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Showing posts with label Spiritual Living. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Spiritual Living. Show all posts
United Nations International Day of Peace: September 21, 2022
Sacred Disruption - Reimagine Everything!, by Dr. Petra Weldes
Disruption has become the norm!
The pandemic has certainly disrupted us, for good and for ill. Devices and technology continue to disrupt our homes and the way we do business, for good and for ill. The internet, social media, and AI have disrupted us for good and for ill. The polarization of our politics and the divisiveness in our government have disrupted us. The turmoil over the civil right of African Americans, immigrants, women, and transgender people have disrupted our ignorance, while the spiraling issues of climate change have disrupted our complacency.
Making It Sacred and Worthwhile
How shall we deal with all this disruption – with angst, anger, apathy or with our spiritual principles and human values? What if we decided to engage with these disruptions as something sacred? Even going so far as to invite sacred disruptions to take us on unexpected healing and growing journeys. Making disruptions sacred is realizing that “the way it’s always been” isn’t and can’t continue to be the same as it always has been. So, how do we reimagine our lives, individually and collectively? How do we reimagine life in such a way that challenges the norms while answering the call of our soul for courageous action, and authentic connection?
Step #1 – Embrace Change as a growth opportunity
We begin by allowing, even inviting, disruption to become sacred. This means embracing change and uncertainty with powerful and positive intentions and actions. The first step is to seek the good that has emerged amid any disruption. This does not deny or avoid the pain nor the challenges we or others have faced. But it does focus us on the fact the something greater is always present and there is a way to learn, grow, and move through disruption to a powerful awakening. Deciding to make a particular disruption sacred means that we take it to the altar of our awareness and invite it to reveal something meaningful and profound. Listening rather than analyzing, feeling rather than forcing, and sensing rather than projecting are all sacred skills our souls develop as we engage in this process.
Step #2 – Make Friends with Ambiguity and Uncertainty
The next step is to invite sacred disruption. This means to court the new, make friends with the unknown, and expect change. Ambiguity and uncertainty become our guides as we decide to invite the wildest parts of our soul and our deepest intuition to lead. We deliberately try new ways of being and doing that are more congruent and aligned with our values, spirituality, and ideals (no matter how uncomfortable). This is way beyond improving ourselves; it calls for sacred and profound acts of authenticity and deeply taking responsibility.
Step #3 – Make it a Creative Act
Sacred disruption becomes a creative act when the destruction has made way for something truly new. Newness begins with reimaging life, not from the normal way it’s been, but from a soulful, connected, profoundly directive decision to make a difference. Reimagining everything begins with values that we espouse but aren’t actualizing, and the hopes we are afraid to believe are possible to achieve. What if they are? What if these are the impulses and desires of your truest essence? Reimagine life, is not trying to create a utopia, but rather, it is day-by-day, moment-by-moment mindfully making a life the contributes, restores balance and justice, reveals creativity and connection, and is utterly in alignment with the highest vibrations of your truest self.
Step #4 – Engage Your Imagination
The creative faculty of imagination is what breaks the bonds of habitual patterns and behaviors. Imagination is the ability to see and sense something in the mind’s eye that is not actually present yet. Every one of us has this ability. Usually it feeds our anxiety, doubt, and fear as we imagine catastrophic outcomes or our inadequacy for creating change. Just remember, our imagination is just as good at imagining outrageously amazing outcomes and our courageous contributions to change. Begin today, imagine a world that works for everyone, even when we have no idea how it will come about. Imagine our planet healthy, people prospering, divides discussed civilly, and an economy in service to humanity and our future. Now all the disruptions have truly been made sacred.
About | Dr. Petra Weldes
For more than 30 years, Dr. Petra Weldes has brought a dynamic, genuine, and engaging style of ministry to congregations around the country. Leading CSLDallas since 1998, she has created a thriving spiritual community, empowering and transforming lives. She serves as Co-Spiritual Director along with her wife, Rev. Karen Fry. A compelling and gifted speaker and teacher, Dr. Petra's purpose is to transform lives and her mission is to grow people, communities, and ideas.
