This is a beautiful video of how things can be when we work together rather than compete or view others as “The Other” – hope you enjoy it on this happy Easter morning!

What is a contemplative practice?

It is a practice that can be active or still, religious or not, that brings you to the present moment, stills your mind chatter and helps you to focus, center and reconnect with yourself and the Divine.

Contemplative practices have many varied benefits, but in general, they tend to focus the mind and instill a deep sense of calm, peace and awareness. Every religion has some form of a contemplative practice within its arsenal of practices. Some of them include movement, such as the Sufi whirling dervishes or yoga; and some are much more still…such as meditation.

The benefits of incorporating a contemplative practice into your life include:

• Quiet the mind
• Develop Compassion
• Awaken consciousness
• Become aware of interconnectedness and unity
• Reduce Stress
• Enhance creativity and creative problem-solving
• Develop the ability to live proactively rather than reactively
• Ability to deal with the complexities of life

Some examples of Contemplative practices include:

Centering Prayer – this method has its roots in Christianity and the guidelines are as follows (taken from Wikipedia – according to Basil Pennington):
1.    Sit comfortably with your eyes closed, relax, and quiet yourself. Be in love and faith to God.
2.    Choose a sacred word that best supports your sincere intention to be in the Lord’s presence and open to His divine action within you (i.e. “Jesus”, “Lord,” “God,” “Savior,” “Abba,” “Divine,” “Shalom,” “Spirit,” “Love,” etc.).
3.    Let that word be gently present as your symbol of your sincere intention to be in the Lord’s presence and open to His divine action within you.
4.    Whenever you become aware of anything (thoughts, feelings, perceptions, images, associations, etc.), simply return to your sacred word, your anchor.

Remembrance – this is the standard practice of Sufism and is similar to Centering prayer in that a word (in this case, the name of God, Allah) is repeated over and over again, often done aloud. The focus is on the heart.  This technique is aimed to gently open the ear of the heart, to listen with the heart. With the ear of the heart you can hear the whispers of love from the divine.  The Ah sound opens the heart opens the crown chakra and the divine vibration flows in. The “La” sound, and the La sound splashes the love into our hearts, scooping it up and drawing the love into our center.  After several minutes the floodgates open and the heart is filled with divine love and mercy.   Old wounds are healed, old grudges are forgiven, fears melt away, and the heart leaps with gratitude before the awesome mercy of God.

Walking a Labyrinth
A labyrinth (unlike a maze) has only one path leading to the center and back out again. There are no dead ends.
When you walk a labyrinth, you meander back and forth, turning 180 degrees each time you enter a different circuit. As you shift your direction you also shift your awareness from right brain to left brain. This is one of the reasons the labyrinth can induce receptive states of consciousness. It can also help to balance the chakras.
Each person’s walk is a personal experience. How one walks and what one receives differs with each walk. Some people use the walk for clearing the mind and centering. Others enter with a question or concern. T

Prayer Beads these can include Catholic rosaries, Hindu/Sikh “mala” beads, Islamic “tasbih” beads, etc. The repetitive nature of the prayers associated with each bead tend to help you clear the mind and focus on the heart.

Some other practices I haven’t included her are yoga, tai chi, rituals and ceremonies, mindful walking…What kind of contemplative practices are part of your life now? If you have none, think about one or two that you’re willing to try. Even something as simple as a hot bath with scented candles once a week can do wonders for the soul!

I’m often asked – what is an Interfaith minister? My short answer is that as someone who has studied and has an understanding of all the faiths, I can more easily minister to people from their own viewpoint. While I have my own personal spiritual path, I can work with someone from their own path without the need to convince them of my way or convert them to another way. I believe that we are unique individuals and God, Spirit, Allah, the Universe, etc. speaks to us in many ways. Different ways resonate with different people, and so they can follow a path that leads to the Divine that works for them. The director of my seminary, Rev. Diane Berke states:

“The implications of the“>A Course In Miracles” teaches that a universal theology is impossible, but that a universal experience is not only possible but necessary if we are to awaken from the dream of separation that has led to so much suffering. Experience is the realm of practice, and it is here that we can truly meet and enrace one another as brothers and sisters.

It is my sincere hope that this manual will be a support for you on your journey. And may the fruits of our individual and collective practice be of benefit to all living beings, and to the earth.”

Blessings,

Rev. Tricia

12-Week Program (begins February 2010)

1)    Soular Blueprint

Receive a copy of your astrological chart to determine which sign governs each area of your life. This will be used as we progress through the program to determine the potential and theme for each area of your life. You will need your birth date, time and location.

2)    Weekly Astrology Call going through each part of your life (1 part each week)

• Body, House
• Personal Finance, Material Possessions, Resources
• Community, Neighbors, Siblings, short-term travel, Education
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• Job, Tasks, Health, Service
• Business Partnership, Marriage
• Taxes, Inheritance, Death
• Higher Education, Foreign travel and relations, Religion/Belief Systems
• Career, Social position
• Groups, Friends, Associations
• Transcendence, Hidden Information, Loss

3)    Monthly Q&A Call

• Get your life purpose and healing questions answered
• Get clarification on the astrological significance of that house of your chart

4)    Monthly Energy Healing Call

• Call in for group and individual distance energy healing sessions
• Your chance to have 10 minutes of personal time with me for spiritual coaching, direction and healing.

