Never Two, Only One
Sunday, September 1, 2024
Rev. Diana Johnson, with Chris Johnson, RScP
Video Chapter Index
| 0:00 | Taizé | Clicking on a chapter link will play the segment in a new YouTube tab. Your link to this page will remain open in this tab, but the video will play in the new window. Clicking on the Play arrow in the video screen above will play both Taizé and the Conscious Conversation on this page. To make the picture bigger, you may click the full screen icon in the lower right corner:  To cast the video to your Smart TV, click the Play on TV button:  . Also, we now have Closed Captioning available! To access Closed Captions, start the video and click on the CC icon next to the gear in the lower right of the video screen:  |
| 19:04 | Guided Meditation | |
| 46:03 | Conscious Conversation |
Taizé
Rev. Diana – We follow the sound of the bell inward… 3 Bells
Sherri – Opening Prayer
Rev. Diana – Good morning. If you’re new with us here this morning, my name is Rev. Diana Johnson, and I am the Pastor and Spiritual Director of Mystic Heart Spiritual Center. We are an Independent Interfaith Community that teaches Universal Principles and Practical Spirituality. We open our doors in welcome, trusting that you will be led to the Guidance and Wisdom of your own Mystic Heart. We begin our Taizé with Musical Prayer.
Rev. Diana & Chris – Taizé Chants
- Welcome Home to Your Mystic Heart, written by Diana & Chris Johnson
- Shivaya, traditional, music & English lyrics written by Karl Anthony
Rev. Diana – Oh, Holy…guide me…I hear Your Voice…I feel Your Voice inside me…in the stillness… allowing the breath to rise and fall…feeling the Presence of the One…and using the Power of Inner Vision to connect with our Global Community.
Together, we sense and tune into the web of consciousness that surrounds and infuses the planet…each of us a radiant point of Light in that web…trusting that all beings carry and express the Divine Spark…every human being, without exception…every animal, plant, and microbe…every rock and grain of sand, every drop of water, a perfect and intentional expression of God’s Radiant Light…the seen and the invisible, the known and the unknowable…all a part of the one Light, the one Life.
As we acknowledge our connection with all of life, we are empowered…our Work is empowered.
Our collective prayer and meditation leave an imprint of Peace, Compassion, and Grace, on the world…transformation is under way.
This month, we are considering what it means to Celebrate Divinity, while Practicing Humanity. This morning we share in reflection around one of the simplest and most profound Truths, there are Never Two, Only One.
Humans beings are built for the experience of duality. We are biologically driven to move toward pleasure and away from pain. Existing in the material realm as physical beings, we experience polarities…we live in a world of opposites. We see both light and dark…we hear loud and soft…we taste flavors that are spicy or bland…we smell the sweet and the pungent…and our skin senses both hot and cold. The existence of duality in the world of body and mind cannot be overlooked. It is the fundamental pattern supporting the flow of Human experience.
And yet, in the Absolute realm of Truth, we say and know that there are Never Two, there is Only One. How can we become peaceful within the paradox that is our life? By accepting that it is within the One that all polarities exist. Everything is included. They are simply aspects of the One, aspects of God.
We are drawn to the experiences that we would call good, or enjoyable and we wish to avoid, deny, or resist those we would call bad or uncomfortable. It reassures us to learn that we are one with Goodness and Light, and that we are here to be Beacons of Light in the world.
It is a bit less appealing to know that we are also one with the darkness. We are not separated from injustice, hatred, or violence. Under the right circumstances, any of us can be kind, compassionate, and loving…and equally, we can be uncaring, indifferent, or cruel.
All of this is True…there are Never Two, Only One.
As we become willing to face the polarities, and to bear the reality of all that is occurring in our world…and to drop our stories about them…we become more peaceful. We are not in control of the world and its events…we are not in control of what is…but we can be in control of our experience of it. As we become present with what is, dropping the narrative that our thinking brains are forever creating, we find our center…as we let go of the burden of the thoughts and emotions around our story, we become the center.
