THE TREE OF CONTEMPLATIVE PRACTICES

    From The Center For Contemplative Mind in Society, which Mirabai Bush co-founded, is this tree of all the practices related to contemplative mysticism which has its roots in Buddhism and Hinduism and which is being introduced into the workplace and the schools. See: http://www.contemplativemind.org/practices/tree. Click on picture to enlarge:

THE ANCIENT PAGAN PRACTICE OF BUDDHIST MINDFULNESS IN THE WORKPLACE

Mindfulness@Work

Learn why some of the most progressive companies in the world such as Apple, Google, Ebay, Carlsberg, Sony and Harvard Business School are using Mindfulness training in the Workplace. Charlotte Thaarup of Creative Transformations speaks about how mindfulness training combines ancient practices with neuroscience and helps the brain access it's greater potential:

 

Multitasking vs Mindfulness: "A Great Way to Reboot" (her words, not ours):

 
We have previously posted a number of articles about the Buddhist practice of Mindfulness on this blog. The business world is also well into using and promoting these New Age practices thanks to Rick Warren's mentor, Peter Drucker and his School of Management and the likes of Mirabai Bush http://www.morethansound.net/authors.php?aid=21,
author of "Working With Mindfulness"
http://www.morethansound.net/store/mindfulness/training-and-practice/working-with-mindfulness-cd/prod_290.html.
Mirabai Bush: http://www.mirabaibush.com/:

Biography of Mirabai Bush from her website above:
Mirabai Bush was a co-founder of the Center for Contemplative Mind in Society http://www.contemplativemind.org/, and served as Executive Director there until 2008. Under her direction, The Center developed its programs in education, law, business, and activism and its network of thousands of people integrating contemplative practice and perspective into their lives and work.  Mirabai holds a unique background of organizational management, teaching, and spiritual practice. A founding board member of the Seva Foundation, an international public health organization, she directed the Seva Guatemala Project, which supports sustainable agriculture and integrated community development. Also at Seva, she co-developed Sustaining Compassion, Sustaining the Earth, a series of retreats and events for grassroots environmental activists on the interconnection of spirit and action. She is co-author, with Ram Dass, of Compassion in Action: Setting Out on the Path of Service, published by Random House.Mirabai has organized, facilitated, and taught workshops, weekends, and courses on spirit and action for more than 20 years at institutions including Omega Institute, Naropa Institute, Findhorne, Zen Mountain Monastery, University of Massachusetts, San Francisco Zen Center, Buddhist Study Center at Barre, MA, Insight Meditation Society, and the Lama Foundation. She has a special interest in the uncovering and recovery of women’s spiritual wisdom to inform work for social change. She has taught women’s groups with Clarissa Pinkola Estes, Sharon Salzberg, Joan Halifax, Margo Adler, Starhawk, Jean Shinoda Bolen, Vicky Noble, and other leaders.Her spiritual studies include meditation study at the Burmese Vihara in Bodh Gaya, India, with Shri S.N. Goenka and Anagarika Munindra; bhakti yoga with Hindu teacher Neemkaroli Baba; and studies with Tibetan lamas Kalu Rinpoche, Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche, Kyabje Gehlek Rinpoche, Tsoknyi Rinpoche, and others. She also did five years of intensive practice in Iyengar yoga and five years of Aikido with Kanai Sensei. Her earlier religious study included 20 years of Catholic schooling, ending with Georgetown University graduate study in medieval literature. She holds an ABD in American literature from the State University of New York at Buffalo.Before entering the foundation world, Mirabai was the first professional woman to work on the Saturn-Apollo moonflight at Cape Canaveral and later co-founded and directed Illuminations, Inc., from 1973 to 1985 in Cambridge, MA. Her innovative business approaches, based on mindfulness practice, were reported in Newsweek, Inc., Fortune, and the Boston Business Journal. She has also worked on educational programs with inner-city youth of color. Mirabai has trekked, traveled, and lived in many countries, including Guatemala, Mexico, Costa Rica, India, Nepal, Morocco, Ireland, England, Scotland, Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, Germany, Austria, Italy, Pakistan, and the Caribbean. She is an organic gardener in Western Massachusetts and the mother of one adult son, Owen.

