Spirit Sounds

2012-01-01T08:44:00.001-05:00

Happy New Year to One and All!

Wishing You Blessings of Light Overflowing!

Mary Ann & Nancy

2011-12-21T16:43:00.002-05:00

May YourHolidays

Be FilledWith

Love, Joy, Peace &

LightOverflowing!

Nancy& Mary Ann

Spiritual Healing Temple

In TheTibetan Plaza

265 Greenfield Road, Routes 5 & 10

South Deerfield, MA 01373

Full Moon Drum Circle - Heartbeat of the Drum

2011-11-21T23:36:00.001-05:00

Visit the Spiritual Healing Temple

Heartbeat of the Drum - Full Moon Drum Circle, December 10, 7:00 p.m.

Spiritual Healing Temple, in the Tibetan Plaza, Routes 5 & 10, S. Deerfield, MA

Each month a Full Moon Drum Circle is held at the Spiritual Healing Temple. A circle of women, and occasionally a few men, gather - called by Spirit to be part of this journey. No two drum circles are ever the same, for as the drumming begins, the drums take-on a beat of their own. As we travel through the Four Directions, the intensity rises and falls, cleansing and healing the brokenness of both the drummer and the world. Those present often reflect on how the numbers of those gathered increases during the journey, and many "see" the Grandmothers, the Elders, and others present with us as we drum. Indeed, our small circle becomes a very full room. And, as that happens, it is no longer the beat of the drum; now it is heartbeat of a greater Source. And, we know that this heartbeat is felt throughout the Universe.

The Drum Circle is a most profound, humbling, and healing experience.

As we depart, we look up into the night sky,

and see Her shining Her Light upon all.

And we know that in this moment of time,

the heartbeat has become One.

Join us for our next Full Moon Drum Circle, and experience the Heartbeat of the Drum:

Saturday, December 10, 7:00 p.m.

For more information,

contact Grandmother Standing Bear (Rev. Nancy Higgins) at 413-512-0865;

or, RavenSpirit (Rev. Mary Ann Tourjee) at 413-446-0159.

Friends for the Journey

2011-11-18T08:12:00.001-05:00

As I watch my Siamese cat, Royal,
and golden retriever, Grace,

I know that they are

friends for the journey.

When Grace joined the household

at 8 weeks old,

the cat, Royal, immediately

took charge of her.

With great determination

he took her head between his two front paws,

carefully extended his claws,

and held her firmly with claws carefully place upon her,

face to face,

and then, like a mother caring for her child,

washed Royal would wash Grace's face.

The wiggly little puppy

remained still and calm,

until at last, Royal considered the job done,

and released her.

Today, five years later,

in the early morning hours,

as Royal peacefully sleeps on my lap,

Grace comes to greet us with her

peaceful, loving golden smile.

She gently lays her head upon my lap

waiting.

Royal awakens,

and moves over to her;

purring away with eyes closed,

washes her face and entire head,

this time with paws gently tucked beneath him.

And Grace receives the gift,

in a state of bliss.

Yes, these are the angels in my life.

They care for each other,

and they care for me -

bringing me

peace, joy, and love

day after day,

moment after moment,

unconditionally.

Namaste!

A Message Given for 2012

2011-11-15T09:29:00.001-05:00

Today, November 15, 2011,

as I look forward to the coming year of 2012,

in my morning prayers, I asked for the Lord to tell me what I need to know.

The answer was given through the opening of a Sacred Text

and allowing the page and passage to present itself and the answer;

it was given through the daily readings as well.

I have been instructed to share this with you.

From The Word - Isaiah 29:9-24

I quote as I received Divine guidance and journaled:

This is a passage about the coming of a great change as the Lord foretold this.

In brief, the Lord said that it was a message in that time

that was either viewed as sealed and not to be read,

or simply unreadable by others.

The Lord said that it was a time when those who worshipped the Lord

did so by following only those rules that man had created.

The Lord said that He would "astound these people with wonder upon wonder -

the wisdom of the wise will perish, and

the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish."

This is a time when all that before set the rules,

will be turned upside-down.

The Lord continues, by saying that

there will be woe to those who work in darkness

and think they can hide their work from the Lord.

The Truth has been twisted by men;

men of today have come to believe that the Creator

will not know what they do.

The Lord says that we are entering a time

when the Lord's Words will be heard,

when we will have the ears to hear,

and the eyes to see.

And in this coming time,

the humble will rejoice in the Lord,

and the needy will rejoice in the Holy One.

In 2012, we will see the ruthless vanish,

the mockers disappear.

All who have an eye for evil will be cut down.

And this will be so for those who bring harm to others

with their false words.

The passage concludes with the Lord saying that

this will be a time when we will see our children

as the work of the Creator - of God the potter's hands.

And, that as we "see" this,

then we will keep the Lord's Name Holy.

As we see the wonder upon wonder of the work of the Divine,

we will stand in awe of our Creator.

And in that time, we will see a change.

We will see those who before were wayward in spirit,

now gaining understanding.

We will see those who before could only complain,

now accepting instruction.

These are the changes coming in 2012 as given by the Divine Source.

****

We are instructed to maintain our focus on the Divine Source -

To be careful not to let our occupations upset our spiritual life

and cause anxiety.

We are to pray,

"Dear God, I am rowing and sailing for you;

be my Pilot and my Oarsman."

Psalm 89: 8 -9

" . . . when the waves rise You still them."

***

The readings conclude with the instruction:

"An act of kindness may not be understood in the spirit intended,

but, Vibrations of Kindness

will influence peoples' feelings,

changing them from within.

Kindness is a vibration of consciousness,

and has no boundaries."

***

Our Daily Prayer:

Lord be gracious to us;

We long for you.

Be our strength every morning;

our salvation in time of distress.

Isaiah 33:2

The message was received through readings from:

The Bible

Listening to God with Padre Pio

Living Wisely, Living Well by Swami Kriyananda

The New Zealand Prayer Book

Namaste! To Love

2011-11-06T09:49:00.000-05:00

Have you ever considered how easy it is to love some,

and how impossible it seems to love others?

And, yet, we are called to

"Love our neighbors as ourselves," without exception.

Somewhere deep within each and every one of us

the Divine is present.

Many times that Divine energy

is totally obscured by human choices -

choices that are not a reflection of the Divine.

If we can hold in faith

that somewhere deep within

the Divine does reside - waiting,

even in the most unlovable -

then, we can have the eyes to see

that there really is something to love

even in the most unlovable.

That Divine presence is who we are meant to be!

When we are called to love our neighbor,

we are called to love the Divine within our neighbor.

If we can do this, even with the most unlovable,

then we give fuel to that Divine Fire within the other.

As that Divine Fire is given Breath upon which to grow,

that Fire can grow and become

the energy to change the other.

We may or may not see

that change in our this earth walk.

It is not always ours to see.

Ultimately, we can only be responsible for ourselves.

We can only bring about change by changing ourselves.

And what is that change that is needed?

To be one with God in all aspects of our lives.

A first step can be to "Love our neighbor."

Saint Pio (Padre Pio) gave this advise

for those times when to love our neighbor

seems impossible:

"Treat your neighbor well and don't get angry.

When necessary, say these words of the divine Master:

'I love my neighbors, oh, Eternal Father,

because You love them,

and You gave them to me as brothers and sisters,

and You want me to love them as you do."

Quote from Listening to God with Padre Pio

2011-10-27T08:53:00.001-04:00

Every year at this time, I am in awe of the magnificence of our Creator's paintbrush,

and the love with which the Divine has surrounded us as She has created such beauty for us to enjoy.

As the snows begin to gently fall, give thanks,

and take time to consider the "colors" that you have harvested on your palette this year.

Heartbeat of the Drum

2011-10-08T08:55:00.002-04:00

The Drum Circle is a most profound, humbling, and healing experience.

As we depart, we look up into the night sky,

and see Her shining Her Light upon all.

And we know that in this moment of time,

the heartbeat has become One.

Join us for our next Full Moon Drum Circle:

Tuesday, October 11, 7:00 p.m.

Spiritual Healing Temple

265 Greenfield Road (Routes 5 & 10)

South Deerfield, MA

http://www.SpiritualHealingTemple.org

Angels All Around

2011-09-13T08:42:00.002-04:00

This morning as I prepared for my day,

I was reminded of the profound experience

I had with my dog, Grace.

It was during the last year of my mother's life.

During that year, Grace was tuned to me -

heartbeat to heartbeat.

As the seed of sorrow would begin to grow -

before I even knew it was there -

Grace was at my side, loving me.

I knew then, as I do now,

that Grace was an angel

sent to be with me.

Even now, she is still at my side -

still tuned to me -

heartbeat to heartbeat.

And, in a most amazing moment this morning,

as I silently thanked her

for showing me everyday what unconditional love is,

she lifted her paw and placed it in my hand -

this is not a normal movement of my dog.

And, I knew in that moment,

my hand was being held by an angel.

Blessed be!

The Invisible in the Visible

2011-09-01T09:31:00.000-04:00

Take a moment to see your own circle of friends as a beautiful grove of trees.

