A Rosemont Fellowship

2010-11-02T07:41:00.000-07:00

A Rosemont Fellowship

A Rosemont Way to Universal Fellowship

A Rosemont Fellowship ~ is intended to embody a Rosemont Way;

“Recognizing the Universal Fellowship of Ageless Wisdom”

A Rosemont Fellowship is the intent to embody;

a new universal reunion of ageless wisdom precepts;

That is; “In reunion honoring all truly “Universalist Mystical Traditions””.

A Rosemont Way then refers to

“embodying awareness of a Universal Yoga” –

“A reunion in wholeness- an end to conflict.”

An Ever New, Ageless view has been extolled throughout the ages

by all awakened mystic masters.
Because great souls gave it to us;
if we remain humble we can extol it now,
even though we have not fully awakened.

The ever new, ageless, universal view is religious in the highest sense.

In the past religions buried the mystical heart of truth

beyond the reach of many.

Religions became the corruption of what is truly religious;

What is sacred; life and consciousness, Joy & Wisdom.

A Rosemont Way is awakening to the universal wholeness of life’s journey; “To heal the wound of our separateness.”

Considering these Eastern Traditions

Yoga traditions

Vedantic

Taoist

Shinto

Buddhist

Considering these Western Traditions

Hermetic traditions - Gnosticism

Pagan

Kabalistic

Christian

Islamic

Think, for a moment if you will, about John Lennon’s song “Image”.

He used the word religion there to suggest the hypocrisy of divisiveness;

as too often it is exactly that.

Corruption of our ideals is an undeniable issue we all may face at any given moment. And blame is one of the veils our corruption hides behind to justify it’s existence.

Let’s make it clear; there is another way to look at things.

There is another way to see.

To see what is all around us; a single unified field of conscious energy.

There is a new religious view, which was always been.

“One view” ~ known by seers throughout the ages.

By your highest aspirations for wholeness, in universal fellowship;

you may be part of a Rosemont Fellowship

Ego & Sacrifice

2010-03-12T21:45:00.000-08:00

Essentials for Spiritual Seekers

Ego & Sacrifice

All the intellectual studies & technical training in the world may appear to advance us commercially and socially, but in the long run it won’t help us at all, if we fail to truly seek spiritually enlightenment. Only at the point where we truly begin to understand the nature of our Self will we begin to awaken spiritually.

The aspect of self we are most aware of and conditioned by is our ego. It has been suggested that our ego makes a good slave, but not a good master. Today we might say ego makes a good employee, not a good manager. We shouldn’t continue to fool ourselves; no matter how proud we are, ego is only & absolutely selfish and needy.

We should see that when our ego is in charge our capacity for a more subtle awareness and deeper personal fulfillment becomes greatly restricted. While we associate with it; the only use for the ego is through a dedication to serving our highest ideals; the causes of true happiness. Ego will always seek our true goals, so by all means let us set and reset our deepest dedication to goals as high as we can conceive of. And by high I mean in quality first, and then quantity may have some true value in sharing.

Here is the condition we’re in; as embodied beings we find ourselves looking out at the world through a limited sphere and with a limited range of perception. We are dependent upon fulfilling our needs for food, clothing, shelter and companionship. Therefore we are very vulnerable to doubts & fears.

Each person has a finite about of time and energy and if those personal resources are spent seeking limiting comforts and needs, we will never be available to actually pursue more subtle spiritual goals; such as expanded awareness of our true nature and freedom from fear and anxiety. Often those true goals we try to achieve through concrete material means, which in truth are actually transitory & ephemeral. So, investing a lot of resources and effort we achieve very little of the satisfaction we seek.

We hope to control our world, make it safe, but in fact we are not in control. We can’t even manage our own thoughts & feeling. So, this entirely vulnerable condition of doubt & fear is the way by which materialism manipulates & enslaves our culture. One by one a materialistic paradigm exploits our insecurities, reinforcing them though commercialism; isolating individuals and destroying trust through the incorporation of all relationships.

This is the insecure mindset which enslaves the ego to the point where, in our culture there truly is no support for spiritual freedom. We are enslaved by the vulnerability of the ego; this is its weakness. Its perceived strength is in fact its vital weakness. The idea of freedom from one’s ego is not just due to its power over us, but in response to its own weakness and susceptibility to manipulation.

In order to truly undertake a journey of spiritual awakening we must first be aware of our ego’s perspective and influence so that we may elicit its cooperation. Ego doesn’t like to suffer; it simply fails to realize how it supports and promotes suffering. It’s failing is in choosing wrong goals & means. Ego seeks control & material means of personal fulfillment. Neither premise allows for a tenable thesis or outcome.

I have come to believe that the universal spiritual path from now forward will be known as that which engenders the end of conflict. The Vedas state that sacrifice is the heart essence of the universe; and I too believe this is true; it is the dynamic of life and growth; just as the in-breath is offered to the out-breath and visa-versa. This dynamic is a dance and not a struggle.

So here I suggest that the sacrifice called for now is to give up beliefs which serve to depress and oppress us. We are so attached to the causes of our pain, doubt & fear. We should give up these attachments in order to embrace the end of suffering. Our sacrifice today should be to embrace the end of conflict. In order to make this commitment we will need to uncover its implications.

The end of conflict means we will not hurt one another, nor will we be hurt by another. This hurt we will also sacrifice, which means to give up hurtful thinking and acting and make all relations sacred. When we sacrifice these attachments which cause our suffering we will make our motive sacred. This I suggest is the universal way to peace & happiness. And it is the way of all the great preceptors throughout all climes & times.

Bhima's Youtube Christmas Playlist

2009-12-06T14:22:00.001-08:00

The Invitation

2009-11-15T13:52:00.000-08:00

It doesn't interest me what you do for a living.

I want to know what you ache for,
And if you dare to dream of meeting your heart's longing.

