A thought for our times.
We may think we are opened minded, socially conscious, anti-racist. Yet we all have old learned hidden biases that we need to exam. It is our responsibility to check ourselves daily for stereotypes, prejudices and ultimately discrimination of any kind.
Without thinking or feeling some emotion, there is just awareness. There is then no desire for bliss, enlightenment, or to teach others. Things are just as they are. In that so-called emptiness, enjoyment arises of itself. As soon as we try to enjoy, the enjoyment ceases. Somehow at the bottom of emptiness (openness, pure awareness,) there is the Divine Presence and the peace that surpasses all understanding.
If you bring the same emptiness and freedom to each moment and its content, you will be happy even in the midst of suffering. Accept everything and everyone just as they are, where they are, and try to act as lovingly as possible in every situation. Be ready to be led you know not where or when. Hush the discriminating mind dividing things into good or evil for me.
Fear draws us to the centre we have created, the ego self. Divine Love expands from our real centre, the true self.
One feels the pain of others and must reach out to help them even when they are unaware of their pain. But one is content and at peace because one does not discriminate.
The true self is all colours of the rainbow and must
expand to experience the whole of one’s being. One
is not limited to one or two colours. One need not
reject any colour but is to become all of them. The more colours one manifests, the more one manifests the Light that we are and the Light that we share.
Ladders and stages suggest leaving behind the previous rung or stage.
Actually, one adds new dimensions to what one is, like a tree adds rings.
Take and accept yourself just as you are, where you are. If you are aggressive, lustful, fearful, or shy and withdrawn, notice your feelings before, during and after each incident, without emotional reactions of blame, shame, anger, or discouragement.
Let God work with your faults and limitations. Just recognise them and be with them, without trying to correct them. As you watch them, feel them, accept them, their force and exaggeration will gradually diminish.
Keep moving to the centre of your being where Divine Love is and welcome whatever bodily feeling or emotion that is happening. The present moment contains all we need to be happy. Only our attitudes have to change.
By Sian Griffith
“My immediate response to lockdown was one of relief, as obligations fell away. I had not realised how busy I had made my life. I revelled in the peace and cleaner air. Then I had to quarantine for 14 days. I found that deeper level of lockdown frustrating and confronting. Memories floated up unbidden in the stillness, and wounds I thought had healed reopened. I found myself repeating the Jesus prayer, whenever I felt assailed, and that brought
comfort. Prayer, in all its forms, has become more important to me. As we emerge now from lockdown, I pray for discernment in choosing who to meet, what to do, and where to go, so I keep space in my heart and my life for what matters.”
By Irene Anderson
“At the peak of the pandemic whilst in social isolation, my husband and I received an urgent telephone call for help, from his sister who lives nearby. Her husband, David, had collapsed and she needed immediate help from us, until an ambulance could attend. We went to assist her, and he was taken into hospital. Two days later, she was informed that he had tested positive for covid-19, and within a few days he unfortunately died. We then needed to quarantine for 14 days. It was an anxious time for both of us, as we tried to support my sister-in-law by phone.
But for me, my daily practice of Centering Prayer sits, and the Welcoming Prayer, gave me the spiritual tools I needed to get me through those 14 days until we found out that we were both ok.
Very strange times, but I knew that God was present and saying, “You will be ok”.”
By Elaine Watson on a quote by James Finley
“Any time we deeply commit ourselves to a path in life, the path metamorphoses us. It transforms us in unforeseeable ways……our deepest understanding and experience of who we are.” James Finley
This has been happening to me on my committed path in lockdown.
By Irene Anderson
Spiritual Journey, Transcript 1. A study plan was organised, to begin the first session in April 2020. However, just as we were about to begin, the pandemic arrived, and we went into lockdown.
The group leader, undeterred, suggested that we continue to meet and study virtually, by zoom. It seemed a bit daunting at first, but it has enabled us to continue with the study plan in the safety of our homes and so far, has been a very useful way to meet, discuss and share.
By Jenifer Vanstone
This time has been an opportunity, a blessing and sometimes very revealing and challenging.
A NEW BOOK about the co-founder of Contemplative Outreach. USA
FOR IMMEDIANEW RELEASE: YORK, NY –
The Audacity to be Divine: A Soul’s Journey Towards Illumination, by Judith Halbreich, is a ground-breaking, compelling story about the arduous journey towards transformation and illumination.
It is written for contemporary sceptics and truth-seekers who can identify with the true intimate story of the eternal quest for spiritual truth in the context of our time—a time of crises, uncertainties, and mounting paradoxes. Even as threats to us and to our ways of life intensify, we will find solace in Mary Mrozowski’s story.
The book describes the transformation of an ordinary suburban housewife to a charismatic activist and a spiritual leader role- model. Upon her death, thousands of crying followers crowded the church to mourn the woman that
many considered to be a modern-day Saint, Mary of Chrysalis House, the lay spiritual contemplative centre that she established.
The story is told by her daughter who intimately witnessed the trials and tribulations of a penniless catholic divorcee who initially lost faith but then redefined old-time Western and Eastern spiritually to develop new strengths. She taught her techniques of acceptance and overcoming pain to thousands of her disciples. An elegant, spiritual, optimistic role-model, radiating the Divine, the image of Mary in a bright red dress and high heels will stay with you for life.
The Audacity to be Divine, published by Austin Macauley, was released on June 20th, 2020. Price: $12.95, ISBN: 9781645363613. It is available on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and in other bookstores throughout the country. Review copies are available upon request.
For more information, please visit:www.austinmacauley.com/us.
Retreats and Workshops.
Unfortunately, due to the Coronavirus planned Retreats during the summer have now been cancelled. The Presenter Workshop and the Lectio Divina Retreat are under review awaiting Coronavirus developments and what will be considered safe. Notification of Zoom meetings and talks will be sent by e-mail.
Please e-mail infocouk@btinternet.com to register your interest.
There are two updates to share since the 2020 April 30 – May 2 conference with Cynthia Bourgeault.
1. The video recordings are now public on the Contemplative Outreach YouTube channel for all to enjoy. Please feel free to share.
Session 1: https://youtu.be/HLQYx9sZHMY
Session 2: https://youtu.be/EY0WpDgdAnM
Session 3: https://youtu.be/zffJMQzlcn4
2. The book, The Secret Embrace, is finally back in stock. Go to www.contemplativeoutreach.org The website for the USA
Spirituality and Practice
THOMAS KEATING’S THE SECRET EMBRACE — A NEW E-COURSE WITH CYNTHIA BOURGEAULT
Cynthia invites you to register for her brand-new online course on Thomas Keating’s The Secret Embrace, offered through Spirituality & Practice from August 31 through September 25. This course focuses on the eight poems in Keating’s The Secret Embrace, his final spiritual legacy to the world, which he composed the last winter of his life.
MEDITATION CHAPEL – supports groups of all faith traditions in offering and sharing the contemplative experience through sacramental technology.
The free Contemplative Outreach app for Centering Prayer is available for iPhone and iPad and Android phones.
You can find the app in the iTunes App Store or the Google Play Store
Contemplative Outreach UK. www.contemplativeoutreachuk.com
SILENCE is the paper on which the ink of human consciousness is printed…
Silence, more than anything else within us, is like the doorway to the presence of God.
Carl McCoy
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