tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-38146445591076504472024-03-14T12:34:16.716-04:00The Abundancetrek BlogAbundancetrek promotes love, peace, joy, justice, beauty, wisdom, freedom, truth, sustainable abundance, spirituality, interfaith dialogue, ecumenical connections and hope through a movement which is non-hierarchical and fun.Abundancetrekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172605993275056084noreply@blogger.comBlogger673125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814644559107650447.post-22843475815910510192024-03-14T12:19:00.005-04:002024-03-14T12:33:43.800-04:00INTERSPIRITUAL MEDITATION -- 27<p>This is the second post on the third step of
InterSpiritual Meditation: MAY WE BE TRANSFORMED INTO OUR HIGHEST BEING.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I have collected many quotes and resources on the topic of
Transformation. Here are a few of my favorite quotes:</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>+++</i></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>We have been
given the gift of life in this perplexing world <o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>to become
who we ultimately are – <o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>creatures of
boundless love, caring, compassion, and wisdom.</i></b> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">— Wayne Teasdale</p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">+++</p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>We are not born finished; we are born to become all that we can be: good, kind, giving. </i></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">— Joan Chittister</p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">+++</p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-weight: bold;">We are
travelers on a cosmic journey,</i></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>stardust,
swirling and dancing in the eddies and whirlpools of infinity. <o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>… We have
stopped for a moment to encounter each other, to meet, to love, to share. <o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>This is a
precious moment. It is a little parenthesis in eternity. <o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">— Paulo Coelho</p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><o:p>+++ </o:p></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>What you seek
is seeking you.</i></b> <o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">— Rumi</p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p>+++<i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>The winds of
grace blow all the time. <o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>All we need
to do is set our sails.</i></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">— Sri Ramakrishna
Paramahamsa</p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p>+++<i style="font-weight: bold;"> </i></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: 9.0pt; text-align: center;"><b><i>We
do not believe in ourselves until someone reveals <o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: 9.0pt; text-align: center;"><b><i>that
something deep inside us is valuable, <o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: 9.0pt; text-align: center;"><b><i>worth
listening to, worthy of our trust, sacred to our touch. <o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: 9.0pt; text-align: center;"><b><i>Once
we believe in ourselves we can risk <o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: 9.0pt; text-align: center;"><b><i>curiosity,
wonder, spontaneous delight <o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: 9.0pt; text-align: center;"><b><i>or
any experience that reveals the human spirit.</i></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: 9.0pt; text-align: center;">--
E.E. Cummings<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: 9.0pt; text-align: center;">+++</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="tab-stops: 9.0pt; text-align: left;"></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ This is a series of posts on InterSpiritual Meditation:
A Seven Step Process created by Dr. Edward Bastian. I am an InterSpiritual
Mentor certified by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/">SpiritualPaths
Institute</a> which Ed established. In these posts I am offering
reflections of mine and others on each of the steps which are: <span style="text-align: center;"> </span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">1. Motivation:
“May we be Happy and Healthy.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">2. Gratitude:
“May we be Grateful for Life’s Many Gifts.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">3. Transformation:
“May we be Transformed into Our Highest Being.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">4. Compassion:
“May we be Loving and Compassionate.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">5. Mindfulness:
“May we be Mindful through Our Breathing.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">6. Wisdom:
“May we Become Wise through our Meditation.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">7. Service:
“May we be in Service to All.”</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ I invite you to <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/interspiritual-meditation/books/">purchase and
read Ed's wonderful books</a> including <i>InterSpiritual Meditation:
A Seven Step Process Drawn from the World’s Spiritual Traditions</i> and <i>Mandala:
Creating an Authentic Spiritual Path -- An InterSpiritual Process</i>. </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ I invite you to consider taking a <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/upcoming-ism-october-2021-2/">comprehensive
e-course on InterSpiritual Meditation</a> offered by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/">Spiritual Paths</a>. The course is
always available but periodically it is taught via Zoom by Ed and other
teachers as an 8-week course with group participation. Another wonderful Spiritual
Paths course which is always available and periodically taught via Zoom is the <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/mandala-2/">InterSpiritual Mandala Course</a>.
It is designed to “Create your Spiritual Practice and Path by harnessing your Spiritual
Styles to Find Answers to your Spiritual Questions.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ I invite you to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/567789840446209/">join The New Faith for
the New Earth Facebook Group</a> where I and group members post and comment on
InterSpiritual Wisdom & Practices and other topics.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">+++ </span></p><p></p>Abundancetrekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172605993275056084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814644559107650447.post-9126043025317176872024-02-29T11:48:00.002-05:002024-02-29T11:56:01.612-05:00INTERSPIRITUAL MEDITATION -- 26<p> + Today I begin to focus on the third step of the InterSpiritual Meditation process: MAY WE BE
TRANSFORMED.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Here are excerpts from what Ed Bastian, the creator of
InterSpiritual Meditation (ISM), wrote about thi step:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">"We acknowledge and confess our shortcomings, vowing to
patiently persevere in our personal transformation. We vow to remove our inner
obstacles and negativities. Without guilt, we forgive others and ourselves as
we open to the transformative presence of love."<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">AND<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i>This ignorance does<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i>A prison make,<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i>Only true wisdom<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i>Helps me escape.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i>Freedom lies<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i>Inside, not out,<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i>Of this pure truth<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i>I have no doubt.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i>I know that<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i>Real happiness<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i>Must arise from my<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i>Own consciousness.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i>Within my being’s<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i>Sacred design,<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i>Resides the heart<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i>Of the divine.<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">Thanks Ed.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">++++++++++++</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ This is a series of posts on InterSpiritual Meditation:
A Seven Step Process created by Dr. Edward Bastian. I am an InterSpiritual
Mentor certified by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/">SpiritualPaths
Institute</a> which Ed established. In these posts I am offering reflections
of mine and others on each of the steps which are: <span style="text-align: center;"> </span></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">1. Motivation:
“May we be Happy and Healthy.”<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">2. Gratitude:
“May we be Grateful for Life’s Many Gifts.”<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">3. Transformation:
“May we be Transformed into Our Highest Being.”<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">4. Compassion:
“May we be Loving and Compassionate.”<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">5. Mindfulness:
“May we be Mindful through Our Breathing.”<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">6. Wisdom:
“May we Become Wise through our Meditation.”<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">7. Service:
“May we be in Service to All.”</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ I invite you to <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/interspiritual-meditation/books/">purchase and
read Ed's wonderful books</a> including <i>InterSpiritual Meditation:
A Seven Step Process Drawn from the World’s Spiritual Traditions</i> and <i>Mandala:
Creating an Authentic Spiritual Path -- An InterSpiritual Process</i>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ I invite you to consider taking a <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/upcoming-ism-october-2021-2/">comprehensive
e-course on InterSpiritual Meditation</a> offered by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/">Spiritual Paths</a>. The course is
always available but periodically it is taught via Zoom as an 8-week course with group participation. Another wonderful Spiritual
Paths course which is always available and periodically taught via Zoom is the <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/mandala-2/">InterSpiritual Mandala Course</a>.
It is designed to “Create your Spiritual Practice and Path by harnessing your Spiritual
Styles to Find Answers to your Spiritual Questions.”</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ I invite you to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/567789840446209/">join The New Faith for
the New Earth Facebook Group</a> where I and group members post and comment on
InterSpiritual Wisdom & Practices and other topics.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"> <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><br /></p>Abundancetrekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172605993275056084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814644559107650447.post-15684095494694777702023-08-08T13:03:00.013-04:002023-08-08T13:30:20.343-04:00INTERSPIRITUAL MEDITATION -- 25<p class="MsoNoSpacing">This is the seventh post on Step Two of InterSpiritual
Meditation: MAY WE BE GRATEFUL FOR LIFE'S MANY GIFTS. </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">As of now – August 8, 2023 – I am planning to stay with
STEP TWO for the indefinite future. And
why not? Gratefulness is a practice
offering so many gifts including the gifts which can be received in the other six
ISM steps. </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Here are six quotes offered by Brother David
Steindl-Rast, one of the wonderful pioneers of InterSpiritual Wisdom &
Practices. During his long life he has thoroughly focused on practicing
Gratefulness. Scroll down to see resources for learning more about his work
including the fantastic website he and his colleagues offer for growing in
gratitude. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">· It is enough to be grateful for the next breath.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">· Happiness is not what makes us grateful. It is gratefulness that makes us happy.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">· Gratitude celebrates life with a joyful "yes" at every knot of the great network in which everything is connected to everything.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">· Our approach to gratefulness has to be big enough to embrace all the difficulties of the world.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">· The quest of the human heart for meaning is the heartbeat of every religion.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">· My religion is surprise.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">· The smallest surprise, received gratefully, yields a harvest of delight. -- Br. David Steindl-Rast.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ I recently reflected on that last wonderful quote and wrote the following:</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">I like this idea a lot because it offers a way to be delighted with the little things of life in the here and now, moment after moment, breath after breath. In the stillness of this moment, this breath, there are a million surprises, maybe more. They happen within us and beyond us. Our Greater Self is always aware of this “harvest of delight” so available in the stillness and silence beyond our ordinary small-self awareness.</p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing"><b>BROTHER DAVID <a name="STEINDLRAST">STEINDL-RAST</a> RESOURCES<o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span class="MsoHyperlink" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><a href="https://gratefulness.org/" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">Grateful
Living</a><span style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"> | </span><a href="https://grateful.org/practice/word-for-the-day/" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">Word for
the Day</a><span style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"> | </span><a href="https://grateful.org/brother-david/" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">Brother David page</a><span style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
| </span><a href="https://grateful.org/practice/" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">Practice Space</a><span style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"> | </span><a href="https://grateful.org/content-library/" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">Content Library</a><span style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;"> |</span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/explorations/teachers/view/127/david-steindl-rast"><i>Spirituality
& Practice </i>Teachers project</a> | <a href="https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/explorations/teachers/david-steindl-rast/quotes">Quotes</a> | <a href="https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/explorations/teachers/david-steindl-rast/books">Books</a> | <a href="https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/explorations/teachers/david-steindl-rast/video-clips">Video
Clips</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/search/?q=David+Steindl-Rast"><i>Spirituality
& Practice </i>Search</a></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="https://www.youtube.com/@grateful_org">Grateful
Living Youtube Channel</a> | <a href="https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=david+steindl-rast">Youtube
Search for David Steindl-Rast</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;">·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-feature-settings: normal; font-kerning: auto; font-optical-sizing: auto; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-alternates: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; font-variation-settings: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span><!--[endif]-->More Quotes > <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/4182.David_Steindl_Rast">Goodreads</a> | <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/4182.David_Steindl_Rast">AZquotes</a> </p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">++++++++++++</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ This is a series of posts on InterSpiritual Meditation:
A Seven Step Process created by Dr. Edward Bastian. I am an InterSpiritual
Mentor certified by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/">SpiritualPaths
Institute</a> which Ed established. In these posts I am offer reflections
of mine and others on each of the steps which are: <o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p>1. Motivation:
“May we be Happy and Healthy.”</p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">2. Gratitude:
“May we be Grateful for Life’s Many Gifts.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">3. Transformation:
“May we be Transformed into Our Highest Being.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">4. Compassion:
“May we be Loving and Compassionate.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">5. Mindfulness:
“May we be Mindful through Our Breathing.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">6. Wisdom:
“May we Become Wise through our Meditation.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">7. Service:
“May we be in Service to All.”</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ I invite you to <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/interspiritual-meditation/books/">purchase and
read Ed's wonderful books</a> including <i>InterSpiritual Meditation:
A Seven Step Process Drawn from the World’s Spiritual Traditions</i> and <i>Mandala:
Creating an Authentic Spiritual Path -- An InterSpiritual Process</i>. </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ I invite you to consider taking a <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/upcoming-ism-october-2021-2/">comprehensive
e-course on InterSpiritual Meditation</a> offered by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/">Spiritual Paths</a>. The course is
always available but periodically it is taught via Zoom by Ed and other
teachers as an 8-week course with group participation. Another wonderful
Spiritual Paths course which is always available and periodically taught via
Zoom is the <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/mandala-2/">InterSpiritual
Mandala Course</a>. It is designed to “Create your Spiritual Practice and Path
by harnessing your Spiritual Styles to Find Answers to your Spiritual
Questions.” </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p>+ I invite you to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/567789840446209/">join The New Faith for
the New Earth Facebook Group</a> where I and group members post and comment on
InterSpiritual Wisdom & Practices and other topics. </p>Abundancetrekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172605993275056084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814644559107650447.post-50979987541274790422023-06-29T11:39:00.000-04:002023-06-29T11:39:18.569-04:00INTERSPIRITUAL MEDITATION -- 24<p>+ This is the sixth post on Step Two of InterSpiritual
Meditation: MAY WE BE GRATEFUL FOR LIFE'S MANY GIFTS. </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i>Abundance surrounds and sustains us like the
air we breathe; it is only our habitual self-protectiveness that prevents us
from perceiving it. Thus, the real problem with any constrictive motion
(defending, hoarding, accumulating, clinging) is that it makes us spiritually
blind, unable to see the dance of divine generosity that is always flowing
toward us.</i> -- Cynthia Bourgeault<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7.0pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><i>How soon will you realize that the only thing
you don't have is the direct experience that there's nothing you need that you
don't have?</i> -- Ken Keyes, Jr.<span style="text-align: center;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Abundance is not something we need to seek. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Abundance is a gift to be received with each breath.
