Awe and wonder may be daily experiences

Huffington Post shares Thomas Moore’s latest piece "The Secular Theologian" in its Healthy Living section. Moore writes of no need to think of the sacred only with reference to a particular religion. He suggests:

 "Life is full of sacred moments that have no direct connection to formal religion, or else are the experience of people who are not connected to one of the established religions. Birth is one of those moments, and yet it is increasingly done in the atmosphere of a secular hospital. Yet, the holy knows no bounds. As Emerson said, the miracle of rain is more important than the miracles of religion. 

As the evolution of thought and culture moves many away from the established religions today, we need a secular theology more than ever. Otherwise, we end up with a purely secular world, one that no longer senses the miracle of rain or the transforming wonder of Old Faithful. A secular world without a sense of the sacred can be ethical but lacks the vision that roots a life in the mysteries that take us out farther and more deeply inward. There's a paradox at work here: The more we appreciate the holy outside of us, the more human we become." 

Please read Moore’s essay, then share it on FB and Twitter.

Moore among most spiritually influential in 2014

Watkins Books includes Thomas Moore on its 100 Most Spiritually Influential Living People List in 2014 at no. 85 and introduces him with:

"Moore is the author of the bestselling book Care of the Soul and many other books on deepening spirituality and cultivating soul in every aspect of life." 

Moore is also listed for 2013.

Several criteria are used annually to compile this list. The main three are:
1) The person is alive on January 1st of the year considered;
2) The person has made a unique and spiritual contribution on a global scale;
3) The person is frequently googled, appears in Nielsen Data, and is actively talked about on the Internet.

"Watkins Mind Body Spirit is a quarterly esoteric magazine published by Watkins Books in London.The magazine dates back to 1893, when John Watkins published his first volume of the Book-Notes, which included book reviews, occult news and excerpts from recommended books."

Join Thomas Moore for a weekend next month

In Wilmington, Delaware, The Community for Integrated Learning (CIL) and Awakened Heart Spiritual Center host Thomas Moore's weekend workshop, Leader's Insight: A Religion of One’s Own, on Friday 21 November and Saturday 22 November, 2014.

"My goal is to have no distinction between the spiritual and the secular in my life and person. I don’t want anyone to look at me and say, he’s a very spiritual person. And yet, I long for the most mystical and sacred manner of life I can imagine. I stand in the lake of this world and drink in all the divinity that keeps it moist and nourishing.
— Thomas Moore, "This Fractured, Heavenly World", Spirituality & Health (May-June 2014)

Advance registration is required.  

Location for event:
Westminster Presbyterian Church
1503 W.Thirteenth Street
Pennsylvania Ave. at Rodney St.
Wilmington, DE 19806  

Schedule:
Friday: 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday: 9:30 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.
(lunch on your own)  

Cost:
Friday night only $25 (CIL members $20)
Saturday only $50 (CIL members $45)
Friday & Saturday $60 (CIL members $50)  

Contact:
Steve Steinwedel
Community for Integrative Learning
Telephone: 302-540-0661
Email: steve@cil-de.org

Barque coverage
4 June 2014 "Moore in Wilmington, Delaware this November"

Community happens with a religion of one's own

Talk with others about Thomas Moore's new book,  
A Religion of One's Own, this month:

1. Calgary, Alberta
Hillhurst United Church
1227 Kensington Close NW
Calgary, Alberta  T2N 3J6
Telephone: (403) 283-1539

Monday Night Spiritual Nurture
Scroll down for description: http://www.hillhurstunited.com/upcoming-events/
A Religion of One’s Own based on Thomas Moore’s book.
Oct 20, 27, Nov 3, 10, 14, 24, 2014,  7:00 p.m. - 9:00 p.m.

"We will explore connection and meaning of spirituality and religion. What matters most in creating your own practice? How do we live it and embrace life to the fullest?"

2. Buffalo, Minnesota
Buffalo Unitarian Universalist Fellowship
Meetup at Buffalo Community Center
206 Central Ave
Buffalo, Minnesota
Telephone: (763) 682-4616

Wednesday 22 October 2014, 7:00 p.m.
Book discussion
Meetup Description: http://www.meetup.com/Buffalo-Unitarian-Universalist-Fellowship/events/206485972/
Scroll down to RSVP: http://www.meetup.com/Buffalo-Unitarian-Universalist-Fellowship/

3. Memphis, Tennessee
Delta Groove Studio
2091 Madison,
Memphis, Tennessee
Telephone: (901) 207-7835

Thursday 30 October 2014, 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m.
Advanced yoga session: Book study with Terry Johnson
Description of event

"This is a perfect study for everyone, regardless of whether you identify as believer, agnostic or atheist. Moore helps us see how we truly can become spiritual beings on a human journey. Using art, music, nature, inner wisdom, he shows us how we can deepen our human experiences and become more fully alive in the present moment."