A Formula for Social Change?

Is there a "formula" for bringing about social change?

In his sermon at our Holy Thursday liturgy, my pastor Fr. Doug spoke about the Parkland high school students who are taking a stand for change.

He said that prayer is important. But not enough. He said "We have to pray with our feet."

Meaning that we also have to take a stand. And walk as the students are walking.

This means getting off our butts and actually walking.

Yesterday, Good Friday, we walked the stations of the cross. At each station, we stopped to read a meditation and sing a short hymn.

One of the meditations asked:

"How often in our lives do we come across unjust situations and we say nothing out of fear of getting caught in the crossfire? Can we summon the confidence and strength of purpose to go against the tide of opinion and reach out to support the oppressed?"

Seems to me that this is another element in the formula for social change:  self-examination.  Facing ourselves honestly. Asking what we are afraid of.

Margaret Wheatley looks at the world today and sees the telltale signs of collapse. In response, she is training Warriors for the Human Spirit.

Her formula seems to be about transcendence not transformation. Transformation, she seems to be saying, has not worked.  Our efforts to change society have not worked out the way we hoped.

Expecting further deterioration in the world, with destruction the ultimate end in the next decades, her training focuses on helping create "warriors of the human spirit" who will help people through comfort, courage and compassion.

As part of my spiritual regimen this Holy Week, I have been listening to lectures by Marcus Borg, the great Protestant scholar and theologian who passed away a few years ago.

Borg said: "Christians are called to participate in (Jesus') passion for a different kind of world."

Tonight at the Great Easter Vigil, we will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus. 

His emergence from the tomb, like that of Lazarus before him, is a potent image of new life coming from underground. 

Easter reminds us that, after death, there is always new life.

In the Gospel account, three women are the first to receive the Good News. They are the first to see the risen Jesus.  They are the first to be "sent" to bring the good news to the apostles. 

May we too be sent and continue to carry the good news to others.

On dying...and living

A friend from my church had a massive stroke a week ago. He is in his Eighties. His family does not expect him to hang on much longer.

My wife and I visited him at the hospital this morning.  We were there as friends of the family. But we were also there as a prayer delegation from church.

In the latter role, we were there to pray with him and his family. To help them with the grief they are deeply experiencing. And to help them to "let go."

This letting go means sending him off (like a boat upon the water) on his journey to whatever comes next. As faith-filled people, we believe that there is a "new life" (another shore) after this one.

Though we cry tears for his going, our hearts are joyful.

May his final voyage bring him home.

On the Meaning of Christmas

Re-posted from December 2011

As the Catholic son of a Jewish mother, I've always had a mixture of feelings about Christmas. On one hand, it's definitely my favorite time of the year. On the other hand, I am saddened that so many find no joy in its celebration.

Yesterday, I came across a blog post by communications consultant Shel Israel, called "A Jew's View of Christmas," a bittersweet remembrance of growing up as a Jew and watching the Christians around him enjoying Christmas.

This is the comment I left on his blog.

For me, the meaning of Christmas comes down to one word: Gift. In the Gospel story, gift is a central image and idea:

~ The Incarnation is God coming into the world as a gift of love and transformation.

~ The baby is an unexpected gift to Mary and Joseph.

~ And the Magi bring extraordinary gifts to the Holy Family.

So the best way to keep Christmas? Here are five ways:

G - Give the gift of yourself to others

I - Inspire others with peace and joy

F - Find the star in your life that leads you

T - Take the Spirit of Christmas with you wherever you go

S - Say thanks often for all the gifts you have been given

As a kid, I remember a TV commercial that said, “You don’t have to be Jewish to like Levi’s Rye Bread.” I think the same goes for Christmas. You don’t have to be Christian to like Christmas.

As the song lyric says, "It's the most wonderful time of the year!"

My wish to all is Joy to the world. And let me echo Shel Israel's closing wish: "Happy holidays, and may the New Year bring all of us closer to peace on Earth.”

Amen.

Enjoy the season. Give your gifts. Be the blessing.

Posted by Terrence Seamon on Tuesday December 20, 2011

What to Keep?

2016 has been a rough year in many ways, from selling our home and moving, to losing loved ones, to the election of a president. A year filled to overflowing with change.

With so much changing, the question comes up, What do you hold on to?  What do you keep?

I think we should keep what we love the most.

I love when Thanksgiving rolls around. Even if we have had our share of setbacks and disappointments, Thanksgiving reminds us to be grateful for all that Life has given to us...stars, birds, flowers, rain. As well as our family, our friends, and our neighbors.

It's a time to reflect, to take stock of all that we have. 

What are you thankful for? 

What gifts have you been given in your life? When is the last time you said a prayer of thanks?

Who are you thankful for? 

Who has been a gift to you in your life? When is the last time you thanked them?

There is much to be thankful for.

That's what I think I will keep.

Praying for Leaders

When Pope Francis first addressed his followers, he said, "Pray for me."

