Matri Group Final Exam

39. Who is the author of A Course In Miracles?

A Course in Miracles was "scribed" by Dr. Helen Schucman through a process of inner dictation she identified as coming from Jesus. A clinical and research psychologist and tenured Associate Professor of Medical Psychology, she was assisted by Dr. William Thetford, her department head, who was also a tenured Professor of Medical Psychology at the Medical Center where they both worked.

2. Esther

A beautiful young Jewish orphan, cared for my her cousin Mordecai, is chosen to be Queen and wife of the great King Xerxes I of Persia. The Persian emperor does not know that Esther is Jewish. King Xerxes, threatened by the Jews, orders that all Jews be killed throughout the kingdom. Through a banquet and intelligent manipulation, Esther saves the Jewish people from the holocaust.

32. St. John of the Cross

Born on June 24, 1542 in Fontiveros, Spain, St. John of the Cross was a Spanish mystic and poet. He became a Carmelite monk in 1563 and a priest in 1567. He reformed the Carmelite order, through the insistence of St. Teresa of Avila. Because of resulting friction, he was imprisoned in 1576 and 1577. During this time, St. John began writing poetry about the mystical journey to Christ. "The Dark Night of the Soul" and "The Living Flame of Love" are some of his most famous works of Spanish literature. We was glorified a saint in 1726 by Pope Benedict XIII.

38. Soren Kierkegaard

Born on May 5, 1813 in Copenhagen, Denmark, He went on to pursue work as a philospher, publishing books including, "Either/Or", "Stages on Life's Way", and "Works of Love". He critiqued much of the dominant Christian ideology of the day and his work is seen as the birth of existentialism. He died on November 11, 1855.

37. What is meant by a miracle in A Course in Miracles? What is meant by forgiveness?

A miracle in ACIM is defined as an act of love, maximal in expression or an act of service. Elsewhere it defines "miracle" as a change in perception. Forgiveness is an illusion in a dream, in that there is no reality to the existence of the ego. However, forgiveness is the only illusion that does not lead to further illusion. Instead forgiveness is an illusion that leads to awakening.

12. Are there any licenses issued to clergy? How does one legally become a cleric?

It depends on the state. How does one legally become a cleric? By getting ordained.

Martha and Mary

Martha and Mary were the sisters of Lazarus and great friends of Jesus. Mary is known as "the one who sits at the feet of Jesus listening to him" while Martha is busy serving the guests begrudgingly. Both Martha and Mary witnessed the raising of their brother Lazarus from the dead.

14. Soul Retrieval

Soul retrieval is a Shamanic skill used to heal a person from illness. Shamans believe that all illness comes from losing power or giving power away to something or someone (spirits, another living being or it could be from a generational condition passed down). Soul loss can also be caused by a traumatic experience or chronic illness. Vital power or energy must be restored to bring health and healing of body mind and spirit back to the patient. The Shaman uses the spirit animal or ally to travel to the appropriate Inner Worlds to barter and negotiate with the possessing entities to retrieve the soul.

36. What are some of the major concepts or elements of spiritual therapy and the spiritual therapy relationship?

Spiritual Therapy is a blend of psychotherapy and spiritual experience. It focuses on how the Divine moves and breathes through our lives. A spiritual therapist helps clients discover the Divine through the utilization of discussion, active listening, religious or spiritual practice, hypnosis, guided imagery, meditation, energy healing, and the like. The primary focus is on discussing and understanding spiritual beliefs, the meaning and purpose of life, forgiveness and relationship issues, and the development of the ethical code.

46. What is the relationship between spiritual counseling and healing?

Spiritual counseling integrates religion or spirituality and psychosocial care or guidance. Someone might seek spiritual counseling to sort out and better define their faith, whereas someone would seek spiritual healing to address a physical or emotional ailment.

11. What is your highest spiritual aspiration?

My highest spiritual aspiration is to stay aware of what God is leading me to. My intention is to have the courage to be the presence of unwavering love to do what is mine to do. I love teaching so it will have something to do with that. I want to be an inspiration of living in the moment joyfully as I age to help those coming along behind me.

3. Describe your own prayer life.

My own prayer life consists of formal and informal prayer. Formal prayer is something I do at least once daily first thing in the morning, where I get on my knees and thank God for whatever comes to mind. However, the deeper, more meaningful and more powerful prayer is a continual alignment with God-mind in me, through not only thought and word, but belief, action and feeling. I believe that everything is a prayer and we "pray without ceasing," whether we do it consciously or unconsciously. We are always telling God what we want, and we receive exactly that. When my head, heart and guts are in alignment, when my thoughts, words, beliefs, feelings, ideas and actions are coherent, that is a powerful prayer done consciously and in the direction of Good, that is what manifests in my life.

10. What is your understanding of forgiveness? Why do you think forgiveness is seen as so important in the teachings of most religions and many healing practices?

My understanding of forgiveness is pretty much on point with ACIM. It is the giving of love for (perceived) injury and the returning of blessing for (perceived) cursing. It is the mental and emotional release of the thought that I can be harmed and the release of any resentment, anger or attack toward the person I perceive as having done (or tried to do) me harm. I think it is so important in so many teachings because it is truly the way to God.

5. Ruth

Naomi, her mother-in-law, and herself suffered a great tragedy - the death of both of their husbands. Together they set out for Bethlehem, Ruth pledging to take care of Naomi, who was much older. They meet Boaz, a rich land owner and relative of Naomi. With Naomi's help, Boaz agreed to marry Ruth and all were saved. They had a son named Obed, who would grow up to be the grandfather of King David, which makes Ruth the great grandmother of King David.

23. Why did Buddha maintain his Noble Silence?

No one knows why the Buddha kept his Noble Silence. There are many theories.: 1. To hear in a more profound way that enabled the heart to open and perception with all the senses to deepen. To hear the inner voice. 2. A way to learn "right speech." If I do not speak every word that comes up, I can avoid causing suffering to myself or others. 3. The subject matter of a person's question to the Buddha was so advanced that that person (or even mankind) couldn't understand the answer. 4. The Buddha had so much to say that he was overwhelmed. 5. The Buddha saw silence not only as the way to the Truth but containing the reality of the truth. (In Christian tradition silence is said to be God's language.) 6. The Buddha didn't want to claim as his own a particular ideological view thus taking a side for or against other teachers. What the Buddha himself said about silence: 1. The Buddha himself talked about noble silence as an alternative to social chatter, i.e. his monks were not speaking about spiritual matters, he advocated not saying anything. 2. He suggested silence when provoked or experiencing anger.

38. What is the goal of A Course In Miracles?

The summary introduction states: "This is a course in miracles. It is a required course. Only the time you take it is voluntary. Free will does not mean that you can establish the curriculum. It means only that you can elect what you want to take at a given time. The course does not aim at teaching the meaning of love, for that is beyond what can be taught. It does aim, however, at removing the blocks to the awareness of love's presence, which is your natural inheritance. The opposite of love is fear, but what is all-encompassing can have no opposite."

16. Which parts of a wedding ceremony is required by law?

There is no particular form or ceremony required except that the parties must state in the presence of an authorized public official or authorized member or the clergy and at least one other witness that each takes the other as his or her spouse. There is no minimum age for a witness. However, in selecting a witness, choose at least one person who you feel would be competent to testify in a court proceeding as to what he or she witnessed. (The vows pronouncing the couple, blank and blank, are wedded, blank and blank are legally married).

20. What is your understanding of spiritual counseling?

Spiritual counseling is the practice of guiding people with matters related to spirituality. It can best be described as compassionate conversation or psychological fist aid when utilized to assist people suffering from disaster. Spiritual counseling can be akin to chaplaincy in some settings. Spiritual counseling combines prayer with counsel to provide healing or therapeutic results, or to assist in faith formation.

40. Compare how the term "ego" is used in A Course In Miracles or other spiritual paths, and how it is used in Freudian or other traditional psychology. People on a spiritual path often come to view the ego as an enemy, something undesirable to be stamped out or gotten rid of. Do you see the problems/limitations in that way of thinking?

"The ego is nothing more than a part of your belief about yourself. Your other life has continued without interruption, and has been and always will be totally unaffected by your attempts to dissociate it." In Clarification of Terms: What is the ego? But a dream of what you really are. A thought you are apart from your Creator and a wish to be what He created not. It is a thing of madness, not reality at all. A name for namelessness is all it is. A symbol of impossibility; a choice for options that do not exist. We name it but to help us understand that it is nothing but an ancient thought that what is made has immortality. But what could come of this except a dream which, like all dreams, can only end in death? Freud identified the ego as the rational part of our personality that "mediated" between the uncontrolled passions and desires of the Id and the reality of the world. Conscious awareness resides in the ego, although not all of the operations of the ego are conscious. Originally, Freud used the word ego to mean a sense of self, but later revised it to mean a set of psychic functions such as judgment, tolerance, reality testing, control, planning, defense, synthesis of information, intellectual functioning, and memory. The ego separates out what is real. It helps us to organize our thoughts and make sense of them and the world around us.

44. Moses Maimonides

( 1135 - 1204 ) - A preeminent medieval Arab, Spanish, Jewish philosopher and astronomer and one of the most prolific and influential Torah scholars and physicians of the Middle Ages. His writings on Jewish law and ethics were met with much acclaim but he also received criticism. He rose to be the head of the Jewish community in Egypt and was acknowledged to be one of the foremost rabbinical arbiters and philosophers in Jewish history. His fourteen volume Mishneh Torah still carried significant authority in Talmudic law. He is sometimes known as the "great eagle" as an expert in Oral Torah.

35. Kabir

( 1440-1518 ) - Kabir was a mystic poet and saint of Indian whose writing have greatly influenced the Bhakti movement. Kabir's legacy is today carried forward by the Kabir Panth, a religious community that recognizes him as its founder, numbering around 9.6 million. His greatest work, Bijak or "Seedling", is a collection of poems highlighting his universal view of spirituality.

28. Ernest Holmes

( January 21, 1887 - April 7, 1960 ). An American spiritual writer, teacher, and leader, he was the founder of Religious Science or "Science of the Mind". He was the author of "The Science of Mind" and numerous other metaphysical books and "Science of Mind Magazine", still in publication since 1927. He previously studied Divine Science and was ordained a Divine Science Minister.

20. Emmet Fox

( July 30, 1886 - August 13, 1951 ) - He was a New Thought spiritual leader of the early 20th centry famous for his large Divine Science church services held in New York City during the Great Depression. He is widely known for "The Sermon on the Mount" which became popular in AA.

25. Joel Goldsmith

( March 10 1892 - June 17 1964 ) - An American spiritual author, teacher, spiritual healer, and mystic. He founded "The Infinite Way" movement. There is no service, ritual, or dogma in the practice of the Infinite Way. Students come from all walks of life in all religions. He stressed contemplative meditation practice, through which one could reach the inner silence and still small voice of intuitive guidance. He also stressed spiritual healing through conscious contact with God.

