FULL MOON MEDITATORS FIND HARMONY IN GROUPS.Byline: Holly J. Andres Staff Writer NORTH HILLS - Members of the Spiritual Unity Movement look to the heart of all religions - love, compassion and peace - to create an evening of harmony each month during the full moon. This month's event will be held Tuesday, when people of all faiths and beliefs are invited to participate in World Healing Meditation, with the goal of bringing peace in the world. ``Part of why we meet is that world healing is on a lot of people's minds. We want to create peace and the best way for that is to start within,'' said Janet Giles, a banker and long-time meditator. ``When you meditate med·i·tate v. med·i·tat·ed, med·i·tat·ing, med·i·tates v.tr. 1. To reflect on; contemplate. 2. To plan in the mind; intend: meditated a visit to her daughter. in a group, there is a powerful feeling of uniting with people. There's a healing energy. It makes you feel like you're doing something to promote peace.'' The Spiritual Unity Movement is a nonprofit organization Nonprofit Organization An association that is given tax-free status. Donations to a non-profit organization are often tax deductible as well. Notes: Examples of non-profit organizations are charities, hospitals and schools. founded in 1976 by the Rev. Patrick Harbula of Thousand Oaks Thousand Oaks, residential city (1990 pop. 104,352), Ventura co., S Calif., in a farm area; inc. 1964. Avocados, citrus, vegetables, strawberries, and nursery products are grown. , author of ``Magic of the Soul: Applying Spiritual Power to Daily Living.'' He has talked and written about personal growth for more than 20 years and is a frequent guest on radio and television talk shows. World Healing Meditation, formerly called Full Moon Meditation, is held at the ``Onion,'' the unique sanctuary in-the-round that houses the Sepulveda Unitarian Universalist Society. ``I love the ambience of the 'Onion.' Its incredible shape creates the perfect environment for meditation,'' Giles said. Spiritual Unity Movement members believe that meditation at the time of the full moon - a time of high energy flow according to according to prep. 1. As stated or indicated by; on the authority of: according to historians. 2. In keeping with: according to instructions. 3. folklore, and synchronized syn·chro·nize v. syn·chro·nized, syn·chro·niz·ing, syn·chro·niz·es v.intr. 1. To occur at the same time; be simultaneous. 2. To operate in unison. v.tr. 1. with Buddhists, American Indians American Indians: see Americas, antiquity and prehistory of the; Natives, Middle American; Natives, North American; Natives, South American. and others meditating around the world - is the best time to bring about positive global changes. World Healing Meditation meetings include a candle-lighting ritual, a musical guest, a keynote speaker, guided meditation, 10-15 minutes of silent meditation and a closing ritual. Previous guest speakers have included an American Indian American Indian or Native American or Amerindian or indigenous American Any member of the various aboriginal peoples of the Western Hemisphere, with the exception of the Eskimos (Inuit) and the Aleuts. shaman shaman (shä`mən, shā`–, shă`–), religious practitioner in various, generally small-scale societies who is believed to be able to diagnose, cure, and sometimes cause illness because of a special relationship with, or , representatives from the Buddhist tradition and Church of Religious Science, a Sufi dancer and authors of self-help books. ``Everyone is welcome, whether they do or don't belong to a faith tradition,'' said Harbula, who was raised a Roman Catholic. ``What makes it powerful is that you can walk in and not be offended.'' Harbula acknowledged that people might dismiss meditation as a ``mystical thing associated with sitting cross-legged and wearing white robes.'' He believes, however, that meditation is an antidote antidote Remedy to counteract the effects of a poison or toxin. Administered by mouth, intravenously, or sometimes on the skin, it may work by directly neutralizing the poison; causing an opposite effect in the body; binding to the poison to prevent its absorption, to anger and stress-related health problems. ``Meditating in a group helps people go deeper,'' said Harbula, who has been practicing meditation for 30 years and teaching meditation techniques for more than 25 years. ``It's really a profound experience. People don't want to leave.'' The Spiritual Unity Movement will present World Healing Meditation, 7 p.m. Tuesday at the ``Onion,'' 9550 Haskell Ave., North Hills. Musician Raymond Powers will play the shruti and speaker Judith Shinoda will discuss ``Love Thyself thy·self pron. Archaic Yourself. Used as the reflexive or emphatic form of thee or thou. thyself pron Archaic the reflexive form of thou1 and You Heal the World.'' Donation: $10. Call (866) 204-2261 or see www.spiritualunitymovement.org. Holly Andres, (818) 713-3708 holly.andres(at)dailynews.com CAPTION(S): photo Photo: (color) The Rev. Patrick Harbula, here at his home in Thousand Oaks, founded the Spiritual Unity Movement in 1976 with the goal of bringing peace to the world. Tina Burch/Staff Photographer |
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