Monthly Archives: November 2021

Nov. 30. 2021: From the Pen of Dr. Maxine

We are now happily in the midst of the Holiday Season, with Hanukkah having just begun on Sunday night for an eight-day Celebration of Light and Christmas only   twenty-five days away.  No matter our faith traditions, we can all follow Thich Nhat Hanh’s “gift” suggestion: “Be kind whenever possible, and it is always possible.” It is such a joy to bring an attitude of friendliness and helpfulness wherever we go, and it has been delightful to see others entering into this sweet mindset. Whether offering a smile, opening a door, picking up a dropped item, placing money in a bell-ringer’s pot, or speaking kindly with a stranger, we truly are engaging in the practice of circulating Love and Compassion and making a difference in the world around us.

Let’s choose to move gracefully and generously through the next few weeks, celebrating the joy of open-hearted sharing with others in this time of focus on Peace on Earth and Good Will to all.  Let’s let the lovely lights we see everywhere remind us of the One Light that indwells and illumines us all.  Do attend our in-person Winter Solstice Celebration on Saturday, December 18th , if possible, it’s theme being: “Nurturing Night; Loving the Light,” and let it lift you with inspiring interfaith messages and open your heart to beautiful music.  Special presenters will be musician par excellence, Karen Drucker, and Centers for Spiritual Living Spiritual Leader, Dr. Edward Viljoen. What a wonderful way to bring greater Light into our lives. If you are unable to attend in person, stay tuned for how to receive it virtually later.

As we have completed the month of November, we now move into a new theme for December: “Sacred Days; Holy Nights.” We begin our Sunday morning Celebrations in person at 10:30 A.M., following CDC recommendations for everyone’s safety and wellbeing, including wearing masks indoors and staying socially distanced. You also have the option of tuning in virtually by going to our website, www.cslphilly.org  and clicking on the orange “watch live” button to be with us.  Upcoming events and past Celebrations, as well as archived Love Notes from Rev. Mike and me are also found on the website. If you come in person, you may enjoy a brief meditation time with our Practitioner of the Day at 10:00 A.M. in the “Upper Room.” Our topic this Sunday is, “Small Acts of Large Faith.”

Whenever you may feel the need to work with a Practitioner, you will find all seven, plus our Intern, on the Practitioner Page of our website. Whomever you select will gladly work with you, either in person or on the telephone, to walk with you prayerfully through any challenge or to support you spiritually in becoming more open to health, prosperity, relationships, or creative expression.

With great love and respect,

Dr. Maxine

Nov. 23, 2021: From the Pen of Dr. Maxine Kaye

Like many people, Mike and I are traveling today to be with loved ones for Thanksgiving. This is not a large portion of the family, nor will it involve preparing the feast or arriving at a kitchen filled with enticing aromas; still, it will be sweet to be together with these two dear ones.  It will also be lovely to dine in a lovely restaurant and enjoy the relaxation and appreciation of letting the professionals cook for us!

Every year is different, and, as I recall the days of preparing for very large family feasts, cooking and baking in advance, then scurrying around to have everything on the table at the same time, I delight in the memories and am grateful for how times change.  The important part of the occasion is experiencing real gratitude and sharing love and appreciation with each other.  We remember, too, to “give thanks in all things.”

We are also reminded this week, in stores and on social media, that we are in the thick of the Holiday Season, with Hanukkah occurring next week and Christmas just a month away. Rather than feeling the pressures of time and expense, let’s simply enter more deeply into the real “reason for the season” and celebrate the light of faith and the wonder of new birth. Entering into joy, not only for our own celebrations, but also for the observances of others, is the first step in not only coping with the holidays but in letting our hearts and souls be lifted in delight.

Our Sunday morning Celebrations continue in person at 10:30 A.M., and we follow CDC recommendations for everyone’s safety and wellbeing, including wearing masks indoors. You also have the option of tuning in virtually by going to our website, cslphilly.org, and clicking on the orange “watch live” button to be with us.  Do scroll through the website to see upcoming events and past Celebrations, as well as archived Love Notes from Rev. Mike and me. If you come in person, you may enjoy a brief meditation time with our Practitioner of the Day at 10:00 A.M. in the “Upper Room.” Our topic this Sunday is, “Until Further Notice . . . Celebrate Everything!”

On our website’s Practitioner Page, you will also find contact information for our Practitioners and Practitioner Intern who are happy to support you in affirmative prayer and individual sessions for any challenge you may be experiencing or for a greater good you may desire to manifest.

With great love and respect,

Dr. Maxine

Nov. 16, 2021: From the Pen of Dr. Maxine

Our month of focus on, “The Grateful Heart” continues to bring us opportunities for deeper understanding and greater learning about infinite possibilities.  It is not just on Thanksgiving Day that we count our blessings, as the causative energy of gratitude is a vital contributor to our success and wellbeing. In practicing these principles of Science of Mind, we grow in consciousness and delight in our Divine Bounty, whether it is increased abundance, more radiant health, greater creativity, or happier relationships.