Jesuit priest and writer Fr. James Martin explained:  

“It’s very common, the most natural thing in the world; and priests, brothers, sisters and bishops do it every day. Including me. We all need prayers and so does the Pope."

Yesterday at my church St. Matthias in Somerset, NJ, we prayed for President-elect Trump.  Here is what we said:

~ For President-elect Donald Trump and all elected officials...that the words of the psalmist may guide their hearts and minds "to lead the people with justice and with equity," upholding the dignity and rights of all people, working steadfastly to build a nation of respect, inclusion, and compassion...we pray...

Some in our faith community raised an eyebrow that we would include such a prayer in our services.

Our pastor's comment was:  What would Francis do?

Starting A Movement

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - Margaret Mead

I've always liked that quote from the great cultural anthropologist Mead.

Long before this era of Change Management, she got it! She understood the power in a highly engaged small group, the energy that can be unleashed!

When I think of energy, I recall the late Ferdinand Achacon, Ferdi to his friends, and "Bong" to those who really knew him well.

Ferdi died in 2011 after a long battle with cancer. By his living witness, he taught us about starting a movement to change things for the better.

Ferdi was an agent of change.

Several years before his passing, he became aware of how many homeless families there were in our area of central New Jersey. He also learned about a church-based network that existed to help such desperate families.

He thought that our parish should join the network and become part of the effort to help support and sustain homeless families while they sought a path to recovery.

After patiently pushing the idea through the thick resistance he encountered, we finally joined the Interfaith Hospitality Network.

If I were to distill some guidelines for change agents from Ferdi's example, I'd pinpoint the following:

F = Focus: Focus on the need you see that must be addressed. Help others to see it too. Confront the fears that keep us from stepping up and facing the problem.

A = Assert: Advocate for those in need. Arrange to speak with the people you must convert. Get on their agenda. Argue with the inertia.

I = Insist: Don't take "No" for an answer. Insist that they see you. Inspire a small group to join together and to act. Encourage them to imagine the improvement they could bring about in the lives of others.

T = Trust: Trust in what you know is right. Don't waver. Don't forsake the mission even when it feels like nothing is going your way. Trust in truth.

H = Hope: Without hope, the darkness closes in. Ferdi knew this. And he never lost hope. Even in the darkest of times.

A friend of mine used to say of Ferdi that he knew how to "poke you with a stick," but do it in a way that made you glad later, glad that he did prod you to do the right thing.

A few years back, I had the opportunity to interview Ferdi for an article I was writing for our parish magazine at St. Matthias.

He said: "I grew up in the Philippines. My family used to feed the poor in our village. My family has always been giving. My parents used to take care of the poor. I learned that you have to be more than yourself in helping the poor."

You have to be more than yourself.

Looking around at the many needs in our communities, it's time we started to apply such wisdom to the daunting task of improving this world. Let's get the ball rolling.

Pick your spot. Keep the faith.

~ This post is humbly dedicated to Ferdinand "Ferdi" Achacon, husband, father, disciple, agent of change.

Terrence Seamon designs and facilitates leadership development and team building for his clients. Follow him on twitter @tseamon.

What Can You Do Differently?

There’s a saying that the definition of insanity is, Doing the same thing over and over while expecting different results.

Think about your own behavior patterns. Does the shoe fit? Is there some area in your life where you are repeating some pattern over and over while expecting different results to occur?

I recently read a very good article by HR executive Lee E. Miller who drove this point home for job hunters whose searches were dragging on and on. Miller’s main point, You have got to stop repeating things that aren’t working. Instead, you’ve got to ask yourself, What can I do differently?

Sounds like a great strategy. But how do you do it? And where do you get new ideas to replace your existing ones?

In his article, Miller offered a bunch of good ideas. Last night, as the guest speaker at a job search support group, I taught the attendees an old organization development procedure called the Start Stop Continue (SSC) Method as a way to generate new ideas.

It goes like this. Think of your goal. Then, ask yourself these three questions:

What could I Start doing that would increase movement toward my goal?

What could I Stop doing that would increase movement toward my goal?

What could I Continue doing, but with some modification and improvement, that would increase movement toward my goal?

I got the attendees into small groups to share and discuss possible activities in these three categories. They came up with a slew of ideas!

So how about you? Do you have a goal you are trying to reach, but find yourself making scant progress? Try the SSC Method.

Terrence H. Seamon is an organization development consultant who provides leadership and team development services to employers in New Jersey. Follow him on twitter @tseamon.

Growing Up...it's up to You

I once made a toast at an old friend's 60th birthday dinner: "Growing old is non-negotiable. Growing up is a choice." 

He loved it.

It's similar to a quote from success coach Tony Robbins: "Change is inevitable. Progress is optional."

Amen to that.

No effort at all is required to get old. Our bodies do that quite naturally.

On the other hand, great effort, attention, and intention is required if we want to make progress. Or grow up.

How many times have you heard (or said) the old joke "What I will be when I grow up?" 

When someone in their fifties makes that joke, it is quite funny. And maybe a bit alarming.

The reason is, Growing Up is up to you.

