"we are one creative process" BSC 4/14/11 =adonai echad = al ahad

Shalom, shlama, salam, SatNam! as usual, this morning, BSC's words (via SGK) carried echos of Semitic teachings that sing the same song, just with different words. We return to the recognition of our Oneness, with Source, with Earth, with each other, and with our own infinite Soul. This Oneness is affirmed in the very primal Jewish prayer that for sure Yeshua knew and chanted: "Shema Isra'El, Adonai Elohenu, Adonai Echad." Echad=Ek=Oneness! (the word Isra'El means "one who wrestles with or encounters El, God, the ALLNESS). The other sacred Name in the title of this post is "al ahad" which is Arabic, is one of the 99 Names of Allah, refers to this oneness...and like all the 99 names, can be chanted (internally or outloud) by itself to remind us...and to open us to explore just what might mean for us right here and right now. Just as there is explosive excitment as people in Sikh Dharma or 3HO find the track they are on to be SO REAL, so RELEVANT, so CRUCIAL, so TRANSFORMATIVE, so THANK GODDE, there are people in every faith opening to the infinite creativity of their WAY. As we come towards the beginning of Passover, i invite anyone interested to explore the Freedom Seder that Rabbi Arthur Waskow and his wife Rabbi Phyllis Berman have created (on the website for the Shalom Center in Philadelphia). They bring the themes of the legend of old into today's context, giving us an example of how we can see the ten plagues (at the time of Moses) in terms of what today plagues us, and then inviting us to use the traditions/stories of old to help us meet our challenges today with whatever qualities we feel we need to move ahead in the best possible way for ourselves, for our species, for the Earth, for (and as) the ALL. Our (tomas and my) Kaballah teacher Levi ben Shmuel (see Huffington Post for his writings if you wish) invites us to identify our version of being trapped between Pharoah's army on our trail and a large body of water before us. What to do? How do we deal when "caught between a rock and a hard place?" Using the Tree of Life as a model for our own Reality/SatNam/True Idenity, can we access our connection with divine energy? so we can tune into our deep wisdom, profound understanding, knowing ("I know the unknown is known to me" SSS), loving kindness, strength, compassion, trust, surrender, faith, praise? can we move forward following Soul's guidance? individually and as community? As we approach Easter, can we ask ourselves "how am i doing with my resurrection?" ie lifting myself out of identifying with my personality, my body, my life's story...and realigning my sense of self with Infinite Soul? Baba Siri Chand shared today that "Every particle of energy has its own destiny;" and so also, it would seem to me, that each faith has its own destiny. Rabbi Schacter Shalomi, considered father of Jewish Renewal, speaks of how each religion is like an organ of the Human Collective; and how each religion/organ, through becoming strong in itself, helps the whole body be well. So salutations to all who are creating the Sikhism of today to be a powerful, clear, channel for truth, love, strength, integration, joy, and laughter. And salutations to all people who are using the vehicle of other religions with integrity, creativity, audacity, and courage. Thanks to all the people everywhere chanting the Name of Sacred Unity in whatever language they choose. And thanks to the Oneness for blessing us with more moments to come into deeper and deeper alignment with who we are and Whose we are. Ahavah raba ahavtanu...with such a great love we are loved, yours in faith, and commitment to be vigilant to keep returning to the Knowing that indeed we are the One we so love, rahmaneh