Island of the Gods – May 17 – 27, 2010

Bali - Island of the Gods

May 17th through 27^th - 2010

Join Dr. Edward Viljoen from the Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa
on a pilgrimage to the island of Bali.

Dr. Edward has taken hundreds of travelers to meet the Balinese and witness their way of life on the Island of the Gods. Enjoy daily prayer, meditation, study and yoga with Dr. Edward and receive expert guidance through the island by Bali expert, Jim Cramer. Jim lived in Bali for 10 years and has been visiting the island for 34 years. Together, Dr. Edward and Jim Cramer will assist you in having a truly beautiful experience in Bali.

Testimonial

"Thanks for creating such a fabulous trip! Your passion, Consciousness, love and flexibility combined with lots Of organizational skills created the space for spirit to show up magnificently."

$2889.00 (land only)

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Djibouti

 

In Africa on a Shoestring the writer describes Djibouti as “the sedentary capital of a nomadic people, an African city designed like a European settlement and a kind of French Hong Kong in the Red Sea."  Read about it on Wikipedia, it’s got markets, stadiums palaces and mosques.

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Lost Generation

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Class for Youth, age 16-21

We are offering our first ON-LINE Foundations Class for Youth, age 16-21.  Please post the attached flyer in your Teen Room, and pass it on to youth you know who might be interested.

This is being offered because a number of our centers don't allow youth to take Foundations before age 18 or 21.  We also have a number of youth who are attending college where there is no Science of Mind Center who are interested in taking our classes.  

The class is the NEW Foundations curriculum and is fully certified by UCSL, as are all of our on-line classes. It is being taught by one of our most loved and treasured teachers, Rev. Dr. Rainbow Johnson. 

Blessings,

Rev. Linda

Rev. Linda Reppond
Managing Director
International Youth and Family Ministries
United Centers for Spiritual Living
573 Park Point Dr.
Golden Colorado 80401
Office 720-279-1632
Fax 303-526-0913

contact rainbow@revrainbow.org

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Sonoma Ashram Foundation

Namasté from Varanasi, India January 20, 2010 Dear Friends, A lot is happening here in Varanasi with our new eco-center. Please click the photo or text below to view the update. VIEW UPDATE Namasté, shivani Sonoma Ashram Foundation http://www.sonomaashram.org/ info@sonomaashram.org   707-996-8915 A 501(c)3 non-profit educational and service organization, Federal Tax ID: 94-3151595

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Black/Jew Dialogues

From: Bruce Berkowitz


Hi Reverend,

My name is Bruce Berkowitz and I'm a member of the Shomrei Torah Social Action Committee. We are co sponsoring the Black/Jew Dialogues play along with Community Baptist Church that is being presented by the Associated Students at Sonoma State University, on February 18.

I'm attaching a press release that describes the event but you can get more info , video's etc at their website www.theblackjewdialogues.com . Basically this comedy deals with the many stereotypes and misperceptions between Jews and Blacks in America. There is an extensive talk back and discussion after the play between the audience and the cast.The play takes the very serious issues of race, history and community and presents them in a way that is both entertaining and educational.

I had a meeting with Rev. Coffee about Community Baptist church also being a co sponsor and he was quite supportive. The hope is he will be sending 30 or more teens from the church to attend the event as well as inviting the general church membership to attend. I sent an E mail to Rick Concoff inviting the Chaverim Jewish teens who will hopefully be bringing his group as well.. There would be no charge for tickets for the teens.

I want as diverse an audience as possible in order to make the most of the "learning moment" opportunity of this kind of event as well as possibly break some ice between groups of people.

