31 December, 2010

UNIVERSAL WISDOM :- No 1 : for 2011

NOTE: -  NEXT SATSANG MEETING
    Sat 8th January 2011
Friends Meeting House - Wolverhampton
1.30 - 4.30 p.m.


REFLECTIONS FOR THE JOURNEY
The following 'quotes' from the Wisdom Traditions are a continuation of our regular series on Universal Wisdom. They are offered at this time of New Year and will hopefully provide some useful reflections.

New Year is often a time when people make resolutions and research shows that the majority of these are never kept. Perhaps what is needed is NOT RESOLUTIONS but the wisdom to make BETTER CHOICES. Therefore our Wisdom Traditions have so much to offer us as we attempt to make life-giving choices.

The following quotes are based on solid, long-standing virtues of love, hope, faith and charity



'A new commandment I give you : Love one another. As I have loved you , so you must love one another. All will know that you are my disciples if you love one another '

St John's Gospel Chap 13 verses 34-35

'' He never dies nor is He mourned. He is always giving. There is no end to His favour. His only quality that there is none  like Him, neither was there ever nor would there ever be. '
From a poem by  Guru Nanak ( first Sikh Guru )


' True love accepts with perfect resignation, yes, even with joy, whatever comes to it from the hand of the Beloved, for  ' perfect love casts out fear . '
St John of the Cross ( Christian Mystic )

‘In this world I feel joyful because He is the Source of Joy. I am in love with all creation because He is the Creator
SADI ( Sufi Master 13th century – Islam)

The great compassionate heart ,Is the essence of Buddhahood

( Buddhism Gandavyuha Sutra)


Charity- to be moved at the sight of
The thirsty, the hungry and the miserable
And to offer relief to them out of pity –
Is the spring of virtue
(JainismKundakunda)

To praise man is to praise
The One who made him,
And man’ earthly possessions
Add to God’s mighty praise.

All metre and mystery
Touch on the Lord at last,
The tide thunders ashore
In praise of the High King
 (Celtic 12th Century Prayer)

20 December, 2010

Reflections from Sister Ishpriya

A Series of Reflections to mark the Season of Christmas

As we reach the end of 2010 and enter this time of Christian Festival, it is an excellent opportunity to reflect of our Spiritual Journey . To aid this reflection, the following series of short 'quotes' from Conference Talks ( Pravachans) by Sister Ishpriya , are offered

Some Quotes From Sister Ishpriya

‘I have a Source, the origin of my existence. My relationship with that Source underpins all others’

‘We are more than head and heart and that ‘more’ is the spirit’

‘Wisdom is beyond head, beyond heart. The inner silence and stillness is Wisdom’

‘ Stop searching for what is not here and then you will be able to see what is here’

‘ Nothing to date has been lost. No genuine encounter with the Mystery is lost. That Mystery IS the ground of my being. Let this truth sink down slowly. We can read books etc but it takes time to experience it ( The Mystery)’

‘ The ‘knowing’ that is mentioned in the Chandoga Upanishad ( Hindu Scripture) is not intellectual knowledge – this knowing is intimacy’


‘ Seva ( selfless work ) is spiritual practice. Stop seeing work and sitting on a meditation cushion differently. All is spiritual practice’


10 December, 2010

THE MEANING OF CHRISTMAS ?

THINKING OF OTHERS

For many of us Christmas is a time when the pressures of Commercialism seem to come to the fore . We are surrounded  and bombarded by advertisements, over-indulgence and  seemingly frenetic attempts to be merry and enjoy the moment. In all this, the real meaning and purpose of Christmas can be forgotten.

A Modern Nativity Scene

Last year Angela and I received a card from Ishpriya with the following picture on it.  This is a powerful and ever present  reminder us of some of the deeper issues and meanings for this particular time of Christmas and  for all times.

It depicts the traditional Nativity Scene in modern terms and shows a family of 'Illegal Migrants' in bombed out  ruins. Note too the 3 Wise Visitors and their gifts.

This remarkably different depiction is a timely reminder with the truth of both the past and present. The Christian Story reminds us that Mary, Joseph and Jesus were Migrants who had to flee oppression and go to Egypt.

In our Modern World, this is an all to familiar theme, where so many of our human family are isolated, ignored, oppressed and fleeing persecution .

The Festival Of Christmas is rooted in the Christian Tradition but has now become a time of celebration for most people. This is true for all regardless of their belief, unbelief or Faith Tradition. Perhaps, during this time of celebration and festivity,  we could all take some time to reflect on the meaning and  purpose  of our lives and in what way we could become more empathic and welcoming to the stranger, the unloved, the unfortunate and those who are marginalised in our society.

