Austin Recovery held its first Spirituality and Recovery Fair to educate faith professionals on addiction and recovery, and bring more spiritual services to clients
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Austin-Based Drug and Alcohol Treatment Center Expands Spiritual Resources for Clients
Patience is the Mahayana Buddhist virtue that overcomes anger. According to this religious point of view, an angry mind is the result of ignorance, and when we act out of anger, we always cause ourselves spiritual harm. We often harm others when we act out of anger, but we always harm ourselves. So, from this spiritual perspective, we need to eliminate anger from our minds. We do this not by suppressing our anger, but by eliminating the ignorant way we conceive of those persons and things that cause us to become angry. Suppressing anger can cause psychological problems, but eliminating the causes of anger always results in psychological and spiritual health.
We become angry because of a deluded view we have of ourselves and the persons or things toward which our anger is directed. The deluded view, in general, is that the world consists of independent, discreet objects, which we divide into ourselves and others. We think that each of these things has an identifiable nature, but this is not the case; we are simply projecting onto an ever-changing reality, a world made up of what we think are permanent things with permanent characteristics. When we become angry, we are viewing a thing as permanently bad and hateful by nature -- it is as if this thing is pervaded by badness. We also project the characteristic of being "permanently me" onto a collection of body parts and mental states that is continually changing. We vigorously defend our sense of having a permanent self and become angry with anything we view as causing harm to this self.
This false way of viewing a world of permanent things is called a "delusion" in Buddhism. When we let go of the deluded view that we have a permanent and independent self and the deluded view that there are things pervaded with badness, we eliminate our anger. Although this is easier said than done, it can be done -- this is what Mahayana Buddhist practice aims to accomplish. When we eliminate this deluded way of viewing a world of permanent things, we become a Buddha and experience true and lasting happiness. Someone who has the aspiration to become a Buddha in order to lead all others to this true and lasting happiness is called a Bodhisattva. The practice of patience, along with five other virtues, is the path to becoming a Buddha.
A Bodhisattva cultivates patience by meditating to eliminate the beliefs that lead to anger, as well as to cultivate the beliefs that lead to being patient. He or she then integrates the results of meditation into daily life, and this process of meditation and integration eliminates anger and develops the virtue of patience. Meditation of the type I am discussing is more than what is commonly called "mindfulness." Mindfulness meditation and mindfulness practice attends to what is going on in one's mind. Being attentive to what is going on in your mind cannot by itself eliminate anger. You also have to assess whether the state of mind is positive or negative and employ methods that eliminate the negative states of mind. Mindfulness practices often include the technique of just allowing the negative states of mind to pass rather than acting on them, but it is far more effective to eliminate the patterns of thought that result in anger. To do this, meditation practices must include contemplation of the reasons why anger is a delusion and the disadvantages of anger. This type of contemplative meditation gives us additional ammunition in the battle to eliminate anger. We need to give ourselves the mental resources that allow us to let go of our anger and eventually eliminate it.
In your daily life, remind yourself that anger is a delusion, and that there are many disadvantages of being angry. I have already explained why anger is a delusion. Now, let's look at some of the disadvantages of anger.
Anger is a very unpleasant and disagreeable emotion to experience. No one would choose to experience anger for its own sake. Anger is not necessary in order to motivate us to protect ourselves and those we love from the harmful acts of others. It is possible to love someone aiming to do you harm and still prevent the harm. When you do this, you protect both yourself and your adversary from the harmful effects of their bad behavior. Anger causes us to act in ways that we often eventually regret, because we are not in full control of ourselves when we are angry. We cannot think clearly when we are angry, so we make serious mistakes in thinking and doing as a result.
Anger causes us to distance ourselves from others, because we appear repulsive and threatening when we are angry. Anger is the root cause of all wars, and wars cause widespread death and destruction. Anger can cause us to say hurtful things, even to those we dearly love. Anger can cause us to kill those we love, and it can even lead to suicide. Anger has serious negative karmic effects, such as consuming virtuous potentials in our minds and ripening as future suffering. There are many other disadvantages of anger. There are, also, many advantages of being patient, and you can include contemplating them during your meditation sessions to develop patience.
To complete your practice of using contemplative meditation to develop patience, you must integrate the results of meditation into your daily activities. When you encounter a situation that is similar to what has caused you to become angry in the past, remind yourself that anger springs from a deluded view of the object of your anger and that there are no advantages to being angry. You can rethink your view of the object of anger so that it doesn't appear repulsive, and this will help you let your anger go.
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NORFOLK, Va., June 19, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Beliefnet, the comprehensive multi-faith online resource for inspiration and spirituality, has hired Sam Bhatt as Vice President of Sales and Development. Bhatt will be responsible for overseeing Beliefnet's digital media business development and sales strategies.
