Today is #PeaceDay: Who Will You Make Peace With?

Today is #PeaceDay – an annual day of global ceasefire and non-violence. Please join us in the loudest call for lasting peace the world has ever seen by marking the day in your homes and communities. Every act of kindness or forgiveness helps us all to build a world that works for everyone.

For more information on this peaceful revolution please visit http://www.peaceoneday.org

I Am the Peace of the Puzzle.



ONE The Peace Day Anthem



One Love, One Voice, One Spirit, United.
Singing As One.
Brothers And Sisters, Peace.

Why Do We Fall In Love?

"What we regard as normality is our collective, protective madness,

in which we repress the grim truth about the human condition." - Ernest Becker

The Same Reason The Flowers Grow. 

World's Best Sunsets San Clemente

"Attention, if sudden and close, graduates into surprise; and this into astonishment; and this into stupefied amazement." - Darwin

Join Jason Silva every week as he freestyles his way into the complex systems of society, technology and human existence and discusses the truth and beauty of science in a form of existential jazz. New episodes of Shots of Awe every Tuesday!

The Power Of Sunsets

We Don't Cry Because We're Sad

"The moment we cry in a film is not when things are sad but when they turn out to be more beautiful than we expected them to be." - Alain de Button

The Sky Does Not Rain From Sadness 

Global Meditation for Peace in San Clemente

Visit http://globalmeditation.chopra.com/ and sign up now to be part of the global meditation event of the year, Friday August 8th, and help set the Guinness World Record for the largest meditation gathering ever!

Then join us in the Sanctuary from 9-10am as we live stream this historic event with Deepak Chopra, Gabrielle Bernstein, and Maya Tiwari.

Be sure to share now to your favorite social media site with the hashtag #IAMPEACE

Sanctuary doors open at 8:30am for a pre meditation sage cleansing ceremony and never forget your real identity.

You are a luminous conscious stardust being, who has been forged in the crucible of cosmic fire.

#IAmPeace

Shots Of Awe In San Clemente

Psychologist Nicholas Humphrey has proposed that our ability to awe was biologically selected for by evolution because it imbues our lives with sense of cosmic significance that has resulted in a species that works harder not just to survive but to flourish and thrive.

Are you looking for a "Shot of Awe" in San Clemente? Look no further than "The Center For Spiritual Living"

A Shot Of Awe From San Clemente

Layers of Truth in San Clemente

Christopher Uhl reminds us that "while gazing 'up' at a night sky, one in fact hangs off the planet and near the edge of a galaxy, vertiginous, suspended over the infinity of space...

Layers of Truth in San Clemente 

Contemplate: Become consciously aware of this open channel between the human and the Divine.  Can you tell where one starts and the other leaves off?

It's A Small World On Earth Day

50 years ago today "It's A Small World" opened at the 1964 New York Worlds Fair and then moved here to Disneyland in Orange County California in 1966. The song was written by Richard & Robert Sherman in the wake of the Cuban Missile Crisis and it's metaphysical message has been earworming riders ever since. So remember on this Earth Day, with the shrinking of the world with our hyper connectivity,

"It's A Small World After All."

It's a world of laughter, a world of tears.

It's a world of hopes and a world of fears.

There's so much that we share,

That it's time we're aware

It's a small world after all.

It's a small world after all.

It's a small world after all.

It's a small world after all.

It's a small, small world.

There is just one moon and one golden sun.

And a smile means friendship to everyone.

Though the mountains divide,

And the oceans are wide

It's a small world after all.

It's a small world after all.

It's a small world after all.

It's a small world after all.

It's a small, small world.

There is so much that we share, it is time we are aware, "It's A Small World After All." And So It Is!

Remembering Spiritual Truths in San Clemente

In chaos theory, the butterfly effect is the sensitive dependency on initial conditions in which a small change at one place in a deterministic nonlinear system can result in large differences in a later state. The name of the effect, coined by Edward Lorenz, is derived from the theoretical example of a hurricane's formation being contingent on whether or not a distant butterfly had flapped its wings several weeks earlier. ~ Wikipedia

I am always struck by how the topic for today from the Joyous Living Journal matches what is going thru my head before I get out of bed in the morning to write my blog post. "Remembering Spiritual Truth" is the title for today, and we are reminded that the most powerful spiritual practice is more than sitting on our meditation cushion in the morning and seeking the Presence of Spirit. The most powerful spiritual practice is taking Spirit with us throughout our day. Knowing that we are the Voice, The Hands of Spirit on Earth as the song says, in our every action and reaction. Like the butterfly who's wing beat can start a hurricane on the other side of the planet our interactions with those around us can show the power of our God Qualities as we personify them.  If we think about how we are living in this way, everything we say, everything we do becomes a prayer and matters.

