Sunday Messages

This Week’s Message

Honoring the Soul in All Creation

The most important and valuable thing in the Universe after Love is the Soul because it is an expression of that Love that created the heavens and the earth and All That Is, or as the Tao teaches – the Ten Thousand Things. Buddhists refer to “all beings” and Native Americans say, “All my relations.”

The Soul is that spark of God that animates the Ten Thousand Things, all of life. That spark is in everything, even in those things that seemingly have no life – such as the elements, the mineral kingdom, and the tiny atoms and smaller. The Soul of God is in every breath you take. And all of it is sacred.

I was thinking about Creation in terms of the imagination of the Creator. It is estimated that there are 1 trillion species of organisms on Earth plus all the minerals, which aren’t numbered, just categorized in groups because of their plentitude. How incredible is the Divine Mind that creates each one down to the smallest detail of color, hair, systems, and life!

And then to imbue each creation with intelligence boggles our tiny human minds. And all of the Ten Thousand Things are here on this Planet Earth. What is out in the Universe that we are on the brink of discovering? And there is so much more to discover here on Earth. New species are discovered every day.

In thinking about the Soul in each created thing, I wonder what an Elephant could tell us of God. What could a dolphin tell us of freedom and fun? Do fish contemplate the sky above the water? What beauty draws the honeybee and the butterfly to the flowers? Do roses laugh when they burst into bloom? What is the feeling of joy of the daffodil poking its head out of the ground in spring?

What do the worms contemplate deep in the ground? What causes life to regenerate? What sparks the clouds to form into patterns or make the wind change direction? What keeps the tides flowing and the sun shining?

I believe the answer to all these questions is – the Soul, the animating experience of Love.

Take a moment now and close your eyes and reach deep down into your essence? Can you feel something? Something a bit elusive? Can you feel something indescribable in you? This precious gift is your own Soul. Everything in creation has the same Soul, the expression of the Love of God.

Now open your eyes and look around you. You can see the Soul in each member of our spiritual family here today, humans and animals. You can see the Soul in this building, in the walls and floors and ceiling, in the windows, and stones of the fireplace. Soul is everywhere in this building because it is all made of God. Extend yourself outside and feel the Soul in the trees, grasses and large stones in this park. Feel the Soul of the birds just starting to build their nests in the trees and up under the eaves. We come here every Sunday not just to gather in prayer, but to experience the Souls in this park and in this building and in each other.

Nature is said to be the portal to the Soul. “It is through the portal of Nature that we can access higher levels of consciousness, becoming more aware of ourselves and our existence.” (Internet) Nature was the original environment for humans and all other life. Even though most humans now live in constructed shelters instead of caves, we still need to be in Nature. Simulated Nature is not the same because there are no Souls in computer programs. It is important for us to be in Nature as much as possible for our Souls are connected to the Souls of the Ten Thousand Things. We are part of the Soul network of the Universe.

You, your Soul, is a part of the Ten Thousand Things of the universe. You and your Soul are important to the Divine Plan of Creation, just as every other Soul is important. Be mindful as you go about living your part of the Divine Plan of all the other Souls living their parts. Be respectful to all of life. Be grateful you have blessed with the presence of the Soul of God in so many forms. Say a prayer for the other Souls. As the Buddhists say, “May all beings be happy and free from suffering.”

The next time you are out in Nature, taking a walk or just meandering around your own back yard, stop for a moment in front of a tree and be grateful for the Soul that dwells there to make beauty and shade and life. Reach out and gently touch a plant, admire the Soul within that is that expression of God. Pick up a stone, holding it in the palm of your hand and be grateful for its Soul’s message of strength. Throw your arms upward to the sky and breathe in the mystical clouds who dance across the world. Dip your hands in a stream or river and be thankful for the Soul of Water that nourishes the earth and you.

Also be aware of the Souls of the elements, the building blocks or our life. Honor the Soul of Fire whenever you light a candle. Honor the Soul of the Air and Wind when you take a conscious deep breath in meditation. Honor the Soul of the Water with each refreshing drink. Honor the Soul of the Earth when you plant your seeds or walk on the path.

If you have the privilege of living with an animal companion or are friends with one, look deeply into their eyes and see what you find reflected back to you from their Soul. We are connected so closely to these wonderful companions we honor today.

And listen to all the different sounds of the Soul you hear every day around you. The sounds of Nature, of God, are as profuse as the number of species in the world. Each sound is a joyful expression of the Soul. Sound is the music of the Soul. Humans try to emulate the sounds of the Souls and many of the classic composers touched on the Soul. Every time we sing, we add to the music of the Soul. It doesn’t matter if you’ve never studied music or think you have a tin ear or can’t carry a tune or are tone-deaf. Your music is essential just as it is to add to the richness of the Music of the Souls.

This contemplation of Soul must also include the Soul of Mother Earth, the great Being who gives us our foundation of life and sustains and nourishes us. Earth is our Great Mother and we should respect and honor her at all times. Be mindful of each step you take that you are walking on your Mother. Be gentle with her, love and protect her and be grateful for all the blessings you have because of her. Mother Earth is a living Soul cherishing all the tiny Souls that cling to her. What incredible Love she has for us!

We live in a wonderful world of Souls. Let us be thankful for this opportunity to honor each and every Soul around us. Let us close our eyes once more and send compassion and love to encircle the earth for all beings. Namaste.