She has served in many capacities at the Centers for Spiritual Living and in local and national interfaith programs and received her honorary Doctor of Divinity from the Holmes Institute in 2004.
A highly regarded and deeply admired teacher, Dr. Petra engages students with her interactive style. This provides a safe, sacred environment for personal growth and exploration. Her deep wisdom, wealth of knowledge, as well as humility and humor, guide students into journeys of awakening to their unique expression and creative, joyful potential.
An elegant, powerful speaker, her ability to translate seemingly complex and confusing life issues into concise and clear messages invites the audience into deeper levels of understanding of their being and engagement in the world by igniting the change within.
In the nonprofit, religious, and business communities, Dr. Petra has coached countless leaders to a more conscious, powerful, and courageous presence in their work. She develops potential and connects leaders to ideas that expand consciousness.
Dr. Petra has co-authored three books: Joyous Freedom, Joyous Living, and Joyous Abundance Journals with Rev. Soren Christian, as well as numerous articles and thought papers.
Is Your Greatness in Your Way? by Rev. Tara Steele
Decades ago, my grandmother and I were chatting on her living room couch. At some point, she looked at me and said, “You’re so smart, you could be president.” Though she meant well, that statement set up roadblocks of self-judgment and not-enoughness around what I was doing with my life. Perhaps you’ve had similar experiences?
If I could be President of the United States, anything less than that is a failure. “You’re only a [fill in the blank], you could be so much more!” Now and then, when I look back at my life, I still question whether I lived up to my potential.
“Whole, perfect, and complete.” “This life is God’s life, this life is perfect, this life is my life now.“ I remember shaking my head at the naivete of those statements when I first heard them in a church of religious science. Aware of my limitations, my failures, my regrets, how could I be perfect? There was some unconscious template, a hidden belief, about what wholeness, perfection, “greatness” meant. Whatever it was, it was always a bit beyond my reach.
A couple of antidotes work for me. The first is recognizing what I have accomplished. After getting by the voices in my head, I smile in gratitude for my daughter, for my ministry, for my friends. Those aren’t entirely my accomplishments; they are signs of a life well lived, just the way it is. That’s the second antidote, remembering I am perfect, just the way I am.
What if I am perfect, from the moment I gasped for breath and cried? How does that idea impact me? The first thing I notice is a feeling of relief that I don’t have to keep working at doing better, striving for that goal of greatness just out of reach? Then there’s a smile that starts deep within, that leans into a sense of okayness, of acceptance, of ease. There is also surrender or alignment, opening to accept there is no need for fixing. Spirit’s got me and adores me, just the way I am. Of course, that is so, for I am one with That.
Full circle, into the greatness, the possibility, the aliveness – without having to change anything, fix anything, figure anything out. Being present, letting go, smiling – all is well. I am free to allow the unique beauty within to unfold, just the way I am. Glory hallelujah, it’s great!
Rev. Tara Steele is a minister at the Center for Spiritual Living Santa Rosa. Since beginning her service, she has been Staff Minister, Community Minister, and now Education Minister. Whatever her label, she delights in circles where participants connect and share their experiences, their knowledge, and their questions. It may be a class on wholeness, a book study, or a weekly gathering of mystics.
The oldest of five children, she is finally learning it’s way more fun to collaborate on projects than it is to tell everyone what they should do. It’s time for more play.
If I could be President of the United States, anything less than that is a failure. “You’re only a [fill in the blank], you could be so much more!” Now and then, when I look back at my life, I still question whether I lived up to my potential.
“Whole, perfect, and complete.” “This life is God’s life, this life is perfect, this life is my life now.“ I remember shaking my head at the naivete of those statements when I first heard them in a church of religious science. Aware of my limitations, my failures, my regrets, how could I be perfect? There was some unconscious template, a hidden belief, about what wholeness, perfection, “greatness” meant. Whatever it was, it was always a bit beyond my reach.
A couple of antidotes work for me. The first is recognizing what I have accomplished. After getting by the voices in my head, I smile in gratitude for my daughter, for my ministry, for my friends. Those aren’t entirely my accomplishments; they are signs of a life well lived, just the way it is. That’s the second antidote, remembering I am perfect, just the way I am.
