The institutional church has taken the position they own the faith and simply rent it to us. That is a lie.
Continue reading "Ten Reasons for LGBT People to Own Your Faith" »
Continue reading "Ten Reasons for LGBT People to Own Your Faith" »
Pastorpaul on January 25, 2014 in Christianity, Gay Culture and Lifestyles, In the Spirit, MyOutSpirit Member Spotlight, Personal Growth, Religion, Sexuality and Spirituality, Theology | Permalink | Comments (1)
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Mary Anne Flanagan/Toning the OM on June 07, 2013 in Conscious Business, Personal Growth | Permalink | Comments (0)
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The peace you are seeking is seeking you. The forgiveness you are waiting for is waiting for you. ~Mary Anne Flanagan/Toning the OM
This week I picked up an old favorite to re-read — Viktor Frankl’s book, Man’s Search for Meaning. Frankl, an Austrian psychiatrist, was imprisoned in Auschwitz and Dachau, and he writes eloquently about his harrowing experiences in the death camps. It was through unimaginable suffering that Frankl was able to find meaning not only in his life, but to fully understand how others find meaning in theirs. He writes in his book, “When we are no longer able to change a situation…we are challenged to change ourselves.”
How can we change ourselves? Viktor Frankl writes, “Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms – to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way.” I have been choosing an attitude of “Occupy Forgiveness” for a few months. Forgiveness has taught me to live in the present and leave the past behind. When I find myself seeking peace, I have noticed that peace is seeking me.
Are there people and situations in your life you are still carrying around with anger, disappointment, and sadness? Please join me on a journey of peace in an upcoming telecourse on Forgiveness. Resting in Radical Forgiveness telecourse starts Monday, November 7 at 8PM (ET).
What would it take for you to Occupy Forgiveness?
Peace, Mary Anne
Mary Anne Flanagan is a Certified Life Coach, Shamanic Practitioner and Teacher workshop facilitator, inspired speaker, and creator of Toning the OM™. Mary Anne Flanagan/Toning the OM™: [email protected] or 917.238.9726. Visit http://www.toningtheom.com
Mary Anne Flanagan/Toning the OM on October 27, 2011 in Personal Growth | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
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We are hard wired for compassion. It is part of our spiritual positioning system. It is at the core of our journey to being fully alive and fully human. When I am compassionate I yearn for the well-being of all. I become conscious of my oneness with all things.
In Galatians Paul ends the final chapter with a blessing of “peace and mercy” on those who follow a journey to a new creation; on those who believe that there are no divisions within the human family. In his mind the divisions of his time – male and female, slave or free, Jew or gentile, circumcised or uncircumcised – are all irrelevant. His talk of peace is helpful. His blessing of mercy is arrogant and disconnected from peace.
So what does this mean? Peace is about the social, economic and spiritual well-being of all. It is not about the absence of conflict. When my life is grounded in seeking the well-being of others it leads me to help resolve conflicts that keep you or me from knowing peace.
So what does that look like? Peace is about a way of consciousness that says you and I are part of a oneness that exists between all things and people. I understand that you want to live in happiness as much as I do. When a GLBTQ teenager is bullied for who they are, a Muslim vilified as the enemy, women denied full equality or the race of an immigrant is used to conjure up hate talk I will not be passive.
The blessing of peace is only a blessing when I choose not to be silent. Peace becomes a blessing when I am proactive – in my words, intentions or actions. Elsewhere Paul is clear that the spiritual journey invites you and me to “walk in love” and become like a “fragrant offering.”
I believe that the only criteria for whom we are, how we are and where we are on our path is the intention to love with abandonment. Love defines us. In the world of the ancient Middle East love was a contractual arrangement – a promise to come to the aid of another who was attacked in any way.
So coming to the aid of another who is vilified or attacked is an expression of love that bring us alive and of seeking well-being or peace.
That’s why Paul’s blessing of “mercy” is an arrogant disconnect. Mercy comes with an imbalance of power. It assumes that you have the power to dispense it over another. This is not part of an ecosystem of oneness! It ruptures your spiritual positioning system.
Compassion is the sibling of love. It makes me think of two Jewish names for the Holy – God of the Breasts and God of the Womb. Compassion invites us into nurturing, feeding, sustaining and growing the ecosystem of oneness and well-being for all. Compassion, not mercy, is a way of walking in love that is transformative.
So mercy be darned! Blessings are revealed in our intentions of peace and compassion. How do they co-exist in your spiritual positioning system?
Robert V. Taylor is a speaker, blogger, author and Chair of the Desmond Tutu Peace Foundation in New York. Visit him at www.robertvtaylor.com or www.wakeupforlife.com
Robert V. Taylor on April 13, 2011 in In the Spirit, Integral Spirituality, Personal Growth, Spiritual Community, Spirituality | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
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We may have missed the point in the flurry of dropped jaws, jokes and awe after Lady Gaga arrived at the 2011 Grammy Awards inside a giant milky egg designed by Hussein Chalayan:
Truly growing up is a constant process of rebirthing yourself.
