May 2012: Blossoming & Becoming

“If a great thing can be done, it can be done easily, but this ease is like the ease of a tree blossoming after long years of gathering strength.”  ~John Ruskin

In the springtime we experience what can be thought of as the "first harvest", with the second often more widely recognized harvest in the fall. If we were to apply the cycles of the seasons to the cycles of our lives, we would gain a great deal of insight about how to recognize the opportunities that are available to us and work more effectively with the energies of the times. For example, understanding the subtleties of the first harvest has important implications which are important to the development of our soul. For the first harvest relates directly to the emergence of the soul, because it involves the restoration of beauty and bounty to the earth; blossoming of flowers, new life, growth and greening. Love is literally in the air!

“The role of the artist I now understood as that of revealing through the world-surfaces the implicit forms of the soul, and the great agent to assist the artist was the myth.” ~Joseph Campbell

It might be helpful to think of the things that we experience in the springtime as being the work of the soul, and to take that a step further, understand that what is nurtured and harvested at this time, will have an effect on the quality of the denser second harvest of the fall. This is not necessarily about rigidly living by the seasons, but by understanding that these patterns which are revealed through nature are showing us something about manifestation and creation cycles and patterns, that are real and applicable to our lives in many areas, from relationships to businesses.

"Art need no longer be an account of past sensations. It can become the direct organization of more highly evolved sensations. It is a question of producing ourselves, not things that enslave us." ~ Angela Carter

The soul feeds upon inspiration and life force. It requires beauty and vitality to create something new and treasured from its depths. Exposing ourselves to and experiencing beauty is not an option, but just as nurturing to our being as eating and drinking. The flowers, foliage and insects of the first harvest are literally what give rise to the second, typically food crops which nourish our bodies. It is interesting to see the interplay of the two and how they are connected, with certainly one no less important, than the other. For surely if the body is weak and hungry, the soul has no vehicle, and if the soul is weak and hungry, the spirit and ultimately the body will wither.

The month of May, with its focus on mothering, flowering, nurturing and blossoming is a reminder to us all to give the joys and the artistry of the soul more weight in our lives. It reminds us that the work of the soul is anything but frivolous, for without it, we might be able to squeak by and survive for a while, but the reality is that we must allow our souls to open and bloom if we want to actually grow and thrive!

MAY AFFIRMATIONS
I am open to the expansion of my being.
My unique perspective and insight reveals my soul's purpose.
I allow my soul's purpose to emerge into the light.
I bloom and blossom as I focus upon my heart's desires.
As I find my place within my community, others can then find their place more easily.
When I work as a team, I am invoking the power of the divine feminine.
The soul's work is equally as important as any other work that I do.
I give the expression of my soul weight in my life.
I pay attention to all the aspects of my being.
I let love flow through my creations.
I create myself with intentions from my soul.
I contemplate and reflect upon my heart's desires.
I use my powers of manifestation for abundance of love, peace, purpose and joy.
I use the power of intention to create a beautiful life.
I work with Light to fill the darkness and reveal the truth of my life.
My life is my masterpiece and I live my joy.
Love is at the foundation of my every thought, word and deed.
I am loved and loving to myself and others.
I allow the petals of my consciousness to lovingly expand to the light.
I nurture and nourish my body, mind, heart, soul and spirit.
I call upon omnipotent forces for assistance with my life, including angels, guides, guardians and my higher power.
I trust the omnipotent forces that I call upon.
I reach deep into my soul, for I have purified my heart and reclaimed my inner child.
I set my inner child free to grow and mature into a loving,healthy, creative adult.
I am devoted to helping others to express their soul.
I honor the spirit of all things.
I recognize my darkness, lovingly turn it into the light and look to the sun.
I open my heart to the world, by revealing my soul creations.
I receive the abundance of my soul.
I trust my soul and free myself to express my true self.
It is safe to be me because I surround myself with those who nurture and support me.
Others nurture and support me, because I nurture and support myself.
When I help myself, helpful people are drawn to me and want to do the same.
If I allow others to be served by my soul's purpose, I will attract others who are awakening to their soul purpose.
I receive the bounty of the earth and the beauty of my soul.
My wisdom is important to the world.

ATA: Attracted to Addicts?

