Center for Spiritual Living Midtown

The concept of God can be very abstract and seemingly disconnected from today’s world. Yet we all can solidify the idea of God into a real in-person expression of It. The greater truth is that whether we know it or not, we already do. Everyone does. The question is how much of the God idea can we express in the apparently solid world where we live? How much do we want to bring through? Why? Join us as we explore this outrageousness reality!

The rudder determines the direction of the ship. In our lives, attitude determines our perception. How we perceive is how we receive.

There’s a silence in this country right now. It shows up in the rooms where someone could have spoken and didn’t, in the conversations that ended early so no one had to feel anything real. That silence is costing us more than we know. This Sunday is not a meditation on staying calm. It’s a reckoning with everything safety has quietly taken from us, and a call to remember what we’re for before the cost gets higher than we can pay.  

You would probably agree that life is so much easier when people behave themselves and do what we want them to do.  Alas, very often that is not the case. So what happens when something happens?  Do we react in resentment, irritation and judgment, maybe even losing sleep?  Do we ever question “why” we get upset, remembering the words of Socrates, “the unexamined life is not worth living”?  When someone’s actions (or inactions) result in our anger, is there a way to turn that into positive action, or do we just deny or minimize and internalize our feelings? 

Fear is often seen as a threat to peace—but what if it’s a teacher? What if we consciously chose to see and respond with inquiry? This week we explore: What if fear isn’t the enemy—but a guidepost toward deeper understanding?

No matter how alone we feel, how distant the world feels, whatever we are going through, we are never alone. There is always a power greater than we are walking with us. We are not isolated beings, Spirit is always with us no matter what the world is showing us.

In this inspiring talk, we explore the idea that releasing what no longer serves us is only half the spiritual practice—we must also consciously welcome the greater good ready to unfold in our lives. The Law responds to expectancy, and when we create spaciousness in consciousness, we become more receptive to possibilities beyond what we can plan or control. Through themes of worthiness, openness, and allowing ease rather than effort, this talk invites us to trust that we don’t have to know how our good will arrive—only to remain open and receptive to it. QUOTE: “Desire is God tapping at the door of your consciousness” – H.Emilie Cady

How often do we take time to contemplate and focus solely on the All-ness of Spirit? How often do we know beyond a doubt that we’re never separate from our Source, even on our worst day? How often are we willing to see everyone and everything as being a part of that Universal Whole as well? Do we truly believe we’re part of creating a world that works for everyone? This week, Rev. Kit Holmes will guide us through these questions and more!

Wholeness is not something we earn or create—it is the eternal truth of who we are as individualized expressions of the One Life. As we awaken to our shared wholeness, we begin to see beyond separation, honor the Divine in every person, and discover that healing the world begins with remembering that no one is outside the heart of God.

Who we believe we are sources how we express in the world. This week we will dance with how laying down our masks and being authentic, opens the door to seeing the divine in everyone and expressing as the presence of divine love in all our relationships.

Beyond The Veil explores how fear can act as an invisible barrier that prevents individuals from reaching their full potential. Using the game show Let’s Make a Deal as a metaphor, the speech challenges listeners to consider whether they will choose stagnation, play it safe, or embrace the unlimited possibilities that come with courage and faith in themselves. Through the inspiring story of motivational speaker Les Brown, the speech demonstrates how perseverance, resilience, and a willingness to move beyond fear can transform setbacks into opportunities and ultimately change the trajectory of one’s life. “Life is a mirror and will reflect back to the thinker what he thinks into it.” Earnest Holmes

“Love Lifts Us Up Where We Belong” and it’s a not-so-subtle reminder that we are not meant to be bogged down in the problems and mundane situations of life. As spiritual beings we are meant to soar, to be overcomers, to fly high.

In a world experiencing an epidemic of loneliness, the glorification of violence and the resulting crisis of faith, how can we believe in love? Through an authentic and unflinching look at how we feel God has failed us. Our broken heart opens four doors to a divine and transformative experience revealing how we can find love right now, when we need it the most.

