Living Consciously July 3, 2009

Dear friends,

At a theatre production I attended, the lights were dim, the audience was hushed and then a voice announced that the leading man was ill and an unknown actor would take his place. There was a sigh of disappointment but we were all surprised at how wonderfully the last minute replacement played the part. Later I saw the same show with the original actor and it was a completely different interpretation.

Wherever you are, whatever you are engaged in, no one can take your place. No one can live your life but you. From the inside out, we each create the feelings we now feel, the thoughts we are thinking, the way this moment flows. If something is bothering us, we can yell and scream, withdraw and sulk, remain calm and centered or think of a whole new way of responding to the situation.

Like skilled actors on the stage, we bring a unique perspective to everything we do. Sometimes we seem to be reciting an old script and wonder why the response is not more to our liking. Where is the spark that makes things new? We know how to make ourselves feel safe in a relationship, and yet are surprised at the feelings of boredom or repetition we have. We may blame our partner, as if they were not on the same page of the script as we are.

A stage actor gives eight performances a week. Each one has to be as fresh and energetic as opening night. They must find new ways to be in the same role, sometimes for a year or more. So it is with our own interpretation of this life. What can I bring into this relationship, this job, this spiritual practice to awaken my senses to the possibilities inherent in the moment?

The only continuum is life itself. The content is consciousness. Our awareness is the constant, and it is always possible to re-write a new scene!

Peace and Blessings,

Rev Carol Carnes

Living Consciously July 6, 2009

Dear friends,

As the wind picked up and scattered debris in the street, it occurred to me that I was feeling the effects of waves of energy. We say it is blowing but really, a force that is always present is moving through our environment and is more visible sometimes. Wind is an effect, not a cause.

No one can prove that there is any such power as love except by observing what is made visible by its expression. The same is true with electricity. Who knew it was present in ancient times? Looking up at the darkened sky and watching lightning strike is like seeing the greater potential of a certain kind of power.

Looking into the eyes of a newborn we can see the presence of intelligence. We cannot prove it is there but we see it in action as the baby responds and begins to use it to learn and grow. We are the benefactors of a cluster of natural powers which can only be proven true by our use of them.

We will never prove the existence of God with theological constructs. Our very lives are the proof of the reality of Life evolving, unfolding, becoming. What is it that propels us to create and love and celebrate and explore? Is it the evidence of something greater than one individual life? How can such diversity exist without the anchoring of something changeless? How could sentient form arise if not from the sentient formless?

As spiritually aware people we know that proving the existence of God is not our true purpose. It is to make visible those qualities we usually attribute to our version of God. If we believe that God is wrathful and avenging, then we are functioning as the ancients did in complete ignorance of the availability of joy and love and compassion and vitality. It is in our best interest to accept that God is Love and to act as if it were so.

Peace and Blessings,

Rev Carol Carnes