Contemplation from Life: The Patio Door

I go to leave our little Boston Terrier out this morning.
To inform us when she is ready to go out, she rings the little bell hanging from our patio door.
It is a sliding door and go to slide it to the right.  It does not budge.  I try harder. No movement.  One more time, come on, try harder.

Then, I realize that it is first thing in the morning and it is locked. So I unlock it and it slides freely.
I had to smile to myself, because it made me realize how often I experience resistance in life and rather than find a way to unlock it (or even assess the problem), I simply push harder.

Resistance is a necessary part of life, but the invitation is not always "push harder!"

To fly we have to have resistance.
Maya Lin 

At the Watering Hole

Ok, so it has been quite a while since I posted a blog here.  But, it has been coming to mind more and more, which I am learning to pay attention to the Holy Spirit with nudges like that...

Anyway, today, while companioning another in spiritual direction, I kept receiving the images of floating on a river or stream.  This is not an unusual image for the journey of the spiritual life, but in the image this time was the realization of the importance of the place where people pull over to the side and congregate for refreshment.  

We are all at different points on the journey, floating, trusting in the Spirit.... sometimes with others, sometimes in solitude... but every now and then, needing to come to the side, pull up, make camp perhaps, at least get something for nourishment and refreshment... and we meet others who are also on this journey.  

I was struck that for me (and for many), Oasis is that point for pulling off and connecting with others.  It is why I love this community so much.  

Like the sheep gathered at the stream bank in the picture above, Oasis BECOMES the watering hole.  

~ Cindy
{Has it been that experience for you too?}

Good Friday and Earth Day Combine

“the world is mud-luscious and puddle-wonderful”  e. e. cummings

There is something profound to me about Earth Day coinciding with Good Friday this year.

Something about the brokenness, the passion, the finality, the sense of doom and dread… the humanity of the crucifixion mixing with the raw way we are a part of creation… that our ‘being of dirt’ is mixed with the Earth.

"The earth was once molten rock and now sings operas."  Brian Swimme

This Earth Day, this Good Friday, may we discover once again how dependent we are on God and ALL of God’s creatures.  May we open ourselves anew to how we are being invited to interact with ALL of creation, for we are related to all.

Cindy

What’s evil for the hawk is the mouse because, you know, the mouse is quick and gets away but I did this one realization every scientist goes through at one point… if you gave the hawk power, the power of God, the first thing the hawk might do is to slow down the mouse. But then the hawk would lose it’s speed. And then if you slow the mouse all the way down, so it can just barely move, the hawk would lose its flight. So that in a weird way the tension between those two say natural enemies is what gives birth to their beauty. So I definitely feel that the tension we have right now within the human community in particular — that those are ultimately going to be resolved with a deeper harmony and a deeper appreciation for one another.
Brian Swimme, MeaningofLife.tv interview (2007)

Message from cindygaris@oasismin.org

Lighting a candle for Japan...

Click here to see the candle

 

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Ash Wednesday and 'Horton Hears a Who'

I got smudged this morning at 7am.  I have made it a practice to attend an early service in my area, because evenings are crazy at our house and we typically do not go to an Ash Wednesday Service as a family. 

 

The pastor had a beautiful reflection about how on Ash Wednesday, even with all the cleaning agents we have, dust has its day... how dust is at the center of the universe and a part of our story from the beginning.  That we are creatures of the earth given life by the breath of God.

So, I am now dusty. 

 

And I have to tell you that all of this conversation about dust, along with the reading from Joel (2:1-2,12-17), had me thinking of Dr. Seuss's 'Horton Hears A Who.'  (Yes, I know, my brain is a scary place to live sometimes...)  Well, you know, in the story, Horton the elephant hears a sound from a dust speck.  He is trying to save the dust speck because people around him think he is crazy for believing that there is any life on this tiny speck. Horton, however, realizes that an entire community resides on the dust speck, and, well,  "a person's a person no matter how small." 

 

When I read or hear the passage in Joel, "blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy mountain..." and so on, I am reminded of how Horton is trying to convince all of the Whos on the dust speck to make noise.  They are to make as much noise as they possibly can, because no large being other than Horton can hear them.  Joel, like Horton, is inviting all of the inhabitants of the land to turn from what they are doing and focus on God to be saved. 

 

Perhaps, we too, in this season, as dusty as we are, are invited to (re)turn and shout, "We are here! We are here!  We are here!" with our whole hearts.  Perhaps then, God, whom Joel reminds us "is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love," will continue to heal our hearts and the earth... the dust from which we came and shall return.

