Sitting and Watching

Sitting and Watching

‘No matter what gets in the way or which way the wind does blow… I’ll just sit here and watch the river flow.’ ~Bob Dylan

Post written by Leo Babauta.

Have you ever felt that we are rushing through life, that we get so caught up in busy-ness that life is passing us almost without notice?

I get this feeling all the time.

The antidote is simple: sitting and watching. Read More......

All I want for Christmas

After lots of time away last year (214 days) -- planned for 7 week deployment exercise with other nations

Diverted to Libya and further operations

Back 9 Dec after 7½ months away - 225 days with 176 at sea

400 people onboard (at peak during the amphibious exercises just under 900 onboard but approx 650 during Op Ellamy)
Steamed just over 40,000 miles
Burned approx 6,000 tonnes of fuel
Operated 16 different type of aircraft off the deck

Realities of deploying:

15 babies born while the ship has been away (fathers did get home to see mum and baby)
5 people were sent home so they didn't miss their own weddings.
1 sailor whose son's third birthday is on homecoming. Family meeting ship

Ships company have missed:

Summer holidays. 
Children's exam results
Children finishing school and starting university
The Padre missed his daughter's graduation.

The ship's company made a Christmas DVD when they heard they would be home for Christmas.

You Cannot Tweak Your Way into Effectiveness

You Cannot Tweak Your Way into Effectiveness:

I have been guilty of trying to tweak something that needed a major overhaul. After a lot of effort and resources making minor adjustments here and there, I usually end up with slightly more effective and yet still unsatisfactory results. Yes there might be some change, even some forward progress, but not enough to make a difference....... Read More

As the year is ending what do you need to stop tweaking?

One Day Music video

Hi enjoy the Music video One Day

The Heart of Religion

Fr. Alberto Luna, former Roman Catholic archbishop of Cuenca, Ecuador, calls for a sincere turning toward the "true and authentic" God, who resides deep in the human heart.

Fr. Alberto says that that sacred depth is available to everyone; it is the place where all religions meet, and it provides the strength needed to walk the path of relationship and to put "we" above "you" and "I."

Alberto Luna

Alberto Luna served as Archbishop of Cuenca from 1981 - 2000 during which time he attracted controversy among the church establishment and ruling class for both his ideas and his work with the poor and underprivileged. His personal journey into the mystical dimension of religious life has inspired many around him to embrace a more inclusive view of their faith. He continues to lead mass daily at the Catedral de la Inmaculada in Cuenca, Ecuador.

http://www.globalonenessproject.org/videos/The_Heart_of_Religion


Thanks go to Tom Callos for bringing this video to my attention. Tom describes himself as a Martial Arts Business and Marketing Teacher, Curriculum Designer, and Activist. Check him out at www.TomCallos.com

How do you read the bible?

The Bible is one of the basic texts we study. How do you read it?

I thought you might enjoy N.T. Wright’s suggestion on how to read the bible. Click here if it doesn’t appear below. It will show up in a window selling the video but you can watch it for free.

You can also click here for a free Bible App

http://www.youversion.com/free-bible/unity-long-island

Diana Nyad on the need for a dream

Diana Nyad is swimming from Cuba t o Key West Florida. I remember when she swam around Manhattan.
I hope you enjoy the short video and are inspired to take charge & set your own goal. Click here if the video doesn't appear below.

Are You Listening? Julian Treasure: 5 ways to listen better

In our louder and louder world, says sound expert Julian Treasure, "We are losing our listening." In this short, fascinating talk, Treasure shares five ways to re-tune your ears for conscious listening -- to other people and the world around you. Click Here if the video does not appear below.

The Saving Christ Consciousness

In 1931 Charles Fillmore delivered a lesson titled.The Saving Christ Consciousness. 

Here is a quote from the lesson.

"Live, as Jesus lived, in Spirit and in Truth. 

Make that close contact with infinite mind, 

and you will find that infinite mind will respond to your every thought, 

and you will realize more and more that

 you are the image and likeness of God."

A Lenten Prayer

A lenten prayer

William Arthur Ward (1921-1994)

Fast from judging others; feast on the Christ indwelling in them.

Fast from emphasis on differences; feast on the unity of all life.

Fast from apparent darkness; feast on the reality of light.

Fast from words that pollute; feast on phrases that purify.

Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.

Fast from anger; feast on patience.

Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism.

Fast from worry; feast on trust.

Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.

Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives.

Fast from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayer.

Fast from hostility; feast on nonviolence.

Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.

Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.

Fast from personal anxiety; feast on eternal truth.

Fast from discouragement; feast on hope.

Fast from facts that depress; feast on truths that uplift.

Fast from lethargy; feast on enthusiasm.

Fast from suspicion; feast on truth.

Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast on promises that inspire.

Fast from idle gossip; feast on purposeful silence.

Gentle God, during this season of fasting and feasting, gift us with your presence

so we can be a gift to others in carrying out your work. 

Amen.

 

William Arthur Ward (1921-1994)

(American author, educator, motivational speaker)

A Prosperity Practice for Lent

A Prosperity practice you can start now. Watch this video if you like Steve Martin.

Love Wins, an Interview with Rob Bell

Take a moment with this interview. As you spend this Lenten season getting to know God's presence a little better you may enjoy this discussion.
God Bless You
John
Rob Bell--Love Wins  http://livestre.am/F4gw

Watch live streaming video from lovewins at livestream.com

Lent 2011, Let Go, Let God

As we begin our journey through Lent you may wish to use the Unity booklet Let Go, Let God as part of your daily practice. click here for the booklet. 

You can download it or it can be mailed to you.

God bless you on your Journey through Lent.

http://www.unity.org/publications/freeBooklets/lent2011LandingPage.html

Modern Art, The Four Gospels, Anniversary of the King James version of the Bible

Makoto Fujimura - The Art of "The Four Holy Gospels" from Crossway on Vimeo.

Jody Williams: A realistic vision for World Peace

Nobel Peace laureate Jody Williams brings tough love to the dream of world peace, with her razor-sharp take on what "peace" really means, and a set of profound stories that zero in on the creative struggle -- and sacrifice -- of those who work for it.


Jody Williams won a Nobel Peace Prize for her efforts to eradicate landmines. Now she’s teaming up with five other female peace laureates to empower women to fight violence, injustice and inequality.

Three Stages of Spiritual Practice

Three Stages of Spiritual Practice


Stage 1 Preparatory Stage. The student thinks that she is practicing, but actually she is preparing herself for the practice. Her  practice consists of collecting the necessary means and resources to begin and to stay on the path.

Stage 2:Intermediate stage: A student is fully equipped with all the resources he needs to practice. His time and energy are not involved in collecting means and learning methods, rather he spends his time in practice.


Stage 3 - achievement: At this stage, a student experiences the Truth. She may have only a momentary glimpse of the Truth, but at least it is a direct experience, which helps her understand the greatness of the Truth. Now, her practice consists of trying to maintain that state. As her practice matures, she becomes an adept; then she need not try, for the experience of Unity is maintained effortlessly and spontaneously. 

You really do not need to know many things, 

but you need to practice what you know.