34. Julian of Norwich

( November 8 1342 - 1416 ) - English anchoress ( one who has retired from the world ) who is regarded as one of the most important Christian mystics. She is venerated in the Anglican and Lutheran churches but has never been canonized or officially beatified by the Roman Catholic Church. She had intense visions of Jesus Christ while suffering from a severe illness and wrote extensively about them, which became known as "Revelations of Divine Love" or the Short Text of 25 chapters. Twenty to thirty years later she wrote the Long Text consisting of 86 chapters.

29. St. Ignatius of Loyola

( October 27, 1491 - July 31, 1556 ) - A Spanish Knight, hermit, priest since 1537 and theologian who founded the Society of Jesus ( Jesuits ). Ignatius emerged as a religious leader during the Counter-Reformation. He had a vision of Mary, the Mother of Jesus and the infant Jesus in March 1522 and went to Manresa where he began a retreat, praying seven hours a day. It was here that he formulated the "Spiritual Exercises". In 1539, along with followers, they formed the Society of Jesus, approved in 1540 by Pope Paul III.

27. Rabbi Hillel

( b. Babylon @110 BCE, d. 7 CE Jerusalem ). He was a famous Jewish religious leader, sage, and scholar, one of the most important figures in Jewish history. He is associated with the development of the Mishnah and the Talmud. He was the founder of the House of Hillel school for Tannaim ( Sages of the Mishnah ) and the founder of a dynasty of Sages who stood at the head of the Jews living in the land of Israel until the fifth century of the Common Era. He is popularly known for many sayings such as the Ethic of Reciprocity or Golden Rule.

40. J. Krishnamurti

(1895 - 1986) - Sage, philosopher and thinker, Krishnamurti illumined the lives of millions from all walks of life. Breaking away from all organized religions and denying his role as a Guru, his mission was clear: to set man absolutely and unconditionally free. He travelled around the world until the age of 90 giving talks, writing, and holding discussions. His message revolved around the problems of modern society, the individual's search for security, and the need for human beings to free themselves from violence, fear, and sorrow.

56. Benedict de Spinoza

(Also known as Baruch (Hebrew) and Bento (Portugese), all three names meaning "blessed"). 1632-1677. Dutch philosopher and mystic Born in Amsterdam to Jewish parents, it is often debated as to whether Spinoza considered himself a Jew in later life, having been excommunicated from his synagogue and not having made an effort to reconcile. He is considered one of the great Rationalist philosophers of the 17th century, along with Decartes and Leibniz. Besides being very original, Spinoza's thought had great breadth, including ideas from areas we now call physics, political science, and theology. Though Spinoza made significant contributions in almost every area of philosophy, this definition focuses on only two: his metaphysics and his political philosophy, which stands in opposition to the power of the church of his day. In terms of politics, Spinoza advocated subordinating religion to the state and, in addition, his ideas were precursors to modern ideas of democratic governance. He strongly prized freedom of thought. Also, believing that much of the religious conflict in Europe during his time was due to differing scriptural interpretation, he developed what has come to be known as the "historical-critical method" of Biblical study in order to help bring about peace through agreement on the meaning of Bible passages. Based on scientific inquiry, this method also helped Bible students develop scholarly objectivity which they could add to their devotional relationship to scripture. In terms of metaphysics, Spinoza is known for his monism, whereas Decartes is known for dualism and Leibniz' for pluralism. His philosophy, derived in part from Jewish mysticism, (he echoed Luria's idea of the self-emptying of God into creation), states that there is only one substance in the universe, for which he used two terms synonymously: "God" and "Nature." Everyone and everything is a part of a system that is created by and made up of only God. One's happiness (Spinoza calls this "blessedness") comes only from a total awareness of who one really is as an interdependent part of this system. Also, Spinoza's ideas are precursors to the present day concept of mind-body connection, in contrast to Decartes' theories which place the body in an inferior position. He is best known for Ethics, which most completely details his philosophical system. Baruch Spinoza was investigated by the Spanish Inquisition and exiled twice, which probably led to his strong statements about political and ideological tolerance. Due to the bodily danger involved in bringing forth his ideas, he published only one book during his lifetime under his own name. After he died, his friends gathered together his material and published it. Even today Spinoza is considered a controversial thinker. Of interest to me, as a AFSI student, is the statement by Roger Scrutton in Spinoza that he was a "both-and" not an "either-or" thinker, rather reminiscent of "Never instead of, always in addition to." One of Spinoza's quotations indicates this idea: "I have made a ceaseless effort not to ridicule, not to bewail, not to scorn human actions, but to understand."

51. Jelaluddin Rumi

(Jelaluddin means "glory of the faith." In the East he is known as Mawlana -- spelled different ways -- which means "our master." It is said that only Westerners call him Rumi.) 13th century Persian mystic, poet, Islamic scholar, theologian, jurist (expert on law) In a region now called Tajikistan, Rumi was born into a family of Islamic preachers (His everyday sermons and talks can still be read today). Rumi's father, himself a well-known scholar, mystic and Sufi master, had placed his family in an area that was an important center for Islamic knowledge for hundreds of years before Rumi's time. The spiritual and intellectual richness of Rumi's surrounding environment, including family life, greatly influenced his later writings. However, because of the Mongol invasion, the family and followers formed a caravan and migrated westward to avoid the approach of Ghengis Khan. Finally settling in Turkey, his father and then later Rumi became head of a medrasse (religious school). Hence the term "Rumi" really refers to the region where he lived, a custom that was followed by other mystics, such as St. Theresa of Avila. Rumi's religious training had many segments. Rumi was part of the Halafi school of Islamic law. There are four orthodox legal traditions in the branch of Islam called Sunni; the Halafi branch being one. Therefore, his daily religious practices probably were filled with detailed ritual. Also, in addition to the traditional Sufi education that he received through his father and an eminent disciple of his fathers, he was sent to Syria for a traditional Islamic education. (The latter is important, as there is a difference of opinion as to "how Islamic" Rumi was. Sufi websites stress Rumi's adherence to Islam, while some other sources place more emphasis on his universality. But why can't both be true?) Then at age 37 Rumi met Shams, his second Sufi master. There are differing opinions on whether Shams was a wandering mystic, wild and illiterate or whether he was as well-versed in Islamic tradition as Rumi. A Sufi website claims that Shams belonged to a different major branch of Sunni Islamic law. Anyway, Shams was a fervent mystic who planted the seed for Rumi's passionate use of music, poetry and "turning" as a way to connect with God. The two of them had such a powerful spiritual connection that they secluded themselves for months, causing jealousy among Rumi's followers. Due to the jealousy, Shams left. His disappearance caused some individuals to believe that he was killed by Rumi's students. However, after Sham's disappearance, Rumi had a huge outpouring of verse. This and other artistic forms were the outlets for the intense divine love that Shams had inspired in him. Rumi gathered followers together for music, singing and poetry. However, it was in these loving groups that the seminal tradition of Rumi's Order of Sufis (Medlevi) was born. This practice, the Sema, a ceremony of dikur or "remembrance of God," is what we now know as the turning of the Whirling Dervishes. During Rumi's time the Sema was, apparently, quite spontaneous, but in later years it was formalized and combined with a musical tradition.

57. Rabindrath Tagore

1861-1941. Best known as a Hindu poet. Also novelist, playwright, educator, philospher and reformer. Best known as the 1913 winner of the Novel Prize for Literature for Gitanjali (Song Offering), a book of devotional poetry, Tagore began life as the youngest son of Debendranath Tagore, the leader of a new religious sect in Bengal in the 1800s. This sect worked to revive fundamental monistic Hinduism as reflected in the Uppanishads. It's clear that Tagore's mystic lyric poetry, also based on the Uppanishads, obviously had its roots in daily family life. Through his life he was torn between his wish to serve his fellow man and his desire to pursue his writing. One of his service projects was founding a school patterned after the "forest hermitages" in the Uppanishads as an alternative to his own stifling traditional education in England as a teen. At his school emphasis was placed on music and fine arts, and classes were held outdoors. Tagore also developed an international university, Visva-Bharati, which stressed East-West understanding. In addition to his other interests, Tagore was the manager of the family estates, which gave him daily contact with common folk and gave rise to his concern for social reform. Regarding his mysticism, Tagore's poetry spoke of "creative unity," his term for his spiritual belief in the unity of nature, God and humankind. Though he believed that God is immanent in creation, both in the inanimate and animate beings, Rabindrath Tagore felt that God's highest expression was man. He said, "God created man in order to realize the bliss of love, which is only possible if lover and beloved are separate entities." However, Tagore is clear that man does not lose his individual nature even when united with God. When merging with God, man is both "different from God and not different," an idea also expressed in the Vaishnava philosophy bhedabheda. Further, Tagore felt that the ultimate goal of life, oneness with God, was reached through "realizing the infinite in the finite." But he supported a balanced view in striving for this, which combined both meditation and action. This could be described as a combination of the Bhagavad Gita's idea of "disinterested action" and Buddhist focus on compassion. He describes action as "kindness to all creatures" without "desire for personal gain." Tagore included the arts as ways to seek God realization. In fact, he saw his own poetry as part of his method of realization or sadhana. Rabindrath Tagore gained success as a writer at an early age and translations of his poetry quickly made him known in the West as well. He became so widely known that he went on worldwide lecture tours. Around the world he "became the voice of India's spiritual heritage" (Nobelprize.org). The most comprehensive and readily available anthology of his writings is A Tagore Reader edited by Amiya Chakravarty.

58. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin

1881-1955. Paleontologist, philosopher and theologian. An amazingly original thinker with real breadth of thought, Teilhard was a Jesuit priest. Known particularly for two major works, The Phenomenon of Man and The Divine Milieu, Teilhard wanted to reconcile the Christian faith with evolution and also to address what he felt was the most compelling need of the 20th century: hope for the future. Besides being a priest, he was a talented geologist and paleontologist. However, he incurred the Vatican's wrath with a paper written on the relationship between evolutionary ideas and original sin. Exiled to China and forbidden to publish philosophical or religious material, he participated in numerous geological expeditions, including the one to Chou-k'ou-tien which unearthed the skull of the 200,000 year old Peiking man. Pierre Teilhard de Chardin uses a combination of his mysticism and his evolutionary knowledge to provide hope for mankind. This theory progresses in several stages: The first which speaks about overall change: If, as he posits in his law of complexity consciousness, the being with the most complex organic structure always has the most developed consciousness and if over millions of years, change in the universe has thus far moved in a positive way toward growth in consciousness (love, complex thought), then why would this motion not continue in the same direction? The second which speaks of evolutionary change in human beings: Evolution is not simply a physical process. Change is not so much happening in the physical sphere but in the "noosphere," or in the area of the mind or thought. Teilhard says that the same creative energy that used molecules as legos now helps us build in a new way with the renewing of our minds. His image is that of a coil. Human beings are ever tightened "closer and closer around the surface of the earth, heightening the psychic temperature of the noosphere and moving persons toward an ever greater sharing of thought and consciousness." (The Encyclopedia of Religion, p. 367). Eventually the coiling force will push humans together and individually into a higher consciousness. The third involves a transcendent force: Because human beings have the capacity to refuse love as well as to accept it, Teilhard bolsters his argument for hope of continuing higher consciousness with a transcendent absolute he calls Omega. Omega shepherds the love energy evolution to its completion. However, Teilhard regarded Omega as too vague a presence and then identified Omega as Christ, an actual physical historical figure who continues to have a physical/spiritual relationship with us through the Eucharist. Thus, He is the physical epicenter of evolution, including His presence at the end of it: the Second Coming. Christ also is the source of the transcendent love energy needed for the process. Teilhard had an interactive vision of humanity's progress that involved human collaboration with God/Christ to build humanity up as the body of Christ. Because the Second Coming promises unlimited love and peace, de Chardin feels that his process is assured success. Those who resonate with de Chardin's theories are usually those with similar faith principles. Others feel that his evolutionary theories are not sufficiently substantiated and that his belief that humans will cooperate with this process is too optimistic.