It doesn't interest me how old you are.

I want to know if you will risk looking like a fool for love,
For your dreams, for the adventure of being alive.

It doesn't interest me what planets are squaring your moon.

I want to know if you have been touched by the center of your own sorrow,
If you have been opened by life's betrayals
Or have become shriveled and closed from fear of further pain!

I want to know if you can sit with pain, mine or your own,
Without moving to hide it or fade it or fix it.

I want to know if you can be with JOY, mine or your own;
If you can dance with wildness and let the ecstasy fill you to the tips of
your fingers and toes without cautioning us to be careful, be realistic, or
to remember the limitations of being human.

It doesn't interest me if the story you're telling is true.

I want to know if you can disappoint another to be true to yourself,
if you can bear the accusation of betrayal and not betray your own soul.
I want to know if you can be faithful and therefore be trustworthy.

I want to know if you can see beauty even when it is not pretty every day,
and if you can source your life from ITS presence.
I want to know if you can live with failure, yours and mine,
and still stand on the edge of a lake and shout to the silver of the full moon, "YES!"

It doesn't interest me who you are, how you came to be here.

I want to know if you will stand in the center of the fire with me and not shrink back.

It doesn't interest me where or what or with whom you have studied.

I want to know what sustains you from the inside when all else falls away.
I want to know if you can be alone with yourself
and if you truly like the company you keep in the empty moments.

--- Oriah Mountain Dreamer, May 1994

Wisdom Fellowship

2009-04-17T13:54:00.000-07:00

For sometime now; when I hear what to me seem outrageous social issues; such as the worlds current conflicts and economic problems, I’ve considered creating a separate social issues weblog, apart from any Rosemont aspects. I haven’t wanted to distract from spiritual quality of universal fellowship. I've felt Universal Fellowship might only prosper in an atmosphere of peace and justice; blessings which may depend upon the fullest application of wisdom; which is never found in the presence of greed and exploitation such as we see today.
Then looking at it another way and for the very same reason I realized there may be some value in addressing social issues from a different perspective, which I’ve decided to tag as wisdom fellowship. Not to say that I am wise, but to say it may be wise to step back and look at some social issues as issues of universal fellowship which as I suggest demand justice in order to establish peace.
Right now, in April of 2009, I’m so tired and frustrated in hearing about the world’s drug problems, terrorism and ocean piracy, not to mention the outrageous problem of piracy in our financial markets. If as a culture those in authority and the so called elite can not even see the shame and hypocrisy of it all, then it seems certain our culture in headed toward collapse. All these wars on terrorism, drugs, ocean piracy, and the middle class are all absolutely wrong headed. In the manipulation of our obsession with war we’ve given up the must important war of all, the war on poverty, because winning that war depends upon us destroying greed and exploitation.
Now it seems we’ve submitted to an exploitive war machine like in some science fiction story with a heartless robot intent on taking over the world, to enslave humanity, because we are incapable of solving our own problems. It seems our culture has become overwhelmingly self destructive, because all these wars are really wars upon our selves. Suppression is made necessary because people loath submitting to oppression and exploitation; which destroys both morals and moral. When struck, our animalistic survival instinct reacts by striking back and thus we have fallen into a primitive archaic state of violence without reason or wisdom.
All the problems we face as a race result from humanities greedy narcissistic, indeed fascist urge to control everything by suppressing and exploiting “the other” whom we fear and denigrate. Perhaps it’s true we can not trust those who see us in the same way, but at least to begin changing the state of affairs we can at least respect them. As North Americans let’s consider our neighbors to the south in Mexico and beyond; many U.S. citizens are or know Latin Americans and they are good people, so as always people are not the problem, all people problems stem from dysfunctional relationships. When people are put apart, demonized, or criminalized no solution is possible. So with drug dealers and North American drug users, it’s not a war we need; instead we should hear the problem as a cry for therapeutic help. Drug users of all types, including alcoholics and tobacco users, could be issued prescriptions as part of their therapeutic treatment intended to free them from the harm of abuse or addiction.
What is the problem in Somalia? I’m guessing it’s poverty as in much of the world. Why don’t we fight poverty instead of fighting the people who suffer from it? It’s the same with the drug market. People oppressed by poverty see financiers exploiting their communities and countries and learn from these examples. The western world and China too should put its own house in order, for I am certain we can not afford to send an army or navy against every oppressed person in the world.

Prepare to Declare, Peace not War.

2009-03-26T09:17:00.000-07:00

War is the most destructive disease of humanity; very damaging and difficult to cure, therefore we must make every effort to prevent it. Who would argue against prevention; unless one profits from it. What greater humiliation could there be then war profiteering. I would like to promote a constitutional amendment banning war profits. All war suppliers should be nonprofit as a matter of patriotism. War profits are anti-patriotic because they are inherently a conflict of interest. There’s a conflict between the welfare of the nation and one’s personal greed; profiting from the suffering of countrymen and women.

Does it matter that the struggle to eradicate this disease is the hardest to win? War, arising from the delusion of ignorance which manifest as our “sin”, is the trance Jesus sought to break. All Hero’s are those who win the personal struggle that goes on within each person’s heart and mind. To find the answer to our inner conflicts is our most noble exploration. Here’s a fact we need to accept; there are no winners in war. Accepting this truth we can finally renounce war. Renouncing war we must denounce war. War is an admission of failure; a failure of intelligence, a failure to honor our humanity. It is the most important battle; the first and last struggle we must win.

