Sunday, May 18, 2008

Call to Silence & Opening Meditation

You must close the eyes and waken in yourself that other power of vision, the birthright of all, but which few turn to use. (a saying from Plotinus)

“I saw my Lord with the eye of my heart, and I said: who art Thou? He said: Thou.” (al-Hallaj, Persian Sufi at Baghdad, d. 922)

The Yogi, whose intellect is perfect, contemplates all things as abiding in himself [herself] and thus, by the eye of Knowledge (Jana-chakshus) s/he perceives that everything is Atma. (Sri Sankaracharya, Hindu metaphysician, leading exponent of the doctrine of non-duality, 800 AD)

Readings

Luke 4: 42-43

At daybreak he departed and went into a deserted place. And the crowds were looking for him; and when they reached him, they wanted to prevent him from leaving them. But he said to them, ‘I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other cities also; for I was sent for this purpose.’ So he continued proclaiming the message in the synagogues of Judea. [Galilee]

Luke 8: 1

Soon afterwards he went on through cities and villages, proclaiming and bringing the good news of the kingdom of God. The twelve were with him, as well as some women who had been cured of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary, called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, and Johanna, the wife of Herod’s steward Chuza, and Susanna, and many others, who provided for them out of their resources.


Luke 9: 1-2

Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God, and to heal. He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money – not even an extra tunic. Whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave from there. Wherever they do not welcome you, as you are leaving that town shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” They departed and went through the villages, bringing the good news and curing diseases everywhere.

Luke 10: 1-9

After this the Lord appointed seventy others and sent them on ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he himself intended to go....Whenever you enter a town and its people welcome you, eat what is set before you; cure the sick who are there, and say to them 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.'

Luke 11: 20

[Jesus said] If it is by the finger of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come to you.

Luke 12: 32

[Jesus said] Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Fathers’ good pleasure to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions, and give alms. Make purses for yourselves that do not wear out, an unfailing treasure in heaven, where no thief comes near and nor moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Luke 17:20

Once Jesus was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God was coming, and he answered, “The kingdom of God is not coming with things that can be observed; nor will they say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ For, in fact the kingdom of God is among [within] you.

Gospel of Mary

After saying this, the Blessed One greeted them all, saying: “Peace be with you – may my Peace arise and be fulfilled within you! Be vigilant, and allow no one to mislead you by saying: ‘Here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ For it is within you that the son of Man [child of true humanity] dwells. Go to him, for those who seek him, find him. Walk forth, and announce the gospel of the Kingdom.

Call to Conversation


Closing Meditation