Category Archives: Announcement

Spiritual Discernment

Hello everyone, my name is Dave Miller, I am director of Sacred Breeze Ministries at SacredBreeze.org where we provide instruction and resources for meditation, spiritual discernment, and inclusive faith communities.

We continue to live in interesting times. We live with the threat of a virus that continues to infect and kill people every day. Our justice systems continue to discriminate based on skin color, often with deadly results. And people who speak out for justice in a peaceful manner continue to be victimized by false information and violence incited by factions who do not want justice and peace.

We are ever reminded that while we may speak out, while we may be present, and while we may have hearts that long for love, justice, and peace, we cannot control the thoughts or actions of others.

Where do we go for shelter? Where can we find peace? How can we recharge our Spiritual batteries so that we can find the strength to carry on?

Today I want to talk about Spiritual Discernment, and I’m going to do so by considering 4 questions.

Why would someone seek Spiritual Discernment?

How is Spiritual Discernment different than MH Therapy?

Why explore Spiritual Discernment with Sacred Breeze Ministries and Dave Miller?

How do I get started?

So, for the first question, why do people seek spiritual discernment, there are several reasons. The first reason that comes to mind, which is very much connected to the challenges we face today, is to explore some of the Big Questions that life throws at us. Questions like Why am I here? What is my purpose? Why do people suffer and die? Is God Real? How can I connect with my Higher Power? And How can I make a difference? Spiritual Discernment seeks out the answers to these and other questions that the Spirit, with a capital S, may reveal within the hearts and minds of the seekers.

Another reason people engage in Spiritual Discernment is to try and understand conflicting messages they have received over a lifetime regarding God and Spirituality. We receive many messages every day, from friends, family, from all of the religions and cultures and identities we participate in, from circumstances and events both positive and negative that happen in our lives, and from some place deep within us. Not surprisingly, sometimes these messages conflict with one another. Spiritual Discernment seeks out the authentic message that the Spirit, with a capital S, has for the seeker.

And while I’m on the subject, I have a special message for LGBTQ people. You are perfect just as you are, just as God made you to be. Many faith traditions have made life very hard for LGBTQ people and their families. Traditional roles are often assigned to people based on physical attributes. When approached from a Spiritual perspective, all faith traditions call us to be true to each our own authentic Spiritual identity, whatever that may be. And that is part of the Spiritual Discernment practice, to help people to discern and celebrate each our own unique and wonderful and beloved Spiritual identity.

So far, we’ve talked about discussing big questions and conflicts in Spiritual discernment sessions. Often people come to Spiritual Discernment with heavy burdens that they may have been carrying for years, including feelings of grief or guilt or shame. This especially is an area where Spiritual Discernment sessions can be helpful. This is also an area where there may be some crossover with mental health counseling. And this is an important distinction to make.

Spiritual Discernment sessions are different than Mental Health therapy sessions in several important ways. During mental health sessions, specific pathologies are addressed, including depression, anxiety, and addiction. Feelings of grief, guilt, and shame are often intertwined in these pathologies. If underlying issues that require Mental Health counseling are brought up during Spiritual Discernment sessions, we discuss referral to a licensed therapist in the state or location where the seeker resides.

Whereas mental health therapy sessions include established treatment modalities such as cognitive behavioral and dialectical therapies, Spiritual Discernment sessions discuss how Spirituality may be part of releasing burdens and accepting healing Grace.

Another way Spiritual discernment is different from mental health counseling is in how often sessions occur. Usually, mental health sessions are weekly and last for perhaps 8 to 12 weeks or more. Spiritual discernment may begin with a couple weekly sessions to get acquainted, but usually continue meeting less frequently, once per month or so. Whereas mental health therapy usually concludes after 2 to 3 months, spiritual discernment sessions may continue on as long as the seeker finds value in the discussions.

Mental health therapy practice is limited by law to the state in which the client is physically located. On line Spiritual discernment sessions are available to anyone anywhere.

So, now that we’ve discussed why people seek out spiritual discernment, the next question is why explore Spiritual Discernment with Sacred Breeze Ministries.

It is important to know that there are no credentialing requirements for Spiritual Directors or Spiritual Discernment companions. A seeker must verify a potential provider’s education, experience, and religious or philosophical affiliations. Registration on sites like Spiritual Directors International is just that, registration, with no verification of qualifications. And perhaps most importantly, a person seeking help has no way of knowing whether the potential provider is willing to walk with the client, or whether the provider will be pushing a “one size fits all” agenda, theology, or philosophy.