"Every individual in our personal sacred grove - and indeed in all of creation - is a sacred space, where the invisible of all that makes them who they are is expressed in the visible person we encounter. How might we revere the sacredness of each other? Perhaps by making a more conscious effort to tell them the particular ways in which we value them (and there is something to value even in the people who cause us the most heartache, if we take the time and trouble to search a little). In what ways do we diminish the value of others and demean their personalities? Do we try to build up our own self-esteem by shrinking theirs? Do we tend to criticize more readily than we praise them? The hospitality of the sacred grove asks us to enter each other's space respectfully, gently, and lovingly. Without this reverence there can be no communion.

Pause for awhile and reflect on one or two people in your own circle of friends - perhaps one person you are especially close to, and another with whom you feel less at ease. . . . Imagine these people as trees . . . What do you know of their roots - their invisible reality - and how they have been shaped by their personal stories and the way their lives have unfolded? . . .

When we recognize the importance of our own invisible roots, and respect that of others, we are moving into common ground, where real communion of heart and mind might become a possibility."

"The more we know of this invisible reality of each other, the more we understand, and the more we understand, the more readily we can forgive whatever needs to be forgiven."

Look at the trees around you. Are their branches strong, or are they weak and broken? Perhaps one holds and supports the breaking branch of its neighboring tree. Perhaps some of our branch encounters are like that, too. " . . . trees can teach us something of what communion might mean. . . .In all things there is an invisible, as well as a visible, dimension, and the space where the invisible becomes manifest in visible is sacred."

Excerpts are taken from Sacred Spaces: Stations on a Celtic Way by Margaret Silf

A New Age

2011-08-30T09:11:00.000-04:00

Today as I prayed, I was taken to the words of Jeremiah 31. A number of things came forth for me in these words - and I share them with you.

As I read the words, "Set up road signs, put up guideposts, take note of the highway, the road you take", I was reminded of the Celtic landscape where the stones are erected reminding all that in a time and space one encountered the Divine here. Are we called to do the same? I wonder.

A few lines later, I read, "The Lord will create a new thing on earth - a woman will surround a man." And, I wonder if this could be the New Age that we have entered? We have passed from the Age of Pisces - the Age of the Divine Masculine - into the Age of Aquarius - the Age of the Divine Feminine. . . . I wonder.

And, finally, these words, " 'The days are coming,'

declares the Lord, 'when I will plant . . . Just as I watched over them to uproot & tear down, & to overthrow, to destroy & bring disaster, so I will watch over them to build & to plant,' declares the Lord."

Words written in a different day and a different time. Words spoken to a different people. And, yet, these Words speak to us wherever we are today.

In the aftermath of the great flooding of Hurricane Irene, there is comfort in knowing that we are cared for - that the Lord watches over us as we build and plant.

In an era that has been filled with aggression and wars, great Light shines forth in knowing that those times are ending - that with the New Age, those times are now surrounded by the Divine Feminine - Sophia - by that aspect of God that will plant and nurture and bring new life and new birth!

Perhaps we are being called to mark these moments, to put up our own stone markers declaring "Yes, She was here! A New Day has come!"

Rev. Mary Ann Tourjee

Thank You, Lord

2011-08-28T17:21:00.000-04:00

As Hurricane Irene is exiting more gently than her 500 mile expanse of energy was projected to do - we thank you Lord for holding us gently in the palm of your hand.

Silence

2011-08-11T09:13:00.001-04:00

Only in Silence

can we hear the soft voice of God.

Only in Silence

can we hear

the whisper

of Love

that comes to us

from the Divine.

Only in Silence

can we hear

the soft unfolding

from bud to flower.

Only in Silence

do we perceive

the Miracle.

Why We Are Here

2011-08-04T09:28:00.000-04:00

We ask, "Lord, why am I here? What do you want of me?"

And the answer: "To Love, To Serve, and To Remember Who You Are."

In every moment, in every breath, and in every space between breaths to Love with God's Unconditional Love. That is what we are called to do. That is our challenge of this day.

Namaste!

Circle of Life

2011-07-07T23:25:00.000-04:00

There is a Celtic story about a man who chips out the circle of Celtic cross that stands to mark a sacred space. The sacred is broken to fulfill the needs of the one. How often have we chipped out our own piece of that circle for our own needs, or wants at the expense of the whole human family? As the author Margaret Silf says, "every time I break the circle of my own integrity, I somehow damage the wholeness of all creation. It warns me that just the tiniest gap in a circle breaks the whole continuity of things." May we remember that we all are connected, and that only through that awareness and honoring of one another can that circle be made strong. May the circle be open but unbroken!

Joy

2011-06-23T08:45:00.000-04:00

You should begin to build up confidence and joy

in your own richness.

That richness is the essence of generosity.

It is the sense of resourcefulness,

that you can deal with whatever is available around you

and not feel poverty-stricken.

Chogyam Trungpa

from Offerings: Buddhist Wisdom for Everyday Life

Summer Solistice

2011-06-21T08:31:00.001-04:00

Sumer Solstice!

That day of greatest Light on our planet -- and the marking of the annual gradual return of a the darkening time.

It is a day to Celebrate the Light, and it is a day to call in more Light for the coming days, weeks, and months!

Join us at 7:00 p.m. tonight at the Spiritual Healing Temple as Celebrate and Call-In the Light!

Located in the Tibetan Plaza on Routes 5& 10 in South Deerfield, MA.

Shine in the Divine

2011-06-05T08:59:00.000-04:00

Throughout the Christian World, today is a Holy Day - it is the Day of Ascension. Jesus the Christ - Christ the Avatar - raised to a new dimension - showing us that we, too, can ascend to a higher vibration as we become One with God.

Reflect on these words from Living Space:

Then, one day on the Mount of Olives just outside Jerusalem, as they looked on, he “was lifted up” and “a cloud took him from their sight”. The “lifting up” is to be understood more in a spiritual sense, as it is in John’s Gospel where he speaks a number of times about Jesus being “lifted up” (e.g. “I, being lifted up, will draw all people to myself.”) It refers in particular to the Risen Jesus being raised to the glory of God the Father. This is further emphasised by the cloud that took him from their sight. The same cloud that, in the Hebrew Testament, shrouded Mount Sinai as the sign of God’s presence or the cloud that enveloped Jesus at his Transfiguration. Lower your eyes. And that is why the disciples need to be told not to stay standing there gawking up at the sky. That is not where the Risen and Ascended Jesus is to be found. If they want to meet him again, they have to go back to Jerusalem, where, in a few days’ time, they themselves will be filled with the Spirit of God and of the Risen and Ascended Jesus. They will become the Body of the Risen and Exalted Jesus, his effective presence to “the ends of the earth”. As Jesus had told them just before his Ascension (in the Acts), “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and then you will be my witnesses not only in Jerusalem but throughout Judea and Samaria, and indeed to the ends of the earth.” . . . in order to continue being with his disciples, Jesus had to leave them. His “old” presence in one human body, in one small corner of the world, reaching a small number of people, in one tiny period of history now gives way to a new presence that will reach the whole world in every age. From now on wherever there is “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness…”, wherever there is truth, love, compassion, justice, freedom, beauty the Spirit of Jesus is there.

http://sacredspace.ie/livingspace/

In brief, whatever our tradition, the ulitmate goal is to be one with the Divine and when that is accomplished, it is evidenced in our humanity as the total presence of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, faithfulness, gentleness…”, wherever there is truth, love, compassion, justice, freedom, beauty - for we are no longer bound by world; our Spirit has ascended to a higher dimension and the Divine within is shining forth!

The message of Jesus in the Ascension is not just a Christian message. It is the message of the Avatar calling all of us to our purpose - calling us to remember who we are, and to let the Divine shine forth from within each of us!

True Nature

2011-05-30T21:34:00.000-04:00

When you see everything changing before your eyes,

have confidence in what you cannot see.

You cannot see the dance of energy

that forms the cosmos,

yet it fills all of space.

You cannot see the bonding forces

that knit your body into being,

yet you are here.

You cannot see your own true nature,

yet like the Tao it is ever present.

It is what is reading these words

at this moment,

here and now.

That is what you can trust.*

*by William and Nancy Martin, The Caregiver's Tao Te Ching: Compassionate Caring for Your Loved Ones and Yourself

Standing Stones

2011-05-27T23:36:00.000-04:00

There is a Celtic tradition of placing standing stones to mark the sacred spot where someone has had an encounter with God. Those walking the countryside see these stones and know that something significant happened in that space. I can imagine that for those with awareness, this brings the ones passing by into a state of awe, knowing that they are in a space where the Divine has been present.

I wonder how this would change our daily walk if the standing stones were a part of our tradition? I wonder how the pace of our lives might change, if we encountered such sacred spaces, announced by the presence of the standing stones? Perhaps, one by one, stone by stone, we can make a difference as we acknowledge the presence of God in our lives with our own standing stones.

Hope

2011-05-01T10:27:00.001-04:00

If ever there was a time that reminds us of hope springing eternal, it is Spring! For out of the cold and barren landscape following winter's snows, new life springs forth - a resurrection - new birth.

May we never forget Spring!

Simplicity

2011-04-20T08:07:00.000-04:00

Consider this day, "To what is your energy directed?" Is there a real simplicity in your life?

