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PL Precept #8 Live as the Sun

Good morning everyone! Today we welcome Rev.Goto Sr. Minister @ the Perfect Liberty Church in NY.City, NY.  When reading his lesson for the service today, I thoroughly enjoyed it and wanted to share it with you.

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Good morning everyone!

It’s a beautiful Sunday morning. Yesterday when I was walking on the street to go to the post office, everyone looked so happy to be out enjoying the warmth of the l sunshine. The sun is one of the most important power sources, which significantly affects our lives. So today I am going to talk about the PL Precept #8, “LIVE AS THE SUN.”

All living creatures in this world includes we humans live our lives by receiving the abundant power of the sun. The trees and leaves make photosynthesis to produce oxygen and many flowers start to bloom by receiving spring sunshine. Now in Japan, it is the famous cherry blossom season. The cherry blossom look especially beautiful when they are bathed in spring sunlight. During this season, all people get together under the cherry tree to appreciate the beauty and the joys of spring by bringing their favorite sake and bento boxes.

You may recall the story of the North Wind and the Sun.

The North Wind and the Sun were having quarrel about which of them was the stronger. When a traveler passed along the road wrapped in a coat,  they started to compete,  which of them can strip his coat off.  The north wind sent a cold, howling blast against the traveler. But he immediately wrapped it closely around him, and the harder the Wind blew; the tighter he wrapped himself up in his coat to keep from the cold.

Then the Sun began to shine. At first his beams were gentle, then it grew warmer and warmer. The man naturally took off his cap; and at last he took off his coat by himself, then he took a rest under a tree.

The Second Founder gave this explanation on PL Precept #8 as follows; The meaning of this precept, “LIVE AS THE SUN” is to always feel refreshed and honest, live cheerfully, in high spirits, just like brilliance of the shining sun. We should also not have any worries or discontented feelings and we should always live honestly and sincerely just like pure, clear rays of the sun shining ceaselessly on the earth.

Then today we would like to study together with this precept; how to have always refreshed, honest, cheerful state of mind. The key of this is, to take every Kamuwaza lightheartedly and with good intention, then take positive action pleasantly toward the matter. If you receive Mishirase, let us take them with appreciation. Oshieoya-sama mentioned that the Mishirase is God’s merciful blessing in order to make us develop. Therefore if we don’t face Mishirase, we have no chance to progress. So it is important to say, “Thank you God!” when you receive Mishirase.

And there are some other useful tips to live in this precept “LIVE AS THE SUN.”

1, Let you not to talk badly about others behind their back.

2, Let you express ourselves bravely and shamelessly

3, Let you express light-heartedly (with little bit higher voice tone).

4, Let you take action right away when you notice something (without hesitation or postponing).

5, Let you clean up and keep our surroundings tidy up around you (which we have talked about previously)

6, Let us stop delving into the past (it’s important). 過去をほじくり返す

Oshieoya-sama said, “If you want to live as in this precept, please make your firm Shikiri at your Omitama, “I will live and express myself always brightly and cheerfully at any moment and place.”

Thank you. (Rev. Goto Takashi)            ——————

Kamuwaza (Acts of God)

Shikiri  -PL’s unique way of prayer, asking god’s blessing with a sincere promise to accomplish what we have to do.

Mishirase: Divine warning from God, in the form of an illness, misfortune, accident,pain or suffering

Omitama -PL prayer symbol that has been blessed in Japan by Oshieoya-sama

Oshieoya-sama – Honorific title of the spiritual leader of PL

Rev. Goto can be reached @ the church in Jackson Hts, NY. USA  (718) 424-8815  goto@perfectliberty.ca   – for more on PL you can visit http://www.perfectliberty.org. 

Photo- themindunleashed.dorg.

Changes

d9931e0e6e451b9573ebf462182c50b9Changes, every day we encounter a change in our lives.  It is no different with a church. the church of PL is headquartered in Japan as you all know.  In Japan the fiscal year is from April 1 – till March 31st of the following year.   Thus when changes occur, they are announced at the end of the year with the changes taking place immediately (almost).  Ministers are transferred to new communities, and this includes the churches in North American, South  America etc.

