Empowering Women and a Culture of Non-Violence Right Here at Home

Kelowna has been in the news recently. And not necessarily in a positive light. Castanet's headline read "Domestic Violence Capital of BC".

Ouch! That is not something to be proud of. In fairness, the article goes on to suggest that these statistics may not mean that Kelowna has a higher rate of domestic violence but it may suggest that more of the domestic violence here is reported than in other communities.

Either way, I pause and I take a moment to envision a world where there is no such thing as domestic violence. Where there is peace within each person, there is peace within each family, and there is loving support for families in every community.

It is very timely that there is a new group starting within the Centre for Spiritual Living Kelowna. The group is called "A New Beginning" and it is being facilitated by one of our newly licensed ministers Reverend Corina Scherer. The purpose of this group is to create a safe and supportive environment for women to become empowered and to reconnect with the divine essence within them.

I am very excited about this new group because I think it strikes right at the core of what our new thought spiritual community is all about. We are all about helping each other to remember that there is a Divine Light within us. We are all about creating a healing and empowering space for people.

Rev. Corina's own story is one of not only surviving but thriving. With the help of supportive friends she escaped an abusive marriage and started on her own journey of healing and empowerment. This journey led her all the way into ministry and she is now holding the space for others.

In her own words "I learned that I wasn’t alone.  There were people that wanted to help me succeed.  I learned about unconditional love and friendship.  I learned that I had choices and was the creator of my own experiences.  I was a victor, not a victim.  I was able to change my thinking, and as a result, change my life.  I want to help others learn that life is for living and that happiness is already within each and every one of us.  There is always a solution to every situation.  There are principles and tools available to help us connect and be positive, and to heal, 
and to find peace".

"A New Beginning" Women's circle starts this Friday January 23 at 5 pm at the Pandosy Peace Centre. It will be held on the 4th Friday of every month. If you, or someone you know, could use some support in making changes in your own life, please join Rev. Corina. You can contact Corina directly at corinascherer@telus.net for more information.

What is a Spiritual Mind Circle?

You may have heard of a fairly recent addition to our ongoing community events - the Spiritual Mind Circle.

Spiritual Mind Circles are an initiative that was started at the international level with Centers for Spiritual Living. You can read more about it on their website.

The Kelowna Circle was started in July 2014 by Reverend Lesley McNamara.

Essentially the purpose of this group is to offer an opportunity to discuss spiritual principles in a relaxed environment. In this case, we meet at 5 pm on Tuesdays at the Bean Scene in Capri Mall.

The group discusses an article from the Science of Mind Magazine. The conversation is very interesting and engaging as it pertains to real life issues with a spiritual perspective. Here is a little snippet of one of the topics from Rev. Lesley:

"Ever experienced hunger in your life? Surprisingly, several of our members spoke of a time in their lives where they were hungry and were having struggles getting enough food. That meeting was powerful and reminded each of us there that can hunger affect anyone. 

We had read an article on Jeff Bridges and his passion to end hunger. The conversation morphed into a deep sharing of our individual experiences with hunger. AND … don’t you love how Spirit orchestrates life, that session was the week before the start of the Thanksgiving Food Drive! 

All I can say is WOW… I am so humbled by the depth of sharing each week, as we join together to share, laugh, and each evolve our consciousness together. This group is open to anyone wanting a Spiritual uplift."

This is a great group for anyone who might want the opportunity to chat about spirituality in a very safe and friendly environment. Come and check it out!

Ring in the New - New Year's Intention

Drs Kenn and Deborah join together to support us in setting our intention for the year to come. If you haven't spent some time picturing yourself, your life and the experience you would like to have in 2015 then you will definitely want to watch this talk. Grab a piece of paper and a pen and let Kenn and Deb take you on a journey to explore the desires of your higher self.

It's all About the Practice...

The Spiritual Practice that is.

Remember that tomorrow during our Sunday Celebration we will be completing the process of bringing in the new for 2015.

I know that for myself, my spiritual practice is one of the most important priorities in my life. If I let that slip everything else quickly falls out of balance.

If you would like to bring some more spiritual practice into your life this year, then consider taking Rev. Val's course - Living My Life Purpose.

