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Going Green on the Vedic Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2009-04-20T22:59:28-04:00

Two of the teachings I received from my teacher which shape my understanding of "Going Green" is "Simple Living and High Thinking", and "To live in the lap of nature and depend on Krishna (God)"

Simple living - let us meditate on that concept for a moment. Unencumbered, direct, uncomplicated, free-flowing, honest, modest, unproblematic, free from ostentatious displays. Here are a few antonyms of "simple" - knotty, tangled, torturous, complicated, mazy, thickening, multiplex, convoluted, difficult, hard. Is it any wonder that the greatest teachers throughout history have taught and exemplified simple living and high thinking.

Going Green on the Beauty Way Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2009-04-20T22:24:35-04:00

"Oh, Mother Earth, beautiful and bountiful mother, we are so grateful to you for our lives. Thank you for the good way you nourish and sustain us, for the life giving waters that fall upon us, for the winds that bring us new seasons and the changes of life that support us. We honor all the creepy-crawlies who create such good soil and take care of all the physical waste of the world, for the winged ones who inspire us, the finned ones who teach us how to dive deep within ourselves, the four-legged ones who give of themselves so we can have full bellies and those four-leggeds who have agreed to be close companions to us two-leggeds so we learn better how to love unconditionally. We honor the plant beings - oh what great diversity - for sweet smells, energizing colors, medicines to heal ourselves and such wondrous tastes to feed our bodies. We honor the tall standing ones - those tree beings and all the stone people who help us build our lodges and creations. Our hearts are full of gratitude, Mother, for your wisdom and for this beautiful life that is available to us all, filled with grace and ease. Ah Ho."

Going Green on the Universal Spirit Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2009-04-20T22:22:01-04:00

Almost all known Faith traditions recount creation stories that include a pictorial of either an original or an ideal place of balanced plenty, of some kind of intimacy both with the Creator and with the other created non-humanoid species of plant, animal, and mineral. Humanity seems to be entering a time when, whether by spiritual illumination or rawly desperate survival instincts, it is increasingly intensifying seeking ways to move beyond this apparent, uncomfortable time of knife-edge survival: for many this means more powerfullly experiencing the intimacy of intrinsic Oneness. May this be achieved albeit in spite of the membranes of fear and the illusions of incapacity that have encased so much of humanity today. It is said that the retina of a single human eye contains 127,000,000 rods and cones. May we open the eye of the mind of our heart and the eye of the heart of our mind that sees as if through the unquantifiable, infinite eye of the Creator, so that we can exercise the intentionality to both see and be sensitive to the largest picture of what it means to “go green” and its layers of consequences. May we bring forth an unending “green” harvest of dignity, hope, and peace.

Going Green on the Pagan Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2009-04-20T22:22:00-04:00

Green. To those of nature-based spiritualities, it's not just a color. Green is the grass spreading lushly across mother earth, the leaves just beginning to unfurl, the bushes that have reminded us through the dark time that life always renews, and of course the most beautiful of Gaia’s waters. Green is the cloak of the Druid, or the magic of witches who work with the flora and fauna, as well as the blessed Emerald Isle itself. It is also the shining jewel of the heart chakra, which connects all people, and the glowing sephiroth of Netzach, the sphere of beauty and the loves of filia, eros, and agape. Green is an energy that pulls at our heartstrings, and shows us where we connect to each other, the earth and the Divine. Is it any wonder that the movement to cleanup the earth is Green?

Going Green on the Judaic Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2009-04-20T22:21:58-04:00

Writing about the Jewish connection to the earth may well be one of the easiest assignments for me, as I was once dubbed “The Eco-Rabbi”. To me, Jewish ethics and laws are about protecting and respecting people, the planet, and God. A sage from the second century, Rabbi Shimon Bar Yochai said three things are of equal importance: Earth, Humans, and Rain. Rabbi Levi ben Hiyyata explained: These three (earth, humans & rain) are connected as follows: without earth, there is no rain, and without rain, the earth cannot endure, and without either, humans cannot exist (Genesis Rabbah, 13:3). While the teaching is nice, we may derive a very useful set of principles for living based on this ancient teaching: Collect rainwater, reduce our consumption of water, engineer our homes and buildings so they are efficient users of water.

Going Green on the Baha'i Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2009-04-20T22:21:53-04:00

Things have to make sense, completely, in order for me to embrace them. If it does not appeal to me logically, as well as aesthetically, it would be hard for me to accept. To me, the love, respect and care of our environment makes as much sense as the love and care we would have for our children. Polluting the Earth, damaging our natural environment is akin to giving God the middle finger. After all, God created the heavens and the Earth so who are we to trash it but insolent children? Too many of us think nothing of dumping motor oil down a storm drain or tossing that empty soda can to the side of the trail. It makes no sense to me why someone would travel all the way to a state or national park, hike a trail, and dump their empty water bottle! I am a witness to that.

