INTERSPIRITUAL MEDITATION -- 17

 + This is the fifteenth post on Step One of InterSpiritual Meditation: MAY WE BE HAPPY AND HEALTHY

Joy is the happiness that doesn't depend on what happens.

-- Brother David Steindl-Rast

+ 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?

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+ 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 SpiritualPaths Institute which Ed established. In these posts I will offer reflections of mine and others on each of the steps which are: 

1. Motivation: “May we be Happy and Healthy.”

2. Gratitude: “May we be Grateful for Life’s Many Gifts.”

3. Transformation: “May we be Transformed into Our Highest Being.”

4. Compassion: “May we be Loving and Compassionate.”

5. Mindfulness: “May we be Mindful through Our Breathing.”

6. Wisdom: “May we Become Wise through our Meditation.”

7. Service: “May we be in Service to All.”

+ I invite you to purchase and read Ed's wonderful books including InterSpiritual Meditation: A Seven Step Process Drawn from the World’s Spiritual Traditions and Mandala: Creating an Authentic Spiritual Path -- An InterSpiritual Process.

+ I invite you to consider taking a comprehensive e-course on InterSpiritual Meditation offered by Spiritual Paths.net.  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 Mandala: Creating an AuthenticSpiritual Path: An InterSpiritual Process 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.

+ I invite you to join The New Faith for the New Earth Facebook Group where I and group members post and comment on InterSpiritual Wisdom & Practices and other topics.