What if I am perfect, from the moment I gasped for breath and cried? How does that idea impact me? The first thing I notice is a feeling of relief that I don’t have to keep working at doing better, striving for that goal of greatness just out of reach? Then there’s a smile that starts deep within, that leans into a sense of okayness, of acceptance, of ease. There is also surrender or alignment, opening to accept there is no need for fixing. Spirit’s got me and adores me, just the way I am. Of course, that is so, for I am one with That.
Full circle, into the greatness, the possibility, the aliveness – without having to change anything, fix anything, figure anything out. Being present, letting go, smiling – all is well. I am free to allow the unique beauty within to unfold, just the way I am. Glory hallelujah, it’s great!
The oldest of five children, she is finally learning it’s way more fun to collaborate on projects than it is to tell everyone what they should do. It’s time for more play.
Take Control of Your Life – Thru the Lens of Love, with Rev. Karen Fry
You are each a law unto yourselves. Become unto yourselves a law of happiness, a law of peace, a law of health, life, love, truth, and beauty, and go forth to radiate that which you feel yourself to be.
- Ernest Holmes, Love and Law p. 92.3
Eventually, digital cameras came on the scene. Now, one can get instant feedback and adjust the settings in the field. But I continued to keep my camera on program (automatic), now letting the camera choose all three settings. Honestly, I was afraid to go on manual and choose the triune nature of the outcome myself. I didn’t think that I could do as good a job as the technology. I was wrong.
You see, a camera is very similar to the Law. It takes whatever programming it’s been given and creates on outcome based upon that. It perceives what is held in front of it through an automatic lens. It isn’t conscious of the love or the light that the photographer sees in the subject. A camera on automatic, like each of us, is limited by its programming.
It took me over three decades to finally take that leap of faith and put my camera on manual – choosing all three settings (aperture, shutter speed, and ISO) myself, ensuring the camera would produce the photo that I wanted. I learned to trust myself in conjunction with the camera. I took control of my life and by doing so, I now have a lot more “keepers”. And I love wildlife photography even more because the love I see is reflected in the photos I take.
Why do we wait so long to take charge of our choices? We each have the power within to choose how our life out-pictures. No automatic (subconscious) programming need control us. When we truly understand how the law works, we can choose what we “place into the law” and it shall mirror back precisely what it is we want to see and experience.
Rev Karen Fry, Co-Spiritual Director at CSLDallas
Rev Karen Fry has a genuine love for all of life and meets people exactly where they are. She leads with her heart and is willing to be vulnerable and real. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and her authenticity is definitely noticeable. She invites you into your own magnificence and power; she will not let you play small.
Rev Karen Fry has a genuine love for all of life and meets people exactly where they are. She leads with her heart and is willing to be vulnerable and real. Her enthusiasm is infectious, and her authenticity is definitely noticeable. She invites you into your own magnificence and power; she will not let you play small.
Rev Karen is known for her enthusiasm, inspirational speaking, and prosperity consciousness. She is committed to teaching Science of Mind and living an abundant life. She loves to invite you to go for your highest potential – to move from limitation to limitless – and often incorporates extreme spirituality for transformation such as walking on fire and breaking boards with your hand. She is a Certified Firewalking Instructor and she’s always on fire with her faith in the power of prayer.
When she’s not at CSLDallas, you’ll find Rev Karen taking pictures of wildlife, spending time in nature, and planning her next sacred travel adventure.
Contact Rev Karen Fry at: revkaren@csldallas.org or karen@karenfry.com. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/livnlove4all and Instagram: @revkarenfry
When she’s not at CSLDallas, you’ll find Rev Karen taking pictures of wildlife, spending time in nature, and planning her next sacred travel adventure.
Contact Rev Karen Fry at: revkaren@csldallas.org or karen@karenfry.com. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/livnlove4all and Instagram: @revkarenfry
One Thing, by Rev. Katherine McKinney
One Power, One Thing, One Infinite Intelligence that we can use for good. It provides everything that we need or want.
