Peter

April 24, 2016 – Compassion Connects Us All

by

Rev. David McArthur
“Compassion Connects Us All”

Our harmony with the Earth can be no better than our harmony with ourselves, as it goes from self to the outer world. There is a force within us: compassion. It creates harmony.

A lady came to a seminar I was teaching. Her marriage had become toxic and was ending. Quite depressed, she had only come to my seminar to get out of the house. I had stepped everyone through some HeartMath, having them remember the feeling of a time when the heart was full. That’s when Spirit is present. In that moment our heart is open and we are connected to Spirit. The beautiful wisdom of our divine self is there. That’s when she felt real compassion for her husband. She understood how he felt. He had lost a good job and was working since then in a job where he was not appreciated. She saw that he needed simple validation from her, and she saw that she could do that, and that they could heal. What that woman’s heart gave her was compassion. It has the power to overcome reaction and separation.

An uncomfortable teaching from Jesus, in Matthew, is, “Do not judge, or you too will …be judged, and with the measure you use. …Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? …You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Until we remove our judgment we cannot connect. We are separate.

I remember the story of the man who freed the whale trapped and dying in a huge net. Imagine dropping into the water with this huge creature. A slight movement could kill you. But there was a connection. For 5 hours the man sliced netting. When the diver needed to remove ropes embedded in the whale’s skin, he placed his hand on the whale and told him it would hurt, and the whale did not harm the diver! The man worked upon the tail, where one flip of it could kill him. There was a great connection. The whale understood!

Then the whale was free! It swam around and around, diving and jumping. It rose from the depth to within 6 inches of the diver’s face as he watched! On the surface it rolled to look at the man. They connected eye to eye.

On vacation in Italy a teenage boy fell overboard. He couldn’t swim. He was drowning. A dolphin appeared and lifted him enough to get his breath. The boy held on to the dolphin, which carried him to the boat and lifted him high enough for the father to grab him. We’re not the only ones with this divine spirit within!

Connection comes with compassion. This is the choice we have. I choose compassion! As we make it we are new. I choose compassion! It is an expression of the flow of the divine in and through our awareness. That’s why it is so powerful. I choose compassion! It is my belief that with our great challenges there is a way to get to balance and harmony. The way is compassion!

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April 24, 2016 – Compassion Connects Us All

by

Rev. David McArthur
“Compassion Connects Us All”

Our harmony with the Earth can be no better than our harmony with ourselves, as it goes from self to the outer world. There is a force within us: compassion. It creates harmony.

A lady came to a seminar I was teaching. Her marriage had become toxic and was ending. Quite depressed, she had only come to my seminar to get out of the house. I had stepped everyone through some HeartMath, having them remember the feeling of a time when the heart was full. That’s when Spirit is present. In that moment our heart is open and we are connected to Spirit. The beautiful wisdom of our divine self is there. That’s when she felt real compassion for her husband. She understood how he felt. He had lost a good job and was working since then in a job where he was not appreciated. She saw that he needed simple validation from her, and she saw that she could do that, and that they could heal. What that woman’s heart gave her was compassion. It has the power to overcome reaction and separation.

An uncomfortable teaching from Jesus, in Matthew, is, “Do not judge, or you too will …be judged, and with the measure you use. …Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? …You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.” Until we remove our judgment we cannot connect. We are separate.

I remember the story of the man who freed the whale trapped and dying in a huge net. Imagine dropping into the water with this huge creature. A slight movement could kill you. But there was a connection. For 5 hours the man sliced netting. When the diver needed to remove ropes embedded in the whale’s skin, he placed his hand on the whale and told him it would hurt, and the whale did not harm the diver! The man worked upon the tail, where one flip of it could kill him. There was a great connection. The whale understood!

Then the whale was free! It swam around and around, diving and jumping. It rose from the depth to within 6 inches of the diver’s face as he watched! On the surface it rolled to look at the man. They connected eye to eye.
On vacation in Italy a teenage boy fell overboard. He couldn’t swim. He was drowning. A dolphin appeared and lifted him enough to get his breath. The boy held on to the dolphin, which carried him to the boat and lifted him high enough for the father to grab him. We’re not the only ones with this divine spirit within!

