The Art of Radical Welcome: More Than a Word, A Spiritual Practice
In a world where kindness, warmth, and friendliness are virtues often spoken of but rarely examined, the idea of "welcome" takes on special significance. At its essence, welcome isn't just a phrase or a physical gesture; it's a spiritual practice that asks us to go beyond the superficial and confront our hidden beliefs, those silent parameters that define who we include and who we unwittingly exclude.
Who Is Not Feeling Welcome?
It's easy to believe that our spiritual center, congregation, or community is a welcoming space. After all, aren't we all kind-hearted individuals, seeking a better, more connected world? Yet, the practice of welcome asks us a poignant question: Who is not feeling that welcome?The Invisible Signs
When someone walks into our center, they encounter not just the physical welcome sign but also a myriad of invisible ones. These invisible signs read: "You're welcome here, but only if you act like us, believe like us, look like us, vote like us." Although these restrictions are often unintended, they are the byproducts of unexamined beliefs that shape our behavior and interactions.
The Spiritual Practice of Radical Welcome
In Science of Mind, these unexamined beliefs are referred to as "hidden beliefs." The spiritual practice of radical welcome invites us to examine these invisible messages and to confront them honestly. If these beliefs remain unaddressed, they can inadvertently exclude individuals from the community, thereby contradicting the spiritual principles of oneness and love that we aim to live by.The Transformative Power of Oneness
We all adore the concept of Oneness so much that we want to truly welcome everyone—not because we agree with everyone, or because they look the same or act the same, but because each individual is an expression of the Divine. When we practice welcome in the face of diversity, seeing the oneness even among our differences, we are duplicating the love and nature of the Divine.
Welcome Lives in Us
It's a beautiful thing to have well-crafted bulletins, trained ushers, and a specialized welcoming team. These physical forms of welcome are indeed important. However, what’s even more crucial is that these outer forms must stem from a deeply ingrained attitude of embracing life just as it is, and just as it is not.
The Mirror Within
The spiritual practice of welcome challenges each of us to look inside and ask, "How does welcome live in me? Who is not welcomed by me?" Welcome becomes a spiritual practice when we are surrounded by a plethora of differences yet still can discern the underlying oneness.
Techniques and Styles
Knowing your social style—whether you're an introvert, extrovert, or ambivert—can help you understand how you welcome others and how you can adapt your approach to meet someone with a different style. You don’t necessarily have to be part of an official welcome team to contribute to the atmosphere of radical welcome in your community.In Conclusion
Welcome, as a spiritual practice, is not merely about opening doors but opening hearts. It's about setting aside our preferences, our conditioned behaviors, and our unexamined beliefs to create a space where everyone can feel the embrace of the Divine. In doing so, we move beyond words and gestures; we create a sanctuary where every soul can find a home.So let's go beyond the simple notion of welcome, and engage in the transformative, challenging, and rewarding practice of radical welcome. It’s an invitation not just to open our doors but to open our hearts and minds, reflecting the boundless love and acceptance of the Divine.
More Than a Word, A Spiritual Practice
In a world where kindness, warmth, and friendliness are virtues often spoken of but rarely examined, the idea of "welcome" takes on special significance. At its essence, welcome isn't just a phrase or a physical gesture; it's a spiritual practice that asks us to go beyond the superficial and confront our hidden beliefs, those silent parameters that define who we include and who we unwittingly exclude.
Who Is Not Feeling Welcome?
It's easy to believe that our spiritual center, congregation, or community is a welcoming space. After all, aren't we all kind-hearted individuals, seeking a better, more connected world? Yet, the practice of welcome asks us a poignant question: Who is not feeling that welcome?
The Invisible Signs
When someone walks into our center, they encounter not just the physical welcome sign but also a myriad of invisible ones. These invisible signs read: "You're welcome here, but only if you act like us, believe like us, look like us, vote like us." Although these restrictions are often unintended, they are the byproducts of unexamined beliefs that shape our behavior and interactions.The Spiritual Practice of Radical Welcome
In Science of Mind, these unexamined beliefs are referred to as "hidden beliefs." The spiritual practice of radical welcome invites us to examine these invisible messages and to confront them honestly. If these beliefs remain unaddressed, they can inadvertently exclude individuals from the community, thereby contradicting the spiritual principles of oneness and love that we aim to live by.
The Transformative Power of Oneness
We all adore the concept of Oneness so much that we want to truly welcome everyone—not because we agree with everyone, or because they look the same or act the same, but because each individual is an expression of the Divine. When we practice welcome in the face of diversity, seeing the oneness even among our differences, we are duplicating the love and nature of the Divine.
Welcome Lives in Us
It's a beautiful thing to have well-crafted bulletins, trained ushers, and a specialized welcoming team. These physical forms of welcome are indeed important. However, what’s even more crucial is that these outer forms must stem from a deeply ingrained attitude of embracing life just as it is, and just as it is not.The Mirror Within
The spiritual practice of welcome challenges each of us to look inside and ask, "How does welcome live in me? Who is not welcomed by me?" Welcome becomes a spiritual practice when we are surrounded by a plethora of differences yet still can discern the underlying oneness.Techniques and Styles
Knowing your social style—whether you're an introvert, extrovert, or ambivert—can help you understand how you welcome others and how you can adapt your approach to meet someone with a different style. You don’t necessarily have to be part of an official welcome team to contribute to the atmosphere of radical welcome in your community.Register here: https://cslsr.breezechms.com/form/RW
Welcome, as a spiritual practice, is not merely about opening doors but opening hearts. It's about setting aside our preferences, our conditioned behaviors, and our unexamined beliefs to create a space where everyone can feel the embrace of the Divine. In doing so, we move beyond words and gestures; we create a sanctuary where every soul can find a home.
So let's go beyond the simple notion of welcome and engage in the transformative, challenging, and rewarding practice of radical welcome. It’s an invitation not just to open our doors but to open our hearts and minds, reflecting the boundless love and acceptance of the Divine.
Join Dr. Edward Viljoen on Sunday, October 15 at 1 pm in person at the Center
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