What Good Emerges From Awakened Awareness

Calm at Sunset

I have  a new app on my phone called Calm. It has a short sweet meditation for the morning and  a bedtime story for the evening. I was doubtful about listening to a story to help go to sleep but it seems to work for me. ( I admit I was skeptical. My usual experience of watching or listening to a story would be one of being more fully engaged -- definitely not getting ready to drift off to dreamland.) However, it worked for me. The stories have been mostly descriptions and the readers' voices have been calming. This morning I discovered another part to the app called a Masterclass. It is taught by Judson Brewer, a psychiatrist from the University of Massachusetts and Director of the Center for Mindfulness. (I think he created this app.) Listening to the Masterclass on Breaking Habits was an  informative start to my day.  Although Dr. Brewer was not talking about anything brand new to me, he used intriguing language and examples that caused me to pay close attention.

The principles he was teaching were basic meditation techniques, but because I was hearing it from a different angle, I heard different possibilities. 

Some of the ideas that inspired me include : being curious, observing what you are thinking and feeling, stepping out of fear-based behaviors, noticing body sensations, and becoming disenchanted with the unhealthy behaviors.

In the past few days I have been preparing to teach a class based on Louise Hay's book You Can Heal Your Life.  Louise uses similar techniques to help people heal their bodies, relationships, prosperity and careers. She instructs her readers to be kind to themselves and to ask questions about where their unhealthy beliefs have come from. She also instructs the readers to examine their beliefs and let go of those that are no longer useful

Do you have something that you have been praying for that has not yet appeared?  Most people have. And most of us have many strategies, usually unconscious to us, to keep us from changing our minds. It could be an unhealthy habit. Sometimes we think that change is difficult  and uncomfortable, so we don't really try.

My guess is that we would discover goldmines of possibilities if we would be loving  and kind toward ourselves and curious about our thoughts, habits and feelings.

Dr. Brewer is an addiction specialist. He says that using mindfulness techniques to quit smoking is statistically more effective than any other method. The other benefit is that by becoming more aware, clients have actually lost weight in process of quitting.

I am very curious about that. As many of my readers know, my encounter with God, 35 years ago, caused me to release any need for nicotine. 

Of course, God is always present, whether or not we acknowledge the Presence. The Law of God is always at work. It is done unto us as we believe.

But it made me wonder if we used curiosity and being present to everything that is, in our study of the Science of Mind, would we have more rapid,deeper, more meaningful demonstrations? I intend to find out.  Anyone who enrolls in You Can Heal Your life will be encouraged to do their work gently, consistently and with great curiosity. 

Awareness is the first step to meaningful meditation. Affirmation and prayer emerging from our awakened awareness is potent. Our good is at hand now. 

If you would like to enroll in the class, please call the Center for Spiritual Living Capistrano Valley. or sign up on the kiosk. The class is being offered on a love offering basis. We have not made arrangements for the class to be taken online.

Seeing the Truth in Difficult Times

Often when people go in search of prayer, they are experiencing a challenge. A loss or diagnosis, something that can be scary or painful. It's the practitioners job to know the truth in all situations and pray from a place of knowing. And what happens when a practitioner struggles with a request? Here are their beautiful and inspiring answers.

Tell me about a time when you got a treatment request that was difficult.

I usually have very little difficulty finding the perfection and truth about a situation for someone else. It is easy for me to see an individual’s light in all things because I have no attachment to the outcome. I have no personal history or drama associated with the request, I only see Love. When I do run up against something that is a challenge, I find that it is something in me that needs attention. That is when I have to work on my consciousness FIRST before  I can treat for someone else. My house needs to be clear before I can help others. ~ Reverend Arpad Petress

*****

Someone came to me in great pain because her daughter was going through a huge health challenge.  The daughter did not believe in prayer and did not request prayer.  Since we are not allowed to pray for those who don't request it, I had to work with the mom on her own Truth.  It's often difficult to say to someone in great pain, "No, I cannot pray for that," yet I found success in revealing the perfect thing to help her find her peace.  ~ Reverend Karyn Allen

*****

Many years ago, when I was a newly licensed Practitioner, I had an after-service client for one of our Sunday abbreviated sessions. The client wanted his one surviving elderly parent to be agreeable to transitioning into an assisted-care living situation. When the client first voiced the prayer request, it was for a change in the parent’s attitude. Of course, as a Science of Mind Practitioner, I can only pray for the person in front of me. It is malpractice for me to pray for someone who has not asked for my prayer. 

