NEWSLETTERS

January 1998 Newsletter (Volume 1, Number 4)

Holiday Celebration in Honolulu

James and Jan Tamashiro, Lloyd and Becky Nakamura, and Cheryl Asato from Los Angeles, Ted and Wendy Kanamori and their children from Maui, Tatou Mehta from New Jersey, Sudhir Mehta from Jakarta and Michael Mansfield from Minnesota, came to Honolulu to celebrate the holidays. Special meditations were held while they were in town, and the New Year was welcomed in with the spiritual family meditating. Thank you for travelling from far away places to make this time together so special!

All of the out of towners and many other members of the spiritual family went to Ted and Wendy Kanamori's home on Kula, Maui for more meditation on January 3rd and 4th. The Kanamori's are always such gracious and generous hosts. Thank you, Ted and Wendy! The spiritual family also celebrated Tom Taise's 78th birthday on Maui. Tom said, "This is my best birthday ever! I am grateful to God for all of the changes in my life."

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Divine Mother Audrey's Message
Happy New Year! Welcome 1998

The cusp that exists between the end of the old year and the beginning of the new year is a gentle twilight that draws us into its folds for quiet, deep reflection. It is usually the time we commit to making changes and improvements within ourselves so our lives may become more meaningful and worthwhile. It is easy to get caught in the daily busyness of work and routines that blur the days together into a fog of forgetting.

​Meditation provides us with the opportunity to return to ourselves, to the spirit within us that is the source of our renewal and guidance. Each moment that we live is the grace of God, the very breath we take, the breath of God. Let us spend this time to review the past year, and see all of the changes that have taken place within our lives; remarkable changes.

I see the beautiful faces of the spiritual family. Each face unique, and the unforgettable eyes that are the windows to the heart of each person. I see the blazing Love of God behind the veils of fear, loneliness, sadness, anger and pain, and I rejoice in the knowing that each person will plumb the depths of his or her heart to eventually reach this pure Love.

​I recall those blessed ones who could not even stand to see themselves in the mirror, now finding self-acceptance, and self-approval; the ones who were so shut down, now blossoming and speaking up; the ones who were so far away from their feelings, now shedding tears and dropping their armor; the ones who were trapped in dark secrets, now free from the power of the secrets; the ones who were being abused and were perpetrators of abuse, now finding their dignity and self respect; the ones who held resolutely to old habits and mental conditioning, now letting go of their rigidity.

I treasure those moments of sharing where we laid bare our hearts, and pretense fell away. All that remained was raw courage to trust that the compassion in each person's heart bearing witness to the sharing would reach out and surround those present, and it did. Our capacity to love and to express love is so infinite and grand! Everywhere people are looking for this love, and the intimacy that comes from such honesty and genuineness. I bow my head, and am humbled by these courageous souls who deepen our love, and help to create an ever increasing potential within the spiritual family to provide this love to others.

Divine Mother told me at my first meeting with her, "Don't sit on the sidewalk." I understood that she did not want us to stagnate, or to become complacent in our spiritual growth. Life is continuous, and we must ever expand our consciousness into the infinite realm of the divine. This is made possible through love and devotion to God.

​In the beautiful poem, the Bhagavad Gita, in the discourse between Lord Krishna and his friend, Arjuna, Sri Krishna answers Arjuna's question posed to Him as follows:

Arjuna:
"Some worship you with steadfast love. Others worship God the unmanifest and changeless. Which kind of devotee has the greater understanding of yoga?

Sri Krishna:
Those whose minds are fixed on Me in steadfast love, worshipping Me with absolute faith, I consider them to have the greater understanding of yoga...

Quickly I come
To those who offer Me
Every action,
Worship Me only,
Their dearest delight,
With devotion undaunted.
Because they love me
They are my bondsmen
And I shall save them
From mortal sorrow
And all the waves
Of life's deathly ocean.
Be absorbed in Me,
Lodge your mind in Me:
Thus you shall dwell in Me,
Do not doubt it,
Here and hereafter...