Speaking for myself, Dave Miller, I have a Master’s degree in Theological Studies from Emory University, and a Master’s degree in Community counseling. I’ve studied Buddhism, and I have read many diverse Sacred writings, including the Jewish and Christian bibles, the Quran, the Gita, Upanishads, Rumi, and the sacred writings of Japan just to name a few.

I have worked as both a licensed therapist and as a Director of Spiritual Discernment in private practice and in addiction recovery settings. I have served as lay minister in various church settings, including the United Methodist Church. I consider myself an inclusive Buddheo-Christian, which means I connect with both the Buddhist philosophy of reducing suffering and Christian message of unconditional love as revealed in the Fruits of the Spirit. I actually love exploring the diverse ways people experience Spirit, and I have worked with Christians, Buddhists, Jewish people and Muslims, neo-Pagans, Wiccans, and others in a nonjudging supportive manner. I celebrate diversity of all kinds.

My approach to Spiritual Discernment is one of open-minded listening, and accompanying the seeker on a journey of discovery. People connect with Spirit in a variety of ways, some connect through nature, others through prayer and meditation, and others connect through social interaction. The ways the Spirit communicates are as varied and diverse as humanity is. My job is to help seekers to connect with Authentic Spirit in the way that suits and applies to them.

We also have other Spiritual Discernment helpers available on the website, for more information about them, please explore their biographies.

How do I get started with Spiritual Discernment sessions? To get started, simply send me an email to initiate contact. My email is dave@sacredbreeze.org. From there, we can discuss whether individual or group sessions best suit you.

For a limited time, I am going to be offering free Spiritual Discernment group sessions on Wednesday evenings at 8:00 PM Eastern United States time. Both group and individual sessions usually last 50 minutes to an hour. And as I said previously, usually Spiritual Discernment sessions happen only once per month after the relationship is established. I use Google meet for sessions, which means that I will email you a meeting link to click on to get connected. You will need access to the internet and a computer with a mic and camera in order to meet.

So, if you are interested in exploring this further drop me an email, I’m looking forward to hearing from you.

Have a Blessed Day.

Meditation Classes March 2018

Greetings,

We are going to repeat our first Meditation class in the series next week on Saturday March 17th from 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM. Our location is in Sautee Georgia which is near Helen Georgia, about an hour from Gwinnett and about 1.5 hours from Metro Atlanta. Our new updates include exploring mindfulness from an “Integral” perspective, expanding awareness into dimensions beyond “self.”

Tantric Meditation techniques and Christian Contemplative perspectives are explored in the classes. Our wellness meditation classes teach skills for dealing with stress and increasing enjoyment of life and personal freedom through letting go of negative thoughts and emotions. Classes also explore increasing Spirituality and exercising Compassion with healthy boundaries for self and others. People who are new to meditation and people who are experienced with meditation find our classes helpful.

Walk in registrations are welcome, or visit our Workshops page and sign up on line, or call 678-358-8775. Our rates are very reasonable, 20.00 for a class.

Also, if traveling to Sautee Georgia for classes is difficult, let us know, we are making on-line meditation classes available as demand dictates. Contact us at 678-358-8775 or dave@sunrisemeditation.org for more information.

Spiritual Discernment, Peace Gathering, and Meditation Classes

At Sunrise Meditation and Counseling, we provide counseling services, meditation classes, and Spiritual Discernment services. Whereas counseling is primarily focused on healthy thoughts, behaviors, and emotions, Spiritual Discernment addresses questions of deeper meaning. Questions like what is my place in the Universe? Am I alone? Is there a God? What does God want me to do with my life? Is God on my side, against me, or does God even care? What will happen to me and my loved ones after we die? Is healing possible for me and my loved ones?

Like in counseling, good Spiritual Discernment helps people to find their own answers in a supportive, safe, non-judging environment. We all bring different thoughts and feelings to the table regarding God, Spirituality, and the Universe. The ideas we bring are based on our religious backgrounds, our cultural backgrounds, and our personal experiences with our families and friends. Christian, Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish, Hindu, Atheist, something completely different, or some mix of several faiths, we all have unique takes on what it means to be human on this planet and in this Universe. For people of faith, there is often a still, small voice, a calling, a higher power, or an intuition that helps guide us through life and the big and small questions that come with life.