47. Thomas Merton

1915-1968. Roman Catholic monk, author and poet. Thomas Merton is one of, if not THE, most influential American Catholic authors of the 20th century. He is most noted for his writings about his own spiritual journey as well as those about contemplation. Inheriting his parents' artistic talent, Merton was also quite a talented calligrapher and photographer. He also drew well. Merton probably became a writer, poet and proponent of nonviolence in part due to the influence of parents who were artists and pacifists. Family influenced Merton in other ways as well. His mother's death while he was only a child and his father's demise at age 16 as well as the loss of a brother in WWII may have been the root of Merton's later awareness of the traumatic in human life. These losses may also have led to his choice to enter the monastery after what has been termed a "rambunctious" childhood and adolescence. Entering a very strict monastic order, which held perpetual silence, led to his becoming a contemplative and a mystic. This was expected of him as a Trappist. However, Merton was anything but a conventional monk, as he also pursued a career in writing, was vehemently opposed to the Vietnam War, the nuclear arms race and the harmful effects of technology. Apparently, the internal spiritual changes in him at the monastery led to his becoming "the conscience of the peace movement of the 1960's" (website for The Thomas Merton Center at Bellarmine University) , according to Daniel Berrigan. He also actively endorsed the civil rights movement and its nonviolence. He referred to it as "certainly the greatest example of Christian faith in action in the social history of the United States." (The Thomas Merton Center website) Also, Merton felt that dependence on technology could prevent a spiritual believer from entering a contemplative state. In fact, something that surprised me, his strong opinions on this caused him to to explore Eastern religions. Due to his political stance, Merton was censured by both Catholics and nonCatholics for being unmonastic. Thomas Merton was especially drawn to Zen Buddhism due to its stress on experience rather than doctrine. He not only expressed this well in his writing but also in the photographs emphasizing tiny moments of beauty that might have gone unnoticed. During his travels to the Far East he met the Dalai Llama, who then consistently held Merton up as a "model for interfaith dialog and world peace." (The Thomas Merton Center website.) The Dalai Llama was impressed with Merton's profound knowledge of Buddhism and also stated that Merton who introduced (him) to the real meaning of the word "Christian." Very much the champion of dialogue between East and West , ironically he died in a freak accidental electrocution at a East-West conference on December 10th, the exact date he had entered the Abbey at Our Lady of Gethsemani, the Trappist monastery. The most famous of his 60 books is Seven Storey Mountain.

15. What are the Five Pillars of Islam?

1. The statement of faith or creed: There is no God but Allah and Mohammed is His prophet." This is called the shahadah. During trouble of any kind including oncoming death, Muslims will say There is no God but Allah: la ilaha illa 'llah. 2. Prayer. Muslims pray 5 times a day: when wake up, when sun is overhead, mid-afternoon, sunset, when getting into bed. A primary reason to pray is to recognize their place in their world i.e. subservient to God. 3. Charity. There are specific rules for this. 2 l/2% of one's earnings should be given; The types of persons to receive charity are also named, including those in immediate need, those struggling with debt, and slaves who are buying their own freedom, etc. 4. Observance of Ramadan. Ramadan, a holiday commemorating the revelation of the Koran and Mohammed's migration from Mecca, is a time to fast every day until sunset. Fasting promotes discipline, compassion for the hungry and awareness of one's own human weakness and dependence. 5. Pilgrimage (called The Hajj) Every Muslim, unless they are unable to afford it or cannot physically do so, is expected to visit Mecca once during his/her life. The pilgrimage is to deepen one's commitment to God and His will. Additional benefits include: feeling of international unity with other pilgrims of diverse backgrounds and equality (as symbolized by the required white garments).

14. Meister Eckhart

13th-14th Century German mystic theologian whose writings focused on the relationship of the individual soul to God. A member of the Dominican order, he was charged as a heretic by the Catholic Church. He is generally considered to be the greatest German mystic of the Middle Ages.

15. Can an Interfaith Minister perform any services/rites of any religion?

15. Can an Interfaith Minister perform any services/rites of any religion?

59. St. Teresa of Avila

16th Century Catholic mystic of the Counter Reformation era and a nun of the Carmelite order. Born into a well-to-do Jewish family from what became Spain. Her family converted to Christianity during Inquisition. Teresa began experiencing visions in her 40s, in which she received revelations telling her to reform her religious order. Founded her own convent. She re-emphasized prayer and poverty, coarse rather than fine materials for clothing, and wearing sandals instead of shoes. Important writings: Autobiography, Way of Perfection (guidelines for reforming monasteries), Interior Castle (an explanation of the spiritual journey within the religious life, using the metaphor of a many-roomed castle).

62. John Wesley

1703-1791. English preacher; Co-founder of Methodism with his brother, Charles, and George Whitefield. John Wesley is noted for co-founding Methodism, for his incredible work ethic and his talent for organization. During the 18th century when travel was by walking, horse or carriage, he racked up an incredible 4,000+ miles yearly. His sermon numbers are equally impressive. In his lifetime he preached approximately 40,000 sermons. John Wesley was an 19th century Energizer Bunny. No place to preach. No problem. Forbidden by Anglican priests to preach in their churches*, he preached in barns, farm homes, even street corners and open fields, something unheard of at the time. Nothing stopped him. He read while in a carriage, walking or even on horseback. Blizzards and rainstorms . . . He kept on going and going and going and going . . . . Besides being an amazing worker, he was innately organized and approached everything in life systematically, especially spirituality. His own sense of efficiency gave rise to the name of the church he later founded. Methodist was the pejorative label given the Christian club that he and his brother, Charles, formed at Oxford. The label was the criticism leveled by more worldly students at the structured, disciplined way club members approached Christianity. But both John and Charles embraced the title. John Wesley's sense of discipline, his work ethic and his spirituality stemmed from his early family life. Wesley's father was an Anglican minister and almost as soon as the nineteen children could walk (he was 15th), they learned to read the Bible. Prayers, meals and sleep were precisely timed and rigidly structured. With that big a family hard work was instilled in all of the children. John Wesley's childhood was not only about hard work but it was also traumatic. When he was five the rectory where the family lived burned to the ground. John was the very last person saved. That led to his calling himself "a brand plucked from the burning" by God (Worldbook, p. 162). At a time of spiritual low in his adult life, he attended a Moravian worship meeting where a reading of Martin Luther's ideas led to a mystical experience. In Wesley's own words, "While he was describing the change which God works in the heart through faith in Christ, I felt my heart strangely warmed. I felt I did trust in Christ, Christ alone for salvation. . . . " (christianity.about.com) This led to the key idea of his preaching: by grace are ye saved by faith. Wesley was basically an evangelist when he preached rather than a Bible teacher. He preached not so much to inform but to convert. He saw the Bible is a practical book for daily life, a view he got from his mother. When John Wesley read the Bible, he stopped often to take a look at his own life in light of what he read. Study and Teaching of the Bible weren't as valuable unless applied to one's heart and way of living. To Wesley the path to spiritual truth was three part: scripture, reason and experience. One read the Bible first and then used reason and experience as "checks and balances" to discern the meaning given by Spirit and the words. He felt that since God is a rational being, then a true interpretation of the Bible must be reasonable and agree with other kinds of revelation. Times of Bible study were also woven with times of prayer. One of the founders of the Evangelical Methodist church reported that "Grooves are literally worn into the boards where his knees in prayer pressed into them." ( Dr. W. W. Breckbill in This We Verily Believe) *Ordained a minister of the Church of England, he was forbidden to preach in an Anglican Church due to his evangelism. However, he remained a loyal Anglican until death, despite the fact that the Methodist Church broke away from the Anglican church.

49. Ramakrishna

1834/6-1886. Hindu ecstatic and mystic Ramakrishna was believed by many Hindus to be paramahansa ("supremely realized self") as well as avatara ("incarnation of the divine"). Because of his disciple Swami Vivikananada, his ideas and example became the basis for modern revival of the Hindu religion. His inclusive and strong belief in the truth inherent in all religions has been used to challenge beliefs with a narrower focus. Ramakrishna as a boy was raised with the bhakti (ecstatic devotion) of the Bengal Vaishnava tradition. Even as a child, Ramakrishna was known for his aesthetic sensibility and emotional sensitivity as well as his power. He would, when moved in devotion, lose consciousness in ecstatic trance. And due to this sensitivity, it's easy to understand why he became extremely overwhelmed at the deaths of his father and brother and developed frantic longings for the Divine Mother or Saki. He finally found comfort through his female guru and Tantric ritual during which he saw that all divinities and every experience are embodiments of the Divine Mother. Through direct experience, he overcame his feelings of separation and wanted only to interact with Her in every aspect of Her Divine Play (lila) Of particular interest to AFSI students was Ramakrishna's insistence on a viewpoint that integrated and at the same time affirmed different and sometimes conflicting parts of the Hindu religion. For example, he affirmed the value of an impersonal absolute AND a personal God. For many people his spiritual beliefs offered a foundation for a more peaceful relationship between world religions. But Ramakrishna didn't just talk about this, he was determined to experience it. He did so by expanding his daily devotion beyond his native Hinduism to the Christian and Islamic faiths. While in worship, he experienced intense visions which assured him that EVERYTHING, all physical and spiritual manifestations, including those of different religions, were actually manifestations of the Divine Mother. In addition to a knowing that this divine energy was working everywhere, he also knew that every sincere believer in any religion would find the Divine Mother playing, leading that seeker (child) to Herself. His tiny band of disciples has grown to a monastic order and the Ramakrishna Mission, a larger movement which disseminates his truths in India and around the world. This mission's emphasis on social service is built on the belief that the poor, like any other humans, are deserving manifestations of Saki.

22. What kinds of things interfere with our ability to listen?

22. What kinds of things interfere with our ability to listen?

Mary of Magdala

A follower and disciple of Jesus, many believe Mary of Magdala to be the "disciple that Jesus loved." and possibly his wife. She was a benefactor of Jesus' ministry and became one of the greatest disciples. She is also the first one to see him after he resurrected in the tomb and continued to spread the Gospel throughout her life. Legend has it that she and her daughter went to France and remained there until her death. She has been mistaken as a prostitute because Mary was a common name at the time. There probably was a woman who was in this profession named Mary, notably the woman caught in adultery who almost was stoned. Mary of Magdala, who was the daughter of a wealthy merchant from the rich town of Magdala, probably was not this person. Because women were seen as property not much attention was made in the writings to these details.

