tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-287095642024-03-13T05:59:06.113-07:00InspirationsInspirational articles by Therese Inzerillo, founder of The Intuitive Living Ministries.com and host of Intuitive Living radio on www.achieveradio.comUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28709564.post-24626420190872073302009-03-22T23:10:00.002-07:002009-03-22T23:26:40.442-07:00The Divine Beloved ... Living the Namaste WayLast summer I received the guidance to begin recording an "Interfaith Service" and posting it to the web site. My friend, Barbara South, was coming over to accompany me with her angelic keyboard music. But it became difficult getting our schedules together and after recording two services, I did not post any more for the year. I recently received the guidance to begin again, but, instead of making it a service I was guided to record meditations and inspirational messages. I recently recorded a beautiful meditation set to angelic music from Ashana along with an inspirational message about living "The Namaste Way". It also features another beautiful song from Ashana "You Are My Breath" about the Divine Beloved. I hope it brings you joy and enlightenment. I hope you will check back often as I plan to post at least one new meditation and/or message each month to help you on your spiritual journey. Namaste ... Enjoy.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28709564.post-994769849524037872009-01-19T02:46:00.002-07:002009-01-19T03:25:21.485-07:00Taking Time For God ....This past Christmas I traveled back to my hometown of Kansas City, Missouri to visit my family. I usually look forward to this as it is an opportunity to spend time with my family. This year, however, things were a bit different as my family had experienced a huge family argument and everyone was still angry with one another and not speaking or getting along. Because of this we did not have a gathering with everyone present so I had to celebrate separately with different family members on different days. Although this was not my ideal, I went with the flow and decided to try to make it as special as I could. On Christmas Eve I was scheduled to spend the day with my Mother. She had been feeling down about the family quarrel because it left her with nothing to do on Christmas Day. When I arrived I found out that she had invited her brother and sister and their families over to have dinner on Christmas Day, but I would not be able to attend because I was scheduled to spend the day with my father and his wife. I was happy that my Mother had created something festive for herself although I wished I could be a part of it and was content in knowing that she and I would make our own celebration on Christmas Eve. We decided to visit Crown Center which had shops and restaurants and had been a tradition for us when my Grandmother was alive. When I arrived at my Mother's home she had her table already set for her dinner on Christmas day which told me that I guess we would not be having a dinner together. I was fine with going out to eat and looked forward to our day together. Christmas Eve morning I got up and got dressed, ready to begin our day together, to learn that my Mother had decided she did not want to go out. She said it was too cold and there was too much traffic and she wanted to focus on getting ready for her guests for the next day. I asked if she'd like to go to a movie or do something else ... perhaps go out to eat ... do something fun and festive together. But all she could focus on was preparing for her guests the next day. My feelings were extremely hurt and I spent the day angry, hurt and watching television by myself. Not what I had envisioned having traveled 1,200 miles to spend the day with her. That evening went I went to bed contemplating the day I had an "aw-ha" experience. How many times in my life did I treat God the same way? How many times in my life did I fail to give God the attention and focus that he/she deserves? Although my thoughts are almost always on God and my motivation for my life is for God, sometimes I let the busyness of life get in the way of actually sitting down to do my meditation and prayer as much as I would like. Although I am a devout belieiver in meditation, when I don't make the time for it, I justify it by saying that "I'm thinking of God". It's not the same ... I realized and experienced that first hand by what had happened to me that day. Although you know someone loves you, if they don't make the time to give you attention and focus on you and actually let you know they love you ... it's not the same. Although it can be comforting at times to be close enough to someone that you can just "be" in the same space spending time together without speaking, the bond and the connection is so much stronger and more special if you actually take the time to sit down with them, face to face, heart to heart and talk and share and experience one another. The same is true, I believe, with God. We need to take the time to focus our attention in prayer and meditation on God ... to speak our heart and to listen intently to the wisdom and the energy that is bestowed upon us. It is so profound - there is nothing else like it. It is the Source that fuels your soul and when we deny ourselves this precious gift, our life suffers in many ways. Taking this time for God is important because it strengthens the bond and aligns us with the Divine in a way that cannot be done by just our thoughts alone. I don't believe God get his/her feelings hurt like a human does, but I do believe that showing our devotion benefits us greatly in so many ways. I remember my favorite Bible quote ... <em>"Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it so much as dawned on man, the great things that God has in store for those who love Him."