Pillars of LightNewsletter

Issue Number 16 Spring 2019

AnnouncementsThe Board invites you to an afternoon tourof Lily Dale and dinner on Saturday June15th. (See the Board’s invitation on page 3and the history of Lily Dale on pages 4 & 5.)

The Board approved changing the church’sofficial address to the address of Rev. ThaiJason’s country home. (See announcementon page 16.)

Feature Articles● Rev. Steven Jarose, in his article Living

Life BOLDLY, remains us of tips to livea powerful and purposeful life. (pg 2)

● Rev. George Bergman, Jr.in his article ADruid and A Spiritual Scientist,explains how the ancient Celtic beliefsstrengthen his connection to all lifeforms and to the source of all life.(pg 2)

● Rev. Jay Quinn provides a history ofLily Dale, one of the earliest spiritualistcommunities dating back to 1844.(pg 4 & 5)

● Rev. Kathleen Santora shares aninspirational message from her Indianguide Saka. (pg 6)

● Rev. Mary Gemming, Ph.D. in herAstrological Insights feature, providesunderstanding of Mercury when it is inretrograde. (pg 7)

● An extract from The Sufi Book of Lifeprovides insights for purifying andhealing the heart. (pg 8)

‘

● The Illumination feature discusses howworking with your dreams can purifyobscurations and remove karmic tracesfor increased spiritual growth. (pg 9)

● Rev. Helen Peterson shares her poemEASTER MORNING. (pg 16)

Spiritual ScienceMother Church

Spiritual Science Defined:Spiritual Science is the study of truth thatleads to oneness with the Divine.Mission Statement:We seek to foster individual soul evolutionthough the application of Spiritual Science.Vision Statement:We see the Spiritual Science MotherChurch at the forefront of a New Age aswe:

� Provide a learning environment whereuniversal wisdom is explored, experiencedand absorbed as truth on a personal basis.

� Continually seek universal truth as founddirectly or indirectly in spiritual traditionsand philosophies throughout the ages.

� Bring peace and harmony to the soulthrough self-mastery and personalresponsibility.

� Teach disciplines that empower andfoster self-actualization.

� Promote spiritual growth through service.

� Encourage and support active ministries.

IN THIS ISSUEPresident’s Letter

Living Life Boldly A Druid and A Spiritual Scientist Channeled Inspirational Message Sacred Purpose of Hitting Bottom

Astrological InsightsSufi Thoughts on Purifying the Heart

Illuminations EASTER MORNING Poem

Bulletin Board

President’s LetterDear Fellow Ministers,

Spring is a great time of year for renewal.The cosmos, mother nature, and your soulvibrations are all aligning and fosteringgrowth. The denseness of winter is eas-ing, creating opportunities for expansionand insights.

What does your higher self have in storefor you? Spend some silent time in medi-tation or out in nature to gleam new in-sights and understandings. Find time tounearth all the bliss that resides withinyour soul. Allow those vibrations tocome to the surface and sprout into yourdaily activities.

Using your intent, connect with your in-ner wisdom on a soul level. Instantly,feel the Divine Awareness rejuvenate andfill your aura and every cell of the body.While in this expanded state, project theDivine Awareness into the future, attract-ing bountiful prosperity in all areas ofyour life.

Happy Spring sprouting!

Blessings,

Rev. Jay Quinn

Pillars of Light Newsletter Page 2

Life seems to accelerateat a pace greater thanever. The more it speeds,the more we can benefitfrom slowing down andtaking things in stride.Not to do so leaves usanxious, confused,angry and easily

overwhelmed. We too often cope by takingthe easy way out. Phrases like “It's not myjob,” or “I'm too busy” or “TELL MEabout it” (said sarcastically) keep us fromthe very thing we are most in needof...warm and deeply caring relationships.

As ministers and friends of SpiritualScience, we know what a great gift it is toincarnate at this time of remarkabletransformation and earth change. It isimportant that we use the knowledge we'veacquired to be a source of strength andencouragement to those who are out ofbalance and who live in fear. Salvation iscollective in nature. Community buildingcalls us to embrace the stranger, the outcastand those who are downtrodden as themissing faces to our own healing andwholeness. Life is a journey that we mustwalk together.

To help us when we veer off track, I offerthese few reminders to re-align with ourtrue nature. They require little time orenergy. It is more a matter of rememberingthat we are spiritual beings withtremendous capacity to live with joy,vitality, compassion and boundless love.Such practices follow no one faith tradition.They are universal and available to all.

READ OR DO SOMETHING INSPIRINGEVERY DAY. It can be a poem, a quote,taking up dancing, painting or a newhobby. Stretch yourself to think outsideconventional ways of doing and being.Make it fun. Allow your curiosity to lead.Go to the library, attend a lecture or take awalk. A change of pace can opens newworlds of discovery and possibility.

TAKE TIME TO BREATHE ANDSAVOR THE EXPERIENCE. Breathing isessential to life. We easily take it for

What is a Druid? There is large number ofDruid Fellowships, Fraternities,Brotherhoods and Sisterhoods, Groups andOrganizations ranging from such modernfellowships as America’s Ar nDraíochtFéin (ADF ) to Celtic Revivalist andDeconstructionist organizations;Paleopagan, Mesopagan, Neopagan andChristian Druid groups and organizations,Teaching Lineages and Traditional orFamily Lineages, Philosophicorganizations that consider themselvesDruidic. There are Druid organizations thatinclude Buddhist teachings, those that arefounded on Christian precepts and othersthat claim to hail from the “original”Druids of the Isles. Others are centered ina specific locations such as The DruidBrotherhood of Iona. In other words,answering the question “What is a Druid”is almost as easy as sorting out thedifferences between Southern BaptistDenominations.

We shall, therefore, explore what I believeas a Druid and some points ofcompatibility with Spiritual Science. I findno conflict between the principles ofSpiritual Science and my Avalon DruidOrder (ADO) practices. Along the waythere are a couple of legends that willenhance the experience and provide a bitof historical perspective.

As a Druid I believe that the Earth and allthat is above, upon or within it, is alive andaware (sentient). Like many tribal andaboriginal peoples, I believe in the kinshipof all life. The forms, vibratory rates andnatures, as we perceive them, may bedifferent; However, if we believe that

Living Life BOLDLYBy Rev. Steven Jarose

A Druid and A SpiritualScientist

By Rev. George Bergman, Jr.granted. Take a deep breath in. Feel itspower as you release and relax. Enjoy howreadily the body detoxifies and emotionalenergy dissipates. Notice how restorativeand life-giving the experience can be.Smile inwardly and outwardly.