Why do we succumb to war? If we permit war or justify it in any way we become a curse upon our family, our community, our country, our world. In balance what good can come from war? What are the results of war? War establishes an irrational cultural trance which leads to the redirection of lives and resources leading to massive death and destruction, a derailing of cultural advancement, the furtherance of war profiteering, fascism and political corruption; along with a perpetual cultural fear and animosity, such as we see in the Middle East, which can be manipulate so as to further control massive financial and cultural resources. Perhaps the most damaging result is the legitimization of war itself which acts to legitimize corporate and political corruption. This corruption and looking the other way is immeasurably destructive, it is morally reprehensible and equally reprehensible not to prosecute it. One could argue that justifying and permitting war appears like an evil demonic curse. To glamorize war is truly demonic. How long will we be hypnotized by this curse?

If we are truly spiritual beings with physical bodies, then the primary psychological issue we face is the fact that we all feel that we are stranger’s in a strange land; one can see we often seem to feel as though we are orphaned refugees. We are deeply wounded by our lose of innocence. When we find out Santa Claus is primarily mythical and yet war is a continual historical reality that truth is deeply hurtful; so hurtful that we mythologize war in order to sooth our pain and humiliation. Some of us primarily suffer wounds of doubt confusion and loneliness; others feel primarily anger pride or resentment. In either case we all act as though we are spiritually wounded perhaps abandoned, betrayed; suffering an anguishing tension and need; much like a drug addict with a lurking fear, that our fragile happiness may end any moment. Then we may feel that someone or something threatens us.

The Essential Unity of Humanity

Here are the issues I keep coming back to. Culturally from the time of Columbus the post medieval world has dealt more directly than ever with this issue of the relationship of our world cultures. Mostly we have responded in very primitive ways leading to virtually endless war. No modern person could ever convince me that this is, in anyway, a useful means of resolving any issues of our conflicting interest today. As a result of applying, basically an aggressive fascist mind set; to politics, economics and religion, the modern world appears virtually crippled on all levels and unable to realize its innate creative potential.

Now it has often been suggested that “we ourselves are the world”. Nothing mankind does happens outside the aspirations of us as individuals. The seeds of all negative emotions arise from us as individuals. In some way, if only by our acquiescence, we are supporting our own destruction; just as if we were poisoning or cutting our families, or shooting drugs, or assaulting our neighbor. We are in fact acting as a criminal race. We must either reform our behavior or we die in disgrace. This seems clear and indisputable to me. There can no longer be any claim or excuse of ignorance.

Undoubtedly, among thoughtful caring people, there must be universal values equally indisputable. Many things can be disputed, these we can not depend upon, where there is no agreement. And we don’t even really need a long tomb of endless laws and punishments. Ignorance and conflict are punishment enough for all our failings.

Let us only agree that true love and wisdom are priceless gifts of mercy we all cherish. Mercy is the facts that, though these gifts are priceless they are available to all whom humbly set aside pride of self and bow to the presence of goodness. Goodness is divine presence, which cannot be shut out but from ignorance, which is the hellish delusion of our separateness.

Be not a hypocrite or fool who condemns brother or sister, for as we judge so are we judged. Good sense and honesty make us think like scriptures; do not fool twist the truth. Act rightly or you condemn ancestors and children alike. Be not a scourge upon the earth. There is no greater shame or poverty. Be not among the self condemned who curse the day they were born and engender celebration the day they die. Condemn no other or you condemn yourself. A fool condemns himself, follow not that way.

In all things, measure your ethos with wisdom. Wisdom is nonviolent though it destroys ignorance, in the same way darkness flees from light. Love, the fruit of wisdom is like water which is cool and life giving; it quenches fire and shapes rock. All these words you have heard before. Has your heart been as though dead and cold? I think not. Then fear not.

Friends say “all we need is love” but you doubter rather tremble in fear. Where is your heart? If you would stand brave, fight fear; fear of your brother, fear is the hatred that consumes your soul. Fear you have destroyed all that is good. Fear not, for what you call God is good. Good is what destroys hatred, fear and doubt. What is done is not your task. You rule only the kingdom within the dome of your skull; do not think to usurp any other power which is not given to you. Nothing else is yours, yet when wisely there you will be welcome, to be received with infinite grace, love and happiness. There is no other key to your salvation. There is no other way.

Throughout his entire career Krishnamurti called on each one of us to accept responsibility for the thoughts, feelings and actions we so identify with. He often said “we are the world” his suggestion may have been similar to the current popular phase “be the change you seek.” First of all this may not be as easy as we may think for we may not perceive our very own best interest. Never the less we can point in a direction. We may not know the best path we can take to our destination, yet drawing on our experience we can learn to read the signs along the way and make the choices which lay right before us.

No War, Declare Peace!

2009-01-29T15:41:00.000-08:00

War is the most destructive disease of humanity; it is very damaging and difficult to cure, therefore we must make every effort to prevent it.

Who would argue against prevention; unless one profits from it; And what greater shame and humiliation could there be then war profiteering?

I would like to suggest a law banning war profits. All war suppliers should by law be nonprofit as a matter of honor and patriotism, which is so loudly espoused. War profits are anti-patriotic because inherently they are a conflict of interest. There’s a clear conflict between the welfare of the nation and one’s own personal greed; profiting from the suffering of countrymen and women is truly the most humiliating obscenity.

Does it matter that this struggle, to eradicate this disease, is the hardest to win? The sin of war, a delusion of our smallness, is the very trance Jesus sought to break. And yet people dare to sin in God's name. All Hero’s are those who win the personal struggle that goes on within each person’s heart and mind. To find the answer to our inner conflicts is our most noble exploration. Here’s a fact we need to accept; there are no winners in war. Accepting this truth we can finally renounce war. Renouncing war we must denounce war. War is an admission of failure; a failure of intelligence, a failure to honor our humanity.

Why do we succumb to war? If we permit war or justify it in any way we become a curse upon our family, our community, our country, our world. In balance what good can come from war? What are the results of war? War establishes an irrational cultural trance which leads to the redirection of lives and resources leading to massive death and destruction, a derailing of cultural advancement, the furtherance of war profiteering, fascism and political corruption; along with a perpetually exploited culture of fear and animosity; such as we see in the Middle East, which is manipulated to further control massive financial and cultural resources.