</em> Next time I am tempted to skip my meditation time because I am "too busy" ... I will remember this experience. I hope you will also and I urge you to always take time for God. Namaste'.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28709564.post-11530330450425082862008-05-13T17:43:00.003-07:002008-05-13T18:34:00.899-07:00Living a JOYFUL Life!When you ask most people what it is that they want in life, most people will reply that they "want to be happy". What is happiness anyway? Is it the absence of conflict? Is it getting all of our needs met? Is it living a "fairy tale" existence? I'm sure the definitions of happiness are as varied as there are people on the planet. But the one thing that I think people need to realize is that happiness is transient. It ebbs and flows like the ocean. It is like the elusive butterfly. It dawns and sets like the sun. That is the nature of it. There are times that you can bask in it's glow and there are times when no matter what you do it evades you. It often seems that we have no control over happiness but it is like grace and is bestowed upon us at the most unlikely times. <br /><br />I believe what people are really looking for is JOY. Many people would think that JOY and HAPPINESS are the same thing, but, alas ... that is not true. Although they may be kin to one another, JOY is a very different nature. JOY is something deep in your soul that gives your life purpose. JOY leads the way to fulfillment and peace. JOY can be lasting and permanent. JOY connects you with the Divine. But how do we find JOY? Some people have touched upon it but still yearn for that ultimate connection.<br /><br />One of my favorite sayings is from the great Indian Master Paramahansa Yogananda. He tells us "Everything else can wait ... but the search for God cannot." Those who yearn for JOY are really yearning for God. So look at your life. Where is the void? Do you feel disconnected? Do you yearn for nurturing? Do you yearn for love? What have you filled the void with? I remember hearing Deepak Chopra speak one time and he explained that addictions are a natural part of the spiritual growth process because when we are yearning for God, we first try to fill the void with other things and addicitions occur. What are your addicitions? Alcohol? Food? Drugs? Money? Sex? Work? Control? Are you ready to give them up and create a true connection with Spirt that results in lasting JOY? <br /><br />Once the addictions have been identified and released (which takes some people their entire lifetime to accomplish), then we can create an authentic relationship with the Divine. Like any other relationship, a relationship with the Divine requires a sincere desire, willingness and commitment. We must plant the seeds and be willing to be patient in watching it grow as we nurture it with love. It takes time as it evolves and blossoms. We do this through meditation, prayer and the ability to see the Divine in All. The misconception is that there is something "out there" that we need to connect to and to attain. But the Truth is that the Divine is within and all around us and in order to have a relationship with it we need to not allow all the distractions of the physical world to get in the way. That's why Jesus told us to live "in the world and not of the world". We can enjoy the house, car and bank accounts if we realize that they are only the cherry on top of the sundae ... they are not the sundae. The sundae is the sweet relationship with the Divine. <br /><br />We nurture this relationship by being aware, awake and listening ... by "living intuitively" and following the guidance we are given and in order to really "hear" the guidance we must learn to be quiet and truly hear the voice of Spirt whispering to us ... at every moment of every day. When we can do this and when we are willing to commit fully to our relationship with the Divine we will begin to feel the JOY bubbling up from within. You will begin to see the world with "new eyes" and feel connected, nurtured and unconditionally loved by the universe. You will feel a deep sense of peace within and know beyond a shadow of a doubt that there is nothing that can every harm you or take your JOY away again. You know that you are a unique and special part of the whole and that you have talents and abilities to share to make your contribution. By allowing your JOY to lead the way you will begin to understand these gifts by recognizing that when you feel JOYful about something or someone it is a "YES" from the universe. It is your response that this is something you are supposed to be doing or sharing or experiencing. <br /><br />So begin now ... release the worldly and go within. Let go of everything except your sincere desire to experience the deep and lasting JOY of your connection to SPIRIT. Once you've experienced that you'll never yearn for anything else again ... because "Eye has not seen, ear has not heard, nor has it so much as dawned on man the great things that God has in store for those who love Him."<br /><br />Have a JOYFUL, LOVE-FILLED week!