Connection comes with compassion. This is the choice we have. I choose compassion! As we make it we are new. I choose compassion! It is an expression of the flow of the divine in and through our awareness. That’s why it is so powerful. I choose compassion! It is my belief that with our great challenges there is a way to get to balance and harmony. The way is compassion!

April 17, 2016 – How To Manifest God’s Gifts

by

Rev. David McArthur
“How To Manifest God’s Gifts”

Everyone here is an amazingly beautiful child of God. That’s who you are and why you are loved! The only real work is to let that in. To open to this flow, Marie took a course at Unity. By 8 weeks in she was getting very frustrated. Still no demonstration in her life. So classmates asked, “What would it take for you to feel that this love was flowing in your life?” She quickly cried, “A red Mercedes!” Well, ok, they said, if that’s what it takes, then that’s ok.

Days later an old friend called and said, “Someone asked if I knew anyone who would buy his car quickly, and I don’t know why, but you popped into my head.” “Well, what is it?” “A red Mercedes,” she said, “and he’ll sell it cheap.” Sharing this in class Marie went on, “As I was driving my new red 450 SL, a voice from within spoke to me.” It was her first time ever to hear it. It said over and over, “Don’t you know that I’ve always taken care of you?” Tears streamed down her cheeks and she had to pull over. It was her opening that was her real demonstration.

Jesus, said “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all …things will be added to you.” And another time Jesus told us, “No one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again… unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to Spirit. The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

My understanding of “born again” differs from the traditional in that I see “born of water” refers to our human existence; “born… of the Spirit” means to be in the moment connecting with Spirit Itself. It speaks to a change of perception. “Spirit gives birth to Spirit”, (connection with the heart). Marie opened and life began to respond differently. That’s when life begins to happen FOR us.

When Kathryn and I lived in Montana a dirt lane led from the road to our house at the top of a hill. In springtime only our Jeep would get up the hill. This time it was in the shop. Our VW couldn’t get up the hill so we left it at the bottom and walked down to it to go into town. When the mechanic called and told me the Jeep was ready, we had NO money. We believed God provides but I realized I had a disconnect. I know I’m loved, but walking up that muddy hill didn’t feel so loving. So I sat and got quiet. After arguing with God I decided to open to the love. It took a while. Then I began to feel the love. It filled me and I realized there was nothing to keep me from my love. So I went to get the Jeep. I got down to the VW and I still had no way of paying. As I was about to pull onto the road a car pulled into our lane.The driver rolled down her window and explained that she came out to give me an envelope that she then handed through my window. Then she backed out and was gone. In the envelope was a check that was more than enough to cover the Jeep. It was like the wind! I didn’t do anything except let the love in! What is this love but to take care of us? It’s simple. Notice I didn’t say easy. But it’s here to take.

I LET GOD’S LOVE IN. Spirit is here. I LET GOD’S LOVE IN. Is it ok this week to let it in? I LET GOD’S LOVE IN. The beautiful love and life you are is not only what flows to you; when you let it open you, you bless the world. So I thank you!

April 17, 2016 – How To Manifest God’s Gifts

by

Rev. David McArthur
“How To Manifest God’s Gifts”

Everyone here is an amazingly beautiful child of God. That’s who you are and why you are loved! The only real work is to let that in. To open to this flow, Marie took a course at Unity. By 8 weeks in she was getting very frustrated. Still no demonstration in her life. So classmates asked, “What would it take for you to feel that this love was flowing in your life?” She quickly cried, “A red Mercedes!” Well, ok, they said, if that’s what it takes, then that’s ok.

Days later an old friend called and said, “Someone asked if I knew anyone who would buy his car quickly, and I don’t know why, but you popped into my head.” “Well, what is it?” “A red Mercedes,” she said, “and he’ll sell it cheap.” Sharing this in class Marie went on, “As I was driving my new red 450 SL, a voice from within spoke to me.” It was her first time ever to hear it. It said over and over, “Don’t you know that I’ve always taken care of you?” Tears streamed down her cheeks and she had to pull over. It was her opening that was her real demonstration.

Jesus, said “Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all …things will be added to you.” And another time Jesus told us, “No one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again… unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to Spirit. The wind blows wherever it pleases. You hear its sound, but you cannot tell where it comes from or where it is going. So it is with everyone born of the Spirit.”

