Spiritual Deepening Council

6 biweekly sessions, Thursdays September 7, 21, October 5, 19, November 2, 16, 2017 Perhaps no issue more dominates contemporary religious conversation than the relationship between personal spirituality and institutional religion. In terms of religious practice, the fastest growing groups are those who claim to be “spiritual but not religious” and “the nones,” those who claim no affiliation with a particular religion. Yet far more numerous are those who choose to remain engaged in a religious tradition but want to do so in a way consistent with their personal spiritual vision and values. That challenge—how to live within a religious ...

6 biweekly sessions, Thursdays September 7, 21, October 5, 19, November 2, 16, 2017 Perhaps no issue more dominates contemporary religious conversation than the relationship between personal spirituality and institutional religion. In terms of religious practice, the fastest growing groups are those who claim to be “spiritual but not religious” and “the nones,” those who claim no affiliation with a particular religion. Yet far more numerous are those who choose to remain engaged in a religious tradition but want to do so in a way consistent with their personal spiritual vision and values. That challenge—how to live within a religious ...

In this fascinating evening Leora Weitzman will guide us in exploring the inner life of animals, the spiritual aspects of ourselves that animals bring out, companion animal loss and grief, and communication with animals as contemplative practice. When working with an animal, she finds she must continually recognize and let go of her own agendas and ulterior motives, much like the letting go of thoughts during meditation. The space opened by this letting go allows the animal’s own feelings and wishes to become evident and shape the encounter.  She has seen animals show remarkable subtlety, insight, and compassion. Leora Weitzman ...