Drumming for World Peace

Join us for Wednesday's Wisdom June 7, 7 pm at the Center for Spiritual Living 1201 Puerta Del Sol, Suite 100 San Clemente, CA 92673

CALLING IN THE SPIRIT OF PEACE PRAYER
I Declare World Peace

To gain the power to be able to Declare Peace, we must find peace in ourselves, make peace with our neighbors, with all religions, with our governments, with our environment, with our enemies.

The man who sat on the ground in his tipi meditating on life and its meaning, accepting the kinship of all creatures and acknowledging unity with the universe of things was infusing into his being the true essence of civilization. Chief Luther Standing Bear

Peace cannot look like this to any group of people! After being sent to an indian boarding school in the late 1800’s a Hope Chief later said:

“I had learned many english word and could recite part of the Ten Commandments. I knew how to sleep on a bed, pray to Jesus, comb my hair, eat with a knife and fork, and use a toilet…. I had also learned that a person thinks with his head instead of his heart.”  Sun Chief Hopi 1890

The Centers for Spiritual Living in a effort to make peace with our environment made this statement on June 2.

Call to Action for all Centers...                                                                                         June 2, 2017 Centers for Spiritual Living Golden, Colorado Climate Change Statement and Position The Centers for Spiritual Living (CSL) stands in support of the Paris Climate Accord (Paris Agreement). We view Thursday’s decision by the Trump Administration to back out of the agreement to be a significant setback for any global effort to curb global warming. The Paris Agreement was created to reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions to help reverse the devastating effects of Global Warming. It is unfortunate that a Nation, which is one of the largest polluters historically, is taking such a step. The United States now joins Syria and Nicaragua, who did not sign the Agreement because it was viewed as too weak.  The Agreement has been signed by nearly 200 other countries. We believe that God acts through creation, not independently of it. Statements which have been made to the effect that, “God will take care of Global Warming,” fail to recognize that each of us individually and us as a whole are responsible for our own experience - that God acts through creation. If we want a green and verdant planet, we will have to act in ways which support that outcome. “Centers for Spiritual Living believes climate change and environmental deterioration are moral issues and as a spiritual organization, we must take a stand,” said Rev. Dr. Kenn Gordon, CSL Spiritual Leader. “Climate change will not only affect our generation, but our children, our grandchildren, and all future generations of humanity, as well as other forms of life. We stand united with other faith communities in our call to care for the earth and to protect the poor and suffering.” CSL recognizes the evidence of science: Human activity is the main cause of the climate crisis. This crisis is seen in the extreme weather, changes to seasons, rising sea levels, species extinctions, the melting of glaciers, and shrinking of the polar ice caps. The scientific consensus is clear. The United States can best serve its own interests and those of all of humanity by continuing to be an environmental leader of the world in reducing emissions. Today’s decision to exit from the Paris Agreement moves in the opposite direction. “We recognize that our good is within us, so we awaken to our individual responsibility and empowerment to properly steward our planet. So, let our voices be heard and let our actions speak of our love for our planet,” said Dr. Gordon

VOICE OF THE DRUM

VOICE OF THE DRUM Wednesday Wisdom August 17, 7 PM Drum Circle with Gene & Joyce

Bring your drums and let them speak.  Center for Spiritual Living Capistrano Valley 1201 Puerta Del Sol Suite 100 San Clemente, California 92673. Children are welcome.

The Abenaki People and the Legend of the Drum

It is said that when Creator was preparing a place for the Spirits to dwell on Mother Earth, a loud BOOM was heard in the distance. As Creator listened, the sound came ever closer until it was present right in front of Creator. Creator asked – “who are you?” “I am the Spirit of the Drum”, came the reply. Creator asked of the Spirit of the Drum, “What is it you want?” The Spirit of the Drum spoke to Creator, saying “I would like to be a part of this wonderful thing you are creating.”

After a moment of thought, Creator asked , “And what part will you play, Spirit of the Drum?” “I would like to accompany the voices of the People” replied Spirit of the Drum. “When they sing from their hearts, I will sing too, as if I am the heartbeat of Mother Earth. Then all will sing in harmony.”

Creator granted the request of Spirit of the Drum and from that point on, the drum has accompanied the voices of the People. The Abenaki People

“Since the drum is often the only instrument used in our sacred rites, It is because the round form of the drum represents the whole universe, and its steady strong beat is the pulse, the heart, throbbing at the center of the universe. It is the voice of Wakan Tanka (Great Spirit), and this sound stirs us and helps us to understand the mystery and power of all things.” Black Elk

                                                        

Drums by Native Arts

 

Divine Purpose

The purpose of life is to be free from suffering and to attain infinite bliss consciousness that is God. Mankind is engaged in an eternal quest for that “something else” he hopes will bring him happiness, complete and unending. Many people may doubt that finding God is the purpose of life; but everyone can accept the idea that the purpose of life is to find happiness. I say that God is Happiness. God is Bliss. God is Love. God is Joy that will never go away from your soul. No one else can give it to you. You must continuously cultivate it yourself.

If we are attuned to God, our perception is limitless, pervading everywhere in the oceanic flow of the Divine Presence. When the Spirit is known, and when we know ourselves as Spirit, there is no land or sea, no earth or sky--all is Spirit.  From the writings of Yogananda

THE QUESTION IS, HOW DO WE FIND AND MANIFEST IN OUR LIFE AND ACTIONS THIS DIVINE PURPOSE?

For me, being a human being, it has become quite simple. Divine Purpose is clarified and given with each breath I take. It is so simple, yet elusive, I breathe in Oneness, I breathe out Oneness! Knowing that all I am and all that I do comes from that Oneness, and for the good of all that Creator has created. Are my actions divine? Are yours? The answer is "Yes" always, our nature is to be Divine even when we may think we miss the mark. Take the Oneness of the Creator and the Creation with you as you Walk in Good in this the Circle of Life.

We all will find our path, each in our own way!

The understanding of this and the path it takes us down in this life is the perfection of Spirit in all of us. Those different paths of life and understanding is what completes the Circle for all of us. I trust your choices along the way.

We weave our personal vision together to form a common vision of good for ourselves and for our planet. Joining with all our relations, we can learn to walk peacefully upon Mother Earth, knowing that she provides for all living things. We are all part of the Earth and part of the Divine Purpose in this the CIRCLE OF LIFE.