Change will occur in our church, Rev. Tiago has been transferred to the church in Los Angeles.  Rev. Atsushi Tsuji  a young minister from Japan will be coming to Canada.  What wonderful adventures for these two young men.  Rev. Tiago and his young family are not long in Canada having come here from Brazil.   He has learned to live in the extreme cold of a Canadian winter, and now will head for the dry heat of Los Angeles, California.

Rev. Tsuji will not only experience a change from his Native Japan, but he will be coming to his first assignment here in Canada,  And no, dear readers, he does not speak English, never mind French.  Fortunately he will arrive during the spring season, and will grow into his new home with the delights of a Canadian spring with the multitude of early spring flowers, tulips, crocus and the like..  In Canada, especially here in Ottawa, we have a bond with Holland, that is expressed with a magnificent show of Tulips in parks and in private gardens.

Picture below were  taken during the Ottawa tulip festival, where the tulips are planted to offer up the photographer, tourists and visitors a chance to admire and enjoy their beauty.  smiles, and of course to showcase our beautiful city.

So it is, we wish these two young men much success and adventure on this new journey in life that they are embarking on..Changes although at times a challenge, with packing, paperwork, and organizing in such a short period of time, we work through it, step by step, and when tackled with enthusiasm and sincerity (makoto) the rewards are a million fold.

For those of us who are not leaving, there will be a gap, a new personality will enter the community, and we will all have to adjust.  Again, it is how we will meet this new opportunity that will determine our temporary disruption to “daily living” God/Universe is always going to ensure that we grow in spirit28601a77418f0fdc87a3750dc7a02245changes are what make us better people.

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Namaste     –     Oyashikiri

Church of Perfect Liberty is a non denominational Church that welcomes everyone in community, our goal is World Peace

PL Precept #1      Life is Art

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tulipfestival.ca

surroundings and your state of mind

farmyard animals

You all looking for something profound, you all just staring at me like I have something  to say.  I don’t really, but go on and look, cuz I’m looking back at you and wondering how the photographer got you all to stand that way.  If I could I would reach right in  there and scratch and nuzzle each one of you, cept the critter with the feathers. Never done hold one of those before.

Yea I know all the proof readers out there will be wondering if I fell out of bed.  I didn’t… but gall darn, I hang with some pretty “good to know” guys and gals who come from other places, and their lazy drawl and way of  speaking has rather grown on me.caring...

Why is it that when different species are left on their own to communicate and  bond, their need for closeness , their acceptance of physical and outward appearances, doesn’t bother them.

PL Precept # 7  Everything Exists in Relativity

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PL Principle # 17   I will not say or do things that hurt others.

PL Principle # 18  I will not have a mind to slight others.

Walden

” I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. “  Henry D. Thoreau , Walden, Life in the Woods

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We can’t all wander out into the backwoods, nor do we all live in areas where we can access a farmer’s field or woodland, but we all have special places where we can go to unwind and just enjoy quiet time with Nature.

“I go to nature to be soothed and healed, and to have my sense put in tune once more”  John Burroughs

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PL Precept #11    Always be with God

Namaste     –     Oyashikiri

*walden -royceferguson,blogspot.com

bed in private garden nytimes.com

last pic. folkmountains.tumblr.com

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doorway to…

Scotland,church of St.Mary's andSt. Fillans at Glenfinnan

Wow… what would it be like to open a door and have that vista before you….  This is a doorway at the Church of St. Mary’s and St. Filllans at Glenfinnan, Scotland.  I sat and gazed wistfully at the far away mountains peaks, and let me thoughts drift lazily across the water. Hmm what are the ambient sounds as one steps out the door.  Are the rays of the sun warm enough to wrap us in a comforting embrace…. Is there a slight breeze coming up from the lake/river that will bright with it the hint of lush woodland vegetation…..  Today was a day to daydream.