My personal beliefs are Christian, and it’s my experience that the Spirit speaks through many avenues if we have ears, eyes, hearts, and the courage to listen. The Spirit also speaks through all traditions and cultures. No belief or idea is “too weird” or “unorthodox” to share in a Spiritual Discernment session.

The one guideline I share regarding the presence of the Spirit in life or in a decision is to look for the fruits of the Spirit. Love, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness, faithfulness, and self control are the fruits of the Spirit as described in the Christian tradition, and I believe this applies universally.

To celebrate Spirituality in a safe group environment, Sunrise Meditation and Counseling will again begin a weekly Peace Gathering starting Thursday September 7^th, after Labor Day weekend. The gathering will begin at 6:00 pm and last less than an hour. The format will include a time of gathering, a time of sharing brief inspirational thoughts and readings, a time of contemplative silence, and a time for closure. There will be no cost for attending, but donations will be accepted.

We will also begin another round of Christian Tantric Meditation workshops beginning Saturday September 9^th from 10:00-11:30AM. This is a four class program that introduces several meditation techniques, including breath centered mind stabilization, self emptying, Divine Communion as a form of guru yoga, and Compassion outreach meditation. If you are interested but unable to attend four weekends in a row, we are flexible, our classes often take 6 to 8 weeks to complete based on the schedules of the participants. Now is the time to manage stress, let go of some of the luggage that holds you back, and connect with your true potential.

Our workshops cost 25.00 each, and a 20.00 discount is available for registering and paying for all 4 classes in advance.

For more information or to register for a Workshop or an Individual Therapeutic or Spiritual Discernment Session, visit our Contact and Registration page or call 678-358-8775.

Meditation Class Reminder

Christian Tantric Meditation classes provide tools for connecting with our Creative and Spiritual roots, and developing compassion for self and others. Our next set of four Christian Tantric Meditation classes will begin on Saturday, May 13^th from 10:00 to 11:30 AM EST. We will be providing classes at our studio in Sautee near Helen Georgia, in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains.

Classes cost $20.00, and space is limited so sign up today. Call 678-358-8775, email me at dave@sunrisemeditation.org, or register at http://sunrisemeditation.org/contact-us/.

Meeting Emotional and Spiritual Challenges

Many things are happening in the United States and around the world right now. Politically, there is tension between competing ideologies that represent hope for some people and discouragement for others. Spiritually, the time of Passover approaches for people of the Jewish faith, and for Christians the season of Lent is upon us. Later in the Spring, Ramadan will be celebrated by people of the Muslim faith. All of these observances provide a time of connecting with our Spiritual roots, reflection, and preparation for challenges ahead.

And in the midst of all this preparation, the entire northern hemisphere waits in hopeful anticipation of Spring. In the southern United States, the beginnings of flower buds on trees, shrubs, and emerging from the ground are seen everywhere.

This is a powerful time of year, no matter what perspective it is experienced from. A time to prepare for and face challenges both known and unknown, and a time to anticipate better things to come. In the here and now, life carries on day to day, each day bringing with it unique challenges.

Challenges can be physical, emotional, and Spiritual in nature. Most often, viewed holistically, elements of all three perspectives are found in challenges. Some challenges motivate us, others may hold us back from being the successful, joyful, creative, and connected with people.

For many people, challenges present themselves as questions. Where am I going? What should I be doing with my life? How can I help my family, how can I help others? Where is the Spirit guiding me? How should I be preparing myself for what comes ahead?

In this time of challenges and preparation, self care is of utmost importance. Physical, emotional, and Spiritual health provide the strength and resilience required for meeting challenges and enjoying a creative, successful, joyful, and fulfilled life.

Meditation and Mindfulness are tools that can help. Our Christian Tantric Meditation classes provide tools for increasing Mindfulness, dealing with challenges, for connecting with our Spiritual roots, and developing compassion for self and others. The Meditative process of letting go of the things that hold us back in life creates space for us to experience the calling of the Spirit, the beauty of the emerging Spring, and the love and joy in our relationships.

Our next set of four Christian Tantric Meditation classes will begin this Saturday, March 4^th from 10:00 to 11:30 AM EST. We will be providing classes at our studio in Sautee near Helen Georgia, in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains.

We will be offering online Christian Tantric Meditation classes beginning next Tuesday, March 7^th from 7:00 to 8:30 PM EST. An online connection through a browser is required for these classes, materials and a link will be emailed prior to the classes.

