Through God's Eyes

W. H. Murray was a Scottish mountaineer whose love of mount climbing is evident in his life.  One of my favorite quotes comes from his book, The Scottish Himalayan Expedition. In it he writes:

 " ... but when I said that nothing had been done I erred in one important matter. We had definitely committed ourselves and were halfway out of our ruts. We had put down our passage money -- booked a sailing to Bombay. This may sound too simple, but it is of great consequence.

Until one is committed, there is always hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness.
 Concerning all acts of initiative (and creation),
 there is one elementary truth, the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, the Providence moves too.
All sorts of things occur to help the one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favour all manner of unforeseen incidents and meetings and material assistance,
which no man could have dreamt would have come his way.
I learned a deep respect for one of Goethe's couplets: 'Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.'" 

This quote contains a little more of the original quote than I had read before. Up until researching this, I thought Murray had scaled Mount Everest, but I came to find out that he could not get acclimated to the altitude. However, I also found out that he had been a prisoner of war during World War II, and that he had demonstrated the power of commitment there. While he was imprisoned, he wrote his first book, Mountaineering in Scotland. He wrote it on the only paper he could get -- toilet paper. The Gestapo found it and destroyed it and much to the disbelief of his fellow prisoners, he wrote it all over again! For Murray commitment wasn't just a great idea; it was a way of life.

I am so glad to have more details of this remarkable man's life. It has been helpful and instructive to me.

I must admit that I have become indecisive about my life. I have been feeling discouraged about the diminishing attendance in our Center. I have been wondering if it was time to retire. (Although I did not know how to do that!)

So I got clear! I reminded myself of what I am and why I am here.

I am committed to growing my own consciousness, to elevate it so that I am worthy of what one of my practitioners calls, "the best job in the world."  Indeed, it is an honor and a privilege to be in service as the senior minster here at the Center for Spiritual Living.

From that elevated consciousness, I am committed to growing our community to a place in which we  care for each other's well-being, we celebrate each other's successes and we are a place of safety and love, encouraging all who choose a path of oneness and compassion and forgiveness. My commitment is to live from possibilities, no matter what! Our community is about the people in it. It is not about where we are physically located.

We have not been working together toward a shared vision. Nor have I been clear about casting that vision. Of course, I cannot do this by myself. I will need the support and help of our members and friends.

 Just as the finale in the musical Les Miserables states:

"Will you join in our crusade? Who will be strong and stand with me? Beyond the barricade Is there a world you long to see? 

The world I long to see, is one in which we love the life we are living and live the life we love. In it we see each other through God's Eyes, with compassion, tenderness and conviction. Each one of us can live the life he or she came here to live.

Practicing Compassion and Kindness

Every time I step on my yoga mat, my wise teacher reminds the class, “Yoga is a practice.” 

I’ve learned that a “practice” means you approach whatever you are doing without expectation, taking what comes in the moment with gratitude.

It’s a simple concept but not always easy to do. My mind likes to assess the status of the body and judge whether this will be a good or bad day for yoga. But, really, is there ever a bad day for yoga? Ha!

The same could be said for compassion and kindness. It’s a practice and there really isn’t a bad day or time to practice. Regardless of what’s going on in your world, compassion and kindness, just like love, seem to improve any situation even if it’s just your experience of it.

Last year I took a class with Rev. Pattie called Living My Life Purpose. One of the practices in that class was to raise and praise people and situations in our experience. At that time, I felt like I was living in my car, driving my kids to and from three different schools and a variety of after school activities nearly daily. I decided to start raising and praising all the other drivers on the road. Out loud declaring, “I raise you and praise you!” when someone cut me off. “I raise you and praise you!” when someone didn’t stop at the intersection. “I raise you and praise you!” to the road workers causing delays. First it added humor to the situation because my kids thought it was hilarious, and second, 

it reminded me of the power I have in the moment
to invite God into any situation by means of me.

In August, we are exploring the ideas of compassion and kindness. How can you invite God into the moment by means of you through your practice of compassion and kindness? How can you make your life more vibrant and alive by practicing compassion and kindness in the moments when it's not easy?

