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| We have all had the experience of looking for something
mislaid, perhaps our keys. We're sure they were left on the kitchen
table but they've disappeared. We search everywhere but they're
nowhere to be found. Eventually, giving up and sitting down, exasperated,
to have a cup of tea we discover the keys. On the table all along,
but somehow overlooked and thereafter assumed not to be there. The keys were not lost so hunting for them was pointless. The search for awakening is similarly futile. Most of us have heard and read more than enough times that we are what we're looking for, but can't deliberately let go of the belief that the holy grail of unity, of enlightenment must be something other, something extraordinary that is hidden but can be discovered given sufficient vigilance, seriousness and dedication. Unfortunately there always seems to be some lack in our commitment, some failing that constantly trips us up and reinforces the idea that we're inadequate and that realisation is only for the very special few. Read more on Roger's website |
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Why We Must Be Bold by Nick Williams |
| The biggest part of any success is not skill, ability
or even experience. It is self-belief, it is courage and it is the
willingness to have a go and find out. Woody Allen once said "80 per cent of success is just turning up!" I think he was right; a great part of being successful is simply putting ourselves in a position to be successful, believing in ourselves enough to go for what we want. This means starting to act upon our inspired ideas, taking bold new steps, trying new things, taking baby steps. But one of the greatest stumbling blocks many of us face is that voice that says, "But who are you to do this? You're no-one special, you haven't got what it takes." Read more in Inspire Magazine |
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Evolving the Soul-Centered Relationship by Linda Marks, MSM |
| Our idea of what we want in love relationships is evolving. Once,
a stable partner with a steady job who could share the tasks of
daily life and provide companionship through both good times and
bad times was enough, and even something to be grateful for. In
cultures where men and women were paired off in arranged marriages,
love, sexual-spiritual connection and soul partnership were not
part of the discussion the parents of the bride and groom engaged
in while negotiating the marriage contract. Today, love relationships are being asked to provide more than food, shelter, clothing and companionship. While necessary, these things are not alone sufficient. As the human species evolves emotionally and spiritually, we are seeking a deeper level of connection and expression in our love relationships. The term "soul mate," once confined to new age circles, appears in even mainstream vocabulary. Media images portray the fantasy of meeting one's soul mate, someone with whom one can share a sense of deep loving connection, and enjoy a sense of intimacy and everlasting relational bliss. More and more people are recognizing that love relationships can be part of the spiritual journey of our lives, and that love relationships themselves can offer a powerful spiritual journey. Read more in Spirit of Change Magazine |
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Choices for Life by Debbie Gisonni |
| One of my all-time favorite movie lines comes from the 1947 version
of Miracle on 34th Street. It was recited by both lead actors, John
Payne and Maureen O'Hara-"Faith is believing in things when common
sense tells you not to." There have been questions in my own life
that I can only surrender to faith. "Can I have a financially sustainable
career doing what I love? Will I always have good health? Am I really
doing what I'm here for in life and work?" While I have some days
laced with tension, fear and worry, I try to overshadow them with
faith that everything will turn out OK. I have no material evidence
to support this belief. I just trust that it will. I believe that
we are all spirits in earthly form, and that there is a higher power
or creator in whom I place my trust. But regardless of what your
religious or spiritual beliefs are, or if you have any at all, you
can still have faith. Faith is a trust that you place in custody
or care of another. Even if you don't believe in anything beyond
your own physical reality, you still have someone in which to trust-yourself.