Chris – Guided Meditation
The great Sufi mystic poet Rumi wrote,
Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field… I’ll meet you there… When the soul lies down in that grass, the world is too full to talk about… Ideas, language, even the phrase each other doesn’t make any sense…
The breeze at dawn has secrets to tell you… Don’t go back to sleep… You must ask for what you really want… Don’t go back to sleep… People are going back and forth across the doorsill where the two worlds touch… The door is round and open… Don’t go back to sleep…[1]
Rumi invites us to momentarily suspend our judgments… right and wrong… good and bad… and to expand our awareness… to be radically inclusive… to remember that Absolute Reality is infinite… there is room for all of it… and our hearts begin to open wide enough to include more and more of what is…
When we reach that field… that cosmic consciousness… the pairs of opposites seem more like two ends of a single stick… like heads and tails… Spirit and its expression in material form… We are at the doorsill where Spirit and matter touch… We have access to that greater awareness… the door is open…
When we deeply contemplate the Oneness of all of Creation… both visible and unseen… Spirit reveals the Essential Unity to us… In our shared three minutes of Silent Meditation, let us cross that doorsill… let us find that field that is out beyond our dualistic thinking… beyond words… free from judgment… let us lie down in that cool, sweet grass… and allow the Great Mystery to whisper its secrets to us… to show us how all things contain their opposites… and the Divine contains it all…
Silence – 3:00
O, Divine Mystery… Great Parent of all Creation, thank you for all that you have given us… for challenges that grow us… for blessings that heal us and bring us joy… and thank you for this Beloved Community… for these blessed souls who share this spiritual path… May we never forget who and whose we are…
In the same poem, Rumi invited us to
Let the beauty we love be what we do. There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground…[2]
We have countless opportunities to make this world a better place… the beauty we love is there to guide us into action…
As Taizé continues, we allow Rev. Diana’s inspirations to permeate our hearts and minds… We welcome transformation as the Divine expands our awareness… and continually reminds us that there is Never Two, Only One…
Rev. Diana – May we be awake to the Beauty, Wonder, and Goodness of this world…may we always be grateful and give thanks abundantly. And may we also be awake to the troubles of the world, and not avoid, resist, deny, or ignore them; may we not seek escape from our neighbor’s suffering, even when our escape looks like spirituality…or painting the darkness with positivity. But rather, may we face the challenges head on, dropping our stories about them…and seeing them for what they are, opportunities for healing…and doing what we can to ease the suffering as we feel called.
May each of us commit ourselves to being a Beacon of Light in the world, not concerned about how this might come about…with true commitment, the way becomes clear.
That which is beyond pleasure and pain, beyond peace and conflict, beyond hope and hopelessness, is within you. (Pause) It is the Pure Presence of Spirit…eternal…beyond time, yet expressing and experiencing Itself in time, as time. It is the One Truth, the One Reality…unchanging, yet forever changed by every thought, word, and action. When you live from that, you can face anything.
There is a spaciousness that comes when we live in acceptance of what is. There is a freedom that comes with facing the pleasurable and the painful without a narrative…with facing emotions without a storyline. And there is a sense of contentment that comes with allowing everything to be included…in seeing that there is Never Two, there is Only One.
Closing Prayer
…the One Source of all that is, the One Life, living as all of Creation. I feel so blessed to know that I am, each of us is, a perfect and intentional expression of that One. I can let go of the I that my brain tells me I am…my story of me…and settle into the Truth – I am an expression of the Divine, having a continuous human experience. What a gift…what a blessing. Life as a human being. How much Power I am entrusted with…the Power to co-create with Spirit…the Power to choose how I will direct that Power, how I will direct the Life Energy I have been given. How many beautiful capacities I have been granted…the capacity for Kindness, Generosity, Love, Compassion, Peace, Joy, and Freedom.
In this sacred moment, I commit to making best use of this awesome Power and these amazing capacities to leave the world a more beautiful and loving place than I found it.
I commit to being a beneficial presence on the planet, and to serving the planet and her beings in the highest ways I can.
Thank you, Spirit, for the gift of this once-in-a lifetime day…I make every moment count.
Thank you for these beautiful souls that are choosing to share in this journey with me.
And thank you for every blessing…those that look like the good stuff of life, and those that challenge me to grow in strength, compassion, resilience, and love.
