The Curriculum For Transformation

Discovery Phase: Spiritual Practice Sessions

SPIRITUAL PRACTICE SESSIONS

The next Spiritual Practice Session will be Sunday, July 28th. Please call or e-mail for location and directions.

E-mail Ellie Harold or call her at 678.421.1981

The Spiritual Practice Session represents more than ten years of research in how to create church as a way to access a direct experience of God. This simple form is designed to honor Jesus' teaching: "Where two or more are gathered in my name, there am I in the midst of them." In each Spiritual Practice Session you'll discover a variety of powerful tools for transformation and a community of people who enjoy sharing spiritual practice together. Here are some commonly asked questions about the Spritual Practice Session:

What is the purpose of the Spiritual Practice Session?
Our aim is to provide a sacred space for individuals to participate in spiritual work that brings about a transformation of consciousness. We do so by building a group energy through movement and meditation and by engaging a spiritual teaching each week. Through participation in the processes offered, psychic structures that confine our energy may become unbound and available for greater creative expression in our lives. In this way we aspire to fulfill Jesus' teaching: "These things that I do, greater things than these shall you also do."

How is this different from other church services?
The format and atmosphere of the Spiritual Practice Session are dramaticly different from other church services. There is no order of service as such, and, typically, there is no group reading or singing and no sermon. In fact, there is very little ceremony; yet you'll find lots of opportunities to participate. We begin with stretching and spontaneous movement to recorded music and through this we become attuned to our body-consciousness. Then we sit in a circle on the floor for a time of meditation, interactive process, resonance and sharing. This is all designed to help us shift our reference from a strictly personal reality to a more universal one. A teaching is usually presented by the spiritual leader, either formally or as part of a discourse on material brought to the group by participants.

The Spiritual Practice Session has some of the flavor of a workshop andsome of the intensity of an ancient mystery school. Apart from the music, it is quiet in the room, with little of the social activity that is found in a more traditional service. It may seem more intense than what you are accustomed to. While this may feel unfamiliar at first, we hope you'll discover a large space for deep listening and sharing that may be even more satisfying than what you've known before as "church."

Is there anything I need to do to prepare for my participation in the Spiritual Practice Session?
It's best to wear comfortable clothing you'll feel free to move in, and to come with your mind and heart willing to be opened. You may also wish to bring a towel or mat on which to do your stretching.

We make several requests which helps us create a context for opening our awareness to Something More:

• We ask you to remove your shoes. This is not just to keep the carpets clean but also to indicate a willingness to suspend your old beliefs and attitudes--when you put your shoes back on, we hope you'll be doing so with a new understanding.
• We request you leave food and drink outside the room. This is not only to avoid spillage, but to invite you into a sacred space in which your sustenance is the living substance and water of Spirit.
• We also ask that you enter the room in silence, as you would a meditation hall or other sacred space. It will be clear when you are invited to speak, and you are free to do so or not, as you wish.

Our experience shows that observing these simple disciplines allows the quality of your attention to become focused and present.

What if I get to the session late?
The Spiritual Practice Session is quite different from most church services in that the doors are closed at a certain point, usually about twenty minutes after we begin. We do this to assure an energetic safe space for the participants. While we appreciate the effort you've made to get here, we hope you'll understand that because of the meditative quality of the session, it would be a disruption to enter the room after that time. (Once you've participated in the session you'll realize what we mean.) We certainly hope you'll come back another day when you can join us at the begining of the session.

But this is a church! Shouldn't the doors always be open?
While this may be the case in most mainstream churches, the Holy Spirit is always innovating new church forms. That is why Atlanta Unity offers two very different types of spiritual services. You'll find an "open door" policy in effect at the 8:45 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. Sunday morning services as they are more traditional in style. At the 6:30 p.m. Spiritual Practice Session, however, we have chosen to work within a form that will facilitate a different kind of experience. We invite you to try both and see which one suits you best.

What about money?
The Spiritual Practice Sessions are often offered in ssssions that run for about thirteen weeks. Because Spiritual Practice Sessions are designed to encourage your commitment to spiritual practice, we invite you to subscribe to each quarterly series at a rate of $200 per quarter. When spiritual Practice Sessions are offered individually, you may also choose to contribute a love offering.

How do I know if the Spiritual Practice Session is for me?
If what you've read sounds too far out and not particularly attractive, you might not find the SPS helpful to you at this point on your spiritual path; traditional church services are probably going to meet your needs better. On the other hand, if you are intrigued by what is written here, you might want to check out the Spiritual Practice Session for yourself. See the current Calendar for dates, times and directions.

PLEASE NOTE: Because of the intense nature of what may occur in the Spiritual Practice Session, it is not appropriate for children, or for certain people who may be challenged with mental problems. Specifically, we do not recommend participation for those with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, or borderline personality disorder, whether or not you are taking medication for the condition.

Still have questions?

E-mail Ellie Harold or call her at 678.421.1981.