What Good News this is. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The abundance
which “surrounds and sustains us” is miraculous, mysterious and marvelous.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I just went to my <a href="http://www.abundancetrek.com/">Abundancetrek.com</a> page on <a href="http://abundancetrek.com/abundance.html">Abundance</a> and found those two wonderful quotes. Abundance is one of nine heavenly
attributes I have been writing about for more than 20 years. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The others are Joy, Wisdom, Beauty, Love, Peace,
Justice and Freedom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Abundancetrek has a
page on each of them. There are also pages for 12 spiritual practices:
Stillness, Detachment, Humility, Silence, Discernment, Healing, Solitude, Devotion,
Holiness, Simplicity, Delight and Heavenliness. These are attributes and practices which characterize
The New faith for the New Earth which is now growing throughout our beautiful
planet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Thank You for your devotion to creating more compassion,
peace, justice and sustainable abundance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I am grateful that more and more of us are tuning in to this Ultimate
Reality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I call it a Great Evolutionary
Leap Forward.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s really happening. A
critical mass of humanity is now being transformed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We simply need to encourage each other and
discover that there are so many of us working on creating this New Earth. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a gift it is to be here right now involved
in a growing global community of faith, hope and love which is new and
different in many ways but guided by so many great teachers past and present. <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">++++++++++++</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ This is a series of posts on InterSpiritual Meditation:
A Seven Step Process created by Dr. Edward Bastian. I am an InterSpiritual
Mentor certified by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/">SpiritualPaths
Institute</a> which Ed established. In these posts I am offer reflections
of mine and others on each of the steps which are: <o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p>1. Motivation:
“May we be Happy and Healthy.”</p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">2. Gratitude:
“May we be Grateful for Life’s Many Gifts.”<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">3. Transformation:
“May we be Transformed into Our Highest Being.”<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">4. Compassion:
“May we be Loving and Compassionate.”<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">5. Mindfulness:
“May we be Mindful through Our Breathing.”<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">6. Wisdom:
“May we Become Wise through our Meditation.”<o:p></o:p></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">7. Service:
“May we be in Service to All.”</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ I invite you to <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/interspiritual-meditation/books/">purchase and
read Ed's wonderful books</a> including <i>InterSpiritual Meditation:
A Seven Step Process Drawn from the World’s Spiritual Traditions</i> and <i>Mandala:
Creating an Authentic Spiritual Path -- An InterSpiritual Process</i>. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ I invite you to consider taking a <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/upcoming-ism-october-2021-2/">comprehensive
e-course on InterSpiritual Meditation</a> offered by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/">Spiritual Paths</a>. The course is
always available but periodically it is taught via Zoom by Ed and other
teachers as an 8-week course with group participation. Another wonderful Spiritual
Paths course which is always available and periodically taught via Zoom is the <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/mandala-2/">InterSpiritual Mandala Course</a>.
It is designed to “Create your Spiritual Practice and Path by harnessing your Spiritual
Styles to Find Answers to your Spiritual Questions.” </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ I invite you to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/567789840446209/">join The New Faith for
the New Earth Facebook Group</a> where I and group members post and comment on
InterSpiritual Wisdom & Practices and other topics.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">+++</p>Abundancetrekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172605993275056084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814644559107650447.post-31572898636922614672023-06-12T15:49:00.006-04:002023-06-12T15:49:50.355-04:00INTERSPIRITUAL MEDITATION -- 23<p>This is the fifth post on Step Two of InterSpiritual
Meditation: MAY WE BE GRATEFUL FOR LIFE'S MANY GIFTS.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Here is Part Two of my InterSpiritual Journey, from 2002
to now (June 2023):</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I am grateful that I have been blessed with support and
encouragement from InterSpiritual Companions in recent years. The term InterSpiritual was coined by Brother
Wayne Teasdale in the 1990s but did not become a household term right
away. I became familiar with it around
2010. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">In 2002 I retired after 28 years as a pastor. Mary and I
moved to Chapel Hill, North Carolina where Mary did a Post-Doc at the
University of North Carolina from July 2002 to June 2003. I thought that making her do this after all
the work she did to get a Ph. D. was “cruel and unusual punishment” but the year
there turned out to be an important transformative experience for both of us. This was due to several opportunities for
relationships and growth. The one that has made a huge impact was joining a
weekly Centering Prayer and <i>Lectio Divina</i> group at The Church of
Reconciliation. Our devotional life ever
since has been enhanced immeasurably by that experience. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">That was also when I began to find all kinds of spiritual
wisdom and practices mainly due to the explosion of resources on the internet. As
I developed <a href="http://abundancetrek.com/">Abundancetrek.com</a>, I found that
Frederick and Mary Ann Brussat had begun promoting many of these resources on the
Spirituality and Health website. I had
appreciated their educational work for many years before the internet came
along. I began filling my website with links they offered, perhaps a hundred
before those links became extinct due to their move to their own website in
2006, the website I call the best website in the universe, <a href="https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/"><i>Spirituality&Practice</i></a>.
What an amazing website <a href="https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/"><i>Spirituality&Practice</i></a>
is. If it was limited to book and film
reviews it would be amazing. But add to
that many other features including a comprehensive approach to 37 spiritual
practices, e-courses, blogs, galleries, the Spiritual Practice of the Day, the
Spiritual Reading of the Day, the Quote of the Day, the Teacher of the Day and
Naming the Days. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">When I think of my early days of Internet searching I
think fondly of <a href="http://www.innerfrontier.org/index.html">Inner
Frontier</a>, <a href="https://www.dailyzen.com/">Daily Zen</a>, <a href="https://www.peterrussell.com/CIA/CIA.php">The Church of I Am</a>, <a href="https://wahiduddin.net/">Wahiduddin’s Web</a>, <a href="https://grateful.org/">Grateful Living</a>, <a href="https://www.presbyterianmission.org/devotion/daily/">The Common Lectionary</a>,
<a href="https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/">Contemplative Outreach</a>, <a href="https://www.1spirit.org/">One Spirit</a> and <a href="https://progressivechristianity.org/">Progressive Christianity</a>. I offered
quotes and many links on <a href="http://abundancetrek.com/">Abundancetrek.com</a>
and my blogs from these websites. More recently I discovered the wonderful daily
devotions from <a href="https://cac.org/">The Center for Action &
Contemplation</a>. My basic categories on <a href="http://abundancetrek.com/">Abundancetrek.com</a>
were and still are Heavenly Attributes and Spiritual Practices. The Heavenly Attributes
are: Abundance, Joy, Wisdom, Beauty, Love, Truth, Peace, Justice and Freedom. The Spiritual Practices are The Journey of the
Mind practices of Stillness, Detachment and Humility; The Journey of the Heart
practices of Silence, Discernment and Healing;
The Journey of the Body practices of Solitude, Devotion and Holiness; The Journey
of the Soul practices of Simplicity, Delight and Heavenliness. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">InterSpiritual wisdom and practices are now becoming
quite numerous. Do a <a href="https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/search?q=InterSpiritual&s">search
for “InterSpiritual”</a> at <a href="https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/"><i>Spirituality&Practice</i></a>
and you will come up with 199 books, 23 e-courses, 23 quotes, 21 teachers, 13
traditions, 12 blogs, 7 films and 4
topics as of June 12, 2023. The first two
e-courses listed are <a href="https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/ecourses/course/view/103/interspiritual-meditation">InterSpiritual
Meditation</a> and <a href="https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/ecourses/course/view/91/interspiritual-wisdom">InterSpiritual
Wisdom</a>. I took both of these
e-courses when they were first offered in 2010 and 2011. I was so intrigued that I pursued the
InterSpiritual path as a student at the <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/">Spiritual
Paths Institute</a> led by Edward W. Bastian who has earned a place as one of
the pioneering teachers of InterSpiritual Wisdom and Practices. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I have had the privilege of working closely with Ed for more
than a decade along with several others who became what Ed called the Founding
Mentors. This would never have happened
without the internet.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Let me tell you about Ed’s InterSpiritual Journey since
my journey has been intertwined with for the past decade. He worked for a while with Lowell Thomas, a legendary
radio and television reporter and documentary film maker. With Lowell Thomas, he went to India in 1970 where
he met the Dalai Lama. This was long before most of us ever heard of the Dalai
Lama. Unlike me, Ed’s Presbyterian upbringing did not satisfy his thirst for a
solid spiritual foundation. So he
pursued the Buddhist path. The Dalai Lama introduced him to other Buddhist
teachers in the Tibetan monastic community in exile in Northern India. He stayed there and learned how to engage in a
deep meditation practice. Ed wanted a comprehensive
knowledge of Buddhism and so he got a Ph. D. in Buddhist Studies at the
University of Wisconsin. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Fast forward to the 1999 and 2004 and we find Ed in Aspen,
Colorado where he was invited to represent Buddhism at Father Thomas Keating’s annual
Snowmass Gatherings of Meditators. This turned
out to be a life-changing experience. He
sold his business, the Aspen Internet site, and started the <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/">Spiritual Paths Institute</a> in Aspen. The first
faculty included several pioneering teachers of InterSpiritual Wisdom and
Practices: Thomas Keating, Cynthia Bourgeault, Rami Shapiro, Kamir and Camille
Helminski, Swami Atmarapananda. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Now fast forward to 2008 and the economic downturn which
led to an enrollment decline. Also, Ed’s
doctor advised him to move to sea level. So he moved into his sailboat in Santa
Barbara harbor, wrote two wonderful books on InterSpiritual Wisdom and
Practices. The first one, <i>InterSpiritual Meditation: A Seven-Step Process
from the World’s Spiritual Traditions, </i>was based on his and his colleague’s
reflections during and after the Snowmass gatherings. Here is the <a href="https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/book-reviews/view/22114/interspiritual-meditation"><i>S&P</i>
book review</a>.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">The second one, <i>Mandala: Creating an Authentic
Spiritual Path: An InterSpiritual Process</i>, was inspired by a vision he once
had where he met spirit beings who showed him a Mandala with spokes for 12
spiritual styles, 12 spiritual questions and 12 wisdom traditions. This is the format for the book. Here is the <a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/25930207-mandala">Goodreads page for
the book</a>.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">These books became the basis for two e-courses offered by
<i>Spirituality & Practice</i>. See above. I took both of them and I was
hooked. Ed then offered an
InterSpiritual Meditation course and a Mandala course on the <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/">Spiritual Paths website</a> with an engaging
and comprehensive curriculum. In 2013 Omega Institute invited Ed to teach a
seminar on InterSpiritual Meditation and the InterSpiritual Mandala. I went and
met Ed there. He told me about his plan to offer a course for people wanting to
become an InterSpiritual Mentor. I
signed up along with about 10 others. 6
of us graduated in 2017. I would never have
been able to do this without the internet.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Recently I have been blessed my continuing involvement with
<a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/">Spiritual Paths</a> and with three wonderful
groups close to my home in the Mohawk Valley of Upstate New York: <a href="http://www.weavinghome3.org/">Weaving Home</a>, <a href="https://www.lotusheartzen.org/">Lotus Heart Zen</a> and the <a href="https://www.interfaithutica.org/">Interfaith Coalition of Greater Utica</a>.
I have also continued to be active as a Presbyterian
minister in a variety of ways at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/fpcutica">First
Presbyterian Church, Utica</a> and the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/PresbyteryOfUtica">Presbytery of Utica</a>. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">++++++++++++</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ This is a series of posts on InterSpiritual Meditation:
A Seven Step Process created by Dr. Edward Bastian. I am an InterSpiritual
Mentor certified by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/">SpiritualPaths
Institute</a> which Ed established. In these posts I am offer reflections
of mine and others on each of the steps which are: <o:p></o:p></p><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>1. Motivation: “May we be Happy and Healthy.”</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>2. Gratitude: “May we be Grateful for Life’s Many Gifts.”</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>3. Transformation: “May we be Transformed into Our Highest Being.”</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>4. Compassion: “May we be Loving and Compassionate.”</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>5. Mindfulness: “May we be Mindful through Our Breathing.”</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>6. Wisdom: “May we Become Wise through our Meditation.”</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>7. Service: “May we be in Service to All.”</i></div></i><p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ I invite you to <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/interspiritual-meditation/books/">purchase and
read Ed's wonderful books</a> including <i>InterSpiritual Meditation:
A Seven Step Process Drawn from the World’s Spiritual Traditions</i> and <i>Mandala:
Creating an Authentic Spiritual Path -- An InterSpiritual Process</i>.<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ I invite you to consider taking a <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/upcoming-ism-october-2021-2/">comprehensive
e-course on InterSpiritual Meditation</a> offered by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/">Spiritual Paths</a>. The course is
always available but periodically it is taught via Zoom by Ed and other
teachers as an 8-week course with group participation. Another wonderful Spiritual
Paths course which is always available and periodically taught via Zoom is the <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/mandala-2/">InterSpiritual Mandala Course</a>.
