Exploring Spiritual Study at the Center

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.

Some thoughts don’t need to be argued with, they just need to be outgrown. That’s where Refocus comes in. It’s the art of choosing where your attention goes, especially when the mind is spinning in negativity. You might shift your focus by: Turning your awareness to your breath Noticing the feel of sunlight or a breeze Redirecting your energy into an act of kindness or creativity The brain naturally fixates on what's wrong. But whenever you gently return to the present moment, or choose something neutral or uplifting, you train the mind to widen its view. This is one of the tools we’ll explore in The Impact of Negative Thinking , a short afternoon workshop this Sunday. It’s a chance to reset your inner compass and learn how to stop being hijacked by thoughts that don’t serve you. Sunday, May 18 at 1 pm , Center for Spiritual Living Santa Rosa . Register at cslsr.org to attend.

Have you ever caught yourself thinking the same unhelpful thing over and over? “I’m not doing enough.” “Nothing ever works out.” These thoughts often sneak in quietly but carry a heavy emotional weight. One of the most effective ways to shift this is a practice called Reframing . Without denying what you feel, try bringing curiosity to your thinking: What else might be true here? Is this thought actually helpful, or just familiar? Would I speak this way to someone I care about? Even a subtle change in language can shift how you feel. “I never get it right” might become “I’m learning how to do this better.” That tiny opening makes space for kindness and growth. This Sunday, I’m teaching a short workshop on how to recognize and redirect negative thought patterns in everyday life. It’s called The Impact of Negative Thinking . We’ll explore this and other simple tools you can use right away. Join us Sunday, May 18 at 1 pm , in person at the Center for Spiritual Living Santa Rosa . ...

Have you ever found yourself caught in a spiral of negative thoughts—those quiet narratives that seem to repeat themselves louder with every turn? You're not alone. This Sunday at 1 pm, I’m leading a short, practical workshop at the Center for Spiritual Living Santa Rosa that takes a clear-eyed look at how negative thinking affects our health, our relationships, and the way we meet life’s challenges. We’ll draw from psychological insight, spiritual awareness, and lived experience to explore the deeper impact of our inner dialogue—and what we can do to shift it. This isn’t about forced positivity. It’s about learning how to pause, observe, and choose again. Here are a few things you’ll walk away with: A simple method for reframing persistent negative thoughts without denying your feelings. A brief review of the mind-body connection —how thoughts affect your nervous system and energy levels. A grounded introduction to growth mindset —why it matters, and how it applies to...