With palms together,

Good Morning Everyone,

Love and community are the natural state of things among human beings.  We are social beings drawn toward each other by instinct.  We do better when we work in groups. Community and the bonds that develop within community are the things that actually express our humanity.

As I wake this morning I express my gratitude for being alive and devote myself to being in service to others. I recognize the Infinite, I bow to my teachers, and open myself to what comes before me.

Usually this is people. People make our world.  They are conduits of our energy. Yet, unfortunately, we are not always open; instead we are suffering and closed and afraid.  We need so much, have so little, and witness others "rolling in dough". Our sense of community bond breaks down or never develops.  We become social predators, emotional predators, sexual predators. We crave. This is not a natural state.  It is at odds with community. such greed and anger creates a sense of separateness from community and we call this a delusion because, in truth, we can never be seen as separate from others.

Disciplined spiritual practice is a practice that demands that we stop and in those quiet, motionless moments, look within ourselves.

In this self examination, whether through prayer or meditation, we see ourselves without the clatter of others and the things they might possess. Such a sight can be very disturbing if we believe ourselves to be morally upright.

I know I am constantly surprised by my thoughts. Greed, anger, and delusion are always present in some form and must be addressed with the appropriate antidotes.

May we each work diligently to become generosity, compassion, and wise.

Be well.