An intent to disguise and legitimize corporate and political corruption is perhaps the most damaging result of a fascist aim of legitimizing war itself. This corruption and looking the other way is immeasurably destructive, it is morally reprehensible and thus equally shameful and reprehensible not to prosecute it. One could argue that justifying and permitting war is the closest thing to an evil demonic curse. To glamorize war is truly demonic. How long will humankind be hypnotized by this curse?

If we are truly spiritual beings with physical bodies, then the primary psychological issue we face is the fact that we all feel that we are stranger’s in a strange land; one can see we often seem to feel as though we are orphaned refugees. We are deeply wounded by our lose of innocence. When we find out Santa Claus is primarily mythical and yet war is a continual historical reality that truth is deeply hurtful; so hurtful that we mythologize war in order to sooth our pain and humiliation. Some of us primarily suffer wounds of doubt confusion and loneliness; others feel primarily anger pride or resentment. In either case we act as though we are spiritually wounded vulnerable, perhaps abandoned, betrayed; suffering an anguishing tension and need; much like a drug addict with a lurking fear, that our fragile happiness may end any moment. We feel that someone or something threatens us. In this nightmarish delusion, any doubt or fear which exploits our vulnerability, imprisons us in a humiliating state, in which we can think only of "hiding our head in the sand", or puffing up our chest and pitifully trying to justify war.

Where there is true intelligence and spiritual wisdom there is no legitimate justification for war. To shoot first and ask questions latter is a crime against our humanity. War is immoral and an admitted a failure of intelligence. The impulse for war arises from a primitive vibration of heartlessness thinly disguised as courage. The drum beat of war can and must be dissipated; the way light dissipates darkness, by a conscious heart vibration of wisdom and caring. This vibration has been recognized as the savior of humanity for millennium. May we right now recognize it within us, and act in accord with this wisdom which is divine, in us.

2009-01-22T22:30:00.000-08:00

What is it; to be Free?

As a person who idealizes an open mind.
I listen to myself speak;
and when I hear assumptions creeping in to my beliefs,
I challenge those assumptions;
I laugh at them because they embarrass me.

I want you to know that The Bhagavad Gita is a bible to me. Word of God on a battle field.
Bibles are our deepest metaphors.
Literal worldly language has no deep spiritual value.
The only true battle is a result of our delusions;
Our wound of separateness; the conflict within us;
Because we belief what is false to be true.

I'm no genius, but I'm determined to end my exile from knowing what is.
And on this journey I'm not sure of much but what I write here, I'm sure of.
This I'm sure of; War is wrong. Supporting war is wrong. Justifying war is wrong.
Excusing war is wrong. War is a demonstration that we are wrong.
Caring and compassion is right. That is to be truly human.
To war is demonic, and it is evil.
It springs from ignorance, But ignorance is no excuse.
We are born to learn how to express our humanity.
We must learn to worship wisdom and love.
When we lie about it, we taint it, we spoil it, we loss our sense of humanity.

Religious people should be more careful, In their words and deeds.
For in carelessness we defile the name of God.
Only when we speak the truth can we be forgiven.
Our God does not judge us, only we judge.
We walk a razors edge, when we fall from the truth, We suffer, we bleed, we go to hell. There to find the endless war we always seek to justify.
In war we condemn ourselves to suffering.
War is the hell of our own creation.
God is love which is based upon wisdom.
Our only salvation is to be wise and to act out of love.
By ignorance we condemn ourselves.
In wisdom we find unending love to share with all and thus receive.
I pray for us to honor our God; awaken in love and become truly free.

Bhima Noel

2008-10-25T10:47:00.000-07:00

When we nurture ideals of universal fellowship the temple door of wholeness opens. Awakening to a new age we enter & rejoice together.

Home Again

In the beginning was an awakening of self awareness.
Infinite nature, the spark of embodiment, first breath, sings of love.
Deluded in a dream this song sounds like a babies cry.

Dream mind is born with all seed ideas; word, time space & atom.

“First One” the spark; reflected in the mirror of space, appears as two.
This dream of separateness acts like a bird looking in a mirror,
seeing another always there.
Dream & dreamer from the beginning seek reunion.
But still we wander deluded by separateness and conflict.

Finding the temple door of wholeness open, we awaken in a New Age.
When we realize the door to awakening opens;
to those who nurture ideals of universal fellowship;
then together we will enter & rejoice. Home again.

Your Light

2008-10-14T12:11:00.000-07:00

A Rosemont Way

If one lights a flame in a cave, darkened for eons of time, the darkness recedes. Recognizing this eternal truth in every moment we must abandon the ignorance of war; along with it’s causes and support. In this vain we can recognize as well, that for millennium Religion has been infected by “a spirit of enmity”; and that this devilish attitude is embodied primarily in mankind’s inhumanity toward others.

A callous spirit of greed, hatred and exploitation has brought us to the brink of destroying the world; and religion has become one of its primary tools. How many “so called Christians” assume that a Muslim is the same as the enemy and visa-versa? Humanities deep seated fearful sense of adversarial conflict has been exploited and thus has become the keystone of numerous so called religions, which we see are possessed by a destructive spirit of enmity and discord.

This same spirit rules the body politic and manipulates the devastating cultural diseases of fear and hatred in order to exploit financial instruments for personal gain at the cost of world peace, human welfare and potentially worldwide annihilation. The only way to disperse this mental and emotional darkness is for each one of us to light a flame of wisdom and compassion, forgiving ourselves and each other for spreading the infectious ignorance of hatred.

There are only two types of religious views one true the other false. The first sees “God” as a healer, the source of all goodness. The other sees “God” as a judge condemning the world to eternal damnation.