As many people prepare to gather with family and friends to enjoy a celebratory meal, it is wise to prioritize our purpose and intentions.  In order for the Thanksgiving table to provide real connection to those present, a clear and loving focus on mutual appreciation is the very best “first course” to be enjoyed. The people truly are more important than any specially prepared dish, and a simple blessing, plus an opportunity to share “good news” with each other, will make the occasion sweet and memorable. In fact, we can begin this wonderful practice immediately and continue it after the holiday!

If you choose to attend our Sunday morning Celebrations in person, you may also wish to join our Practitioner of the Day at 10:00 A.M., for a brief Meditation in the Upper Room, then return downstairs to the Sanctuary for our 10:30 Celebration.  We continue following CDC recommendations for everyone’s safety and wellbeing, including wearing masks indoors. Otherwise, you may tune in virtually by going to our website, cslphilly.org, and click on the orange “watch live” button to tune in and be with us.  You may also scroll through the website to see upcoming events and past Celebrations, as well as archived Love Notes from Rev. Mike and me. Our topic this Sunday is, “Over the River and Through the Woods.”

Our Practitioners and Practitioner Intern are standing by to support you in affirmative prayer and individual sessions for any challenge you may be experiencing or a consciousness shift you wish to make. You will find them on the Practitioner Page of our website with their contact information.

With great love and respect,

Dr. Maxine

Nov. 9, 2021: From the Pen of Dr. Maxine

When we send out the beautiful energy of gratitude to the world, we launch a circulatory movement which opens hearts and minds even more completely to receive great and growing good in every conceivable form.  This divine activity makes all the difference between limitation and freedom, sadness and joy, as it brings order to chaos.  It is when we establish ourselves in true thankfulness that we become receptive to the Underlying Harmony of the Universe and invite Its flow into our lives.

Human beings have misused their power of attention by focusing on fear instead of faith, anger instead of love, and conflict instead of peace.  Wars continue to rage in a world that was intended for unity and compassion, and while we honor those brave men and women this Veterans Day who have given so much of themselves, we also must hold to a vision of a peaceful world that works for all.

As we emanate gratitude and love, relying on a Power greater than we are, yet right where we are, we re-align with our Original Goodness, shining a light on our lives and on humanity, resulting in healthy responses from the Universe.  We all have the opportunity to lift our consciousness and to establish a positive vibration of love and peace and thankfulness.  Let’s make that difference today by keeping our hearts open to the grace of gratitude and our minds clearly focused on the transformation of our race, as we recall our spiritual origins.

Each Sunday morning at 10:00 A.M., one of our Practitioners leads a brief Meditation in the Upper Room, completing in ample time for our 10:30 Celebration.  We continue following CDC recommendations for everyone’s safety and wellbeing, including wearing masks indoors. Those watching virtually may connect on our website, cslphilly.org, and click on the orange “watch live” button to tune in and be with us.  You may also scroll through the website to see upcoming events and past Celebrations, as well as archived Love Notes from Rev. Mike and me. Our topic this Sunday is, “The Law of Radiation.”

Whenever you find yourself in need of affirmative prayer, you may contact one of our Practitioners or Practitioner Intern to make an appointment, either in person or on the telephone.  You may reach them on the Practitioner Page of our website, where all their contact information is listed.

With great love and respect,

Dr. Maxine

Nov. 2, 2021: From the Pen of Dr. Maxine

We have begun the month of gratitude, and we understand the importance of giving thanks “in all things.” That could even include appreciating the time change coming up this weekend!  Not everyone enjoys resetting clocks and adapting to earlier sunrises and darker evening commutes, but why not choose to welcome the newness? Thankfulness truly is a choice and one that adds happiness to every day.

“The attitude of gratitude” brings immediate results, opening our hearts and minds to possibilities we may otherwise have overlooked.  As we make the conscious choice to lift our attention from any concern to the spirit of gladness, the internal “reset” changes the external experience.  Let’s decide to feel a growing sense of thankfulness in each moment and see what a difference we make in our own lives and in the world.

Join one of our Practitioners each Sunday morning for a brief Meditation at 10:00 A.M. in the Upper Room, then return for our 10:30 Celebration.  We continue following CDC recommendations for everyone’s safety and wellbeing, including wearing masks indoors. Those watching virtually may connect on our website, cslphilly.org, and click on the orange “watch live” button to tune in and be with us.  You may also scroll through the website to see upcoming events and past Celebrations, as well as archived Love Notes from Rev. Mike and me.

Our Practitioners and Practitioner Intern love hearing from you about any issues you would like to work through with spiritual mind treatment.  They can be reached on the Practitioner Page of our website, where all their contact information is listed, and you may choose whichever one you wish.

With great love and respect,

Dr. Maxine