Welcome to our 7th edition of Pangaea: What does "Going Green" really mean?

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2009-04-20T23:36:50-04:00

The signs are upon us; the consciousness is growing - you cannot pick up the newspaper or magazine, watch TV, listen to the news without hearing about green cars, green jobs, sustainable this, renewable that, eco-friendly, organic, natural, zero waste.... Today is Earth Day. And this past Saturday was the very successful Earth Day Fair in Winston Salem, NC, with over 120 "Green" booths and over 7,000 attendees. So, since it is such a hot topic, I thought it appropriate to discuss, "What does Green actually mean?"

Living in Peace on the Vedic Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2009-03-18T21:47:53-04:00

We are all anxious to attain peace in the material world. We have committees and coalitions, treaties and embargoes, peacekeeping missions outfitted with the best military gear, barbed-wire fences and high cement walls - and still, since the beginning of man, was there ever a time when there was peace on earth? History has proven that there is no material arrangement that can bring about lasting peace. It cannot - for the source of our disharmony exists on the spiritual plane and that is where we must look for a solution to restore balance individually and collectively.

It is explained in the Bhagavad-gita, 5.29:

bhoktāraṁ yajña-tapasāṁ
sarva-loka-maheśvaram
suhṛdaṁ sarva-bhūtānāṁ
jñātvā māṁ śāntim ṛcchati

If we want shanti, peace, then we must know three things - God is the proprietor, God is the enjoyer, and He is the real friend.

Living in Peace on the Pagan Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2009-03-18T21:48:46-04:00

How do we cultivate a climate of peace? It’s obvious that the masses want it. Go into any clothing or accessories store of late and you will feel thrown back into the 60's with the myriad day-glow colored peace signs and symbols of love. Our society is SICK TO DEATH of war, of anger, of the energy it’s taking us to keep up this big bully attitude when none of us really wanted to be the big bully anyway. So how do we change that? Well, Gandhi says that “we must be the change we want to see in the world”. So the first step is you…. Me….. all of us. In Wiccan traditions there is a poem called “The Charge of the Goddess” by Doreen Valiente which contains a profound line: “If that which thou seekest thou not findest within thee, thou will never find it without thee”. This means to me in this context that if you don’t already have the peace you seek within you, you can’t possible see it outside of you, can’t cultivate it from others, can’t bring it about in the world. One cannot give what they don’t already have.

Living in Peace on the Universal Spirit Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2009-03-18T21:35:08-04:00

ETERNAL NECTAR OF THE GREAT ONENESS: PEACE

Breathing life-giving Prana, imbibing the balanced sweetness of your hand-sculpted Mudras; running tiny Mother of Pearl Rosary Beads clicking through your fingers; wrapped in the ancient’s Prayer Shawl; burning with love, lying prostrate on craggy, ancient, stonebuilt floors worn almost soft with prayers for peace, praise, and surrender; calling out from the heights of a delicate, lace-like minaret’s tower; immersed in the silence of lighting and Eagle-fanning a sage bundle-offering; bathed deep within the mayyim hayyim (living waters) of a Mikvah, or being lovingly submerged backwards at Calvary Baptist Church; ears drenched in sparkling alpine bells or warmed by a much-used, chant-filled wooden harmonium; swirling with Sufi brothers or standing balanced, in the complete stillness between monastic prayers with ones Ethiopic Sisters; blending into the harmonics of the Divinity School choir; jingling your tambourine with the Praise Team in Apostolic joy; being the breath passing through the shofar or conch; emboldened by the thunderous sounds rising through the freshly pungent wafting of Island flowers swathed around the neck of the Kupuna chanting an oli or the snowy mountain Elder’s words accompanied by the savory perfumes of a crackling campfire.

Peace always is…Peace is a “right-now” Reality.

Living in Peace on the Unitarian Universalist Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2009-03-18T21:33:15-04:00

We pledge our commitment to peace in the following ways.

Inward Peacemaking
We pledge to continue to learn as a community to create deeper peace within ourselves as individuals. In building our own inner harmony, self-acceptance, compassionate understanding of our own needs and feelings, we increase our capacity to provide that to others. Inner peace empowers us to build outward peace.