Bhatt has successfully managed online media for digital companies including New Iron Media, the Jordan Group, and the Salem Web Network. He specializes in online media strategies and tactics, along with best-practice approaches for growing and mobilizing display, email lists and social media vehicles.
"I'm thrilled to be joining the wonderful and successful team at Beliefnet," Bhatt said. "Working in the digital media and religious fields, I've gotten a chance to appreciate Beliefnet's commitment to fostering an online spiritual community."
"Sam's previous experiences in ministry, digital media and cultivating relationships provide an exciting combination that will prove a major asset as we continue to grow as a site and spiritual community," President and CEO Steve Halliday said.
Bhatt is also an international public speaker, senior pastor at his church in Colorado Springs, Colo., and budding author. He received his bachelor's degree in Theology from Emmaus Bible College and earned a MBA from University of Dubuque.
About Beliefnet
Beliefnet, a property of BN Media, LLC and a recipient of the National Magazine Award for General Excellence Online, is the most comprehensive multi-faith online resource for inspiration and spirituality, and helps people improve their lives, solve problems and find comfort, hope and strength. Its mission is to help people find and walk a spiritual path that instills comfort, hope, strength and happiness for people who are exploring their own faith or curious about others. Whether spirituality, health and wellness or wholesome family entertainment, Beliefnet has something for everyone.
About BN Media
Through its three operating companies -- Beliefnet, Affinity4 and Cross Bridge -- BN Media is the definitive online resource for information related to inspiration and spirituality. BN Media provides award-winning inspirational editorial and video content through mainstream and faith-based channels. The company's mission is to inspire positive thought and action.
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Beliefnet Announces Sam Bhatt as New Vice President of Sales and Development
The Rev. Gerald Jerry Fagin, a longtime Loyola University faculty member who wrote extensively about spirituality and the teachings of St. Ignatius of Loyola, died Thursday of cancer at Ignatius Residence. He was 74.
Father Fagin moved to New Orleans in 1973, when he started teaching theology at Loyola. During his time there, friends said, Father Fagins ability to communicate profound spiritual truths in ways that lay people could comprehend made him a beloved figure.
People always looked to him as a solid, peaceful, centered man with a lot of wisdom about him, said the Rev. Fred Kammer, director of Loyolas Jesuit Social Research Institute. He was a consummate spiritual director.
He had a zeal for the spiritual life and sharing the spiritual life with many people, said the Rev. Edward Ted Arroyo, rector of the Jesuit community at Spring Hill College in Mobile, Ala. He tried to help people get in touch with their spirit and the spirit of God at work in their lives, Arroyo said.
Father Fagin relied heavily on the writings of St. Ignatius of Loyola, the founder of the Society of Jesus, better known as the Jesuits, said Thomas Ryan, director of the Loyola Institute for Ministry. This message, Ryan said, was at the basis of Father Fagins teaching: He wanted people to know that God loves them that was the bottom line in a deep, enduring and unconditional way.
A native of Dallas, Father Fagin graduated from Jesuit High School there in 1956 and entered the Society of Jesus at St. Charles College in Grand Coteau later that year. He earned bachelors and masters degrees in philosophy at Spring Hill and three degrees at Regis College in Toronto: masters degrees in divinity and theology and a licentiate in sacred theology. He earned a doctorate in theology at St. Michaels College in Toronto.
At Loyola, Father Fagin was an associate professor of religious studies, chairman of that department and rector of Loyolas Jesuit community. From 1996 until last month, he was associate professor of theology in the Loyola Institute of Ministry.
In 1989 and 1990, Father Fagin was the Jesuit provincial, the leader of the order in a 10-state region stretching from New Mexico to South Carolina. During that period in New Orleans, Ryan said, he brought students from his class at Jesuit High School to the Federal Building to meet the Rev. Daniel Berrigan, who was leading a nonviolent protest after church workers were murdered in El Salvador.
Later, I learned that the U.S. attorney disapprovingly noted that this wouldnt be happening if the Jesuit provincial were present, Ryan said. Jerry stepped forward and noted that he was present and approved.
Father Fagins books include The Holy Spirit, which he wrote with J. Patout Burns; Putting on the Heart of Christ; and Gods Dream for You, which will be published posthumously.
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Loyola University educator, author the Rev. Gerald 'Jerry' Fagin dies
When it comes to matters of religion and spirituality, West Australians are pretty much divided.
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Spiritual values will equip one with the tools to cope with lifes worries
Our thinking affects our emotions and behaviour. Suicide prevention programmes, to be more effective, must bring about transformation in the attitudes and perspectives of our youths towards life. For instance, it is crucial that youths are taught to acknowledge that life is complex and often unfair, and that everyone will inevitably go through extreme experiences of disappointment and sorrow at one time or another.
