The Light

16 Pages·2010·1.46 MB·English

Consciousness. Integrity. Love.
THE COLORADO Ann ARboR
PEACE RIDE AtlAntA
Being the Peace
boston
GOING DEEPER ChARlotte
Love, Devotion & Meditation
ChiCAgo
CENTERS OF LIGHT DenveR
How to Get the Most Online
DoloRes
THE REAL WORLD DURAngo
Life as a Novice
MilwAUkee
MinneApolis
Selfishness new hAven
new YoRk
oAklAnD
Self lessness
A publication of
philADelphiA
Fal 2010 pRoviDenCe
Volume 2 | Issue 4
Display until November 30, 2010
www.CentersOfLight.org seAttle
“Bring into pLay the almighty
CO-DIRECTORS OF THE power within you,
ORDER OF CHRIST SOPHIA
Mother Clare Wats
so that on the stage of Life
Father Peter Bowes
DIRECTOR OF OUTREACH you Can fulfll your
Rev. Margaret Klapperich
the Colorado
peace ride
Being the Peace
this August 1st, the 2010 who they
Colorado peace ride came to a close will be riding for, what they will sweat
in durango, Colorado. the day was a for and what attitude they will maintain
warm one but hardly a match for all throughout some of the most grueling
the warmth felt in each person’s heart hours of climbs exceeding 11,000 feet.
that participated and volunteered on the road and at the aide stations,
over the course of four very intense, volunteers cheer riders on and people are
very breathtakingly beautiful days in giving each other peace signs incessantly.
southwest Colorado. the mission of
the Colorado peace ride (Cpr) is to on day three of the tour, the ride reached
provide non-proft peace workers with the spC where cyclists and volunteers
free or low cost retreats at the sophia alike, enjoyed a reception, dinner and
peace Center (spC) in dolores, Co. the presentation. riders like Vince halloran,
result is hundreds of individuals getting of Bikes for haiti, presented their causes
involved in a peace movement that is and video footage gave us a frst hand
groundbreaking and profound. Let’s just feeling for how the effort, sweat and
say we take the phrase, ‘peace be with work, would pay off in the end. during
you’ very seriously. the evening, everyone moved about the
35 acres of the peace Center, walking
the Cpr is not your typical bike tour. the labyrinth, learning of the mission of
the tone is one of camaraderie, kindness, the Center, connecting with one another,
compassion, and of course, peace. the enjoying the peace and quiet of the open
director, reverend isabelle begins each land. all present were invited to take part
morning with a circle gathering of all and contribute to the energy, intention
volunteers including medical, road and and motivation of the ride. not only
aide station crews, for a moment of during those few days, but every day...
silence to connect to one another and
to the riders and the ride itself. Keeping the peace ride is a way of life – it is a
in mind, amidst the business, heat and consciousness to be maintained in every
unknown day ahead, that the focus is facet of life; what you work for, strive for
peace and as such our actions, words, and care about. on august 1st, people
thoughts, minds and hearts must Be went home with not only a sense of
peace. we know that the only way to be accomplishment about the mountains
peace is to allow peace to be in us, and they had climbed but with a deep and
this is what the Cpr emulates at every peaceful knowing that all mountains can
turn of every spoke of every wheel. each be climbed when peace and love are the
morning riders are invited to set their motivation and the fuel. peace be with
“intentions” for the day in writing: what or you. ~ Rev. Rachel
ThePeaceRide.com
sisters Of the Order Of merCy
sOphiA; summer retreAt ChiLdren At the summer retreAt
JOnAh, ChristOpher & gAbrieL, miLwAukee nOviCes
going deeper: Love, Devotion & Meditation
A ship withOut wind goes and emotions and into the stillness of soul
nowhere. it just sits there, bobbing along inside. it is in this quiet that closeness with
on the great blue sea. the same applies to god can develop. this takes practice. so if
a spiritual life without love and devotion. you are serious, you will need to do this daily.
and it certainly applies to meditation. Many
people are beginning to practice meditation next, you need to learn how to tune in to the
regularly. But how many are actually getting spiritual world. you are a spiritual being with
somewhere? how many are getting the the capacity to perceive things spiritually.
boat out of the shipyard and into the water? But if you haven’t paid much attention
and how many are hoisting the sails and to your spiritual senses, they will have
being carried out of the harbor of their own atrophied. so you will need to practice this
understanding and into the vast ocean of also. it will be subtle at frst, but eventually
god’s love? Love and devotion are what the spiritual world will become more real
will take you from your own limitations into than the physical world which you assume is
god’s limitlessness. so concrete.