Living in Peace on the Beauty Way Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2009-03-18T21:49:55-04:00

This is the Year of Living in Peace and to do that we need to look at the ways we are violent with ourselves. When my teacher, Will Rockingbear (Cherokee) first told me I was violent, I have to admit I was bewildered - I wasn't a violent person. I didn't go around hitting people or shouting obsenities to their face, I didn't hurt animals or suddenly lash out in anger without provocation. But I did say things to myself like, "you are so stupid," or "can't you do anything right" or "what's wrong with me?" or . . . the list could go on and on. And yes, I did curse people in the privacy of my own car, or in my mind. I did make scathing remarks under my breath to make myself feel better in my perceived helpless, hopeless situations. I did hurt myself and others with my thoughts, words and actions of feeling like a victim or silently standing by while someone else was seen as a victim. I did sometimes feel lesser than, unworthy, not enough, stupid, arrogant, intolerant, fearful, shameful and guilty. I never thought all these things made for violence but now I see it's the small violent words and acts against myself that erode my inner peace, my equanimity, my connection to myself.. I made an agreement with myself that whenever I make a disparaging remark about myself or someone else, I restate that thought to be one without judgment, without prejudice, without malice. Whenever I separate myself from others, lose my connection to myself, temporarily forget who I truly am, aren't true to myself or "fall asleep" in my life, I notice that I did that, and then recommit myself to not doing that again. In this way, I forgive myself and move on.

Welcome to our 6th edition of Pangaea: Living in Peace

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2009-03-18T22:11:45-04:00

This year poses many challenges individually and collectively. Some see these challenges as things to be feared. Some don't see them at all. And others see the challenges which come to greet us as an opportunity to re-evaluate, re-align and re-structure our world view and our actions in order to create a sustainable peace. Robin Lynne Rainbow Feather has received a message that this year is "The Year of Living in Peace". At an international trade show I attended recently, I also got the same message - peace sign everything - from nose rings to toe rings, carpets to curtains. Peace is definitely "in" - in the minds and hearts of many. What change(s) do you see as needing to take place in order to bring about a culture of peace? What adjustments in beliefs, policies and/or behaviors would bring us, individually and collectively, into alignment with the potential of peace? Read on as our authors' offer you the view from their unique perspectives.

Why "bad" things happen from the Judaic Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2009-02-12T23:32:28-05:00

The age-old question, "Why do bad things happen to good people" is one that is addressed extensively in Jewish life and lore. However, you might note that in the Jewish world, the question is not "Why" but rather "When". We don't know why bad (or good) things happen (most of the time) but we do know that they will happen. Rabbi Harold Kushner, in his famous book, "When Bad Things Happen to Good People" addresses this issue and concludes that there are some things we simply do not have answers to. Additionally, the Jewish response to evil in the world, which is what underlies the question, is: "When these bad things have happened, what do we do about it?" We return the question, in typical Jewish fashion, with a question and ask: now that something bad/evil/wicked/horrible has happened, how are we going to respond? The "Why?" question is limiting and even degrading. It can stop a person from acting and even surviving. While many may be comforted by an answer like: "It is God's will." Many will find that answer completely unsatisfactory and consequently abandon God, faith, and even their people.

Welcome to our 5th edition of Pangaea - Why do "bad" things happen to "good" people.

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2009-02-13T01:07:41-05:00

With this issue of Pangaea Revisited: Unified in Purpose, Diversified in Practice - An Inner-spiritual Dialogue, we will explore why "bad" things happen to "good" people. Sometimes it is hard to understand why one baby is born to a mother in the US and is allotted the best of everything, and another baby is born to a mother in Darfur where finding the basics for survival is a daily challenge. We question: Why did I lose my job and my co-worker didn't. I am speeding along with 20 other people, but only I end up with a ticket. Am I a victim of random happenings and injustices? Am I being punished for something I did in the past?

Read on as our authors share their spiritual understandings and offer fresh perspectives to a universal pondering: Why do bad things happen to good people?

Why "bad" things happen from the Unitarian Universalist Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2009-02-12T23:31:46-05:00

On the file cabinet next to my desk I have a quotation “ I always believed in humanity and the holiness of the universe, including the catastrophes.” This was said to me by Ada Kozier when we were planning her funeral. She was 94 and her life had its catastrophes. Born Jewish in Germany she escaped as Hitler rose to power. She moved to Spain where Francisco Franco imposed fascism. She emigrated to New York. She moved south to care for her ill sister then ended up needing care for terminal cancer.

Why "bad" things happen from the Baha'i Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2009-02-12T23:30:56-05:00

Personally I don’t believe in random chance or coincidence. Things happen for a reason. We may view a fortuitous event as good or bad luck, however, I believe whatever happened was meant to be, weather the consequences are “good” or “bad”. How we deal with the event determines if we learned our lesson or not.