SATSANG PROGRAMME - AMENDMENTS

Dear All,  Just a last minute change to our Programme.
 
Tomorrow ( Saturday 11th DEcember ) we will listen to the 1st Talk from Ishpriya's Retreat at Duai Abbey in  the UK.
 
This has the title WHY AM I HERE?  . This is an ESSENTIAL Question that really is the foundation of the other Themes.
 
 Then in  January we WILL listen to the 2nd THEME - READING THE SIGNS OF  THE TIMES.
 
Further details on tomorrow's meeting  will be posted soon  on this  BLOG  

02 December, 2010

EVENTS WITH SISTER ISHPRIYA March 2011


see our Area Website   http://www.satsang-companionship.org.uk/  for details of the Midlands & North Satsang and downloads of documents and links to other sites



BOOK EARLY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT !

You may wish to print this out as it contains details concerning Ishpriya's visit to the UK in March 2011 and an EARLY NOTICE of her planned visit to us in March 2012

 Because of the short notice we ( here in the Midlands North)  were unable to host a Retreat in 2011 with Ishpriya. The Southern Group took it on and managed a very short notice to find a venue in Roehampton  but places were limited and that event is NOW FULLY BOOKED.  

However, Ishpiya in visiting Bristol in Early March 2001 before travelling on  to Ireland  ( Galway and Sligo) . Details of this event are to be found below :-

But first, there are several possibilities open to you ( contact Emmaus House for details of additional costs for possibility 1)

1. Combine the Thursday evening Talk ( A)  from Ishpriya with the 2-day Retreat Fri-Sun

2.    Merely book the 2-day event.  ( B)

Details now follow

Emmaus House retreat and Conference Centre
Clifton Hill, Clifton, Bristol BS8 1BN

(A)          Thursday 10 March 2011
                7.30-9.00 pm
              An evening with Sr. Ishpriya
 
We are very fortunate in having Sr. Ishpriya for our fascinating workshop this weekend and delighted that she has agreed to share an evening exploring some of the key concerns in spirituality for today.       Cost: Contributions welcome

(B)    Are we Ready for another Quantum Leap?
         Spiritual Maturity in a Global Era
          11-13 March 2011
         Led by Sister Ishpriya, RSCJ

Following a stimulating workshop with Sister Ishpriya last year, we are delighted she is returning to enable us to take another quantum leap. Spiritual maturity lies in facing up to present day challenges in an emerging universe. In a global era a heart of compassion is called for if we have the courage to continue this search. This workshop, through input and meditation, as well as video clips and other resources, will allow us to ponder the unfolding Mystery of God while at the same time stay grounded in the reality of our lives.
Start: 6.30 pm (with supper) on Friday
Finish: After lunch on Sunday
Cost: £165 residential/£120 non-residential

Booking: Email:  emmaus@emmaushouse.org.uk  or call 0117 907 9950

AND FINALLY : - EARLY NOTICE MARCH 2012

We are delighted to confirm that Sister Ishpriya has accepted our invitation to meet in Satsang with her for  a short 3-day Retreat. This will take place in North Wales from :-
Thursday 22nd March to Sunday 25th March 2012. Further details will be provided in Autumn 2011.

24 November, 2010

UNIVERSAL WISDOM : No: 4 in the series

PLEASE NOTE:  Next Meeting Wolverhampton Sat 11th Dec

UNIVERSAL WISDOM  :- November 2010

This is another ( the fourth) in a  series of reflections  from  different Faith Traditions. These reflections and Traditions are a source of Universal Wisdom, a treasure chest for all humanity. They show both  the richness in diversity and the Unity in the Spirit, which the human family shares and can give us  insight into  the meaning and the  message of  God.

Most Traditions stress the reality of Love and the meaning of Service and their prime importance if we are to live fully and inter-relate with ourselves, others and our environment.

