Welcome to the Lake Tahoe Spiritual Living Center!

I’ll be real honest  here:  I don’t much care for church.

At least, not in the traditional sense of the word.  You know, when you go once a week, listen to someone tell you what to believe, believe him, and then go about your normal business the rest of the week, blindly following the lead of the person who was standing at the podium last Sunday, somehow thinking that if you are a good boy or girl, all will be well.

Nope, not for me.

So, off I went on life’s journey, thinking church and all that God stuff wasn’t on my list of things to do.  I had some…..um….interesting adventures and survived them.  There were times when I was conscious enough to have an inkling of a thought that there must be more to life than this.  On I continued with my interesting adventures, still surviving, until one day I realized I simply could not exist anymore the way I had been existing.  I’ll spare you the details, but suffice to say it was not pretty and I was not doing well.

I also knew that while church was not an option for me, spirituality was.  So I began seeking.  And found my way back home to the Centers for Spiritual Living.  I say back home because I come from a family line of New Thought folks.  When I was a kid, my dad became a Practitioner in CSL.  I grew up with him saying things like “thought is powerful” and “God is everywhere” and “it doesn’t necessarily have to be called God” and “change your thinking, change your life.”

I needed a change in my thinking, so I began taking classes.  Centers for Spiritual Living are all about teaching.  We teach spiritual tools so that you can live a better life.  My first class was, I think, Practical Mysticism.   What I got out of that class was that I knew I wanted to become a Practitioner.  Four years of classes later and I was installed as a Practitioner at CSL Carson City.

So I settled into a relatively new life as a Spiritual Coach, helping people, and living a very peaceful life because I had found what was missing before.  I no longer existed, I was living life to its fullest!

Then along came Ministerial School.  Now remember, this is the girl who doesn’t like church.  But Ministerial School called.  The calling didn’t make sense.  I was cruising along, happy in my day job as owner of a photography studio and happy in my part time job as Spiritual Coach.  Yet…..there was something.  Some nebulous and indescribable little nudge that would not go away.  Things fell into place with very little effort on my part, and I was matriculated into the Masters Degree Program at Holmes Institute.

That was two years ago, and with a graduation date in two  more years (June of 2014), I still don’t like church much, at least not as I described it in the beginning of this post.

But, I LOVE going to Centers for Spiritual Living!   I love going on Sundays to hear the talks given by our wonderful and talented and well trained speakers.  And I especially love that within each and every message is another message:  it says to find out for yourself whether what I am saying is true, take a class, incorporate spiritual practices into your every day life.  It says that spirituality is not just about attending a Sunday celebration service.

Every time I go on a Sunday to a CSL (it doesn’t matter where it is) I leave empowered, refreshed and excited.

So now I am trained, and now we have our very own CSL in South Lake Tahoe.  Myself and small group of people have a vision:  that there will be a CSL presence in South Lake Tahoe where people can go to learn spiritual tools to live happier lives.  We are totally and completely committed to that vision and so, we are offering some events for you, three to be exact.

1.  Third Tuesdays.  Beginning October 16, at 6 pm, at the Blue Angel Loft at 1132 Ski Run Blvd in South Lake Tahoe, I will be presenting the first of a series of monthly talks.  Yes, it’s a bit like church.  You go, and you hear some inspirational words and listen to some cool music.  But that’s only the beginning.  I will be giving a talk once a month, every Third Tuesday, at the Blue Angel Loft, at 6 pm, for the foreseeable future.  Here’s the deal:  if you do nothing but come once a month to hear me talk (by the way, I’m an excellent speaker) you will benefit.  But wait….there’s more!

2.  First, second, fourth and fifth Tuesdays: in other words, all the other Tuesdays of the month, I will be teaching a beginner’s class designed to allow you to explore what this thing called Center for Spiritual Living is all about.  It’s love offering based, and it will be held all the other Tuesdays of the month, at the Center for Spiritual Living Lake Tahoe at 3665 Tamarack, in South Lake Tahoe.  We are currently sharing space with my photography studio, Image Angels.  It’s a nice space, with beautiful art work on the walls. You’ll like it.  It all begins at 6 pm.

