I wanted to share here an email that I just sent out to
members of two Inter-spiritual Contemplative Groups that I help coordinate. The
group last night focused on the shootings at the Pittsburgh synagogue.
To all who have ever attended an Inter-Spiritual
Contemplative Group:
In the wake of our gathering last night, and in approaching
the coming holiday season, I feel moved to share some thoughts.
Some shared last night how important these groups are for
them. I am not one to be overly-sentimental or wear my emotions on my sleeve,
but I do want to express to all of you how important these groups are to me
also. Although I have endured my own personal trials and tribulations, I have
no complaints. I have experienced great good fortune to the extent that there
are times that I feel like “my cup runneth over.” A big part of that good
fortune is having the opportunity to participate in these gatherings with you.
I am not one to think much about personal legacy, but I will confess to feeling
a great sense of gratification that I salvaged these groups from near extinction,
and that so many wonderful people have been attracted and committed to helping
facilitate them so that they continue to run smoothly and with great meaning. I
am not personally inclined to much outward social activism. These groups are a
major contribution of my focus and efforts on spiritual activism, which is a
more subtle and delicate undertaking.
Some expressed last night a perceived emotionality in recent
days and a sense of a Great Sadness that has been hovering over us for quite
some time. I suspect that many of us have felt these same feelings, as they
seem pretty palpable, almost like a wave about to crash upon us, a great wall
of despair that we are struggling with all of our might to hold off from
crumbling on top of us. Someone asked about historical cycles. Yes, I think the
pendulum swings and will always swing, and that it is good to maintain some
“long view/big picture” perspective. In preparing for last night, I considered
presenting Alice Bailey’s Great Invocation, particularly for a couple of its
lines. It is something that was an integral part of the Christian Kabalah
training I took. I went and reviewed it, and my long-time issues with it
remain, so I didn’t bring it along. However, I will make reference to those few
lines that do resonate with me. They refer to the human race as having the
obligation to infuse life with Divine Love and Light, and to “seal the door
where evil dwells.” There are significant matters that are our obligation
individually and collectively.
In closing, I would like to invoke one of my newer and
favorite slogans: “Despite it all, don’t forget the joy.” Despite it all, there
has always been and will always be Divine Nurturance, Grace, Providence,
Benevolence, Guidance. There will always be poignant moments that touch the
deepest part of our humanity for us all to experience. They may not cancel out
the negative, but the positive, the worthwhile – expressions of pure beauty and
the sheer exuberance of life – exist alongside the negative. There are
magnanimous forces at work beyond our individual and collective resources. They
do not relieve us of our responsibilities; they call on us to connect with and
channel them in productive and positive manners.
I do not want anyone to think that this is some kind of
farewell speech. While I feel that I could leave bodily existence at any time
without regret and in satisfaction of having led a full and meaningful life, I
think I still have some things yet to do. And I’m not saying that I know what
they are. It is useful to regard life as a constant, mysterious unfolding, with
many turns that cannot be anticipated.
I will sign off for now with a few more of my favorite
platitudes:
Embrace Mystery
Find your inspiration and follow it
Endure
Om Shalom,
10/29/18
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