"All beings are by nature Buddha, as ice by nature is water. Apart from water there is no ice; apart from beings, no Buddha." - Hakuin Zenji
Buddha nature, we are told, is universal. Buddha is not limited to one great person in history. Buddha is not a single wise teacher from the East. Sidhartha whom we call the Buddha was one who "woke up" to realize his Buddha Nature. By doing this he became an example to follow, a demonstration of what being fully human and totally alive really means. And so, followers of the Buddha's wisdom are trying to wake up to their own Buddha nature.
This is exactly my understanding of "Christ." Christ for me is not a person but a principle, a principle that was demonstrated by a Galilean prophet named Jesus. By following Jesus' wisdom I am trying to demonstrate the Christ principle within me. Christ wasn't Jesus' last name, it is a universal principle that Jesus lived out. He became Christ, or, we could say he demonstrated his innate Christ Nature. Followers of Jesus will also become, to some degree, Christ; or, we could say followers of Jesus are trying to demonstrate their Christ Nature, the Christ within.
As a Christian I can affirm, All beings are by nature Christ, as ice by nature is water... Jesus got there before us, but to serve as the example, not the exception.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
"god"
All that is. All that was. All that will ever be. Highest ideals. Profound aspiration. Indomitable hope. Energy of life. Beauty. Peace. Unconditional love.
Creativity. Infinite possibilities. Wisdom. Intelligence. The Big Bang. Nature's heart-beat. Miracle of transformation. Active nothingness. Web of existence.
Principle. Substance. Activity. Mind. Idea. Expression. Spirit of wholeness.
Mystery of our lives. Unlimited potential. Ultimate Reality. Do you mind if I call you by your nickname, "God"? Thanks. That keeps it simple. xoxoxo
Creativity. Infinite possibilities. Wisdom. Intelligence. The Big Bang. Nature's heart-beat. Miracle of transformation. Active nothingness. Web of existence.
Principle. Substance. Activity. Mind. Idea. Expression. Spirit of wholeness.
Mystery of our lives. Unlimited potential. Ultimate Reality. Do you mind if I call you by your nickname, "God"? Thanks. That keeps it simple. xoxoxo
Monday, May 28, 2007
Gay Actor and 70's TV Personality Dies
I LOVED Charles Nelson Reilly (as posts on 5/28/07, 4/9/07, 2/2/07, and 10/26/06 will demonstrate). Even as a child, I was drawn to him. A few months ago I actually thought of writing him a fan letter, but I decided against it. Now that he's died, I wish I had. One more fan letter at the end of life might have put a smile on his face. He certainly put many smiles on mine.
Charles Nelson Reilly studied acting at HB Studios and proved himself as a talented actor and director. He won a Tony award and was nominated for at least two others. He directed The Belle of Amherst and a revival of The Gin Game on Broadway. He was in the original cast of Hello Dolly and he won his first Tony for his role in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Tring. He was also an understudy for Paul Lynde in Bye Bye Birdie.
In spite of success as a Broadway actor and director, Reilly was best known as a game show personality, talk show guest, and episodic television guest star. His greatest notoriety probably came from his status as a regular on the Match Game. He was the "Bic Banana" and he also starred in two television programs for children, the first being Lidsville, a show about a magical world of hat people terrorized by an evil wizard, Hoodoo (played by Reilly).
Cameo appearances and voiceovers in Burt Reynolds' films are also part of his long resume. Though thought of as a TV personality rather than an extremely gifted artist, the truth is he was apparently a very good director and acting coach. He taught classes and directed regional productions in Florida and he would be invited to offer master-classes at prestigious acting schools. His final project was Save It for the Stage: The Life of Reily, a one-man autobiographical show he toured before taking it to Off-Broadway where it ran for several months. An independent film version of the production was later released.
What I loved most about CNR was that he out was "out" long before it was considered fashionable or safe to be open about one's homosexuality. He found fame and fortune in Television, but he often lamented that TV celebrity killed his acting career. I'm sure he enjoyed the theatre and was proud of his accomplishments on the boards. But I for one am glad that he found his way to television. He demonstrated to a queer kid in Arkansas in the 70's that a flambouyant, funny, gay-boy could be himself and be rewarded for it. To most of the world he may have been just Mr. Game Show, but to me he will always be one of my early queer heroes who taught me that I could find and celebrate myself as the person I was born to be.
Charles Nelson Reilly died Friday, May 25th at the age of 76 from pneumonia. He is survived by his life-partner, and by at least one life-long gay fan who is sad to learn of his demise.
