For Your Thoughts"

Hello cyber-world. It's been too long since I've posted anything on here so thought I'd drop in a few notes. On this holiday I'm reminded of the book referred to a couple of months ago by Marianne Williamson about healing the soul of America. It usually disturbs me when I get some e-mail tirade about someone or another not being a true American because they choose to dissent about something, or to apologize about something. It should be remembered by us all that it is that right to dissent which is one of the bulwarks of our wonderfully blessed country. And just as the scriptures state "those who say they have no sin deceive themselves" (not sure if that is an exact quote so probably should not have put quotation marks there but the meaning is accurate) it would be wise, I feel, to man up when we see an error and take responsibility to make it as right as possible. It is also clear to me that just as some relationships go South due to one or the other assuming they're so 100% right on and the other part of the relationship therefore has to be wrong; the same logic is valid for many of our political relationships. In my Christian tradition there has always been a form of "confession and absolution" in the service. This is not a sign of weakness but a symbol of our frailties and desire to make amends and start over. I sometimes subscribe to a social-justice-Christian" magazine called Sojourners. The editor is Jim Wallis who I believe I've quoted before. I don't always agree with him but he is a fair and just writer. Anyway they sent me a renewal note that said if I renewed with the magazine then they would send me a bumper sticker which says "GOD is not a Republican...Or a Democrat". I don't do bumper stickers in most cases but this one brings up a good point. If you are doing what Jesus told us to for the world then it really doesn't make any difference which party you belong to as they really only may or may not be an effective means to an end. Guess that's enough for right now but I invite any dialogue to explore this subject further. Have a Happy Fourth! RV

Springtime in Ashland!

The advent of better weather puts me more out of doors - and not as faithful to this site.
An other reason is that, although change is constant and knowledge (also hopefully Wisdom) continues to network, in the past 26 postings I have come to a very secure and peaceful place in my spirit. The challenge to fruition is present and I have no real idea as to how my future will be affected. However that path leads me I am so comfortable to be on it with the fellow pilgrims of the Emergence. The most assured aspects of my journey thus far rise up on two essential points. The first and most reassuring is the synergy between the teachings of Richard Rohr and Brian McLaren. I have often been troubled by issues with my background but more troubled by the abandonment of that same tradition as seemed to be the path of the New Age or New Thought systems. With Brian's, especially Generous Orthodoxy and A New Kind Of Christianity, and Richard's work I am very reassured by their counsel to appreciate and build upon the past. In his A New Kind Of Christianity Brian skilfully works with (Exegesis) a plethora of scripture to demonstrate the applicability of the universal nature of Christ. As impressive as this approach is, the simple "Cosmic" nature of Christ related by Richard as a component of All Creation and reaching a pinnacle within the Resurrection. This "Over All" nature of Christ resets, at least for me, all previous concepts of Jesus as Christ. It takes me beyond the human limitations we many times place upon the person of Jesus.
The second realm of comfort which surrounds me is basically the inter-connectedness of all creation, of course culminating in God. The Golden Concept of Love. The symbolic importance to all us spiritual pilgrims of such things as living water, rainbows, labyrinths (and other spiritual works of art), rockroses, and Passion Flowers, newborns, smiles, and forgiveness. Valuing the traditions of the Ages but flourishing in the mystical dance which is God. Kind of simple isn't it?! Also must keep open the concept of serendipity. Went into town today for the Prius and may have experienced a serendipitous event! Time and the Spirit will tell. Pax Christi! RV

Out of Connection

Hello June! It seems that I've been out of connection with this site of late. I've got lots of excuses, interpersonal shifts and direction changes in my personal life. Not much of which really is a factor in the flow which I hope this blog is supposed to be. Not the least distraction has been a desire to get as much done as possible in this fleeting Spring/Summer type weather we've experienced the last few weeks. I do feel that the basic "connectiveness" of all creation and the need for our stewardship of that creation is the fundamental theme of this journal. And it has been good to scribe a bit as examples of this theme become known to me. I promise to get back into posting on a regular basis very soon. In the meantime let's remember that we do have so many blessings and so many to share. Pax Chrisi! RV

Building Bridges!

Guess I'm taking the easy way on this post as I'm just going to reproduce a note I recently received from Richard Rohr's Center for Action and Contemplation. It addresses the efficacy of building bridges instead of the historical path of walls.

"You and I are witnessing something transformational occurring in our own time. Do you percieve it?

I believe there is a deep shift in consciousness occuring in our day. You and I can be inspired by many prophetic voices not only describing, but also participating in this work and calling it forth.

They describe the magnitude of this shift in terms like "The Work that Reconnects" (Joanna Macy), "The Great Turning" (David Korten), "The Work" (Byron Katie), "The Dream of the Earth" (Thomas Berry), or "Integral Consciousness" (Ken Wilber).

And yet, other voices cry out even louder, it seems, in opposition to any shift away from the old, outmoded and destructive way of seeing and being in the world. We see evidence of this daily in the angry and uncivil public conversation in the media. The absolute unwillingness to compromise and work for the common good characterizes liberals and conservatives alike on almost every political, social, and church issue.

Now is the time for a wholly different mind to emerge. A mind and perspective that moves beyond the dualism of us versus them, beyond the partisanship of Left and Right, beyond the polarization of conservative or liberal. This painful moment cries out for transformation made possible only through what you and I have come to know as "contemplation."

For us, contemplation with action is the primary experiential form of re-education--of mind, emotions, and heart --and therefore of everything else! Contemplation opens us up to this shift in consciousness and sends us into creative action!

This is "the work" of the CAC both domestically and internationally in the area of Emerging Church, eco-spirituality, action and contemplation, two halves of life work, male and female spirituality, and non-dualistic or third way politics.

I believe this is the work of the Holy Spirit outpoured in our time. Let us pray and work in cooperation with this emerging Christianity, this shift in consciousness, and build bridges through the work of the Center for Action and Contemplation."

