e-zine for May 11, 2006
Is it better to receive than to get?
Receiving What You Live
By Ian Lawton
Have you ever thought about the difference between getting and receiving?
Consider the difference between getting a big sloppy kiss from your auntie, and receiving an embrace offered with mutual appreciation.
Or the difference between getting criticisms for not living up to unrealistic expectations, and receiving feedback from the world when we are being truly ourselves.
Consider the difference between getting "the truth" from an evangelist, and receiving new perspectives from a dialogue between all faiths.
Or the difference between getting a handout and becoming trapped in a welfare cycle, and receiving the empowerment to create our own reality.
Actions that are forced, manipulative or superficial tend to get us. Getting is what happens when we are "done" to rather than given room to find our way. Getting is often a result of living as if we are separate and unrelated to each other.
Receiving arises on account of the right encounter at the right time between the right people. Receiving is not so much about being 'done unto'. It is the synchronicity of all things in the right measure.
"Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" is Jesus' Golden Rule. At first reading, it appears to be more of a rule about getting what we deserve. Maybe rules such as this provide the moral framework around which we can evolve as people. In other words, its a great starting point. The Golden Rule, when taken alongside another saying of Jesus "for the measure with which you measure will in return be measured out to you” may take us deeper into a receiving mode.
This same sentiment appears in most religious traditions, but in different forms. The Golden Rule seems to be a foundational moral truth.
Buddhism expresses it as "Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful." Udana-Varga 5:18
The Islamic variation is- "None of you [truly] believes until he wishes for his brother what he wishes for himself." Number 13 of Imam "Al-Nawawi's Forty Hadiths.
Within Hinduism it reads- "One should not behave towards others in a way which is disagreeable to oneself." Mencius Vii.A.4
An expansive version from Judaism- "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Leviticus 19:18
And the mystical approach as seen through Native American spirituality- "All things are our relatives; what we do to everything, we do to ourselves. All is really One." Black Elk
The Golden Rule seems to be the pattern of a self-regulating universe. All actions effect and create all other actions. This could be described as the Law of Balance; people, situations and nature are co-evolving. Walter Russell, the twentieth century scientist, perceived nature in terms of this Golden balance. Electric opposites arise to co-create each other. Heat radiates, radiation expands, expansion cools, cold generates, generation contracts, and contraction heats.
What goes around, comes around. Nature receives itself.
Katrina is what we "get" when we mess with the balance of nature. Conflict is what we "get" when we fear the balance of difference. Suffering is what we "get" when we resist the balance as it is presenting itself. Notice that all three are partial truths, but point to a pattern or balance in nature.
The Golden Rule sets a pattern of decency. Its a problem when adults use the Golden Rule unreflectively. "Treat people well so that you will be treated well" could imply an ulterior motivation. Its a quid pro quo worldview where we go out of our way to ensure that no one gives us more than we are willing to return in kindness. Its a closed system between two people or two groups. If one party feels that they are indebted to the other, the only way they can repay their debt is to give power or dominance to the other. Oppression is what we get in this situation.
Another approach to the Golden Rule could be described as serial reciprocity. Kindness can never be assumed or expected. It is spontaneous, and open to what arises. It is paid forward, even from one generation to another. It is selfless, and creates with great confidence that its miracle will benefit any number of people including ourselves, but it has no predetermined outcomes. Kindness is received and shared wastefully.
The Golden Rule is the law of balance. When we are one with life, one with nature, one with other people, there is nothing to get and everything to receive. When we live with openness, kindness and appreciation, we create a world of openness, kindness and appreciation.
"Research has shown that a simple act of kindness directed toward another improves the functioning of the immune system and stimulates the production of serotonin in both the recipient of the kindness and the person extending the kindness. Even more amazing is that persons observing the act of kindness have similar beneficial results. Imagine this! Kindness extended, received, or observed beneficially impacts the physical health and feelings of everyone involved!" ~Wayne Dyer, The Power of Intention
Clinton References Wilber at World Economic Forum
Integral Theorist Ken Wilber, and his studies of development and consciousness, were revealed to some of the world most influential leaders at the recent World Economics Forum. Former U.S. President, Bill Clinton, referenced Wilber's great work, A Theory of Everything, as a solution to one of the three great worries that concern him regarding our world today.
The World Economics Forum is an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world by engaging leaders in partnerships to shape global, regional and industry agendas.
Why Does Integral Matter?
Integral Matters is offering an informational evening of conversation, experience, and insight into how integral theory can help you expand your consciousness. The evening will also serve as a fundraiser for C3/CCC.