Reverend Val Benedict is a newly licensed minister. She has been doing some specialized training in different spiritual practice techniques. She is excited to share these techniques with others.

Val has been leading the Board of Trustees in spiritual practice at our board meetings and I can say without hesitation that these have been powerful experiences for me.

Contact Rev Val at auntiewow@hotmail.com to find out more about this class.

Happy New Year! 2015 is the year for 'Building a Healing Consciousness'

And we have just the class for that - starting on January 12th at 7 pm.

Revs. Corinne Crockett and Jeanette Vinek will be facilitating "Building a Healing Consciousness". This course is one of the foundational classes in the first year Science of Mind curriculum. Based on the teachings of Ernest Holmes, students deepen their understanding and practice of spiritual laws.

Building a healing consciousness is an inside job. As someone who has spent many years trying to change the conditions in my life on the outside, I recognize the value of learning and using these transformational tools. Life really does get better. And the good news is that it is not hard work. Changing things on the outside is like pushing a boulder up a hill. It is exhausting. Changing our lives by setting intention in mind and then taking inspired action is exhilarating.

I also can't say enough about these beautiful facilitators. Both of them are experienced educators. They are also good friends so their work together is seamless. And just spend 5 minutes in a room with them. They exude a peace and grace that creates a loving and safe environment to explore, to grow, and to express.

In Corinne's own words here's is a little more about this class:

"I am so grateful for this teaching, and only wish I had found it earlier in my life.  It really holds the keys to living the life we desire.  It is amazing to recognize so many spiritual truths and keys within one teaching!  

It is so exciting facilitating Building a Healing Consciousness, as we explore and discover, even more deeply, the power of our thought in the awakening, enrichment, and expansion of our individual consciousness.  As we, together,  enter into Building a healing Consciousness, students vision for a better world, and deepen their understanding of the impact of changing old beliefs and thought patterns.  Students have the opportunity to open fully to being all we are meant to be and further transforming their lives.  It is so inspiring to be part of a course and process in which students begin to live their personal vision of a better world. 

Watching students light up as they grasp the principles and seeing the difference in their eyes, and in their lives is a delight!  As a teacher, I feel so blessed to be part of this process of sharing and exploring these powerful tools."

Email Jeanettef@telus.net to find out more about this class.

It's New Year's Eve - Are you ready to release something that is no longer serving you?

Here is a great talk by the doctors. Kenn and Deborah remind us that this is a great time of year to release. It is a time where we can reflect on our journey and determine if there is something that we are ready to let go of. There is a beautiful exercise in this talk that allows us to connect with that inner wisdom to identify something that we can release to make way for more good in our lives. Give yourself a New Year's Eve gift and enjoy this talk. Next week we will enjoy part two of this series.

It's that time of the year again! Join us for the World Healing meditation on December 31st.

This is one of my favourite annual events at the Centre for Spiritual Living Kelowna.

On December 31st we join together simultaneously with others all around the world and we meditate for peace on the planet.

What a beautiful opportunity to join in consciousness across the planet to raise our vibration and to bring healing to the world.

We know the power of our thoughts and our intentions - now imagine that power multiplied exponentially throughout the world as we all set the intention for peace.

World Healing Day, or the World Peace Meditation, has been happening since 1986. You can read more about it here. As a spiritual community whose great vision is a world that works for everyone - we take part in this global movement every year.

As this happens simultaneously around the world at noon Greenwich Mean Time - that means that we gather at the Peace Centre at the wee hour of 4 am. I know it is early but the good news is that I bet you don't already have other plans at that time.

It is early and it would be so easy to stay in bed, but I hope you will take this opportunity to be a part of something big. Come as you are - pyjamas, sweat pants, messy hair, no make-up - it is all fine at 4am. Just bring your compassion, your love, and your intention for peace on the planet. You make a difference in this world!

I would like to personally invite all of you to come and share this time of conscious awareness. I'll be at 2490 Pandosy at 3:45 am with the heat on and the candles lit, holding a space for you. I hope you will join me.

Afterwards we go over to Denny's and surprise the early morning servers with a breakfast rush at 5 am.

Amanda Pope