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Doors, represent opportunities, some are locked and closed tight, they need a key to turn the lock, and others, sit slightly open, teasing us with just  a peak inside.  While some are open wide, and we know what we will find inside, or we think we d0

Even now I know, that many of my inner rooms have keys that have not turned  in years, and that memories and emotions I may not want to revisit are tucked away, waiting… for a day that may never come.  In PL we are taught to  tackle our issues in the order that they appear in our lives.  That is not always possible, if we live in the moment, change is a constant factor. Sometimes when we do finally return, we find that the wood is aged, and the lock has rusted into place so that re-entry will not be easy.

 

I like a simple life, free of drama and remorse…. if I have gone on with my life and I’m content and happy then what is behind those doors has come and gone in my life, it not longer matters. I know… I truly believe, that should the day ever come that what is behind those doors is needed,then I will find a way, to open them, until then, I will admire the weathering and aging … I will take myself out an open door into the sunshine and the happiness of living my life in the NOW.

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Come on, wear comfortable shoes, and lets explore.  Let’s begin our trek down to the water’s edge. Let go of the past, let’s walk hand in hand into the start of another day.  Wipe the cobwebs away, open your mind and heart to the wonders of a brand new day!

Namaste     –     Oyashikiri

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Unfolding of Time

church,Romania village of Bezidu

In 1988 the village of Bezidu Nou in Romania  was flooded.  Only these two churches remained above the water,  This (above) was a picture of the churches in 1995

church Romania 2008

By   2008 only one remained, the land around, you can see has been dramatically changed.  In 2014 this is what a visitor to the site will find.

Church Romania 2014 -courtesy lacihobo,Utikalauz,causs and zuzsa Mate

pictures courtesty, lachihobo,Utikalauz,Causss and Zsuzsa Mate

There is an expression that comes to mind, “never judge a book by its cover”.  People we meet, friends we already know, even family, how much do we really know about them.  We see only the “face” presented to us.  Even over time, we may see the gradual changes, but do we really go beyond what we see in that given moment of time.

Good relationships begin by the simple act of greeting one another.  I’ve had too many “how are you” spoken to me, without any real intent on the other person’ part to really hear my response.  It is a throw away question or remark.   As is, “I’m fine thank you, and you?”  Usually or often, the person has moved on before you are really finished with the formality of a greeting.

Let us try today to show respect and a genuine caring when we interact with others,  Smile from the heart, when you pass a stranger if your eyes meet, smile, nod it is a feel good feeling.   When driving on rural back roads often the residents will wave as we pass, we wave back, its friendly and a welcome exchange between strangers.  You find yourself smiling, it was a happy exchange …

Walls may crumble and disappear, but the happiness in your heart will always be there. Treasure and nurture it.

Have a super fantastic day my friends,  Know that you are in my prayers and that love is being sent your way today and always.   Blessings be.                                  

May the Universe wrap you in a calm,serene embrace

May the faith and spirit within you

cast out the darkness, bathing you  in a light

that will fill you with eternal grace.

Namaste  – Oyashikiri 

words by Q

 

Bom dia, good morning everyone!

temple entrance,Kamakura,Kanagawa Prefecture,Japan  by Hanbi via flickr.

Where ever you footsteps take you today, may the day be one of many blessings.  Each day, a new door opens, and often another will close.  Nothing is forever, trying  to hold back the ongoing changes that are the essence of life.  Church, (temple) is where you find your spiritual calm, your inner Self,  Some find it in the quiet communion with the Universe while they wander the sea-shore, or kayak into isolated bays.  Other’s feel it the moment they walk into their favourite place of worship.

temple garden by Teruhide Tomori on flickr

Transform your day today, visit your quiet place, experience the true happiness of connecting with the Divine Energy that is life.  Strive each day to improve yourself.  Sincere prayer and meditation is a gift we give ourselves.  Rewards are one hundredfold

temple landscape by eiji Murakami on flicker

Oyashikiri

* Temple entrance,Kamakura,Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan by hanabi.on Flickr

**Garden by Teruhide Tomori on Flickr

*** by Eliji Murakami on Flickr

Dag,hallo, Hello everyone!

