VISION: A Center For Spiritual Living

Alan Olson, RScP - "Surrendering Stress As A Choice"

Stress can cause any number of physical ailments, it is a western plague. We must remember that stress comes from impatience, a sense of "doingness" where we feel out of control. In that mind set we often blow the moment, and our day passes us by unfulfilled.
We must be at choice in our decisions. We can choose to use traffic or waiting in line as a time for quality time: listen to a book on tape, engage in a conversation, contemplate our spiritual hero`s activities and how we would emulate them. We can choose fulfilling experiences, when we know we are at choice.

Rev. Patti Paris - "Surrender, Don't Give Up"

Surrender, is not quitting. Giving up means there is no hope for future growth. Surrender opens the door to unlimited possibilities.
We live as if we are in control, but we must remember, we are not in charge. We can select our clothes, and our plan for the day but the weather, and other people, this we cannot control. And when the outcome does not match the plan, we can get crazy trying to regain the illusion that we are in charge of the whole situation. Surrender is trusting the Universe has our backs.

Rev. Patti Paris - "To A Greater Good"

Surrender is not failure, it is allowing a greater idea the room it needs to come forth. We must let go of the smallness of who we thought we were, or who others told us we were, of what we think is possible. Give up those "lesser" thoughts, and be open to a greater expression of the Divine Life through us!
We can eliminate that which is no longer needed, which no longer serves, or was never true to begin with, and transform out lives into something better. We are called to know our Wholeness in the tension of dualism; where we know of ourselves as Spirit, and walk in this world.

Rev. Patti Paris - "Now Is The Time"

Mindfulness is not getting lost in the past or the future, but in knowing that right here and right now is the only place we can show love, express joy and feel the power which transforms our lives. We cannot change the world, we can only take responsibility for our corner of it, and do our work. Positive change will spread like ripples in a pond.
We must stand in our truth, regardless of conditions. We do not protest hate, we demonstrate love. We do not fear lack, we embody abundance. We never "fight" the the appearance of duality. We stand in our truth.

Peter Bolland - "Two Ways of Knowing"

Peter Bolland, guest speaker and friend of VISION CSL, gives an examination of Buddhist philosopher Nagarjuna's distinction between ordinary knowledge and transcendent knowledge (prajna), and the unbreakable link between wisdom and compassion.

Rev. Patti Paris - "The Power of Present Tense"

There is only power in this moment. We cannot change the past, only change our minds about it. And the future is being directed only by our current choices. We collapse the infinite potential down when we decide it, by the power of choices.
Our word is the power of our lives. We should be conscious, and mindful of the "I AM" statements we are issuing: I AM broke, I AM sick, I AM lonely... NO!! We are ONE with the limitless Joy, Peace, Prosperity and Health of the Divine creative universe. What we think, what we say, reflects back as our lives. So we are tasked with being conscious and aware of our creation.

Rev. Patti Paris - "Be Here Now"

When we are aware and engaged in all aspects of life, we know that the present moment is all we have. The only place we can change our thinking is here and now. If we are dwelling in fear or doubt, we are preoccupied with the past or trying to figure out the future- and that`s not our job! Spirit is present independent of Time, Space or Form. So we align with that which KNOWS. We touch that place within, and then acting with power and authority in the Universal Here and the Ever Present Now, we speak our truth. And we know that all is well.

Rev. Patti Paris - "Mind The Mind"

Our thought is creative, that is the founding principle of this teaching. So if we are creating a life that is not serving our highest and best desires, we are free to change those thoughts. And that change must come from within. It must be directed. And it must be focused. Too often we indulge our minds as our thoughts drift to drama and problems and the same old narrative running the background.
If we desire real change, we must not sell ourselves short based on old stories. We must challenge every thought we have to make sure it is serving us. We must not waste time on thoughts of lack, or unworthiness or illness. Mental currency always provides a return on the investment.

Rev. Dr. Kathy Hearn - "Walking Our Faith"

Rev. Dr. Kathy Hearn talks on how to deal with faith challenging in our every day life.  Where faith issues challenge your beliefs.

Rev. Patti Paris - "...The Evidence of Things Not Seen"