Why "bad" things happen from the Vedic Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2009-02-12T23:30:06-05:00

I think it is rather safe to say that everyone, at least in our culture, has, at some time or another, either said or heard said "Why me? Why is this happening to me? I am a good person. I don't deserve this". My most memorable experience was 20 years ago when my mother was in the hospital awaiting surgery after a massive heart attack. My sisters and father were beside themselves with fear, anxiety and blame. They would lament, "Why is this happening to her. She never hurt a fly." That one statement revealed to me a plethora of illusion which I saw as the source of their despair. Over the next 7 months, as my mother dwindled in the hospital to her death due to surgical error, I witnessed first hand what happens to people when they can not answer the question: Why do bad things happen to good people? Their lives became pools of toxic waste - my one sister divorced her husband, my two other sisters estranged themselves from each other, and my father drank himself to death within two years. Although still a novice, by that time, I had been studying Vedic philosophy full time for about 4 years. The knowledge I had gained from those studies allowed me to see "bad" things from a different perspective, from a point of calm trust interlaced with peak moments of celebration - those same moments which my family experienced as the greatest suffering. It was the sword of knowledge - knowledge of the soul, of karma, of the Supreme Creator, Maintainer and Annihilator, the Supreme Personality of Godhead - which cut my illusions and released me from material suffering.

Why "bad" things happen from the Pagan Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2009-02-12T23:26:22-05:00

“Why is this happening to me?” This is a question I am actually amazed that I hear as often as I do amidst people of my own spirituality – one that believes in the idea of karma, the “Three-fold Law” and/or work on Self. Usually this comes from an individual who as been working diligently on Self, living fully their chosen spirituality, attending ceremonies, correcting relationship mistakes, doing “everything right” and then something happens; they lose their job, or someone gets a grave illness, or their relationship ends, or worse someone dies. “Why me?” they ask. My first inclination is always to want to say “because that which doesn’t kill us makes us stronger.” I never do of course. Its not helpful to say that when a person is drowning in their own fear and pain, but for me it’s the truest statement I could make to them. I believe we are the sum of our experiences. Look back on your life, look at every “horrible” moment in it and then see what changed for you right then. What decision did you make, or not? What people came into or left your life because of that issue? How did your steps from that incident create the life you are living now? This is often how I begin the process in getting myself through those moments in life. I tell myself “this too shall pass” and know with all my heart that on the other side of tragedy, I will be able to look back and see the whys. I think about the tragedies of the past and how better able I am to handle the NOW because of the THEN, and that gives me the resolve that I will prevail.

Why "bad" things happen from the Universal Spirit Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2009-02-12T23:25:08-05:00

“Why do bad things happen to good people?” For a universal spirit, the juxtaposition of ‘good’ and ‘evil’ is a non sequitur of two expressions of experiences within time and space. It might be said that ‘Good’ is meant to indicate that which is in balance with and enhances the well-being of a person. ‘Bad’ usually means that which is destructive to the harmony and balance needed for well-being. A somewhat surface expression of things happening to people, can lead one into a dualistic response of questioning rather than to a more unitive understanding of ‘happenings’, ‘good’ or ‘bad’, that occur in life. Many religious and philosophical pathways do utilize worldly, dualistic answers to ‘explain’ the question posed above.

Why "bad" things happen from the Beauty Way's perspective

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2009-02-12T23:20:50-05:00

Why do "bad" things happen to "good" people (or vice versa)?

Ah dualities! They look so solid and real but what an illusion they are. In the native worldview, all of life is encompassed in a circle. Seen 3 dimensionally it looks like a never ending spiral. This Circle of Life holds all feelings, thoughts, events, dualities, past, present, future, everything that we can conceive of and everything that we can not. Here's an exercise so you can experience what this teaching is all about. Hold
your arms out like an airplane, with your arms horizontal to the ground. Assign one duality to the end of one arm with the other duality to the other. Let's pick good and bad to start with. Now keep holding your arms as you feel the linear continuum from one end of Good all the way to the other end of Bad. Of course, we are in between the ends, somewhere on that continuum of good and bad, sliding along this scale we have set up. How long can you hold your arms out, balancing between these absolutes? Not long in the whole scheme of things - there is too much tension. So we tip towards "good" or the other way to "bad" and accept that label as real, whether it is assigned to a given moment or event in our lives or to our whole identity. Now I want you to bring your arms into a circle with your hands touching in front of you. What happens to the dualities now? They are side by side, touching in fact, not opposites at all. They are more similar than we at first thought. Now lower your hands into your lap still keeping your arms encircling the space there. How long can you hold this posture? For a long time - it's natural, relaxed and inviting. In this way we see how we can move from the Western linear worldview which is very limiting and tiring to the Indigenous circular worldview that holds All That Is.

