Satish Kumar We live in a benevolent universe. . . . The benevolence of the soil is endless; it helps one single seed to multiply into millions of seeds for hundreds of years, producing colourful, aromatic, juicy and delicious fruit, feeding birds, bees, humans and animals. The tree celebrates the benevolence of the soil and…
Archbishop Desmond Tutu (1931–2021) and his daughter Mpho Tutu van Furth focus on our fragile humanity, the good and bad that we are all capable of, as the entry point for forgiveness: We are able to forgive because we are able to recognize our shared humanity. We are able to recognize that we are all…
Soon after giving birth to a daughter two months premature, Terri Logan received a bill from the hospital. She recoiled from the string of numbers separated by commas. Her daughter is now 13. Then a few months ago … Logan received some bright yellow envelopes in the mail. They were from a nonprofit group [RIP…
by Justin Faerman* I see so many people talking about the world’s problems but so few talking about the solution to them: Love. It really is that simple despite how complicated we often try to make it. Pretty hard to keep a war going when people are focused on love. Pretty hard to have an…
Our November guest blog is reprinted from Luc Bodin’s September newsletter, and we encourage you to visit his site at https://luc-bodin.fr/ Pierre’s note: Luc Bodin is one of those too rare thinkers who think outside the square box of the “system” that always tries to better lock us in mental sardine cans. What he says…
The following is an excerpt from Marianne Williamson’s Transform article and interview. It’s an inspiring story of how one person can make a difference in building a world that works for all! In April of 2022, a young man named Christian Smalls led a powerful unionization drive at the Amazon warehouse in Staten Island, New York. An…
Every thought we have and action we take becomes part of the collective energy of the planet. Sometimes we look at the actions of others and find it difficult to understand what motivates them. But we are all doing the best we can with the information we currently have. We have all been taught how…
Shared by Nick Polizzi All we need is the morning.As long as there is sunrise,then there is the possibilitythat we can face all of our misfortunes,celebrate all our blessings,and live all our endeavors as human beings.Spirituality is something that has becomenecessary in these troubled times.Yet it is inherently superfluous.We need it to remind ourselves,to bolster…
By His Holiness the Dalai Lama on Wednesday November 14th, 2018 Can Compassion Cure All? In Tibet, we say that many illnesses can be cured by the one medicine of love and compassion. These qualities are the ultimate source of human happiness, and the need for them lies at the very core of our being. Unfortunately, love and…
So many people feel totally overwhelmed by the problem, and this at all levels. The ordinary citizen sees himself as a tiny pawn without any significant influence on a chessboard with 7.9 billion players. The director of a large multinational company immediately sees the constraints of a system that would oblige him/her above all (supposedly)…
“Listening is a true art, be it listening to one’s neighbor or anyone who is suffering, to one’s partner or children, not to mention the most important of all, listening to the Godhead. For this, I believe, is the true value of prayer: not telling an omniscient Deity what It already knows, but listening to what It is telling…
No one is asking you to completely neglect the material life in order to devote yourself solely to meditation and prayer, as some mystics or ascetics who wanted to flee the world, its temptations and difficulties, did. But to allow yourself to be monopolized by material concerns, as more and more humans are doing, is…
“…may I trust Divine Love sufficiently to know that ultimately all is very, very well in the unfolding of the incredible divine Plan already written into the destiny of the universe for me and all.”365 Blessings to Heal Myself and the World To say the world is going through some challenges is the understatement of…
May you letyour thought sweetly reston whomever comes to consciousness,without the slightest judgment,or need for them to be differentin any way. May you findthe quiet humilityto love them as they are right now,and just for this moment,may you feelthat this is enough. May you includeIn this Christlike embrace,The one for you right nowThat may be…
It is my deep conviction that any meaningful religious or spiritual approach must also really address the key issue of today – and that is a world that works for all. Disparities and inequalities in income and opportunities are become so huge, environmental degradation is advancing so rapidly, that unless we create a world that…
Note from Pierre “This is one of the most remarkable spiritual texts I have read in a long time.” Mistakenly, some people think that Buddhism condemns all desire. But there is no getting rid of desire. Instead, Buddhist psychology leads us from desire to abundance. The Indian sage Nisargadatta, one of my teachers, challenged his…
There are many activities in our societies that seem of little significance or “unimportant,” but that is such a superficial view of things. It bears repeating that the humblest activity performed with love certainly uplifts the human race more than a high prestige or “important” job performed out of self-interest. Love is the key indispensable ingredient of true progress and the most powerful healing agent on the…
Danish telethon raises cash to plant a million trees Danes donated around 2.4 million euro (£2.6 million) for the planting of trees, in a Telethon event on September 14 described as the world’s first to focus on the climate. For every donation of 20 Danish kroner (about $3 or 2.7 euros), one tree will be…
By Madisyn Taylor Our Comment: In a recent blog (https://gentleartofblessing.org/an-infinitely-friendly-universe/) Pierre wrote of his deep conviction (shared by many thinkers and mystics) that the universe is governed by a loving, benevolent intelligence. Thus, all challenges we personally face in this human existence are teaching tools that force us to progress on our spiritual path especially if…