We all protect ourselves with a shell - a story about who we are, how others see us, what we are capable of, and how the world works.
We start creating these stories about ourselves early, based on what we learn from our parents and early childhood experiences. Our stories develop themes from our conclusions about the events of our lives, and these shadow beliefs constantly whisper that we are not worthy of love, happiness and success.
With Born This Way, Lady Gaga encourages us to break out of our shells and claim a new story that serves our highest good.
"Our stories have a purpose," explains Debbie Ford in The Secret of the Shadow. "Even though they set our limitations, they also help us define who we are so we don't feel completely lost in the world. Living inside them is like being inside a clear capsule. The thin transparent walls act like a shell that traps us inside. Even though we have the ability to gaze outside and view the world around us, we stay safely trapped inside, comfortable with the familiar terrain, bound by an inner knowing that no matter what we do, think, or say, we can go no further... In a desperate attempt to give our lives meaning, we create and then repeat our stories; and as we cling to who we think we are, we perpetuate our dramas."
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning people are as addicted to our stories as anyone else.
We can burst out of our mental shells just like Gaga did at the Grammys.
We can CHOOSE what story we believe. We can choose to believe that we are fully empowered, worthy, blessed and "born this way."
We don't have to be anybody's victim. We can be SHAMELESS. We don't have to conform to anyone else's idea of who we should be; we don't have to conform to gay stereotypes any more than we have to conform to heteronormative culture and relationships.
Once you wake up and recognize your story, you can choose to break out of your shell.
When she was the spiritual leader at my church, Marianne Williamson told us that when it's time for a chick to be born, their egg's internal environment turns toxic - it fills up with gas and the chick has to break out or die. Being trapped inside your bad story feels the same way. Will you lead a life of quiet desperation and keep listening to your toxic internal dialogue, or break out - even though it's scary -and claim the life you want?
"No matter what the problem is, our experiences are just outer effects of inner thoughts," Louse Hay explains in You Can Heal Your Life. "Even self-hatred is only hating a thought you have about yourself. You have a thought that says, 'I'm a bad person.' This thought produces a feeling, and you buy into the feeling. However, if you don't have the thought, you won't have the feeling. And thoughts can be changed. Change the thought, and the feeling must go."
She's ready to help you change your story, but you have to listen. Enjoy the dazzle, but don't be distracted by the sensationalism. Pay attention.
This is big.
Love,
Clayton Gibson
Founder, MyOutSpirit.com
MyOutSpirit.com Founder, Clayton Gibson on February 16, 2011 in Coming Out, Entertainment and Pop Culture, Media, Missionary Position, Music, Personal Growth | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
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God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
As I think about what my activism looks like, I come back to the serenity prayer more and more these days. I also come back to the adage "Be the change you wish to see in the world." I used to believe this meant that I should not wait for someone else to step up and change the world, I should change the world. Instead, today, four years later after I was first introduced to nonviolence, I think that I really get that change begins within me.
I am not called to change the world, I am called to be the change.
It is a sobering moment to pray the serenity prayer and realize that "the things I cannot change" are in fact everything outside of me. That the only thing I can really, truly change is myself.
I want desperately to change the world. I want to stop bullying, and prevent suicides, and create jobs, and ensure everyone is well fed. I want to make my friend's parents understand and accept his gender and I want to make a different friend's parents see how truly wonderful she is, to pay attention to her. I want everyone to have fulfilling employment and adequate healthcare. There is so much I want to do for the world.
God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change.
I know the day my parents' attitude toward my queerness began to change: it was the day I told them I was ready to loose them forever. I could not change my parents. So I took care of myself. I had friends who loved and supported me. Some of them had parents who gave me mints before dates and asked how I was doing emotionally. Heck, Golden Globe nominee Stephanie Zimbalist even asked if I was planning to go vacation with my boyfriend! Somehow I managed to realize I could not change my parents, that I would need to make my own serenity. I am thankful for that wisdom (and I am thankful that my parents changed and are wonderful, affirming parts of my life today).
God grant me the courage to change the things I can.
When all that I can change is myself, changing the things I can is scary stuff. It is uncomfortable to change myself. To change myself means I might have to admit failure and wrongdoing. I like to believe I'm perfect.
Help me to truly change myself. To be willing to look at the unearned privilege I receive everyday: as a white person; as a man; as someone who is cis gender; as an American citizen; as typically abled; as debt free.
