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June Addresses
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Triple R. Review Reflect Respond - Sunday Discussion Group
29th June, 2011
3:33pmSunday Triple R: Review Reflect Respond June26, 2011
Facilitator: Simon McCall
“Thinking about Wisdom forces us to consider how we live our lives” by Rev. Peter Burnham
Short summary of points I took:
• Wisdom in the Hebrew bible known as Sofia (Sophia?) and has a feminine nature
• “Applicants for Wisdom apply within” (ones self)
• “Education more than School, Wisdom more than Knowledge, Dare to be Wise”
1. What is Wisdom? Rev. Burnham gave an example of a book by 13 eminent Psychologists and Philosophers that had 13 chapters and 13 different definitions! Discussion in group on how the definition is very subjective and personal and influenced by the culture we are in (“shades of grey not B+W”). Rev. Burnham made reference to both knowledge and practical experience being important components of wisdom. All seemed to agree that when we see it, it is easy to recognise! One question asked is there a universal wisdom transcending all cultures? Some felt yes some felt no. Most felt that wisdom was associated with age and accruing life experience and do younger people (Gen Y) today seek it? Wisdom is very complex “To understand wisdom takes more than we have!”
2. How do we use Wisdom to make life decisions? What identifies a wise or foolish decision? Discussion around how looking back and reflecting is important as a wise decision maybe only recognised in hindsight.
3. Using Wisdom in a process of decision making, and how decision making is at the heart of Wisdom. Listening, Gathering, Discerning, Reflecting all required for a wise decision to be made.
4. With our Post Modern Frenetic world is there a place for Wisdom today? Strong consensus that the answer is empathically YES some might not recognise decisions requiring wisdom per se but usually it is always involved.
5. Some interesting discussion around is there such a thing as “Bad Wisdom” no consensus here, and how as Rev. Burnham says that some wise people in history have had adversarial relationships with the dominant cultures/values of the day. Some discussion on how some actions may be the right thing to do but unwise for a number of reasons e.g. personal safety. Again the whole subjective nature of Wisdom was brought up again.
6. All agreed with the statement that whilst Wisdom is difficult to achieve it is easy to recognise!
7. Wisdom and the New Faith, discussion on the topic of the public launch of the New Faith and was that a wise way to go? No consensus here!
Cheers
Simon
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Clara Horstman
24th June, 2011
12:58pmWhat a delightful and interesting Sunday we had on the 19th of June with Reverend Eileen Ray.
I loved the little time of meditation and the bowl with glitter at the end of the service. Her sermon was good too! Hope you will ask her again in the near future. I could see that many enjoyed her service too. Thanks you! -
Triple R. Review Reflect Respond - Sunday Discussion Group
20th June, 2011
9:20amSunday Triple R: Review Reflect Respond 19/06/11
Address by Rev. Eileen Ray: Darkness and Light - A Winter Celebration.
Facilitator: Simon McCall
The Address covered how Darkness (Black) has always been portrayed in negative terms but how Light (White) has always been portrayed in positive terms.
But Darkness can be positive and Light negative:
Darkness/Night can be redemptive such as rest, void, solitude, silence
Both Light and Dark can be in balance and we need both.
1) Can Darkness be sacred: Light from Darkness, discussion around : we and the Universe came from Darkness (Baby from the Womb) ….Light from the Darkness
2) Should we look to Nature for answers, Holiness of Darkness, discussion around how the creative process can start from darkness.
3) Dark side to our personalities (Jungian Psychology) are we aware of this, how do we handle it, discussion around how as we get older can we explore the “shadow” self and transform the negative emotions that can bring to positive ones: Anger to Energy , Depression to Inner Peace. How we need to balance these two sides to our personalities.
4) Discernment How when we have to make hard decisions sometimes we may feel heaviness and we can go round and round in circles. When a decision is made do we feel a sense of light shining in? if the decision is life enhancing do we sense God as the Good presence working in our lives?