It is designed to “Create your Spiritual Practice and Path by harnessing your Spiritual
Styles to Find Answers to your Spiritual Questions.”</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ I invite you to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/567789840446209/">join The New Faith for
the New Earth Facebook Group</a> where I and group members post and comment on
InterSpiritual Wisdom & Practices and other topics.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Abundancetrekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172605993275056084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814644559107650447.post-17320573163022948872023-05-22T12:33:00.004-04:002023-05-23T12:23:21.092-04:00INTERSPIRITUAL MEDITATION -- 22<p>This is the fourth post on Step Two of InterSpiritual
Meditation: MAY WE BE GRATEFUL FOR LIFE'S MANY GIFTS.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I am grateful that I have joined with other companions on
the amazing journey of InterSpiritual Wisdom & Practices. Here is how one of the pioneering
InterSpiritual teachers describes this journey:</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i>To walk an interspiritual path is to travel through
the wilderness with open hands and a courageous spirit. It is to navigate with
the heart and a book of prayers from every faith tradition that ever uttered a
sacred phrase in any language. To travel an interspiritual path is to drop to
our knees in the presence of Love wherever we encounter it, and to disarm our
hearts the minute we have the impulse to otherize a faith we do not understand.
To take an interspiritual journey is to circle ever inward, to a place of holy
silence and vibrant stillness, and then to surge back outward with the
contemplative fruits we have gathered to feed a hungry world. An interspiritual
life invites us to take our rightful place at the table of the Divine in many
Holy Houses, and asks that we kneel at the altars of multiple traditions and
drink from the goblet we are offered, and allow it to transform us.
Interspirituality is about saying YES to the sacred in every form and no form,
about moving beyond intellectual orientation to active engagement with various
religions, about seeking and finding the Love that unifies all paths and
affirms our essential interconnectedness.</i></b> -- Mirabai Starr, from
<a href="http://www.mirabaistarr.com">www.mirabaistarr.com</a></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><a href="http://mirabaistarr.com"><o:p></o:p></a></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">What a blessing it has become for me to be among more and
more people devoted to this path. May
you be so blessed. May you join me in
gratitude for this splendid opportunity to create a new earth which reflects
the abundance, compassion and freedom of heaven which is our birthright since
we really are heavenly beings temporarily enjoying the unique experience of
being human here on earth. Let's enjoy
this sojourn even more by embracing the cultures and rituals and wisdom offered
by all of humanity. We can become more
and more grateful for the riches, the variety, the gifts found here on earth
where we are for now.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">My InterSpiritual Journey began long before Wayne
Teasdale coined the term sometime in the 1990s. I will share some highlights
from birth to the end of the twentieth century in this post and I will share my 21st century
highlights in a future post. Here we go:</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I have been open to finding wisdom sources outside of the
Christian Wisdom Tradition for as long as I can remember. Shortly after I was born in 1947 I was
baptized in a Presbyterian Church in Caldwell NJ. When I was two, we moved to Denville NJ. There was a big Presbyterian Church in nearby
Dover and a small church in the Union Hill section of Denville which became
Presbyterian in 1957. The first pastor
of that church, Theodore Blunk, was a new graduate of Princeton Theological
Seminary. He was a wonderful pastor who loved working with the youth of the
area and there were many of us baby boomers to work with. He would now be called a Progressive
Christian. He opened my eyes to the
infinite possibilities available beyond the friendly but narrow confines of Christianity.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">As a college and then seminary student in Boston
(1965-1973) I found my way to Old West Methodist Church where I was blessed by
very progressive pastors and very progressive professors. I opened my eyes even
more. Christianity worked for me and
still does. But, like Wayne Teasdale, I
wanted to find meaningful experiences beyond those friendly but narrow
confines. I found meaningful wisdom and
practices mostly through several books which I did not find in the seminary
curriculum. I hope that has changed. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">One of the pastors at Old West Church, Bill Hudson,
introduced me to Nikos Kazantzakis. I
read several books by this great Greek writer.
He wrote about the great teachings found in the East as well as the
West. Concurrently I discovered <i>The
Handbook to Higher Consciousness</i> by Kenneth Keyes, Jr. I still find this book valuable. He presents some of the great wisdom from the
East in a way which makes sense to the Western mind. He calls the seven chakras the 7 centers of
Consciousness. Going from bottom to top
they are called the Security Center, the Sensation Center, the Power Center,
the Love Center, the Cornucopia Center, the Conscious-Awareness Center and the
Cosmic Consciousness Center. The 12
Pathways to Higher Consciousness, which I memorized, is a profound tool for
overcoming the security, sensation and power addictions. I read a few more books in the 1970s from
outside the Christian Wisdom Tradition including <i>How to Meditate</i> by
Lawrence LeShan, <i>Siddhartha</i> by Herman Hesse and <i>Black Elk Speaks</i>. I also read books from secular sources,
particularly Psychology, Sociology and Quantum Physics.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">During the years I served as a pastor (1974-2002) I
stayed mainly within the friendly but narrow confines of the Christian Wisdom
Tradition. Nevertheless I did have a couple of life-changing experiences during
those years. While I worked as a pastor in Dearborn, Michigan in the 1980s, I
was led to John Biersdorf, a United Church of Christ Minister who was the
Guiding Teacher at the Ecumenical Theological Center of Detroit. He regularly taught many pastors and others
to meditate with a Buddhist mindfulness approach. In the 1990s I devoted quite a lot of effort
to reading, understanding and practicing A Course in Miracles. Also in the 90s a friend encouraged me to
read several important books from outside the Christian Wisdom Tradition.
Particularly The Perennial Philosophy by Aldous Huxley re-opened my eyes to the
riches found in the East. More and more I sought wisdom from beyond the
Christian Wisdom Tradition, particularly from the religions of the East but
also from Shamanic and Indigenous wisdom. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">After I retired as a Pastor I had more time to pursue wisdom
and practices and the Internet was exploding with it more and more and more. I will continue sharing my InterSpiritual
Journey in a future post. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">++++++++++++</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ This is a series of posts on InterSpiritual Meditation:
A Seven Step Process created by Dr. Edward Bastian. I am an InterSpiritual
Mentor certified by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/">SpiritualPaths
Institute</a> which Ed established. In these posts I am offer reflections
of mine and others on each of the steps which are: <o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing"><i>1. Motivation: “May we be Happy and Healthy.”<br />2. Gratitude: “May we be Grateful for Life’s Many Gifts.” <br />3. Transformation: “May we be Transformed into Our Highest Being.” <br />4. Compassion: “May we be Loving and Compassionate.” <br />5. Mindfulness: “May we be Mindful through Our Breathing.” <br />6. Wisdom: “May we Become Wise through our Meditation.” <br />7. Service: “May we be in Service to All.” </i><br /></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ I invite you to <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/interspiritual-meditation/books/">purchase and read Ed's wonderful books</a> including InterSpiritual Meditation: A Seven Step Process Drawn from the World’s Spiritual Traditions and Mandala: Creating an Authentic Spiritual Path -- An InterSpiritual Process.<br /><br />+ I invite you to consider taking a <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/upcoming-ism-october-2021-2/">comprehensive
e-course on InterSpiritual Meditation</a> offered by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/">Spiritual Paths</a>. The course is
always available but periodically it is taught via Zoom by Ed and other
teachers as an 8-week course with group participation. Another wonderful Spiritual
Paths course which is always available and periodically taught via Zoom is the <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/mandala-2/">InterSpiritual Mandala Course</a>.
It is designed to “Create your Spiritual Practice and Path by harnessing your Spiritual
Styles to Find Answers to your Spiritual Questions.”</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ I invite you to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/567789840446209/">join The New Faith for
the New Earth Facebook Group</a> where I and group members post and comment on
InterSpiritual Wisdom & Practices and other topics.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;"> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><br /></p>Abundancetrekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172605993275056084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814644559107650447.post-24761240650198128632023-05-04T15:28:00.006-04:002023-05-09T14:56:55.765-04:00INTERSPIRITUAL MEDITATION -- 21<p>+ This is the second post on Step Two of InterSpiritual
Mediation: MAY WE BE GRATEFUL FOR LIFE’S MANY GIFTS.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ Here are some excerpts from Todd Rundgren’s “Healing,” an
amazing song of meditation, contemplation and prayer found on his 1981 record album
entitled <i>Healing</i>. You can find
several versions of “Healing” on Youtube. </p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing"><i>Listen to your heart <br />Tune into the rhythm <br />Listen to your heart <br />Beating with precision <br />Like the waves upon the seaside <br />It goes on and on <br />Like the spinning of the world <br />It goes on and on. <br /><br />… <br /><br />Look upon yourself <br />Only with compassion <br />Strip away the shell <br />Hiding your perfection. <br /><br />… <br /><br />Listen to the cry of a world that's calling to you <br />Listen to the cry of the helpless souls that need you <br />Though you may have trepidation, you can not refuse <br />You will find your own salvation in the path you choose.<br /></i></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing">…</p><i><div style="text-align: center;"><i>You could not be closer to your maker</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Never more or less alone</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>If you know thyself, there's nothing else to know</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>You are whole, you are whole</i></div></i><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ This song connects this ISM step with all of the others
as only great artists can do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am
grateful for the transforming energy of rock’n’roll throughout my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I love rock’n’roll and Todd Rundgren is not
only a great rock musician but a great spiritual teacher.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This song can truly be viewed as an
InterSpiritual anthem.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am grateful for
this song which makes me happy and motivates me to work to be whole, to be
healthy, to be transformed as I reflect on its vision and values, to be more loving
and compassionate, mindful through my breathing and body awareness, wise
through going deep into heavenly realms as I meditate and coming back to my
mission on earth to serve all beings. That covers all seven ISM steps.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I have been inspired by this song since 1981.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As recently as 2010 he took all of the
Healing songs on the road.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can find it
on Youtube.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One of the venues was in
Morristown, NJ, only a few miles from my childhood home in Denville.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There he was joined by some delightful young
singers which you can see and hear in the Youtube videos.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">My gratitude is for all artists who get us in touch with
ultimate reality and what we need to be and do to make ourselves, our families,
our communities, our planet more heavenly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>For me, many rock’n’roll musicians have been instrumental in making me aware
of Ultimate Reality.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More recently I
have found Celtic music to do that for me as well. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Other kinds of music work too. What artists
and musicians have impacted you over the years and particularly recently?</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Here are links to the Healing videos on Youtube and a few
other Todd Rundgren songs and links:</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="https://youtu.be/cr2XMOVm9ZM"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The Original
Recording of Healing</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="https://youtu.be/7zme1ZsHcvI"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Healing
Part 1 (live) via HarryRunt danu subscription</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>| </span><a href="https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/toddrundgren/healingparti.html"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">lyrics part
1</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="https://youtu.be/jLGfFDadv_w"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Healing
Parts 2 & 3 (live) via HarryRunt danu subscription</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> | </span><a href="https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/toddrundgren/healingpartii.html"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">lyrics
part 2</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> | </span><a href="https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/toddrundgren/healingpartiii.html"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">lyrics
part 3</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="https://youtu.be/rT-ygSuKoX0"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Healing
Part 1 (live) via Noragon subscription</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> | </span><a href="https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/toddrundgren/healingparti.html"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">lyrics
part 1</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="https://youtu.be/u8GKcvjWJQ0"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Healing
Parts 2 & 3 (live) via Noragon subscription</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> | </span><a href="https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/toddrundgren/healingpartii.html"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">lyrics
part 2</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> | </span><a href="https://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/toddrundgren/healingpartiii.html"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">lyrics
part 3</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Healing_(Todd_Rundgren_album)">Healing wiki</a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="https://youtu.be/pL5bSEnxI3I">Compassion
(live)</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="https://d.docs.live.net/e5c926b9febb77d4/Documents/MY%20DOCUMENTS%202023/Healer%20(live)">Healer
(live)</a> <span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="https://youtu.be/IjMKz0wCGmw"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Love is
the Answer</span></a><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span class="MsoHyperlink"><span color="windowtext" style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="https://youtu.be/Interview%20and%20music">Interview
and concert clips</a></span><span class="MsoHyperlink"><b><span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><o:p></o:p></span></b></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=Todd+Rundgren">Youtube
Search for Todd Rundgren</a> <b><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]--><a href="http://www.todd-rundgren.com">todd-rundgren.com</a><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">+++++++++++++</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ This is a series of posts on InterSpiritual Meditation:
A Seven Step Process created by Dr. Edward Bastian. I am an InterSpiritual
Mentor certified by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/">SpiritualPaths
Institute</a> which Ed established. In these posts I am offer reflections
of mine and others on each of the steps which are: <span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br /></p><div style="text-align: center;">1. Motivation: “May we be Happy and Healthy.”</div><div style="text-align: center;">2. Gratitude: “May we be Grateful for Life’s Many Gifts.”</div><div style="text-align: center;">3. Transformation: “May we be Transformed into Our Highest Being.”</div><div style="text-align: center;">4. Compassion: “May we be Loving and Compassionate.”</div><div style="text-align: center;">5. Mindfulness: “May we be Mindful through Our Breathing.”</div><div style="text-align: center;">6. Wisdom: “May we Become Wise through our Meditation.”</div><div style="text-align: center;">7. Service: “May we be in Service to All.”</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">+ I invite you to <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/interspiritual-meditation/books/">purchase and
read Ed's wonderful books</a> including <i>InterSpiritual Meditation:
A Seven Step Process Drawn from the World’s Spiritual Traditions</i> and <i>Mandala:
Creating an Authentic Spiritual Path -- An InterSpiritual Process</i>.</div><p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ I invite you to consider taking a <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/upcoming-ism-october-2021-2/">comprehensive
e-course on InterSpiritual Meditation</a> offered by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net">Spiritual Paths</a>. The course is
always available but periodically it is taught via Zoom by Ed and other
teachers as an 8-week course with group participation. Another wonderful Spiritual
Paths course which is always available and periodically taught via Zoom is the <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/mandala-2/">InterSpiritual Mandala Course</a>.
