Saturday, March 29, 2008
Recognizing the effects of spiritual practice and forgiveness on healh
Hi Edward
Congrats on your newly elected office to the Board of Trustees... Grin.......
I thought you might be interested in this recent experience I had:
I have been part of the National Nurses Health Study for over 20 years. This is a research study out of Harvard that tracks the health of nurses over time. It has been responsible for much of the information we know about the relationship between diet and health and between hormone replacement and cancer. I just received the latest survey and unlike the others the questions had to do with my social relationships. Several questions were about spiritual affiliation/practice and about forgiveness. I have included their description of the study below. I was so pleased to hear that they are addressing these types of issues with the study. I am hopeful that the body/mind connection will receive even more attention through this effort.
Many Blessings and an Abundance of Rose Oil
Diane
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Congrats on your newly elected office to the Board of Trustees... Grin.......
I thought you might be interested in this recent experience I had:
I have been part of the National Nurses Health Study for over 20 years. This is a research study out of Harvard that tracks the health of nurses over time. It has been responsible for much of the information we know about the relationship between diet and health and between hormone replacement and cancer. I just received the latest survey and unlike the others the questions had to do with my social relationships. Several questions were about spiritual affiliation/practice and about forgiveness. I have included their description of the study below. I was so pleased to hear that they are addressing these types of issues with the study. I am hopeful that the body/mind connection will receive even more attention through this effort.
Many Blessings and an Abundance of Rose Oil
Diane
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Job Openings Golden Co
We have a number of job openings for our new headquarters in Golden, Colorado. Please go to our website -
http://www.religiousscience.org/
- and click on the link to the left of the photo.
Many blessings to you!
In Love and Peace,
Dr. Kathy Hearn
Community Spiritual Leader
United Church of Religious Science/
United Centers for Spiritual Living
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http://www.religiousscience.org/
- and click on the link to the left of the photo.
Many blessings to you!
In Love and Peace,
Dr. Kathy Hearn
Community Spiritual Leader
United Church of Religious Science/
United Centers for Spiritual Living
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Friday, March 28, 2008
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Easter 2008
Hoppy Easter! Easter today was wonderful. I forgot to do my traditional thing of carrying around a camera and snapping people in their easter finery. I got all caught up in the fine feelings of community and kept thinking Joni Mitchell all day - "Laughing and crying, you know its the same release."
Saturday, March 22, 2008
Visual Communicator. Rest In Peace
This video was created with Visual Communicator, a beautiful little program that was puchased by Adobe and disappeared in 2013. Sigh. It was so much fun and so flexible. I guess it was competition for something else Adobe had in mind. Probably way more expensive too.
If you click the link above you'll see there is no more support for the product. So this is my RIP for Visual Communicator.
From a Reader: Spirit is Calling
Dear Edward,
When I was about twenty, I made the decision not to belong to any religion because I didn’t want to be cut off from the rest of the world. To me “commitment” still has a flavor of “forever”. Some 47 years later, having gone through failed marriages and commitments, I have a tough time making another one. You might recall that I have been coming for quite a few years now, and have taken some classes, and pledged too, when I could. But I am still spooked by commitments.
Today’s thought was very encouraging: We are doing the best we can at any given moment. I remember that from Al-anon. But I couldn’t help glance at tomorrow’s page and, bingo! Brilliant reminder:
“The only thing that remains constant is our Creator’s insatiable desire to make all things new.”
I have often thought about the futility to spend an inordinate amount of time, and money to preserve masterpieces. Time will inexorably destroy them in spite of our best efforts. Shouldn’t we be encouraging the creation of new ones instead? But part of me also says: Can we evolve if we don’t see where we come from?
Regards, "P"
To order Spirit is Calling, visit: http://www.cslsr.org/
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Seven Skills
Wealth is the ability to fully experience life.
Henry David Thoreau
Prosperity Consciousness goes hand in hand with the skill of Stewardship, taking good care of your resources. Several attitudes of mind can develop an prosperity consciousness. For example, Authors Robert G. Allen in “Prosperity, 7 Secrets” lists Seven skills that help engender an attitude of Prosperity related specifically to money. Value it, Manage it, Save it, Invest it, Make it, Shield it, and Share it. They are the skills, Allen says, that wealthy people are good at and are the seven skills you need to do well to develop your experience of Prosperity.
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Amazing Time Lapse Photography
This amazing time-lapse video shows an entire Sunday morning from first service through the end of third service. The camera was stationed in the sound booth in balcony. I can't remember who the photographer was but recently located the video in my archives.
Hidden Beliefs
Take what you can use and let the rest go by.