Charles Nelson Reilly studied acting at HB Studios and proved himself as a talented actor and director. He won a Tony award and was nominated for at least two others. He directed The Belle of Amherst and a revival of The Gin Game on Broadway. He was in the original cast of Hello Dolly and he won his first Tony for his role in How to Succeed in Business Without Really Tring. He was also an understudy for Paul Lynde in Bye Bye Birdie.
In spite of success as a Broadway actor and director, Reilly was best known as a game show personality, talk show guest, and episodic television guest star. His greatest notoriety probably came from his status as a regular on the Match Game. He was the "Bic Banana" and he also starred in two television programs for children, the first being Lidsville, a show about a magical world of hat people terrorized by an evil wizard, Hoodoo (played by Reilly).
Cameo appearances and voiceovers in Burt Reynolds' films are also part of his long resume. Though thought of as a TV personality rather than an extremely gifted artist, the truth is he was apparently a very good director and acting coach. He taught classes and directed regional productions in Florida and he would be invited to offer master-classes at prestigious acting schools. His final project was Save It for the Stage: The Life of Reily, a one-man autobiographical show he toured before taking it to Off-Broadway where it ran for several months. An independent film version of the production was later released.
What I loved most about CNR was that he out was "out" long before it was considered fashionable or safe to be open about one's homosexuality. He found fame and fortune in Television, but he often lamented that TV celebrity killed his acting career. I'm sure he enjoyed the theatre and was proud of his accomplishments on the boards. But I for one am glad that he found his way to television. He demonstrated to a queer kid in Arkansas in the 70's that a flambouyant, funny, gay-boy could be himself and be rewarded for it. To most of the world he may have been just Mr. Game Show, but to me he will always be one of my early queer heroes who taught me that I could find and celebrate myself as the person I was born to be.
Charles Nelson Reilly died Friday, May 25th at the age of 76 from pneumonia. He is survived by his life-partner, and by at least one life-long gay fan who is sad to learn of his demise.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
My Liberal Religious Ministry
I was ordained in 1997. I worked full-time at a large church as a student intern for three years before that. I promised myself that I would always respect congregants enough to share with them whatever I knew. Theological, biblical, or religious scholarship would never be a professional secret that I would keep. Whatever would enrich, challenge, or broaden my faith I would offer to others. They wouldn't need to accept my views uncritically nor would they need to adopt my opinions whole-heartedly, but I would offer them my honest thoughts and the best scholarship as I understood it. What they would do with my gifts would be up to them, but I would never assume that they were incapable of "handling" the information I had to share.
Fourteen years later I continue to share honestly with the congregation I serve. My views continue to evolve, but I share the reality of my faith as it is in the moment hoping that such a witness will encourage others to ask their own questions, discover their own truths, and share their own insights and experiences. I'm not very interested in doctrinal certainty or dogmatic conformity but rather an honest and reasonable faith that has room for doubt, that allows for change, and that assumes the sacred value of all people.
I have no notion that my belief or anyone else's will provide the assurance of eternal security. On the contrary, I assume the life-force is forever. Religion should improve this life, not promise another one. Life continues beyond this experience or it doesn't. Either way, religion isn't a guarantee that some will exist in a post-mortem paradise while others will be excluded from that paradise. Instead, for me, religion is an opportunity to form community, to ask questions, to search for meaning, and to find hope in life. If it accomplishes those lofty goals, it has proven itself valuable in our world.
Somehow, my approach to religion is often viewed as seditious, outrageous, even heretical. This always surprises me. And yet, my integrity demands that I share honestly. My optimism leads me to believe that such radical honesty helps at least some people.
So, I continue to offer a pluralistic and progressive approach to religion. I hope that the gifts that I offer are finding happy homes and that they are contributing to a better world. I will at least keep trying.
Fourteen years later I continue to share honestly with the congregation I serve. My views continue to evolve, but I share the reality of my faith as it is in the moment hoping that such a witness will encourage others to ask their own questions, discover their own truths, and share their own insights and experiences. I'm not very interested in doctrinal certainty or dogmatic conformity but rather an honest and reasonable faith that has room for doubt, that allows for change, and that assumes the sacred value of all people.
I have no notion that my belief or anyone else's will provide the assurance of eternal security. On the contrary, I assume the life-force is forever. Religion should improve this life, not promise another one. Life continues beyond this experience or it doesn't. Either way, religion isn't a guarantee that some will exist in a post-mortem paradise while others will be excluded from that paradise. Instead, for me, religion is an opportunity to form community, to ask questions, to search for meaning, and to find hope in life. If it accomplishes those lofty goals, it has proven itself valuable in our world.