handmade card - via Jeannie Donnelly Today we are welcoming a new member to the PL (Perfect Liberty) Family, Rev.Tiago and his wife Paloma are proud parents to a beautiful  baby girl .. a sister for their first princess.  Double  delights and pleasures in their world. Congratulations!  Girls, bundles of sweetness and light.  Another new chapter in their lives. =^_^= Isn’t it exciting when someone in you life experiences a life changing moment.  When I researched what was out there for new births I was happy to find that there is such array creativity out there.   A wealth of ideas for those who like to make their own cards, suggestions for doing a nursery, knitted items, the sweetest little outfits, in this instance, all pinks and pastels . A whole new world for an “oldie” like myself. Each day brings something new into our lives, Something to discover and appreciate. Whether directly in our daily comings and goings or in the world around us.  Cherish  happy moments, treasure the memories they will have for you in later years.  Let us take today and make it special.  Look in the mirror and smile,  “you’ve come a long way baby!!” fe5ccc78919c05a182227b6cf93939d0 With deep affection I would like to offer up a prayer that each and everyone of you today will feel the presence of the Universe in your lives.  It is a new day, and a new beginning for whatever it is you want to do.    Blessings… Oyashikiri       * handmade card>Pinterest (Jeannie Donnelly) ** silk floral found on etsy.com (BeautyEverlasting)

kiss

Good Morning Everyone!

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Remember this picture.  I’ve used it before.  I loved the stained glass windows.  I loved how the windows survived while the insides of the church was showing the rubble and decay of neglect and time.  Not being the photographer who took this picture, I do not know what the outside of this building looked like.  My vision  can only drink in what I see.  My emotions and feelings  toss and turn inside my head looking for the words to explain what seeing this moment in time does to and for me.

Today’s meditation/lesson   >The bigger the task, the more  your convictions are tested <  So many questions arose when I looked at the church, the light from outside is still coming through the windows, on a bright sunny day, how mesmerizing the view must be.  How enchanted I am just gazing at the light coming in through the various colours.  The peeling on the old walls has formed a lace pattern of intricate designs, were I there today, I would zoom in for a closer look. (times like this I miss my viewer in SL)  ( LOL.. for those of us who are part of the community in the virtual world of SL, there is a lot I’m sure that we at times wish we could do in our everyday lives as easily as we do in our other reality)

window 1

We all have windows in our lives, and mostly we look out.. not into them.  Why is that do you think?  When we encounter a challenge, are given a diagnosis we don’t really want … … what is it we tend to do.  Look on Google, ask around about it, share the information with a friend.???  We’re given a window, what do we do with it…

Flowers in the WindowWindows are symbolic of consciousness.  Yet windows are often simply part of our physical space, and are given thought to when we need to ope or close the shutters /blinds.. or look out to see if it is raining.  Unlike the door which we  interact with on a daily basis.  Using it to enter or leave the premises, yet I doubt we pay that much attention to it.  Tasks and challenges/opportunities are like windows and doors in our lives.  We “see” them, we use them, but often don’t really “see” them at all.  They just are.

wwindow,broken  found on voicenet.asia

Sometimes we need to look at the window, really look at it, and see it not only from outside, but from inside as well. When we encounter resistance in our thinking, we are looking in only one direction, usually out, it is often what is inside that is at the heart of the matter.

window, stained glass, by Vincent-Jansen.nl. flickr

Come sit with me, share this time to contemplate the moment.  Together we will live this moment in time, so when we move on, this moment will not be forgotten.    Our windows allow the light to come in, when it does, let it shine……………….

“If what you desire

is to be inspired and feel joy

but the opposite keeps showing up,

Rather than cursing fate

you can view yourself

as simply being

out of creative

vibrational alignment.”

quote- Dr.Wayne W. Dyer

top picture – St.Curvy’s Abandoned church in HDR Michigan, by tony lafferty01, flickr

pictures of windows found on Pinterest

 

Do you glance or do you read?

Good morning everyone..  earlier this week I received my PL Newsletter from Rev. Goto on New York.  In it, he has shared with us an article by Rev Toshio Suzuki*  His article began with a sentence that I read and re-read several times thinking that there was a typo.  It took a couple of readings and then going on and reading the next two sentences before what he was saying sunk in.  I am guilty myself at times of thinking I’m reading, but in fact my eyes are scanning and the brain is taking in what it is reading, but NOT necessarily  assimilating the information the way it is intended.

