Cole Goodwin 4/17/22 Cole Goodwin 4/17/22

What is God? A Magdalene Path Perspective

In this installment of the Spiritual Roundtable Claire Sierra, author/founder of The Magdalene Path, an Expressive Arts Therapist, Soul Alchemist, Spa Priestess, and Reiki Master shares her perspective on one of the biggest metaphysical questions of all time: what is God?

Introduction by Cole Goodwin

Welcome to the Spiritual Roundtable, an interfaith roundtable featuring a diverse range of spiritual belief systems in the Gorge Community.

Each week, spiritual leaders and learners will share their take on some of humanity's biggest questions, starting with: What does your spirituality mean to you? And ramping up into discussions about the nature of existence, the soul, the divine, and of course…a question as old as time itself: why are we here?

Roundtable writings will be published each Saturday and Sunday of the month. So look forward to new installments every Saturday and Sunday morning!

Take a deep breath… Meditate for a moment…And when you’re ready…keep reading to explore the diverse faiths, belief systems, and philosophies that exist in our communities.

This Month's Question: What is God (collective consciousness, deities, the divine, the beloved, the source, the sacred, the mother, the father, the world, the one power)? How can we have a relationship with this power? What does this power want/need/desire?

**About Claire Sierra:** Claire Sierra, MA, LFT, author/founder of The Magdalene Path, is an Expressive Arts Therapist, Soul Alchemist, Spa Priestess, and Reiki Master on the path of awakening Feminine Soul since 1989. She shares intuitive, creative, spiritual practices through the lost wisdom of Mary Magdalene. Claire sees clients on-line and at Spa Sanctuary at the Balch Hotel, an elegant, award-winning inn in Dufur, Oregon, where she lives with her hotelier husband.
Learn more and access free resources for Feminine Soul at MagdalenePath.com. She can be reached at Claire@MagdalenePath.com

A Magdalene Path Perspective

by Claire Sierra

Pondering the essence of the divine is serious navel gazing. Such a vast concept, exploding the imagination, making words seem petty and insufficient. After 33 years of study and exploration, down more spiritual tunnels and religious pathways than I can count, there are so many ways to express who or what Spirit is. (*a note on pronouns: to avoid the ponderous “he/she/it,” I’ll use “they” in a singular, not collective sense of the word)

Ideas about spirit vary by culture and tradition. Coming up with one answer eludes concrete terminology. And it’s a very personal experience for anyone who’s cared to look. (Which makes sense, in a way.) Western culture teaches that God is a he; and yet creation, birth is feminine. So I tend to refer to God as Divine, or Source. You use whatever words spark your soul to light.

How to express the infinite without bumbling into left brain concepts? Poets express it better with their images and essences. (See: Rumi, Mary Oliver, Sappho, Rilke, Maya Angelou) From what I’ve gathered and experienced (because that is the only true way of knowing the Divine) this expansive emanation of love and light hums through the cosmos and is the Source of all being.

It is the creative spark of creation. The energy and essence within and behind all things. (Now using poetry makes more sense, doesn’t it?) It’s both what made us (and everything) and what we are made with. (Confusing, huh?) The divine is the spirit or energy of matter, as well as the form it takes. Scientists in quantum physics speak of matter as waves and/or particles. This starts to sound similar.

Source wants joy, love and bliss everlasting. It wants that for us all, as the ground of our being. Every day. Connecting with Source is like tapping a living river of love. And it’s always free. But we need to remember it, and go there. From this an awareness, understanding and relationship develops.

Having a relationship with Divine is as unique as each soul. Just as human relationships vary widely, our relationship with Spirit does also. Source is fully available for relationship, but we are the initiators. This is where spiritual practice comes in, as a means of direct access and connection. Some paths don’t encourage this, but it is the tried-and-true way of the mystic, in all religions.

The simplest way to engage with this benevolent creatrix is through conversation, aka Prayer. And for listening, meditation. There are countless ways to pray but remembering to ask for help is a key.

