What if we could sit in a room
uniquely exquisite
authentic, accepting, open
Spirits

beautifully bonded together

capturing words,

apprehending silence
and

giving voice

to the inner yearning of the soul?

While some people have a venue to express themselves spiritually, and connect with other beings on a spirit level –whether it be a church bible study, a yoga class or meditation group, most don’t.

A spirituality group has the benefits of bringing members deep into their own discovery about healing, creativity, relationships and spiritual connection. On a societal level, the uniting of women in spirit is increasingly cultivating an open and fertile garden for grace and love and compassion to flourish and impact our world with beauty and acceptance.

Let’s do it.

For more information about our upcoming Women’s Winter Spirituality Circle beginning January 26th, please contact wellnessinquiries@gmail.com

Recently I came across the words of Clyde Kilby, beautiful soul and professor of English at Wheaton College from 1935 to 1981.

He was a lover of words, of nature, of beauty–and a true lover of the Creator of all things beautiful.

While he wrote down 12 suggestions for living a life of wonder and integrity, I happen to be stuck on the first one. More may come later…but for now, there is something profound about staying here, for me–and maybe for you too.

At least once each day I shall look steadily up at the sky and remember that I, a consciousness with a conscience, am on a planet traveling in space with everlasting mysterious things above and about me.

Be blessed in your wondering this week.

Many of us get discouraged when we think about the things we could be doing to improve the world around us. The idea of making a difference in the world can seem trite when we are surrounded with abundance and wealth.

Yet there is something we can do…the effects of which we one day will see.
This something affects the world.
This something affects the universe.
When we focus our attention on God in love
When we fix our eyes in adoration for the risen, exalted Christ,

things change in the atmosphere around us.

There is something pure and powerful about the type of prayer we pray when our minds and hearts connect with the true person of God–the Cosmic Christ; void of image, evaluation, and distraction.

In The Cloud of Unknowing, St John of the Cross puts it like this:
“For when you fix your love on Him, forgetting all else, the saints and angels rejoice and hasten to assist you in every way–no corner of the universe is untouched by this exercise of love…”

In pure contemplation, we are one with Christ.
When we join with the person of Christ, the world–
the universe shifts.
The universe–the cosmos.
All because a small prayer we pray–even if it begins as egocentric–
twist and turns.
The prayer twists.

And turns

Away from us
And

Bounces back to

Adore

focused, wholehearted, devoted.

Cosmic.

Now, and then; you are making a difference.

There is a time to name that which we hold, and there is a time to let go.

As a young therapist in my twenties, I learned the art of naming. Naming your fear. Naming your passion. Naming your offense.
Naming can be one way to acknowledge and bring life to our position or plight. I used to be a pro.
I taught others how to own and validate and be validated by the art of naming.
Yet now, I wonder about the inherent good in naming.
Naming enhances, highlights. Brings life.
What do I wish to give life to?
That which fills me and nurtures others.
Consider the young mother who lies in bed at night and feels an irregular heartbeat. She focuses on the heartbeat, senses and feels the strange rhythms, and begins to sweat. Her thoughts rant and rave and she searches for the meaning of what is happening to her. She wants to give it a name.
“I’m having a heart attack!” Surely, there must be something very, very wrong.
I am going to die
So, assured of her condition, named and set in stone, she wakes her husband who takes her to the ER.
Nothing.
She comes home with a prescription for Paxil.
Oh Great. Now, I have an Anxiety Disorder. What a mess I am…(more naming).
My wisdom teachers of today teach the art of detachment.
They teach the danger of giving something a name that serves no positive end or blessing.
Detachment.
Thoughts come and go. Some thoughts take precendence. Front row. You know the ones.

The positive ones can stay and get a name, if they serve you well…but the negative ones must be let loose.
If the young mother had detached herself from troublesome thought, she would have attended to the moment– and eventually, something different about her body, her environment, or her thoughts would have become apparent. If she had responded mindfully, remaining light and detached, there would be no need for panic, no need for a trip to the ER, no meds, and most importantly, no new diagnosis.

If you notice yourself ruminating on the same negative thought again and again, you probably are ready to ask yourself: Does this deserve a name? Do I really want to give life to this?
You– the new artist of detachment, can now notice how easy it is to practice letting loose the thought that does not serve you.
So the task is simple, really.
The thought comes.
And, as always, it poses the question; the true test.
Do I get a name?
If you answer no, you have begun to create art.

People usually consider walking on water or in thin air a miracle. But I think the real miracle is not to walk either on water or in thin air, but to walk on earth. Every day we are engaged in a miracle which we don’t even recognize: a blue sky, white clouds, green leaves, the black, curious eyes of a child — our own two eyes. All is a miracle.

~THICH NHAT HANH

So. Spend more time in nature. Instead of going to the gym or working on your machines at home, get outside. Awake to the world around you! The natural world around us offers more food for thought in its colors, sounds, smells and textures than any indoor excercise option could ever offer. To spend a little time outside each day is a gift to your body.

To your mind.

To your soul.

Connect to the natural world and watch your soul awaken to the wonders around you.

If you don’t think you can do it, then get a large dog who needs the exercise.

Then, you have no choice.