It is designed to “Create your Spiritual Practice and Path by harnessing your Spiritual
Styles to Find Answers to your Spiritual Questions.”</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ I invite you to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/567789840446209/">join The New Faith for
the New Earth Facebook Group</a> where I and group members post and comment on
InterSpiritual Wisdom & Practices and other topics.</p>Abundancetrekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172605993275056084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814644559107650447.post-822214483580774432023-04-29T11:52:00.010-04:002023-04-29T12:09:49.767-04:00INTERSPIRITUAL MEDITATION -- 20+ This is the second post on Step Two of InterSpiritual Mediation: MAY WE BE GRATEFUL FOR LIFE’S MANY GIFTS.<br /><i><b><br /></b></i><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>To all my teachers,</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>I beseech,</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Please stay near</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>and help me teach.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Your wisdom helped me</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>To find my way,</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>For constant blessings</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>I will always pray.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>To the natural world</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>That sustains my living</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>I honor her</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>For always giving.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b><br /></b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>My many faults</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>I now confess,</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>And clear them all</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Through forgiveness.</b></i></div><div style="text-align: center;">-- Edward Bastian</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>The grateful heart sits at a continuous feast.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">-- Proverbs 15:15</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>The more we are steeped in gratefulness,</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>the more it absorbs us until we start to radiate it from within.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">-- Tim Roberts</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Gratitude places you in the energy field of plentitude.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Perceiving life in a consciousness of gratitude is</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>literally stepping into another dimension of living.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Suddenly the seeming ordinariness of your days takes on a divine sparkle …</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Glow with gratitude and see how awe and joy will make their home in you.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">-- Michael Bernard Beckwith</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Gratitude is a celebration of love.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">-- Br. David Steindl-Rast</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> <div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Gratitude makes sense of our past, brings peace for today, and creates a vision for tomorrow.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">-– Melody Beattie</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">+ Ed Bastian’s first two verses for this step -- “To all my teachers, I beseech, Please stay near and help me teach. / Your wisdom helped me To find my way, For constant blessings I will always pray.” – emphasize gratitude for teachers. I invite you to remember and honor all of the teachers in your life who have opened the doors of your mind, heart, body and soul to that “energy field of plenitude,” to the heavenly realm of abundance, joy, wisdom, beauty, love, truth, peace, justice and freedom.</div><br />+ This is a series of posts on InterSpiritual Meditation: A Seven Step Process created by Dr. Edward Bastian. I am an InterSpiritual Mentor certified by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/">SpiritualPaths Institute</a> which Ed established. In these posts I am offer reflections of mine and others on each of the steps which are: <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>1. Motivation: “May we be Happy and Healthy.”</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>2. Gratitude: “May we be Grateful for Life’s Many Gifts.”</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>3. Transformation: “May we be Transformed into Our Highest Being.”</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>4. Compassion: “May we be Loving and Compassionate.”</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>5. Mindfulness: “May we be Mindful through Our Breathing.”</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>6. Wisdom: “May we Become Wise through our Meditation.”</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>7. Service: “May we be in Service to All.”</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> + I invite you to <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/interspiritual-meditation/books/">purchase and read Ed's wonderful books</a> including InterSpiritual Meditation: A Seven Step Process Drawn from the World’s Spiritual Traditions and Mandala: Creating an Authentic Spiritual Path -- An InterSpiritual Process. <br /><br />+ I invite you to consider taking a <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/upcoming-ism-october-2021-2/">comprehensive e-course on InterSpiritual Meditation</a> offered by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/">Spiritual Paths.net</a>. The course is always available but periodically it is taught via Zoom by Spiritual Paths teachers as an 8-week course with group participation. Another wonderful course which is always available and periodically taught via Zoom is the <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/mandala-2/">InterSpiritual Mandala Course</a>. It is designed to “Create your Spiritual Practice and Path by Harnessing Your Spiritual Styles to Find Answers to your Spiritual Questions.” <br /><br />+ I invite you to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/567789840446209/">join The New Faith for the New Earth Facebook Group</a> where I and group members post and comment on InterSpiritual Wisdom & Practices and other topics.</div>Abundancetrekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172605993275056084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814644559107650447.post-83018476454726151992023-04-24T14:52:00.003-04:002023-04-24T14:54:25.264-04:00INTERSPIRITUAL MEDITATION -- 19<p><span style="font-family: arial;">+ This is the first post on Step Two of InterSpiritual
Mediation: MAY WE BE GRATEFUL FOR LIFE’S MANY GIFTS.</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></o:p><b><i><span style="font-family: arial;">With
gratitude we invoke and honor our teachers, mentors, and great spiritual role
models.</span></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial;">We invite
these great beings to remain present and pray that they guide us. <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial;">We remind
ourselves about the blessings of friends, family, <o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><span style="font-family: arial;">and the
environment that nurtures and sustains us.<o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: arial;">-- Edward W.
Bastian</span></p><span style="font-family: arial;">+ Please ponder the abundance of gifts in your life beginning with teachers, mentors and great spiritual role models. <br /></span><br /><div style="text-align: center;">++++++++++++</div> <br />
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;">+ This is a series of posts on InterSpiritual Meditation:
A Seven Step Process created by Dr. Edward Bastian. I am an InterSpiritual
Mentor certified by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/">SpiritualPaths
Institute</a> which Ed established. In these posts I am offering reflections
of mine and others on each of the steps which are: <o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>1. Motivation: “May we be Happy and Healthy.” <br />2. Gratitude: “May we be Grateful for Life’s Many Gifts.” <br />3. Transformation: “May we be Transformed into Our Highest Being.” <br />4. Compassion: “May we be Loving and Compassionate.” <br />5. Mindfulness: “May we be Mindful through Our Breathing.” <br />6. Wisdom: “May we Become Wise through our Meditation.” <br />7. Service: “May we be in Service to All.” </b></i><br /><br /></p><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial;">+ I invite you to </span><a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/interspiritual-meditation/books/" style="font-family: arial;">purchase and
read Ed's wonderful books</a><span style="font-family: arial;"> including </span><i style="font-family: arial;">InterSpiritual Meditation:
A Seven Step Process Drawn from the World’s Spiritual Traditions</i><span style="font-family: arial;"> and </span><i style="font-family: arial;">Mandala:
Creating an Authentic Spiritual Path -- An InterSpiritual Process</i><span style="font-family: arial;">.</span></div><p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;">+ I invite you to consider taking a </span><a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/upcoming-ism-october-2021-2/" style="font-family: arial;">comprehensive
e-course on InterSpiritual Meditation</a><span style="font-family: arial;"> offered by </span><a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/interspiritual-meditation/books/" style="font-family: arial;">Spiritual
Paths.net</a><span style="font-family: arial;">. The course is always available but periodically it is
taught via Zoom by Spiritual Paths teachers as an 8-week course with group
participation. </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family: arial;">+ I invite you to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/567789840446209/">join The New Faith for
the New Earth Facebook Group</a> where I and group members post and comment on
InterSpiritual Wisdom & Practices and other topics.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: arial;"> </span></span><o:p></o:p></p>Abundancetrekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172605993275056084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814644559107650447.post-76625418821092495602023-04-24T14:46:00.002-04:002023-04-24T14:46:43.191-04:00INTERSPIRITUAL MEDITATION -- 18<p> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ This is the sixteenth post on Step One of
InterSpiritual Meditation: MAY WE BE HAPPY AND HEALTHY.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p><b><i>My hope for all of us is that 'the miles we go
before we sleep' will be filled with all the feelings that come from deep
caring--delight , sadness, joy, wisdom--and that in all the endings of our
life, we will be able to see the new beginnings.</i></b></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">-- Fred Rogers<o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ Definitely one of my favorite fellow Presbyterian
Ministers.<o:p></o:p></p>Abundancetrekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172605993275056084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814644559107650447.post-9910559475002129802023-03-30T11:27:00.010-04:002023-03-30T11:31:16.541-04:00INTERSPIRITUAL MEDITATION -- 17<p> + This is the fifteenth post on Step One of
InterSpiritual Meditation: MAY WE BE HAPPY AND HEALTHY</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: center;"><b><i>Joy is the happiness that doesn't depend on what happens.</i></b></div><i><div style="text-align: center;">-- Brother David Steindl-Rast</div></i><div><br /></div>+ Some people distinguish between JOY and HAPPY. I’m not so sure that they are really different but the point they make is valid. Happiness can be short-lived, based on events which don’t last forever or even for a minute or a day. But Brother David is reminding us that there is another kind of happiness which is always available deep within us. Buddhists say it comes with Mindfulness. Muslims say it comes from Remembrance. Christians say it comes from Unceasing Prayer. I’m sure that other wisdom traditions have practices which get to the source of true happiness. What works for you?<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">++++++++++++</div><div style="text-align: left;"><p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ This is a series of posts on InterSpiritual Meditation:
A Seven Step Process created by Dr. Edward Bastian. I am an InterSpiritual
Mentor certified by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/">SpiritualPaths
Institute</a> which Ed established. In these posts I will offer
reflections of mine and others on each of the steps which are: <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"></p><div style="text-align: center;">1. Motivation: “May we be Happy and Healthy.”</div><div style="text-align: center;">2. Gratitude: “May we be Grateful for Life’s Many Gifts.”</div><div style="text-align: center;">3. Transformation: “May we be Transformed into Our Highest Being.”</div><div style="text-align: center;">4. Compassion: “May we be Loving and Compassionate.”</div><div style="text-align: center;">5. Mindfulness: “May we be Mindful through Our Breathing.”</div><div style="text-align: center;">6. Wisdom: “May we Become Wise through our Meditation.”</div><div style="text-align: center;">7. Service: “May we be in Service to All.”</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div> + I invite you to <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/interspiritual-meditation/books/">purchase and
read Ed's wonderful books</a> including <i>InterSpiritual Meditation:
A Seven Step Process Drawn from the World’s Spiritual Traditions</i> and <i>Mandala:
Creating an Authentic Spiritual Path -- An InterSpiritual Process</i>.<p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ I invite you to consider taking a <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/upcoming-ism-october-2021-2/">comprehensive
e-course on InterSpiritual Meditation</a> offered by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/interspiritual-meditation/books/">Spiritual
Paths.net</a>. The course is always available but periodically it is
taught via Zoom by Ed and other teachers as an 8-week course with group
participation. On April 5, 2023 live zoom sessions on <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/mandala-2/">Mandala: Creating an AuthenticSpiritual Path: An InterSpiritual Process</a> will begin and continue for 8 weeks.
