We are the Wave

wave breaking on beach photo

Transcendental Love is the potency within our souls that carries us through and its purpose – that we realize our might – our inner fire – our capacity to transcend adversity and rise! I believe we are all here to ignite the Artist within us through celebrating our uniqueness and developing our authenticity to touch one another.

I’m sharing quotes from Harry Belafonte – and referencing to his beautiful song “We are the wave” in this blog.

“Art in its highest form is art that serves and instructs society and human development.” “If I’ve impacted on one heart, one mind, one soul, and brought to that individual a greater truth than that individual came into a relationship with me having, then I would say that I have been successful.” 

The above quote brings to my mind and heart what my 4th Year Ministerial Teacher – Dr. Earl Barnum told me before I assumed my first church – back in September of 1971. In late Spring I flew (my first plane flight) to Tucson, AZ, thinking it was just an opportunity to speak. However, that first Sunday the board asked if I would be their minister, and they were willing to wait until I was complete with my studies. Amazingly they flew me back and I spent two weeks in the summer there and prepared to arrive in the fall. This move meant letting go of my only significant other relationship I lived with and all the family I would be leaving in California – (which they in time followed me to Tucson.)

Before I left, I had a sacred conversation with Dr. Barnum expressing my concern and overwhelming fear. He said quite simply: “Charles, if you only impact one life for the better and richer – you have succeeded, and if that life is your own – all the more so!”

I have carried that within my soul through all my ministry and in recent years my personal life has been more profound and richer than ever. Harry Belafonte impacted millions. I know I have touched more than one heart – living from the pure intention of seeking to be authentically Charles. I can say with deepest clarity – the life I have touched most profoundly has been my own.

Through all the highs and lows – the words to this song proclaim – I am the wave on the journey of life and it carries me through all the storms to that higher view where I realize the might and power that we are all One in this wave – together – “We are the force, We are the fire, We are the move, Moving higher and higher!”  Living from the premise – of touching one life for the richer – and above all our own – is the key whereby were all shall rise!

Song by Harry Belafonte – We are the Wave.

The sea will wash against the rock
The rock stands strong; the rock is strong
The sea will wash against the rock
But before too long the rock is gone.

The wind will blow against the stone
The stone stands strong; the stone is strong
The wind will blow against the stone
But before too long the stone is gone.

Patience gentlemen, we move closer every day
Patience gentlemen, the stone will soon give way.

We are the wave
We are the flow
We are the wind
And soon the rock must go
We are the wave
We are the flow
We are the wind
And soon the rock must go.

You cannot hold back the tide
The tide must rise the tide must rise
Its the law of earth and skies
The tide will rise, the tide will rise
Its as natural as day to night
As day to night, day to night
As natural as black and white
Black and white, black and white

Patience gentlemen, the flower can grow up through the stone
Patience gentlemen, it’s a truth that we have always known.

We are the wave,
We are the flow
We are the wind
And soon the rock must go
We are the force
We are the fire
We are the move
Moving higher and higher
We are the force
We are the fire
We are the move
Moving higher and higher

We are the wave
We are the flow
We are the wind
And soon the rock must go
We are the wave
We are the flow
We are the wind
We are the flow
We are the wave
We are the flow
We are the wind
And soon the rock must go
We are the wave
We are the flow


Monthly Theme and Weekly Speakers.

Every month, we take the Key Principles of MYOB and put them into practice in our lives. Looking at the deeper call before us — What are we each to “Be” to bring about societal change through our soul evolution in ways that establish justice, love, and care for all – without exception. Please join us weekly on Thursdays at 7 p.m. EDT for our virtual program.

Photo by Kammeran Gonzalez-Keola

Remember Home

Cozy Fireplace Photo

As all the Holidays and Sacred Celebration unfold – Remember Home

My reflection on Home

Not everyone has fond memories of early Home and may not have known Home at all. However – here is what I have come to know about the word Home. For me – it’s a journey my soul takes to establish Peace – which is about Transcendental Love.

Home is a feeling in my heart in which I am at Peace.

Home brings memories of laughter, of shining moments that illuminate the memories I hold dear.

Home brings about the vision of times with family, friends, peers, and great love.

There are so many memories now and I realize the blessings in my life.