We discussed the greeting “Namaste” and its interpretation as the divine light-spark in me greets the divine light-spark in you, and how this connected with the address.
Lastly there was discussion on how the contemporary Lord’s Prayer as used fitted much better with the New Faith compared to the traditional version. Comment was also made how well the Hymns fitted in with the theme of the Address.
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Triple R. Review Reflect Respond - Sunday Discussion Group
14th June, 2011
10:25amTriple R - Review, Reflect and Respond for Sunday 12th June, 2011
Facilitator: Gabriele Bazatu
Three minds that RELEASE you.
The resilient mind, the forgiving mind the evolving mind.
The group reviewed the resilient mind in terms of connecting with it and the inner energy that goes with it. The theological explanation of the parable of the Sower focused on keeping alive a strong sense of who you are, nurturing it and having a good faith. Our response was that the Sower has a choice of where he sows, but does the seed have choice? Other thoughts were maintaining an awareness of choice and being receptive to the word and to the ideas of the new faith.
The second mind ”The Forgiving Mind” generated much thought and discussion. We reviewed the idea of forgiveness being spontaneous and without fuss, a release both emotionally, of the mind and the body. How such a release fosters growth and allows one to flourish. Courage and our character are important aspects in releasing us from the obsessive nature of not forgiving.
The ideas and experiences this evoked ranged from people being unaware of the corrosive effect of ill feeling to forgiving being a gracious and conscious act, a gift to oneself at the individual level and at the community level, the role of church and political leadership in public acts which can choose to show a generosity spirit and an acknowledgement of the brotherhood of man.
The process of forgiving can begin with choosing to not seek revenge. Reflection, waiting for the emotions to balance out, giving the other the benefit of the doubt, understanding the other, seeing the good in the other and not just focusing on the bad, even when the other was the enemy were all considered parts of this process of forgiveness.
Some interesting discussion centred around the experiences of those who spent years in concentration camps and how doing other things, eg singing, altruistic or creative outlets and simple acts which reminded one of their own essential humanity even if they were being treated inhumanely all contributed to an enhanced ability to forgive the perpetrators.
We spent the rest of the session discussing the various aspects of forgiveness in unforgiveable situations, how in meeting the needs of one person another may find themselves compromised in some way and how one would deal with this without holding undue resentment.
An interesting and thought provoking discussion which drew a wide range of thought and experience from the 18 people who attended.
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Triple R. Review Reflect Respond - Sunday Discussion Group
6th June, 2011
10:16amSunday Triple R: Review Reflect Respond June 5, 2011
Facilitator: Neil Blood
After service discussion on Dr Macnab’s address:
Three minds; The worried mind, the narrow mind, the vindictive mind. How they restrict you.
Review:
* Concern about health issues involving oneself or family is a cause of worry.
* Current affairs and news reporting seem to mostly focus on negative issues causing anxiety, anger, fear, worry and at times vindictive thoughts.
* Imagination out of control causing worry about things that might not happen.
* A number in the group acknowledged they would have been labelled as narrow minded in the past but are now more open minded, learning from life’s experiences.
* A closed mind is not a recipe for happiness.
* The narrow mind harbours resentment and anger.
* The vindictive mind can often activate from sometimes the simplest of wrongs to us, in these cases it is easier to move on.
* But what about the anger generated from injustice to others or us?
* The times when friends have betrayed us?
* When justice is denied then revenge is sought!
* Are we all subject to “The vindictive mind”?
Reflect:
* Life’s circumstances can lead to one or all three mind sets.
* When we have these mindsets we are not at our best, spiritually, mentally and maybe even health wise.
* These three mindsets make it difficult to find enjoyment and happiness.
* Your life cannot flourish.
Respond:
* What is our response to the Three Minds that restrict you?
* Acknowledging an imagination out of control may lead to fear and destructiveness.
* Embrace spirit of life, don’t let imagination run out of control.
* Be open to precious moments; let it lift you out of yourself, being alive and part of the cosmos and recognising that you will flourish.
* What a difference that could make.