His opening paragraph is as follows.  Conviction and Faith, by Rev. Toshio Suzuki … If you want to see the truth of your faith, you should try to practice it very doubtfully,like “is it really true or not?”  Then you will come to the conclusion.  There is nothing more useless than neither doubting nor  believing.   To read more of what is said, please contact Rev. Goto in our New York church for a copy of this PL Newsletter.  His e-mail is goppoy@icloud.com   If you are in the NY area  (718)-424-8815.

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While researching for a previous blog I found several interpretations or versions if you will of a photograph of the Mad Hatter as played by Johnny Depp. This is the one that struck me the most, and I went back to find it to use it today.  Since the picture had no explanation, as to how or why it was coloured the way it was, I can’t pass that information on to you.  I could only view it and  enjoy it from my perspective.  Most pictures I saw were in shades of black and white.  Like Rev. T.Suzuki’s words, this picture had arrested me in my search by making a statement that connected with something inside me.  I wanted more.  I really looked at it closely, the shading, the lace, the fingerless,frayed gloves, bandaged thumb,  the assorted pieces of accessories, everything.  All of the costume was very artfully pulled together to draw and capture the viewer’s attention.  When we are visual, which I am, the picture shouted at me, and I responded.  Words,are not as visual, they are a group of letters that come together to form a word.  We must read the words not necessarily by themselves, but with the words that come before and after them to really understand the intent of the writer.

floral Geranio by ceferreira on flickr

Sunshine Blessings to you on this 22nd day of April.  Oyashikiri

remember, we can all look at the same picture , read the same words, and come away with our very own story-line.

 

* Rev.Toshio Suzuki former principal of PL Elementary School, Japan  (40Years)

picture of flower, Geranio by cefferreira.flickr.jpg

picture Mad Hatter> Pinterest

sim,entendo. I understand

Good Morning everyone... how are you doing on this wonderful Thursday in April, here we are April the 10th. Just the other day we were celebrating the 1st of the month, the Day of peace, and tomorrow  is  Ancestor’s Day the 11th.  It is said, when time goes by quickly, we are enjoying life.  Oui,yes, life is good.  there is a lot going on and everyday brings new challenges, new beginnings.   Soon, very soon, outside I will see the first buds begin to sprout on the cherry tree.

cherry blossoms found on FB

We understand that we will have to wait for the sun to work its magic and for the tree to find its own time and cycle for it to blossom and bring forth the beauty of its spring foliage.  Why is it that we show such impatience in how other areas of our lives develop?  How often have I heard someone say,”  I understand”  when I’ve tried to explain something I’m feeling.  And, I can tell, from their actions, that really, my explanation  was not understood at all.  Vice verso, when I have said, “I understand” and I think I did, but did I really.  Emotions are hard to pin down, they are often very abstract.  We can’t predict, we can’t say at 6 pm this evening it will rain on Montcalm Street in Hull down through the village of Cantley ending  at the bridge.   We have forecasts that give us predictions, we listen, take it in, and then move on.  Not so easy to do with our every day comings and goings!  We try…. some succeed better than others .Often it has to be wondered if we even apply the same reasoning.(thought process)

cherry blossoms, kenji2006 on flickrToday I ask blessings of everyone in times of trouble.  Comfort for those who are facing a loss.   Calm for those passing their days without work during times of financial stress, Healing for those who are suffering pain and illness.  Encouragement for those who are finding it difficult to believe in the future.  Uphold those who are being tempted in any way today to turn their backs on life.  In all these ways and more, I ask  your Blessings, for we are ONE with Nature and the Universe, now forever and always…………………   Oyashikiri

 

Ancestor’s Day service is at 10 a.m. (PL Church)

btw. Just in reading the above prayer, you have added and given strength to the Blessing… thank you. =^_^=

pictures >Pinterest, bottom one is by Kenji2006 and was originally on Flickr

 

 

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