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)

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[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.