"This is my secret. I don't mind what happens."

J. Krishnamurti

It would be nice if everyone thought just like us and agreed with our opinions. That would make life easier and we wouldn't have to work our judgment muscle so much. That's not the way it is, however; and there are those people in our lives who push our buttons in a big way. Sometimes we can get away from them and sometimes, at least for now, it appears they are here to stay. I've learned to call them my current and best teachers, and I'm discovering the power of love if I can pay undistractable attention to staying in it no matter what.

I've watched anger and upset dissolve in an instant when there is nothing to push against. When I stay in my loving, anything unlike it dissolves. Jesus called it nonresistance. That is the secret weapon--love with nonresistance. We have heard so often "what you resist persists." Resist not. Be still in your loving. When others are angry and upset, they can't hear you anyway. Be still. Listen. Do not engage energetically. This all sounds so good and yet, we are human, and it isn't always so easy to do.

We all want to be loved but we have not been taught how to love well. I think it is time for the great suffering from lack of love to end on the planet. The more we practice living in love....."What would love do here?".....the easier it becomes. It is the perfect tool to have in your conscious living tool kit. When we become love and cease having anything to prove, we are finally and exquisitely free!

Our affirmation for the day: Today I reach out with love. I send love to people everywhere. I know that as I love, I am loved.

In peace and love,    

Rev. Karen Wylie

Appreciation and Thanksgiving

What a wonderful success our Ruiz event was, and what a great Sunday altogether. It started early in the morning with our service at the Symphony of Life. Our sanctuary was filled with so much energy and happiness with our special guests, the dancers from the Movement of Agape and also Marianne Lewis who always brings such wonderful joy and vitality with her every time she performs for us. We were uplifted with their beautiful music, spirit and enthusiasm!  

In addition, we are blessed with a new member of our congregation, Rev. Jeannie 'Viveka' Fitzsimmons who plays the Native American flute. Rev. Jeannie played during our meditation in the morning and also at the Ruiz event. She performed in the afternoon along with the Movement of Agape dancers. Enjoy the pictures below which will give you a taste of our great day on Sunday, August 21.

Movement of Agape 

Marianne Lewis

Patricia Cardinali

Ruiz event  

Special Guest  

We also had a blessing this past Sunday with Rev. Michael McCurtis as our musical inspiration along with Patricia Cardinali. Rev. Marilyn Miller was our guest speaker. It was a great Sunday of inspiration in word and song. We feel grateful to be surrounded with so much talent!

Rev. Michael McCurtis

Patricia Cardinali and Rev. Jeannie 'Viveka' Fitzsimmons

Rev. Marilyn Miller 

Volunteer of the Month 

Our Volunteer of the Month for the month of September is Amira Webster. 

Amira Webster 

We are so grateful to Amira for all the ways she has served the Symphony of Life. She has been in charge of the bookstore for several years, has worked on several events in the past, and recently she was the dynamic team leader for the Ruiz event which was such a great success. Amira set her mind to bringing don Miguel Ruiz to Ojai, and through her perseverance, she was instrumental in creating a very successful event for our spiritual center. She says she serves in the ways she can to support the community and to help it grow and be successful.   We are very grateful to her for wonderful service. Thank you Amira!    

Rev. Greta is Coming to Ojai 

I'm pleased to welcome Rev. Greta Sesheta from the Agape International Spiritual Center.  She will be our guest speaker on Sunday, September 18.  Rev. Greta teaches the classes on prayer at Agape. You may recognize her from her many appearances as an actress on television and elsewhere.  She is the sweet presence of love itself, and we are blessed to have her with us.     

Rev. Greta Sesheta 

New Fall Class

Rev. Karen will be teaching an 8-week class, Science of Mind 102, The Nature of Effective Prayer, on Thursday nights beginning on Thursday, September 15, 7:00 to 9:30 PM. Registration: $50; Tuition: $125 (payment plans are available).  Location in Ojai TBD.  The two books that will be required reading are Prayer by Ernest Holmes and The Science of Mind also by Ernest Holmes.

This is a class that will facilitate individual spiritual growth through reading, exercises and personal interaction. You will be given tools in this class that will become part of your Conscious Living Tool Kit. We will examine the creative nature of thought and develop a greater understanding of life and of our individual relationship to God.  

Please plan on having your books by the first night of class.  (No prerequisite required.) Contact Rev. Karen at (805) 640-3743 for more information. Sign up now.

Creative Adventures Summer Program 

A deep and profound thank you to Rev. Will Castagna and Steve Weed who facilitated our children's program this past Sunday. We welcome children 3-11 years of age to enjoy prayer, story telling, visual arts projects and/or music and movement. Our program is enriching and appropriate for young people regardless of their religious backgrounds. Please call Rev. Marilyn Miller, (805) 640-0498 if you are interested in assisting with the children.

Thanks to all our wonderful volunteers for the don Miguel and don Jose Ruiz event!

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