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Coming Home to God

1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic (by 7 people)   Your rating: 1 - I can do better 2 - Jury's out 3 - Pretty darn good 4 - Splendiferous 5 - Awesometastic

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The Moment That Changed My Life

 

Each life has defining moments. The moment that changed my life happened in a home for alcoholic women in 1976. I was in a discussion with Lois, another alcoholic from Brooklyn, and she was talking about her life. Midway through her talk, I felt intense warmth toward her and compassion flowed through me. The miracle was that I had had a very sheltered life and she had had a very tough life, but in that moment we were sisters and kindred spirits.

When I got up and walked outside, everything was different—trees, cars, the street—I saw everything with new eyes. It took me much searching to find out what had happened to me. In a book by William James entitled The Varieties of Religious Experience (1902), I found that I had had a radical conversion.

Did I answer a calling? I don't know what happened to me except I knew that God had given me that compassion and love that I felt that day. From that day until today, I have tried to accept the guidance that God gives me and it has been the most amazing journey. I don't believe that God does more for me now than He did before that day. The difference is that I now can see the daily miracles. "Once I was blind and now I see."

Spiritual Journey 

A New Kind of Christian: A Tale of Two Friends on a Spiritual Journey

Amazon Price: $14.93 (as of 08/30/2008)

Journey to the Heart: Daily Meditations on the Path to Freeing Your Soul

Amazon Price: $10.20 (as of 08/30/2008)

12 Steps: A Spiritual Journey (Tools for Recovery)

Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 08/30/2008)

The Road to Daybreak: A Spiritual Journey

Amazon Price: $10.36 (as of 08/30/2008)

Spiritual Points to Ponder 

"What we commonly call man--the eating, drinking, planting, counting man, does not--as we know him-represent himself, but misrepresents himself. Him we do not respect. But the soul, whose organ he is, would he let it appear through his action would make our knees bend. When it breathes through his in-intellect, it is genius. When it breathes through his will, it is virtue. When it flows through his affection, it is love." Walt Whitman

"We don't receive wisdom, we must discover it for our­selves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us." Marcel Proust

"In our lives we are faced with a set of core issues that resurface again and again in different settings, with different people, at different times. These issues involve our relationship with the world, with ourselves, with our Higher Power. These are our life lessons. Stephanie Covington and Liana Beckett

Everyone Has Spirituality 

Several times I have realized that concerts of any type are the largest groups of people joined together in a spiritual experience. Most people don't recognize spiritual feelings. The fruits of the spirit are love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, meekness, faithfulness. The fruits are from the Bible in several passages: Romans 5:3-5, I Timothy 6:11, 2 Timothy 3:10, and 2 Peter 1:5-7.

We each have a soul that needs to be directed toward goodness and away from negativity and sin in order to find peace and joy during our earthly life. We don't have to die to find Heaven on earth.

U2 with Bono have lyrics that reflect Bono's deep spiritual concerns and active humanitarian concerns. A group of young people in Great Britian have organized a church around those lyrics. He continues to speak out about the corruption of African nations in diverting the world's donations to the African AIDS and extreme poverty.

Singer Songwriter Kem (Kem Owens) writes songs because he wants to get his message to everyone including the people who may not go to church. He says: "All of my success and every good thing that happens in my life are due to God's grace."

Much positive energy often happens at rock concerts. An example of this is on Russell Hawkins's blog "The Original Mud Puppy". He was positively influenced by a group called Third Day. As Russell writes, "Third Day and their music and their inspiring lyrics were the catalyst to pushing my life off the sidelines and into the game."

My favorite music is from the 1970's Motown musicians. So many songs from that era reflect that many of the singers grew up in gospel singing. I do my morning walking to Motown greats (Diana Ross and Marvin Gaye as well as others); the Eagles; Basia; Earth, Wind, and Fire; Abba; Norah Jones; and Sergio Mendez (Brasil '66). Believe me they all can perk up the saddest day and turn it around to a praiseful celebration. Yes, I love my IPOD shuffle.

Spiritual Practices 

Awareness

Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 08/30/2008)

The Practice of the Presence of God

Amazon Price: $10.36 (as of 08/30/2008)

Essential Spirituality: The 7 Central Practices to Awaken Heart and Mind

Amazon Price: $10.85 (as of 08/30/2008)

The Dark Night of Recovery: Conversations from the Bottom of the Bottle

Amazon Price: $9.95 (as of 08/30/2008)

About This Lens 

The spiritual practices I've chosen to include in this lens are forgiveness, deep breathing, becoming centered, mindfulness, and serenity. I learned most of these principles through daily meditation.

