A New Year's Blessing and Messages of Hope

Published: Tue, 01/01/19

Spiritual Friend,

Happy New Year! May today find you happy and hopeful.

The turning of the year holds wonderful promise for us. I believe there is a "Great Turning" happening. As global citizens, we are coming to realize what is truly important. More than ever we are aware of how we can best live within ourselves and with others: kindly, generously, with hearts full of courageous compassion.

I wanted to spend a few minutes with you today, offering some insights, inspiration and a beautiful contemplative practice that can guide our hearts in 2019. You might like to incorporate this gentle meditative practice into your own.

The practice:

Listen here: (5 min.)

http://www.awakenedliving.com/podcasts/JanuaryAffirmation.mp3

Some inspiration:

My heart is celebrating this message today from Audrey Kitagawa, the new chair of the Parliament of the World's Religions:

"The rise of women in roles of leadership in religious institutions, peace processes and family homes to the houses of governance will bring the flourishing of respect, dignity and equality for marginalized and vulnerable people everywhere. Women’s powerful voices of advocacy cannot be ignored. Women’s voices of inspiration will soar to the heights of generative actions of compassion and loving kindness for each other. Women’s voices will speak truth where falsehoods exist as women are the first teachers of the moral code for the children we bring into the world. We celebrate the emergence of women as trailblazers of positive change."

And this ...

... from one of the wisest guides on our planet today, Jack Kornfield, about the importance of setting "inspired intentions" in the new year. I love this, considering that I don't believe in "New Year's Resolutions." This approach makes sense to me instead.

Opportunities:

1. Learn to bless with loving-kindness

(Grand Rapids in Feb.)

A Mid-Winter Mini Retreat:

"Lovingkindness Meditation: How It Can Heal What Ails Us"

Join us for a morning of meditation and blessing practice, filling our hearts with compassion for all beings.

Saturday. Feb. 9.

Dominican Center, Grand Rapids, MI.

2. Learn to offer Pure Presence™ to others

(Kalamazoo in Feb.)

"Pure Presence: Rootedness in Sacred Listening"

In this day-long seminar, you will learn the practice of Pure Presence by cultivating non-judgmental awareness and compassionate presence for yourself first, and then for others. You will transparently and compassionately attend to areas of inner tension so you can have open-hearted conversations that will lead to enhanced relationships and positive outcomes with whomever you meet or serve. This approach to formal presence training can deepen and advance spiritual understanding and care in our homes, neighborhoods, workplaces and religious communities.

Saturday, Feb. 23

Transformations Spirituality Center, Kalamazoo, MI

3. Make room in your life for "more" in January

(Webinars sent to your Inbox)

The "Making Room" webinars will allow you to tie up loose ends and make peace with 2018; to reconnect with your deepest truths, values, hopes and dreams for 2019. Contemplative practices, rituals, heart-opening practices to root you firmly in your spirit and a sacred life in 2019. Enroll and receive your first pre-recorded video webinar today.

4. Winter At-Home Retreat (New!)

At-Home Retreat Kit - Seasons of My Soul: Winter Rhythms

This new offering might be the perfect thing for you to launch 2019! It is a directed “mini-retreat to be done at home. It can last 2-4 hours depending on your desire and need for meditation and reflection. All the instructions and materials you will need are included in this packet, including 4 printable handouts and 6 mp3s with my voice guiding you through. I hope you will give yourself permission to fully indulge yourself in a thoughtful, restful way and connect with a retreat day this winter.

$18.00.

Learn more and purchase now.

Note: This retreat kit is a FREE GIFT with your paid registration for the January Webinar Series, "Making Room." (2 for the price of 1!)

and some Happy New Year's news from my end ... It's a boy!

I'm anticipating the arrival of my first grandchild in 2019. A boy! My oldest daughter and husband are the proud parents. I couldn't be happier. It's been a long wait for all of us! LOL!

I wish YOU the very best that 2019 can offer! Stay hopeful. Stay true to your sacred calling. I hope our paths will cross this year, either online or in-person, so we can continue to be gifts—presence—to one another.

With boundless blessings and metta (loving-kindness),

Jan

Janice L. Lundy, DMin

Educator, Author and Interfaith/Interspiritual Guide