Ancient Wisdom Ministry – First and Third Mondays – 6:30-8:30 pm

Brock Travis, PhD, Ministry Leader

The Ancient Wisdom Ministry, facilitated by Brock Travis, PhD, offers a new approach to ancient concepts that have helped people throughout the ages.  Attendees learn practical skills to bring these concepts to life in personal ways.

Participants in this ministry often experience greater peace and self-fulfillment through a gentle journey.  This ministry is an extension of the mystical conversation of our spiritual community, centering us in Light, Love, Meditation, Ceremony, and Service.

This group meets on the first and third Mondays of the month, 6:30 – 8:30 pm, downstairs in Martha’s Hall.  For more information about the Ancient Wisdom Ministry, please contact Brock Travis, PhD.

Oneness Deeksha Meditation – First Wednesday – 6:30-8:00 pm

Lida Martin, RScP, & Diane Ruiz, RScP, Ministry Leaders

The Oneness Deeksha ministry meets once a month to provide a mid-week touchstone for centering, meditation, and healing.  Deeksha is a hands-on transfer of divine energy that initiates a profound journey into higher states of consciousness to accelerate an ongoing spiritual awakening in the individual.

Everyone feels a blessing by being together, giving/receiving love.  This ministry blesses the world by cultivating inner peace.  Deeksha supports our individual and planetary awakening.  Our Deeksha meditations also include prayers for the world and loved ones.

Kindness Meditation – Second Wednesday – 6:30-8:00 pm

Peter Frank, Ministry Leader

Based on the work of Nipun Mehta, the Kindness Meditation Group gathers once a month to sit in silence for an hour and share about “aha” moments from the month’s inspirational reading, or weekly “Act of Kindness Smile Deck Card”.  Afterwards, participants are welcome to enjoy a healthy vegetarian pot-luck meal in a spirit of gratitude and community.

This month’s Kindness Challenge:  Say “It is an honor to be served by you,” or “It is an honor to serve you.”  Say this silently or out loud every time you encounter service.  See how it changes your world view to one of wholeness and Grace.

For more information, check out this video from Nipun Mehta’s TedTalk:  Designing for Generosity.  Also, see this video where Nipun talks about Smile Cards.

Special Thanksgiving Service – 3rd Wednesday – 6:30-8:00 pm

Karen Mondragon, RScP, Ministry Leader

A special service of love, remembrance, and gratitude.  Share the good with your church family.

Love donations accepted.

Special Guest Meditation  – Fourth Wednesday – 6:30-8:00 pm

Wednesday, November 28, 6:30 pm, The Way of Council, facilitated by Leon Berg – a Powerful, Ancient, Indigenous Practice for Deep Listening and Authentic Speech

Leon Berg is a founding member of the Ojai Foundation, an educational retreat center in the Upper Ojai Valley, and a Senior Facilitator and Trainer in the Way of Council, a communication process for cultivating deep listening and authentic speech.  For the past 20+ years he has been facilitating Council groups in the U.S. and abroad. In 2001, partially funded by the Zen Peacemakers, he went to Israel to seed the practice of Council among Israeli Jews and Arabs, co-founding the Israeli non-profit organization Ma’agal Hakshava (Listening Circles). His TEDx talk, The Power of Listening: An Ancient Practice for Our Future has been shared widely.  Leon is also a certified mediator through the Ventura Center for Dispute Settlement and holds a Certificate in Peace & Reconciliation Studies, from the University of Coventry, U.K.  For over two decades Leon has guided groups to achieve greater engagement and productive dialogue.  Together with his partner, Glori Zeltzer, M.A. MFT, they teach the Art of Intimate Conversation to couples.

Upstairs, in Stanley’s Hall, Love Offerings Accepted.

Drumming Circle – 5th Wednesday – 6:30 – 8:00 pm

Led by Jennifer Merlich

Playing drums in groups generate powerful healing energy for the group and each individual.  “The evocative power of the drum can be compared to the Trinity.  The drum’s frame comes from the trunk of a tree, and that tree has a spirit.  It is not dead wood.  There is also spirit in the animals skin.  If there wasn’t, it would not produce sound.  Those plus the spirit of the person playing become an irresistible force.”  (Babatunde Olatunji)

Jennifer is our talented and passionate guide on this rhythm journey. She uses a simple, efficient method to teach and lead small groups of individuals to quickly play music together and as part of a larger ensemble. Bring your own drums and rattles! Extras drums and rattles provided. No experience necessary. Come with an open heart!