Can I just live in the moment?

Osho has said, "The eternal is hidden in the moment, and the vastness of infinity is contained in the atom. He who ignores the atom, thinking it is just an atom, loses the infinite itself. It is only done by digging in the lowest that you find the highest."

Osho said further, "The ocean is made up of many single drops. And life consists of many individual moments. He who becomes aware of the drop comes to know the whole ocean. And he who has experienced the moment has experienced the whole of life."

Unitarian Universalists covenant together to affirm and promote the interdependent web of all existence and as such recognize the nondualistic Oneness. UUs, like people in twelve step programs, take things one step at a time, one day at a time, one moment at a time.

It is important to recognize that there is no time. It is a social construction that divides up our perceptions into before, now, and after. This is not true for all cultures and has become more pronounced in ours after the industrial revolution. In our modern era we have become mircromanagers where we have come to believe that we have to make each minute count. This is insanity and destroys our peace.

Osho tells us to live in the moment. Live in the moment because, in reality, that is all there is.

Today's lesson - I am not a victim.

Today's lesson, number 31, in A Course Of Miracles is "I am not the victim of the world I see."

Monkey mind clings to our thoughts and won't let go. Should I fight them, encourage them, just watch them?

Just watch them like the leaves in a wind. They are like clouds floating by even if they are like thunder clouds full of power and fury.

As you watch this drama play out, go up to 35, 000 feet and realize that these leaves and clouds are all below you. You are not a victim of their influence, but rather the witness to the nonsense which ulitmately has no power over you.

Forgiveness is to rise above the insanity and realize it is not real. Indeed, my spirit is not a victim: never was, not now, never will be.

Unitarian Universalists know they are not victims because they covenant together to affirm and promote the respect, the love, the awareness of the interdependent web of all existence of which they are a part, and being the whole there are no victims in the bliss of Oneness.

What is prayer?

Osho says, "What is prayer? Love and surrender. Where there is no love, there is no prayer."

My friend asked me, "Do Unitarian Univeralists pray?"

I said, "Good question. Depends on which UU you ask?

My friend said, "Well, if they say 'yes,' then, to whom or what do they pray?"

I said, "Good question, and again, it depends on which UU you ask."

My friend said, "Well, are you a Unitarian Univeralist?"

I said, "Yes I am among other things."

My friend asked, "Well, if you are a UU do you pray and to whom?"

I said, "Great questions. I wondered if you would ask."

My friend said, "I am. What do you say?"

I said, "Osho taught that prayer is love. There are two types of love, conditional and unconditional. Lately, I have become aware that I want my love to be unconditional. I am finding that my choice of unconditional love towards my brothers and sisters, and the things of the earth and the universe is my prayer. To whom this prayer is directed is nobody because I am increasingly attuned to the interdependet web of existence which is nondualistic Oneness which cannot be described or defined as a separted person or entity."

My friend said, "Thank you for your answer. I am having a hard time understanding what you are saying but I think I get it a little bit."

I said, "You will know that your prayer is authentic when it arises with a sense of peace."

Where is the Divine Spark to be found?

Peace Pilgrim said something like, "I look for the Divine Spark in every person I meet and when I find it, I focus on that."

We all have a Spark of the Divine within us which makes us a part of the whole of God's Mind.

Unitarian Univeralists know this because they covenant together to affirm and promote a respect for the interdependent web of existence which, of course, we are a part.

Osho says, "On a pitch-dark night, even a single ray of light is a blessing because if you follow it, you will reach the source of light."

Leonard Cohen sang in his song Anthem, "There is crack in everything; that's how the light gets in."

What do we long for?

We long for Godliness, for wholeness, for nondualistic Oneness.

From the point of view of evolution, humanity is the bridge in consciousness between the separation from the Oneness and the rejoining with the Oneness which is the culmination of the evolution of consciousness in the Universe.

This evolutionary trajectory requires that humanity shed its egos. Humans have to become discontent with their lives and come to an awareness that there is a better way to live their lives. The dawning leads to a search away from our egos to a nondualistic awareness of the source of our being.

"Do you meditate," Linda asked?

"I try," David said, "but I don't get very far. It is hard for me to clear my mind of the constant chatter."

"Uuuuuuum, " Linda murmured as she shook her head, yes, in a knowing and understanding way.

Unitarian Univerasalists covenant together to affirm and promote the respect for interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part, and it is more than "respect," it is love and awareness of. The whole is greater than the sum of its parts and it is in merging with the whole that Godliness is experienced and achieved.

Will you choose holiness in place of the ego?

Wanting more, faster, better is no way to live.
Grasping does not engender contentment.