48. Plato

A philosopher and mathematician in classical studies. He founded the first academy in Athens, in the west. His dialogues have been used to teach philosophy, logic, ethics, rhetoric, religion and mathematics in the Western world. His most famous student was Aristotle. An interesting note is that they think he was schooled in math, music, and gymnastics.

24. What is meant by a "Shamanic Journey"? What are its purposes? In his/her healing work, what is a Shaman's relationship to their community?

A shamanic journey is a way of traveling within oneself to other realms beyond everyday reality. Its purpose is to reclaim information helpful in promoting change in all parts of our lives from work life to spiritual life. To do a shamanic journey one enters a trance-like state. When I studied shamanism, I was told to "follow the drumbeats" with my attention as my teacher began a steady beat. Listening to a recording designed to lead one into shamanic trance can also work. Shaman Itzhak Beery talks about the purposes for entering each of the three worlds: 1. Lower World, is the world of death and rebirth, the cycle of life. Here we can discover a personal power animal and their healing and wisdom. 2. Middle World, the world in which we live. Here we make connections with the spirits of living things such as trees in order to "visit" far away places or people to gain insight or to bring change to the middle world. 3. Upper World, the world of the dead. Here we could meet a spiritual teacher or a relative to gain information from the deceased that is helpful to our present lives. A relationship between the shaman and his community is a close one. Shamans can act as psychotherapists, healers, doctors, priests, storytellers or even as a finder of a lost object. A shaman acts as a bridge. Ordinary people cannot see or have the special relationship with the spirit world in the ways a shaman can. Therefore, a shaman "holds" both the community and an individual that suffers. Shamans believe that a primary cause for physical sickness is a separation from the Source.

9. Metta

A term from the Pali language, Metta can be understood as loving-kindness or unconditional love as opposed to sentimental love. But this multidimensional term, foundational for Buddhism, has a broader meaning than this. One of the four Brahma Vihara or four highest emotions, true Metta has no self-interest and seeks the happiness and wellbeing of others. It includes nonviolence, which Buddhists extend to all sentient beings, not only humans. It works toward harmony and refuses to be offensive. It seeks friendly accommodation rather than resentment or hostility in any form. For his article entitled "Metta", Acharya Buddharakkita uses the following subtitle: "The Philosophy and Practice of Universal Love." That in itself could be a definition.

1. Aaron

Aaron was the older brother of Moses. Aaron served as a spokesman for Moses when Moses confronted the king of Egypt about the Israelites. Aaron became one of the first high priests of Israel after Moses delivered to his people the laws handed to him by God on Sinai.

2. Abraham

Abraham originally Abram, was the first of the Biblical patriarchs, the others being Abraham's son Isaac and Isaac's son Jacob. Abram and his wife Sarai were unable to have children, so Sarai offered her servant Hagar to bear a child for Abram. That son, Ishmael, was born when Abram was 86 years old. Thirteen years later God made a covenant with Abram, saying he and his wife would have a child together. God then renamed Abram Abraham and Sarai Sarah. Their son Isaac was born with Abraham was 100 years old. God tested Abraham's faith when Isaac was still a boy. God told Abraham to take Isaac into the mountains and offer him up as a living sacrifice. Although he loved his son, he was obedient. Just as he was about to slay his own son God intervened and told Abraham to release the boy and instead sacrifice the ram that appeared nearby.

19. The Bhagavad-Gita delineates three paths of God: Jnana Yoga (knowledge), Bhakti Yoga (devotion) and Karma Yoga (action). Explain these three paths and their relationship with one another, if any.

According to the Bhagavad Gita, three paths to God are Jnana Yoga, Bhaki Yoga and Karma Yoga. Jnana Yoga (knowledge). The intellect as a tool to understand what our true Self is. In order to gain the insight that the self is more than the mind, one continually questions and probes. "Who am I?" is the question used to help us remember who we really are. Jnana Yoga involves systematic exploration. Bhakti Yoga (devotion). Self-less love, compassion, humility and a deep intent to become one with the Divine are central to this Yoga. This is familiar to Christians as "loving God with all your heart, soul, and mind," the first commandment. Karma Yoga (action). This path stresses work as service for our fellow humans, plants, animals, even inanimate objects. One works to lessen the ego's hold in order to dedicate all action to God. This is also the path of "doing the right thing," accepting one's dharma or personal role in the cosmos as it comes, e.g. householder. Nearly everyone has a preference for one or the other and will emphasize that in his/her life. But we cannot avoid any of these systems as they are a complete unit. Our lives will hand us situations in which we need one that is not as native to us.

41. Discuss your understanding of alcoholism as a disease. As a dysfunction.

Alcoholism (and addiction generally) can be seen as a disease that is physical, mental/emotional and spiritual. It can be viewed as an obsessive/compulsive disorder of the mind and an allergy of the body whereby a true alcoholic cannot stop imbibing alcohol once s/he has started to drink. While the disease of alcoholism can never be "cured" and the person return to normal choice when it comes to drinking, the obsessive/compulsive pattern of addiction can be arrested and recovery from the disease is possible.

18. Ezra

Also known as Ezra the Scribe or Ezra the Priest. According to Hebrew Bible, he returned from the Babylonian exile and reintroduced the Torah in Jerusalem.

5. Aristotle

Aristotle was one of the great intellectuals of ancient Greece. A student of Plato he was both a philosopher and a scientist. Following the death of Plato be became a tutor of Alexander the Great. This afforded him numerous opportunities to study and research. His views on physical science influenced medieval scholarship. He greatly influenced Jewish, Islamic and Christian thought.

6. Arjuna

Arjuna was the warrior prince, third of the Pandava brothers, and the protagonist of the Mahabarata with Krishna in the Bhagavad Gita. I think that Arjuna is symbolic of the part in us that wants to accomplish our material goals at the cost of another's comfort but is torn between our Soul not wanting to harm anyone or anything. I think that we create battles in our heads. Winning the outer battle will not solve what the inner problem is. The mind must be at rest to prove the inner power of Gita (confusion or delusion).In the middle of a battlefield he has a conversation with Krishna, his dear and beloved friend, he could not function as he did not want to kill any of his family or friends. Arjuna was of spotless mind and free of all impurities. His downfall was extreme pride—he thought he was the best archer in the world. This caused him to fall and die while they were traveling to the Himalayas. He was married four times and had four children.

7. Tamar

As a young woman, Tamar married Er, the eldest son of Judah. Tamar was childless because Er practiced some form of birth control. So God punished Er and he died, therefore leaving Tamar childless. Under Levirate law, Er's younger brother Onan was obliged to give Tamar a child but he refused and practiced the same form of birth control as Er. God punished him as well and he died. In effort to fulfill her rights to have children according to the law, keeping it in the family of Judah, she disguised herself as a prostitute and seduced Judah unknowingly bearing twin sons. Tamar is one of the four female ancestors of Jesus in Matthew's gospel, along with Ruth, Rahab, and Bathsheba.

56. The various religious faiths of the world hold beliefs that are contradictory and mutually exclusive (e.g. the Jewish belief that the Messiah is yet to come, the Christian belief that Jesus Christ was/is the Son of God and the Savior of the world, the Muslims belief that Jesus was one of the prophets in a line in which Mohammed was the Seal of the Prophets). How do you an Interfaith Minister, reconcile these contradictions? How do you minister to someone whose belief differs from your own?

As an Interfaith Minister, I try to understand where everyone is coming from. We are all coming from a space where we want what is best for Mankind. Our fears influence our view of the world. I do not need to minister to someone by trying to convince them that my way is the best way. I would not be able to anyway.

3. The Marys of the New Testament Mary, Mother of Jesus

At an early age, while she was betrothed to Joseph, an angel came to her and told her that she was going to have a child and name him Jesus. Although she had not been with a man as of yet, the angel told her that the Holy Spirit would overshadow her and her child would be called holy. She brought Jesus up in the Jewish faith along with Joseph and was a disciple and follower of Jesus, aiding in his ministry, up until his death and beyond.

2. Atonement

Atonement is the act of becoming reconciled with God, usually through the repentance of sin. In Christianity Jesus atoned for the sins of mankind when he gave his life on the cross. There are different schools of thought related to the atonement of Christ: ransom theory, satisfaction theory, moral influence theory, and penal substitution theory. Different denominations hold differing view of the significant of the atonement. In Judaism the annual Yon Kippur is the day of atonement, the highest holy day during which people are reconciled with God through repentance of sin. In Hinduism there is a ritual of atonement called yajna, which is performed annually to please the gods or the Supreme Spirit Brahman. By contrast, Buddhists focus their act of atonement of reconciling with other humans. The Quran teaches that Allah promises to forgive since of those who truly believe, pray and do good works.

60. Mother Teresa of Calcutta

Aug. 26, 1910- Sept. 5, 1997, Blessed Mother Teresa was a Roman Catholic religious sister and missionary born in Macedonia of Albanian descent. Although she lived most of her life in India, she brought her sisters into more than 120 countries and opened more than 500 homes to care for the poor. She founded the Missionaries of Charity and had 4,500 sisters working in her organization. She won the Nobel Peace Prize in 2,003. This controversial sister was admired for her works and criticized for her efforts on opposing contraception and substandard conditions in the Hospices for which she was responsible. I saw her once and she was really teeny—less than five feet. When she spoke, you listened with awe how such a small person could have such power and conviction.

35. If psychology is the study of the mind, behaviorism the study of behavior and humanistic psychology the study of the person as a full human being, what is transpersonal psychology the study of? Briefly describe your understanding of the transpersonal perspective in psychology.

