Expanding Horizons

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.

Conversations

Today, with the focus of today's service on 'conversation', Kris introduced Rev. Dave  - visiting our church again, from the USA. In the course of their conservation, Kris asked Rev. Dave about his rules for living a good life. Dave responded with four rules:-

• The 12 O'Clock Rule
• The 30 second Rule
•  The 13% Rule and
• Rule number 6 -

- but you'll need to listen to today's podcast for Dave's explanation of each.

Our service ended with our conversation as we responded to several of Rev. Dave's discussion starters designed to get to know each other better and to hone our listening skills.

Transcending the human condition

Kris approaches today's address: "Transcending the human condition" (Transcendence) with some questions:-
"What do we mean by being human? - able to rise above our animal instincts?"
"How do we go from being "nice", "reasonable" people to a state of Transcendence?"
"How do we move beyond moral development to spiritual development?"
 "What holds us back?"
"What might help us to rise above the compulsion of our human instincts - to let go of the need to meet those basic human urges ...to a state of Transcendence: beyond distractions, beyond moral development to spiritual development?"
"What space is there in your life for "The Spirit"?"
"How will you create that space in your life?" - It may mean "letting-go"!
Kris offers some suggestions and ends with a story for us all.

"The Mother"

Today, Mothers Day, 2024, Kris explores the role of Motherhood and the impact Mothers have had on the lives of their children.

Novalis: German Philosopher and Poet

Kris begins his address with a question: "Who was Georg Philipp Friedrich Fruihwald von Hadenburg - alias Novalis?" a corruption from di Novali - "The Newcomers" - the name his ancestors gave to themselves when they settled on their land. Novalis b. 1772, was a Lutheran, (Pietist) mystic, in awe of the beauty and mystery of Nature and the universe that surrounded him. It was the beginning of the Age of Reason that applied Reason and Intellect to understand Nature and God. As a young mystic poet, novelist and philosopher, aged only 28, Novalis contracted tuberculosis or cystic fibrosis and died at 29 but had packed so much into his short life. Kris's biographical research will encourage you to listen on to find out more about the contribution of this young, free-thinker and "Unitarian", who expressed his "Thoughts - through Philosophy" and his "Feelings - through Poetry", but concluding - "Humanity is a comic role"?