April edition with thoughts on spiritual growth, soul poems, special curated content, tips for writing as a contemplative practice, book love, recommended reading, and more!Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ Νβ€Œ 

Karen Frances McCarthy MA CSNU | Medium Author Mentor
TSR

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It is the beautiful month of April, fresh from rain and abundant in growth.

The balance we see in nature this month reminds us of the importance of avoiding imbalances in our spiritual growth. Intellectual understanding is crucial, but without balancing it with more contemplative practices, we cannot experience the inspiration of teachings in our being. If we put too much emphasis on contemplative practices without study, we lose the crucial element of understanding and knowledge. As the Dalai Lama has said, β€œThere has got to be a balance.”

This month’s The Spiritual Read focuses on spiritual growth in the poem of the month by the Transcendentalist poet Emerson, your soul poems, curated articles, 11 tips for writing as a contemplative practice, book love, recommended reading, and don’t forget to scroll to the bottom for The Last Laugh.

Have an inspired and abundant April.

SlΓ‘n go foill agus beannacht

Poem of the Month

This month, enjoy this moving poem from 1856 by the inspired American Transcendentalist poet Ralph Waldo Emerson. The poem centres on topics from the Bhagavad Gita: the immortality of the soul, the spiritual practice of equanimity, God's presence within the world, and the ultimate goal of surrendering to the divine. It is written in the first-person voice of one who has reached the pinnacle of spiritual illumination.

Brahma

If the red slayer think he slays,

Or if the slain think he is slain,

They know not well the subtle ways

I keep, and pass, and turn again.

Far or forgot to me is near;

Shadow and sunlight are the same;

The vanished gods to me appear;

And one to me are shame and fame.

They reckon ill who leave me out;

When me they fly, I am the wings;

I am the doubter and the doubt,

I am the hymn the Brahmin sings.

The strong gods pine for my abode,

And pine in vain the sacred Seven;

But thou, meek lover of the good!

Find me, and turn thy back on heaven.

β€” Ralph Waldo Emerson
 SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS POEM WITH SPIRIT SPACE 

Curated Articles on Spiritual Growth

Alan Watts

Quit striving so hard spiritually, Watts implores. You’re already the Buddha you seek!

Glyn Edwards

Acceptance:  All you are seeking is within you. Nothing limits you but you yourself.

Ram Dass

The Progression of Your Journey

Deepak Chopra

Five Signs of Spiritual Growth
 SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON SPIRIT SPACE 

Book Love

I got this lovely photo and comment from Pamela Howard. How nice it is to start your morning in the garden with tea and a book.

Morning inspiration reading!

A mutual friend suggested I read this book as it mirrors loss in my own life, becoming a sudden widow at 47. Many of Karen’s experiences of the afterlife and her husband staying close were similar to things I experienced, and her story reinforced for me that these experiences are very real. I drew great comfort in not being alone in my life moving forward and kinship in shared realities. This book is a fantastic journey through life, love, loss and healing - a must-read for anyone experiencing great loss.

Pamela

Do you have a photo to share or a story like the events in Till Death Don’t Us Part?
 SHARE YOUR STORY WITH SPIRIT SPACE 

Your Soul Poems

Please enjoy these beautiful poems shared by our Spirit Space community. They reflect the challenges and transformations encountered on the path of spiritual growth.

Amid reluctance 
Steel fences grow, climb taller
The heart shrinks bitter.

Rays of sunshine part

Fresh gardens, green blades of grass

With eternal hope.

β€”Jackie Mull

Where does my self-love come from?

From the words of love I speak?

Part of me receives the love another part gives,

And the two are one....

How I know you crave the ease

To carry you through the panic of life.

Let my words of love and smallest deeds

Help convert the panic to peace.

β€” Ernie Rubinstein
 SHARE YOUR POEMS WITH SPIRIT SPACE 

Writing as a Spiritual Practice: 8 Tips

  1. When are you calmest and most focused? This is probably your best time to write. See Julia Cameron's book below for more about morning pages.

  2. Do you prefer to go outside or find a creative spot inside? Do you like to have crystals, statuettes, cards, and incense around you?  Would you like to have tea as you write?

  3. After your daily meditation practice, take 15-20 minutes to write whatever comes to mind. Don't think of this during your meditation, but allow the pen to flow afterwards on any subject that comes to mind and wants expression.

  4. Dream journal.  Keep your journal beside you at night.  If you wake from a dream, jot down some notes to remind you of your dream in the morning and flesh it out more when you can

  5. Give yourself a writing prompt and see what flows, such as "This is what my spirit wants me to know …"  or "At this moment, I feel …"  or any prompts you like.

  6. Take a few moments to write a prayer. You can write it as a bequest but try also writing about a quality you have that you can offer to serve others and the world.

  7. Try inspiration cards.  Draw a card and write about it.  One of my favourite sets of cards to work with is Pema Chodron's Compassion Cards.

  8. Read some of the great poets: the Transcendentalists, such as Emerson or Thoreau.  Read Rumi, Mary Oliver, John O'Donohue or your favourite poets. Allow them to inspire you.

 SHARE YOUR WRITING ON SPIRIT SPACE 

If you would like to join a contemplative writing group within our Spirit Space community. Let us know.

Recommended Reading
AW

A revolutionary program for personal renewal, The Artist's Way will help get you back on track, rediscover your passions, and take the steps you need to change your life. Julia Cameron's novel approach guides readers in uncovering problems areas and pressure points that may be restricting their creative flow and offers techniques to free up any areas where they might be stuck, opening up opportunities for self-growth and self-discovery.

A meditations book of profound and inspiring quotations by Glyn Edwards, who worked throughout the world as a spiritual teacher and medium for over 40 years, and was internationally acclaimed as one of the finest motivational speakers and demonstrators of mediumship in the UK. This beautiful book is being released to coincide with what would have been Glyn’s 70th Earth-year.

 Reflections
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The Last Laugh

Till Next Time

That’s it for this month! Check out my website for available appointments and upcoming events. Follow me on social media (links in the footer) for weekly tips and updates on impromptu gatherings. See you next month!

What did you think of this month’s The Spiritual Read? What would you like to see included next month?
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Karen Frances McCarthy CSNU Medium Author Mentor
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