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
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
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]
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,
[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.