It has been said, ". . . "simplicity is an uprightness of soul which prevents self-consciousness. It is not the same as sincerity . . . Many people are sincere who are not simple. . . Real simplicity lies in a juste milieu, equally free from thoughtlessness and affectation, in which the soul is not overwhelmed by externals so as to be unable to reflect . . . That soul which looks where it is going, without losing time arguing over every step, or looking back perpetually, possesses true simplicity. . . . The great thing is to resign all your interests and pleasures and comfort and fame to God. He who unreservedly accepts whatever God may give him in this world--humiliation, trouble, and trial from within or from without--has made a great step towards self-victory; he will not dread praise or censure, he will not be sensitive; or if he finds himself wincing, he will deal so cavalierly with his sensitiveness that it will soon die away. Such full resignation and unfeigned acquiescence is true liberty, and hence arises perfect simplicity. Blessed indeed are they who are no longer their own, but have given themselves wholly to God."*

The seed that is to grow

must lose itself as seed;

And they that creep

may graduate through

chrysalis to wings.

Wilt thou then, O mortal,

cling to husks which

falsely seem to you

the self?**

*Excerpt by Francois Fenelon, 1651-1715, French Archbishop of Cambray.

**Wu Ming Fu, Chinese poet, philosopher. Patterns in Jade.

From The Choice is Always Ours: An Anthology of the Religious Way, Edited by Dorothy Berkley Phillips

Perfect Peace

2011-04-18T08:10:00.000-04:00

To the one,

who meditates upon

perfect peace,

all pain and sorrow depart.

Meditate upon

Who contains this Universe,

Whose Holy Name

is the whisper on the ears

of the entire Creation.

From the lyrics of "This Universe" on This Universe by Singh Kaur

Healing by the Divine Feminine

2011-04-17T08:04:00.002-04:00

So often we do not have the eyes to see clearly, and so we miss the miracles that are before us. And it would seem that there have been times when the Blessed Mother has revealed herself to those who have the eyes to see; and, in that moment has provided the miraculous to enable the "unseeing" world to know and understand Her unfailing presence.

One such time was with a young, fourteen year old girl, named Bernadette. This unlikely child, who was poor and unschooled, lived in southern France in 1858. The Blessed Mother Mary began to appear before her, and Bernadette had the eyes to see and the ears to hear. On one occasion Mary told her to dig in the earth, to wash, and then to drink from the muddy water that had appeared. Without question,in an act of complete faith, Bernadette did as the Blessed Mother instructed her. The child's act of faith opened a spring of pure, fresh water which flows abudantly to this day -- the healing waters of Lourdes. Through these waters, the Divine Feminine -- the Blessed Mother -- has healed people, physically and spiritually.

The healing waters of Lourdes is but one of the many places where the Blessed Mother has poured forth her healing energy as the Great Mother Earth, providing the opportunity for all who come to Her to do so in Faith that the healing will be done.

Today, the child whose act of faith called forth the waters of Lourdes is known as St. Bernadette.

On this day, April 17, 2011, the Christian world remembers the day when many had the eyes to see the healing Light pouring forth from a man called Jesus; today we rememeber how they waved palm branches as Jesus rode a donkey into their town; waving palm branches because another young girl, Mary had also accepted in faith that which the Divine had called forth.

Has that Light been ignited within you?

This Easter season, do you have the eyes to see, the ears to hear, the wisdom to know and the courage to follow when She speaks to you?

For Our Christian Readers

2011-04-04T08:29:00.001-04:00

The following was shared with me by email by a friend from Virginia. I thought I would share it with you.

While watching a little TV on Sunday instead of going to church, I watched a church in Atlanta honoring one of its senior pastors who had been retired many years. He was 92 at that time and I wondered why the church even bothered to ask the old gentleman to preach at that age. After a warm welcome, introduction of this speaker, and as the applause quieted down, he rose from his high back chair and walked slowly, with great effort and a sliding gait to the podium. Without a note or written paper of any kind he placed both hands on the pulpit to steady himself and then quietly and slowly he began to speak....

"When I was asked to come here today and talk to you, your pastor asked me to tell you what was the greatest lesson ever learned in my 50-odd years of preaching. I thought about it for a few days and boiled it down to just one thing that made the most difference in my life and sustained me through all my trials.. The one thing that I could always rely on when tears and heartbreak and pain and fear and sorrow paralyzed me... the only thing that would comfort was this verse......... .....

"Jesus loves me this I know. For the Bible tells me so. Little ones to Him belong, we are weak but He is strong..... Yes, Jesus loves me.... The Bible tells me so."

The old pastor stated, "I always noticed that it was the adults who chose the children's hymn 'Jesus Loves Me' (for the children of course) during a hymn sing, and it was the adults who sang the loudest because I could see they knew it the best."

"Here for you now is a Senior version of Jesus Loves Me":

JESUS LOVES ME

Jesus loves me, this I know,
Though my hair is white as snow
Though my sight is growing dim,
Still He bids me trust in Him.

YES, JESUS LOVES ME..
YES, JESUS LOVES ME..
YES, JESUS LOVES ME,
FOR THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO.

Though my steps are oh, so slow,
With my hand in His I'll go
On through life, let come what may,
He'll be there to lead the way.

(CHORUS)

When the nights are dark and long,
In my heart He puts a song..
Telling me in words so clear,
"Have no fear, for I am near."

(CHORUS)

When my work on earth is done,
And life's victories have been won.
He will take me home above,
Then I'll understand His love.

(CHORUS)

I love Jesus, does He know?
Have I ever told Him so?
Jesus loves to hear me say,
That I love Him every day.

(CHORUS)

Seeing Sophia

2011-04-04T00:03:00.000-04:00

Looking back at the snows of winter, and seeing that now spring is coming forth, it is truly a time for celebrating the presence of our Divine Mother, Sophia!

For even in the cold of winter, She was there; and in the new life of spring, we are reminded of Her presence.

Praise God the Father!

Praise God the Mother!

Lord, we celebrate your presence in our lives!

Call for World Prayer from Masuru Emoto - Thursday, March 31, Noon

2011-03-30T23:50:00.003-04:00

Call to Prayer from Masuru Emoto -

Thursday, March 31, Noon

To All People Around the World

Please send your prayers of love and gratitude to water at the nuclear plants in Fukushima, Japan!

By the massive earthquakes of Magnitude 9 and surreal massive tsunamis, more than 10,000 people are still missing…even now… It has been 16 days already since the disaster happened. What makes it worse is that water at the reactors of Fukushima Nuclear Plants started to leak, and it’s contaminating the ocean, air and water molecule of surrounding areas.

Human wisdom has not been able to do much to solve the problem, but we are only trying to cool down the anger of radioactive materials in the reactors by discharging water to them.

Is there really nothing else to do?

I think there is. During over twenty year research of hado measuring and water crystal photographic technology, I have been witnessing that water can turn positive when it receives pure vibration of human prayer no matter how far away it is.

Energy formula of Albert Einstein, E=MC2 really means that Energy = number of people and the square of people’s consciousness.

Now is the time to understand the true meaning. Let us all join the prayer ceremony as fellow citizens of the planet earth. I would like to ask all people, not just in Japan, but all around the world to please help us to find a way out the crisis of this planet!!

The prayer procedure is as follows.

Name of ceremony:

“Let’s send our thoughts of love and gratitude to all water in the nuclear plants in Fukushima”

Day and Time:

March 31st, 2011 (Thursday)

12:00 noon in each time zone

Please say the following phrase:

“The water of Fukushima Nuclear Plant, we are sorry to make you suffer. Please forgive us. We thank you, and we love you.”

Please say it aloud or in your mind. Repeat it three times as you put your hands together in a prayer position.

Please offer your sincere prayer.

Thank you very much from my heart.

With love and gratitude,

Masaru Emoto

Messenger of Water

http://m1e.net/c?118148041-bsPtd5WdbLowE@6308631-LxfG20rMXcCm6

Walking with Grief

2011-03-26T22:29:00.000-04:00

As one amongst us has lost a loved one, we send our prayers of Light and Deep Peace. I once again share a reading that has meant much to me during this past year in my own journey. May it be so for you.

Do not hurry

as you walk with grief;

it does not help the journey.

Walk slowly,

pausing often:

do not hurry

as you walk with grief.

Be not disturbed

by memories that come unbidden.

Swiftly forgive;

and let Christ speak for you

unspoken words.

Unfinished conversation

will be resolved in Him.

Be not disturbed.

Be gentle with the one

who walks with grief.

If it is you,

be gentle with yourself.

Swiftly forgive;

walk slowly,

pausing often.

Take time, be gentle

as you walk with grief.

From Celtic Daily Prayer: Prayers and Readings from the Northumbria Community

As Above, So Below

2011-03-20T01:40:00.001-04:00

On the equinox and full moon, we held a Drum Circle at the the Spiritual Healing Temple. We were drumming for peace and healing across the planet. In one of the drum rounds, I heard clearly that now is the time for forgiving and releasing on all fronts.

Briefly, what has happened in Japan is a loud wake-up call to all of humanity to change its ways. I was told it is but a reflection of the devastation to the aquatic civilizations beneath the sea as nuclear testing has been done beneath the ocean's surface. There is no doubt, that it is time for all of us to love and care for all of humanity, for the Great Mother Earth, for the winged-ones, the four leggeds, and those of the waters.

May there be healing for the people of Japan.

May there be peace and healing in Libya and other parts of the world that are under siege in one form or another. May our governments and others cease practices and industries that bring harm to life in all forms. May we have our Lord's heart of Love.

Prayer for Healing

2011-03-13T10:02:00.001-04:00

Creator God,

We lift our prayers to you

for the healing of the Great Mother Earth;

for the healing of your children;

for the healing of the four-leggeds and winged ones, and those that live beneath your waters.

