"It was meant to be." How often we hear those words used to explain events and circumstances in our lives. Yet, if we subscribe to the idea that things are just meant to be, where is our agency? Where is our free will? From time immemorial, great souls have taught that action, effort and responsibility are foundational to the spiritual path. Does destiny play a role too? Let's gather together in the Temple this Sunday to contemplate fate and freedom.

This Sunday we have chosen for our meditation the subject, “Seasons of the Soul .” We will explore the spiritual journey of the individual and of human society as he/she and they seek to find meaning and happiness in this world of dual experience.

In Christ Consciousness Jesus experienced himself as one with Ultimate Self of all the Universe. The resurrected soul lives, figuratively speaking, pure, and tender as a lily, and yet strong and fearless, loving and joyous as the Spring which bursts upon us with its bountiful, astonishing beauty. Immortality triumphs. Hope triumphs. Faith triumphs. O, Thou Supreme Light of Resurrection!

This Sunday is the observance of Palm Sunday, the Holy Day marking Jesus of Christ Consciousness' triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Let's join together as a congregation to consider the mystical significance of this event, and what it has to teach us about spiritual identification. These lessons are timeless, yet hold particular importance for our moment in history -- one that sees a drastic redefinition of personal identity and cultural mores. In a world seemingly filled with good and evil, pleasure and pain, may God grant us the guidance and wisdom to identify with that which transcends those relativities, as we seek to find Heaven on Earth.

What is our true nature? Are we “born in sin” as some would have us believe? No - we are soul, born of God. As children of God, the purity, perfection and peace of God are our true nature and birthright. Let no one tell us otherwise. During this Lenten period preceding Easter we focus on renunciation. What is it that we renounce? Simply put, we renounce all concepts, attitudes and habits that veil the perception of our innate divinity as soul born of God.

As the sun lifts above the horizon, so, too, is our consciousness lifted in self-unfoldment. 

Our aspiration for enlightenment is not merely to be a light unto ourselves but to share that light with others.

God is the eternal Light guiding the entire universe. That Light illumines our soul with revelations of Truth and Perfection.

This Sunday during our worship we will remember the life of Russell Hallam Bauer. Recalling and honoring his life is an opportunity for us to reflect on the journey through life in ways that serve God and bless all with happiness, peace and wisdom -- remembering the Soul.

Throughout life we witness the many divine manifestations of God. There are an endless variety of living forms, but there is only one life that lends existence to all.

Our purpose is to realize the essence of the universe, so that we may realize what we truly are—manifestations of the eternal, perfect and pure Consciousness, Existence, Bliss Absolute.

It is the light of the Self that illumines the path of life and the journey of Soul.

This Sunday's worship service happens to land on February 14th, coinciding with the celebration of Valentine's Day. People around the world will give gifts as symbols of friendship, affection and romance. But why limit ourselves to only those flowers and chocolate? Rather, may we take this opportunity to meditate on the divine ideal of True Love. We all have experienced some degree of love in our hearts. Yet, some is never enough, and we still long for love's fullest  expression. Let us gather together in the Temple this week to contemplate our search for true love, and strive to feel it in ever deeper ways.

This Sunday we have chosen for our meditation the subject “Our Spiritual House and Heritage.”  As we approach the Lenten season we give thanks for the priceless gift of our Spiritual Home and Heritage that inspires us to strive to live in the higher levels of our spiritual self with inner joy and contentment and to walk the path of self unfoldment together.

With each prayerful step, I ascend the mountain of my consciousness. I climb to new heights yet unknown to me. But my soul knows this path and carries me forward. Even with the physical and mental challenges that await my body and mind, my soul does not suffer the difficulties that ensue.  It raises me up to heights of infinite beauty and eternal joy.  With each prayerful step, I am guided by God and Gurus.

This Sunday we have chosen for our meditation the subject, “God is Light!”  This truth has been revealed to humanity in all times and all lands.  In the ancient Gayatri prayer, we are admonished to meditate on that 'effulgent' reality from whom the whole universe is projected.  The prophet Mohammed tells us, “God in the Light of the Heavens and the Earth.”  Zarathustra refers to God as “Ahura Mazda,” the Supreme Light and the blessed Nazarene tells us, “If thine eye be single thy whole body shall be full of light.”

