Rev. Nancy Ballinger has lived in Morro Bay with her husband Ron Schow since 1993. As an educator and Marriage, Family and Child Therapist she taught internationally for 10 yrs. with Quest International, consulted with alcohol treatment programs, served as Children's Bereavement Counselor for Hospice of SLO and had a private practice until 2000.
In 1996 Nancy entered an interfaith seminary, and in 2000, graduated and was ordained. Since her ordination, ministry has been her full time work - offering counseling, classes, worship services, retreats, meditation, weddings, memorials, and more.
As the Spiritual Director and founding minister of AWAKENING Interfaith Spiritual Community in Morro Bay, she brings a rich background in Eastern and Western spirituality and philosophy, and an inspiring message of living an authentic life to one's fullest potential.
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Finding the Sacred in Everyday Life
by Nancy Ballinger
The Sun Never Says
Even
After
All this time
The sun never says to the earth,
“You owe
Me.”
Look
What happens
With a love like that,
It lights the
Whole
Sky
Hafiz
As the great Sufi Master Hafiz suggests, we could take a lesson from the sun’s generosity – always giving without expectation of anything in return and realize that we are a part of an abundantly life-giving universe.
Asteya is the Sanskrit word expressing the universal spiritual principle of non-greed or non-stealing. It is one of the restraints practiced in the 8 limbs of yoga, and encourages us to refrain from taking what is not ours and to be grateful for and generous with what we have. To practice Asteya is to dwell in the contentment of the completeness of Self. In this state we don’t need anything external to complete us or make us happy because we know the Source of true peace is within.
The wisdom teachings of the ages - that nothing really belongs to us, but rather belongs to Life Itself, is found in different forms at the core of all spiritual traditions. We are told that our life work is to give back to the Source through sharing and being conduits for Good in the world. In this way we not only experience the Infinite but express it through the flowing creative process of giving and receiving.
This philosophy that the joy with which we share is returned to us in equal proportion is found in the New Testament: “Give and it will be given to you, for the measure you give will be the measure you get back.” Whether sharing our time, money, or talents we don’t give asking what we will get in return, but give for the pleasure of giving. No matter how many times we hear this lesson, it is easy for us to forget this karmic principle, and get caught in the current of greed and consumption running through our society.
As individuals and nations we are now seeing the results of not knowing when enough is enough, and many of us are beginning to re-align our priorities and lives. We have the opportunity to turn things around and look at innovative ways to enter the natural stream of abundance and to share and create a world of compassionate companionship with each other and our world. Look at the flowers, trees, and crops all around us bursting with the first buds of spring. They give endlessly, year after year in support of the well being of all life.
We can begin entering the stream of abundance today:
1) Practice generosity
2) Refrain from incurring debt we are unable to pay
3) Make a gratitude list that we add to each day
4) Regularly give time, money and service to an organization we believe in
5) Spend time with a shut-in, or elderly person
6) Recycle, re-use, share with others what we don’t need any longer
7) Spend time in nature, meditation and prayer to remember why we are doing the above practices
When I was a little girl growing up in Indiana, I remember my parents telling me someone owned a piece of land. I would think and think about that. How could it be? I understood that they could own the harvest of the crops they had planted and worked, but how could they own the earth in which they were planted? I would ask my parents, “Doesn’t the earth belong to God?” Everyday I try to return to that innocent realization of truth. I find it in the Gayatri Mantra I chant each morning before meditation. It is an invocation to the goddess Gayatri and to the sun, to bring illumination and blessings to the earth (Gaia) for protection and nourishment of all life.
Gayatri Mantra
(traditionally chanted at dawn and dusk)
Om Bhur Bhuvah Suvaha
Tat Savitur varenyam
Bhargo Devasya Dhimahi
Dhiyo yo Nah Prachodayat
Om
Translation by Satya Sai Baba:
“O, Divine Power, you who illumine the great Sun
and the three worlds of Earth, Air, and Heaven, we implore you for that illumination
which will lead us from darkness into light.”
May we all know the sacreds of this moment and live in the abundance of each day.
Living the Eternal Way
A Spiritual Training Course with Nancy Ballinger
Wednesdays April 7-May 12
6:30-8:30 p.m.
Free-will offering
Based on the teachings of Kriya yoga the class includes:
~Meditation instruction and practice
~Core teachings on the nature of Consciousness and the Soul
~Guidelines to transform your personality and your life
Pre-registration required/class size limited.
For information and to register: 772-0306
Awakening Interfaith Classes - Eternal Way
If you are looking for a loving, safe place to find the sacred in everyday life, Reverend Nancy Ballinger offers spiritual guidance counseling. With over 20 years as a licensed marriage and family therapist and studies in Eastern and Western philosophies she brings a unique, open perspective to her counseling. Sliding scale fee.
Rufous Hummingbird image on banner by Mike Baird. |