What then is Growing Up? It means knowing enough about yourself that you know what you are good at. You know what problems you like to solve. You know what projects bring you the most joy. You know what your signature strengths are. 

You may even know what you are called to do in this life.

Have you started to grow up yet? It's no joke. Your happiness and your success depends on it.

Recommended Tool: A useful tool used by coaches globally is called GROW. Originally developed by several coaches in the UK including Tim Gallwey (who wrote about it in The Inner Game of Tennis), the four elements in the model provide a practical roadmap toward your future:http://learningvoyager.blogspot.com/2009/10/journey-coaching.html

Stumble and Fall? Look for Gold

The Swiss psychoanalyst Carl Jung wrote, “Where you stumble and fall, there you find pure gold.”

Spiritual writer Fr. Richard Rohr says: "Sooner or later, some event, person, death, idea, or relationship will enter your life that you simply cannot deal with, using your present skill set, your acquired knowledge, or your strong willpower. Spiritually speaking, you will be, you must be, led to the edge of your own private resources. At that point, you will stumble over a necessary stumbling stone, as Isaiah calls it (Isaiah 8:14). You will and you must “lose” at something. This is the only way that Life-Fate-God-Grace-Mystery can get you to change, let go of your egocentric preoccupations, and go on the further and larger journey."

It's called the Path of Descent. It is an ancient idea, found in most of the world's religions.

In a nutshell, when Life knocks us off our horse so completely that we find ourselves down and out, before looking around for the next horse, take a good look around. You are in a ditch. It may not look like much down there. In fact it may seem like you have landed in you-know-what.

But spiritually speaking, the stumbling stone you fell over is something that has entered your life that is offering you an important gift, a lesson to learn.

Rohr offers these thoughts: "We must stumble and fall, I am sorry to say. We must be out of the driver’s seat for a while, or we will never learn how to give up control to the Real Guide. It is the necessary pattern. Until we are led to the limits of our present game plan, and find it to be insufficient, we will not search out or find the real source, the deep well, or the constantly flowing stream."

So what was it that you stumbled over that put you in the ditch? Spend some time thinking about that. It is hard to accept the setbacks and disappointments that come our way. But there is gold there.

For more of Rohr's work: https://cac.org/richard-rohr

To Walk by Faith

Is something holding you back, keeping you from taking the chance you are thinking of taking? Is fear keeping you from growing as a person, from moving ahead in your life?

Fear is a natural thing. We fear the unknown. We may fear the possibility of failure.

But ask yourself, What is the worst that can happen?

Regarding fear, the great Eleanor Roosevelt once said:
“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”

We all have our fears to face. We all have adversity in our lives. Sometimes we wonder if we have what it takes to face these difficulties.

Some years ago, we attended the wedding of a cousin out of state. This poor guy has suffered his whole life from violent seizures. So much so, that we wondered if he would ever have a normal life. And there he was on the altar with his bride getting married.

That same day, we drove back to central New Jersey for the 50th birthday party of an friend from church. She had been battling cancer for years, with several close calls. Despite the presence of Death that walked with her every day, she was a joy-filled woman, living every moment to the full.

There is a Gospel story of Jesus walking on the water in the storm and Peter coming out of the boat to meet him:

But seeing the wind, he became frightened, and beginning to sink, he cried out, “Lord, save me!”  Immediately Jesus stretched out His hand and took hold of him, and said to him, ““Why are you terrified?  Do you not yet have faith? Why did you doubt?”

Peter began to walk by faith, but then sank from fear of the water and strong winds.

To walk by faith means to trust in what you cannot see.

There is much in the world these days that can terrify us. What helps you to overcome fear and adversity in your life?


Terrence Seamon helps others who are in transition to have faith, move ahead, and achieve their goals. Follow him on twitter @tseamon, and join his alliance on facebook, Facilitation Solutions.

Let us welcome the new year

"Let us welcome the new year full of things that have never been." ~ Rainer Maria Rilke

That quote from the great Bohemian poet Rilke is just the right inspiration for transitioners who are eager to start fresh in a new year.

It arrived in my In-Box today in an email from my colleague Anne Perschel of Germane Consulting. Anne's message is to pause and notice the space in-between, such as the space we are in right now as 2013 comes to an end and we await the start of 2014.

Artist and poet Jan Richardson calls such in-between spaces "thin places" where earth and heaven come closest together in our lives. In such places, the Irish believe that there is a thin membrane, a whisper of a veil.

In a New York Times article, travel writer Eric Weiner talked about thin places: "Thin places...are locales where the distance between heaven and earth collapses and we’re able to catch glimpses of the divine, or the transcendent or, as I like to think of it, the Infinite Whatever."

In a thin place, whether an open space like the Grand Canyon or an inside space like an ashram or a church, you may feel something inexpressible in words. But when you feel it, you know it is real.

You sense that it is opening you up, changing you somehow for the better. Maybe it is what this Apache proverb is saying: “Wisdom sits in places.”