3.  Living Deeply.  CSLLT is, after all, a Teaching Chapter, so we are gonna be teaching, a lot!  Brenda Heldoorn is teaching this class.  It’s based on the book called Living Deeply, published by the Institute of Noetic Sciences.  This is a great book and I plan to attend the class because Brenda is a great teacher!  She’s also a Practitioner by the way.  This class is a ten week class and cost is $100, or $10 per class, plus you will have to purchase the book.  We will have some on sale at the first class but if you order your book from Amazon right now, you’ll have it in time for class.  This class starts at 6:30 pm, the first class will be Thursday, October 18,  and will also be held at CSLLT at3665 Tamarack.

So, to recap, come hear me speak the Third Tuesday of every month at 6 pm at the Blue Angel Loft.  My first talk title, by the way, is “Take it Through the Roof.”  Then on Tuesdays and Thursdays at CSLLT, come to class!

Here is my promise to you:  if you come, and apply some of the principles you learn to your life, your life will change.  I guarantee it.

Are you angry at God?  Do you wonder why all this stuff is happening to you, and think it is really all quite unfair?

Have you decided that the whole God/religion thing is simply not for you,  because you can’t bring yourself to believe what they taught you when you were a kid?  Or maybe you believe in that God they talked about, but can’t hang with the rest of the story:  the dogma that says you must behave in a certain way or burn in hell forever.  Or maybe you believe in all of it, but simply are angry at God because you feel he has deserted you, or not given you what you wanted, or gave you something you didn’t want.

You can take comfort in knowing that you are not alone.  A big percentage of the people who come to me for spiritual counseling are there because they are angry at God.  And in the classes that I teach, the subject comes up all the time. There is a way out of the confusion and anger.  There is a way you can come to terms with a God of your understanding, one that works for you in your life.

Spirituality is ancient.  Religion is new when compared to spirituality.  The dogma comes from religion, the comfort comes from spirituality.  You can find comfort in spirituality, even a comfort that would  allow you to go back to your religion of choice and be happy there.   It usually takes a bit of work but the results are worth it.

I talk a lot about changing your beliefs in order to change your life.  It’s a fundamental principle upon which everything we teach at the Centers for Spiritual Living is based.  So if your relationship with God is not working for you, a change in your belief about God is in order.  It is ok to change your belief about God.  Really.  That is the first step in finding a sense of ease and comfort when it comes to God:  change your belief.  Find a God that works for you, that is a source of comfort, safety and wisdom, then proceed from there.

The journey to a God that works in your life is filled with laughter and tears, fear and love, wonder and earth shattering reality.  It’s a journey that can be done alone, but it’s easier if you do with a coach.  Don’t go through life any longer without a God that works in your life.  Now is the time to be happy, and having a God that works is the way to achieve that.  Take the first step by going to any Center for Spiritual Living and hiring a Practitioner to help, or take a class, or read a book.

Happy trails!

“What you are deeply feeling is usually what you are establishing in Mind as cause; it is the pattern for what you receive.”  Ernest Holmes  Quote from The Basic Ideas of the Science of Mind, pages 50-53.

So…what are you feeling today?  There is no need to run rushing for cover if what you are feeling is less than your best and highest good.  We all have feelings of “less than” at times.  It is the overall pattern of your deep feelings that serve to manifest conditions in your life.

This entire teaching is based on changing your feelings and thoughts if they do not serve you well.  You have many tools at your disposal to help.  Daily spiritual practices of meditation, visioning, journaling and reading of spiritual literature are essential.  Using the services of  a Practitioner is sometimes indicated, as is treatment work.  (if you are new to New Thought and do not understand the terminology drop me a line or give me a call!  I will answer all your questions cheerfully!)

