Spirit Journeys Newsletter

Hope this finds you all well and getting into the Summer Spirit (you know, outside more and lots less clothes!).

My life is full of change right now. It's not that it really isn't always full of change; it's just that I'm more aware of it at the moment because the changes are "bigger".

As most of you know, Spirit Journeys is my vocation, not my occupation. It has come time for me to move on from my current "day job" at IBM, so I'm out looking for a new position. It's been 12 years since I've actively looked for work and it's taking some getting used to.

I find it interesting to watch the doubts and insecurities that come up as I move forward in this new direction in my life. It's kind of like I'm recognizing old friends as I feel these emotions come up: "Oh, I remember you. You're fear of being rejected" or "I know you, you're the voice that says that I'm not good enough".

Although fear, doubt and insecurity were never really "welcome" friends in my life, there were times when they sure "hung around" a lot! And there have been many times when I wasn't even aware they were there; they were just lurking in the shadows.

As I now begin writing yet another new chapter in my life, I find myself excited about what the future may hold and enthusiastic about reaching out toward that future. Now when the old friends of fear and doubt come by, I just say "Thanks for stopping by. Sorry I can't chat right now. I'm just too busy living my life".

Remember, the Universe is conspiring for your betterment!

Much Love and Many Hugs,

Howie

Calendar Updates

We have a last minute addition to the calendar! Hunter Flournoy will be leading a workshop titled The Erotic Body of Christ. The title alone is sure to raise a few eyebrows! It is being held at our beloved Bodhi Manda Zen Center and runs from September 16 through September 19. Join Hunter for what will be a radical, playful and passionate exploration of the deep erotic wisdom at the heart of the Christian mystical tradition; using the true teachings of Christ to help heal the wounds of organized religion.

There is still space available at the Tantric Tribes workshop at the Bend of Ivy Lodge is coming up on June 17th. Ray Whetstone presents an incredible four days of Tantric practice, naked yoga, connecting with yourself and connecting with others.

Our next Kirkridge event is Welcoming Happiness in July. Come explore what happiness is, our blockages to it and how to find it in each moment. Breathwork and partnered touch are just two of the things that will be offered this weekend.

Both the 18th Annual Summer Retreat and Authentic Eros are filling faster than normal this year. So, if you're thinking of attending either event, please register soon to insure you get a space!

Check out our Calendar of All Events for other upcoming retreats and journeys.

This Month's Special Focus

An article about how we define our lives.

SpiritFund Information

Thanks to SpiritWear sales and your generosity, a scholarship was awarded in June that is allowing someone to attend the Tantric Tribes Workshop.

No matter how you choose to support SpiritFund, either with direct donations or by buying items at SpiritWear, know that you are making a difference in people's lives. To date seven people have benefited from SpiritFund.

Donations and applications for scholarships can be made online at the SpiritFund page. On the SpiritFund page you will also find a list of Frequently Asked Questions that should explain everything about the scholarship program.

Total Donations Last Month: $0.00
Profits from SpiritWear Sales Last Month: $0.00
Total Income to Date: $2557.00
Total Expenses to Date: -$108.00
Total Net SpiritFund Income to Date: $2449.00
Number of Scholarship Applications: 31
Total Number of Scholarships Accepted: 7
Total Amount Awarded: $2425.00
SpiritFund Balance: $24.00

Through The Eyes...
by Howie Holben

At our "Intimacy and Eros" weekend in April, one of the questions I asked the guys to journal about was "What is intimacy?" As you might expect, there were as many answers as there were men in the room. What I found interesting was that virtually everyone defined intimacy by listing what was missing in their life; by what they wanted more of or felt they did not have at all.

This really got my attention. I saw that a common way of how we define things in our lives, and our lives in general comes from a place of "lack" and not from a place of "abundance".

Maybe this way of thinking is taught to us; maybe it's even part of our genetic code. After all, it is what we want or need more of that help us survive and move toward goals; even perhaps goals as basic food, shelter and love.

But I have seen all too often that looking at life through the eyes of lack only increases suffering in our lives. If all we see are the things that are wrong with us, wrong in our lives and wrong in the world around us, that is all we will experience. If all we see is the "bad", we will only have "bad" in our lives; there will be no room for joy.

Some of my friends call me a Pollyanna and to a certain degree I would have to agree with them. I do choose to see what is good in the world, in my life and in the people around me. It does not mean I am blind to evil, it just means that I refuse to give evil power in my life.

As a boy, I was taught that the thoughts we think and the words we speak (especially the words we speak) carry great power; that it is these words and thoughts that manifest themselves in my reality. Looking at my life, I can see that what I was taught as a boy was true; perhaps one of the greatest truths I was ever taught.

So, for me, it's a balancing act...combining desire and yearning for more from life with a deep sense of appreciation and gratitude for what I already have been given. This helps keep me from seeing through the eyes if lack and it allows me to see through the eyes of expecting abundance in my life.

-Howie Holben