Home is a place I call sanctuary. I return to it at day’s end for rest and renewal.

And yet, more than ever, I know that I take home with me wherever I go.

When I am at home within myself, others feel safe and loved.

When there is abiding inner Peace. I am at home everywhere.

And this I pray above all that I give to others a sense of home, of being safe, and valued.

Home is not about a destination.

It’s that we inspire one another through how we live.

I realize my soul is my eternal home.

To all that have enriched my soul and have given me such sacred memories,

May this reflection find you “at home.”

Love,

Charles

Monthly Theme and Weekly Speakers.

Every month, we take the Key Principles of MYOB and put them into practice in our lives. Looking at the deeper call before us — What are we each to “Be” to bring about societal change through our soul evolution in ways that establish justice, love, and care for all – without exception. Please join us weekly on Thursdays at 7 p.m. EDT for our virtual program.

Friendships

hands making heart shapes

On Friendships

I am placing this under the category of “Transcendental Love” because that is what enduring heart-felt friendships bring.

This summer I had the JOY of my beloved friends John Harold Moore and Revs Ali & Michael Benjamin visiting me at my abode. It rejuvenated me to be more cognizant of the depth of friendships I have in my life – and across the land.

I was thrilled to share what I have come to call – Graceland at Clancy with these dear friends and have them receive the heart-print and paw print of Gus (the dog I have joint custody of and the horse I have part-time care of called Winnie). Gus was the official host and was amazing. See my blogs under:  The Animal Kingdom – And Their Message To Us.

Though I was experiencing the sadness of this being the last Big Sky Retreat after 48 years – I saw it as a Celebration event – which it most certainly became! We achieved a record for the oldest metaphysical spiritual retreat in consecutive years.

The timing of John, Ali and Michael’s visit was Divinely timed.

I also had the blessing just before the retreat of my soul sister Dawn, and my adopted soul niece, Darnell, visiting me 2 days before the Big Sky Retreat which had been an annual event the past 3 years before we headed up to Big Sky. It was a Joy to just surrender to the peace upon this land and the blessing of their love. This is a family that adopted me over 50 years ago – and we have shared laughter, tears, grief, and wonder-filled times that only deepened through the years.

When we have endings – it’s time for going deeper for new beginnings. I have never considered myself retired – rather refired, reinspired, redefined, renewed as there’s more to come to nurture my soul and make heart-prints upon others – if I allow the Spirit, angels, and signs to guide me. My enduring friendships also enrich my soul in times of immense change and grief.

This summer on one of my morning walks with Gus – I saw a yellow butterfly come in front of me and soar forward – here are a few insights on the yellow butterfly symbolism from my online inquiry:

“Yellow butterflies symbolize positivity, hope, and transformation. Seeing one might mean good news or big, positive changes are coming your way. Spiritually, a yellow butterfly may symbolize that you’re near a spiritual awakening. It might also be a sign that your loved ones who have transitioned are thinking of you.

Yellow butterflies also represent change for the better. and that you are on a new path.

While change isn’t always easy, the butterfly’s joyful yellow wings are a reminder that you are growing into a better person … it’s a sign that your life is about to shift in the direction you’re supposed to be going in.”

I am profoundly grateful for my friendships – and how they can carry us through and lift us up. To all of you out there that have impacted my life – I am still here with enthusiasm, purpose, and new horizons before me.

I might define friendships that endure through the years as those yellow butterflies – encouraging you to rise – and honor the blessings of the distance you have travelled – the lives that have touched you and the lives you have touched. It’s wonder-full.

To all my heart-prints friends near and far – here and in other realms – I shall continue to soar because of you!

Look at Kahlil Gibran’s Prose on Friendship – in this beautiful reading by Simerjeet Singh:

Monthly Theme and Weekly Speakers.

Every month, we take the Key Principles of MYOB and put them into practice in our lives. Looking at the deeper call before us — What are we each to “Be” to bring about societal change through our soul evolution in ways that establish justice, love, and care for all – without exception. Please join us weekly on Thursdays at 7 p.m. EDT for our virtual program.

The Seeds of Transcendent Love

pexels-william-fortunato

There is nothing more precious than the birth of a child. That original innocence is sacred to behold. No one is “born into sin.” We are here for good purpose for the blessing of all humanity through how we have lived together. The seeds of Transcendent Love are within every new birth.

