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Welcome to OneLife Ministries, an online, interspiritual ministry of Arem Nahariim-Samadhi and Lotus of the Heart. This site is here to lead you into a heart experience of Divine Presence. We recognize that of the Sacred in each one and celebrate the diversity of expressions of Oneness in Grace. We are for peace and nonviolence, and equal rights and justice. May persons of varied wisdom paths find inspiration here. Welcome!
Blessings,
Arem Nahariim-Samadhi, MDiv, MFT, PhD...
Vowed Contemplative, Greenbough House of Prayer
Interspiritual Teacher, Author, Chaplain, Spiritual Counselor-Healer
*Doug88888, Flickr
Opening Meditation
The mind is not static. It is a process or, more accurately, a series of interacting processes. As such, the mind is malleable and pliable: it can be trained and shaped in new ways. An important part of Buddhist practice is taking responsibility for the dispositions and activities of our own mind so that it can operate in ways that are beneficial. When we don't take responsibility for our own mind, external forces will do the shaping: media, advertisements, companions, and other parts of society.
A good starting point is to train the mind in kindness and compassion. Even a little mindfulness will sometimes prove the cliche, "Self-knowledge is seldom good news." Mindfulness may reveal mental conflict with ourselves, others, or the inconstant nature of life. Such conflict can take the form of aversion, confusion, anger, despair, ambition, or discouragement. Meeting conflict with further conflict will only add to our suffering. Instead, we can begin exploring how to be kinder, more forgiving and spacious with ourselves.
*Gil Fronsdal. "Mindfulness Meditation as a Buddhist Practice." Feb. 2006. www.insightmeditation.org .
Today's Scripture
The kingdom of God is not coming with signs to be observed, nor will they say, "Lo, here it is!" or "There!" for behold, the kingdom of God is within you.
*Christianity. Luke 17.20-21 (KJV)
The Purpose of the one true God, exalted be His glory, in revealing Himself unto men is to lay bare those gems that lie hidden within the mine of their true and inmost selves.
*Baha'i Faith. Gleanings from the Writings of Baha'u'llah: 132.
Spiritual Teaching
I prayed,
"God, where are you?"
God said, "Did you feel that gnat
Just light on the tip of your nose?"
I laughed.
God said,
"There,
You see?"
*Arem Nahariim-Samadhi. "God on the Tip of the Nose."
* * *
Thich Nhat Hanh tells, in Peace is Every Step, of asking some children, “What is the purpose of eating breakfast?” One little boy replied, “To get energy for the day.” Another child answered, “The purpose of eating breakfast is to eat breakfast?”
Hanh tells of being asked by an artist, “What is the way to look at a flower so that I can make the most of it for my art?” Hanh replied, “If you look at it in that way, you cannot be in touch with the flower. Abandon all your projects so you can be with the flower with no intention of exploiting it or getting something from it.”
* * *
Can you listen deeply to the world around you, relaxing need to make the moment into a project? Can you be here, now, without it having to be an on to somewhere else?
Will you sit for twenty minutes, alone, quiet, and smiling, reflecting on the wonder of the Moment, saying over and over in the Silence: “Thank You. Thank You.”? Please give yourself that gift: Wonderful Presence! Beautiful Presence? That is who you are: yes, YOU.
You are a Flower of Grace Blooming
In the Garden of Eternal Spring.
Yes, YOU are the Kiss of God
Upon this beautiful world and sky,
Joining the glories of heaven with
The majesty of earth.
YOU, here, now. Always.
*Arem Nahariim-Samadhi. "Yes, YOU."
* * * CLOSING BLESSING * * *
*Bahman Farzad, Flickr
Namaste'
The Sacred in Me bows to the Sacred in You
OM Shanti Shanti Shanti OM
AREM .
©Arem Nahariim-Samadhi, and Lotus of the Heart, 8.23.11. To contact Arem, you can request to be his friend at Facebook, or contact him at 77ahavah77@gmail.com .
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