Author Archives: Rev. Abigail

Interfaith Awareness Week a Success!

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Dear Friends,
 
Interfaith Awareness Week was a HUGE Success!  We had so many wonderful organizations which put on inspiring programs, prayer vigils and events.  People stepped up their technology ability with Zoom, on Facebook Live or their Website Live, recording the event and even putting people in breakout rooms for further connection and discussion.
We saw the Oneness expressing in all  the beautiful unique faces showing up either as wonderful speakers or enthusiastic participants.  Even in this pandemic, where we are to socially distance and wear masks, we have creatively discovered a way to BE Together, TALK Together, SHARE thoughts and experiences with each other.  As Steve often says, “We are not alone!”
This is so true.  Where ever we are GOD is, and all is well. God showed up in the faces and voices of many people this past week. We all felt truly connected.
The Closing Program had people from all over the State of CA and the USA.
Having online programs has given everyone an opportunity to “travel by computer” to events, happenings and being with loved ones. We don’t have to rely on cars and airplanes to get us to a conference or a weekend program.  Humans are discovering NEW ways to be and do, and it is good.
All Faiths, All Over CA (San Diego, Los Angeles, Encino, Pasadena, Carmel,
Culver City) and the Country (Virginia, Boston) were on the Closing Program.
People shared what they were doing in the Interfaith arena and how important
it is to be involved at this time in our country’s history.  We were  privileged to have Ruth Broyde Sharone, the creator of ‘Interfaith the Musical’ with us and watch a performance of one of her songs by Cantor Lori Frank and members of the Temple Adat Shalom choir. We ended with people saying inspirational verses on a shared screen with the title  “Rainbow for the World: Interfaith.”   
(See quotes above)
We encouraged everyone to write their congressman and ask them to get on board with CA Congressman Scott Peters when he presents the bill declaring the second week in August “Interfaith Awareness Week,” a National Yearly Celebration.

Beginning a New Chapter

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Dear Friends,

“… It is time to turn the page and begin a new chapter.”
(Science of Mind Magazine, August 12th Daily Guides)

I always like to read the Daily Guides in the SoMM. The quote above stayed with me because I really feel I am turning a new chapter
in my life and we collectively as humans are beginning a new chapter in our human evolution.
In the midst of this pandemic,
I am and we are opening our hearts and minds to a new way of looking at our life, our systems and structures.
I am, and we are reading books, gaining information and changing the way we view ourselves and others.
I am and we are SEEing our differences and are beginning to appreciate the various life experiences people have that are unlike our own.
I am and we, who are white, are listening now and recognizing the White privilege we have living here in the USA.

Our Next Chapter
Will show we are no longer hiding behind the old habits and ways of
doing things.
Will be setting up new ways of acting and reacting to people.
Will be restructuring the systems we are a part of to exhibit equality and opportunity for all.
Will be helping one another to a greater extent. When we help one, we help all. When we stand up for one, we stand up for all.

“Today is a fresh beginning, a new start and a joyous adventure on the pathway of eternal progress.
Today is bright with hope and happy with fulfillment.”
Dr. Ernest Holmes

I am and we are beginning to really SEE our oneness with each other.
I am and we are turning a new chapter in our human history and evolution.
I am and we are living in exciting times. Let’s step into the next chapter with joy, gratitude, fortitude and purpose!

Stepping into a New Chapter,
Abigail and Steve

Finding Commonality

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Most Intense Human Chain Ever Rescues Dog Stranded in Canal | The Dodo

Copy paste this title above on your browser and watch a short
but inspiring video.

 

The first time I watched, it made me cry. All these strangers came together to help a stranded and scared dog who was about to be swept away at the edge of a torrent canal. The first man down almost lost his balance while trying to secure the dog. This is a heartwarming rescue.

After I saw the video, it reminded me how when we work together, regardless of race, nationality, political persuasion etc. we can be in service and do great things. Our focus is on selfless service, or SEVA. We work as a team and have each other’s backs. I thought, perhaps, no matter how opposite people view life, when there is a worthy cause, it pulls them together in brother and sisterhood. It brings opposing people together for a common cause.

Think about this idea when upset, angry or mad at a family member or co-worker. We cannot change people’s minds when they are adamant about their point of view. However working together on something NEW may just be the glue that can bring people together again. We need to stop trying to change people’s views and work on finding ways to come together in full cooperation and collaboration. Leave the opposing views outside the door. When inside we work together on a common project.