Have you ever noticed that the same people show up in your life over and over again? They just have a different name or a different face, but their actions and behaviors are the same.  Well, if so have a look at the following questionnaire and if you have answered yes to more than half of these questions, then this class: Attracted to ADDICTS? is for you. It will give you the tools you need to begin today to understand why you have attracted the same people over and over again and make the necessary changes to attract people who are in alignment with your souls purpose.

ATA3—attraction to addicts, addiction and addictive behavior

The Addicts’ Behavior
1 His/her mood swings can be sudden and frightening.
2 S/he seems to have no moral boundaries.
3 S/he can lie without blinking and continue to lie indefinitely.
4 His/her attitude is that the rules do not apply to him/her.
5 S/he habitually blames others for his/her circumstances.
6 S/he promises to ‘never do it again’ whatever ‘it’ may be.
7 S/he hides or minimizes the extent of use of any alcohol or drugs.
8 S/he does almost everything - from sports to food- to an extreme.
9 S/he can justify almost any behavior and convince you of it.
10 S/he has a difficult time being intimate or discussing intimacy.

Your Behavior
1 You feel guilty or ashamed because you have ‘found’ another addict.
2 You wonder how you ended up in this situation once again.
3 You find yourself being more angry than usual.
4 You have allowed the addict to change the direction of your life.
5 You often feel as though you must walk on eggshells around him/ her.
6 You are beginning to feel as though you are losing your mind.
7 You drink more than usual when you are with him/her.
8 You find it hard to believe that s/he is lying to you again.
9 You want to believe that things will change ‘this time.’
10 You worry about what others will think if you leave this relationship.

Join us for this weekly group and take a journey into the heart of relationship recovery with author and recovery advocate, Trina Hayes. Trina has authored a book called, Attracted To Addicts, along with a companion journal, which will be used for this class.

When: Every Thursday 6-7:30pm
Location: Church of Spiritual Light, 1939 Park Meadows Dr. #1, Fort Myers, FL 33907
Cost: $5 (donated to the space) Books may be purchased from Trina
Phone: 239-560-6314

"Attracted to ADDICTS? is a compelling personal story filled with factual insight about the reasons people are attracted to addicted, compulsive and other dysfunctional people.  It explores why ending a relationship with one addict often s sets the stage for getting into a relationship with another addict.  Most importantly, it give guidelines for finding a way out of the cycle through personal change." ~  Terry Gorski Founder of Cenaps, www.cenaps.com

Sophia Ceremony

By those who love her she is readily seen,

And found by those who look for her...

In every thought of theirs,

she comes to meet them.

-Wisdom of Solomon 6:12 and 16

Sophia Ceremony

Purpose of Ritual: 

Dedicate myself to the Goddess Sophia and asking her help in letting my past negative self go.

Ceremonial Materials:

Candles - 1 black candle (dissolve negative energy)

1 white candle (all healing)

Incense - clove, eucalyptus or lemon (healing, protection, energy)

Offerings - tree blossoms

Picture of White Dove

When to perform: New or Waxing Moon

Oil to anoint

Sage/Palo Santo Spray

Create Sacred Space

Opening Prayer

 North - I call upon the earth, Gaia, to surround me with loving energy and to assist me in dispelling negative energy in my life.

East - I call upon the air, to blow into my life and sweep away the negativity.

South - I call upon the fire to burn away the negative and cleanse my life.

West - I call upon the water to send waves of positivity into my life and take back the negative.

I now ask Sophia to come into my life and show me the way. I ask her to cleanse me and remove any negativity in my life. Please lead me on the path I need to be on to establish myself as a happy, healthy, positive person.

O Gnostic,

O Knower,

of the unity of Love and Wisdom,

the androgyny of Heaven and Earth,

and of Nature and Spirit.

O Knower

of The Great Goddess,

The Great Mother,

who calls herself

Sophia.

Holy is her name,

Sophia,

cocreator of all things,

earthly and divine.

Divine Love

lives with Eternal Wisdom,

together as one,

as a child in its mother's womb.

Sophia

gathers all of her children.

O Gnostic,

to you she calls

to fulfill the prophecy,

to manifest the vision

of Peace on Earth.