ReveRend dAvId
Meditation is not just about focusing and then you will need to cultivate your ability CORvInI began his training
relaxing; a successful meditation does not to receive. Many people pridefully assume with the Order of Christ Sophia in
come from mastering certain techniques or they are good at this. But with humility December of 1999 and was ordained
skills. real meditation is about developing you will likely see that you are controlling, a Priest in April of 2003. Rev. David
a relationship. in fact, it is about developing reluctant to open, or afraid of rejection. with served at the New Haven Center
the relationship – the relationship between scrutiny, you will also identify many habits
of Light for 7 years, ministering
your soul and god within. it will be the and wounds that prevent you from receiving
to the community and the men’s
greatest love affair you will ever know. god’s love. eliminating these blocks will
Novice program there. In January
require the courage of self-examination and
Closeness in relationship comes through transformation. if you are hoping for blissful of 2008, he and his wife Rev. Monica
truly giving and receiving. if you talk union with god without the work of personal moved to Brooklyn’s Park Slope to
without really giving or listen without really transformation, you are kidding yourself. But begin the New York Center of Light
hearing, the relationship will not be close. if you are willing to open in this way, god which they co-direct. In addition
the same goes for developing a relationship will be more than willing to fll you. to serving at the Center of Light
with god. if love and devotion are missing,
in New York, Rev David works
even if you go through the motions of prayer as you feel loved, you will begin to fall in
with children and teens across the
and meditation, you will stay in the shallows. love with god. there is no way you won’t,
country as a Youth Minister and
so how would one go about entering into the because god is love and your soul has been
depths? waiting for that love for lifetimes. god is with students in various countries
your real soul mate and when god’s love through the Centers of Light
if you want to enter into intimate union washes through you, feelings of love and Online International program. Rev
with god, you need to be alone with god. devotion to god will naturally grow in your David also works as an emergency
you need to fnd time away from your heart. that love and devotion will cause physician for St. Anthony Hospital
preoccupations and from your fdgety body, you to open wider and to sail further into
in Warwick, NY.
busy mind and seething emotions. you need the ocean of love. then you will really be
to learn to drop deeper than body, thinking meditating. ~ Rev. David 5
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selflessness or selfshness
in this seemingLy confusing this goal if everyone has to deal with me
world, you have two choices: selfshness or look at me or listen to me and i will
or selfessness. if you think about yourself get some satisfaction by the attention i
and what you are looking to get, then you demand and get. i am not particularly
are on the selfsh side of the equation. this concerned about whether anyone else
outlook on life regards every situation gets attention or becomes noticed. i am
with a view of how it affects you, what satisfed if i get what i want regardless
you can get out of it and whether you of what anyone else is trying to get. that
will have your purposes advanced by the is me being all about me, and therefore,
outcome. in other words, the selfsh style of selfsh. if i want everyone around me to
life looks at each event in terms of how it get noticed or be better than others, then
pleases me, how it gets me what i want and maybe that is a step up on the evolutionary
For over 25 years, whether i will gain in the process. selfsh scale and a little more conscious of others.
FAtheR PeteR BOwes is “me” centered without much thought But it is still selfsh for my personal gain. if
for other people or how what i do affects i want everyone, no matter who they are, to
has devoted his life in service to
anyone else. be seen and understood and cared about,
God as an ordained Priest and
then i am winding up on the selfess side
Master Teacher. As Co-Director
if i need to clean out my car and i see of the equation.