Spirit cannot help without our permission, it’s divine law. We need to expressly ask for what we need. Many people think, “but it’s so obvious what I want.” But really, is it? How clear are you on your heart and soul desires? How often do you change your mind, or truly ask for what you really want, instead of what you think you deserve or are willing to settle for?

God cannot be expected to know the hearts, minds, and desires of everyone 24/7, that would be impossible. But this power wants us to connect. It’s a huge untapped gift, just waiting to be unwrapped.

In a free will universe, we need to ask in our hearts for the presence and support of the Divine. And it comes, freely. Not always in the time or way we expect, but often with far more grace and magic than we expect. This power wants to flow love, light and divine goodness to us. It’s just waiting for our go-ahead.

If this is something you want to explore more of, explore ways to get support, access free resources and join our upcoming Magdalene Path Program at www.MagdalenePath.com

Want to contribute to the Spiritual Roundtable? Read this first.

The Roundtable Mission and Vision

The goal of these roundtable writings is to:

Bring the spiritual community together.
Share ideas that elevate the human spirit.
Elevate the conversation around the spirit.
Embrace what is universal to all, while honoring what is special about each spirituality.
Center inclusivity and equity.
Promote our collective enlightenment.
Nurture civility and friendship between those with diverse belief systems in the Gorge.
Engage readers and spiritual seekers.

The Spiritual Roundtable IS NOT…

This is not a place for arguing about dogma.
This is not a place for ‘hating on’ or putting other belief systems down.
This is not a place for excluding, discriminating, or promoting fear or violence towards other people based on their race, color, ethnicity, beliefs, faith, gender, sexuality, ability.
This is not a place for hatred.
This is not a place for fear.

The Spiritual Roundtable IS..

This IS a place for hope.
This IS a place for joy.
This IS a place for comfort.
This IS a place for big questions.
This IS a place for learning.
This IS a place for sharing.
This IS a place for caring.
This IS a place for sharing what is special about your beliefs.

CCC News reserves the right to not publish any content that breaks with our mission, vision and values.

If you are interested in being included in the roundtable please email cole@columbiacommunityconnection.com

Cole Goodwin 3/13/22 Cole Goodwin 3/13/22

How does practicing spirituality impact those around you? A Magdalene Path Perspective

In this installment of the Spiritual Roundtable Claire Sierra, author/founder of The Magdalene Path, an Expressive Arts Therapist, Soul Alchemist, Spa Priestess, and Reiki Master shares how practicing her Spirituality impacts those around her in the context of a globally interconnected world.

Introduction by Cole Goodwin

Welcome to the Spiritual Roundtable, an interfaith roundtable featuring a diverse range of spiritual belief systems in the Gorge Community.

Roundtable writings will be published each Saturday and Sunday of the month. So look forward to new installments every Saturday and Sunday morning!

Take a deep breath… Meditate for a moment…And when you’re ready…keep reading to explore the diverse faiths, belief systems, and philosophies that exist in our communities.

This Month's Question: How does your spirituality impact those around you? How does your spirituality encourage healthy relationships with other people, animals, and the earth? What is love? How can we be more loving?

Why this question was chosen: This question asks us to examine the basic principles and values that guide our Spirituality and expand our understanding of the many paths one can walk to live a Spiritual life.

A Magdalene Path Perspective

by Claire Sierra

When this month’s theme was developed I’m sure there was no imagining what would be happening in the world right now. This really is the most crucial question: how does our spirituality make a different in the world around us: at home, in our community and around the world?

Can we have an effect on planetary healing and well-being? I believe we can.

And with the global focus on the invasion of Ukraine, it’s perfect timing. Humanity appears to finally be tiring of war. In war, no one wins, (barring a very elite and distanced few.)

As this war unfolds in real time, I’ve seen an unprecedented outcry of a different type. While typically “anti-war” sentiments would be common, something different is happening. Across electronic platforms of news and social media, there is a global outcry of support, calling for prayers of peace.

I’ve seen an unprecedented invoking of the divine mother, with prayers to Mother Mary, our Lady of Ukraine, and goddesses of the old tradition (like Berehynia, Mokosh and Baba Yaga). Invitations to prayer vigils constantly fill my newsfeed.