May all the pain, sorrow, anger, and hurtful energies that The Great Mother Earth has absorbed and carried for us, be gently released. May your children bear witness, know, and understand that only through love, kindness, and compassion can this happen. May that understanding be seen through our actions, thoughts, words, and prayers.

Lord, we pray for the people of Japan as they face the loss of loved ones, homes, and way of life. Be gentle with them Lord - hold them close in the palm of Your hand.

Lord, we pray for the homeless, for those in war ravaged countries, for those suffering violence of all forms, for the weak, for the suffering, and for children throughout this planet. Give them Love, Light, Peace, and Joy.

Lord, we pray for the four-leggeds, the winged ones, and those beneath your water, who also have been touched by this great release of pain from the Great Mother Earth. Hold them close, Lord; Hold them close.

May this day be a day of Light and Love.

Lent - A Time for Forgiveness and Letting Go

2011-03-09T09:07:00.000-05:00

In the Christian tradition, today is Ash Wednesday - the beginning of the season of Lent. Lent is a time for self-examination; a time for turning away from those things that keep us apart from Christ, from God, from the Divine Source. It is a time of forgiving and letting go.

This is a good thing for all of us to do -- no matter what our faith path is. Over this season of Lent, begin each day by first praying for those you love. Then pray for those that you do not love. Pray for their well-being. Pray forgiveness and letting go. And, now, pray for yourself. Pray for your well-being. Pray your forgiveness of yourself and your own letting go.

Do this every day, and see how your life changes!

2011-02-26T09:56:00.000-05:00

Spirit Sounds is provided to you as a part of the ministry of the Spiritual Healing Temple.

We hope that 2011 will be a very peace-filled year for you.

Much is happening at the Temple, and we hope that you can join us sometime.

You may view our Newsletter at http://www.spiritualhealingtemple.org/news21Feb2011.pdf .

Blessings of Light,

Mary Ann & Nancy

Rev. Mary Ann Tourjee

Rev. Nancy Higgins

Spiritual Healing Temple

Located in the Tibetan Plaza, 265 Greenfield Road (Routes 5 & 10), S. Deerfield, MA 01373

http://www.spiritualhealingtemple.org/

An Outward Showing

2011-02-21T07:13:00.000-05:00

In an article by journalist, William F. Baker, as Baker reflects on his years in broadcasting and the challenge of balancing that career with his faith tradition, he says, "It has shown me how to see my work sacramentally, as the outward sign of an inward, if not grace, then purpose. Abundant purpose sustains a person or a company when money may not be as abundant. My successes . . . came because I persistently kept the inner justifications for my work in view, whether times were good or bad."

As I read his words, I remembered the many years of secular work as a librarian, feeling "called" to be doing work for God, and not understanding what that work was. It was a time in my library career when I often felt more like a security officer than a librarian as we were faced with many potentially dangerous public interactions. Then one day that still small voice within spoke to me, and I finally had the ears to hear, and I finally understood that all of our work can be work for God. I finally understood that if I would permit it, then my hands could be Christ's hands, my words, Christ's words, my thoughts, Christ's thoughts. I did not think, "Oh, this is my opportunity to 'preach the gospel' in the secular setting." No, that was not what this was all about. What it was about, was having the heart of Christ. And, when I realized that, I knew that my first step was forgiveness.

At that time I was a supervisor in "battle" with my supervisor for better and safer working conditions for my staff. I was at a point where I was ready to just give-up on it all. And, then the "light came on" and I was able to see that all that I did could be an "outward sign of the inward" if I remained true to the grace and unconditional love shown to us by Christ. I had to take a hard look at myself, and see where I was not meeting that mark. And, when I did that, I realized that as the Psalms say, God is with us in all of our times; I also realized that I had allowed anger to take hold of my heart, and that those fires had to be replaced with the spirit of thanksgiving - forgiveness.

I suddenly knew that I had to lift a prayer of thanksgiving for the worst that was happening in my life -- I knew that if I looked hard enough there was always something to be found. I knew that every time I was filled with anger, I had to find something to be thankful for in that situation and say a prayer of thanksgiving for it. Was it hard? Yes, it was; sometimes it seemed impossible. Some days it was a "Thank you, Lord, for the smile of the child in this day of total darkness - a smile that reminded me why I am here." As those prayers of thanksgiving in the midst of adversity were said, my life began to change. It was an inward change as anger changed to purpose. And, what was that purpose? Grace.

This journey has been a slippery slope. There are still good times and bad times in that walk. But, if I can remain true to the heart - the heart of Christ - then I know that all my times are held in the palm of God's hand; I know that I can find rest there; I know that no matter what life has to present to me, my purpose is to allow my work to be an outward showing of an inward grace.

All of these many years later, I still have to remind myself with intention that those prayers of thanksgiving need to be part of my daily walk. It is through thanksgiving that we find Light, purpose, forgiveness, unconditional love -- Grace overflowing.

Be Thou My Vision

2011-02-12T09:35:00.000-05:00

As I finished my Devotions this morning, I came upon the following prayer. For all of us who struggle with the way we have walked through this life, I share this prayer. While I do believe that God can do anything; in the rules that God set forth for this world created, God's rules do not seem to permit our free will choices to be erased, and the memory of those choices often weighs heavily upon our hearts.

And now, the prayer:

A PRAYER IN BROKENNESS

O God,

I cannot undo my past,

or make it never have happened!

-- neither can You. There are some things

that are not possible even for You

-- but not many!

I ask You,

humbly,

from the bottom of my heart:

Please, God,

would you write straight

with my crooked lines?

Out of the serious mistakes of my life

will You make something beautiful for You?

Teach me to live at peace with You,

to make peace with others,

and even with myself.

Give me fresh vision. Let me

experience Your love so deeply

that I am free to

face the future with a steady eye,

forgiven,

and strong and in hope.

Amen.

from Celtic Daily Prayer: Prayers and Readings from the Northumbria Community

Resting with God

2011-02-11T08:33:00.000-05:00

At the Spiritual Healing Temple we have

a small statue of an angel peacefully sleeping with her arms wrapped around a large stone.

I often sit and consider the message of that simple image.

How often do we see images of angels resting?

As we consider what society teaches us about being in service to the Lord, more often than not it is about doing, doing, doing.

I am not suggesting that we should not be in service. However, if we are to be fit and strong spiritually, we must make resting with God a high priority in our lives.

This is the Sabbath message, and one that the world chooses to ignore.

There are times when we need to march to the beat of a different drummer. May that drummer be the image of the angel peacefully resting. With intention all of us need to make keeping the Sabbath -- that time of resting with God -- a written in stone priority of every week of our lives.

If we do this we will find that indeed we are filled and renewed and ready to face whatever we must in our work of the coming week -- and, we will find within ourselves a heart filled with love, peace, and joy for that work.

Love yourself enough to rest with the Lord!

Prayer to the Eternal

2011-01-30T02:43:00.001-05:00

Eternal Spirit,

Earth-maker, Pain-bearer, Life-giver,

Source of all that is and that shall be,

Father and Mother of us all,

Loving God, in whom is heaven:

The hallowing of your name echo through the universe!

The way of your justice be followed by the peoples of the world!

Your heavenly will be done by all created beings!

Your commonwealth of peace and freedom

sustain our hope and come on earth.

With the bread we need for today, feed us.

In the hurts we absorb from one another, forgive us.

In times of temptation and test, strengthen us.

From trials too great to endure, spare us.

From the grip of all that is evil, free us.

For you reign in the glory of the power that is love,

now and for ever. Amen.

From A New Zealand Prayer Book

Always Cared For

2011-01-20T06:28:00.000-05:00

It is such a great comfort in knowing

the Lord never gives us more than we can bear;

and that in all that befalls us,

She is there to care for us,

to tend to us,

to provide for us,

all in Unconditional Love -

Abundance overflowing!

Light Within, Light Without

2011-01-11T08:43:00.002-05:00

Welcoming in the Light on Winter Solstice, 2010

The Spiritual Healing Temple

As we find ourselves in the cold of winter with grey skies and more snow forecasted,

let us hold dear within us, the Light that shines forth.

May the brilliant white of the coming snow

be a reminder to us of the presence of the Christ -

within and without.

May we seek that Light to purify us and make us whole.

May the Light of the Christ be with you,

now and evermore!

Amen

Light and Forgiveness

2011-01-09T08:24:00.001-05:00

Dear Ones, It is Time for Followers of the Light to Unite in Enveloping this World in the All Powerful Divine Light that Knows No Darkness.

Let this day and all of your days be filled in continual prayer for the Light of Christ - for Love and Forgiveness to Fill the Hearts of All.

The Light Within Me Meets and Greets the Light Within You! Namaste!

Be Thou My Vision

2011-01-03T09:21:00.000-05:00

I stand in God's presence looking at Him,

listening to Him

bringing Him the things of the world

that have filled my vision.

I listen for His word.

Be Thou my vision, O Lord.

from Celtic Daily Prayer

Happy New Year - 2011

2011-01-01T05:32:00.000-05:00

Remember these teachings,

remember the clear light,

the pure bright shining white light

of your own nature.

It is deathless.

by Jack Kornfeld

Celebrate the Light Within in 2011!

Happy New Year!

Winter Prayers

2010-12-27T09:38:00.002-05:00

As the winter snows come,

Falling snow on snow -

May we remember,

that the ebbs and flows

of our being

also fall upon the earth,

creating a blanket that covers all.