My understanding of “born again” differs from the traditional in that I see “born of water” refers to our human existence; “born… of the Spirit” means to be in the moment connecting with Spirit Itself. It speaks to a change of perception. “Spirit gives birth to Spirit”, (connection with the heart). Marie opened and life began to respond differently. That’s when life begins to happen FOR us.

When Kathryn and I lived in Montana a dirt lane led from the road to our house at the top of a hill. In springtime only our Jeep would get up the hill. This time it was in the shop. Our VW couldn’t get up the hill so we left it at the bottom and walked down to it to go into town. When the mechanic called and told me the Jeep was ready, we had NO money. We believed God provides but I realized I had a disconnect. I know I’m loved, but walking up that muddy hill didn’t feel so loving. So I sat and got quiet. After arguing with God I decided to open to the love. It took a while. Then I began to feel the love. It filled me and I realized there was nothing to keep me from my love. So I went to get the Jeep. I got down to the VW and I still had no way of paying. As I was about to pull onto the road a car pulled into our lane.The driver rolled down her window and explained that she came out to give me an envelope that she then handed through my window. Then she backed out and was gone. In the envelope was a check that was more than enough to cover the Jeep. It was like the wind! I didn’t do anything except let the love in! What is this love but to take care of us? It’s simple. Notice I didn’t say easy. But it’s here to take.

I LET GOD’S LOVE IN. Spirit is here. I LET GOD’S LOVE IN. Is it ok this week to let it in? I LET GOD’S LOVE IN. The beautiful love and life you are is not only what flows to you; when you let it open you, you bless the world. So I thank you!

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April 10, 2016 – He Had To Go

by

Rev. Sheila Gautreaux, L.U.T.
“He Had To Go”

Jesus had to go. It was all about the possibilities that exist within us. He even told the disciples (us) he had to go because he had taught many things which “you do not yet understand.” He had to go to send the one “who will help you understand,” the Holy Spirit. Once we take our eyes off the man, the divine wisdom (the Holy Spirit) will open us to understand. He delivered his message and he was done. We can’t look at the man anymore. We have to move forward with the message.

Jesus said, “the power I have is the same as you have,” and, regarding the things he did, we “will do more”. So you can tell that mountain in your life to move and it will return to nothingness.

He noted that people spend their lives preparing for their deaths. “I came so that you will have life.” Live with each other. Love each other. Heal each other.

In Dorothy Elder’s “From Metaphysical To Mystical” we see how the man comes with a message. The message excites and engages, so a movement forms to share the love of the man and the message. Then a Machine develops with dogma, rules, ideals and regulations to worship the man and maybe the message. Finally in the Monument phase cathedrals are built to worship the Man. What happened to the message—love, forgiveness, oneness?

The last seven events of Jesus’ life hold a phenomenal key to overcome any mountain in our lives. I discovered them in my life and they work! 1) Palm Sunday: surrender the ego to God. 2) The Last Supper: call together all the 12 spiritual powers. 3) The Garden of Gethsemane: draw away from the world and go within for the direction and guidance of God. 4) The trial before Pilate: stand firmly in your faith that all is well. 5) The Crucifixion: get rid of the last vestiges of fear, doubt, unworthiness, any error consciousness. 6) Resurrection: throw off what binds us to sense consciousness; see the truth of the situation. 7) Ascension: be lifted above the world; see the big picture and live in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Get back to the message. It is ours to live with passion. It gives us energy, excitement. Every cell is rejuvenated, energized, restored. Remember, you are the one you have been waiting for. Recognize it. Say yes to it. It is time for us to step forward. Be the messiah. Save the world. It is within us. “I’ll say yes, Lord. Where you lead me I’ll say yes!” Put that mountain in your life in front of you. The Holy Spirit is in your heart. Say yes. Yes! Yes! Yes! See that mountain dissipate! Say yes!

I am the one; I say yes! I am the one; I say yes! I am the one; I say yes!

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April 10, 2016 – He Had To Go

by

Rev. Sheila Gautreaux, L.U.T.
“He Had To Go”

Jesus had to go. It was all about the possibilities that exist within us. He even told the disciples (us) he had to go because he had taught many things which “you do not yet understand.” He had to go to send the one “who will help you understand,” the Holy Spirit. Once we take our eyes off the man, the divine wisdom (the Holy Spirit) will open us to understand. He delivered his message and he was done. We can’t look at the man anymore. We have to move forward with the message.