Mother's Day Tribute to God

Below is a copy of a sermon reflecting the "Maternal" side or nature of God.

‘God’s Maternal Nature’: One of the Best Mother’s Day Sermons I Can Rememberby Jim Wallis 05-10-2010
Yesterday I heard one of the best Mother’s Day sermons I can remember. It was by the pastor at our family’s church, Rev. Jeff Haggray of First Baptist Church in Washington, D.C.
It contains an amazing and quite radical declaration on Mother’s Day from Julia Ward Howe, the visionary behind the holiday, who also wrote The Battle Hymn of the Republic, and later became a pacifist after witnessing the carnage of the Civil War. Jeff powerfully laid out the true history of this special day and drew out the theological meaning of “God’s Maternal Nature.” Joy and I were both moved to tears by his words.
“God’s Maternal Nature” John 14:23-29
Festival of the Christian Home/Mother’s Day
Sixth Sunday of Easter May 9, 2010
Dr. Jeffrey Haggray
Mother’s Day is one of my favorite days of the year, because it is a fixed date in our national life that is dedicated to recognizing our beloved mothers and those mother figures that not only brought us into the world, but in so many instances provided the foundation and the framework for our moral, emotional, physical and spiritual development. We have lots of holidays on our national calendar, among them Father’s Day, that are dedicated to different groups or to individuals.
Regrettably, Mother’s Day and Father’s Day are not formally recognized observances in the orthodox Christian calendar year. I say regrettably because one of the most profound teachings of the Scriptures is, “Honor thy Father and Mother.”
Mother’s Day is also one of those special days in the American canon that was uniquely conceived of and advocated for by Christian women with such clarity and vigilance that it eventually had to be formally recognized.
The first North American Mother’s Day was conceptualized by Julia Ward Howe in 1870. Mrs. Howe lived from May 27, 1819 – October 17, 1910. She was a prominent American abolitionist, leader in the woman’s suffrage movement, social activist, and poet, and is best known for having penned The Battle Hymn of the Republic in 1858. However, Julia Howe later became so distraught by the death and carnage of the Civil War that she became a pacifist.
As part of her effort to end wars by working for peace Julia Ward Howe called on all Mothers to come together and protest the futility of their sons killing the sons of other mothers. She called for an international Mother’s Day celebrating peace and motherhood and issued a stirring Mother’s Day Proclamation which I will read to you in a moment. (See The Complete History of Mother’s Day-Mother Day Central at http://www.mothersdaycentral.com/)
The holiday that was started by Julia Ward Howe did not continue uninterrupted; but once the seeds for the idea were sown, it was just a matter of time before it would be adopted. With the work of Anna Reeves Jarvis, of West Virginia, and her daughter Anna M. Jarvis, the concept of Mother’s Day continued in that state.
In 1912 West Virginia became the first state to officially recognize Mother’s Day, and in 1914 Woodrow Wilson signed it into national observance, declaring the second Sunday in May as Mother’s Day.
I want to return for a moment to Julia Ward Howe’s Mother’s Day Proclamation written 140 years ago because therein she highlighted certain mother strengths:
Arise, then, women of this day!Arise all women who have hearts, Whether your baptism be that of water or of tearsSay firmly, we will not have great questions decided by irrelevant agencies, Our husbands shall not come to us reeking of carnage, for caresses and applause.Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearnAll that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience.We women of one country will be too tender of those of another countyTo allow our sons to be trained to injure theirs.From the bosom of the devastated earth A voice goes up with our own. It says, “Disarm, Disarm!”The sword of murder is not the balance of justice!Blood does not wipe out dishonorNor violence indicates passion. As men have often forsaken the plow and the anvil at the summons of war; Let women now leave all that may be left of home for a great and earnest day of counsel.Let them meet first, as women, to bewail and commemorate the dead.Let them then solemnly take counsel with each other as to the means whereby the great human family can live in peace,Each bearing after his own time the sacred impress, Not of Caesar, But of God.In the name of womanhood and humanity, I earnestly ask That a general congress of women without limit of nationalityMay be appointed and held at some place deemed most convenientAnd at the earliest period consistent with its objectsTo promote the alliance of the different nationalities,The amicable settlement of international questions.The great and general interests of peace.
Julia Howe’s proclamation identifies and celebrates some particular mother-strengths. I have learned from the women’s movement that I should not presume to speak on behalf of women. Thus I rely on the voices of women to know that a consensus exists among them concerning the qualities identified by Julia Ward Howe.
You can interview women of Scripture such as Queen Esther and Queen Sheba, Rachel, Ruth, Phoebe, Lydia or Mary the Mother of Jesus; or interview modern history makers, some gone on, and others still among us such as Dorothy Day, Mother Teresa, Eleanor Roosevelt, Mary McLeod Bethune, Fannie Lou Hamer, Rosa Parks, Dorothy Height, Hattie Mae Noel, Maya Angelou, Marian Wright Edelman, Sonia Sotomayor, Nancy Pelosi, Georgia Mae Green, Madeleine Albright, Renita Weems, Vashti McKenzie, or Barbara Brown Taylor.
The womanist spirit, values and strategic priorities captured in Julia Ward Howe’s proclamation are reflected in the lives of all these women, and others not named, and those strengths are personified by our Mothers.
Howe believed that if Mothers from around the globe were to convene an international summit at a time and in a place of their choosing around a common agenda and mutual terms they could end all forms of discrimination and injustice, slavery, arms races, military build-ups, international conflicts, and world wars.
Howe contended that an international summit convened by Mothers would begin by commemorating all their loved ones that died as a result of various conflicts; and afterwards they would solemnly collaborate with each other as equals as to the process whereby the great human family can achieve peace. Mothers would change the tone of the meeting, and then decide the nature and scope of the agenda, would relate to other mothers as equals, and thereby change the world. What a concept!