You cannot deny your own existence. Read more on Alumbo |
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Finding Shambhala By Dave Platter |
| The Internet is not working. Its underground cable
was disabled yesterday by a bolt of lightning, and it will be at
least a week before new equipment can be installed to repair the
damage. Now, the telephone service is out as well. This happens most afternoons when it storms, to prevent it from falling victim to lightning, as well. At 8,000 feet in the Colorado Rocky Mountains, and accessed only by a rough dirt road, our valley today feels more remote than ever. It is named "Shambhala Mountain Center" after the legendary Himalayan kingdom for which many have searched, but which none have ever reported finding. Like an El Dorado of the heart, the land of Shambhala is believed to be a place of happiness, love, clear seeing and peace. Pilgrims seeking the geographic home of enlightenment typically begin in the south of Tibet. Asking after Shambhala, they are directed north, into the Himalaya Mountains. "The Kingdom of Shambhala? Oh, it's much further north than here," the locals inevitably tell them. Even as the searchers progress deeper into the mountains, they are told the same. However far they go, however long they look, the enlightened kingdom always remains just a little further along. If it indeed exists in a physical place, the Kingdom of Shambhala is well hidden. And, looking out over our own valley this morning, it is easy to imagine this modern Shambhala as not just a namesake, but as the legendary kingdom itself. Rather than Colorado, I envision myself deep in mysterious Tibet. In our Rocky Mountain valley, we are indeed protected from discovery. Dramatic slopes, granite cliffs and rocky points surround us like the ramparts of a medieval city. Today, not even high-flying birds or planes could find us, as a cap of gray clouds has taken up position no more than 100 feet above the ground, a protective soldier on guard. For a few moments, it is pleasant to imagine this all-too-flawed retreat center as the enlightened kingdom of age-old tales, but I know it is not. In fact, I am glad it is not. Rather than a single homeland for enlightenment, I prefer to believe the luminous state has no geographic locale. Perhaps other pilgrims have discovered this truth, and turned back from their Himalayan search not in failure, but with new purpose. We need not scour the earth to find enlightenment, we need only look inside ourselves. After all, isn't the potential for enlightenment right here, within our chests? Find out more about Shambhala Mountain Center |
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Book Review |
| "If we are willing to do the mental work, almost anything can be healed," teaches Hay in her bestselling book You Can Heal Your Life. Originally published in 1984 and now in its 74th printing, this book's message is just as powerful today. Hay, a metaphysical lecturer and teacher who began her career as a Science of Mind minister in 1981, explains that "There must be a need in you for your condition or you wouldn't have it" then leads you through learning to create your own healing through releasing, forgiving, and loving. By listening with love to your body's messages you can recognize patterns and begin your healing work. Walking you through what it would be like to have a private session with Hay, each chapter contains philosophy, stories from clients, exercises to work through, and an affirmation. Most importantly, Hay recognizes the reality of the difficulty in creating change and offers exercises on how to create lasting change and techniques for building a new life. She also places her ideas to work in realms beyond that of healing, including: relationships, work, success, and prosperity. The book contains an insightful List of Probably Mental Patterns that create illness in the body, as well as the New Thought Patterns and Affirmations that can be used to create health. Hay chooses to conclude the book by telling her life story which is full of abuse and survival. She explains that she was diagnosed with cancer and after just six months of intense alternative healing practices including putting the ideas in this book to work, doctors certified her as cancer free. Thus she proclaims with exuberance that "Disease can be healed, if we are willing to change the way we think and believe and act!" |
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| Table of Contents |
 The
Elusive Obvious |
| Why
We Must Be Bold |
| Evolving
the Soul- Centered Relationship |
| Choices
for Life |
| Finding
Shambhala |
| Book
Review |
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| Featured Retreats |
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| Retreat Accommodaitons Sakya Kachod Choling Friday Harbor, WA |
| Sakya Kachod Choling is H.E. Sakya Jetsun Chimey Luding's retreat
center on San Juan Island in Washington state. People coming to
do retreat or just to visit often remark on the powerful yet peaceful
energy they feel here. Wildlife abounds. It is common to see bald
eagles, deer, orca whales, red fox, rabbits and racoons. We hope
that you too will want to come and share in this special place with
your own retreat or visit. View this listing on RetreatFinder |
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| July 29- August 3, 2004 Infinite Boundaries Retreat Madeline Island, Lake Superior |
| Breast Cancer survivors: Make this the year you experience the
healing power of Madeline Island, located in the greatest of the
Great Lakes - Superior. Kayak on a peaceful lagoon, bike along the
lakeshore, explore the Island legends and lore on a guided nature
walk. Laugh with us around the bonfire and leave your fears with
"Mother Superior." View this retreat on RetreatFinder.com |
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| Facility for Rent Bend of Ivy Lodge Marshall, NC |
| Bend of Ivy Lodge exists to provide a peaceful and inspiring place
for retreats (yoga, meditation, and business/corporate groups are
welcome), as well as workshops, organizational meetings, and special
events (family reunions, weddings). The Lodge is a beautiful retreat
and conference center 20 minutes north of Asheville, North Carolina,
nestled on 63 acres of land that slopes gently down to the Ivy River.
The main hall looks out over the valley with a 22 foot high grand
window, and will hold 25 people for meetings or gatherings. View this retreat on RetreatFinder.com |
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| Retreat Accommodations Pine Wind Monastery Shamong, NJ |
| You are invited to experience a unique kind of spirituality.
One without borders, an expansive spiritual journey. One that is
about being human, about the human heart, the human experience,
and the pure human potentiality inherent in each of us. Whether
you come to learn about Zen or are beginning your spiritual search,
or simply looking for retreat, your visit to The Zen Society will
certainly prove to be inspiring, welcoming, and, an experience over
which you will never get. View this listing on RetreatFinder |
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| Facility for Rent Heart Within Institute and Retreat Shamong, NJ |
| The Zen Society celebrates the opening of The Heart
Within Institute & Retreat-A Center for The Creative Arts and The
Practices of Essential Spirituality. The Institute is dedicated
to facilitating, designing and creating opportunities to awaken
one person at a time until the whole world has awakened to its fullest
potential for peace, compassion, & friendship. View this listing on RetreatFinder |
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