Rev. Bill's Weekly Insights

Each week, our amazing minister shares deep spiritual insights

Return to Insights Index Page

Sunday, February 12, 2012

-"Gandhi let is mind be changed"

~ Rev. William M. Heller

Sunday we had the pleasure of a visit from Pamela Whitman as our guest speaker. Pamela is a world renowned traveler and teacher, known primarily for her service through radio and broadcast activity. She has interviewed many inspirational spiritual leaders and teachers, and coupled with her own spiritual inquiry has developed a most inspiring message of our willingness to change our mind, of forgiveness practices, and the role these play in the evolution of consciousness that is unfolding today. Her travels have led to broadcasts and lessons offered from Costa Rica, Nepal, the U.S., and even China. Her lesson was encompassed with her most beautiful artistic expression as a flutist. While we can’t adequately describe the experience of her music here, we will say you won’t want to miss this in her next visit to us.  In the interim, you can check out an experience of her Miracles Revolution Broadcast at WFLR, 91.7, in Pomona, NJ each Monday, 4-6 PM (http://www.wlfr.fm/).

The Season for Non-violence honors the movement towards non-violent social activism, initiated by Gandhi and subsequently furthered by Martin Luther King Jr. and Caesar Chavez. The season is marked by January 30 and April 4, the dates Gandhi and King Jr. were assassinated. This was initiated through Arun Gandhi, Gandhi’s grandson, in cooperation with the work of the Association for Global New Thought (A.G.N.T). This year marks the 15th year of this event.

Gandhi’s story begins in 1893, when events led to redirections of his life. A lawyer traveling through South Africa on a legal business matter, he had purchased a first class compartment seat. One sharing his compartment was upset a non-white was to travel with him. This ultimately led to Gandhi being thrown from the train, and physically beat up. This event is considered the starting point of his redirection in his life, towards the elimination of oppression, and the equality of rights for all.

Clearly, he did not have this in mind when he boarded that train. In his autobiography, he speaks of being filled with fear through this instance. He spoke of focusing on prayer and being open to the guidance as to do at that moment, which subsequently led to his life unfolding as it did.

This serves as the basis and the inspiration from Pamela’s lesson for each of us.

• Whatever we might think of as our role, our mission, we do not know what is in store for us. “We don’t perceive our own best interests.” Each one of us has a greater potential, a greater mission, than we can perceive through our own individual thinking. Should we be open to or divine mind, the Holy Spirit within us, insights and guidance becomes available to clarify that which is ours to do in our lives.
• Recognize this is progressive, just like a train moving forward. In 1893, did Gandhi know his mission then would to lead to the non-violent freedom of India and Pakistan from the United Kingdom’s domination? Hardly. Instead, progressive steps, staying on the train of guidance shows the forward direction being called for.
• Life flows through this progressive forward direction. Our role is to stay on the train, and to continue such movement. Nothing is accomplished when the train is stopped. Our role here is to rule our mind—to choose the guide of our thoughts. Our choice is to be open to the divine guidance always available, keeping the train moving forward, or to choose the ideas that have us striving for comfort, security, or protection in the face of fearful matters.
• All we are to accomplish occurs through our willingness to have our mind changed, through our divine connection. Let this be directed from the higher consciousness within us. This is the most essential aspect of this lesson, for this paves the way for the opportunity to discover that which makes our life full. Here we’re guided to what is ours to do, what fills our hearts, our lives with passion, a feeling of mission, and growth.

 -Rev.Bill

Return to Insights Index Page