Give me the courage to give up the unearned privilege I receive daily in ways big and small, privilege which allows me to step on or over or past others. Give me the courage to seek out answers to difficult questions, to do my own homework and to educate myself. Give me the courage to step off the platform and allow someone else to step up. Give me the courage to refer interviewers or guest post requests or speaking engagements or book deals to those who know more and who are more affected by the issues. Give me the courage to listen. Give me the courage to learn. Give me the courage to change myself.
If I want to be the change I wish to see in the world, if I wish to change the things I can, I have a lot of work to do.
Give me the courage to judge myself not on how many debate points I score, rallies I attend, speeches I write, decisions I influence, or hearts & minds I change. Give me the courage to judge myself on how thoroughly I examine myself and my motives, how justly I act in the world, how interconnected I am willing to be with others.
God grant me the serenity
to accept the things I cannot change;
courage to change the things I can;
and wisdom to know the difference.
Brian Gerald Murphy is the founder of a web design and media consulting firm, Be Gee M: Design & Media, and manages the branding and marketing of several diverse online ventures. He is also the co-founder of Sanctuary Collective, an organization that inspires, empowers, and supports young LGBTQ adults and allies living and organizing for justice in Christian communities. He was a participant in the Soulforce Equality Ride in 2007, where he and a number of other young adults visited colleges and universities across the Western United States. Brian was raised in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC, and graduated from the University of Southern California with degrees in cinematic arts and religion. Connect with him online via twitter @begeem or at www.briangerald.com.
Brian on January 30, 2011 in Christianity, Personal Growth, Politics and Spirituality, Race, Ethnicity, and Class Issues, Spirituality, Theology | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Tags: activism, Christianity, gay activism, gay Christian, LGBT, LGBT activism, prayer
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{from Azariah Southworth, http://azariahspeaks.blogspot.com/}
In May 2010, Ray Boltz and I were in Long Beach, CA as part of our national tour, "Living True." So was the Phelps family of Westboro Baptist Church.
The Westboro Baptist Church is primarily made up of the Phelps family. They're famous for protesting American soldiers funerals and gay events, such as the one Ray and I were attending. Their signs such as, "God hates fags" and "Thank God for dead soldiers" has infuriated people all over the world. So much so, there is a pending Supreme Court case, which if it doesn't go in their favor, would limit or even silence their hate speech.
I heard the Phelps family would be in Long Beach the same weekend as Ray and I. When I woke up that Saturday morning, I heard shouting outside my hotel room. I went over to the window and pulled back the curtain. There they were, ten stories below me, with their infamous signs in tow.
I immediately became excited. I've wanted to meet the Phelps family for years now. There were so many things I've thought about saying and doing to them. However, since my transition from a faith based in fear to a faith based in love, I no longer had the desire to do any of those things anymore.
Instead of responding to them out of fear, I could only think of how I could respond out of love. But what would that look like?
I found a corner store nearby and bought five bottles of water. I figured it was warm that day and they might be thirsty.
Estranged son of Fred Phelps, Nate Phelps, has recently started speaking out about his experience of growing up in the Phelps family. In a exclusive interview with The Standard, Nate revealed his father, Fred, would physically beat his mother for hours and also abuse the children the same.
When I saw them outside my hotel window that Saturday morning, I no longer saw people who hate me because I'm gay. I saw victims of Fred Phelps. I saw people who have never experienced unconditional love and are controlled by the fear of going to hell.
As I approached them, I grew nervous, but went up to each one and asked, "Are you thirsty?" All of them said no, as I thought they would, "Well, if you get thirsty, here is some water. It's warm out, you need to stay hydrated." Before I walked away, I attempted to look at each of them in the eyes and tell them, "I want you to know, you're loved." Only one of them responded to that... Mara Phelps.
With her soft spoken voice she told me that we must obey all the laws of God or face his judgment. I asked Mara, "When was the moment you experienced the love of God?"
Mara looked down then up again at me and said, "I don't even know if God loves me."
It was then I reassured her that God does love her. I then shared with her the moment I experienced the love of God which has changed my life. Mara listened, I thanked her for listening and one last time looked at her in the eyes and said, "Mara, you're loved."
If it wasn't for God's love transforming me, there would have been no way I could have done anything more than join in with the 50+ counter protesters and yell back at these victims of Fred Phelps. It is only because of the unconditional love of God continuously transforming me that I could respond in love to their extremely hateful message.
That Saturday morning, I made a new friend... her name is Mara Phelps and God loves her.
Be love,
Azariah Southworth
Azariah Southworth on January 27, 2011 in Azariah Southworth, Christianity, Current Affairs, Ethics, Morality, and Values, Events, Fighting Homophobia, Global LGBT Work, Personal Growth, Queer Youth, Relationships and Family Life, Sexuality and Spirituality, Stories and Memoir | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
Tags: Fred Phelps, Westboro Baptist Church
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{Mary Anne Flanagan, Toning the OM}
“If the only prayer you said in your whole life was, “thank you,” that would suffice.” ~Meister Eckhart
As we make plans for a big meal with family or friends, for volunteering to serve others in need, and for expressing our thanks, let us remember all we are “grate-full” for. How are you full of gratitude?