This has been a very informative, illuminating and inspiring experience for me
as I have done this course several times and there's always more to learn about
our InterSpiritual wisdom and practices. As in Ed's book, the course focuses on
12 important spiritual styles, 12 important spiritual questions and 12
important wisdom traditions.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ I invite you to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/567789840446209/">join The New Faith for
the New Earth Facebook Group</a> where I and group members post and comment on
InterSpiritual Wisdom & Practices and other topics.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><br /></div>Abundancetrekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172605993275056084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814644559107650447.post-69965874534285453542023-03-25T15:11:00.008-04:002023-03-25T15:40:21.752-04:00INTERSPIRITUAL MEDITATION -- 16<p>+ This is the fourteenth post on Step One of
InterSpiritual Meditation: MAY WE BE HAPPY AND HEALTHY</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><b><i>Where we have stopped dancing, singing, being
enchanted by stories, or finding comfort in silence is where we have
experienced the loss of soul. Dancing, singing, storytelling, and silence are
the four universal healing salves. </i></b>-- Gabrielle Roth</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I am so glad she included “finding comfort in silence” as
an essential universal healing salve along with dancing, singing and “being
enchanted by stories.” We can sure find a path to the oneness of all creatures
in these salves. We can be inspired by
these salves. We can be motivated,
transformed, revived, renewed, made whole as we go deeper and deeper into
realizing our unity through these healing salves.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Here is the first paragraph of the <a href="https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/explorations/teachers/view/164/gabrielle-roth"><i>Spirituality
& Practice</i> Remembering Spiritual Masters Project for Gabrielle Roth</a>:
“Gabrielle Roth was an author, internationally renowned theater director,
philosopher, recording artist, and dancer. She is best known for creating The
5Rhythms, her own form of ecstatic dance, a poetic and practical practice that
directly addresses the divorce of body from heart and heart from mind by
tapping into the natural rhythms of life.”</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Many of us ignore the importance of the movement of our
bodies. The adventure of life is enhanced dramatically by welcoming and
appreciating all that our bodies offer.
Prayer can be dance. Maybe prayer
needs to be dance. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">I invite you to grow in your body wisdom by reading books
by Gabrielle Roth or watching videos or reading some wonderful quotes and
taking them to heart.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ This is a series of posts on InterSpiritual Meditation:
A Seven Step Process created by Dr. Edward Bastian. I am an InterSpiritual
Mentor certified by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/">SpiritualPaths
Institute</a> which Ed established. In these posts I will offer
reflections of mine and others on each of the steps which are: </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">1. Motivation: “May we be Happy and Healthy.”<br />2. Gratitude: “May we be Grateful for Life’s Many Gifts.” <br />3. Transformation: “May we be Transformed into Our Highest Being.” <br />4. Compassion: “May we be Loving and Compassionate.” <br />5. Mindfulness: “May we be Mindful through Our Breathing.” <br />6. Wisdom: “May we Become Wise through our Meditation.” <br />7. Service: “May we be in Service to All.” <br /><br />+ I invite you to <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/interspiritual-meditation/books/">purchase and
read Ed's wonderful books</a> including <i>InterSpiritual Meditation:
A Seven Step Process Drawn from the World’s Spiritual Traditions</i> and <i>Mandala:
Creating an Authentic Spiritual Path -- An InterSpiritual Process</i>.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ I invite you to consider taking a <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/upcoming-ism-october-2021-2/">comprehensive
e-course on InterSpiritual Meditation</a> offered by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/interspiritual-meditation/books/">Spiritual
Paths.net</a>. The course is always available but periodically it is
taught via Zoom by Ed and other teachers as an 8-week course with group
participation. A <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/mandala-2/">comprehensive e-course on Mandala: Creating an Authentic Spiritual Path -- An InterSpiritual Process</a> is also available. This course will be offered with live zoom meetings beginning on April 5, 2023 and will continue for
8 weeks. This has been a very informative, illuminating and inspiring
experience for me as I have done this course several times and there's always more
to learn about our InterSpiritual wisdom and practices. As in Ed's book, the
course focuses on 12 important spiritual styles, 12 important spiritual
questions and 12 important wisdom traditions.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ I invite you to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/567789840446209/">join The New Faith for
the New Earth Facebook Group</a> where I and group members post and comment on
InterSpiritual Wisdom & Practices and other topics. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Abundancetrekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172605993275056084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814644559107650447.post-8205018173137675922023-03-16T11:05:00.009-04:002023-03-16T11:09:41.451-04:00INTERSPIRITUAL MEDITATION -- 15+ This is the thirteenth post on Step One of InterSpiritual Meditation: MAY WE BE HAPPY AND HEALTHY <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Many persons have a wrong idea of </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>what constitutes true happiness. </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>It is not attained through self-gratification </i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>but through fidelity to a worthy purpose.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">-- Helen Keller</div><br /> + This is such powerful wisdom from a great teacher who overcame physical limitations which most of us would not be able to overcome. But forget the teacher for now and concentrate on the message. This is one of those teachings which gets to the heart of what Step One is all about. Take a moment right now. Pause. See if you can become more deeply aware of a worthy purpose in your life and renew your commitment to it.<div><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p>+++</o:p></p>+ This is a series of posts on InterSpiritual Meditation: A Seven Step Process created by Dr. Edward Bastian. I am an InterSpiritual Mentor certified by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/">SpiritualPaths Institute</a> which Ed established. In these posts I will offer reflections of mine and others on each of the steps which are: <br /><p class="MsoNoSpacing">1. Motivation: “May we be Happy and Healthy.” <br />2. Gratitude: “May we be Grateful for Life’s Many Gifts.” <br />3. Transformation: “May we be Transformed into Our Highest Being.” <br />4. Compassion: “May we be Loving and Compassionate.” <br />5. Mindfulness: “May we be Mindful through Our Breathing.” <br />6. Wisdom: “May we Become Wise through our Meditation.”<br />7. Service: “May we be in Service to All.”</p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ I invite you to <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/interspiritual-meditation/books/">purchase and
read Ed's wonderful books</a> including <i>InterSpiritual Meditation:
A Seven Step Process Drawn from the World’s Spiritual Traditions</i> and <i>Mandala:
Creating an Authentic Spiritual Path -- An InterSpiritual Process</i>.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ I invite you to consider taking a <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/upcoming-ism-october-2021-2/">comprehensive
e-course on InterSpiritual Meditation</a> offered by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/interspiritual-meditation/books/">Spiritual
Paths.net</a>. The course is always available but periodically it is
taught via Zoom by Ed and other teachers as an 8-week course with group
participation. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ I invite you to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/567789840446209/">join The New Faith for
the New Earth Facebook Group</a> where I and group members post and comment on
InterSpiritual Wisdom & Practices and other topics.</p> </div>Abundancetrekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172605993275056084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814644559107650447.post-87212957412308621922023-02-14T14:57:00.001-05:002023-02-14T14:57:12.103-05:00INTERSPIRITUAL MEDITATION -- 14<p> + This is the twelfth post on Step One of InterSpiritual
Meditation: MAY WE BE HAPPY AND HEALTHY</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">+ Howard Thurman was a mentor to Martin Luther King Jr and
many others who found his guidance immensely gratifying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are four of my favorite Howard Thurman quotes
and several links including a link to a page with ideas of his and wonderful videos
including a 2 hour interview with him (first link):<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.0pt; line-height: 107%;"><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="line-height: 14.4pt; margin-bottom: 10.0pt; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;"></p><ul style="text-align: left;"><li><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10.0pt;">Don't
ask yourself what the world needs. Ask yourself what makes you come alive and
then go do that. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">It
is a central stillness of spirit that is so vital it can tame the wildness out
of almost any tempest.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">In
the stillness of the quiet, if we listen, we can hear the whisper of the heart
giving strength to weakness, courage to fear, hope to despair.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;">There
are those who have in themselves the gift of joy. Wherever they go, they give
birth to joy in others. To be touched by them is to be blessed by God.</span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="https://www.openhorizons.org/howard-thurman-a-theologian-for-the-21st-century.html">https://www.openhorizons.org/howard-thurman-a-theologian-for-the-21st-century.html</a></span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/explorations/teachers/view/186/howard-thurman">https://www.spiritualityandpractice.com/explorations/teachers/view/186/howard-thurman</a></span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/56230.Howard_Thurman">https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/56230.Howard_Thurman</a></span></li><li><span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS"; font-size: 10pt; text-indent: -0.25in;"><a href="https://www.azquotes.com/author/14651-Howard_Thurman">https://www.azquotes.com/author/14651-Howard_Thurman</a></span></li></ul>
<p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">+++</p><p class="MsoNormal">+ This is one of a series of posts on <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/">InterSpiritualMeditation: A Seven Step Process</a> created by Dr. Edward Bastian. In these posts I and others offer reflections on each of the steps which are: <br /><br />1. Motivation: “May we be Happy and Healthy.” <br />2. Gratitude: “May we be Grateful for Life’s Many Gifts.” <br />3. Transformation: “May we be Transformed into Our Highest Being.” <br />4. Compassion: “May we be Loving and Compassionate.” <br />5. Mindfulness: “May we be Mindful through Our Breathing.” <br />6. Wisdom: “May we Become Wise through our Meditation.” <br />7. Service: “May we be in Service to All.”</p>
<p class="MsoNormal">+ I invite you to <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/interspiritual-meditation/books/">purchase and
read Ed's wonderful books</a> including InterSpiritual Meditation: A
Seven Step Process and Mandala: Creating an Authentic Spiritual Path
-- An InterSpiritual Process.<br />
<br />
+ I invite you to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/567789840446209/">join The New Faith for
the New Earth Facebook Group</a> where I and group members post and
comment on InterSpiritual Wisdom & Practices as well as other topics.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p>Abundancetrekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172605993275056084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814644559107650447.post-22516165883953431852023-02-02T14:20:00.011-05:002023-03-16T12:13:15.019-04:00INTERSPIRITUAL MEDITATION -- 13<p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ This is the eleventh post on Step One of InterSpiritual
Meditation: MAY WE BE HAPPY AND HEALTHY<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ Oh, it has been too long since the last post. Sorry and
I will try to do better. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ The live classes of the current InterSpiritual Meditation course are really
inspiring, illuminating and informative. I am enjoying being one of the
resource persons. Fellow mentor Alejandra Warden is doing a fantastic job as
head teacher. And the wonderful leader of Spiritual Paths, Ed Bastian, is
contributing a lot from his experience and knowledge.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ Here are some of my current thoughts on
Step One: Motivation: MAY WE BE HAPPY & HEALTHY:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">· The Mandala Style of Wisdom is always my GO TO as I
seek guidance, encouragement, new insights and inspiration. I am looking
forward to doing more Nature Immersion this spring, summer and fall. Even right
now in winter I can get out there and do the 7 steps using the guidance
Jeanette Banashak provided. I am seeking to develop more compassion in all of
my relationships and becoming contemplative is always necessary for that to
happen. Music is so important. I will get my guitar out, tune it and sing! I
will listen with more intention and attention.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">· I am committing myself anew to embracing the
evolutionary imperative of building a New Earth full of compassion, peace,
justice and abundance for all. My health and happiness and the health and
happiness of all creatures depends on this.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">· Becoming more mindful has made me more aware of
thoughts and actions which are healthy and thoughts and actions which are not
healthy. The more I meditate, the more I become aware of addictions and habits
which prevent me from becoming all I can be. For 5 decades I have often heeded
the guidance of a great teacher, Ken Keyes Jr, who gave us <a href="http://transformationaltruth.com/inspired/keyes-pathways.html">12 Pathways toHigher Consciousness</a> with a focus on freeing ourselves from our addictions.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">Thanks to an experience 20 years ago at The Church of Reconciliation in Chapel
Hill NC I began regularly doing Centering Prayer. Allison Davidson co-led a weekly group doing <a href="https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/">Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina</a>.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">A little more than ten years ago I became committed to InterSpiritual
Meditation and became an InterSpiritual Mentor certified by the <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/">Spiritual PathsInstitute</a>. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">· Nothing else could possibly provide the joy and wholeness
that contemplation, meditation and prayer provide. It is a powerful process of
coming into the present moment and finding Unconditional Love, Unlimited Love,
Uniting Love. It is miraculous, mysterious and marvelous. I believe we all need
to sooner or later get intimately, intricately, infinitely connected to the
matrix of Love and Compassion which is our true identity, our only reality. And
a blissful, amazing, wondrous reality it is.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ This is one of a series of posts on <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/">InterSpiritualMeditation: A Seven Step Process</a> created by Dr. Edward Bastian. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">In these posts I and others offer reflections on each of
the steps which are:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">1. Motivation: “May we be Happy and Healthy.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">2. Gratitude: “May we be Grateful for Life’s Many Gifts.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">3. Transformation: “May we be Transformed into Our
Highest Being.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">4. Compassion: “May we be Loving and Compassionate.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">5. Mindfulness: “May we be Mindful through Our