If you are looking for some ideas, here are a bunch! Pick something and do it, then share with us on our Facebook page how you noticed your life expand.

The Season for Nonviolence Week 1: Self-Care Brings Compassion

I do yoga for fitness, mental, spiritual and physical. Most often I take a power yoga class to get my blood flowing, but after my busy weekend I was called to take a slower paced yin yoga class. It felt good to listen to my heart and my body. The yin class ended up being the perfect restoration for my body and my soul. It reminded me that we just entered the Season for Nonviolence and what a perfect way to begin by caring for myself. 

The Season for Nonviolence, sponsored by the Association for Global New Thought, is an educational, media and grassroots awareness campaign spanning the 64 days between the January 30th and April 4th memorial anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

The purpose of the Season for Nonviolence is to focus educational and public attention on the philosophy of attaining peace through nonviolent action, as demonstrated by legendary leaders including Gandhi, King, Cesar E. Chavez, Nelson Mandela, and His Holiness, Tenzin Gyatso, the 14th Dalai Lama of Tibet. 

These great leaders represent people and faiths that span beyond borders and doctrine, limited only by the willingness of the individual. 

The organizers of this beautiful season offer suggestions for embodying the ideas of peace, compassion and kindness in daily life. In this first week, organizers suggest focusing on being more compassionate to ourselves. Here are some of their suggestions:

• Do what's in your heart. Really listen to what is in your heart and take action.
• Smiling is a way to establish a heart connection and a peaceful outlook. Smile and make eye contact with 5 people.
• Focus on the good qualities in yourself and others
• Think of ways you can better care for yourself. Put it into practice.
• Believe that peace is a possibility. Offer a prayer or focus on peace in meditation.
• Think of ways to free yourself from drama. Turn off the news or refrain from complaining.
• War is born from ignorance. Try to learn something new. 

Or...maybe you just take a slower pace, stopping to smell the roses. Whatever you choose, I know it honors the Season for Nonviolence and spreads peace like wildflowers. 

They Were Here First

Black Bear Similar to My Bandit

When I was seventeen, our family had a vacation in a beautiful park in Waskesui, Saskatchewan. Waskesiu is a beautiful area with numerous lakes and backwoods which is essentially untouched by humans. Of course, that means that there is plenty of fish and also wildlife -- squirrels, bears, elk, moose, cougars, and wolves.That summer, we had a visit by a black bear who knew how to take the lids off trash cans. He did make quite a commotion, though, while he was doing it. I considered him to be a heroic creature -- a resourceful bandit. This bear was not welcomed by authorities. They had captured him once before and taken him out far into the bush, marked him and released him. He was now known as dangerous!  The next evening he was back, and so were the authorities. The chase wound around by our camp-site. Then a  gun was fired. It was one of the loudest sounds I had ever heard! It drew the men and boys  to see what had happened; They reported that the bear was killed. I cried for a long time.

I couldn't get over how unjust it was that he bear lost his life when we were trespassing on his territory. We were enjoying the natural habitat that bears had known as theirs for centuries before there were any camp sites developed. Why did they get a warning and then lose their lives? As an adult, I better understand that public places need to provide safety to those who are using their facilities. The campers needed to feel safe. But the fact is that bear had not harmed us, it had just disturbed our peace and made a mess.

Maybe I can use this incident to help understand life.

The indigenous people were also here for thousands of years before we arrived. By all accounts, we did not treat them with respect nor did we try to bring compassion and understanding. Rather we attempted to change their religion, culture and ways. 

If we are to live in a world that works for everyone, we need to be able to bring curiosity and respect to every person we meet. One of the things we can do is to practice the golden rule: Do unto others as I wish them to do unto me." Also we can resolve to practice the negative golden rule: "Do not do unto others which we would not want done to us."

We may wish to embrace compassion. Author Karen Armstrong has created a Charter for Compassion. In part it says:

"The principle of compassion lies at the heart of all religious, ethical and spiritual traditions, calling us always to treat all others as we ourselves wish to be treated...

