Spiritual Companion




May Newsletter 2019

Ordination




 Ordination Stole 2000


When I was painting my ordination stole in a California silk screen studio, the words Eternal Life came to me from the Divine so I wrote them on my stole. I describe this in detail on page 69 of my book Essence: The Emotional Path to Spirit.



In the end, in the beginning, Ordination, more than any other sacrament, is meant to be lived, so that it becomes a living expression of spiritual energy, grace and service. For me, it is not so much a quality that is conferred by someone or something 'out there', such as a church or a school, but acknowledged - even remembered - as a quality within.

 We are called to consider [i.e. witness, observe] the lilies of the field, to consider the least of these my brethren, to consider the dead sparrow by the roadside. Maybe prerequisite to all these, we are called upon to consider ourselves - what we love, what we fear, what we are ashamed of, what makes us sick to our stomachs, what rejoices our hearts

Everything changes when I look around and see what rejoices my heart, for example in the kitchen, and see the counter, fridge, stove, sink, faucet, bowl of avocados, receiving my gaze and looking back at me. Each second of the present moment allows me to relate to everything around me. I consider and ordain each, giving it my attention, if briefly, one after the other, my great privilege as a human being using our five senses. The being that I am witnesses each object, each manifestation of consciousness, and in that witnessing - that relationship - I imagine every single and multiple manifestation of spirit and matter observing me, ordaining me every moment.




Essence: The Emotional Path to Spirit - The Course

This winter I have transformed my home office into a recording studio, complete with egg-crate foam and microphone, to create a 10-lesson course based on my book. It will be available this summer.







Past issues of this Spiritual Companion newsletter are available on my web site (address below) Sample topics are:
 

Sunday, June 2, 3-5 pm, at the First Parish Congregational Church in Saco, Maine
All Welcome

 

Indigenous and Interspiritual Teachings, with Sherri Mitchell and Bob Atkinson, May 4th 9:30-4:30 Portland

 

Explore timeless and universal spiritual teachings critical to the issues of our day.  Sherri Mitchell, author of Sacred Instructions: Indigenous Wisdom for Living Spirit-Based Change, is an International Indigenous Rights advocate and the convener of the global healing ceremony: Healing the Wounds of Turtle Island.  Bob Atkinson, author of the The Story of Our Time, is founding director of StoryCommons.  
To register, visit chimeofmaine.org or email alaena@chimeofmaine.org

 

 

Awakening to the Light Within 
I want to let you know about an upcoming opportunity to deepen your connection with Spirit.

These spiritual groups are co-facilitated by Steve Hayes, LCSW and Alison Caswell, LCPC, colleagues of mine, who are therapists in Portland. Both have a deep passion for studying and exploring aspects of Self and Spirit, and connecting to true inner wisdom and divine nature. Steve and Alison are grounded, accessible and inspiring.

Gather with those who are interested in developing a deeper connection with Self and Spirit. Each group offers a variety of methods to help you awaken your true nature and live life from your essential Being. Awakening is remembering the truth of who you are. 
Mondays 6-8 pm  5/13/19 – 6/24/19
Contact information:
Telephone
207.831.5396
Email
alison@circlesoflightcounseling.com



 

I am a member of the Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance,
 a membership-driven nonprofit organization that enriches the literary life and culture of Maine. It supports Maine’s writers, publishers, booksellers, and literary professionals. Their website is a great resource and lists events and courses for both readers and writers. Note their feature
Find Maine Writers (find.mainewriters.org)

 

Maine Writers & Publishers Alliance
Glickman Family Library 
314 Forest Avenue, Room 318 
Portland, ME 04101