The Love and Service these reflections extol  are virtues , values and ways of being  that are selfless and not egocentric. They are virtues that are offered  as useful and more complete ways of living and thus adding to the common good

 LOVE & SERVICE (Seva) 

To love is to know Me, My innermost nature,

The truth that I am

( Hindu – Bhagavad Gita 18.55)

For your Heavenly Father is Love

For your Heavenly Mother is Love
For the Son of Man is Love
( Christianity –The Gospel of Peace of Jesus Christ)

The great compassionate heart

Is the essence of Buddhahood
( Buddhism Gandavyuha Sutra )

My Mercy embraces all things

( Islam – Holy Qur’an 7:156)

Jesus said ‘If you have money, do not lend it at interest, but give to one from whom you will not get it back’
( The Gospel of Thomas )

They feed with food the needy wretch,
The orphan, and the prisoner,
For love of Him, saying ‘ We wish for no reward nor thanks from you ‘
( Islam – The Holy Qur’an  76 : 8-9)

Charity- to be moved at the sight of
The thirsty, the hungry and the miserable
And to offer relief to them out of pity –
Is the spring of virtue
( Jainism – Kundakunda)

The whole worth of a benevolent deed
Lies in the love that inspires it
( Judaism – Sukkah 49b)

Holding to the letter of the Law,
May be appropriate to keep a country in order.
But only acting from your true being,
Is always appropriate.
( Taoism – Tao Te Ching 57)

When you give alms,
Do not let your left hand know
What your right hand is doing
Christianity – Matthew 6:3 )


17 November, 2010

DAY OF REFLECTION :- DEVELOPING COMPASSION

PLEASE NOTE:- Next Meeting Saturday 11th Dec 1.30 - 4.30 - Wolverhampton




Developing Perspectives and
Relationships of Compassion
&
What Would it Look Like ?

This is a report on our recent day of reflection that took place at the Friends Meeting House on Saturday 13th November. The day was split into two parts. In the morning we listened  to input from Sister Ishpriya on Relationships of Compassion  and in the afternoon  we watched  a short video with input from a variety of Spiritual Leaders concerning our need, as a human family, to change and imagine  HOW our world and society COULD Look Better.

I will outline each part of  the day and then I will give a short summary of some of our responses and sharing in our Group.

Ishpriya’s Audio Talk: Relationships of Compassion 
This was   the 3rd in a series of 3 talks, given by Sister Ishpriya , the Spiritual Teacher of the International Satsang Association ( ISA) at a Satsang Retreat in March 2010 at Douai Abbey near Reading in England.   All 3 talks encouraged us to  reflect  deeply on our Satsang Commitment and in particular  on the following words of the ISA  Logo – these are based on words  from Dom Heldar Camera.

Seeking Together- Helping to Create – a Planetary Vision and  a Universal  Heart of Compassion

  In this 3rd Talk,  Ishpriya used The Challenge of Immigration’ to  explore some of the issues around immigrants and applied these to The Satsang Companionship and our relationships as a Spiritual Companionship working towards Universal Compassion.

In her talk, Ishpriya  presented some  FACTS and Statistics  about Immigration and challenged  us to reflect  on our attitudes and responses to strangers  and to difference.  She emphasised that  :

It is not so much the statistics that matter  , rather it is our attitudes.
It is the grassroots attitudes that have to change
It is a Planetary Vision and Universal Heart of Compassion that is required to face this current challenge

She reminded us that the Planet does NOT belong to any one group

She reminded us that, we ,as a Satsang Companionship, need to focus on the importance of Relationships and 5 qualities   that underpin could guide our attempts to form  genuine relationships :
Autonomy  of every person
Chosen not imposed 
Appreciation of each other and their gifts and talents
Willingness to Collaborate
Commitment

We then  had a period of Reflection to focus on OUR RELATIONSHIPS   & HOW OUR SATSANG GROUP COULD DEVELOP

Video Presentation

In the afternoon we resumed and watched a short video  from Global Oneness with the title
WHAT WOULD IT LOOK LIKE  . This looked at the current situation in our world and the inequalities that exist in our human family. It had input from a diverse  group of  spiritual thinkers and leaders, each commenting upon the current situation and giving their vision for a more equal and spiritually mature world. They gave some indicators and pointers that could lead to a more compassionate, equal and fair world. A world where people could accept and respect difference, see the wonder of diversity and the underlying unity.

SUMMARY OF OUR SHARING

After listening to both talks and after time for reflection we came together to share. This led to a lively discussion and deep sharing. With all the problems that currently beset our planet, what can we do?

Understandably, some expressed feelings of being overwhelmed. One person response, particularly to the video was 'I wish I could take that ( video) around all the Schools and play it to the school children'. It was agreed that youngsters so often have the belief that they can change the world and thank goodness  they can . As adults, we can so easily become cynical, particularly given our past experiences. It was unanimously agreed , that as Satsang Members  it was important that we speak out on these issues. We also recognised how difficult that can be, particularly with those closest to us and how comparatively easier it was with a stranger. But, as one Member reminded us ' We have to be careful how we do it'

I was reminded of a saying ' the gentle word turneth away wrath' So often this has  been true in my own life. When I look back at those who have made a great impression, and consequently a great impact, on my life, they have never been harshly critical. They have been gentle people who stated their point using a few gentle and considered words.

