Expanding Horizons

Two Simple Truths

Kris commences his address today with the results of his search of the internet for some "simple truths" of others. By way of contrast with these "secular" insights, Kris narrows his search to two wisdoms to be found in Mark, the earliest of the Gospel writers (Chapter 12 vs 28-31): "Love your God...", and "You shall love your neighbour as yourself". In the context of these two "simple" truths - the "greatest of the Commandments", Kris asks some questions:-
-Can our addiction to material possessions and the indulgence of the ego - at the expense of our spiritual lives, ever brings us peace?

- What is to be done - for the person who has been disappointed by both Religion and Science? (when we all yearn for peace - and the reassurance that we are loved). 

Kris suggests we can try this...... Listen on to find out!

Renewal

This Easter Sunday, our Minister, Kris Hanna reflects on the theme of Renewal. Like the renewal and rebirth of the phoenix in our "Story for All Ages" - rising out of the ashes of self-sacrifice, Kris reflects on the renewal and hope that arose from the legacies and martyrdom of the Lutheran Pastor and Theologian, Deitrich Bonhoeffer, the Spanish Unitarian, Michael Servetus and that most well-known of all Martyrs, Jesus (Jeshua) of Nazareth, who remained resolute in their belief - in the face of torture and death from those in authority.
It's not just a past phenomenon. Contemporary examples of ongoing persecution can be drawn from Muslims in India, the Baháʼí in Iran, and Christian Minority groups - out of which - like the phoenix in our story, will give rise to a legacy of renewal and hope. Easter, Kris reminds us - is also the time to renew our commitment to Love!

A Unitarian ”Communion”

Kris, on this Good Friday uses Easter as an opportunity for us Unitarians to celebrate - through a communal sharing of wine and bread - the courage of those like Michael Servetus, Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Jeshua who, without compromise, sacrificed their lives for their beliefs.

”To be or not to be?”

Before he begins his address today, Kris invites us to write down what might be our parting words to a loved one.

Kris's address today is on Death. He begins with Hamlet's famous soliloquy. He also gives Humanist, Buddhist, Hindu, Christian, Jew, Muslim and Philosophical responses ...and more!
Kris asks: "In your remaining time in this life, can you deepen the loving relationships and friendships you have?" Can you mend your broken relationships? Have you thought about the gifts you might leave...your children, grandchildren...  perhaps a recorded message, keep-sakes? 
"Whether in faith or in doubt, we are here, together - to share with each other the turning points and defining moments of our lives." Kris suggests how, and he also reads out - at random, some of those special, last words we might write to those we love.

The Water Service, blessings

Our (annual) Unitarian "Water Service" is symbolic of "Unity in Diversity" - free of dogma, where we are free to choose and to discover our wisdoms, tell our own stories. Kris Hanna, our Minister, begins today's service with our (annual) "blessings of the water", so essential for all life and one of the four elements of the Ancient Greeks: Earth, Water, Air and Fire.
The children were the first to bring their water to the bowl at the front of the Church and then to water our garden on the way to "Kids Club". The water brought by the rest of us was also added, later.
Kris commences his address by briefly mentioning the biblical references to the cleansing power of water, late 19th Century Theosophicists' understandings about water, water for cleansing and purifying, water within Jungian symbolism, and water seen as well-springs - "a divine essence bursting forth into human consciousness" as the world's great religions came into being at a particular time and place. Kris's address ends today with a meditation and a prayer. Listen on ...not to be missed!