<br /><br />Namaste,<br /><br />ThereseUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28709564.post-49117057413980375572008-03-13T07:52:00.003-07:002008-03-13T08:24:08.119-07:00MARCH ... A TIME FOR SPRING CLEANING!Hello everyone! Happy Spring! I know that many of you are still enduring the blustery winds of winter, but don't give up hope ... spring is just around the corner. Traditionally, March has been known as a wonderful time to do our "spring cleaning". It is a time of renewal and new beginnings and ... a time to release and let go of all that no longer serves our highest good to make room for the new! What a great idea! <br /><br />I recently moved to a new house and although I try to keep up with my "release work" realized how much had physically accumulated over the past six years in my past house. This is especially prevelant in the closets and storage units. I realized that there were boxes I had placed in my storage unit from my last move that I vowed I would clear out six years ago which I never even looked at. (Sound familiar?) It reminded me of how often we do this in our emotional and spiritual lives as well. Old resentments, angers and wounds from the past that we "think" we will deal with, but we push them to the background because we are "too busy" or really just don't want to deal with them right now. The next thing we know, years have gone by and they are still there and it may take even more work to bring them up to the surface again. But how good it feels to truly look at all the old stuff and let it go! We create a space within ourselves for new things to come into our lives and we truly shift our vibration of consciousness when we can release and let go of old things. I physically gave away tons of things to donation centers that I no longer need and that also creates another dimension in our lives because as we give, we create space to receive new and wonderful things. As we release the physical it also helps us in our emotional, mental and spiritual selves. That is true in the opposite as well. As we clear out the emotional, mental and spiritual baggage, it helps us physically. I am presently on a weight loss program and I know that as I release the baggage in all areas of my life it will help me in releasing the physical weight as well. If one has health issues, it will help shift the vibration to make way for more vibrant health. I encourage you to take some time and to do some inventory this spring. Take a look at all the things in your life which you are holding onto for sentimental reasons or out of fear or just because you haven't wanted to deal with it. Do you "inner work" with the situation ... learn the lesson ... integrate the valuable things from the experience ... then release the rest to the universe with love and gratitude. <br /><br />This whole process also reminded me of how much we "think" we'll remember in our lives but don't and gave me an opportunity to view my growth. As I was clearing out old stuff I came across my journal when I was 10 years old. Although at the time I know that the topics I discussed were very important and serious to me, I must admit reading them now were truly hilarious! I realized how much I have truly grown. I also came across old photographs and keepsakes that reminded me of experiences I had forgotten and how much they impacted me and the importance they played in my development. This brought forth much gratitude for all I have encountered and truly allowed me to witness my evolvement. It made me realize that in 20 or 40 years when I look back on this era of my life I'll probably have another good belly laugh!<br /><br />Just some food for thought ... I hope you'll take some time to clear out the old in all areas of your life to create space to allow your highest good to come through. I'll be thinking of you and wishing you well and as always sending you love, light and many blessings.<br /><br />Lots of love,<br /><br />ThereseUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28709564.post-54882998115525770302008-02-07T01:40:00.000-07:002008-02-07T01:54:29.562-07:00HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!Namaste, Friends!<br /><br />I hope that 2008 has started out to be a FABULOUS year for you! In numerology, 2008 is a "1" year and a time for new beginnings! This is the year to create your "heart's desire"!<br /><br />Speaking of "hearts" ... Valentine's Day is just around the corner. I have always LOVED Valentine's Day because it is a day to express to the important people in your life how you truly feel about them. Legend tells us that Valentine's Day actually began back in Renaissance times when the emperor in power prohibited marriage because he believed that men made better soliders if they were not married. A local priest by the name of "Valentine" would secretly marry couples because he believed in "love". When he was found out he was thrown into the dungeon. While in the dungeon he developed affection for a young woman who would bring him his food. He would slip her little notes sharing his affection and signed the notes "From Your Valentine". Thus, through the ages, the celebration of St. Valentine's Day has evolved. Today, many people feel it is about Hallmark cards, flowers and candy, but all of this is not necessary. There is nothing more touching than a handwritten note expressing love and admiration. Create a day for yourself and your love ones ... family, friends and your sweetie ... where you truly demonstrate to them your true love and affection! There's no better gift!