Early in my recovery which began in 1976, I was deeply influenced by a 13th century monk, Brother Lawrence. His book is titled "Practice in the Presence of God". I loved the concept of practicing in the presence which told me that I never had to worry about being perfect. That,in fact, I would never graduate on this earth from the practice. What a wonderful gift this 13th century monk gave me. Thank you, Brother Lawrence

If you, the reader, has other spiritual practices you would like to see included--write your own lenses. You will love the experience and feel a deep sense of joy to be sharing yourself with the world.

To introduce each of the spiritual practices I have chosen, I will be using definitions for each of the spiritual practices from one my favorite amazing resource, Wikipedia.

Deep Breathing 

The following definition is from Wikipedia--

"Diaphragmatic breathing, or deep breathing is the act of breathing deep into your lungs by flexing your diaphragm rather than breathing shallowly by flexing your rib cage.

This deep breathing is marked by expansion of the stomach (abdomen) rather than the chest when breathing. It is generally considered a healthier and fuller way to ingest oxygen, and is often used as a therapy for hyperventilation and anxiety disorders.

Performing diaphragmatic breathing can be therapeutic, and with enough practice, can become your standard way of breathing.

To breathe diaphragmatically, or with the diaphragm, one must draw air into the lungs in a way which will expand the stomach and not the chest. It is best to perform these breaths as long, slow intakes of air - allowing the body to absorb all of the inhaled oxygen while simultaneously relaxing the breather. To do this comfortably, it is often best to loosen tight-fitting pants/belts/skirts as these can interfere with the body's ability to intake air.

While at first one may not feel comfortable not expanding the chest during breathing, diaphragmatic breathing actually fills up the majority of the lungs with oxygen, much more than chest-breathing or shallow breathing.

According to http://www.swamij.com/diaphragmatic-breathing.htm, in diaphragmatic breathing abdomen does NOT move."

Deep Breathing 

Oxygen: Deep Breathing for the Soul

Amazon Price: $11.04 (as of 08/30/2008)

Three Deep Breaths: Finding Power and Purpose in a Stressed-Out World

Amazon Price: $14.96 (as of 08/30/2008)

How to Calm Down: Three Deep Breaths to Peace of Mind

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Take a Deep Breath

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Becoming Centered or Focused 

The following is a definitioon about focusing from Wikipedia--

"Focusing is a psychotherapeutic process or technique developed by psychotherapist and philosopher Eugene Gendlin after 15 years of research, beginning in 1953 at the University of Chicago, analyzing what made psychotherapy either successful or unsuccessful. The conclusion was that it is not the therapist's technique that determines the success of psychotherapy, but rather the way the patient behaves, and what the patient does inside during the therapy sessions.

Gendlin found that, without exception, successful patients intuitively focuses inside themselves on a very subtle and vague internal bodily awareness - or "felt sense" - which contains information that, if attended to or focused on, holds the key to the resolution of the problems the patient is experiencing.

"Focusing" as a process and learnable skill developed when Gendlin determined to observe this successful-patient behavior more closely, and then teach it to other patients - that is, when he determined to be able to teach it to anyone. The simple, learnable technique/process is detailed in Focusing, a small book, written in conversational terms and meant for the layperson, which describes the six steps of focusing and how to do them.

One can learn the focusing technique from the Focusing book or from a focusing trainer or practitioner. Focusing is easiest to sense and do in the presence of a "listener" - either a focusing trainer, a therapist, or a layperson trained in Focusing.

Focusing is now practiced all over the world by thousands of people (who need have no professional training in psychology or psychotherapy) - both in professional settings with focusing trainers, and informally between laypeople. As a stand-alone process, a focusing session can last from approximately 30 minutes to an hour, on average - with the "focuser" being listened to, and his verbalized thoughts and feelings being reflected back, by the "listener." Generally speaking, the focuser has their eyes closed, in order to more accurately focus inwardly on their "felt sense"."

