We teach that the One Infinite Energy of All Life has 7 attributes: Peace, Power, Life, Light, Love, Joy, and Beauty.
What do words like “Peace, “Love” and “Joy” look and feel like to you? These are abstract concepts, they do not have material substance, yet we know they exist. Each attribute may not be made of matter, but we sense them through our experiences. Even though they are not “things”, in and of themselves, they are represented in our observances of the world. We can’t physically touch “Peace”, for instance, but we can practice moving into a calm feeling that is an expression of it.
I realized, while leading meditation one Sunday morning, that I spend a lot of time focusing on all the other attributes in my life, but not a lot of time on “Beauty”. I had asked participants to visualize the 7 attributes as they show up in their own lives, and to feel grateful for their beauty. As I dove into the visualization myself, however, I discovered a lot of discomfort, along with an inner dialogue that said, “Well, at least FAKE it.” WHAT?!
I can tend to have a pretty intense internal judge watching over my every move; telling me how I can do better. Oh, sometimes she (that inside critic) likes parts of me, but mostly she wants me to do and BE ‘better’.
That Sunday morning, I realized that I often talk and think about Beauty as something outside of myself… the forest, flowers… Mother Earth in all her glories. It’s so beautiful. I began to wonder whether I could actually look into a mirror and have the same kind of experience of awe when observing myself. Can you? (We are all Mother Nature’s glories, too, after all). If Spirit is everywhere present… omnipresent… then Beauty must be in all of us, just as It is in a beautiful sunset, in equal measure.
Metaphysicist, Ernest Holmes, in discussing the ‘Perfection’ of “the One Universal Life”, said that we and the abstract Essence of Beauty, co-exist in the Mind of the Universe; we exist in IT together and draw from IT equally. The thing of it is, WHAT WE DRAW FROM IT, WE MUST DRAW THROUGH THE CHANNEL OF OUR OWN MINDS: “A unity must be established, and a conscious connection must be made, before we can derive the benefits. The Spirit can give us only what we can take; It imparts of Itself only as we partake of Its nature. It can tell us only what we can understand.”
Similarly, Emma Curtis Hopkins, one of Holmes’ teachers, wrote, “It IS… that [my] mind is as great as it has courage to affirm.”
Many of you know I am enraptured by the writings of Emma Curtis Hopkins. In her first lesson, she shares the conviction that, “There is Good for me and I ought to have it.” The challenge for me, in embodying the Good in my own life, arises when I go to affirm, “My Good is my Beauty”. That’s when another voice pops up inside my mind and scoffs, “WHATEVER!”
This is the point where “the rubber hits the road”. If you can honestly tell me that you don’t have a similar voice inside your own head, then you are leap years ahead of me in your spiritual journey… and, well done! For anyone remotely like me, however, we have some brain training to do. (This is why we meditate, to train our monkey minds to do what we have told them to do). There is an “I” inside of each one of us that knows a Higher Path. Taking inspiration from the Indigenous story of the ‘good wolf’ and the ‘bad wolf’, my image is that the bad wolf is off-leash and having a grand old time between my ears. It needs some serious discipline training. If I truly desire a change, then my work is to bring the unruly wolf to heel by denying it any more power, and by consciously feeding and nurturing the ‘good wolf’ instead.
So what is Beauty? To me, Spiritual Truth is beautiful and bright.
It is: Perfect and pure ~ Good, everywhere present ~ Something always kept ~ Simple ~ Magical ~ The path I choose to walk upon ~ Not fleeting ~ Innocence ~ Confidence ~ Brilliance ~ Resilience…
If all the Universal attributes of Good are everywhere present, then they ARE ME, too, in full measure.
I have now taken that long look in the mirror, and I AM beautiful… let me share what I am ready to affirm (because, yes, I CAN): My eternal optimism is beautiful. My drive to pioneer Joy in the world is beautiful. My willingness to play and have adventures is beautiful. The miraculous way my body moves me through life is beautiful. The colour of my skin is beautiful. My face is beautiful. My smile is beautiful. My wide feet and long nose are both beautiful. I love the sound of my beautiful voice… and so much more. How much of the Beauty that is YOU are you willing to recognize and affirm?
UPCOMING FOR YOU!
PRACTICE THE PRESENCE: Meditation (In Person - Outside)
Sunday mornings from 11:00 am - Noon PT
An hour of guided meditation and a unique form of non-linear, yogic "dialogue" sharing, in inspiring locations that change each week. NEWCOMERS WELCOME. NO EXPERIENCE OR SPECIAL EQUIPMENT NECESSARY. Dress for the weather in a way that will be comfortable for you, and bring something to sit on, if you like.
Taking place this week, Sept 26, in the Beaver Lodge Lands (Meet at the entrance off McPhedran, by Kit Cresent. We will walk in a short way from there). (The weather forecast is for wet - we will have forest canopy as cover)
DISMANTLING RACISM: GUIDED STUDY (In-person & Online) STARTS MONDAY!
5 Monday sessions. Starting Sept. 27th and ending Nov 08, 2012. (5:30 -7:00pm PT)
(There will be no class Monday, Oct. 4th or Thanksgiving Monday, the 11th)
A safe and encouraging place for people looking to step further into Reconciliation and anti-racism ally-ship. We highly recommend this course. You will come away with a broadened perspective and some great new tools for speaking up about discrimination when you encounter it, whether externally, or within yourself. The course will include practical elements and will draw key points from several highly praised and widely used diversity and anti-racism texts.
Please pre-register at our website.
There is a monetary exchange requested for this course, but no one will be turned away if they don’t feel able to exchange at the suggested level. (1/2 of proceeds go to charity).