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Interview with Mirabai Bush at the Secular Buddhist Association: http://secularbuddhism.org/2013/02/17/episode-156-mirabai-bush-the-center-for-contemplative-mind-in-society/, and the link below to the MP3 audio:

http://media.libsyn.com/media/suvaca/Episode_156_The_Secular_Buddhist.mp3

Interview with Mirabai Bush about her influence on Google: http://shamashalidina.com/2012/08/google-uses-mindfulness-with-mirabai-bush/.

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    See these two short YouTube videos which won't upload to this blog, just like a lot of other politically sensitive and/or politically incorrect subjects:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IlRix12kqDc, and http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHsMan_vauA, the latter titled "Google's Search Inside Yourself (with) Adviser Mirabai Bush"
    The UCSD Center for Mindfulness has an article about the workplace: http://ucsdcfm.wordpress.com/2012/12/11/the-truly-mindful-workplace-a-reality-whose-moment-is-arriving/?blogsub=confirming#blog_subscription-4.
    Personnel Today has this article: http://www.personneltoday.com/articles/01/05/2013/59148/how-practising-mindfulness-in-the-workplace-can-boost.htm#.UYJM9bV1-p8.
    Mindfulness Works has this article: http://www.mindfulness-works.com/.
    The Mindful Center has this article: http://www.themindfulcenter.com/corporate-training-new-mexico/mindfulness-based-workplace-workshops-2/.
 

ANOTHER PASTOR FAILS: DELAWARE REFORMED PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH AGAINST MARRIAGE EQUALITY BILL BECOMES FOCUS OF TURMOIL

The darling pastor of Delaware's airways, Dr. Chuck Betters of Glasgow "Reformed" Presbyterian Church of Glasgow/Bear, Delaware has backed down on the biblical explanation of traditional marriage and failed to state the biblical case against it, when he had a prime opportunity to do so. This is very similar to Louie Giglio's failure to stand for traditional marriage when he was disinvited by Obama from the Inauguration in January 2103. He, likewise, had a prime opportunity but cowardly backed off from defending biblical marriage and instead he explained that he hasn't talked about homosexuality for 15 or more years. These high profile pastors may think they are loved and adored by their sycophants, but not by God. See the following article:

http://www.delawareonline.com/article/20130427/NEWS/304270023/Glasgow-Church-s-equality-sign-stirs-up-Web

Here is the official statement of apology by pastor Dr. Chuck Betters to the homosexual community from Glasgow "Reformed" Presbyterian Church in Delaware which is at least gay welcoming. Bold type is ours:

Glasgow Church on Redefining Marriage

In light of the debate surrounding the Marriage Equality Act in Delaware, 
and in view of the disturbance some experienced over a recent post on 
our church sign, 

the Glasgow Church offers the following position on the matter:
The Scriptures are our sole authority and drive our positions on all matters. Where 
culture clashes with Scripture we will always land on the clear teaching of the Bible.
The life, death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead offers 
forgiveness from all sin to those who trust in Him and in Him alone for their 
salvation. This includes all sin whether gay or straight.
While we stand in opposition to the Marriage Equality Act on both theological 
and legal grounds, we condemn all hate speech and lack of civility in the debate 
on the part of both sides.
Glasgow Church loves and welcomes all people regardless of their sexuality. 
Homosexual sin is no different than heterosexual sin in God’s eyes. Both kinds 
of sins are defined in the Scriptures and both can be forgiven at the cross.
Glasgow Church has entered into the debate because the church is to have an 
influence on our culture. After all, we are called to be salt and light. Just as 
churches differing with us have expressed their support of the bill, Glasgow 
Church has the same right to express our opposition to it.
The recent sign posting was not intended to offend anyone in the gay community. 
We apologize if it did. It was only meant to say that the cross of Jesus Christ is 
greater than any political position one might hold on this matter. Regardless of 
the outcome on the Marriage Equality Act, Glasgow Church believes that what 
trumps all political ideologies is the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross. 
It was certainly not meant to exclude gays or lesbians from attending Glasgow 
Church given that some who are gay or lesbian already do attend and love being here. 
Regretfully, there is ample hurt and pain on both sides to go around. We encourage 
those who differ with us to respect our right to hold our positions just as we will 
respect your right to disagree with us.
If you would like to have a free download of my sermons on this matter feel free to 
do so at www.glasgowchurch.com and click on “Marriage According to the Scriptures” 
link. There are two parts dated 4/21 and 4/28.
Please know, we are opposed to the Marriage Equality Act. But our opposition will 
never intentionally resort to name-calling and incivility.