I am inspired by a story I read this week about an Indian man, Jadav Payeng, who has planted one tree a day for 40 years. In 1979, he chooses land which has been devasted by erosion. Today, it is a dense forest, home to elephants, rhinoceros, wild boars, birds, and more. One Thing that one man does which transforms a barren piece of land into a dense forest, teeming with life.
Perhaps Jadav lives a simpler life, but he sticks with his one thing for 40 years without wavering, and that is impressive. For many of us, commitment seems more like a process: After a few months or less, the commitment may waver.
Choosing to do one thing for our good, is a key to our spiritual unfoldment. Ernest Holmes says, “Until we awake to the fact that we are One in nature with God…until we realize that our own word has the power of life, we will not see clearly.” If we create the barriers to our own success, we cannot see clearly.
A book-reading class on The Art of Life shows Ernest writing of Life and Its limitless capacity to create for us; he often follows with affirmations. Recently, after the affirmations, I paused the reading. One affirmation, in particular, stimulated spirited discussion: “If we always are kind, we shall not know hate.” One student says, “There is hate in life; it is all around us. How can we not see it?”
I am inspired by a story I read this week about an Indian man, Jadav Payeng, who has planted one tree a day for 40 years. In 1979, he chooses land which has been devasted by erosion. Today, it is a dense forest, home to elephants, rhinoceros, wild boars, birds, and more. One Thing that one man does which transforms a barren piece of land into a dense forest, teeming with life.
Perhaps Jadav lives a simpler life, but he sticks with his one thing for 40 years without wavering, and that is impressive. For many of us, commitment seems more like a process: After a few months or less, the commitment may waver.
Choosing to do one thing for our good, is a key to our spiritual unfoldment. Ernest Holmes says, “Until we awake to the fact that we are One in nature with God…until we realize that our own word has the power of life, we will not see clearly.” If we create the barriers to our own success, we cannot see clearly.
A book-reading class on The Art of Life shows Ernest writing of Life and Its limitless capacity to create for us; he often follows with affirmations. Recently, after the affirmations, I paused the reading. One affirmation, in particular, stimulated spirited discussion: “If we always are kind, we shall not know hate.” One student says, “There is hate in life; it is all around us. How can we not see it?”
I note that Ernest does not say that there is no hate, but that “If we are always kind, we shall never know hate.” What is the difference? I remind the class of earlier passages that remind us that we must, “realize that our own word has the power of life…,” and realize that ALL of our thoughts and words and feelings have power of life.
How many of us are always kind? Perhaps, that is One Thing we can choose. The Dalai Lama has said, “My religion is kindness.” One Thing might be to follow Ernest Holmes’ words and “realize our own words have the power of life,” and choose to be more aware of how often we say words and think thoughts that are barriers to our good, in spite of our best intentions.
Having a commitment to One Thing doesn’t mean we only do one thing. Jadav Payeng has a family and a farm; he makes his living selling milk from his cows. He manages his life. Yet, by staying true to his One Thing, he draws inspiration from the forest he has created. Moreover, he grows his consciousness by being in integrity with the commitment he has made; he says that he will plant trees as long as he draws breath.
I further believe that if we do choose One Thing, and make a commitment to an important idea, we can know that any resources or opportunities we require for it to happen appear as we need them. We open to Spirit’s inspiration and stay awake. Spirit provides everything that we need or want.
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Katherine McKinney very recently has been appointed as Interim Senior Minister at Redondo Beach for Spiritual Living. She is the Dean of the Los Angeles School for Spiritual Leadership, located at Redondo Beach Center for Spiritual Living, since 2014.
How many of us are always kind? Perhaps, that is One Thing we can choose. The Dalai Lama has said, “My religion is kindness.” One Thing might be to follow Ernest Holmes’ words and “realize our own words have the power of life,” and choose to be more aware of how often we say words and think thoughts that are barriers to our good, in spite of our best intentions.
