Sunday Talks
"The Nature of the Mind"
Through stories, practical examples, and insights from meditation practice, we look at how the mind can become our greatest source of suffering—or a powerful tool for growth and peace. From the “inner roommate” that never stops talking, to the tendency to replay old frustrations and imagined futures, we explore how to gently redirect our attention, cultivate presence, and develop a healthier relationship with our thoughts.
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We explore how true wisdom arises not from accumulating more information, but from touching the stillness beyond thought. As we learn to let go of what no longer serves us and listen more deeply to the higher mind within, we open ourselves to greater clarity, freedom, joy, and connection with the sacred mystery at the heart of life.
Steve Bhaerman on "Signs of the Upwising"
In this talk Steve points to “Signs of the Upwising – Emerging Coherence and Reasons for Hope”. In the midst of the “bipolar insanity” that seems to have captured our political and social discourse, there is an awakening taking place. Like the imaginal cells inside the chrysalis that inevitably become the butterfly, there’s an emerging coherence that isn’t on the radar yet – but will be.
Steve Bhaerman (aka Swami Beyondananda), humorist and “uncommontator” will offer these “signs of the upwising” – threads of love and functionality that are starting to weave themselves into a “whole cloth movement.”
Rev. Lynne Fritz on "The Power of Affirmative Prayer"
Rev. Lynn shares the power of affirmative prayer through knowing our oneness with Spirit; that God is, I am. From this sense of connectedness to Spirit we then affirm: I know, I can, I have, and holding this knowing in both mind and feeling we realize our greater, more unlimited possibility.
Marianne Williamson on Qualities of Personhood
The New York Times bestselling author Marianne Williamson shares with Unity Community of Ashland how our world is experiencing an historic phase transition with humanity standing at a crossroads between the fall of Rome and a new world struggling to be born. How can each of us more powerfully participate in the internal and external changes that will foster a season of global repair? How do we cultivate an integrative, holistic approach to regeneration, employing tools as disparate as meditation and social activism? Marianne offers a 21st Century conversation about where all of us are going now.
Marianne Williamson offers a question and answer session with Unity Community of Ashland regarding her experience running for president and her insights as to how we save our democracy. How can each of us more powerfully participate in the internal and external changes that will foster a season of global repair? How do we cultivate an integrative, holistic approach to regeneration, employing tools as disparate as meditation and social activism? This is an inspiring and motivating conversation!
"The Continuation Body"
This talk explores the idea that our life is a continuation; that our birth was not the beginning and our death is not the end. Rev. Kathy describes the Buddhist teachings related to the bardo period, what the consciousness of who we are experiences after leaving the physical body. She explores the life review experience and the possibilities of consciousness becoming free of the cycle of life/death and re-birth, and the choice for reincarnation.
"The Mothering Energy"
This talk explores the mothering energy we find not only in human mothers and mother figures, but in the animal kingdom, plant kingdom and across genders. It is the energy of selflessness and self-sacrifice, the energy of unconditional love and compassion. Rev. Kathy shares a message from the Universal Mother of hope, courage and strength to conclude the talk.
"The Power of the Divine Name"
Rev. Kathy explores the power of the divine name, the power of the mantra to awaken divine presence within, purify the mind and open the heart. She shares personal stories of the protective power of the mantra and how the practice of repeating the mantra with devotion is a powerful antidote in a world gone mad with too much mental stimulation.
Dr. Drew Dillinger on "Interconnectedness, Cosmology and The Spirit of Democracy"
Dr. Drew Dellinger invites us to consider Thomas Berry’s words that “the universe is composed of subjects to commune with, not objects to be exploited.” How we view ourselves in relation to others and our planet earth itself has a lot to do with how we treat each other and the planet. Dr. Dellinger weaves powerful and provocative original poetry into this thoughtful and inspiring message.
Gary Zukav on Easter Sunday
The New York Times bestselling author Gary Zukav shares how the story of resurrection is our story, our process of discovering our choice to respond to life from love and awareness of oneness. He explores why we suffer and the antidote to suffering. His humor is woven in with clarity and wise guidance in this wonderful presentation.
"Honoring our Spiritual Teachers"
This talk explores the importance of our spiritual teachers in our process of spiritual growth and awakening. Rev. Kathy shares personal stories of meeting her first spiritual teacher, Michael Singer at 15-years-old, and the powerful lessons she has received from Amma, the hugging saint. With audience participation, she explores the ways we can honor our spiritual teachers by living their teachings.
"The Five Gates of Grief"
This talk explores the five gates of grief and how we move through them; including loss of someone or something we love, the places that haven’t known love, the sorrows of the world, what we expected and did not receive, and ancestral grief. Rev. Kathy shares the Buddhist teaching of the continuation body, and how we can both allow for our humanness and depth of loss and grief, while also being aware in a more expanded awareness of that which is not touched by death. We look at how we can meet the sorrows of the world without becoming consumed by despair through cultivating what brings us inner peace. We explore our commitment to live in a way that reduces suffering and contributes to peace in this world.
"The Sacred Work of Grief"
This talk explores the sacred work of meeting, allowing and embracing our experiences of grief with deep compassion. We examine the five gates of grief, including the loss of someone or something that we love, the place that have not known love, the sorrows of the world, what we expected and did not receive, and ancestral grief.
Guest Speaker Peggy Rubin on "On Lovers of God"
"Tribute to Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr."
Rev. Kathy Zavada shares a tribute to the remarkable life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. including stories from his childhood and youth, and his unique and effective ability to use the force of satyagraha, non-violent action to bring about change and a movement towards greater justice and equality in the civil rights movement. Rev. Kathy shares some of Dr. King’s most powerful passages from speeches and letters, and a vision for how we continue his work in the world today.
"Being the Peace We Wish to See"
This talk explores mindfulness practice to cultivate peace within and around us as an antidote to the unrest we find in the world. We examine the simple and yet powerful teachings found in the monks “walk for peace” happening right now. We explore how the world religions view power as a responsibility and the importance of standing up for justice, and how the enemy of love is not hatred but indifference. We consider what a covenant to take care of each other in our country and world might look like.
"Create the New Year with Intention and Vision"
This is an inspiring talk on how we step into our new year with clear intention and vision so as to actualize our soul’s full potential. Rev. Kathy describes the practice of vision casting and the four steps involved. She tells an inspiring true story illustrating how overcoming obstacles creates “soul-fortune”, and how often what we perceive as misfortune can actually become our the greatest stepping stone to our spiritual growth.