I hope you will find this event as exciting as we do and if there is any way you could help promote it to your congregation, especially teens and collage students it would be most appreciated. I believe this will be a night to remember .

thanks you so much

Bruce Berkowitz

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Thank Yous

Thank you and the musicians and everyone else who contributed to making this morning's service possible.  I have been to the first Wednesday services and have been thinking how nice it would be for everyone to experience that format.  So I was thrilled this morning.  I find that the music and prayer open things up on the inside in a very wonderous way.  Thank you, and I hope you are enjoying your vacation as much as I am.
I attended today and it was GREAT!! Oh my!! The music was indeed amazing! It was so diverse and had different styles and the musicians were great, and the feeling that I left with was great... and you were great.. and it all just wassssssssssssssssss supposed to be.....
Today's service was magnificent. I got lost in it. Never had I experienced such stillness. On the way to the Center, I was already feeling very much part of "all", but after the service I didn't want to leave. I felt that the room could truly be called a sanctuary. Because of an eye infection I was wearing dark glasses. I usually keep my eyes closed, but I might bring my dark glasses again just to deepen the (whatever it was!) Afterward, I felt a little sorry for everyone who had to work for so many hours to create this beautiful experience for the rest of us. But then again, you were all participating in a sacred ceremony and might have been, in your own way, as deeply "in" as we were. This was not a performance to be applauded. Thank you for pointing it out to us. I am looking forward to more.
Thank you for today. It was truly a special experience and I soooo needed it.
Edwardo,  the music, your readings, the whole enchilada, was FAB!  I came away moved and inspired.  Still am – amazing!  And your ‘reading voice’ is so seductive – there was no way I couldn’t listen!  Ditto your voice too, Chris [stated the thousandth time; hope you can still ‘hear’ this from me….]. Much appreciation and love to you both, as usual!
I just had to express my gratitude and appreciation for the exquisite service this morning. It was a truly divine experience for me (I'm pulling out the superlatives on this one) It's after 5 pm and I'm still feeling the effects of being bathed in pure love. Bravo to you and Chris and all the musicians. I so look forward to purchasing the CD so that I can recreate the experience in new forms. I feel so blessed to be a part of our spiritual community.
Wonderful service this morning ~ Gratitude to all that made it possible!
And todays service was perfect! I had my eyes closed and enjoyed the different experience of not watching. I heard everything so clearly. ox
I loved today's service....it was exactly what I needed!
You promised something special. And so I came, as well as others. Special it was and so it is. I am still reflecting on my own energy and amazement. Thank you everyone who participated in making this service so special.
How did you know your service was exactly what I asked for?

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Haiti Relief Efforts

Beloved Community,


As you know, a major earthquake devastated Haiti this week. In order to support the relief efforts, we have made it possible for you to donate funds through United Centers for Spiritual Living. We will send all funds to the American Red Cross Haiti Relief. On our homepage (www.unitedcentersforspiritualliving.org), you will find a button that allows you to give financial support to those who need it during this challenging time. We also ask that you keep all those affected by the Haitian earthquake in your prayers, and know that Spirit’s perfect healing is always present.

In Love and Peace,

Judy Morley, Ph.D., RScP
Communications Leader

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Answered Prayers Orphanage Haiti

From my colleague, Rev. Frances Lorenz
________________________________________________________________

Answered Prayers is an orphanage just outside Port au Prince. It is an organization members of my congregation have supported in the past. They do wonderful inspiring work in Haiti and place orphans in homes in the US.

The orphanage was affected as per intermittent input and  twitter as well. One of the caregivers at the infant orphanage was killed in the quake. The American directors/caregivers of the infant/toddler house, Alli and Jamie, are 2 hours away (on a good day) by car, but the roads are impassable. They will probably have to abandon their vehicle to get back there. We have not received word of them today.

The 3 orphanages are standing right now but  they are all in danger of collapse. No one can get in right now, and no one can get out. Only the military and those with boats.

The orphans are the most vulnerable. The caregivers have their own families and worries to attend to. There are 3 American women caring for the children in 2 houses and then there is Margarette directing the other house. We don't know what is going to happen, but we want to make sure that the kids have the support they need and that their caregivers do too.

They expect that many more children will become orphaned as a result of the quake and that their caseload will increase.

To donate directly: http://www.answeredprayers2.org/

On the web site there is "Donate" on the upper left. (PayPal and they do take 4% up front.

Our local contact in the NW is  Kris Baker. Checks sent directly to Kris with an indicator that UCSL  or CSL sent them would be great.

Kris Baker, CoB
Answered Prayers
677 Pend Oreille Loop
Colville, WA 99114

Thanks for your consideration of this worthy organization.

