Dear Friends,
The ‘Science of Mind’ magazine has a wonderful article in it on Creating the Beloved Community, based on the book by Rev. Dr. Jim Lockhart. At this time in our world where fear, anger and hatred are voiced more than love and compassion, we as Spiritual Beings need to look within ourselves and ask,”Am I helping to create a Beloved Community in my church, synagogue, mosque, temple, work place, neighborhood, school, family and friends etc.?”
I was profoundly affected by the events of the past two weeks in the San Diego area. First the horrific shooting at the Islamic Center of San Diego, because of ethnicity and religion. We are friends with Imam Taha and know several members of their mosque and have been there many times for services, meetings and events. It was terribly upsetting and heart breaking. Our hearts go out to all their loved ones.One week later, in Escondido, there was a terrible beating of a man based on political beliefs which ended in his death. I did not know the gentleman. Both were considered hate crimes.
I went to both Prayer Vigils. I was deeply moved by the outpouring of love and support at both, and affected by the heartbreak of so many people at the ICSD and in Escondido. The man killed in Escondido was due to his support of Trump. He had signs, flags and pictures on his front lawn that obviously upset non-Trump supporters. This was a family who lost a husband, a father, a loved one, a God Being here on earth. I hugged and prayed with the wife. I talked with the man’s son and many of their friends. I may not agree with their views, however I felt compassion for this family as fellow human beings.
This brings me back to the idea of forming a BELOVED COMMUNITY where ALL PEOPLE are loved regardless of faith, ethnicity, political persuasion etc. We must be able to shake hands with someone across the table who sees things differently than we do. We must create a place where no one is excluded.
Howard Thurman says, “The beloved community includes all people, races, genders, and beliefs. It is the ultimate experience we seek- that of peace and harmony for all.”
Jim Lockard says, “I see the beloved community as people on a spiritual pathway who seek a closer relationship with God and as people who will take their spiritual awareness into the world to be examples of love and compassion in action, walking the talk. It would exclude no one.”
Beloved Community members share these qualities in relationship with others.
- “Compassion
- Love and Connection
- Deep and radical self-knowledge
- Healing, vision and pioneering
- Evolution and emergence
- Mutual support, contribution, possibility and resiliency.”
Today, wherever you go BE the person creating a Beloved Community.
Be the one to say, everyone has a place to speak freely here with respect for others. When you disagree, listen to their story. find a commonality, even if it is that fact you are both loved and created by God. We must heal our hearts by listening with compassion. Agree or disagree, remember we are all children of God, loved completely. Let us choose to ACT OUT LOVE and COMPASSION today and create a beautiful BELOVED COMMUNITY.







