Welcome to the Inaugural iIssue of “Sesheta Speaks” for January 2026
What I’ve Been Walking With
I’ve been walking with the monks, the venerable Buddhist monks walking for the last 81 days from Fort Worth Texas to Washington DC. Not marching, not demonstrating or protesting, just walking. They are walking in stark contrast to those creating mayhem, chaos and fear in Minneapolis Minnesota and many other places in the country.
I’ve been contemplating what it means to live in community—a vision of society where every person is valued, where justice flows like water, and where love is the organizing principle. Where people walk and talk and live in peace.
Someone once said we are “caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny.” I keep returning to this: Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity. If I hurt or diminish you, I hurt, or diminish myself. Because of the network of mutuality and the truth of our oneness in God*, if I am lifted up, you rise too. We get to choose to rise up together.
*Please always feel free if you wish to substitute the word God with Spirit, The Divine, Light, Source, Holy Presence, Father, Mother, Creator, or whatever name resonates with your heart.
The Organizing Principle is Love
We can decide to stick with Love. Hate is too heavy a burden to bear. Love is the only force capable of changing an enemy into a friend. Love is creative understanding good will for all people. Love isn’t passive or weak—it’s the most powerful force in the universe. It meets hate with power versus force. It transforms war into peace. It refuses to cooperate with evil while refusing to become evil in its response.
Here’s one way you can begin to live this principle:
When you face or become aware of cruelty, injustice or hatred this week,
Ask yourself, “What would love do?” Then do that.
A quote from Last Sunday’s Sanctuary of the Spirit Service
“Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” — often attributed to John Wesley.
Watch the full message here: (Link to Sunday’s service)
Not to Worry (A gentle practice to try)
Sit or lie down quietly for a few minutes.
Breathe in: “Love is creative goodwill for all.”
Breath out: “I’ve decided to stick with Love”
After a few minutes, Ask yourself: “What is love asking me to do today?”
Remain quiet for a few more minutes to catch the answer.
Rise up and go about your day. (We’ll be raising up together.)
What’s Happening Now
Friday January 16th “MLK Freedom Celebration & Breakfast” 8am PT. Featuring Rickie Byars and Gerald Rivers info@smaic.org
Sunday January 18th Sanctuary of the Spirit 9am PT. Zoom, Facebook.com/gsesheta and YouTube@revgretasesheta
Sunday January 18th “Fulfilling the Dream” 11 am PT. Curated by Arnae Batson https://www.fccla.org/mlk– FREE
Monday January 19th Martin Luther King Day
We honor the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., the Baptist minister and civil rights leader who championed nonviolent resistance in the fight for racial equality and justice. Monday is observed as a “day of service,” encouraging each of us to volunteer and work toward Dr. King’s vision of the Beloved Community.
Monday January 19th “MLK Day Community Sing-In” 12 noon. Directed by Arnae Batson https://www.eventbrite.com/e/5th-annual-mlk-day-community-ssing-in-tickets-FREE
Check local listings for other honoring events and to walk with the monks.
Blessing
May you know that the time is always ripe to do the right thing.
May you let no one pull you so low as to hate them.
May you remember that only in the darkness can you see the stars.
Thank you for being part of this circle.
With gratitude,
Rev. Greta Sesheta
P.S. Monday we honor Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.—a minister, prophet, and drum major for justice whose teachings continue to bend the arc of the universe toward love. This month every principle in this newsletter flows from Martin Luther King’s life and work.
You can reply with one word that names what you need most right now. I read every message with love and gratitude.