May our "blanket" be a gentle one,

filled with

Love, Peace, &amp, Joy!

Because of Love

2010-12-14T09:03:00.001-05:00

A brother and sister had made their usual hurried, obligatory pre-Christmas visit to the little farm where dwelt their elderly parents with their small herd of horses. The farm was where they had grown up and had been named Lone Pine Farm because of the huge pine, which topped the hill behind the farm. Through the years the tree had become a talisman to the old man and his wife, and a landmark in the countryside. The young siblings had fond memories of their childhood here, but the city hustle and bustle added more excitement to their lives, and called them away to a different life. The old folks no longer showed their horses, for the years had taken their toll, and getting out to the barn on those frosty mornings was getting harder, but it gave them a reason to get up in the mornings and a reason to live. They sold a few foals each year, and the horses were their reason for joy in the morning and contentment at day's end.

Angry, as they prepared to leave, the young couple confronted the old folks "Why do you not at least dispose of The Old One." She is no longer of use to you. It's been years since you've had foals from her. You should cut corners and save so you can have more for yourselves. How can this old worn out horse bring you anything but expense and work? Why do you keep her anyway?"

The old man looked down at his worn boots, holes in the toes, scuffed at the barn floor and replied, " Yes, I could use a pair of new boots.

His arm slid defensively about the Old One's neck as he drew her near with gentle caressing he rubbed her softly behind her ears. He replied softly, "We keep her because of love. Nothing else, just love."
Baffled and irritated, the young folks wished the old man and his wife a Merry Christmas and headed back toward the city as darkness stole through the valley.

The old couple shook their heads in sorrow that it had not been a happy visit. A tear fell upon their cheeks. How is it that these young folks do not understand the peace of the love that filled their hearts?

So it was, that because of the unhappy leave-taking, no one noticed the insulation smoldering on the frayed wires in the old barn. None saw the first spark fall. None but the "Old One".

In a matter of minutes, the whole barn was ablaze and the hungry flames were licking at the loft full of hay. With a cry of horror and despair, the old man shouted to his wife to call for help as he raced to the barn to save their beloved horses. But the flames were roaring now, and the blazing heat drove him back. He sank sobbing to the ground, helpless before the fire's fury. His wife back from calling for help cradled him in her arms, clinging to each other, they wept at their loss.

By the time the fire department arrived, only smoking, glowing ruins were left, and the old man and his wife, exhausted from their grief, huddled together before the barn. They were speechless as they rose from the cold snow covered ground. They nodded thanks to the firemen as there was nothing anyone could do now. The old man turned to his wife, resting her white head upon his shoulders as his shaking old hands clumsily dried her tears with a frayed red bandana. Brokenly he whispered, "We have lost much, but God has spared our home on this eve of Christmas. Let us gather strength and climb the hill to the old pine where we have sought comfort in times of despair. We will look down upon our home and give thanks to God that it has been spared and pray for our beloved most precious gifts that have been taken from us.

And so, he took her by the hand and slowly helped her up the snowy hill as he brushed aside his own tears with the back of his old and withered hand.

The journey up the hill was hard for their old bodies in the steep snow. As they stepped over the little knoll at the crest of the hill, they paused to rest, looking up to the top of the hill the old couple gasped and fell to their knees in amazement at the incredible beauty before them

Seemingly, every glorious, brilliant star in the heavens was caught up in the glittering, snow-frosted branches of their beloved pine, and it was aglow with heavenly candles. And poised on its top most bough, a crystal crescent moon glistened like spun glass. Never had a mere mortal created a Christmas tree such as this. They were breathless as the old man held his wife tighter in his arms.

Suddenly, the old man gave a cry of wonder and incredible joy. Amazed and mystified, he took his wife by the hand and pulled her forward. There, beneath the tree, in resplendent glory, a mist hovering over and glowing in the darkness was their Christmas gift. Shadows glistening in the night light.

Bedded down about the "Old one" close to the trunk of the tree, was the entire herd, safe.

At the first hint of smoke, she had pushed the door ajar with her muzzle and had led the horses through it. Slowly and with great dignity, never looking back, she had led them up the hill, stepping cautiously through the snow. The foals were frightened and dashed about. The skittish yearlings looked back at the crackling, hungry flames, and tucked their tails under them as they licked their lips and hopped like rabbits. The mares that were in foal with a new years crop of babies, pressed uneasily against the "Old One" as she moved calmly up the hill and to safety beneath the pine. And now she lay among them and gazed at the faces of the old man and his wife.

Those she loved she had not disappointed. Her body was brittle with years, tired from the climb, but the golden eyes were filled with devotion as she offered her gift---

Because of love. Only Because of love.

Tears flowed as the old couple shouted their praise and joy... And again the peace of love filled their hearts.

This is a true story.

Willy Eagle

***********

This is an Inspirational message sent to a small group of people. My hope is that it will make your day just a little bit better.

___________________________________

Keep reading

A small request !

Cancer is a strange cell. Going along for years in remission and than one day it pops it head up again. Pray for the day there will be a permanent cure.

A SMALL REQUEST... 93% won't forward, but I'm Sure You Will........ A small request....Just one line:

Dear God, I pray for the cure of cancer and peace for the families ravaged by it.

In Jesus name, Amen

All you are asked to do is keep this circulating. Even if it's only to one more person.

In memory of anyone you know who has been struck down by cancer or is still living with it.

All the Time in a Minute

2010-12-07T08:42:00.000-05:00

The pilgrim worried that sometimes he would not have much time to care for his love-relationship with God.

Then the Lord spoke to him, and answered his unspoken question:

Do you have only one minute? Hem it with quietness. Do not spend it in thinking how little time you have. I can give you much in one minute.

The pilgrim sat by the water, and his dear Lord said to him:

As the ripples of the river glance up to the light, let your heart glance up to Me in little looks of love very often through the day.

By Amy Carmichael in Celtic Daily Prayer: Prayers and Readings from the Northumbria Community

Living as Children of Light

2010-12-06T08:59:00.000-05:00

Advent is a time of preparation for coming of the Light, the Christ Light, to be born anew in each of us. In this Advent Season let us, with intention, live as Children of the Light.

Here are some guidelines:

Let go of those desires that are self-serving and deceitful. Do this that the attitude of the mind may be shifted. In this way, a new self will be created and the Divine Light will shine within each of us!
All falsehood must be released so that we may speak truthfully to friend and stranger, knowing that we are all connected to one another. We must remember that just as the one pebble dropped on the body of water sends forth a ripple that touches and changes the entire body of water, so too, do all our words and actions effect all others; for we are all connected and part of the body of Light.
In anger, do not be led off the path of Light. We must not let the sun go down and still hold anger our hearts. All anger must be released. Anger fractures the soul. And, when the soul is broken, then we allow the Darkness to get a foothold in our life!
Any of us who have been stealing, must steal no longer. There are many forms of stealing -- stealing material things; stealing the thoughts of others, presenting another's ideas as our own; stealing the good will from others with our exaggerated words about another; stealing honor from another by spreading gossip. Now you must work, doing something useful with your hands, that you may have something to share with those in need.
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouth, but speak only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs. In this way, it will benefit those who listen.
We must be impeccable with our words.
Celebrate the gift of the Spirit. Celebrate the Light Within!
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, and anger, brawling and speaking ill of others. Hold no dark thoughts for another. Instead, discover the Light within the other, and celebrate the child of Light!
Let us be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other and forgiving ourselves. Forgive and release that the Christ Light may shine forth!
Be imitators of Divine Love, knowing that we all are dearly loved children of the Light, and live a life of love.

We are Children of Light!

Sing and make music in your heart to the Lord,

always giving thanks for everthing.

Amen.

Based on the Sacred Text, Ephesians 4: 17 - 32, 5: 1 - 21, from the Holy Bible.

Changed by One

2010-11-29T09:17:00.001-05:00

A number of years ago, I read a book that told about a community of people who lived deep in the rain forest. This group of people held an imaginary border that encircled their small community, and they believed that if they crossed that line they would fall off of the world into a darkness that would bring death. The belief was so strong that none dared to cross the line. How that belief began is unknown. But, for that group of people it was an absolute truth in their minds. And, that "truth" was driven by fear, and totally controlled their lives.

Then one day a man crossed their boundary and came into this community from the outside. He told them about a new world. He crossed their border and was the first person from the outside to be seen by the people.  Fear mounted within them as their boundary had been broken.  They could not explain who he was, what he was, or from where he came.
Their lives were changed.

Finally, the man had to leave. And there were a few who decided to follow him -- they were going to cross the boundary, because they wanted to see this "new world" that they could not even imagine. The community begged them not to go, because they believed that the few would die.  The great day finally came. The few crossed the boundary, and did not die! This event shifted life.   Some embraced the change with great enthusiasm, some refused to believe it to be true; others decided to leave and venture out into the unkown, seeking . . .   Those controlled by the darkness of fear, believed that it was from the source of evil; those filled with hope, believed that life could be better, and reached out into that great unknown.

How is it with your life?   Are you held captive by a "truth" based on fear?   Is it time to let it go? Is the Light calling you?

God does not hold us in fear;  She holds us in unconditional love. Allow yourself to reach for the Light. Breakdown the darkness that holds you.