So my suggestion for this in-between time comes from Anne's blog. She says, "I think we should pay more respect and attention to the space in between: What I say and what you say. How I feel and how you feel. The changing of the light. The hunger and the feeding."

This intentional noticing of the in-between spaces seems an appropriate spiritual discipline for anyone in transition. After all, when you are in transition, you are traveling in between.


Posted by Terrence Seamon on Monday December 30, 2013

Can we have a Cease Fire in the War Against Christmas?

I just received a lovely holiday email from a consultant that said: "In this season of Light, Hope, Peace and Love.....May your holidays be filled with light and love and may your New Year be happy, healthy and prosperous!"

Why do we use such language at this time of year?

How about a cease fire in the war against Christmas?

Have you followed any of the media coverage on this news item? Apparently there are some anti-religious Grinches out there that just want to keep on eroding the "Christ" in Christmas.

Why? Who knows what their entire agenda is, but partially it's about the separation of Church and State.

To me, this whole kerfuffle is symptomatic of a deep program in our psychic wiring, one that has proven incredibly hard to change or root out. Call it the "I'm Right and You're Wrong" syndrome.

We learn it as children from our parents and school systems. Parents punish children. Grading systems that determine who will Pass and who will Fail.

We carry it into our organizations especially businesses. Top grading systems like Performance appraisals that judge and put people into boxes and determine salary increases for some and pink slips for others.

We enact it in our politics and in international relations. World leaders think they have to punish nations. Boycotts and bombs.

Blame, evaluation, control, criticism, punishment, and reward. This wiring in our selves truly has global reach.

Psychologist Marshall Rosenberg, the inventor of Non-Violent Communication, has been working on this problem for decades, traveling around the world to regions of conflict, endeavoring to help warring parties to calm down, listen more appreciatively to one another, and make peace.

He says: "We are waking up to the fact that we are destroying the planet. We had better wake up. A growing body of people have a different vision of what the Good Life is all about. Dr. King and Gandhi have helped us to see another way."

When people can connect to what is most alive in others, life is more enjoyable. People can contribute to one another's well-being, rather than judgement and violence. Oneness, rather than divisiveness, is possible.

So here are some ideas that may seem rather counter-cultural in today's era of political correctness:

Put Christ back into Christmas - Christmas is a holiday where people go shopping, buying gifts for others. Why do we do this? Though many have forgotten, it's because Christmas started with a gift. The greatest gift. The gift of a baby to a mother and father who were fleeing for their lives, threatened by a tyrant king, in an occupied country.

Give from the heart - What is more enjoyable, Rosenberg asks, than contributing to another person's happiness and well-being? We need a radical change in consciousness based on compassionate giving, Rosenberg says.

Come together in joy - The well-being of others is our well-being too. Rosenberg asks his clients, What can we do to start living in peace?

Rosenberg says it's critical that we address this wiring. We have the resources. It's only our thinking that keeps the starvation and the violence going.

We don't need to dominate others and compete for everything, Rosenberg says. There's a more natural way to communicate and connect with others, a way that leads to abundance and joy.

If we can all learn to celebrate Christmas, we can fill our lives with happiness and joy.

Note: Check out Marshall Rosenberg on this youtube videocalled Vision of the Future.

Posted by Terrence Seamon on Monday December 23, 2013

The Mohawk Prayer of Thanks

The following came to me via the ODNet listserv, and I share it with you this Thanksgiving season. Peace and all good to you and yours, Terry

*******************************************************


The Thanksgiving Prayer from the Mohawks:
http://www.peace4turtleisland.org/pages/Thanks.htm

This prayer comes from the Native people of the Iroquois Confederacy. The Iroquois (or Haudenosanee) is comprised of six Native tribes: Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora, all located in New York State and Canada.

The prayer is based on the belief that the world can not be taken for granted, and that we must thank all living things in order to align our minds with the natural world. This prayer is the backbone of the Iroquois culture. A faithkeeper is selected to share the words of thanksgiving at the opening and closing of social, government, and ceremonial events.

~*~ The People ~*~
Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have
been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all
living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give
greetings and thanks to each other as People. Now our minds are one.

~*~ The Earth Mother ~*~
We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we
need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us
joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time.
To our Mother, we send greetings and thanks. Now our minds are one.

~*~ The Waters ~*~
We give thanks to all the Waters of the world for quenching our thirst and
providing us with strength. Water is life. We know its power in many
forms-- waterfalls and rain, mists and streams, rivers and oceans. With one
mind, we send greetings and thanks to the spirit Water. Now our minds are
one.

~*~ The Fish ~*~
We turn our minds to all the Fish life in the water. They were instructed to
cleanse and purify the water. They also give themselves to us as food. We
are grateful that we can still find pure water. So, we turn now to the fish
and send our greetings and thanks. Now our minds are one.

~*~ The Plants ~*~
Now we turn towards the vast fields of Plant life. As far as the eye can
see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life forms.
With our minds gathered together, we give thanks and look forward to seeing
Plant life for many generations to come. Now our minds are one.