Breathing.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">6. Wisdom: “May we Become Wise through our Meditation.”<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">7. Service: “May we be in Service to All.”</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ I invite you to <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/interspiritual-meditation/books/">purchase and read Ed's wonderful books</a> including <i>InterSpiritual Meditation: A Seven Step Process</i> and <i>Mandala: Creating an Authentic Spiritual Path -- An InterSpiritual Process</i>.<br /><br />+ I invite you to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/567789840446209/">join The New Faith for the New Earth Facebook Group</a> where I and group members post and comment on InterSpiritual Wisdom & Practices as well as other topics.<br /></p><p></p>Abundancetrekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172605993275056084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814644559107650447.post-83468046658309755652023-01-16T11:17:00.001-05:002023-01-16T11:19:11.280-05:00INTERSPIRITUAL MEDITATION -- 12<div style="text-align: center;"><b>ONE OF ED'S VIDEO INTRODUCTIONS</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>TO THE SEVEN STEPS OF INTERSPIRITUAL MEDITATION</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>+ Here is <a href="https://vimeo.com/378431897">a link to a video from Contemplative Life where my friend and InterSpiritual companion Kate Sheehan-Roach interviews my friend and InterSpiritual Teacher Ed Bastian</a>. Ed offers a great summary here of the seven steps of InterSpiritual Meditation. <br /><br />+ Here is <a href="https://contemplativelife.org/">a link to Contemplative Life</a>, a very comprehensive website with plenty of information about contemplative practices and places where you can engage in contemplative practice. <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">+++</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>+ This is a series of posts on InterSpiritual Meditation: A Seven Step Process created by Dr. Edward Bastian. I am an InterSpiritual Mentor certified by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/">SpiritualPaths Institute</a> which Ed established. In these posts I will offer reflections of mine and others on each of the steps which are: <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">1. Motivation: “May we be Happy and Healthy.”</div><div style="text-align: center;">2. Gratitude: “May we be Grateful for Life’s Many Gifts.”</div><div style="text-align: center;">3. Transformation: “May we be Transformed into Our Highest Being.”</div><div style="text-align: center;">4. Compassion:“May we be Loving and Compassionate.”</div><div style="text-align: center;">5. Mindfulness: “May we be Mindful through Our Breathing.”</div><div style="text-align: center;">6. Wisdom: “May we Become Wise through our Meditation.”</div><div style="text-align: center;">7. Service: “May we be in Service to All.”</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>+ I invite you to <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/interspiritual-meditation/books/">purchase and read Ed's wonderful books</a> including <i>InterSpiritual Meditation: A Seven Step Process</i> and <i>Mandala: Creating an Authentic Spiritual Path -- An InterSpiritual Process</i>. <br /><br />+ I invite you to consider taking a <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/upcoming-ism-october-2021-2/">comprehensive e-course on InterSpiritual Meditation</a> offered by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/interspiritual-meditation/books/">Spiritual Paths.net</a>. The course is always available but periodically it is taught via Zoom by Ed and other teachers as an 8-week course with group participation. Next one starts on January 18, 2023 at 7pm EST. <br /><br />+ I invite you to <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/567789840446209/">join The New Faith for the New Earth Facebook Group</a> where I and group members post and comment on InterSpiritual Wisdom & Practices. <br /><br /> Abundancetrekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172605993275056084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814644559107650447.post-91480903211061307502023-01-12T11:36:00.003-05:002023-01-12T11:54:17.055-05:00INTERSPIRITUAL MEDITATION -- 11<div style="text-align: center;">Tenth Post on Step One of InterSpiritual Meditation: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>May we be Happy and Healthy</b></div><p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Silence is God's first language;</i></b></div><b><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>everything else is a poor translation.</i></b></div><i><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>In order to hear that language,</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>we must learn to be still and rest in God.</i></b></div></i></b><div style="text-align: center;">-- Thomas Keating in <i>Invitation to Love</i></div><br />Thomas Keating’s legacy is huge. <a href="https://www.contemplativeoutreach.org/">Contemplative Outreach</a> has
been and continues to be the official organization promoting the teachings and
practices of Centering Prayer and <i>Lectio Divina</i> which Father Keating taught and
wrote about. Many of us have found his unique and creative approach to these
practices particularly effective.<p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">It was Thomas Keating who organized the annual Snowmass
gatherings of meditators from many wisdom traditions. Out of this experience, Edward Bastian started
<a href="https://www.spiritualpaths.net/">Spiritual Paths</a> more than two
decades ago. Ed created the process of InterSpiritual Meditation and A Mandala
process leading people to discover their natural spiritual styles as well as
the ones we may want to cultivate as we continue to make our way on our amazing
journey.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">We often need silence and stillness as we journey
on. Many of us simply do not get enough. It takes commitment. It takes practice. It takes companionship with others committed
to the practice. Step One of the
InterSpiritual Meditation process is essential because we need to be motivated
again and again or we can soon neglect the whole contemplative practice which ultimately
leads to an abundance of happiness and health.
Keep it up!</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">+++</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ This is a series of posts on InterSpiritual Meditation:
A Seven Step Process created by Dr. Edward Bastian. I am an InterSpiritual
Mentor certified by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/">SpiritualPaths
Institute</a> which Ed established. In these posts I will offer
reflections of mine and others on each of the steps which are: <o:p></o:p></p>1. Motivation: “May we be Happy and Healthy.”<br />2. Gratitude: “May we be Grateful for Life’s Many Gifts.”<br />3. Transformation: “May we be Transformed into Our Highest Being.”<br />4. Compassion:“May we be Loving and Compassionate.”<br />5. Mindfulness: “May we be Mindful through Our Breathing.”<br />6. Wisdom: “May we Become Wise through our Meditation.”<br />7. Service: “May we be in Service to All.”<p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ I invite you to <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/interspiritual-meditation/books/">purchase and
read Ed's wonderful books</a> including <i>InterSpiritual Meditation:
A Seven Step Process</i> and <i>Mandala: Creating an Authentic
Spiritual Path -- An InterSpiritual Process</i>.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ I invite you to consider taking a <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/upcoming-ism-october-2021-2/">comprehensive
e-course on InterSpiritual Meditation</a> offered by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/interspiritual-meditation/books/">Spiritual
Paths.net</a>. The course is always available but periodically it is
taught via Zoom by Ed and other teachers as an 8-week course with group
participation. Next one starts on January 18, 2023 at 7pm EST.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Abundancetrekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172605993275056084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814644559107650447.post-14134388213496925262023-01-05T11:31:00.003-05:002023-01-05T11:42:06.350-05:00INTERSPIRITUAL MEDITATION -- 10 + UPCOMING INTERSPIRITUAL MEDITATION COURSE<div>Here is Ed Bastian's letter inviting us to the </div><br /><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFjaMLCHjAXOKzzmCZuw4v_tQAUCRT4e7rKl6K8SW1CFopcMh95w5CYGdgfpqEn3qN8WS6gydyLNQH2lnTHkZTHVOPeSEhXr67q7WD8ENYseruJy-uTThsmHwfVhoaBgyIUSSJ1VOxxsKsYDQTISCIYdO4WdXDU4Kt6qTQrH0-HY4222fv0ws3XNlVog" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img alt="" data-original-height="257" data-original-width="975" height="84" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiFjaMLCHjAXOKzzmCZuw4v_tQAUCRT4e7rKl6K8SW1CFopcMh95w5CYGdgfpqEn3qN8WS6gydyLNQH2lnTHkZTHVOPeSEhXr67q7WD8ENYseruJy-uTThsmHwfVhoaBgyIUSSJ1VOxxsKsYDQTISCIYdO4WdXDU4Kt6qTQrH0-HY4222fv0ws3XNlVog" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Start the New Year with InterSpiritual Meditation</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">The 7-Step Mindfulness Practice</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">8-Week Course via Zoom</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">January 18 to March 8, 4pm Pacific</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001eBzr2WfOZHwdkIIj-t0qU6Ies8L7uznzwauPYN_chJyw6S7b7JYifVMdR_GMJhdp2w_0VmfZFV8pwckRSpDBiWx62z3w5-c83-Vn59SRydiD9v0rsqLRNDT23NAj1PBf10HUALl_LCFHVBl5EHyLxQ60J5PEtgMkZEm2JmWRag-kAypTUUmBj1Z1iO3p2m5--1QMjRZ946rf_YSmvjQa6w==&c=siYRsyfuVq9eHbZXYxXDKewVg2gkhCT1DwypwuI7f8fRsGHkyDP7vQ==&ch=usTrvFj-HkWMFPJTIIdCZis1vb8ezN0jzBZvAmuqgm9ypjMy0vWbnA==">(20 CE Credits Offered through Antioch University)</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Dear ....<br /><br />As we begin 2023, I invite you to join our upcoming 8-week InterSpiritual Meditation course. We aim to help you create a calm, wise, and compassionate foundation for the year ahead. This live ZOOM course runs on Wednesdays from January 18 to March 8, from 4 pm - 5:30 pm PST. <br /><br /> This course also meets the qualifications for 20 hours of continuing education units for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. <a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001eBzr2WfOZHwdkIIj-t0qU6Ies8L7uznzwauPYN_chJyw6S7b7JYifVMdR_GMJhdp2w_0VmfZFV8pwckRSpDBiWx62z3w5-c83-Vn59SRydiD9v0rsqLRNDT23NAj1PBf10HUALl_LCFHVBl5EHyLxQ60J5PEtgMkZEm2JmWRag-kAypTUUmBj1Z1iO3p2m5--1QMjRZ946rf_YSmvjQa6w==&c=siYRsyfuVq9eHbZXYxXDKewVg2gkhCT1DwypwuI7f8fRsGHkyDP7vQ==&ch=usTrvFj-HkWMFPJTIIdCZis1vb8ezN0jzBZvAmuqgm9ypjMy0vWbnA==">Click here to learn more and to register for CE Credits.</a> <br /><br /> Deepening Mindfulness Meditation Through 7-Steps <br /><br /> ISM can be described as a “Holistic 7-Step Mindfulness Practice.” Why? Because it integrates “Mindfulness” into each the other six steps: Motivation, Gratitude, Transformation, Love, Wisdom and Service. Each of these steps are essential for a holistic and sustainable meditative practice. The integration of all these steps can have a transformative impact on all aspects of our lives. <br /> <br /><a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001eBzr2WfOZHwdkIIj-t0qU6Ies8L7uznzwauPYN_chJyw6S7b7JYifaF_lSw0DBL7Ol-KSJaklz5hmwhd7KGaTv9CL9J5_e-8WZN2dupuk6G7GJzgstDHi-V9u7eBXh9PFgkGNVaRYhN1lXywDLPiS8n4aYTeobY2&c=siYRsyfuVq9eHbZXYxXDKewVg2gkhCT1DwypwuI7f8fRsGHkyDP7vQ==&ch=usTrvFj-HkWMFPJTIIdCZis1vb8ezN0jzBZvAmuqgm9ypjMy0vWbnA==">INFORMATION & REGISTRATION</a> <br /> <br />Energizing Our Spiritual Styles <br /><br />Each of us embodies a unique combination of 12 styles. Our styles can help us better develop calm and compassionate insight and practice. In this course, we will learn to harness and empower our innate styles to improve our meditation through such styles as physical exercise, the arts, devotion, imagination, intellectual reason, or immersion into nature. We will explore and experience how both our dominant and dormant styles can help reinvigorate our personal meditation practices. <br /><br />Community <br /><br />Our busy lives often make it hard to sustain a daily meditation practice. Community support can remind us of the relevance and importance of meditation. Our work together is invigorated by diversity of race, ethnicity, beliefs, gender designations, and spiritual learning styles. We experience profound unity amidst our dynamic diversity. We experience an InterSpiritual Consciousness that immerses us into the depths of our being. <br /><br /></div><div>1. Motivation <br />“May I (We) Be Happy and Healthy.” <br /><br />2. Gratitude <br />“May I (We) Be Grateful for Life’s Gifts” <br /><br />3. Transformation <br />“May I (We) Be Transformed” <br /><br />4. Intention <br />“May I (We) Be Compassionate” <br /><br />5. Mindfulness <br />“May I (We) Breathe Mindfully ” <br /><br />6. Wisdom <br />“May I (We) Become Wise ” <br /><br />7. Service <br />“May I (We) Be in Service to All” <br /> <br />Please Join Us <br /><br />Please join us in the upcoming January course on InterSpiritual Meditation. You will enjoy the conversation with fellow students along with our certified facilitators and mentors. Joining together, we will refine our meditation practice and learn to companion others on their journeys. <br /> <br /><a href="https://r20.rs6.net/tn.jsp?f=001eBzr2WfOZHwdkIIj-t0qU6Ies8L7uznzwauPYN_chJyw6S7b7JYifaF_lSw0DBL7Ol-KSJaklz5hmwhd7KGaTv9CL9J5_e-8WZN2dupuk6G7GJzgstDHi-V9u7eBXh9PFgkGNVaRYhN1lXywDLPiS8n4aYTeobY2&c=siYRsyfuVq9eHbZXYxXDKewVg2gkhCT1DwypwuI7f8fRsGHkyDP7vQ==&ch=usTrvFj-HkWMFPJTIIdCZis1vb8ezN0jzBZvAmuqgm9ypjMy0vWbnA==">INFORMATION & REGISTRATION</a> <br /> <br />We'd love to see you! <br /> <br />Ed Bastian, PhD, Founder & President of Spiritual Paths Foundation <br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Recommendations</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>"Spiritual Paths is an excellent program that grew out of the Snowmass Inter-religious Conference at St. Benedict’s Monastery. As interspiritual dialogue continues to deepen and spread, experienced spiritual practitioners, with some capacity for scholarship, need to suggest what works best for spiritual growth. This is the thrust of the Spiritual Paths conferences and educational activities." -- Father Thomas Keating, Founder, Centering Prayer <br /> <br />"ISM is an open-hearted and truly universal practice. If ever there was a practice to help us get spiritually unstuck, this is it.” -- Rev. Cynthia Bourgeault, Author & Teacher<br /><br />"Dr. Bastian's work is a great and important breakthrough, as so many believe they are not spiritual because they do not follow a particular dogma..." -- Dr. Carol Pearson, Author and Past President of Pacifica Graduate University<br /> <br />"I am particularly excited by this initiative of Edward Bastian and the Spiritual Paths Foundation. It as a sea change in the evolution of what we used to call the ecumenical activity. I see us coming into the next phase of inter-religious dialogue, to introduce one another to the inner experience of each others faith traditions. For when we do, we shall come to the realization that the end is One." -- Imam Feisal Abdul-Rauf, Founder of American Sufi Muslim Association<br /><br />"Spiritual Paths brings together the wisdom of authentic teachers from the worlds spiritual traditions, provides an excellent curriculum based on those traditions, and leads us toward a new paradigm of InterSpiritual education and practice." -- Rabbi Zalman Schachter, Founder of Jewish Renewal<br /><br /></div>Abundancetrekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172605993275056084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814644559107650447.post-22930509238809218202022-12-30T13:32:00.006-05:002022-12-30T15:35:05.597-05:00INTERSPIRITUAL MEDITATION -- 9<div style="text-align: center;">Eighth Post on Step One of InterSpiritual Meditation: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>May we be Happy and Healthy</b></div><br />+ I hope you will find these quotes on AWE motivational and inspirational for you as you continue to be devoted to Meditation & Mindfulness, possibly using this InterSpiritual Meditation process:<div><span style="font-family: Symbol;"> </span><span style="font-family: Symbol;"> </span></div><div><span style="font-family: Symbol;"><span> </span><span> </span>·<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span></span>“I think this is how we are supposed to be in
the world </div><div><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span>-- present and in awe.” -- Anne Lamott<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->“Awe is the finest portion of mankind. . . . In
awe one feels profoundly the immense.” — Johann Wolfgang von Goethe</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->“Awe is what moves us forward.” -- Joseph
Campbell<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->“Awe enables us to perceive in the world
intimations of the Divine.” -- Abraham Joshua Heschel<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><span style="font-family: Symbol; mso-bidi-font-family: Symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Symbol;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">·<span style="font: 7pt "Times New Roman";">
</span></span></span><!--[endif]-->“Journey through today with an eye for beauty.
