About Events – NOT CHURCH

A Photo for the Archives!

Not Church Online!

This photograph may not seem particularly outstanding but it is historic! It’s the first photo taken of a Not Church Online gathering, April 19, 2020–a whole new and potentially very expansive concept for what started here in this “tiny coastal town of La Mision on Mexico’s Baja peninsula,” as TIME magazine called it shortly after it started in March of 2012.* That article “The Rise of the Nones,” which was referred to on that week’s cover, can also be read here under “articles.”

It’s not of the first Not Church online gathering, that was Not Church Norte on March 23, a couple of weeks before, but it hadn’t quite landed on us that these are historic times so there’s no photo documentation.

By Anna|2020-04-23T14:54:00-07:00April 22nd, 2020|About Events|Comments Off

More from April Not Church

April Not Church was historic and you can read a short post here to find out why.

We opened the historic gathering with “The Swan” by Mary Oliver

Did you too see it, drifting, all night, on the black river?
Did you see it in the morning, rising into the silvery air –
An armful of white blossoms,
A perfect commotion of silk and linen as it leaned
into the bondage of its wings; a snowbank, a bank of lilies,
Biting the air with its black beak?
Did you hear it, fluting and whistling
A shrill dark music – like the rain pelting the trees – like a waterfall
Knifing down the black ledges?
And did you see it, finally, just under the clouds –
A white cross Streaming across the sky, its feet
Like black leaves, its wings Like the stretching light of the river?
And did you feel it, in your heart, how it pertained to everything?
And have you too finally figured out what beauty is for?
And have you changed your life?

Mary Frances Lyans shared these thoughts on changes and led us in singing “Long Time Sun” followed by a meditation:

Dear Friends,

During this season, many in our human family around the world, of various spiritual traditions and practices, take time out to reflect upon some of life’s deeper mysteries.

Be it resurrection, reincarnation, rebirth and renewal, there is a common theme.

And at this time of global crisis, there is also great opportunity to go within and effect a transformation of fear into love, for ourselves and for others.

Through deep meditation we open up the possibility to be “reborn” in every breath, in every moment. And gratitude is essential.

We can come to a place of silence and inner peace. It is only here, in the present moment, that we are able to realize the Christ consciousness, the Buddha nature within, which is our true home.

We can help guide humanity through the dark night of the soul by giving our Light, thus increasing that Light exponentially.

Fasting, prayer, meditation, service to others – all are helpful in making our hearts a beacon.

While we certainly may miss the joy of family gatherings, Easter baskets with brightly colored eggs and chocolate bunnies for the children, a beautiful Passover seder,

or even dancing and singing together in celebration of Spring, we have, I believe, an even more compelling and joyful calling.

We clean house, sort out what is truly of value in our lives, and shine our Light.

Om. Shanti

PeaceLove,
Mary

Erin’s wonderful talk, “Everything Changes” from this historic gathering can be read in its entirety here.

Tom and Yella Werder shared their personal insights and practices that are supporting them during this pandemic and closed out the gathering with “It’s in Every One of US.”

See you in May!

By Nadine Lockitch|2020-04-22T13:10:10-07:00April 22nd, 2020|About Events, Talks|Comments Off

March Not Church Norte Goes Online

Not Church Norte will be gathering virtually by Zoom, this Wednesday, March 25th at 5 pm.

Click this link to join the meeting: https://zoom.us/j/9231159289

or you can paste it into your browser.

Meeting ID 9231159289

PLEASE DO NOT JOIN THE MEETING UNTIL 5 PM

*You don’t need to have the ZOOM app to join the meeting, but it might be easier for you if you do.

You can download the FREE ZOOM APP from your phone or PC APP Store

By NotChurch|2020-04-22T12:51:41-07:00March 23rd, 2020|About Events|Comments Off

New Book – Tao Te Ching

I am excited to announce that the Happiness Study Group will be starting our new book on March 17th, The Tao Te Ching. With some much-needed and appreciated guidance from our dear friend and scholar, Daniel Bisgaard, we will explore one of the most translated books in world literature. This twelfth selection is a bit of a departure, though most assuredly related to our continuing study of the Middle Way.

Authorship of the Tao Te Ching is credited to the 6th-century BC sage Laozi and the oldest excavated portion dates back to the late 4th century BC. The Tao Te Ching… is a fundamental text for both philosophical and religious Taoism. It strongly influenced other schools of Chinese philosophy and religion, including Legalism, Confucianism, and Buddhism. In its 81 verses it delivers a treatise on how to live in the world with goodness and integrity: an important kind of wisdom in a world where many people believe such a thing to be impossible.

The edition we have chosen is: Tao Te Ching: With Over 150 Photographs by Jane English Paperback – November 1, 2011 by Lao Tzu (Author), Gia-Fu Feng (Translator), Jane English (Translator), Toinette Lippe (Translator), with introduction by Jacob Needleman.

Here’s the description from Amazon:

“For nearly two generations, this bestselling translation of the Tao Te Ching has been the standard for those seeking access to the wisdom of Taoist thought. Now Jane English and her long-time editor, Toinette Lippe, have refreshed and revised the translation, so that it more faithfully reflects the Classical Chinese in which it was first written, while taking into account changes in our own language and eliminating any lingering infelicities. This beautiful oversized edition features over a hundred new photographs by Jane English that help express the vast spirit of the Tao. Also included is an introduction by the well-known writer and scholar of philosophy and comparative religion, Jacob Needleman.

Lao Tsu’s philosophy is simple: Accept what is in front of you without wanting the situation to be other than it is. Study the natural order of things and work with it rather than against it, for to try to change what is only sets up resistance. Nature provides everything without requiring payment or thanks. It does so without discrimination. So let us present the same face to everyone and treat them all as equals, however they may behave. If we watch carefully, we will see that work proceeds more quickly and easily if we stop “trying,” if we stop putting in so much extra effort, if we stop looking for results. In the clarity of a still and open mind, truth will be reflected. Te—which may be translated as “virtue” or “strength”—lies always in Tao meaning “the way” or “natural law.” In other words: Simply be.”

The book is available from Amazon, ABE.com and other sellers. Other editions of the Feng and English translation are also suitable…particularly versions without photographs at lower prices.

Please contact Nadine if you would like to join the […]

By Nadine Lockitch|2020-04-22T12:51:55-07:00February 28th, 2020|About Events, Happiness Study Group, Study|Comments Off

January Not Church

We look forward to seeing you at the first Not Church of 2020. We will gather at Poco Cielo Lounge (the north building) at 10AM. If you can, please continue the conversation and express appreciation to Cheryl and the Poco Cielo staff by staying after to enjoy breakfast with friends.

By NotChurch|2020-04-22T12:52:10-07:00January 6th, 2020|About Events, Home Page|Comments Off

December Gathering

By NotChurch|2020-04-22T12:52:27-07:00November 25th, 2019|About Events, Events, Home Page|Comments Off

Not Church News

Second Sunday is coming right up . . . so it’s time for Not Church on Sunday, November 10th.

Poco Cielo will once again provide pre-ordering for breakfast, which will be served at the hotel . . . following Not Church. They’re really going out of their way for us, so it would be great if you could support them and stay for a meal with friends after the gathering.

Norte will meet Nov 20 at 4pm at the Beach Comber…

And, there will be a joint gathering in December, details coming soon! Stay tuned.

By NotChurch|2020-04-22T12:52:36-07:00November 8th, 2019|About Events, Events, Home Page|Comments Off