Heaven and Hell

The word heaven is from the Greek word – Ouranos – and references expansion. It references looking to the sky. Open minds enable us to see things from a higher view – “look to the sky.”

One of the root words of Hell – “Helan” – refers to covering up – and being unable to see light or Truth. We’ve done an impressive job of hell on earth with our beliefs in separation through race, cultures, governments, and religions that keep us apart and warring. What a revelation if we did realize we are all One from the same star stuff. How might that expand our views? We can come to treasure diversity as Mother Nature reveals to us the wonder of it.

We have seen evidence of heaven on earth through what we can achieve as we honor the inherent gifts of art, writing, creativity, and the multi-talents that dwell within us. The Mystics have shared what we can achieve in realizing compassion, love, and regard for one another.

Humanity (to this point) has loved to segregate, disenfranchise, label, and condemn those who aren’t “normal” as to how various views of how God created us to be. I don’t believe God created me to be “normal.”

A Personal Reflection of God

My belief of God: The originating Principle of Life. The galaxies evidence that it contains energy; intelligence, is life producing and ongoing creativity. It is also clear that our thoughts have power. They are a part of that creative impulse. The energy around thoughts of love and hate are tangible and impact all life. We do create heaven or hell on earth and understanding that Truth we can realize – only all of us together can see a new expanding vision of our world where we do treasure every sacred newborn for good purpose and planting seeds for Transcendent Love for all of us.

I choose to keep expanding my vision of the wonder of life and the potential within all to awaken to the joy of their own being. What a world we can create for future generations to awaken to. The only thing love is meant to be about is compassion, enlightenment, and transformation as we are all free to explore our uniqueness and the gift, we are here to bring to one another. The seeds of Transcendent Love exist in every new birth – and how we nurture that new being is a sacred charge as parents and as a society.

Monthly Theme and Weekly Speakers.

Every month, we take the Key Principles of MYOB and put them into practice in our lives. Looking at the deeper call before us — What are we each to “Be” to bring about societal change through our soul evolution in ways that establish justice, love, and care for all – without exception. Please join us weekly on Thursdays at 7 p.m. EDT for our virtual program.

Moments

Transcendental Moments create the Remembrance within us that we are One. There is something universal that when felt and sensed impacts our lives in ways that move us to a higher awareness and value of ourselves and all around us. I share a writing of a reflection on “Moments” that I realize held within them, the opportunity of Transcendence. I honor all who have touched me with those sacred “Moments” that are in my heart and soul.

“Moments”

There are those Moments when I know I have experienced LOVE — the LOVE that will sustain me and carry me through a dark night, and the LOVE that magnifies my times of JOY.

It is the LOVE I feel as the rays of the sun burst through the clouds. It is LOVE that has come from brief exchanges, but when someone has gone out of their way to come through for me.

It is a friend’s gift of simply listening, and it is also LOVE that has enabled that friend to say what I most needed to hear, perhaps when I least wanted to hear it. It is the LOVE that I reflect upon over the years, and I realize how integral a part of my life someone has become, and how he or she has contributed to my most beautiful and profound memories.

There are those Moments when I realize this LOVE knows no time or absence and though life’s realities or events may have separated us, this person is as near as the beat of my heart, and when I bring them to mind, there is warmth and joy. It is in those Moments I acknowledge how LOVE sustains me be it family, friends, or simply a “Moment” with someone I may not meet again.

There are the Moments when I meet someone for the “first time” and deep within I know there is a reunion of a friendship of lifetimes ago. Through these “Moments” of Remembrance, I create a collage of LOVE of people, places, and events. I realize what a blessing it is to have lived the life I have, for through it I have deepened my understanding and compassion for myself and others. With grief and loss, joy, and triumph, I know LOVE is the origin of all and LOVE is my destination. However brief, however long, everyone and everything is a part of my heart’s collage,

Please take time to remember those “Moments” that can, in Truth, lift us to “Transcendence” – valuing this gift of Life.

Monthly Theme and Weekly Speakers.

Every month, we take the Key Principles of MYOB and put them into practice in our lives. Looking at the deeper call before us — What are we each to “Be” to bring about societal change through our soul evolution in ways that establish justice, love, and care for all – without exception. Please join us weekly on Thursdays at 7 p.m. EDT for our virtual program.

