Greetings,
Throughout the Easter and Passover season, religion-related stories have dominated the news. An old-school Pope is replaced by a traditionalist who condemns “spiritual pluralism.” Christians who sound more Old Testament than New have elected officials eating out of their hands, yet scream that they’re oppressed. Orthodox Israelis vow to fight to the death to keep land they claim God promised them. Islamic jihadists keep blowing up themselves and innocents in the name of Allah. Reading all this, I’m tempted to ask whether civilization really evolves, but that would only encourage biblical literalists who think that evolution is merely propaganda.
At the core of this turmoil is the timeless issue of spiritual authority. Where do we turn for truth and guidance? To religious institutions? Holy books? Preachers? Gurus? Science? Millions are answering “To myself.” Unwilling to blindly obey authority, they are taking responsibility for their own spiritual destinies. They insist on thinking for themselves, on carving their own paths, on deepening and expanding through all available means. With the right balance of discernment and openness, such autonomy is a healthy counterforce to dogmatism, and its growing emergence makes me hopeful.
COMMUNITY FOR SPIRITUAL WISDOM
My colleagues in the Forge Institute have launched an international membership organization for people who wish to pursue genuine spiritual growth in community with others from a diverse range of paths, locations and perspectives. Check out the CSW at
http://www.theforge.org/forge/csw.asp.
FORGE HEARTHS
CSW members in certain areas can come together on a regular basis for learning and growth. In these gatherings, led by trained facilitators, the community itself is the teacher. I will be starting a Hearth in Los Angeles this fall. If you think you might be interested in this unique opportunity, drop me an e-mail or call me at 310-827-8266. For more about the Hearths, see http://www.theforge.org/forge/hearths.asp.
LOS ANGELES WORKSHOP
In July I’ll be conducting a three-hour workshop in L.A. titled Roadsigns for the Spiritual Path. If you’re in the area, please come. I promise it will be illuminating and fun.
Date: Saturday, July 23rd. Time: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cost: $20 in advance, $30 at the door.
Place: Agape International Spiritual Center in Culver City. Call 310-348-1250.
For a workshop description, go to: http://www.philipgoldberg.com/events.htm.
MONTHLY COLUMN
Introducing my most recent columns in Healthy Update, the newsletter of HealthWorld Online (www.healthy.net).
"Human Beings, Humans Doing" offers tips for spiritual time management: making space in our hectic lives for that which sows the seeds of inner peace and lifts us higher:
http://healthy.net/scr/column.asp?Id=618
"Shopping in the Spiritual Marketplace" says that the opportunity to explore a wide range of teachings and practices can be a great blessing—as long as we stay focused, conscious and informed: http://healthy.net/scr/column.asp?Id=620.
"Vehicle Maintenance" notes that taking care of our bodies can be good for our
spiritual lives (and vice versa): http://healthy.net/scr/column.asp?Id=621.
"The Spirit of Health Research" looks at the latest research on spirituality and health and explores its implications for each of us: http://healthy.net/scr/column.asp?Id=623.
RECOMMENDED MEDIA
Three wonderful offerings by gifted friends of mine have recently been released:
Cinema Nirvana: Enlightenment Lessons from the Movies by Dean Sluyter. A clever and illuminating romp through familiar films—Casablanca, Jaws, The Godfather and a dozen more—some of which you’d never think of as “spiritual.” Goldfinger? Jailhouse Rock?
The Moth to the Flame by Connie Zweig. A moving novel about the life of the great Sufi poet and mystic, Jelaluddin Rumi. You’ll be present at key moments in Rumi’s life and witness the transformations that opened his heart to poetry and God.
Yoga Rx by Larry Payne. Four DVDs with safe, user-friendly routines for wellness and the healing of common ailments: Immune Booster and General Conditioning; Weight Management for People with Curves; Lower Back, Upper Back and Neck Problems; Women’s Health.
ILLUMINATIONS ON SPIRITUAL ENGAGEMENT
"First we receive the light, then we impart it. Thus we repair the world." – The Kabbalah
“It is not sufficient for religious people to be involved with prayer. Rather, they are morally obliged to contribute all they can to solving the world’s problems. - Dalai Lama
“Human beings are actually created for the transcendent, for the sublime, for the beautiful, for the truthful...and all of us are given the task of trying to make this world a little more hospitable to these beautiful things.” - Desmond Tutu
SEEDS OF CONTEMPLATION
A mother who was unable to break her daughter’s addiction to sweets, brought the child to see Mahatma Gandhi. She asked the great leader to tell the girl to give up the habit. Gandhi replied, “Bring her back to me in three weeks.”
When the mother and daughter returned, Gandhi described the harm that can come from eating too many sweets. He implored the girl to stop. The mother thanked Gandhi profusely, then asked him why he hadn’t spoken up on the first occasion. “Because,” said Gandhi, “three weeks ago, I was still addicted to sweets.”
How much do you expect of others that you cannot do yourself?
THIS NEWSLETTER
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Blessings to all,
Phil