Expanding Horizons

This service was led by Kris Hanna on ‘Çhurch-hopping’ with music contributed by Grant Shillabeer and Brendan Moyse. ‘We find our brothers and sisters in all the temples and churches – the followers, the seekers and the wise.’

The main address for this service was delivered by Joanna Giannis on “Where our stories meet the road” exploring intertwining stories and building connection, with music contributed by Robyn Filmer and readings from Jane Brooks and Aaron Poeze. 

Here Kris speaks on "Learning to be 'white'" - the significant contribution that ideas of superiority bring to the world problems and his own observations of segregation during apartheid in South Africa and indeed on returning to Australia at that time. Music for this service was contributed by Margaret Lambert.

Today Kris introduces the 'Mirror of Simple Souls', a work of Christian mysticism from the middle ages. Its author was Marguerite Porete - a French-speaking mystic and member of a Beguine religious community. Using the Christian language of the time, she outlined a path toward transcending Reason and unifying the Soul with God and Love. Here, Kris also shows how Porete's ideas are similar to the Buddhist path and have value to modern spiritual seekers of any faith.

Carl Jung is perhaps less well-known than his contemporary Freud, but his work is a landmark at the nexus of spirituality and psychology. What advice can we take from his ideas? Here, Kris very clearly presents Jung's ideas on how we can each work to become our truest and best self. This requires each of us to accept the responsibility and cost of looking deeply into ourselves, exploring our subconscious, getting to know our 'shadow', and using symbolism, art and mythology to find peace.

This week, Kris invited Sean Ahmed-Lewis to give the address on the topic of "The Four Agreements", a book written by Don Miguel Ruiz based on Toltec wisdom. The Four Agreements are: Be Impeccable With Your Word, Don't Take Anything Personally, Don't Make Assumptions, Always Do Your Best. Sean gives a perceptive and inspiring explanation of how these practices can help people of any faith (or none) live a happier and more compassionate life.

We unwittingly accept the illusion of confinement and heavy imposition by others, which is why 'letting go' brings such lightness and joyous freedom. Here, Kris explores the nuances of letting go and offers helpful suggestions on why and how to go about it.

Today Kris suggests that our identity is not something we discover, but is something we are continually choosing. Jungian psychology and Buddhism both provide a framework for thinking about the illusive concept of our 'self'. Beyond all our labels and expectations there is freedom for those who seek it.... freedom to act from a place of reason and compassion.

Being granted three wishes is a recurring motif in the stories of many cultures. Here, Kris recounts a sacred story from the Hindu tradition in which the god of Death graciously grants three wishes to a boy who is wise beyond his years. His wishes are a refection of the best qualities of humanity - a yearning for good relationships with others and for spiritual development, rather than for material gain or sensory pleasures. If you were face-to-face with death, what would you wish for?

'You are not the person you were told you have to be'

In this week's service, SA Unitarians President, Aaron Poeze reflects on learning - good and bad - and unlearning, which can sometimes be very good! In your journey through life and in your exploration of spirituality, what will you choose to 'unlearn'?