~*~ The Food Plants ~*~
With one mind, we turn to honor and thank all the Food Plants we harvest
from the garden. Since the beginning of time, the grains, vegetables, beans
and berries have helped the people survive. Many other living things draw
strength from them too. We gather all the Plant Foods together as one and
send them a greeting and thanks. Now our minds are one.

~*~ The Medicine Herbs ~*~
Now we turn to all the Medicine Herbs of the world. From the beginning, they
were instructed to take away sickness. They are always waiting and ready to
heal us. We are happy there are still among us those special few who
remember how to use these plants for healing. With one mind, we send
greetings and thanks to the Medicines and to the keepers of the Medicines
Now our minds are one.

~*~ The Animals ~*~
We gather our minds together to send greetings and thanks to all the Animal
life in the world. They have many things to teach us as people.
We see them near our homes and in the deep forests. We are glad they are
still here and we hope that it will always be so. Now our minds are one.

~*~ The Trees ~*~
We now turn our thoughts to the Trees. The Earth has many families of Trees
who have their own instructions and uses. Some provide us with shelter and
shade, other with fruit, beauty and other useful things.
Many peoples of the world use a Tree as a symbol of peace and strength.
With one mind, we greet and thank the tree of life. Now our minds are one.

~*~ The Birds ~*~
We put our minds together as one and thank all the Birds who move and fly
about over our heads. The Creator gave them beautiful songs. Each day they
remind us to enjoy and appreciate life. The Eagle was chosen to be their
leader. To all the Birds-- from the smallest to the largest--we send our
joyful greetings and thanks. Now our minds are one.

~*~ The Four Winds ~*~
We are all thankful to the powers we know as the Four Winds. We hear their
voices in the moving air as they refresh us and purify the air we breathe.
They help to bring the change of seasons. From the four directions they
come, bringing us messengers and giving us strength.
With one mind, we send our greetings and thanks to the Four Winds. Now our
minds are one.

~*~ The Thunders ~*~
Now we turn to the west where our Grandfathers, the Thunder Beings, live.
With lightening and thundering voices, they bring with them the water that
renews life. We bring our minds together as one to send greetings and thanks
to our Grandfathers, the Thunders. Now our minds are one.

~*~ The Sun ~*~
We now send the greetings and thanks to our eldest Brother, the Sun.
Each day without fail he travels the sky from east to west, bringing the
light of a new day. He is the source of all the fires of life. With one
mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Brother, the Sun. Now our minds
are one.

~*~ Grandmother Moon ~*~
We put our minds together and give thanks to our oldest Grandmother, the
Moon, who lights the nighttime sky. She is the leader of women all over the
world, and she governs the movement of the ocean tides. By her changing face
we measure time, and it is the Moon who watches over the arrival of children
here on Earth. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our
Grandmother, the Moon. Now our minds are one.

~*~ The Stars ~*~
We give thanks to the Stars who are spread across the sky like jewelry.
We see them in the night, helping the Moon to light the darkness and
bringing dew to the gardens and growing things. When we travel at night,
they guide us home. With our minds gathered together as one, we send
greetings and thanks to all the Stars. Now our minds are one.

~*~ The Enlightened Teachers ~*~
We gather our minds to greet and thank the enlightened Teachers who have
come to help throughout the ages. When we forget how to live in harmony,
they remind us of the way we were instructed to live as people.
With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to these caring Teachers.
Now our minds are one.

~*~ The Creator ~*~
We turn our thoughts to the Creator, or Great Spirit, and send greetings and
thanks for all the gifts of Creation. Everything we need to live a good life
is here on this Mother Earth. For all the love that is still around us, we
gather our minds together as one and send our choicest words of greetings
and thanks to the Creator. Now our minds are one.

~*~ Closing Words ~*~
We have now arrived at the place where we end our words. Of all the things
we have named, it was not our intent to leave anything out. If something was
forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send such greetings and thanks
in their own way. Now our minds are one.



**************

CREDITS English version: John Stokes and Kanawahienton (David Benedict,
Turtle Clan/Mohawk) Mohawk Version: Rokwaho (Dan Thompson, Wolf Clan/Mohawk)

Original Inspiration: Tekaronianekon (Jake Swamp, Wolf Clan/Mohawk)
Copyright ? 1993 Six Nations Indian Museum and The Tracking Project.

Mohawk Prayer of Thanksgiving - http://aihc1998.tripod.com/mohawkpr.html

Seeing with eyes of love

Three things have come together today for me that have the feeling of true synchronicity. Or perhaps this is the way that only the Spirit works.

One is the verdict in the Trayvon Martin murder where killer George Zimmerman was acquitted of all charges.

Two is today's Gospel reading from Luke where Jesus tells the story of the Good Samaritan.

Three is Fr. Doug's homily where he quotes Henri Nouwen saying that some of us see our neighbor with eyes of fear, while some see the neighbor with eyes of love.

"And who is my neighbor?" the scholar of the law asks Jesus. In reply, Jesus tells the now famous parable.

