The Paradox of Our Age  

"We have bigger houses but smaller families; more conveniences, but less time. We have more degrees, but less sense; more knowledge, but less judgment; more experts, but more problems; more medicines, but less healthiness. We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet the new neighbor. We built more computers to hold more information to produce more copies than ever, but have less communication. We have become long on quantity, but short on quality. These are times of fast foods but slow digestion; tall men but short character; steep profits but shallow relationships. It's a time when there is much in the window, but nothing in the room."

H.H. The 14th Dalai Lama

The Dalai Lama has given us much to think about as we move into this time of year focused on gratitude and thanksgiving. Ultimately, what are the important things in life? There are people on the East Coast who are having to ask that question from an entirely new perspective. What am I grateful for? What do I live for? We have seen that all the material things that seem to matter so much don't seem so important when faced with the loss of a loved one. I invite you to use this precious time of year to look around you and reset your priorities. To begin with, we can be grateful just to be alive, to be able to share joyous times and a good meal with loved ones, to appreciate all the gifts we've been given, many of which have nothing to do with the size of our bank account. Every moment can be a blessing if you choose to see with the eyes of love and acceptance.

Happy Thanksgiving, my friends! May your life be luminous with gratitude!

In love and peace,

Rev. Karen Wylie 

ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE WHEN YOU BELIEVE!   

Last Sunday during our Prosperity Campaign, we asked the congregation to write down three things they are grateful for in attending the Symphony of Life. Combining their statements of gratitude, we have created a special Thanksgiving gift which will be handed out this Sunday.

We are looking forward to the coming year of 2013 as the year where we'll experience exponential growth in prosperity, passion and purpose! We need your support to continue our vision, care for our home, and expand the programs and services we desire to provide locally and globally. No gift is too small or too large. Please make a pledge today and affirm your belief that at the Symphony of Life, ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE!  

Upcoming Events!

Gratitude Sunday

To continue with our powerful Sundays, on November 25, we are celebrating Gratitude Sunday with a special service and music. We invite you to be thinking about all the things that you are particularly grateful for! You will not want to miss this heart-opening experience!

Symphony of Life Annual Meeting and Holiday Potluck

Then, on December 2, we will be presenting our Annual Meeting right after service along with a holiday potluck. We invite everyone to bring a favorite dish to share on that morning. We shall give you a rundown on where we stand financially as a growing community, present the budget for 2013 and vote on the Board members for the upcoming year. Your participation is always particularly important at these meetings! In addition, the food will be great!

Symphony of Life Book Club

Our next Symphony of Life Book Club meeting will be at the home of Tiese and Bob Quinn, 701 Foothill Road, Friday, December 14, 7:00 p.m. We will be discussing our current book selection, Night Woods, by Charles Frazier. Dessert will be served. Bring a wrapped book for our holiday book exchange and a blanket (outdoor fire pit??). Contact Peggie Williamson, (805) 640-2450 for more information.

Symphony of Life Free Spiritual Cinema

Our November Spiritual Cinema Night will feature Healing: Miracles, Mysteries, and John of God, a documentary on the profound spiritual healing work that takes place at "the Casa," the sanctuary where Joao de Deus, or "John of God," has been the channel for healing hundreds of thousands of people.

This award-winning documentary by director David Unterberg takes viewers inside the walls of the Casa to witness physical and spiritual healings that transcend conventional medical understanding, and asks us to re-examine fundamental questions about life, faith and our interaction with the spiritual world.

The screening will take place on Friday, November 30, at Casa de La Luna, 710 S. La Luna Ave. in Ojai. Doors open at 6:30 and the movie begins at 7:00 p.m. Although the event is free, donations are gratefully accepted and go to Casa de La Luna Retreat for their gracious hosting of the event. There is parking on the property.

Mystical Mediterranean Odyssey

June 27 - July 6, 2013

Join Rev. Karen on an amazing Mystical Mediterranean Odyssey from the holy city of Rome, Italy to Istanbul, Turkey, cities filled with architectural wonders and monuments to the faiths that inspired them. There will be morning and evening meditations, led by Rev. Karen throughout the voyage. As we go back in time, we will take our own personal inward journey in discovery of the mystical in us. Below is the flyer which contains more information.

New YouTube Video 

Check out the home page of our website to see our YouTube Video!  

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