The modern mystic explores paths already forged by those who came before, such as Meister Eckhart, Hildegard of Bingen, Julian of Norwich, St. Theresa(s). Their centuries-old words are surprisingly relevant and refreshing today. Let’s take a look!

This month, we are honoring our health in every aspect of our being. As we continue to explore “falling in love with God,” let’s refresh and solidify what we are doing to nurture and integrate body, mind, and spirit. This might mean that we deepen our meditation, practice better physical fitness, spend more time at our home altar, or take up a new activity that enlivens our thinking processes.

Happy Mother’s Day! This special day is a day to celebrate moms, but it’s also a way to celebrate what we identify as the feminine qualities of Spirit: nurturing, creative, generous, and many others. Send us your photos or affirmative statements that represent your understanding of the Divine Feminine!

As we continue our solitary spiritual practices, we find comfort in this familiar Psalm. The ancient words serve as a mantra, reminding us of our eternal relationship with the Divine, and that all our needs are met. This is particularly relevant and poignant during this time of world change and uncertainty. Let’s explore the literal and metaphysical meaning in these timeless words, and let ourselves “fall in love” with God.

As we continue our accelerated spiritual growth during this time physically apart from each other, our ego may assert itself at times that might surprise us. This is normal for times of change, stress, and readjustment. We will explore FACE: Fear, Attachment, Control, Entitlement. And the “YES” that we studied last week is our handy tool for taming that pesky ego.

“. . . We realize that the way things are must be exactly what is best. The changes are carefully timed alignments that make the universe endure and unfold. . . . Perhaps things end so that we can reach the high spiritual peak that comes with letting go. This too is a mystery, and in the face of it, the only sensible etiquette is to change our ‘Why’ to ‘Yes’.” ---David Richo So, let’s explore how to say “Yes” with more conviction and hope in this unusual time. What are practical tools that ease our resistance to change?

We are all familiar with the themes of rebirth and renewal as we celebrate Easter. We are familiar with the notion that Easter is not just a one-time-in- the-year holy day, but more a practice that we can incorporate every day. We are familiar with the archetypal “darkness before the light” motif. But this year, as we celebrate Easter in a totally new way, let us extend our consciousness to embrace ALL Christians who celebrate this day. It doesn’t matter what denomination it is, whether or not we agree with their theology, or whether or not we are familiar with the demonstration of the message. The point is that now, more than ever, we shall practice expanding our awareness to embrace more and more of humanity. Why not start with others who find this day extraordinary? Why not extend our goodwill (and maybe our own brokenness that is being healed) toward those whom, under different circumstances, we might be more focused on our differences than our similarities? We are called to a mighty stretch in so many ways right now; let’s do that together on this beautiful Sunday.

We celebrate Palm Sunday this week, marking Jesus’s final journey into Jerusalem and his last week of public ministry. It was a journey of courage and humility. We too are making brave strides in our physical and spiritual journey right now. Just as Jesus walked into the unknown, so are we. Just as Jesus continued his work in spite of the noise around him, so do we. Just as Jesus looked bravely into any fear or resistance, so can we. And what is our “Jerusalem?” It is our personal Holy City of fulfillment and wholeness that is a beacon shining into our every moment.

Borrowing again from the wonderful Mark Nepo, the readings from The Book of Awakening for this weekend are beautifully relevant for the times in which we are living. Last Sunday we talked about integrating our shadow; this week we look at the spiritual practices of letting go, renunciation, renewal, and what keeps us from doing it. Are we fearful? Are we trying to make another person comfortable? Are we so accustomed to doing things the way we have always done them that we are missing out on the "juiciness" of life? Now is a good time for "shedding" the old and unnecessary.

The negative and positive Shadows in us point our way to the path of unconditional love. As we recognize our projections and embrace all that is good about us, we find it easier and more natural to extend our generosity and compassion to ourselves and others.