I allow myself to be carried by the music…
Musical Meditation – Om Namo Bhagavate, traditional, English lyrics written by Karl Anthony
Rev. Diana – Together, we release this prayer, trusting that it has already done its work. A prayer spoken, with feeling and a deep sense of faith, is a prayer answered. And so, I let it be…and so it is. Amen.
We gently return our awareness to our bodies, becoming aware of our senses and the sounds in the room…allowing the eyes to gently open and taking in whatever is before you.
Feel free to look around and say good morning to everyone who is here celebrating with you this morning.
This is your Spiritual Family…one of your support systems. These are some of the people who care about you and are there for.
Rev. Diana – Love Offering
As we close our Taizé Meditation, we offer the opportunity for you to share your financial good in support of the work we do in the world.
If you’re joining us online, you can find a Donate Button and our mailing address at mysticheart.org. We thank you in advance for your gifts. We acknowledge and give thanks for the infinite abundance of Spirit.
Offertory Music Video – I Am On Your Side, Michael Franti & Spearhead
https://youtu.be/95-MYnvF7h0?list=RDg71lxw–rPM
Rev. Diana – Blessing for the Offering
Feel free to grab a cup of something warm next door and meet us back at 10:30 for a Conscious Conversation. We’ll bless you on your way with
Rev. Diana & Chris – Closing Song
- A Soul’s Blessing, written by Chris Johnson
Conscious Conversation
Opening Prayer – Chris
Rev. Diana – Good morning… and welcome, or welcome back…and welcome to those joining online. If you’re new with us here this morning… my name is Rev. Diana Johnson, and I am the Pastor here at Mystic Heart. We are an Independent Interfaith Community that teaches Universal Principles and Practical Spirituality. We open our doors in welcome, trusting that you will be led to the Guidance and Wisdom of your own Mystic Heart.
Rev. Diana & Chris – Opening Music
- Welcome to the Mystic Heart, written by Diana & Chris Johnson
- One Big Family, written by Robin Hackett & Gary Lynn Floyd
- I’m a Believer, written by Neil Diamond
Rev. Diana – So let’s take a creative journey…calling upon the full power of both mind and heart…engaging the body…and joining with one another in the imaginal realm, in service to the creation of a Love-Soaked World.
See and feel with me now, a world in which all beings live from their Highest Potential…from Kindness, Generosity, Peace, Compassion, Joy, and Beauty.
In this world of our creation, all people honor, respect, and care for one another, for all of the life forms that share this beautiful planet with us, and for Mother Earth Herself.
We remember that we are connected to all of Life… that we are dependent on the planet to sustain us, and on one another.
By aligning every thought, word, and action with our Vision, we are creating a world in which all people are well-fed… have the safety and comfort of home and a deep sense of purpose and belonging…a world in which health, education, and healthy relationships are supported by social systems grounded in Integrity, Compassion and Wholeness.
Valuing every being for its uniqueness… we practice living truly Authentic lives where vulnerability is celebrated… there is no need to defend or protect. The work we are doing within ourselves shows up as a world free of hatred and violence.
We recognize and appreciate the abundance that surrounds us… greed is a thing of the past, generosity is the norm, and all beings gratefully receive all that is needed to live physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually fulfilling lives.
The planet and its beings thrive like never before as we recognize the sacred in everyone and everything…we walk in reverence, humility, and gratitude for all that we have been given.
We are creating a new world moment by moment, aligning our actions with our Vision, living these changes first in our own lives, with our families, friends, and neighbors. One neighborhood, one community at a time, a new world is being born. In this process of profound change, this Beloved Community stands as an open and welcoming place for all who seek support, belonging, Family.
By the power of our deep faith and inspired action, this prayer is acted upon, answered even as it is spoken, for Spirit knows our heart’s desire and intent. In full expectation of its Graceful unfolding, and with the deepest humility and gratitude, we release our Word to the Creative Power and Intelligence that I call God… to the One that gets it done… And so it is!… Amen!
Our theme this month is Celebrating Divinity, Practicing Humanity and the topic of Conversation today is Never Two, Only One
This morning during Taizé, we spent time reflecting on how human beings are built for polarity. We live in a world where we perceive opposites. We can only experience things as relative to everything else. The world does not lend itself to absolutes. We said that the existence of duality in the material realm cannot be overlooked…that it’s the fundamental pattern supporting the flow of human experience.
