www.cslseattle.org

Thanks Kathianne,

I have been on edge lately as a friend has been dealing recently with a stalker, and after the recent shooting at the UW and then the VT shootings we have all been concerned.

Though these events are uncommon they have the power to weigh heavy on our minds if we let them. The beauty is that we have the same amount of power to look at this with insight and enlightenment (more power if we open our hearts?). The power of perception is truly immense and often true north is neglected because it is outside of where we find comfort.

Deep down I know that we drop the ball. We fumble and people get hurt. But we would not be here if nations and generations before us hadn't, after many great hardships, stood up with aches and pains on the rain soaked field and yelled. . . "HIKE!!!".

Scott~


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Life is what you make me a peanut butter and jelly sandwich.


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Sent: Wednesday, April 18, 2007 5:39:01 PM
Subject: CSL: Let Us Be Broken Open

Dear Scott

When horrible tragedies happen such as the recent shooting at Virginia Tech. we can all feel the blow of disbelief, shock and outrage. These feelings can be followed by anger, pain, or deep sadness. These are all very normal reactions for what can seem like a world gone wild. My spiritual practice at this moment is to feel all the feelings and let those feelings fill me up to the place of overflow. I want my heart to break-to break open.

My wonderful Hindu friend, Bo Lozoff said, "Grief is only love with a bad reputation." I believe that the anger and sadness I feel when confronted with human beings seeming inhumanity is my huge disappointment in us as a species. I grieve because I know we are capable of such love and greatness. If we are all on the same team, our team just fumbled the ball.

Here's where the turning point is for me - I have to realize that the anger, sadness, and grief are the shadow side of the great Love I have for all human beings. As I acknowledge that I can embrace my feelings, I trust that Love will soon evidence itself. My Prayer becomes, "God open my heart wide open so the Power of Love can flow through me."

I share these thought with you because we aren't a church that tries to tell anyone what to think or how to act or who we can pin blame upon. (Ernest Holmes said, "We don't tell people what to think but how to think.") I hope by sharing my personal process that you may find a way and means to touch the deep reservoir of love and understanding within yourself and that you let love flow out from you to your family, friends and the people so tragically effected by this incident.

To have your heart broken open for love is a Glorious thing.

Blessings to you!

Dr. Rev. Kathianne Lewis
Senior Minister

Center for Spiritual Living
5801 Sand Point Way NE
Seattle, WA 98105
206-527-8801, ext 219
www.cslseattle.org

Lavish Holiday Heaven

On the never ending quest for salvation and understanding I think it is very important to not forget to stop and smell the roses.

I regret to say it but some people who are religious have forgotten that the neighbourhood they live in and the family they were born into have a lot of value. Just because there is the possibility of salvation on the other side of the veil does not justify treating those on this side of the veil poorly. In fact, treating others poorly and without love and respect violates the very idea of the type of life most religions preach that you should live on this Earth.

Consider the people close to you, Geographically and otherwise. And remember to be grateful for the freedom to worship as you choose. Never let your distaste for others way of life convince you to force them to conform to your view. Truly you should only rightfully keep them from violating others rights.

Peace and liberty for all,

Scott~

LDS Liberty Blog

This Blog was created to give a sounding board to those who would like to express opinions and ideas about liberty and faith that may apply to these modern days.

There are many of you with various degrees of faith and philosophy, and this will be a sounding board for all who wish to comment on the subject.

Atheists, Agnostics, and faiths of all types are welcome to post. Though this is not the place for hate mail, or unrelated spouting of offensive views. (as rated by a fully informed jury of peers).

To post submissions please submit that request in the comment box or send an e-mail to the one in my profile and I will reply with instructions.

Thank you -

Scott

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Update- I have long since changed the subject matter of this blog to be more video and truly more focused on current events instead of just chattin philosophy. But always feel free to post if you'd like, anything about Faith and Liberty.