Stillness. Connection with God. A universal oneness. 

Sitting in Cynthia Bourgeault’s spiritual practice during the 2017 Festival of Faiths allowed me to witness God in and around each and every participant inside a theatre on a Friday morning at 9 a.m. The energy in the room following the session was electric. It’s the only session that ended with everyone exiting after complete silence, with no wrap up or summary. Our connection to one another spoke volumes. 

Dr. Bourgeault said that putting the mind in the heart is the key to compassion, above action to do good, the act of being in the heart, energetically and emotionally, will have the most profound impact on your contribution to society. 

It’s no coincidence that your heart is surrounded by your lungs. Dan Brule says, “The most important journey we need to make is the 15 centimeters from our head to our hearts”.  And we can help make this connection by sitting with ourselves, focusing on our breath. 

Even Japanese Tea Ceremonies have gained popularity for their purpose of listening to oneself. 

Over the past few months, I’ve questioned my ability to listen a lot. Life, right? I can get so consumed with what is going on in my life, that I don’t really hear the needs of others, or myself. I hear that the awareness of this is the starting point though, so I strive to continue to make a point to intently listen. 

We’re going into a time of thanks and celebration. We can help make those moments mean more if we’ve take the time to listen to ourselves prior to engaging in celebration. We can also make our interactions more meaningful if we listen to those closest to us. 

Recently, Jaqcue Saltsman told me that she’s heard the analogy that ‘Prayer is like the question, and Meditation is the answer.' We ask for what we need in prayer, and receive in the stillness.  

I’m leading a Guided Meditation on November 16 about finding your strength. The fun part of this practice is that you're asking yourself for guidance, or maybe the God that is you, or the Holy Spirit, Divine Inspiration, Source where you are connected; whatever you believe, we’re going to go there. And we’re going to pray. Then we’re going to listen. 

Dr. Bourgeault says it is the actual practice of letting go, not the state you get to after meditation, that is your connection to God. This is where the good is discovered.

You don’t need a guide, you are the guide, and that is what excites me the most about this path. Everyone has the same opportunity to access their birthright, their greatness, their connection with God. 

Thank you for allowing me to be a small part of your magnificent journey and for being a part of mine.