December 14, 2012 Connecticut , Edward Viljoen , Gun control , Haiti , Newtown , shooting

Response to Newtown, Connecticut Shooting

I was minding my own business on this, the second day of my pre-Christmas vacation, taking a voluntary break from news feeds and focu...

I was minding my own business on this, the second day of my pre-Christmas vacation, taking a voluntary break from news feeds and focusing on catching up with my hobby writing on various blogs and social media. I love doing that. Then I noticed a status update by a cousin, something about gun control and what would it take. I didn't take it all in, assuming it was simply a comment on the ever present pseudo-confusion about whether or not it is the fault of guns or of humans that death is caused through shooting.

I carried on, writing about essential oils and this and that, and uploading and download, not reading the news. Instead, I started to pick up a thread of anguish in short status updates, and without consulting the news service I gradually became aware that something horrible had taken place.

When I did read it all, on this and that news service, it had the effect of numbing my brain, and draining the joy out of my heart. I sat still and frozen for a long time. It may be impossible to understand the impact the shooting has had on the family and those involved, yet when I think about the children in my life who I love I can feel an immense and deep rush of emotion when I imagine life without any one of them. And my heart expands in love for those who have been affected by this event.

Now I’m going to call all the children in my life that I know and love, to hasten to tell them I love them, very, very, much, because in the wake of the news from Newtown, Connecticut I know of little more to do than what my faith tradition has taught me and that is to love one another.

I notice I want to understand more than what is currently available to be understood by me. I want to make sense of it. But, as is typically the case, during times of immense shock, sadness and tragedy, we humans are least capable of making sense of things, and must trust the passage of time to create perspective and produce understanding. In the mean time, while in this state of disorientation, I try to be mindful to not abandon my love for humanity.

During times of emotional distress, I use this modified meditation to help me find peace. I used it with great effectiveness during the trouble Haiti experienced, and I offer it here today again on behalf of the people of Connecticut:

As love enters, fear vanishes. I am so filled with Love that no fear can enter my thoughts. I am not afraid, for I know that a Perfect Intelligence guards and governs all of life. This perfect Love in me casts out all fear. I know that the Spirit of Life within the people of Connecticut is alive and strong.

There is nothing in me that can obstruct the awareness that Spirit is where they are. I daily remind myself that their Life is wrapped in Gods Life. I know there is something at the center of my being that is absolutely certain of Itself, and that same something is in all people.

I know that this consciousness I am establishing in me is making a beneficial and powerful contribution to their experience and is adding to the ease and success of the relief effort.

Today I have faith that this word of prayer I am speaking is dissolving every negative thought or impulse that would throw a shadow of unbelief across the threshold of my expectation.

I feel my oneness with the people of this country and through that oneness I release a powerful courage and strength. I give thanks that through this knowing, something magnificent is being birthed. I lift my cup of acceptance, knowing that the Divine outpouring will fill it to the brim.

Today I consciously identify myself with everything that belongs to goodness, truth and beauty, and I do so for my fellow citizens. I identify myself with the Living Spirit–with all the power, all the presence and all the life there is. I am at peace.

Bhagavad-Gita For Beginners

The Bhagavad Gita: The Song of God Retold in Simplified English is the latest title in the Essential Wisdom Library. This unique edition of the timeless epic is designed to be accessible for readers without any prior experience of Hinduism. Not merely a translation of the original, Viljoen has simplified and restated the Gita’s complex ideas, so that a first-time reader can fully appreciate the scope and beauty of this magnificent Indian classic. Written in concise, modern language, the retelling vividly captures the power and depth of the original work.

The Power of Meditation

“Edward Viljoen’s new book, The Power of Meditation, is a gift. It serves as a practical guidebook for those who are new at spiritual practice, as well as a beautiful reminder of simplicity and essence for those who have been engaged in spiritual practice for a lifetime. Edward helps us find the strength we need to be present with whatever life brings. He takes the reader by the hand, dispels the mysteries, and makes this elusive thing called meditation very real and doable.” —Alan Seal, author of Create a World That Works

Reviews

“While goodness, kindness, compassion, and faith might seem like ordinary concepts, when it comes to actually living them in the face of life’s daily challenges, it’s easy to get stuck. Edward Viljoen has given us a gentle, illuminating, compassionate guidebook to living from the goodness that lies at the heart of who we really are.”
—Alan Seale, founder of the Center for Transformational Presence, and author of Create A World That Works and Intuitive Living

“Ordinary Goodness reminds me I can see goodness and kindness every day. Edward reminds all of us, that despite our failings, we really can be both good and kind. Brew a cup of tea and curl up with this insightful and achingly beautiful account of the mystery, paradox, and wonder of your life. You’ll be glad you did!”
—Petra Weldes, author of Joyous Living Journal

“If kindness were a country, Ordinary Goodness would be its travel guide. In this book, Edward Viljoen delves into a perfectly ordinary yet arguably neglected virtue—kindness—and reveals its source, its rewards, and a well-defined approach for integrating kindness into your very bones. Combining his personal history with his decades of experience as a minister, Viljoen is eminently qualified to teach us that the ordinariness of kindness may actually be the most dazzling quality we might possess.”
—Randall Friesen, publisher of Newt List Books

Edward Viljoen was a recent guest to my radio show, "In The Spirit." I had read his book, "Ordinary Goodness" and was happy to talk with him about it. I like the way he inserts stories from his own life to illustrate various points. In this cynical age, this book is a tonic a guide to live a good life by being good to others. We cannot be truly happy until we do. Thank you, Edward for bringing a much needed topic to our attention.

—Gary Goldberg, host of In The Spirit