What has stayed with me from all of the day's talks, and there was so much that was informative, uplifting and encouraging, was the question posed  ( on the video) by one gentleman. He asked this question 'What do I have to do in order for you to be free?' These words spoke to me of the need for personal responsibility. I alone cannot change the world. But I can play my part in making this world a better place to live in..As a Satsang Member I am committed to this ideal of Seeking Together- Helping to Create – a Planetary Vision and  a Universal  Heart of Compassion.

Now, surely freedom is what we all wish for. I don't mean the selfish, self-gratifying freedom to please one's self. The freedom I mean , and this is the freedom I think the gentleman on the video was talking about, was the freedom for each of us to evolve and develop into the person we are each intended to be. The freedom to grow to our full potential.. I was reminded of a statement by David Runcorn , an Anglican Priest, 'we are all unfinished'

This personal responsibility to grow to our full potential requires courage, the courage to make ourselves vulnerable. It requires taking a risk. It takes courage and risk to share something of our self that can help the other. It takes courage and risk to speak out about about what we disagree with.  In making oneself vulnerable we empower the other to risk also  and , as I recently heard someone say , 'To risk nothing is to risk death' 

Of course, our decision to risk, does not always work, sometimes we can experience a hurtful and crushing defeat. But I am comforted by these words attributed to a Christian, Saint Francis of Assisi, ' To give and not to count the cost'  This is surely true generosity. We have many examples , from all the Faith Traditions, of people who have had the corage to take the risk. One of these is Mahatma Gandhi, who said

' Even if you are in a minority of one, truth is truth.
And you should stand up for your convictions without fear'


We can all take up this challenge and this responsibility. So we can all ask ourselves

WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO IN ORDER FOR YOU TO BE FREE ?

Angela Creagh
Satsang Member


15 November, 2010

FAITH-COMPASSION-SOCIAL JUSTICE

Annual Conference : Inter Faith

Faith, Compassion and Social Justice


Saturday 20th November 2010

Time: 10am – 3.30pm


Address: The Workspace, All Saints Road, WolverhamptonWV2 1ELTicket Price: Free - Open to all but prior booking is necessary ( see below)


Details: Organised by Wolverhampton Inter-Faith and Regeneration Network, this event includes speakers from the 5 major faiths looking at  how our faith touches the social dimensions of our lives on matters of justice between groups in society

Speakers:- Dr Opinderjit Kaur Takhar - Lecuturer in Religious Studies
            Mr. Brian Davies OBE - Justice and Interfaith Dialogue 
            Mr. Fiyaz Mughal OBE - Director, Faith Matters  
            Mr. Dinesh Chauhan - Public Relations Officer (Hindu Council of Birmingham) 
            Mr. Ric Bravery - Buddhist Speaker:  
                Free Entry, Refreshments and Buffett Lunch 
          Your browser may not support display of this image.                         To book your place:
                                  Email: admin@wifc.org.uk  or Tel: 01902 427601

Monica Evans ( Satsang Member and WIFG Representative)

12 November, 2010

ROOTED IN MYSTERY PART TWO

An Evolution into Mystical Consciousness
This is the second of two parts containing reflections on a series of Pravachans ( Spiritual Conferences) given by Sister Ishpriya to the Board of Trustees meeting in Die Quelle, the ISA Sadhana Ashram in October 2010. 

Part one outlined a profound crisis facing humanity three indicators of this evolutionary crisis given by Ishpriya were:

·                     The Crisis of our Environment
·                    The Crisis of Violence and Destruction.
·                    The Crisis of our lack of Compassion

The following lines from the Katha Upanishad highlight the dangers of forgetting that we are all inter-connected and that we urgently require compassion for ourselves and others.



                                 There are not many but only one.
Who seeks variety and not the unity,
Wanders on from death to death.

In summary Part One proposed that humanity is facing a crisis. This is a crisis rooted in its current headlong rush to seeming destruction. It is a path that, where many declined to accept personal responsibility and often seemed quicker to apportion blame.

