A collection of holiday opportunities for spiritual retreat.
Looking for a spiritual retreat to tide you over in quiet contemplation during the holy days leading up to Hanukkah, Winter Solstice, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year's Day, and Epiphany? Here are many choices — some Christian and inclusive, others multifaith — from which you can find a perfect match for your needs.
Beyond Belief is a six session Digital Download Study. The series contains favorite moments, core teachings and extensive never-before seen material of Marcus Borg from the LtQ archives plus commentary from Rev. Marianne Borg.
Downloadable & Published Music for Progressive Faith, School & Community
There are choral anthems, congregational hymns and songs and instrumental music for progressive faith settings. The website’s blog, “Resonate!” will offer thoughts on communal music and music-making.
On this quiet summer morning, I arise to find the airwaves clamouring with the sound of Tweets. As news of war and rumours of war penetrates my consciousness and awaken me to the surreal clamouring of madmen who hold the power of life and death in the grasp of their tiny hands, it is so very tempting to give in to the cynicism of the talking heads.
When you live in nature, in the scent of flowers, in the blessed light of the day and the sweet dew of the morning, you don't have questions, you simply live and joy together with them. Your heart opens, you cry, cry, and your eyes are wet with dew. This is how this song was born, when your body, mind, and soul opens, God steps next to you in an unguarded moment, and pours her treasures into you.
From the Seasoned Celebration collection
1. The fragrance of Spring lies not in judgement's intervention but in love's nurturing of the interior goodness. 2. Spring is not so much a moment as a movement, a manifestation of the sometimes hidden but always present life-force of God.
This hauntingly beautiful Hungarian folk song has enchanted many a musician. Across the world you can hear it sung in wildly different styles, always adapted for the region of the singer. Here is beautiful 3 part harmony version, sung in the traditional Hungarian style by my women's trio Wild Honey.
From the Celebrating Mystery collection
“I GREET THAT OF THE COSMOS WITHIN YOU”
It is time that we as human beings confront the darkness of racism and violence. As people of faith, as followers of Jesus, we must be the leaders of that confrontation.
Grandmother Tree & The Feathered Serpent Live @ Byron Bay May 2014. Deya Dova ended her euphoric dance floor set with this sublime track. An onsite live recording at Mt.Warning / Wulambiny Momoli / Yar-Birrain - a sacred site on the East Coast of Australia.
From the Celebrating Mystery collection
Practice noticing what is humorous and on reflection you will be able to fill your life with laughter.
From the Celebrating Mystery collection
THEME The path to destruction and the path to new life.
This world tends to breed a culture of power and greed, measuring greatness on prestige and position. Those that are considered successful are those whom are served. Everyone seems to want to lead, few want to be a servant. Is it human nature to fight over status? Or have we been misled through culture, media, and language?
From the Celebrating Mystery collection
The unthankful get the misery which they have brought upon themselves Nothing liberates the human mind as much as a thankful spirit.
From the Celebrating Mystery collection
The establishment of justice and peace, inclusiveness and awareness may seem an impossible dream, but it is only those who are motivated by such a vision who are willing to make the sacrifices necessary to create a better world.
Personal transformation occurs every time you enter into nature and stop to delight in its inherent divinity. World transformation occurs when we serve and protect our earth home. And, my friends, this CAN be done one person at a time. Our earth heroes and heroines have been showing us the way- it is time for us follow their lead, or become the new leaders for our future generations.
From the Celebrating Mystery collection
Peace of mind does not come through struggling to stop thinking, but through focusing the mind on some particular thought or object, and especially on the rhythm of our breathing.
There is hardly anything more rewarding then practicing acts of kindness, or when standing up for something we believe in, especially when we are able to see the positive affects of those actions. Jesus was first and foremost a social activist. He saw inequalities and injustices around him and he spoke out against them. He called us to give up our possessions, to share our bounty, and to love our enemies.
From the Celebrating Mystery collection
1. The earth may be our mother but we can be her mid¬wife or her funeral director. 2. Nature is a web of interdependency not a series of separate hierarchical layers.
From the Boundless Life collection
Beyond the rain the sun, Beyond the tears the fun, Within the silence the One.
From the Boundless Life collection
May the fire in us nurture the Earth and not consume its life. May the fire in us consume our greed and save this sacred Earth.
From the Boundless Life collection
Holy is my birth and sacred is my mother.
From the Boundless Life collection
Leader: Creator God to you we pray; - All: Help us hear your children's cry. Leader: Most joyful God to you we pray; ‑ All: Help us share your children's joy.
From the Boundless Life collection
We give thanks for the plants, Give thanks for the creatures Whose flesh supplies this meal.
From the Boundless Life collection
In silence now we join to pray Listening to the God within. May rich discernment shape our prayers As we learn from cosmic laws.
From the Festive Worship collection
The events of Holy Week reveal the complexity of human nature - of how loyalty and treachery, callousness and tenderness can live side by side in people's hearts.
From the Boundless Life collection
I am dancer, I am free, I am see-er and I see, I am mystery, I am me.
Loving kindness is the cultivation of benevolence toward all living beings, love without clinging, and a strong wish for the happiness of others. It is the kind of love that often bubbles up freely in the heart of a mother for her child. It is a love that is independent of expecting or needing anything in return.
Although radical transformation takes time and practice, stepping out of suffering and pain and opening ourselves to all that is possible in this human experience does not have to be a lifetime challenge. Transformation can actually happen in the space of one moment.