Welcome to our 4th edition of Pangaea - Generosity along Spritual Paths

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2008-12-08T20:38:42-05:00

In this issue, we will discuss and explore generosity - what it is; what it isn't, how it blossoms and how its many petals are displayed. In this season of giving, this is an appropriate topic for contemplation and application.

The dictionary describes generosity as -
• showing a readiness to give more of something, as money or time, than is strictly necessary or expected
• showing kindness toward others
• (of a thing) larger or more plentiful than is usual or necessary

The origin of the word is from Latin where the original sense was that it was a quality of one from a noble birth, a sign of nobility ( generosus ‘noble, magnanimous,’ from genus, gener- ‘stock, race.’ ) This is how it became to be equated with noble acts because the noble social class, the wealthy class or perhaps a royal class, actually behaved in that way. Although generosity remains a noble act, it is no longer restricted to the upper classes of societies. Some of the greatest acts of generosity have not cost one cent.

A parting thought from a generous soul:
"Let no one ever come to you without leaving better and happier. Be the living expression of God's kindness: kindness in your face, kindness in your eyes, kindness in your smile." Mother Teresa

From the contributors of Pangaea, we wish you a holy season full of generous moments.

Generosity on the Pagan Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2008-12-08T20:11:28-05:00

‘Tis the season of generosity and altruism. The one time of year we as a collective human spirit consciously shift focus on the giving to others. Why do we do it? Because giving makes us feel good. Whether we are giving a present to someone, or food to the hungry, helping a friend move or just offering a tired cashier a warm hello and a smile, by our sharing of something we have, we feel better. We feel connected. We feel hopeful. Not hopes that something will come in return usually, but rather a hope that the feeling will spread. Human nature drives us to want to make connections to other people. We want to be close, we want to form bonds, and we want to be of help. The problem is the more a society’s technology increases, the less emphasis that society places on its social connections. So as an advanced technological society, we as Americans forget for most of the year how much we want to be connected. We forget how much other people matter to us. We forget how much we need others, and therefore forget how much others might need US too. Then the holiday season falls upon us, a time to reconnect, take stock in our lives, and be thankful for what we have, which I think is the key to generosity.

Generosity on the Muslim Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2008-12-08T20:08:13-05:00

Generosity to me is giving truly from the heart. It is unconditional and colorblind. It is not just merely giving someone something who is in need, it is doing more - the "extra mile", so to speak.

As a Muslim, generosity is a requirement. Helping others in ways that are beyond the expected. Giving myself in every facet of my life is very important and gratifying to me.

Generosity on the Vedic Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2008-12-08T20:07:22-05:00

This month's Vedic view is offered thru the eyes of Arci Edwards.

Although the discussion on the round table is of generosity, I have come to see generosity as being intertwined in its existence with charity - generosity being the heart-space from which we give in charity, uninhibited by and unshackled from the fear of lack. It is not something that can be imitated, but rather comes naturally as a flower of realization and spiritual advancement. The more I have realized that everything belongs to God and is to be used in His service, and nothing, including my body, is owned by me, but rather that I am, at every moment, the recipient of charity, and someone somewhere has sacrificed something for me to exist at this moment as I am - the more fully generous I can be. A realized person will only take what is needed and share the rest with others, seeing all living entities as "brother" and "sister", all plants, animals, stones and people as divine sparks from the Divine Father. They will think, "I am simply the caretaker of this body and of those who share my world." I pray to realize this knowledge so I will be able to use the gifts bestowed upon me - knowledge, wealth, belongings, shelter, food, unconditional love - to uplift others, to have them leave richer than when they came - fuller, centered, satisfied, nourished - thereby making worthy the sacrifice of my benefactors.

Generosity on the Judaic Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2008-12-08T20:06:56-05:00

One of my heroes in Jewish life is a man who was a great humanitarian and philanthropist. He made his money as a merchant and retailer but his fame came in his giving. Nathan Straus (no relation to me) was a part owner of Abraham & Straus (originally in Brooklyn) and R.H. Macy & Co. (Macy's) of New York. He was born in Germany in 1848 and his family came to this country in the 1850s. He died in New York in 1931. He was a successful businessman and used his wealth to advocate social justice and equity for all peoples. He championed a cause for pasteurized milk in the 1890s and early 1900s, when such a concept was not at all widely accepted. He gave mightily to health-related causes in the land of Israel, making sure to support efforts that benefited Jews, Christians, and Muslims. When he saw wealthy people debating over whether or not to give money for a charitable cause, he would say: "Don't give until it hurts, give until it feels good."