STEP BACK FROM CONFLICT ORTENSE SITUATIONS TO CARE FORSELF. Ask yourself in the most lovingway possible “Where am I hurting?” Bepatient in allowing your body or innerguidance to speak. Listen forunderstanding. You are not responsible forthe first thought that comes. It is automaticand often unconscious. It is your secondthought that offers you choice. And youare responsible for the consequence of thatchoice.

EXTEND GRATITUDE TO EVERYONEAND EVERYTHING. It is amazing howappreciation can be the perfect antidote todiscouragement and self absorption. Sayhello to trees, crows, the moon and stopsigns. Count your blessings. The more youcount, the more they multiply. Beunabashedly pleased with yourself.

You may have noticed that people aredrawn to happy people. Being pleased withwho you are is a gateway to being pleasedwith others. Let people know somethingthat you like about them for no apparentreason. Be a good listener. Show kindnessfirst to yourself and allow it to cascadeoutwardly. Whatever you decide, actBOLDLY and with purpose. People willwonder what you've been up to!

This comes with love.Reverend Steven Jarose

*****(Cont’d on page 6)

Pillars of Light Newsletter Page 3

SAVE THE DATE

Saturday, June 15th, 2019YOU'RE INVITED

JOIN US FOR

AFTERNOON TOUR OFLILY DALE & DINNER

RSVP by June 1stPlease contact Rev. Kathleen Santora by June 1st if you plan to attend or if you would like for more information.  You may joinus for the tour, dinner, or just one of the activities as well as the board meeting on Sunday.

Rev. Kathleen Santora’s contact information is shown below:

Rev. Kathleen Santora’s Lily Dale Address: Third Street

Lily Dale, New York 14752(201) 906 – 7779

kjoy316@icloud.com

All parties are responsible for their cost of food, accommodations, transportation, and any other miscellaneous fees.

Weekend ActivitiesSaturday. June 15 Sunday, June 16Gather & Meet for Lunch - 1:00 PM Annual Board Meeting & Brunch - 11:00 AM-Noon

[All ministers are welcome to attend.]

Tour Lily Dale & Group/Individual Readings - Afternoon Socialize & Leisurely Departure - Afternoon

Dinner - 7:00 PM TBD

Bed & Breakfast Accommodation OptionsThe Amber Tree Inn Harmony House Jewel on the Lake4 Buffalo Street 10 Cleveland Avenue 14 Cottage Row(716) 268-1018 (716) 595-3551 (716) 595-3112

Note: The meeting place for Saturday lunch and the Sunday Board Meeting will be at Rev. Santora’s Lily Dale home. [See address shown below].

Pillars of Light Newsletter Page 4

History of Lily Daleby Rev. Jay Quinn

(Cont’d on page 5)

The World’s Largest Center for the Science, Philosophy and Religion of SpiritualismNow celebrating 140 years

The following history has been extracted in whole or in part from Lily Dale Assembly, Ron Nagy's Blog, and Wikipedia websites

The History of Lily DaleThe history of Lily Dale dates back to 1844, preceding the Hydesville manifestations by the Fox Sisters. In the small village ofLaona, a few miles from Lily Dale, Dr. Moran, a mesmerist from Vermont, was invited by William Johnson to lecture before agroup of interested people. Mr. Johnson, the son of a minister, was the father of Marion Skidmore who became a leader forSpiritualism at Lily Dale. At that time, Jeremiah Carter became physically ill and sought to be treated by Dr. Moran.Unfortunately, Dr. Moran was called out of town and was not able treat Mr. Carter. However, Mr. Johnson suggested that theythemselves try the experiments demonstrated by the Vermont doctor. The results were startling. Mr. Carter became entranced.An entity to be a Dr. Hedges spoke to the people present – giving messages from spirit and demonstrating the laying on of hands.

The advent of the Hydesville manifestations strengthened the purpose of the group and they termed themselves Spiritualist andLiberals. The group met regularly to discuss their beliefs and practice their healing and mediumship. Many great speakers andmediums had their early beginnings in Laona. In 1855 the First Spiritualist Society of Laona was formed.

In 1873 Willard Alden owned a good size farm (now known as the Leolyn Hotel and woods) just outside the gates of Lily Dale.Jeremiah Carter insisted that spirit voices kept continuously urging him to go to Alden’s farm and start a camp meeting. This wasaccomplished and the group met there for summer picnics and camp meetings. After Mr. Alden’s transition, his heirs becamedissatisfied with financial arrangements, so the board in 1879 decided to purchase land and move their location. Twenty acres ofland was purchased from John Fisher at the price of $1,845. This is now known as the Lily Dale Assembly. Mrs. Amelia Colbywas asked to name the camp. Her guide gave her the name of Cassadaga Lake Free Association. In 1903 the name was changed toThe City Of Light and in 1906, The Lily Dale Assembly: named for the abundance of lilies on the lake.

Men and women worked tirelessly side-by-side, felling trees, clearing brush and making winding paths through the forest. Thefirst service was held at Lily Dale under a cradle of boughs known as The Bough House, fashioned from entwining branches andflowers. Rough-hewn logs were used for benches.

Pillars of Light Newsletter Page 5

The first speaker at Lily Dale was Elizabeth Lowe Watson. She was a dynamic speaker, a liberal and suffragette.

Financial problems were experienced from the earlybeginning of the camp, this acted strangely enough,not as a deterrent, but as a challenge to go forward andwork harder towards the anticipated goal. The firstorder of business of the camp was the discussion ofbuilding a permanent Auditorium. This was accom-plished in 1883, and later remolded in 1901. Theseating capacity was twelve hundred. There has beenmany times during Lily Dale’s history that peoplestood three deep outside the auditorium in order tohear the lecture.

Preceding the auditorium in 1881, a Lyceum wasformed with the children meeting in a tent. They feltthat training of the young was important. In 1928 theAndrew Jackson Davis building for the Lyceum wasbuilt and gifted to Lily Dale by Mrs. M. Cadwallader,the editor of The Progressive Thinker.

In 1895 the Alden House was purchased by Mrs. AbbyLouise Pettengill and renamed The Leolyn after her granddaughter. The Assembly then purchased the Leolyn from Mrs. Pettengill.