Love is not possible when manipulation is the way of life.
When is enough, enough?

When less is more, pacing is better than speed, and good enough is enough
Heaven will descend on earth and it will be as it is in heaven.

Unitarian Universalists know this because they relax in their covenant with each other. There is no need for speed, or to expect things from each other they cannot give, or to always expect more that what is possible. UUs after all affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person which is intrinsic and not extrinsic, and the respect for the interdependent web which is discerned in the now not in the past or the future. UUs intend to sanctify the world within which every person choses holiness in place of the ego.

How are resentment and grievance healed?

Resentments and grievances abound.
Some, self righteously exploit them and gloat.
Others, rise above and move on.

What about me?
What about you?

The Tao, full of paradox, takes it all as a harmonious whole.
The person of resentment and grievance is out of balance.
The person who goes with the flow experiences the peace of balance and harmony.

Unitarian Univeralists know this because they covenant together to affirm and promote the seventh of their seven principles, the respect for the interdependent web of all existence. UUs also affirm and promote justice, equity, and compassion in human relations. It is with these two principles that resentment and grievance are healed.

How about if we share?

Capitalism is the triumph of the ego when the rich get richer and the poor get poorer.
The real world knows that there is one for all and all for one.

Those who have more need less.
Those who have less need more.

Those who know help the ones who don't know.
Those who don't know help the ones who do know feel needed.

Oneness is known by balance and harmony.
Separation and division brings suffering and guilt.

Rise above the ego to the place of Love.
Removing the blocks to the awareness of Love's presence is the purpose of life.

Unitarian Univeralists know this because they respect the interdependent web of existence. UUs know that the inherent worth and dignity of every person comes from the recognition that they are a part of the Oneness which some call God.

Is it all good?

The gentle and weak live long.
The hard and stiff are brittle, fragile, and easily break.

Going with the flo is life giving.
Damning the river creates pressure and stress.

Jesus said, "The first shall be last, and the last shall be first."
He was talking about Love and domination.

The loving are patient, flexible, gentle, accomodating.
The dominant pressure, obstruct, punish, demand.

Unitarian Universalists know that their covenant requires respect, acceptance, and encouragement of others. UUs know that curiosity liberates while certainty deadens. UUs know that everything has a place in the interdependent web of existence. UUs say joyfully, "Even in pain and suffering, it's all good."

Do you fear punishment?

If people live in fear of punishment for doing the wrong thing, few will do it.
If a person does not fear punishment, the person is free.

Fear of punishment gives the punisher power over the punished.
Those who do not believe in punishment can live in peace.

Some people believe that it is better to be the punisher than the punished.
These people identify with the attacker and live in fear of disobedience.

Those who live by the Tao do not punish and are not punishable.
Those who live by the Tao journey on a different path, free of fear, in Love.

Unitarian Univeralists live in a covenant to affirm and promote seven principles. These principles have nothing to do with punishing  or being punished. The UU covenant takes its participants on a different path in life respecting the Tao, the interdependent web of all existence which can't be named, and affirming the inherent worth and dignity of all people.

Are you special?

The dichotomous ego perceives "us" and "them," "me" and "you."
This separateness is an illusion that leads to give and take.

Give and take leads to specialness which is the road to ruin.
Ordinarianess leads to peace and contentment.

When there is no "other" we are one and whole.
Being one and whole is the true nature of the ten thousand things.

Unitarian Universalists know this because they covenant together to affirm and promote the respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which they are a part.
In this affirmation and promotion great wisdom and peace arises.

When was anger ever an argument?

Anger can be a force for constructive action not destruction.
A good soldier is not violent but intends to rectify injustice.

A winner does not gloat and lord it over the vanquished but serves with compassion and generosity.
A good employer is fair, respectful, and appreciative.

Constructive confrontation points out contradictions so that awareness arises.
Reconfiguring so that justice, equity, and harmony occurs is the epitomy of wisdom.

Unitarian Universalists covenant together to apply seven principles based on the affirmation and promotion of the inherent worth and dignity of every person because they are part of the interdependent web which is not only respected but loved.

Why aren't UUs sychophantic?

The sychophants offer high praises and gifts.
Many seek this kind of adulation stroking their egos.

Those who are centered eschew infatuation.
Those who are centered are comforted by the basic.

Unitarian Univeralists covenant together to affirm and promote justice, equity, and compassion.
UUs have their feet planted firmly on the ground and their heads don't swell.

Unitarian Univeralists affirm and promote the interdependent web of all existence.
It is in this interdependent web that they find their comfort and peace.

Where is Truth to be found?