Pay attention to your feelings.  Explore them.  Connect with Source and Know.  Listen to the truth that comes through during your times of meditation and quiet.  Follow the path that you are guided to by Spirit, and you cannot go wrong.

I haven’t posted in a few days.  There’s no particular reason for that, except that I’ve been coming up dry whenever I sit down to write.  I’ve used up my backlog of posts, whenever I get a burst I sit down and write a whole bunch of posts, for those times like now when I come up dry.  But I can’t go on without writing at all, that just wouldn’t be cool on so many levels, so today I thought I would ask you:  How are you doing?

Are you at peace?

Do you experience joy in your life?

What’s happening in your world?

Are you buying into the “race consciousness?”  Now before someone flames me and accuses me of being a racist, let me say that race consciousness is Ernest Holmes’ word for the general state of the general populace.  You know, when they say things like, “better be careful, it’s flu season,”  that’s race consciousness.  You are free to believe it is flu season or not, just remember that what we believe manifests in our lives.

Are you in balance?  Or do you experience it once in a while as you swing past it?

I believe that life was meant to be lived full out and that we were meant to experience peace and joy.  Even in the midst of outside appearances to the contrary.  I believe that every day we should have a gut level laugh, hug someone, play, experience a period of quiet, learn a little and have fun doing it.

If you are reading this, know with me that this is your experience.  This is what Practitioners are for, to help people experience the best of life, and you have just been the recipient of my treatment for you!

I was told the other day, not for the first time,  that the United Centers for Spiritual Living is one of the only New Thought organizations that has Practitioners.  Not only that, but our training is the most extensive of any.  Here’s a comment from one of my blog posts:

“I still feel that most people do not understand nor know what a practitioner does, the reason for using one, nor what really happens. Your blog is doing a good job in helping us understand about practitioners.”

That comment came from a Practitioner by the way. 

So, for your enlightenment and edification,  here’s some tidbits on what a Practitioner is, and what we can do for you. 

This is from the United Centers for Spiritual Living web site (http://www.unitedcentersforspiritualliving.org/): 

“A licensed Religious Science Practitioner has been trained to help people use the art and skill of affirmative prayer (spiritual mind treatments) to solve problems and correct conditions.  A Practitioner practices, demonstrates and lives spiritual truth, and has the training to assist clients in coping with any challenges they may be facing.”

And this quote from the Center for Spiritual Living in Santa Rosa (http://www.cslsr.org/):

“A Religious Science Practitioner is a licensed professional, trained in the use of Spiritual Mind Treatment (Affirmative Prayer) to assist you in solving problems and experiencing more good in your life.

Practitioners have completed a minimum of three years of class work and practice of the Science of Mind. During these three years they have studied the use of Spiritual Mind Treatment extensively.”

And of course you know I have to include a link to my own web site:  http://www.laketahoespirituallivingcenter.com/practitioner.html .    as well as for the Carson City web  site:  http://www.cslcc.org/

Hopefully this will help you determine whether or not you could use the services of a Practitioner.  There are hundreds of us scattered across the nation, and worldwide.  There are three of us in South Lake Tahoe (that I’m aware of), there are about a dozen in Carson City, and at least twice that many in Reno.  So you have a lot to choose from!

We sometimes have specialities.  I help people find their way.  We all have a path in life, and sometimes we get off the path, or go down one that is headed in the wrong direction, or can’t find the path.  My job is to help people get back on their own personal path.  What I do has a spiritual basis, and is compatible with all religions.

Some of us do one on one private client sessions (I do, both in my Lake Tahoe Spiritual Living Center, and in the Center for Spiritual Living in Carson City).  Some of us do workshops, some of us teach (I’m currently doing a book study in Carson City, come join us!).  Some of us reach out to the community, visiting jails, hospitals and other institutions, carrying the message of Spirit.