Ken Kesey
To your conscious mind it may not always be obvious that deeply ingrained subconscious beliefs can be responsible for holding you back from what your heart desires. When your hidden beliefs are in conflict with your conscious thoughts, your results tend to be inconsistent and frustrating.
By bringing the hidden beliefs to your attention, it becomes possible to resolve the conflict between these inner and outer levels of thoughts. But finding the hidden beliefs is an interesting prospect because of their hidden nature and not always obvious.
Everyone has to find their preferred method for uncovering hidden beliefs and there is no one size fits all method. Here are some suggestions for identifying hidden beliefs related to prosperity.
Write down everything you can remember that you heard in your family of origin about money. Take each statement, one at a time and ask yourself to what degree the phrase has played a part in shaping your prosperity consciousness. Whether the statements are positive or negative, try asking yourself how your life would be different if you didn’t believe or hear each one.
Monday, March 17, 2008
Electricity Off
I read that 2 million people turned their lights off for one hour in Sydney on March 31 2007 in obervance of Earth Hour. "With Sydney icons like the Harbour Bridge and Opera House turning their lights off, and unique events such as weddings by candlelight, the world took notice."
The effect of the hour has inspired many major cities to do the same in 2008 - http://www.earthhour.org/
This year on Saturday March 29th 2008, Earth Hour is happening again. This year people all over the globe are going to participate in one of the largest efforts towards conserving energy in the history of our universe.
Continue Reading...
The effect of the hour has inspired many major cities to do the same in 2008 - http://www.earthhour.org/
This year on Saturday March 29th 2008, Earth Hour is happening again. This year people all over the globe are going to participate in one of the largest efforts towards conserving energy in the history of our universe.
Sunday, March 16, 2008
There is a magnet in your heart that will attract true friends. That magnet is unselfishness, thinking of others first; when you learn to live for others, they will live for you.
Paramahansa Yogananda
Paramahansa Yogananda
Very early in my studies of Metaphysics I learned about a Law of Radiation which describes people as being broadcasters of energy made up of their thoughts, feelings, emotions, history, likes, dislikes, etc. And this broadcasted energy was described as acting like a beacon, just like a radio broadcasting antenna. Only receivers tuned into the specific wavelength of a radio broadcast can hear the message. In a similar way, the Law of Radiation explained to me why it seemed that birds of a feather flocked together. Groups of people were tuned to similar stations and could hear each others broadcast.
I began to notice that in some areas of my life this was a satisfying realization, while in others it was distressing. It launched me a on a life long examination of what I was thinking, feeling, fearing and talking about in key areas of my life. I noticed that when it came to abundance, my inner world was directly related to my outer experience.
So I take time at least once or twice a year to ask myself the question: What do I think, feel and say about prosperity? I write it down because for me writing slows down my thoughts and allows me to carefully review them.
Friday, March 14, 2008
Spirituality Faire Report
Dear Edward and Joyce,
Rose and I had a blast today at SSU. Attached are a couple of photos. It was fun to share our church with those who visited us and were interested. There was a small showing of students, but the 15 different groups who were represented were all mutually friendly and inviting to one another, so we all made the rounds to the different communities.
Personally, I met Sister Antonio from the
Thanks for thinking of us. We loved it!
Love, Mo
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Picture Tour of the UCSL New HQ in Golden, CO
The United Centers for Spiritual Living is moving its headquarters to Golden Colorado in October 2008. This is a picture tour of the new building that will house the UCSL home office.
Continue Reading...
Wednesday, March 12, 2008
Spiritual Group Sheds Church Label
From "The Press-Enterprise, USA, Riverside, California"
Oct. 4, 2006
Bettye Wells Miller
Oct. 4, 2006
Bettye Wells Miller
Hoping to draw new members wanting a spiritual home but not a church, the United Church of Religious Science has changed its name to United Centers for Spiritual Living.
The new identity is more inviting to people who want to live spiritual lives but who don’t want to belong to a church, said the Rev. Don Lunday, whose Sun City congregation installed a sign identifying it as a Center for Spiritual Living this
week.
“We’re quietly changing our image,” he said. “We are structured more as a philosophy than a religion. We recognize there is only one god, and it is the same for Islam and Catholics.” Delegates attending the United Church of Religious Science annual meeting in Vancouver, British Columbia, last March supported the new identity. As a legal entity, the denomination remains the United Church of Religious Science doing business as United Centers for Spiritual Living.
The name change is optional for the denomination’s 200-plus congregations, said the
Rev. Alice Bandy, ecclesiastical core coordinator at the Burbank headquarters.
“In major metropolitan areas many churches had already changed their name to a center,” she said. “Those churches found when they did their membership began to increase.”
