The Spiritual Forum

The words, "It's all in Divine Order" are thrown around a lot, and they mean different things to different people. Two common interpretations are that everything happens in the right and perfect time/way and/or some outside power has created the current state of affairs for some purpose - maybe for us to learn. We turn to these ideas when things are chaotic/challenging/unpleasant or when circumstances force us to be patient. In this episode Rev. Carol introduces another way of looking at Divine Order – that it is not so much a state we are in, but the primary Universal Law by which all things come into existence. We are the ones ordering what happens! In this episode we engage in dialogue on Divine Order, particularly in light of the recent tragic mass shootings in El Paso and Dayton.

We conclude our series on The Four Agreements (and The Fifth Agreement) by exploring the process of moving from the Dream of the First Attention (Victim) to the Dream of the Second Attention (Warrior) to the Dream of the Third Attention (Master). This is the arduous path to Oneness consciousness. It is arduous because we are constantly pulled back into Victim consciousness, which is society's dream, and we must do the work of the Warrior to identify and reject old agreements. This is where the Divine gift of Will comes into the picture. Will is the directive power that can choose a new course of action.

In 2010 The Fifth Agreement, a sequel to The Four Agreements, was published. In this episode we take on the last new agreement, "Be Skeptical but Learn to Listen." Here we share our insights on the power of doubt and how asking, "Is it true?" about everything we hear supports the process of un-domestication of the planet, ultimately leading us to Truth. This one can upend our entire belief system, but through it we can find complete acceptance of ourselves and others just the way we are.

In this episode we share our thoughts and experiences on the Fourth Agreement, "Always Do Your Best." This is a statement that most of us heard from childhood and it can carry some emotional baggage. But the intention of this new agreement is to free us from the inner critic that berates us for not being perfect, while also knowing that our best looks different in different circumstances. It also helps us to give other people a break from our judgments.

We are assumption making machines. We make assumptions about the motivations, intentions, thoughts and behaviors of other people. We make assumptions about groups of people and how others respond to us. Basically we make assumptions when we lack information and don't seek clarity. These assumptions cause us great suffering! In this episode we explore the Third Agreement, "Don't Make Assumptions," and discover the freedom it provides.

We continue our dialogue on The Four Agreements and share our experiences and insights about taking things personally. Almost all of us take things personally. Yet the second agreement advises us to not take anything personally, because nothing other people say, think or do is because of us. When we get this, we become immune to the opinions and actions of others and experience authentic freedom.

In this episode we launch into a new series on the 1997 bestseller, The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz. While published two decades ago, this little book packs a great deal of timeless wisdom and presents four agreements, or ways of living, that when embraced will lead to personal freedom and power. Here we share our insights about and experiences of the first agreement: "Be impeccable with your word."

In this episode Rev. Carol has a lively conversation with her daughter and traveling partner about their recent travels and spiritual adventures in Peru. They share their experiences and reflections on Indigenous ceremonies, Earth religions, hiking the Inca trail, seeing Machu Picchu, feeling the life of the terrain, experiencing the native culture and much more. Their time together in Peru was a life-changing and grounding experience that will always be a part of each of them.

Transcendent experiences are those that surpass usual limits, or extend beyond the limits of ordinary experience. They can be as dramatic as meeting God (or our Higher Self) face-to-face, as in the story of Moses and the burning bush. Or they can be experiences of a sudden insight, an intense sense of Divine Light/Love or a place of extraordinary beauty. They can can also be as humble as perceiving the depth of a stranger's humanity in an unexpected encounter. In this episode we share some of our transcendent experiences of the Divine and how they changed our lives.

Jesus of Nazareth probably influenced western civilization more than any other person. Not a warrior, king, scientist or political leader, his imprint upon billions of individuals, and across multiple cultures and nations is vast, deep and profound. His teachings are firmly imprinted in our society whether we adhere to them or not. In this episode we share our understanding and experience - both past and present - of the man and spirit of Jesus.