Asilomar

The Center's bookstore packed up and on the way to the Asilomar conference grounds in Pacific Grove.





- Posted using BlogPress from my iPhone

Continue Reading...

Imaginary Friend

Using an iPhone app that stitches separate sequential photos into a panorama, we thought we would overcome having no one around in Armstrong Grove to take our portrait, by taking turns at playing photographer. The end result faded my image making it look like Fabian has an imaginary friend with him on a walk through the forest.


-- Posted from my iPhone

Continue Reading...

What do you believe?

If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.
Albert Einstein

UNDERSTANDING

It is important for you to understand your faith and be able to communicate it to others in a respectful way. Study the principles of your faith. Practice using your own words to describe them. Rethink your core values and why they are important to your life. Now, try to explain them to others. When you are equipped with a clear understanding of what you believe, you are positioned to impact others in a positive way.

What faith do you practice? Can you describe your religious beliefs in simple terms? If someone asks, “What does your religion believe about Christ?”, can you answer in a clear and understandable way? If you can’t explain it simply, perhaps you don’t understand your religion well

Add a comment to this post at www.practicethepresence.wordpress.com

Continue Reading...

Isabella Theresa!

http://www.firstgiving.com/edwardviljoen

Here's what I'm doing to contribute something to the world! How the heck did I get into this... I'll tell you how... I looked into a baby's eyes... and it was alllll over. Dang, they are irrrrreeeesisitible. So, HELP ME! how? I'll tell you how... donate please.

Everybody falls in love with Isabella Theresa!   It's the eyes I think, or the hair, or... I don't know...It's just her....I fell for Bella at her baptism ceremony.  So when her mom asked me to participate in this fundraiser for the rare genetic disorder Bella has, I knew I would.

At first I couldn't even remember how to pronounce the name of the disorder - and  hardly anyone I know had heard of Cockayne Syndrome (CS)  a rare genetic disorder characterized by poor growth, microcephaly, progeria (premature aging), sensitivity to sunlight, moderate to profound developmental and neurological delays, and a shortened lifespan.  That's what makes it so tender - its easy to minimize the need for support when the disorder is so rare and so few people know about it.  But it's impossible to minimize it when you know someone who has it.

 

 

Because it is so rare, funding for educational programs, exchange of information and support for research is slim.   So we raise funds!! 

 

Visit my fundraising page for more information about the organization:

http://www.firstgiving.com/edwardviljoen

And please forward this to anyone who you think might want to donate too!
Much love,


Edward Viljoen

Continue Reading...

Practice the Presence

I practice the presence by contemplating the nature of God.

I practice the presence by contemplating the nature of good.

I practice the presence by keeping still and letting my mind be.

I practice the presence by pausing and looking in, suspending for a moment fastness and speed.

I practice the presence by letting life be.

I turn to life and expect to find there its beauty and its peace and its eternal wisdom.

In this way I realize my spiritual nature and I become a channel for good, not only for myself but for my world.

I am generous with myself and the people around me. I am forgiving with myself and the people around me.

I find that in the quiet time I take I restore, refresh, and renew myself so that I am able to call upon my very tenderest, sweetest, most innocent nature.

I realize that at every single moment I am already dong my very best and that is enough.

I bless that. I bless that in the people around me.

I practice the presence by contemplating the nature of God.

I practice the presence by contemplating the nature of good.

I live my life as if all of the universe is for me.

I tend to look for the benefits in that which is happening in my life.

I forgive myself when I cannot.

I am at peace. I am a presence for peace in my environment.

I am a beneficial contribution to the world around me.

I am a channel for God’s good. I see that. And even when I am not aware of that something within me is aware, and I trust that.

I love the complexity of the world around me, and I take refuge in my inner listening.

Spirit within me listens and I am well.

                                                        

Reverend Edward Viljoen

June 6, 2010

Continue Reading...

44 Presidents Morphed

Continue Reading...

Two Decades One Vision

20/20 Two Decades One Vision SAVE THE DATES!! October 16, 2010 marks the 20th Anniversary of the Ministry of Rev. Chris Michaels and the founding of Center for Spiritual Living. You don't want to miss this! You'll enjoy:

October 15 A special Friday night service and cocktail reception open to all at

October 16 Saturday morning yoga class

October 16 Saturday morning and afternoon workshops featuring Dr. Edward Viljoen and other Spiritual Leaders

October 16 A Gala Dinner Celebration Saturday evening with a Roast and Toast to Rev. Chris Michaels at the Intercontinental Hotel on the Plaza

October 17 Sunday service led by Rev. Dr. Kathy Hearn, Global Community Spiritual Leader of the United Centers For Spiritual Living.   Wonderful, amazing music at every event by
Music Director, Richard Held and the CSL band

Call 816-931-2395 for more information.

Continue Reading...

Pledge

Continue Reading...

Asilomar!

If you are having trouble viewing this email, please visit 
www.cslasilomar.org/news

Don't Miss your Favorite Ministers Speaking Throughout the Week!

Most days at the Asilomar Retreat consist of morning and evening general sessions that feature some of the leading ministers in our movement.  It is a rare opportunity to bring them all together in one place, for one week—which is what makes Asilomar so special.  We are excited to have speakers from both United and International Centers for Spiritual Living this year!

Check out this year's lineup of General Session Speakers :

    * Sunday August 1: We Come Together

          o Rev. Dr. Kathy Hearn & Rev. Dr. Kenn Gordon

    * Monday August 2: Reflecting

          o Rev. John DePalma & Rev. Jane Beach (Morning)

          o Rev. Molly Cameron & Rev. Dr. Edward Viljoen (Evening)

    * Tuesday August 3: Dedicating

          o Rev. Janet Garvey Stangvik & Rev. Ian Taylor (Morning)

          o Rev. Dr. Christian Sorenson (Evening)

    * Wednesday August 4: Nourishing

          o Dr. Gay Hendricks (Evening)

    * Thursday August 5: Evolving

          o Rev. Bob Deen & Rev. Sunshine Daye (Morning)

          o Rev. Patrick Cameron & Rev. Dr. Mark Vierra (Evening)

    * Friday August 6: Bursting Open

          o Rev. Dr. David Bruner & Rev. Grace Lovejoy (Morning)

          o Rev. Mary Murray Shelton (Evening)

Register today at www.cslasilomar.org

Space is filling up!

Continue Reading...