The Election from Rev. David, 11-6-24
November 6th: The Election
| Beloveds, Following yesterday’s election, which has been so emotionally charged, I know that, while some of you may be happy, many will be experiencing feelings of shock, grief, and fear. To all of us, I remind you of the poem I read on Sunday, which begins: After the election, some will rejoice. Let them not gloat. After the election some will grieve. Let them not despair. Heal our way forward. Soften our hardened hearts. The full poem is in today’s enews coming out later. This morning, I awoke and the first thought that came was “Before the election, chop wood, carry water; after the election, chop wood, carry water.” No matter the outcome of the election, the Infinite Presence still IS and is still being Its own true nature. It is important to remember, at times like these, that we are still spiritual beings, having SPIRITUAL experiences, in human form. So we each get to ask, what is the spiritual awakening that I’m being called to here? Each morning, as part of my spiritual practice, I read from three sources. The first is Richard Rohr’s daily meditations. This week, week 45 (for those who appreciate synchronicities) the theme is “Divine Love in Uncertain Times.” You can read this meditation – which is brilliant – here: https://cac.org/daily-meditations/prayer-politics-and-gods-love/ The second book is Mark Nepo’s “The Book of Awakening” which is a daily reader. Today’s reading is titled “When We Squint” and explores the idea of narrowed focus and wide focus. The thought I want to share is this: “There is a telling difference between the sharp focus of a laser ray and the wash of sunlight over a field, between the sharpness of a mind in crisis and the wash and warmth of an open heart. When we need it most, it is nearly impossible to see ourselves with compassion from the slit of a narrowed mind, all tensed for battle.”This reading reminded me to live with, in, and as compassion – which is an expression of love, which is the Divine Nature, present within each of us, awaiting activation. I became aware, during my meditation, that I have judged “those people.” Yet, “those people” and I are one – varied expressions of an Infinite Wholeness, experiencing and expressing Itself. Finally, I read Ernest Holmes daily reader, “365 Science of Mind.” Today’s reading is titled “Protection,” and begins with an excerpt from Psalm 91 – “He [she] that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Remembering that the “secret place of the Most high” is within us, and the shadow of the Almighty is the expression of the nature of Spirit – always for Good, even if we don’t see it as Good yet – we are called to stay centered in that deep inner power within each of us. Finally, as I contemplate this election, what I hear is a call for significant change. There is a collective awareness that the old ways, based on old “domestication” beliefs, are not working and the awareness that we must change. The churning storm that is the Trump dynamic represents change. While some of us may not like it, while we may say/think there is a better way of greater wisdom, that change hasn’t happened. The Infinite is always expressing more of Itself – which is a process we call evolution. But evolutionary scientists have observed that evolution isn’t a smooth, gradual change. Rather it follows a pattern of stability followed by sudden, significant upheaval – their term is “punctuated equilibrium” -that necessitates change. Some species make it, some don’t. Sometimes some members of a species change, while others don’t and are left behind. As Religious Scientists, with a motto of “Change your thinking, change your life” we “should be” experts at change, welcoming it and flowing with it. We also know that stuck people (think addicts) usually have to hit bottom – hit a wall of complete and utter failure – before they are willing to change. While we have all known that change is being called for in this country and the world, we – all of us – have not done so sufficiently to shift. So, eventually change is demanded by outer circumstances. And here we are. As with any change, any “punctuated equilibrium” (contemplate the meaning of that phrase and what it entails) it will be a bumpy ride. The question being asked is, “Will we listen to and practice what we know?” Ernest Holmes said that to abandon our Truth in the face of challenges is to prove that we don’t really know the Truth. We are today – just like yesterday and tomorrow – called to stand in the highest awareness of Truth, with love and compassion for ourselves and all beings – yes, even “them/him.” I begin each service by ringing the bowl to bring us to center and invite us to say, “Infinite Love, here, now.” The bowl is ringing. Breathe and remember – Infinite Love, here, now. Chop wood, carry water. (I.e. continue the daily practice.) Be people who are for something and against nothing. Love and blessings, Rev. David |