Phoenix Spiritual Leaders Speak Out: Natural Awakenings speaks with local experts to find out how they help others connect with Spirit.
Nov 24, 2015 08:09AM ● By By Martin Miron
As Richard Davenport points out this month in “Awakening to Spirit,” enhancing the mind-body connection requires a heart open to a higher power. Connecting with spirit multiplies the ability to reach one’s highest potential. Natural Awakenings tapped some local experts to find out how they help others to connect with spirit.
Rev. Mark Fisk, Unity Church of Mesa minister, says, “Many of us approach a spiritual practice with the mindset to make something happen, like better health or happier relationships. Often, what we really need is to remove unconscious barriers which are in the way of what we want and to realize the health, wholeness, peace and abundance already present. I use prayer and meditation to align with spirit, which is the core of my being. Prayer helps me to consciously remember spiritual truths. Meditation allows me time in silence, to commune beyond conscious thought. Both lead to healing and freedom.”
Rev. Julianne Lewis, pastor of the Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center, states, “When I pray, I draw upon the spiritual gift of creative imagination, affirming divine consciousness. I affirm that divinity is all there is. I experience spiritual courage, pure joy, profound peace, laughter, wisdom and the spontaneity to enjoy life.”
She says that it is often easier to recognize divinity in others than to see our own unity with the divine. “But through prayer and connection with my creator, I become more aware of these same divine attributes in myself. God is, I am and we are one. How can I be filled with anything less than infinite intelligence, magnificence, power and love?”
“Heal the soul first; then healing of the mind and body will follow,” says Master Ximena Gavino, a representative of Master Sha. “Meditation uses mind power, known as kou mi, in ancient China. Where you put your mind is where the healing and transformation occur.” She notes that creative visualization is one key technique, saying, “Prayer is a request to the source to change the message of an organ, part of the body or a condition. Soul healing changes the message by bringing source frequency and vibration to remove soul, heart, mind and body blockages.”
Rev. Mark Fisk, Unity of Mesa, 2700 E. Southern Ave., Mesa. 480-892-2700. UnityOfMesa.org.
Rev. Julianne Lewis, Interfaith CommUNITY Spiritual Center, 952 E. Baseline Rd., Ste. 102, Mesa. 480-593-8798. Interfaith-Community.org.
Master Ximena Gavino. 415-529-8770. LovePeaceHarmonyPhoenix.com.
