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GROUP GUIDELINES
I use the book "Healing Power: Ten Steps to Pain Management and Spiritual Evolution" for teaching in a group setting.
We follow the guidelines below. If there is a new member in the group, we read these guidelines before we start.
o Introduction and names
o This is a class on spiritual concepts, methods, and practices taught by the world’s great religious traditions. We do not promote a particular religion. We do promote the development of your individual approach to spirituality.
o We have respect and tolerance for the great variety of ways to understand and practice spirituality.
o We are here to listen and share, learn and grow, study and practice.
o We do not proselytize.
o We engage in discussion without debate.
o We are not here to change others. We are here to figure out how to change ourselves.
o Although active participation is encouraged, it is perfectly okay to remain silent throughout the meeting.
o During the class, we take turns reading. If you don’t wish to read, you are welcome to pass.
o Take what you need and leave the rest.
o We begin and end each class with a period of silent meditation for two minutes. The best meditation position is with the eyes closed, focused on the point just above the eyebrows, feet flat on the floor, hands resting in your lap with palms upward, spine straight, and slightly bent as a bow. You may repeat your focus word, mantra, or a favorite affirmation. You might also just focus on your breath.
o The term "Higher Power" is used to describe the God of your understanding, your higher self, higher states of consciousness, or your higher meaning and purpose.
o The group is 90 minutes. Usually, we read and discuss one chapter a week. Each person reads about 1/2 -1 page. We read the chapter first, then discuss the material, and practice the methods.
o We avoid giving advice or trying to fix other people’s problems. We focus on our personal experience using the spiritual methods for cultivating soul qualities in response to life’s problems.
o When we finish the book, we return to the beginning and read it again.
o This is an open group. You can come and go as you please.
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