Even the smallest act of kindness will reverberate across great distances and spans of time -- affecting lives unknown to the one who’s generous spirit, was the source of this echo of good. Because kindness is passed on and grows each time it’s passed until a simple courtesy becomes an act of selfless courage, years later, and far far away. Likewise, each small meanness, each expression of hatred, each act of evil... ~ Dean Koontz

Contemplation: What are some of your favorite spiritual principles and truths? and more importantly how will you personify them on this day? Because You Matter.

You Are The Wings Of Spirit On Earth

Affirmation: Spirit is all there is, in every situation, person or event, I remember a spiritual truth in any moment of concern, worry or doubt.

And So It Is! 

Northwest Open Space PhotoWalk Recap

“Sometimes I arrive just when God's ready to have someone click the shutter.”  ~ Ansel Adams

What is a PhotoWalk anyway?

A PhotoWalk is an event where a group of people show up with a camera in hand with the intention of capturing a moment, and learn a few things about photography along the way. For our last PhotoWalk we choose to explore the Northwest Open Space in San Juan Capistrano.

Click here to view all of our photos.  

& This time we put the "walk" in photowalk, pretty much wearing out the "littles" as +Juli Isola calls them. There are so many great things to capture this time of year, from mustard greens blooming their vibrant yellow flowers, water flowing thru the creek, to buzzards flying overhead and lizards and turtles scurrying underfoot. You could feel the valley coming alive in spring,

I would like to thank everyone who showed up and encourage you to grab your camera and come with us next time, we will be glad you did.

What is a photowalk anyway?  PhotoWalks are our way to be "the lens" of Spirit. And So It Is!

Thoughts On Death And Spirituality

To the Men & Women of the HMM-364 Purple Foxes
We Salute You

At 10;30 am every Sunday, We Light the Flames of Faith, a call to service. Where we recognize the many paths to Spirit, and of Service.

• We light the candle for the Shamanic Traditions, honoring the beliefs and practices of all indigenous peoples, The way of Primal Spirituality.

In today's excerpt from the Joyous Living Journal we are inspired to find our "Healing Chant" in indigenous peoples this was also called the "Death Chant". In the native american tradition this chant was discovered thru spirit quest, or passed down thru your relations, and sung in moments of adversity.

This year I have embraced my inner Cherokee, by fasting and then attending ceremony on Saturday evenings with my friend and Vietnam veteran +Gene Stone. This has been a very powerful experience and has brought a centeredness to my life that is hard to put in words. The chants we sing, the prayers that have been asked and answered have been profound and amazing. You should check out his blog from a Native American Viewpoint "We are All Part of the Earth" the way of Primal Spirituality.

Yesterday, I had another powerful experience when I went with one of my blogging students +Paul Gavin  to view the end of a long chapter in our nations history, covering a twelve ship "Heritage Flight" of the USMC HMM-364 World Famous Purple Foxes as they transition from flying the Phrog to the Osprey. This is the end of a 50 year history of service where these birds were very much the horse of years gone by. The Purple Foxes got our fighting men and women into and out of all kinds of sticky situations around the globe. And we remember the sacrifices they have made for our country, and the Marine motto of "Do The Right Thing, For The Right Reason."

When your time comes may your healing chant include that you did all the right things, for all the right reasons, a message I have heard time and time again in ceremony and in service.
Your heart will be your guide for this, And So It Is.

Spirit Prevails In San Clemente

Remembering Fukushima

We send loving blessings to our Japanese friends and all those

suffering from Fukushima.  We honor their suffering as sacred fuel to

stop the nuclear insanity worldwide. ~ Mary Beth Brangan

In today's entry in our "Joyous Living Journal" it states,

Some of the issues facing humanity today are beyond human means for solution. They are beyond the grasp of political leaders and their "think tanks"  If there were solutions, they would have been implemented by now. These are the times that challenge one's beliefs, and one can give way to doubt and fear. Is your faith in God bigger than your faith in the world's challenges?

It goes on to say that does not mean you should bury your head in the sand and stop taking part however, you should still stay informed on the issues, and vote for the person who you feel represents the wisest form of leadership.

