FEBRUARY  SOUL-MAKING THOUGHT

THE DIFFERENCES BETWEEN SOUL AND SPIRIT

Some have asked me why I make distinctions between the terms soul and spirit. First, let me say these distinctions are not absolute, but rather useful for understanding the purpose of the entire range of human experiences. These distinctions are functional, not absolute. If you disagree with me, I won’t debate. Here is how I distinguish between soul and spirit, and a brief explanation of why.

Soul takes a person into the depths while Spirit raises a person into the heights. Soul is a way of referencing human experiences of fragmentation while Spirit refers to human experiences of wholeness. Soul nudges us into dark mazes while Spirit compels us into bright vistas. Soul is often associated with the uncomfortable and undesirable emotions of depression, panic, fear, sorrow, etc. Spirit on the other hand corresponds with feelings of ecstasy, tranquility, courage, joy, etc. Soul is often associated with death, loss, poverty and disintegration, while Spirit is associated with life, acquisition, prosperity and integration. Using a popular bestselling modern book as an example, we might say that “spirituality” corresponds to something like the Law of Attraction, while “soulfulness” is about the Law of Subtraction. Both kinds of experiences are equally normal and necessary for our human expedition through life—what I like to call soul-making, or psycho-spiritual poetry. Your life is the poem—lines get written, and lines get erased—but always and all ways the poetic story called “you” moves forward a word at a time, no matter what the circumstances.

  Perhaps the best example of these two poles of human experience is the Chinese Yin/Yang symbol.     This Two in One circle embodies the dynamic eternal creative process: both positive and negative working in tandem. As the rotating Chinese sphere implies, these two sorts of experience are cycle around and around. That is the way--always around and forward—through the next experience toward the next, and the next, and the next. Do you feel down today?—move forward, there is light ahead. Are you up today?-- move forward—there is darkness coming. Some call this pessimistic. I call it optimistic because it embraces every single human feeling, thought and relationship as normal, necessary and purposeful. In the dark moments, faith; in the light moments, faith. You are being created at every moment.

Michael Bogar    www.michaelbogar.com

If you missed the Sunday talk, click here to listen at: Spiritual Enrichment Center

For more of Michael’s writing, click here: Michael’s Writing

JANUARY NEWS AND NOTES

UPCOMING EVENTS AND OPPORTUNITIES:

NEXT CHURCH POTLUCK: SUNDAY FEBRUARY 5

The potluck will be held immediately after the service at the Island Music Center. There is a sign-up sheet on the back table. Please bring something delicious, including your hungry self!

EMMET FOX SERMON ON THE MOUNT GROUP—JANUARY 2012

Please plan to join us, January 18 - February 22, to discuss Emmet Fox’s classic essays from his book, The Sermon on the Mount: “The Key to Successful Life”. We will meet on six successive Wednesday nights from 7:00-8:30 at Debby Bunn’s house located on Bainbridge Island. For address and directions, call 206-842-7052.  Cost is love offering. Come to one class or all. See you there!

BOB MARIMON’S SEND OFF PARTY--Feb. 19

Join us after the Sunday service on February 19 to have a celebration and appreciation party for a longtime and very loved member of this community, Bob Marimon.  We will be gathering at the Casa Rojas Mexican Restaurant on Bainbridge Island. Please put your name on the list on the back table, or call 206-842-1589 to RSVP.

THE SOUL’S CODE RETREAT—MARCH 2012

 Michael will be leading a two day workshop based on the radical depth psychological work of James Hillman, focusing on his bestselling book, The Soul’s Code. If you are interested in discovering how your ordinary problems and painful emotional symptoms are the conduits to deeper psycho-spiritual insight and transformation, you will want to join us for this informative and interactive experience.

The retreat will be held at the beautiful waterfront Dumas Bay Center near Federal Way, WA. Registration will begin at 7:30 am on Saturday with breakfast at 8:00, March 3 and we will conclude at 5 pm on Sunday, March 4.

The cost is $195.00 including meals, snacks, lodging and the two day workshop. Space is limited, so reserve your spot now by calling Kim Duddy at 206-963-9706, or email: kduddy6@gmail.com. It is not necessary, but if you can, please read Hillman’s book, The Soul’s Code. There are fliers on the back table.

SUNDAY MORNING MEET AND CHAT GROUP

You are invited to attend a half hour discussion group immediately after the service, beginning at 11:50. Get a cup of coffee and some snacks, and join us upstairs. This is for new comers who have questions about our community, or for anyone who has questions or comments about Michael’s talk.