“A man fell victim to robbers as he went down from Jerusalem to Jericho.
They stripped and beat him and went off leaving him half-dead.
A priest happened to be going down that road, but when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
Likewise a Levite came to the place, and when he saw him, he passed by on the opposite side.
But a Samaritan traveler who came upon him was moved with compassion at the sight.
He approached the victim, poured oil and wine over his wounds and bandaged them.
Then he lifted him up on his own animal, took him to an inn, and cared for him.
The next day he took out two silver coins and gave them to the innkeeper with the instruction,
‘Take care of him. If you spend more than what I have given you,
I shall repay you on my way back.’

Nouwen would say that the Samaritan traveler looked at the robbed and beaten man with eyes of love.

Imagine that fateful night in Florida when George Zimmerman shot and killed Trayvon Martin. Imagine if he had looked upon the young man with eyes of love instead of eyes of fear. Imagine if instead of following Trayvon Martin out of suspicion, imagine if George Zimmerman had called out in a friendly voice, "Hello there. Can I help you this evening?"

Fr. Doug challenged us. How do you see the world? How do you see your neighbor?

Posted by Terrence Seamon on Sunday July 14, 2013

Signs of Life

My colleague Robert Crosby shared this quote the other day on LinkedIn:

"Don't ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive!"

It's from Howard Thurman, an influential African-American thinker and author who I know little about. But I intend to change that. Already I have started listening to some of his lectures on youtube.

Thurman's quote, and Fr. Doug's homily from this morning, have me thinking about what it means to be alive. And more specifically, what it means to be alive in faith.

In Luke's gospel today (Luke 10), we heard the account of Jesus sending the 72 disciples. In this sending story, Jesus commissions them ("Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves") and gives them instructions on how they are to go on the way ("Do not take a purse or bag or sandals").

And what are they to do? "Heal the sick who are there and tell them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.'"

In essence, they are to be living signs of the Kingdom. In their coming and their going, in their healing and their teaching, in everything that they do, they are to be signs of God's active presence in the world.

Fr. Doug challenged us to examine ourselves. Are we living signs of our faith? During the week, on the road and in the workplace, are we signs of love, healing, and peace?

Fr. Doug spoke about Pope John XXIII who, in convening the Second Vatican Council in 1962, said that the church must open the windows and let in the fresh air of the Spirit. Pope Francis, who recently called for Pope John's sainthood, seems to be opening the windows again for some resuscitating breath.

Thurman was prophetic in saying "what the world needs is people who have come alive."

We the faithful disciples of Jesus must come alive in the Spirit and be living signs in all that we do.

Posted by Terrence Seamon on Sunday July 7, 2013

Servant Leadership

Servant Leadership is quite old, going back over 2000 years. Its roots include the radical teachings of a Jewish religious leader who is quoted in scripture as saying that he had come to serve.

Robert K. Greenleaf then coined the term "servant leadership" in 1970. Greenleaf was motivated to find and articulate an alternative to the Autocratic Leader, the style of leadership that seemed to predominate in organizations everywhere.

In Greenleaf's thinking:

The servant-leader is servant first. It begins with the natural feeling that one wants to serve, to serve first. Then conscious choice brings one to aspire to lead. The difference manifests itself in the care taken by the servant - first to make sure that other people's needs are being served. The best test, and difficult to administer is: Do those served grow as persons; do they, while being served, become healthier, wise, freer, more autonomous, more likely themselves to become servants? And what effect on the least privileged in society; will they benefit, or at least not be further deprived?

In my work, teaching leadership to client companies, I am inspired by the concept and convey it without using the term "servant leadership." Instead, I teach that effective leaders do everything in their power to support the success of their people.

In so doing, such leaders then find the meaning in the quote attributed to Lao Tzu:

"When the best leader’s work is done, the people say: We did it ourselves."

If I were to design a training module on Servant Leadership, I would return to the original source material. Drawing upon it, I would identify the elements of Servant Leadership, such as these three:

The Servant Leader calls others to discipleship ("disciple" = 'discere' to learn) to learn and follow The Way

The Servant Leader teaches and develops them as leaders who serve, giving them what they need to spread the Good News and call others

The Servant Leader commissions and sends them

Perhaps the most central, and difficult, concept is what it means to be a "leader who serves." In his essay and book, Greenleaf explored this and started a movement away from the predominant leadership paradigm, the leader who commands and controls.

One organization implemented servant leadership a long time ago: the early Christian church. It has over 2000 years of experience training both professionals and lay persons in the model. As an active and practicing member for close to 60 years, I can attest to the lifelong formation process that is available to members. Not all choose to take full advantage of it, sad to say.

But for those of us who are steeped in it, the values that we are taught are both challenging and transformative.

Posted by Terrence Seamon on Saturday May 25, 2013

Tiramisu for Your Soul

For many, the time in between services at your house of worship is a long soul-less period of working, chores, deadlines, and worries. Wouldn't it be wonderful if, during the week, you had a "pick me up" for your soul?