<br /><br />I send to you ... love, light and many blessings! Namaste'<br /><br />Rev. ThereseUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28709564.post-29707690397059072792007-09-26T11:16:00.001-07:002007-09-26T12:00:25.133-07:00A New Season of "Intuitive Living" Is On The Way!Namaste Friends!<br /><br />In the past three years that I've been broadcasting "Intuitive Living" it has been a wonderful, inspiring adventure for me ... and I hope for you also! I've had the opportunity to speak with so many of the top spiritual authors and holistic experts in the world and that has been very exciting and hopefully has helped expand your horizons and shift your perspective in very positive ways!<br /><br />In June of this past year I shifted from Achieve Radio to Sedona Talk Radio, however, Spirit is nugding me to begin broadcasting independently, so that is what I am currently working on. I will be taking a short sabbatical as I work towards this goal and plan to broadcast brand new shows beginning in January. I promise to do my best to bring you the highest quality guests, shows and sound that I am able to. Please help spread the word and let your friends, family and acquaintences know about the show. I will continue to bring you wonderful show about spiritual and holistic matters, creating world peace and interfaith understanding as well as learning tools to uplift, inspire and reach your potential. As always, the archives will be available for you to listen at your convenience on the computer and Ipod casting. Please stay tuned!<br /><br />Some of the things I am also currently working on is a FABULOUS Holistic Intuitive Festival and Concert with Arvel Bird. It's going to be a fun, enlightening day and we hope you can join us on Saturday, Oct. 27th in Phoenix, Arizona. Please click on the box at the top of the web pages and it will take you to a special page devoted to information on the Festival and Concert.<br /><br />I am also FINALLY getting my first Meditation CD completed! I am very excited about this. I had hoped to have it completed last year at this time, but things did not work out that way. But hopefully it will be worth the wait. This CD has three 15 to 20 minute guided visualization meditations. <em><strong>Celestial Passages</strong></em> is a journey to meet your angels and spirit guides, <em><strong>Vision Quest</strong></em> takes you on an adventure around the Medicine Wheel to meet your Power Animals and into "The Great Mystery" to find your vision, and <strong><em>Behold A New Dawn</em></strong> is an escapde in an enchanted forest to discover your purpose, passion and gifts. You'll be able to order this CD online very soon. See the banner on the home page or check out the Gift Shop soon. I'll have some other wonderful merchandise in the Gift Shop soon also ... such as "Namaste" Tshirts! <br /><br />I also have been teaching a Ministerial Training class and will ordain two new ministers the first part of November. This has been an amazing unfoldment and I send my love and best wishes to my two students. They will both make fabulous ministers. If you are interested in becoming an ADL Minister, contact me and I'll put you in touch with a trainer in your area or can sign you up for my next class.<br /><br />I'll also be conducting a variety of other wonderful classes in 2008 so check the Calendar of Events often for the latest.<br /><br />Love and blessings to all of you. Thank you for listening to the "Intuitive Living" radio show. Enjoy the archives and I'll be with you all again in January 2008. In the meantime, I always love to hear from you. You may write to me at intuitiveliving@qwest.net for support, questions or to share your stories. <br /><br />Love, light and many blessings,<br /><br />ThereseUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28709564.post-66331109482863320052007-05-24T09:06:00.000-07:002007-05-24T10:03:24.258-07:00SedonaTalkRadio ... new home to "Intuitive Living"Namaste Friends!<br /><br />For the past three years I've been broadcasting on Achieve Radio and it has been a wonderful journey. Achieve Radio is totally a grassroots company and it has been fun to see the growth and changes along the way. When we began broadcasting, the owner, Bill Schreiner, had built a sound booth in his living room. Several months later we moved to a beautiful space in the historic district of Glendale (a suburb of Phoenix, Arizona that has quaint little sidewalks with old fashion lamp posts and awnings. They are known for their many antique and mom and pop style shops.) In Glendale we broadcast open air on a stage in the window where people could see us as we did our shows. It was wondeful to watch the people walking past our window and waving to us. We also had room for a "live" studio audience and I absolutely loved having interaction with the people. As the station grew many of our hosts were no longer local and we discovered that we didn't need so much space and moved next door to a smaller space that was more quaint. We no longer broadcast in the window to help make for less distractions but could still see all the excitement out the front window. Although Glendale is just a suburb it has a lot of enthusiam and is known for hosting numerous festivals on the town square through out the year (The Chocolate Festival, The Jazz Festival, Glendale Glitters