Greetings, Inspired Seekers!

I have a confession to make, dear readers. I have allowed myself to get a little caught up in the narcissistic political landscape. Has that happened to you? Please tell me that I am not alone.

Tribal narcissism seems to occur when one group believes that it is the only one that knows the truth – and, by the way, has it all. The high intensity of recent emotions swept me up. I hope, as of the writing of this newsletter, I have landed back on the ground and find forgiveness with Spirit – and with you. And doesn't this just mirror the spiritual quest all too often? One group claiming ownership of its God to the exclusion of the others and, by extension, creating a fear-based practice with great histrionics?

What if we could agree on one true tenet and let all else flow from there? What if that tenet was that we are created by and for love, that we do not exist in isolation and that relationship (healthy relationship) is central to our lives? That might just change everything.

I struggle with the difficulty that this has consistently posed over countless generations, in spite of clear instructions from our Spiritual Leaders.

John 13:34 – Love one another. As I have loved you, you also are to love one another. The Buddha – Radiate boundless love towards the entire world. The Talmud – what is hateful to you, do not do to your fellow neighbor. These are just a few of the sacred instructions we struggle with.

We find the call to relationship in all of the world's religions and spiritual practices and yet we struggle to remain connected to Spirit and to each other. I often think that this is because we only pretend to seek the way of the Spirit; we, too often, seek control. As long as control is the goal, relationship will be out of balance. We will live in the world of the haves and the have-nots, the included and the excluded. We will continue to be swept up in the artificial landscape of the privileged.

Pray, as we approach the heat of the summer, that what rises to new temperatures is the warmth of loving hearts seeking loving community.

Grace, Always Yours,
Reverend Deborah

Question of the Month: How will you love the differences in the world around you?

The Reverend Dr. Deborah Darlington provides spiritual care and sacred celebrations to all people. She can be reached at GraceMatters@TheSpaceForGrace.com or 215 260 1611.