As someone who moves in the world of the awakening Divine Feminine, my view could be biased—confirmation bias, I suppose. But others who are not similarly desposed have noted it also, and we’re delighted at this change of heart.

It makes sense that this would occur. As the feminine awakens—which we’ve seen in the #metoo, #neveragain, Vagina Monologues and other pro-female movements—there’s a growing sense of feminine presence and empowerment.

The divine feminine is rising because it’s time. We’ve had 3000 years of patriarchy—hierarchical power over, domination and force, suppressing women, the poor or marginalized while abusing the resources of the Earth for the gain of the few.

The divine feminine is returning now to balance the toxicity that emerges when the masculine way of being has been epitomized as ideal, and the feminine has been seen as inferior, soiled and unworthy. This kind of hierarchy leads to imbalance. Not that men or the masculine are bad, but by removing the equal and opposite energy of the feminine, the planet has teetered out of control.

By reconnecting with the divine feminine we access forces of Love and compassion. We can set healthy boundaries, care for our neighbors, earth citizens regardless of race, religion, or borders. We can honor ourselves, each other and the land we live on/with. We can create a world that works for everyone, not just the privileged few. This is how it’s worked in my world and my practice.

And the dominant shift, that the world is edging towards is accessing the power of Love.

Love is a vibration, a frequency—not always a sweet romantic emotion. Love is a force to be reckoned with, that moves mountains when needed.

When we connect with this Sacred Feminine in and through love, we open to an expansiveness and possibility. Then magic and manifestation can happen in our life with family and friends, at work, even in business…

Connecting with the frequency of Love, we tap our feminine essence. Life can flow, full, fluid, easy, and graceful. Tap into magic and possibility, of divine timing—not always on clock or calendar time. Living from Feminine Soul creates an embodied sense of life as sacred, the divinity that is within and all around us.

When we awaken the Divine Feminine, we naturally strive to balance and integrate with the Sacred Masculine, knowing we need both energies within and around us for wholeness. In doing this, we start to know ourselves as sacred: our bodies, minds, and hearts. We live our days connected to the forces that surround us, human and otherwise..

When we access this frequency we can’t help but care for all life. The earth itself becomes sacred as we sense it giving us this beautiful life. How can we not want to protect, honor, and celebrate it? So we care for the planet, our environment, the workers who toil in the fields, and our planetary neighbors. We know, in our hearts that when one suffers, we all suffer. We feel this Truth of connection in our bones.

And from that Truth we honor the sacred all around us, and we too are blessed. The circle of life is turned. And so it is!

*David Eisenstein

Want to contribute to the Spiritual Roundtable? Read this first.

The Roundtable Mission and Vision

The goal of these roundtable writings is to:

Bring the spiritual community together.
Share ideas that elevate the human spirit.
Elevate the conversation around the spirit.
Embrace what is universal to all, while honoring what is special about each spirituality.
Center inclusivity and equity.
Promote our collective enlightenment.
Nurture civility and friendship between those with diverse belief systems in the Gorge.
Engage readers and spiritual seekers.

The Spiritual Roundtable IS NOT…

The Spiritual Roundtable IS..

CCC News reserves the right to not publish any content that breaks with our mission, vision and values.

If you are interested in being included in the roundtable please email cole@columbiacommunityconnection.com

Cole Goodwin 2/19/22 Cole Goodwin 2/19/22

How do you practice your Spirituality? A Magdalene Path Perspective

Introduction by Cole Goodwin

Welcome to the Spiritual Roundtable, an interfaith roundtable featuring a diverse range of spiritual belief systems in the Gorge Community.

Roundtable writings will be published each Saturday and Sunday of the month. So look forward to new installments every Saturday and Sunday morning!

Take a deep breath… Meditate for a moment…And when you’re ready…keep reading to explore the diverse faiths, belief systems, and philosophies that exist in our communities.

This Month's Question: What is your belief systems basic belief structure? What are some of the major celebrations or rites of passage? What are some of the core beliefs and major practices?