A man should not hate any living creature. Let him be friendly and compassionate to all. He must free himself from the delusion of "I" and "mine." He must accept pleasure and pain with equal tranquility. He must be forgiving, ever contented, self-controlled, united constantly with Me in meditation. His resolve must be unshakable. He must be dedicated to Me in intellect and in mind. Such a devotee is dear to Me...

His mind is fixed upon Me, and his heart is full of devotion. He is dear to Me...
​
...Regard Me as your dearest loved one. Know Me to be your only refuge. Be united always in heart and consciousness with Me...

Give Me your whole heart,
Love and adore Me,
Worship Me always,
Bow to Me only,
And you shall find Me:
This is My promise
Who love you dearly..."   

It is easy to lose sight of our priorities as we become immersed in the hustle and bustle of daily life, and the mind strives to acquire the fruits of creation. But, in that twilight between the old and new year, between the dusk and dawn of each passing day, let the fire of God's Love that burns within our hearts propel us to seek eternal union with Him. God's pure Love draws us into Him, like the inexplicable magnet that draws the moth to the flame, and extinguishes its separateness from that light by merging into it.

​May l998 and every year be a celebration of the beautiful dance that moves us closer and closer to God realization. May each experience that the new year brings become stepping stones to ever greater love. Happy New Year!

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Jim Petroff's Testimonial
Gratitude for a Second Chance and Opportunity to Change

By 1983, my thirty-five-year life had become filled with anger, frustration and confusion. I really needed God in my life, but didn't realize it.  All I knew was that I blamed external events and people for all of my troubles. I had lifelong negative tendencies, such as a bad temper, putting my needs over those of others, quick reactivity, and a loose mouth without regard to how my words hurt others. (Read More)

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The Spiritual Family's New Year Resolutions

All my life I procrastinated by not doing many small and a few big things in life. The main reason I procrastinated was my fear of failure- fear of losing what I had and fear of getting what I didn't want. Yet Divine Mother Audrey and Divine Mother have been so gracious to give me a wonderful taste of the joy and inner peace that comes through accepting all that happens in life, even losing my job. As a result, my new year resolution is to be proactive in daily life to practice love and devotion to God by doing small and big things cheerfully, thoroughly, quickly, and with humility.
Brent Kunimoto   

Make God first and love Him. Practice humility, acceptance and flexibility. Take responsibility. Speak the truth with love and compassion. Share Divine Mother Audrey's infinite Love with everyone.
Cheryl Asato   

I resolve to choose love in each moment.
Casey Herrera   

To practice forgiveness and to see God's hand in every moment of my life.
Alan Suemori   

To have Divine Mother and Divine Mother Audrey with me in my daily life.
Walter Oshiro   

Be a good example of having Divine Mother's Love by always being joyful.
Charlotte Ichiyama   

Change myself more and more by love and devotion to Divine Mother.
Ann Rubendall   

Be strong in God and to continue practicing to speak the Truth and not pamper the ego.
Esther Ueda   

I resolve to keep doing the self examination, get in touch with my feelings and be more "in the moment"—because I know that in order to serve Divine Mother Audrey and shine Divine Mother's Light, I must be purified; and the purification comes, in part, from the discipline of truth-seeking and spiritual practice.
Kay Day   

To always love and make God first and to practice love and devotion. Also, to give love to my daughters.
Dorothy Nomura   

To listen with my heart, acknowledge feelings (my own, as well as others), and to speak heart to heart.
Jan Yuen   

I resolve to practice to be true to my Godself and to refrain from being a people pleaser.
Edith Higa   

Be alert, (be in the moment), and do not procrastinate.
Hiroko Fujimoto   

My resolution is to support and serve Divine Mother Audrey and give love with compassion and understanding to my husband, my children, and those around me. Thank You, God and Divine Mother, for the realization and the opportunity to do this.
Jan Oto   