So, if you have stumbled upon a block in your path, I can probably help you move around it, or through it.  If you want to learn more about spirituality, I can teach you.  If you have a belief you want to change, I can help.  You have only to contact me.   I do sessions one on one, or over the phone.  Here’s my contact info:

Cell-530-906-9336, email is karen@laketahoespirituallivingcenter.com.

I look forward to hearing from you!

I got the term Spiritual Athlete from my dad.  It refers to folks who jump around from one trend to another, looking for the latest thing to help them feel better.  They always seem to miss the point:  that it really doesn’t matter what you are doing on the outside, one has to go within, that’s where real happiness lies,  there is where all cause is, and where all change happens.  The outside is just a manifestation of what is going on within.  The outside stuff can be fun at times, but within is where the profound is.

Living a life of peace and happiness does take a certain sort of discipline.  We must be disciplined and committed to doing spiritual practices, every day.  We must be committed to doing the work necessary to manifest change in our outside world.  That work is inner work and it’s the only place where we really can be effective.  But oh, when we do the inner work, we are REALLY effective!

Take a look at what is happening in your world today:  the circumstances of your life in the areas of relationship, work, health.  If there is something there that you would like to make improvements on, the place to start is within.  The journey begins inside of you, and only by going there and doing the work can you effect change.  You might need someone to hold the lamp for you while you dig, someone perhaps to point out the places in which to dig, someone to show you how to dig.  You will also need support.

I love the people I hang out with.  They provide support and encouragement for me, and sometimes even hold the lamp for me while I dig!  I love being surrounded by Practitioners and Ministers:  these people have lots of training and are always there for me whenever I need to do a bit of excavation work.

If you have an area in  your life that you feel could use some improvement, you might want to check out the services of a Practitioner to help.  We are specifically trained to do this sort of work.  You can find a Practitioner in your area by going to this web site:  http://www.unitedcentersforspiritualliving.org/.  I happen to know that there are three Practitioners in Lake Tahoe, all of us working out of the Lake Tahoe Spiritual Living Center (www.laketahoespirituallivingcenter.com), and about ten Practitioners serving Carson City and the surrounding areas. You can find them by going to: http://www.cslcc.org/.

If you want to effect a change in your life, get someone to help you do the necessary work. You will be very pleased with the results!

“…..water reaches its own level.”  Ernest Holmes, Science of Mind textbook

It is a scientific fact:  water does indeed reach its own level.  It’s also a scientific fact that our bodies are made of 90% water.

Then there’s the Law of Attraction, which states that whatever we think, whatever we believe, that is what we will attract into our lives.

Think about these truths in terms of  your own relationships.  I’m not just talking about intimate relationships here, but all relationships.  If you are attracting companions, friendships or intimate relationships that are not serving you well, the place to look is within yourself, not at the other people.   For you are indeed, attracting your own level.  If you wish to change what you are attracting, you will first need to change your level.

This isn’t about judgement. When we judge ourselves or another, we are limiting ourselves.  And if we are judging ourselves or another negatively, we are creating shame.  Remember, we attract our own level, so if we are judging another negatively, there will always be some aspect of ourselves that is causing that. And we will create more of that which we are judging, simply by the act of placing attention on it.  Whatever we are judging the other person for is something within ourselves that we do or behave like also, except that we don’t want to look at it. So instead, we turn our thoughts outward, judging another, paying attention to traits and actions that are negative, and creating more of the same in our own lives. 

Go within.  Look inward.  Look to the level of your own water.  Look to your own beliefs and thought patterns.  View them the same way you view the things in your home when you are getting ready for a garage sale.  Some items you want to keep.  Some you want to sell because you don’t use them anymore.  I doubt there will be any judgement attached to that.  It’s simply a matter of the item not being used.  It served you for a while, but now it doesn’t.  Time to get rid of it, to make room for something new.  It’s the same thing with behaviors and beliefs and thought patterns that no longer serve  you.  Simply remove them, make room for new thoughts and beliefs.  Change your level.