As the client continued to describe the desired outcome, I realized that what he really wanted was to not feel guilty about needing to move his parent into assisted living and to experience a healing of their relationship, at least on his side. After working with that client I realized two things. One is that almost every client requesting prayer for someone else is really looking for healing of something in themselves. And two, almost every after-Sunday- service client probably needs more than a five-minute session. ~ Pam Rocke, RScP

*****

There was a time I had a young family ask me to pray for their husband and father to come home. It was during the holiday season. Not knowing this man, I knew I could only treat for Divine right action for him. My treatment for the entire family was for all of their hearts to be  filled with Love and God's presence along with divine right action in all of their activities. I learned the next month that he came home and they had a loving family holiday. ~ Kim Province, RScP

*****

The times when I find a treatment difficult is when I forget that it’s not up to me or when the outcome the person wants seems impossible to me. Or I get tangled up in wondering how I can convince them it can happen. The wonderful thing about our 5-step treatment format is that it starts with recognizing the truth about God and the truth about myself and the person asking for treatment. So I will spend longer on those two steps—until I remember there is an absolutely unlimited power and nothing can be difficult. My part is to know this truth and speak this truth and then let go and let the Power that is unlimited take over. It is only my mind and my misgivings or doubts that I need to treat. For the One Mind is all powerful. And I am so grateful that this is so. ~ Dr. Jeanne Hounshell, RScP

If you are dealing with a difficult situation, our practitioners we have a powerful group of practitioners who are always ready and willing to pray with you or for you. Submit a request and start healing.

Wholeness Revealed as Scars are Healed

Sister Kathy and I

In preparation for Altogether Day this coming Sunday, I have been watching the movie "Frozen." The movie explores many themes including the true love between sisters and how actions can be misinterpreted. I began thinking that our deep emotional scars may not have been incurred through a parent's angry words, or a teacher's frustrated statements, but through a siblings's inexplicable actions. When I was a little girl, and even today, my older sister was my role model. I wanted to be just like her. I especially wanted her approval for my activities.

When I was in kindergarten, our class was doing a version of the "The Hokey Pokey" for our annual Christmas concert. The auditorium was crowded with adults and children. Evidently my sister had been teasing me that I would forget the lyrics or more likely put the wrong foot in. When the rest of the children filed off, I when to the front of the stage and peered down at her and asked, "Wasn't I good Kathryn?" She was in 5th grade and was angry that all eyes were on her. She didn't speak to me on the drive home. Of course, I was heartbroken.

That incident held the seed to the biggest belief that I had to overcome on the way to being a platform minister. What I had to get to was the awareness that if I was pleased with what I said or did, then it didn't matter at all whether others approved or not.

Recently when I spent time with sister, she told me how much she regretted being embarrassed and angry. All these years later, those were words I wanted to hear. Wholeness was revealed and scars of the past were healed.

In "Frozen" Elsa, the older sister has magical powers that become uncontrolled when she is upset. Her parents teach her to "conceal, not feel." They did it for her good and the safety of her sister, but it is among the worst pieces of advice I have ever heard. From it, her sister thought that she was no longer loved; that they were no longer friends.

The movie has a beautiful ending in which the true love that sisters have for one another is the healing power of life itself. 

In a way, all of us have the power to heal or to hurt. Our "magic" is in the words we use and the actions we take.

8 Strings Attached Nathen Aswell Wednesday November 11th @ The Center

What has 8 strings, is played with both hands like a piano, is plucked like bass, is strummed like a guitar and is used to the celebrate the oneness of humanity? Come to this week's Wednesday Wisdom - Practicing the Present (7:00 p.m. November 11th at the Center For Spiritual Living Capistrano Valley in San Clemente) to find out! 

Nathen Aswell with his NS Stick (8-string instrument)

Our very special guest will be Nathen Aswell. Nathen is a gifted speaker and recording artist based in Vancouver, Canada, and he believes that his calling in this life is to inspire and heal through his words and music. His music is a celebration of life, transformation, evolution and the oneness of humanity. Nathen has performed internationally at Conferences, Concerts, Men’s Retreats and Churches, presenting his music, stories and humour with his voice and the NS Stick (an 8-stringed electronic instrument that can be plucked like a bass, strummed like a guitar, or tapped with both hands like a piano).