Finding Commonality,
Abigail and Steve

Pray Know Trust

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Dear Friends,
I know prayers are circling the earth for many reasons, the pandemic, racial and social justice, government leaders integrity, as well as prayers for our immediate family, friends and faith communities. I don’t know about you, but there are times when prayers do not seem to be answered, and then all of a sudden the answer appears in ways we would least expect.
Truth:  Once the words of prayer are released they go  into the Universal Law of Mind and are IMMEDIATELY acted upon and answered in Spirit. Spirit time is always in the NOW, and human time can seem like forever.   In the Science of Mind text, Ernest Holmes says, “The Truth is instantaneous in its demonstration, taking only such time in Its unfoldment as is inherent in the law of a logical and sequential evolution…  We must come to trust, although we do not see the way, we must believe the way IS OPERATIVE.
We must trust the Invisible, for It is the sole cause of that which is visible.” page 57
All prayers are answered. For example, my daughter has wanted a secure and loving relationship and children for at least 10 years.  It wasn’t until January of this year she and her beloved moved in together and she became pregnant in February. Was this fast or slow?  It was neither.  It was in Divine Timing!  I began praying for her Divine Soulmate years ago and never heard anything until WOW it happened.  God’s Timing is perfect and we need to remember that principle in our lives today.
Since God’s Time is always in the NOW moment, our prayers must be affirmative and always in the now as well.  Stop praying for what you don’t want and pray for what you DO want.  The negative thoughts go out and return as well, so let us send our prayers out as positive and purposeful!
Our Science of Mind 5 step prayer treatment works.  Here is the outline.
1. God is.….(what is God to you?) Intelligence, Wise, All Present, Loving, Active, Abundant, Joyful, Compassionate, Caring, Creator, Source…..
2. I AM (state your ONENESS with God) the essence of God in human form.  God’s qualities are my qualities. God in me, as me, is me. I am created out of the essence of God. The DNA of God is also in me.
3. I speak my word…. I ask, I accept, I declare all this NOW!
What ever you are praying for, say it as if it has already happened. This is also a good time to IMAGINE it happening. Stay with the vision until if feels complete.   A picture is worth a thousand words.
4. I give thanks to God and am grateful for the Divine Timing and Outcome.
I accept this and/or something greater/better.
5. I release and let go and let God’s Will be done.
And So It Is, Amen, Amen, Amen
Praying, Knowing, Trusting,
Abigail and Steve

SEE SOMETHING, DO SOMETHING

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Dear Friends,
I have been reading two books that have rocked my world. One is White Fagility by Robin DiAngelo and the other is How to Be An Antiracist by
Ibram X. Kendi (still reading).  I believe we have all been blown apart by the racial injustice we see in our country and in the world. For me  this was the tipping point for white people to look deeply into our consciousness and psyche to be honest about our thoughts about race.
I read an article on line titled, “Am I a Racist? You May Not Like the Answer” by John Blake, CNN
“One of the biggest obstacles to fighting racism is despair. There’s a belief that racism will never be eliminated because it always adapts to survive,
and humans are too tribal to look past superficial differences in others.
But the modern framework of racism – a racial hierarchy with White on top and Black on bottom – is a relatively recent fabrication. The notion that
people with darker skin are inherently inferior was contrived around 500 years ago by Europeans to justify slavery and colonial conquest, scholars say.
History lessons won’t prevent someone from being a racist. But something else can: genuine, sustained personal relationships with people of color.”
“Wornie Reed, a veteran civil rights activist and the director of the Race and Social Policy Center at Virginia Tech, says, “A racist person is a person who commits racist acts.”Those acts, he says, are backed by a set of beliefs that support the idea that race determines human traits and capacities and makes one race automatically superior to another.”If they do racist things, I’m willing to call them a racist,” Reed says. “You can be a racist even if you don’t intend to be one.”And racism? It’s not one thing but many. It’s a system of advantage based on race, scholars say. It’s a collection of stereotypes, prejudices and discriminatory behavior. It’s overt and covert. And it operates across an individual, group and societal level.”
“A lot of anti-racism work today leads to talk about “implicit bias,” or “racial bias.” Those are terms that describe how racial stereotypes and
assumptions infiltrate our subconscious. People can act and think in racist ways without knowing it. A classic example of this was a famous experiment in which researchers sent 5,000 fictitious resumes in response to employment ads. Some applicants had White-sounding names such as “Brendan,” while others had Black-sounding names, like “Jamal.”
The applicants with White-sounding names were 50% more likely to get calls for interviews than their Black-sounding counterparts.
Racism is individual and more importantly is systemic and structural.”
“The article said, to go beyond the first question ‘Am I a racist?’ and ask
What am I doing to stop racism I see in the world?”
To read the entire article go to:
When I was a little girl, my dad had a friend, colleague and business partner by the name of Togo Tanaka.   To me, he was uncle Togo.  We knew his family and I played with his children.  Togo taught me how to count to 10 in Japanese.
One day my dad tried explaining what happened to Japanese Americans  during WW2 I was shocked, mad and I cried. I said, “How could they do that to Togo?” He was almost part of our family. Systemic injustice and racism extends to our Asian, Latinx and Native friends as well.
The point being, friendship, knowing someone on a deeper level, will always trigger something in us to stand up for our friends and loved ones. Foster diverse friendship, and be open to hearing words or ways you may be a racist without knowing it. Don’t be fragile, be honest and real within yourself.
Waking Up and Doing Something,
Abigail and Steve