A Magdalene Path Perspective

by Claire Sierra

For as long as I can recall, Soul is the key. Feeding, caring for, and connecting with my own soul or guiding that process in others - whether as a psychotherapist, soul coach, or spa priestess - has guided my life. (Our soul steers our life and when we don’t heed it, we suffer.)

Self care is soul care, and in recent years we’ve all seen and felt the importance. Being connected to Spirit is not something I’ve tried to do, to be “good”, it’s just simpler that way. I’ve found that spiritual practices are necessary for mental, emotional and physical well-being. If not, we risk anguish, upset, and pain.

What practices help you to maintain (or regain) balance, ease, and connection?

I’ve developed a core of simple practices that inspire, awaken, and align me with the Divine. On daily and weekly basis, I tap into prayer, meditation, yoga or movement, walking in nature, writing, and painting.

I was raised Catholic, and my strong mystical streak inspired my quest for authentic, embodied experiences of the Sacred. Since I’m in a female body, I’m drawn to reflections of divinity that mirror my own, the Goddess, reminding me that I, too, am a spark of the Divine. I explored many wisdom traditions, healing modalities, and the earth-based spirituality of my European roots. I found myself on path of the priestess, returning home to a Christianity I was never taught, including the Sacred Feminine wisdom of Mary Magdalene.

As a priestess of the Divine Feminine in the Avalon and Magdalene traditions, my life is rooted in connection: with self, soul, Source (or Spirit) and sisters (community). I’m particularly attuned to the rhythms of nature and acknowledge the seasonal cycles our lives revolve around. Some of these holy days may be vaguely familiar: Solstice as Christmas, Spring Equinox as Easter, May Day, Hallowe’en (All Souls & Saints days).

These seasonal markers every 6 weeks help us mark, move and flow through the year. Being tuned in to the rhythm of the earth & moon, even vaguely, helps us feel connected to the monthly cycles we all seem to experience, even if unacknowledged.

Most of the temples and holy places of the ancient earth-based traditions of the Goddess were destroyed by new religions wanting power. In the Avalon and Magdalene traditions, we’ve had to scavenge from ancient texts and oral tradition, spiritual insight and creative imagination to create new traditions and rituals.

The same is true of the Way of Love, the path taught by Jesus and Mary Magdalene, which was almost completely eradicated by the church of Rome.

Now we find growing interest in the lost wisdom of Mary Magdalene—someone who was far more important than we were led to believe. My decades of research and spiritual connection with Magdalene have confirmed her role as a leader and healer in the early church. The path she taught in France and other parts of Europe, Jesus called the Way of Love & Light.

Connection with her is my primary inspiration, which I do through meditation, writing, and prayer. Recently I received a new way to pray the Rosary—to Mary Magdalene, which brings a deep state of peace and spiritual connection. (I’m delighted to share this practice in our monthly prayer circle, see the link in my bio!)

Receiving this connection with the Divine Feminine through Mary Magdalene has ignited my soul’s purpose. Awakening Feminine Soul to balance with masculine power is the primary task of our time. Without it our society and planet teeter towards collapse. “A more beautiful world that our hearts know is possible*” awaits us. We must find a way to a new story, that is beyond hate and divisiveness, a path of hope, love and light. Find yours.

*David Eisenstein

Want to contribute to the Spiritual Roundtable? Read this first.

The Roundtable Mission and Vision

The goal of these roundtable writings is to:

Bring the spiritual community together.
Share ideas that elevate the human spirit.
Elevate the conversation around the spirit.
Embrace what is universal to all, while honoring what is special about each spirituality.
Center inclusivity and equity.
Promote our collective enlightenment.
Nurture civility and friendship between those with diverse belief systems in the Gorge.
Engage readers and spiritual seekers.

The Spiritual Roundtable IS NOT…

The Spiritual Roundtable IS..

CCC News reserves the right to not publish any content that breaks with our mission, vision and values.

If you are interested in being included in the roundtable please email cole@columbiacommunityconnection.com