Jesus - from an Islamic Perspective

Kris's "Story for All Ages" today is a story about a wise queen preparing for life beyond her reign. It begs the question - "How are we preparing for our futures? - and - if it is our belief - how we might be preparing for our after-life?"
Kris quotes from the Sufi poet, Rumi: "Enough of phrases, conceits and metaphors. I want burning! Burning. To become familiar with burning. Light up a fire of Love in your soul. Burn all thought and expressions away."
And as Ramadan approaches, Kris introduced a special guest to us this morning, Silma Ihram - a leader from Adelaide's Islamic Community: Mother and Grandmother extraordinaire, pioneer Islamic Teacher, Educator, Principal, Educational Consultant, vice-President of the Australian Council for Islamic Education in Schools in 2004, vice-President of the Muslim Women's National Network Australia, Secretary General of the Australian Council for Islamic Education in Schools and most recently President of the Australian Muslim Women's Association. Silma's initial focus was on the Muslim understanding of Jesus - but as her talk progressed, Silma also gave us more general insights into Islam and Islamic beliefs about Mary (Maryam) and other figures from the Abrahamic Faiths. Her talk was followed by questions from Kris and other members of our Church, curious to learn more about Islam. Listen on!

The Four Noble Truths

Kris focuses today on the essential teachings of The Buddha - "The Enlightened One", who - as a young prince born into privilege, set forth courageously into the world to confront and comprehend the suffering he observed. The Buddha came to realise four fundamental truths. What were these essential teaching of the Buddha - "The Enlightened One"?

Kris's insights into The Buddha's "Four Noble Truths", the "Five Aggregates" - or "Experiences", re-incarnation into a "Chain of Lives", the "Eight-fold Path to Enlightenment" ("triple training"), "Nirvana" and "Dharma" reveal what these wisdoms reveal for our own spiritual journey - especially when we endure the hard times of … craving, ….of loss, ….of suffering and how it is possible to be free - of craving - of loss and of suffering. Kris also compares Buddhist beliefs with those of Karl Jung and ends with the following wisdom - gleaned from a Buddhist journey of discovery: "When in doubt, breathe deeply and maintain good intentions".

”The Matrix”

Our Minister, Kris Hanna delivers this morning's address, titled "The Matrix" from our Unitarian bushland Chapel. Kris begins with a quote: "We are not here to comfort the afflicted but to afflict the comfortable". Kris reflects on the 1999 Film "The Matrix" in which Artificial Intelligence (AI) controls humanity by creating a comfortable but "fictitious" human "existence" at the expense of Reality. Kris quotes Morpheus, the "God of Dreams" in Greek mythology: "There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path". The challenge is this: in seeking a richer and fuller life, we need to be like "The Hero" in the Matrix. We need to know the path - and walk it! It was the choice of Buddha and of Jesus! Let it be our choice. It will help us to will live kinder and more compassionate lives!
There is so much more in Kris's address today - so listen on!

”The Matrix”

Our Minister, Kris Hanna delivers this morning's address, titled "The Matrix" from our Unitarian bushland Chapel. Kris begins with a quote: "We are not here to comfort the afflicted but to afflict the comfortable". Kris reflects on the 1999 Film "The Matrix" in which Artificial Intelligence (AI) controls humanity by creating a comfortable but "fictitious" human "existence" at the expense of Reality. Kris quotes Morpheus, the "God of Dreams" in Greek mythology: "There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path". The challenge is this: in seeking a richer and fuller life, we need to be like "The Hero" in the Matrix. We need to know the path - and walk it! It was the choice of Buddha and of Jesus! Let it be our choice. It will also help us to will live kinder and more compassionate lives! 
There is so much more in Kris's address today - so listen on!

The Legacy of William Blake

Whilst believing in God and Jesus, The English artist and poet, William Blake, despised what the established (Anglican) Church of his day had become. This dichotomy can be found in the quotation from Blake with which Pauline concluded today's reading - "All deities reside in the human breast". This would resonate with many Unitarians.
The Church, in Blake's lifetime (1757 – 1827) had reinforced its institutional power over people's lives with moralising, chastising, and confining dogma about "Heaven and Hell", against a social backdrop of the emerging evils of the Industrial Revolution. This contrasted with William Blake's creative legacy, reflecting his child-like exuberance and delight in life.
It's this dichotomy that Kris explored with us today. Kris's reflections included heart-felt readings from some of Blake's best-loved poetry, supported by the poet's own visual illustrations. William Blake found the answers to life - not in the confines of religious dogma but in human passions, joys, and the soaring of the creative imagination, expressed in Art and Poetry. Not to be missed!