Jesus said, “the power I have is the same as you have,” and, regarding the things he did, we “will do more”. So you can tell that mountain in your life to move and it will return to nothingness.

He noted that people spend their lives preparing for their deaths. “I came so that you will have life.” Live with each other. Love each other. Heal each other.

In Dorothy Elder’s “From Metaphysical To Mystical” we see how the man comes with a message. The message excites and engages, so a movement forms to share the love of the man and the message. Then a Machine develops with dogma, rules, ideals and regulations to worship the man and maybe the message. Finally in the Monument phase cathedrals are built to worship the Man. What happened to the message—love, forgiveness, oneness?

The last seven events of Jesus’ life hold a phenomenal key to overcome any mountain in our lives. I discovered them in my life and they work! 1) Palm Sunday: surrender the ego to God. 2) The Last Supper: call together all the 12 spiritual powers. 3) The Garden of Gethsemane: draw away from the world and go within for the direction and guidance of God. 4) The trial before Pilate: stand firmly in your faith that all is well. 5) The Crucifixion: get rid of the last vestiges of fear, doubt, unworthiness, any error consciousness. 6) Resurrection: throw off what binds us to sense consciousness; see the truth of the situation. 7) Ascension: be lifted above the world; see the big picture and live in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Get back to the message. It is ours to live with passion. It gives us energy, excitement. Every cell is rejuvenated, energized, restored. Remember, you are the one you have been waiting for. Recognize it. Say yes to it. It is time for us to step forward. Be the messiah. Save the world. It is within us. “I’ll say yes, Lord. Where you lead me I’ll say yes!” Put that mountain in your life in front of you. The Holy Spirit is in your heart. Say yes. Yes! Yes! Yes! See that mountain dissipate! Say yes!

I am the one; I say yes! I am the one; I say yes! I am the one; I say yes!

April 3, 2016 – A Flow of Love and Abundance

by


Rev. David McArthur
“A Flow of Love and Abundance”

Are you open to more money, better health, more people that love you? Joel Hartman was a homeless man in Atlanta. He was looking through the garbage behind a luxury hotel to find something to sell, when he found a wallet! But he began to worry about the man who lost it. Was he away from home without ID or money? So he went inside to turn it in. Management was so impressed they put Joel up for a couple of nights with all the amenities, and issued a press release about it. Joel’s family saw the news. They had been looking for him for years. They got him into the mental health treatment he needed.

There is a principle so powerful that it aligns us to the nature of God. It is to give. Divine flow by its nature would flow into each of our lives, but we slow it down. Joel’s compassionate response for someone he didn’t even know changed his life. Learn to open to the law, to the flow.

Jesus, the symbol of the spiritual power we have within, of law and how to use the law, taught the laws so well. In the gospel of Matthew, a crowd had followed Jesus, but had not brought any food and were hungry. One of the apostles brought a boy to Jesus who had five loaves of bread and two fish. The first expression of that beautiful powerful principle of giving comes from the boy who gave what he had to eat to Jesus. The boy symbolizes that part of us which wants to learn, to connect with the experience of life. Jesus looked to heaven, to source, where power goes from limited to unlimited. And five thousand men and others were fed! Jesus taught “give and it will be given unto you”.

Look to the expression of unlimited source beyond the knowledge of the mind. How do we practice it? When you are in contraction, limited flow, whether within the body or in your finances, and are in fear, step into giving. A greater flow creates a consciousness of generosity.

A wealthy friend, as a young man, had found himself blocked in his fortunes. He ran into Charles Fillmore’s thinking on the consciousness of generosity. If he saw source as unlimited, he could be a channel for that unlimited flow! He prospered not only financially, but he was blessed with a beautiful family. The day he retired he asked the CEO for an envelope he could give to each of the 35 employees, but that his id be kept secret. If they asked who gave them the envelope, the CEO was told to just say to each, “You are appreciated.” Each envelope had in it $1000.

When we step into generosity we grow. We came here to know who we really are, to be guided by this intelligence, to play in the big leagues, to play with these spiritual laws and have God’s goodness flow through us. It happened with the homeless man and with the wealthy man. God’s goodness flows through me. Feel its potential. Let it expand in your life. You are a divine instrument here to bless God’s world. God’s goodness flows through me. Are you open to where you can be that blessing? God’s goodness flows through me. My friend was not a person who got wealthy and then got generous; he got generous and then wealthy. Isn’t it time to go to a better place where generosity and abundance flow?

