Recognize The Light Within, Christmas Day Service

I recognize the light within myself,see it in all others and help bring forth a community of peace,love and power. And So It Is

Taking a Lesson from the Girls, the Men's Spiritual Group of South Orange County is Here!

Dave Friedman - Practitioner and Facilitator
of the Spiritual Men's Group of South
Orange County

I find myself involved in a Men’s Group. What is a men’s group? A group of men, for starters. And what do we do? Why even have one? Allow me to share with a few random thoughts about this.

Women talk to women all the time. About what? Stuff. Guys don’t know what girls talk about, or even how they have so much to say. I got to thinking, who do we talk to about stuff? And what kind of stuff? Well, it did take a couple years to fully percolate, but I finally decided it would be fun to talk with other guys about stuff, too. Like who are we, Where are we. Why are we here. How ‘bout them Seahawks? How did we get here. Are we happy? What's next? How do we get there? How do I feel about this? Why do you say that? You know, just stuff. 

And what might be different about this? First, it's just guys. We are (more or less) officially the Men’s Spiritual Group of South Orange County. We've been meeting for about 3 months now. We have a very strong dedicated core group of guys. And a few guests who wander in and out every once in a while. The conversations can get very spirited. But we always end up with smiles and hugs and a see you next time.

The nature of guys is to do! And we’re trying to spend some time just Being. So that is a little different for us. I find, though, that it causes me to go through my days looking at things a little differently, paying attention in a different way, as anything out there could and does spark a debate/discussion. That’s where the learning and growing happens.

It’s fun to go to a meeting with a half an idea of what we may discuss, then have someone present a thought that has been bouncing around in their head, and realize two hours just passed in a moment. The connection is real, heartfelt and lasting. Ahh, maybe that’s what the girls have always known. Now, the secret is out. Thanks Girls. And Thanks to the guys who are making this something special. We are by no means a closed group. We invite men of all kinds to come and spend an evening with us. 

Please contact, me, Dave, with any questions or to inquire about the next men's group.  daveamon (at)yahoo(dot)com.

WISDOM FROM THE BEATLES?

The Beatles are unarguably one of the greatest rock bands of all time. Their music has infused the ears and minds of our planet for longer than I have been alive. But, how many times have you really listened to the music and contemplated its spiritual essence?

On Wednesday night, August 14, 2013, at the Center for Spiritual Living Capistrano Valley I, along with fellow musicians Rick Dale and Dave Friedman presented a unique concert at our weekly Wednesday’s Wisdom service entitled, “The Greatest Metaphysical Hits of the Beatles: An Evening of Music and Inspiration.” The hour consisted of several Beatles hits, some very well-known and others somewhat more obscure, including a discussion of the metaphysical meanings behind each song. The enthusiastic audience not only enjoyed reminiscing and singing along with the music; they also were given a new awareness about each piece’s lesson on living a more expansive and satisfying life.

The evening opened with the profound “Blackbird.” Although Paul McCartney wrote this song about the civil rights struggle for African-American freedom after reading about the race riots in the US, we can take this song and apply it to our own lives today. The struggles we experience in life (and we all do) actually teach and strengthen us so we are able to move forward and realize our dreams. The lyrics “take these broken wings and learn to fly…” say that no matter how broken we may believe ourselves to be, we can still learn to fly, and when we fly, we shine light upon that darkness that once held us back; “Blackbird fly, into the light of the dark black night.” The musical journey continued into the evening, travelling the long and winding road through laughter and tears.

The evening concluded with a rousing rendition of “Hey Jude.” Paul McCartney wrote this song as “Hey Jules,” intended to comfort John Lennon’s 5-year-old son Julian as his parents were divorcing. (The change to “Jude” was inspired by the character Judd in the musical Oklahoma.) For us, the meaning at depth is that of the human condition, both at its bleakest and at its most exalted. We indeed can take a sad song, or a sad life, and make it better by calling upon the divine power of love.

And as a very wise man once said, all you need is love.