of the Order of Christ Sophia, he that there is trash on the foor or on the
teaches the ministers and guides seat, it will serve my purposes and make you might want to ask me, “what’s
the Centers of Light around the me feel better if i toss those things out. wrong with being selfsh?” or, “isn’t it
country. Known for his charisma where i toss those out makes a substantial a good thing to take care of yourself?” i
and sense of humor, Father Peter difference in whether i am selfsh or would say, “yes, it is a good thing to take
selfess. if i just toss them out of the car care of yourself because then you don’t
is also an accomplished musician
window onto the road, then i am serving make other people take care of you.” in
and author who has composed
my own interests and not in the least fact, you should take care of your needs
nine albums and three books about
concerned about who has to deal with that and be responsible in order to make
Mystical Christian teachings. He rubbish after it leaves my personal space. sure you are not depending and leaning
holds a Masters and a Doctorate then i am selfsh. if i concern myself with on someone else to do that for you. it is
degree in Educational Psychology. where i place that trash and make sure no kindness not to make others do for you
Father Peter lives at the Center of one else has to deal with it either, then i what you can do for yourself. it is true that
Light, Chicago. am being less selfsh. i might recycle and you need to know yourself well enough to
that will make me selfess since all people be able to decide what you want. no one
should recycle. can do that as well as you, so that is your
responsibility. there is also constructive
another example is if i want to be noticed selfshness where you have to know
in a group and do whatever it takes to what clothes work well for you and what
6 make sure people will notice me. i achieve cosmetics to use that will make you look
CentersOfLight.org
nice. that works. the problem starts when treated and you will notice what they need
you feel no care for what others feel and and try to help them get those needs met.
just do things regardless of the effect selfessness is the state of not referencing
your actions or words have on others. everything to you and just serving the
then that is moving over to the extreme needs of the situation and the people
of selfshness. when you don’t care about around you. when you understand love,
anyone else but you, you demonstrate you relax in the knowing that the universe
extreme selfshness. when you are selfsh, and god are taking care of everyone and
the feelings of other people are your no one person is more important or more
last consideration, and in that state of special than another. god takes care of
disconnection, you will step on people’s everyone and completely affrms the
toes and not even know that you did. goodness in each person. a selfess person
people will wonder what is wrong with you is working on the side of god where all
that you don’t see other people or care how life is supported and how you can help
your actions affect them. becomes an inward drive. Consciousness
of the wider purpose of life and existence
selfessness is the art of knowing begins to dawn in your heart as you
that other people are just like you with participate in the powerful presence of a
the same feelings and needs as you. you divine Consciousness.
will treat them as you would like to be ~Father Peter
AskFatherPeter.org
serViCes CLasses
sundAy serviCe intrOduCtiOn tO meditAtiOn &
Open to All • Followed by Brunch ChristiAn mystiCism
not your average sunday service! experience spirit moving understanding the laws of the universe isn’t easy, which is
through songs, prayers, and powerful sermons that bring you why the Centers of Light offer six sessions that explore the
into closer connection to god — the god inside your heart, foundations of Christian Mysticism. open to all, this class gives
inside your soul, to the god within. each service begins with an overview of what Christian Mysticism is and what mystics
a silent meditation followed by a sermon relating directly to do, and, most importantly, it offers participants a chance to
the spiritual needs of the community, fnally culminating in a experience the spiritual world frst-hand. there is no restriction
transformative Communion and personal blessing. on faith. you only have to believe that there is most likely a
power and intelligence that is higher than human intelligence.
free of charge.
dAiLy meditAtiOn & COmmuniOn
the beauty of god’s grace can be experienced with meditation bibLe COntempLAtiOn
and Communion every morning of the week. we offer a 30
minute meditation followed by a reading and Communion it is a fairly common experience to read a passage from the
service, which is a wonderful way to develop and deepen your new testament and ask, “i wonder what that means?” Bible
meditation practice. there is no better way to start your day Contemplation at the Centers of Light helps unravel the deeper
than to receive the love, light and peace of Jesus and Mary. all meaning in Jesus’ teachings by exploring our inner and outer
are welcome. life experiences and how they relate to the parables Jesus
taught. as a result, class members discover how these teachings
relate directly to their own lives and experiences. this class is
evening prAyers open to graduates of introduction to Meditation and Christian
Mysticism.
all are welcome to join us in ending the day with evening
prayers and songs. Community members from the Center
tree Of Life
of Light come together to thank god, Jesus and Mary for
the blessings of the day and offer songs of gratitude and
the tree of Life lessons are written for the purpose of unfolding
thanksgiving. Join us in spreading light into the world with this
the soul alchemically and opening up spiritual consciousness
form of joyful devotion.
to the wisdom of god. topics such as “what is light?,” “what
is love?,” or “what is the Creator?” are presented in a simple,
practical way that allows students to understand, discuss, and
contemplate their meaning. these ancient teachings are paired
with powerful hands-on experiences, giving students a tangible
way to connect to the reality of god’s spirit and power. this
class is open to graduates of introduction to Meditation and
Christian Mysticism.
