CENTER FOR SPIRITUAL LIVING BOISE
AUGUST 2, 2020
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"
All that we are is the result of what we have thought. The mind is everything. What we think we become.
"
- Buddha
Beloved Community:
Recently, I have been thinking a lot about how be optimistic and positive in the midst of the current conditions in our world. This week as I whined to my Practitioner, she told me it was simple. "Just think positive thoughts," she said. Can it really be as simple as positive thinking, I wondered?
Psychologists, neuroscientists, sages, researchers, faith leaders and physicians have promoted the benefits of positive thinking for hundreds of years. Science has proven that positive thinking helps us to be healthier, more productive and ultimately happier. Yet many of us find it hard to practice optimism on a regular basis. I am finding it much more difficult to be positive as this Pandemic rolls on and on.
Our founder Ernest Holmes taught that “Thoughts are Things” and that we must learn to consciously direct our thoughts and energy. According to quantum physics, our thoughts have a frequency and a corresponding unique vibration that attracts similar frequencies to us. So negative thinking attracts negative energy; positive thinking attracts positive energy. How we think creates the energy that ultimately manifests our realities. This also applies to group thinking or collective consciousness. When a collection of people focus their collective energy, miracles (or nightmares) can happen! I believe that people of faith and goodwill are being called on in these times to collectively vision, pray and extend positive energy for the betterment of all humanity and an end to suffering for all beings on this planet. Won’t you join me?
How do we begin this noble and sacred work? It begins, as everything always does, with ourselves. In his book,
The Art of Happiness
, His Holiness the fourteenth Dalai Lama wrote,
"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion. If you want to be happy, practice compassion."
For many, even though it may be easy to show compassion to others, it may be difficult to be compassionate toward ourselves. Some of us want to blame others for our circumstances; many of us harshly blame ourselves. Self-judgement and blame are easy to fall into, but only through being able to let go and extend compassion and kindness to ourselves can we discover positivity in even the darkest moments.
This Pandemic has taught me the importance of slowing down in order to move forward. I try to heed the words of Thich Nhat Hanh:
"Drink your tea slowly and reverently, as if it is the axis on which the world earth revolves -- slowly, evenly, without rushing toward the future. Live the actual moment."
Sometimes we just need to slow down in order to move forward. And we have certainly been given the time to do so by this virus. Slowing down is a deliberate choice, but not always easy to do in a word that is pushing us into action, doing, now! Being truly in the moment allows us to conserve our inner energy and focus it in more constructive ways. Living in the moment doesn't mean we don't care about the future. It means that when we make a choice to do something, we can focus on solely doing it, rather than letting our mind wander into the future or the past. Slowing down, breathing and resting in the moment can lead to greater appreciation for life and a greater level of happiness. Why not try it right now? Slow down. . .breathe in this moment. . .rest in the now. . . .
I send you blessings of optimism, positivity, love and joy as we journey through these times together.
Please stay safe and strong in Spirit!
Rev. Jackie Holland
Spiritual Director
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Musical Artist this Sunday
Lisa Bittick
Lisa Bittick
is an Idaho native who performs in various bands around the Treasure Valley, and as a soloist. She is a vocalist and a multi-instrumentalist including piano, violin, mandolin and bass to name a few. We look forward to seeing Lisa exhibit her many talents this Sunday!
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Joining the ZOOM call is EASY! Just click here:
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Even in a Pandemic. . .
You can help grow our Community
When you hit "Share", you help expand our reach!
Don't you wish everyone knew about the CSL Boise? If you are on Facebook, there are a few simple things you can do to share your spiritual community with others and help us reach more people with this life-affirming, transformational teaching.
- Share videos of the CSL Boise Sunday Service or our daily noon meditations to your personal Facebook page
- Start a "watch party" during Sunday Service FaceBook Live or for the daily noon meditations
- Share the CSL Boise Facebook posts to your personal Facebook page
- 'Check in' on the CSL Boise Facebook page when you are physically at church
- Write a review of what you LOVE about your spiritual home and how this philosophy has changed your life on the CSL Boise Facebook page
- "Like" and "Follow" the CSL Boise Facebook page so you are notified when we 'go live' and about other posts
We can't be together right now and we miss you all! You can still help your beloved spiritual community. Using these 'sharing' tips can help us stay connected and GROW our community during this Pandemic time of separation!
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The prayer team is awaiting your prayer request! We invite you to reach out to us
!
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“Knowing that the Law of God is perfect, I lay aside all fear, uncertainty or doubt.”
Ernest Holmes
The eternal, changeless nature of Spirit is ever-present, throughout all of creation. From the vastness of this universe, with billions of galaxies, to the billions of atoms within each of us, the Divine energy and Life of God moves through and as EVERYTHING. Divine Law governs the movement of the heavens, and at the same time Spirit is always “nearer than hands or feet”.
For we are One with Spirit, created by and from Creative Mind. God is within us, as us, and there can be no separation. This is the unchanging and eternal nature of our being.
In the midst of confusion, upheaval, or change, we remain anchored in our faith that THIS TOO IS GOD. That same power and presence that created this universe and set the Laws into motion is far greater than any situation or circumstance in our lives, or in our nation, or the world. We affirm that all things human are temporary, but Spirit is eternal. Let us align our minds with this Truth, that in the big picture, all is working in Divine perfect order. Then we can be free from fear.
With deep gratitude that in Truth, all is well, I now release my Word into the Law, knowing that it is already done.
And So It Is!
Diana Anderson, RScP
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The CSL Board of Trustees is pleased to announce that our Center is open for assembly gathering. Please join us at 10:30 am at 10464 W. Garverdale Court, Boise, ID.
What you need to know for Sunday Service during the Pandemic era:
CLICK HERE (updated 7.15.20)
We know how difficult and oddly strange it is following these new mandated rules and processes. They are designed to keep us ALL safe and healthy and eventually, they may slowly be lifted. Please join us this Sunday if you feel called to come to church in the building. (Because we know church is everywhere!) We look forward to seeing your beautiful faces and sharing in your wonderful energy in our Sanctuary once again!
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Special thanks to Rex Miller and all of the musicians who continue to support the CSL during this time!
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SUPPORT OUR MUSICIANS
To find out more, and to help support our musicians during these difficult times, please click on the links to our beloved
Musician's Websites.
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Center for Spiritual Living Boise
Reverend Jackie Holland, Senior Minister
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See what's happening on our social sites
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