“Embarking on an Adventure in Faith” October 4, 2009
Adventure in Faith! Adventure is defined as “Participation in exciting undertakings or enterprises; the spirit of adventure. Faith as “a mental attitude, so inwardly embodied that the mind can no longer deny it.”
We shall remember October 4, 2009, as the day we, as a community, embarked on an adventure together; an adventure into a whole new way of being in the world; an advancing on the spiritual path which leads us into a deeper faith in the Allness of God and the Goodness of God as it expresses in, through and as each one of us. A deeper faith in our own unlimited potential to be all that we individually were created to be and all that the Center For Spiritual Living, Orange County is destined to be: a true Center for Teaching and Healing whose influence extends around the world. As we each develop our spiritual consciousness, we know that the consciousness of the entire race is elevated to ever greater heights. What a privilege and responsibility!
As we enter now into this time of meditation and prayer, let us firmly set our intention to make the next five weeks a true adventure in faith, individually and collectively, fully accepting the responsibility we have so joyfully assumed on this day.
By Catherine Carriere, RScP Emeritus
“In Truth We Are Indeed One With the Infinite” September 27, 2009
The Infinite Spirit which we call God is both transcendent and immanent, both impersonal and personal. It is transcendent because it is above and beyond the physical universe; immanent because it is expressing in, through, as, and all around us; impersonal because as Law It is non-discriminating and automatic; personal because as the very essence of our being, as Love, It is the very breath we breathe.
These are difficult concepts for the intellect to comprehend, but there is something within the depth of our being which resonates with them. Somehow, in a way that we don’t fully understand, we know, and know that we know that in Truth we are indeed one with the Infinite.
As we now enter more deeply into meditation, let us allow the fullness of that understanding to permeate every fiber of our being, filling us with a deep and abiding joy.
By Catherine Carriere, RScP Emeritus
“Random Acts of Kindness…from the Heart” September 20, 2009
This month we are looking at “Activating the Heart of Service”. The key word is heart. Service given for self-glorification or for personal gain is not true service. Only when we act from the heart do we truly serve. The desire to give of ourselves has been instilled in us by our Creator. We see this desire in the large number of charities and service organizations throughout the world. When the desire to serve is not nurtured, it withers and dies. The person who does not feel compassion for others and acts upon it, is not truly alive! A few years ago, the concept of random acts of kindness became very popular. The idea being to do things to or for others with no expectation of return; just acting from the heart in ways whether great or small to make life a little more pleasant for someone else. Everyone who has ever participated in such activities knows the deep sense of pleasure that they feel as a result. Everything one does from the heart for others receives a gift in return—-the feeling of warmth from truly serving another. There is no one, regardless of conditions or circumstances who does not have some way that they can serve others.
By Catherine Carriere, RScP Emeritus
“It Feels Good to Do Good!” September 13, 2009
Is it possible that human beings are hardwired to care for others? Can we see the plight of others as part of our own personal dilemma? Modern neuroscientists are finding evidence that this is so. Brain imaging studies reveal for the first time that the nucleus accumbens, the brain’s pleasure center, lights up with increased activity when we perform altruistic acts. It literally feels good to do good. As a species, we have evolved in a way that we can innately feel pleasure from our impulses to do good for others.
Activating the heart of service is to give service as an act of love or compassion. Service given grudgingly or only from a sense of obligation is not really service. There are many stories of compassionate service in the New Testament….John baptizing those who came to him, the Good Samaritan coming to the assistance of the man in need along the road that all others had passed by, Jesus washing the feet of the disciples….all services given from the heart. When we refrain from giving of ourselves to others, something within us withers and dies. It is only in the giving of ourselves in service to others that we find true joy.
By Catherine Carriere, RScP Emeritus
“I AM My Brother” September 6, 2009
“I know that as I give so too shall I receive.” There are so many ways that we can give—love, compassion, money, material things, and service are a few. Some may be easy to give, others more difficult, depending on our circumstances. This month we are looking at “opening the heart of service”, or the giving of one’s self. We are here on this planet to learn how to give freely and openly. As we recognize that we are all one, then the answer to the question, “Am I my brother’s keeper?” actually may be, “No, I am my brother.” When we give to another in truth, we are giving to ourselves. The more we give to another, the more we are actually receiving. The Law of Circulation is infallible. What we give and what we receive may be in a different form, but it will be of equal value. There is great freedom in giving and opportunities to give of one’s self are always there for the taking.
By Catherine Carriere RScP Emeritus
