John Muir and Emerson on PBS

The National Parks PBS series aired in 6 episodes from Sept 27 - Oct 2. It's online now this week through Oct 9 and can be purchased for $99 DVD ($129 Blue Ray). Or if you miss it I'm sure it will play again on pledge weekends.

For me, all six nights were good, but the best, the most fascinating were the first two nights. The common character in both episodes was John Muir, the naturalist and conservationist. In Episode One- ' The Scripture of Nature (1851-1890)' was the period of the Transcendentalists, the literary, philosophers and poets who believed that spiritual ideas transcend the material existence. For the past two years I've taught a class on Ralph Waldo Emerson and the Transcendentalists. During the 8 week class students are asked to increase the amount of time they spend in Nature and to keep a journal. John Muir spent years in the Yosemite valley and used a journal to characterize and interpret his experiences. The episode talks about how Muir would climb a tree during a storm in order to experience the rain from the tree's perspective (43 min. into the episode). His experience of Yosemite, the giant Sequoia forests and the great outdoors was that of the most holy place, his Sanctum Santorum. That is how I feel during a hike in the woods. That is what is revealed to each student as they study Emerson and they experience the multiple ways unity appears in nature.

I haven't been to Yosemite for 15 years but I understand the beauty in the meadow, the waterfalls and the granite. I visited Yellowstone for the first time in 1991, driving with a van full of family and staying for about a week. I visited again for a day in 2007. Each time I experience the wonder and the beauty as demonstrated in this one picture.

How Big Is Infinite?

Ok, if you believe that there is a creative idea, a force, and it can be represented as human but is also more than human, i.e. a non-personalized spiritual form then let's call that form Universe. As a name 'Universe' fits well because it represents the vastness we can not see and do not fully understand, yet we know it is there. It provides great mysteries for thought as we think about its bigness, its size and our relation to it.

Well represented graphically, this 2:34 video begins to describe our size on Earth compared to other planetary and galaxy objects...the infinite nature of the Universe.

Extraordinary Teens

One of my activities has been working with teens. When I was a teen, I attended an old brick church, Tinicum United Church of Christ in Bucks County, Pennsylvania. Two formative activities were the confirmation classes and the 'Youth fellowship'. The worship services felt mechanical and I sang in the choir because my sisters were organists at the church. In the classes I remember it was the first time I felt an interest in exploring the meaning of the mystical. Even though it was a high structure curriculum the teacher was willing to engage some of my requests for proof and greater understanding in a way that was much more acknowledging than my parents concern and resistance to the topic.

In the Youth fellowship we had a circle of 15-20 teens who met, discussed spiritual topics and also created and went on adventures together. From theme parks, to retreats, dances, to attending a Billy Graham crusade in NYC. These were good times, spiritually, intellectually and socially.

We have that here at the regional level, and have created that locally. Three ministers have worked with the parents and teens to create an 8 week program. We'll study these types of topics and rotate teaching duties.

• Speaking about Spiritual Topics with friends
• How, when and why we pray
• Inputs from the many sources of media
• Ways to forgive
• Knowing your prosperity
• Being in service to our community
• ... and I'm sure we'll add more.
  

We begin tonight, meeting every Saturday (sometimes Sundays)in the early evening. Parents will rotate through and provide assistance. Feel free to comment on your teen spiritual experiences.

The Idea of Transcendence

Observing life exemplified through children, groups in discussion, love and nature I am reminded of the infinite capability, the transcendence of Spirit into every day activity. It might be during a conversation while drinking coffee with a friend, or as simple as when I get a thoughtful text message from one of my sons that I experience a sense of awe, greater awareness and / or satisfaction and I don't know how else to describe it. It is as though the infinite swooped in and opened my eyes to witness that which can not be easily described.

In my Christian upbringing no one ever mentioned the idea of transcendence, yet it does exist in the dictionary. Transcendence is a state of being or existence above and beyond the limits of material experience.