A hotel was built in 1880. It originally was the horse barn. It is known as a “hung suspension building.” When additional floorswere needed each floor was raised and the new additions placed underneath. It was known as the Grand Hotel – today it is theMaplewood Hotel. The hotel stands serenely, her old time charm still intact, overlooking the lake enticing the occupants to relax onits wide porch, and watch the ducks and swans, glide by. Many philosophical subjects have been debated and aired on theMaplewood porch. Bit by bit these sturdy pioneers plodded forward – roads were built, sewers installed, lights became a reality.The first Library was held in a tent in the park in 1886. Today it stands proudly as the Marion Skidmore Library housing thousandsof the finest books on Spiritualism.

The Assembly Hall, famous for its thought exchange and class work came into being in 1888, the old school building in 1890. TheOctagon Building was reserved for classes, arts and the teaching of proper dancing.   It housed the Junior League for years thenbecame the “mediums’ building. The beautiful Healing Temple was built by Louis Vosberg at the direction of T.J. Kelly’s guide.This National Missionary was one of the most outstanding mediums that has served the Lily Dale platform. Incidentally, the famousactress Mae West, a friend of Jack Kelly, visited Lily Dale at his invitation.

The original Fox Cottage was moved from Hydesville, New York, a gift from Benjamin Bartlett of Cambridge Springs,Pennsylvania and placed at Lily Dale in 1915. Tragically, the cottage burned to the ground early one morning in 1955. Fortunately,the Peddler’s trunk and family Bible were saved.

In 1898 Lily Dale had its own newspaper, The Sunflower. The editor was William Bach, who with his wife Evielena, erected theSunflower Pagoda. The United States Government in 1888 established the Lily Dale Post Office ensuring the inhabitants not onlythe convenience of its service but recognizing Lily Dale on the map.

From its lowly beginning of twenty acres, Lily Dale now owns approximately one hundred sixty acres. Lily Dale's year-roundpopulation is estimated to be 275. Each year approximately 30,000 visitors come for classes, workshops, public church services,mediumship demonstrations, lectures, and private appointments with mediums.

Lily Dale comforts the bereaved, demonstrates the truth of immortality, and shows others a way of life known as the Religion ofSpiritualism.

Source: Extracted from Ron Nagy's Blog; Lily Dale Assembly - Journey to Your Spiritual Wisdom June 21 - September 2019; and Wikipedia

History of Lily Daleby Rev. Jay Quinn

Pillars of Light Newsletter Page 6

The following is a channeled message by my Indian guide Saka.

I hope that you enjoy it.

Blessings,

Rev. Kathleen Santora

From the Breath of Lifeby Saka

May the light of love shine upon one’s soul

Entering and becoming one with love’s energy field

Participating and confirming the breath of the universal mind

One makes a conscious decision to return in the energy vibration

Connecting to. In remembrance,

Deep within the mind power of home

And the ratio of spirit versus ego takes dramatic change,

Not a wandering of aimless energy

But with energetic purpose no longer absent from entitled power within

Recognizing thy strength with grace as it has been given you.

from the breath of life I come

from the breath of life I love

Channeled Inspirational MessageBy: Rev. Kathleen Santora

everything emanates from one Source orWellspring, (i.e. has been made by God)then that which has been created mustpartake of the source’s essence. To usethe example of a Holographic Imagewhen shattered, each piece no matter howsmall or large contains the completeimage, and I believe each form of lifecontains the essence of the source fromwhich it comes. This holographic realityis governed by certain natural laws, whichoperate on both physical, andmetaphysical levels. Thus, spirit andscience, mind and matter, are two sides ofone coin; if we wish to understand them,they must be regarded together.

As a member of The Avalon Druid Order(ADO), and as a Spiritual Scientist, Ibelieve in Reincarnation. This belief hasimplications that encourage one to liveresponsibly and to “walk lightly upon theEarth”. Whatever good we do for, ordamage we do to Mother Earth will returnto us, if not in this life then in the next life.As an Avalonian Druid, most of myspiritual work centers on healing andreleasing or transforming the negativepatterns in my life and my relationshipswith other people, and on teaching thetools of self-empowerment to otherswithin our community.

While to modern eyes Druidry mayappear very different from other religionsand spiritualities, Druid oral tradition, andCeltic folklore and stories of place, implya certain sympathy between the two beliefsystems in their early manifestations.There are several legends that associateJoseph of Arimathea and Jesus as a youth

coming to Somerset (In which Glastonbury and the Tor reside) and/or Cornwall inEngland. The first goes something like this:

Joseph of Arimathea followed a pilgrimageroute from the Holy Land through Europe toGlastonbury. He took 13 staves and a saplingHawthorn tree with them. Each place thatthey stopped in route, they stuck a staff in theground. Arriving in Glastonbury with the lastof the staves, exhausted and barely able todrag themselves along, they climbed a lowhill. When Joseph of Arimathea stuck hisstaff into the summit of the hill, it burst intoleaf, flower and fruit all at once. So thisomen was taken to mean they were meant tobuild a church on the hill.

(Cont’d from page 2)

(Cont’d on page 8)

A Druid and A SpiritualScientist

By Rev. George Bergman, Jr.

Pillars of Light Newsletter Page 7

Astrological Insights By Rev. Mary Gemming, Ph.D.

Mercury RetrogradeBy Rev. Mary Gemming, Ph.D.

Are you like many people who say, “Oh no, the planet Mercuryis retrograde again, because I can tell by things getting jumbledup?”

When Mercury is in retrograde motion, in what appears to be abackward motion, it affects communications on the internet,telephone, errors in contracts or any writings, speech and oralcommunications, and machinery problems. However, as youwill see, Mercury has a positive purpose too.

Mercury rules the mind, anything mental. It is the planet thatgoverns the signs of both Gemini and Virgo.

Earth revolves around the Sun and all planets move at adifferent speed around the Sun. There are times when theplanets appear to slow down, or go retrograde (in a reversedirection) relative to Earth. Mercury is never more than 28degrees from the Sun. Hence, its retrograde motion regulatesthe 28 degree boundary, keeping it from going too far ahead of,or behind the Sun. This is how Mercury balances its revolutionin relation to the Earth and Sun.

Mercury Retrograde is a reminder to slow down and take thistime to reflect, readjust, revise and review what needs attentionin our lives. This phenomenon occurs three to four times ayear, depending on what sign it occupies for the length of itscompletion. From this point on, for the year 2019, Mercury

will be retrograde from July 7 to August 2, and October 31 toNovember 20.