           

I call upon Sophia and her 3 daughters, Faith, Hope and Love

Take oil and anoint yourself on the forehead:

"Sophia, replace the negative thoughts with positive."

the lips: "Sophia, replace the negative words with positive."

the heart: "Sophia, replace the negative feelings with positive."

the palms: "Sophia, replace the negative actions with positive."

the feet: "Sophia, take me only on the path you lead me."

I thank Sophia for coming into my life, my heart, my soul. For leading me on the right path and bringing me to a more positive place in my life.

Closing & Release

East - I thank the air for your blessings.

South - I thank the fire for your blessings.

West - I thank the water for your blessings.

North - I thank the earth, Gaia, for your blessings.

Amen. Aho!

Source: sistersofearthsong.com/SOPHIA/SOPHIA.html
Painting by: Shiloh Sophia McCloud -  www.shilohsophiastudios.com/the-red-madonna/

April 2012: Soul Pursuits

“Ordinary riches can be stolen, real riches cannot. In your soul are infinitely precious things that cannot be taken from you.” ~ Oscar Wilde

Exploring the relationship between body/mind and heart/soul can lead us to a greater understanding of what may at first appear to be conflicting needs and desires. As we learn how to balance the needs of the body with the desires of the heart and soul, we come to see that it is less about balancing and more about dancing. We find that though it appears that the "he" inside of us, our mind may be doing the leading, in truth, if we actually want to be where we have lead ourselves, then it is the "she" within, our heart and soul, whose subtle cues "he" must read and protect. It is in this way that we reconcile and align ourselves with our higher and often hidden purpose.

“I put my heart and my soul into my work, and have lost my mind in the process.” ~ Vincent van Gogh

We sit on the precipice of a great golden age that is about to explode onto the planet. This has already been quietly building behind the scenes, bit by bit, little by little as we have made the decision to follow the instruction of the soul and pursue our dreams. Many of us decided to go with the soul after realizing that what we once thought was "secure" wasn't secure at all, so we might as well get some real security out of life. And that real security is brought about in the assurity that what we are creating is something that truly matters to us and pays dividends of intrinsic soul satisfaction all the time.

“You don't have a soul. You are a Soul. You have a body.” ~C.S. Lewis

We are coming into a time of the re-unification of the Divine Feminine and Masculine forces. Although we may think we have learned about these forces by observing the interaction between men and women, it really has little to do with men and women per se, for this unification applies to us all equally. Quite simply, it means that we are now going to be integrating our body/mind with our heart/soul, bringing all the intangibles back into play in our everyday lives. It means that we will use what we have created during this particularly mind identified time in history to help us bring back the magic, the things that really bring us joy, peace, harmony, serenity, fun, camaraderie, creativity, inspiration, connections, cooperation, bliss and love. This can only lead us to more of what our heart of hearts is really craving; deeper, more loving, soul connected relationships. It's time to completely re-focus our intentions around our heart's desires. No more settling. We've finally cleared the way, as we've purified and nurtured our hearts. It has never been a better time to follow the pursuits of the soul.

Sunday Talks with Rev. Renee Bledsoe
April 01 - Soul Pursuits
April 08 - Sacred Circle Altar - New Life Easter Adoration
April 15 - Anatomy of the Mind & Body, Heart & Soul
April 22 - Soul of the Earth
April 29 - Heart Centered Living