These two visions are eternal and potential products of the mental process. When we see things divisively we are in conflict, when we sense an underlying connectedness in things we will seek harmony. This is the battle which rages in the mind moment by moment. One springs from fear and self-centeredness, the other is born of love and generosity. One is a mental illness, the other is well-being. Both these views can be found represented in all religions.

It is the responsibilities of the guardians of faith to tend the flame of truth and thus repel the darkness of ignorance. The very notion of a personalized enemy is poison to the soul. The only true enemy is the poison of hatred which infects the hearts of men. If we are to heal the wounds of humanity each one of us must tend the light of wisdom which we are given to warm our hearts and radiate light for the eyes of others. If we won’t see this we are poorer for it and our misery is great.

Art credit - http://www.kimwatersart.net/pages/Tarot.html

Rosemont Universal Fellowship

2008-08-19T14:12:00.000-07:00

Honoring the great liberating traditions of all times and places, while recognizing the value of soul’s path of individuation on it’s journey toward “the one”; The Rosemont Fellowship is for sincere soul travelers; those who envision an end to distinctions which separate.

A ROSEMONT FELLOWSHIP

A MODERN BASIS FOR A UNIVERSALIST FELLOWSHIP

The mystics of all ages vividly embody a Universalist foundation of Ageless Wisdom. Examples of such Universalist heralds have manifest in the various garbs of all religious cultures throughout the centuries. While the history of a divine unifying consciousness establishes a very interesting and important foundation for a Universalist thesis, for many, history is a remote argument when applied to ones current and future sense of a spiritual reality. Still such a Universalist perspective of history provides a powerful tool for confirming one's own intuitive sensibilities.

Truly, all we believe, and all that we believe we know, is a product of some history, even if we confine it to the tiny vessel of our own personal history. Clearly a broader perspective of knowledge, which expands to encompass the wisdom of others at some point, transforms the capacity of our own consciousness. When a child reflects upon the knowledge of an older sibling or a parent the child's own consciousness is transformed to some extent. Peers acquire, to some degree, the skills of their mentors. The receptive apprentice acquires some means of expressing the qualities of the master. By the same token it is not wise to limit our beliefs, in such a way as to exclude the wisdom of others who may have a broader perspective than our own. In the same way consider the wisdom of remaining inquisitive about the deep truths in all religions and philosophies

Is it not possible, that universal consciousness may communicate to us, and though us, in every moment and situation in which we find ourselves? If this is the case a wise student must learn to discriminate between a history of prejudicial knowledge; which obscures, confines and destroys ones personal capabilities for wisdom in comparison to a history of truly essential (universal), ageless (unchanging) wisdom, which empowers our sense of a universal connection

The consciousness of the mystic is so reflective as to pick up the light of ageless wisdom, which emanates from the deep core of every creature and thing. The mystic’s soul, like a highly polished mirror, reflects the hidden supernal light of divine wisdom, for all, who have eyes to see. Unfortunately many remain blinded by their acquired prejudice. Those who perpetuate prejudice carry a heavy burden of debt that is extremely difficult to repay. Awakening to the striking tragedy of self-serving thoughts and actions, generates such a potent sorrow, the mystic is compelled to seek the transcendent wisdom of universal mercy the fruit of acceptance and forgiveness. The mystic soul is compelled to seek the refuge of universal love and understanding. The mystic's God is not a judge, but is a healer. The mystic's God is not exclusive, but is inclusive. Thus we find a foundation for the tradition of a Universalist ageless wisdom.

This Universalist foundation, which is "the Ageless Wisdom of Compassion”, has been very brightly reflected for us, though the lives of many great mystics of the 19^th &, 20th centuries. As their students we have much to learn from them. As their apprentices our solemn and blessed duty, is to carry the wisdom light of universal compassion, into the future, though the present.

Today we know all religions have an esoteric or Universalist tradition as a foundational component. Early Muslims were Sufis, Early Christians were Gnostics, Early Jews were Cabalists, Early Chaldeans were Magians, Early Hindus and Buddhists were Yogis. In the past a Universalist would arise within the context of one or another of these traditions. Today a Universalist could still be a Muslim, Christian, Jew or a Hindu, Buddhist, Jain, or some other religion. What I believe is even more possible today is that a modern Universalist may honor the esoteric traditions of all religions without embracing the exclusive path of any one religion. This I believe is a New Age Universalist Path, the foundation for which has been continually expressed and developed by the mystics of all traditions over the centuries, and thus is always more fully emerging in the now.

Who can say when the constructive phases of this "New Age Universalist Path" emerged? A new age was heralded in the time around 1493 with the discovery of the Americas. Unfortunately destruction is part of the process of change. In India Kabir while delivering a Universalist message met with doubt and resistance. In the west the broader modern Protestant reformation was truly heralded in the Rosicrucian Manifesto of 1614. In the late 1700's Emmanuel Swedenborg, who has been referred to as a western Buddha, wrote that in 1757 "the New Age was declared in the heavens". In the 1840's Ralph Waldo Emerson helped organize and inspire the New England Transcendentalist. In New York City in 1875 the Theosophical Society was established inspired by Himalayan masters of the east. More recently in the 1900's Charles and Myrtle Fillmore established Unity Church and Ernest Holmes established "The Church of Religious Science".

In the east much Universalist activity flowered throughout the ages. It is in the spirit of Vedanta and it is at the root of Christianity and Islam. In the 1800's the life of Sri Ramakrishna is replete with calls for a Universalist spiritual philosophy. In 1893 his disciple Swami Vivekananda came to the U.S. and was a great exponent of a Universalist Vedanta. That same year Chandra La Ghosh was born, later to become Paramahansa Yogananda, he also traveled to the U.S. and established his Church of all Religions in 1925. The Sufi master Hazarat Inyat Khan established The Sufi Order in the West in . His student Samuel Lewis was a New Age prophet and created "Dances of Universal Peace". The Universalist master Meher Baba traveled in the U.S. during the 1950's. Certainly one of the greatest modern Universalist philosophers J. Krishnamurti traveled and taught in the west until his passing in 1986. Today the students of these and other great modern mystics and teachers are carrying on these aspects of the Universalist tradition.