Outer Reflects the Inner

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Dear Friends,
I was reading a wonderful article in the Unity Magazine featuring Bishop John Shelby Spong.  Bishop Spong is a retired Episcopal Bishop and still actively writes and speaks. In the article Bishop Spong described prayer as, “…an inner event that moves outward toward the world and humanity. I sit consciously inside the experience of whatever the Other, the Divine, the Holy is, and then I begin to incorporate that into myself, and I’m able to live it out better than I would otherwise.  I think that in some sense God cannot be separated from who I am… God works through self-conscious human beings, by calling us to live and to love and to be, and to create a world where others can live and love and be.”
I believe we share that same belief.  In New Thought we believe God is all there is, in us, through us, as us.  The very essence of God is who we are. When we pray and meditate on GOD as our inner essence, that feeling and knowing continues as we step out into the world to be, and do our work. We do believe in a world that works for everyone.
A couple weeks ago I asked everyone to GOLDEN KEY a problem, challenge
or issue you may be dealing with. Did you?  I did. I GOLDEN KEYed a relative who due to his politics said some very nasty and upsetting words to me with his final sentence being “no more communication.”  I didn’t want to let this go, and yet if I kept trying to connect, it would make matters worse.  So, I GOLDEN KEYed him and began thinking about God. I even wrote down all the words I could think of that describe God to me.  I was in the flow and essence of God Presence and I forgot about this person.  When I felt complete I began doing other things.   The next day, I got a text and a phone call from this person and his apology was accepted. 🙂 Immersing one’s self in God clears and clarifies all situations.
Being in the experience of the Divine, the Holy One, God, by whatever name you wish to call IT, is a coming home to our SELF. Our God Self where all is good and right with the world.  It is only here in this place of surrender to the ONE that we can change  our world.  The “outer” always reflects the “inner.”
Spend time with your INNER GOD PRESENCE. Allow the experience to wash over you and flow through you. The blessings will manifest in your life and you will be a blessing for others.
Flowing from the Presence Within,
Abigail and Steve

Golden Key Challenges

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Dear Friends,
The other day I was looking for a particular spiritual book and came across a  little book called “The Golden Key,” by Emmet Fox.  It was quite popular years ago and has a sacred and eternal message.  I read it and thought, this is just what I needed for today, for the unrest we are all feeling with the pandemic and the racism in our country. It is a simple, yet profound book
and teaching.
Emmet Fox says, “The Golden Key to harmony is in your hand now.”
  What ever problem you are having do this:
 “Stop thinking about the difficulty, 
whatever it is and think about God instead.”
I remember years ago teaching a group of children and parents this simple idea. We talked about some problems they might be having and then asked them to think about God. What is God to them?
Later I received a call from one mother who thanked me for the Sunday message. Her little boy was playing in a huge sand box with some of his favorite toys. In the play, he realized he lost his favorite car. He looked all over, then started digging in several places. After awhile, he stopped looking.  His mother said while he stopped he told her he was thinking about God.
He then ‘seemed to know’ where the car was. He went to the area of the sand box, put his hand under the sand and pulled up his car. His mother seemed shocked.  Her little boy just said, “I stopped thinking about where the car was and thought about God.”
We were all so happy and elated that a child would easily put into practice a basic Spiritual Principle.
We all have problems. It may be worry about job security, life savings security, health and wellness concerns,, estranged family members, people who have wronged us, our country’s future, justice for yourself and/or others. There are so many things we can allow ourselves to be stressed and anxious over.
This simple Golden Key practice of “Turn Away From the Problem and Think About God” is one sacred and effective way to allow God to take over.  We often think WE have to solve a problem, so we fuss and fume and make mistakes.  Emmet Fox says, “Your objective is to drive the thought of the difficulty right out of your consciousness substituting thoughts of God. If you can become so absorbed in the spiritual world that you really forget for awhile all about the trouble, you will presently find you are safely and comfortably out of your difficulty.”
Allow yourself ample time to be in a quiet, sacred place. Make yourself comfortable. You may want to  light a candle, play some meditative music to help yourself be at peace and ready to think about God.  Say, “I am going to “Golden Key (person’s name), (difficulty) now.” Then stop thinking about him, her or it and replace the name and situation with thoughts of God.
What does God means to you?
Love, Joy, Goodness, Peace, Comfort, Well-being, Source, Creator, Infinite Creative Possibilities, Divine Mind, Divine Order, Truth, Wisdom,
Present Everywhere, Infinite Intelligence, Knows Everything.
Emmet Fox says, “Constantly repeat some statement of absolute Truth,
that appeals to you such as:
There is no power but God.
I am the child of God filled and surrounded by the perfect peace of God.
God is Love.
God is guiding me now.
God is with me.
Each time you feel your attention wander, switch it back to God.”
Then RELEASE, LET GO and LET GOD Design the Outcome.
Do this everyday and watch the miracles happen.
Let me know the wondrous outcomes you have when practicing
The Golden Key.