Lunday said he hopes his congregation’s new identity will attract Menifee Valley residents who do not attend church.
“People are looking for a power greater than themselves,” he said. “We’re attempting to reach out to the elderly in the community and creating a presence for youth.”
The change also will help congregations in countries like Ukraine that persecute organizations identifying themselves as a church, said the Rev. Michael Kearney, minister of the Palm Springs Spiritual Enhancement Center.
Religious Science churches in Ukraine began calling themselves Centers for Spiritual Living “because they could identify what they were doing but not be labeled as a church,” he said. The new name also may end confusion among people who think it is the Church of Scientology, the movement based on the writings of science fiction author L. Ron Hubbard, Kearney said. Although the denomination does not formally
track membership, Bandy said there could be as many as 200,000 members in 22 countries.
“Our dream is that no matter what religious faith anybody is, they agree that we can be one human
family all living spiritual lives,” Bandy said. “We want to break down the barriers of religion.”
The foundation for the United Church of Religious Science was laid in 1927 with Ernest Holmes’
publication of “The Science of Mind,” which laid out a philosophy that certain truths are present in
all of the world’s faiths and that religion and science are complementary.
There are no rituals, and clergy read from sacred texts including the Bible, the Quran and the Hindu Upanishads
Friday, March 7, 2008
Snow Fall
This evening I sat outside in below freezing temperatures in a hot tub with a silly grin on my face. I can't imagine what it must be like to have months on end, but this sweet little mini snow storm on cue has been delightful.
Thursday, March 6, 2008
Joan Steadman
Presented by Florence Phillips DD
Rev. Joan Steadman was one of the original visioning team members during the founding years of Agape International Center of Truth. She is now the senior minister of the Oakland Center for Spiritual Living and has a list of social peace making credits that properly qualify her for the Doctor of Divinity she received.
Ernest Holmes Award
Yup, here it is -- my Ernest Holmes Award, now all grubby from many finger prints. How will I get it home?
Christian Sorenson and Ruth Deaton
Christian Sorenson holds a unique position in the history of the United Centers for Spiritual Living. He is the last person to serve in the office of President of the Movement. After his term of office, the movement developed a new position, Community Spiritual Leader, elected by the constituency, currently held by Rev. Dr. Kathy Hearn in her second term.
Standing with Dr. Christian is Dr. Ruth Deaton, also a past President of United Centers for Spiritual Living, many years ago.
Academic Convocation
Service Awards Breakfast
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Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Day Trip
Today the conference visited Unity Village
Unity Village is located 15 miles southeast of downtown Kansas City, Missouri, and is the home of Unity World Headquarters, a world-renowned religious and educational institution. The peaceful atmosphere and natural beauty attracts spiritual seekers of all faiths and backgrounds with its 1400 acres of breath taking countryside including; formal gardens, an extensive metaphysical library, labyrinth, bookstore, and the Unity Village Chapel. The unique Mediterranean-style buildings, two of which are among the National Register of Historic Places, are located among the chapels, fountains, and reflecting pools.
Charles and Myrtle Fillmore founded Unity Village in 1889. Both Charles and Myrtle were experiencing physical challenges at the time they discovered the spiritual principles that healed them. Others inquired about these principles and applied them in their lives and were helped. A small prayer group meeting at the Fillmore's home was the beginning of the movement, which now circles the globe with over 600 churches and centers. The Fillmore's believed that God is present in every person, and through prayer and meditation, one can know God and receive guidance. They believed that as children of a loving God, we are all are heirs to God's kingdom of health, abundance, prosperity, and happy joy-filled lives.
Unity Village now houses the Unity School of Christianity, which publishes Daily Word and Unity Magazine and trains ministers and licenses teachers. It also houses Silent Unity, a twenty-four hour telephone prayer ministry that answers thousands of requests for prayers weekly. The Association of Unity Churches, also located in Unity Village, offers a network of services and materials to field ministries. Retreats and continuing education classes are held throughout the year.
(from Conference brochure:)
Continue Reading...
Unity Village is located 15 miles southeast of downtown Kansas City, Missouri, and is the home of Unity World Headquarters, a world-renowned religious and educational institution. The peaceful atmosphere and natural beauty attracts spiritual seekers of all faiths and backgrounds with its 1400 acres of breath taking countryside including; formal gardens, an extensive metaphysical library, labyrinth, bookstore, and the Unity Village Chapel. The unique Mediterranean-style buildings, two of which are among the National Register of Historic Places, are located among the chapels, fountains, and reflecting pools.