I Love Myself The Way I Am

Louise Hay, international bestselling author, coaches people to do mirror work. She asks her clients to look into their own eyes and state, "I love and approve of myself just the way I am." She says do it three or four hundred times a day especially if you want to heal something in your life.

I discovered Louise Hay before I became a minister. I saw her and the singing trio Alliance at a convention somewhere in the 80's.

I bought her books and her tapes. Yes, they were tapes then. I loved her voice. It is so soothing, calming. It felt to me like pure love.

This month, we are paying tribute to Louise's work; our theme for the month is based on her best-seller, You Can Heal Your Life. My topic this week is Mental Equivalents, which means the thought or belief which caused the illness in the first place and more importantly, the new belief which will heal your life.

Back of everything is the idea, that we must love ourselves unconditionally. 

When you look in the mirror do you compliment yourself and praise yourself? Many metaphysicians do this. They are living happy, healthy, loving lives. But we have been trained to do the opposite. WE have learned to critique ourselves, to measure as not good enough.

One of the many techniques, Louise offers is to see yourself as a small child under six years old, unsure and yearning for love. Would you harshly criticize this beautiful soul for not getting it right. for making mistakes? I believe you would be compassionate and kind. That is exactly what we need to do for ourselves too. I did a great deal of work on myself and recognize that there is still more to do.


The group Alliance sang at the gatherings that she had for people dying of AIDS. (Many people lived despite the dire predictions.)  I believe that learning to love themselves was key to their healing. The lyrics of I Love Myself the Way I Am, written by Jai Josephs are:

I love myself the way I am, there's nothing I need to change. 

I'll always be the perfect me, there's nothing to rearrange. 

I'm beautiful and capable, of being the best me I can. 

And I love myself, just the way I am. 

I love you the way you are, there's nothing you need to do. 

When I feel the love inside, it's easy to love you. 

Behind your fears, your rage and tears, I see your shining star. 

And I love you, just the way your are. 

I love the world the way it is, cause I can clearly see. 

That all the things I judge are done, by people just like me. 

So 'til the birth of peace on earth, that only love can bring. 

I'll help it grow, by loving everything. 

I love myself the way I am, and I still want to grow. 

But change outside can only come, when deep inside I know. 

I'm beautiful and capable, of being the best me I can. 

And I love myself, just the way I am.

I am including a video of Louise Hay's powerful affirmations. You, too, can heal your life!

The Power of Prayer by Ken Robuck

I am so blessed!  I was  exposed/introduced to Science of Mind 22 years ago. I knew it was a fit for me.  I took classes with Dr. Jacque and was definitely drawn to the principles and concept.   In fact for most of these 20+ years I have carried a personal treatment in my day-timer.

I've given affirmative prayers as an opening to Choir and other similar groups.   I understood the concept; I know it to be true.  But there was a missing link.

Then back in November of 2014, a life experience began.  As a part of my annual physical lab work indicated my PSA was definitely high the prostrate biopsy confirmed, there was a cancer issue.   I affirmed to myself this issue would be resolved with a positive outcome.  But there was still a missing element a feeling of incompleteness.

I contacted Rev. Judee Chapman and explained this situation and asked for her practitioner assistance.  We had two meeting just talking and sharing our backgrounds.  Surgery as a solution was obvious natural medical conditions attached. Judy explained how in her personal medical challenges how treatment provided the extra positive belief and support. 

Then the day before, (I think) Judee and I meet after a short talk, she held my hands and treated confirming that the surgery has the positive results, that all is well and good.  Acknowledging the professional quality of the hospital staff and all the friends that have and are providing encouragement and support this treatment completely encompassed the beginning and complete of the process.

It wasn't until that moment maybe half way through her treatment the feeling that an “ah-ha” cloaking warmth along with her words all came together.  It had meaning, direction and value that I cannot even begin to communicate.   To use an old cliche “the light came on”.

Judee was amazing; she came to the hospital sat with Barbara while I was in surgery, although I was out-of-it, offered another treatment.  I don’t remember it but now I am sure ”gratitude” was a focal element. 

Treatment now has a new deeper and special significant purpose.  Judee Chapman, you will always be a part of a gratitude statement in my daily treatment of thanks. For those who hear the words, repeat the words, know that one day, in one particular moment, the deep, deep, truth of a treatment's power will be felt, understood and give each moment thereafter new value.

