“People encounter God under shady oak trees, on riverbanks, at the tops of mountains, and in long stretches of barren wilderness. God shows up in whirlwinds, starry skies, burning bushes and perfect strangers.” Barbara Brown Taylor
Growing up my experience of sanctuary was a tall building with a steeple, stained glass windows, large looming statues, and lots of marble everywhere. There were so many rules in the sanctuary, one of them required being still and quiet. Only whispers were allowed unless you were praying or singing. When I was there I recited prayers I had memorized and followed the instructions of the adults. There was no laughing allowed, of course, that rule alone brought out the giggles at the most inopportune moments.
I never felt good enough to be in the sanctuary. I was there to confess my sins and my unworthiness.
Today my experience of sanctuary is sacred space and can be anywhere I feel connection with the Divine. Sacred space can be found in the forest, at the beach, or out to dinner with friends. It can be realized when playing with a puppy, helping a neighbor, or going for a walk in the park. My home is my sacred sanctuary, a place where I feel love, peace, freedom and harmony.
In the midst of chaos and uncertainty in the world, realizing our connection with the Divine can be a challenge. Try this simple exercise to reconnect when feeling out of sorts. Look around your space and see whatever is before you with eyes of gratitude. Take a couple of deep breaths and connect your breath to your heart. Silently say, “I see Love through all I see before me.” Repeat until you feel harmony and peace in your heart. Extend that love out into your neighborhood, community and beyond. Right where you are is sacred space.
Ernest Holmes reminds us of this infinite power. “Deep within each of us there is a place of calm, of peace and security, where trouble and accidents do not occur, where Truth and Love reign supreme and good is the only power. It is to this place that daily we go in the silence of our own minds to commune with the Spirit that is both around us and within us.”
I am grateful to experience the world as my sanctuary. I feel blessed to know God’s unconditional love and grace exist wherever I am.
“When you are inclined to wonder how thoughts and words of love can do much good in resolving various problems, remind yourself that loving words and thoughts seem supercharged with the power to produce good.” – Catherine Ponder
Awareness is everything. I noticed how easily I can be distracted — by ever-changing events around the world, illness updates from friends and family, and whatever the media considers ‘breaking news’ to be at the moment. I am continually having to shift my awareness and attention to focus on life’s goodness and grace.
I am grateful for author Catherine Ponder’s words, reminding us we can shift feelings and experiences when we invoke the healing power of love.
Speak this wisdom from Catherine Ponder aloud and repeat frequently throughout the day.
“Divine Love, expressing through me, now draws to me all that is needed to make me happy and my life complete.”
If you find yourself caught up in the conditions and drama of the world:
“I praise Divine Love that there is a strong, wise way out of this dilemma.”
If you are having challenges with a difficult person:
“I fully and freely release and forgive. I loose and let go all ill feeling. Divine Love produces the perfect result now.”
“If God is in all things, all things may be lifted to that vision of the Divine and are transformed by and through the lifting. When you see with the eyes the Christ, you are attending to the world before you in its Divine potential.” Paul Selig, The Book of Mastery
Take a breath. I know, your heart hurts. Your body may be achy, your mind distracted. You are okay. You are in the midst of the grieving process. We witness so many tragic events in our neighborhoods and around the world each day. We are in a collective state of grief. Take another breath.
When feeling dismay and grief, our tendency can be to hide out and isolate. Give yourself the time for sorrow and tears. Feel the emotions with gentle tenderness. When you are ready, take a step out into the world. Your loving vibration is needed more than ever.
Being engaged can lift us up. Take small steps. Perhaps connect with your church, your bridge group or book group. Call a friend and meet for coffee. Take a class at the gym. Take a walk out in nature. Your energy, your compassion, your quiet whispers of prayers and hope are all needed in the world. Activist, filmmaker and founder of the Revolutionary Love Project, Valarie Kaur, reminds us, “Revolutions do not happen only in grand moments in public view but also in small pockets of people coming together to inhabit a new way of being. We birth the beloved community by becoming the beloved community.”
Be gentle. Practice compassion. Having compassion for ourselves and others opens us to love and be loved. Compassion awakens love in us. Love is the healing power beyond judgment and blame. There is always a choice.
Practice visualizing what you want rather than what you don’t want. Ask each day “What is mine to do to make the world a better place?” Release judgment and anger and send love instead. When we send love we raise the vibration for everyone.
Speak prayers of faith and hope and gratitude. Speak this attunement aloud whenever you are feeling separate, angry, or judgmental. Speak it aloud for yourself when you are feeling fearful.
I am Love through the One I see before me.
I choose to see you, _____, in Love.
I choose to see you in your worth.
I choose to see you in your right to be.
I see you in your perfection.
I see you in your beauty.
I see you in your choices.
I am Love through the One I see before me.
Word I am Word.
You are the light of the world. Thank you for shining your light and love.
A monthly zoom meeting to inspire women’s clarity, courage and connection
“I loved this group. I was surprised to find women dealing with the same challenges that I am.”
“Thanks for being such a leader in empowering women to heal and grow…I so value your teaching.“
“I have been looking for a women’s group and the Women’s Connection is the answer. A great variety of women and easy conversation.“
“I left the group feeling a greater sense of self and a relatable connection with women in the group.“
Our connection groups have been insightful, empowering and fun! Women love connecting with each other and receive value from sharing the tools and principles from Conscious Choices book.
Life is full of challenges and changes. You don’t have to face them alone. Watch video.
Join us for our monthly Conscious Choices Women’s Connection. We will use tools and resources from my latest book, Conscious Choices: A Women’s Guide to Clarity, Courage and Connection. Participants will receive practices to liberate limiting thinking and transform old beliefs into creative action.
Participants will learn:
How to recognize emotional pitfalls
Spiritual practices to get unstuck
Helpful tools to reframe negative thinking
How to transform fear into faith
The power of connecting with others
Register today to save your space in this powerful gathering of women ready to step into newness.
Third Saturday of the month. Next meeting April 19. Discussion topic: Leave Your Victim Self Behind.
.“Mastery means that you can no longer blame another for your own lives, for your own dilemmas, for your own physical self, for your own creation. It means you claim purview of every avenue of your life and you walk the boulevard that is before you as the Divine One that you are.” – Paul Selig, The Book of Mastery
Are you wiling to disconnect from the vibration of fear and stand in power of your divinity as the truth of who you are? Come join us!
A new semester begins in our Paul Selig class series on Feb 11 as we study The Book of Mastery (Book 1 of the Mastery Trilogy). I invite you to join us on zoom as we study this valuable teaching.
Whether you are new to the writings of Paul Selig and the guides, or are a seasoned follower, you will appreciate the vibration of the practices, attunements, wisdom of the guides and our devoted spiritual community as we navigate this most important time in our journey.
Come join us in community and see new possibilities and opportunities for ourselves and each other. Class time is 6 – 7:30 p.m. Pacific Time. Classes are recorded. Class fee is $150 for this ten week series. (Dates: Feb 11, 18, March 11, 18, 25, April 1, 8, 15, 29. Payment plans accepted)