After the two part sermon series on the redefinition of marriage bill, I will conduct a Q and A 
on Sunday May 5th from 9:00-10:15 AM in the church library. All adults are invited to attend. 
There will be activities for the children as well. We will seek to answer any and all questions 
that may have arisen from the series. Those who favor the bill are also invited to attend.
My desire is that our church will welcome any and all people, regardless of their politics and/or 
sexuality, who wish to attend. We will treat the professed homosexual with the same dignity 
and respect with which we treat the heterosexual. Regardless of one’s sin, whether 
homosexual acts or heterosexual acts, we echo the words of our Savior spoken to the woman 
who was caught in adultery, we do not condemn you. Now rise, (and most importantly) go 
and sin no more.
In His Grip,
Dr. Chuck Betters

ZALKIN LAW FIRM ADDED TO OUR BLOG FOR ABUSE LEGAL REPRESENTATION

We have just added Zalkin Law Firm to our blog for the benefit of those who might need legal representation regarding abuse. According to their website, www.zalkin.com, nine areas of abuse and personal injury are their specialties. This is not an endorsement and/or recommendation. It is the sole responsibility of the person to examine whether or not this law firm would be suitable for the person and the situation. This law firm has offices in California and New York City.

3801 LANCASTER, PHILADELPHIA-ABORTIONIST KERMIT GOSNELL

LILA ROSE OF LIVE ACTION ON STOPPING ABORTION

UNDERCOVER VIDEO OF WASHINGTON, DC ABORTION CLINIC WHICH DOESN'T HELP LIVE BIRTHS TO SURVIVE

UNDERCOVER VIDEO OF BRONX, NEW YORK ABORTION FACILITY COUNSELING

WARNING: THIS VIDEO IS ABOUT ABORTION COUNSELING AT AN ABORTION FACILITY IN THE BRONX, NY. FOR MATURE VIEWING ONLY
This video from YouTube was uploaded by Live Action Films:

"CHRISTIAN" HOMESCHOOL PUBLISHERS PRESENTING EVOLUTION

Dave Mosher of Christians United Against Apostasy has a very good post about how some publishers of homeschool materials are including evolutionary theories in them.
See: http://davemosher.wordpress.com/2013/04/29/parents-beware-christian-homeschool-publishers-increasingly-including-evolutionary-theories/.

THE MESSIANIC TABERNACLE EXPERIENCE HOSTED BY DEBRA GROLLER MINISTRIES AT CAMP HALUWASA, HAMMONTON, NEW JERSEY

    The interest in Messianic/Hebraic roots, history and experiential religious practices such as the Seder meal has grown tremendously. Its popularity can be credited no doubt to the desire of postmodern Christians and others for the next great mystical experience, signs and wonders, and of course non-doctrinal, non-dogmatic, non-judgmental religion, devoid of the Biblical focus on Jesus Christ alone, or anything else related to the Protestant Reformation, or the constraints of the five solas.