Generosity on the Beauty Way

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2008-12-08T19:50:55-05:00

So many of the Native teachings, stories and traditions involve generosity - true generosity of the heart and spirit, not only in the form of being generous with our physical possessions, but also with our time, friendship, love, creations, words, feelings, knowledge and wisdom. Often a thing of beauty is created just to leave on a tree, by a river or set upon a stone, freely offering hours of work and effort to give back some part of ourselves to Creator, one way of saying thank you. When you think about it, we only have a few things that are truly of our own making - our breath, our voice through words or song, our ability to hold each other in our arms, our tears. So give freely of these things that are totally yours to give. When we give a stone being, a feather or a plant person, it's a wonderful gift but we have to realize that we haven't put any of our energy into that gift, we are just passing along what Mother Earth and Creator have made. When we take those raw materials and lovingly craft them into something of beauty whether for utility or pleasure, we are adding our energy to that gift. Traditionally, when we give tobacco to an elder or teacher, we take some of that tobacco and make a pouch out of cloth, tying it up and adding our prayers. We may decorate it with a feather or a crystal that we have found or that is important to us. We didn't create the tobacco or the cloth, the feather or the crystal but by adding our time and energy to them, we are creating a relationship with these organic energies and our connection to all of life is then honored and acknowledged.

Welcome to our 3rd edition of Pangaea - Shelter along the Spritual Paths

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2008-11-05T22:36:44-05:00

With this issue of Pangaea Revisited, we will address the concept of shelter - a place of refuge, of safety, of security - a constant in a sea of change.

It is said that the only constant is change. If that were the case, one would think we would be used to it by now. The truth, as I see it, is that there is another "constant" in the equation and that is the self - the experiencer of the change. Because our nature is eternal, unchanging - change is something that just does not fit - however, because we live in a temporarily manifested world, it is all around us and within our experience. We cannot escape it, not even for a moment. Change, for most people, is something to dread. Even little changes. Even changes that would place them in a more desirable condition. So what then when change occurs that is sudden, unplanned for, or by the dictations of others, including Mother Nature. Change can be so stressful that when it happens on a large scale it is known as a "devastating catastrophe".

I personally see that change - big change - is coming, in one way or another, through conscious choice or through force. One can hardly miss seeing changes upon the horizon, like the full masts of ships approaching through the mist from a far off distant land and heading, without delay, to our shores. Political. Environmental. Economic. Social. Our world cannot continue as it is now structured on greed, careless consumption, and mindless exploitation. This is a linear structure which leads to a dead end. We can consciously choose to restructure our world on enlightened principles before it implodes or we can just keep going until we can't go anymore and things are restructured for us. One way or another, change is coming. (quick look at the word "stress" - there is "stress" as in anxiety, but "stress" also means to urge, to press - so perhaps the experience of "stress" and "distress" - which means two stresses - is an urging from those with higher knowledge that we need to look at something and make some changes).

Imagine time as being a river, for it is within the currents of time that change strips us of the familiar. In this river, what do you hang on to. Where is your shelter? Are you hanging on to things that will go down the river with you? Are you hanging on to things that will PULL you down the river? As things defined by relative time and space start to disappear, where is your shelter? In times of mortal danger (change of body - BIG change) - where is your shelter? In times of emotional pain (change of feelings - ouch) - where is your shelter? In times of mental anguish (change of conceptual framework - big job) - where is your shelter? As the things and people and activities we use to define ourselves start to slip away - where is your shelter? From what we do in the world, to our socio-economic status, to the people we love, to the body we possess - if it were all to change tomorrow - where is your shelter?

This publication is an offering to you from travelers, like yourself, who have found shelter along many different paths. In this issue, they share where they have found shelter.

The Shelter on a Unitarian Universalist Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2008-11-05T22:35:33-05:00

May nothing evil cross this door,and may ill fortune never pry
about these windows; may the roar and rain go by.

By faith made strong the rafters will withstand the battering of the storm
This hearth, though all the world grow chill, will keep us warm.

Peace shall walk softly through these roome touching our lips with holy wine,
'til every casual corner blooms in to a shrine.

With Laughter drown the raucous shout, and though these sheltering walls are thin,
may they be strong to keep hate out and hold love in.

