From Pieces Into Peace
September theme — From Pieces Into Peace
Monthly Theme Summary by Rev. Kath Mastroianni from Centers for Spiritual Living: When it feels like everything is falling into pieces, how can you find more Peace? When we are confused and asleep in the illusion of separation, there is no Peace in our world. Spiritual wisdom and tools can help us wake and rise to the Truth that, as Dr. Ernest Holmes said, “Peace is always at the center of our own soul.” Oneness, Peace and Harmony prevail. Spiritual practices help us have a Grand Rising in our personal and collective experience of Peace. In this month’s topic, we will explore: What is Peace? How to cultivate Inner Peace, Peace with others, Peace in community, and Peace on Earth--and truly put the “Peaces” together in order to Rise Up and BE the Peace we see in the world.
Book of the month: (Amazon affiliate link)
When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times by Pema Chodren
Week 1 — When Things Fall Apart Watch this service on YouTube
Affirmation: In the quiet of my soul, I find unwavering peace.
Have you ever felt like your world was falling to pieces and you didn’t know what to do? Today we will lean into our spiritual practices to have a Grand Rising from pieces into Peace, revealing Inner Peace. Affirmation: In the quiet of my soul, I find unwavering peace.
"The painful thing is that when we buy into disapproval, we are practicing disapproval. When we buy into harshness, we are practicing harshness. The more we do it, the stronger these qualities become.. the trick then is to practice gentleness and letting go. We can learn to meet whatever arises with curiosity and not make such a big deal. Instead of struggling against the force of confusion, we could meet it and relax. When we do that, we gradually discover that clarity is always there." ~ Pema Chodren, from When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times.
Week 2 — The Spirit of Aloha, with guest speaker Mary Knight Watch this service on YouTube
Affirmation: My heart is one with the heartbeat of aloha.
Mary offered reflections from her recently published novel, WHAT THE SEAHORSE TOLD ME, around the spiritual themes of her story--that is, the power of empathy, forgiveness, and belonging--to inspire peace in ourselves and the world.
She shared how Aloha is not just a greeting (hello/goodbye), but it also encompasses a way of living: Love, Kindness, Affection, Peace, and more. In the Science of Mind teachings we often discuss the similar concept of "God qualities", such as Love, Peace, Abundance, Serenity, Balance, and Freedom -- and how we are the expression of these. Last week Rev. Rainbow discussed the Tao and how to stay centered with the practice of Wu-wei: surrendering to the Flow, because The Way knows the way. These commonalities across spiritual practices and paths are the core of who we are at Ahava. So whether you are Living Aloha, expressing your higher Self, or going with the Flow... you are welcome here at Ahava.
Week 3 — Practicing Presence meditation service Watch this service on YouTube
Affirmation: Like the eye of the storm, I remain centered and serene, no matter what surrounds me.
Experience the power of the present moment. Come together as a Spiritual Community--with the intention of raising the vibration of Peace in our own lives and the world, one moment at a time.
"The ground of not causing harm is mindfulness, a sense of clear seeing with respect and compassion for what it is we see. This is what basic practice shows us.” ~ Pema Chodren, from When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times.
Week 4 — Imagine Peace: Practitioner Sunday Watch this service on YouTube
Affirmation: I imagine the world living Peacefully as One.
Are you a dreamer who imagines Peace on Earth? Join us today to discover you are not the only one and together we imagine—and manifest--a world living as One.
Practitioner Nancy Ison discussed how we make our world. We are creators in our own lives -- unless we allow someone else to choose for us. But even that is our choice. Take responsibility, as nothing can touch us without our agreement.
Practitioner Patty Cooper what a practitioner session is and how it can help us. It is a divine communion to do inner work. Practitioners can see our blockages when we cannot. They can stand in the gap and do prayer work for us, and/or assist us in crafting our own affirmative prayers. They can suggest visualizations, affirmations, and other tools for us to use each daily to continue that work.
Practitioner Kim D'Amato discussed how to deal with emotions when life gets messy. Avoid spiritual whitewashing: the tendency to withhold your authentic emotional state, and cover it up with affirmations or such. Take a minute to go within, feel the feelings, name them. Don't wallow and live there, but give yourself permission to feel it and work through it.
* Books listed are Amazon affiliate links.
