Seeking a just and peaceful world for all beings
In her sermon Faith of the Heart, Minister Cheryl M. Walker tells the story of how the Pennsylvania Amish community responded to the Oct. 2 murder of five of their community’s young girls in a schoolhouse. Read the rest of this entry »
“Evil thoughts are also a sign of illness. Let us, therefore, guard ourselves against evil thoughts.”
–Mohandas Gandhi
In our culture, we prioritize our actions over our thoughts. We rightly believe in freedom of thought and speech and do not want to limit these liberties. This is good, but if we want to control our own actions, we best start by learning to control our minds. For it is from our minds and thoughts that our actions arise.
How best to control our minds? I have found the technique of “Walking with the Sages” extremely useful. Watch or read my speech to learn more about it. Read the rest of this entry »
“Reason, devoid of the purifying power of faith, can never free itself from distortions and rationalizations.”
- Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
• Do you base your decisions more on your head or your heart? What do you do to avoid the pitfalls of listening to only one exclusively?
• Many people offer a variety of reasons for eating animals. Is it possible that these reasons are used to silence their heart and conscience on the matter? Read the rest of this entry »
“He who harps on his woes, multiplies them manifold.” –Mohandas Gandhi
• Sometimes it feels good to complain, but does it generally improve the situation; or does it tend to keep us (and those around us) stressed, tense and anxious?
• What are more productive and calming alternatives to complaining?
• Think of a time where you wanted to complain, but your higher self restrained you. What was that experience like? What allowed you to maintain your composure? Did you appreciate the self-control shown? Read the rest of this entry »
“Walk with the Sages” is a speech on how to use the wisdom of the sages to cultivate your spiritual values and improve your life. This speech was presented on February 24 to the Dupont Circle of Speakers Toastmasters. The speech transcript and a download of my handout follows. Read the rest of this entry »
Protestors at the January 27 anti-war rally in DC © Freeman Wicklund 2007
“You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your brothers, what are you doing more than others?”
Jesus (Matthew 5:43-47, NIV) Read the rest of this entry »
“If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flames, but have not love, I gain nothing. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.”
Paul (1 Chorinthians 13:2-7, NIV) Read the rest of this entry »