The Shelter on a Baha'i Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2008-11-05T22:34:16-05:00

“Come on in” she said, “I’ll give you shelter from the storm.”
-Bob Dylan

The Shelter on a Pagan Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2008-11-05T22:33:18-05:00

This is an amazing time to live, a tumultuous time, a scary time even, but an amazing one. As a female in our society, if I weren’t living in THIS country, during THESE times, I couldn’t be who I am right now. I couldn’t be an “out of the broom closet” Pagan female, let alone a Priestess and leader in my spiritual community. In fact, even in this same country at this same time, I couldn’t be who I am if it wasn’t for constant and scary change – change both in our country and populace, AND change in myself.

The Shelter on a Vedic Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2008-11-05T22:32:12-05:00

When one is in distress there is the natural tendency to seek shelter and protection, and as long as we are accepting the body as our self, we will always be put into a distressful condition due to this illusory conception of life....

The Shelter on a Beauty Way Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2008-11-05T22:31:38-05:00

I remember when I made the request of my teacher, Will Rockingbear, for the Vision Quest Ceremony – to spend 4 days and 4 nights on a mountain with no food or water in order to cry for a vision, to receive clarity of purpose, to deepen my connection with the divine and to open myself further to who I truly am ...

The Shelter on a Universal Spirit Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2008-11-05T22:28:33-05:00

Perhaps, ‘shelter’ is a hidden wondrously raw cave in the Negev, or stories told of a tent with one flap of welcome always opened, a crowded downtown Rescue Mission cot on a bitter cold night, or the warming words of a shared Creed, loyalty to a flag, the encircling embrace of the arms of a loved one, the aromas of Thanksgiving meals, or the bubbling words of fountains of Faith mixed with the clay of daily living? ...

Welcome to our second edition of Pangaea - Tenets of the Spritual Paths

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2008-10-10T01:10:39-04:00

Welcome back to Pangaea Revisited:Unified in Purpose, Diversified in Practice - An Inner-spiritual Dialogue.

In this issue you will find the tenets of eight different paths followed by our writers. Tenets are sort of the "rules of the game" - a basic set of beliefs upon which everyone agrees, even if the tenet is that it is ok to not agree. They are principles held as being true - again, the absolute principle could be that there is no absolute.

These tenets serve as the "pavement" upon which a seeker walks, the "rails" by which they are guided. From this foundation, one is freed to journey deep.

This is an opportunity to open your view of the world. Some will resonate with you. Some may not fit into your concept of things. Just allow your heart to hear what these people have to share and nourish yourself by accepting what you need.

Please join us on the journey.

Note about navigation: There are spiritual paths and there are topics. If you would like to see all of the offerings made by one specific path, simply click that path on the left. If you would like to see what the spiritualists of the different paths have to say about one particular topic, then click that topic on the left below the spiritual paths. Listed on this page are summaries, for the full offering, please click the “Click for more” link

You can subscribe to this publication with the RSS Feed and you will be notified automatically whenever there is a new edition published. You can also post comments regarding a particular offering.

The Tenets of the Unitarian Universalist Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2008-10-09T15:58:26-04:00

Is there something that stands out to you that people "outside" of your tradition misunderstand about your tradition. If so, please set us straight.

We are a religion of deeds not creeds.

The Tenets of the Baha'i Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2008-10-09T15:57:32-04:00

What is the relationship between Divinity and humanity?

As I see it, the relationship is that of a loving Creator to Who’s commands we abide and to Who’s will we submit.

The Tenets of the Muslim Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2008-10-09T15:56:38-04:00

Is there something that stands out to you that people "outside" of your tradition misunderstand about your tradition. If so, please set us straight.

Many people still think that Muslims are not to be trusted,...

The Tenets of The Pagan Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2008-10-09T15:56:09-04:00

Is there something that stands out to you that people "outside" of your tradition misunderstand about your tradition. If so, please set us straight.

Where do I even begin? There are MANY misconceptions regarding the Pagan spiritualities. Here are the ones that come to mind right away.

The Tenets of Vedic Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2008-10-09T15:54:14-04:00

What is the relationship between Divinity and humanity?

There are five primary personal relationships (rasa’s or spiritual exchanges) that one can have with the Supreme Lord.

The Tenets of the Beauty Way Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2008-10-09T15:51:25-04:00

What is the relationship between Divinity and humanity?

I often hear that we are divine beings, a soul or spirit here on Planet Earth to have a human experience but that doesn't ring true for me.

The Tenets of Universal Spirit Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2008-10-09T15:50:07-04:00

Does your spiritual tradition acknowledge a higher power? If so, what is the nature of this higher power? Is it a personal divine being or a non-personal energy or state. How do you refer to this higher power?

