Portland Center for Spiritual Living Podcast

Faith does not come easily to everybody. Some struggle with the whole concept of a deity even existing, let alone being responsible for all creation. But, why not believe in God? This week, we look at faith and God from a pragmatic perspective.

The Great Thing Itself, what some call “God”, has no name, but goes by at least 1,000 names. We’ll explore the many names for “God” across different faith traditions and what those names tell us about “God”.

Is the course of our lives predetermined; one of fate? How much control do we have? What does that thing we call “God” have to do with it? Come find out as we explore the interplay of life, purpose, and God.

Happy Pride! Today is Pride Day here in Portland. Pride has been a source of confidence, self-respect and solidarity for the 2SLGBTQIA+ community for many years. Sounds like a spiritual practice we could all benefit from! [Oh, if you’re not clear on the whole alphabet soup thing, don’t worry, we’ll explain.]

Selfishness is putting one’s own needs before those of others. This is sometimes necessary, as in self-care. But, can showing care and compassion for others also be selfish? Yes, it’s what the Dalai Lama calls “wise selfishness,” and it’s so much better than regular selfishness.

Earth, Wind, Fire, Water – the four basic elements, each essential to life as we know it. This week, we take a look at the magnificent Intelligence at work in the Universe through the power of these four elements working together to create life.

All humans desire, and ought, to be free. In celebration of Juneteenth and July 4th, we look at the ultimate goal of life for all people, freedom from discord of every sort. And, it just happens to be one of the core principles of our teaching.

Every day, in every way, we are getting better and better, no matter what we think! How can we tone down any negativity in our lives, including negative self talk, so that we can truly live love louder?

What if there were one thing that could solve every problem, no matter what it is? No matter how big? No matter how entrenched? There is – The Golden Key.

Vulnerability is not being weak. Vulnerability is actually essential for real strength.

Our history, individually and collectively, lives in us, we carry it with us, and it informs and impacts our present experiences.

This week, we look at the profound importance of truth in our lives.

In our teaching, everything is from and of The One Divine Life. If that’s so, then isn’t everything sacred, connected to God in some way? Let’s explore how this expands our concept of what is sacred in our everyday lives.

Rev. Ruth Miller explores the possibility that our life, today, is in a different kind of womb--and we are about to be born.

There is a lot of what appears to be not Love active in our world today. Many of us ask, where is the humanity? It lies with and in us. As we renew our spirits, become our best selves, and have the courage to be non-conformists, we pave the way for more love in the world, a love that resurrects our collective humanity.

Ralph Waldo Emerson, in his essay entitled “Self-Reliance,” encourages us to be non-conformists, if we are to become our best selves. But, refusing to conform has its risks. How do we muster the courage to be a non-conformist, and be our best selves, in an age of constant pressure to comply?

As we experience constant change in our lives, we get to ask ourselves – Who am I becoming? What is wanting to express through me? This week, we explore how to cultivate becoming our next best self.

Life is cyclical, and sometimes chaotic. We go through periods of growth, hardships, renewal, sometimes in neat orderly cycles, and sometimes it feels like everything is happening all at once – growth in one area of life, decay in another, complete transformation in yet another aspect of life. Here’s the thing – we are changeless and constantly changing at the same time. It’s all part of the renewal of the Spirit within.

The ego gets a bad rap. We spend a lot of time, effort, and spiritual practice trying to not let it lead our lives, and that’s good! But, let’s not get rid of it entirely. The ego has a beneficial purpose. Let’s get to know it and learn from it.

Health includes not only our physical well-being, but also our emotional, mental, financial, and spiritual well-being. And, our body, mind, and spirit are a unity, such that what is good for one aspect of our well-being is probably good for the whole. In that light, we explore the wide array of “good medicine.”

Sabbath can conjure up images of strict religious observance, no play, and fear of retribution for breaking the rules. But, in today’s fast-paced world of instant news, endless social media posts, and cell phones that make us available 24-7, sabbath may be just what we need. Let’s take a fresh look at the idea of sabbath, and the many benefits it has to offer us in our hectic lives.