To that end I hope that you all will join me at the first public meeting of the new So Cal Edison Community Engagement Panel on the Decommissioning of The San Onofre Nuke Site, in support of one of our very own members who is on this panel, Gene Stone. The meeting will be held at the San Clemente Community Center on Tuesday, March 25 from 6 to 9 p.m. and you will have a 3 minute comment period at some point in this meeting.

"Don't underestimate the importance of your coming to events like these, there is something about everyone coming together that makes something happen in the universe here that we don't quite understand." ~ Ray Lutz 

Reflection: Is your faith in God bigger than your faith in the worlds's challenges? When have you been caught in the trials and tribulations of the human world, thinking there is no human answer, and then touched that spiritual place where you saw with new eyes and your world was transformed?

See What Is In San Clemente

VR Green Farms PhotoWalk

Today our Joyous Living Journal reminds us to "See What Is" I love that especially after the great photowalk we had last Saturday.  It was originally scheduled for the prior weekend, but after the heavy rains on Friday, and the forecast for even more on Saturday, We saw what was coming and put it off for seven days. And are we were lucky we did.  When we got to VR Green Farms, located just up the hill and right out in front of the Center For Spiritual Living Capistrano Valley, we were greeted with temps in the mid 70's, and the greenness that only follows a rainy day here in Southern California. Our featured photographer was our very own Ella McClure, who may be short on stature but is tall on spirit and has a good eye for capturing what is.

Click Here to pick thru everyone's shots from the day and thumb up your favorites.

PhotoWalking, A Great Way To See & Share What Is.

Hope to see you at the next one!

We Are One Of The Ways The Universe Knows Itself

In today's excerpt from the Joyous Living Journal we are reminded about the Law of Attraction. Many people have discovered this law from the movie, The Secret. Those of us who attend a Center for Spiritual Living know that this is how the world works.

Like a magnet, our attitude, beliefs and words are our attractors. We are taught to focus on what we want, rather that what we do not want. We discover that we attract more good, love and joy, into our life by expressing good, love, and joy. That is the way of the walk, to notice the positive, talk about the positive and be grateful for the good things in our life. 

Affirmation: Today I discover that I am a magnet for the positive life I want, I release my negativity and any old patterns that no longer suit me. I look for the good in everything and praise it.

It's this thing called life, thank you life!
And So It Is.

The Freedom of a Private Thought

The inherent nature of man is ever seeking to express itself in terms of freedom, because freedom is the birthright of every living soul. ~ Ernest Holmes 

A free society should not have private laws. Most of all we need a space to think a private thought, today that space has moved to the internet, with email, texts and blogs like this one. It is only in this space of freedom that we can come to know the Creator in our own private way. Please join me in contacting congress and asking them to support the freedom of thought, and the Fourth Amendment to the United States Constitution. Click here for more on todays action plan https://thedaywefightback.org/

https://thedaywefightback.org

Science of Mind Coming Alive

The entry for today from the Joyous Living Journal asks us to come alive and share our gifts with the world, We just need to awaken to the possibilities of our divine self, of being the hands and the voice of spirit on earth, But you don't have to be Mother Teresa, Gandhi or Jesus to share your gifts, we just need to ask, what makes me come alive? You are meant to be you, so be the best you that you can be, the power of the I Am. The Power of One. Who are You? Why are You Here Now? And how will you share those gifts? These answers are different for every one of us, so please repeat after me,

I have a unique gift to give. I have a necessary and needed talent to share. I make a difference. 

And pass it on. 

May Your Light Shine So Brightly That Others May Find Their Way.
Namaste 

Saturday Photowalk With Arpad Petrass

Come explore Salt Creek on this months San Clemente Connected PhotoWalk with our featured photographer Arpad Petrass

Inspiration is Therapy 

Where Salt Creek Beach Park

33333 S. Pacific Coast Hwy. Dana Point, CA 92629
Date: Saturday- February 8th
Time 3:30-5:30PM
Click Here To Sign Up! 

• Lots of opportunity to take pictures here. 
• Large park for the kids 
• Practice portrait photography on the beach 
• Shoot the sunset 
• Take pictures from the golf course overlooking the beach 
• Take Pictures from the Ritz Carlton

Arpad says that “Photography should delight and excite the senses." There are so many magical moments in life that if you were to just stop, pause and look around, you could begin to experience life’s extraordinary beauty. "Just by giving ourselves the ‘gift’ of opening our eyes and be willing to see clearly, we will experience the wonder and magic on this planet like never before."

