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You are here to make a deeper commitment that you may live a life as an aware, awake, and conscious individual. You are here to evolve and transform. And it is through that transformation, you can positively affect the world. 
Personal Transformation

Let Transformation Happen

Personal transformation begins with going within and getting to know yourself- your thoughts, beliefs, and core patterns that all dictate your reactions and emotions. Until we go within we are not able to transform or affect our internal world which guides our outer experience. With mindfulness and observation of our inner dialogue we are able to engage in a new way of being. We have the power to create an extraordinary existence by learning how to navigate ourselves and become the architects of our own minds, emotions, and bodies rather than the victims of a ceaseless pre-programmed script. 

Although radical transformation takes time and practice, stepping out of suffering and pain and opening ourselves to all that is possible in this human experience does not have to be a lifetime challenge. Transformation can actually happen in the space of one moment. It can happen in the moment when we go deep within and dig out the roots of the weed to change our core beliefs and patterns.  As we begin to align our minds with the high vibration of divine love and expansion, rather than fear and contracting thoughts, we can establish new patterns of thinking that will benefit us and all those around us. 

I hope you enjoy this powerful eBulletin as much as I have. It is the first in a series on Transformation, which we will look at from a variety of angles. Thank you for joining us on this journey. 

~Deshna

The Need to Transform

Fred Plumer


I find it fascinating that an institution which at its very core is about transformation, does all it can to resist change. Ironically from its earliest manifestations, the Christian path has always been about transformation. The Jesus story is first and foremost about changing our perspective, our purpose and ultimately our lives. What else but transformation could the story of a poor peasant who becomes a respected rabbi, a teacher of a new way of living, mean? How else can we interpret the intent of Jesus’ actual teachings like breaking down social barriers, forgiving our enemies and loving abundantly without qualifications than with steps to an inner and social transformation? What could being spiritually born again mean other than transformation? What does the symbol of resurrection mean other than transformation?

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The Bible as Personal Transformation Guide

Don Murray


The Bible is, in my mind, the best witness the Western World had to the evolution of human consciousness. That is a story in itself – I’m working on the book. However, what is true on the grand scale of one tradition’s journey toward wholeness is also true as a map for our personal growth. We can see the ages and stages of our own lives against the background of the biblical story. I will touch on some main points.

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Transformation  

Kurt Struckmeyer


The ‘kingdom of God’ is the term Jesus used to express his vision of a profound transformation of human beings and human institutions—social, political, economic and religious—to fully express the character and nature of God—a God of love. To accomplish this vision, Jesus worked toward the creation of a new kind of community dedicated to values of compassion, generosity, peace, and justice. He was creating a movement for change, a people engaged in a vast conspiracy of love.

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Eve, Adam, and Self Transformationby  

Dr. Carl Krieg 


The theme for this month’s e-bulletin is transforming our lives. Probably the most famous statement of self transformation in western culture is the Yahwist narrative of Eve and Adam in the Garden of Eden. The story describes what we might call a negative transformation- the pair “fell” from a state of childlike innocence and were banished from paradise. Understanding that transformation, however, can help us to reverse it. Here’s the story.

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Transformation by Touch – Reiki Healing Touch as a Spiritual Practice

Rev. Bruce Epperly Ph. D.


The body is inspired, and the spirit is embodied.  That affirmation describes the heart of today’s holistic spirituality.  Long before dualism infected Christianity, the Christian movement believed in the healing energy of touch.  Jesus touched people and transformed cells as well as souls and social position.  A woman with a flow of blood touched Jesus, and energy flowed from Jesus to her that transformed her physical and spiritual health, and liberated her from social stigma.  (Mark 5:24-34) A few decades later, the apostle Paul described the body as the temple of the Holy Spirit, alive, holy, and transparent to divine inspiration.  (1 Corinthians 6:12-20)  The Christian movement saw the flow of divine energy from God to us and from one person to another as inherent in the natural processes of cause and effect, and not an external supernatural violation of the laws of nature.  The early Christians believed that we lived in wonderful world and that the body was spirit-filled and reflective of divine wisdom.

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Transforming our Lives

Jim High


The New Year is as good a time as any to work on the transformation of our lives. And isn’t that what life is really all about – transformation. We all go through the usual transformations from being a child, to a teenager, a young adult, a mature middle aged person, and then to become life’s senior citizens.

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Deva Premal – Gayatri Mantra

Music Video


Meditative spiritual music, which puts ancient Sanskrit mantras into atmospheric, contemporary settings

Praise to the source of all things. It is due to you that we attain true happiness on the planes of earth, astral, causal. It is due to your transcendent nature that you are worthy of being worshipped and adored. Ignite us with your all pervading light.