With the right attitude and perspective, these experiences are not so insurmountable that suicide is considered the best and only way out but are opportunities for self-examination and growth.
A person with suicidal thoughts is at the boundary between life and death, between hope and despair. This involves issues of a spiritual nature. Inculcating core spiritual values can give them the right perspectives of these boundaries.
First, youths must be taught that in times of trouble, they can call upon a spiritual resource for comfort and help.
Second, youths must be taught to accept a worldview that there is a higher intelligence, purpose or order that gives meaning and reality to the events and relationships in their lives.
So, if we believe that there is a divinely ordained sovereignty over all of us, then, when we go through extremely bad experiences, our response can be one of acceptance and how we may emerge a better person out of adverse experiences.
Third, youths inculcated with core spiritual values will have a community in which their transcendent reality and worldview are validated. These youths will not be alone and support through difficult times will be readily available.
These core spiritual beliefs cut across all religions. Once embraced, they give everybody the inner strength to ride through the worst crises in life. Only then are we attending to suicide prevention at the root of human behaviour, one that is not just inherently psychological but spiritual as well.
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COPING WITH LIFE: Teach them to seek comfort in spirituality
When I entered college in 1975, I never anticipated that I'd expand beyond my 149-pound, 6-foot 1-inch body. But even as my jeans slid from my 29-inch waist, my family obesity genes were gaining traction.
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With a drum roll and turn of the tassel, Cardinal OHara High School launched 329 graduates into the world at commencement exercises recently at Villanova University.
I feel relieved. Its finally over, said Daniel Gouck, an elated member of the Class of 2012. Its a great school. I love the community.
Before the conferring of degrees, OHara Principal Marie Rogai commended her pupils for negotiating an unusual year with ups and downs, one that included a teachers strike at the outset.
As you anticipate life after high school, know that you have many opportunities to find your way to success, she said. Know, too, that your greatest success, your greatest accomplishment, will come at those times when you have to work through the struggle.
Find your struggle. Dont live your life avoiding challenges and dont be afraid to ask for help.
In addition to their diplomas, graduates were showered with 87 academic and community service awards. The schools president, William McCusker, praised the class for amassing nearly $15.5 million in scholarships.
Repeating a plea he made the night prior at a baccalaureate Mass held at the Cathedral Basilica of S.S. Peter and Paul in Philadelphia, McCusker asked the class to continue their support of Catholic schools.
Catholic education needs and will continue to need active, generous graduates, he said.
Before entering the Pavilion to see his son Ryan receive his diploma, Jim Kelleher explained why it was important to send all four of his children to OHara.
We believe that getting them off on the right foot and having spirituality in their life was key for us, he said. Continued...
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Day's Best: Spirituality Double: Missiszippy and Ice Splendour. For live action from the turf, log on to http://www.telegraphindia.com/race
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Many different getaways, from Astronomy to Spirituality and Hands-on Experiences,can be tailored-designed by Seven Directions Custom Tours to inspire an exciting and unusual vacation.Santa Fe, New Mexico (PRWEB) June 12, 2012 Seven Directions Custom Tours offers captivating ideas to overcome both the constraints created by the economy and the shrinking free time most travelers encounter. The new ...
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Seven Directions Custom Tours Presents Summer 2012 Getaways Ideas for Shorter Vacations
To me, spirituality is about more than simply self-realization. It also involves self-expression. The art of awakening is to both "know yourself and show yourself." When we wake up to the wonder of life there is a deep "love of being" that demands to be expressed by bringing love into the world... by contributing to the collective through being creative.
I have worked all my life in the arts and as a spiritual philosopher, so I have always been keen to combine the two. I love conveying deep ideas through books, music, performance, and so on. So I was delighted to have the opportunity this year to create a short film with director Nick Ralph exploring the experience of awakening in a simple, vivid and experiential way.
My hope is that we have created a poignant little film that will touch both those who have an interest in spirituality and those who don't see themselves as spiritual at all. I feel this is important if we are to share the possibility of awakening with as many people as possible in mainstream culture.
So in this blog I want to do more than give you just words. I want to offer you a feast of ideas and images by sharing our short film... as a gift of inspiration. Let me know your reactions. If you enjoy it please share the film with your friends and social media. Love is only truly love when it is shared.
Deep love,
T!M
For more by Tim Freke, click here.
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Spirituality: Science answers 'how,' faith takes 'who, why'
Ten years ago, I met a man in the psychiatric ICU of the hospital where I was serving as a chaplain. The man was in a real crisis as he struggled with his childhood views on how God created the
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Ten years ago I met a man in the psychiatric ICU of the hospital where I was serving as a chaplain. The man was in a real crisis as he struggled with his childhood views on how God created the world.
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Father's Day is almost here. - 6:32 pm The Star-Gazette is compiling a list of public events, exhibits and talks being held to mark the... - 6:32 pm A lit candle that was knocked off a dresser caused the Thursday evening fire at an apartment...
