This Week's Quotation:
He who sees all beings in his Self and his Self in all beings, he never suffers; because when he sees all creatures within his true Self, then jealousy, grief, and hatred vanish.
~ Paramananda, The Upanishads
The Everlasting Season of Goodwill
Rev. Berry Behr, Global Interfaith Ambassador
The Upanishads are part of the ancient Sanskrit compilation of meditations known as the Vedas, which form the basis of Hindu philosophy. They are comprised of contributions from poets, philosophers, sages, and writers who lived between 800 and 400 BCE: deep thinkers whose wisdom remains as relevant today as ever. The Upanishads teach that the Spirit of God is manifest in all life forms, that all is interconnected, and that death is merely a process of changing form. There are many translations of the Upanishads and modern scholars still study these holy texts with great devotion.
Once, I wrote to a beloved Swami (a Hindu male religious teacher) and his reply still makes me smile. “Dear Self,” was his greeting to me and it has warmed my heart for years.
Perhaps it is the time of year and the growing atmosphere of goodwill in my world, but I have been experiencing a level of interconnectedness lately that feels ancient, new, illuminated, and unexpectedly blessed. Every time I am on a Zoom call—which is often—the diverse faces on my screen display so many expressions of Divinity. I am feeling and seeing myself in each one, without expectation of any acknowledgment in return and in a way that uplifts me with a sense of absolute belonging. It is excruciatingly beautiful.
It's this sense of interconnection that inspired me to turn to the Upanishads rather than to the more traditional Christmas teachings in celebration of the goodwill of these days. And, despite the ongoing turbulence in our world, there is goodwill. Beyond the suffering there is cause for celebration because Love persists, Light is eternal and we are never alone.
To see the Divine in me; to see myself in all others; to see all others as Divine and to radiate this gift to all of life. This is my meditation for these days of goodwill. Happy Holidays everyone. Stay safe. You are dearly loved.
About Open Windows
We, the authors of this blog, dedicate it to the transparent exploration of the world's sacred scripture and enlightened spiritual thought. We believe that the original inspiration of all faiths comes from a common source, named and revered in a myriad of ways. With that understanding, the innumerable symbols, beliefs, and practices of faith cease to divide. They become open windows to a common reality that inspires and unifies us. We find deeper insight and nourishment in our own faith and from the expression of faith from others.
We hope these weekly quotations and meditations speak to your heart and soul.
Beautifully said, thank you dear Berry, you bring many gifts into this collective and to our larger world in many seen ways, and many more unseen magical ways, thank you for your Presence in our chosen family constellated, love, Anne Lise
Rev. Berry concluded: You are dearly loved. I reply: You and all reading this are also dearly loved. A sacred Solstice, Merry Christmas, and Happy Hanukkah and Kwaanzaa to all. Aloha, Tom C.
Dearest Berry – These words just struck me so beautifully –
Stay safe. You are dearly loved.
Sometimes we can forget that we are dearly loved – fortunately – living on Sunrise Ranch – it is more often that we get to remember just how loved we are, and just how easy it is to love here.
We are blessed!!!
I so resonate with your words, Berry, particularly this sentence: “To see the Divine in me; to see myself in all others; to see all others as Divine and to radiate this gift to all of life. This is my meditation for these days of goodwill.” As I engage with you or with anyone I am actually engaging with a part of myself. We are ONE. You have truly entered into the universal Spirit of Love that we celebrate at this time of year. THANK YOU!