Charles and Myrtle Fillmore founded Unity Village in 1889. Both Charles and Myrtle were experiencing physical challenges at the time they discovered the spiritual principles that healed them. Others inquired about these principles and applied them in their lives and were helped. A small prayer group meeting at the Fillmore's home was the beginning of the movement, which now circles the globe with over 600 churches and centers. The Fillmore's believed that God is present in every person, and through prayer and meditation, one can know God and receive guidance. They believed that as children of a loving God, we are all are heirs to God's kingdom of health, abundance, prosperity, and happy joy-filled lives.
Unity Village now houses the Unity School of Christianity, which publishes Daily Word and Unity Magazine and trains ministers and licenses teachers. It also houses Silent Unity, a twenty-four hour telephone prayer ministry that answers thousands of requests for prayers weekly. The Association of Unity Churches, also located in Unity Village, offers a network of services and materials to field ministries. Retreats and continuing education classes are held throughout the year.
(from Conference brochure:)
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
Excluded by a Gospel of Inclusion
This morning at the opening session Jennifer Mann gave the opening treatment - yay Santa Rosa! Last night after the evening presentation we experienced the musicians of the Center for Spiritual Living Kansas City who will be visiting Santa Rosa in April - oh my they are exquisite inside and out!
Just before their music we had heard the once popular fundamental main stream Christian preacher Bishop Carlton Pearson tell us about his fall from grace into a deeper grace when he started questioning whether God could condemn or not and 4700 members of his community left.
He told us about the experience of being shut out of community, family, assets, intellectual property largely because he had the nerve to question what he had been taught, learned, preached, and believed.
I think Buddha said something like "don't believe something because a teacher said it, or because it is a tradition, or..." Something like that.
We're right now listening to the recitation of our beloved Declaration of Principles. I wonder if we'll be able to have the nerve of the Bishop and question what we have heard, believed, and taught, especially if it meant losing everything?
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Monday, March 3, 2008
Poet
Raised in Milwaukee, Joel A. Brown has been writing since the age of 7, but did not consider it a vocation until the age of 17. Joel approaches his craft from a spiritual perspective instead of as an academic discipline. In a word, he describes his poetry as "authentic."
His poetry is a unique blend of urbanism, sensuality, and spirituality, which speaks to life and its varied nuances. "I don't know what I don't feel," says Joel, "so my poetry is strictly my truth being revealed."
www.souletry.com
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Hiccup
Missouri never enacted prohibition but rejected it statewide. When prohibition finally was imposed on Missouri in 1919 by the 18th Amendment, Kansas City kept the bars open and liquor flowing, and Kansas City's federal prosecutor never brought about a single felony prosecution.
An editorial writer in the Omaha Herald remarked, "If you want to see some sin, forget about Paris. Go to Kansas City."
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Sunday, March 2, 2008
It Happened Again
At the self-check in kiosk, the luggage attendant who prints the luggage slip and checks identity noted my wrap from Varanasi and my sandal wood malas. I wore them because, well I don't know why. The wrap is like a security blanket and reminds me of my long, long journey home from India and the security guard who recognized the blanky and beads and was moved by my stories and travel (see the earliest blog entries).
Here in Oakland at the Southwest kiosk, it happened again. The agent said "Those are sandal wood beads on your mala.". I smiled and looked up at him. And he asked "Varanasi?". I just kept on smiling. He said, "So many people doing so much good work in the world.".
I said a few things and picked up my boarding pass and placed my hands together in Namaste and I swear there was a tear in his eye. He moved away quickly returning my prayer gesture greeting and I went off to meet Nel.
We worked our way through to the gate, through security and through the fans watching four TV screens from outside a sports bar. It was hard to say what they we're fans of. Basketball on one screen, flames and cars crashing on the other, a commentator excited on the third and I lost interest to take note of the forth.
Clearly we needed a margarita.
Stay tuned.
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5 most recently updated from the blogs I'm following
Science of Mind and Spirit For Begnners
"This wonderful book guides any individual to understand Science of Mind with ease and grace. It is a simple and beautiful presentation of the Spiritual Principles Science of Mind teaches. I highly recommend this book to students, licensed Practitioners and ministers. Blessings to Rev Edward." ~ Johan Gonzalez RScP. Science of Mind and Spirit for Beginners: Four Chapters in Simplified Prose, paraphrased by Edward VIljoen
Practice The Presence Journal
Journaling offers a powerful way to record your spiritual growth. Writing in a journal calls on you to be more conscious of the insights that occur daily in your life. It gives you an opportunity to examine your beliefs and be mindful of your choices.
Seeing Good At Work
I have been through the book three times over three years, and am starting it again. This is not because the material in the book is not working, but because it is working so well! The weekly lessons keep me on track and focused on what is actually true and important, and help me experience more good in every area of my life. LS