There is a wonderful dessert that you'll find on the menu of most Italian restaurants, called tiramisu, which loosely translated means "pick me up." Called by some "heaven in the mouth," tiramisu is a delicious way to end a meal.

For me, a faith sharing group meeting is like tiramisu. It's a spiritual "pick me up" that refreshes you during the week.

At my parish, St. Matthias in Somerset, NJ, we encourage the formation of small groups that gather in someone's home, once a week for six weeks. Each week there is a theme, a reading from scripture, and a discussion. The aim of the gathering is to connect the scripture to our lives and share our faith journeys with one another. Small scale, simple to carry out, yet profound in its effects.

Another type of spiritual pick-me-up I recently started is t'ai chi chih, or "joy through movement," based on the style developed by Justin Stone. His approach to this ancient art of movement is slow, soft, and effortless, like a flowing meditation. The intent of this t'ai chi is to circulate and balance the chi, the vital force that flows through the universe . . . and through us.

Why not treat yourself to a spiritual pick-me-up? You deserve it.

Posted by Terrence Seamon originally on Thursday November 10, 2011, reposted on January 19, 2013

The Mohawk Prayer of Thanks

Here is a thanksgiving prayer to savor during this season of gratitude. My OD colleague Matt Minnahan has shared it with the ODNet discussion list for the past several Thanksgiving holidays.

The prayer originates from the Native people of the Iroquois Confederacy. The Confederacy is comprised of six Native tribes: Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga, Seneca and Tuscarora, all located in New York State and Canada.

The prayer is based on the belief that the world we live in should not be taken for granted, and that we must thank all created things in order to align our minds with the natural and the spiritual world.

This prayer is essential to the Iroquois culture. A faith keeper is selected to share the words of thanksgiving at the opening and closing of social, government, and ceremonial events.

Here then is the prayer.

The Thanksgiving Prayer from the Mohawks:

~*~ The People ~*~
Today we have gathered and we see that the cycles of life continue. We have been given the duty to live in balance and harmony with each other and all living things. So now, we bring our minds together as one as we give greetings and thanks to each other as People. Now our minds are one.

~*~ The Earth Mother ~*~
We are all thankful to our Mother, the Earth, for she gives us all that we need for life. She supports our feet as we walk about upon her. It gives us joy that she continues to care for us as she has from the beginning of time. To our Mother, we send greetings and thanks. Now our minds are one ***

~*~ The Waters ~*~
We give thanks to all the Waters of the world for quenching our thirst and providing us with strength. Water is life. We know its power in many forms-- waterfalls and rain, mists and streams, rivers and oceans. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the spirit Water. Now our minds are one. *****

~*~ The Fish ~*~
We turn our minds to all the Fish life in the water. They were instructed to cleanse and purify the water. They also give themselves to us as food. We are grateful that we can still find pure water. So, we turn now to the fish and send our greetings and thanks. Now our minds are one.

~*~ The Plants ~*~
Now we turn towards the vast fields of Plant life. As far as the eye can see, the Plants grow, working many wonders. They sustain many life forms. With our minds gathered together, we give thanks and look forward to seeing Plant life for many generations to come. Now our minds are one. *****

~*~ The Food Plants ~*~
With one mind, we turn to honor and thank all the Food Plants we harvest from the garden. Since the beginning of time, the grains, vegetables, beans and berries have helped the people survive. Many other living things draw strength from them too. We gather all the Plant Foods together as one and send them a greeting and thanks. Now our minds are one. *****

~*~ The Medicine Herbs ~*~
Now we turn to all the Medicine Herbs of the world. From the beginning, they were instructed to take away sickness. They are always waiting and ready to heal us. We are happy there are still among us those special few who remember how to use these plants for healing. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to the Medicines and to the keepers of the Medicines. Now our minds are one. ~*~

~*~ The Animals ~*~
We gather our minds together to send greetings and thanks to all the Animal life in the world. They have many things to teach us as people. We see them near our homes and in the deep forests. We are glad they are still here and we hope that it will always be so. Now our minds are one.

~*~ The Trees ~*~
We now turn our thoughts to the Trees. The Earth has many families of Trees who have their own instructions and uses. Some provide us with shelter and shade, other with fruit, beauty and other useful things. Many peoples of the world use a Tree as a symbol of peace and strength.With one mind, we greet and thank the tree of life. Now our minds are one

~*~ The Birds ~*~
We put our minds together as one and thank all the Birds who move and fly about over our heads. The Creator gave them beautiful songs. Each day they remind us to enjoy and appreciate life. The Eagle was chosen to be their leader. To all the Birds-- from the smallest to the largest--we send our joyful greetings and thanks. Now our minds are one *****

~*~ The Four Winds ~*~
We are all thankful to the powers we know as the Four Winds. We hear their voices in the moving air as they refresh us and purify the air we breathe. They help to bring the change of seasons. From the four directions they come, bringing us messengers and giving us strength. With one mind, we send our greetings and thanks to the Four Winds. Now our minds are one *****

~*~ The Thunders ~*~
Now we turn to the west where our Grandfathers, the Thunder Beings, live. With lightening and thundering voices, they bring with them the water that renews life. We bring our minds together as one to send greetings and thanks to our Grandfathers, the Thunders. Now our minds are one. *****

~*~ The Sun ~*~
We now send the greetings and thanks to our eldest Brother, the Sun. Each day without fail he travels the sky from east to west, bringing the light of a new day. He is the source of all the fires of life. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Brother, the Sun. Now our minds are one.

