Dear Spiritual Family,

Happy New Year! As we begin to ponder what may be in store for us, for our families and friends, for our nation and the world in 2024, there are, no doubt, some things we would want to see happen. The question we are posing today is, “How will you happen to 2024?” What do you want to be deeply feeling as this year draws to a close – that you have grown spiritually, that you have made a positive difference at the causative level? What might that dominant feeling be for you that you would hope to experience then or at some other significant time in the year ahead?

John Astin wrote the beautiful song, “Love, Serve and Remember” around 1990. It was inspired by a story by Ram Dass where he asked his guru how it would be possible to return to the West after having been in India. “It’s simple” said his teacher. “Just love everyone, serve everyone and remember God.”

The essence of this powerful spiritual gift is embodied in the closing pages of This Life Is Joy by Dr. Roger Teel. In particular, I, Rev. Steve, lead you through “An Experience of Heart Opening” meditation offered by Dr. Teel. (I was guided to this piece when I reached for the feeling tone that might serve as Divine inspiration for each of us as we lean into this new year.) 

It comes as the time of Epiphany, the Celebration of the arrival of the Three Wise Men arriving in Bethlehem to honor the birth of Jesus. Perhaps our “three wise men” can be equated to Loving, Serving and Remembering! What better way to honor the birth of our Master Teacher and live his message as his disciples.

We believe you will find this meditation/visualization healing and empowering. Take your time with it. Pause the video if you find that helpful. You may want to consider using this version or another heart opening piece on a regular basis to deepen your experience of living from the heart. 

Please feel our support for your own epiphany moments and know that through our collective willingness to love everyone, serve everyone and remember God, that we are happening to this new year in a way that blesses and that is pleasing to the Divine.

We love you,

Rev. Steve and Mary

We are ever grateful to Dr. Roger Teel and his life of giving to all with such great love and wisdom.