    So, true to its signs and wonders theology and Messianic purposes, Debra Groller Ministries (Pentecostal/Word of Faith) of Deptford, NJ, will be hosting "The Tabernacle Experience" at Christian Camp Haluwasa, Hammonton, New Jersey, http://christian-camping.com/, September 14-22, 2013. See: http://debragrollerministries.com/#/the-tabernacle-experience.

What is the Tabernacle of Moses in the wilderness? 
See: http://the-tabernacle-place.com/articles/what_is_the_tabernacle.
See Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tabernacle.
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The Tabernacle Experience is another ministry of First Presbyterian (Reformed/Covenantal) Church of Florence, South Carolina, http://www.florencefirst.org/tabernacle_experience.html, and is described here: http://www.tabernacleexperience.com/journey.shtml, and below in their words:

    "It is our mission to provide a life-size interactive Tabernacle of The Wilderness to

Communities, Churches and Individuals across the United States revealing Jesus the Christ in every aspect of the Spiritually impacting, Life Changing narrated driven journey."

"Your Journey Awaits!

The Tabernacle Experience is not a museum.It is not a theatre production.

The Tabernacle Experience is an Encounter with the Living God!

One step inside the Tabernacle Courtyard will translate you into Old Testament times. You will experience a day in the life of an Old Testament priest as you engage in the duties and rituals within the Tabernacle.

First you will be 'clothed' in the White Linen Garment of the priest. At the Altar of Burnt Offering you will lay your sacrifice on it's consuming fire. You'll approach the Laver and wash your hands in preparation for the work of The LORD.  At the Lampstand you'll light an oil lamp and participate in Communion at The Table of Bread. The smoke rising at The Altar of Incense will heighten your senses and remind you of your prayers ascending to the very throne of God. As you draw back the Curtain and enter The Most Holy Place your journey will culminate before the Ark of The Covenant and The Mercy Seat.

The truths of the Tabernacle are life changing. The Tabernacle Experience is a tangible, multi-sensory encounter that will stir your emotions and faith in the person of Jesus Christ. 

Did you know Jesus said that the Scriptures point to him?
"If you had believed Moses you would have believed me because he wrote about me!”

Isn't this awesome?  The Old Testament Scriptures point directly to Christ! The Scriptures concerning the Tabernacle are no exception.

Just a short time after His resurrection, Jesus met two disciples on the road to Emmaus and joined them on their walk.  Jesus inquired why they were so sad and down and out. With heavy hearts they shared why they were filled with sorrow and disappointment. The very man they had trusted and believed in to be the Messiah was now dead. When the disciples arrived at their destination they invited Jesus into their home to share a meal and He accepted. They continued to engage in conversation and Jesus began rehearsing the Scriptures with them beginning with Moses and all the Prophets. He explained all the things concerning Himself. When Jesus had departed they said to one another, 'Did not our heart burn within us while He talked with us on the road and while He opened the Scriptures to us?" This is our prayer for you; that your heart will burn within you as you are tenderly escorted through The Tabernacle Experience by your High Priest Jesus.

You will be ushered out of the ordinary and into His extraordinary presence.
The narrated journey through the Tabernacle Experience is individual, private and intimate. The Tabernacle Experience is simple, yet utterly profound. The LORD’S profound Love, Compassion and Mercy towards us is evident in every aspect of The Tabernacle. His plan for our redemption is revealed and His desire to live among us is evident.

Our Mission and His Leading
It is our mission to travel from location to location bringing a life-size Tabernacle of The Wilderness and the full Spiritual impact it brings revealing Jesus the Christ in every aspect."

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The founder of "The Tabernacle Experience" is Jeanne Whittaker, who in her own words, describes her mystical experiences of being "whispered" to by a spirit entity who she believed to be God Himself saying ‘Bring Israel to them, build my Tabernacle” here: http://www.tabernacleexperience.com/story.shtml.

Whittaker herself describes what her vision was in this video: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nQY65mAhbQU

Here is a 6+minute video which is more descriptive: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zFdNnhpIDMw.