And yet, in the Absolute realm of Truth, we say and know that there are Never Two, there is Only One. We examined how we might become peaceful within the paradox that is our life. And I suggested that we become more at peace with paradox when we accept that all opposites exist within the One…That everything is included…that they are simply aspects of the One, aspects of God.
Human beings are drawn to pleasure, and we try to avoid pain…it is our survival mechanism. We are both Goodness and Light AND under the right circumstances, any of us can be uncaring, indifferent, or cruel. And that by accepting this about ourselves, we gain compassion for others.
And we wrapped up by recognizing that we are not in control of the world and its events…we are not in control of what is…but we can be in control of our experience of it. As we become present with what is, dropping the narrative that our thinking brains are forever creating, we find our center…as we let go of the burden of the thoughts and emotions around our story, we become the center.
This is where I’d like to jump into our conversation this morning…our stories. And then a little while down the road, I’ll turn a corner and invite us to look at the most important question we can ask ourselves. Are you ready?
I’d like to begin by guiding you through a short process, then we’ll talk about it. Feel free to close your eyes if you’re comfortable doing that, or just soften your gaze, and take a couple of deep breaths.
Now take a moment to think about a challenging circumstance in your life, something you might be dealing with right now. What is it that’s happening? Who is involved? What is it about the situation that is challenging you? What is it you’d like to see happen? How would that make you feel? How do you feel without resolution, as things are right now?
Okay, feel free to open your eyes. I promise I won’t leave you there.
How easy was it to pull up a situation to focus on?
How easy was it to fill in all the details? Why?
You have a story around the circumstance, right? There’s a narrative that comes up every time you think about this particular circumstance. And it plays and plays and plays in your head, right? And you feel very justified in having the story, yes? It seems like a true story. Agreed? Remember, I only speak what I need to hear.
Now, close your eyes again, and let that story play for another couple of seconds. Get back into it. (Pause) Now stop the narrative…let go of the story. Put it down.
What happened?
I allowed myself to be guided through this process this week, and do you know what I experienced? When I dropped the story, there was nothing.
There was a brief moment of stillness…there was literally nothing there. It left me with the realization…the actual experience…that the story wasn’t real. It was just my mind doing what it does…trying to make sense of my world.
Did you feel any emotions coming up when you were telling your story?
When you dropped your story, did the emotions disappear?
Did you know that if you face an emotion straight on, without any story attached to the emotion…with no narrative…the emotion will pass within about 90 seconds?
It has actually been studied and measured. Of course, we tend to slip back into the narrative and remind ourselves that we were sad or angry or whatever, and the emotion returns. It is our dwelling on the story that evokes the emotion and makes it seem to last forever.
Isn’t that a powerful bit of information, a powerful tool for your toolbox?
How will you use it?
So, let’s turn that corner now.
What do you think is the most important question we can ask ourselves?
Is that the question we spend most of our time pondering?
What are the more common questions we ask ourselves?
Are these productive questions? Why?
(they lead us into a story line, into a narrative – then off we go)
What would happen if, instead of how and why questions, we asked ourselves Who am I being in this moment? What qualities am I bringing forth?
Do you think that would lead back to Presence? To self-reflection? To Mindfulness?
(much more than the Why and How questions, which lead us outside of ourselves)
Is there anything else that needs to be spoken into the room?
I invite you to take this question into your week…Who am I being in this moment? We can check in next week to see how it went.
Closing Prayer…I found inspiration for today’s Gathering from the teachings of one of my favorite non-dual teachers, Gangaji. The prayer I’m closing with today is from another of my favorite non-dual teachers, Rupert Spira, from his book The Heart of Prayer. Feel free to close your eyes and take a couple of deep breaths.
Oh, my Lord, my whole being is yourself, and this mind which has been given me is your consort. The Life Force, Breath, and Energy which you have given me are your attendants. This body is the temple in which I worship you. Whatever I eat, or wear, or do, is all part of the worship I keep on doing at this temple. Even when this body goes to sleep at night, I feel like I Am in union with You. Whenever I walk, I feel like I Am going on Pilgrimage to You. Whatever I speak, is always in Praise of You. In fact, whatever I do in this world in any way is aimed at You. So there is no duality in this life of Unity with YourSelf.
