Message from the Minister, November 2024
When asked about his religion, The Dalai Lama once said, “kindness is my religion.” I would have to agree that a spiritual path is based more on actions rather than beliefs. When Jesus told us to love our neighbor, he knew that the way of kindness was more important than the religious laws of human beings. Kindness can be found as one of the fundamental tenets of every true spiritual path on earth, everything else is either a step into greater compassion or a step away.
During this time of changing seasons, I am reminded of the never-changing laws of the Universe, specifically the principle of giving and receiving. Kindness is a gift I not only give to another but one I give to myself as well as all of creation. While the circumstances and situations of my life may change, the underlying source of creation cannot change and shift or be distorted.
Truth cannot change or be changed by the shifting seasons of limited human understanding. However, acts of kindness and compassion can restore the awareness of the Truth always present and active in our lives and bring the individual back to balance, peace and power. As awareness of our spiritual nature is restored, Truth becomes an experience rather than a mere concept.
Kindness as a concept has little or no meaning. Kindness by definition is an act, usually a selfless act which extends compassion and love to others. Kindness has no rules or restrictions, no season when it is not welcome and appropriate. The more kindness I extend to others, the more connected I feel to the truth of oneness. The more I give of myself, the more of my true Self I experience, and the more loving and welcoming does the world at large become.
To love your neighbor is not just a nice idea or a good way to get along in the world, it is also part of the greatest commandment from Jesus. (Matt 22:37-39) In this scripture, Jesus equates loving God, the Creator, with loving your neighbor as yourself. Placing your neighbor’s well-being equal to your own has the same weight in spiritual principle as does loving and serving Spirit, suggesting that when we love one another we are in fact loving and serving the whole of creation.
If there is no separation in the universe, then the truth of giving and receiving would be the easiest way to prove to ourselves the spiritual oneness of all beings. The karmic wheel of creation tells us what goes around comes around, but it also allows us to give to everyone everywhere by simply extending kindness without reservation and evaluation. Blessed are those who give with no thought of recompense. (Matt. 6:2)
So, whether it be your religion, your politics, your family life, your work or your leisure life; let kindness be the guiding rule and compassion the healing force by which you operate. Allow the power of the ever-present, all-knowing and all-powerful Spirit, within you and all around you to transform any and every situation into an expression of love for your neighbor and yourself.
Be blessed and remember to be kind my friends.
Rev. Tony
