Exploring Spiritual Study at the Center

Maturity is about staying awake, especially when it’s hard. There’s a quiet strength that comes from knowing yourself. Not just the roles you play or the emotions you feel, but the values you live by and the presence you bring to each moment. In Self-Mastery through Self-Inquiry , we delve into what it means to cultivate emotional and spiritual maturity. It’s a practice. One that includes honesty, accountability, compassion, and resilience. You’ll learn tools for navigating challenges without losing your center. You’ll reflect on what triggers you, what heals you, and what helps you return to your deeper Self. Over time, the habits of reaction give way to thoughtful response. And that, too, is self-mastery. The course runs from July 1 to August 19, on Monday evenings from 6 to 8 pm, either in person or online via Zoom. Taught by Edward Viljoen, with guest teaching from Rev. Russ Legear. Registration available at www.cslsr.org .

Some rules were made to be rewritten. Especially the ones you didn’t know you were following. Most of us live by silent rules. Be successful. Don’t fail. Stay in control. Look good doing it. We didn’t necessarily choose these rules; they were handed to us by family, culture, and experience. What if we could choose differently? In Self-Mastery through Self-Inquiry , we take time to look at the “game” of life we’ve been playing. What are the hidden rules? What are we trying to win? And is it actually working? This course invites you to redefine the game as an evolving journey toward wisdom, creativity, and deeper fulfillment. Join us Mondays, July 1 through August 19, 6–8 pm, online or in person at the Center. Taught by Edward Viljoen with guest teaching from Rev. Russ Legear. Registration at www.cslsr.org.  Questions? Contact russ.legear@cslsr.org .

Discipline is about staying in relationship with what matters most. In spiritual practice, the word 'discipline' is often  misunderstood. It can sound like control, restriction, or pressure. But at its heart, discipline is about devotion. It’s the steady return to something you value, again and again. In Self-Mastery through Self-Inquiry , we explore discipline as a form of spiritual kindness. It gives structure to our growth, by choice. When discipline is rooted in love rather than pressure, it becomes a powerful way to align your outer life with your inner truth. We begin to show up with more presence.  We speak more carefully.  We take time for reflection.  Over time, this steady rhythm reveals something more profound, an inner strength that doesn’t depend on circumstances. The class meets Mondays, July 1 through August 19, 6–8 pm, in person or online via Zoom. Taught by Edward Viljoen, with guest teaching from Rev. Russ Legear. Registration at www.cslsr.org...

What if the person you think you are is only part of the story? Most of us move through life shaped by roles, habits, expectations, and personal history. We often say, “this is just who I am,” but that version of ourselves may only be the surface. Beneath that surface is something deeper and more enduring—the Self. Not the reactive, constructed self shaped by our experiences, but the deeper Self that many spiritual traditions point to. This Self is whole, unconditioned, and intimately connected to the Creative Power of Life. In the Self-Mastery through Self-Inquiry course, we begin with a simple question: Who am I, really? The process is quiet and grounded. We take time to connect with the deeper presence within us, the one not defined by fear or past wounds. The one that already knows clarity, love, and steadiness. The one that doesn’t need to prove anything. As we get in touch with that presence, something begins to shift. We find ourselves responding to life with more calm, mo...

Some thoughts are like weather, passing storms, sometimes intense, often brief. The trouble begins when we believe we are the storm. That’s why two of the simplest practices for releasing negative thinking are: Release , which uses gentle self-talk to unhook from stuck thoughts, and Relax , which helps regulate the nervous system so the mind can settle. Try this: Tell yourself, “This thought doesn’t define me. I can let it pass.” Then take a few slow breaths or hum a quiet tune. Let the body lead the way back to calm. These are practical, repeatable steps that can shift your inner state. Today at 1 pm, I’ll be teaching The Impact of Negative Thinking , a short, experiential workshop where we’ll work with these and other tools from the Five R’s method. If you’ve been feeling caught in mental loops—or you just want to explore how to think more freely—you’re warmly invited. Sunday, May 18 at 1 pm , in person at the Center for Spiritual Living Santa Rosa . Register ...

Language matters. The way we describe what we’re going through affects how we feel and what we believe is possible. This is the heart of the Restate practice. Try changing this: “I’m terrible at this.” To something like: “I’m still learning how to do this well.” Or shift from: “No one cares what I have to say.” To: “I haven’t felt heard today, and I really value connection.” Subtle shifts in words can move us out of judgment and into self-awareness. The goal is wholesome positivity: truth with heart. If you’re interested in exploring this further, come to The Impact of Negative Thinking —a short, in-person workshop where we’ll work with these tools in real time. Sunday, May 18 at 1 pm , Center for Spiritual Living Santa Rosa . Please register at cslsr.org to secure your spot.