at Christmas with a multitude of lights.) While I will miss the atmosphere and will also miss the family at Achieve Radio I heeded the call to Spirit to move on and will be joining <strong>Sedona Talk Radio beginning June 4, 2007 (www.SedonaTalkRadio.com). </strong>The show will air at the same day and same time ... just a new station with new enthusiasm and excitment! I am hoping that all my listeners will join me and will also tell their friends and family. I am committed to making "Intuitive Living" even better than before and look forward to the possibilities! <br /><br />Although Phoenix has been my home for nearly 10 years now, I have always had a special love for Sedona, Arizona, so this is a perfect fit for me. Not only has Sedona been voted the most beautiful vacation sight in the United States, but I can honestly say that I feel it is the most beautiful place I've ever seen. (The Grand Canyon is magnificent also, but in a different way.) The beauty and energy of Sedona truly inspires and uplifts me, not to mention the mystical experiences I've encountered in Sedona that have nurtured my spiritual journey as well. Sedona is a small town with a small town feel that offers a variety of gifts ... fabulous galleries and shops, breath taking sights and hiking trails not to mention that it is known as a spiritual mecca of holistic and intuitive professionals. When I moved to Arizona 10 years ago I longed to live there but knew that I needed to be in Phoenix for the opportunities and the growth that it offered. While I love living in Phoenix and enjoy the daily sunshine and warm temperature I love to escape to Sedona whenever I get a chance to renew my spirit. (Since it is only an hour and half north of Phoenix it is not difficult to do.) I've felt such a kinship with the energy and beauty of this little town that I named my precious little cat "Sedona".<br /><br />I will continue to live and broadcast in Phoenix for the time being but will be traveling and visiting Sedona even more now that the station is based there. I feel this is a positive move that will enable me to expand and grow my broadcasting abilities and the "Intuitive Living" show. I am excited to begin this new venture and hope that all of my listeners will follow me on this wonderful new journey. I am ready to venture out even more to bring you more exciting shows that will uplift, inspire and assist you in your spiritual journey. Thanks for being a part of my life! Thanks for listening! Please join me on this new journey!<br /><br /><strong>"Intuitive Living"<br />www.SedonaTalkRadio.com<br />Mondays Six to Eight pm (MST AZ)</strong>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28709564.post-79223656086409563462007-03-22T10:14:00.000-07:002007-03-22T10:46:47.824-07:00Holding the Vision for PeaceAs we walk the path of the "good red road" ... our earth dance on this beautiful planet takes us through the cycles of life. March 21st traditionally celebrates the transition from winter to spring, a time of renewal and new life. This year the energies are intensified as the Vernol Equinox falls on the New Moon, also known as a time of new beginnings and a prime time to plant the seeds of hopes, wishes and dreams we desire to manifest in the world. This year during the Vernol Equinox, elders from indigenous tribes around the world are gathering in Peru to share prayers, dances, and chants to assist in raising the vibration of humanity, to send love, healing and thanksgiving to Mother Earth and to promote peace amongst all people. This gathering is known as "Earth Works for Humanity" and has been founded by Adam Yellowbird DeArmon of Sedona, Arizona. Adam works tirelessly through the year gathering elders, raising funds and organizing events to help shift the consciousness of the planet to promote love, wisdom and healing for all people and to bring people of all nations together. The ancient Native American prophecy tells us that "when the Eagle and the Condor fly together, we shall know peace". North America is represented by the Eagle and South America is represented by the Condor. This gathering in Peru demonstrates to the world that the time has now come for all people, regardless of race, creed or nation, to come together and claim our birthright as brothers and sisters of one human and spiritual family. We are all One ... we are all united. Adam and the elders have invited people around the world to pray and hold ceremony with them wherever you are. We at the Intuitive Living Ministry held ceremony in Phoenix, Arizona on March 21st for this purpose and invited members of the community to join us. We prayered for peace, healing and love for planet earth and for one another. We invisioned a planet where we can all live in harmony with one another. Please continue to hold the vision with us. It is when we all join our hearts and minds together that the vibration of the collective consciousness will be raised and that we will begin to see physical changes in the world in the way we treat the earth and the way we interact with one another. I send you blessings of peace ... aho!