Becoming Centered 

On Becoming a Person: A Therapist's View of Psychotherapy

Amazon Price: $10.88 (as of 08/30/2008)

Becoming the Lasting Convert: Ten Invitations to Help You Stay Centered in the Gospel

Amazon Price: $7.95 (as of 08/30/2008)

Becoming a person: Two lectures delivered on the Nellie Heldt Lecture Fund

Amazon Price: (as of 08/30/2008)

Mindfulness 

The following definition of mindfulness is taken from Wikipedia:

Mindfulness is a technique in which a person becomes intentionally aware of his or her thoughts and actions in the present moment, non-judgmentally. It plays a central role in Buddhism, with Right Mindfulness being the seventh element of Noble Eightfold Path, the practice of which is considered a prerequisite for developing insight and wisdom. In a secular context, mindfulness is attracting increasing interest among western psychiatrists as a non-pharmacological means of dealing with anxiety and depressive mood states.

Right mindfulness (often also termed Right Meditation) comes in a variety of forms. One example of mindfulness is to mentally give a verbal label to each inbreath and outbreath during sitting meditation. So, each time one breathes in, one thinks "rising", and each time one breathes out, one thinks "falling". In this type of meditation, the breath serves as a tether that the practitioner uses to bring his or her awareness back to the present moment.

By residing more frequently in the present moment, practitioners begin to see both the inner and outer aspects of reality. Inner reality may unfold as one sees that the mind is continually chattering with commentary or judgment. By noticing that the mind is continually making commentary, one has the ability to carefully notice those thoughts - and decide if those thoughts have value.

Most often, mindful people realize that "thoughts are just thoughts" - the thoughts themselves have no weight. People are free to release a thought ("let it go") when they realize that the thought is not concrete reality. They are free to observe life without getting caught in the commentary.

As one more closely observes inner reality, one finds that happiness is not a quality brought about by a change in outer circumstances, but rather by realizing happiness starts with releasing attachment to thoughts; thereby releasing "automatic" reactions toward pleasant and unpleasant situations or feelings.

Mindfulness 

Beginning Mindfulness: Learning the Way of Awareness

Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 08/30/2008)

God in Your Body: Kabbalah, Mindfulness and Embodied Spiritual Practice

Amazon Price: $12.91 (as of 08/30/2008)

Don't Just Do Something, Sit There: A Mindfulness Retreat with Sylvia Boorstein

Amazon Price: $9.60 (as of 08/30/2008)

Emotional Healing through Mindfulness Meditation: Stories and Meditations for Women Seeking Wholeness

Amazon Price: $15.16 (as of 08/30/2008)

Forgiveness 

The following definition of forgiveness if from Wikipedia--

"Forgiveness is the mental, emotional and/or spiritual process of ceasing to feel resentment or anger against another person for a perceived offense, difference or mistake, or ceasing to demand punishment or restitution[[:Template:American Psychological Association. September, 2006]].

Forgiveness may be considered simply in terms of the person who forgives, in terms of the person forgiven and/or in terms of the relationship between the forgiver and the person forgiven. In some contexts, it may be granted without any expectation of compensation, and without any response on the part of the offender (for example, one may forgive a person who is dead). In practical terms, it may be necessary for the offender to offer some form of acknowledgement, apology, and/or restitution, or even just ask for forgiveness, in order for the wronged person to believe they are able to forgive. [[:Template:American Psychological Association. Italic textForgiveness: A Sampling of Research ResultsItalic text. September, 2006]]

Most world religions include teachings on the nature of forgiveness, and many of these teachings provide an underlying basis for many varying modern day traditions and practices of forgiveness. However, throughout the ages, philosophers have studied forgiveness apart from religion. In addition, as in other areas of human inquiry, science is beginning to question religious concepts of forgiveness. Psychology, sociology and medicine are among the scientific disciplines researching forgiveness or aspects of forgiveness.

Instances of teachings on forgiveness such as the parable of the Prodigal Son[1] and Mahatma Gandhi's forgiveness of his assassin as he lay dying, are well known instances of such teachings and practices of forgiveness. Some religious doctrines or philosophies place greater emphasis on the need for humans to find some sort of divine forgiveness for their own shortcomings, others place greater emphasis on the need for humans to practice forgiveness between one another, yet others make little or no distinction between human and/or divine forgiveness."