Mercury is less than half the size of Earth, and the second smallestplanet in the Solar System. Pluto is the smallest planet. TheGreek god of Mercury is shown carrying the caduceus, a wandencircled by two entwined serpents. This medical symbolsuggests that Mercury has the power to heal the sick. Astrologersbelieve this planet is powerful agent of self-knowledge, andsymbolizes fluidity like the liquid metal Mercury.

Mercury’s message is one of personal transformation. From anastrological standpoint, people born under the influence ofMercury are said to be experts at bursting another’s bubble,getting them to re-examine their attitudes. Mercury gives the giftsof perception, versatility and communication skills. Mercury canhelp transform words into substance in a magical way.

People whose astrological charts show a strong Mercury presenceare often found in careers of journalism, teaching, the touristindustry, secretarial or administrative work, education, engineeringand medicine.

Let’s go back to the effects of Mercury Retrograde. During thisperiod, first of all, reflect on unresolved issues that may surface.Second, readjust whatever needs clarification and increasedefficiency. Third, look closely to what needs to be revised.Fourth, review and solve the issues you have faced during thisretrograde time. Do this and your efforts will be rewarded, or youcan do what some people do when they make an error during thistime, they say, “Mercury made me do it!”

Rev. Mary Gemming, Ph.D. is a minister of the Spiritual ScienceMother Church and the Cosmic Center of Spiritual Light (website:www.CCOSL.com in Sarasota, Florida. She is author ofMYSTICAL SECRETS OF THE STARS (toll free: 888-301-7630)and DISCOVERING TREASURES OF PEACE (toll free: 888-280-7715)

Pillars of Light Newsletter Page 11Pillars of Light Newsletter Page 11

Pillars of Light Newsletter Page 11Pillars of Light Newsletter Page 11Pillars of Light Newsletter Page 8

The Druids came to greet him. He told them about the flowering ofthe staff and that these were Sacred Grounds (Indeed the Tor andWirral/Worral Hill along with the rest of the Glastonbury Zodiacwere also Sacred to the Druids). He told the Druids that he wantedto build a church there. The Druids made them welcome and gavethem land including the hill which was then named by the earlyChristians “Wearyall Hill” because Joseph and those with themwere so exhausted from their pilgrimage.

Grateful for the gifts the Druids gave him, Joseph of Arimatheagave them the Hawthorn sapling brought from the Holy Land. TheDruids planted it at the base of the Tor near the Chalice Well. Thetwo trees flower twice a year, Mid-winter to Christmas and GoodFriday to Easter Sunday. When the original trees were getting oldand ready to die, saplings from each tree were replanted. Themonks kept multiple cuttings from each tree for that purpose. EachChristmas when the trees came into flower a messenger was sentwith a cutting off a branch from each tree to the Sovereign at thePalace. When the trees were tested in the 1970s or 80s they werefound to be a Palestinian variety of Hawthorn.

A Druid and A Spiritual ScientistBy Rev. George Bergman, Jr.

(Cont’d from page 6)The second legend is told like this:

Following the crucifixion of Jesus, Joseph of Arimathea came toGlastonbury bearing two cruets. A red one that contained Jesus’blood, shed while on the cross, and the other a cruet was whiteand contained sweat Jesus shed while on the cross. He told theDruids that these objects needed to be safeguarded. He was toldby them to put them in the five sided chamber of the ChaliceWell. The Holy Grail is also said to reside in Glastonbury,among several other places including Roslin Chapel.

The importance of these stories is they show a harmoniousrelationship between the First Christians and the Druids. Onepossible reason is that the Druids already had a deity namedEsus, Hesus, or Aisus, who was a woodsman or carpenter andhad many of the attributes of Jesus. Many of the details of thedeity Esus have been lost, but evidence of Esus still remains.

Somerset was anciently known as The Summer Lands, Land ofthe Summer Sea and The Land of the Summer Stars. These arealso names of Otherworldly locations. The Chalice Well at thefoot of the Tor has been known as The Holiest Earth in Englandsince Medieval Times. Archaeology has also shown that it hasbeen a pilgrimage site for over 10,000 years.

References and Resourceshttps://www.avalondruidorder.org/ Avalon Druid Orderhttps://www.druidry.org/druid-way/what-druidry/what-druidism/what-druid Order of Bards, Ovates andDruidswww.bbc.co.uk/thepassion/articles/joseph_of_arimathea.shtml Article from BBC Re: Joseph ofArimatheawww.keltria.org Henge of Keltriahttp://www.neopagan.net/PaganDefs.html Isaac Bonewits

*****

Sweeping Out “SOMETIMES BURNISHING AND FINDING your way back to your own rhythm may not be enough to purify and heal the heart…

“The travelers on the path to God knowwhere they’re come from, where they’re going, and

they just do–purified from self like flame from smoke.Why don’t you sweep out the rooms of your heart,and prepare them to be the home of the Beloved?

When you leave, the One can enter.Freed from self, the Beloved reveals its beauty.

Purified from all impressions,your real Self out grows differences–

knower and known become one.

“It’s always easier to clean someone else’s room–or tell them how to clean it–than to deal with our own. Jesus talks about talking the log out of our own eye before we try to remove the splinter from someone else’s. Likewise, this pathway does not give us license to impose on someone else our ideas about what “purity” is.”

Source: The Sufi Book of Life by Neil Douglas-Klotz; published by the Penguin Group; New York, New York; 2005; p223

Pillars of Light Newsletter Page 11Pillars of Light Newsletter Page 11

Pillars of Light Newsletter Page 9

IlluminationsTHE TIBETAN YOGAS OF DREAM AND SLEEP

By Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche(Selected by Rev. Jay Quinn)

The Tibetan Yogas of Dream and Sleepby Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche

All of us dream whether we rememberdreaming or not. We dream as infants andcontinue dreaming until we die. Every night weenter an unknown world. We may seem to beour ordinary selves or someone completelydifferent. We meet people whom we know ordon't know, who are living or dead. We fly,encounter non-human beings, have blissful

experiences, laugh, weep, and are terrified, exalted, or transformed.Yet we generally pay these extraordinary experiences little attention.Many Westerners who approach the teachings do so with ideas aboutdream based in psychological theory; subsequently, when theybecome more interested in using dream in their spiritual life, theyusually focus on the content and meaning of dreams. Rarely is thenature of dreaming itself investigated. When it is, the investigationleads to the mysterious processes that underlie the whole of our exist-ence, not only our dreaming life.