<br /><br />To learn more about Adam Yellowbird DeArmon and his gatherings please visit his website at www.earthworksforhumanity.org or www.earthdance8.orgUnknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28709564.post-1165225379934541572006-12-04T01:38:00.000-07:002006-12-04T02:42:59.946-07:00Celebrate the TRUE Meaning of the Season!Namaste, Friends. Are you currently involved in the hustle bustle of the season by decorating your home with lights and glitter, frantically shopping for the perfect gifts or preparing delectable treats for your guests and holiday celebrations? These are all wonderful benefits of the season, but I encourage you to take time this holiday to be in the silence and allow LOVE to permeate your soul. Reflect on the "Reason for the Season" by focusing on the true meaning of the sacred winter holidays. <br /><br />Although Christmas generally focuses on the birth of Jesus and the miraculous encounters with angels and wisemen traveling from afar, we find the deeper metaphysical meaning of Christmas when we celebrate the life of Christ and that Jesus was born to model for each and every one of us the true meaning of love. He is our "way shower" in how to live a life that is Divine and also embrace our humanity. We too can embody this ideal by aligning ourselves with and expressing spiritual principles in our life. When we do this, we will also be able to perform miracles ... because miracles occur when we live in alignment with Divine Truth, spiritual laws and believe. Jesus demonstrated for us how we can RISE ABOVE the mundane human life by embodying our Divinity. He told us to "Love God with our whole heart, mind and soul and to love our neighbor as ourselves." To be able to do this we have to realize and fully accept that we are also part of that equation which means that we also are DIVINE. To experience the profound meaning of Christmas is to allow the Christ Consciousness to be born in us and to make the commitment to live in integrity each moment of our lives. <br /><br />Light is another profound message of the season as the Jews celebrate the miracle of the "Festival of Light" through Hannakha. It demonstrates the power of our faith and the ability to cocreate our reality when we put God first in our life and when we utilize our spiritual gifts, which was demonstrated by the oil lamps continuing to burn for days after the oil was thought to have burned out. <br /><br />We again find the theme of Light in the celebration of the Winter Soltice which commemorates "the coming of the sun" as the days again grow longer ... or "the coming of the son" as we celebrate the coming of the Light within ourselves as we awaken to the birth of Christ Consciousness in ourselves. <br /><br />Finally the celebration of Kwanzaa reminds us to be honorable and live in intergrity by embodying these sacred principles:<br /><br />Umoja (oo-MO-jah) Unity stresses the importance of togetherness for the family and the community, which is reflected in the African saying, "I am We," or "I am because We are." <br /><br />Kujichagulia (koo-gee-cha-goo-LEE-yah) Self-Determination requires that we define our common interests and make decisions that are in the best interest of our family and community. <br /><br />Ujima (oo-GEE-mah) Collective Work and Responsibility reminds us of our obligation to the past, present and future, and that we have a role to play in the community, society, and world. <br /><br />Ujamaa (oo-JAH-mah) Cooperative economics emphasizes our collective economic strength and encourages us to meet common needs through mutual support. <br /><br />Nia (NEE-yah) Purpose encourages us to look within ourselves and to set personal goals that are beneficial to the community. <br /><br />Kuumba (koo-OOM-bah) Creativity makes use of our creative energies to build and maintain a strong and vibrant community. <br /><br />Imani (ee-MAH-nee) Faith focuses on honoring the best of our traditions, draws upon the best in ourselves, and helps us strive for a higher level of life for humankind, by affirming our self-worth and confidence in our ability to succeed and triumph in righteous struggle. <br /><br />This holiday season, whether you celebrate Christmas, Hannakha, Winter Solstice or Kwanzaa, allow the child like nature of joy to spring forth this holiday season as you revel in the glow of celestial celebrations, but remember to allow your heart to shine a magnitude of love, light and blessings that only the consciousness of Christ can express. In your compassion, gratitude and generousity your spirit will be blessed beyond your wildest imaginations and your soul will experience a quantum leap on the path of spiritual enlightenment!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28709564.post-1156150745794890582006-08-21T01:19:00.000-07:002006-08-21T02:01:42.383-07:00My Interfaith Dialogue Trip To TurkeyI was invited to attend an Interfaith Dialogue Trip to Turkey with the Foundation For Intercultural Dialogue in June of this year. I was invited to attend because of my passion for working in interfaith. It truly was a trip of a lifetime! <br /><br />On this trip were 17 individuals of varied backgrounds and spiritual beliefs: Five ministers ... one Baptist preacher, one Christian pastor, one College Minister, one Catholic priest and ... me, an interfaith minister. We also had an Arizona State Representative, two college professors, one a professor of Aramaic and one a professor of political science, two kindergarten teachers, a geologist, a business man, as well as a poet and Art Conservator, spouses, three teenage sons and our Turkish guides. Amazingly, we all bonded and everyone got along very well.