Be able to speak the truth in the moment.
Elaine Ogata   

I resolve to love Divine Mother more!
Fran Kawamura   

Practice, practice, practice.
Jeanne Petroff   

Since coming to the path I have grown in awareness and compassion. Reflecting back, I am grateful for the changes in my life, a feeling shared by those closest to me who knew me before, specifically, my wife and children. This year has been significant for the intensity of self-examination, and getting in touch with past and current feelings. Thank you for your guidance. With this painfully honest look at my past and current abusive treatment and behavior, I can no longer act this way. I resolve to change my abusive behavior pattern, replacing it with more wholesome behavior. This is becoming possible with the help of God. Thank you.
David Farkash   

My New Year's resolution is to practice non-reactivity.
Jim Petroff   

I resolve this New Year to cultivate humility and flexibility, true love, devotion and gratitude to God first.
Joyce Volen   

My New Year's resolution is to listen to my heart. By following the voice of God in my heart, I can be free of the tendencies of being swayed by outside influences.
Bob Meagher   

Make God first in my daily life, Love Him.
Alma Yamamoto   

I will share each awareness as it comes up and not withhold anything. I will dive deep and share whatever is inside of me.
Claudia Evenschor-Dunham   

By the will of God, Divine Mother's grace, and the Light of Divine Mother Audrey's guidance, I resolve to get up off the floor, stay off the floor and live my life with dignity and self-respect and become a better example for my children.
Mary Farkash   

I commit to change by practicing and concentrating on God with love and devotion, by telling the truth; remembering time and place, by listening with my heart and saying, "Yes, thank you."
Leni Davis  

With Divine Mother's grace, I resolve to be a better example for Sri Ramakrishna.
Diane Teramoto   

To praise God for everything; good or bad, right or wrong.
Lois Suemori   

To love God first, each day putting my head on the floor, offering all my concerns to Divine Mother, asking her to grant awareness and a humble heart full of love and devotion, so I can listen to her in my heart, and follow her will, not mine.
Ken Johnson    

To love and support Divine Mother Audrey first, to be grateful, humble and willing to change, and to shine the Light through example.
Nolan Tamashiro   

I would like to have a kind and compassionate heart and have feelings for others rather than being focused on my little, ego self. Thank you, Divine Mother Audrey, for showing us the way.
Janet Yoshimura   

To be truthful, respect my Godself, and above all, practice loving and being grateful to Divine Mother.
Soozi Kawakami   

With all my heart I will practice being "shan-shan" (i.e. "just do it") as opposed to procrastinating.
Elizabeth Kunimoto   

The prescriptions given to us are so precious and personalized. Thank you. I will keep the prescriptions in my heart and continue to practice throughout the year.
Marion Iwata   

To tell the truth in the moment with humility. Thank you so much Divine Mother and Divine Mother Audrey for your deep Love, which is helping me to face myself and my past actions.
Bonnie Tristan   

Practice speaking the truth on how I feel "in the moment." I feel by doing this, I can respect my Godself more and more which I could never have done without Sri Ramakrishna, Divine Mother and Divine Mother Audrey. I know then that I can support Divine Mother Audrey more and love Divine Mother as much as she loves me.
Ted Kanamori   

To do my one-third with gratefulness and joy so that Divine Mother Audrey can go out into the world and give her precious energy to the millions who need her and Divine Mother. Thank you, Divine Mother for leaving us Divine Mother Audrey.
Wendy Kanamori   

To apply all the spiritual awareness I have received to my daily life, consistently. I feel I have received so much from both Divine Mother and Divine Mother Audrey that it's about time I start giving back.
David Tamashiro   

To practice true devotion to Divine Mother by accepting everything that happens in my life.
Andrew Tamashiro   

To love God first, and to practice patience, love and surrender.
Edna Kajiwara   

I resolve to be more "God centered" in my life; to put a conscious effort to put God, and the spiritual family in my heart, especially during times of stress, anger, and fear so my wife, children and others who come into contact with me will feel God's Light, Love and blessings. I also resolve to let God work through my music to create songs that will touch people's hearts and shine God's Love.
Jeffery Yota   

To understand more and lose the desire to be understood.
Lane Nakamura   

To love God with my whole heart, to be less stubborn, to be more willing to change, and to trust my heart.
Susie Nakao   