The first step in dream practice is quite simple: one must recognizethe great potential that dream holds for the spiritual journey.Normally the dream is thought to be "unreal," as opposed to "real"waking life. But there is nothing more real than dream. Thisstatement only makes sense once it is understood that normal wakinglife is as unreal as dream, and in exactly the same way. Then it canbe understood that dream yoga applies to all experience, to thedreams of the day as well as the dreams of the night.

How Experience Arises...In Tibetan there is a saying, "When in the body of a donkey, enjoythe taste of grass." In other words, we should appreciate and enjoy thislife because it is meaningful and valuable in itself, and because it isthe life we are living.

If we are not careful, the teachings can be used to support our ignorance.One can say that it is bad for someone to get an advanced degree, orwrong to have dietary restrictions, but this is not the point at all. Or onemight say that ignorance is bad or normal life is only samsaric stupidity.But ignorance is simply an obscuration of consciousness. Beingattached to it or repelled by it is just the same old game of dualism,played out in the realm of ignorance. We can see how pervasive it is.

Even the teachings must work with dualism—by encouragingattachment to virtue, for example, and aversion to non-virtue—paradoxically using the dualism of ignorance to overcome ignorance.How subtle our understanding must become and how easily we canget lost! This is why practice is necessary, in order to have directexperience rather than just developing another conceptual system toelaborate and defend. When things are seen from a higher perspectivethey tend to level out. From the perspective of non-dual wisdom thereis no important and unimportant.

Actions and Results: Karma and Karmic TracesThe culture in which we live conditions us, but we carry the seeds ofconditioning with us wherever we go. Everything that bothers us isactually in our mind. We blame our unhappiness on the environment,our situation, and believe that if we could change our circumstanceswe would be happy. But the situation in which we find ourselves isonly the secondary cause of our suffering. The primary cause is innateignorance and the resulting desire for things to be other than they are.

Perhaps we decide to escape the stresses of the city by moving to theocean or the mountains. Or we may leave the isolation and difficultiesof the country for the excitement of the city. The change can be nicebecause the secondary causes are altered and contentment may befound. But only for a short while. The root of our discontent moveswith us to our new home, and from it grow new dissatisfactions. Soonwe are once again caught up in the turmoil of hope and fear.

Or we may think that if we just had more money, or a better partner, ora better body or job or education, we would be happy. But we knowthis is not true. The rich are not free from suffering, a new partner willdissatisfy us in some way, the body will age, the new job will growless interesting, and so on. When we think the solution to ourunhappiness can be found in the external world, our desires canonly be temporarily sated. Not understanding this, we are tossedthis way and that by the winds of desire, ever restless anddissatisfied. We are governed by our karma and continually plantthe seeds of future karmic harvest. Not only does this mode of actiondistract us from the spiritual path, but it also prevents us fromfinding satisfaction and happiness in our daily life.

As long as we identify with the grasping and aversion of the movingmind, we produce the negative emotions that are born in the gap

Illuminations is a regular feature in the Pillars of Light Newsletter in which teachings from current and past Spiritual ScienceMinisters as well as other masters will be shared. Out of respect for the author, the word usage and context are printed as originallywritten. The following article is an extract from “The Tibet Yogas of Dream and Sleep” by Tenzin Wangyal Ripoche. The articlefocuses on working with your dreams for increasing spiritual growth.

Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche

(Cont’d on page 10)

Pillars of Light Newsletter Page 10

between what is and what we want. Actionsgenerated from these emotions, whichinclude nearly all actions taken in ourordinary lives, leave karmic traces.

Karma* means action. Karmic traces* are theresults of actions, which remain in the mentalconsciousness and influence our future. Wecan partially understand karmic traces if wethink of them as what in the West are calledtendencies in the unconscious. They areinclinations, patterns of internal and externalbehavior, ingrained reactions, habitualconceptualizations. They dictate our emotionalreactions to situations and our intellectualunderstandings as well as our characteristicemotional habits and intellectual rigidities.They create and condition every response wenormally have to every element of ourexperience.

This is an example of karmic traces on agross level, though the same dynamic is atwork in even the subtlest and most pervasivelevels of experience: A man grows up in ahome in which there is a lot of fighting.Then, perhaps thirty or forty years afterleaving home, he is walking down a streetand passes a house in which people arearguing with one another. That night he hasa dream in which he is fighting with his wifeor partner. When he wakes in the morninghe feels aggrieved and withdrawn. This isnoticed by his partner who reacts to themood, which further irritates him.

This sequence of experiences shows ussomething about karmic traces. When theman was young, he reacted to the fightingin his home with fear, anger, and hurt. Hefelt aversion toward the fighting, a normalresponse, and this aversion left a trace inhis mind. Decades later he passes a houseand hears fighting; this is the secondarycondition that stimulates the old karmictrace, which manifests in a dream thatnight.

In the dream, the man reacts to the dream-partner's provocation with feelings of angerand hurt. This response is governed by thekarmic traces that were collected in hismental consciousness as a child and thathave probably been reinforced many timessince. When the dream-partner—who iswholly a projection of the man's mind—pro-vokes him, his reaction is aversion, just aswhen he was a child. The aversion that hefeels in the dream is the new action thatcreates a new seed. When he wakes he isstuck in the negative emotions that are the

fruit of prior karmas; he feels estranged andwithdrawn from his partner. To complicatematters further, the partner reacts from herkarmically determined habitual tendencies,perhaps becoming short-tempered,withdrawn, apologetic, or subservient, andthe man again reacts negatively, sowing yetanother karmic seed.

Any reaction to any situation—external orinternal, waking or dreaming--that is rootedin grasping or aversion, leaves a trace in themind. As karma dictates reactions, thereactions sow further karmic seeds, whichfurther dictate reactions, and so on. This ishow karma leads to more of itself. It is thewheel of samsara, the ceaseless cycle ofaction and reaction.

Although this example focuses on karma onthe psychological level, karma determinesevery dimension of existence. It shapes theemotional and mental phenomena in anindividual's life as well as the perceptionand interpretation of existence, thefunctioning of the body, and the cause and

effect dynamism of the external world.Every aspect of experience, however smallor large, is governed by karma.

The karmic traces left in the mind are likeseeds. And like seeds, they require certainconditions in order to manifest. Just as aseed needs the right combination ofmoisture and light and nutrients and tem-perature in order to sprout and grow, thekarmic trace manifests when the rightsituation is encountered. The elements ofthe situation that support the manifestationof the karma are known as the secondarycauses and conditions.

