Turning Seeking Into Finding

What motivated you to begin a spiritual path?

What have you noticed as a result of your quest: more inner peace, more fundamental wellbeing, a greater ability to love and forgive yourself and others? During Rev. Victoria talk on September 7th, she helped us look at where we are in our spiritual growth, and what our goal might be. We began an exploration of the characteristics of those who have experienced spiritual awakening and how we can move in that direction. What would you add to this list? What benefits have you noticed as a result of your spiritual growth? What would you like to experience?

The list of characteristics typical of someone who has experienced “spiritual awakening” (taken from the
book, The Finders by Dr. Jeffrey A. Martin)

- A sense that everything is fundamentally okay
- A reduction in self-absorbed mind-chatter.
- Centering in the present moment
- Little interest in stale stories told by others and from their own minds.
- A shift in negative emotions; while they still arise, they are transient.
- A sense of connection between inner experience and the greater reality.
- Reduced attachment to previous goals and outcomes.

Rev. Victoria's list of characteristics of spiritual growth:

1. You embrace challenges as opportunities
2. You become more empathic and compassionate.
3. You develop a deep sense of Oneness with the Divine, and with all of life.
4. You experience more love for yourself, for others, and for the world.
5. You stop seeing the world as back-and-white, or dualistic thinking.
6. You listen to and become more understanding of others.
7. You become aware of the cyclical nature of life, and are less reactive to temporary set-backs.
8. You know your past doesn’t define you, and doesn’t define others.
9. You can let go of the old more easily and embrace change.
10. You are more fully present in the “now moment” and full of gratitude.
11. Judgement has turned into discernment.
12. You notice synchronicities (that seem to increase) and moments of “magic”.

Sunday's Contributions to Our Ongoing List

- We live in a sea of grace.
- We desire more simplicity (lead less complicated lives).
- We are more attuned to nature.
- Less is more (we want what we have).
- We have self-love and self-acceptance.
- We realize we are an individualized wave in a sea of interconnectedness.
- We experience the “peace that passeth all understanding”.
- We have less fear, and more confidence.
- We confidently follow our inner guidance.
- We embrace forgiveness.