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This article is an exploration of theater and spirituality. First, the personal experience and then the theater from the historical perspective and that of the audience.
I am a theater artisan or craftsman. In this role one is often paying dues from one project assignment (show) to the next and must rely upon his or her own character strengths, ethics, and integrity to navigate the unstable financial environment, unclear directions and ego-driven participants of the show.
The development of these strengths for me began with being raised a Catholic which gave me a basic Christian code of ethics. In my teen years I watched my peers develop physically and psychologically, making choices and adopting the viewpoints of their peers without proper evaluation. In adulthood I still see many adults compromising their integrity.
After many years and different project assignments (shows) I have discovered that every project (show) holds a personal lesson or message for me as I discover the beauty, the ironies and the patterns in life. And thus, I have found that the creative process, live theater and the performing arts have become the religion that I practice.
Mounting a project or show in theater becomes a pressure cooker of human dynamics. Often the bigger story is behind the scenes and is equally as challenging and dynamic as the finished product that appears on stage.
Each project (show) requires intense collaboration with others, all according to each ones understanding. One must be able to objectify ones experience, stand back and see what motivates the other collaborators and see how they are creating synergy. Once one commits to a project (show), there is no way out and the contained adventure begins.
I have been fortunate to have been able to hang onto the early ethics as sometimes after a project (show), the only thing left that is of value to one personally is simply knowing that one has acted with integrity, wisdom and grace, no matter what the perceptions of others. Aside from financial success, real proof of success in theater is the artistic success.
In the arts one strives for perfection. Now in my 50s, I have come to the conclusion that letting go of perfection is the fullest expression of the divine and yields a more holistic result. Letting go of the outcome requires an extreme act of faith. You dont know where it will lead you. It is always uncharted territory. The creative process is about letting go, preparing oneself with all the skill, research, inspiration and support before setting out on the journey.
Once completed, there is a feeling of joy and exaltation that is almost overwhelming. It can give one a clear picture of how the forces of good or the divine personality are manifested and rally around one.
My most recent project (show) was The Full Monty at Capital Playhouse in Olympia. While The Full Monty appears on the surface to be sexually titillating and shallow, it is a modern musical with its roots in Greek tragedy. It reveals the state of our social policies and their impact on the relationships of men and women.
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Beijing, June 8 (IANS) Minus strong spiritual support, a great power like China won't last long, the Communist party's People's Daily said Friday in a commentary on the life and death of a bus driver.
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By TIMOTHY LOGUE tlogue@delcotimes.com @timothylogue
Cardinal O'Hara's Jessie West is all smiles during commencement exercises Wednesday afternoon at Villanova University. ERIC HARTLINE / Times Staff
RADNOR With a drum roll and turn of the tassel, Cardinal OHara High School launched 329 graduates into the world at commencement exercises Wednesday afternoon at Villanova University.
I feel relieved. Its finally over, said Daniel Gouck, an elated member of the Class of 2012. Its a great school. I love the community.
Before the conferring of degrees, OHara Principal Marie Rogai commended her pupils for negotiating an unusual year with ups and downs, one that included a teachers strike at the outset.
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Graham Elliot combines food, music and spirituality at his new West Loop restaurant.
Chef Graham Elliot unleashed his latest food concept on Chicago's West Loop Tuesday with the official opening of g.e.b.
The new restaurant, located at 841 West Randolph Street, is being dubbed as a synergy between food, music and spirituality.
The decor is described as "church meets rock & roll," not surprising from the man who's curated Chowtown at Lollapalooza over the past couple of years.
A vintage Marshall amplifier stands in as the restaurants host stand and reclaimed church pews are used for seating in the 60-seat dining room. Record covers from '70s and '80s rock, pop and punk bands grace the menus and diners can request the albums be played during their meal. Catholic Saint Candles are also part of the decor, but replaced with the faces of notable Chicagoans like Mayor Emanuel and Michael Jordan.
Jacob Saben, who's been a member of Elliot's culinary team for four years, steps in as executive chef and offers seasonally rustic dishes under $20 that are made up of only three ingredients per plate, and broken down into five categories -- Cold, Hot, Pasta, Sea, Land and Sweet. (View Dinner Menu)
The restaurant offers lunch, dinner and weekend brunch service, and a late-night menu.
Oh, and no reservations are accepted. Because when you're rock & rollin' all night and partying every day, who has time to plan?
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Spirituality: The lesson of a difficult plane landing
The one thing you never want to hear your pilot tell you at 30,000 feet is, 'We have a slight problem.' Yet, that's exactly what I heard the pilot say about 25 years ago during my late-night return
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'¡Santo! Varieties of Latina/o Spirituality': Latin Participation in Pursuit of the Spiritual