It is helpful to think of karma as theprocess of cause and effect, because this leadsto the recognition that the choices made inresponding to any situation, internal orexternal, have consequences. Once we reallyunderstand that each karmic trace is a seed forfurther karmically governed action, we canuse that understanding to avoid creatingnegativity in our life, and instead createconditions that will influence our lives in apositive direction. Or, if we know how, wecan allow the emotion to self-liberate as itarises, in which case no new karma is created.

Negative KarmaIf we react to a situation with negativeemotion, the trace left in the mind willeventually ripen and influence a situation inlife negatively. For example, if someone isangry with us and we in turn react withanger, we leave a trace that makes it morelikely for anger to arise in us again, andfurthermore it becomes more likely for usto encounter the secondary situations whichallow our habitual anger to arise. This iseasy to see if we have a great deal of angerin our lives or if we know someone whodoes. Angry people continually encountersituations that seem to justify their anger,while people with less anger do not. Theexternal situations may be similar but the

(Cont’d from page 9)

IlluminationsTHE TIBETAN YOGAS OF DREAM AND SLEEP

By Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche(Selected by Rev. Jay Quinn)

(Cont’d on page 11)

Pillars of Light Newsletter Page 11

different karmic inclinations create differentsubjective worlds.

If an emotion is expressed impulsively it cangenerate strong results and reactions. Angercan lead to a fight or some other kind ofdestruction. People can be harmed physicallyor emotionally. This is not true just of anger;if fear is acted out it too can create greatstress for the person who suffers it, canalienate that person from others, and so on.It is not too difficult to see how this leads tonegative traces that influence the futurenegatively.

If we suppress emotion, there is still a negativetrace. Suppression is a manifestation ofaversion. It occurs through tighteningsomething inside of ourselves, puttingsomething behind a door and locking it,forcing part of our experience into the darkwhere it waits, seemingly hostile, until theappropriate secondary cause calls it out. Thismay manifest in many ways. For example, ifwe suppress our jealousy of others, it mayeventually manifest in an emotional outburst,or it may be present in the harsh judgment ofothers of whom we are secretly jealous, evenif we deny this jealousy to ourselves. Mentaljudgment is also an action, based on aversion,that creates negative karmic seeds.

Positive KarmaInstead of either of these negative responses—being driven in our behavior by the karmictendency or suppressing it—we can take amoment to stop and communicate withourselves and choose to produce the antidoteto the negative emotion. If someone is angrywith us and our own anger arises, the antidoteis compassion. Inducing it may feel forced andinauthentic at first, but if we realize that theperson irritating us is being pushed around byhis own conditioning, and further realize thathe is suffering a constriction of consciousness

because he is trapped in his own negativekarma, we feel some compassion and canstart to let go of our negative reactions. Aswe do, we begin to shape our future positively.

This new response, which is still based ondesire—in this case for virtue or peace orspiritual growth—produces a karmic trace thatis positive; we have planted the seed ofcompassion. The next time we encounter angerwe are a little more likely to respond withcompassion, which is much more comfortableand spacious than the narrowness of self-

protective anger. In this way, the practice ofvirtue cumulatively retrains our response to theworld and we find ourselves, for instance,encountering less and less anger both internallyand externally. If we continue in this practice,compassion will eventually arisespontaneously and without effort. Using theunderstanding of karma, we can retrain ourminds to use all experience, even the mostprivate and fleeting daydreams, to support ourspiritual practice.

Liberating EmotionsThe best response to negative emotion is toallow it to self-liberate by remaining in non-dual awareness, free of grasping and aversion.If we can do this, the emotion passes throughus like a bird flying through space; no traceof its passage remains. The emotion arisesand then spontaneously dissolves intoemptiness.

In this case, the karmic seed is manifesting—as emotion or thought or bodily sensation or

an impulse toward particular behaviors—butbecause we do not respond with grasping oraversion, no seed of future karma isgenerated. Every time that envy, forexample, is allowed to arise and dissolve inawareness without our becoming caught byit or trying to repress it, the strength of thekarmic tendency toward envy weakens.There is no new action to reinforce it.Liberating emotion in this way cuts karmaat its root. It is as if we burn the karmic seedsbefore they have an opportunity to grow intotrouble in our life.

You may ask why it is better to liberateemotion rather than to generate positivekarma. The answer is that all karmic tracesact to constrain us, to restrict us to particularidentities. The goal of the path is completeliberation from all conditioning. This doesnot mean that, once one is liberated, positivetraits such as compassion are not present.They are. But when we are no longer drivenby karmic tendencies we can see oursituation clearly and respond spontaneouslyand appropriately, rather than being pushedin one direction or pulled in another. Therelative compassion that arises from positivekarmic tendencies is very good, but better isthe absolute compassion that ariseseffortlessly and perfectly in the individualliberated from karmic conditioning. It is morespacious and inclusive, more effective, andfree of the delusions of dualism.

Although allowing emotion to self-liberate isthe best response, it is difficult to do before ourpractice is developed and stable. But howeverour practice is now, all of us can determine tostop for a moment when emotion arises, checkin with ourselves, and choose to act as skillfullyas possible. We can all learn to blunt the forceof impulse, of karmic habits. We can use aconceptual process, reminding ourselves thatthe emotion we are experiencing is simply the

(Cont’d from page 10)

(Cont’d on page 12)

IlluminationsTHE TIBETAN YOGAS OF DREAM AND SLEEP

By Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche (Selected by Rev. Jay Quinn)

Pillars of Light Newsletter Page 12

fruition of previous karmic traces. Then we maybe able to relax our identification with theemotion or point of view, and let go of ourdefensiveness. As the knot of emotion loosens,the identity relaxes and grows more spacious.We can choose a more positive response,planting seeds of positive karma. Again, it isimportant to do this without repressing emotion.We should relax as we generate compassion, notrigidly suppress the anger in our body whiletrying to think good thoughts.

The spiritual journey is not meant to benefitonly the far future or our next life. As wepractice training ourselves to react more posi-tively to situations, we change our karmictraces and develop qualities that effectpositive changes in the lives we are leadingright ndw. As we see more clearly that everyexperience, however small and private, has aresult, we can use this understanding tochange our lives and our dreams.