April 3, 2016 – A Flow of Love and Abundance

by

Rev. David McArthur
“A Flow of Love and Abundance”

Are you open to more money, better health, more people that love you? Joel Hartman was a homeless man in Atlanta. He was looking through the garbage behind a luxury hotel to find something to sell, when he found a wallet! But he began to worry about the man who lost it. Was he away from home without ID or money? So he went inside to turn it in. Management was so impressed they put Joel up for a couple of nights with all the amenities, and issued a press release about it. Joel’s family saw the news. They had been looking for him for years. They got him into the mental health treatment he needed.

There is a principle so powerful that it aligns us to the nature of God. It is to give. Divine flow by its nature would flow into each of our lives, but we slow it down. Joel’s compassionate response for someone he didn’t even know changed his life. Learn to open to the law, to the flow.

Jesus, the symbol of the spiritual power we have within, of law and how to use the law, taught the laws so well. In the gospel of Matthew, a crowd had followed Jesus, but had not brought any food and were hungry. One of the apostles brought a boy to Jesus who had five loaves of bread and two fish. The first expression of that beautiful powerful principle of giving comes from the boy who gave what he had to eat to Jesus. The boy symbolizes that part of us which wants to learn, to connect with the experience of life. Jesus looked to heaven, to source, where power goes from limited to unlimited. And five thousand men and others were fed! Jesus taught “give and it will be given unto you”.

Look to the expression of unlimited source beyond the knowledge of the mind. How do we practice it? When you are in contraction, limited flow, whether within the body or in your finances, and are in fear, step into giving. A greater flow creates a consciousness of generosity.

A wealthy friend, as a young man, had found himself blocked in his fortunes. He ran into Charles Fillmore’s thinking on the consciousness of generosity. If he saw source as unlimited, he could be a channel for that unlimited flow! He prospered not only financially, but he was blessed with a beautiful family. The day he retired he asked the CEO for an envelope he could give to each of the 35 employees, but that his id be kept secret. If they asked who gave them the envelope, the CEO was told to just say to each, “You are appreciated.” Each envelope had in it $1000.

When we step into generosity we grow. We came here to know who we really are, to be guided by this intelligence, to play in the big leagues, to play with these spiritual laws and have God’s goodness flow through us. It happened with the homeless man and with the wealthy man. God’s goodness flows through me. Feel its potential. Let it expand in your life. You are a divine instrument here to bless God’s world. God’s goodness flows through me. Are you open to where you can be that blessing? God’s goodness flows through me. My friend was not a person who got wealthy and then got generous; he got generous and then wealthy. Isn’t it time to go to a better place where generosity and abundance flow?

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March 27, 2016 – The Astonishing Light Of Our Being

by

Rev. David McArthur
The Astonishing Light of Our Being

I love Easter when I get to go back and learn it all again. In the 1950’s in war-embroiled Viet Nam, there was a 14 year old girl feeling powerless and in pain. She had lost family and others in the poor farming community. She longed for peace and wanted it for everyone she knew. She soon noticed those people who had so little themselves leaving handfuls of their staple food, rice, out for the birds. She wondered if she could be one of their birds. Would these remarkably generous people spare a handful of rice once a week that she could take to the orphans at the temple? Her friends saw what she was doing and they joined her in collecting rice for the children. Throughout those years in that place of war and suffering there was always, in that poor community, a place of peace and generosity. There was always food for the children because a 14 year old girl listened to her heart and stepped out of her powerlessness and pain to that which was in her heart, and created a world that was greater.

That is what Easter is about—that astonishing light within, which flashes and is ours. And we create something greater. Why did Jesus do it? Why did he feed thousands from a single basket, change water to wine, heal the sick, cure the deaf and blind? In the forgiveness on the cross he showed us the transforming power of love. And he knew rising from the dead—he had raised 3 already. All this to show us the power we have within. But we fall into not remembering that we are spiritual beings living in a spiritual world governed by spiritual laws. We look outside ourselves for healing and for our abundance. But it is from within, not without, that the power flows. There is no one else.