The essence of Howe’s thesis is that it is in the nature of Mothers to make meaningful change leading to wholeness, harmony, and peace.
When we reconsider today’s Gospel reading in John 14:23-29 with the benefit of Julia Ward Howe’s perspective, we can see the maternal traits described by Howe reflected in Jesus’ teachings about God.
Jesus was giving a farewell speech to his disciples, and was responding to a question from Judas (not Iscariot) about why he was disclosing his identity and his nature to the disciples only and not to the entire world.
Jesus’ replied to the question so as to consciously help the disciples understand him more fully so that they can understand God more fully and then proclaim God’s love to the world.
It requires no stretch of the Biblical writ or of the imagination to acknowledge that the maternal traits which we celebrate and extol on Mother’s Day also reflect the image of God.
Let’s look again at the maternal attributes advanced by Julia Ward Howe, and hold them up alongside the teachings of Jesus that we might gain a glimpse into God’s Maternal Nature:
1. Reflection on Howe – The maternal nature builds relationships based on mutual respect, common humanity, and love, rather than by force of war or political control:
“Arise all women who have hearts,
Whether your baptism be that of water or of tears.”
Jesus: John 14:23a/ Jesus answered him, “Those who love me will keep my word, and my Father will love them,”
Reflection on Jesus – God’s Maternal Nature advocates Discipleship that is rooted in a loving relationship (contra fear, force, and individualism). This message of a loving God must be shared with the whole world. Whoever was responsible for painting a picture across the sky of an angry and threatening God surely had their agenda. But the God of the Holy Bible goes out of her way to express love to the world, saying “with loving kindness have I drawn thee.”
2. Reflection on Howe – The maternal nature values and cherishes the home as the primary institution of the society even above the Halls of Government, or the Academy, or the Church:
“We will not have great questions decided by irrelevant agencies,
Let women now leave all that may be left of home for a great and earnest day of counsel.”
Jesus: John 14:23b/ “and we will come to them and make our home with them.
Reflection on Jesus – God’s Maternal Nature advocates Discipleship that is rooted in a healthy home life (contra wandering pilgrimage lacking direction or a destination.) The God of history not only cherishes home life but has also functioned as a homeland for God children, “Lord thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations.” It is a powerful idea that we humans take for granted, but in most instances, with some exceptions, no matter how old or far gone we get, so long as our mothers are living, we can always return home. That is not true of all creatures. But it is so concerning our mothers, and is so as pertains to God.
3. Reflection on Howe – The maternal nature recognizes that life’s most enduring values are to be taught and instilled in our children and then guarded with intentionality and insistence:
“Our sons shall not be taken from us to unlearn
All that we have been able to teach them of charity, mercy and patience.”
Jesus: John 14:25/ I have said these things to you while I am still with you. 26/ But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you everything, and remind you of all that I have said to you.
Reflection on Jesus – God’s Maternal Nature Makes Provisions for Instruction, Teaching, and Remembering as Prerequisites to Healthy Discipleship. Jesus wants us to know Christian discipleship entails life-long learning. Take my yoke upon you and learn of me, for my yoke is easy and my burden is light. God does not leave us along to navigate the dangerous and treacherous ethical and moral conflicts of our time, but God word serves as a lamp before our feet, and a light to our pathway.
4. Reflection on Howe – The maternal nature insists upon peace and non-violence as the primary means and aims of their negotiations:
“From the bosom of the devastated earth
A voice goes up with our own.
It says, “Disarm, Disarm!”
The sword of murder is not the balance of justice!
Blood does not wipe out dishonor
Nor violence indicate passion.”
Jesus: John 14:27/ Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not let them be afraid.
Reflection on Jesus – It is God’s Maternal Nature that Gives Peace to all those who follow Jesus. In a world where so much disaster, crisis, emergencies, conflict, and trouble are prevalent, it is comforting to worship a God of Peace. God keeps those in perfect peace who focus our minds, hearts, and attention upon God. God’s peace transcends ordinary human comprehension in the most desperate times; that is a motherly quality.
5. Reflection on Howe – The maternal nature embodies unwavering Faith in the Almighty God as the sure foundation of every home, institution, community, or nation:
“Each woman bearing after her own time the sacred impress, not of Caesar, But of God.”
Jesus: John 14:29/ And now I have told you this before it occurs, so that when it does occur, you may believe.
Reflection on Jesus – God’s Maternal Nature creates the conditions for the emergence of faith/belief no matter how chaotic or dangerous the world may become.
Mothers and Fathers have a sacred calling to train children in the way they should go…to sow the seeds of faith no matter how contrary the children, or how countless the odds against their success may seem to be. I call upon Mothers and Fathers to pack away some faith in God inside your children as though you were packing a sack of lunch. They may not want it as they are leaving home; but when they get down the road a piece, and there is no station of welcome to be found; when the job market is not opening its doors with wide arms, when the storms and tests of life are raging, and no shelter or help is nigh; and when there is no more money left for McDonald’s, they may just turn to the sack on their shoulder and find something of value that revives their faith again:
A little boy turned one day in a time of hunger to the sack that his mother had prepared for him and found two fish and five loaves of bread leading to faith on the part of the multitudes.
Billy Holiday turned to her sack one day in a time of bewilderment and disillusionment, and found that her mother had given her something to carry her through this world,
Denzel Washington looked into his sack one day and found the Book of Eli
What are you carrying in your sack today that your mother gave you before you left home?
Might your faith in God, and presence at church today be holdovers from your Mother’s influence, the fruit of her labors, the outgrowth of seeds that she planted inside you long years ago?