Obscurations of ConsciousnessKarmic traces remain with us as psychicremnants of actions performed with grasping oraversion. They are obscurations of consciousnessstored in the base consciousness of the individual,in the kunzhi namshe*. Although it is spoken ofas a container, the kunzhi namshe actually isequivalent to the obscuration of consciousness:when there are no ob-scurations of consciousnessthere is no kunzhi namshe. It is not a thing or aplace; it is the dynamic that underlies theorganization of dualistic experience. It is asinsubstantial as a collection of habits, and aspowerful as the habits that allow language tomake sense, forms to resolve into objects, andexistence to appear to us as something mean-ingful that we can navigate and understand.

The common metaphor for the kunzhinamshe is of a storehouse or repository thatcannot be destroyed. We can think of thekunzhi namshe storing a collection of patternsor schematics. It is a grammar of experience

that is affected to a greater or lesser extent byeach action that we take externally orinternally, physically or cognitively. As longas habitual tendencies exist in the mind of theindividual, the kunzhi namshe exists. Whenone dies and the body deteriorates, the kunzhinamshe does not. The karmic traces continuein the mental consciousness until they arepurified. When they are completely purified,there is no longer a kunzhi namshe and theindividual is a buddha

Karmic Traces and Dreams

All samsaric experience is shaped by karmictraces. Moods, thoughts, emotions, mentalimages, perceptions, instinctive reactions,

"common sense," and even our sense ofidentity are all governed by the workings ofkarma. For example, you may wake upfeeling depressed. You have breakfast,everything seems to be all right, but there isa sense of depression that cannot beaccounted for. We say in this case that somekarma is ripening. The causes andconditions have come together in such away that the depression manifests. Theremay be a hundred reasons for thisdepression to occur on this particularmorning, and it may manifest in a myriadof ways. It may also manifest during thenight as a dream.

In dream, the karmic traces manifest inconsciousness unfettered by the rationalmind with which we so often rationalizeaway a feeling or a fleeting mental image.We can think of the process like this: duringthe day the consciousness illuminates thesenses and we experience the world,weaving sensory and psychic experiencesinto the meaningful whole of our life. Atnight the consciousness withdraws from thesenses and resides in the base. If we havedeveloped a strong practice of presence withmuch experience of the empty, luminous

nature of mind, then we will be aware ofand in this pure, lucid awareness. But formost of us the consciousness illuminatesthe obscurations, the karmic traces, andthese manifest as a dream.

The karmic traces are like photographs thatwe take of each experience. Any reactionof grasping or aversion to any experience—to memories, feelings, sense perceptions,or thoughts—is like snapping a photo. Inthe darkroom of our sleep we develop thefilm. Which images are developed on aparticular night will be determined by thesecondary conditions recently encountered.Some images or traces are burned deeplyinto us by powerful reactions while others,resulting from superficial experiences, leaveonly a faint residue. Our consciousness, likethe light of a projector, illuminates the tracesthat have been stimulated and they manifestas the images and experiences of the dream.We string them together like a film, as thisis the way our psyches work to makemeaning, resulting in a narrative constructedfrom conditioned tendencies and habitualidentities: the dream.

This same process continually occurs whilewe are awake, making up what wecommonly think of as "our experience."The dynamics are easier to understand indream, because they can be observed freeof the limitations of the physical world andthe rational consciousness. During the day,

(Cont’d from page 11)

IlluminationsTHE TIBETAN YOGAS OF DREAM AND SLEEP

By Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche(Selected by Rev. Jay Quinn)

(Cont’d on page 13)

Pillars of Light Newsletter Page 11Pillars of Light Newsletter Page 11

Pillars of Light Newsletter Page 11Pillars of Light Newsletter Page 11Pillars of Light Newsletter Page 13

IlluminationsTHE TIBETAN YOGAS OF DREAM AND SLEEP

By Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche(Selected by Rev. Jay Quinn)

although still engaged in the same dream-making process, we project this inner activityof the mind onto the world and think that ourexperiences are "real" and external to our ownmind.

In dream yoga, this understanding of karmais used to train the mind to react differentlyto experience, resulting in new karmic tracesfrom which are generated dreams moreconducive to spiritual practice. It is notabout force, about the consciousness acting

(Cont’d from page 12)

imperially to oppress the unconscious.Dream yoga relies instead upon increasedawareness and insight to allow us to makepositive choices in life. Understandingthe dynamic structure of experience andthe consequences of actions leads to therecognition that every experience of anykind is an opportunity for spiritual practice.

Dream practice also gives us a method ofburning the seeds of future karma during thedream. If we abide in awareness during a

dream, we can allow the karmic traces toself-liberate as they arise and they will notcontinue on to manifest in our life asnegative states. As in waking life, this willonly happen if we can remain in thenon-dual awareness of rigpa*, the clearlight of the mind. If this is not possible forus, we can still develop tendencies tochoose spiritually positive behavior even inour dreams until we can go beyondpreferences and dualism altogether.

Ultimately, when we purify theobscurations until none remain, there is nofilm, no hidden karmic influences that colorand shape the light of our consciousness.Because karmic traces are the roots ofdreams, when they are entirely exhaustedonly the pure light of awareness remains: nomovie, no story, no dreamer and no dream,only the luminous fundamental nature that isabsolute reality. This is why enlightenmentis the end of dreams and is known as

"awakening."

Source: THE TIBETAN YOGAS OF DREAM AND-SLEEP by Tenzin Wangyal Rinpoche; Snow Lion Pub-lications; Ithaca, New York; 1998; pp 23 & 26-33

*****

Creative DreamingBy PatricaGarfeld, Ph.D.

“The creative dreamer’s greatest advantage over the ordinary dreamer is his continuous opportunity to unify his personality. The fearlessness of dream images that the creative dreamer learns from the Senoi, Yoga, and lucid dreaming control systems produces a mood of capability that carries over into waking life, providing a foundation for confident, capable action. By applying principles of dream control, you can shape your dream state into a supportive and helpful level of consciousness; by using the solutions to problems and artistic creations your dream life provides, you will enrich your waking life.”

Source: CREATIVE DREAMING by Patrica Garfield, PH.D.; Ballantine Books, New York; 1974; pg. 14

Pillars of Light Newsletter Page 11Pillars of Light Newsletter Page 11

Pillars of Light Newsletter Page 11Pillars of Light Newsletter Page 11Pillars of Light Newsletter Page 14

Acupuncture & Aroma AcupunctureRev. Melanie Birch, L.Ac, M.AcOffering acupuncture and aromaacupuncture using essential oils in theBaltimore area for 18 years.For an appointment, please call443.286.0927.