Rarely is a person persuaded by argument and emotion.
People are persuaded by facts because they cannot be ignored.

What is, is, there is no use arguing about it.
Actions speak louder than words.

Reality is when it happens to you.
It can no longer be ignored.

When reality is dealt with submission is the only course.
Submission incorporates reality into one's awareness.

Awareness of the Truth is the goal of life.
When the goal of life is realized Love abides.

Unitarian Univeralists covenant together to affirm and promote the free and responsible search for truth and meaning and the key to a successful search is learning where truth and meaning are to be found.

Unitarian Univeralists covenant together to affirm and promote not only the repect for, but the love of ,the interdependent web of all existence and it is in this realization that Truth is found.

Where does the fee and responsible search for truth and meaning ultimately take you?

The Ground Of Our Being is the Mother of ten thousand things.
Knowing the Mother we are at peace.
The ten thousand things rattles our bliss and jangles our nerves.

Sometimes the less said the better.
Protect the inner core of silence and centeredness.
To engage in drama is to lose The Way.

Strength is found in Groundedness.
Truth resides there.
To this space we can return again, and again, and again because it is our true nature.

Unitarian Univeralists covenant together to affirm and promote the free and responsible search for truth and meaning. The UUs who are further along in their spiritual journey know that the Truth is found within, not without. Advanced UUs know that Truth is not found in the ten thousand things which are merely a tiny manifestation of the Ground of Being of which we are all a part. That is why, UUs also affirm and promote a respect, some say love, of the interdependent web of all existence.

From what do things arise?

From Tao things arise.
It is called the Ground of Being.
Luke Skywalker called it "The Force."

Tao gives rise to form but form is not Tao.
Form is the manifestation of Tao for without Tao from what would form arise?

In A Course Of Miracles, it is taught that form arises from separation.
Separation arises from projection.
Projections are illusions and are no more real than dreams.

Reality is the Oneness which is Divine Mystery.
We are part of the All.
Unitarian Univeralists call the Oneness, the All, the Divine Mystery, the "interdependent web of all existence."

Like all religions which have the perennial psychology in common, Unitarian Univeralists are on to something.

Who are these people who laugh themselves into eternity?

Most people somnambulate through life.
Some have awakened.
Those who somnambulate live in fear and will die.
Those who have awakened live in peace and know that death is not real.

Most people walk the path of the ego.
Some people walk the path of the spirit.
Some people will leave the path of the ego and turn onto the path of the spirit.
Most will walk the path of the ego until death.
Those who walk the path of the spirit will live forever.

Unitarian Univeralists are a savvy bunch who have learned that life is about a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. UUs have learned that justice, equity, and compassion will set people free. UUs, respecting the interdependent web of all existence, have risen above fear and merged with the All. Knowing the Ground of their Being, UUs have found peace and bliss. Having found peace and bliss, UUs laugh themselves into eternity.

Who are the people who are not of this world?

Jesus said, "Love your enemies."
Tell the truth to people who lie to you.
Do good to people who attack you.
Express compassion to people who hate you.
Have faith in people who appear faithless.

The wise person knows that (s)he does not know the mind and heart of another.
The wise person is truly humble knowing that (s)he doesn't know.
The world does not understand the wise person and thinks him/her a fool.

(S)he is foolish in the eyes of the world and yet some marvel and say that (s)he is not of this world.

Unitarian Universalists covenant together to respect the interdependent web of all existence and that is beyond understanding being an awesom mystery.

Where is the truth and meaning we are searching for to be found?

The problem is not out there.
The problem is in here.

We can know the whole world without traveling an inch.
We can find our treasure without traveling a foot.

The wise person does not seek outside him/herself.
The wise person goes within and discovers the cosmos.

Unitarian Universalists covenant together to affirm and promote the free and responsible search for truth and meaning. The wise among them know that this search is an inner journey.

Unitarian Univeralists covenant together to affirm and promote the respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are all a part, and this understanding provides insight into the whole world from where one is in the moment without going any where.

Will it be all right in the end?

The higher one goes, the farther down one falls.
The most eloquent sometimes make no sense.
Huge accomplishments, after a while, come to nothing.
Abundance often becomes meager when compared.

The best path is sometimes circuitous.
Simpler is often the most fulfilling.
The most intelligent can be the most stupid
Educated idiots abound and lead to paralysis.

People say things are "hot" and then they are "cool."
With great noise we crave stillness.
What is it we really search for?

Unitarian Universalists covenant together to affirm and promote seven principles which provides peace and joy.
The interdependent web of all existence includes us whom are a part.
Unitarian Univeralists note it all and believe that in the end, it will be all right.