NOV/ DEC 2005
Issue #23
Archives
In this edition:
“Be neither elated by success nor depressed by failure. Insist not that
everything is happiness. Neither assert that everything is suffering.
Transcend these prejudicial concepts, and with courage and faith face and
conquer the opposites. Only thus can you find true peace and harmony.”
--The Buddha
ENLIGHTENING HOLIDAY GIFTS
CD Sets & Workbooks
Professionally recorded from live
seminars by Corinne McLaughlin and/or Gordon Davidson
Nicholas and Helena Roerich:
The Spiritual Journey of Two Great Artists and
Peacemakers
By Ruth Drayer
Foreword by Corinne McLaughlin
The
fascinating story of the Russian visionaries who co-founded the Agni
Yoga Society, created the Banner of Peace, and believed beauty could
solve the world's problems and unify humanity. Nicholas was an
internationally acclaimed painter ( see his painting in
this issue),
explorer and archeologist, and Helena was a writer, teacher and
healer. Includes the story of their four year expedition in Central
Asia to search for the sacred city of Shambhala, their close
relationship with President Roosevelt, and their deep connection with
Tibetan Buddhism.
40 black
and white illustrations; 16 color illustrations; $21.95
Order from:
www.amazon.com
or
www.questbooks.net;
1-800-669-9425 ext.348
Symbolic
Message
of the Month
A large chunk of marble fell off the
façade over the entrance to the Supreme Court on November 28, just above
the words “Equal Justice Under the Law.” No one was hurt, but many
media outlets thought it was worth reporting. A visitor on the
scene said, "To me this was a sign that justice is
crumbling."
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Dear Friends,
“An attitude of gratitude brings altitude,” as they
say. This holiday season, let us each appreciate our many blessings, both
as individuals and as a society. Being grateful lifts our spirit to a
higher level. This is the season for open heartedness. Be generous—not
just with your money, but also with your time.
We are an attention-deficit society, and so many
people are desperate for someone to just listen to them.
So take time this holiday season to open your heart
to someone who needs to tell their story and perhaps receive some guidance
from you. There are so many people in the world that need help, and there
are also so many wonderful non-profit projects that are doing good work
and helping create a positive future for us all. They all need our
support, including our prayers and meditations.
And when your generous heart gives in the form of
financial support, bless the money you give to raise its frequency and to
transform it (see our Spiritual Practice of the Month on
Blessing Money). If you live in the U.S., take a closer look
at the symbols on our dollar bill and note all the sacred symbols and
messages on the back: “In God We Trust,” “Annuit Coeptis” (He Favored Our
Undertaking) and “Novus Ordo Seclorum” (New Order of the Ages).
And most significantly, notice the All-Seeing Eye of
God being placed above the pyramid as the missing capstone. It symbolizes
the need for spiritual vision to be placed above material concerns,
both in our nation and in our personal lives. This symbol is actually the
reverse side of the Great Seal of the U.S. The front side with the eagle
is used officially by our Presidents. Both sides of the Seal were created
by our Founding Fathers in 1789 and first put on the dollar bill in 1933
as the urging of Henry Wallace (who later became FDR’s Vice President and
was a student of Nicholas Roerich, founder of the Agni Yoga Society—see
book on the left).
Perhaps this can help remind you of the sacred trust money represents, so
you can see money as a spiritual asset this holiday season and use it to
assist those in need and build a better world.
With love and blessings,
Corinne McLaughlin, Gordon Davidson and Ginger Young
NOTE:
Your feedback is very
important to us! Please
send
us your comments.
From Beyond by Nicholas Roerich
“I'm
not a consensus leader ... Ultimately a genuine leader is not a searcher
for consensus, but a molder of consensus. On some positions, cowardice
asks the question, is it expedient? And then expedience comes along and
asks the question, is it politic? Vanity asks the question - is it
popular? Conscience asks the question - is it right?"-- Martin
Luther King
Blessing Money:
When you receive or give money, offer this simple
blessing:
May this money be blessed.
It is a symbol of divine substance and
energy.
May it be redeemed from every impure
influence, from every attachment and craving.
I appreciate it and keep it as a divine gift.
I shall use it only for good, right,
appropriate purposes.
In using it, I again bless it and give thanks
for it.
© The
Sundial House Group
Being Guided by Signs and
Symbols
© 2005 Corinne McLaughlin
My father was recently rushed to a hospital
emergency room, and in my efforts to help him and my family, I found
myself in an unusual state of mind. I seemed to be continually guided by
ordinary signs in the environment all around me and by the conversations
of complete strangers. The synchronicity of the timing was profound.
Even when I turned on the TV set, it turned out to be a show about
reading signs in the environment, just as was happening to me. It was
like being in a Celestine Prophecy novel where every coincidence
is extremely meaningful. The usual blinders of daily life were suddenly
ripped off and I could see how I was being constantly guided.
As I drove around the city, certain messages on billboards,
bumper stickers and license plates suddenly jumped out at me and seemed to
relate exactly to the issues I was grappling with. Even a pedestrian crossing
the street in front of me carried a message on a shopping bag that seemed to be
meant for me. It read “Cancun”—and was just days after the recent hurricane
caused such a disaster and stranded so many people. It seemed to say that the
course of action I was about to take would be disastrous. And I took it to mean
that big changes are coming in the world—get ready.