A Rosemont Fellowship is intended to promote the formation of a "New Age Universalist Fellowship" which draws it's inspiration from all of these deep sources and others; remaining like a river which is ageless yet ever new. Such a "New Age Universalist Fellowship" need not embrace any particular religious tradition, and wouldn’t reject any truly universalist expression of wholeness either.

A Universalist should in no way be dissuaded by the diversity of religions and theologies; their points of contact and commonality are more important than their differences. The degree to which an interpretive philosophy shares precepts with other highly Universalist philosophies, is the degree to which that philosophy approaches an ultimate truth; which by its very nature must be universally applicable. No matter what the rationalistic argument, the essential importance of an idealistic wisdom cannot be denied.

Every line of thought must eventually lead to that which goes beyond thought; that is the nature of an infinite reality, a reality which can only be defined as an eternal God. Some may say a Buddhist doesn't belief in God. A Buddhist may not believe in an eternal personal God, but believes in Nirvana, which is the nature of an infinite eternal God, which cannot be named but is embodied by the Buddha. This is the philosophy of a Universalist God that cannot be named.

2008-05-10T12:49:00.000-07:00

As the saying goes, "To be happy, love what you do and do what you love". Perhaps it's as simple as that. It may be a little more than that. I hope, you do what enriches you spiritually; establishing love & wisdom in your heart & mind. Having a deep personal connection with all the people, and living beings in our life; and though them to all life on the planet and spirits everywhere. Aren't we in relationship with all the people in our life; our co-worker, boss, doctor, grocer, neighbors, their families, the people we disagree with, and the ones who disagree with us? It simply means we care.

In college I studied mostly economics and spirituality; which led me to conclude it would be difficult to live a truly holistic spiritual lifestyle in our modern commercial society; unless one had a significant ability to influence ones obligations and environment. May I therefore suggest that a sense of intentional spiritual community more fully supports our deepest aspirations then any other environment? I'm thinking of a "free" mutually supportive environment of spiritually mature individuals; who are dedicated to the welfare of their family, friends, community, society and world. How can this be? Well seeing the answer to that requires deep consideration, commitment and discussion. There's virtually nothing that I've given more consideration to in my life. I've observed, participated, both failed and succeeded. Yet there's not much point in discussing details unless we agree on the premise.
I suggest that if you believe this type of an Intentional Spiritual-Community, Culture & Universal-Fellowship

When hearts align that's quite enough,
to lend support & sincere best wishes,
for divine guidance all your days.
True as every heart beat!

- Bhima Noel

As a member of the old "Baby Boom" generation born in the USA I feel, on balance, so far, we have failed to improve the human condition in our society and the world. In fact quite the contrary we have diminished our standing as a people and a culture.
Here's why.
Materially we produce very little, and even less that's good.
We live off cold and corrupt government entities.
And speculative financial markets which produce virtually nothing.
We exploit the production of poor working people.
We care nothing for what we use up and thus steal from the future.
We waste and deplete earth resources.
We pollute the world's environment.

Psychologically we are primarily selfish, cruel and cold hearted.
We act kindly when it is in our self interest, but in deed we tend to ignore the suffering of others even family members if it is too much for us to bear.
People live destitute of true love and caring in our own towns, neighborhoods and homes; to say nothing of our world. We seek solace, but have little to give.

Spiritual we wander about lost, so far from the mark. Doorways are everywhere, through our thoughts and actions, but we are blinded by suffering fears and our addictions to things of little intrinsic value. We wander the world as the Buddhists say like Hungry Ghosts. Ever hungry never satisfied.

All of this could change, if we were to embody a spirit of Universal Fellowship honoring all life. As I wish to honor you today, I speak to you whose heart beats alive with love.

The truth of life's oneness flowers before us, in our world and our lives, nourished by rains of love, compassion's tears and the luminous clarity the wisdom's eternal light.

The Essential Reconciliation of the Divine Masculine & Feminine

2008-05-08T15:55:00.000-07:00

We all go though life facing our many common and also individual circumstances; both challenges and opportunities. In the best of worlds life is truly a journey of awakening. Every moment choices are made and then sustained. Certain moments seem to delineate the stages of our lives. These special moments, when they awaken in us a more subtle depth of awareness or understanding we could call our initiation on the universal path of awakening. Not every new idea is really an initiation, many are just steps along the way, but every once in awhile we experience a new kind of awareness which changes our thinking and feeling from that moment on. These moments of transformation truly are divine gifts and may delineate the stages of our initiation on our journey of awakening.

If I describe certain of my own lives experience I may begin to somewhat suggest the path we all follow in our own way. I’ve convinced myself that I remember somewhat my emotional state as a child in the crib. I was of course very innocent and as a result I felt happy, peaceful and content. I can’t really remember when I first felt insecure, it seems to have something to do with recognizing others as strangers who didn’t know me and whom I didn’t know. As a result I felt uncertain, imposed upon, as though others had expectations which might be hidden from me, and I wasn’t sure how to act. This sense of uncertainty could make me feel uncomfortable and ill at ease. I clearly remember this feeling going to kindergarten on the first day. I didn’t really feel insecure about myself, family, or friends rather it seems I felt insecure about strangers. Only much later I learnt to feel insecure about everyone.

