Expanding Horizons

Random notes of a young man

Today's service, punctuated by bird calls and a low-flying light plane - was a combined service at Shady Grove, led by our Minister, Kris Hanna. We were privy to the remarkable, innermost thoughts of a young man, and his observations and resolutions about how he will conduct his life. Towards the end of Kris's address, this young diarist's identity is revealed. Listen on!

Forgiveness & Well-being

Our guest speaker is Joanne Giannes who offers Group and Individual healing and transformation through leadership training and therapy counselling in many different forms. Joanne speaks to us about "Forgiveness & Well-being". She begins her talk: "Forgiveness, like well-being is a verb. It's not a noun. It's an ongoing commitment, not without its obstacles. Collectively and individually we treat these aspects separately and yet most of us know - deep down, that they are deeply interconnected. Having a forgiving nature plays a crucial role in bringing them into harmony. We have the power to rewrite our stories, re-shaping the narratives of our grievances". Joanne's talk is not to be missed!

Our Flower Service

Today we celebrate the 'Flower Communion' of Unitarian, Dr Norbert Capek and its messages of Hope, Compassion, Peace and Loving kindness that blossomed in the decade before the ravages of Nazism swept waves of hate, intolerance and genocide across the globe. And in a world where we hear once again, the drum-roll of regional and global conflict, what qualities will we resolve to take from our 'Flower Service' (our Flower Communion) today, into our less-certain tomorrows?

Good Government, Bad Government; Power, Money and influence in Australian Politics

We were privileged to have South Australian Greens Senator, Barbara Pocock deliver the Catherine Helen Spence Oration at the University of South Australia's Pridham Hall on the 17th October, 2024.

Barbara began by taking us into the political and legislative milieu of the late 19th Century - Colonial, and early 20th Century - Australian politics, and the Constitutional and Democratic inequities of the era, that Catherine Helen Spence faced daily, and how she brought about effective legislative and social reforms - of which we are the beneficiaries.
Barbara then takes us into our contemporary Australian political milieu, and the Constitutional and Democratic inequities she faces every day in the way Power is played out in our Federal Parliament, how it's reported, what's being done about it - and what needs to be done - to return Democracy to Australia. A compelling journey with Sen. Barbara Pocock - not to be missed by those who are concerned about Australia's current political trajectory and especially by those who have - until now, been apathetic!

Yom Kippur

On this Sunday immediately following Yom Kippur, Eran - a member of our Unitarian Community links the spiritual significance of this Jewish holy Day of Atonement with the events of October 7th, which triggered the escalating war between the State of Israel, Palestinians and some neighboring States. Out of the maelstrom of the ongoing political conflict, Eran laments missed opportunities and failed initiatives for peace in the Middle East. However there is also an unbroken thread of hope within the fabric of despair: unheralded peace initiatives from both Islamic and Jewish peacemakers, working together to weave a new fabric of hope.

"A Higher Power?!"

Today's topic - "A Higher Power?!", follows last week's talk about Theology. Kris begins with a question: "Do you conceive of a higher power than yourself ...higher than your own ego!?"
Kris borrows 12 "virtues" developed by one of the Alcoholics Anonymous groups from the AA founder, Bill Wilson's 12 steps to addiction recovery. These 12 virtues may light the paths you take towards that "Highest Power" that some call God.

On Theology

Kris quickly leads us into the essence of Theology: by asking such questions as: What is the nature of God? If there is a God - or Gods - does it provide an answer to the question - What is the meaning and purpose of my life? What is our relationship - as human beings - to God? If there is a God, what relationship should we have with each other? ...and what relationship should we have with animals and with Nature? If there is an ideal, ethical way to behave, what happens if we fall short? ....and what has God got to do with that? What is the relevance of God to the end of this individual earthly existence which each one of us faces? And then there is the Epicurian paradox: "If God is All Knowing, All Powerful, and Good - then how can suffering, let alone Evil be allowed to exist? Why are we even talking about God? ...Or Godness?
Contrary to many Faith traditions that provide answers to such theological questions, with certainty and conviction, Kris's Unitarian approach is more nuanced. And he leaves us with a challenge for the week. Do listen on!

The Pathways of Life

Today, Kris reflects on the new spiritual impulse spreading through Europe in the last half of the 19th Century, energised by scientific discoveries that questioned the dogma and doctrinal inertia of the established Christian churches. The disenchanted turned to alternative spiritual pathways. Interest in Occultism, Mysticism, Spiritualism, Kabollah, Buddhism, Yoga, grew and gave renewed impetus to movements such as The Theosophical Society, Freemasonry - and Unitarianism.
Kris's focus today is on the spiritual journey of the Russian novelist, Leo Tolstoy, as reflected in his writings, and culminating in his ex-communication from the Russian Orthodox Chuch and his last opus, "The Pathway of Life" -  published posthumously. We are left to ponder the pathways we have chosen on our spiritual journeys.

In Praise of Relaxation

Kris's address today: "In Praise of Relaxation" goes beyond the superficial indulgences and distractions that pass for "relaxation" in the minds of many. Kris builds for us the concept of 'Fundamental Relaxation' which is essential for our spiritual growth and the foundation of spiritual practice 
He asks: "How then do we achieve this relaxed state while still being intensely (fully) conscious?" Listen on for some of the practicalities of "Fundamental Relaxation". 
Kris concludes:- "Become the witness of all phenomena that you see - and be free!"

Principles and Benefits of Yoga Practice - Vani Shukla

Senior Yoga Teacher, Vani Shukla returns to introduce us to the "Principles and Benefits of Yoga Practice" - a journey towards self-awareness, inner peace and balance.  Vani commenced with the very basics: correcting the "strine" pronunciation of Yoga "Yow - (as in "row"-a-boat" - Gar" to "Yo-ga" - with a shortened "o" and "u" as a very basic first step towards showing some credibility in our understanding of Yoga.
"Yoga" comes from the Sanskrit root - "Yuj" meaning to unite or join "individual consciousness" with "universal consciousness".
Vani then introduced us briefly to the "8 Limbs of Yoga" known as Ashtanga Yoga. As with the limbs of the human body, the 8 Limbs of the Ashtanga - must also grow together: Limb 1 - Yama; Limb 2 - Niyama; Limb 3 - Asana (Physical postures); Limb 4 - Pranayama (Breathing practices); Limb 5 - Pratyahar (Control of senses); (Limbs 6 & 7 - Dhana and Dhyana (Meditation practices); Limb 8 - Samadhi (The "Balanced state of Being"). Under Vani's expert guidance, we then - very briefly - put the Ashtanga into practice in what little time remained.