In Part Two we begin to look at an Alternative Path  a path of Mystical Consciousness. It explores Four Levels of Consciousness acknowledged by both Hinduism and modern neuro-psychology

These reflections can be viewed and downloaded as a PDF document from the Resources page of the Website. This can be viewed  by clicking the link below to view the Table of Resources. The item is ROOTED IN MYSTERY PART TWO

Satsang Resources Page

10 November, 2010

ROOTED IN MYSTERY :- PART ONE





ROOTED IN MYSTERY


‘Our duty as men and women is to proceed as if the limits to our ability did not exist. We are collaborators in Creation’
Teilhard de Chardin (Mystic & Scientist 1881 -1955)


PART ONE: - OUR PRESENT CRISIS

These reflections are based on a series of Pravachans (Conference Talks) given by Sister Ishpriya the spiritual teacher of the International Satsang Association (ISA). These talks were delivered at a recent meeting of the Board of Trustees at Die Quelle the ISA Sadhana Ashram in Austria  These reflections focus on  an urgent crisis facing humanity. This crisis was  carefully outlined by Ishpriya in her talks  and a brieg opening in troduction now follows:

Our human family   has evolved as part of the on-going enfolding of the Cosmos and Creation. Teilhard de Chardin reminds us of our duty and responsibility to play our part in this process. Ishpriya reminded us that we, in the ISA along with many others, had for over 20 years been aware of the growing and impending crisis facing our world and humanity. Many experts, in a wide diversity of disciplines, agree that this crisis is so profound and immediate , that it could mean the end of the Human Era on this our beautiful and wonderful Blue Planet.

Our Cosmos has been evolving for almost 14 Billion years, our Solar System is almost 5 billion years and humanity has become part of this steady evolution in the relatively recent past, that is only in time measured in tens of  hundreds of thousands years. During this time, humanity has made several crucial choices on its path to the present day. One such choice was the decision of our ancestors to move from the African Rift Valley towards the Middle East and then to move East and West. This choice resulted in the rich diversity of our human family. But , as the Hindu Vedas reminds us, we are all inter-connected. This is beautifully expressed in these words from the Katha Upanishad


There are not many but only one.
Who seeks variety and not the unity,
Wanders on from death to death.


In her talks Ishpriya focused on the crucial facing us all in these times. Many consider that humanity has taken a ‘wrong turn’ on its evolutionary path. It has branched off from the natural path of evolution and seems headed for a destructive and very negative dead end or cul-de-sac. This could lead to the total destruction of our human family. There are many indicators that highlight this destructive path, but she chose three obvious and stark examples. These are:

·                 The Crisis of our Environment

·                 The Crisis of Violence and Destruction.

·                 The Crisis of our lack of compassion.

 For a fuller outline of Ishpriya's Teachings and some personal reflections, please go to the RESOURCES PAGE of this website ( http://www.satsang-companionship.org.uk/ ) where a downloadable pdf file is available. This is titled
ROOTED IN MYSTERY PART ONE   click on link below

Note:- Part 2 - Concerning an Alternative path will shortly follow



05 November, 2010

Happy Diwali

HAPPY DIWALI



 Diwali, the festival of light is the most popular of all the festivals from South Asia and is celebrated by Hindu, Sikhs, Jains, and some Buddhists.

The festival celebrates the victory of good over evil and light over darkness.
Hindus will leave the windows and doors open and display lights so that the goddess Lakshmi can come in.

The foundation stone of the holiest of Sikh places, the Golden Temple at Amritsar, was laid on Diwali in 1588.
 Taj Kaur



22 October, 2010

Die Quelle :- Board of Trustees Meeting


Die Quelle:- October 24th - 31st

Board of Trustees Meeting


Die Quelle

The Board of Trustees will hold their Annual meeting at Die Quelle - The Sadhana Ashram from Sunday 24th October until Sunday 31st October. At this meeting many important issues will be discussed and decided, not least the new International Satsang Association's ( ISA) Constitution and Membership.

In addition they will focus on how to improve and spread the values and principles of the ISA. These are vital issues that require dedication, understanding and  discernment



During this important week the Board will require discernment and wisdom. Perhaps this simple story from the Jewish Scriptures concerning Solomon and his request for wisdom  is an important sign.


Solomon's Request for a Gift

Solomon the king went to Gibeon to offer sacrifices, for that was the most important high place, and Solomon offered a thousand burnt offerings on that altar.  

At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon during the night in a dream, and God said, "Ask for whatever you want me to give you."
 Solomon answered,

"You have shown great kindness to your servant, my father David, because he was faithful to you and righteous and upright in heart. You have continued this great kindness to him and have given him a son to sit on his throne this very day.
 "Now, O LORD my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?"

The Lord was pleased that Solomon had asked for this

1Kings 3: 4-10