Healing Services & MeditationRev. Kathleen Santora offers Reiki andspiritual healing services. She channelsprayers and messages through her Indianguide Saka and teaches meditation andself-healing classes.

Her publishedbook of prayers,Thoughts toAwaken the Spirit,can be purchasedon Amazon.com.

\

Healing Services, Space Clearings &Healing ArtRev. Jay Quinn offers private healingsessions in person, over the phone or at adistance. He also specializes in energeticclearing of home and office spaces. Inaddition he works with the Buddha Realmto paint personalized healing art, and heoffers consultations for small businesseswhich allow access to enlightenedintelligence for making business decisions.

Rev. Quinn offers the following healingclasses in Alexandria, VA on a regularbasis:● Angelic Resonance®● Angelic Resonance® Soul Symbols©● Inner & Outer Teachings©● Energetic Clearing & Balancing© for

Individuals● Clearings for Prosperity Workshop for

Realtors©● Five Element Balancing©● Dealing with Non-Beneficial

Energies©● The Twenty Wisdom Teachings©● Connective Awareness Process©● Bi-monthly Healing Study Group

Healing Sessions & ClassesRev. Rebekah Renee Pruchnic offersIntegrated Energy Therapy (IET) [CellularMemory Healing] and Karmic ClearingSessions as well as certification in IETCellular Memory Healing at Basic,Intermediate, and Advanced Levels.

Counseling, Coaching & Past LifeRegressionRev. Dr. Mariesa Julien offers counseling,coaching (business and personal), hypnosisand facilitated transition work includingpast life regression and between liferegression. She helps people withimprovement of meditation, visualizationand stress reduction skills.

Reiki & Channeled ReadingsRev. Denise Rampulla-Whirlwindhorse isa traditional Usui Reiki teacher andpractitioner. She also offers channeledreadings.

Spiritual and Nutritional CounselingRev. Pauline Zimmer offers nutritionalcounseling which involves diet, herbs, andvitamin suggestions. Intuitive counselingis also offered. Work is provided by phone.

“At the end of life we will not be judgedby how many diplomas we have received,how much money we have made, howmany great things we have done. “We will be judged by ‘I was hungry, andyou gave me something to eat, I was nakedand you clothed me. I was homeless, andyou took me in.’”

Mother Teresa

Ministerial Services ListingsHow to get your services listed in our nextnewsletter:

If you have a message that you would like topost in our next newsletter, please contact Rev.Jay Quinn by phone at (703) 371-2174 or byemail at jay.quinn@verizon.net.

Ministerial Services

If your ministry includes services that you offer to the public, such as metaphysical classes, yoga, meditation, astrological readings orcounseling, list your offerings here so church members can help spread the word.

Pillars of Light Newsletter Page 11Pillars of Light Newsletter Page 11

Pillars of Light Newsletter Page 11Pillars of Light Newsletter Page 11Pillars of Light Newsletter Page 15

Spiritual Science Mother Church Board

Officers and Ecclesiastical Council:President - Rev. Jay Quinn (jay.quinn@verizon.net)

Vice President - Rev. George Bergman (taught_em_gfb@zoho.com)

Treasurer - Rev. Thai Jason (thai1013@gmail.com)

Secretary - Rev. Steven Jarose (sjarose@frontiernet.net)

Trustee:Rev. Ray Brennan (randrwml@optonline.net)Rev. Kathleen Santora (kjoy@icloud.com)Rev. Bill Teyssier (revbillt@gmail.com)

The following feature allows space for our church members to post personal announcements, recognitions and prayer requests thatthey would like to share with our ministerial congregation.

If you have a message that you would like to post in our next newsletter, please contact Jay Quinn by phone at (703) 371-2174 or byemail at jay.quinn@verizon.net.

Spiritual Science Mother Church Address Change

The Board of Directors has approved changing the Spiritual Science Mother Church’s official address to Rev. Thai Jason’s homeaddress in Suffern, New York. Thanks Rev. Jason for continuing to anchor the church.

The new address is as follows:

Spiritual Science Mother Church 4 Onderdonk Road Suffern, New York 10901

Announcements & Recognitions

Mary Magdalene’s Inner Planes Teachings

Rev. Jay Quinn has been invited to speak at the Rays of Healing Church in Falls Church, Virginia,on May 6th . He will be speaking on Mary Magdalene’s Inner Planes Teachings that have beentransmitted to him by Mary Magdalene since the beginning of 2018. The teachings have beengradually introduced and applied by Rev. Jay Quinn’s healing study group that meets on anevery-other week basis.

The talk will provide a description of the Inner Planes and the implications they can have oneveryday reality. Participants will experience the Inner Planes energy firsthand. They will begiven the opportunity to raise their vibration to the Seventh Dimension energy and learn why MaryMagdalene feels that is important at this time. They will also be introduced to the DivineAwareness of the Inner Planes and shown how to balance fear, separation, and soul imbalancesacross all lifetimes.

Pillars of Light Newsletter Page 11Pillars of Light Newsletter Page 11

Pillars of Light Newsletter Page 11Pillars of Light Newsletter Page 11Pillars of Light Newsletter Page 16

EASTER MORNING 1

by Helen Peterson

The day opens up like an Easter lily in spring.What wonders does the dawning day bring?

The songs of birds chirping, tweeting, whistlingAt a time when Polar ice caps are melting

Cherry blossoms tender to the touchWhile Syrian gas poisons innocents

An aroma of lilacs wafting in fresh airAnd the stench of broken hopes at U.S. borders

The day opens up, what does it bring? The day opens up like an Easter lily in spring.What wonders does the dawning day bring?

(singing) Alleluia, Alleluia, ooo

To see dawn's daylight in each thoughtTo feel our hearts opening up like spring

To block the hawks of war and the surge of deathTo have the courage to speak and act for human rights

To touch hearts with compassion.And raise each voice in praise of peace.

To feel joy unwrapping like a treasured gift.To hear the voices of glee all around us

And to join them with our own fresh Alleluia.

(singing) Alleluia, Alleluia, ooo

Holy God, grant us the revelation of peace,the faith to let go and see light over darkness

and to envision Divine Light in each person's eyesThe spirit that heals our cynicism in the opening of an Easter morning.

Grant us the eyes that perceive you everywhereThe hearts that pulse to the beat of your compassion.

Touch our hearts with Divine Loveand grant us the peace that knows your grace.

Sing within us the Alleluia that waits – for a new – dawn.

.(1) Created on 4/6/17