There is a movement afoot, the roots of which are ancient and the branches of which spread heavenward and embrace all life. It is all there is and all we are. It is LOVE, plain and simple. Yesterday one of my patients in the psychiatric hospital where I am employed as a social worker, inquired about my religious orientation. He was hoping for a particular answer, that my beliefs were in alignment with his. Perhaps he was disappointed when I informed him that love is my religion and God is too big to put in a box. He looked at me like I was from another planet and perhaps I am. I had told my parents many times that I was an alien baby left on their doorstep. My practice is eclectic, being an interfaith minister and all; ordained through The New Seminary in New York in 1999, the motto of which is “Never instead of, always in addition to” . I was raised Jewish and went to Hebrew school until I was 16. I can still read Hebrew and love the prayers and chants, calling out the names of the Divine and it actually led me to my attraction to kirtan (sacred Sanskrit call and response chanting) and then ecstatic dance and drumming, yoga and meditation. Each of these rituals keep me mindful of the connection with all that is. What I practice off the mat or the cushion is even more telling. I do my best to see Good/God in all circumstances and all people, regardless of appearances. I judge less and honor more. And I know that I am work in progress.
While on facebook today, which, believe it or not, can be quite a spiritual place in cyberspace, I came across a posting from one of my facebook friends named Brian Piergrossi. He spoke about a project based on his book called “The Big Glow” which is all about being genuine, authentic, real and in touch with the sacred in every aspect of life. It is contagious and elemental, no frills, bells or whistles. It is viewing the world through the eyes of awe and wonder which is my preferred method.
According to his website, Brian is an “International Life Coach & Counselor, Spiritual and Meditation Teacher, Comedian, Musician, Healer and Poet,
At the age of 20 years old, Brian was suddenly struck by a mysterious, debilitating illness, later labeled chronic fatigue syndrome, that lasted for years, leaving him in intense, daily, physical pain and too weak to effectively function in society. When no medical or other authority figure could explain the suffering that was happening to him, Brian made it his life commitment to inquire into human suffering.
What began was over 12 years of committed, serious inquiry, study and personal application into the fields of spirituality, religion, psychology, sociology, cosmology, ecology, health, arts, science, yoga, as well as the core of the enlightenment and self-realization teachings.
After leading a quiet, simple life for over a decade, Brian felt a passionate calling to share his straight forward, timeless, spiritual truths for the 21st Century in a modern context with those who are ready and interested.”
“When the pillars of my limited mind collapsed, the roof caved in and I could take in the beauty of the stars.”
-Brian Piergrossi The Big Glow
http://youtu.be/mndsMqz54aA Love Is The New Religion
Some of my favorite lines of the poem:
“Some call us the “Conscious Army”
We are slowly creating a new world with the power of our minds and hearts
We follow, with passion and joy
Our orders from the Central Command
The Spiritual Intelligence Agency
We are dropping soft, secret love bombs when no one is looking
Poems
Hugs
Music
Photography
Movies
Kind words
Smiles
Meditation and prayer
Dance
Social activism
Websites
Blogs
Random acts of kindness”
I am grateful to have been recruited and willingly serve. How about you?
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