Soul Pursuits Affirmations
My heart and soul are the guiding forces of my life.
I purify my mind and body so that I may hear the whispers of my soul more clearly.
As my mind becomes the servant of my heart, my ego begins to serve my soul.
I setup my life to foster my soul pursuits.
I re-arrange, re-organize and re-prioritize whatever is necessary to follow my soul.
I allow my life to be informed by my soul.
What is good for my body, is good for my soul.
My soul and my body are one – there is no separation.
My body is the result of my soul’s individuation and deepening.
My soul is the culmination of my spiritual and physical unfolding.
Once I became physical, I was made whole.
No matter my conscious awareness of the state of my soul, I am whole and complete.
I am alive and awakened to the fullness of my human potential.
I anchor my individuated Self in time and space to reveal the mysteries of my soul.
My ego helps me to individuate and actualize my soul.
The more individuated I become, the better I am able to connect with others at soul level.
Personal boundaries, preferences, talents and skills help develop my soul.
My soul is to my spirit, as skin is to my body.
My soul has been set free to create and explore the Universe.
I experience the soul of the creator as I experience my own soul.
I connect to the oversoul of the mass consciousness for resourcing and collaboration.
I move in and out of solitude and activity with grace and ease.
The masculine and feminine forces are harmonizing within my being.
I balance and align the needs of the body/mind with the needs of the heart and soul.
I reflect upon my values, explore my heart’s desires and discover my dreams.
I bring back the magic in my life.
I give more weight in my life to the intangible desires of joy, peace, harmony, serenity, fun, camaraderie, creativity, inspiration, cooperation, bliss and love.
I allow the intangible desires of my soul to be made manifest
in real and lasting ways.
I re-focus my intentions around my heart's desires.
I give myself permission to pursue and follow my dreams.
I trust in and follow the instruction of my soul.

Divine Circle of Light: Metaphysical Bible Study

"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find;
knock and the door will be opened to you." ~Matthew 7:7

Come experience spiritual awareness as The Bible comes alive when the mysteries of this greatest Metaphysical Holy Doctrine is discussed from the I AM perspective.  God using Jesus as the example for us to restore wholeness and perfection through conscious choice as we become illuminated.

Open to everyone. Please come as you are no matter what your religious preference.
Meets 2nd and 4th Tuesday of each month.
Cost: $5 (Donated to space)

About Rev. Lureen Slater
Ordained minister, Founder of Divine Circle of Light, member of Church of Spiritual Light community, All Ministerial Services, Mathematics Teach for Lee County at Varsity Lakes Middle School, member of Truth Center for Higher Consciousness and member of Universal Circle of Enlighten Prayer Line.

Divinefamily@embarqmail.com /  239-823-0597

Revealing the Light Within

“If you would be a real seeker after truth, it is necessary that at least once in your life you doubt, as far as possible, all things.”  -Rene Descartes

How Do You Reveal the Light Within?

East - Detection (Paying attention to everything - Awareness of what inspires you)

South - Reflection  (Journaling/Writing - Take your own council first)

West – Contemplation  (Drawing cards, reading dreams & signs, conversations with others)

North –  Devotion (Service to Soul/Self - Tending the body in a way that honors body/mind/heart)

Center – Inspiration (Service to Others - Gratitude & Appreciation)

There is a secret, private moment, sort of an in-breathe that happens just before you can start the process of Detection and open to a deeper Awareness of what inspires you. It's called Surrender. But surrender doesn't mean what we might think it means.Think of it as surrendering to your soul and your Higher Self. And the reality is that there is that secret moment of surrender before we delve into any one of these aspects. Some of us are willing to engage in some of these, and already do. So the surrender comes in the realization that any one of these things without the other can lead to addiction and blockages.

“If you do not tell the truth about yourself you cannot tell it about other people.” -Virginia Woolf 

Yet, It's no wonder many people have difficulty connecting with the ability to surrender. It is difficult to surrender to something that makes you uncomfortable. You can take a look in the dictionary and get a sense of what the mass consciousness thinks about the word surrender. It's a fairly negative view. But it doesn't have to be that way!

Main Entry:  abdicate

Definition:  give up a right, position, or power

Synonyms:  abandon, abjure, abnegate, bag it, bail out, cede, demit, drop, forgo, give up, leave, leave high and dry, leave holding the bag, leave in the lurch, opt out, quit, quitclaim, relinquish, renounce, resign, retire, sell out, step down, surrender , vacate, waive, withdraw, yield

It is important to trust your feelings. And if you do not feel like surrendering, perhaps the true call is to think about what you DO WANT and surrender to that, instead of focusing so much on what you don't want. That is the call of the times as we turn into this new age. We are stepping into our creative powers in ways that can lead us to our soul unlike ever before.

"Blessed are the cracked, for they shall let the light in.” - Groucho Marx  

What the powerful process above does is ask you to surrender little by little to the different aspects of yourself. It's not asking you to even surrender to something outside of yourself. If you can reveal the Light within you. Where that leads you is indescribable! 

