Walking the Middle Way

Opening Reflections

As we enter this sacred silence


May our truest selves transcend


The dissonance of daily distractions


As we join the spiraling, infinite dance


Pulsing unseen throughout all creation.


So may it be.[1]

Reading

And the Blessed One thus addressed the five monks:

There are two extremes, monks, which he who has given up the world ought to avoid. What are these two extremes? A life given to pleasures, devoted to pleasures and lusts—this is degrading, sensual, vulgar, ignoble, and profitless.And a life given to mortifications—this is painful, ignoble, and profitless.

By avoiding these two extremes, monks, the Tathagata has gained the knowledge of the Middle Way, which leads to insight, which leads to wisdom, which conduces to calm, to knowledge, to Supreme Enlightenment, to Nirvana.What, monks, is this Middle Way the knowledge of which the Tathagata has gained, which leads to insight, which leads to wisdom, which conduces to calm, to knowledge, to Supreme Enlightenment, to Nirvana?

It is the Noble Eightfold Way, namely: right views, right intent, right speech, right conduct, right means of livelihood, right endeavor, right mindfulness, right meditation.This, monks, is the Middle Way the knowledge of which the Tathagata has gained, which leads to insight, which leads to wisdom, which conduces to calm, to knowledge, to perfect enlightenment to Nirvana. [2]

Meditation

Reading

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.

Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
    for they will be filled.

Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.

Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called children of God.

Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.[3]

Meditation


Sermon

Some leaders use threats to win adherents. They invoke death to force good behavior and to herd people toward paradise. Others woo with grand promises. If you have no satisfaction, they offer bliss. If you feel inadequate, they offer success. If you are lonely, they offer acceptance. But if we do not fear death and are happy, what will such leaders have to offer?

 Spirituality is an organic part of daily life, not something dispensed by a professional. True spirituality is liberation, not just from the delusions of reality but from the delusions of religion as well. If we attain freedom from the fear of death, a sound way of health, and a path of understanding through life, there is happiness and no need for false leaders.

[4]

Memory Verse

…if any show patience and forgive,

that would truly be an exercise of courageous will

and resolution in the conduct of affairs. [5] [Quran 42:43]

Closing Prayer

Oh, Great Spirit

Whose voice I hear in the winds,

And whose breath gives life to all the world,

hear me, I am small and weak,

I need your strength and wisdom.

Let me walk in beauty and make my eyes ever behold

the red and purple sunset.

Make my hands respect the things you have

made and my ears sharp to hear your voice.

Make me wise so that I may understand the things

you have taught my people.

Let me learn the lessons you have

hidden in every leaf and rock.

I seek strength, not to be greater than my brother,

but to fight my greatest enemy - myself.

Make me always ready to come to you

with clean hands and straight eyes.

So when life fades, as the fading sunset,

my Spirit may come to you without shame.[6]
(North American Indian Prayer)

---

[1] Capo, Mary Kate. "A Call to Meditation." Worship Web (blog), February 25, 2013. http://www.uua.org/worship/words/meditations/142725.shtml (accessed March 1, 2014).

[2] "The First Sermon of the Lord, Buddha." Reading of Buddhist Philosophy (blog), http://www.as.miami.edu/phi/bio/Buddha/firstsermon.html (accessed March 1, 2014).

[3] Matthew 5:3-11 . NIV http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew 5 (accessed March 1, 2014).

[4] Deng, Ming-Dao (2013-06-25). 365 Tao: Daily Meditations (p. 20). HarperCollins. Kindle Edition..

[5] Quran 43:43 (blog), http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080624142141AA2Okly (accessed March 1, 2014).

[6] "Native American Prayers." Accessed March 1, 2014. http://nativeamerican.lostsoulsgenealogy.com/prayers.htm.

Seasons: Cycles of time

Opening Reflections

Sing to the Lord a new song;

for he has done marvelous things.

his right hand and his holy arm

have worked salvation for him

(Christian: Psalm 98:1)

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)