Classes cost $20.00, and space is limited so sign up today. Call 678-358-8775, email me at dave@sunrisemeditation.org, or register at http://sunrisemeditation.org/contact-us/.

Upcoming Events and Workshops

Sunrise Meditation and Counseling Upcoming and Current Schedule:

Peace meetings: Tuesdays 7:00 PM Starting Feb 7th – Contemplative time of reflection, all faiths (and no – faiths) welcome. Cost: No cost, donations accepted.

Recovery Workshops: Thursdays 7:00-8:30 PM Starting Feb 2^nd – Addiction and recovery education, people in recovery and family members welcome. Cost: 25.00 / session, 20.00 if paid in advance.

Meditation Workshops: Saturdays 10:00-11:30 Starting March 4^th. Cost: 25.00 / session, 20.00 if paid in advance.

Individual Counseling and Spiritual Direction sessions available for 65.00 / 1 hour session.

Call 678-358-8775 or visit http://sunrisemeditation.org/workshops/ for more information or to register.

Managing Stress with Meditation

Stress. At work stress may come when demands are made that conflict with the availability of time and resources. At home stress may come when family members behave in ways that cause distress for themselves or others. Stress also comes when financial demands outweigh financial resources. There are many sources of stress in our lives, but they all have something in common: the need or desire to change people or circumstances that seem beyond our control.

How can we manage stress? We may have some power to change our circumstances over time, but for the most part we cannot change the people who cause stress in our lives. Sometimes we actually have the resources to change our circumstances, but feelings of being overwhelmed and powerless interfere with our ability to recognize our strengths and resources.

We may have heard that “meditation can help” but who has the time for that? And we may have tried “sitting in silence” on our own and found it boring and frustrating.

When practiced effectively, meditation can help clear a path through the challenges of people, circumstance, and the feeling of helplessness. Once our path is cleared of obstacles, we can more clearly see the strengths and resources that are available to us.

At Sunrise Meditation and Counseling we are blessed and happy to help people learn tools needed for managing stress. Our four part meditation series teaches skills for mind stabilization, letting go of stressful barriers to happiness and growth, increasing Spirituality, and exercising healthy compassion for others.

Our next set of four Meditation classes are being offered in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains beginning the weekend after Labor Day, Saturday September 10th. Based on the book Christian Tantric Meditation Guide, we share techniques that have been in practice for thousands of years, presented in a manner consistent with Judeo-Christian Scripture and Practice.

This is an opportunity to experience Christian Tantric Meditation in a low cost short series of classes on four consecutive Saturdays. The traditional Wellness based Christian Tantric Meditation protocol will be offered from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM. And we will again be offering these Meditation classes from Recovery oriented perspective from 9:00 AM-10:30 AM. Our location is in Sautee Georgia which is near Helen Georgia, about an hour from Gwinnett and about 1.5 hours from Metro Atlanta.

If you are worried that you may not be able to attend all four classes, no problem. We can make up missed classes in later private or group sessions. Walk in registrations are welcome, or visit our Workshops page and sign up on line, or call 678-358-8775. Our rates are very reasonable, 20.00 per class.

Why does Change Feel so Strange?

There is one thought and feeling that is common to everyone who begins to make healthy changes in their lives. And that is the thought and feeling that “this is not me, this is not who I am.”

This is true whether the changes involve meditation, exercise, diet, codependence related “assertive living”, or recovery.

For example, we go to a yoga class and find ourselves surrounded by people who are experienced and seem to know what they are doing. We may feel clumsy and strange, like we “don’t fit in.”

Changes we make to take care of ourselves also inevitable involve feelings of guilt. These feelings are often reinforced by our loved ones. Early in the morning or later in the evening we move to a quiet place for meditation or pull out a yoga mat, and we practice. Our family gives us that look like “what the hell are you doing?” They complain about how their lives are disrupted and how we are no longer “available,” even if we are only taking 20 minutes out of the usual routine.

In recovery, someone from the old crowd calls and says “let’s get a beer”, or a spouse pulls out a bottle of wine and offers a glass. If we reply “no thank you”, suddenly we are “better than they are” and “no longer trusted”.

Within ourselves we ask “What the hell am I doing? This isn’t me! I should be enjoying a joint on the back deck,” or “vegging out in front of the TV,” or “sleeping until the last possible second and rushing through the shower and off to work.”

