Expanding Horizons

More Stories from the Czech Unitarians

At a "packed" Shady Grove combined service this morning, Kris continues his narrative on Prague Unitarians - Czechian Unitarianism - its founder, Norbert Čapek and the influence of Tomáš Masaryk, who later became the Founding Father of Czechoslovakia. Kris also reads to us our seven (UUA) Unitarian Principles, which we are in the process of revising - followed by a reading of the nine Unitarian Principles of the Prague Unitarians. We also savoured fresh strawberries for reasons that Kris explains. And Brendan played some much-loved Mozart and Beethoven on the piano keyboard he brought with him.

Spinoza

Today, Kris leads us into the life of Baruch (Benedictus) de Spinoza, the 17th Century Portuguese-Jewish philosopher of the 'Dutch Golden Age' who heralded in the Age of Enlightenment. Unitarians may discover that they share a lot in common with Baruch Spinoza. 

Prague Unitarians

Kris has returned from his annual leave which included a visit to the Český lid Unitarians in Prague. Although he arrived home yesterday, no-doubt jet-lagged, he uses this opportunity to report back to Adelaide Unitarians about the many things we share, but also describes some innovations from which we may benefit. Listen on for some glimpses of what he might have in store for us!

The Way We Are

Jennie begins her address, today with an assertion of social commentator, Hugh MacKay's - in his book - The Way We Are - "that we are not as well equipped as previous generations to deal with sustained challenge". In probing and testing this assertion, Jennie takes a contemporary snapshot of the way we are, commencing with the bushfires of 2019-2020 and the Covid-19 Lockdowns that followed. Jenny draws on the strength and spirituality of poetry emanating from The Effective Living Centre of the Uniting Church, Wayville to help in her evaluation of how we Australians are faring. Are we wilting at the external and internal challenges Australians - young, old and in-between - are now facing? Listen on!

Monsters

In this address, Aaron reintroduces us to Monsters - whose personification - or rather "monster-fication" is Fear.
Helen's reading leads us into Monsters: "The truth is this: every monster you have ever met...was once a human being with a soul that was once as soft as silk. Someone stole that silk from their soul and turned them into this. So when you see a monster next, always remember this: Do not fear the thing before you, fear the thing that created it instead".
After Pauline led us in meditation, Aaron soon reveals that, with a little editing by Pauline, it was composed by a "new-ish" monster - one which we now call "AI" (but one that must draw from the well-spring of human wisdoms) Aaron sees our darker and lighter sides as analogous to two wolves: one of darkness; one of light - each vying for dominance. The one we fear is the one that grows. There is wisdom in identifying the dark wolf in ourselves. Aaron's address is about facing our fears: Embracing, accepting and integrating them!

Dr Zhivago

Through the medium of Boris Pasternak's novel, Dr Zhivago, Peter takes us on a nostalgic journey through the political upheavals that occurred within Russian society a little over a century ago, as Communists wrestled power from Czarist Russia. Peter's address focuses on the despair caused when ideals for a better, fairer, more equitable society fall short of expectations. Peter uses the plots and sub-plots within Dr Zhivago, and the life of its author, Nobel Laureate - Boris Pasternak, to dramatise how Czarist hegemony was replaced with one under the guise of "Communism" - but falling well short of the Marxist ideal. Alas, poor Russia! The nightmare of Zhivago continues, much to Russia's, its neighbours' - and the rest of the World's cost. Perhaps Russia's greatest fear has always been its fear of itself: our greatest enemy is always the "enemy within". The exercise of power must also come with liberties: checks and balances that allow dissent to be heard and injustices resolved peacefully and fairly.
Peter's address closes with Janet's reading of Pasternak's hope that "The Power of the darkness, will - in time - be crushed by the Spirit of Light". And today we are bathed in the light of Barry and Brendan's playing of three of Dvorak's short romantic sonatas for violin and piano. And Boris smiled!

Seven Virtues

Kris's address is the sequel to an earlier address he gave on the seven sins: - focusing today on seven virtues. Kris draws inspiration from an affirmation by the Roman Stoic Philosopher, Seneca,  - of the joy that comes with living the virtuous life.
Kris poses the question Seneca posed 2000 years ago: "- for what prevents us from saying that the happy life is to have a mind that is free, lofty, fearless and steadfast - a mind that is placed beyond the reach of fear, beyond the reach of desire, that counts virtue the only good, baseness the only evil, and all else but a worthless mass of things...”
Kris then asks: "What are these virtues?" Listen on to discover which virtues Kris unfolds for us.

Zainab's Story

Today, Zainab tells the story of her family's escape from Iraq when she was a 10 year old:-

• her family's perilous journey at the hands of people smugglers on an overcrowded Indonesian fishing boat;
• abandoned by the crew;
• discovered  by the Australian Navy;
• her family's arrival in Darwin;
• confined to the Woomera Detention Centre -

before Zainab and her family were released to flourish here in Adelaide.

(My apologies to Zainab and our listeners for the poorer quality of the sound-recording of today's service. Our old computer failed and and I was forced to rely on my back-up recorder.)

10 Things for Humans to Know

The subject we reflect on today is "10 Things for Humans to Know". Kris reflects on some contemporary rules to guide human conduct and some rules from the past. He then concludes with the response of the avatar - "Chat GPT" when it was asked for ten humanitarian rules. What was generated "robotically" by Chat GPT's Artificial Intelligence resolved into rules very much like our Unitarian Principles. Curious? Coincidental? Or perhaps the Chat GPT avatar was simply reflecting consensus on humanitarian values shared by many. Listen on to discover what these rules were.

Reconciliation

Kris's address during National Reconciliation Week, focused on reconciliation with First Nations people. Kris briefly explores the history of Reconciliation:- commencing with restraint in the face of provocation between a Guugu Yimithirr elder and Captain Cook, the Constitutional change brought about by our most successful national referendum which gave the Commonwealth the power to make laws regarding Aboriginal People, the decision of the High Court in the Eddie Mabo case - recognising "Native Title", the "Uluru Statement From the Heart", the failure of our most recent referendum to give First Nations people a "Voice to Parliament" - and with passing reference to the 'Journey towards Reconciliation' in New Zealand, South Africa and Israel-Palestine. The service ended with discussion on a "wish list" for Reconciliation.