Universal Family

Vacations are part of that dimension of life that I call walking in beauty. Research indicates that we typically go back to work after a vacation, and after three weeks it is as though we had never gone on vacation at all. But a true vacation should discover new ways to abide ever more joyously in the divinely beautiful dimension of life that is always there if we sincerely, wholeheartedly, and persistently seek it.

Beyond the urge to exhort, assured rejoicing unveils a partial glimpse of the mosaic of world history from origin to destiny. Here: this world, hemisphere, continent, this place. Now: this age, this life, this generation, this day. The natural friendliness of living prophets replaces subterranean panic. Their relaxed laughter opens the heart. The future greets us in those who see the coming of a new sunrise, those ambassadors of the future, those men and women who already are the transformation of the coming spiritual renaissance. Sage idealism joins scientific realism. Knowing history more, we find a wiser path. This is the day which the Lord has made! Wikipedia, Christ Pantocrator Mosaic from the Hagia Sophia

  The United States of America is being torn by a civil war of clashing minds involving not only starkly differing ideas but also anger, contempt, and hatred. A war need not involve military force in order to be profoundly divisive and destructive. The remedy I propose has implications for strengthening any social group. (See the podcast episode link at the bottom of this post.) It involves four virtues, the first of which is loyalty to one’s highest convictions of truth and righteousness. Sometimes we’re loyal to something less. But my axiom is that each person contend in a dispute is motivated in part to defend something of genuine value against a perceived threat. It is not necessary for anyone to dismantle all of his or her basic convictions in order to restore humane attitudes, civil conversation, and progressive cooperation. The second virtue is fairness, which involves taking account of the various factors that enable us to understand why our opponents think, speak, and act as they do. Moira Hutchinson, a mediator decades ago in social, economic, and political disputes in Ontario, would convene a public discussion, ensuring that all stakeholder groups were represented. She would being her meetings by having individuals tell their stories of involvement in the dispute. Listening to others’ narratives gives empathy a chance and makes it possible to expand one’s own convictions of truth and righteousness. On that basis the group would go on to establish agreement about facts, and then to discuss ethical interpretations, and share spiritual and religious perspectives. Fairness leads to tolerance—bearing or putting up with others as we all go through the stages of growth in this material life. On the foundation of loyalty, fairness, and tolerance, love begins to emerge upon the horizon. I give thanks that a majority of the partisans in the currently raging political dispute cherish love as the ideal of divinely human relating. Sooner or later, we citizens of the United States country and this world will learn.   https://prologuepiecesofhistory.files.wordpress.com/2015/04/grant-lee.jpg?w=600&h=502

[audio mp3="http://universalfamily.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Episode5Evolutionary.mp3"][/audio] One of my favorite things to say to people: You are a divinely created, infinitely loved, spiritually indwelt, evolutionary, free-will son or daughter of God. I usually end my podcast episodes with this assurance. But what does the word “evolutionary” mean here? That each of us is a child of nature and a child of God, and that evolution—including the origin, history, and destiny of the cosmos, biological evolution, personal growth, and planetary progress—are all part of the Creator’s process for inviting us to become spirit-led. When I say that you are an “evolutionary” child of God I intend to do three things: Remind you of your imperfections (and mine, too—smile); invite you to develop a concept of God’s tremendous and wonderful plan for your growth in this life and beyond; and encourage you to contribute to evolution by biologically responsible living. Photo of Elie Wiesel, one of the spiritual teachers of our time

The terms transformation, liberation, and salvation may be regarded as synonyms, but I will experiment with drawing some distinctions. Transformation can have its obvious focus in the body; I think of liberation especially from mental prisons; while salvation brings the soul into authentic relation with its Creator.

Transform your everyday experience of down-to-earth practical facts and causes, like the student who empowered his effort to quit smoking by scientifically classifying different types of temptation as biological, psychological, and sociological. See how simple philosophical ideas on cosmology, biology, psychology, and history produce a sturdy framework for intellectually responsible and spiritually harmonious living.

From conscious breathing as a way to harmonize mind and body, to centering from mind to soul to spirit.

Overview of the truth, beauty, and goodness territory.

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