Somehow, my approach to religion is often viewed as seditious, outrageous, even heretical. This always surprises me. And yet, my integrity demands that I share honestly. My optimism leads me to believe that such radical honesty helps at least some people.
So, I continue to offer a pluralistic and progressive approach to religion. I hope that the gifts that I offer are finding happy homes and that they are contributing to a better world. I will at least keep trying.
Friday, May 25, 2007
A Pacifist's Memorial Day Prayer
Mystery of our lives,
as we begin this Memorial Day weekend we are mindful of those who have sacrificed everything in the service of their countries. Sometimes the losses were in resistance to evil or oppression; so many other times the losses were for political or economic conflicts that should have been resolved without violence.
When the causes were just and when they were not, the lives lost to war were sacred, full of promise and potential, and we regret that wars are still waged and lives are still lost.
Not only must we remember the courageous souls who were sent by their governments to die on battlefields, but we must also remember with regret the conditions that lead some people to believe that offering their lives in military service is their best or only hope for economic or professional achievement.
We must remember the times we claimed all fighting was for "freedom" when in truth the battles did not advance our freedoms nor the cause of liberty or justice elsewhere.
May we repent for the times that we made our country, our flag, our leaders, or our privileges idols to be unquestionably worshiped, and may we never again allow people to die for our idolatries.
Let us honor those whose courage sent them into war, and those whose courage caused them to object to war. Let us remember those who died on the fields of battle and those who fortunately survived. Let us remember those who died in non-military battles - those who died in the struggle for civil rights, for gay liberation, and those who died on the viral battlefield of AIDS; their sacrifices were noble as well and we recall them with sadness.
Finally, let us continue to hope and to work without ceasing for peace in our world.
Source of all holiness, Fountain of all hope, gather our thoughts and aspirations and prayers together and let your healing spirit of peace now enfold our world. Amen.
as we begin this Memorial Day weekend we are mindful of those who have sacrificed everything in the service of their countries. Sometimes the losses were in resistance to evil or oppression; so many other times the losses were for political or economic conflicts that should have been resolved without violence.
When the causes were just and when they were not, the lives lost to war were sacred, full of promise and potential, and we regret that wars are still waged and lives are still lost.
Not only must we remember the courageous souls who were sent by their governments to die on battlefields, but we must also remember with regret the conditions that lead some people to believe that offering their lives in military service is their best or only hope for economic or professional achievement.
We must remember the times we claimed all fighting was for "freedom" when in truth the battles did not advance our freedoms nor the cause of liberty or justice elsewhere.
May we repent for the times that we made our country, our flag, our leaders, or our privileges idols to be unquestionably worshiped, and may we never again allow people to die for our idolatries.
Let us honor those whose courage sent them into war, and those whose courage caused them to object to war. Let us remember those who died on the fields of battle and those who fortunately survived. Let us remember those who died in non-military battles - those who died in the struggle for civil rights, for gay liberation, and those who died on the viral battlefield of AIDS; their sacrifices were noble as well and we recall them with sadness.
Finally, let us continue to hope and to work without ceasing for peace in our world.
Source of all holiness, Fountain of all hope, gather our thoughts and aspirations and prayers together and let your healing spirit of peace now enfold our world. Amen.
I Rise
“Yoked to Divine Mind, we are receptive to Its ways. Yoked to our problem, we are receptive to strain and fear.” [Raymond Charles Barker]
The rising saint, hero, prophet, or god is not an unfamiliar myth. In legend and lore we see over and over the noble soul finding paradise, deification, immortality, or a place among the stars. When we read of Jesus’ ascension we aren’t merely to be impressed that something spectacular may have happened to him; we are to be encouraged that we can rise above our circumstances to renewed and abundant life. Today, I focus on possibilities rather than on problems, and thus I rise above circumstances to my rightful, divine place in the eternal heavens.
Prayer Treatment: I turn away from the appearance of problems and toward the wonderful possibilities that exist for me. I am rising now to my great potential. And so it is!
(c)Durrell Watkins, 2007
The rising saint, hero, prophet, or god is not an unfamiliar myth. In legend and lore we see over and over the noble soul finding paradise, deification, immortality, or a place among the stars. When we read of Jesus’ ascension we aren’t merely to be impressed that something spectacular may have happened to him; we are to be encouraged that we can rise above our circumstances to renewed and abundant life. Today, I focus on possibilities rather than on problems, and thus I rise above circumstances to my rightful, divine place in the eternal heavens.