When Jesus the Christ walked upon this earth, he, too, broke the rules -- he broke boundaries. He came to heal the broken, to carry the Light of unconditional love into the world.   Many were controlled by fear; and, fear has a way of destroying that which is beautiful. But, this Light cannot be destroyed; it is the Truth; it is of the Divine Source!   And, that Light is increasing!

May this year of Thanksgiving be one when we remember those who have carried the Light into the world. And, may we, too, be Carriers of the Light! May our lives be controlled by the Light of Unconditional Love, and may that Light transform Darkness and Fear into Love, Joy, and Peace.

Embrace the Light! You can make a difference!

A Sky Full of Children

2010-11-24T07:24:00.001-05:00

On this eve of Thanksgiving,

I share with you, the words of Madeleine L'Engle:

"I look at the stars and wonder. How old is the universe? All kinds of estimates have been made and, as far as we can tell, not one is accurate. All we know is that once upon a time or, rather, once before time, Christ called everything into being in a great breath of creativity -- waters, land, green growing things, birds and beasts, and finally human creatures -- the beginning, the genesis, not in ordinary Earth days; the Bible makes it quite clear that God's time is different from our time. A thousand years for us is no more than the blink of an eye to God. But in God's good time the universe came into being, opening up from a tiny flower of nothingness to great clouds of hydrogen gas to swirling galaxies. In God's good time came solar systems and planets and ultimately this planet on which I stand on this autumn evening as the Earth makes its graceful dance around the sun. It takes one Earth day, one Earth night, to make a full turn, part of the intricate pattern of the universe. And God called it good, very good.

A sky full of God's children! Each galaxy, each star, each living creature, every particle and sub-atomic particle of creation, we are all the children of the Maker. . . .

I stand on the deck of my cottage, looking at a sky full of God's children, knowing that I am one of the many brethren and sistren . . . bathed in this love . . ."

From Bright Evening Star: Mystery of the Incarnation

Give thanks!

Rainy Days

2010-11-17T08:26:00.001-05:00

There is a song from the seventies that says,

"Rainy days and Mondays always get me down".

As I hear the rain falling and see the dull light of this rainy Wednesday, the words to that song come to mind. And, yet, a rainy day does not have to "get me down".

If I did not have to go to work, what a perfect day it would be for settling into a comfortable share with a blanket and spending the day reading and contemplating the wonders of God; or, it would be a great day to pull-out the paints and paint - allowing that activity to be a time of communion with Divine. Or, it could be a time for deep centering meditation.

Rainy days are a gift.

And, even as I prepare to go to work, I am thankful that the falling rain has reminded me that perhaps God is calling me to take a part of my life today to be in closer communion.

Lord, I thank you for rainy days!

Amen

Pray for Peace this 11/11

2010-11-11T08:24:00.000-05:00

PEACE

Today, November 11, 2010

we remember and honor our Veterans

and all of those who have given their lives to protect our freedom.

We invite you to pray today for peace throughout the world.

We invite you to pray that all may be free to worship the Divine Source --

our Creator known by many names; for me, this is God - Christ - El - Sophia - Adonai . . .

We invitie you to join the million+ at 11:11 p.m. tonight and for the next 11 days at that same time, giving 11 minutes each night for your deep prayer for peace, and for envisioning what that world would like for you.

PEACE

It begins with each of us, one at a time.

United in prayer together, we can make a difference!

Lord,

Let there be peace on other,

and let it begin with me.

Let there be peace on earth

the peace that was meant to be.

With God, our Creator,

Children all are we.

Let us walk with each other

in perfect harmony.

Let there be peace on earth,

Let this be the moment now.

With every breath I take,

Let this be my solemn vow,

To take each moment,

And live each moment,

In perfect harmony,

Let there be peace on earth,

And let it begin wth me.

Amen.

Pray for Peace Today!

Living in the Seasons

2010-11-08T08:27:00.000-05:00

This morning at 4:30 a.m. I was awakened by the crisp clinking of pellets of ice as they hit the windowpanes. As I heard that sound, I knew that fall was rapidly disappearing as winter was blowing in. Later, when I went to my window and looked out, there was no sign of the ice of the wee hours, but a heavy rain was falling, leaving many trees bare. It is the beginning of the time of living-off of that which was planted and nurtured, harvested and stored, for this season of the year.

Isn't it like that in the seasons of our life? We have those rich bountiful times, and then they wax and wane, and one day we find ourselves in what some call the "dark night of the soul." It is then that we must turn to our "stores", searching through what we have grown and stored to carry us through such challenging times.

If we want to move gently through the autumns and winters of our life journey, then we must plant Light into our life, nurture it, and make it grow. We must store that Light within us, so that we know it is there.

How do we do that? We do that by seeking the that One Ultimate Source, known by many names -- for me I know the One as God.

We must alot a part of our life daily to be in prayer or meditation with that Source.

We must lift-up thanksgiving to God during all the seasons of our life -- knowing that all that we that nurtures and sustains us comes from that Divine Source.

How is your storehouse today? Is it well filled? It is never too late to work to fill it.

Look at Nature. See her patterns. Learn to live in the seasons of Light!

Walk Slowly

2010-10-29T09:42:00.000-04:00

Take time this day,

the first day of the rest of your life -

To walk slowly,

breathe deeply,

be still.

Listen for that small voice within;

Look for the miracle in all that you see;

"Be still and know that I AM God."

Do you have the eyes to see, the ears to hear, the wisdom to know, and the courage to follow?

Abundance

2010-10-18T09:02:00.002-04:00

Today -

Take time to "see" the world around you

and "know" that Sophia,

the Divine Feminine aspect of the Nameless Light,

is Present in all that you see!

Celebrate the Abundance

that has been given!

Know that the Earth is a Living Spiritual Being -

Go into this day knowing that you are in the Presence of God!

The Path

2010-10-04T09:09:00.001-04:00

As we go through our life's journey, God shines a Light upon the path that we are here to follow. For each of us, it is a unique path that draws upon the gifts we have been given to do the work of God.

Doing God's work can happen in any place at any time. How do we know if what we are doing is that work?

Listen to your heart.

Be totally honest with yourself.

Self-scrutinize.

Ask yourself: Am I only fulfilling my own emotional needs; is this about fulfilling my own ego; or, am I hearing the voice of sincere inner guidance? If it is the last, it will flow easily and seem as if all the pieces of the puzzle are falling together into a beautiful pattern.

Ultimately, you will know if your are following the Truth when you honestly examine whether or not what you are doing provides a deep sense of meaning and purpose to life.

May you have the eyes to see,

the ears to hear,

the wisdom to know

and the courage to follow.

May I never lose sight that this work

is not of me

but of God,

and that all is done by God

not by me.

For only in following, can I lead others to the Light.

Archangel Michael and All Angels

2010-09-29T07:49:00.000-04:00

Traditionally, today is the day to feast for Archangel Michael and all of the angels. It is a day meant to bring us back into awareness that this is a place of spiritual conflict between

the Light and the powers of Darkness. And, that Archangel Michael and the Angels of Light are there to battle for us -- but, we must ask! And, how do we ask for help; we ask through prayer. Jesus, the Christ, told us to pray continually.

There is much sent forth by the darkness to disrupt our prayers - to break our line of communication to God. But, if we are persistent our request will come through.

How often have we felt alone and forgotten by God because of our own impatience and lack of persistence in prayer?

Know that the angels are there waiting for the command of God to go to battle for you; and, in that remembering, also know that we have to do our part. Pray and pray again. Let prayer be part of each breath throughout the day.

Some say, "I don't have time to pray." Anne Morrow Lindbergh said, "I do not think it is lack of time that keeps me from doing things, it is that I do not want enough to do them."

Do you want to permit Archangel Michael and the angels to be active in your life?

On this Feast Day want it enough to pray and pray again. Celebrate the Angels!

Like a Rose

2010-09-25T09:03:00.001-04:00

May Your Journey

Be Like a Rose:

May you walk in awareness and without hurry,

that you may not encounter the thorns of life;

May your journey be filled with the sweetness of the Divine Breath;

And, as you mature and grow on this Journey -

As you travel toward the Divine Center,

may you lighten your burdens, choosing the way of the rose and not that of the onion -

may your journey be filled with rose petals

that fall away gently carrying that which you need to release -

revealing a new and softer part of you

that all may behold the Divine in you!

Rev. Mary Ann Tourjee

All from "El"

2010-09-19T09:17:00.001-04:00

"El" is the first name given for God. This name holds the image of God -- male and female, all encompassing, diverse, many faces, many names. And so I use "El" as I speak of God today.

"But who am I , and who are my people, that we should be able to give as generously as this? Everything comes from you, and we have given you only what comes from your hand."

1 Chronicles, 29: 14

Hands, Lord --

Your gift to us.

We stretch them up to You.

Always You hold them.

Your hands,

scarred,

became a sign

of Your love

no time can erase.

Your hands

which have us

inscribed on their palms,

pour down blessing

on the details of our days.

Laurel Bridges

from the Celtic Daily Prayer

We ALL are the children of God, of El - made in the image of El - given the gift of "hands", that we might be the "hands of El" caring for El's house in which we dwell -- caring for each other. All of our times -- not just some of our time -- ALL of our times are held in the palm of God -- of El. And, if all of our times are held, then we as the hands of God are to hold ALL of the times of each other in the palm of our hands of God. Are we ready to unite our hands in the true compassion of Lord? Are we ready to hold each other with the same love, caring, and protection that a mother holds the babe of her womb? That is what we are called to do!