"Photography can be classical, whimsical, realistic, dramatic,breath taking or artistic. It can be created through the eye of just the photographer and his camera or enhanced and embellished in a lab. What really matters is not how the photograph was created, but what emotions that photograph invoked in you. Did you want to own it, experience it, taste it, be it or do it. After all, this is our life, what we experience and believe about the world , is our perception of it. “ 

If you don't already know Arpad come to "Not just another Wednesday Wisdom" here at our center tomorrow at 7pm

Beauty is a dynamic event that occurs between you and something else. Beauty is thus an altered state of consciousness, an extraordinary moment between poetry and grace.  And So It Is!  

Talk The Talk, But Walk The Walk

Today we celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King jr. A man who exemplified the adage "Talk The Talk, But Walk The Walk" with his marches and message of nonviolence, peace and love for all.

"A riot is the language of the unheard" ~MLKjr

Saturday night I sat on the Internet and watched the riots in Fullerton form the unheard regarding the Kelly Thomas beating. Some of the people there did not exactly exemplify the beings of light that I know inhabit our center. Imagine if we had shown up as a non violent peaceful force with our message of new thought and love for all sentient beings, as a buffer between the police and the unwashed protesters. What would the result have been then?

“Not only will we have to repent for the sins of bad people; but we also will have to repent for the appalling silence of good people." ~MLKjr 

In the above video Ronald Reagan quotes Winston Churchill who said "The destiny of man is not measured by material computation. When great forces are on the move in the world, we learn we are spirits -- not animals, and that there is something going on in time and space and beyond time and space, which whether we like it or not, spells duty." And again I hear "Talk The Talk, But Walk The Walk."

"Science investigates; religion interprets. Science gives man knowledge, which is power; religion gives man wisdom, which is control. Science deals mainly with facts; religion deals mainly with values. The two are not rivals." ~MLKjr 

It is powerful to pray for change from Sunday, but it is even more powerful when we bring these values to the rest of the week. When We "Talk The Talk, But Walk The Walk. "

“Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way.” ~MLKjr

What we have learned from the great human rights activist of the world, is that we were given these bodies for a reason. We are here to be the change we seek in our world. To speak up for our fellow sentient beings, for those that have no voice, from the dolphins in Taiji Cove in Japan to the mentally ill homeless, the invisible people, on our own streets right here in the land of opportunity.

“Faith is taking the first step even when you can't see the whole staircase.” ~MLKjr

I have faith in the people of our world and home here at our center that this MLK Day will not be just another day off, but this day will be a day of inspiration and change for all who walk the path of truth, goodness and light.

“One of the great liabilities of history is that all too many people fail to remain awake through great periods of social change. Every society has its protectors of status quo and its fraternities of the indifferent who are notorious for sleeping through revolutions. Today, our very survival depends on our ability to stay awake, to adjust to new ideas, to remain vigilant and to face the challenge of change.” ~MLKjr

MLK day is a reminder to awaken, to "Talk The Talk, But Walk The Walk."

Keep Moving Forward
And So It Is, Namaste. 

Go To Oz, But Return To Tell The Tale

We might say that both the artist and the neurotic bite off more than they can chew, but the artist spews it back out again and chews it over in an objectified way, as an ex­ternal, active, work project...

- Ernest Becker

Lately I have been dreaming that I can fly, not in a movie kind of way, but in a visceral 4D,  touch taste and feel, first person kind of way. I find myself hovering over the trees, then floating down to meet with people on the ground, and loving this round world. I find myself so involved that I don't want to wake up. But in the end, Kate kicks, or the light comes. These dreams all seem to be connected in some way, like watching a TV show from one season to the next.  I have been sharing these dreams and the insight I get from them with my friends and family. It is a story that is better told than read.

What have you been dreaming of lately? Do you find yourself flying in your dreams? What is your unconscious mind trying to bubble to the surface of your experience? Are dreams our connection to a quantum multidimensional universe or just an escape from our everyday reality? That you must decide for yourself.

Want to know more about your dreams? Then sign up for our "Dream Interpretation Workshop" Sunday, January 26th from 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. We hope to see you there.

A Dreamy Little Waterfall

The Universal Law of Cause and Effect

Cause and effect, means and ends, seed and fruit, cannot be severed;
For the effect already blooms in the cause,
The end preexists in the means, the fruit in the seed.

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

Trust The Law