GOLDBERG VARIATION #6
Greetings,
I don’t know if it’s an astrological anomaly, collective karma or just a coincidence, but it seems that a lot of friends and colleagues are undergoing life changes these days. Some are stepping into new careers, branching off in directions long dreamed of or seizing opportunities that came to them unexpectedly; others have lost jobs, encountered obstacles to pet projects or found the environment inhospitable to what they’ve always done. I can’t explain it, but I’m inspired by the grace and openness with which these spiritual veterans are dealing with uncertainty.
The spirit of unanticipated change has blown through my life as well. Among other things, I was asked last February to be the Director of the Forge Guild of Spiritual Leaders and Teachers. Devoting more of my time to this worthy young organization has allowed me to deepen my association with wonderful people doing valuable work, and also to help create exciting programs that will soon be launched by the Forge Institute. Our new website will be up and running shortly: www.theforge.org.
SPIRITUAL WELLNESS ASSOCIATES
SWA is the new organizational framework for my counseling and teaching work. The goal is to provide services that help individuals create a healthy, vital spiritual life that’s in sync with their personalities and circumstances. Why “Associates”? Because I’m building a network of professional referrals, and I’m developing programs with colleagues whose skills and knowledge complement my own. http://www.philipgoldberg.com/bio.htm
MONTHLY COLUMN
My most recent columns in Healthy Update, the newsletter of HealthWorld Online (www.healthy.net) were “Contemplating Sacred Stories,” about using spiritual texts as vehicles for personal growth (http://healthy.net/scr/column.asp?Id=599) and “The Power of Prayer,” which describes the health benefits of prayer, the various types of prayer and ways to deepen the practice (http://healthy.net/scr/column.asp?Id=600).
EVENTS
I’ll be giving lectures and workshops in the following places this summer. For details, http://www.philipgoldberg.com/events.htm, or click on individual links.
Sunday, June 6, Center for Conscious Living, Santa Cruz http://www.somsantacruz.com/PhilGoldberg6may04.htm
Sunday, June 13, Cultural Integration Fellowship, San Francisco http://ww.culturalintegration.org/list.html
Tuesday, July 27, Chaplaincy Institute of Maine, Portland, Maine
http://www.chimeofmaine.org/index.htm
Wed. and Thurs. July 28-29, Arlington Center, Arlington, Mass (outside Cambridge)
http://www.arlingtoncenter.org
Sunday, August 1, Unity on the River, Amesbury, Mass (30 miles north of Boston)
http://www.unityontheriver.org/.
HOW TO WRITE – AND SELL – A BOOK PROPOSAL
I’m constantly asked for advice on getting published. So, I decided to teach a teleclass on the subject. If you have a book in you and wonder what it takes to find a publisher, join me on Monday, August 9, 4:00 – 5:30 p.m., PST. Learn what editors are looking for; the structure and contents of a great proposal; the scoop on agents and editors; and more. For details and registration: http://speakerservices.com/teleclasses/bk_proposal.html
PARLIAMENT OF THE WORLD RELIGIONS
Between July 7 and 13, thousands of people—seekers and teachers, clergy and laypersons, famous and anonymous—will converge on Barcelona, Spain, for the fourth Parliament. The theme is Pathways to Peace: The Wisdom of Listening, the Power of Commitment. I’ll be there, representing the Forge Institute. If you’re going, let me know. Perhaps we can meet. Parliament information http://www.cpwr.org.
THE MARKETING CORNERSTONE
I’m conducting regular telephone seminars for The Marketing Cornerstone, a new educational venture that offers training for personal and professional development. It’s aimed primarily at individuals in marketing, but the programs are pertinent to a wide range of people. http://www.themarketingcornerstone.com
ILLUMINATIONS ON SPIRITUAL YEARNING
“To know the sweetness of the Infinite within us. That is the cause, the reason, the purpose, the only purpose of our being.” – Nicholas of Cusa
“The intense desire for the realization of the Atman after renouncing all others, is alone the means for the attainment of the Atman.” – Shankara
SEEDS OF CONTEMPLATION
The legendary Mullah Nasrudin is walking in the woods, when he sees an ascetic monk sitting beside a stream. He asks why the monk is staring at the fish. “I am trying to achieve harmony with all living things,” the monk replies.
“A fish saved my life once,” says Nasrudin. Amazed, the monk invites Nasrudin to sit with him. “Tell me about this miraculous communion with the fish that saved your life.” Says Nasrudin, “I was starving, and that fish lasted for three days.”
What are the ordinary miracles in your life?
RECOMMENDED BOOK
“Positive Energy,” by Judith Orloff, M.D. A psychiatrist and a pioneer in the field of energy medicine, Judith is one of those rare people who gracefully straddles the mainstream and the esoteric. She says of her latest book, “We can’t stop the negative circumstances of our time—our cell phones will keep ringing, e-mails will keep coming, people will be rude, our children will be demanding. But we can learn ways to protect our energy so that we can stay centered in dealing with the stresses that arise.” Carolyn Myss says that “Positive Energy” “shows you how to tap into the positive energy flow in your body and in your life as well as how to protect yourself from ‘energy vampires’ who can sap you dry.” For more about Judith and the book: www.drjudithorloff.com
WORKSHOP SERIES IN L.A.
I’m putting together a workshop series for the fall. The emphasis will be on developing a repertoire of spiritual practices that fit your needs and orientation. If you live in or near Los Angeles and think you might be interested, let me know and I’ll contact you regarding details.
THIS NEWSLETTER
Feel free to pass this on to interested friends. Anyone can subscribe by clicking on http://www.philipgoldberg.com/newsletter.htm and entering an e-mail address in the right-hand column. If you don’t wish to receive these mailings, you can unsubscribe with the same link or send me a private message.
Blessings,
Phil