TRUE HAPPINESS WORKSHOP May 5, 2012

This experiential retreat is based on Robert Holden’s book “Be Happy” which teaches that happiness is our true nature, not something that can be chased after, bought, or possessed. This interactive retreat will assist you to create a state of happy mindfulness and ways to express more of your natural joy. Retreat facilitator, Kristina Bass, is the recipient of the President’s Award of Excellence in Leadership and the Legacy Award for consulting partner of the year in 2011. Her experiences have taken her to 30 countries around the world, from China to Europe where she completed her MBA in Spain. She worked as a consultant, facilitator, trainer and coach designing and delivering programs in strategic learning, leadership development, culture transformation and organizational effectiveness. She has worked with Fortune 100 multinational corporations, including GM Europe, Boeing, AT&T Wireless, and IBM Japan. She has also worked with governmental agencies and non-profit organizations including the Executive Service Corp and the City of Seattle. Sign-up on the back table.

PRAY, PRAY, PRAY

Please remember that there is a prayer link on our web site under the heading, “ABOUT”: http://www.spiritualenrichmentcenter.org/prayer_request.htm

If you click on this link, your prayer request will be sent to many for prayer. We also have prayer cards available on Sunday mornings.

MEMBERSHIP AT THE SPIRITUAL ENRICHMENT CENTER

If you are interested in becoming a member of the Spiritual Enrichment Center, please contact Michael. Email addresses are at the end of this newsletter.

HELPLINE DONATIONS These collections are ongoing at SEC. Please bring canned foods. If you have any questions, call Elle Tatum at 842-6517.

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES:

• We are seeking a Social Coordinator. This would entail working with others to plan social events for the community. Please talk with Michael.

• Please bring munchies for the fellowship hour on Sunday mornings. Talk to Judy Chase about what to bring.

• We are always looking for a couple of volunteers to come to the Island Music Center by 9:30 am on Sunday mornings to help clean and set up. This would involve vacuuming the sanctuary stage and floor, helping Joan and Judy make coffee and any other preparation work done to get the space ready for service. There is a sign-up list on the back table. Please help us share the love through service.

KORAN READING GROUP

Join us on Sunday mornings, 9 - 9:50 AM for the Koran reading group at the Spiritual Enrichment Center at the Island Music Guild in Rolling bay. This is an informal reading and discussion group with an aim of better understanding this controversial sacred text. No meeting March 6 or April 10.

IMPORTANT CONTACT INFORMATION

        Prayer Requests:             prayerministry@spiritualenrichmentcenter.org

        Spiritual Director:            michael@spiritualenrichmentcenter.org

        Board of Trustees:                boardoftrustees@spiritualenrichmentcenter.org

        Media Center, CD's:        support@spiritualenrichmentcenter.org

        Newsletter:                     news@spiritualenrichmentcenter.org

PLEASE REMEMBER TO PRAY FOR ONE ANOTHER. IF YOU MISS SOMEONE FROM OUR GROUP, GIVE THEM A CALL AND LET THEM KNOW YOU WERE THINKING ABOUT THEM!

COMMUNITY EVENTS

City of Bainbridge Community Events Food for Helpline - Collected every Sunday Helpline Food Bank serves over 600 families each month - Most needed items are: tuna, canned meats, peanut butter, snacks for kids, juices, oatmeal, canned soups, cooking oils, canned fruits, stew, crackers, pork & beans, chili, breakfast cereals, pasta/rice and toilet paper. Bring to Church the First Sunday of Every Month or take Directly to Helpline House on Knechtel Way NE

Interfaith Council Events

Interfaith Council’s Website:   www.binkinterfaith.org.

Bainbridge City Council Nuclear Free Proclamation

                                                                            (Click Here>  042110_nuclear_free_proclamation.pdf)

An invitation to participate in a focus group: Under the direction of Helpline House and the Washington Adult Aging Services Association, the University of Washington Institute on Aging will conduct a feasibility study on the development of day services in the Bainbridge/ North Kitsap communities. This includes a series of focus group which will provide an opportunity to gather information from a range of stakeholders, including potential users of day services and caregivers of people who will benefit from them. Since your
organization works with these populations, we would welcome your cooperation in getting the word out to interested individuals. We enclose a separate invitation to participate in a focus group. Please contact Joanne Tews jtews@helplinehouse.org or call (206) 842-7621, Ext. 13 or 842-7624.