 

 

Rev. Cindy Garis

Executive Director

Oasis Ministries for Spiritual Development

419 Deerfield Road

Camp Hill, PA  17011

(717) 737-8222

cindygaris@oasismin.org

 

Explore our transformational programs at www.oasismin.org

 

Upcoming Events

2010-2011 Program Guide

March 19: The Spiritual Art of Discernment
Link to event

March 22: Spirituality for the Second-Half of Life
Link to event

April 5: Group Spiritual Direction Training
Link to event

April 11-12: 'Living Poetically' with Kent Groff at Kirkridge
Link to event

April 29: Poetry As Prayer
Link to event

May 2: Exploring Spiritual Direction
Link to event

June 10: Annual Merton Retreat Day
Link to event

August 21-28, 2011:
Southwest Pilgrimage
Link to event

September 18 -25, 2011:
Canadian Canoe Trip
Link to event

December 11, 2011:
Oasis Benefit Concert
SAVE THE DATE!

May 13-24, 2012:
Celtic Pilgrimage to Iona
Link to event

 

The Difference We Make

I received a Christmas card from one of our Oasis graduates.  She wrote,

"...the words 'FRAGILE, HANDLE WITH CARE' may not be visible but each person who enters into the Oasis community comes with needs and yearnings.  Oasis Ministries embraces, soothes, encourages and deepens each life and in turn countless others are touched.  The oasis continues to flow and nurture the world.  My life has been forever changed by my involvement with Oasis Ministries...I hold all that you do in prayer."

 

Lives are transformed because of the space, training, and presence we offer. 

I invite you to be a part of our work with your support this year.

 

Donate on-line and learn more about ways to support Oasis at http://www.oasismin.org/Donation.htm

 

I am working to raise $2000 for Oasis by December 31st.  I am 55% there... please help my holiday wish to come true by supporting (and/or sharing with others) at http://wishes.causes.com/wishes/125606

 

Thanks for your prayers and support for Oasis.

2010 has been a transformational year for us!

 

Cindy

 

 

Rev. Cindy Garis

Executive Director

Oasis Ministries for Spiritual Development

419 Deerfield Road

Camp Hill, PA  17011

(717) 737-8222

cindygaris@oasismin.org

 

Explore our transformational programs at www.oasismin.org

 

Upcoming Events

2010-2011 Program Guide

January 18: Spirituality for the Second-Half of Life
Link to event

February 4: In the Deep
Mid-Winter
Link to event

February 19: Companioning Across the Miles
Link to event

March 19: The Spiritual Art of Discernment
Link to event

March 22: Spirituality for the Second-Half of Life
Link to event

April 5: Group Spiritual Direction Training
Link to event

April 11-12: 'Living Poetically' with Kent Groff at Kirkridge
Link to event

April 29: Poetry As Prayer
Link to event

May 2: Exploring Spiritual Direction
Link to event

June 10: Annual Merton Retreat Day
Link to event

August 21-28, 2011:
Southwest Pilgrimage
Link to event

September 18 -25, 2011:
Canadian Canoe Trip
Link to event

December 11, 2011:
Oasis Benefit Concert
SAVE THE DATE!

May 13-24, 2012:
Celtic Pilgrimage to Iona
Link to event

 

2010 Homecoming Dinner

SlideShare "Check out your invitation to dinner..." 2010 Homecoming Dinner View

Eckhart Meets Eckhart

SlideShare "Check out this link for "Eckhart Meets Eckhart" - the Last Returning to the Well Retreat!" 2010 2011 eckhart meets eckhart View Also found at http://www.oasismin.org/Assets/ReturningtotheWell.html

Managing Stress and Letting Go into Hope

SlideShare "Managing Stress and Letting Go into Hope, Lancaster PA, November 13. Flyer here:" Letting Go Of Stress View Also can view more on our website: http://www.oasismin.org/Assets/LettingGoOfStress.htm

Transformation

I received this gift on a card last week, author unknown:

Transform

Realize that you change everything you touch.

You are a transformer.

Transform yourself and notice how everyone around is suddenly transformed.

Transform your fear into faith; your confusion into clarity; and your judgment into love.

Transform your relationships with the people you love and the planet you love.

Transform your thoughts into action and your ideas into reality.

Transform that dark and dingy room into a light and airy space.

Transform that old, beaten up trunk into something that holds magic.

Transform your used and worn-out beliefs about your own limitations.

Tune-in to your powerful, one-of-a-kind frequency and be the transformer you are.

