A Spiritual Publication

 

ARTICLES:  Editor's Welcome  Diane's Welcome  Serione's Message  Please Lend us Your Love  A Father's Wisdom  The Divine Plan  Schedules for Diane and the Chapel of light  The Serenity Shoppe

 

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There can be no high  civilization where there is not ample leisure. -- Henry Ward Beecher

This is a special Mother's Day greeting to you, my favorite young mother. You are performing wonderfully well in this most important job in the world. And I know it is often frustrating as well as rewarding.
I take this occasion to share some personal thoughts woven together over 65 years. As you know, no one religious faith was handed to me; it has often been a painful and difficult struggle to achieve my own. Nothing is more precious to us than our personal faith.
I have traveled widely and read at least some literature of many faiths. I have taught in Moslem Egypt, Catholic Brazil, Protestant England,and Japan with its Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples. I have found marvels in the Koran, the Bhagavad Gita, the Analects of Confucius, the Eight-Fold Path to Truth of Buddha, the dialogues of Plato. But what means most to me because of my own background is the Judeo-Christian tradition. The Bible tells of its evolution from a stern and jealous God of old, through the great eighth-century prophets, to the teaching and example of Jesus of Nazareth.
Leave the subtle theological arguments to others; they have so often led to intolerance and bloodshed as each faction claimed to be right. Whenever one says "I believe" he may draw strength from those of like mind, but alienate those who differ. Whenever one says "I love" he can unite with others in a weary world.
When the Master Teacher was asked to summarize His faith, he gave only two commands: Love the Lord thy God, and love thy neighbor as thyself; the first taken from Deuteronomy, and the second buried in the myriad laws of Leviticus. I would stress the little word as; not more, not less, but the same as. With that command, like the Golden Rule, He laid the foundation not only of mercy but also of justice. The ancient Stoics had a great code that stood four-square on the pillars of courage, justice, temperance, and wisdom. But Jesus added to that temple a roof of faith and hope and love that turned human eyes toward the heavens.
I cannot vouch for the ultimate message, some eternal salvation.  That I must leave in the hands of God. But I am convinced of the practical value of His teaching and example here and now. It is common sense that all prosper when we throw our love and compassion toward others. When we throw hand grenades all suffer. Love has a way of cleansing fear and hatred from the human heart. I believe in it whether in the family, in business, in government, or in the affairs of nations.
I see nothing wrong with the pursuit of power and wealth. When justly obtained and wisely used they can be of great benefit to all. But it is a matter of priority and proportion: what do we put first?
When J. P. Morgan, then the richest man in America was called to testify before a senate committee, One senator asked him if he knew that the Bible says that money is the root of all evil. Morgan corrected him: the Bible says that the love of money is the root of all evil. The same could be said of power or fame. I am convinced that if we are sufficiently considerate of others, and show them our love and respect, they are far more likely to respond in kind and to repay us in the same currency, much to the blessing of all. Love has a way of growing; hatred has a way of killing.
I admire success, and even envy those who achieve it. But I hope that it is enlightened and guided by a sense of humility, consideration, and love of others.
We who have children have an added opportunity and responsibility, for they learn so quickly what they see and hear. How natural for a child to seek power over others as he or she explores the environment, and tests the limits of behavior. How natural, too, is the acquisitive instinct. Your own warmth and wisdom will supply the needed love and discipline to channel that energy into service to others as well as self.
I usually get all too little out of sermons. But I remember Fr. Tom Palko's fable of the long spoons. People who tried to feed them-selves with them found it impossible to reach the mouth. Then they learned to feed others -- and a11 could eat and be nourished. Is not that the essence of Christ's teaching?
In the spirit of my fatherly love, I ask you to uphold and promote and teach love and compassion to all the lives around you. If we truly try we can usually avoid conflicts, instead of being in a position where we feel forced into winning them. Often I find it helpful to step back and think in terms of cause and effect in behavior rather than of praise or blame.
What does it profit a man to win the whole world and lose his own soul?
I look back on 30 years at the University of North Carolina, good years filled with teaching, research, and other professional duties. I see the mission of a university as the advancement of knowledge and service to people -- a perfect parallel to Christ’s two commands.
As you know, I have been president of two national organizations, editor of a journal, on a panel of NSF, and more. Yet what I most cherish is simply the affection and respect of my family, students and friends.
A good name is more to be desired than great riches.
To love others is the supreme opportunity of our lives; to be loved by others is the supreme measure of our lives.  In the Brothers Karamazov one brother spells out for another a yarn of the time that Great Teacher came back to earth during the Inquisition. The Grand Inquisitor arrested him and gave him a stern lecture. He said: I know you came to bring freedom. But I found that what people want is magic, mystery, and authority.
How often have such goals kept us from seeing his real message of love and sacrifice which does indeed bring us the greatest blessing of all -- our freedom and our salvation.
Please feel free to share these thoughts as you will. And when I die I would like to be remembered by them.
Love and good wishes on this Mother’s Day.

Your devoted
Dad
May 4, 1988

The Sixth Energy 
July 22 - August 22
This energy is brought to earth to help us learn and experience happiness.  By integrating mind, body and spirit, we bring ourselves into alignment with who we truly are.  We free ourself from the limitations that the "social mind" has put upon us.  We can stretch beyond the inhibitions and embrace our life's purpose.  In doing so, our awareness to the connection of our soul increases.  As we experience the constant love and abundance it gives us, there will be happiness and great joy.

The Seventh Energy
August 23 - September 23
This energy focuses on discernment - an issue for all on the earth plane.  It is time to "fine tune" our ability to decide what is beneficial to our well being and what is harmful, or simply no longer needed.  This pertains, not only to ourselves, other people, and objects in the physical world, but to energies in the spiritual world as well.  It is an opportunity to be attentive to the small details and subtleties that exist.  These are often illuminating clues that assist us in our choices.

 

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