As spiritual beings, the truth of us is that we are the essence, expression and experience of love. But the fact of us may appear as very different. What gets in the way? Our rules, our stories, and sometimes even our shadow. We are invited, encouraged and even challenged to show up as love—what keeps us from doing that in every situation, and is there a way to return to love?

A group of monks cloistered in a monastery have much to teach us about living on purpose….and what do undergarments have to do with it? The power of intention is the focus of today’s lesson and what can happen when we move away from our choices.

Whether it’s brushing our teeth, repeatedly checking the news, or enjoying an after-dinner cocktail, we all have various daily habits—good or bad! The truth is that our habits matter more than we think—we can consciously choose ones that support our spiritual well-being. Can a short daily habit really change your life? Let’s talk about it!

In these rapidly shifting times, our communities are changing. Who do we become when our foundational relationships change? Doubting your place and God’s purpose for your life can either be the next powerful step in your spiritual evolution, or the internal fracture that impacts your resilience and strength. Extract the gifts from this very important doubt, and move toward the authentic power that comes from it to building a supportive community.    Q1: Where are you hiding your doubt because of what you might lose?" Q2: What doubts do you have that could heal your community and bring them into a more authentic relationship with each other? Q3: What doubt do you have about your own possibilities, and what is right in front of you now that proves you wrong?

The most dangerous thing in most spiritual communities isn’t heresy. It’s the performance of certainty by people who stopped believing years ago and never told anyone. This talk breaks that silence. Bring your contradictions, your collapsed frameworks, your faith that no longer fits the old container. The Divine isn’t threatened by your doubt. The only question is whether we can finally stop pretending it isn’t there.

Many of us learned that spiritual maturity means presenting the confident self—the peaceful self, the faithful self, the “I’ve got it together” self, the “It’s All Good” self. Yet our lived experience tells a fuller story. Alongside clarity there are questions; alongside faith there are moments of uncertainty. This week’s theme invites us to “debut the doubting self.” But perhaps the deeper invitation is this: to allow every part of ourselves to belong to the One Life that we are.

Self-doubt is one of the most universal human experiences, and often one of the most hidden. As we open our monthly theme of Divine Doubt, this talk explores how self-doubt, when rejected, can lead to disconnection, but when embraced with awareness, can become a powerful starting point for growth. Through the lens of Religious Science, we’ll look at how thought shapes experience and how bringing compassion and curiosity to our doubt can deepen our connection to ourselves, our community, and the Divine.

Quite often, we speak of love as a fleeting feeling, but what if love were not a fleeting feeling, but a daily practice that offers a chance to reveal who and what we truly are? How often and what would it mean for us to practice love as a sacred path to our true divine revelation? Are you ready to revamp, renew, and reapply a more powerful, authentic, and divine form of love? 

Live – Laugh – Love Turns out money can’t buy Happiness.

When we live from our heart we begin to realize we are not separate, we have a divine connection. The universe doesn’t care about our achievements, what we call our successes. The universe cares about our heart, and how well we have loved.

Easter comes to us at a time of the year when we are seeing renewal in nature. What about the renewal within us? If you put yourself into the Easter story from a metaphysical perspective, we ask what is the nature of the stone that keeps you entombed? Like Jesus, that stone cannot continue to hold me back.

Norman Vincent Peale coined this term, describing an approach to life that focuses on what is possible, rather than obstacles, fostering resilience, creativity, and a feeling that all good is possible. We know that our thoughts are creative, but do we allow Spirit to do the work in creating our most amazing life, or do we get involved with ideas of lack, limitation, IMpossibility, and “yes, but…”

Oh, how we love to fantasize, dream and talk about how we’d change the world “if only…” everything outside of us would only change first! Today, we’re deep diving in to the basics of spiritual law and how the creative process works. It all seems so straightforward when we hear or read about it.  So, why do we have such a difficult time putting it into practice?  Guest speaker and musical artist Rev. Kit Holmes will offer some helpful perspectives!    If you're getting spiritually fed, please condsider donating at https://cslmidtown.org/donate/ 

Have you ever felt spiritually clear and connected, only to wonder later where that feeling went? In this talk, we explore the dance between the ego’s story of “I had it, I lost it” and the deeper truth of our being. As we release conditioned identities and rest in present-moment awareness, we discover something profound: what we are seeking was never missing. The Self we truly are has always been here.