Grief Rooted in the Depth of Love

I want to share a personal reflection that has given me countless “moments” of recalling Transcendental Love.

The ongoing reality of our earth journey encompasses overwhelming grief and loss.

My 50+ years as a Minister in New Thought and founding in the late 80’s into the mid 90’s a non-profit HIV Support Group called “Together to Grow” (TTG) I have encompassed immense grief, personally and collectively.

I’m placing this sharing under “Transcendental Love” because at the root of our deepest grief is the reality of that love.

Deep grief never leaves us; however, it can be the way we move on to meaningful purpose to honor that love.

A TIMELESS MOMENT

I’ve had the JOY of being a founder of a spiritual retreat – now called the Big Sky Retreat in Montana, formerly Grand Teton Retreat – now in its 48th year.

During the late 80’s to mid-90’s of the AIDS epidemic, I was able to bring beloved friends from my TTG group to Wyoming and the Grand Tetons. It was miraculous that this was able to happen. We had rented a van, and we were driving through Yellowstone, laughing, and feeling the depth of our love being together. We were absorbing the wonder of the buffalo and the beauty around us. Suddenly, my soul brother and co-founder of TTG, David, began to weep uncontrollably. We were all silenced as he was in the front seat and those of us in the back put our hands upon his shoulders.

“David, what’s wrong, what’s going on?” as we sought to calm him. After he gained control he said simply, “We’re together and this is so beautiful, I’m so grateful.” I’ll never forget that moment. I said farewell to cherished friends through those years, including David. TTG dissolved after the depth of losses we experienced, and there was no way to continue.

My grief throughout that time was in seeing so many younger than myself leaving this plane and that I was still here! What I have come to know is that their love and that “Transcendental Moment” has been integral to what has carried me on throughout my life.

From Kahili Gibran on Joy and Sorrow

“Then a woman said, Speak to us of joy and sorrow.

And he answered:
“Your joy is your sorrow unmasked,
And the self-same joy from which your laughter rises, was oftentimes filled with your tears.
And how else can it be?
The deeper the sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.”

Our grief and loss do contain joy and sorrow – and the remembrance of love is what moves us on. Find good purpose in our own moving on!

Monthly Theme and Weekly Speakers.

Every month, we take the Key Principles of MYOB and put them into practice in our lives. Looking at the deeper call before us — What are we each to “Be” to bring about societal change through our soul evolution in ways that establish justice, love, and care for all – without exception. Please join us weekly on Thursdays at 7 p.m. EDT for our virtual program.

The Path to Transcendental Love in Our World.

Hands Holding a Heart

Transcendental “moments” are when we sense that there are no others – just all of us in this journey together and our connection to one another. Our lives are meant to be a sacred realization of Oneness and Unity.
Eckhart Tolle so beautifully states: “Without recognition of the formless within yourself, there can be no true transcendental love. If you cannot recognize the formless in yourself, you cannot recognize yourself in the other.”

OUR STORIES

So, then the inquiry – How can we have such beliefs of “others” of divisiveness and the depth of hatred and rage we see in our world? I believe because we continue to generationally pass on the same stories that perpetuate our wounds and unforgiveness. Yes, stories are important – for empowerment and how we claim new insight to pass on to future generations for healing, individually and collectively.

AWAKENING

Three keys to awakening to that formless essence of transcendental love:

  • Realizing the formless essence is my Origin and it opens the door to compassion for self and others.
  • Choosing to do the deeper soul work that clears the beliefs that have bound me to pain and unforgiveness of self and others.
  • Coming to a place where self-love and self-regard do matter as to how I see others.

There are innumerable paths, tools, and ways to do the deeper work for our body, mind, and spirit. No one path has all the solutions – but at the heart of any faith, or practice – does it encourage me to see that “formless essence” through which I realize there are no others – just all of us in practice of awakening to compassion for all – without exception.

Monthly Theme and Weekly Speakers.

Every month, we take the Key Principles of MYOB and put them into practice in our lives. Looking at the deeper call before us — What are we each to “Be” to bring about societal change through our soul evolution in ways that establish justice, love, and care for all – without exception. Please join us weekly on Thursdays at 7 p.m. EDT for our virtual program.