Greetings,
Happy dawning of springtime to all. As I am writing this on St. Patrick’s day, I offer you this traditional Irish prayer:
May the blessings of light be upon you,
Light without and light within.
And in all your comings and goings,
May you ever have a kindly greeting
From them you meet along the road.
SPIRITUAL WELLNESS COLUMN
Since my last mailing, two of my monthly columns have appeared in Healthy Update, the e-newsletter of HealthWorld Online (www.healthy.net). The first, MEDITATING ON MEDITATION, is about why many people say they want to meditate regularly but don’t—and what they can do about it. Here’s the link: http://healthy.net/scr/column.asp?id=593. (You may need to cut and paste it into your browser, or type it in.)
The second column, THE TWO-WAY STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, is about the contradictory ways that worldly desires are treated by spiritual traditions, and how to manage your own desires to serve your spiritual growth: http://healthy.net/scr/column.asp?id=594
FREE COACHING
At the end of my workshops, I help participants identify and commit to the next step on their spiritual path. I've learned that those who follow through best are those who have the support of a spiritual companion or counselor. Therefore, I am offering everyone who has taken my workshop a free 20-minute coaching session, by phone. If you wish to set up an appointment, e-mail me at phil@philipgoldberg.com, or call 310-827-8266.
WORKSHOP SERIES IN L.A.
I’m putting together a series of classes on Spiritual Wellness. It will feature practical tools that deepen one’s inner life and enrich one’s outer life—and balance the two in an integrated way. The emphasis will be on take-home practices that fit your needs and spiritual orientation. If you live in or near Los Angeles and think you might be interested, click Reply and let me know. I’ll contact you regarding details.
RADIO INTERVIEWS
An excellent interview with me, conducted by radio host Zohara Hieronimous, can be heard at http://www.futuretalk.org/listen/listentofuturetalk0312.html. Other interviews are linked on my home page: www.philipgoldberg.com.
ILLUMINATIONS FOR SPRING
“Every spot where a person raises his eyes to heaven is a Holy of Holies.”
— Hasidic saying
"To one who doesn't hear the music, the dancers look crazy." — Sufi proverb
“My beloved is the mountains and lonely wooded valleys, remote islands and resounding rivers, the sigh of love-evoking breezes, the still night before the dawn, silent music, sounding solitude, the meal that refreshes and deepens love.”— St. John of the Cross
SEEDS OF CONTEMPLATION
In a few weeks, Jews and Christians will once again be telling their most sacred stories: the exodus of the Hebrews from bondage in Egypt, and the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. Why not listen to the ancient tales more deeply this year? Why not dive beneath their historical meaning and see how the events and characters resonate within your own psyche?
During Passover, you might ask yourself: What is the inner Pharoah that keeps your soul enslaved? What miracles must you perform to win your liberation? What psychospiritual wilderness must you cross before you can reach the Promised Land? How would you describe the land of milk and honey you strive to reach?
On Easter weekend, you might ask yourself: In your personal Gethsemane, what forces try to pull you away from your highest destiny? What is the inner Judas that betrays your godly self? What is the Pilate that pronounces sentence on you? What is the cross you bear? Which part of you must be crucified so your spirit can be resurrected?
RECOMMENDED BOOK
I have learned a lot about listening from my friend and colleague Kay Lindahl. Her new book, “Practicing the Sacred Art of Listening,” (SkyLight Paths), will do the same for anyone who can use some practical advice in that area—which means just about everyone. From the book jacket: “Whether you want to improve communication with your colleagues, deepen your personal relationships, or develop your skills as a conversationalist, [the book] will give you the tools you need to better understand and benefit from the power of listening.” For more: http://www.sacredlistening.com/.
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EVENTS
I’m scheduling workshops and lectures for later this year and 2005. For a list of topics, go to: http://www.philipgoldberg.com/disc.htm. To request written materials and audio or video tapes, e-mail me or call 310-827-8266.
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.