Oasis 2010-2011 Program Guide

Check out the 2010-2011 Oasis Program Guide -- you will find something transformational in our offerings.

Oasis 2010-2011 Program Guide

View more documents from oasisministries.

What I Learn By Watching Barn Swallows

Savoring this life becomes an automatic and appropriate response the minute I dispense with velocity and pressure. This earth is beautiful and so are we – if I just take the time to notice.  … By going slowly, we move quickly through our many layers of defense and denial until we touch the living pulse of creativity within us all.  The Great Creator made this world to dazzle and move us.  When we slow our tempo to match the natural world’s, we do find ourselves dazzled and moved.   ~ Julia Cameron, Walking in This World

What I Learn By Watching Barn Swallows

I have heard some people say “ugh, barn swallows, they are messy, annoying birds,” but when a family decided to build a nest within 10 feet of where I could watch it…well, I found a delight in my summer I did not even know I needed.

Once we discovered the babies had hatched, I found myself each day going out in the morning to see how they were doing.  Every evening, when I came home from work, I would check and see what they were up to.  When we hit the over-90-degree days all in a row, the babies looked ‘wilty’ so I sprayed them with a squirt bottle of cold water.

These simple activities in many ways became spiritual discipline.  As Cameron notes in the quote above, it slowed me down and I was “dazzled and moved”.

Here are some reflections on the spiritual life after observing barn swallows:

1. Growth comes with time, patience, and a lot of nurturing.  As I watched the little featherless, blue-bulge-eyed beaks in the early days, I realized once again the sheer fragility of life, and the utter dependency experienced by all creatures at critical points when life is new.  Frequent visits from adult swallows fed the young ones and kept track of nearby dangers.
2. Expectancy and attentiveness assist in getting the nutrients one needs.   As the little birds grew, the more they had their mouths open, the more they were likely to get fed.  I, too, need to remain open in order to receive what I need.
3. Some knowledge comes with repetition.  It was the repeated visits of the adults that helped the babies know what to expect.  Through the repetition can an understanding of safety and trust which led to growth and strength.  Sometimes I fear repetition as I am afraid it will lead to stagnation and a ‘stuck-in-place’ experience.  Watching the birds, I re-discovered the value of discipline, regularity and routine… not that it, in and of itself, is exciting and creative, but it becomes the fertile soil in which creativity and compassionate energy flourish.
4. Watch, listen and learn.  It took only two weeks for those little birds to grow and fly.  In that time, I noticed them watching everything. They watched me, they watched the dog, they watched the cat, the watched our family in the pool… they watched for other swallows to swoop.  They listened… they listened to the adults when they gave danger warnings, and the little ones would crouch low in the 6-inch nest.  They listened to encouragement to take flight.  They learned through watching, listening and noticing.  We, too, grow in Love as we notice, watching and listening for the Creator in the world around us.
5. Sometimes you just have to hold on tight.   When we want life to come easy is when it seems that it doesn’t.  I don’t exactly know how swallow nests stay in place.  They are a mixture of liquid and matter that is packed and somehow “glued” in place, not balanced in branches, but stuck to the side of a beam. Safe space is one that holds fast. As I watched the four little birds grow, I wondered at how strong their tiny legs must be, because they were jostled and pushed in the nest (with less and less room).  They had to hold tight to not fall out too early and die.  And on the day after they first flew, they held tight to the clothesline in a pelting, driving rain.  My reminder: build well, be prepared, and hold on until the storm is past.
6. Flying is a community affair.  I am not an avid bird-watcher, but one thing I noticed about barn swallows is that flying and the teaching of flying is a community activity.  As it got closer to the time where the young ones were to leave the nest, we realized that more and more barn swallows were showing up.  Initially, on occasion we would see one adult, eventually may be two.  By the time the little ones took flight, there were at least four adults present.  Class was in session.  And when the little birds left the nest, they did not leave it on their own.  There were others always present, and even today, we have a community of swallows perched on the clothesline.  I suppose this reminds me that I don’t need to go it alone… and for Oasis? Well, we fly best in community as well.

Blessings,

Cindy

This time with the swallows came at a time when I and Oasis are invited to fly.

You can read more about this time in the “… and they flew” challenge(.doc).