Peace! Everyone wants it, many pray for it, some even devote their life’s work to it. Yet, there is so much that is not peace in the world. How can we be the Peace we want to see in the world? And, does it make a difference? This week, we turn to some of the great advocates and practitioners of Peace and Non-Violence for inspiration.

We often think about love being a demonstration of a gift or kind gesture to give or to receive. How would life change if we saw love as a demonstration of who we truly are? Join Rev. Christine as she shares insights on the power of love as our true expression in the world.

Life is hard; at times, it can feel like we’re pushing against the current getting nowhere. It seems rational to find and take the easy way through it all. Afterall, why make it harder than it has to be? In our teaching, we often want to navigate a challenge “with ease and grace.” But, what if it’s not meant to be easy; what if the rough water, the struggle, is exactly what we need?

This month we go back to basics, exploring some of the foundational principles of our spiritual philosophy as a Center for Spiritual Living, a positive spirituality. At last – Freedom! That’s what spiritual living is all about. Freedom to live your best life. Freedom to live the life you desire. Sure, we have a belief system, but it’s based in Universal Spiritual Principles, not rules telling you what you should and should not do; instead, it’s all about remembering who you really are and being free to live as your unique Self.

No Hell, Only Heaven Within – This month we go back to basics, exploring some of the foundational principles of our spiritual philosophy as a Center for Spiritual Living, a positive spirituality. This week – Heaven and Hell. What are they, really? Are they actual places? States of mind? What is the relationship between them and our lives? As a Center for Spiritual Living, we positively “believe in” heaven, and it’s available to all. Come hear what that means and how to attain it.

This month we go back to basics, exploring some of the foundational principles of our spiritual philosophy as a Center for Spiritual Living, a positive spirituality. This week – Original sin? Salvation? What’s all that about? Well, here at Center for Spiritual Living, we have a very different take on sin. In fact, we don’t even use that word because it’s loaded with harmful misunderstanding; we teach the more positive and useful concept of cause and effect. Let’s explore this principle and what it means in our lives. (Oh, and by the way – you don’t need “saving”.)

This month we go back to basics, exploring some of the foundational principles of our spiritual philosophy as a Center for Spiritual Living, a positive spirituality. First up – God, what It is and what It isn’t. We believe in and teach a concept of God based on the simple Truth that God Is Love, and that God is all there is. That’s It. But, of course, we’ll have more to say about what that means.

As we approach Christmas, we look at Christ Consciousness. Attaining Christ Consciousness was not an accomplishment exclusive to Jesus of Nazareth; he was an example, not the exception. There is more “light” in the world now than at any time in human history. We contribute to it by letting our Christ Consciousness rise and being the Light of Harmony, Love, and Peace.

As we approach Christmas, we look at Christ Consciousness. Attaining Christ Consciousness was not an accomplishment exclusive to Jesus of Nazareth; he was an example, not the exception. At this time of year, when the Northern Hemisphere is at its darkest, we explore the work we need to do to prepare the way for our Christ Consciousness to rise, work that is often best done in the “dark”.

One hundred twenty seven years later the answer is the same. What are your thoughts? Your beliefs? What do you KNOW in your heart of hearts? Let’s delve into these questions together, creating an energy that unto itself will be a gift!

The Buddha taught, “My teaching is like the finger pointing at the moon. Do not confuse the finger for the moon.” We teach, we study, we learn, we meditate, we pray. But what is it all for? Is what we do the moon, or the finger?

The election is over and the votes are in (hopefully). Now what? How do we move forward, together, when some are filled with joy and some with despair? Is it even possible? How is it possible? Let’s explore what’s next, as loving spiritually minded people living in divisive times.

