The Players:
Eugene Smith - Drums
Mike Ward - Bass & Harmony Vocals
Laurel Dewitt - Shared Lead Vocals
Auberte Campeau - Percussion & Keyboards
Bob Ryan - Rhythm Guitar, Keyboards & Lead Vocal
Recorded in 1997 at Lightkeeper Music Recording Studios
LYRICS
Words & Music by Bob Ryan (c)1992
On similar ground,
my love had floundered
On similar ground,
the past no longer worked
And I, had to make the changes
I sought to reassess my common ground
Where my love had found....
On similar ground,
the light had once illumined
On similar ground,
the battles had been fought
And we, climbed up toward the peaks
And still we strive to seek
The heart and mind of this human kind.
LOVE! Its rays are drawing us to...
PEACE! Its warmth is permeating the...
ONE! Connecting souls together...
On similar ground our hearts are bound
On similar ground,
we sought the proofs of ages
On similar ground,
we broke the chains to fly
And we, seek to clear the pathway
Reciprocate the Sun’s rays
And reflect this light
from its peerless heights
On Similar Ground
The human race has been on an evolutionary journey, both in the physical and spiritual sense through all of its existence. But this journey has not been random or without purpose - no more random than the journey of a seed that sprouts, takes roots in the soil and eventually grows into a 100 foot tree. No hint of that 100 foot tree can be found in the seed or seedling, regardless of the scrutiny one might employ.
All of mankind's unfolding physical, intellectual, emotional and spiritual potential has been present from mankind's beginning as the 100 foot tree was always potentially present in the seed. When man appeared as a denizen of the seas, the current man was potentially present; when he made his initial steps onto land, modern man was potentially present, etc.
And just as the seed and seedling required conditions that enabled their growth and the further unfoldment of their inherent potential, so too did the reality of man. The interesting thing about man is the fact of the specifics of his dual nature - the material and spiritual - which are so seamlessly integrated in this earthly life. Just as the material nature of man requires the bounties of the earth and the sun's essential effect, the spiritual nature of man is also completely dependent on an invisible sun: the Manifestation of God.
History knows this invisible sun by a myriad of names - all of which refer to the same reality. Whether we refer to this reality as a Moses, Zoroaster, Krishna, Buddha, Jesus, Muhammad or Baha'u'llah, it is the same reality to which we are relating: God.
With each appearance of one of these Manifestations of God, a fresh impulse of regenerative, creative energy is vouchsafed to mankind. The effect of this appearance, acts and words, is like the effect of the spring sun on the things of the earth: it resuscitates and draws out new expressions of the hidden potential from within the human reality.
But unlike the automatic and will-less response of material phenomena, the human has a choice. To respond and reap the profound benefits of the outpourings of the Manifestation of God, or to refuse and turn away from Their guidance. All of mankind's suffering comes from arrogantly turning away from these Divine Suns.
With each appearance of one of these Manifestations of God, the generation of mankind on that day faces similar challenges as did their forefathers. They stand on similar ground. Will each of us respond arrogantly or with humility? Only when faced with the choice do we really know.