Rev. Cindy Garis

Executive Director

Oasis Ministries for Spiritual Development

419 Deerfield Road

Camp Hill, PA  17011

(717)737-8222

cindygaris@oasismin.org

www.oasismin.org

Wisdom 2.0: Mindfulness in Technology

In searching one of the many technology sights I frequent, I enjoyed reading about Wisdom 2.0:Staying Mindful Amidst Technology Overload. The article spoke of the Wisdom 2.0 Conference. The first of its kind, Wisdom 2.0 Conference brought together people from a variety of different disciplines to explore the concept of how we can live mindfully amidst fast-paced streams of information and technologies that are becoming the daily reality for many people. Speakers ranged from Google executives to Zen priests to Twitter venture capitalists to small business owners to nonprofit consultants.

I find this fascinating, especially as we become more and more technologically savvy and Oasis is mindfulness and attentiveness.

To read the article and discover key points from the conference, read
http://blog.techsoup.org/node/1302?cg=btc&sg=may3

Oasis Ministries Blog: 5 Little Things

Oasis Ministries Blog: 5 Little Things

5 Little Things

5 Little Things that Create the Opportunity to Listen

While we cannot always guarantee that we will listen, we can implement some structures in our lives that provide the opportunity to listen.

1. Quiet Diet: It was mentioned as part of Noise Awareness Day to have 60 seconds of no noise from 2:15-2:16pm.  Why not challenge yourself to take those 60 seconds everyday in the middle of the afternoon - set your alarm to it (some people even set their cell phone alarms to highlight the 'praying of the hours'.
2. Light a Candle for Bills:  when sitting down to pay your bills, pause a moment and light a candle, simply to be mindful and hold gratitude for the abundance you have.
3. Ask and Receive:  We all know people who physically have a difficult time hearing (and some hearing devices accentuate background noise).  Take a moment to ask those individuals what is the most helpful to them for you to communicate with them, and then receive their wealth of insight and the gifts they offer.
4. Drop a Note: sometimes the noise in our lives is not audible.  Sometimes it is internal static/anxiety and the tensions of obligations.  Take a moment to drop a simple note of remembrance (to re-member) to let someone who comes to mind know that your are thinking of them and holding them in prayer.
5. Pause before meals: we used to sing as a blessing at meal times.  As our household has gotten louder, we have come to hold dear the moments of silence we now take before meals - cherished time to be present together, to not have to talk, to be grateful, to breathe, and to listen.

I am sure you have many more ways.  I welcome your additions and comments.

Oasis in Virginia - May 15 - Spread the Word!

Retreat: An Introduction to Contemplative Prayer

http://www.oasismin.org/Assets/Introduction%20to%20Contemplative%20Prayer.html

 

We welcome you to join us on Saturday, May 15th for a day of quiet
retreat and contemplative spiritual enrichment. Evelyn Underhill writes,
"We mostly spend our lives conjugating three verbs: to Want, to Have, to
Do." Yet our souls are thirsty for something more.
 

Come explore God's invitation to slow down and look beneath the surface of our busy lives to the place where Love waits for us. We will glean from both ancient paths of prayer and contemporary practices with times for silence, solitude,
chant, and small group work.

 

No experience necessary. Please bring a journal and come prepared for an optional walk outdoors, weather permitting.

 

Facilitators for the day will be Roland and Melissa Stock
from Oasis Ministries for Spiritual Development in Camp Hill, Pa. Roland
and Melissa belong to St. Luke's Episcopal Church in Mechanicsburg,
Pennsylvania. They are active in retreat work and spiritual direction in
their parish and beyond.

 

Click here for website – Share with a friend! 

 

When?

Saturday, May 15, 2010; 9:30 a.m.—3:30 p.m.

 

Where?

Olivet Episcopal Church  www.olivetepiscopalchurch.org

6107 Franconia Road, Alexandria, VA 22310-2542; phone: (703) 971-4733

 

Retreat Fee?

$65-$95 (as you are able)

Payment via check or money order--VISA, Mastercard, Discover Card are welcome.

 

Registration Deadline: May 3, 2010

 

To register, contact Betsy Keller at 717.737.8222 or betsykeller@oasismin.org

 

 

NJ Oasis Opportunity: Explore Spiritual Direction

I just wanted to make sure that you knew Oasis was offering an 'Exploring Spiritual Direction' day in New Jersey. Details for the day are below.

 

Share this email or the website for this event: http://www.oasismin.org/Assets/Exploring%20Spiritual%20Direct.html

 

Thanks,

Cindy

 

Exploring Spiritual Direction:
A Retreat Day of Learning

Come join us for ‘a day apart’ coupled with an introduction to spiritual direction. We will explore both the receiving of spiritual direction as a part of an individual’s spiritual walk as well as what is involved in a ministry of offering spiritual direction. As a part of the day, there will be time for prayer and quiet reflection along with a “real” play of a spiritual direction session, presentations about spiritual direction, sharing with others interested in the spiritual life, and information about Oasis Ministries’ training program, Spiritual Direction for Spiritual Guides.

