During one of my recent trips, my husband and I spontaneously decided to attend a talk by Karen Armstrong at the Hall of Philosophy, erected in 1900, located on the grounds of the Chautauqua Institution in the southwest corner of New York State, USA.

     Karen Armstrong is an original thinker on the role of religion in the modern world.  She is a former Roman Catholic nun who left a British convent to pursue a degree in modern literature at Oxford.  She has written more than 20 books about the common threads in Islam, Judaism and Christianity and shares her perspective about their effect on world events.  Karen founded the Charter for Compassion, a cooperative effort to restore compassionate thinking and compassionate action to the center of religious, moral and political life.

     The Charter for Compassion includes: “The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves.  Compassion impels us to work tirelessly to alleviate the suffering of our fellow creatures, to dethrone ourselves from the centre of our world and put another there, and to honor the inviolable sanctity of every single human being, treating everybody, without exception, with absolute justice, equity and respect.”

     Karen Armstrong’s talk at the Chautauqua Institution was: “Empowering the Future: An exploration of the World’s Religions – The Mystery of Compassion” and I was deeply touched by the intensity of her belief system:

• “Make a place for the other in your mind and your heart.”
• “You must accept death as part of life.”
• “Build a world society that embraces all religions, living in peace and harmony.”
• “Feel compassion for yourself – love your neighbor as yourself.  Then understand everyone feels the same compassion for themselves.  As you do so, you become concerned for everyone, embracing everyone.”
• “Reach out to each other to learn to live with each other!”

     Karen closed her presentation by saying, “Shalom!” – which for the Jews means Peace, Wholeness and Completion.

A book I have been recommending for years is “The Tao of Inner Peace” by Dianne Dreher.  I find her approach most practical as we strive to embrace a state of dynamic harmony within ourselves.  One of her suggestions is to find a meaningful challenge that makes any life an adventure.

Here are some of her suggestions in such exploration:

• Can you see each day as a chance to practice what you believe?
• Can you do something each day to renew your sense of challenge?
• Could you benefit from more conscious discipline in following your goals?

Close your eyes and see yourself doing these things, living with greater joy, energy and adventure.  How do you feel?

Is it possible to experience a sense of oneness while at the same time appreciating the uniqueness of each individual?  My brief blog today focuses on one of the many thoughts of a most admired person concerning this awakening to wholeness in living.

“In spiritual fellowship men are one in the divine,

and this shared oneness embraces the absolute uniqueness

of all individual differences.”

Marc Edmund Jones

I am looking forward to hearing your thoughts concerning this idea.

I invite you to see through the eyes of your soul a glorious place in the midst of Glastonbury in the United Kingdom.  Entering the Chalice Well Gardens can be a powerful experience in its manifestation of profound inner harmony.  It is a timeless and sacred place full of legend, symbolism and an atmosphere of unity.  The spring at the Chalice Well is considered a symbol of the continuous and unbounded nature of the life force.  Here, many are touched by the inner peace and joy of the Spirit — a celebration of universal peace.

The Earth energies around Glastonbury are experienced by many people to be very powerful.  In the gardens it is possible to feel these earth energies from the moment of entering the cobblestone path under the archway of plants.  In this extraordinary place it is possible to “appreciate the interconnected and vibrant forces that sustain life upon our Planet.”

Now and then it is my joy to share with you one of the poems of a dear friend and colleague in my philosophical study group who made his transition to spirit a few years ago.  His poems are a source of inspiration to me.  Hope you enjoy this one too.  I would love to see your own poems about peace!

Peace, Brother

Solitary Sunday.

Mist on muddy canal

Dances ever so slightly.

Crow caws,

A fish rises.

The splash widens in circularity,

Defining a serenity

To be absorbed and cherished.

Jonas Mather

Today I am reflecting about the times when it is better to speak or simply remain silent given the circumstances of the moment as we embrace wholeness in living.   Years ago I had a good conversation with a friend about discovering our inner beauty and he brought to our dialogue some key ideas from Eckhart Tolle in his book ‘Stillness Speaks’.  There, this famous author said, “True intelligence operates silently” and “Stillness is where creativity and solutions to problems are found”.

“Silence is the dignity of a seeking soul”, said Marc Edmund Jones.

I wish to share with you this day my current reflections:

I am Present.  You are Present.  Here and Now.

Slowing down pace in living contributes to the process.

Time of quiet Meditation enhances staying present.

Peaceful listening to music inspires stillness.

Be still and know that PEACE is here!

Be still and KNOW…

Be STILL…

BE.

Wisdom comes from within.

Recently I watched a small movie (http://www.connectingamillionhearts.com/) that brought again to my attention an increasing trend to cooperate with each other for the well-being of our Planet.  I would like to share with you some of the highlights I found most meaningful: (more…)

I feel constantly grateful for the abundance in living, discovered with each step on the way and rejoice at every kind of human endeavor.

These are my commitments to embrace abundance in living. This day I offer a prayer of thankfulness to God for life, for love, for all people in the world and for the ever-growing abundance manifested each moment. Choosing to perceive us all as one, I serve my fellow human beings while fulfilling my unique purpose through the expression of my personality and talents. Today, a complete rebirth from new realization in situations, circumstances and events brightens my path. I rejoice in deeper inner communion with God. In the presence of divine bounty, I communicate to everyone my appreciation for the abundant gifts in our hands.

Would you like to share your own commitments with me?

I really like Diane Dreher’s book, “The Tao of Inner Peace” where she shares her insights and understanding for an expansion of consciousness and oneness. Here are her practical suggestions for a meditation in wholeness and a vision that leads to positive action. I certainly recommend her beautiful book. (more…)

My friend Janine Fafard, who lives in Costa Rica, has shared with me a lovely thought known to come from the Buddha as a prayer of loving kindness, and I wish to share it with you today as we continue exploring inner peace.

“May I be in peace.

May my heart remain open.

May I awaken to the light which is my true nature.

May I be healed.

May I be a source of healing for all beings.”