The Pacific Orion

I am of the understanding and hope that we are in the throws of birth pangs yielding a new era of human evolvement. Hence it seems proper to make a new post on "Mothers Day". Several of the earlier posts were focused on a renewed effort toward World Peace. Ever since the Sandra Bullock movie "Miss Congeniality" it almost seems to be kind of a joke to wish for world peace. I suppose the odds are not particularly in favor of that reality but it sure seems to be a worthwhile goal and considering the possibility of a consciousness swing point in the teens maybe it's worth working toward. I'll explain the idea of "Pacific Orion" a bit later but for now I wish to point out more of Mariannes work specifically aimed toward this formidable goal.

Obviously the goal of a peace full world is not a new one. The reality of today's age is that we are truly speaking of total global peace or no peace at all. Or I suppose the way to better put it is that with the shrinking of our globe means that we are much more closely related than at any time in history. And also with the rise of multinational cells of activism coupled with a plethora of possible weapons sources then we have a necessary need to relieve the pressures leading to revolt or terrorism. One of Mariannes passages she uses more than once refers to the past. ...Franklin Roosevelt wrote these words in 1945, for a Jefferson Day address that he died before being able to deliver: "More than an end to war, we want an end to the beginnings of all wars." ...The forces of humanly manufactured powers merely follow our command. They can be instruments of hate or instruments of love, instruments of war or instruments of peace, depending on how our minds direct them(I am reminded of the "Prayer of Saint Francis" for peace). But no thoughts are neutral; all minds create at some level. Energy is never static. At this point in history, something either leads to a better world or else leads to one more dangerous. The task before the human race is to become a human family. Nothing less will ensure our safety, or even guarantee the survival of our species, at a time when the world has become so small and the stakes have become so high. The Dalai Lama referenced a German physicist who stated that we should remove the concept of "foreign policy" from our minds and think of all nations as our "domestic partners".

Just as there is a so called art of waging war, so there is an art of waging peace. "True peace", said Dr. King, "is not merely the absence of some negative force - tension, confusion, or war; it is the presence of some positive force - justice, good will and brotherhood." We need to Declare peace now...

Human arrogance is not a container for God,... America has been a vessel for the great Work from its inception. Now, however, we have in many ways lost our conscious contact with the greatness of our destiny....This moment is one of opportunity for the creation of a new civic forcefield.

During most of the 90's I was a Chief Steward on board several factory fishing trawlers operating in the Gulf of Alaska and Bristol Bay. The first vessel I served aboard was named the "Pacific Orion". Orion is the hunter or warrior in Greek Mythology and of course Pacific means peace. the Peaceful Warrior. That always meant a lot to me and makes this last excerpt especially significant, to me anyway. In some ways, history is something to respect. In other ways, it is something best interrupted. As we enter the new millennium, peace will be forged not only by those who study war but also by those who study peace. The Peaceful Warrior has an expanded, not a diminished, skill set. Health is much more than the absence of illness, it is the cultivation of health. And peace is much more than the absence of war, it is the cultivation of peace. ...there is an emerging global movement toward an alternative mode of peace creation. The armies and police of our future will include conflict resolution as part of their training, as in some places they already do. ...Conflict resolution, nonviolence, and community building are to peace what guns are to war.

Lord Make Me An Instrument Of Your Peace! RV

Coincidence, Synchronicity, and Serendipity!

"The ideas that we use to describe this somewhat mysterious phenomenon in our culture are coincidence, synchronicity, and serendipity.""Ghandi called this power satyagraha or soul force". "Goethe...says:...The moment one definitely commits oneself, providence moves too." These quotes from Gershon's Social Change 2.0 are descriptive of the concept which is being presented to me from a variety of sources. This entry will probably go on a while as there is a convergence occurring in my life which will take a while to codify. The other reason I've been so reticent in my writing of late is the fact of the traveling thing as I related to earlier. This was really a very nice trip. The dynamics of family intermingling (usually a substantive challenge) turned out very well; the beauty which can come out of a former limestone quarry (Buchart Gardens) was a true thing of beauty, and it appears that they have a diversity which makes it beautiful almost any time of the year; and the Labyrinth gathering on Bainbridge Island was enlightening as well (to really experience the "unity and diversity" which can be the Labyrinth it is good to share the experience of one with individuals from all over the Pacific Northwest). Even silly, forgetful me leaving my passport in my file at home actually worked out very well thanks to the efforts of my loved ones.

The synchronous results of my travels, the groups I've been a part of, the books and recordings of the mentor group in this field, have formed a very solid basis for whatever the future holds for me, and whatever effect that may have on our world. I don't know yet where this path is leading but I am confident in the foundation for my footing. It is one thing to have a field of interest motivate a persons path in life. It is quite a bit more impactful to see the same pattern emerging from a multiplicity of genre. When you have people of substance in the fields of Theology, Biology, History, Philosophy, Physics, Social Entrepreneurship, etc. coming together with one thought it is truly worth listening and responding. That one thought is that "we have a problem and we are the solution and if we don't get a handle on it we will destroy ourselves and the creation we have been blessed with".

I would like to briefly restate the symbolism I've seen in the object of the Labyrinth. It is not directly related to any religion, Christian or otherwise, and yet it is a very strong symbol of God. The circle nature and the meditative practice or just the beauty of the object. In the case of Sherita's Labyrinth it is not only circular but also incorporates "Living Water" and the synchronicity of rock pavers(symbolizing tradition and the building blocks of our past) and living plants nestled in between. The usual suggestion of how to walk a labyrinth is to release as you enter, receive in the center, and grow or share on the exit(and beyond). That's a pretty good description of the practice of Contemplation and the beyond" part is the Action. That last sentence is a "Namaste" to Richard's "Center for Action and Contemplation". The balance of this post are a series of quotations from writers from the various disciplines noted above each of which seems to address my focus. Most of these will be from either Marianne or David's works or from the podcast of the recent "Emerging Church" convocation in New Mexico. Which by the way I feel we should most accurately refer to as an "Emerging Experience" to differentiate the movement from just another group or as Richard puts it a "life saving station".