RESOURCES and POINT INTERFAITH TEAM Statement

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STOP SYSTEMIC RACISM

Books
White Fragility by Robin DiAngelo
How to Be an Anti-Racist by Ibram X. Kendi                                                            Waking up White by Debbie Irving

100 Things White People Can Do for Racial Justice
https://medium.com/equality-includes-you/what-white-people-can-do-for-racial-justice-f2d18b0e0234 

‘White Fragility’ Is Everywhere.
But Does Antiracism Training Work?
https://nam12.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2
Fwww.nytimes.
com%2F2020%2F07%2F15%2Fmagazine%2Fwhite-fragility-robin-
diangelo.
html%3FreferringSource%3DarticleShare&
data=02%7C01%7C%7Cc23d2e020aff4cdb4d4808d82b29c452%
7C84df9e7fe9f640afb435aaaaaaaaaaaa%
7C1%7C0%7C637306805663638467&
sdata=DyvmAnk3%2FEydVMwrOB2nz69ThX6HDEFWwiLiLB0mk
RU%3D&reserved=0

***
The All Faith Center is a founding member of POINT. Rev. Abigail was instrumental in crafting the statement below. The All Faith Center is in total agreement with the statement.
POINT INTERFAITH TEAM STANDS TOGETHER
FOR RACIAL JUSTICE, EQUITYAND DIGNITY FOR ALL
To consort with the followers of all religions in a spirit of friendliness and fellowship.
To increase community awareness and understanding of different faith traditions.
To stand with all faiths for human rights and justice
POINT Interfaith Team is committed to our Mission Statement above.  Although the statement below has been reviewed by Representatives of POINT, it is not permitted for some of our faith communities to make official statements outside of their denominations.
POINT Interfaith Team members are heartbroken about the numerous and continued killings of unarmed black persons by law enforcement officers. The killing of George Floyd and so many others is a horrific reminder that racism continues to have a stranglehold on our justice systems and prevents our nation from fully being the “land of the free”. We acknowledge that most law enforcement officers act in accordance with their pledge to “protect and serve” all people.
We stand with and support BLACK LIVES MATTER. We urge people of faith to vote for officials who have a record of being anti-racist, not simply “non-racist”. Elect those who work towards true reconciliation.
As people of faith, we honor the holy creation of all people, all races, creeds, genders, and spiritual paths. Sacred texts promote peace with justice and therefore we call for serious movement towards peacekeeping over policing. Investing in community programs, education, healthcare and the like reduce crime and strengthen communities.  We exhort each person to examine their own bias, attitude and assumptions and act in ways aligning with the values and ideals they hold sacred. No one can truthfully say “all lives matter” until Black Lives Matter. We are one Human Family and all major faith traditions proclaim, “The Golden Rule”.
POINT Interfaith Team Faith Leaders are dedicated to educating about the historic faith traditions and the dignity of all people. We encourage people to seek out anti-racism events and classes that raise community awareness and move towards justice. We welcome the opportunity to partner with you on such activities.
We pray our nation demands humane treatment for all people regardless of race, nationality, faith, or creed.
We pray the leaders in all structures and institutions dig deep and promote equality and justice in all they do.
Praying for just peace,
Rev. Cheri Metier, President, POINT Interfaith Team
Rev. Dr. Abigail Albert, Executive Director, POINT Interfaith Team
POINT Interfaith Team (20 Faith Organizations, 2 Interfaith Organizations, 8 Individual Members)

