Devotions

Opening Reflections

I am saying this for your own good, 

not to restrict you,

but that you may live in a right way

in undivided devotion to the Lord.

(Christian: 1 Corinthians 7: 34-26)

When the sun of fierce devotion

shines on the snow mountain of the master,

the stream of his blessings will 

flow down.

(Buddhist: Drikung Kyobpa)

Perform all thy actions with mind concentrated

on the divine, renouncing attachment and 

looking upon success and failure with 

an equal eye.

(Hindu: The Bhagavad Gita)

Reading

Just as the Buddha said of all the Buddhas

who attained enlightenment, not one accomplished it

without relying on the master, he also said:

"It is only through devotion,and devotion alone,

that you will realize the absolute truth." 

So then, it is essential to know what real devotion is.

It is not mindless adoration, 

it is not abdication of your responsibility to yourself, 

nor indiscriminately following of another's personality or whim. 

Real devotion is an unbroken receptivity to the truth.

Real devotion is rooted in an awedand reverent gratitude, 

but one that is lucid, grounded, intelligent. 

(Buddhist: Sogyal Rinpoche)

Meditation


Reading

“Let there be no compulsion in religion. 

Truth has been made clear from error. 

Whoever rejects false worship and believes in Allah [God] 

has grasped the most trustworthy handhold that never breaks. 

And Allah [God] hears and knows all things.”  

(Islam, Qu'ran 2:256)

Meditation


Sermon

Spiritual cultivation is a daily activity. No matter how much we achieve one day, we must continue the next. Progress is often so subtle that we may feel the effort futile, and it is hard to get up each morning and try again with the same enthusiasm. Yet this is precisely what we must do. If we have the benefit of guidance, talent, and the proper circumstances, then the bulk of our attention has to be paid to such a simple day-to-day effort. No person ever leapt to heaven in one bound. Spirituality is achieved by steady climbing, like a difficult journey to a mountain temple. The number of steps is in the thousands; the way is steep. It takes a long time to get there, and we must content ourselves with the panoramas along the way and think that the view at the summit will be best of all. If we fall, we must pick ourselves up and get back on the trail again. Success in spiritual life is measured not by spectacular events but by daily devotion. This iron will, this deep sincerity maintains our ascent.

Deng, Ming-Dao (2013-06-25). 365 Tao: Daily Meditations (p. 65). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition. 

Memory Verse

Remember, Lord, how I have walked before you faithfully 

and with wholehearted devotion, and have 

done what is good in your eyes. 

(Christian: 2 Kings 20:3)

Closing Prayer

O Great Spirit of our Ancestors, I raise my pipe to you, to your messengers the four winds, and to Mother Earth who provides for your children. Give us the wisdom to teach our children to love, to respect, and to be kind to each other so that they may grow with peace in mind. Let us learn to share all the good things that you provide for us on this Earth.

(North American Indian Prayer)