As a counselor, when I talk with people about meditation, it is often in therapeutic terms. Learning how to relax, letting go of burdens that hold us back, and living mindfully and in the moment can help a person to be resilient in the face of day to day stresses.

The process of self emptying not only allows us to let go of burdens and stresses, it also helps us to open a space within ourselves to receive Divine Energy that is beyond our 5 senses’ ability to perceive. In other words, self emptying meditation can increase our capacity for Spirituality. It’s often hard to see, hear, smell, taste, or feel anything with our five physical senses when we are burdened and stressed. When we have difficulty processing input from our physical senses our ability to perceive Spirituality is doubly impaired.

What is Spirituality? We often hear people say they are ‘Spiritual, not religious”, but what does that mean? For most people it means that we are in touch with something beyond ourselves, something that motivates, something that heals, something that inspires us to care for ourselves and for others. Jewish Scripture says God “breathed the breath of life into dust” (Gen 2:7) in creating humanity, in that sense Spirit is the breath energy that gives us life.

Spirituality can help “fill in the empty places” that are left behind when harmful thoughts or habits are challenged. Spirituality, connection with one’s inner strength and Higher Power, can help a person to move forward with a sense of fulfillment rather than emptiness and need.

Many people witness to “feeling the Spirit” as motivation for changing course when traveling, or in life. When they pay attention to this feeling, they find that they avoid major accidents or problems. In this sense, being “receptive to Spirit” can be part of maintaining one’s safety and well being.

“Divine Communion” meditation is used to help develop one’s sense of inner strength, and to invite one’s Higher Power to dwell within and be a part of our day to day lives. With a clear mind, open heart, and empty core that comes from “Self Emptying” practice, “Divine Communion” can help fulfill in a way that physical thoughts and activities and even relationships cannot.

With this in mind we are announcing the opening of our phase 2 classes covering “Self Emptying” practices on Saturday September 12th.  The morning session will cover “Freeing the mind and heart of harmful desires and resentments”, and the afternoon session will cover “Freeing the Core of Fears and Opening Self to Bliss”. Eventually we we will begin opening phase 3 “Divine Communion” classes.

We are also opening additional phase 1 classes on August 22nd, which introduce foundational practices of mindfulness and open consciousness. If you have been thinking about attending and would like the opportunity to move forward quickly through phase 1 and then phase 2 on September 12^th, now is the time to register. All classes are open for repeat attendance if participants want to refresh and share experiences with others, but phase 1 classes must be completed before participating in phase 2.

If you are interested in learning more about Christian Tantric Meditation, Atlanta area classes are being offered in the beautiful North Georgia Mountains. Registration is open now, visit our website for more information and to register on line.  The book Christian Tantric Meditation Guide is also available through Amazon.com and local bookstores.