Be Open and Listen

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Dear Friends,
As you know our passion and purpose has been to bring Interfaith (knowledge, understanding and respect for all faith traditions) to the forefront of not only our community, but the country and the world.  At this time the
All Faith Center has expanded its mission.
We sacredly honor all faith traditions, all races, all cultures,
ethnicities,  and gender identities.
When we stand up for one group of people, we stand up for all people. For in reality there is no separation, only Oneness and Unity.

***

As I mentioned in an earlier ‘Inspiration’  I was fortunate to be invited to a Baha’i Devotional a couple weeks ago with the speaker (on zoom) Charles Howard.  Charles is the brother of a friend of mine. Charles  gave a heartfelt and inspiring talk on ‘Racial Unity and Justice’. He has 35 years of experience working on Diversity and Inclusion, Social Justice and Sustainable Development issues in communities and organizations throughout the US and various parts of the world.

His excellent presentation is now on Youtube’
 https://youtu.be/xJx3H2jH-MI 
I encourage you to watch this video.

 

 

 

Right now, many of us are doing what we can to help bring about equality,  and justice for all people of color, faith, ethnicity and gender.  We must also be willing to stop and LISTEN to the life experiences of people who have suffered from injustices. It is so important to sit down and hear their stories.  Begin to open up and understand white life experiences are very different than black  life experiences. Many of us who have listened to stories, exclaim “I never knew, what I never knew!”   We cannot KNOW until we LISTEN. It is time for white America to learn, what they never knew.  White Privilege is inherent and we need to realize the benefits we automatically have, while others do not.  Knowing, helps us expand and create the change we wish to see in the world.
There are  several wonderful zoom programs featured under Local Events to help us understand racism and ways to dismantle it. We all have tunnel vision of some kind.  It is time to open up the tunnel. See more in order to understand more, in order to do more.
Opening and Listening,
Abigail and Steve

Build a Bridge and Cross It

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Dear Friends.
We are living in and making history at the same time.  For years our Spiritual community has been affirming for a world that works for everyone.
We see an Awakening of humanity to our Oneness, and a healing of consciousness in body, mind and soul. Right now we are experiencing healing of the body
(human and earth) during the COVID 19 crisis.  We are also healing the mind as we realize we are living in systemic and structural racism.
Our soul is waking up and demanding justice after seeing police brutality.  Why do we as a human race always need to be hit over the head by
a Divine 2×4 in order to wake up, and make a change in body, mind and soul?!!!
On Sunday I attended a Baha’i devotional. After prayers from different faith traditions and beautiful songs, we heard a wonderful speaker,
Charles Howard talk to us about the 400 year history the USA has had with slavery, the Jim Crow era and unconscious racism still alive today.
His sharing of his personal story and his bi-racial family’s story was moving and filled with heart.
He said there are 5 ways we can be part of the solution to help make the changes  we affirm in our prayer work.
1. Stand Up and Be Counted. If you see something, say something, and film it.Race abuse is now being caught on camera.  If you hear people telling
racist or sexist jokes,  tell the people the joke offends you and you do not share that ideology.
2. Re-educate yourself on institutionalized racism.  There are 5x more black men incarcerated than white.  35% are black in our prisons.
Most of those in jail are only there with misdemeanors, and because they are poor, they do not have bail money.
3. Engage and talk with Diverse people (Black Latino, other cultures etc.) Talk about sensitive issues, race, gender. When white people
do not have those conversations, Black people assume they do not care.
4. Black reality and black life experiences are different than whites.  White reality is not black reality. White moms don’t fear for their
sons when they walk out the door. Black moms always are in fear for their son’s safety. Have in depth conversations on life experiences to
gain deeper understanding.
5.  Help build bridges.  Promote  relationships across race lines. Building close friendships and associations will help break barriers and build bridges.
We are all God’s children.


Please listen to this beautiful song I heard at the Baha’i devotional called
“ROSE GARDEN” by Gary Sterling. 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9A2q-NbAqhQ 
From Ernest Holmes:
“We are each an outlet and an inlet to God.”
“It is impossible for a man to conceal himself. In every act, word or gesture, he stands revealed as he is, and not as he would have himself appear to be.
From the universe nothing is or can be hidden.”


Building & Crossing Bridges,
Abigail and Steve