I hope that in my previous posts the emerging approach to spirituality and action has been adequately presented. As I see it that vision is a portion of the unitive consciousness which is rising throughout the world in many cultures. Marianne speaks of this in"Healing" as follows. "Like the mythical lost continent of Atlantis, there is a ground now submerged beneath the subconscious waters, visible in ancient times perhaps but not visable now, set to rise again, to reappear....It is only when we fall in love, marry, give birth, grieve openly, or prepare to die that we dare to show our real face, to shine the light that glows within us. Our failure to be more authentically human is threatening to destroy the world". One of the precepts of the Course in Miracles, of which Marianne is a proponent, as well as other speakers of the power of positive(and negative) thoughts on the physical world is something called the tipping point. A tipping point in the metaphysical world is far smaller than one in the physical world. I am still trying to understand this concept but is comforting in this context. Marianne says "A critical mass of people...is thought to be somewhere around 11 percent---meditating on a new vision for the world would tip the planetary field of energy in the direction of peace and justice for all." This may be a stretch to believe until you've had an unexplainable serendipitous occurrence in your life. Anyhow earlier she states " ...science has corrected and improved upon Newtonian physics. Heisenberg, Bohr, Einstein, and others established the principles of quantum physics, proving that reality is not quite as solid or objective or deterministic as Newton thought.....biologist Rupert Sheldrake has posited the notion of "morphic resonance," suggesting that there is a unified field of consciousness connecting all life." And Einstein says "The more I study physics, the more I'm drawn to metaphysics"." And one of my favorites from Marianne quoting Pierre Teilhard de Chardin " Someday, after we have mastered the winds, the waves, the tides, and gravity, we shall harness for God the energies of love. Then for the second time in the history of the world, man will have discovered fire."

The key excerpts from Davids work are few but the whole book is very important as an actual blueprint for the social "Imaginal" change so desperately needed in this word in the next decade. The emerging people in New Mexico spoke of an "Imaginal Relm". They explained that faith should be seen not as believing in the impossible but as "seeing the invisible". This hearkens back to the mysteries of the ancient mystics. New Mexico speaks to the Emerging Experience between historical diverse cultures in the spiritual realm. Marianne speaks to the spiritual realm as well and in "Healing..." also relates that unitive spiritual force from within too without and into the political culture of our generation. David fleshes these desires out to a greater extent with an actual blueprint for action. This blueprint is the result of his experiences from early works of "peace torch runs", ecological groundbreaking neighborhood organization in Portland Oregon, progressing into impactful solutions to crises in New York after 9/11, New Orleans after Katrina, a fisheries management standoff in Rhode Island. These are related in just the first half of the book. Later on it looks like he plans to again tackle obstacles to world peace. More of that in a future post. One of John's precepts he heavily draws upon is the area of imagination. He says that he... loves John Lennon's "Imagine" as an unapologetically visionary and optimistic (song) about what is possible for our world. Later when speaking of non-dualistic or win-win solutions to problems he says "These require more imagination than compromise" And earlier quoted one Bryan Andreas -" In my dream the angel shrugged and said, if we fail this time, it will be a failure of imagination. And then she placed the world gently in the palm of my hand."

It is in the desire to find an effective, non-dualistic, imaginative solution to these small and global issues which all of these thinkers and activists are focused. Not so easy to do but if there is an "Atlantis Rising" out there; Maybe: 11%?? Pray! Meditate! Activate!!

Marianne describes E Pluribus Unium as "That within our diversity lies a national unity---that we are at the same time a people who reflect and embody diversity, yet are united in our fealty to these treasured first principles." "There are people in America who emphasize our unity yet fail to appreciate our diversity, just as there are those who emphasize our diversity yet fail to appreciate our unity. It is important to honor both...and their relationship to each other reflects a philosophical and political truth, which democracy requires." James Madison once said that "tolerance is not enough" because, psychologically, tolerance still implies judgement....the social fruition of the ideal of e pluribus unum, we will need to do more than merely tolerate each other."

Going back for just a moment to the idea of "imagination". What we imagine is all important. As they stated in Albuquerque, "How We Get There Determines Where We End Up". I hope that is a direct quote but it is the direct idea that it is the process that is important. David and Marianne also speak of the nature of the process. Positive is much better than negative. Maybe I shouldn't say better, as that is pretty dualistic, but maybe "more effective" would be better. Marianne states: "As long as I'm working against something I hate instead of "for" something I love, I'm of the old and not of the new. The politics of a new America is a love for what could be and a reach for the possible....The issue is a paradigmatic one: we are on the verge of outgrowing a mindset that says "I will deal with this problem by saying No to something" and embracing one that says "I will deal with this problem by saying Yes to something else". Notice that we have a Drug Czar, but not a Sobriety Czar."

As an adjunct to the thought of a positive approach is to be strong in an approach but not so invested in the exact path to take. Kind of a keep your eye on the prize and not so much on the exact path to get there approach. Marianne speaks of : "Stereotyping..adversaries...What is lacking...is a civilized center. We have too little "Golden Mean" in politics today. Somebody is always pointing a finger, it seems, saying "He", "She", or "They" are the enemies of America. In truth, the enemy of America is That Pointed Finger." And David says of his blueprint to "Hold firm to impulse and let the form be flexible. The vision will need to change in different ways as it touches the real world. This is not unlike the way a seed trying to come through the soil needs to change direction to go around rocks and roots."

I believe that the final part of this post will be Marianne's statement about our need to get involved in the process. I want to also touch on an other area which all of these authors approach very well, "waging peace", but that is going to be my next post.

Marianne writes: "...knowing what we know but doing nothing. It's like David saying about Goliath, "Geez, he really is big. Maybe I won't do this." But Goliath isn't That big. Things aren't That bad in America. And each of us has a slingshot. Paradoxically, part of the problem with an overly Yang culture is that it produces overly Yin personalities. Without the yin of peace and serenity, there is no character formation; without that, there is no capacity for the yang of powerful personal action. We desperately need both. There is no machine, technology, or scientific project that can renew and restore (I would say revitalize as well) democracy. If we want that done, its a job we have to do ourselves."