Excerpts from the writings of Yogananda Happiness is not dependent on external circumstances; rather, it is to be found in the simpler joys of life, and most of all in the ever-new bliss of deep meditation…. Be happy by clinging to the simple, true, and lasting soul-joys. They come by deep thinking, introspection, spiritual inspiration,…
Whatever religion you were taught, however you were raised, whichever way you understood your teachers, you will grasp and understand this message. It not sufficient to believe this message, one also must live it. The essence of universal religion is peace and goodness encompassing love and kindness towards all creatures on earth. The time has…
Below is an excerpt from a recent feature in “Grateful Changemakers” of Gratefulness.org. We hope this short summary will encourage you to click on the link and read the entire inspiring story and, who knows, perhaps get involved. https://gratefulness.org/grateful-news/grateful-changemakers-musicians-for-world-harmony/ “Music is a great force for healing – something we all need in our lives…We are…
March 21, 2014, The Telegraph (One of the UK’s leading newspapers) https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sponsored/culture/noah-movie/10706053/kyle-maynard… Kyle Maynard, 27, was born with a rare condition called congenital amputation that left him without the lower parts of his arms or legs. It’s a disability that would, understandably, all but end most people’s potential for a normal life. Yet for the determined Atlanta…
A simple meditation to start your day There is a brief text which is one of the most universal, ecumenical texts in the world spiritual literature. Be you a Muslim, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Jew, follower of shamanist practices, this text speaks to any open heart. The reason is that it is pure poetry, being composed…
Posted by Neeti S W on Jul 10, 2017 We thought we would post this today, Global Oneness Day 2017, to illustrate how compassion for and acceptance of others can have a healing impact and remind ourselves that we are all ONE. Awakin gatherings started when three friends got together in 1996 to sit in…
A story about love, compassion and devotion. “All the supply in this world is within you and it has to flow out FROM you. It cannot come TO you. If you want to demonstrate supply, you have got to begin with ‘What have I in the house.’ And then you have got to begin to…
A mystical encounter in Tuscany. Andrew Harvey Andrew Harvey is an author, religious scholar and teacher of mystic traditions, known primarily for his nonfiction books on spiritual or mystical themes. He is the founder of the Institute for Sacred Activism and has been featured in many videos and interviews on mysticism and sacred activism. During…
“True love lived always includes your neighbor. It can never be selfish or exclusive.” Evan Mehlenbacher He was among India’s poorest of poor. He decided, if those in power would not help his people, he would. This is a man who believed in the Do-It-Yourself spirit! Without pausing for a thought, he went ahead and did…
“Compassion… the capacity for feeling what it’s like to live inside somebody else’s skin. It is the knowledge that there never can really be any peace and joy for me until there is peace and joy finally for you too.” ~ Frederick Buechner Who would have ever thought that pairing preschoolers with elderly nursing home…
From Inspire Me Today, 9 Apr 2015, by Erin Ramsey We can choose to grow habits of the mind and the heart that will guide us naturally to love and service. We can blossom through presence and good mental habits to awaken our authentic spirit. Love is the common denominator. Love is the universal energy…
Recently, I was on the train, entering phone numbers into my i-phone, with my laptop in a closed black cover in a black bag touching my thigh. Some time later, I happened to look for my laptop … and no laptop. Someone had managed to steal it without either me or the many people on…
I bless all journalists (or: the journalists of (name of station or newspaper/magazine) in their great love for and responsiveness to truth, and their sensitivity to beauty and goodness. I bless them in their ability to avoid being manipulated into reporting trivia or hiding truth. They denounce evil only to correct it. I bless them…
Spirit of Truth and Love, I bless this day for all the goodness it already includes. I bless this cab as a rolling temple of Thy presence. I bless the roads I shall travel on, and all those whose paths I cross. I bless every person who enters this cab. I bless them in the…
Infinite Mother-Love, I bless myself as the smile of Thy great Love, as the song of Thine infinite goodness, as the stream of Thy refreshing Truth. I bless myself in the discernment that enables me to realize that I am a stream, song, smile to all those I meet – as they are for me.…
This blessing can, of course, be adapted to a local politician. I bless the politicians of …… in their (his/her) highest sense of integrity, ability to put public service before personal gain, and aim for lasting long-term solutions rather than the quick-fix with its immediate political gains. I bless them in their ability to resist…
We bless ourselves in this sacred trust of raising children, and our ability to meet all challenges as they arise. We bless Thee, Mother-Father God, for the sacred privilege of raising these children of the stars. May their light shine ever brighter and may we and others be receptive to their brilliance. We bless ourselves…
I bless this day and the countless opportunities for service it offers. I bless myself in my ability to do my best at all times, to work diligently and serenely, to manifest utmost patience and grace with irate or impatient customers, and to offer the precious gift of a smile to all those I encounter.…
I bless this day as a series of ever-renewed opportunities to serve with love. May each of the leaves of my tree be for the healing of every individual I encounter. I especially bless and rejoice in the opportunities: To do things well rather than carelessly or in a hurry To smile rather than scowl…
I bless mothers and sons with God’s loving and forgiving grace. I pray that they reflect their innate, God-given patience, humility, and loving thoughtfulness. God is blessing them in their purity and Christly strength to be free of alcohol and other addictions. I bless them in their spiritual journeys. May all mothers and sons express…