LET IT GO LOUNGE: MEDITATION AND CONTEMPLATION (In Person)
Thursday Sept 30th, from 8:00 pm - 9:00 pm PT
A calm and sacred candlelit space to process whatever may be going on for you and let it all go. Perhaps, since it will be Truth and Reconciliation Memorial Day, you would like to take some time to consider that. Perhaps you simply wish to unwind as the week comes to a close. Whatever your own reasons for wanting to be in silent contemplation, you are welcome.
There are a limited number of spaces available, so first come, first served. There are also a limited number of chairs and bolsters available. Bring your own yoga mat and/or blanket, if you wish to be on the floor. Soft music will play in the background, and you may sit, recline, or walk slowly around the periphery of the space (as in a labyrinth), as you choose. Masks will be required when you are not on your mat, but are not required if you are settled on the mat.
In the Sanctuary space at The Centre (516 South Dogwood Street, Campbell River). By donation.
L.I.F.T. FEST: VOLUNTEER & COMMUNITY RESOURCES FAIR
Saturday Sept 25th, from 10:00 am - 2:00 pm PT
COMING UP THIS SATURDAY!
We have a booth at Volunteer Campbell River’s Leadership~Innovation Friendship~Training (L.I.F.T) Fair this year. Come by to say hello, and let your friends know.
It’s an opportunity for folks to meet us and find out more about what we offer. You’ll also be able to find out about lots of other organizations doing good work in the community at the same time - and we’re told there will be door prizes and demonstrations as well! Plus, WE’LL BE LAUNCHING OUR FALL AUCTION (with items to be won that would make wonderful holiday gifts), and, just for fun, we’ll be handing out free books too!
At the SPORTSPLEX: 1800 S. Alder St, Campbell River.
SO YOU THINK YOU’RE A RIVERITE… :NOW IT’S YOUR TURN!
A fun fitness event be completed over the weekend of October 9th - 11th
This is a 3 Part Race, with 7 intervals, that includes Biking, Running and Paddling... but in ways that are not what you might expect.... (Here is a YouTube link of Jill going through the course: YouTube https://youtu.be/eJGJqzhXhK4)
Prizes to be won for the usual categories, and lots of other playful ones as well! (Many thanks to the suppliers who have donated prizes so far: Pedal Your World, Sweet Balance Massage, Primal Athletics, Jim Swift Art and Healthy Way Foods… with more to come! We appreciate your generous community support immensely!)
TO REGISTER: Go to our website calendar (www.theCentreCR.org) and click on this event to fill in the online form. (BE SURE TO INCLUDE your email, address and phone number). The entry fee can be paid using donate button on website, or via e-transfer to our admin email (see link on next line). Join individually, or as a team!
You can contact the office, if you’d like more information. (Open Sundays to Thursdays)
INVITATION TO TRANSFORMATION!
TRANSFORM Your Experience… PRACTICE
~ What about YOUR Beauty? Look in the mirror, look within yourself, and affirm the Truth. You ARE beautiful! You contain and embody the beauty of LIFE ITSELF! ~ Now it’s your turn to make a list… look at it often. Add to it.
TRANSFORM Your Experience… ASK A PRACTITIONER Dear Practitioner: “Lately, I feel like I am taking one step forward and two steps back. I don’t seem to be getting anywhere. What can I do?” Answer: (We have moved Ask a Practitioner to a video format. Please check out our video with this week’s response on the Centre’s Facebook, Instagram or Twitter feeds). CLICK HERE to link to the video on Facebook. We now also have episodes up on our YouTube Channel - please head over there to like, share and subscribe! Click Link We welcome any questions you might like to submit for this segment, and, for extra uplift, a reminder that we offer free affirmations upon on request, through our Practitioner email: practitioner@thecentrecr.org. (We also offer one-on-one sessions for anyone who would like a more targeted support or coaching).
TRANSFORM Your Experience… SERVICE:
Volunteer: We are always in need of volunteers for this and that, and we are grateful to each and every one of you!! This week we’d like to thank Kelly for always doing such a great job laundering our hand towels, and a belated thanks to Jamey for helping out with the Riverite Odyssey with Jill! Our October Auction is going live on Saturday the 25th, look for info coming up soon on the website. Ask Yvonne if she needs help with it. (There are beautiful prizes to be won… so why not spread the word to friends and family… purchase a bunch of tickets and help charity, while getting yourself in line for a chance at some awesome holiday presents at the same time!) We’re planning lots more activities, always being creative about how to still offer uplifting programming, even with provincial restrictions in place. So, if you have any special skills you think might be of use, we’d love to hear about them! Simply contact the office (admin@thecentrecr.org). We’ll point you in the right direction. (NEXT UP: “Wyrd Woodland”… we may need some help with that).
Bright Ideas: How about some fun activity ideas? Got any of those that you’d like to share? Once again, our office is the best first point of contact: (admin@thecentrecr.org)
Get Social: We invite you to follow us on social media. Go ahead and share and comment on any of our posts that you enjoy, too! #TheCentreCR, #GetCentred and #UpliftLife. Please also check us out and subscribe to our Youtube Channel! Click here to visit.
TRANSFORM Your Experience… ABUNDANCE IN ACTION
Charitable Giving: The Centre is a registered charity that is wholly sustained through the generosity of folks like you. Thank you! Your contributions mean that, even in the times we are in, we are still able to offer classes, events and individual support, and continue our practice of giving to other charities in need within our community as well. (For any donation of $25 or more, you will be issued a tax receipt, but every bit of generosity helps, no matter the amount or the form it comes in). CLICK HERE TO DONATE Reminder, too, that a Thrifty’s SMILE card can be used to donate to the Centre, as well as the empties you take to the Recycling Depot!
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