 It is also necessary both in private and public life to refrain consistently and empathically from inflicting pain...

Rooted in a  principled determination to transcend selfishness, compassion can break down political, dogmatic, ideological and religious  boundaries."

It is time to listen deeply to each other and open to the spirit of Love within ourselves. Let us be united in our love.

Do People Believe You

Do people believe you when you tell them who you are?

Can you imagine what it would feel like if they didn't believe you?

Knowing that you are more then your history, your culture, your age, your experiences, your intellect, your socio-economic class,  your ethnicity, your biology, your interests, is the greatest gift of our teaching. When we come to discover that we are individualized expressions of the One Divine Mind, we start to fall in love with ourselves. When we start to fall in love with ourselves, our lives change.

One of the most difficult stages in life is adolescence. During this time the roots that have been carefully nourished keep us grounded to what really matters and the wings that we are developing grow stronger, able to carry us through heartache and fears.


We just received this video from Centers for Spiritual Living, which was produced at Teen Camp this summer.  I feel the boys' pain, anger, and frustration. I was deeply moved by their courage to so openly and honestly reveal their feelings. I trust that you  will enjoy it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mLdBiOVsSBM&feature=youtu.be

What I am aware of in this moment is the need for great compassion, which poured from me while I was watching the video. I am also aware that compassion is just the first step. In addition to compassion, we need to remember who we really are. We need to remember that as energetic beings, we are either attracting people into our lives or repelling people from them. It truly is the Law of Attraction.We need to consciously make room for positive, creative, loving friends in our lives by being what we want to attract. Practicing the principles of the Science of Mind and Spirit is the first step.

I am a spiritual being awakening to the infinite possibilities within me.

Compassion and Connection

The whole idea of compassion is based on a keen awareness of the interdependence of all these living beings, which are all part of one another, and all involved in one another." Thomas Merton

This video is the Charter for Compassion and is beautiful to see all the different  ages cultures and regions represented.

It is the golden thread of truth running through all religions to care for others. In our journal today, we are encouraged to connect when we are feeling ashamed or defeated. Brene Brown, the current researcher on shame states that we must stop trying to be perfect. She further encourages us to stop trying to hide our imperfections from our loved ones but rather to have the courage to tell the truth about our experience to someone whom we can trust. Please reach out if you are feeling discouraged or alone. I would love to be of service as would all our ministerial staff and practitioners.

If you would like to be more compassionate, watch the following video, in which Jason Silva shows how we are hard-wired for compassion. He shows six-month old babies responding with compassion. He also shows us how we can increase our compassionate responses.

I trust that you will enjoy.

THE ART OF LIVING: The Wisdom of the Tao

There was something formless and perfect 
before the universe was born.
It is serene.  Empty.
Solitary. Unchanging.
Infinite.  Eternally present.
It is the mother of the universe.
For lack of a better name,
I call it the Tao.

It flows through all things,
inside and outside, and returns
to the origin of all things.

The Tao is great.
The universe is great.
Earth is great.
Man is great.
There are the four great powers.

Man follows the earth.
Earth follows the universe.
The universe follows the Tao.
The Tao follows only itself.
          
                    -The Tao Te Ching, Verse 25


Isn't it beautiful and eloquent the way Lao Tzu describes the Infinite Greatness that lies within each of us?  At 7:00 pm on Wednesday, June 25th, at the Center for Spiritual Living Capistrano Valley, come join the conversation about the incredible wisdom of The Tao Te Ching and its author Lao Tzu.  See how these wise words from over twenty-five centuries ago can change your perspective on life TODAY!  Rev. Pattie and I will be facilitating this exchange, and will possibly discuss continuing the discussion beyond just that Wednesday service.  We look forward to seeing you all there.

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."  -Lao Tzu 

'Self-Worth, Self-Love, Self-ish'

Being in love with yourself isn't selfish - is it? Join us as we steep ourselves in all that we love and experience the transformation of self-love! 