5)    Recordings of all calls to listen to forever

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I really loved this video which really explains what is going on with the shifts we are experiencing here on earth. It doesn’t really matter if you believe all the things she discusses in here. What is really important is the bottom-line message: Love is the Answer.

I think the message is so clear and so simple – LIVE FROM THE HEART. We are moving from being mind-centered to being heart-centered. When we are in our heart, we are attuned and aligned with the energy of the world, of Source and of our very being -  and we can “hear” much more easily and life flows more smoothly for us and for the entire planet.

Kiesha in Zurich from kedarvideo on Vimeo.

Our decisions need to be made from the heart – no longer the mind. We need to remember who we are.

Call for a free strategy session: I can help you live from your heart! Patricia@TheBlissfulSoul.com

My all-time favorite Christmas song is “The Little Drummer Boy”. I think it is a beautiful story of being yourself, knowing your gift and sharing it with the world. Please be gentle with yourself and know that you are enough just as you are – and you have something that only YOU are uniquely created to share with the world. Do you know what that is?

This is a unique rendition by Bing Crosby and David Bowie. I love the message of Peace on Earth. It’s one of my missions and passions in life. I hope you enjoy it – and remember, we are all One – no matter our religious preference, race, gender, sexual preference or country of origin. We are all equal in the “eyes” of the Divine.

I believe that once we are all living and sharing our unique gift with the world – there will be hope for a better, more peaceful world. If you would like help with determining your gift and living it, please feel free to contact me at Patricia@TheBlissfulSoul.com for a F*R*E*E session to see how we can move you forward.

Merry Christmas to all our Christian friends and Peace on Earth to ALL!!!!! Many blessings during this very holy season.

Deep Love to you,

Rev. Tricia

Today I was interviewed by Terri Craig of the Houston chapter of eWomen’s Network. She has a radio show in which she interviews successful women. We had a really nice chat about my background and how I got to be where I am today – doing what I love! We also talked a little about the work that I do and at the end I gave a few words of advice to those of you still out there in jobs you’re not happy with, wondering if that is all there is to life.

Here it is: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/realwomenrealresults/2010/12/09/the-terri-craig-show-real-women–real-results-1

I’d love to hear from you what you think of it!

Love and Blessings to all of you!

Rev. Tricia

Head over to www.charterforcompassion and join us!

One of my missions in life is to help spread peace on earth – I believe that the way to do this is to learn about people who are different from us and not judge things we don’t understand or agree with. This is a big reason why I became an Interfaith Minister.

The charter for compassion was created with the idea that we need more compassion in this world and towards each other. I hope you will find it important enough to sign along with the rest of us!

Peace and Blessings to all of you!

Rev. Tricia

I just wanted to share this beautiful video created by several Interfaith Ministers from different seminaries. Remember what we can do together!

Remember to keep peace in your heart!

Love and Bliss,
Rev. Trish

Last night I attended the Interfaith Women’s Ramadan Iftar hosted by Brigid’s Place and Christ Church Cathedral. This was a wonderful dinner in which a variety of women came together to share a meal and discuss both commonalities and differences.

It began with a short program in the church. Opening remarks were made by Muffie Moroney, the representative from Christ Church Cathedral. This was followed by a short history of the iftar presented by  Maida Asofsky.  She shared how the tradition began as a Seder with Jewish women heading each table and in the past few years the iftar was added. Kafah Bachari Manna added her perspective with a beautiful speech regarding the misconceptions about the subservience (or not!) of Muslim women and a tribute to her mother, grandmothers and aunts who came before her. And finally Dr. Elora Shehabuddin of Rice University gave a talk on misconceptions about Islam and Muslim women in particular. This was followed by the sound of a cannon and the Adhan, the Muslim call to prayer.

We then went into the hall to break the fast with dates and chai, this was followed by the evening or Maghreb prayer. Then we went to assigned tables where there were at least two Muslim women. The idea was that these women would head the table and lead the table in discussions around their unique life experiences. Our table actually discussed everything from the weather, to the best places to live, to our individual careers and interests – just like any other group of women geting together for the first time! The favorite topic, however, was the incredible food. This was a feast full of food representing typical Ramadan foods from all over the world. Lentil soup, rose-infused juice/tea, nuts, rice, chicken, kebab, dolma, salad, eggplant, two types of bread, sweets, etc. We were ready to pop by the end of it!

At the end of it this was a beautiful evening that I would highly recommend in which “women of all faiths will unite to celebrate and honor Muslim women’s contributions to the arts, sciences, religious and academic scholarship, politics and everyday life.” Ramadan Mubarak!!