Because the prefix "trans," (from Latin) means across or beyond, transpersonal psychology involves the study of things beyond the human being, i.e. beyond the ego and even beyond space and time. It is an ever emerging branch of psychology and is now the 4th force movement, moving wider and beyond even humanistic psychological beliefs and practice. An umbrella term, including many approaches, transpersonal psychology has several roots. One of these occurred in the late 1960's when individuals such as Abraham Maslow found that they needed to go outside the then current boundaries of psychology to include "higher" levels of consciousness, yoga practices, meditation etc. Interestingly enough, Maslow not only founded the Association for Humanistic Psychology but then later also established the Association for Transpersonal Psychology. Another historical root is the Twelve Step Program, a main tenet of which is the Higher Power influencing and perhaps directing one's life. This includes the idea that only a power greater than myself can restore me to sanity, so it is a good thing to let go and let It run one's life. This has had an influence on psychotherapeutic practice. Many psychotherapists adopt this not only in working with alcoholic clients but also with others as well. A third source for transpersonal psychology is Buddhism. Psychotherapists are using Buddhist principles to heal depression, anxiety and other emotional disorders. There is significant research that shows that meditation can improve brain function leading to less fear and anxiety and more peace. Another root for transpersonal psychology is New Age Christianity, including Unity and Science of Mind, which promote psychologically oriented principles that integrate Christian teachings to develop a sense of wellbeing. A final root is that of yoga, which places emphasis on meditation. It speaks of the integration possible in working with the body/mind/spirit to create wellness. Transpersonal psychology, as an umbrella term, includes but is not limited to the following, which is a partial list from "the statement of purpose of the Journal of Transpersonal Psychology:" sacredness of everyday life, values, unitive consciousness, the spiritual paths, theories and practices of meditation, mysticism etc. (Encyclopedia of Psychology, 2nd ed., p. 547) Some segments of transpersonal psychology work to join modern science and philosophy with wisdom teachings of the East and West. Transpersonal psychology also advocates examination of states of consciousness, including those in trance and creative endeavors (art therapy, healing through memoir). Though dreams have been used as an access to the unconscious in psychoanalysis and have been used in gestalt therapy to help people integrate different aspects of the self, in the transpersonal field dreams are thought of more often as a way to get access to universal consciousness. Though trance and phenomena such as paranormal experiences, faith healing etc. have in the past been rejected by scientists, there is exciting research today which shows the joining together of science, spirituality and psychology. Transpersonal practitioners seek a psychology that includes the entire human experience, including, which is perhaps of the most interest to AFSI students, mystical, religious and conversion experiences. An interdisciplinary and cross cultural body of knowledge, it is especially concerned with states of consciousness in which ideas of separation and isolation are transcended to reach a more unitive, interrelated state of mind. As opposed to other approaches, transpersonal psychology sees the self as more flexible and able to include connection with universal consciousness. Another element that may be of interest to AFSI students is that in this field of practice, no past models of psychology are invalidated. They simply take their place in the entire picture of the broad field of psychology.

61. Thich Nhat Hanh

Born Oct. ll, 1926 and is 88 years old,. He is a Vietnamese Zen Buddhist monk, teacher, author, poet, peace activist that lives in Plum Village Monestery in southern France. He is the world's best known and respected Zen master. I was fortunate to to be able to have a week retreat with him and experience his presence. In my humble opinion he is one of the few living master teachers of Love and Peace.(I love all of his mindfulness books especially "Peace is every Step".

26. Hildegard of Bingen

Born in 1098 in West Franconia, Germany into a wealthy family. She became a Benedictine nun and later started her own convent in Rupertsberg. She was evangelical, had spiritual visions, and wrote poetry. Hildegard was also a musician and composer and responsible for writing a great number of chants used in the Catholic faith. With interest in healing, she is also known for being an herbalist, creating many recipes to create health. She died on September 17, 1179 and was made a saint in 2012.

41. Elisabeth Kubler-Ross

Born in 1926 in Zurich Switzerland, Elisabeth Kubler-Ross wanted to be a doctor but her father forbade it. She left home at 16, became a hospital volunteer in World War II and entered medical school in 1951 in Zurich. She studied terminal illness and published her groundbreaking book, "On Death and Dying" in 1969. The book outlines the five stages that dying patients experience: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. She died on August 24, 2004.

21. Matthew Fox

Born in 1940, Matthew Fox is an American Episcopal priest and theologian influencial in the Creation Spirituality movement, which draws inspiration from the mystical philosophies of mystics such as Hildegard of Bingen, Thomas Aquinas, St. Francis, Julian of Norwich and Meister Echkhart as well as environmental movements of the late 20th century and several wisdom traditions. Fox has written 30 books, selling millions of copies, debating the doctrine of original sin and the Cosmic Christ, conflicting with church authorities.

22. St. Francis of Assisi

Born in Italy @1181. Died October 3, 1226. Francis was originally a rebel in his youth and spent a year in prison. Afterward, he heard the voice of Christ who told him to rebuild His Church so he devoted his life to Christ, without material possessions. Toward the end of his life, he received the stigmata of Christ, the first person to do so. He was canonized a saint on July 16, 1228. Today, The Franciscan Order, begun by St. Francis, continues his work with the poor and his love of nature.

12. Joseph Campbell

Born in NYC Mar. 26, 1904—Oct. 30, 1987; American mythologist, writer, lecturer, best known for his work in comparative mythology. He wrote "The Power of Myth" with Bill Moyers. My favorite quote: "Life has no meaning, each of us has meaning and we bring it to life, It is a waste to be asking the question when you know the answer."

36. Immanuel Kant

Born on April 22, 1724 in Kaliningrad, Russia. He is best known as a philospher and metaphysics lecturer. He published science papers including, "General Natural History and Theory of the Heavens" in 1755. In 1781, he published the first part of "Critique of Pure Reason" with several more later. He died in Kaliningrad on February 12, 1804.

43. Martin Luther

Born on November 10, 1483 in Eisleben Saxony, in modern southeast Germany. He became a Catholic monk in 1505 after a life changing experience. He became very disillusioned with the current immorality and corruption among fellow priests. He excelled in his studies and received a doctorate in Theology, becoming a professor at the university. Through his studies on scripture, he received enlightenment, "The just will live by faith alone." He also believed that the Bible should be translated for the common person. This became the cornerstone of his teachings. In 1517, when Pope Leo X announced a new round of indulgences, on October 31, Martin Luther nailed a sheet of paper with 95 these on the university's chapel door. This began the Protestant Reformation. He was excommunicated from the Roman Catholic Church in 1521 and was proclaimed a heretic. He began his own church, Lutheranism, which still exists today. He is one of the most influential and controversial figures in the Reformation movement.

23. Mahatma Gandhi

Born on October 2, 1869 in Porbandar, India, Mahatma Gandhi studied law and became an Indian rights activist both in India and in South Africa. Gandhi became a leader of India's independence movement, organizing boycotts against British institutions in peaceful forms of civil disobedience. He was killed by a fanatic in 1948.

25. Discuss the importance of confidentiality and trust in the counseling and/or pastoral relationship.

Building trust in a pastoral or counseling relationship is the backbone of the relationship. Without it, a discussion will never be fruitful. To build trust, one has to keep confidentiality as well as be real. The person that is coming to us needs to know that they are in a safe place and can say anything without fear. Breaching any confidentiality can ruin this prospect.

54. Helen Schucman

Channel and scribe for A Course in Miracles. July 14 1909—Feb. 9 1981. American clinical and research psychologist from NYC, prof. of medical University 1958-76. She was a colleague of William Thetford. The contents were claimed to have been given her by Jesus. Her role as writer was not revealed to the public until after her death.

19. Charles and Myrtle Fillmore

Charles Fillmore ( August 22, 1854 - July 5, 1948 ) founded the Unity Church, a church within the New Thought movement, with his wife Myrtle in 1889. They became known as American mystics for their contributions to the spiritualist interpretations of scripture. The Unity School and Association of Unity Churches, founded as the Unity Ministers Association in 1934 continued growing into a worldwide movement. Their beliefs centered around two main tenets: 1 ) God is good; 2 ) God is available and lives within all people.

13. Confucius

Chinese teacher, author and politician who emphasized personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice and sincerity.

1. Deborah

Deborah was a judge, prophetess, speaker of wisdom, and model of courage. She led the out-numbered and badly equipped Israelite troops to great victory by tricking the enemy into soggy marshlands where they were bogged down, allowing the Israelite archers to slay them easily, and creating a victory for the Israelites.

3 Divine immanence/Divine transcendence

Divine immanence and diving transcendence are related terms that have to do with how God relates to the physical universe. Basically, divine immanence is the concept that God is fully present in the physical and world and accessible to all within it. By contrast, divine transcendence is the concept of God being entirely independent of the material world. Various religions generally embrace one theology or the other, however there are some that subscribe to both. Some hold that God is both within and beyond the universe. That is to say that he is in it but not of it.

52. Why is it important to be able to "read" yourself first? i.e. Be aware of your own issues, motivations and feelings in counseling or consulting relationship?

Emotional or psychological issues with which we are personally dealing can get in the way in counseling. Such matters could bias our counseling, causing us to give inappropriate advise to the person we are trying to help. The effects could be devastating.

17. Epictetus

Epictetus - Greek "Stoic" philosopher, born a slave, who taught that all things are beyond our control and should be faced with calm. What we can control is ourselves.

49. What are some of the ways that you, as a minister, can facilitate the transition of a terminally ill person who is afraid to leave their body?

Fearing death is such a natural thing, especially due to the cultural clues we give throughout life. Death is usually associated with violence or accidents. We equate good with life and bad with death. In reality, death is not bad. Death is a natural part of life. Although it is the end of our earthly life, it is the beginning of eternal life that we generally understand as bliss. To demonstrate this I might bring the hymn "Amazing Grace" to mind as it is so widely known and loved. I'd particularly point out the stanza, "When we've been there ten thousand years / Bright shining as the sun /We've no less days to sing God's praise /Than when we've first begun." I'd them compare the typical human life in terms of years to eternity -- when we've been there ten thousand years. I might also point to the illusion that is part of a Jewish funeral prayer which states that, "like children falling asleep over our toys we relinquish our grasp on life as we enter the door of the grave." Just as children falling asleep over their toys are then lovingly taken and put to bed by their parents, so too as we then taken and put to rest by our loving God.

5. Grace

Grace is a traditionally Christian concept of God granting forgiveness to humankind our of his love for us, not as a result of our having done anything to earn it. Grace equates to the forgiveness of sins and the unconditional love that God has for all people. Although a fairly basic concept, it is interpreted in different ways by various Christian churches.

19. How do you understand the purpose and experience of worship?

For me worship is both a personal and community activity. God created us in his image and directed that we worship him. In some Old Testament passages God refers to himself as a jealous god and insists on being worshiped. God became angry when his people would turn their backs on him. Old Testament scriptures also describe how God is to be worshipped, both personally and by the community. During his public ministry Jesus taught his disciples how to pray. He also pointed out some temple rulers who prayed in vain -- praying publicly just so others could see them doing so. I believe that God wants and expects each of us to worship him, both personally and in a community. For me that means praying daily, during which I offer adoration and praise as well as thanksgiving and petitions. That also means going to church and being an active member of my faith community. Even though I do that, I believe that God would still love and provide for me if I did not attend church regularly as I carry my temple within my heart. But regular involvement in church, to me anyway, shows a devotion and a reverence to God.

63. Bill Wilson (Bill W.)

Founder, (along with "Dr. Bob" Smith) of Alcoholics Anonymous. A failed stockbroker and hopeless alcoholic, Bill finally realized that he could only stay sober if he spoke with another "hopeless" alcoholic and told him his story of alcohol abuse and sobriety. AA dates its founding, not from when Bill W. found sobriety, but when Dr. Bob did.

2. What do you see as the essence of religion?

From the earliest of time religion has been vital to society. And even though society is for the most part shifting away from traditional organized religion, I think that religion remains vital. Religious and faith views differ greatly in society. Clearly the majority of people who identify themselves in a particular religion do so because of their cultural background and family history. Many generations continue to practice the religions of their parents, and do so for life. Many abandon their family religions in preference for different religions or none at all. I do believe that religion helps to maintain the moral fiber of our communities.