"Today, I recognize my soul's longing to be nurtured and loved.  I open my heart and allow myself to receive kindness, love and compassion, acknowledging I am worthy of all good things.  And so it is."    -Juli Isola

Embracing Diversity through Compassion

As we all are living in this time and space, in this moment on earth, a shift is occurring on this planet.  A direction of the understanding of Oneness is taking shape.  A movement that we all are here together to coexist amid our differences.  And those who are born with “disabilities” are given the ability to navigate through this time to cultivate compassion in their fellow human.  Compassion is created through the hearts of parents who recognize the child’s place in the world.  As this is a cyclical universe, this experience of compassion can lead to reciprocity of compassion throughout the planet.

In part of his Ted Med talk, Andrew Solomon, discovers an acceptance of diversity through parents of children with inabilities to be “typical.”  He speaks of his search to understand the struggles associated with raising these children.  He finds the underlying power of Love, that creates a deep compassion, that may not have been experienced if not for these children’s “disabilities.”  As a journey to find his own discovery of acceptance, as a homosexual man, Solomon discovers parental Love is one of the strongest forms of Love.  Through his quest, the trajectory of his life changed, which lead to a deeper, richer experience in the decision to become a parent.

As with Solomon, to truly learn compassion is to put it in action.  To donate monetarily to a cause is admirable; to actually enter into the life of that cause is transformative.  To have this experience of compassion can change a life, and can change the world.  Who is ready to change the world?

And So It Is! 

Do You Have the Power to Stop God?

Have you ever denied your identity? When I watch one of my favorite musicals, Les Miserables, I am always moved by the goodness of the protagonist, Jean Val Jean. He was a man who was cruelly and brutally incarcerated for stealing a loaf of bread. Released from prison after nineteen years of unjust punishment, he was bitter and angry. He was shunned by everyone he met except for a kindly man of God.

 "Bishop Welcome" as he was known by the people in his area, not only treated Jean Val Jean with kindness,giving him food, clothing and a place to sleep. The Bishop told him he was in God's house and was welcome, treating the former prisoner with respect and brotherly love. Val Jean still hardened from his treatment in jail, stole several expensive pieces of silver from the Bishop. When the gendarmes caught him and took him back to the Bishop, the Bishop told them that the pieces were a gift from him and insisted that he take even more.

 This generous action transformed Jean Val Jean. He made a new life for himself. He was a just and fair man who was still being hunted by Inspector Javert for changing his identity. The clip shows Jean Val Jean's inner struggle when another man was mistaken for Val Jean. He comes to the conclusion, that he must do the right thing, even if it means going back to prison. 

One of the greatest pieces of advice ever given, is found is the play Hamlet, when Polonius is talking to his young son.He advises, "To thine own self be true." What great advice especially if we know who we really are. 

Many years ago, when I was starting out on my spiritual path, I attended a spiritual personal development course, called On Course. During the course, the facilitators, Michael and Paulette Sun, helped people realize their inherent goodness, their infinite possibilities, their God nature. Filled with compassion, I was flooded with tears with each person's awakening. 

Then Michael came to me and asked quietly, "You really see the goodness, truth and beauty in all of these people don't you Heather?" I nodded. 

He went on, "You see that each one is a powerful God being filled with God qualities.?"Again I agreed. 

Then he said, "But you don't really feel that you are worthy, lovable and capable, do you?" I agreed again. 

Then he said, "Do you know how arrogant that is?" I was dumfounded! Tender-hearted me, being accused of being arrogant!I looked at him speechlessly. I had no idea what he meant. 

He went on, "You believe that you are the one human being, on the entire planet, who is separate from God! You are strong enough to stop the Creator of the Universe from doing what It does! You stop it from being God in you!" 

 Something in me, heard him with new ears. I got it. My shoulders dropped. I felt filled with Peace. I was transformed. His honesty and perception gave me a gift greater than silver candlesticks; he gave me  a glimpse at my true identity.

Who am I? I am Heather Dawn Clark, made in the image of Truth, Beauty and Good. Who do you think you are?

