"We all grow up with the weight of history on us. Our ancestors dwell in the attics of our brains as they do in the spiraling chains of knowledge hidden in every cell of our bodies."
-- Shirley Abbott
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In the Celebration Circle we honor and nurture the Sacred in ourselves, each other, and all Creation.
Thank you, Gary O Smith, for sharing your photos.
If you'd to receive a bit of the Circle every day, you can be part of the Inspiration Circle. A Daily quote will be e-mailed to you with love.
* To sign up, e-mail circle4peace@yahoo.com
with "subscribe" in the subject line and you'll receive our Daily Inspiration Circle e-mails.
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I can hardly believe my ears. Here I am, listening to a truly radical and compelling re-telling of the Great Story of Conscious Evolution occurring in our midst. About the underlying Oneness which connects all Beings. And the transforming power of Love, inviting us to become powerful co-creators of a New Reality. But I'm NOT at some groovy, New Thought gathering in Los Angeles or an ashram in Upstate New York - I'm at the Oblate School of Theology, a Catholic seminary located right in the heart of San Antonio, Texas.
It's not that the words themselves are so surprising. After all, I'm here attending a conference on "De-Mystifying Mysticism" this week, listening to the keynote speaker, Father Thomas Keating. He's one of the foremost teachers of the contemplative process known as Centering Prayer, a Christian form of silent meditation which has spread rapidly through countless mainstream churches over the past 30 years - largely because of his many books and lectures like this one. It's deeply affirming to hear this distinguished priest engaged in the passionate re-telling of the same Great Story which has been animating my work with the Celebration Circle for years. It's liberating to let go of my outdated and limited view of what "The Church" teaches. And it's amazing to witness this 85 year-old teacher speak so energetically and effectively for two solid hours, without notes and without pause, wielding his powerful intellect, humor, scripture and stories to great effect. To watch him hold the audience in this packed hall entranced, with hundreds of Catholic nuns and priests, Episcopalian deacons, Methodist ministers, Buddhists and agnostics alike perched on the edge of their seats, straining to hear his lively but soft, aging voice.
No, what's really surprising is to hear and feel the depth of the silence that overtakes the packed room when Father Thomas invites us into an extended period of contemplation (the term he uses for what I would normally call "silent meditation"). To feel how the theological boundaries simply melt away as we join in this deeply restful stillness; how easily we all seem to fall into that mystical space where hundreds of individuals embrace a mutually fulfilling wholeness, alone together.
Just then, a lone cricket starts chirping loud and strong from some unseen spot near the rear of the meeting hall. Somehow, his song provides the perfect musical accompaniment for this process. My heart is full to overflowing, smiling as I remember the lyrics to the old tune by songwriter Bill Staines: "all God's critters got a place in the choir; some sing low and some sing higher." To which I can only add a grateful "amen."
With hopes that you, too, are feeling the power of your unique "place in the choir," wherever you are, whatever you're doing...
 
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Sundays
THIS SUNDAY
"Lessons from Our Family"
Rudolf and Barry Krost engage in a lively dialogue about Family Constellation work. Family Constellations are a powerful form of energy healing that reveals the hidden dynamics in family systems. They create a living model of the family, allowing for an exploration of the deeper reasons for emotional distress, trauma, illnesses and spiritual confusion. They also demonstrate that we are really all one in a very profound way.
Barry is a highly experienced bodywork therapist and energy healer who will be in SA to conduct a free Introduction to Family Constellations on June 28th from 2-5pm, as well as a Family Constellations Workshop being sponsored by the Celebration Circle on July 17-19th. For more reservations or info, check www.barrykrost.com or e-mail Bunny Rush at bunnybrush@gmail.com
NEXT SUNDAY
"We Are One: Where the Major
Spiritual Traditions Converge"
Rudolf examines the areas in which the major world religions agree in their outlook. He'll also be cooking up some new tunes with the Circle Band.
Sunday Circle meets at 11:00 am
at the Jump Start Theater
located at the Blue Star Arts Complex
Building B
In the heart of King William
(near the corner of Alamo and Probandt) |
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Wednesday Meditation Circle gathers at 7:30 pm at the Quaker Meeting House, 7052 N. Vandiver, San Antonio (at the corner of Eisenhauer Rd. approximately 1/2 mile west of Austin Hwy.) Rudolf typically these weekly sessions with a combination of guided and silent meditations, well-suited to experienced meditators and beginners alike. Donations/love offerings are accepted and support the meditation circle's weekly use of the beautiful sacred space.
Children's Retreat
August 14-16th
Slumber Falls Camp, New Braunfels
Mark your calendar - we hope you can join us for our Annual Childrens Retreat, this year called, "Come Out and Play, Kids". Watch this e-newsletter for more details soon.
Photo by Gary O Smith
One People, Many Paths:
The Sacred Art of Altars
6th Annual Exhibit & Silent Auction
September 1 - September 30, 2009
Bijou Theatre at Crossroads Mall
The 6th annual art exhibit and month-long silent auction features a fascinating variety of unique, small-scale wooden alters designed and fancifully decorated by 55 South Texas artists, working across a wide range of media. The silent auction viewing and bidding is open to the public all month long during the theater's normal business hours, from 11:30am - 9:30pm.
RECEPTION: The silent auction concludes with a closing reception on Wednesday, September 30 from 6:00-7:30PM, featuring light hors d'oeuvres buffet, live music and a special screening of an uplifting film TBA. Tickets for the closing reception are $15 in advance; $20 at the door. |
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