33. What is an archetype? Give a few examples of archetypal images.

From the psychological ideas of Carl Jung archetypes are the images, patterns and symbols which come from the collective unconscious. The collective unconscious, the part of the unconscious mind that is acquired from ancestral experience and memory., is held in common by all human beings.) Archetypes appear to us in dreams, mythology, fairy tales and can add a rich dimension to everyday life, if it is viewed with an archetypal lens, at least sometimes. For example, fatigued by menopausal symptoms, I learned to see myself as a crone. I realized that I was acquiring crone wisdom in part through the physical and emotional process of my body's transformation. Then I saw "my glass as half full not half empty." Jung, refusing to believe in the tabula rasa (ie. that humans are born without any brain content and that all knowledge comes from experience) , felt that archetypes are common to everyone, a foundation upon which each individual builds his/her own life experience, flavored, of course, by his/her own uniqueness, surroundings, culture, etc. Jung believed that archetypes exist in the psyche and in the world itself. Jung himself listed several principal archetypes, including the shadow, the animus, the anima, the self. Some additional examples of archetypes are as follows: Archetypal figures: hero, trickster, wise old man, wise old woman, devil, gods Archetypal events: birth, death, separation from parents, marriage Archetypal motifs: creation, apocalypse

1. Explain the covenant between God and Abraham.

Genesis 12-17 (especially 15) gives us the covenant between God and Abram, re-named Abraham. "After this, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision: "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward." Abraham is called by God. He is to go forth into a new land to establish a new people. Gen 15: 5 To make of Abraham a great nation and bless Abraham and make his name great so that he will be a blessing, to bless those who bless him and curse him who curses him and all peoples on earth would be blessed through Abraham. Gen 12:1-3 To give Abraham's descendants all the land from the river of Egypt to the Euphrates. Gen 15:18-21 (Later, this land came to be referred to as the Promised Land or the Land of Israel. To make Abraham the father of many nations and of many descendants and give "the whole land of Canaan" to his descendants.[Gen 17:2-9] Circumcision is to be the permanent sign of this everlasting covenant with Abraham and his male descendants.

53. Albert Schweitzer

German theologian and musician (organist). Used performances to fund his education. He decided to go to Africa not as a missionary, but to practice medicine, so began and completed medical studies. Set up and ran a hospital in Africa (1913). Nobel Peace Prize winner in 1952.

20. How is God conceived in Jewish, Christian, Islamic and Hindu traditions?

God in the Jewish, Christian and Islamic traditions is the same god. Christianity grew out of Judaism just as Islam grew out of Christianity, resulting in all three beliefs accepting the same deity as God. Each of the three have differing ways of understanding God, however. The Jewish people believe in God in a strictly monotheistic sense; they see Jesus as a prophet and do not identify the spirit of God in the same sense of Christians (holy spirit is a common noun to the Jews but a proper noun to Christians). Most Christian traditions identify God as the triune God consisting of God the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Like Judaism, Islam recognizes Jesus as a prophet and the spirit of God as a common noun. Islam strongly rejects the notion of a triune God, insisting that God and God alone (Allah) must be worshiped. Hinduism, by contrast, has numerous deities with Para Brahm being the highest. Brahm, together with Shiva and Vishnu who are regarded as Great Gods, are considered the Trimurti -- the three aspects of a supreme universal god. Hinduism has numerous other lesser gods and various incarnations of gods that are worshiped by various communities and in various ways.

57. State as briefly as possible, your personal belief in/concept of God.

God is all that exists and we are extensions of God.

24. How would you handle feelings of sexual attraction toward and/or from someone who came to you for spiritual counseling and other ministerial services?

Having a romantic relationship with anyone who came to me would be against my personal rules. I am not there to foster such a relationship. If someone openly told me that they were having sexual attraction toward me, which has happened, I would just tell them that I am not interested and that it is inappropriate for this situation. If I felt attracted to someone in this way, I would go inward and discuss it with my inner self asking for the deeper lesson. In no way would I act upon it.

34. Why is humanistic psychology called "3rd" force movement?

Humanistic psychology is called the "third force Movement," after behaviorism (first force), classical psychoanalysis (second force), as it began as a rebellion against them. It developed due to a belief that both of these are dehumanizing and are too narrow in scope. Practitioners of humanistic psychology set aside behaviorism due to its stress on changes in behavior being primarily through positive and negative reinforcement (Positive behavior reinforced and negative behavior discouraged by negative reinforcement -- Pavlov's dogs idea) and its strong reliance on animal research. The psychodynamic perspective was also set aside due to its focus on "unconscious irrational and instinctive forces" as causes for human thought and behavior. Humanistic psychology became very influential during the 1970s and '80s. It offered a difference of approach in the following areas: 1) a difference in values to be used in understanding human nature and life in general 2) a broader range of acceptable methods for studying human behavior and in approaches for use in psychotherapeutic practice. Foundational ideas for humanistic psychology include: 1. Free will. Practitioners call this personal agency, which refers to our life journey and the choices and consequences we encounter on it. 2. Goodness of humanity. Human beings are essentially good and deep inside have a need to better themselves and the world. 3. Basic worth of an individual. People have personal worth. If unobstructed, they are intrinsically creative and live by human values. 4. Durability. Humans have the ability to overcome adversity. Humanistic psychology focuses on this ability rather than on a person's symptoms. Rogers and Maslow are major contributors to Humanistic Psychology. They both believed that seeking personal growth and fulfillment was a primary human goal, though each person goes about this differently. Rogers and Maslow also felt that external reality was less important than an individual's subjective understandings about his/her world. Because animal research cannot tell us much about human thought and behavior, scientific psychology with its animal experiments was regarded as of little value. Instead, Humanistic Psychology makes use of anecdotal accounts, such as diaries, unstructured interviews and observations, and open-ended questionnaires. Qualitative rather than quantitative information is emphasized. With these methods it is believed that the richness of human existence can be more fully explored. Though they agreed on foundational concepts of Humanistic Psychology, Maslow and Rogers, these two pillars of this field, saw the path to self-actualization differently. Very briefly, Maslow developed his Hierarchy of Human Needs after studying very healthy individuals, believing that the study of unhealthy people would lead to a weak, crippled psychology. And Rogers created person centered therapy (also called client centered therapy) in which the therapist is genuine (not a blank screen; uses no facade) with the client, gives unconditional regard (values the client), and shows empathy. He believed that clients were the best experts on themselves. A key principle in Rogers' client centered therapy is that the therapeutic human relationship itself can be healing, an idea that the psychoanalytic model also uses. Another important figure in Humanistic Psychology, Fritz Perls, is best known for his development of Gestalt Therapy. This type of therapy focuses on unifying the disparate elements of a personality. We as humans tend to disown parts of ourselves and cause a great deal of intrapersonal conflict. Gestalt therapy endeavors to reunite them. One can do gestalt therapy by acting out one of his/her dreams by setting several chairs around the room and "becoming" each dream character as one moves from chair to chair.

5. How do you understand and deal with the times when prayers go unanswered?

I have to work with myself when prayer goes unanswered. I first have to let myself feel the disappointment and anger, though I try not to get stuck in it. Then I try for a higher perspective, to shift my thinking. I think of this as "looking through God's eyes: 1) Was the timing right? 2) Was it for my highest good or that of another person? 3) Ask God, "Is there a way you're answering me that I'm not seeing?" 4) Does what I'm asking line up with scripture or other divine revelation? 5) Was I sure of what I really wanted? Perhaps I asked for something and really wanted something else, for example, asking for an object and really wanting the security or love that it represented. Sometimes my affirmational prayers are fuzzy in wording. 6) Awareness that prayer is answered with yes, no or not yet.

12. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father, but by Me" (John 14.6). How do you understand/explain this statement?

I understand that he is going to the Father to prepare a place for them, so he becomes the way, the truth, the Life for all who are coming after him. He is the unchanging Truth. You could call this Grace. He is setting an example for them to follow. I don't interpret this statement to mean that you have to pray to him and go through him to get to the Father. We have the Truth in us and we follow that guidance to become one.

53. As an Interfaith Minister, how do you relate to the issues of birth control, abortion, and capital punishment?

I recognize the immensity of these issues and that everyone is in a different place in regard to their thinking and beliefs on these topics, and I begin with a deep respect for peoples' differing viewpoints and the stands they may take. I have one over-arching credo that I would apply to all such moral dilemmas. It is the belief that, when faced personally with a soul-testing moral quandary, the answer is to make the most consciously loving choice one is able to make. We live in a world of choices. My credo is "choose love." I do not personally have any issues with the use of birth control to prevent a pregnancy. I view the decision to abort a fetus, though, as a very serious matter and wish that it could always be entered into with great consciousness and clarity and love. The reality seems very far from that ideal. I would not attempt to talk a young woman out of having an abortion. If she was open to my input, I would urge her to make a loving choice; loving for herself, and loving for the soul she could potentially bring into the world. I cannot pretend to know what that answer would be for her. I uphold her right to make her own choice. I also see that, at their best, those who want to abolish legal abortion may be coming from a place of love in their own hearts. Love is the only crossroads where these opposing sides will ever reconcile. In terms of capital punishment, I cannot and do not condone the taking of another life as a form of justice for wrongs committed. I am happy to live in a state that does not practice capital punishment.

9. As best you can, describe your concept/understanding of God and your relationship to God. How do you communicate with Him/Her? How do you experience God in your daily life?

I relate primarily to God as an unconditionally loving Father. I take Jesus' understanding of his "Abba" as my model and try to relate to God as a very personal Presence that I can turn to/call on at any time and which always envelops me with love and protection. It may well be that what God truly is is utterly beyond human comprehension. It may also be that, as Leonard Bernstein wrote in his Mass, "God is the simplest of all." The latter understanding has the greatest ring of truth for me. Many years ago a close friend led me in an exercise where we simply held each other's gaze in silence for an extended period of time. I experienced a deep, wordless communion. In a time of personal prayer not long after, I found myself automatically applying that experience to my prayer time - just opening my soul to that Presence. That component has remained in my prayer life over the decades. When I address God I will often begin with a few words and then allow that wordless communion to engage. In daily life I may experience the Divine at times when I allow myself to be present in any given moment without the ramblings and ranting of the critical mind holding sway. Sometimes it overtakes me unexpectedly; often when in contact with some form of Beauty, whether it be in nature, music, art or poetry.

1. Discuss briefly the basic tenets of your own belief system.

I was raised in suburban New York by an Episcopalian father and a Lutheran mother. My childhood years were spent in the Lutheran church. Like many, as I became an adult I fell away from my faith for a time. As an adult I have mostly been involved in the Presbyterian Church; for the past year I have been attending a Bible-based independent church. Throughout my life I would find solace in the faith of my youth, often reading through old Lutheran prayer books. I would characterize myself today as Christian. I have a strong faith and understand the Bible to be the inspired word of God. I am not a fundamentalist and believe firmly that all religious beliefs are legitimate. I believe that, being strongly rooted in my own faith, I will be able to minister to others with differing faiths than me, and to do so without compromising that person's faith or my own.

