Courage and Compassion are two sides of the same coin. Compassion without courage is not genuine. You may have a compassionate thought or impulse, but if you don’t do or say anything, it’s not real compassion. ~ Daisaku Ikeda, Japanese Buddhist Philosopher

Our new theme for the month of May includes two vitally important parts of our spiritual practices during this time of the world’s “reset.” Of course, the word, “Courage” is derived from both the Latin and the French, “from the heart,” reminding us that bravery and the willingness to make personal changes and to extend ourselves to others goes beyond the intellect. “Compassion” means “feeling with,” implying our communal roots. When we resolve to step out of our comfort zones, we become empowered to make changes in our own lives and in the greater world.

“Energy flows where attention goes,” so we tap into an Infinite Resource when deciding to care with wisdom for ourselves and others. Rather than fearing or complaining about temporary conditions, we align ourselves with a Power greater than we are, yet right where we are, which stands ready and willing to flow through us with creative, intelligent activity. As we become a stand for fairness, we are motivated to say and do exactly the right thing at the right time, because we have invited Divine Wisdom to work through us for everyone’s betterment.

Developing confidence in ourselves begins with inviting God’s Presence and Power to work through us, dissolving any false belief that we must do anything alone or “by our own hand.” Let’s all remain open to this flow of dynamic caring for ourselves and for all the world. We are perfectly equipped, here and now, to do and to be that for which we are designed and to help to create A World That Works for All.

Rev. Mike and I are extremely grateful to our production people: Jeff Masino, Producer, Edie Janik, Projectionist, and Tina Richards, Moderator, as we continue live streaming our Sunday morning Celebrations from 10:30 to 11:30. This week’s topic is, “The Little Train That Could.” You may access the weekly live stream on Sunday mornings or watch past weeks, as well as the “Love Notes” that Rev. Mike and I film during the week from our living room . . . . along with Yoga-the-Wonder-Dog! Check out our new website at www.cslphilly.org

Do stay in touch with our Healing Ministry, especially during these unusual times. Our Practitioners are standing by to keep you lifted in prayer, and their information is available on our website. We are all working together to maintain our deep faith and to walk virtually hand-in hand until we are physically together again. In the meantime, please join us this Saturday at 6:30 for our first Zoom Social Hour, hosted by Payson Burt and promising to be filled with fun for all!  To join the fun, just email paysonburt@gmail.com

With great love and appreciation,
Dr. Maxine

The world is beginning to realize that it has learned all it should through suffering and pain. Surely there can be no Intelligence in the Universe that wishes man to be sick, suffer pain, be unhappy and end in oblivion. Surely if God or Universal Intelligence is imbued with goodness, then It could not ordain that man should ultimately be other than a perfect expression of Life.               ~Ernest Holmes, Science of Mind, p. 107-110

No matter what external conditions may suddenly arise or temporarily exist, we are still — always and ever — at choice within our minds and hearts. We may remain in feelings of fear or limitation or opt to lift our consciousness to a greater awareness of faith and freedom. We employ Creative Intelligence and Divine Compassion, not only for ourselves and our loved ones, but for the entire world.

“This, too, shall pass,” but certainly not soon enough! We continue to learn patience and deepen faith, as we open our hearts to greater compassion, and our minds to unlimited creativity. Keeping in mind Divine Mind’s initial and continued intention that we, Its beloved creation, experience healthful, free, loving, wise, prosperous and productive lives, we choose to keep the “High Watch,” more interested in Truth than error. Let’s know together than the present world situation will not remain, that God is bigger than this, and that we are capable of doing our part to learn and grow through the circumstances and establish a new world that truly works for all.

We continue to live stream our Sunday Celebrations to you each week, with just Rev. Mike, our production people, and myself, and we are deeply grateful to Jeff Masino, Producer, Edie Janik, Projectionist, Tina Richards, Moderator, and Linda O’Neill, Administrator. This Sunday’s topic is, “Casting a Vote for Compassion.” On our beautiful, new website, you may access the weekly live stream on Sunday mornings or watch past weeks, as well as the “Love Notes” that Rev. Mike and I film during the week from our living room. Check out www.cslphilly.org

Bring your concerns to our Healing Ministry, if you wish to release doubts and embody greater peace. They employ spiritual mind treatment for all of us and for the world itself. Our Practitioners are standing by to keep you in prayer. Their information is available on our website. We love, support, and bless you all!

With great love and appreciation,
Dr. Maxine

There is a greater mind within each one which may be called upon. There is nothing too small or too great for this Mind. Listen! Be receptive! Believe absolutely! Be convinced!