Having a commitment to One Thing doesn’t mean we only do one thing. Jadav Payeng has a family and a farm; he makes his living selling milk from his cows. He manages his life. Yet, by staying true to his One Thing, he draws inspiration from the forest he has created. Moreover, he grows his consciousness by being in integrity with the commitment he has made; he says that he will plant trees as long as he draws breath.
I further believe that if we do choose One Thing, and make a commitment to an important idea, we can know that any resources or opportunities we require for it to happen appear as we need them. We open to Spirit’s inspiration and stay awake. Spirit provides everything that we need or want.
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Katherine McKinney very recently has been appointed as Interim Senior Minister at Redondo Beach for Spiritual Living. She is the Dean of the Los Angeles School for Spiritual Leadership, located at Redondo Beach Center for Spiritual Living, since 2014.
We Are One by Rev. Ron Fox
Over and over, my wife and I were aware of the fact that when people meet as individuals with no agendas, labels disappear. It didn’t matter what part of the world someone was from, their culture, what form of government their country practiced, or their religion. All that mattered was that we were connecting and enjoying each other’s company in the moment. Not even language barriers got in our way.
One morning, we had breakfast with a couple from Scotland, and we spoke about raising children, another time, we had a wide-ranging discussion with a couple from France, and my favorite was a discussion I had with a woman from the Dominican Republic about baseball.
So why am I writing about my vacation? Because never have I been as conscious of these words that earnest Holmes wrote, “God in me is unified with God in all. This one is now drawing into my life all love and fellowship. I am one with all people, with all things, with all life. As I listen in the silence, the voice of all humanity speaks to me and answers the love that I hold out to it.”
For one week, these words became manifest to us as never before.
Years ago, in a Daily Guide, I wrote that “The only labels that are truly descriptive are brother and sister because we all emanate from the same source. Our differences are on the surface; deep within, at the center of our being, we are one---now and for all time.” Sometimes in a world where there is war, hunger, child trafficking, racial injustice, and a host of other issues that separate us, it’s easy to forget the basic truth of our oneness.
One way we can begin to create a world that works for everyone is to let go of labels and see one another as children of God, to live as Jesus commands us, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Wherever we live, whatever we believe, whatever our color, no matter who we love, underneath it all, we are the same. Just imagine what our world would be like if people all over the world took those words into their hearts and let them resonate in their actions. We would truly be creating heaven on earth.
Years ago, in a Daily Guide, I wrote that “The only labels that are truly descriptive are brother and sister because we all emanate from the same source. Our differences are on the surface; deep within, at the center of our being, we are one---now and for all time.” Sometimes in a world where there is war, hunger, child trafficking, racial injustice, and a host of other issues that separate us, it’s easy to forget the basic truth of our oneness.
One way we can begin to create a world that works for everyone is to let go of labels and see one another as children of God, to live as Jesus commands us, and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Wherever we live, whatever we believe, whatever our color, no matter who we love, underneath it all, we are the same. Just imagine what our world would be like if people all over the world took those words into their hearts and let them resonate in their actions. We would truly be creating heaven on earth.
Meanwhile, by Rev. Staci Hylton
Honestly, there are days that my focus and energy seem to be stalled, and I gravitate toward that which infuriates and disappoints me about humanity; therefore, I must give double attention to my spiritual practices. As my focus shifts to being “in the world and not “of the world,” that which is mine to do comes through. The blessing that comes from the chaos and seeming darkness that is happening all around us is that truth is being revealed, and if enough of us can find the strength and courage to wrestle with the uncomfortable and the unrest, we truly have the opportunity to create exactly that which we want which will serve humanity at a higher level. I am willing to look into the dark corners and crevices of my own mind and that which is out in the world, however, am unwilling to vibrate from a place of doubt, fear, and worry. My light must shine as brightly as it can from within. What brings me back to shine is the remembering the “meanwhile.”
I am so grateful for the Principles of Science of Mind, which allow me to live in the meanwhile. Here is a reminder of the Principles which come from CSL.org. They are framed on the wall at LVCSL as a reminder, and they make up the “Meanwhile” that I choose to focus my energy upon.