17. When you arrive at the agreed upon place to perform a wedding ceremony, the couple informs you that in their frantic rush, they left the marriage license at home, which is an hour away. What do you do in this situation?

I would calmly go ahead with the ceremony. The license is just a legal document stating that the event has taken place. It can be filled out and filed later. I would have the couple and witnesses sign a simple statement that the marriage had taken place on the particular day and then I would sign this as well. If need be, this document could be attached to the official license when it is submitted.

26. Name three secret orders of mystery teachings. Do you consider these orders religions? Why or why not?

I would not call them religions, per se. These orders are generally focused on promulgating a "science of the soul" that transcends religious boundaries, typically incorporating influences from a variety of religious traditions and ultimately dating back to mystery teachings of ancient Egypt. Some, like the Rosicrucians, are more rooted in a kind of Christian mysticism with stronger religious overtones. Eckankar followers attempt a soul travel experience in an effort to induce a higher state of consciousness. Freemasonry as currently practiced, seems the least "religious" of these three, functioning more as a fraternal order with local community activity as its focus.

50. Clients often come to counseling looking for specific advice, answers, predictive information (e.g. psychic or astrological predictions) etc. What are your thoughts about offering advice, solutions etc. in a counseling context?

If a client came to counseling looking for advice or predictive information, I would have to know the client and his/her situation before I could decide. The therapist or minister must tailor the counseling to who the client is and what they need. Some clients benefit from and want advice and some do not. Assessment is critical here . . . Must have a good assessment of who is in front of you. Advice giving can be beneficial in the following situations: A. Advice based on what a client has revealed can be helpful. B. Your giving advice can help the person find their own internal advice. C. You as helper prove to your client that you cared enough to tune in and give advice tailored on what you heard them say. D. If client comes in and asks directly for advice, if therapist doesn't respond or says something like "What do you think?, client may think therapist is playing a game with them and not being real. Though it shows lack of respect to throw the question back, if therapist really feels that it is not good in this situation to give advice, he/she can discuss the problems with giving advice. However, there are a few times when it is not good practice to give advice. Here are a few: A. When the client needs to cultivate her own wisdom or sense of what's right. Will giving advice help him/her cultivate this ability or cause it to shut down? B. If that person resists anything you tell them. Some people push back. These people tend to be ones with personality disorders. It is of no use to give them advice and is contraindicated. Instead, you notice what they are communicating and demonstrating with facial expressions etc. rather than giving advice. EXAMPLE: A person asks, "Do you think I should quit my job?" The therapist then does the following: A) Explores with the person why they think they should/shouldn't. B) Therapist explains what they heard from the client: "So, here's what I heard you say. You're scared of the change, not enough money, may not get another etc." C. Some therapists and ministers do not give advice at all. The rationale is that most things have a good and a bad side to them. You may be coloring their decision with your own story rather than letting the client make a discovery. However, with all this being said, there are two caveats: A. If minister or therapist has worked with a client for a long time and knows them very well, it is reasonable to say, for example, "Given what I know about you, this might make you miserable and distract you from what you really want to do." B. If minister or therapist has deep, particular knowledge about a subject that a client doesn't have, then it is not fair to withhold it and perfectly appropriate to give it, for example, a client who has a relative he believes is alcoholic. It is important not to take for granted that a person knows something that they may not.

4. Enlightenment

In Eastern religions enlightenment is the state of connecting with the divine. In Hinduism it is the final extrication of the soul, bringing an end to the suffering cycle of death and rebirth. In Buddhism it is the state of Nirvana that is achieved through insight into the divine. Judeo-Christian traditions recognize enlightenment as something different, referring more to an understanding of spiritual matters.

13. Does a cleric have to register with local authorities before performing a wedding?

In NYC they are required but not all areas of the state require it. It is not required in Albany.

28. The Bible declares, "Thou shalt not make any graven images," yet Catholic churches are filled with images and statues of Saints. Hindus worship God in forms such as Shiva, Krishna and Kali: Muslims and Buddhist and Jews build elaborate mosques and temples in which to worship God. How do you feel about the issue of God/worship with and/or without form?

In Old Testament stories the people of Israel on occasion dismissed God and instead made idols to worship, angering God. In these instances people were not worshipping God, but rather worshipping something of their own imagination. They prayed to these man-made items and put their faith in them as though they were indeed divine. This constitutes idol worship. Catholic churches most always include a large statue of the crucified Jesus on a cross, as well as statues and depictions of Jesus and various Saints. While Catholics pray to these icons, they do so using them as visual reminders of God (Jesus) and his messengers and prophets (Saints). When Catholics pray to a Saint, they are doing so asking that that Saint be an intermediary between themselves and God Almighty. Such actions, then, could not be construed as idol worship. Similarly, Hindu temples are full of statues and images of gods that to most Christians or Jews may appear rather bizarre. Hinduism is a polytheistic religion that significantly predates Judaism and Christianity. Its gods can be compared to Greek gods that have various identities and legends associated with them. When Hindu people worship in their homes or temples hey are not worshipping graven idols, they are worshipping gods that are represented by the statues or pictures. There is no difference between this and the Catholic use of statues or depictions. Likewise, Jewish, Islamic and Buddhists communities often worship in elaborate mosques or temples. When they do they are not worshipping those elaborate structures themselves, but the god that they represent. Temple worship has been central to many faiths throughout time.

7. What is the symbology and purpose of Mass?

In the Mass, the Catholic encounters God in two forms: in Word and in Sacrament. Readings from both the Old and New Testament are recited at every Mass and expounded upon in the sermon or homily. The Sacrament of the Eucharist is then celebrated which ritualizes the "act of salvation"—the passion, death and resurrection of Christ. The bread and wine is blessed ("consecrated") and distributed to the faithful in a reenactment of the Last Supper when Jesus charged his disciples to continue to perform the Sabbath ritual in his memory. The Eucharist is considered to be much more than a symbolic ritual, but is believed to be an actual partaking in the sacrifice of Jesus. Through the observance of the Mass the soul of the believer is believed to be infused with grace.

30. Ishmael

In the Old Testament, Ishmael is the son of Hagar, the surrogate slave for Sarah and Abraham, and the son of Abraham. Ishmael, at age 14, was freed with Hagar and settled in the Desert of Paran where he became an expert in archery. He is recognized as an important prophet and patriarch of Islam, mentioned as the firstborn son of Abraham. Ishmael is recognized by Muslims as the ancestor of several prominent Arab tribes and being the forefather of Muhammad. Muslims also believe the Muhammad was the descendant of Ishamel that would establish a great nation, as promised by God in the Old Testament.

8. What is the difference in the way Catholics and Protestants view communion/the Eucharist?

In the Protestant churches, communion is looked upon as a symbolic memorial and an acknowledgement of grace already present to the believer. In the Roman Catholic tradition the bread and wine are believed to literally become the body and blood of Jesus in the act of consecration which, when devoutly consumed, directly convey the grace of Christ's act of salvation upon the soul of the believer.

55. What is your understanding of The All Faiths Seminary International's awarding of the title, Interfaith Minister as our way of "confirming what you have affirmed"?

Interfaith Ministry seems like a vital need in our world. The oceans of misunderstanding and distrust between the world's faiths and cultures must somehow be spanned for peace to become a possibility on this earth. An Interfaith Minister can at least help to bridge small streams - like actual or potential rifts between families of interreligious marriages. The minister is one with the training to see the common threads that unite all faiths. He or she has affirmed those common threads for his or her self. The seminary confirms this in an official way that empowers the minister to act as an intermediary and advocate for common-union in our sectarian society.

26. Under what circumstances would it be better to refer a client to someone else rather than work with them yourself?

It would be better to refer a client to someone else rather than work with them if: 1) That client is a danger to therapist/minister, to others in the office or other clients. 2) That client has issues that are outside the realm of the therapist/minister's scope of knowledge or expertise. 3) Countertransference. The therapist has strong feelings for the client ie. sexual desire or strong dislike that he/she may or may not be able to work through. It may interfere with the helping relationship. 4) Client's issues may be similar to what the therapist is going through right now, for example, a new client with a recent death with a therapist/minister who has had a spouse die. 5) Dual relationship issues. Therapist/minister has another client who knows the potential client well and this might create boundary problems for new client, old client or even the therapist/minister. 6) Balance of work load. If therapist/minister has many clients who have severe trauma at a particular time then it could cause burnout. This being said, a helping person, as an individual, might be able to work with a client quite well in spite of one or several of these circumstances. They are warning signals, however.

9. Jacob Boehma

Jacob Boehme (1575-1624) was a German Lutheran mystic and theologian. He was the son of peasant farmers, a shoemaker by trade, and had only a rudimentary education. One morning, watching the sunlight play on a pewter bowl, he experienced an extraordinary spiritual illumination, and started writing books. Scholars at the great German Universities were astounded that an unlearned craftsman could produce works like The Three Principles of the Divine Essence and The Threefold Life of Man. He believed that God could not be known through the rational mind but that true understanding must flow from what he called the "Inward Ground" or the living Word of God.

13. What do you believe is the relationship, if any, between the Hebrew (Old) and New Testament?

Jesus made reference to and quoted Hebrew scriptures dozens of times during his public ministry. Furthermore, he said, "Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets; I did not come to abolish but to fulfill," (Matt. 5:17). The Law of the Prophets to which he referred were the Holy scriptures, or what we would today call the Hebrew or Old Testament. Jesus had an issue with those who used Holy scripture for their own good, calling them hypocrites. The connections between the two are more numerous. For example, the Christmas was foretold centuries before Jesus by Isaiah. There are other parallels between Old and New Testament stories with the similarities between Jesus and Moses being perhaps the most fascinating. Both Jesus and Moses were chosen by God and were born during a time when their people were suffering under cruel leaders. Both were hidden as babies. The leaders of both attempted to kill all babies what the subjects were born. Moses turned water into blood; Jesus turned water into wine. Both fasted for 40 days facing spiritual crises on a mountain. Both told their followers of the importance of a Passover lamb. Both performed directly with God. Both gave great laws (Moses the Ten Commandments; Jesus the Great Commandment). Both had twelve followers, to some of whom they gave new identities. There are dozens of additional similarities between Jesus and Moses, and numerous other examples of New Testament stories underscoring Old Testament stories. The Holy scriptures of the Jewish people are comprised within the books of the Old Testament. The Old and New Testaments together comprise the Christian Holy scriptures.

God is all that exists and we are extensions of God.

Jesus, the Messiah, has come for the Christians. The Messiah will still come according to the Jews. The Messiah will come again according to both. We all want someone to save us from this world. It has been foretold in scripture. According to some, we are the Messiah and the Second Coming when we awaken to it. The Messiah is the Truth and it has been spoken. The only thing left is for us to save ourselves by accepting it. Does it matter? Can we sit here in wonder and allow it to unfold trusting that it is in the Divine plan?

10. Martin Buber

Jewish philosopher and author, scholar and mystic, Hasidic storyteller and proponent of the idea of existence through encounter.

48. According to Elisabeth Kubler-Ross, what are the five stages that terminally ill person passes through? How would you, as a spiritual counselor, work with a person going through each of these stages?