Prayer Treatment: I turn away from the appearance of problems and toward the wonderful possibilities that exist for me. I am rising now to my great potential. And so it is!
(c)Durrell Watkins, 2007
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Pentecost as Pluralism Sunday
I’m very excited about Pluralism Sunday, May 27th. At my church, we will hear the words of our Christian scriptures, hymns, and Communion liturgy, of course. But we will also hear poetic and prayerful words from the Jewish, Muslim, Unitarian, Native American, Hindu, Buddhist, Sufi, and Earth-based religious traditions.
Now, I know that talk of pluralism can make us nervous, especially if we come from traditions that insisted that only certain groups, vocabularies, or opinions were valid. But we always need to remember that the churches that told us other churches weren’t “legitimate” or that other religious traditions weren’t valid often were the same churches that told us same-gender love wasn’t real or that same-gender attraction was disordered. Luckily, we re-examined the beliefs we inherited about sexual orientation. But if the well meaning but mistaken people from our past got it wrong by trying to change, exclude, condemn or dismiss same-gender loving people, shouldn’t we consider that they were also mistaken in trying to change, exclude, condemn or dismiss people who worshiped differently from us? If God is big enough to allow for human love that transcends gender norms, whatever would make us think that God isn’t big enough to allow for love of the divine that differs from the tradition we find most appealing?
We will be celebrating Pluralism this year not to diminish the importance of Jesus in our lives nor to diminish the importance of our church or scriptures, but as an act of faith; that is, we will celebrate the joy of trusting God to be accessible in ways beyond how we came to know and love That which we call “God.”
The God we find in the human search for meaning recorded in our sacred texts and in the life of Jesus whom we call Christ is described by one New Testament writer as “Love.” Do only Christians love? Could the Source of all life love only Christians? The God that is love could no more restrict Itself to Christianity anymore than It could restrict Itself to heterosexuality! The God we have encountered in Jesus Christ is an all-embracing, all-inclusive, unconditional, limitless Love. We celebrate this truth week after week within the liturgies, traditions, and texts of our inherited (or chosen) Christian faith.
On Pentecost Sunday we will feel the unfettered spirit of God blow again through the words and devotional thoughts of people beyond our faith tradition. We will be reminded that the God who loves us just as we are loves all people just as they are. We remain grateful to the one in whom we first encountered the Divine, Jesus our Christ. But our devotion to him need not exclude or condemn those who have encountered the Divine in other ways.
Now, I know that talk of pluralism can make us nervous, especially if we come from traditions that insisted that only certain groups, vocabularies, or opinions were valid. But we always need to remember that the churches that told us other churches weren’t “legitimate” or that other religious traditions weren’t valid often were the same churches that told us same-gender love wasn’t real or that same-gender attraction was disordered. Luckily, we re-examined the beliefs we inherited about sexual orientation. But if the well meaning but mistaken people from our past got it wrong by trying to change, exclude, condemn or dismiss same-gender loving people, shouldn’t we consider that they were also mistaken in trying to change, exclude, condemn or dismiss people who worshiped differently from us? If God is big enough to allow for human love that transcends gender norms, whatever would make us think that God isn’t big enough to allow for love of the divine that differs from the tradition we find most appealing?
We will be celebrating Pluralism this year not to diminish the importance of Jesus in our lives nor to diminish the importance of our church or scriptures, but as an act of faith; that is, we will celebrate the joy of trusting God to be accessible in ways beyond how we came to know and love That which we call “God.”
The God we find in the human search for meaning recorded in our sacred texts and in the life of Jesus whom we call Christ is described by one New Testament writer as “Love.” Do only Christians love? Could the Source of all life love only Christians? The God that is love could no more restrict Itself to Christianity anymore than It could restrict Itself to heterosexuality! The God we have encountered in Jesus Christ is an all-embracing, all-inclusive, unconditional, limitless Love. We celebrate this truth week after week within the liturgies, traditions, and texts of our inherited (or chosen) Christian faith.
On Pentecost Sunday we will feel the unfettered spirit of God blow again through the words and devotional thoughts of people beyond our faith tradition. We will be reminded that the God who loves us just as we are loves all people just as they are. We remain grateful to the one in whom we first encountered the Divine, Jesus our Christ. But our devotion to him need not exclude or condemn those who have encountered the Divine in other ways.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
