"Dear President Obama"

The Fellowship of Reconciliation is the oldest inter-faith, peace group in the nation.  Most who are associated with FOR would likely have interest in how prayer and prayerful communication might relate to political support and advocacy.  This is the focus of my new blog, "Dear President Obama". the intention of which I've described below.  Please feel free to check it out and comment or submit your own message.

Alan Levin

As are most U.S. Presidents, Barack Obama is the subject of tremendously polarized feelings and opinions and the object of tidal waves of projected scorn, ridicule and hatred as well as idealization, hope and love.   What seems remarkably different about him, at least to me, is the degree to which he has revealed himself through his writings and speeches to be deeply self-aware, reflective and so intelligently sensitive to the many points of view from which he and the issues he faces are seen by others.  His inward and integrative focus is what gives him the authority, (some would say audacity), to speak on the world stage as a moral teacher.  Despite the constant reminders that he is a politician by choice, he indeed seems attuned to a higher voice.

Additionally, one has the feeling that President Obama has an open mind and heart when it comes to prayer and prayerful communication.  By this I mean he has an openness to the notion that there is a Presence in the universe with which we can communicate our human needs and intentions for the good of ourselves and others and to which we may turn for guidance and direction.  I also continue to remind myself, as he often reminds us, that he is a man, a husband, a father and son, with moods and attachments and egoic drives as do all the rest of us.

I find myself feeling a connection with him that I have never before felt with a political leader, certainly not a President of the United States.  I know that I am not alone in this regard.  He is here in his position at the vortex of vast forces of power at this most critical moment in human history.  With all this in mind, I decided to communicate my thoughts and prayers with him which continue to flow and change as time and events unfold.  I invite your comments and your own heart and spirit communications to our dear President Obama at this new blog,  "Dear President Obama".

in peace,

Alan Levin

P.S.  I know full well that many friends who focus primarily on the political will find my little project here to be naive, new age, foolishness.  On the other side, some spiritually oriented folk may think the political commentary gives too much attention to the negative.  It is one of the intentions of this effort to help resolve some of that tension.