"Whenever I despair, I
remember that the way to truth and love has always won. There may be
tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they may seem invincible, but in
the end, they always fail. Think of it: always." --Gandhi
Finding Higher Common Ground on Values
© 2005 by Corinne McLaughlin
People care deeply about moral values.
Values shape our vision of a preferred future. The question of the hour,
however, is: Which moral values should be promoted by government
and schools? Is there any consensus on this question?
Actually there is a great deal of evidence for
consensus on values world-wide: The Institute for Global Ethics in Maine,
founded by Rushmore Kidder, researched values around the world and found there
are five core values that all societies agree on: love/compassion;
truth/honesty; fairness/tolerance; responsibility/accountability; and respect
for life.
Surprisingly, schools in such diverse area as
liberal Berkeley, CA and conservative Kansas City, MO have found they can agree
on common values to be taught in their schools when they dialogue together in a
professionally facilitated process. The Partnership for Character Education,
based in Washington, D.C., has had a great deal of success bringing together
principals, students, teachers, parents, and community members to explore common
ground on values.
At the 1992 Parliament of the Worlds’
Religions, hundreds of representatives from most of the major religions
built a consensus around key values they had in common: non-violence,
tolerance, truthfulness, respect for life, equal rights, solidarity, a
just economic order, and partnership between men and women.
Spiritual Films for
the Holidays
For those of you who are movie lovers like us, here are some movies
currently playing we’ve recently seen that can bring inspiration over
the holidays:
Bee Season with Richard
Gere: Mystical film about a family, and different approaches to
experiencing God and the power of the word, including the Kabbala;
Pride and Prejudice:
Based on the classic novel by Jane Austin, set in old England, about
how our prejudices and pride can blind us to people’s goodness.
If you prefer to rent videos or
DVDs, here are some wonderful spiritual films not usually broadcast
on television during the holidays:
Jesus of Nazareth:
Italian director Zeffirelli's masterpiece and by far the best film about
Christ’s life. Powerfully portrayed spiritual teachings and exquisite
cinematography --every scene is like a Renaissance painting. Interweaves
the political situation of the time into the story, which is quite
revealing and relevant for today. Features a star-studded cast,
including Anne Bancroft, Laurence Olivier, Anthony Quinn, James Mason,
etc. (3 parts)
Brother Sun/Sister Moon:
Zeffirelli’s other masterpiece about the life of St. Frances and St.
Claire, who left their wealthy families and founded spiritual orders
serving the poor, with many well known actors.
Little Buddha: The
reincarnation of a famous Buddhist master in an American child,
discovered by Buddhist monks, and interwoven with the story of the life
of Buddha, starring Keanu Reeves.
Kundun: The
inspirational life and teachings of the Dalai Lama, written by Melinda
Mattison, screenwriter of the popular ET.
Groundhog Day: Classic
Bill Murray comedy, where he keeps reliving the same day and learning
something new each time, that illustrates the law of karma.
I Love Huckabees: A
very profound comedy and cult classic, exploring the meaning of
coincidence, and contrasting spiritual with existential interpretations,
starring Dustin Hoffman and Lily Tomlin.
Letters to the Editor:
“Thanks so
much for your superb articles on the effects of thoughts on weather
patterns, and the article on our role in relations to hurricanes,
earthquakes, etc.! It always amazes me how people automatically buy in
to the predictions of weather forecasters as if they were the
be-all-and-end-all, never realizing the role we can play in it. The
same is true of anything in this world, whether it be a diagnosis from a
doctor or anything else! The proof of the power of thoughts in
manifesting what we want is out there, and so-called miracles are at our
access at all times . . . if we realize that what we think takes flight,
as thoughts are merely energy in motion. We don't need to be anyone's
victim, no matter how many statistics they offer up in support of their
position!” -- Leslie Sheridan,
Sonoma, CA
”Your clear insight and explanations are true examples of your visionary
and perceptive role in a world that is greatly in need. I look forward
to reading more.” – Lucilda Cooper, Boston, MA
“We met in 2001 or
2002 when I was writing a book based on my study of the decision-making
processes of executives who meditate….I thoroughly enjoy reading your
e-letter; they are uplifting and accurate! Thank you for your service to
the Divine.” --Drum McNaughton, Fallbrook, CA
“Thank you for your
wonderful newsletter! Whenever I see it in my mail, I always stop and
take the time to have a spiritual read. I'm forever thankful for the
gift of your training (in New York around 1987), and I will always see
the world in a spiritual light.” -- Ron Lavin, Staagsburg, New York
“First, thank you for all you do, for helping to raise
the consciousness of this planet. I always enjoy your newsletters and
share them with all my friends. I was especially grateful for this
current issue. Would you be willing to allow me to distribute a portion
of [it]? I am the director of the Peace and Justice
Center Arlington, and also on the board of the Dallas Peace Center, and
I believe your message is so powerful, I'd like to share it with all our
members….I also have a renewed interest in "Spiritual Politics". I read
it when it came out… I'm thinking that we would start a study group on
the book - do you have any suggested lesson plans or study guide that we
could use? Part of our mission at PJCA is education, so this would fit
nicely.”--Len Ellis, Texas
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