God is Ever-Existing Ever-New Bliss
Over the course of my strange and delightful life, the word 'God' has changed meanings many times.
When I was young I mostly used my Mom and Dad’s definition of God which was basically the "Great Out Doors." I remember the joy of muddy creeks, tide pools, mountain streams, campfires, and a big backyard full of raspberry bushes.
Through my teens I dipped into all kinds of spirituality including simple rituals from a witchcraft book I found in the Denver Public Library (gasp!), some animal spirit books, and a few very interesting psychedelic trips at an ancient Colorado temple of sacred music; the Telluride Bluegrass Festival.
I started seminary with my Dad's definition of God.
I think I surprised the hell out of my secular family when I decided to go study theology. But a few months before I moved to Berekely for grad school my dad asked if I believe in God, which is a great question to ask the daughter of a geologist before she enrolls in Masters of Divinity program.
I said I probably did believe in God and he answered, "If there is a God I think he just wants us to be nice to each other." I still primarily believe in that God today though I've certainly added some nuance and detail.
Struggling with a definition of God? Fighting an old harmful definition and longing for a new life-giving one? Schedule a Clairvoyant Counseling call and let’s look at where those old stories are giving you present-time trouble.
In seminary, God was primarily defined as the divine action of liberation and justice.
It’s hard not to see it that way once you really read the scriptures. Now, this is a whooooole sermon series for another time but basically both the Hebrew and Christian writings are all about God coming in on the side of the oppressed and liberating them from the torments of their colonizers.
I was in my last year of seminary when Michael Brown was murdered by Ferguson, MO police and the officer cleared of all wrong doing. I still remember making protest signs that said “Jesus Was Black” and “Jesus Can’t Breathe” and “Jesus Wept.”
And I vividly remember standing at a protest with linked arms among clergy members, Dominican monks, and Jesuit nuns in front of an advancing line of police thinking our clergy collars and robes might protect the crowd behind us from the batons. No such luck, but to me at that moment of sacred protest, that was God.
Since then God has become Mother, Sister, Guide, Tao, Universe, Consciousness, and Friend.
The word ‘God’ is of mysterious origin and may be Germanic, or Greek, or proto-Indian, or maybe didn’t even exist until the 700s. The etymlogical roots of the word might mean any or all of the following: to pour, to invoke, the purifier, the terror, the hidden/invisible, shining one, and the one that is outside.
In fact, for something so central in so many people’s lives it’s actually a very nebulous word. It’s almost as mysterious as God itself.
Recently I’ve been deep diving into the teachings of Asha Nayaswami, a grandstudent of my other favorite enlightened Jesus freak, Paramahansa Yogananda. I’m going through her entire catalogue on Karma and Reincarnation so you’ll hear about that soon.
But what’s intrigued me the most is Asha’s prefered definition of God which comes from the ancient sanskrit words ‘Sat Chit Ananda’ or Ever-Existing Ever-New Bliss.
Curious about how to find and experience the Great Mystery of the unnamable God? Ceremony is the most ancient way for humans to do just that. Join us this fall for How to Lead Ceremony.
Now that sounds like a God I could get really into.
It’s a definition with built-in paradox (how could something be ever-existing and ever-new at the same time?!), just like God. It points towards the true purpose of existence which is - despite what many folks say - not actually all about suffering.
And it’s a God who is a verb or an experience instead of a fixed object to worship because yes, even God can become a false idol if we’re not careful.
I’m sure God will continue to evolve for me with every twist and turn of this sweet little incarnation called Cindy. And I can only pray that the paradox deepens, the mystery gets bigger, and life becomes more radiant every step of the way towards that ultimate reality. May it be so for you as well.
In Spirit,
Rev. Cindy
Blue Lotus Teaching Ceremony
Sunday October 13th at Rooted Heart Yoga in Denver from 5:30-7pm
Join us for an experiential teaching ceremony using the ancient Egyptian medicine of Blue Lotus tea (one of my past life favorites).
This 75-minute prayer ceremony will include practical teachings about:
building a working altar
opening and closing the ceremony containers
connecting with the spirit of this medicine
activating the crown/heart/root chakras for full body engagement
lots of other practical tips and tricks for running a great ceremony
This event is a small sample of my new course How to Lead Ceremony.
Bring your altar items, sacred songs, musical instruments, and your holy curiosity.
We'll finish with a Q&A session and you'll get some great homework to help you start building your own prayer circle practice.
Tickets are $25 for Rooted Heart members, $30 for general public which includes medicine, snacks, and tea. Tickets available for purchase soon on the Rooted Heart Website.
How to Lead Ceremony - Starts October 14th
A 3-month foundational course designed to provide you with all the tools necessary to lead effective, powerful, unique ceremonies.
Whether you’re just starting to lead ceremony or have lots of experience facilitating, these teachings and practices will help you create healing potent ceremonies for yourself and your people.
Join the 2024 cohort of vibrant, luminous, dedicated ceremonialists today! Course starts October 14th, 2024; offered live at Sakala in Denver and virtually
What Folks are Saying
“Cindy is excellent at what she does. Her application of cross-cultural intelligence grounds the undeniable precision of her work. I’ts clear she’s been honing her craft for a while and I am incredibly grateful to have access to her work.”
— Jess D., client and colleague for 3+ years
“Reverend Cindy is an absolute treasure. Her healing sessions are transformative and her readings are deeply insightful. She has held gracious space for my thorniest spiritual questions and fears, and helped me find practical tools to deepen my daily practice. I could not recommend working with her more highly.”
-Cate C., counseling and healing client for 3+ years
“Cindy is a delight. She wisely weaves together humor and compassion, sharing gems that are both profound and practical. A natural healer, her abilities, earnestness, and grace come through in all she shares. It’s always a treat to receive some of her medicine.
- Mary O., ceremonialist, healer, and colleague for 5+ years
Head on over to the website to learn more about what I’ll be teaching, our guest instructors, course practica, and more.
If you have questions about whether the course is right for you, book a 15-minute Complimentary Call so we can make sure you feel ready to enroll.
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Artwork? Top image is by Azat Minnekaev. Second image is unknown.