Compassion is the powerful expression of this law. In the 50’s there was a famine in China and some compassionate people wanted to ask our government to help. They sent little bags of rice to the White House with tags saying “Feed our enemies.” I have no idea if the government sent any rice, but it was a powerful act of compassion. At the same time there was a dispute with China over some islands, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff were urging president Eisenhower to use atomic weapons. Ike turned to his advisor and asked how many of those bags of rice they had gotten and was told, “Tens of thousands.” Ike then told the Joint Chiefs, “When so many Americans want to feed the people of China, I can’t put nuclear weapons on the table.” We didn’t feed them, but the compassion expressed changed the world.

It was the same compassion expressed when, outside the tomb that Easter morning, Jesus said to Mary Magdalene, “Mary, do you not know me?” and she gasped, “Rabboni (teacher)!” That astonishing light within awakened Mary.

I love the way the 14th century poet Hafez put it: “One day the sun admitted, ‘I’m just a shadow, I wish I could show you The Infinite Incandescence that has cast my brilliant image. I wish I could show you, When you are lonely or in darkness The Astonishing Light Of your own Being.” That’s what this love and compassion is—the astonishing light of your own being. Are you open to that? I am open to the astonishing light of my own being. When you feel powerless, I am open to the astonishing light of my own being. When the world seems insane, I am open to the astonishing light of my own being. When something tries to convince you there is not enough, I am open to the astonishing light of my own being. I thank you for your astonishing light which blesses us all!

Happy Easter!

March 27, 2016 – The Astonishing Light Of Our Being

by

Rev. David McArthur
The Astonishing Light of Our Being

I love Easter when I get to go back and learn it all again. In the 1950’s in war-embroiled Viet Nam, there was a 14 year old girl feeling powerless and in pain. She had lost family and others in the poor farming community. She longed for peace and wanted it for everyone she knew. She soon noticed those people who had so little themselves leaving handfuls of their staple food, rice, out for the birds. She wondered if she could be one of their birds. Would these remarkably generous people spare a handful of rice once a week that she could take to the orphans at the temple? Her friends saw what she was doing and they joined her in collecting rice for the children. Throughout those years in that place of war and suffering there was always, in that poor community, a place of peace and generosity. There was always food for the children because a 14 year old girl listened to her heart and stepped out of her powerlessness and pain to that which was in her heart, and created a world that was greater.

That is what Easter is about—that astonishing light within, which flashes and is ours. And we create something greater. Why did Jesus do it? Why did he feed thousands from a single basket, change water to wine, heal the sick, cure the deaf and blind? In the forgiveness on the cross he showed us the transforming power of love. And he knew rising from the dead—he had raised 3 already. All this to show us the power we have within. But we fall into not remembering that we are spiritual beings living in a spiritual world governed by spiritual laws. We look outside ourselves for healing and for our abundance. But it is from within, not without, that the power flows. There is no one else.

Compassion is the powerful expression of this law. In the 50’s there was a famine in China and some compassionate people wanted to ask our government to help. They sent little bags of rice to the White House with tags saying “Feed our enemies.” I have no idea if the government sent any rice, but it was a powerful act of compassion. At the same time there was a dispute with China over some islands, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff were urging president Eisenhower to use atomic weapons. Ike turned to his advisor and asked how many of those bags of rice they had gotten and was told, “Tens of thousands.” Ike then told the Joint Chiefs, “When so many Americans want to feed the people of China, I can’t put nuclear weapons on the table.” We didn’t feed them, but the compassion expressed changed the world.

It was the same compassion expressed when, outside the tomb that Easter morning, Jesus said to Mary Magdalene, “Mary, do you not know me?” and she gasped, “Rabboni (teacher)!” That astonishing light within awakened Mary.

I love the way the 14th century poet Hafez put it: “One day the sun admitted, ‘I’m just a shadow, I wish I could show you The Infinite Incandescence that has cast my brilliant image. I wish I could show you, When you are lonely or in darkness The Astonishing Light Of your own Being.” That’s what this love and compassion is—the astonishing light of your own being. Are you open to that? I am open to the astonishing light of my own being. When you feel powerless, I am open to the astonishing light of my own being. When the world seems insane, I am open to the astonishing light of my own being. When something tries to convince you there is not enough, I am open to the astonishing light of my own being. I thank you for your astonishing light which blesses us all!

Happy Easter!

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