In the emerging conversation at Albuquerque they also approached this same concept in the realm of Theology. As I understand it they're saying: For the past two millenia we seem to have ended up with a plethora of very "Strongly Combative Images" of God and Religion, as we see Him. And in the recent past there seems to be a rise in the idea of "Weak Non- combative Images", basically rejecting all religion in favor of a totally egalitarian approach to Spirit. There are elements of truth here but the Emerging experience is wanting to not throw out the past but honor the Spirit within history and build upon that with a "Strong Non-combative Image" . Anyhow that's how I see it, and it's that strength which attracts me to be an agent of that Truth and Love. Pax Christi! RV PPS: Here is a quick quote I just read out of Sojourners On Line which also speaks to the beauty of holding onto a tradition as an enrichment to todays movement of the Spirit: " About a year ago, I heard Newsweek’s Jon Meacham say, “History is to a country what memory is to an individual.” The quip seems particularly apt to American religious groups. To paraphrase, history is to a religion (or a denomination, church, or faith community) what memory is to an individual. To lose memory is neither funny nor sad; rather, it is a path to profound brokenness, a loss of self, meaning, and God that leaves us in darkness unable to act in purposeful ways in the world. Thus, I wonder: Is spiritual amnesia a precursor to religious Alzheimer’s, a fatal loss of memory for which there is no cure? I hope not. And I hope that religious people — especially my progressive brothers and sisters — can tether their passion for contemporary faith to ancient wisdom."
Diana Butler Bass

Hopi Prophecy

In the post yesterday I wrote of an impactful section at the first of the new book, SocialChange 2.0, referring to the First Earth Run in 1986. I don't really like to just copy sections of other writers work but there is a page or so here that bears quoting. I don't have a Native American background in my heritage but my kids do and there is much beauty within that tradition. Much more so than we were led to believe via our national history of relating to the indigenous peoples of the Americas.

" The lighting and launch of the torch of peace on its journey around the world were to take place at the United Nations in New York. The torch was to be lit from a fire created at a sunrise ceremony on the grounds of the United Nations by two Native American elders, Chief Shenandoah of the Iroquois Nation and Grandmother Caroline of the Hopi Nation. ...The Hopi are the "keepers of the dream." They serve as stewards of the most profound belief and hope on the planet; that human beings can live in harmony with one another and the Earth.

The Hopi people are also keepers of the Hopi Prophecies, reverently handed down from one generation to the next for more than a thousand years. The most important of these prophecies states that when humanity is on the brink of self destruction, the Hopi must deliver a message at the great hall of mica. If this message is received, the world will begin the "great turning" toward a thousand years of peace. If it is not received, the world will continue its direction and enter into a thousand years of darkness and war. The prophecy states that the Hopi will have four attempts to deliver the message.

The Hopi elders determined that the time described in the prophecy had come, and the great hall of mica was the glass United Nations building on Manhattan's East Side. For the sake of the world, they diligently sought an audience with the leadership of the United Nations. Their previous requests for an audience with the United Nations had been turned down three times, so this was their final chance. The native cultures were closely tracking....It was September 16 1986, the opening day of the U.N. General Assembly---the international day of peace in the international year of peace...Chief Shenandoah of the Iroquois Nation rubbed two sticks together, in the ancient way...into a blazing fire....Grandmother Caroline offer(ed) the prophecy..."Humanity" she said in her soft voice, "is at a crossroads. To continue on this planet, we are being called to achieve a higher level of global community, where we can experience that which unites us." ...Her profound message of hope inspired everyone in attendance. Over the next eighty-six days, it would be communicated in one form or another to the twenty-five million people and forty-five heads of state in sixty-two countries who would directly participate in the passage of the fire..." So it was spoken by these primitive animistic indigenous peoples of our first nations. Who, I ask, are the true primitives? Peace! RV

Circle of Life/ Circle of Love!

So today's thought is about a journey I'm undertaking the next couple of weeks. At the get go it will be a trip up to the Gardens in Victoria, B.C. and then a "Labyrinth" gathering/workshop on Bainbridge Island. Two of my favorite things gardens and labyrinths in the same outing. I would love to install other labyrinths as the opportunity arises and truth be known the medium of installation is just about as varied as the people desiring them. I happen to like the pattern (5 or 7 circuit) of the one at Ashland hospital. And the location is just about perfect for contemplation. And I'm a devotee of using pavers (cobble stones) as they have a very modern link as well as a tie to the middle ages use of cobblestones. They have a denseness and strength and at the same time they are all individuals getting together toward a common goal. Kind of like the path I am seeing for the Emergent movement. Honoring the component units but looking toward the big picture. Reading a book right now written by a writer, social activist, social architect,and a social entrepreneur by the name of David Gershon. He has done a lot of work with ecological and sustainability issues primarily with cities and states over the last thirty years or so. I'm sure I'll be referencing this work more in the days to come but for now here is just one of the comments from the introduction: "This book offers an inspiring evolutionary blueprint for transforming our social systems, and provides some of the most effective organizing principles, empowerment processes, and movement strategies that are emerging in our time. For our rising generation of Millennial activists, student organizers, and young social entrepreneurs, Social Change 2.0 will unquestionably play a significant role in bring forth the next great wave of social change." - Joshua Gorman (Generation Waking Up). One of Davids first organizational successes was a global torch run in 1986, an international year of peace. There is an account in the first chapter about this run and its relation to a Native American (Hopi) prophecy. It brings goosebumps to me when I read the story. I will include that story in my next post as it does deserve one of it's own. And that is just in chapter one. Strikes me that this book could be the fleshing out of the philosophies and theologies I've been touching on since the first of the year. Later! RV

Contingent Sovereignty!

Below is the text from Wikipedia regarding the concept of contingent sovereignty. It is still evolving and currently not codified in international law. In my opinion the concept of absolute sovereignty is the national equivalent of the individual ego and as such needs to be recognized, honored, and refocused in light of the Love of creation.

"Contingent sovereignty refers to the new and still evolving theory which challenges the norm of non-intervention in the internal affairs of countries, commonly associated with the Westphalian doctrine of sovereignty.

Stewart Patrick of the United States State Department has described the contingent sovereignty as follows.

