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Dissolving Boulders III: The Power of Intuitive Guidance
by Rev. Rita Scheibeck
Did you ever walk into a room and just know that something was off? Have you met someone with whom you had an instant connection, but something in the back of your mind told you not to go there? Have you received an intuitive instruction that you disregarded and then immediately regretted not listening?
Yep, your intuitive guidance, AKA your gut feelings, are working just fine. It's your confidence in your instincts that's missing, and that is not usually a…
Dissolving Boulders II: The Sound of Silence
by Rev. Rita Scheibeck
Last week we talked about affirmations as a strong tool to use for removing obstacles in the paths to our earthly and spiritual goals. This week we'll address something you've seen frequently in my writings: meditation.
We speak a great deal in ADL about the importance of meditation, the silence, and time alone for personal reflection. Most of us use these techniques in our individual and collective spiritual practices. This often seems like a way of dealing w…
Let's Add Life to life
by Rev. Blanca Ibenia Aguilar
Let's bring back Life to life once more
Fear and doubt were and continue to be imbued in everything and everyone.
The news report about misfortunes instead of the miracles that happen every moment.
At home we talk more about what is missing, about the one who left, instead of thanking and pondering everything we have and the people who are still here.
Schools have set aside gymnastics, art, and calligraphy, moral and civic classes that lead to concentration a…
Dissolving Boulders I: The Spoken Word
by Rev. Rita Scheibeck
There have been, and still are, many times when I have run up against roadblocks (or what seem to be boulders!) on the way to my earthly and spiritual destinations. Some of these obstacles may require a minimum of attention and expended energy to overcome. But what about the larger barriers that I can't seem to get over or around?
For me these hurdles are usually situations I have conjured myself, either mentally, emotionally, or verbally. I may be thinking tha…
Darse Permiso
by Rev. Blanca Ibenia Aguilar
Reflexión:
Hay momentos en la vida en los que debemos enfrentar una situación dolorosa, ya sea que nos sorprenda o que descubramos que nosotras mismas las hemos co-creado (casi siempre hay otra persona involucrada) con nuestros pensamientos, sentimientos y acciones.
Qué terapéutico es darnos permiso para sentirnos enojadas, dolidas y hasta tristes por una horas o por unos cuantos días, meses tal vez si tanto duele; eso nos hace bien, pero para salir de esos es…
The Art of Affirming
by Rev. Rita Scheibeck
This last week of the interpretation of my benediction is for the word "affirm." This verb may be the most powerful one in my blessing. By affirming something, I state or assert positively what I have allowed, acknowledged, and accepted in the earlier part of the sentence. I express aloud an agreement with, and support of, the affirmation I have made.
Sometimes, declaring that a situation has a positive outcome-- even when I'm not sure I buy into that goodnes…
Embracing Acceptance
by Rev. Rita Scheibeck
During this third week of the description of my benediction, I will concentrate on the verb "accept." To accept something, especially in my context here, is an emotional, genuinely heartfelt response to the affirmation or prayer that precedes it. It is the sensitive receiving of the message, the belief that I can take hold of the statement, intensely and sincerely. When I accept something on a spiritual level, I trust and have an unshakeable faith that it is t…
The Process of Acknowledging
by Rev. Rita Scheibeck
This week I'd like to share the second verb of my benediction, which is "acknowledge." To acknowledge is a more intellectual process than the other verbs of the benediction. It is a statement of receiving and agreeing that a fact or a belief is accurate. When I acknowledge my affirmations and prayers, I admit to and concede the truth of what I have spoken from a mental standpoint.
Affirmation: I now recognize that spiritual peace, prosperity, perfect dynamic he…
The Act of Allowing
by Rev. Rita Scheibeck
I am frequently asked about the closing statement to my meditations. When I write my prayers and affirmations, I always end them with the benediction: "I now allow, acknowledge, accept and affirm that these things are so."
This week I will focus on the first verb of this phrase, "allow." To allow means that I give permission to the ideas that I have spoken to enter my conscious mind. I let or give space to the ideas in my heart and soul. When I grant a thought …
Affirmations for Release During Lent
by Rev. Rita Scheibeck
During the Lent of our childhoods, many of us were encouraged to give up something that we loved as a demonstration of self denial that would please God: chocolates, ice cream, red meats on Fridays. (The last example of releasing still makes wonderful excuses for "fish fries." Yum!)
In ou…