Edward Viljoen: When Spirituality Hurts, Today with Dr. Edward Viljoen, 8/11/2024

Sunday, August 11, 2024

When Spirituality Hurts, Today with Dr. Edward Viljoen, 8/11/2024

By: Edward Viljoen on Sunday, August 11, 2024

Share it Please

Hello, dear friends and community members of the Center for Spiritual Living, Santa Rosa!

As we navigate the complexities of life, there are moments when spiritual teachings, though intended to guide us, can sometimes cause us pain. This Sunday, August 11, at our 9 am and 11 am services, I invite you to explore this tender topic with us as we delve into when spirituality hurts us and learn how to prevent that hurt from continuing.

Engage Your Compassionate Curiosity

We'll reflect on the challenges that arise when spiritual principles are misunderstood or applied without compassion. We'll also explore how to engage with spiritual curiosity, particularly when interacting with those who are experiencing pain or hardship. Rather than trying to fix or explain away their struggles, we can learn to be present, to listen deeply, and to offer support in a way that honors their experience.

This message is relevant not only to those who have been hurt by spirituality but also to anyone seeking to deepen their spiritual practice by becoming more compassionate and empathetic. Whether you're attending in person, tuning in on YouTube, or listening through our radio program or podcast, you'll find a space that welcomes and affirms you.

What to Expect Today:

An exploration of how misapplied spiritual teachings can cause pain.
Guidance on how to tune into your spiritual curiosity and respond with compassion and presence.
Real-life stories that illustrate the power of compassion and the harm of oversimplified spiritual advice.

You are invited to join us in person at either our 9 a.m. or 11 a.m. service. If you prefer to connect from the comfort of your home, you can watch our service live on our YouTube channel or listen to our radio program or podcast. For more information on how to access our services in different ways, please visit www.cslsr.org and click on the "Media" tab.

Whether you’re new to our community or have been with us for years, we welcome you to explore these important topics with us. Come with an open heart, and leave with a renewed sense of connection and purpose.

We look forward to seeing you on Sunday!

With warmth and gratitude,

Edward Viljoen

No comments:

Bhagavad-Gita For Beginners

The Bhagavad Gita: The Song of God Retold in Simplified English is the latest title in the Essential Wisdom Library. This unique edition of the timeless epic is designed to be accessible for readers without any prior experience of Hinduism. Not merely a translation of the original, Viljoen has simplified and restated the Gita’s complex ideas, so that a first-time reader can fully appreciate the scope and beauty of this magnificent Indian classic. Written in concise, modern language, the retelling vividly captures the power and depth of the original work.

Reviews

“While goodness, kindness, compassion, and faith might seem like ordinary concepts, when it comes to actually living them in the face of life’s daily challenges, it’s easy to get stuck. Edward Viljoen has given us a gentle, illuminating, compassionate guidebook to living from the goodness that lies at the heart of who we really are.”
—Alan Seale, founder of the Center for Transformational Presence, and author of Create A World That Works and Intuitive Living

“Ordinary Goodness reminds me I can see goodness and kindness every day. Edward reminds all of us, that despite our failings, we really can be both good and kind. Brew a cup of tea and curl up with this insightful and achingly beautiful account of the mystery, paradox, and wonder of your life. You’ll be glad you did!”
—Petra Weldes, author of Joyous Living Journal

“If kindness were a country, Ordinary Goodness would be its travel guide. In this book, Edward Viljoen delves into a perfectly ordinary yet arguably neglected virtue—kindness—and reveals its source, its rewards, and a well-defined approach for integrating kindness into your very bones. Combining his personal history with his decades of experience as a minister, Viljoen is eminently qualified to teach us that the ordinariness of kindness may actually be the most dazzling quality we might possess.”
—Randall Friesen, publisher of Newt List Books

Edward Viljoen was a recent guest to my radio show, "In The Spirit." I had read his book, "Ordinary Goodness" and was happy to talk with him about it. I like the way he inserts stories from his own life to illustrate various points. In this cynical age, this book is a tonic a guide to live a good life by being good to others. We cannot be truly happy until we do. Thank you, Edward for bringing a much needed topic to our attention.

—Gary Goldberg, host of In The Spirit

The Power of Meditation

“Edward Viljoen’s new book, The Power of Meditation, is a gift. It serves as a practical guidebook for those who are new at spiritual practice, as well as a beautiful reminder of simplicity and essence for those who have been engaged in spiritual practice for a lifetime. Edward helps us find the strength we need to be present with whatever life brings. He takes the reader by the hand, dispels the mysteries, and makes this elusive thing called meditation very real and doable.” —Alan Seal, author of Create a World That Works