Wednesday, May 31
7:00-9:00 p.m.
Christ Community Church
Ian Lawton will be speaking on how integral matters to you and how integral theory could be credited with the evolution, growth and survival of C3/CCC through it's transitional period.
Come see how you can integrate your mind, body and spirit.
Suggested donation is $10.
Check Out Our Most Recent Sermon: Spirituality and the Earth
Where do you go when you want to have your spirit refreshed?
Where do you go to explore your spirituality, however it is that you define spirituality?
Some people come to church for that reason.
Some take long walks on the beach or climb mountains.
Some people like to get their hands dirty, be active and that engages their spirit.
Some people like to be in the presence of those closest to them and feel the connection....
sermons
How Can We Receive Easter?!
This Easter season was a remarkable time for so many in our community. As individuals and as a community we are learning to see and appreciate the many deaths and rebirths in our own lives. In response to all of the positive feedback and encouragement we received throughout Lent and Easter, we will be producing a special Easter DVD package. Many wonder what do progressives and others who do not necessarily hold a literal belief of a physical bodily resurrection have to celebrate at Easter? If this is a question that stirs in you, please stay tuned for more information on ordering our upcoming Easter DVD set.
Shop at the C3 Online Store Today!
What's Upcoming at C3/CCC?
May 21- Religion and Legalism
We will explore the danger of fanaticism when religions attempt to retain the literal letter of the law. The novel "Ella Minnow Pea" by Mark Dunn explores this danger and encourages freedom of belief and thought as we live the spirit of our traditions. Ian Lawton will be speaking.
May 28- The Art of Remembering
This Memorial Day we will honor and remember those lost in this nation’s wars and conflicts; we honor those who are grieving. We take another look at valuing all of life through active and thorough remembering. Bob Kleinheksel will be speaking.
June 4- The Spirit of Diversity
In this gathering we will honor the tradition of Pentecost- remembering the beginnings of the Christian church as a coming together of diverse people in a spirit of freedom and compassion. Ian Lawton will be speaking.
June 11- The God Within: A Progressive Understanding of Trinity, Part 1
In this gathering we will celebrate graduation and important transitions for our young people. We also begin a three week series on the doctrine of the Trinity, and explore a first person experience of God. We encourage each other to live with the humility and responsibility that the God within calls for. Ian Lawton will be speaking.
June 18- The God Between: A Progressive Understanding of Trinity, Part 2
Father's Day is celebrated today as we continue our Trinity series. Rev. Ned Edwards is a retired Presbyterian Minister and also one of the founding members of C3 North, our Frankfort satellite community. Ned is an experienced and articulate speaker who has been exploring progressive christian theology for many years. We welcome Ned and look forward to his presentation on a second person relationship with God.
June 25- The God Beyond: A Progressive Understanding of Trinity, Part 3
The third and final week in this series on Trinity takes us on a journey into mystery. An experience of the God beyond beckons us to dwell in possibility and to revel in the wonder and miracle of life and nature. Ian Lawton will be speaking.
Wisdom from the Council of All Beings
Did you miss the Council of All Beings?
Are you interested in hosting your own council?
The Council of All Beings was one of Christ Community Church's Earth Season events. It took place May 6th, 2006 at Pigeon Creek Park. It was adapted from Speaking Like a Mountain John Seed, Joanna Macy, Pat Fleming & Arne Naess, 1988, New Society Pub.
Help Us Gain our Independence!
Our community is in urgent need of making the final steps towards independence. If you have ever felt the limitations placed on free thought by an institution then you will know how stifling this can be to your spirit, and to the spirit of the mission.
Christ Community Church has been on this journey towards independence for over a decade. Leading into 1997, the limitations being placed on Christ Community Church by the denomination it belonged to, the Reformed Church of America (RCA), were becoming asphyxiating.
The three issues at stake with the RCA were interpretation of scripture in light of the times, recognition of many paths to the divine, and affirmation of homosexuality.
In 1997 an agreement was arrived at that would move C3/CCC towards independence. In order to keep our church building, which technically belonged to the Classis Muskegon of the Reformed Church of America, we had to contract to “buy it back” from the Classis. The Classis is the governing body of pastors and elders who oversee local Reformed churches. For our independence, we are required to pay $400,000 in equal installments of $40,000 over ten years.
Now we are just two payments away from complete independence, and for this emerging congregation, it can’t come soon enough!
Please consider donating today. We can't do this without you!
It is very simple to donate to C3/Christ Community Church, through the Network For Good.
The Network For Good is a secure and safe online donations collection center for non-profit organizations. Please consider giving today!
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