I never really felt very insecure around nature, I was always curious about the world; or rather creation and the entire universe. I remember as a child laying in the tall grass and watching the wind blow across the field, or on my back watching clouds pass by, or gazing into the blue sky wondering about it and what was beyond; always what was beyond. I wondered about us and what was beyond. I wondered why if we lost something we couldn’t just know exactly where it was. Why this void of not knowing? It felt somewhat like a humiliation to me. I wondered why god humbled us in this way. This boy thought we could grow up to be like Superman. This limiting awareness was my first loss of innocence which struck me so strongly. I haven’t really gotten over it yet. Then there was the age when you really know Santa Claus isn’t “real”. I got over that one rather easily, after all this lie was “mans” doing and kind of cute. After all, myth itself has some truth to tell, this one about our spirit of goodness.

Finally comes our great loss of innocence regarding our sexuality; we leave childhood behind when we have sex with another. This is one of life’s initiations for sure, because everything changes after this. Our whole world view changes. We become addicted to the world. Before that we were just playing, now it’s serious. We want power and influence from then on, even if we may forget why. The search for power seems like a point of no return, but it’s not really. In fact we are truly lost only if we never find the way of our return to innocence.

Of coarse spiritual liberation is not the same type of innocence we had as children, it’s much deeper, like the innocence of the great souls who show us the way of awakening from the dream we have created; the dream of our false aspirations of playing the game to win. If some must win then some must lose and this is the real delusion of the world; that some can win while others loss. This kind of thinking can not be trusted, and when we think this way we can not be trusted. This is why we can’t really trust each other, until we can realize that your loss is my loss. Only when we have this realization and are irreversibly dedicated to acting appropriate to this fact, only then can we trust and be trusted.

For all I’ve written and I write a lot, mostly for myself; I don’t recall ever writing about sexuality, basically because I never had anything interesting to say about it and I prefer writing when I feel that I have an idea that moves in a constructive direction. I don’t really know what I’m going to say; yet I must say that I feel our loss of innocence is related to our sexuality and our ability to trust ourselves and others.

If you look at history, most of the cultures we know are all about control and domination. This is what has corrupted most of the churches throughout history. Let me be clear, I’m not saying sexuality is bad, I’m suggesting that an addiction to a desire for something that is not within our power to control leads to a belief in conflict and a desire for control. This is our basic relationship with the world and with our “God”. We are conflicted because of our perceived self interest, we know that without power we have no control and we fear that we will not have our desires met if we aren’t in control of our world. But how can we control the world when we can’t even control our own heart and mind. We become conflicted and at war with God and our Self. This is a battle which can never be won.

One of the epic wars people have tried to negotiate throughout the ages is what has been called the battle of the sexes. Again here is a war which can’t be won, so people try to negotiate a settlement, but it’s a tenuous, fragile peace. You may have recognized by now that my thinking is influenced by certain precepts which can be found in many teachings; such as Taoism, Buddhist Madhyamaka teachings or A Course in Miracles. My basic believe is that no war can really be won, because your loss is also my loss. The basic delusion we worship is the belief in a conflict between heaven and earth; and that one can win while another loses. This to me is an irreconcilable position, because first I can not accept that we are divided, separate, and so there is no true opposition. Creation, life and evolution is more like a dance than an armed struggle. Our belief in opposition is the delusion which arises when we worship our needy sense of incompleteness.

Unfortunately with an adversarial position conflict pervades our world, heart and soul. One of the innate, naturally found medications which spiritual masters, like the Mahasiddhas, have administered, as a cure for this universal delusional disease of greed is their tantric yoga teachings. Aspects of these teaching addressing this issue of duality are not well understood, so I’d like to comment on them here hoping somewhat to reconcile them within myself. Unfortunately from my position as a male I can’t speak for the female expression of sexuality in relation to reconciling desires, needs, and expectations. Therefore I can only address tantric principles from a personal internalized yogic view. This view I do not consider to be a limitation at all; if fact for most people an outward expression of tantric principles is very likely to be a huge obstacle without first developing a well grounded inner realization. By that I mean that sexual drives outwardly expressed are powerful enough to overwhelm anyone I personally know of. You will notice in Buddhist tantric iconography images of coupled male and female deities. Appearing as two they are in fact one in union. This is an essential tantric realization. In other tantric icons you can find what seems like a hermaphrodite; both male and female in one. This seems more to the point I would suggest; that first we must reconcile the conflicts within us, so that we can dispel the delusion of worldly conflicts which do not serve to advance our journey of awakening.

Resolve for Spiritual Community

2008-04-09T18:39:00.000-07:00

If you will bear with me for a few moments, I feel I have something to say , or I would not offer it.

Spiritual Community

Around 1975 I came to the conclusion that unique opportunities and achievements could be realized within “a well considered matrix of intentional spiritual community”. Since then I was twice involved in “community” and have confirmed this premise and learned to recognize the obstacles we face as well.

In case you have no such thoughts, ideals or intentions you can stop here. But the reason I’m now still only wondering and talking about sharing and more fully living my spiritual ideals is largely rooted within my own self delusion; of doubts and fears. Many years ago I decided I must first work on freeing myself from doubts and fears. I’ve done this personal work to the point where I finally have to face the fact; that in our culture I can only fully address many of my doubts and fears with attention to honest open relationship, with others. I truly feel that a dedication to a spiritual life in relationship is like a crucible for our refinement; and a more focused integrated, holistic lifestyle is a catalyst for clarity and the fulfillment of our life’s dreams. You and I are like mirrors for each other and if I want to truly respect myself I must be dedicated to respecting you as well. Through our mutual dedication of respect, our agreements become empowered by honesty, trust and trustworthiness.

