A universal assembly for true discernment
Reading: Kathy Smith read from NTI Matthew, Chapter 11
Topic : “Exploring the Dream State”
Reading : Rev. Geri Scott read the Way of Liberation by Adyashanti – Dream State
Topic: “Loving Kindness”
Description: Rev. Jacquelyn talked about learning how to extend kindness in relationships.
Karaniya Metta Sutta:
The Buddha’s Words on Loving-Kindness
This is what should be done By one who is skilled in goodness, And who knows the path of peace:
Let them be able and upright, Straightforward and gentle in speech, Humble and not conceited, Contented and easily satisfied, Unburdened with duties and frugal in their ways.
Peaceful and calm and wise and skillful, Not proud or demanding in nature.
Let them not do the slightest thing That the wise would later reprove.
Wishing: In gladness and in safety, May all beings be at ease. Whatever living beings there may be; Whether they are weak or strong, omitting none, The great or the mighty, medium, short or small, The seen and the unseen, Those living near and far away, Those born and to-be-born — May all beings be at ease! Let none deceive another, Or despise any being in any state.
Let none through anger or ill-will Wish harm upon another. Even as a mother protects with her life Her child, her only child, So with a boundless heart Should one cherish all living beings; Radiating kindness over the entire world: Spreading upwards to the skies, And downwards to the depths; Outwards and unbounded, Freed from hatred and ill-will.
Whether standing or walking, seated or lying down Free from drowsiness, One should sustain this recollection.
This is said to be the sublime abiding. By not holding to fixed views, The pure-hearted one, having clarity of vision, Being freed from all sense desires, Is not born again into this world.
Topic: “Treasures from the Italy Pilgrimage”
Description: Rev. Regina Dawn Akers shared the spiritual treasures that have stayed with her from Awakening Together’s Contemplative Pilgrimage through Italy.
Topic: “What you See Is Your Greatest Gift”
Description: Rev. Jay McCormick talked about how everything that you see, and the way in which you see it, is a reflection of your feelings and beliefs about you. Emphasizing that the ‘you’ in the sentence includes everything, including the body and personality is identfied as ‘mine’. This opens the door for us to approach life in a different way, a way to seeing all the THINGS I see as mirrors for me to gain awareness of my misperceptions of the mind. If you goal is awakening or enlightenment, then the people, places, and situations you find any manner of unpleasantness or judgemnt with, or ‘not ok-ness’ become now a wonderful way for you to allow to be healed that which stands in the way of being in full awakening.
Reading: Michelle Hojnacki read from NTI 1 Peter, Chapter 2
Topic: “Living as the question”
Rev. Gloria discussed looking at awakening through the lens of curiosity.
Reading: Toni Fields read from NTI Acts Chapter 15
Topic: “The Miracle of Compassion and Grace in Purification”
Description: Rev. Carl discussed how Compassion and Grace are an integral part of the purification process and when fully embraced and internalized can “super charge” the process.
Reader : Rev. Nyki Dobson
Reading: NTI 2 Timothy, Chapter 2 (v1-26) and Chapter 3 (v1-5)
Topic: “To Be or Not to Be” – What Is The Question Again?
Description: Questions are a major part of one’s daily life and are a significant part of one’s spiritual journey. Rev. Rebecca Gibson explored the influence that they have on spiritual seekers while sharing, from her personal experiences and recent clarity, where questions and answers have led her.
Reading : Lyn Johnson read Act III Scene I from Shakespeare’s Hamlet.
Listen to this audio
Topic: “Casting light on old skeletons”
Rev. Gloria discussed the effects that judgment has on the awakening process and helpful ways to recognize and let go of judgments.