As with all change, there might be a grieving process associated with changing our level.  Contemplating, for example, selling that old piece of furniture in a garage sale might bring back memories of the experiences  you had with that piece of furniture.  It’s ok, desireable even, to go through the process of remembering, and of saying goodbye, and of thanking the ways you were served, and of then acknowledging that its time for something new.  Be gentle:  don’t judge, don’t go to a place  of shame or guilt, just release and move on.

When you change your level, the people and circumstances in your life will also change to match the new level.  This can be exciting, but might also be a bit scary.  This is a good place to acknowledge your oneness with the One, to remember that you are a being of Love and Light, and that all is well.  This is also a good time to reach out and avail yourself of the gifts that are there for you, all you need to do is ask.  Help and support from friends, loved ones, mentors, Practitioners can be invaluable in times like this.

Sometimes we might also need help in the very process of changing our  levels.  Again, a Practitioner can help with this.  Practitioners are specifically trained to  help people change the limiting beliefs and thought patterns in their lives.

Isn’t is wonderful that we have these great minds, and all these tools to use, to change the circumstances in our lives if things are not working for us?  Isn’t it wonderful to be empowered? 

Today, I know for you empowerment.  I know for you that if you decide to change your level, the means to do so will present itself effortlessly.  And when this happens, it’s called a demonstration, and I want to hear about it!

Sometimes life can be like a deconstruction zone.  I say DEconstruction, as opposed to construction, because before you can construct, or build something new, you must first deconstruct what exists, in order to make room for the new.

Deconstruction is not fun.

Sometimes it’s forced upon us.  It might look like a partner wanting a divorce, a sudden dismissal from a job, or an accident.

Sometimes we see it coming, and take steps to avoid it, go around it, prevent it from happening, until we realize that really isn’t working so well.

But the bottom line is, if the Great Reality Deep Within is calling for something new in your life, that something new is likely to be preceded by a period of deconstruction.  Your soul knows what is best and it is your Soul that is One with the One, one with Spirit, and Spirit, like our Souls, will not be denied.

Sometimes deconstruction can manifest the most trying of symptoms:  you may feel anxious, to the point of anxiety attack.  You may not be able to sleep, or be sleeping too much.  You might be having some muscle twinges or odd aches and pains.  You might feel as if you are on the verge of insanity, with wide mood swings, going from tears to hysterical laughter to ”normalcy” in the space of an hour.  And you might be crying at all hours of the day, at the most unexpected things and the most inconvenient times.  You are likely to experience fear, depression, sadness, despair, frustration, anger and self pity. 

Really, the deconstruction period  is not very pleasant at all.

However! 

There are some tools you can use to walk through the deconstruction period with dignity and grace.

1.  Get support.  Professional help can be invaluable during the deconstruction period.   Although I might be a bit prejudiced, I happen to believe that Practitioners are great for times like this.  I’ve used my Practitioner during deconstruction periods and I can tell you that it’s been invaluable.  Other professionals like therapists, life coaches and counselors can also be helpful.  Mentors can usually provide a unique form of support that you can find no where else.  And of course, family and friends are a great resource.  In addition, you  might want to think about cluing them in on why you are behaving so oddly.

2.  Spend more time with daily spiritual practices.  If you don’t currently do them, start now.  If you do do them, add more.  If you journal and read spiritual literature, add meditation and visioning. 

3.  Make sure you take care of  your physical self:  eat right and get plenty of exercise.

4.  Don’t make any rash decisions.  Acting on negative feelings will usually just lead us deeper into the problem, instead of into the solution.

5.  Set your intention.  You are in the perfect place during the deconstruction period to set an intention for what you want your future to be. 

6.  Have faith.  If you can’t have it for yourself, have a Practitioner carry that faith for you until you can get there and pick it up.

I can promise you this:  good things are in store for you. Walk through this period with dignity and grace and you will come out of this period  with a sense of peace and joy and things happening in your life that you never knew possible.  Know.   Be Still and Know. 