Notice the ordinary miracles that surround you. . . . Allow joy to surface. Be
in awe.” — Mary Davis<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">+++++++</p>+ This is a series of posts on InterSpiritual Meditation: A Seven Step Process created by Dr. Edward Bastian. I am an InterSpiritual Mentor certified by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/">SpiritualPaths Institute</a> which Ed established. In these posts I will offer reflections of mine and others on each of the steps which are: <br /><br />1. Motivation: “May we be Happy and Healthy.” <br />2. Gratitude: “May we be Grateful for Life’s Many Gifts.” <br />3. Transformation: “May we be Transformed into Our Highest Being.” <br />4. Compassion:“May we be Loving and Compassionate.” <br />5. Mindfulness: “May we be Mindful through Our Breathing.” <br />6. Wisdom: “May we Become Wise through our Meditation.” <br />7. Service: “May we be in Service to All.” <br /><br />+ I invite you to <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/interspiritual-meditation/books/">purchase and read Ed's wonderful books</a> including InterSpiritual Meditation: A Seven Step Process and Mandala: Creating an Authentic Spiritual Path -- An InterSpiritual Process. <br /><br />+ I invite you to consider taking a <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/upcoming-ism-october-2021-2/">comprehensive e-course on InterSpiritual Meditation</a> offered by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/interspiritual-meditation/books/">Spiritual Paths.net</a>. The course is always available but periodically it is taught via Zoom by Ed and other teachers as an 8-week course with group participation. Next one starts on January 18, 2023 at 7pm EST.</div>Abundancetrekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02172605993275056084noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814644559107650447.post-71641014853106128682022-12-27T15:48:00.005-05:002022-12-27T15:48:27.624-05:00INTERSPIRITUAL MEDITATION -- 8<div style="text-align: center;">Seventh Post on Step One of InterSpiritual Meditation: </div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>May we be Happy and Healthy</b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>+ My friend and fellow InterSpiritual Mentor Anna Wolfe has written extensively in her journal on each of the seven steps and she has generously given me permission to share some of her wisdom. Here is some wonderful inspiration and illumination for Step One:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>How can we be happy and healthy?</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>So many of the seven steps</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>Are interrelated,</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>For Happiness can come</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>through gratitude.</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>Happiness is not a constant state,</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>For life is full of</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>Ups and downs,</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>But one can be</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>Contented and grateful</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>For what is.</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>And one can live with</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>The attitude of hope</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>That the happiness will</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>Come again,</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>Even in the more difficult times -</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>A kind word,</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>A touch,</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>An experience of</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>Having done something nice</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>For someone else.</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>As for health,</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>Meditation can help</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>In so many ways –</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>So let’s get going!</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>It can help us</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>Transform ourselves,</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>Through focus and calmness,</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>To be our best selves.</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>It can affect</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>Our outlook,</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>Our relationships,</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>Our connections</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>And our happiness!</i></div><div style="font-style: italic; text-align: center;"><i>Why wouldn’t we mediate?</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">-- Anna Wolfe June 8, 2020</div><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">++++++++++++</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ This is a series of posts on InterSpiritual Meditation:
A Seven Step Process created by Dr. Edward Bastian. I am an InterSpiritual
Mentor certified by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/">Spiritual Paths
Institute</a> which Ed established. In these posts I will offer
reflections of mine and others on each of the steps which are: <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: .5in;"><i>1. Motivation: “May we be
Happy and Healthy.”<br />
2. Gratitude: “May we be Grateful for Life’s Many Gifts.”<br />
3. Transformation: “May we be Transformed into Our Highest Being.”<br />
4. Compassion:“May we be Loving and Compassionate.”<br />
5. Mindfulness: “May we be Mindful through Our Breathing.”<br />
6. Wisdom: “May we Become Wise through our Meditation.”<br />
7. Service: “May we be in Service to All.”<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i> </i>+ I invite you to consider taking a <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/upcoming-ism-october-2021-2/">comprehensive
e-course on InterSpiritual Meditation</a> offered by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/">Spiritual Paths.net</a>. The course is
always available but periodically it is taught via Zoom by Ed and other
teachers as an 8-week course with group participation. Next one starts on
January 18, 2023 at 7pm EST. </p>+ I invite you to read Ed’s wonderful InterSpiritual books including InterSpiritual Meditation: A Seven Step Process and Mandala: Creating an Authentic Spiritual Path – An InterSpiritual Process.Abundancetrekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15652317578430283245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814644559107650447.post-7181804377373398952022-12-15T13:46:00.007-05:002022-12-15T13:48:54.299-05:00INTERSPIRITUAL MEDITATION -- 7<br /><div style="text-align: center;">Sixth Post on Step One of InterSpiritual Meditation:</div><div style="text-align: center;">May we be Happy and Healthy</div><br />+ Here is a practice I have created and I use to begin Meditating and to return to Mindfulness during the day: <div><br /></div><div>If your practice
is Centering Prayer you may want to say your Sacred Word for each breath.<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p><b><i>Breathe
Deeply (Exhale)</i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Breathe
Fully (Inhale<o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><o:p>+ </o:p></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Be Still
(Exhale)<o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Be Silent (Inhale)<o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><o:p> +</o:p></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Be Centered
(Exhale)<o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Be Grounded
(Inhale)<o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><o:p> +</o:p></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Lighten Up (Exhale)<o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Loosen Up (Inhale)<o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><o:p> +</o:p></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Let Go
(Exhale)<o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Let God
(Inhale)<o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><o:p> +</o:p></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Celebrate
(Exhale)<o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Enjoy
(Inhale)<o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><o:p> +</o:p></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Be Grateful
(Exhale)<o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Be Glad All
Over (Inhale)<o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><i><o:p> +</o:p></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Something
Wonderful is Happening (Exhale)<o:p></o:p></i></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><i>This is Bliss
(Inhale & Exhale)</i></b><o:p></o:p></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p> </o:p>++++++++++++ </p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ This is a series of posts on InterSpiritual Meditation:
A Seven Step Process created by Dr. Edward Bastian. I am an InterSpiritual
Mentor certified by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/">Spiritual Paths
Institute</a> which Ed established. In these posts I will offer
reflections of mine and others on each of the steps which are: <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><i>1. Motivation: “May we be
Happy and Healthy.”<br />
2. Gratitude: “May we be Grateful for Life’s Many Gifts.”<br />
3. Transformation: “May we be Transformed into Our Highest Being.”<br />
4. Compassion:“May we be Loving and Compassionate.”<br />
5. Mindfulness: “May we be Mindful through Our Breathing.”<br />
6. Wisdom: “May we Become Wise through our Meditation.”<br />
7. Service: “May we be in Service to All.”<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><o:p> </o:p></i>+ I invite you to consider taking a <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/upcoming-ism-october-2021-2/">comprehensive
e-course on InterSpiritual Meditation</a> offered by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/">Spiritual Paths.net</a>. The course is
always available but periodically it is taught via Zoom by Ed and other
teachers as an 8-week course with group participation. Next one starts on
January 18, 2023 at 7pm EST.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p>+ I invite you to read Ed’s wonderful InterSpiritual
books including <i>InterSpiritual Meditation: A Seven Step
Process </i>and <i>Mandala: Creating an Authentic Spiritual Path – An
InterSpiritual Process</i>. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p></div>Abundancetrekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15652317578430283245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814644559107650447.post-70591484374920595642022-12-05T14:00:00.004-05:002022-12-05T14:10:10.038-05:00INTERSPIRITUAL MEDITATION -- 6<p> <b style="color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"> Fifth Post on Step One of InterSpiritual Meditation:</b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: #113355; color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><b><o:p></o:p></b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: #113355; color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><b>May we be Happy and Healthy</b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: #113355; color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"></p><div class="separator" style="background-color: #113355; clear: both; color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSSP5-twaPzCxBXBPUM9JcnDXrXhbS6Ywajk97cDYUPuE7ipcoe7qt6G_nMYneETyP60KywRKzHI3h3gNDYOCQgcN_hAJQ3EhLh0QZ7xDMSTwAazwD--8gvh1arzSXtVYphEqzc4JeFclrbZrBkvggjwRzTSUwvfBntB-YWaLplwojZzGXtDFyf_PM" style="color: #2ba94f; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration-line: none;"><img alt="" data-original-height="270" data-original-width="361" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjSSP5-twaPzCxBXBPUM9JcnDXrXhbS6Ywajk97cDYUPuE7ipcoe7qt6G_nMYneETyP60KywRKzHI3h3gNDYOCQgcN_hAJQ3EhLh0QZ7xDMSTwAazwD--8gvh1arzSXtVYphEqzc4JeFclrbZrBkvggjwRzTSUwvfBntB-YWaLplwojZzGXtDFyf_PM" style="border: 1px solid rgb(68, 102, 136); padding: 4px;" width="320" /></a></div><p style="background-color: #113355; color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: #113355; color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">+ The STOP technique offers a simple way to get into a meditative state of mind. Step One is about Getting Motivated for this to happen on a regular basis. This technique might be a beneficial way to move into a period of meditation which leads to health and happiness. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: #113355; color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><b><i>The STOP technique comes from the </i></b><a href="https://www.mindfulleader.org/mbsr-training" style="color: #2ba94f; text-decoration-line: none;"><b><i>Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction</i></b></a><b><i> program and is a useful and effective way to bring you back to your breath and into presence. When you are struggling with keeping presence in a difficult situation, or if you would like to explore more deeply an emotion, sensation or thought that is interfering with your meditation practice, this technique can provide a structure for support to guide you back to presence and clarity. It can be utilized anywhere and only takes a minute or two to practice.<o:p></o:p></i></b></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: #113355; color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><strong><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: 13.5pt;">S - Stop and take Stock</span></strong></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: #113355; color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 0.5in;"><b><i>Ask yourself:</i></b></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: #113355; color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 0.5in;"><b><i>What am I experiencing right now?<o:p></o:p></i></b></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: #113355; color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 0.5in;"><b><i>What thoughts are running in your head? <o:p></o:p></i></b></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: #113355; color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 0.5in;"><b><i>What images are coming to mind?</i></b><b><i><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></b></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: #113355; color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 0.5in;"><b><i>What feelings are you experiencing? Are the feelings angry, sad, afraid, mad, anxious, etc.<o:p></o:p></i></b></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: #113355; color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 0.5in;"><b><i>What sensations are you experiencing? Are the sensations tight, numb, hot, cold, tingling, etc.<o:p></o:p></i></b></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: #113355; color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 0.5in;"><b><i>(when identifying the feelings or sensation, keep it impersonal. Just label the feeling by itself. Do not label as "I am mad" Rather just "mad". Not "I am tense", but "tense". Keeping "I" out of the label, keeps you from identifying with the feeling or sensation. You are not the feeling or sensation, they are just moving through you.) These observations are of what you are experiencing right at that moment. Acknowledge and take note of your experience, even if the experience is unpleasant.<br /></i></b><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: #113355; color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><strong><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: 13.5pt;">T - Take a Breath</span></strong><b><i><o:p></o:p></i></b></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: #113355; color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 0.5in;"><b><i>Direct your attention to your breath. Follow your in-breath and out-breath, one after the other. Breathing is our connection to presence. Breathing doesn't happen in the past or the future, but right in the present moment. Use your breath as an anchor to help pull you in to a place of awareness and calm.