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seMinars gatherings
mAster teACher seminArs COnsCiOus mOvie nights
have you ever walked out of a theater affected by a powerful
seminars from the Master teachers of the order of Christ
flm and wished for a forum to discuss it? if your answer is yes,
sophia are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to receive spiritual then movie nights at the Centers of Light are for you! these
teachings that can move mountains in your life. the old saying, monthly events provide the perfect way for people to connect
deeply after watching inspiring movies and share how our lives,
“one day with a teacher is worth 200 years on your own” applies attitudes, and perceptions are challenged and changed. at
to these enlightening and life-changing events. experience it the Centers of Light we dedicate the following flms to non-
profts that support causes related to the theme of the flm. this
for yourself by checking the enclosed schedule of events or
quarter, our offerings include:
contacting a priest at your local Center of Light.
september The Magdalene Sisters
Donations go to International Children’s Fund
OCtOber Khuda Kay Liye (In the Name of God)
ChristiAn mystiCism Donations go to Amnesty International*
nOvember Amistad
Donations go to Amnesty International*
Christian Mysticism is about being with god -- about listening
in deep meditation and prayer to receive god within. it is our intention for showing these flms is to bring awareness
about Love, not dogma or theology. Christian Mystics go to the challenges facing our world everyday. with this new
sensitivity, we gain the power to make conscious choices
beyond opinion, beyond belief, and beyond blind faith into real that help change the course of world events. any voluntary
experiences that can only come from knowing our Creator, who donations will be promptly sent to the organizations mentioned
above. in addition, we dedicate prayers to these causes in order
loved us enough to create us. have you lost this connection to
to support them materially and spiritually. we invite you to join
god? god is patiently waiting for you to reclaim it. us in any way, helping to change our world into one of peace,
justice and love.
* Donations to Amnesty International to support the 400,000 women who have
been captured, held and raped in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
CreAting yOur Life
prAyers fOr peACe
some of us travel through life knowing we are in charge of our
on the frst wednesday of every month, the members of all 14
destiny and that everything in our life is there by our choice. Centers of Light pray for peace, creating a surge of positive
we call ourselves “co-creators.” Co-creators know that when energy for people all over the world. open to all faiths, it is a
chance for hearts and minds to make a real difference in the
you take on the responsibility for your life, then you get all the world. people pray for the cause of the month: healing, spiritual
power to change it—to change it into exactly what you want it awakening, love, solutions to hunger crises, war — anything that
the world needs in order to become a place of peace. Join us!
to be. in this seminar you will learn how to use the laws of the
universe for your highest good and how to make a connection to fridAy night Lights
the divine that will bring the fulfllment you have always been
seeking. Come and learn how to be a conscious co-creator—and some Centers of Light hold a guided meditation event at
the end of the week called “friday night Lights.” Join us for
become empowered to change your life! a wonderful close to your work week and opening to your
weekend. this event varies week to week, however it always
begins with guided meditation, followed by an enjoyable
group activity. around the country, each friday night Lights
is different as we move with spirit and enjoy everything from
drumming around a bonfre, to watching movies, to playing
games. you can expect to leave this gathering with renewed
energy and an uplifted spirit, which will positively infuence the
rest of your weekend.
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Our spirituAL
COmmunity is a place
where real, meaningful
conversation can happen,
thanks to the high level of
integrity and honesty in
every relationship. spiritual
community gives us the
opportunity to learn, grow
and support each other in
our individual journeys to
god, no matter how young
or old you are, whether you
are single or married, with
children or not. activities
such as camping trips, movie
nights, picnics and cookouts
make spiritual community at
the Centers of Light an even
more dynamic and vibrant
part of life.