~*~ Grandmother Moon ~*~
We put our minds together and give thanks to our oldest Grandmother, the Moon, who lights the nighttime sky. She is the leader of women all over the world, and she governs the movement of the ocean tides. By her changing face we measure time, and it is the Moon who watches over the arrival of children here on Earth. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to our Grandmother, the Moon. Now our minds are one. *****

~*~ The Stars ~*~
We give thanks to the Stars who are spread across the sky like jewelry. We see them in the night, helping the Moon to light the darkness and bringing dew to the gardens and growing things. When we travel at night, they guide us home. With our minds gathered together as one, we send greetings and thanks to all the Stars. Now our minds are one. *****

~*~ The Enlightened Teachers ~*~
We gather our minds to greet and thank the enlightened Teachers who have come to help throughout the ages. When we forget how to live in harmony, they remind us of the way we were instructed to live as people. With one mind, we send greetings and thanks to these caring Teachers. Now our minds are one. *****

~*~ The Creator ~*~
We turn our thoughts to the Creator, or Great Spirit, and send greetings and thanks for all the gifts of Creation. Everything we need to live a good life is here on this Mother Earth. For all the love that is still around us, we gather our minds together as one and send our choicest words of greetings and thanks to the Creator. Now our minds are one. *****

~*~ Closing Words ~*~
We have now arrived at the place where we end our words. Of all the things we have named, it was not our intent to leave anything out. If something was forgotten, we leave it to each individual to send such greetings and thanks in their own way. Now our minds are one.

**************

CREDITS English version: John Stokes and Kanawahienton (David Benedict,
Turtle Clan/Mohawk) Mohawk Version: Rokwaho (Dan Thompson, Wolf Clan/Mohawk)

Original Inspiration: Tekaronianekon (Jake Swamp, Wolf Clan/Mohawk)
Copyright ? 1993 Six Nations Indian Museum and The Tracking Project.

*Mohawk Prayer of Thanksgiving* http://aihc1998.tripod.com/mohawkpr.html

Posted by Terrence Seamon on Sunday November 25, 2012

The Four Stages of Life

Yesterday, at a spirituality conference featuring Fr. Richard Rohr, he described a time he visited a church in India. Noticing that the images in the church windows were not the usual stained glass saints he knew from back home, he asked his guide about them.

The guide explained that the images in the windows of the church reflect Hindu thought, each representing one of the four stages in life.

The first stage is The Student where the person's duty is to study. At a Hindu website, the writer says that the task of this stage is learning, devotion to one's teachers, and discipline.

The second is The Householder where the person enters a vocation, gets married, and raises a family.

The third is The Forest Dweller. The forest symbolizes the unknown and provides the metaphor of this stage: forsaking one's regular life and "going into the woods" where he or she will discover the meaning of life.

The fourth is The Sage where, having attained insight and wisdom while dwelling in the forest, the individual now knows who he or she is and finds contentment and peace. There is now no longer any need to accomplish anything, no need to own anything material, no need to acquire anything.

I was impressed that Fr. Rohr shared this since his talk yesterday was about his model of the two stages of life.

For Rohr, the first stage encompasses the Student and the Householder. It's the major portion of most people's lives, involving growing up, going to school, getting a job, becoming an adult, and becoming a fully contributing member of society.

For most of us, that describes the entirety of life, except for retirement and death.

Not so, says Rohr and ancient Hindu wisdom.

The second stage of life, for Rohr, combines the Forest Dweller and the Sage. It's the portion of life that Rohr says Jesus was all about, the Kingdom of God.

In Luke's Gospel, Jesus says, "...for behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” (Luke 17:21)

If the first stage of life is external, the second stage is internal. First we build up our worldly treasure. Then we seek our real lasting treasure:

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat; or about your body, what you will wear. For life is more than food, and the body more than clothes. Consider the ravens: They do not sow or reap, they have no storeroom or barn; yet God feeds them. And how much more valuable you are than birds! Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to your life? Since you cannot do this very little thing, why do you worry about the rest?

“Consider how the wild flowers grow. They do not labor or spin. Yet I tell you, not even Solomon in all his splendor was dressed like one of these. If that is how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today, and tomorrow is thrown into the fire, how much more will he clothe you—you of little faith! And do not set your heart on what you will eat or drink; do not worry about it. For the pagan world runs after all such things, and your Father knows that you need them. But seek his kingdom, and these things will be given to you as well.

“Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." (Luke 12: 22-34)

Posted by Terrence Seamon on Sunday November 11, 2012