<br /><br />There are so many wonderful things to share that I could literally take pages and pages to tell about the trip. I enjoyed seeing the sacred sites such as the Dolmabahce Palace which was amazing, the Blue Mosque, the Hagia Sofia, the underground water system, the ancient Roman Ruins, the house where Mother Mary lived after Jesus' death until her death in Izmir, the tomb of Rumi, Cappadocia one of the places where St. Paul lived and preached, underground monasteries and living quarters where communities lived for up to six months at a time while under attack, the famous amphitheatre that was built with miraculous accoustics and so much more. We took boat rides on the river and the Mediterranean Sea that were spectacular. The entire ten days of the trip were filled with wonderful delights in sacred sites, architecture and experiences (such as shopping in the Grand Bazaar!), but my most favorite memories of all were the Turkish people. They truly were the most hospitable, delightful, generous people I have ever met. Every where we visited we were greeted so warmly and treated like royalty with lavish meals and showered with gifts. It was unbelievable! It became a humerous joke that every where we went they just kept feeding us and feeding us. It is tradition for the Turkist people to always offer Tea ... even in the Bazaar when shopping they offer Tea. One afternoon after we had just finished a huge lunch we were escorted to the shop of a Confectioner who was a friend of one of our guides. We were guided to his special upstairs room above his store. Everyone gathered around in a circle in this small but colorfully decorated room. When the shop owner came upstairs to greet us he immediately offered us tea and candy. We politely tried to decline explaining that we had just finished lunch. He just looked at us and then proclaimed "It is impossible to have nothing!" and we all roared with laughter. And that was the theme of our time there. Everyone fed us and took very good care of us!<br /><br />One of the most special parts of the trip is that we had an opportunity to dine in the home of Turkish people and one night even slept over at a Turkish household. Even though there was a language barrier, (we did have interpretors), there was a bond of love and friendship between us and we all truly realized that it truly does not matter what language you speak, what color your skin is, what faith you practice ... we are all God's children and we truly are all connected. It was so beautiful to experience.<br /><br />My most favorite memory of all is when we visited a little town called Nidge. We arrived at the school around dinner time to find families standing outside waiting for us. We were ushered into their cafeteria and seated at tables specially prepared for us. The tables were set up in a U shape and families were seated at tables all around us. We were then treated to a precious performance of the five and six year old children sharing native folk dances. The first one was with little boys and little girls in native costume. At the end of the dance one little boy whipped out an American flag and another little boy whipped out a Turkish flag ... then two fathers came forward and raised the little boys up high in the air bringing the two flags together to demonstrate our unity. It truly was moving and brought me to tears. We were then treated to performances by little boys in black pants and vests with white shirts and little fake mustaches doing traditions folk dances, then dances of little boys doing the whirling dervish dances, then little girls doing a Pom Pon routine. It was delightful and they were all so happy to see us. One little girl ran up to me and threw her arms around me and said "I love you" in Engligh to me. She was obviously so proud that she had learned to say something to me in English. I was touched. We were then treated to a demonstration of how they create special paintings and we each received one as a gift and we all took turns sharing our sentiments. After the evening we were escorted to Turkish families' homes to spend the night. Upon arriving at the home we sat in the living room to get acquainted and once again were offered more food and tea. We politely declined and once again were told that "It is impossible to have nothing", and were brought sacred "Zim Zim" water and sacred dates they received when they went on pilgrimage to Mecca, as well as watermelon, cake and other goodies. It was impossible to say no! But their kindness and hospitality were overwhelming.<br /><br />In addition to their hospitality, it was inspiring to see people so dedicated to their faith. I had the opportunity to experience the "call to prayer" of the Muslim people and it was beautiful. The Muslim people pray five times a day and there are places to pray set up in work places, department stores, etc. When it is time to pray everyone stops what they are doing and kneels down and says their prayers. We were traveling on the road and in one instance our guides got out and knelt down and said their prayers in an open field along the highway. I truly was touched by the entire experience! The world needs to know how true Muslim people truly are!Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28709564.post-1148542968194448582006-05-25T00:42:00.000-07:002006-05-26T18:16:31.073-07:00Welcome to Inspirations by ThereseWelcome. On this page, I'll share articles and inspirations with you here. I look forward to sharing our journey together.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com