This is the nature of change. It feels strange. Other people are better at whatever we are attempting to do. And the people in our relationships really want stability, they are uncomfortable with change. Especially in recovery, people we know and love are very wary of change, as they know from experience changes can mean drama or relapse or even worse.

How do we get past this? Mindfulness teaches us to live one moment at a time. To accept our temporary discomfort, recognize and accept that these feeling in ourselves and our loved ones are “normal”, and carry on, one step, one moment, one day at a time.

We also must be kind to ourselves. At first, change may happen in starts, stops, and stutters. Yesterday wasn’t so great, but today I am here, I am doing this, and I feel good about it.

Eventually, we wake up one day and realize that the changes we were attempting to make in our lives are no longer changes. They are a part of who we are, our day to day lives. We are no longer uncomfortable with meditation or yoga or going to meetings, in fact we are more uncomfortable with neglecting ourselves. And we feel relieved when we can get back to our self-care routines.

Change, growth, stepping out and rising to a challenge, all starts with a first step.

At Sunrise Meditation and Counseling we are blessed and happy to be available to help people with that first step towards healthier living. We will again be offering a series of four Christian Tantric Meditation classes in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains beginning the weekend after Labor Day, Saturday September 10th. This is an opportunity to experience all four phases of the Christian Tantric Meditation protocol in a low cost short series of classes on four consecutive Saturdays. The traditional Wellness based Christian Tantric Meditation protocol will be offered from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM. And we will again be offering these Meditation classes from Recovery oriented perspective from 9:00 AM-10:30 AM. Our location is in Sautee Georgia which is near Helen Georgia, about an hour from Gwinnett and about 1.5 hours from Metro Atlanta.

Visit our Workshops page and sign up on line, or call 678-358-8775. Our rates are very reasonable, 20.00 for a class.

Christian Tantric Wellness and Recovery Meditation Classes

Greetings,

We are happy to remind everyone that we will be offering a series of four Christian Tantric Meditation classes in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains beginning Saturday July 9th. This is a rare opportunity to experience all four phases of the Christian Tantric Meditation protocol in a low cost short series of classes on four consecutive Saturdays. The traditional Wellness based Christian Tantric Meditation protocol will be offered from 11:00 AM to 12:30 PM. And for the first time we will be offering these Meditation classes from Recovery oriented perspective from 9:00 AM-10:30 AM. Our location is in Sautee Georgia which is near Helen Georgia, about an hour from Gwinnett and about 1.5 hours from Metro Atlanta.

Both traditional Tantric Meditation techniques and Christian Contemplative perspectives are explored in the classes. Our wellness meditation classes teach skills for dealing with stress and increasing enjoyment of life and personal freedom through letting go of negative thoughts and emotions. Classes also explore increasing Spirituality and exercising Compassion with healthy boundaries for self and others. People who are new to meditation and people who are experienced with meditation find our classes helpful.

People who attend our recovery oriented meditation classes learn about the disease aspects of addiction, and tools for building self awareness in recovery. Classes will also explore emotions management, healthy relationships, and long term recovery strategies. Note that these classes are intended for people and family members actively engaged in recovery.

Walk in registrations are welcome, or visit our Workshops page and sign up on line, or call 678-358-8775. Our rates are very reasonable, 20.00 for a class.

April 2016 Meditation Class Reminder

Greetings,

We are happy to remind everyone that our next set of introductory meditation classes in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains will be held Saturday April 30th. Our location is in Sautee Georgia which is near Helen Georgia, about an hour from Gwinnett and about 1.5 hours from Metro Atlanta.

People who attend our classes learn skills for dealing with stress and increasing enjoyment of life and personal freedom through letting go of negative thoughts and emotions. More advanced classes explore increasing Spirituality through Divine Communion practice, and exercising Compassion with healthy boundaries for self and others. People who are new to meditation and people who are experienced with meditation find our classes helpful.

Our Saturday morning class from 10:00-11:30 teaches basic meditation skills including breath centered mind stabilization and mindfulness. Our afternoon class from 1:00-2:30 explores more advanced skills designed to Open our Consciousness. Our classes generally include about 20-30 minutes of instruction and discussion, and 20-30 minutes of meditation skill practice.

Walk in registrations are welcome, or visit our Workshops page and sign up on line, or call 678-358-8775. Our rates are very reasonable, 25.00 for a class or 40.00 for signing up for two classes or bringing a friend.