</i></b></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: #113355; color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 0.5in;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: #113355; color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><strong><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="font-size: 13.5pt;"><span style="color: #d0e0e3;">O - Open and Observe</span><span style="color: #222222;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: #113355; color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 0.5in;"><b><i>Begin to expand your awareness around you and outside your breathing. Begin by sensing your body, your posture, your expression, your whole body. Then go further out to your surroundings, what is occurring right now? What do you see? hear? smell? Try as best as you are able to keep your attention this open awareness for a few moments.<br /></i></b><strong><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #222222; font-size: 13.5pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></strong></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: #113355; color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><strong><span face=""Arial",sans-serif" style="color: #d0e0e3; font-size: 13.5pt;">P - Proceed</span></strong><br /><b><i><o:p></o:p></i></b></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: #113355; color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 0.5in;"><b><i>Now you are present, you are able to sense how things are right now, rather than simple react in the usual habitual manner. Observe with curiosity and opens. This pause allows space to open up so you can act or simply be in a way that promotes awareness and healing. Then you can proceed to practice sitting meditation or to what is needed at that moment.<br /><br />Write the steps of the STOP technique on an index card or put it into your smart phone or tablet. Keep it available to you, especially in places where Aversion tends to strike you most often. Refer to STOP as often as you can and eventually the process will become automatic, replacing the negative habit energy with a positive one.</i></b><span style="text-align: center;"> </span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: #113355; color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; text-align: center;">++++++++++++</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: #113355; color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">+ This is a series of posts on InterSpiritual Meditation: A Seven Step Process created by Dr. Edward Bastian. I am an InterSpiritual Mentor certified by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/" style="color: #2ba94f; text-decoration-line: none;">Spiritual Paths Institute</a> which Ed established. In these posts I will offer reflections of mine and others on each of the steps which are: <o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: #113355; color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin-left: 0.5in;"><i>1. Motivation: “May we be Happy and Healthy.”<br />2. Gratitude: “May we be Grateful for Life’s Many Gifts.”<br />3. Transformation: “May we be Transformed into Our Highest Being.”<br />4. Compassion:“May we be Loving and Compassionate.”<br />5. Mindfulness: “May we be Mindful through Our Breathing.”<br />6. Wisdom: “May we Become Wise through our Meditation.”<br />7. Service: “May we be in Service to All.”<o:p></o:p></i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: #113355; color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><i> </i>+ I invite you to consider taking a <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/upcoming-ism-october-2021-2/" style="color: #2ba94f; text-decoration-line: none;">comprehensive e-course on InterSpiritual Meditation</a> offered by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/" style="color: #2ba94f; text-decoration-line: none;">Spiritual Paths.net</a>. The course is always available but periodically it is taught via Zoom by Ed and other teachers as an 8-week course with group participation. Next one starts on January 18, 2023 at 7pm EST.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: #113355; color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="background-color: #113355; color: #cccccc; font-family: "Trebuchet MS", Trebuchet, Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">+ I invite you to read Ed’s wonderful InterSpiritual books including <i>InterSpiritual Meditation: A Seven Step Process </i>and <i>Mandala: Creating an Authentic Spiritual Path – An InterSpiritual Process</i>. </p>Abundancetrekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15652317578430283245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814644559107650447.post-5172294340886382082022-12-05T13:20:00.005-05:002022-12-05T14:09:00.350-05:00INTERSPIRITUAL MEDITATION -- 5<p style="text-align: center;"><b>Fourth Post on
Step One of InterSpiritual Meditation:</b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b><o:p></o:p></b></p>
<p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><b>May we be Happy
and Healthy</b></p><p align="center" class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><o:p style="text-align: left;"> </o:p><span style="text-align: left;">+ Here is an excerpt from a Joseph Naft </span><i style="text-align: left;"><a href="http://www.innerfrontier.org/">Inner Frontier</a></i><span style="text-align: left;"> page on the </span><a href="http://www.innerfrontier.org/Practices/Joy.htm" style="text-align: left;">practice of Joy</a><span style="text-align: left;">:</span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p> </o:p><i>The simplest, most ordinary moments can reveal the
spirited glow of a joyous world unbound. As our presence deepens, the veils of
our perception grow translucent even before they dissolve altogether in our
maturing soul. The consuming fire of total-hearted prayer and the hidden worlds
of meditation bear unimaginable joy, surpassing all material pleasures. From
those points of entry, joy works its way into the fabric of our life.</i></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Joseph Naft has been a major source of wisdom and
powerful spiritual practices over the years with his books and his ongoing
Inner Work posts which come out every week or 2. We all need teachers that
inspire, illumine and inform. We increase our commitment to a life-long process
of healing, meaning and deep joy as we find these teachers and go deeper into
contemplation, meditation and prayer which, more than anything else, leads to
true peace and compassion.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">Who are your teachers who motivate you and lead you to
personal and global transformation?</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">++++++++++++</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">+ This is a series of posts on InterSpiritual Meditation:
A Seven Step Process created by Dr. Edward Bastian. I am an InterSpiritual
Mentor certified by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/">Spiritual Paths
Institute</a> which Ed established. In these posts I will offer
reflections of mine and others on each of the steps which are: <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in;"><i>1. Motivation: “May we be
Happy and Healthy.”<br />
2. Gratitude: “May we be Grateful for Life’s Many Gifts.”<br />
3. Transformation: “May we be Transformed into Our Highest Being.”<br />
4. Compassion:“May we be Loving and Compassionate.”<br />
5. Mindfulness: “May we be Mindful through Our Breathing.”<br />
6. Wisdom: “May we Become Wise through our Meditation.”<br />
7. Service: “May we be in Service to All.”<o:p></o:p></i></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><i><o:p> </o:p></i>+ I invite you to consider taking a <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/upcoming-ism-october-2021-2/">comprehensive
e-course on InterSpiritual Meditation</a> offered by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/">Spiritual Paths.net</a>. The course is
always available but periodically it is taught via Zoom by Ed and other
teachers as an 8-week course with group participation. Next one starts on
January 18, 2023 at 7pm EST.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ I invite you to read Ed’s wonderful InterSpiritual
books including <i>InterSpiritual Meditation: A Seven Step
Process </i>and <i>Mandala: Creating an Authentic Spiritual Path – An
InterSpiritual Process</i>. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Abundancetrekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15652317578430283245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814644559107650447.post-9354761994430953972022-11-20T16:25:00.007-05:002022-11-20T16:43:53.144-05:00INTERSPIRITUAL MEDITATION -- 4<p style="text-align: center;"> <b style="text-align: center;">Third Post on
Step One of InterSpiritual Meditation: </b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b style="text-align: center;">May we be Happy
and Healthy</b> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;"><i><b>Sacred light pervades <br />Me through and through, <br />And bliss descends <br />Like mountain dew. <br /></b></i>– Ed Bastian’s third verse for Step 6</p><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>You do not need to do anything;</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>you do not need to leave your room.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>Remain sitting at your table and listen.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>You do not even need to listen; just wait.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>You do not even need to wait;</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>just become still, quiet and solitary</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>and the world will freely offer itself to you to be unmasked.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i>It has no choice. It will roll in ecstasy at your feet.</i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;">-- Franz Kafka</div>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: left;">+ I have loved this quote by Franz Kafka for a long time.
I think it is very motivational and the guidance definitely leads to a
plenitude of health and happiness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Be
still, silent and solitary and watch as “bliss descends like mountain dew.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="text-align: center;"> </span></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ This is a series of posts on InterSpiritual Meditation:
A Seven Step Process created by Dr. Edward Bastian. I am an InterSpiritual
Mentor certified by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net">Spiritual Paths Institute</a> which Ed established. In these posts I will offer
reflections of mine and others on each of the steps which are: </p>1. Motivation: “May we be Happy and Healthy.” <br />2. Gratitude: “May we be Grateful for Life’s Many Gifts.” <br />3. Transformation: “May we be Transformed into Our Highest Being.” <br />4. Compassion:“May we be Loving and Compassionate.” <br />5. Mindfulness: “May we be Mindful through Our Breathing.” <br />6. Wisdom: “May we Become Wise through our Meditation.” <br />7. Service: “May we be in Service to All.”
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ I invite you to consider taking a <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/upcoming-ism-october-2021-2/">comprehensive e-course on InterSpiritual Meditation</a> offered by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net">Spiritual Paths.net</a>. The course is always available but periodically it is taught via Zoom by Ed and other teachers as an 8-week course with group participation. Next one starts on January 18, 2023 at 7pm EST.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ I invite you to <span color="windowtext" style="text-decoration-line: none;"> </span>read
Ed’s wonderful InterSpiritual books including <i>InterSpiritual Meditation: A Seven
Step Process</i> and <i>Mandala: Creating an Authentic Spiritual Path – An
InterSpiritual Process</i>. </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>Abundancetrekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15652317578430283245noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3814644559107650447.post-23146761442298358152022-11-18T11:26:00.010-05:002022-11-18T15:24:14.318-05:00INTERSPIRITUAL MEDITATION -- 3<p></p><div style="text-align: center;"><b>Second Post on Step One of InterSpiritual Meditation: </b></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><b>May we be Happy and Healthy</b></div><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><i><b>May all beings learn how to nourish themselves with joy each day. </b></i><span style="text-align: center;">— Thich Nhat Hanh</span></div><p class="MsoNoSpacing">This nourishment is found only in deep meditation,
contemplation and prayer. Step One is all about motivation. The desire for
Health and Happiness can motivate us to strive for that deep contentment,
delight and well-being but there is no guarantee that this will happen. Believe
me, I know. At times I am aware that genuine health and happiness is as elusive
to me as it ever has been. That's because I always need to begin again in this
moment ... now. So, in any moment of deep meditation, contemplation and prayer
I am genuinely happy and healthy. Otherwise I am not. Now is the time to
contemplate, meditate and pray. Not later. Now. Be mindful Now. Pray
unceasingly Now. I'm working on it. It's deeply mystical. The work is worth it
because of the amazing joy we can experience in this practice.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNoSpacing">And I will give Herman Hesse the last word: <b><i>Within you there is a stillness and a sanctuary to
which you can retreat at any time and be yourself.</i></b></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="text-align: center;">++++++++++++</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ This is a series of posts on InterSpiritual Meditation:
A Seven Step Process created by Dr. Edward Bastian. I am an InterSpiritual Mentor certified by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/">SpiritualPaths Institute</a> which Ed established. In these posts I will offer reflections
of mine and others on each of the steps which are: </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Motivation: “May we be Happy and Healthy.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Gratitude: “May we be Grateful for Life’s Many
Gifts.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Transformation: “May we be Transformed into Our
Highest Being.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Compassion:“May we be Loving and Compassionate.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Mindfulness: “May we be Mindful through Our
Breathing.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Wisdom: “May we Become Wise through our
Meditation.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing" style="margin-left: 0.5in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -0.25in;"><!--[if !supportLists]-->7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-numeric: normal; line-height: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Service: “May we be in Service to All.”<o:p></o:p></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ I invite you to <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/interspiritual-meditation/books/">purchase and read Ed's wonderful books</a> including <i>InterSpiritual Meditation: A Seven Step Process</i> and <i>Mandala: Creating an Authentic Spiritual Path -- An InterSpiritual Process. </i> </p><p class="MsoNoSpacing">+ I invite you to consider taking a <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/upcoming-ism-october-2021-2/">comprehensive e-course
on InterSpiritual Meditation</a> offered by <a href="https://spiritualpaths.net/">Spiritual Paths.net</a>. The course is always available but
periodically it is taught via Zoom by Ed and other teachers as an 8-week course with group participation.</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><o:p></o:p></p><p></p></div>Abundancetrekhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15652317578430283245noreply@blogger.com0