Spiritual Alchemy

Sunday, August 9th
(our next in-person gathering)

Spiritual Alchemy

This week we came across an article about BJ Fogg’s concept of “Pearl Habits”, involving prompts that start out as an irritant, but end up creating something beautiful. It reminded us of the concept we call spiritual alchemy, where a perceived “negative” emotion or circumstance can be transmuted or transformed into positive, flowing energy.  This will be our topic for NEXT Sunday’s in-person gathering of Paths of Heart on August 9th. As the effects of the Corona Virus pandemic continue to influence us, we can also continue to find ways to spread joy, gratitude, and positivity in our lives and the lives of those in our spheres. We can transmute our old, ingrained, leaden thoughts and ideas into golden treasures of body, mind, and spirit!
We’ll again be in the backyard, appropriately distanced, and masks will be required upon entering. Please RSVP, as we will continue with a small number (no more than 15 participants) for the foreseeable future. 

We so look forward to seeing you again!  Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“So many people turn to spiritual thinking only when they experience difficulties, hoping that the sorrow or pain will just miraculously disappear. Usually, they find that the place of suffering — the place where we are broken in spirit, when accepted and embraced, is also a place of peace and possibility. Our sufferings do not magically end; instead we are able to wisely alchemically recycle them. They become the abundant waste that we use to make new growth possible.” ~ bell hooks

“The secrets of alchemy exist to transform mortals from a state of suffering and ignorance to a state of enlightenment and bliss.” ~ Deepak Chopra

“This is why alchemy exists,” the boy said. “So that everyone will search for his treasure, find it, and then want to be better than he was in his former life. Lead will play its role until the world has no further need for lead; and then lead will have to turn itself into gold.
That’s what alchemists do. They show that, when we strive to become better than we are, everything around us becomes better, too.”
~ Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist

“To work in the dark, you must be able to hold your own light, and still be intimate with the darkness.” ~ Thomas Lloyd Qualls

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

August 9th -Our next Paths of Heart Gathering in our backyard at 117 Evans Dr. in Fort Collins. We will be limiting the number of people on any one Sunday, so reservations (and masks) will be required. Reply to this email or call 970-484-9600 to RSVP. How often we will meet remains fluid. It will most likely be once or twice a month, as we continue to monitor state and local guidelines for gatherings.

Know that you are always welcome to drop by and walk the Paths of Heart labyrinth – you do not need to let us know in advance. Do note that we have experienced the outer “halo” of glass blocks to be slippery when wet, so it’s best to come on a dry day!

Gratitudes

Patty Stickler painting

We are grateful for family and friends, helping us weather the storm in fun and unique ways!

What are you grateful for today?

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears.” ~ Anthony Robbins

“If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.” ~ Meister Eckhart

About Paths of Heart…

Paths of Heart is a high spirited, heart-centered community where we gather together (in new and creative ways!) for music, poetry, commentary, and dialogue to create and nurture joy, compassion, gratitude, and love – in our own lives and throughout the world.  Paths of Heart is a 501(c)(3) Human Services/Educational non-profit organization that uses the arts, especially, to encourage and propel seekers of a better, more peaceful world to find ways to serve, while becoming more kind and compassionate human beings.

We welcome you as we collectively and individually explore the sweet mysteries of life – this is an invitation into co-creation! 

Visit us on the web at https://www.pathsofheart.org
We hope our physical paths may cross soon!

“Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder. Help someone’s soul heal. Walk out of your house like a shepherd.” ― Rumi

Just checkin’ in!