Current conditions that weigh on my human mind and heart: Racism, Sexism, Heterosexism, Classism, Ageism, Ableism, Anti-Semitism, Anti-Any religion that isn’t traditional Christianity (ism), fear of one another, fear of loss of power, lack of resources, inequality, not-enoughness, unworthiness, change, lack of recognition and respect of the value in all beings and the planet.
Meanwhile, there is Oneness, Love, and Creation
“One infinite Reality, We call it many names, including but not limited to God, Life Universal Spirit, Infinite Intelligence. First Cause, or the Thing Itself. The One Infinite Reality is undivided, complete, and whole within Itself. This Oneness creates everything out of itself and therefore includes both the absolute and the relative, tangible and intangible, physical and metaphysical aspects of reality.
“Love is the self-givingness of Universal Spirit through its desire to express itself in terms of creation. Love is the impulse, and Law is the way of creation.” We each are divine and a unique expression of the One Love, and when we create from that place and space of love, we manifest more and more love.”
Meanwhile, there is The Creative Process and The Spirit Threefold Nature
The One Infinite Reality expresses in three aspects, Spirit, Soul, and Body, and we are made in that One Reality’s image and likeness therefore, we create from that.
Each individual is made in the image and likeness of the One Infinite Reality therefore, once each realizes and acts from its birthright of Love, we can and will ultimately choose to manifest the attributes of love, peace, power, joy, and harmony and realize our beauty, and abundance and so much more.
Meanwhile, the Truth is that Freedom, Heaven is a state of consciousness, and we are all living an Eternal Life Now
Freedom is the birthright of every living soul, and as we realize that heaven is our true nature and allow ourselves to live from that awareness, we create more of that state of consciousness within each of us. We also allow for others to create their own version of their highest and best lives, knowing that as each opens up to their own unique magnificent selves, each creates a world that works for each one. We are immortal and eternal spiritual beings, here at this time on purpose to walk each other Home.
Rev. Staci Hylton
An Affirmative Prayer (Spiritual Mind Treatment) for World Peace by Rev. Kathy Mastroianni
As I slow down, take that sacred breath of Life, and tune into the stillness that is within me, I sense and feel the Infinite Presence of Spirit within me, through me, and as me. I know that Infinite Spirit is Pure Peace, Deep Love, Transcendent Joy, Global Harmony, Infinite Abundance, and the Shining Light of Wisdom and Guidance.
I know that I am One with this amazing, Peaceful Spirit and so is every person and sentient being on our beloved Mother Earth and beyond.
Deeply we are One.
In this Holy moment of Communion, I speak my Word, co-Creating with Infinite Presence, that World Peace is right here and right now. I surrender any sense of disharmony or unrest or wars or projected anger or struggles between or among others in the world. I rise up in Consciousness and know the Higher Truth that Peace is here and Now. I celebrate with Joy how we are all brothers and sisters together on this earth journey and that each and every person and sentient being truly loves and supports each other all along the way. We realize that we are part of one race – – the human race – – and whenever one or another has any problems or issues, we come to their aid and support them with Love, with any resources needed, and with deep and abiding Peace. We instinctively and immediately remind each other of the Truth of their Light when a situation feels dark, lonely, or scary.
When there are opposing views between individuals, organizations, or countries, each person intuitively goes into active and deep listening, seeking to understand one another completely first, then joining together to find a Higher solution that benefits all—and beyond. This is all done with calmness, caring, compassion, patience, and true Love.
Knowing there is no situation too big or small for Spirit, with Joy and gratitude I celebrate Infinite Spirit’s Wisdom and Intelligence revealing this Truth for World Peace right here and right now. Thank you, Spirit!
With complete confidence, I release this Word into the Law knowing it is fulfilled in amazing, wonderful ways. I Trust and Know this is done Now. And so it is.
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Rev. Kathy is currently on the Global Heart of Peace Initiative, has a Rise Up 4 Peace FaceBook page with her partner in Peace, Rev. Millie Forsberg, and facilitates a weekly Empowerment Group at a local domestic violence group to bring as much Peace as possible out to the world, truly revealing A World that Works for Everyone and Peace on Earth.
World Food Security
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