Center for Spiritual Living Midtown

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.