To Judee Chapman and all those unnamed practioners, Thank you! Thank You!.

Sincerely, with humility and loving heart,

Ken Robuck

THE ART OF LIVING: The Wisdom of the Tao

There was something formless and perfect 
before the universe was born.
It is serene.  Empty.
Solitary. Unchanging.
Infinite.  Eternally present.
It is the mother of the universe.
For lack of a better name,
I call it the Tao.

It flows through all things,
inside and outside, and returns
to the origin of all things.

The Tao is great.
The universe is great.
Earth is great.
Man is great.
There are the four great powers.

Man follows the earth.
Earth follows the universe.
The universe follows the Tao.
The Tao follows only itself.
          
                    -The Tao Te Ching, Verse 25


Isn't it beautiful and eloquent the way Lao Tzu describes the Infinite Greatness that lies within each of us?  At 7:00 pm on Wednesday, June 25th, at the Center for Spiritual Living Capistrano Valley, come join the conversation about the incredible wisdom of The Tao Te Ching and its author Lao Tzu.  See how these wise words from over twenty-five centuries ago can change your perspective on life TODAY!  Rev. Pattie and I will be facilitating this exchange, and will possibly discuss continuing the discussion beyond just that Wednesday service.  We look forward to seeing you all there.

"The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step."  -Lao Tzu 

Three Questions for Healing

Stories of Hope and Healing

The other week I found this book on my mother-in-love’s bookshelf. I was a little burned out on the books I was reading and it really called to me. She had picked it up from the used bookshelf at the CSLCV's  bookstore.

The book is called “Coyote Medicine” by Andrew Weil, M.D. It relates the journey of a medical doctor traversing the path of both western medicine and primal spirituality, digging deep to uncover the truth about what brings health and what heals us.

I devoured the book in a weekend. I couldn’t get enough, in fact I am going to go back for a second round because there were so many ideas and stories that deserve serious contemplation.

One of my juicy tidbits that keeps revolving around in my head is this:

“Before a person can be healed, one medicine man told me years after medical school, he or she must answer three simple questions: “Who are you?” “Where did you come from?” and “Why are you here?” This California elder believed that anyone who could give clear answers to these three questions would be well.”

Who are you?

Where did you come from?

Why are you here?

Who are you?
Just how far down the rabbit hole do they expect us to go I wonder?
How do we discover and articulate the answer of who we are?
I don’t think this is one you come to a definitive answer but is important to seek the ever evolving and revealing the question brings.

Where did you come from?
This question always receives more than a little resistance from me as my ancestral heritage is unknown, but at 45 I do have a personal history that I can reveal to myself.

In our Essential Ernest class one of our assignments is to create a personal timeline. I am fully committed to this assignment and already themes are being revealed. Sometimes it’s happy and sometimes it’s a little painful but it’s an exercise I would highly recommend to anyone.

Why are you here?
We all have “Work” to do here. And I mean work with a capital W. Julie Pellegrino really nailed it with her post on Thursday. Please read her post What is Your Sacred Work?

Have fun contemplating your three questions.

Meditation: Am I doing this right?

Could 20 minutes a day change your life? This Sunday Rev. Ann Ronan shared that a Buddhist nun who was also a Physicist shared with her that 20 minutes of meditation a day could transform a life. Rev. Ann never forgot that.

November begins our theme of Meditation.

I am a fairly recent convert to the practice of meditation and I must admit that I am always wondering if I am "doing it right." I also sometimes wonder if I "should" be doing it ... after all there's work to be done, kids to keep track of, laundry to do and the never ending list of things that need cleaning.

I've heard that Ghandi would meditate extra on busy days ... then I muse that Ghandi didn't have a two year old ... and I'm no Ghandi afterall.

So when Meditation Techniques Demonstrated by Deepak Chopra was shared at our service yesterday I was all ears. I came home and replayed the video to absorb even more.

What is Meditation?
Is it to handle stress? Is is to tune out? Is it to get away from it all? Deepak has a way of clarifying these seemingly esoteric ideas for us.

Deepak shares that meditation is to tune in, to get in touch with yourself, not to just destress but to find peace within yourself. To get into the space between your thoughts.

To get into the space between my thoughts?

"according to wisdom traditions this space between thoughts is the window, is the corridor, is the vortex to the Infinite Mind, The Mystery, that some people call it The Spirit of God ... it's your core consciousness." 