Historically, the main obstacle to armed intervention-humanitarian or otherwise- has been the doctrine of sovereignty, which prohibits violating the territorial integrity of another state. One of the striking developments of the past decade has been an erosion of this non-intervention norm and the rise of a nascent doctrine of "contingent sovereignty".

This school of thought holds that sovereign rights and immunities are not absolute. They depend on the observance of fundamental state obligations. These include the responsibility to protect the citizens of the state. When a regime makes war on its people or cannot prevent atrocities against them, it risks forfeiting its claim to non-intervention. In such circumstances, the responsibility to protect may devolve to the international community.

This emerging consensus reflects the traumas of the twentieth century. The seminal event was the Holocaust, but it was hardly the last to shock the conscience of humankind. From the killing fields of Cambodia to the bloody hills of Rwanda, a litany of atrocities has mocked our earnest, repeated pledges of "Never Again".

Following the NATO intervention in Kosovo in 1999, UN Secretary General Kofi Annan described what he termed a "developing international norm...that massive and systematic violations of human rights wherever they may take place...should not be allowed to stand." No longer should frontiers be considered an absolute defense behind which states can commit crimes against humanity with "sovereign impunity."'

Couldn't have said it better myself. I do hope that although not currently codified into international law that this concept will get the attention it, and creation, deserves. My only comments would be two. One is that this does sound so much like the concept of an international bill of rights I mentioned in the last post. And secondly, it should be pretty obvious that this litany of atrocities is not limited to the twentieth century. This has been the history of mans inhumanity to man. The fate of the conquered by the victors. The difference is that IN THIS ERA we as an international community, or maybe better stated Global Community CAN DO SOMETHING about the litany. On this day before the celebration of Easter, I pray that God will guide such a refocus in the spirit of the truly risen Pax Christi. Amen! RV P.S.- That word used in the passage above -nascent- is a new one to me. I love it and hope it refers to much in this emerging era. It means "Being born; coming into existence".

The Aikido of International Relations

Carrying forward with the thoughts on reaching a realistic balance between violence and nonviolence in today's world. Probably one of the most misused terms used to describe the tension holding any given society together is "peace". I suppose that one possibly would say that peace is the absence of violence in a given societal group. If that is your working definition then you don't have a problem, except for "enforcement".. But if you describe peace as some quantitative level of prosperity, respect for human rights, freedom and equality then it becomes much more problematic. In my opinion these are essential to any real concept of peace. The notable examples of "peace" in our human existence has fallen within the first definition. The absence of violence between subjugation and uprising, or collapse. One can probably point all the way back to the prehistorical examples and the biblical and ancient texts certainly have no shortage of these examples. The "Pax Roma" (the peace under the conquered world of the Roman Empire; The first and second World Wars (The Great War and the War to end all Wars). Even the phrase utilized by most Catholics and some other denominations in greeting each other is "the Peace of Christ". That peace for most is the celebration of peace "within" the Christian community, more accurately within their denomination. Until the "overarching universal" nature of "Christ" is understood by the soul of all using it that phrase really does ring shallow. My Christ, the One worthy of my worship is bigger than Christianity. Of course many Christians, most notably the right wing of the fundamentalist camp would be quick to point that crying for Peace! Peace! insures that the Antichrist is at hand and the end of ages is near. To me this is a gross misuse of the Old Testament scriptures and contrary to the not so secret message of Jesus in the New. One will quickly see dualistic extremes in other faith traditions as well calling for a holy war to purge the world of the evil one. We just have to find a better way. In the book by Becker referred to earlier he speaks of Erich Fromm in regard to the source of these group dynamics. He says..."Fromm has insisted..on the importance of what he calls "incestuous symbiosis": the fear of emerging out of the family and into the world on one's own responsibility and powers; the desire to keep oneself tucked into a larger source of power. It is these things which make for the mystique of "group", "nation", "blood", "mother or fatherland", and the like. These feelings are embedded in one's earliest experiences of comfortable merger with the mother." With such primal forces at play with our multiplicity of "groups" in our societies today it seems to me that maybe the concept of a "Mother Earth" is of some help in finding the comforting universality of creation. Somehow in today's conversations we must find a nonthreatening way to view the future. Even with the despair seen every day on the news we must remain optimistic! What is the alternative? A significant number of loving people can see that they may be "Raptured" off of the Earth before it all collapses but why does that preclude their working to bring a period of justice, love and peace to the world while they're waiting? I see that that is the message to all, of all faiths, and even to those of no faith if they can see the signs from those in our past who have done Love as a way of life.

As Marianne alluded to referring to the path of our hero's of the 60's "...They pointed to the next step in America's moral evolution-the expansion of our compassion-and that is a step by definition repudiates oppression and injustice.". And further "We need to recreate politics now as a mystical pursuit, bringing our souls to bear on the effort to make the world a better place.".

That better way needs to be a vast consensus on the goal of society and a loving path of international relations. With that consensus we need a method to protect that goal from the radicals on the periphery of the world community. That could be fulfilled by the exercise of that "Prime Directive" concept, the non offensive might part, not the sacred sovereignty part.

It is time for the world to rethink the concept of the United Nations. It has the potential to do much, much more in the realm of international cooperation toward Peace. It has done much good in the area of child rescue, peace keeping presence, disaster relief. However due mostly to the limitations set upon it at its inception there is very little real power for enforcement at any real level of humanitarian concern. The five members of the Security Council need to forgo their veto power in the interest of international responsibility. The current level of effectiveness of the United Nations is hamstrung by the multiplicity of international treaty's and opposing ally agreements. There needs to be a better international conversation on the goals of anti-terrorism, human rights, anti-genocide, disease containment and education. I am not saying that all nations should disarm but I am saying that the human community must embrace a common committed goal of bringing these affronts to human dignity to an end. We have the resources and the communication to do it; We just need the dedication to that purpose. We are tied together in so many ways. We should be able to use these ties for the common good.

