Power and Love

Not the power of love, love power - but Power and Love.  What is the guidance of my life?  What is the ignition of my life?  Is it love?  Is it power? (control?)

I watched a 4 hour documentary this weekend of Garry Shandling and followed by  the end of the Netflix series "Wild Wild Country" about the controversial Indian guru Bhagwan Shee Rajneesh and the community Rajeeshpuram founded by his followers in Oregon in the 80's and ended with a brief documentary of Ram Dass as he nears the end of his life.  And feel full of the images and ideas of the weekend.

What was interesting about Garry Shandling was that the  overview of his life was almost like reading about the saints I have studied through Wellstreams.  He went through a lot of  hard experiences over the years (death of brother, betrayal by friend/ agent, health issues) and developed an interest in Buddhist spirituality.  I love comedians and am intrigued by their art and their drive and their lives.  Usually it is one creative person who is able to reflect authentically on life and through their art are able to "take charge" or a room or a stadium and entertain.  There is real power there.  Garry was a brilliant comedian and obsessive about his work. You could see his ego/ambition in the beginning and over the years and through both hard experiences and reading and prayer learning to  let go and become more loving. . After watching the first half I thought he was so self absorbed and narcissistic but at the end he truly learned that doing his work - comedy - could be joy and that mentoring others and caring about them was really important.

The fascinating Wild Wild Country documentary describes a utopian community formed to be full of love.  It was idealistic and truly amazing how they came and created a city in the wilderness of Oregon.  However, there was a need for power and control at the heart of it.  As a result they came into conflict with the local people and some eventually got involved in arson and poisoning.  You could say they were infected by a desire for power even though they talked about love.

The  Ram Dass documentary was a picture of a man who moved his focus in life from power to love. .  He began life as Richard Alpert, a Harvard professor of psychology.  His research on the religious use of psychedelic drugs  led to his dismissal from Harvard.  His journey included travels to India and the influence of a guru Maharaj Ji. The documentary was about him preparing to "Go Home" .  He has had a stroke and is now greatly dependent on others and facing death.  He said the beginning of his life was "Power, power, power" and the end is "Love, love, love."

And it all spoke to me.  I am not a Buddhist or a follower of any Guru but I am a follower of Jesus.  The message is the same - the movement from wanting power to wanting love.  It is about trusting the one who gave us life and letting go of our need to be in control.  And living in the reality that LOVE is at the center of the universe.  God is LOVE.

As I begin this week I hope that love will be my focus. I will leave shortly to give a "Reiki Treatment" to a fellow minister who is recovering from open heart surgery I know that all of this "love work" is like Reiki - both ephemeral and real.    And a blessing.


Here is a blessing from Maxine Shonk

May you be blessed by the God of LOVE whose greatest desire is to be one with you.

May you draw close and know the thrill of God's beating heart against your own.

May this Love God be a listening presence in every word and thought and experience of your existence.

May the fire and passion of God's love for you move you to be a compassionate and loving presence to all you meet.

May the God of LOVE be with you.

PS - at the end of the Garry Shandling documentary he skyped with Ram Dass!.