Namaste

Light and Life: A lesson in Abundance

Even a little light is more than enough to make a beautiful photograph

I have a confession to make. My reoccurring life lessons, up until most recently, involved prosperity and abundance. Over and over, I would experience times of financial struggle followed by prosperity followed by more struggle. "I'm done with this," I would tell myself when the dollars in my bank account dwindled.

But, we bring about what we think about, right? And my reoccurring self talk centered on "we can't afford this" or "we don't have enough money for that." And my thinking focused on the core belief that the material things I had weren't really good enough. Flipping through magazines, I saw beautiful creative interiors that looked spacious and tidy. As I scanned my own home, all I saw was mess, mismatched furniture and dated appliances. Then I got a surprising lesson on abundance from an unexpected place.

I signed up for a photography class about light and life.

In the first lesson, the instructor asked us to look for light around our homes, not outside, at all different times of the day and in all the rooms of the house. She encouraged us to trust that even a small sliver of light was enough to make a beautiful photograph. 

Notice the light. Focus on the light. The light inside.

When I put my attention on the light, I began to see beautiful and abundant light throughout my home. At some time during the day, each room had enough light. And I found that less light, highlights in just the right places, was even more beautiful.

What you put your attention on grows.

Toys and laundry still littered the floor. I still found dirty dishes in the sink. But, my perspective changed. Instead of thinking about what wasn't there, I noticed what was...abundant light.

The second part of the lesson encouraged us to view a photo documentary by Darcy Padilla called The Julie Project, a 17-year story of an HIV positive, drug addicted woman. Our instructor encouraged us to look at the creative use of light and how it was used to make the viewer feel deep emotions. I clicked on the link and was changed forever.

Look for the light. There is always enough light.

It was so difficult to look at the images yet I couldn't stop myself. It was sad, hopeful then heart wrenching. Things got bad, better, then worse. But throughout the entire project, there was light, even in the darkest places.

As a whole, the lesson offered me perspective, a balance to the shiny and perfect life portrayed daily in the media. Every ounce of entitlement drained out of me. I felt nothing but gratitude for everything around me and I mean everything. I honestly felt to the core of my being that I had everything I needed and I was beyond blessed.

I am abundant and wealthy, so very, very wealthy. 

My thinking changed. Now I give thanks often throughout the day for my car that works and the food in my fridge. I say thank you God for a computer and a high speed Internet connection! I mean seriously, if that's not rich what is? I have a home with people I love and who love me. I've got it good and now I can see it more clearly than ever before. And from that clarity, I experience great peace and simply enjoy the light.

If you are feeling brave today, ready for a life-changing moment or just want to see how even a little light is enough, experience The Julie Project for yourself and then come back and share your thoughts with me!

The Julie Project

One Instance of Compassion Changes the World

This past Sunday, Dr. Heather shared the video below....

Being a dog lover, I was so moved by it and went home to Google it and show my sons.  I was pleased to find that Eldad videos many of his rescues and airs them on YouTube to raise awareness.

My immediate reaction was, "I want to do that and change the world!"

When I  got out of my head and really thought from the heart, I realized my connection with Eldad wasn't wanting to save dogs, but compassion.

I show compassion in many other ways every single day.  

I show it to my boys, my husband, I show it to my clients in business, I show it to my friends.  

What I viewed as an amazing show of compassion from Eldad Hager was nothing more spectacular than what each of us does every given day...he simply videos it.

My desire to change the world like I immediately thought Eldad was is happening.  For me, I change women's lives...one person at a time.

I tell my boys everyday to make someone smile today...they change one person's life each day.

My dog, Lucy gives me such an overwhelming show of love everyday as she follows me all over the house, then rests her head on my chest every night...she changes my life every day.

The realization of how I change lives everyday just as Eldad does, has had a deep impact on me this week.    I am more aware of it when I do it. 

Don't ever underestimate the power YOU have to change the world.

It doesn't have to be in large, worldwide movements.  

Changing the world means affecting someone's life each day in a positive way...i.e. making them smile, buying a stranger a coffee, helping someone with their groceries.

When we do this, we not only affect that person for a moment, we show them compassion and it naturally encourages them to do the same.

So, I ask you...what can you do, today, to change the world?