That is what having the gift of the "hands of God" is all about.

Let this day be the day you begin the walk of your life of true compassion for ALL.

Namaste!

Rev. Tourjee

A Sacred Space

2010-09-15T07:52:00.001-04:00

May He bring you home rejoicing
once again into our doors!

A sacred space --
a place where you can simply experience
and bring forth what you are and what you might be.
This is the place of creative incubation.
At first you might find that nothing happens there.
But if you have a sacred place and use it,
something eventually will happen . . .
Your sacred space
is where you find yourself again and again.

-- Joseph Campbell

Each of us needs a sacred space in our lives -- a place where we can, in the words of the Psalmist, "Be still, and know that I AM God." For me, and I believe for others, the Spiritual Healing Temple is one of those places.

Wherever the sacred space that we choose is, the important thing is for us to go there again and again -- we go there to find ourselves -- we go there that we may know the presence of I AM GOD. It is there that the seed is planted; it is there that the incubation takes place; and then, one day

we are surprised by Joy!

May He bring you home rejoicing, once again into our doors!

May blessings fill your day!

Rev. Mary Ann Tourjee

Patterns

2010-09-14T00:45:00.003-04:00

It never ceases to amaze me how intricately beautiful the world of creation is around us! When I gaze upon these naturally formed elements -- a crystal, the carefully placed and colored hairs on my Siamese cat; a beautiful shell, a newborn baby . . . the list is endless! But, when I gaze upon even one of these I know that it is not an accident, that indeed, there is God.

Passing On

2010-09-13T08:30:00.000-04:00

As they were walking along and talking together,

suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah wet up to heaven in a whirlwind. Elisha saw this and cried out, "My father! My father! The chariots and horsemen of Israel!" And Elisha saw him no more. Then he took hold his own clothes and tore them apart. He picked up the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and went back and on the bank of the Jordan. Then he took the cloak that had fallen from him and struck the water with it. "Where now is the Lord, the God of Elijah?" he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over.

2 Kings 2:11-14

When one that we love passes on to be with the Lord, there remains a sorrow with us; even Elisha, seeing the chariot of fire and horses take Elijah to the Lord, is overcome with sorrow and question.

And, yet there is great glory in seeing that we are never alone. Elijah did not leave this world alone; Elisha was not ignored in his sorrow and question -- he had the eyes to see, the wisdom to know, and the courage to journey over when the path was offered by the Lord.

Last February it was time for my mother to cross over to the Lord. Nancy - my daughter, Sarah, - and I - sat with her on the evening of Ash Wednesday awaiting her crossing. Unlike Elijah, the chariots of fire and horses did not come to sweep her away - body and soul; hers was the struggle of the spirit being willing to depart from the body and from those she loved here.

As we sat with her, I told her that it was alright - that it was time for her to go on - that we would be alright. The three of sat with her, loving her, and encouraging her to let go. It was hard and it was beautiful.

I closed my eyes and centered on her. As the clock approached 11:00 p.m., I saw my father appear (he had passed from the earth in 1969). I watched him smiling in deep love for her, and I watched her smiling in deep love at him. He held out his hands to her. She hesitated, still not wanting to go. I whispered, "Its alright, Mom; you can go." Finally, she reached out and took his hands to go with him back to the Lord.

In that moment, her spirit left her body and moved on to the heavenly realms.

Praise be to God!

Spirits of the Light

2010-09-12T09:33:00.002-04:00

Dear friends, do not believe every spirit,

but test the spirits to see whether they are from God . . .

Dear friends, let us love one another,

for love comes from God. . . .

No one has ever seen God;

but if we love one another,

God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

1John - selected verses from Chapter 4

Isn't it curious that in our Western culture the presence of spirits is ridiculed or at the very least meets with raised eyebrows. As a culture, there seems to be only a willingness to entertain the ghosts and ghoulies of the night - the things from which ghost stories and horror movies are made.

And, yet, throughout the Bible we are told of encounters with spirits and angelic beings who have been sent by God to carry messages to us, to protect us, and to guide us along the path of the Light of God.

Sadly, in its reluctance to acknowledge and honor the spirits of God, homage has been given to the darkness. And those who see and hear God's choir of angels, those who have the ears to hear and perhaps the eyes to see spirit, too often hide this within themselves - afraid that if they speak of it they will be labeled "crazy" by society.

The fear does have basis. Imagine - if we talked about spirit in the Western World and assisted others in recognizing those that have come to them from the Light of God and in banning those that come from the dark - imagine how different this world might be!

Ultimately the measure is whether whatever form we encounter is reflective of the True Nature of God. And what is that nature? Love! It is the all giving, unconditional love that was taught to us by Christ the Lord as we have known as Jesus the Christ.

It is important that we know that there is a battle between the Light and the dark. We live in the midst of the battlefield every day. It is important that we come to understand God's Love -- that we embrace it and make it our rule for our days, knowing that God lives in us!

May the Blessing of Light

shine upon your path.

May the angels and spirits of Light

be there to guide you along the way.

May you have the eyes to see,

the ears to hear,

the wisdom to know,

and courage to follow

the Light of God

in Love.

Rev. Mary Ann Tourjee

Sacred Space

2010-09-11T08:58:00.000-04:00

Are there places in your life that you go to and know Divine Presence is there?

That is a sacred space.

Have you encountered moments of submission and knowing that in the handing over suddenly the Divine flows through you, and that you have become God at work in that moment of action or inaction?

That moment is a sacred space.

When we have the awareness that a space in time or place is filled with the Divine, it becomes forever changed for us -- it moves from being ordinary to being sacred. In that instant of knowing, from that point forward, we are called to enter that space with awe as the soul cries out,

"God alone is enough!"

Morning Has Broken

2010-09-10T09:14:00.001-04:00

What a glorious day!

The air is crisp, the sun shines.

Indeed, it is wonderful to be dwelling

in this room of God's House.

Praise the Lord!

To Dwell in the House of the Lord

2010-09-07T07:47:00.002-04:00

To dwell in the shelter of the Lord,

To dwell in the shadow of the Lord,

to dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life . . .

These are words that we pray; they are words that we sing.

They are words of hope.

They are words that meet us in the here and now where we are.

They are not about God being out there somewhere that is inaccessible to us.

These are words that cry out, "God is here! The Lord is so close I can be in His shadow,

I can dwell in Her house!

What is it like to dwell in that house all of our days and all of our nights?

Since we are there, have we failed to see it? Have we failed to know where we are?

If we walk through each moment of each day carrying the awareness that each moment of our life is held in a room within the house of the Lord, how will that awareness shape the moment? Will we be changed in that knowing?

I challenge you to enter this day with that awareness - to know that today you are walking through God's house - to know that there will be moments when God will pass by so close to you that you will be in His shadow - and, to know that if the storms arise, you are also in the shelter of the Lord.

Let's see what it is like to open our eyes and see this house in which we dwell; let's open all of our senses to truly experience it; let's see if this awareness changes the course of our day. . . see if it changes us!

I invite you to post to this blog your experience in this challenge!

2010-09-06T09:31:00.000-04:00

A HARVEST PRAYER

May the holy and life-giving God

teach us to reverence all His works,

to praise Him in all we do,

to live in His image and to His glory.

Peace

2010-09-04T10:32:00.001-04:00

As we enter into the many colors of our journey,

may find Peace in you, O Lord, Deep Peace.

Watching Over You

2010-09-03T09:15:00.002-04:00

The Lord watches over you -

the Lord is your shade at your right hand;

the sun will not harm you by day,

nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all harm -

he will watch over your life;

the Lord will watch over your coming and going

both now and forevermore.

Psalm 121, verses 5 - 8, Holy Bible, NIV

Be Gentle

2010-09-01T08:02:00.001-04:00

There is a story about one who was sent out to spread the news of the Lord to a group of people, but was met with resistance and an unwillingness to hear. Later, as this one lamented to his friends about the frustration of this journey, a wise one said:

"Perhaps you were too eager, too demanding. Perhaps the gentle approach would have been better."

How often do we, too, fall into the trap of being too eager, too demanding? Indeed, to be gentle in our approach may be the path less traveled, and it can make all the difference.

Directions

2010-08-31T08:49:00.000-04:00

Have you ever been given directions for going to a place you have not been to before, but you did not write the directions down; and, then as you make the journey you suddenly realize that you cannot remember what you were told?

Well, sometimes we receive Divine messages giving us instruction. Sometimes those messages come in just as we are awakening -- sometimes at other times.

It is good to keep a journal and pencil nearby so that when this happens, the message can be written down as the directions are given.

So often by the time the message is completed all or part is lost to our conscious memory. Write it down!

The Breath of God

2010-08-30T08:16:00.000-04:00

Oh, pilgrim,

stand, and lose not sight,

of the mountaintop you seek;

the Lord is there awaiting you.

And with each step that you take,

when the gentle wind

blows upon your cheek,

know that it is

the breath of God

reminding you of Her presence with you,

and that He is always with you,

walking with you,

and carrying you,

on your journey,

home.

I Have Heard Your Call

2010-08-29T08:30:00.000-04:00

Lord, I have heard Your voice

calling at a distance.

Guide my steps to You, Lord,

guide my steps to You.

Lord, I have heard Your voice

calling at a distance.

Guard my way to You, Lord,

guard my way to You.