 

 

Leadership: Lorelei Oelschlager, Marc Oehler, and Jane Politi are all trained spiritual directors and graduates of Oasis' Spiritual Direction for Spiritual Guides.  Lorelei lives and works at Johnsonburg Presbyterian Center in Johnsonburg, NJ, where she acts as summer chaplain, spiritual sanctuary coordinator, and alumni coordinator. Marc is Associate Pastor of the Presbyterian Church of Chatham Township, NJ, and has been on staff for Oasis' SDSG and Contemplative Living programs. Jane is Director of Educational Ministries to Children and Adults at Covenant Presbyterian Church, Trenton, NJ.

 

When?

Tuesday, May 4, 2010; 9:30 a.m.—3:30 p.m.

 

Where?

Camp Johnsonburg www.campjburg.org

PO Box 475, 822 Rte 519, Johnsonburg, NJ 07846

 

Retreat Fee?

$65-$95 (as you are able)

[Register 3 or more people, receive small group discount: $55-75 per person]

 

Registration Deadline: Wednesday, April 28, 2010

 

To register, contact Betsy Keller at 717.737.8222 or betsykeller@oasismin.org

 

A Lenten Adventure to Share -- Please share within your circles

Oasis Ministries offers a chance to go deeper this Lenten season:

 

ADVENTURING THROUGH LENT
A Retreat Day with authors and teachers, Bruce and Kate Epperly

 

Friday, March 5, 2010
10:00AM-3:00PM
(9:30AM Check-in and fellowship)

Drawing from Bruce’s book, Holy Adventure: 41 Days of Audacious Living, a book that challenges Christians to take bold moves in connecting with God and to move beyond trendy Christianity to a meaningful relationship, Bruce and Kate will provide participants with an invitation to a deeper experience of Lent as well as tools for the adventurous journey. The retreat will include silence and contemplative prayer, theological reflections and creative experiences.

Cost: $35-55 (as you are able)
Seminarians: $10

Location:
Palmyra First United Methodist Church
520 E. Birch Street, Palmyra, PA  17078

Leaders: Bruce and Kate Epperly are authors, teachers, coaches, encouragers, and co-pastors of Disciples United Community Church in Millersville, PA

Learn more about Bruce and Kate

To Register:
Please contact Betsy Keller (betsykeller@oasismin.org) or call 717-737-8222

 

 

This event is part of Oasis’ Author Series. To learn more about the series, click here

Or visit http://www.oasismin.org/Author_Series.html

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks so much.

Cindy

 

Rev. Cindy Garis

Executive Director

Oasis Ministries for Spiritual Development

419 Deerfield Road

Camp Hill, PA  17011

cindygaris@oasismin.org

717-737-8222 

 

Explore www.oasismin.org

 

Oasis Offerings for Men

Knowing that men share best with other men, Oasis is establishing new offerings this year for MEN ONLY. 

These include:

• "Inward Bound: The Spirituality of the Desert Fathers for Men Today"
  A Retreat with author teacher, Belden Lane
  April 16-18, 2010
  Camp Krislund, PA
  click here to learn more
• Men4Directions
  Men4Directions is a year-long program of Oasis Ministries intended to help men grow in faith, self-awareness, and spiritual wholeness. The program includes small group community, quarterly retreats, and solo-time in the wilderness to engage with Spirit and soul. M4D provides one-on-one spiritual direction, small group support and accountability, and solitude in natural settings.
  click here to learn more

 

This was originally a piece of our January 24, 2010 e-newsletter.  To view the newsletter in a browser, click here.

To sign up to receive Oasis e-news, visit our website at www.oasismin.org or sign up on our Facebook page

 

 

Oasis Offers 2010 Canadian Canoe Trip

Oasis is excited to once again offer a Contemplative Canoe Trip this September.  Join Vicki Kensinger and Dennis and Marti Shaak in exploring God in creation while canoeing Algonquin Park, Ontario, Canada.  If you experienced our annual gathering dinner in November, you saw amazing pictures from the 2009 pilgrimage.

September 12-18, 2010

Click Here to Learn More about the Canoe Trip

 

 

 

 

 

This was originally a piece of our January 24, 2010 e-newsletter.  To view the newsletter in a browser, click here.

To sign up to receive Oasis e-news, visit our website at www.oasismin.org or sign up on our Facebook page