Sovereignty is not all bad just as the ego is not all bad. It recognizes, and honors, our differences. It is necessary for our identity. We are at a point in the earths existence where we don't need to "multiply and subdue the earth". We need to nurture what we have been gifted with. Those of us who have been most blessed need to lead the movement toward that goal. There is a Wikipedia definition of the concept of "Contingent Sovereignty" which is very good and in the next post I will insert the full comment. For now I just want to state that we need to rethink the concept in light of our international responsibilities.

I'm not just talking about an international military police force. In modern police science there is much more than force involved in keeping the law. Although that level of force must be present to use as a last resort in the defense of society, international society. The full scope of these non violent options are greater in scope than I am aware of but I am acquainted with some efforts. I watch TV . We have community service officers which work in the areas of "at risk" elements of society. We have Volunteers in the areas of education and mentoring of youth without adult guidance. Sometimes just having a police presence gives a community a sense of calm. In the bigger picture we have the capability of diplomatic negotiations and overtures and probably one of the most effective measures in this interdependent world would be the use of economic sanctions and incentives. The list goes on but the point is that with a hands on "Love" physical violence can be reduced.

Aikido is a Japanese martial art developed by Morikei Neshiba. It is described as " ..the way of harmonious spirit..goal to create an art that practitioners could use to defend themselves while also protecting their attacker from injury" (Wikipedia). This may be a little bit of a simplistic look at a very involved problem but I think that this is not a bad model for approaching the ills of society. If we, as a world, can convene a "Bill of Human Rights" and put a lot of resources toward it's peaceable attainment. And then devise a way of minimal force to insure peace, rescuing the victim as well as the offender (if possible) ; What a wonderful world this would be. Peace! RV

The Prime Directive

The object of this post is the subject of violence. As stated in the close of the last post this is a subject of much controversy and passion. A most appropriate area of reflection during the week remembered by most of the Christian world as being the "Passion" of Christ. I have picked the title "The Prime Directive" as kind of a reference to the original Star Trek series. Upon further research I guess that name isn't 100% accurate as the term was used to keep star fleet vessels from interfering with extant civilizations. It was a derivative of what was called the "Westphalian doctrine of sovereignty" and was intended as a policy by which one nation/force would not be allowed to interfere in another's internal workings. That doctrine is under challenge in light of the changing nature of world organizations and the interdependency of cultures and nation states. One challenge to the Westphalian model is termed the concept of "Contingent Sovereignty" and I'd like to describe and comment on in the next post. The aspect of the "Prime Directive" which I was impressed with at the time and the focus which I'm referring to here is the idea that force was limited to defensive use only. This approach is an important one and as with most defenses can be misapplied as well as aggressive force and also non-violent protest. It is in that area I'd like to dwell for a bit.

Non violence is a great concept. If you would use a term as the common characteristic of such great world leaders as Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr, the Dali Lama, and of course Jesus the Christ that concept would probably be "Non Violence". Another descriptive term for this concept would be "Peace" and possibly "Love". As beautiful and altruistic as these concepts are they certainly have not been the best accurate descriptor of the human experience so far. I know that many of the great writers and speakers of this movement today and in ages past make a very good case for "Love" to be the guide for our lives both intrapersonally and societal or international. And as much as I would long for such a reality it appears to be just that, a guide, toward the realization of the dream. It has not proven to be practical in the larger scope of existence. It has been an effective modus in a smaller scale and that in itself is encouraging for the long haul. We lament the assassinations of these great masters and the corruption of their dreams but those dreams are still there for us to model to the best we can. We speak against the imperialization of the life of Jesus but through the ages His lessons have been exemplified by many saints. I'm sure other traditions have examples as well. In the case of M. Gandhi, at least as I've understood his story, it is sobering to realize that even though he was seen as the father of India he underwent deadly fasts even after Independence from England as the country just couldn't get along in peace. To resolve the Muslim/Hindu breach they ended up not with one loving democracy but two separate states of Pakistan and India. My point here is that it appears non violence is a goal to strive for but may in reality be one extreme on the dualistic pendulum of Peace and violence. I don't deny that the practice may have great results and is a most effective course of protest. In the earlier post I quoted Marianne as saying "the soul without body is ineffective and the body without the soul is dangerous". Nonviolence I see as the soul without the body. I believe that as idealistically bad violence seems to be I don't know of a father or mother who wouldn't go to all physical lengths possible to Defend their spouse or children. I do not see defense of life to be in conflict with God's plan. Of course the word plan may not be best here since the ultimate Plan is to have a world peopled with image fullfillers, image of God masters. Maybe a better word would be God's path as that suggests a Pilgrim journey.
The other extreme of this dualistic pendulum has no shortage of examples in the personal all the way up to the world view even including the ecological crisis we are facing in this new millennium. Brian McLaren stated in a recent article about "Christian Militias"; ...is the question of whether we believe God is violent. There is no question that Christians, Muslims, Jews, and others have been violent in God's name...The question is whether we believe violence is inherent to the character of God. A nonviolent God cannot be enlisted to sanction aggression, but a violent one is handy for that purpose." Sanction aggression is the key to that statement as in my humble opinion aggression is not synonymous with defense of life. Of course we humans have been defining all kinds of aggression over the ages as being "defensive" and thereby "good" and "Godly". There is the difficulty to redefining the terms. As most of these writers have stated in many different contexts the Self, Ego, Selfishness, and even in the international sense "Sovereignty" puts the "us" in opposition to "them". Good and bad. Right and wrong. We have to as a human race redefine our terms of engagement to be more "Godlike" and Loving! A reduction of the dualistic extremes of our past. And at the same time to honor that which is good in our history. Finding that new path is what I would call the Prime Directive. To find a path through our past, using the strength of the present, to reach for the stars and the heavens in the future. As Marianne said, "..turn our backs on our lower natures, allowing the angels to breath within us." Live Long and Prosper! "-"' , In the Spirit of the Christ! Roberto Vincente