Lord, I have heard Your voice

calling at a distance.

Keep my heart for You, Lord,

keep my heart for You.

Lord, I have heard Your voice.

Amen.

From "Cuthbert - Into a Desert Place," Celtic Daily Prayer: Prayers and Readings from teh Northumbria Community

I AM and that I AM God

2010-08-28T08:46:00.000-04:00

Made in the image of God.

God within,

God without.

God, what is your name? I AM that I AM.

Have you ever considered that in all of the words in our language, the word "I" is the only one that is capitalized -- god vs God -- "i" vs "I". . . (in the everyday ordinary words -- not the proper names).

God without, God within;

Made in the image of God!

And the angels cried out -

"Make way, make way!

Here comes one made as God!

If we can hold onto that reality in life, how different we might be!

Do we dare walk down the street as we were created?

Do we dare walk the path that lets the world see we are made in God's image .... that any who see us will know that an aspect of God is present?

We are a part of the "I" in the great "I AM"!

God calls us to become that "I" fully!

May we remember who we are!

Sing Praise to the Lord

2010-08-27T08:27:00.001-04:00

Hallelujah!

Praise God from heaven,

praise Him from the mountaintop;

Praise Him, all you His angels,

praise Him, all you His warriors,

Praise Him, sun and moon,

praise Him, you morning stars;

Praise Him, high heaven,

praise Him, heavenly rain clouds;

Praise, oh let them praise the name of God--

He spoke the word, and there they were!

He set them in place

from all time to eternity;

He gave his orders,

and that's it!

From Psalm 148, translation The Message

. . . You shaped me first inside, then out;

You formed me in my mother's womb.

I thank you, High God--you're breathtaking!

Body and soul, I am marvelously made!

I worship in adoration--what a creation!

You know me inside and out,

You know every bone in my body;

You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit,

how I was sculpted from nothing into something.

Like an open book, You watched me grow from conception to birth;

all the stages of my life were spread out before You,

The days of my life all prepared

before I'd even lived one day.

From Psalm 139, translation The Message

Imagining Mystery

2010-08-26T08:06:00.000-04:00

There is something

that contains everything.

Before heaven and earth

it is.

Oh, it is still, unbodied,

all on its own, unchanging,

all-pervading,

ever-moving.

So it can act as the mother

of all things.

Not knowing its real name,

we only call it the Way.

If it must be named,

let its name be Great.

Greatness means going on,

going on means going far,

and going far means turning back.

So they say: "The Way is great,

heaven is great,

earth is great,

and humankind is great;

four greatnesses in the world,

and humanity is one of them."

People follow earth,

earth follows heaven,

heaven follows the Way,

the Way follows what is.

From lao tzu: tao te ching an English Version by Ursula K. LeGuin

Crossing the Threshold with God

2010-08-25T08:18:00.002-04:00

I close my eyes and create sanctuary,

a moment of rest and retreat,

a place of silence and deep seeing,

a brief, take-a-breath, set-apart time.

I cross the threshold.

On the threshold

the present breaks all boundaries.

It is a convergence,

a fellowship with all time and space.

We find You there.

And we are found by You there.

"Crossing the Threshold," Being Home: A Book of Meditation by Gunilla Norris

Joyce Rupp describes this crossing,

"I go to the dwelling place of God.

It is her light that lets me see

far beneath the surface of life.

When I connect this inner seeing

with my outer seeing,

my world takes on a different meaning."

The Star in My Heart: Experiencing Sophia, Inner Wisdom, by Joyce Rupp

Excerpts from "Closing My Eyes Lightly, Not Tightly" by Nancy L. Agneberg, Presence, Sept. 2010

Walking with Grief

2010-08-24T07:27:00.001-04:00

Do not hurry

as you walk with grief;

it does not help the journey.

Walk slowly,

pausing often:

do not hurry

as you walk with grief.

Be not disturbed

by memories that come unbidden.

Swiftly forgive;

and let Christ speak for you

unspoken words.

Unfinished conversation

will be resolved in Him.

Be not disturbed.

Be gentle with the one

who walks with grief.

If it is you,

be gentle with yourself.

Swiftly forgive;

walk slowly,

pausing often.

Take time, be gentle

as you walk with grief.

From Celtic Daily Prayer: Prayers and Readings from the Northumbria Community

Held by God

2010-08-23T08:12:00.001-04:00

As the rain hides the stars,

as the autumn mist hides the hills,

happenings of my lot

hide the shining of Thy face from me.

Yet, if I may hold Thy hand

in the darkness,

it is enough;

since I know that,

though I may stumble in my going,

Thou dost not fall.

Alistair MacLean

from Celtic Daily Prayer: Prayers and Readings from the Northumbria Community

God Alone Is Enough

2010-08-13T09:02:00.000-04:00

In your waking and your sleeping

in your breathing and your being

allow to resonate through you -

God alone is enough

and simply Be!

Golden Angels

2010-08-10T23:04:00.000-04:00

Over these past months, I have been cared for daily by a very special angel whose name is Grace. As I have traveled through the grief, this golden angel has come to me before I even knew that the tears were about to flow. So when I read the following recollection by Madeleine L'Engle, all I could say was "Yes!" I share it now with you.

". . . We are so eager to help that we rush in with our words, our hands, our touch. Wait! Jesus told me in a dream. Wait until you are certain that God has come into your hands before you place them on someone for healing. It must be God's energy flowing through your hands, not your own. Wait. Wait. Until you are sure it is God.

Yes.

My dog, Doc, a golden retriever who was an affectionate, bouncy ball of love, used to come with me to the library of the cathedral and sit quietly under my desk, controlling her friskiness, lying at my feet without restlessness until it was time for a run in the yard.

One day a young woman came into the library to ask me for prayer and for the healing of terrible pain in the bones of her jaw. We sat, a foot or two from each other, and tried to wait until I knew that God had come into my mouth and my hands.

Doc quietly got out from under my desk, sat in front of Naomi, raised her paw, and put it gently on Naomi's knee and kept it there. This is anything but typical behaviour for a golden. Their love is usually ecstatically active: enthusiastic pawing for attention, wagging tail, eagerly licking tongue with little sympathetic kisses of love. But Doc sat there in front of Naomi, her paw steadily on Naomi's knee, without moving, quietly and steadily looking up at Naomi. I think we slipped out of time. I don't know how long Doc sat there before she finally dropped her paw and slid back under my desk.

There was no question in either Naomi's or my mind who had been chosen as the instrument of healing that afternoon."

Yes!

Simply Breathe

2010-08-09T08:27:00.000-04:00

When the pressures of life are upon us, it is time to simply breathe;

and, if we can, to go to that place apart

seeking time to simply be with the Lord --

finding and accepting His healing and renewal.

Breathe, and breathe again.

Knowing El's Love and Forgiveness

2010-08-08T09:17:00.000-04:00

Christ Jesus -- wholly man and wholly God -- loving us!

From Bright Star, Evening Star by Madeleine L'Engle:

(As she reflected on reading stories from the Bible to her children):
"Today I would read to them from Eugene Peterson's The Message. In his version of John's Gospel I was startled to read of Jesus' appearance to the disciples after the Resurrection. He blesses them with his peace. Then he tells them that when they forgive people's sins they are gone forever. And then, instead of the familiar, 'Whosoever sins you retain on earth, they are retained in heaven,' which has always bothered me, Eugene Peterson's version says, 'If you don't forgive the sins, what will you do with them?'
    I had the opportunity to ask, 'Gene, how do you justify that?'
    He replied, 'The Greek can go either way. I chose that way.'
    Thank you, Gene!
    Thank you, Jesus, for your unlimited forgiveness!"

I share this excerpt as an example of the difference that choice of interpretation can make on our often fragile state of being. God's Unconditional Love and Unlimited Forgiveness is El's great Gift to us!
Remember: God does not change. But interpretations of the Word of God -- translations of God's Word -- do change. If you are not uplifted as a beautiful Child of Light in that translation, know that it is not speaking from the Heart of God -- a Heart of Unconditional Love and Unlimited Forgiveness.
All Bibles are not the same. Choose wisely, and know that if what you read does not ring true to the unchanging Heart of God, then you need to seek a different translation.

Always remember: You are created in the image of God -- male and female. You are a beautiful Child of God,   and the angels cry out as you walk down the street, "Make way, make way, for this Child of Light!"

Unspoken Ritual

2010-08-06T08:33:00.000-04:00

"Gestures are a simple language that transcends national barriers and even personal conversation. We don't have to say hello, we just wave. We don't need to say we're sorry; we can simply strike our breasts. Gestures help us to communicate what we're feeling without having to say a word. They are the language of emotion. . . .

Friedrich Engles wrote once, " An ounce of action is worth a ton of theory." . . . Go to a a sacred spot to pray or regularly give yourself to some conscious, tangible embodiment of God's presence in your life. Action -- gesture -- ritual -- is what connects us to the center of ourselves" -- to God.

Living Prayer

2010-08-02T08:18:00.000-04:00

Just to breathe

is to pray;

Just to live

is holy

Praise from the Heart

2010-07-29T08:26:00.000-04:00

It's one thing to sing "alleluia." It's another thing entirely to lift up our hands to the sky when we say it. One is an idea. The other is feeling.

Praise the Lord from the Heart!

Source: Listen with the Heart: Sacred Moments in Everyday Life by Joan Chittister