Happy Pride! Today is Pride Day here in Portland. Pride has been a source of confidence, self-respect and solidarity for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community for many years. Sounds like a spiritual practice we could all benefit from! [Oh, if you’re not clear on the whole alphabet soup thing, don’t worry, we’ll explain.]
Selfishness is putting one’s own needs before those of others. This is sometimes necessary, as in self-care. But, can showing care and compassion for others also be selfish? Yes, it’s what the Dalai Lama calls “wise selfishness,” and it’s so much better than regular selfishness.
Earth, Wind, Fire, Water – the four basic elements, each essential to life as we know it. This week, we take a look at the magnificent Intelligence at work in the Universe through the power of these four elements working together to create life.
All humans desire, and ought, to be free. In celebration of Juneteenth and July 4th, we look at the ultimate goal of life for all people, freedom from discord of every sort. And, it just happens to be one of the core principles of our teaching.
Every day, in every way, we are getting better and better, no matter what we think! How can we tone down any negativity in our lives, including negative self talk, so that we can truly live love louder?
What if there were one thing that could solve every problem, no matter what it is? No matter how big? No matter how entrenched? There is – The Golden Key.
Vulnerability is not being weak. Vulnerability is actually essential for real strength.
Our history, individually and collectively, lives in us, we carry it with us, and it informs and impacts our present experiences.
This week, we look at the profound importance of truth in our lives.
In our teaching, everything is from and of The One Divine Life. If that’s so, then isn’t everything sacred, connected to God in some way? Let’s explore how this expands our concept of what is sacred in our everyday lives.
Rev. Ruth Miller explores the possibility that our life, today, is in a different kind of womb--and we are about to be born.
There is a lot of what appears to be not Love active in our world today. Many of us ask, where is the humanity? It lies with and in us. As we renew our spirits, become our best selves, and have the courage to be non-conformists, we pave the way for more love in the world, a love that resurrects our collective humanity.
Ralph Waldo Emerson, in his essay entitled “Self-Reliance,” encourages us to be non-conformists, if we are to become our best selves. But, refusing to conform has its risks. How do we muster the courage to be a non-conformist, and be our best selves, in an age of constant pressure to comply?
As we experience constant change in our lives, we get to ask ourselves – Who am I becoming? What is wanting to express through me? This week, we explore how to cultivate becoming our next best self.
Life is cyclical, and sometimes chaotic. We go through periods of growth, hardships, renewal, sometimes in neat orderly cycles, and sometimes it feels like everything is happening all at once – growth in one area of life, decay in another, complete transformation in yet another aspect of life. Here’s the thing – we are changeless and constantly changing at the same time. It’s all part of the renewal of the Spirit within.
The ego gets a bad rap. We spend a lot of time, effort, and spiritual practice trying to not let it lead our lives, and that’s good! But, let’s not get rid of it entirely. The ego has a beneficial purpose. Let’s get to know it and learn from it.
Health includes not only our physical well-being, but also our emotional, mental, financial, and spiritual well-being. And, our body, mind, and spirit are a unity, such that what is good for one aspect of our well-being is probably good for the whole. In that light, we explore the wide array of “good medicine.”
Sabbath can conjure up images of strict religious observance, no play, and fear of retribution for breaking the rules. But, in today’s fast-paced world of instant news, endless social media posts, and cell phones that make us available 24-7, sabbath may be just what we need. Let’s take a fresh look at the idea of sabbath, and the many benefits it has to offer us in our hectic lives.
Peace! Everyone wants it, many pray for it, some even devote their life’s work to it. Yet, there is so much that is not peace in the world. How can we be the Peace we want to see in the world? And, does it make a difference? This week, we turn to some of the great advocates and practitioners of Peace and Non-Violence for inspiration.
We often think about love being a demonstration of a gift or kind gesture to give or to receive. How would life change if we saw love as a demonstration of who we truly are? Join Rev. Christine as she shares insights on the power of love as our true expression in the world.
Life is hard; at times, it can feel like we’re pushing against the current getting nowhere. It seems rational to find and take the easy way through it all. Afterall, why make it harder than it has to be? In our teaching, we often want to navigate a challenge “with ease and grace.” But, what if it’s not meant to be easy; what if the rough water, the struggle, is exactly what we need?
This month we go back to basics, exploring some of the foundational principles of our spiritual philosophy as a Center for Spiritual Living, a positive spirituality. At last – Freedom! That’s what spiritual living is all about. Freedom to live your best life. Freedom to live the life you desire. Sure, we have a belief system, but it’s based in Universal Spiritual Principles, not rules telling you what you should and should not do; instead, it’s all about remembering who you really are and being ...
No Hell, Only Heaven Within – This month we go back to basics, exploring some of the foundational principles of our spiritual philosophy as a Center for Spiritual Living, a positive spirituality. This week – Heaven and Hell. What are they, really? Are they actual places? States of mind? What is the relationship between them and our lives? As a Center for Spiritual Living, we positively “believe in” heaven, and it’s available to all. Come hear what that means and how to attain it.
This month we go back to basics, exploring some of the foundational principles of our spiritual philosophy as a Center for Spiritual Living, a positive spirituality. This week – Original sin? Salvation? What’s all that about? Well, here at Center for Spiritual Living, we have a very different take on sin. In fact, we don’t even use that word because it’s loaded with harmful misunderstanding; we teach the more positive and useful concept of cause and effect. Let’s explore this principle and what ...
This month we go back to basics, exploring some of the foundational principles of our spiritual philosophy as a Center for Spiritual Living, a positive spirituality. First up – God, what It is and what It isn’t. We believe in and teach a concept of God based on the simple Truth that God Is Love, and that God is all there is. That’s It. But, of course, we’ll have more to say about what that means.
As we approach Christmas, we look at Christ Consciousness. Attaining Christ Consciousness was not an accomplishment exclusive to Jesus of Nazareth; he was an example, not the exception. There is more “light” in the world now than at any time in human history. We contribute to it by letting our Christ Consciousness rise and being the Light of Harmony, Love, and Peace.
As we approach Christmas, we look at Christ Consciousness. Attaining Christ Consciousness was not an accomplishment exclusive to Jesus of Nazareth; he was an example, not the exception. At this time of year, when the Northern Hemisphere is at its darkest, we explore the work we need to do to prepare the way for our Christ Consciousness to rise, work that is often best done in the “dark”.
One hundred twenty seven years later the answer is the same. What are your thoughts? Your beliefs? What do you KNOW in your heart of hearts? Let’s delve into these questions together, creating an energy that unto itself will be a gift!
The Buddha taught, “My teaching is like the finger pointing at the moon. Do not confuse the finger for the moon.” We teach, we study, we learn, we meditate, we pray. But what is it all for? Is what we do the moon, or the finger?
The election is over and the votes are in (hopefully). Now what? How do we move forward, together, when some are filled with joy and some with despair? Is it even possible? How is it possible? Let’s explore what’s next, as loving spiritually minded people living in divisive times.