WATCH HERE...

Brick Walls - Sermon Video

Samuel Alexander


Does the church have anything left to offer? Not if we insist on staying in the 16th century, (or even the 19th century), we don’t.  So what? Why should that matter? It matters because it leaves many of us without the spiritual resources we need to live and to grow into our full purpose and potential. Over these last decades, many have come to recognize this and so embarked on a self-guided spiritual journey. Don’t think I’m knocking that here; what else are people to do? My concern is that life’s journey is difficult and confusing. Going it alone is fine as far as it goes, but too often it leaves us isolated and stagnant. We do better when we have the support and encouragement of community seeking to live into their own purpose and potential.

Does the church have anything to offer? The church can offer such a community, but we’ll have to understand our traditions and images in radically new ways, and refocus our work to meet the interests of today’s spiritual but not religious believers.

WATCH HERE
Honoring Dr. Marcus Borg 

We are sad to share that Marcus Borg passed away on January 21, 2015. He was a brave leader in the Progressive Christian movement and his work helped many people on their spiritual journey. He was an honorary advisor for Progressive Christianity.org for over 15 years, a dear friend and respected colleague. He will be greatly missed. Our loving thoughts and condolences go out to his friends, fans, and family.
To honor his life and service to the movement, we created a short and simple tribute.

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The Future is Calling Us to Greatness 
Online Conference on Science, Inspiration and Sustainability
Streaming Now for Free!

 

With Michael Dowd and 55+ Experts


A worldwide movement is emerging at the nexus of science, inspiration, and sustainability. Beliefs are secondary. What unites us is a pool of shared values and commitments—and the vision of a just and healthy future for humanity and the larger body of life. This historic series of 30-60 minute Skype interviews showcases the work of many of today’s leaders and luminaries regarding what to expect in the decades ahead, what’s being done—what still needs to be done—and how to be in action despite enormous challenges. These 55 experts represent a veritable Who’s Who of prophetic inspiration.

In addition to the free two-week event, the entire set of 55 videos, audios, and transcripts is available for purchase for just $25, here. All files will be available for download after January 25th.

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Exclusive Interview
In our new Evolving Perspectives Section:
Hemant Mehta on Similarities and Differences Between Atheists and Progressive Christians 

Eric Alexander


A discussion between Eric Alexander and The Friendly Atheist, Hemant Mehta. Hemant is one of the most well-known atheist bloggers in America. Eric and Hemant discuss the progressive Christian movement; whether Hemant and other atheists believe that some creative source is even possible; and just how closely aligned progressive Christians and atheists are philosophically…and more.

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Jesus: The Life, Teachings, and Relevance of a Religious Revolutionary 

Dr. Marcus J. Borg


Marcus Borg stresses that how we see Jesus “affects how we see Christianity” and “shapes what we think the Christian life is all about.” He describes the Christian life as” deeply centered in God”, which leads to experiencing personal transformation into the likeness of Christ, and participating in God’s passion for the Kingdom of God. It is a way of being Christian “in which beliefs are secondary to following the “way” a “life of deep commitment and gentle certitude.”

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Seven Things We Forget When Our Resolutions Fail 

Reba Riley


Our resolutions fail around the sixth day of January—or maybe the fifteenth if we’re really disciplined and really imaginative and really motivated—not because our inner child/artist/ is injured, or because we don’t actually want to change. (Even if our inner child is bleeding and our inner artist suffers from painter’s block, we do want to change, dammit! Have you seen our credit card debt, thighs and messy closets? )

No. Our resolutions don’t fail because we lack discipline, or imagination or motivation.

Our resolutions fail because we forget the pain of transformation.

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The Answer is You - With Michael Beckwith

Video


Visionary teacher Michael Bernard Beckwith delves deep into practical methods for manifesting prosperity and health, living a rich and fulfilling life, understanding universal laws and gaining greater self-awareness, courage, and self-reliance. 

Includes stirring music by Rickie Byars Beckwith, Siedah Garrett (co-writer of Michael Jackson’s Man in the Mirror), Niki Haris, Will.I.Am (of the Black Eyed Peas) and the acclaimed Agape International Choir.


WATCH HERE...
The journey of personal transformation takes courage, discipline, and dedication. As humans we seek pleasure and it can be painful to change our core structure. Begin with self-compassion, travel with humor, and keep digging deeper. Once you find the root that blooms fear and contraction, it's simply a matter of pulling it out and planting a new root based in love and expansion. From there the garden is fertile for transformation at all levels.
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