To assume responsibility and change the many habits and conditionings.
Adrienne Hosokawa   

To be in God's Love and peace in devotion and gratefulness.
Helen Kaprielian   

I am willing to hold onto Divine Mother and listen with my heart and let her reveal to me what I need to know.
Mae Nakao   

To smile more. My smile is a way to show how grateful I am to have met Divine Mother, and to experience God's pure Love through her and Divine Mother Audrey.
Moon Otter   

To always live in the moment and let go and let God. God is the Doer, not us. I have finally experienced this and know it is the truth.
Linda Livingston   

To do everything as if it were for Divine Mother Audrey.
Gene Kusumoto   

I look forward to being steadfast in the truth and to be a shining example of Divine Mother's Love.
Donna Kusumoto   

To focus on God within, know the truth and stand firmly in the truth.
Lanae Maeda   

I will be more open and express my true feelings to my family.
Betty Shimabukuro   

I resolve to be more open, compassionate and loving.
Phil Norris   

To be grateful to God throughout the day for the experiences and awarenesses I am receiving.
Todd Loomis   

To continue to let go of habits and attitudes that no longer serve me.
Laurie Moore   

To stop putting myself down. Divine Mother Audrey, with her infinite Love and kindness, lit a spark of self-worth within my heart, and now I want to go through life with my head up. Thank you, Divine Mother Audrey, for such a precious gift.
Sue Iwashita   

With so much Love given to us by Divine Mother Audrey, we can't sit and be complacent. I ask Divine Mother for help to make us stronger in our faith, to be open in our expressions, and to have more compassion for others.
Kay Omoto   

I resolve to always treasure the Love of God.
Shirley Nakachi   

I will follow my heart, and not my mind because the mind is limited and the heart is infinite.
Scott Nakachi   

To take better care of my body with healthful foods, Shaklee products, and regular exercise. With a strong, healthy body, I hope to be able to serve God with more energy and focus.
Ruby Mizue   

I wish to give my heart to Divine Mother with gratefulness.
Alice Oshiro   

Love and devotion to God first, head to the floor in humility, and tell the truth!
Charlie Gueco   

To continue sharing the love with my family which Divine Mother has so freely given to me. I will never forget how she freed me from worrying about my little self.
Evan Omoto   

To get off the tip of my nose and be grateful.
Mary Ann Ram  

Keep practicing loving Divine Mother and opening my heart to her.
Raymond Kitayama   

Express my feelings more, so I can find my voice and find my Godself.
Sumiko Kono   

Love God first, be grateful for all that I have received from Divine Mother; be humble.
Peter Valentine   
​
I want to say the mantra more and cultivate a more loving, humble and grateful heart. Also, I would like to be present in the moment more and to listen more attentively to others. I want to be more clear in what I am saying and less defensive about criticism of me. I want to be better at keeping in touch with friends and I would like to get a bit fitter and lose some weight as this would probably help with the wonky knee I have.
Val Valentine     

Change, tell the truth no matter what, don't be afraid, have courage and be happy.
Yvonne Kagihara  

To be able to share my feelings with my husband and my family so I may be in the moment and make God first in my life.
Lee Ann Serizawa   

To be a better mother, wife, sister, daughter, friend, employer and citizen. And I will do this by cultivating a humble heart and giving it to Divine Mother and Divine Mother Audrey. I will strengthen my love and devotion for God and shine the Light to those that I come in contact with, by being a good example of God's Love. Thank you so much Divine Mother Audrey for all the precious awarenesses and your pure unconditional Love.
Teri Koyanagi   

To be aware of and in touch with my inner self with Divine Mother's assistance and to put God first as I go about my daily tasks and activities.
Charlotte Yamamoto   

To cultivate true love and devotion to God, thereby enabling me to give out to others with joy in my heart.
Randy Serizawa   

Move to the forefront with my family and specifically with my children; to speak the truth always; to respect myself; and to love God with my entire being.
Stephen Lee   

Take more responsibility and lead a more disciplined life.
Sarah Christianson   

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