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 

Swing Time Cabaret Brings Sweet Memories

Tonight our Center's Choir is presenting their annual choir show, Swing Time Cabaret.

I watched the dress rehearsal last night and it is a great show! I realized that with the exception of a Spanish song, I knew the lyrics to all the songs. Some have been great favorites. The choir planned to surprise me with one some, "Tumbling Tumbleweeds" made famous by the Sons of the Pioneers. The reason I like the song so much is because of the beauty of the three-part harmony!

When I was a kid, there were always sing-alongs, whether travelling by car or around a campfire or a piano. My dad had a good tenor voice and loved to sing. My mom had a strong alto voice.Many of my cousins and sisters and brothers are quite talented too. When we were young adults and were getting married, at family gatherings, after the dance there would be a lot of singing. That is really when my passion for the tumbleweeds began. My cousin's husband, and her two brothers sang beautifully together. They almost always would say yes to my request. Please note we would have been singing some standards but mostly current rock and roll music. Although my prairie roots led me to have direct knowledge of tumbleweeds (they are very prickly), country music wasn't a favorite. I was very fond of my cousins and saw them a few times a year. After university, we saw each other less often, usually at a family gathering -- weddings and funerals. One of the trio of singers is a man named after my Grandfather, Herman, but was only ever called Buddy. Later as an older teen it shifted to Bud.

The entire show is fantastic, everyone needs a lot of love for the countless hours they put into learning their music and choreography. Still the highlight of the show for me was a soul-filled song, sung by Diane King Vann, called "My Buddy." Immediately my cousin's face was before me. We haven't connected in person for much too long. The music made me realize how much I missed seeing him.

Isn't it interesting how music can evoke something deep within us? Sometimes it evokes a memory of the first time you heard it; at others the song itself seems to describe a person or a feeling within you. I believe it is one way the Universal Presence makes Itself known to us. When our hearts open by whatever means, it is Spirit within us, opening to a greater idea of life and ourselves.

Tickets will be available at the door.

You Have Options With Dr. David Ault

Dr. David Ault

This Sunday the amazing Rev. Dr. David Ault will be speaking at our Center on the topic "You Have Options." I am very excited about it. He is a powerful speaker and a loving presence. When times are tough it is good to remember who you are and that you always have options. Choose to attend this Sunday. You will be glad you did.

I have been a fan of David's for a long time, maybe thirty years. Before David was called to pulpit ministry, he was a sought-after singer. The lyrics of his songs had a way of melting hearts, opening minds and bringing hope. I first heard David when he was a member of the group Alliance, who toured with Louise Hay while she was doing her healing work with AIDS victims. In those days, a diagnosis of HIV positive was a death sentence. There was a great deal of fear and hopelessness not only in the afflicted communities but in our culture in general. I remember having a long conversation with our school nurse when I was working in a high school. Her vision for the future was dire ... the human race was going to extinguish itself through hormones and unprotected sex.Thank goodness that is not the case.

Louise Hay and Alliance brought hope to those men and women who were dying alone, shunned by their family and friends.The musicians were pioneers in visionary music; music that opened our hearts and gave us hope; music that reminded us that we are more than our problems, our bodies, our broken hearts, that we are infinite, beautiful spiritual beings.

Alliance's signature song was Jai Joseph's "I Love Myself the Way I Am." Their harmonies were exquisite and lyrics were words of truth that resonated with our souls.

I love myself the way I am, 
there’s nothing I need to change 
I’ll always be the perfect me 
there’s nothing to rearrange 
I’m beautiful and capable 
of being the best me I can 
And I love myself just the way I am

 These timeless lyrics were some of the first visionary, metaphysical lyrics, sung in many New Thought centers around the world. Now thanks to songwriters like Karen Drucker, Daniel Nahmod, Rickie Byars Beckwith, Allendale and a host of others we have many profoundly meaningful songs to take us deeper into the mystery and majesty that we are. One of my favorites was recorded by David Ault in 2005, entitled "I'm Here To Remind You." It is a moving, powerful heartfelt song. I am attaching the video . Take a little time to view it. You will be happy you did. After all, my job is to remind you of your magnificence!