Rev. Frances Lorenz
Sacred Social Action Core
Center for Spiritual Living-Tacoma
206 N J Street
Tacoma,WA 98403

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Compassion: The Bridge Between Our Hearts

“The whole idea of compassion is based on a keen awareness of the interdependence of all these living beings, which are all part of one another, and all involved in one another.” ~  Thomas Merton
What words can possibly be spoken to address the unspeakable. The January 11, 2010, magnitude 7.0 earthquake in Haiti has left most of the world at a loss for words. Natural calamities like this are never easy to understand. How is it that life and the universe can appear so beautiful one moment and so brutal the next? Yet, life will go on as it has for millennia. What baffles me the most is that it too often requires this magnitude of human pain and suffering to get the world’s attention.
What is encouraging to note is that in spite of (and perhaps because of) all the pain and loss, each time we have a “natural” disaster there seems to be a deepening of the awareness of the interconnectedness of all people inhabiting this planet. Perhaps that is because there is something within each of us which knows that at the level of Spirit we are all one and, perhaps, equally as vulnerable. We feel a sense of connection not only with the countless thousands who have died, but also with others who now are left homeless, parentless, childless, broken and in utter shock.

Something is stirring in the soul of humanity and while some may not know that’s what it is, millions of human beings are awakening to a sense of their unity with others and something larger than themselves. The results are manifesting as acts of compassion and generosity that we seldom see on a global basis; there is a vibration of common brotherhood being felt. The awareness of this interconnectivity is rising in the consciousness of our species now and shocking events such as the Haiti disaster only quicken the vibration.
Because the source of this tragedy was Nature rather than man, individuals, governments, religions, countries, and organizations from various corners of our world are connecting for a common purpose. A true call to compassion transcends borders, boundaries, economies, color, religion and politics. So, perhaps from the epicenter of this natural catastrophe some good for humankind can possibly arise. Because of this tragedy we can bear witness to the heart of humanity once again opening and beating stronger than ever, building bridges that span oceans and continents. This sort of bridge can supersede language, religion and cultural barriers, because it connects hearts with hearts.
This is one of those times where we can see the very best of ourselves and others emerge through the very worst of crisis’ and misfortunes. It’s about compassion, loving-kindness and generosity of the Spirit. Meister Eckhart summarized it so beautifully when he wrote, “You may call God love, you may call God goodness. But the best name for God is compassion.” Let us continue to be bridge builders by extending the best of ourselves to others long after this crisis passes. Remember that compassion and generosity is something we can practice every day, not because we should, but because we can -- it’s hardwired in the nature of our being. If what is  happening on the other side of the planet is too wide a gap for you to bridge, perhaps you need look no further than a street corner in your own town to build a bridge of the heart. There is great wisdom in the saying, “Think globally, act locally.” Be a bridge builder today and don’t wait for a crisis in the world to be reminded thatyou are the one who makes a difference.

Peace,
Dennis Merritt Jones

*** Please forward this to those you care about ***
Join Dennis at his annual Mindfulness & Meditation Retreat on April 10th! Click here for details

To subscribe free to Dennis’ weekly MindfulPurpose eMessage, click here

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Haiti

Please join us in daily affirming these prayers on behalf of those who have been affected in Haiti:

As love enters, fear vanishes.

I am so filled with Love that no fear can enter my thoughts.

I am not afraid, for I know that a Perfect Intelligence guards and governs all of life.

This perfect Love in me casts out all fear.

I know that the Spirit of Life within the people of Haiti is alive and strong.

There is nothing in me that can obstruct the awareness that Spirit is where they are.

I daily remind myself that their Life is wrapped in Gods Life.

I know there is something at the center of my being that is absolutely certain of Itself, and that

same something is in all people.

I know that this consciousness I am establishing in me is making a beneficial and powerful

contribution to their experience and is adding to the ease and success of the relief effort.

Today I have faith that this word of prayer I am speaking is dissolving every negative thought or

impulse that would throw a shadow of unbelief across the threshold of my expectation.

I feel my oneness with the people of this country and through that oneness I release a powerful

courage and strength.

I give thanks that through this knowing, something magnificent is being birthed.

I lift my cup of acceptance, knowing that the Divine outpouring will fill it to the brim.