With a foundation of dedication to fellowship ideals we can begin to imagine how true spiritual fellowship might manifest. First of all on a practical level several considerations come to mind. First among these is “the therapeutic value of holistic living”; living in relationship with our social & environmental culture; which is to actually know and relate to all the people and things within our environment. Second is “the value of shared goals and resources”. For one person to have a garden, or a business, or a car & truck or a swimming pool, or any other resource or responsibility becomes overly burdensome. But for 20 or 50 or 100 people to share the benefit and responsibility of those resources; they become much easier to bear. People in the all the arts; including healing, education and spirituality, are especially benefited by community fellowship. Part of it is shared resources, but more importantly is a critical mass of energy and environment which nurtures & supports sustainability of vision and ideals. Thirdly as a generation baby boomers and beyond “we all must recognize the dangers of an uncertain future; or for that matter even the risks of the status quo”. How are we to live long and well?

Intentional community will obviously reflect the intention of everyone who is a part of it. As a gardener I would see the value of preparing the soil and recognizing appropriate timing & placement. With that in mind I can image some ideas, possibilities and structures which intrigue me. For example I could ultimately envision an international network of Intentional Spiritual Communities associated in such a way that members could act as world citizens, working and traveling for extended periods of time. For me right now I’m willing to dedicate myself to a branch of that broader network. A branch located in the western USA. Each smaller community would reflect the intent of its members. For my part I would like to promote the establishment of “a network of new age universalist holistic spiritual retreats”. It seems as each aspect unfolds way it deserves broader consideration, and I have done that elsewhere, but for now I would like to bring this to a conclusion with a few suggestions.

I favor the term new age with a very specific intent. For me new age implies an ageless ideal; one might say a vision that is forever new, meaning it never grows old because it is always vital in the present, unencumbered by the burden of limiting conditioning we all carry in our assumptions. Any group endeavor, if it is to grow strong and healthy depends upon direction and balance; it has purpose & order. It is time to awaken a new order, one of service & loving honor; in this way higher group endeavors are guided by service and humility. In this way the least becomes first. Today it seems everyone wants to be a teacher, or some sort of celebrity. The type of fellowship envisioned here allows us to be first and foremost humble students, serving “the One within all”. I am certain in this way, we can find our way.

Namaste’

Universal Spiritual Fellowship

2008-01-13T23:27:00.000-08:00

If you go to the Open Directory Project
You can find a great list of intentional communities.
None of which suit my own personal needs, simply because of a vision for a universal fellowship, which I’ve held for over 30 years.

The basic Idea I embrace is to establish a network of new age Universalist; consisting of individual seekers who aren’t absolutely sold on a single one of the various spiritual paths available to them. And so are willing to dedicate themselves to envisioning a new model for spiritual seekers and community in which “one way” is never exalted above another.

“All ways” are reconciled.

This network could be world wide. When some level of consensus is reached and certain mass of energy is achieved then projects for community development can be proposed and embraced. The ultimate outline I can envision at this time would be for the creation of a broad network of small Universalist intentional spiritual communities. The network would be strengthened by members traveling among communities sharing the best that each has to offer.

I know we can create a model for community, which will empower individuals to manifest their dreams while enabling others to do the same. You should deeply consider what you have to offer and to gain though participation in this network. Over time I’d offer consideration to any important issue members are addressing. I will immediately address concept of Universal Spirituality which is intended to be The unifying force shared by all participants. I hesitate to offer a summary description here; but I can always update it later.

The simplest reference I can give is to look at the founding of the Theosophical Society in 1875. It was founded on what they call 3 objects; we can say in our own words 3 intentions; 1^st to form a nucleus for world fellowship, 2- to promote a comparative study of science & spirituality and 3- to explore powers hidden in mankind. If a new spiritual fellowship forms out of these efforts it might be with the intention of 1^st awakening universal fellowship in the hearts & minds of everyone. 2- To reconcile the guiding precepts of science & religion. 3- directing our energies to ending suffering everywhere .

I’m not suggesting some old model for something new. After all the TS exists and if were adequate we could just join that group of fine souls. They certainly do have some fine guidelines; guided however by a hierarchal structure. The structure of a new Universal fellowship should be democratic while protecting the rights and freedom of individuals and minorities. Goals and projects will thrive which are embraced by individuals and groups of individuals, no one will be compelled to say or do anything; other than meet simple baseline commitments to the network. Which would be at least on balance have minimum neutral impact.

Spiritual Community Network

2008-01-12T02:21:00.000-08:00

During my college years I studied primarily economics and spirituality; which led me to feel that it would be difficult to live a truly holistic spiritual lifestyle in our modern commercial society unless one had a significant ability to strongly influence ones obligations and environment.

Today people say in order to be truly happy, you should love what you do and do what you love. What I’m suggesting is almost as simple as that. But it’s more than that too. I would add that; I hope you do what enriches you spiritually; meaning that it establishes love & wisdom in your heart & mind.

I believe the most enriching life is to have a deep personal connection to all the people and living beings in your life and though them to all life on the planet and spirits everywhere. And I do mean having a deep meaningful relationship with all the people in your life; your co-worker, your boss, your doctor, your neighbors, their families, the people you disagree with, and the ones who disagree with you.

Basically I’m suggesting that a deeper sense of intentional spiritual community more fully supports our deeper aspirations then any other environment. I’m not suggesting a cloister by any means, for that is a more specialized approach. I’m thinking of a “free” mutually supportive environment of spiritually mature individuals who are dedicated to the welfare of their family, friends, community, society and world.

How can this be? Well seeing the answer to that requires deep consideration, commitment and discussion. There’s virtually nothing that I’ve given more consideration to in my life. I’ve observed, participated, both failed and succeeded. There’s not much point in discussing details and making specific suggestions here unless we can agree on the premise of this proposal.

I propose to suggest that if you believe this type of an Intentional Spiritual Community, Culture & Universal Fellowship has the potential to change your life then it deserves your sacred consideration. And if that is so, it is your sacred obligation to make it a reality in your life and in the lives of all whom you care for.

When you make it so, you will change the world to be a better place. Nothing will serve you better than to apply yourself to this consideration. When you do, contact me or other who may be of like mind; apply your effort and see it happen in your life.