“Every man stamps his value on himself... man is made great or small by his own will.” - J.C.F. von Schiller 

Facing Your Light

You must come into divine union with yourself.

You are the one that you have been waiting for.

True love is within you.

You are the keeper of this treasure.

You love without reserve

Because you are unafraid to experience loss.

For nothing that has become a part of you

can ever truly be lost.

You are a creator.

You are here to widen the lens

of your perspective on your world

And to imagine and manifest

the magnitude of all that is you.

Embrace the dance of life.

Look on in wonder

at all the possibilities

with stars in your eyes.

See the brilliance

of Universal Law

And understand it’s power.

It is your birthright.

© Renee Bledsoe, May 28, 2006

www.AddictionAlchemy.com

“Your vision will become clear only when you look into your heart... Who looks outside, dreams. Who looks inside, awakens.” -Carl Jung 

Notes from Sunday Talk - March 11th, 2012 - Rev. Renee Bledsoe (Church of Spiritual Light)

March 2012: Magical Miracles

“I am the miracle.” ~ Buddha

Where do miracles come from? What is happening when everything aligns and what you want materializes right before your eyes? What's happening when it doesn't? Is it a miracle or is it some unknowable force driven simply by laws of manifestation? Having the answer to these questions, learning about the law of attraction and the other laws of manifestation will only take us so far. Having knowledge is important. But what is absolutely vital is for us to setup our lifestyle so that we can explore, discover and honor the desires of our heart and soul.


"That's the thing with magic. You've got to know it's still here, all around us, or it just stays invisible to you." ~ Charles de Lint


All the manifestation in the world of material items, won't ultimately satisfy and fulfill us if we are not using the laws of manifestation to give ourselves what we really want. Many of us don't know what that is. And that's what our journey is revealing to us. But we can use the laws of manifestation for anything, including the revelation of our life's purpose and to come to know ourselves more intimately so that we actually want what we manifest. I dare say, when we were born, that this is part of the master plan!


There are things that our soul wants to create that cannot be bought or purchased at any price. They are intangibles, such as love, peace, joy, friendship, community, synchronicity, cooperation, support, creativity, affection, time and bliss. Certainly the focus on manifesting money can appear to foster these things. But the truth is that we can manifest these priceless, miracles of life without money. And in fact, trying to make these things happen through our own force of will, usually ends up in heartache and disillusionment.


Miracles are natural. When they do not occur something has gone wrong.”


Conversely enough, when we begin to understand that we ourselves are the portal through which miracles are made manifest and the power behind our magic is our ability to reveal the Light from within, we will see all of the above magnetizing to us our heart's desire and all the resources, energy, cooperation, time, support and funds to see it so. We are the magical miracle makers. Come and join us this month, in revealing the Light of the Magician within so that you can tap into your heart of hearts!

Miracles are not contrary to nature, but only contrary to what we know about nature.” Saint Augustine

Sunday Talks with Rev. Renee Bledsoe
March 04 - Magical Miracles
March 11 - Revealing the Light Within
March 18- Sacred Circle Altar - Spring Equinox - New Birth
March 25 - Celebration of Life: Coming Alive!

MARCH AFFIRMATIONS

I embrace life and all it has to offer.

I take responsibility for my life.

I create my life now through the power of love.

I tap into my own creative life force to bring forth my bliss.

There is something unique about me that others want to experience.

I have many purposes for being and am open to harmonizing and synthesizing them into my life experience.

My life is a masterpiece of love and creativity.

My purpose is not to suffer, but to release suffering.

The release of suffering for the planet, comes first through my love and compassion for myself.

As I release myself from the path of suffering, I turn toward the path of love.

Everything I think, say and do is a manifestation of love.

Love is my reason for being.

Whatever I create opens the way for more love.

I allow myself to be loved.

Through me miracles are made manifest.

I allow love to live through me.

I acknowledge the magician within and take responsibility for my creations.

I am a creator God and Goddess in the making.

I am a co-creator with the Divine.

It is up to me to bring divinity to humanity through love, respect and kindness.

Whatever is physical is already whole, therefore, the only healing is the realization of this perfection.

I am a Master at the practice of Love.

All of my dealings are guided and protected by my love.

What I want, wants me.

As above, so below.

I am a miraculous, miracle maker of Light.