December 21, 2002
8th meeting, in Fremont

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On this night, 9 of us (Yen-Chi, Duc, Bryan, Judit, Tomo, Denise, Katie, Paisley, Paul) came together and shared our thoughts on "God".  A controversial topic, if there ever was one, but a very important one, especially at a time like this.  It was very interesting and perhaps even sobering to listen to each other's views and experiences regarding "God".  I am very grateful for everyone's input.  I hope we have become a little wiser, more compassionate, and more understanding as a result of the discussion.  The discussion stemmed from some material I had brought: teachings laid out in a book called The New Revelations (2002, Walsch), including the 5 steps to peace and the 9 new revelations (reproduced at the bottom of this page).  They are not new insights and certainly not 'better' than others but are worth studying and testing in real life.  "Violence begets violence; you reap what you sow; do unto others as you would have done unto you."  These eternal truths seem to be placed aside when we feel we have been hurt or victimized, yet this is exactly the time to think twice before striking back.  Let there be peace in the world, and let it start from within ourselves.  

paul
(P.S. The above is my own opinion only.)


Tomo and the "Sushi, No-Sushi".
 


Dinner.
 


Dinner.
 


Interesting dessert, but does it taste good?
"If it tastes good, then I made it; if not, I bought it"... (guess who brought this?)
 


Katie & Paisley, newcomers to the Sangha, came in time for the discussion and desserts!
 


Top: Paisley, Katie, Denise.
Bottom: Bryan & Judit, Yen-Chi & Duc, Paul.
 


Hm... what to call this pose?
"I give my friendship to all who asks".
 


Katie's first time, welcome!
 


Yen-Chi and Duc, hosts for tonight's Sangha, thank you!
 


 


Book sharing, pick one and bring it back to the next meeting.

Materials discussed during the Sangha:
 
AS WE SEEK TO CREATE HARMONY IN OUR WORLD, 
WE, THE UNDERSIGNED, HEREBY PUBLICLY COMMIT TO TAKING 
THE FIVE STEPS TO PEACE:
  1. We acknowledge that certain old beliefs about Life and about God are no longer working.
  2. We acknowledge that there is something we do not understand about God and about Life, the understanding of which could change everything.
  3. We are willing for new understandings of God and Life to now be brought forth, understandings that could produce a new way of life on this planet.
  4. We are willing to explore and examine these new understandings, and, if they align with our inner truth and knowing, to enlarge our belief system to include them.
  5. We are willing to live our lives as a demonstration of our beliefs.
(p 314-315 of The New Revelations, author Neale Walsch, 2002)
The New Revelations
  1. God has never stopped communicating directly with human beings.  God has been communicating with and through human beings from the beginning of time.  God does so today.
  2. Every human being is as special as every other human being who has ever lived, lives now, or ever will live.  You are all messengers.  Every one of you.  You are carrying a message to life about life every day.  Every hour.  Every moment.
  3. No path to God is more direct than any other path.  No religion is the “one true religion,” no people are the “the chosen people,” and no prophet is the “greatest prophet.”
  4. God needs nothing.  God requires nothing in order to be happy.  God is happiness itself.  Therefore, God requires nothing of anyone or anything in the universe.
  5. God is not a singular Super Being, living somewhere in the Universe or outside of it, having the same emotional needs and subject to the same emotional turmoil as humans.  That Which Is God cannot be hurt or damaged in any way, and so, has no need to seek revenge or impose punishment.
  6. All things are One Thing.  There is only One Thing, and all things are part of the One Thing That Is.
  7. There is no such thing as Right and Wrong.  There is only What Works and What Does Not Work, depending upon what it is that you seek to be, do, or have.
  8. You are not your body.  Who you are is limitless and without end.
  9. You cannot die, and you will never be condemned to eternal damnation.
(p 340-341 of The New Revelations, author Neale Walsch, 2002.)

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