Am I making my own choices to create my life, or am I giving Race Mind the control? 

Our Global Vision is “Awakening humanity to its spiritual magnificence in a world that works for all.” Do we really mean that? Do we have any idea of how to put feet on that vision, to manifest it into the every day lives of all? What if we did know? What if the doorway to the answers we are seeking is right now, available? What if we had the courage to live it onto reality? 

Have you ever been on silent retreat and emerged seeing the world in a different way?   What does it mean to step into the mystery of life, to stand on the edge of what is known and trust that all is unfolding in perfect divine right timing?  Within the creative process, there is a space which holds the mystery of how things will unfold.  We can connect with our deepest innermost selves in silence. This week we listen to the unknown for the still small voice within to reveal the next right and perfect next move for ourselves, for how we interact with others, and for the world.  We delve into universal subjective consciousness and see what lessons we have to learn.    

Each of us is unique. We have a gift to share. It only gets shared if we walk our own path, and not the path anyone else thinks is right for us. We are responsible for our own life. We need to move away from blame, shame and victimhood. 

Living on the Inner Edge   And how the “Beatles” shared their love and enlightenment with the masses.    Unafraid of potential consequences! 

Oh man! There is no planet, sun or star could hold you, if you but knew what you are“. Ralph Waldo Emerson   Let’s Explore the Possibilities   Song – “Brave” by Sara Bareilles – Finding the courage to speak your truth. https://youtu.be/QUQsqBqxoR4?si=CktZYQfbG1u8tuhF 

This week, we explore the creative process and the richness of partnering with the natural world as inspired by the Indigenous wisdom of the Potawatomi people, as well as Chapter 4 of “The Science of Mind.” How can we deepen our intentional co-creation to include the well-being of all life in ways that create a world that works for all? 

We are living in a time when the illusion of separation is being challenged like never before. The spiritual invitation of 1-11 is to awaken — to remember that there is only One Presence, One Power, One Life expressing Itself as all creation. This talk is a call to clarity, compassion, courage, and conscious participation in the great unfolding of Spirit on Earth. The moment we awaken to the One, everything changes — including how we see ourselves, one another, and the world we are here to bless. 

What happens when we seemingly forget spiritual laws? Without choosing to create our experiences, our experiences will reveal what we may or may not realize we hold to be true. Using spiritual laws can consciously create our lives by choosing higher expectations and greater ideas. It’s not just a good idea, it’s the law.

Inspired by the Tracy Chapman song “Talkin’ ‘bout a Revolution,” Rev. Jeff invites us to adopt a revolutionary mindset as we move forward into the New Year. 

For many of us, 2025 has been quite a year.  And believe it or not, in just a few days, we will move into a new year, with a fresh new calendar.  So the question for us is, what are we carrying with us?  What are we stuck in or with that doesn’t really serve us?  Are we prepared to move into the new year, or will we stay stuck in 2025?  “Ye though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I need not stop and build a condo.”  You might have heard that expression before. Consider that the “valley of the shadow of death” may very well not refer to physical, but emotional death.  Resentment, regret, anger, fear, all keep us from expressing and experiencing all the good that life has for us, because, and you might have heard this before, what we focus on expands.  At any point, we can put down the hammer we are using to “build the condo,” release what no longer serves us, and keep moving through the valley. 

Harmony is Heaven’s 1st Law It does not need to be created, just revealed. The creativity is in what is mine to do in the revelation of that thing, which I see as a Higher order of Being   Song reference James Taylor - Shower the People

It is human nature to fear what we don’t understand. Sadly, some of God’s most exquisite creatures have been turned into “monsters” because of it. Today, guest speaker and musical artist Rev. Kit Holmes dives into how to rekindle our childlike wonder and curiosity so we see how deeply connected we are to all of God’s creations.