Forgiveness 

Radical Forgiveness, Making Room for the Miracle, 2nd Edition

Amazon Price: $11.53 (as of 08/30/2008)

A Man Named Dave: A Story of Triumph and Forgiveness

Amazon Price: $9.60 (as of 08/30/2008)

Whirligig

Amazon Price: $6.50 (as of 08/30/2008)

Forgive and Forget: Healing the Hurts We Don't Deserve

Amazon Price: $11.16 (as of 08/30/2008)

Free of Charge: Giving and Forgiving in a Culture Stripped of Grace

Amazon Price: $10.39 (as of 08/30/2008)

Serenity 

The following definition of serenity is taken from Wikipedia--

"The Serenity Prayer is the common name for an originally untitled prayer written by the theologian Reinhold Niebuhr in the 1930s or early 1940s.

Niebuhr seems to have written the prayer for use in a sermon, perhaps as early as 1934 (the date given in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 16th edn., ed. Justin Kaplan, 1992, p. 684), perhaps in the early 1940s.

Elisabeth Sifton's book The Serenity Prayer (2003) quotes this version as the authentic original:

"God, give us grace to accept with serenity the things that cannot be changed, courage to change the things that should be changed, and the wisdom to distinguish the one from the other."

The earliest verifiable printed texts so far discovered are an approximate version (apparently quoted from memory) in a query in the "Queries and Answers" column in The New York Times Book Review, July 12, 1942, p. 23, which asks for the author of the quotation; and a reply in the same column in the issue for August 2, 1942, p. 19, where the quotation is attributed to Niebuhr and an unidentified printed text is quoted as follows:

"O God and Heavenly Father,
Grant to us the serenity of mind to accept that which cannot be changed; the courage to change that which can be changed, and the wisdom to know the one from the other, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Amen."

The prayer became widely known when it was adopted in modified form by Alcoholics Anonymous; an AA magazine, The AA Grapevine, identified Niebuhr as the author (January 1950, pp. 6-7), and the AA web site continues to identify Niebuhr as the author."

Serenity 

Serenity: A Companion For Twelve Step Recovery

Amazon Price: (as of 08/30/2008)

To Heal Again: Towards Serenity and the Resolution of Grief

Amazon Price: $21.90 (as of 08/30/2008)

The Art of Serenity: The Path to a Joyful Life in the Best and Worst of Times

Amazon Price: $28.00 (as of 08/30/2008)

Transforming Anxiety: The Heartmath Solution to Overcoming Fear And Worry And Creating Serenity (Transforming)

Amazon Price: $10.17 (as of 08/30/2008)

The Serenity Principle: Finding Inner Peace in Recovery

Amazon Price: $11.16 (as of 08/30/2008)

Changemaker Product List 

The Changemaker products are available at kathyberman.com.

The Changemaker Test only (explanations included for all personality labels) ($19.00)

The Emotional Eater Diet (also labeled the Changemaker Diet) ($19.00)

The complete Changemaker ebook (which includes Changemaker test, explanations resources for small groups, and the Emotional Eater Diet) ($29.00)

Changemaker Online (which includes everything in the ebook but it is interactive as it is a password-protected blog) ($29.00)

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kberman

About kberman

Having been born in 1940, and
having loved several of my lives before, I am now living my perfect life.
Through the generosity of my husband, I am able to write, edit and research the
topics I have been studying or living for most of my life.



My husband and I live in South Florida on a freshwater canal near Fort Lauderdale. He is an avid bass fishermen so with his four sons,
he spends many happy hours exploring the Everglades from our canal. He remains my biggest cheerleader and the love of my
life.



Having been a teacher and
counselor in addiction/mental health, I learned that most people love to learn
about themselves. I realized that many of the labels used by counselors are
unknown to all the people who never attend therapy. So I took these labels and
developed a short test that will teach anyone 10 of his/her labels. 



My test, called the
Changemaker Test, offers education for self-discovery as I believe that change
within a person involves the courage to see (insight) and the courage to act (action).
Therefore by using the labels to change themselves, the changemaker is the
person who decides to learn and make the change happen.



You can buy either the ebook for a hard copy of all
the information or you can buy a password-protected blog which has the same
information as the ebook but is immediately interactive. You can buy either one
through Pay Pal (an Ebay company). You don't have to belong to Pay Pal to use
it. The products are for sale at Changemaker:
Change Your Life.



 



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