The phrase “Desire of Nations” comes from the Old Testament in prophesizing the coming of the Messiah. We sing these words at Christmas time in the carol “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing.” All of life can be seen as motivated and driven by desire. Desire animates life and propels it onward – but to what final destination? What is the “Desire of Nations,” the One grand desire that informs all other desires? What is its fulfillment?

This Sunday morning we will join in the Temple to meditate on the subject of purity. Whether outer or inner, purification plays a critical role in spiritual practice and thought. Great souls from all times and lands have encouraged and guided us to distill our existence to it's truest essence. In these first days of 2016, may we lift our hearts and minds to this ideal as we strive to live purer lives. 

The feeling of self-renewal inspires our reflection, orientation and dedication as we once again "stand at the gate of the year.” Many wonderful subjects flood into our minds at this time:  new  beginnings, spiritual resolution and prayers for greater faith, to name only a few. A need to gather all our noble aspirations with comprehensive focus draws us to examine the enduring life and message of the great prophet-soul Jesus in the light of his realization of Yoga.

As we approach the cusp of another New Year, we exhibit immense gratitude for the ideal, philosophy and practical wisdom that has come to us through our line of Gurus.  With this in mind, I have chosen for our meditation the subject, “Life Lessons from My Guru” with the hope that these life lessons will sustain and inspire the members of our spiritual family as they have my life.     

These life lessons embrace all aspects of our life as well as our inner and outer journey to the Supreme Self   Whether it is marriage, the ideal of service, our view of life and death, meditation or our overall life purpose, we are blessed to be introduced to the highest and most universal ideal and philosophy of life in all of these areas. 

We have taught that the true Guru is to be found within.  The outer guru directs us not to himself or herself, but to the Great Guru within.  Through the relationship with the inner Guru we find happiness, guidance and peace.

Your Temple will be adorned on Sunday in many traditional Christmas ways: The tree on the altar, wreathes, pointsettias and lights all around to warm our hearts for worship.

We take time to reflect on the first Christ-birth. For ages mankind has commemorated the birth of those souls whose birth on earth has come as given by God to awaken us, to guide us to a salvation promised by them, and to bring “peace on earth” and “goodwill to all.”

The essential thing is that we strive to see Light within ourselves. When people are conscious of the light in themselves, then that light will shine through their lives in greater purity and radiance than the world will ever know.

The path to God has been tread by the mystics, rishis and saints of all times and all lands. These great souls have divinely inspired humanity with the highest ideals.

The prophet Isaiah in the Old Testament foretold of the voice in the wilderness that would prepare the way for the Lord. 

The news from the angel Gabriel of the birth of this holy one is revealed to us in the Bible and the Qu’ran.

It is said that John the Baptist emerged from the wilderness as a messenger, fulfilling this prophecy. When Jesus came to be baptized, John recognized the divine consciousness of Christ. 

Let us, too, prepare the way and make straight the path toward realizing the Divine in us and in all beings.

During this season of holy days, it is only natural to feel a deep desire to meditate on love, joy and peace. Yet, in a world filled with so much conflict, what does peace mean in our time? Dissolution? Resolution? Mitigation? Let us join together this Sunday to contemplate what the narratives of Hanukkah and Christmas reveal to us on this matter, lifting our hearts and minds to the ideal of Peace on Earth.

Witnessing with hearts breaking, the eroding of our world order and horrors of visciousness so utterly inhumane, our confidence and faith in the possibility of peace for life on earth is shaken. What will be the prevailing power in our life and in the lives of generations to come? Sadly, ashamedly, we see that no creature on earth can surpass a human being in actions so mercilessly “inhumane” and so violent. 

We need wise guidance and understanding to examine the plight of mankind on earth at all times. We long through our own living only to be true and to help others, to console them and to facilitate an end to suffering. We aspire to learn to live wisely, to live by the righteousness of Truth. 

Inevitable questions come to mind: What determines the survival of humanity? To whom shall the Earth belong? Who will rule the world?