The Universe is conspiring for your good, even if it doesn’t feel that way right now.  Hang in there, this too will pass into the Sunlight of the Spirit.

In my practice, I work with people who come to me because they feel some sort of lack in their life.  Most of them are from a very traditional religion, and feel shamed, abandoned and let down by their religion and by the God of that religion.  But they are seeking something, even if they don’t know what it is.  They know there has to be something more to life than what they have now.

There is a difference between religion and spirituality.  With spirituality, you get no rules, no dogma, no shame.  Just  peace.

There IS something more to life than simply abandoning your religion because it did not serve you well.  You can find a god that works for you, a god that has nothing to do with religion, if that is what you want.

Start by thinking about what a god would look like to you.  God is indefinable.  Yet we still try to define it.  I think we need to have a name for it, I think we need to know what it feels like to have a god in our lives, and I think we need to be able to describe it to ourselves.  It’s limiting, but it’s a start.  For once you have a description, you have the beginnings of a god in your life, and you  can start to get glimmers of peace.

Spend some  time each day in quiet contemplation and actively connect with that idea you have begun to formulate.  Know that whatever you think god is, whatever role you want god to play in your life, that is what is.  There are no expectations from god.  God wants for you what you want for  you, so go for it.  Dream big!

Consider using the services of a Practitioner to help you with this.  This is one of my specialties, and I’m very good at it.

Whatever you do, don’t go through life anymore with that feeling of missing something.  It’s not necessary, and you deserve better.

“Argue for your limitations, and sure enough they’re yours.”  Richard Bach, author of Jonathan Livingston Seagull

“If you spot it, you got it.”  Unknown

I’ve never thought I argued for my limitations, but I totally agree with the sentiment that if you spot it you got it.  What that means is that it’s one of those spiritual truths that if you are seeing behavior in someone else that is bothering you, most likely it is because you do the same behavior yourself, don’t much appreciate it, but are unwilling or unable to change it in yourself.

I can spot  limitations in people a mile away, it’s one of  the things that makes me an effective Practitioner.  But yesterday I was speaking to another Practitioner who told me I was arguing for my limitations.  And I have to admit that she is right, because I am experiencing some limitation in my life.

So, let’s say you’ve become aware of something in your life that you wish to change.  How do you go about doing that?  Well, I can tell you first of all that change always, without exception, starts within.  Not only does it start within, but that’s where the majority of  change occurs.  It simply is not effective to change outside circumstances if we expect a permanent change in our lives.  We must change the insides.  By changing the insides I mean the beliefs and the thought patterns.  Beliefs are a biggie.  Thoughts are a bit easier, at least for me.  Beliefs are deeply rooted and it takes some digging to get at them, expose them to the light of day, and change what is no longer working.  I don’t know about you, but I have never been successful at changing a belief without help.  I plan to hire a Practitioner to help me with this.  Thoughts are changed one thought at a time.  Simply change each thought as it comes, until you find that you are no longer having to do it.

If you’ve made a New Year’s resolution and are already finding that it’s difficult to keep it, or perhaps you’ve not even begun implementing it in your life, perhaps it is time to look at approaching it from a different angle.  Go within.  If you need help digging, get it.  Then, expose that  belief to the light of day, and change it. 

We form beliefs usually based on happenings in our lives.  But we also form beliefs based on how we percieve things at the time.  Our perceptions change with maturity and wisdom, but our beliefs do not.  So we find ourselves in the position of having a belief based on the perception of an immature child!  One who views the world through the eyes of self centeredness!  I don’t know about you, but I would like to think that I’ve matured a bit since I was a child, and that I now percieve things a bit differently.  So why on earth would I base a belief on the inaccurate perceptions I had when I was a child?

This is the kind of exploration of beliefs that is needed in order to effect change in our lives.  I wish you happy digging, and happy excavating!