~ Ernest Holmes, Can We Talk to God? p. 66

“Conversations with God” always begin with real listening, for the Great Spirit within wisely lays a strong foundation of Truth, as we approach It with an open heart and mind. Rather than insisting on listening to ourselves jabber on about our perceived troubles, we do well to align ourselves with the Presence of Love and Wisdom, seeing a higher reality than that of the temporary appearance.

It is too easy to become distracted by individual and global problems, overly interested in “what they say” and entering into agreement with some nonsense about the human condition; still, that Center of Serenity and Sanity is always available. Let’s make better choices, as we direct our attention to that which is true, dependable, eternal, and changeless. It takes no more energy to focus on Truth than it does to immerse ourselves in “facts,” so let’s set our intention to listen attentively to the Divine and divest ourselves of any attraction to outward distraction. This Sunday’s topic will be, “Deep Listening.”

Join our Practitioners Sunday from 10:00 to 10:20 A.M. in the Prayer and Meditation Room for a serene beginning before our 10:30 Morning Celebration, and feel free to enjoy additional contemplative time as early as 9:45 A.M. if you wish quiet, personal contemplation.
With great love and appreciation,

– Dr. Maxine

Note: The “Treat Yourself to Life” class will be postponed for several weeks, due to insufficient sign-ups. Stay tuned for the beginning of this life-changing course!

If only you could love enough, you would be the happiest and most powerful being in the world.

~ Emmet Fox on “Love”

We conclude our focus on the many aspects of Love this month with, “For the Love of God and Family.” Of course, we know that the name of our own city of Philadelphia means, “brotherly love,” and we often add, “sisterly soul!” The Greek, phileos, refers to this sense of friendship, while storge connotes familial love, and agape is unconditional or divine love. Last week, we focused on eros, or romantic love, we shared sweet valentines with loved ones and each other.

In truth, there is One Presence of Love, and it finds Its way into multiple manifestations in and through all humanity. We have the opportunity to partake of It in every possible way, truly bringing heaven to earth by living from the Self-Givingness of Spirit which is the essence of Divine Love. Each relationship we experience provides a wonderful opportunity to open more completely to Its flow in us and as us.

Rev. Mike and Elyse Riggs and I are bathed in Love here at the CSL Convention in Denver, experiencing our deep bond with the larger, international community of Centers for Spiritual Living. We are all a part of this conscious, caring, intentional organization and expect to bring back to you much inspiration from our week’s immersion in our extended spiritual “tribe.”

As we realize that we are all connected as one family of humanity, loved, inspired, and led by the universal presence of Divine Love, our sense kinship expands exponentially until there is no “other,” only the many facets of the prism of humanity through which the Love-Light reflects beautifully. If we could trace each family tree back to its real roots, we would find we are all branches of the One, interconnected and deeply united with Source and one another.

Each Sunday from 10:00 to 10:20 A.M., our Practitioners host Meditation in the Prayer and Meditation Room, and those who wish quiet, contemplative time prior to our 10:30 Celebration may gain access to the room upstairs as early as 9:45 A.M. Give yourself the gift of this sweet time of quiet contemplation.

With great love and appreciation,

– Dr. Maxine

Love is the self-givingness of Spirit through the desire of Life to express Itself in terms of creation.

~ Ernest Holmes, Science of Mind, p. 608

When we look at the multiple human aspects of love and remember they are all generated by God’s Love, we can relax into deep enjoyment, rather than nervous expectation. Understanding that old ideas about relationships may limit our greater appreciation for truer love to flow, we can begin to release thoughts of even exchange, obligation, or possession. It is when we choose, rather, to give unconditionally of our love and care, not looking to the other for filling our personal needs, that we enter more deeply into the Divine Love that gives of Itself to all humankind.

There exists a deep wellspring of Love within us all, and, once we have ceased seeking it outside of ourselves, It seems magically to fill and fulfill every human relationship and experience. As we mature spiritually . . . and we are all on this evolutionary path . . . we eventually become sweet and powerful conduits, generating loving connections wherever we may be. Let’s be and become this clear, radiant instrument of Life’s longing to express Itself fully and completely.

While Rev. Mike, Elyse, and I attend the Annual Centers for Spiritual Living Convention in Denver next week, our Practitioners will offer Sunday’s Celebration, with Sara Funk offering thoughts on, “Love Is” and the others participating in the many important roles of the morning.

Each Sunday at 9:45 A.M., the Prayer and Meditation Room upstairs opens for those who wish quiet, contemplative time prior to our 10:30 Celebration, and one of our Practitioners leads meditation from 10:00 to 10:20 A.M. Join them to begin your morning in a sweet, sacred way.

With great love and appreciation,

– Dr. Maxine