Today I consciously identify myself with everything that belongs to goodness, truth and beauty,

and I do so for my fellow citizens.

I identify myself with the Living Spirit–with all the power, all the presence and all the life there is.

I am at peace.

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Haiti

Beloved Colleagues,

Let us join together in prayer – as we do our personal spiritual practice and as we meet in groups – for the people and the country of Haiti.  Let us know the truth we know – the One Power, the One Presence, the One Life that is God – and accept that Love is moving through this situation, that God is making a way out of no way and that there are seemingly miraculous revelations of good. 

Never before have I seen our world respond so quickly and compassionately to aid a country in distress.  It reminds me of white corpuscles rushing to the scene of a injury or infection in an individual body.  To my eyes we are seeing a revelation of Oneness and Love that we have never seen before quite in this way.  I am inspired by this today even as I feel the devastation and loss that is taking place.

I spoke with Rev. Gregory last night and will speak with Steve Burton this morning to review what we have done in the past regarding receiving financial contributions for disaster relief.  We will publish this information as soon as possible today. Rev. Frances Lorenz sent information about the Haitian orphanage her congregation has been supporting (To donate directly:http://www.answeredprayers2.org/).

If you tune into CNN you will find periodic information about places to donate, like the Red Cross and Doctors Without Borders.

In Love and Peace,

Dr. Kathy Hearn

Community Spiritual Leader

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Memories of Varanasi

-- Posted from my iPhone

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Barbara Kingsolver Stories

I am in the current play at SRJC opening this month and running until Feb 7. Barbara Kingsolver Stories is done in Word-For-Word style by the actors. Director John Shillington has created two stunning one act plays from Kingsolver stories Why I Am A Danger To The Public and Rose Johnny. I look forward to seeing you there!

Additionally, there is one performance at the Petaluma Campus' new Carole Ellis Hall on January 28 at 8:00 pm.

Jennifer Mann, RScP
Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa
"I am open to Life beyond my wildest dreams"

Extracted from Wikipedia:

Kingsolver was born in Annapolis, Maryland, spent some of her childhood in Africa where her father was a medical doctor, and grew up near Carlisle, Kentucky.

Kingsolver attended DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana on a music scholarship, studying classical piano. Eventually, however, she changed her major to biology.

In the late 1970s, Kingsolver lived in a number of places, including Greece, France, and Tucson, Arizona, working variously as an archaeological digger, copy editor, housecleaner, biological researcher and translator. She earned a Master's degree in ecology and evolutionary biology at the University of Arizona. Deciding after that to quit biology and become a writer, and not wanting to admit that to her thesis advisors, she told them that she had to care for an (imaginary) injured relative.^[4] She then took a job as a science writer for the university. The science writing led to some freelance feature writing and journalism. In 1986, she won an Arizona Press Club award for outstanding feature writing. Her first novel, The Bean Trees, was published in 1988.

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Winterlude: Music From Both Sides of the Channel

Saturday, January 9, 2010, 8PM
A magical evening of chamber music from France and England, dating from the 1500s to one hundred years ago. The concert will lighten the dark nights of winter with bright melodies.
The music is for the lute, oboe, bassoon, clarinet, piano and voice. It includes pieces by Finzi, Canteloube, Debussy, and Ravel. There will be early songs from the 1500s and some of the composers took inspiration of ancient folk melodies as well. The musicians are Jeff Chan, clarinet, Daniel Celidore, oboe, Miranda Kincaid, bassoon, Alice Chan, piano, Dominic Schaner, lute, and vocalists Amy Schaner and Chris Fritzche.
The concert is at 8 p.m. at the Occidental Community Church , known for its excellent acoustics. A suggested donation of $20 will benefit Occidental Center for the Arts. For reservations call 874-9392.
Best wishes,
Patrick Fanning
Occidental Center for the Arts
occidentalcenterforthearts.org/

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Happy New Year

Welcome to twenty-ten! It was Williams birthday yesterday and I got him 15 tetras. Here you can see then schooling around with his angel fish, lone pregnant guppy and the yellow guy who chomps down the algae.

-- Posted from my iPhone

I hope you will have a look at our new site www.cslsr.org.

Today was the first day to write in your journal. Did you?

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