I'm teaching a class on 'the realization process',or how things become real or physical. One of the principles in the philosophy is that there is an infinite idea, non personal, that exists only to create. Call it Universe, Spirit, Divine Idea or God. Whatever you choose to call it, there is only one. Thomas Troward,1847-1916, was a judge, artist, writer and speaker who established a framework* on this process. His thoughts go like this. This infinite idea (Universe) makes up all things. Thus the creative power we witness in the Universe is ours. When we nurture our awareness, we can identify our unity with the Universe. Perhaps identification comes through a spiritual practice, a meditation, an experience of nature. Iti s during this time that we can transcend our normal thinking and access this power to create. Now I know that all the ideas don't fit for the totally logic based mind. I know that Troward is articulating a theory built on a set of premises that are subject to challenge...but I can only explain that experience of 'beyond the limits of material existence' as so joyous, so powerful that I then know I can accomplish anything I desire. So, I'm interested to hear about, what are your transcendent experiences? Are you open to see them?

* The Edinburgh Lectures, Thomas Troward, ch 3

Top Ten Reasons to Expand Mind through Study

Tomorrow is September 1 and most schools begin this week! There has been a shift, from the period slow summer relaxation into planning, scheduling and post Labor Day activity. Morning temperatures this morning were in the 50's and from the back porch see tree leaves sporting new yellow and red hues.

At the Spiritual Center I attend preparations are underway for a new series of classes. Always thinking of new ways to communicate this top 10 list seemed a great way to share the benefits of attending classes on philosophical and spiritual topics.

Top 10 List -- Reasons for Taking Classes this Fall
10. Explore great spiritual concepts like- Infinite Universe, Mind, Law, health, abundance and get home for CSI all in the same evening.
9. Learn one step at a time--- how to pray affirmatively—to do Spiritual Mind Treatment. When to use it, why you use it and begin using it in your day to day activities.
8. Understanding great thinkers like Thomas Troward, who lived in India, studied Eastern and Western Traditions and then lectured and wrote about ‘How things become Real- Mental Science.’ Learn a thinking structure about how thoughts become real objects and manifestations in your life.
7. Your Engine is running rough. You air filter is clogged and your check engine light is on. You need a tune up.
6. Explore and develop your own Spiritual Practice. Make friends while your study. Feel more deeply connected to the Universe. Free Coffee and Tea included.
5. Examine and Release old ideas of God that no longer serve you. ‘God is All There Is!’
4. Experience Diversity…Every 8 weeks is a new adventure- Three different teachers, 8 different classes are available.
3. Learn 3 responses for when your friends and family tell you, you’ve changed. You look so peace full.
2. Put more ‘juice in your life’. What you think you become!
1. You are already Perfect! Come see yourself in a brighter light!

Intro classes are on Mondays and Wednesdays beginning Sept 14 in Morristown. Which reasons speak to you? See you in class!

Life as a Mission and Ministry

Each of us is here living our mission. Sometimes we're really clear on the mission and we live, we love, we create and relate aligned and with the mission. Other times the mission may not be so clear- but over a longer period, whether a decade or a lifetime I am convinced the mission is always being expressed.

You can substitute the word ministry for mission. Stream-side yesterday I began writing about my mission and then that shifted into ways that I know the Divine, share the Divine and expand my idea of the same. That was when I realized that mission equals ministry. You can choose the 'M' or 'm'. Either way it came out as a list of the way my Ministry lives in...while...when... and more.

What is on your list of M/m? Try it, fill in the phrase "My Ministry lives..."

My Ministry lives in ...
the breath and the silence
the stringing of words and thoughts that come from a place beyond my intellect
my shivers at seeing beauty
my tears
trust and faith of an infinite intelligence

My Ministry lives while ...
watching the stream flow over rocks
seeing the mind of the student shift with an insight
keeping the big idea fresh in my mind
watching vortexes in the river after a rainfall
looking into the eyes of the deer in the woods
singing a song
in my home

My Ministry lives when ...
honoring the lives of those before me
speaking a quick witted response- by itself a memorial to my father
I see stars from horizon to horizon
within any church
in prayer
intently holding the gaze
opening my mind and heart to receive
moving to greater knowing when the infinite idea feels constrained
when conversing over a set of over easy's (eggs)
exchanging viewpoints over a cup of java

and more ...
ever expanding

Double Use

This poem, inspired at Ramapo Reservation, is on One Forest Many Trees - a blog about nature. It describes a lesson in beauty and faith. I am posting it here for double use-- Grass with Dew