What does Deepak think I am going to find 

in the space between by thoughts?

1. a field of Infinte Possiblities
2. that Everything is connected to everything else
3. Infinite Creativity & Infinite Imagination
4. Observer Effect or the Power of Intension

He basically says that meditation is where we connect with God, where we connect with our own spirit, our own potential.

Directions for a Healing Meditation or How to Cure a Migraine

Sit comfortably on a chair or couch, sit up, no slouching, support your posture with a pillow if necessary, don't cross your legs and leave your hands in a receptive position. 

Deepak goes on to ask that you say out loud "I AM ... I AM ... I AM" This is a mantra. It is a tool, a tool to connect with yourself and to displace the thoughts that crowd your mind, to draw you back to your center when that monkey mind starts in. Then you bring the mantra into your inner voice.

I encourage you to listen to the entire video. I did the healing meditation at our Sunday service and I actually did feel a huge improvement in my lower back following the meditation. Deepak shared that this technique can also head off a migraine. How wonderful is that!

The Power of Intension or 

Meditation and The Law of Attraction

"Intention in this space is very powerful and orchestrates it's own fulfillment."

Deepak clarifies that "positive thinking" will cause stress if you're trying to force it. He says "It's more important to quiet your mind and see your intensions." 

Fill your heart with gratitude and ask your heart "What is it that I want?"

And listen for the answers. I can do that. 

Grounded - A documentary about the healing power of earth

"I just need to get my feet in the sand." I've certainly said that. Gardeners will often say "I need to dig in the dirt." When I take Kate to the beach she always pleads "bury me Mommy bury me."

In more than one conversation this week the topic of "grounding" or "being grounded" came up. So when this documentary came to my attention I made sure to watch it.

There are some amazing claims and some powerful demonstrations of healing. I'll be interested to see what you think.

"All of nature's forces gift the earth with subtle energy. 

All we have to do is touch it and become truly alive."

The Healing Power of Serving Others

I just read September Warren’s poignant post about 9/11. I, too, watched it unfold on television all those years ago, and somehow, even though I was on the other side of the country, and mercifully lost no close friends or family that fateful day; just seeing the images of the towers engulfed in flames brings the feelings of horror and helplessness flooding right back… I suspect that I am not alone... It was truly a sad day for our nation, and one that will take a long time to heal.

Perhaps that is why the Centers for Spiritual Living selected September 14 as the World Day of Service. As we look to heal from the tragedy of 9/11, we know that one of the very best things we can do is to serve others.

World Day of Service has been organized as a day to come together in service to our communities. This Saturday, dozens of Centers for Spiritual Living across the country will participate in various community-service activities, designed to remind ourselves that it’s all about connection. We really are all one: one people, one planet, one God.

So what are we doing? I thought you’d never ask! That’s the best part!

We are hosting a BEACH CLEAN UP 3:30-5PM at North Beach in San Clemente.

Followed by a no-host BONFIRE at 5:30pm!

(No-Host means that you bring whatever food you want to cook, but we will have plenty of wood and fixin’s for s’mores!)

If you’ve never done a beach clean-up, they are really fun. Not only are you helping the environment, but you get to be outside, enjoying the sun and beach. It is a win-win. One tip though: they provide those thin latex gloves. I recommend bringing your own rubber gloves (not leather or fabric). You’ll also want a hat and sunscreen, because even the late-afternoon sun can burn.

Finally, plan to bring a friend or two. Serving others is much more fun when it is shared. If there is someone you’ve wanted to invite to church, this is a great way to introduce them to us.

Dr. Kenn Gordon, spiritual leader for Centers for Spiritual Living, says, “We believe that prayer changes lives. We also believe that the only way God can accomplish anything is through us–God works in us, through us, and as us. We can pray that the hungry are fed, and we do, but we also need to take action to feed the hungry. We envision a world that is free of homelessness, violence, war, and hunger. World Day of Service is about taking action in our communities around the world so together we can create that world, a world that works for everyone.”

This Saturday, September 14, at 3:30pm we are coming together at North Beach to help clean up our little corner of the world, but in so doing, we recognize that we are part of a global effort. There is so much power in that – plus, we’re gonna have a really good time! I hope to see you there.

For more information, please contact Diane at the Center for Spiritual Living Capistrano Valley 949-240-6463 or media@cslcv.org