 Rev. O'Brian |
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There will be nice music for 15 or 20 minutes before the ceremony so you will want to arrive early. The ceremony proper is scheduled to begin at 3:00 PM.
There is a Circle of Life made by the friends of the bride and groom with stones and flowers, placed upon the floor before the ceremony. This circle represents the sacred space of the couple into which they now enter. It represents both eternal life and the circle of time, the seasons of their life, which they will share. When they step into the circle together, they signify the body of their marriage: the sanctity of their intimate relationship that is shared only by the two of them and the new perspective and foundation from which they both look out into the world of family, friends, and all of life.
"My heart was split, and a flower appeared:We are gathered here today in the presence of God, with these family members and friends to join together this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony, which honors their love and their commitment to one another and which signifies the mystical union and therefore is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, discreetly, advisedly, soberly, joyfully, and with love. It is into this holy union that these two before me come now to be joined.
and grace sprang up:
and it bore fruit for my God.
You split me, tore my heart open,
filled me with love.
You poured your spirit into me,
I know you as I know myself.
Speaking waters touched me
from your fountain, the source of life.
Blessed are the men and women
who are planted on your earth, in your garden,
who grow as your trees and flowers grow,
who transform their darkness to light.
Their roots plunge into darkness;
their faces turn toward the light.
All those who love you are beautiful:
they overflow with your presence
so that they can do nothing but good.
There is infinite space in your garden:
All men, all women are welcome here,
All they need do is enter."
Let us pray. Beloved Spirit, the Life of All, we do now inwardly acknowledge your Holy Presence. We acknowledge that there is only One Divine Power called by many names throughout time, which dwells around and within each and every one of us. We affirm the presence of Divine Grace and act now in harmony with Life's sacred Way. May our hearts be open to the love that is present here today. May the blessing of this day and this marriage be upon us all.
And now Jaya, will you have Sharon to be your wedded wife, to live together in harmony with the sacred way in your marriage? Will you love her, comfort her, honor her, and support her in every useful way and in every useful manner? If so, you may respond, I will.
And now Sharon, will you have Jaya to be your wedded husband, to live together in harmony with the sacred way in your marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor him, and support him in every useful way and in every useful manner? If so, you may respond, I will,
And to those who are present here today, who have been invited to share in the celebration of this marriage, I would ask you to look within your hearts as well, and there to discover your willingness to support these two in their commitment to their marriage vows. If you are so willing please respond aloud, repeating after me: I will.
Okay, then.
"Whoever is planted in the TaoMay I have the rings?
will not be rooted up.
Whoever embraces the Tao
will not slip away.
Their names will be held in honor
from generation to generation.
Let the Tao be present in your life
and you will become genuine.
Let it be present in your family
and your family will flourish.
Let it be present in your country
and your country will be an example
to all countries in the world.
Let it be present in the universe
and the universe will sing."
May these rings be blessed and the two who will wear them that they may abide in peace and grow in love and compassion in the life they share with one another.
Jaya, please repeat after me:
Sharon, you are sacred to me. I accept you Sharon as my wife, from this moment forth. I promise to support you in all ways, to cherish you and to love you.
Place the ring on the tip of the index finger of the left hand. The bride then accepts the ring, and places it on her ring finger.
Sharon, please repeat after me:
Jaya, you are sacred to me. I accept you Jaya as my husband, from this moment forth. I promise to support you in all ways, to cherish you and to love you.
Place the ring on the tip of the index finger of the left hand. The groom then accepts the ring, and places it on his ring finger.
As you wear these rings, let them remind you of the promises you have made to one another today and of the unconditional love, and the sacred nature of life that is so symbolized by the circle of the ring. This love has brought you together and will be a container large enough to hold all the joys and sorrows of your life together. Treasure it, as you do one another this day.
On the Love of the Soul"In truth, it is not for the love of a husband that a husband is dear; but for the love of the Soul in the husband that a husband is dear.
It is not for the love of a wife that a wife is dear; but for the love of the Soul in the wife that a wife is dear.
It is not for the love of children that children are dear; but for the love of the Soul in children that children are dear.
It is not for the love of riches that riches are dear; but for the love of the Soul in riches that riches are dear.
It is not for the love of religion that religion is dear; but for the love of the Soul in religion that religion is dear.
It is not for the love of power that power is dear; but for the love of the Soul in power that power is dear.
It is not for the love of the heavens that the heavens are dear; but for the love of the Soul in the heavens that the heavens are dear.
It is not for the love of the gods that the gods are dear; for the love of the Soul in the gods that the gods are dear.
It is not for the love of creatures that creatures are dear; but for the love of the Soul in creatures that creatures are dear.
It is not for the love of the all that the all is dear; but for the love of the Soul in the all that the all is dear.
It is the Soul, the Spirit, the Self, that must be seen and be heard and have our thoughts and meditation, O Maitreyi.
When the Soul is seen and heard, it thought upon and is known, then all that is becomes known."
Magda and Andrew Heilborn come to the altar. Each of them lights a candle.
Sharon and Jaya come to the altar.
Together now, please bring the individual candles together and light the larger candle. As individuals you now share in the light of your married life together. May you find in your marriage the balance of separateness and unity that enhances your love for one another and that supports each of you in making a contribution to life.
Every year, on the anniversary of this day, I invite you to light this larger candle and renew your vows to one another. May Divine peace be with you and may the peace and love of your marriage be a special blessing in your home, so that all who enter may be blessed. May this absolute peace and love pervade the whole universe.
In the name of God, the Sacred One, that Spirit which gives Life to us all, may your marriage be blessed. (Hands on Blessing)
As you contemplate the sacredness of this union, I will share this thought with you, that the ideal spiritual union of marriage was created that the two might assist one another in life's journey of healing and spiritual awakening. You will be one another's teachers throughout time. To learn from one another, you must honor your differences and embrace, in the spirit of growth, the process of ever becoming new. Love the process of growth and change as it is revealed in yourself, your partner, and your marriage. As the soul nature of each of you is encouraged to unfold and be revealed authentically, your marriage will be a path of freedom.
"Blessed are the man and woman who have grown beyond their greedFor as much as Jaya and Sharon have consented here today in Holy Matrimony and have so declared their love and commitment to one another, with the blessngs of all the family and friends who are present, as an ordained minister, I now pronounce that they are husband and wife.
who have begun to love and no longer nourish illusions.
They delight in the way things are
and keep their hearts open, day and night.
They are like trees planted near flowing rivers,
which bear fruit when they are ready.
Their leaves will not fall or wither.
Everything they do will succeed."
You may embrace each other.
I now present to you Jaya and Sharon Carl.
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Sharon and Jaya, Dublin, California, USA.
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