Hello Dear Ones! Just a short check-in to let you know we love you and miss you! We had a lovely gathering in the backyard last week ~ thanks to all who attended and shared their wisdom. We still think it is wisest to gather just every 3-4 weeks as we assess how our county is faring during these challenging times. We are so grateful for your continued support through it all! We affirm good health and wellness for everyone and know we can get through this together with continued loving cooperation, kindness, compassion, patience, and empathy for others. We hope you find time for quiet contemplation and for time outside in the fresh air – maybe you will even spy Comet Neowise this week! We will be in touch again soon but may take next week off from sending the newsletter. We’ll let you know when we have a definite date for our next gathering. Much love and gratitude, Colleen and Mark

Distance Does Not Matter

The stars in the sky are my eyes that each tonight shine upon you,
So distance does not matter.
The sun is my heart that each day warms you,
So distance does not matter.
The earth we walk on connects our every step,
So distance does not matter.
Knowing this brings us constantly together,
So distance does not matter.
~ Cynthia Cregger (1997)

Our Greater Good

Sunday, July 12th

Our Greater Good

It’s an interesting world out there, eh? The storylines are extremely diverse and sometimes divisive, and we are doing our best to stay grounded in our intuitive Truth. One thing we are firmly committed to is thinking beyond our own small spheres and acting responsibly and ethically for a better, inclusive society and world.  What are your thoughts on this concept of a “greater good”?  It’ll be our topic for this Sunday’s in-person gathering of Paths of Heart.
We’ll again be in the backyard, appropriately distanced, and masks will be required upon entering.  Please RSVP, as we will continue with a small number (no more than 15 participants) for the foreseeable future. As of this writing, there are only a few seats left!

Looking forward to seeing you again!  Colleen and Mark

Quotes to ponder

“People are autonomous individuals who may rightfully strive to achieve outcomes and goals that will personally benefit them, but as members of a human community are they not obligated to consider other’s outcomes, variously termed the public interest, the greater good, or the common good?”
~
Jepson School of Leadership Studies, The University of Richmond

“If the world were to agree on a vision of the common good, what might it be? Frances Hesselbein argues that to some extent such a vision already exists, one that embraces healthy children, strong families, good schools, decent housing, and work that dignifies, all in the cohesive, inclusive society that cares about all of its people.” ~ John C. Knapp

“My constant prayer for myself is to be used in service for the greater good.” 
~ Oprah Winfrey

“Bahujanahitāya bahujanasukhāya lokānukampāya:
For the good of the many, for the happiness of the many, out of compassion for the world.”
~ Siddhārtha Gautama

“When we recognize that our personal good coincides with the Good of everyone, our inner light is turned on: at this point, when a human being becomes a Human Angel, their light, like a beacon, shines all around.
The more lights are lit, the more humanity will be enlightened in these dark times, when the world of the ego, driven to its extreme, has begun its dramatic collapse.”

~ Human Angels

Looking Ahead/Notes of Interest

July 12th -Our next Paths of Heart Gathering in our backyard at 117 Evans Dr. in Fort Collins. We will be limiting the number of people on any one Sunday, so reservations (and masks) will be required. Reply to this email or call 970-484-9600 to RSVP. We are still deciding how often we will meet.  It will most likely be once or twice a month, as we continue to monitor state and local guidelines for gatherings.

Know that you are always welcome to drop by and walk the Paths of Heart labyrinth – you do not need to let us know in advance. Do note that we have experienced the outer “halo” of glass blocks to be slippery when wet, so it’s best to come on a dry day!

Gratitudes

We are grateful for…everything!

What are you grateful for today?

“Cultivate the habit of being grateful for every good thing that comes to you, and to give thanks continuously. And because all things have contributed to your advancement, you should include all things in your gratitude.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

“When you are grateful, fear disappears and abundance appears.” ~ Anthony Robbins

“If the only prayer you said was thank you, that would be enough.” ~ Meister Eckhart

About Paths of Heart…

Paths of Heart is a high spirited, heart-centered community where we gather together (in new and creative ways!) for music, poetry, commentary, and dialogue to create and nurture joy, compassion, gratitude, and love – in our own lives and throughout the world.  Paths of Heart is a 501(c)(3) Human Services/Educational non-profit organization that uses the arts, especially, to encourage and propel seekers of a better, more peaceful world to find ways to serve, while becoming more kind and compassionate human beings.

We welcome you as we collectively and individually explore the sweet mysteries of life – this is an invitation into co-creation! 

Visit us on the web at https://www.pathsofheart.org
We hope our physical paths may cross soon!

“Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder. Help someone’s soul heal. Walk out of your house like a shepherd.” ― Rumi