Religious Exploration for Adults presents this since-session class and discussion with James Witker, adapted from a Freethinker Forum held by AAHS this past Spring…

Transforming the Inner Critic

With Bev Shoenberger & Norman Richey, Saturday, 8/11 from 1 to 4 pm

Location:  Bev & Norm's home in Santa Monica

Please pre-register at 424-235-9002 or at the RE table

 

 

In our culture, many of us often blame and shame ourselves in ways that we would never openly do to someone else. 

 

We can be so used to the self-doubt and self-criticism that it seems like the truth, or that we deserve it.  Maybe we believe that the inner critic is what keeps us “in line” and safe from being shamed by others. Maybe we think we need the critical voice to stay motivated. Maybe we project it onto others and imagine it is their criticism that is solely responsible for our suffering.

 

In this introduction, we will be looking directly at our Inner Critic and learning to discriminate it from our deepest inner truth.  Taking this workshop could be a first step in turning these judgmental voices into allies.

 

Imagine the light that could come into our community and the world, if we could live more fully, without being undermined by self-criticism or self-doubt!  

 

You are warmly invited to join us for this afternoon of exploration and growth. We are meeting in our home because of parking difficulties at the church during that time slot. Let us know when you register if you will be needing a ride from the church - we are nearby.

 

Freedom Through Commitment Freedom of choice is great, but TOO much freedom can be paralyzing.  Psychologists have shown that more choices don't lead to more happiness, but less.  But when we set out to create a life of meaning, rather than just the pursuit of happiness, we can find freedom by eliminating the plethora of choices available and commiting ourselves to things greater than ourselves.  In this sermon, we will explore what author Emily Esfahani Smith calls "the 4 Pillars of Meaning."

 

Please join us for a take home message TBD from our late winter "BYOT-Ethics Meets the Fifth UU Principle" group.

 

Using ethics as a way of articulating one’s current beliefs and practices – in a word, “theology” – we explore connections to our Fifth Principle which calls us to “affirm and promote the right of conscience and the use of the democratic process.”

Darwin, Natural Faith, and the New Story Darwin's legacy transformed modern scientific understanding *and* liberal religion, upending prior certainties that were thousands of years old; and both challenging and expanding concepts of god(s) and the divine. Emerson and Thoreau, Transcendentalists who came out of the Unitarian tradition, had already helped to kindle a new ethic of interconnectedness with nature, and they accepted Darwin's work when it was shocking and brand new. But it’s still shocking today. Evolution is accepted scientific fact, but a significantly large (nearly half, according to surveys) number of people in our country still don’t accept it. Why are science and religon still so often at war? As Unitarian Universalists, are we attuned to the New Story that is emerging?

Heart & Soul is a contemplative worship service series that occurs on the second Sunday of each month. It is a shorter, more intimate service, with singing and instrumental music, statements, and questions, silence, and sharing. Readings, poems, quotes, and music are drawn from a variety of sources, including the UU Soul Matters Sharing Circle, our hymnals, and popular/folk music. 

 

Please note audio is currently unavailable for Heart & Soul services.