Awe is a powerful experience, a spiritual on ramp. Dr. Dacher Keltner defines Awe as “the feeling of being in the presence of something vast that transcends your current understanding of the world.” In that, lies transformation, for our health, our relationships, and our experience of life.

Gratitude is a spiritual super-power. We close-out our Partners in Prosperity series by looking at the role of gratitude in both growing our prosperity consciousness and simply helping us live happier more fulfilling lives.

Our society constantly bombards us with messages of scarcity. But, all the important things in life, all the things that help us feel prosperous – none of them are scarce. It’s a spiritual law of the universe – nothing is pie!

Ernest Holmes said we should wish for no private good when we pray, that what we desire for ourselves we should desire for all humans. We Are One; whatever prosperity means for each of us individually, therefore, is true prosperity only when it is available to all.

What do you think of when you hear the word prosperity? There’s a good chance you’re thinking of financial freedom. While prosperity can mean that, the fuller meaning of prosperity is so much more than that. Let’s explore, together, what prosperity means in the larger scope of our lives.

When it feels like everything is falling into pieces, Truth reveals there is a pathway of Peace amidst the chaos. Our individual presence matters and every action and intention to reveal Peace makes a difference. Today’s message is an exploration into “What is mine to do to reveal Peace on Earth?”.

There’s a point in every process where things are not what they were, but not yet what they are becoming, and how we manage this liminal state is key to what we will experience. On this Equinox weekend, Rev. Dr. Ruth will offer ideas from various cultures, psychology, and the metaphysical science of New Thought that can guide us through these times.

Source matters. This can be considered on many levels. Is something a “fact”? What’s the source? Are you feeling anxious? What’s the source? Delving deeper and deeper, when we touch upon the True Source, the One Source, all becomes clearer, lighter and easier to heal. Our lives can be knitted together like an elegant tapestry or knotted together in chaos. Likely, a combination of knitting and knotting. Let’s explore the process of unknotting, of moving closer to the One Source, which is Ultimate Unconditional Infinite Love. And expose more of the magnificent tapestry you are.

Life is always responding to our predominant thoughts and actions; Dr. Ernest Holmes says, “where the mind flows, energy goes”. We truly are responsible for living our best life.

Stuck in the past, with feelings of resentment and anger? Anxious about what you need to do today? Worried about the future? There’s a spiritual practice specifically for each of these “time.”

I have to get this done. I should go visit so and so. I need to work. It’s easy to bemoan or even resent the “have to’s” and the “I should’s”, the things that feel like unwelcome obligations. But what if we changed our attitude to “I get to do stuff”? It just might change our experience of life and our relationships.

If you can’t see it, does it exist? If you see something that can’t be explained, does it exist, or does your brain create a thought to make it exist? Let’s look at some fun stuff that happens and determine if we can really be God in human form!

Many people like to tell us what we ought to do, and why. It can all seem like a lot of confusing disorienting noise, especially when it conflicts with what we know interiorly about who we are and what we are meant to be and do. How do we navigate the noise and find our path?

The Lakota People, as well as other Indigenous Peoples, celebrate Sun Dance during the hot summer months. It is a profoundly sacred time of prayer, community, and healing. In honor of Sun Dance, Rev. Bridget shares what she has learned from Lakota elders about prayer, generosity, respect, wisdom, and humor.

It’s so easy, isn’t it? We all do it – judge others for actions we believe are wrong. Sometimes we simply cannot imagine any circumstance under which the action taken could ever be the right thing to do; it’s wrong, period, end of story. But, what if there really is more to the story?

Joy simply IS, it’s a Universal Truth. It has tremendous benefits for our overall health. Yet, when facing adversity, or when simply caught up in the busyness of life, it can be difficult to find and experience Joy. But, it is there, and we can find it.

Freedom has many expressions, such as freedom from persecution, violence, and lack, and freedom to learn, thrive, and be one’s self. This week, we celebrate July 4th by exploring how freedom of different sorts has changed the lives of three young immigrants to the United States.