And so it is…Amen.
Take a moment to allow your awareness to return to your body, to this space, to this beautiful gathering…welcome back.
Rev. Diana – Love Offering
I invite you to join in the celebration of the work we are doing in the world by sharing of your financial Good, should you choose to.
If you are at home, you can go to mysticheart.org to use our Donate Button or to find our mailing address.
We also have a Gracious Giving Program for those who would like to make a heartfelt monthly commitment of support so that we can more effectively budget and plan for our growth.
As we receive your gifts today, we’re going to play a video from a Michael Franti concert. It’s the song he opens his concerts with. And the introduction ties us nicely back to the Taizé this morning. I wanted to be sure to share a bit of the experience of going to one of his concerts…I highly recommend it.
Offertory Music Video: I’m Alive, Michael Franti & Spearhead
Chris – Blessing for the Offering
Chris – Invitations
- Fast Track to Wellness meets on Thursdays, from 12:00-2:00 pm. If you’d like support in your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual body’s journey, you might want to check it out.
- Metaphysical Bible meets on Thursdays from 3:00 – 5:00 pm to continue our exploration of the Book of Revelation.
- A Survey of the Christian Bible begins this Wednesday, September 4th from 2 – 5 pm, and runs 15 weeks, ending on December 18h with a week off for Thanksgiving. Join Rev. Diana as we explore the culture, history, metaphor, and symbolism behind one of the most influential collections of stories in the western world. Contact Rev. Diana to register in advance.
- Emotional Intelligence and the Power of Positive Prayer: Join Rev. Diana on Thursday evenings from 6-9 pm, beginning September 5th for a 10-week deep dive into the world of the emotions, how they work, why they’re sometimes triggered, and how we can use affirmative prayer to move toward greater Harmony and Wholeness. Contact Rev. Diana to register in advance.
Mark Your Calendars…
- The Mystic Heart Book Club will be returning Tuesday, September 10th. We will be reading Conversations With God, Book 2 by Neale Donal Walsch.
- The Mystic OAKS group invites you to join them for a return trip to Dakaro Vineyards, this time for wine tasting and Pizza! Saturday, October 12th, 12:00 – 4:30 pm. Wine tasting is free, purchase of a bottle of wine is appreciated. Cost of pizza will be shared among participants. More details to come…contact Chris Netto for more information.
- Mystic Heart Fall Book & Bake Sale, October 25 – 26: You are invited to bring your gently-used books, as well as music CD’s record albums, and DVD’s to Mystic Heart during regular gathering times. We will pass them along to new homes in October, and the funds will be used to purchase our new sound system! Also, Calling All Bakers…we will be setting up a table filled with your individual cookies, cupcakes, muffins, rice-crispy treats…whatever strikes your fancy. And Aquarius will be offering hot tea for sale. For now, bring those books!
- Namaste Café! Friday, December 6th, 6:30 – 9:00 pm at the Mystic Heart Gathering Place. Do you have a talent to share? Bring your positive and uplifting music, poetry, comedy, or ??? Join in the fun and share your gifts at Mystic Heart’s first Open-Mic Night. Anything (positive) goes at this evening of sharing our time, talent, creativity, and love. Appetizers, desserts, and beverages will be provided. Suggested donation: $10 – $20 per person. Mark your calendars…tell your friends. More info to come.
There is more information available in the August Bulletin and on our website.
Information Cards if new people
Prayer Requests: I am available after service for prayer, or fill out a prayer card and I will get your request to our Prayer Team for daily prayer – We invite everyone to help us make a private space for prayer here in the Sanctuary by joining us next door for lunch
Rev. Diana & Chris – Closing Song
- Love Be With You, written by Lainey Bernstein, RScP & Gary Lynn Floyd
Notes:
[1] Excerpted from A Great Wagon, by Jalāl al-Dīn Muḥammad Rūmī
[2] Ibid.
©2024 Mystic Heart Spiritual Center, All Rights Reserved
Permission is granted to duplicate for non-commercial educational use only.
All rights to music performed remain with the copyright owners.
Diana Johnson’s music is © by Barefoot Angel Publishing, ASCAP.
Chris Johnson’s music is © by SeaJay Music & Publishing, ASCAP.