By expressing gratitude as a daily practice, I have discovered that gratitude is an attitude and that once you have it, you can make it a regular practice. There are many gratitude attitude practices that can be incorporated into everyday life.
Be “grate-full”:
I’m grateful for…
My life would be dull if it weren’t for…
The following people make my life richer…because they… (these could be people your personally know or people who simply inspire you)
I appreciate the following things about myself…
This year I’ve been blessed with….
When I am grateful, the world is grateful.
Happy Thanksgiving!
“Grate-fully”,
Mary Anne
Mary Anne Flanagan is an intuitive Shamanic Practitioner and Teacher, Certified Life Coach, workshop facilitator, inspired speaker, and creator of Toning the OM™. Mary Anne Flanagan/Toning the OM™:[email protected] or 917.238.9726. Visit http://www.toningtheom.com
Mary Anne Flanagan/Toning the OM on November 23, 2010 in Personal Growth | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
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By now you've probably watched at least one of the amazing videos from the "It Gets Better" Project (if not, here's my favorite so far).
Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender (LGBT) and ally people of all ages, races and religions are making videos to let you know that, even though there are challenging times growing up and coming out - junior high and high school, for instance - "It gets better." Eventually, if you hold on, you will overcome the bullies, you'll get stronger, and you will find love.
If you're going through a particularly tough time now and don't know how you can stand to face tomorrow, you can always talk to someone at 1-866-488-7386. (Donate $5 to The Trevor Project hotline by texting Trevor to 85944.)
Obviously, if you're being bullied or abused, the first step is to TELL SOMEONE. Get help. If the first authority figure you tell doesn't help, tell someone else. That almost goes without saying, but it takes courage to stand up or to admit something's hurting.
Don't get me wrong - it really DOES get better with time, and it really DOES get better after high school, and everyone in those videos is right to share their stories of overcoming hardship, discrimination and suicidal thoughts - it really helps to hear that other people have been through what you're going through and come out okay.
But here's the thing: nothing happens if you don't do anything.
Let's try an experiment!
Sit in your chair, close your eyes and think very hard about getting up and going into the kitchen. Think about this for 30 seconds.
Okay, how far did you move?
You DIDN'T! Getting up and going into the kitchen is just like making your life happy - you have to take the small actions to change things!
Ah, but what action to take to "Make It Better?"
Many of the "It Gets Better" video stars talk about how great it was when they got out of their small town and moved to (wherever). While there's something to be said for getting away from an abusive situation, if your problem is depression, shame and suicidal thoughts, just changing your environment may not be enough. Besides, maybe you're not old enough to move out on your own, and don't want to join the 500,000 homeless LGBT youth already on the streets.
The most important thing you can do to "Make It Better" is to train your mind to be happy, and practice doing the things that improve your life.
You can't always control your environment. You can't control what other people say or do. Bad things sometimes happen to everyone at any age.
But you CAN learn to control how you respond.
I'm not saying it's easy, especially when you're in crisis or distracted by raging hormones! At the same time, it's possible, and thousands of years of research has been conducted!
Both ancient and New Age meditation traditions can provide you with inspiration and instruction in training your mind so that, no matter what happens to you, you can maintain a stable, happy mental state. Meditation and affirmations can even help you conquer negative thoughts and habits.
Easy for me to say, right? Of course I'm going to point you in that direction since I run MyOutSpirit.com, a social network for spiritual LGBTQ people, but hey, if starting a Christian, Jewish, Buddhist, Silva Mind Training or other meditation practice doesn't sound good to you, I have another recommendation.
I recently read YOU CAN HEAL YOUR LIFE, a book by Louise Hay that is all about retraining your mind to think happy, healing thoughts. It really helped me take responsiblity for my own happiness. I am happier every day because I read and applied some of the simple instructions in this book. Check it out at the library or click here to buy it from Amazon.com, and see if it helps you, too.
This book is easy to read. Some of it may seem silly (her mirror-work was famously mocked on Saturday Night Live), but with 40 million books sold, you have to admit something's working for people. Like any other inspirational book, read it with discernment. It's okay to feel silly. It's okay to not agree with everything. Keep your eyes and heart open. Experiment. Play. See what happens.
Whatever actions you choose to help you control your own mind and your own life and your own destiny - what you do to MAKE IT BETTER - know that there are millions of us supporting you and loving you unconditionally and eager to see the amazing person and life you create for yourself.
Hang in there.
photo: "Fight Club II" by Michael Winkler
MyOutSpirit.com Founder, Clayton Gibson on November 15, 2010 in Current Affairs, Mental Health, Missionary Position, Personal Growth, Queer Youth | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
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