Yes. Oneness. That is the beloved paradox of divinity being both Infinite (omnipresent and transcendent) and fully present in each finite ‘now’ lived throughout the linear rhythming of time and space.

The Tenets of Judaism

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2008-10-09T15:48:29-04:00

Is there something that stands out to you that people "outside" of your tradition misunderstand about your tradition. If so, please set us straight.

I have been asked before: "Do Jews believe in God?" This is a rather funny question to ask a Jew because Judaism is very much the creator of the idea of God as it is conceived in much of the Christian and Muslim worlds.

Welcome - getting to know me, Wilda Spalding, and my view along Universal Spirit Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2008-09-10T02:06:33-04:00

What is the ultimate expression of the highest teaching of your tradition?

Oneness.

Welcome to our First Edition of Pangaea

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2008-09-11T00:25:31-04:00

Welcome. Welcome. Your arrival here is a cause for great joy. I honor you and embrace you as you enter our sacred space created by the shared teachings of our contributing spiritualists.

I will briefly explain what you can expect and how this publication works. To understand the concept behind this publication, please read What is Pangaea Revisited.

First, what you can expect. The purpose of the first edition is to introduce you to our contributors. You will learn what their spiritual goals are, as well as what they rely on to make advancement on their spiritual path. In the second issue, you will be introduced to the basic tenets of their spiritual path. In the subsequent issues, one topic of interest will be discussed from the view of each of our contributors. If there is something in particular you would like to be discussed, whether it be spiritual concepts or current events, please feel free to email me. (link at bottom left of page)

Secondly, how to navigate this publication. There are spiritual paths and there are topics. If you would like to see all of the offerings made by one specific path, simply click that path on the left. If you would like to see what the spiritualists of the different paths have to say about one particular topic, then click that topic on the left below the spiritual paths. Listed on this page are summaries, for the full offering, please click the “Read more” link

You can subscribe to this publication with the RSS Feed and you will be notified automatically whenever there is a new edition published. You can also post comments regarding a particular offering.

Since the purpose of this publication is to assist you in your spiritual advancement, if you see any way this publication can be improved, please let me know and I will sincerely consider its “do-ability”

I would like to send you into the sacred space with one of my favorite blessings, modified to fit the longing of my heart:

May the road rise to meet you; may the wind be always at your back; may the sun shine warm upon your face; and until we meet again, may your consciousness be bathed with the awareness of your divinity, the sacredness of all creation, and the out-pouring of love from the Supreme.

In service,
Arci

Welcome - getting to know me, Rafael Castillo, and my view along The Baha'i Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2008-09-10T19:36:29-04:00

What is the predominant spiritual practice you use right now in your life and how do you see it benefiting yourself and your interactions with others?

....The daily obligatory prayer keeps me grounded and spiritual...

Welcome - getting to know me, Ibrahim Thompson, and my view along the Muslim path.

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2008-09-10T19:25:00-04:00

What is the goal of your spiritual practice? Do you consider this the goal of life?

The goal of my spiritual practice is the Door to eternal Paradise. By keeping a positive outlook in life, helping others in need, and living a clean life with respect to others, I hope to reach the Eternal Paradise.

Welcome - getting to know me, RavenHarte, and my view along The Pagan Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2008-09-10T19:24:00-04:00

What is the goal of your spiritual practice? Do you consider this the goal of life?

The goal of my spiritual practice is to continually find new ways of consciously evolving my own soul, while staying connected with the Divine within and without.

Welcome - getting to know me, Dulal Chandra dasa, and my view along The Vedic Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2008-09-10T18:36:00-04:00

What is the ultimate expression of the highest teaching of your tradition?

The ultimate expression of the highest teaching is pure unalloyed love for the Supreme Absolute Truth experienced in one of five primary relationships exchanged with the Lord personally.

Welcome - getting to know me, Robin Lynn Rainbowfeather, and my view along The Beauty Way Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2008-09-10T18:29:00-04:00

What most attracts you to your chosen path?

...a sturdy foundation on which to build a spiritual path, as by its very nature, shines with the truths of interconnectedness, interdependency, being accountable for our thoughts, words and actions, and our equality with every manifestation of Life Force.

Welcome - getting to know me, Rabbi Mark Strauss Cohn, and my view along the Judaic Path

arci@lightcoalition.com — 2008-09-10T00:36:00-04:00

What most attracts you to your chosen path?

I have always been a Jew. I’ve never really had a chance (or at times even a desire) to know much about other ‘ways’ of life. I was born a Jew. I live my life as one. And I have every intention to stay one until I leave this world...