Kubler-Ross's groundbreaking work defines the five stages as these: denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and acceptance. Each has unique characteristics and different therapeutic indications. Here is a brief way to work with a terminally-ill person in each of the stages: Denial. People in this stage do not accept the terminal diagnosis and would believe it to be wrong. They are not able to accept the idea of facing their own death. I would reassure the person that death is a natural part of life, that this is something we all face and that death is not the end but rather the beginning of life eternal. I would point to the fact that the person may well still have significant time ahead of him -- time to continue to enjoy life. Anger. Patients in this stage no longer deny their fate, but face it with anger that could be channeled toward God, toward the doctors, family, or just about anyone. This anger stems from the same emotions that drove denial earlier. Patients in this stage might ask why a loving God would allow for something bad to happen to a good person. As with someone in denial, I would stress that death is a natural part of life and that it is something that we all face. None of us has control over this. I would point to the many blessings that God had bestowed upon the person during his lifetime and the legacy of love that he would be leaving with his family and friends. I might ask him to recall a favorite grandparent or someone else who had died and ask how he imagines he or she felt at the same stage in life. I would point to the good that the person had done in life and the legacy that he is leaving to those who love him. Bargaining. People in this stage have started to come to terms with their fate, but are hoping to forestall their death for a period of time. It's not uncommon for people to suddenly turn to religion, thinking that by doing so God might reward them with more time to live. Alternatively they might resolve to become better spouses or parents, or more loving people. To these people I might point to Psalms that say how God knows and loves each of us, and that our earthly lives are little compared to eternal life. Depression. People in this stage feel that they have exhausted all options that would extend their lives and are now facing their inevitable death. They may fear death and feel overwhelmingly sad that they would be leaving their loved ones. For them there would be no more birthdays, Christmases, family vacations, etc. And as sad as that by itself is, they may feel even worst knowing that their survivors will go on with those traditions and their lives after he is gone. I would continue to talk about God's love and that death is a natural part of life. I would put God's love into the broadest picture and try to show him that God has a plan for all of us and that in time all of us will be in paradise. I would encourage him to be open and honest with family and friends so that he would see that his memory would not fade away after his death. Acceptance. People in this stage have arrived at the point where they not only accept the idea of their own mortality, but are ready t accept it. This may come once wrongs are righted, once broken relationships are mended, or after some other similar evolution. I would continue to stress God's love and the legacy that he would be leaving behind.

21. What do you consider the most important elements of spiritual counseling?

Listening, empathizing, relating, understanding, agreement and gentle guidance. I believe that (as the Tao says) The Master teaches without doing anything, without saying a word. That our clear, unencumbered presence is the best healer.

10. Name five Protestant denominations.

Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, Pentecostal

31. Jacob/Israel

Mentioned in the Hebrew Bible, the Talmud, the New Testament, the Qur'an and Baha'i scripture, Jacob, otherwise known as Israel, was the third patriarch of the Hebrew people with whom God made a covenant, and ancestor of the tribes of Israel, which were anmed after his descendants. He is the son of Isaac and Rebekah, the grandson of Abraham, Sarah, and of Bethuel, and the younger twin brother of Esau. Jacob had twelve sons and at least one daughter. He is known for his vision known as "Jacob's Ladder" where he saw angels on a ladder or staircase reaching into heaven. He heard a voice of God who repeated many of the blessings upon him.

10. Mindfulness

Mindfulness is a term from Buddhism that has entered the popular culture. I've found as many definitions for mindfulness as there are snowdrifts this winter. But I particularly liked this one and couldn't use my own words to express it as well: Mindfulness means paying attention in a particular way; on purpose, in the present moment, and nonjudgmentally. (Jon Kabat-Zinn, teacher of mindfulness meditation) This definition reminds me that awareness is not the same thing as mindfulness. I could be aware (ie. know) that I'm planting a tree, but I may be doing it by rote, rather vaguely. To plant mindfully, I need to do it intentionally with focus. When I meditate mindfully, I notice bodily sensations and thoughts and let them drift into my mind and out of it without clinging to or resisting them.

11. Monotheism

Monotheism is the belief that there is only one God. There are, however, types of monotheism: 1) exclusive monotheism and 2) pluriform monotheism which believes that there are many different gods which are independent but made up of the same substance. The Bible and the Koran would not define this as monotheism and yet it is not polytheism the way it is popularly defined. (An example of this is the Oglala Sioux in the U.S. who worship 16 gods divided into groups of 4, with each group of four making up one god. These four gods again form one God -- Wakan Tanka, sometimes called the Great Spirit.) Also, just as there is a "spectrum" in autism, there is a wide range of positions in religion from extreme monotheism all the way to unlimited polytheism To define the terms monotheism and polytheism as only as a difference in number has been discussed as simplistic. Other properties of uniqueness, power and might -- no other god could ever have the same properties as MY god, have this much power and might -- can be important in monotheism. The word "monotheism" is often discussed with monolatry, which is the worship of one god but recognizing the existence of other gods. The three Abrahamic religions, Middle Eastern faiths which trace their roots to Abraham -- Christianity, Islam and Judaism -- all are monotheistic. But Muslims and Jews, while considering themselves monotheistic, do not consider Christianity to be so, due to the triune God. Other monotheistic religions are: Atenism, Babism, the Baha I Faith, Caodaiism, Cheondoism, Deism, Eckankar, Rastafari, Ravidassia religion, Seicho no Ie, Shaivism, Sikkism, Tenriism, Vaishnavism and Zoroastrianism.

4. Miriam

Most well known for being the revered sister of Moses and the leader of all the women who fled from Egypt with their families. There is a poem called, "The Song of Miriam" in Exodus 15: 20-21 from this time. In the infancy of Moses, Miriam is the one who watched over him while he was floating down the Nile in the basket. She died in a desert wilderness but afterwards God caused a spring to appear there.

47. What are the commonalties described by those who have had near- death experiences?

Most who have had such experiences generally describe leaving the body, traveling through a tunnel, experiencing light at the end of that tunnel, or connecting with deceased loved ones.

33. John the Baptist

Most widely known as the prophet who prophesied the coming of Jesus Christ as the Messiah, John the Baptist was a teacher and priest of the order of Abijah. He had many disciples and baptized thousands of people including Jesus. He preached repentence and the imminence of God's final judgment and lived out in the wilderness. When Mary, the mother of Jesus, went to visit her cousin, Elizabeth, to tell her the good news that she was pregnant, Elizabeth was also pregnant with John the Baptist which makes Jesus and John related by family. John was the last great prophet before Jesus Christ and was beheaded @ 30 A.D.

16. Elijah

Old Testament prophet who challenged the ruler (Ahab), worked many miracles and was seen, along with Moses and Jesus at the Transfiguration.

11. What are some of the specific doctrines and beliefs of the Eastern Orthodox Church? What are some of the differences from the Roman Catholicism?

Orthodox Christianity claims to have fully preserved, without any deviation, the traditions and doctrines of the early Christian church established by the apostles. This is why they believe themselves to be the only true and "right believing" Christian faith. The primary disputes that led to the split between the Eastern Orthodox and the Roman Catholic Church centered around Rome's deviation from the original conclusions of the seven ecumenical councils, such as the claim to a universal papal supremacy. Eastern Christians believe both the Spirit and the Son have their origin in the Father. The 6th century Nicene Creed referred to the Holy Spirit "who proceeds from the Father and the Son." It had been added to emphasize Christ's divinity, but Eastern Christians not only objected to the altering of anything produced by the first ecumenical councils, they disagreed with its new meaning. Orthodoxy argues that the Holy Scriptures (as interpreted and defined by church teaching in the first seven ecumenical councils) along with Holy Tradition are of equal value and importance. "While the Bible is treasured as a valuable written record of God's revelation, it does not contain wholly that revelation." Another less apparent distinction between Eastern Orthodoxy and Western Christianity is their differing theological approaches, which perhaps is simply the result of cultural influences. The Eastern mindset is more inclined toward philosophy, mysticism, and ideology, whereas the Western outlook is guided more by a practical and legal mentality. This can be seen in the subtly different ways that Eastern and Western Christians approach spiritual truth. Orthodox Christians believe that truth must be personally experienced and, as a result, they place less emphasis on its precise definition. Worship is considered the very center of church life in Eastern Orthodoxy. It is highly liturgical, embracing seven sacraments. It is characterized by a priestly and mystical nature. Veneration of icons and a mystical form of meditative prayer is commonly incorporated into their religious rituals. Orthodox Christians believe Mary has supreme grace and is to be highly honored but they reject the Roman doctrine of Immaculate Conception. Orthodox Christians believe baptism is the initiator of the salvation experience. They believe salvation is a process not of justification or legal pardon, but of reestablishing man's communion with God. This is a life-long process by which Christians become more and more like Christ. Made possible by Christ, it is accomplished by the Holy Spirit.

24. Siddhartha Gautama

Otherwise known as the Buddha or "enlightened one" Siddhartha Gautama lived in Nepal during the 6th - 4th century B.C. According to the most widely known story of his life, after experimenting with different teachings for years and finding noen of them acceptable, he spent a fateful night in deep meditation under the Bodhi tree. During his meditation, all of the answers he had been seeking became clear and achieved full awareness. Legend has it that Brahma came and convinced him to teach what he had acquired. His teaching, called the Dharma, reflects loving kindness and compassion and meditation as a way to let go of the chattering mind. His teachings have influenced everything including many faith traditions, literature and philosophy both in India and all over the globe.

52. Saul of Tarsus/Paul

Paul is undoubtedly one of the foremost figures of early Christianity. A Hebrew by birth, Saul of Tarsus became a Pharisee. He dedicated his early life to persecuting early followers of Jesus. While on the road to Damascus he encountered a great light that rendered him blind. While there he heard a voice asking him why Saul had been persecuting him. Saul asked who it was that was speaking to him, and the voice responded that it was Jesus of Nazareth. Saul remained blind for three days, eventually making it to Damascus where he was baptized. He regained his sight and began his what would become the most significant ministry in the church. Some time after the conversion Saul became known as Paul. The majority of the New Testament are writings of Paul to various communities to which Paul traveled on his missionary trips. He eventually died in a Roman prison.

1. Anthropomorphism

Personifying or giving human attributes to something that is not human.

42. Lao Tzu

Philosopher and poet of ancient China. He is known as the author of the Tao Te Ching, one of the most significant treatises in Chinese cosmogony. He explains his ideas by way of paradox, analogy, rhyme and ancient sayings. The founder of Taoism, he is also revered as a deity in religious Taoism and traditional Chinese religions. He dates to around the 6th century BC or debated to have lived around 5th or 4th century BC.

11. John Calvin

Protestant reformer and founder of the Presbyterian church and doctrine of "predestination"

50. Carl Rogers

Psychologist Carl Rogers (1902-1987) is best-known for: 1) His nondirective approach to treatment known as client-centered therapy. 2) His concept of the actualizing tendency. 3) Developing the concept of the fully-functioning person. With his emphasis on human potential, Carl Rogers had an enormous influence on both psychology and education. Beyond that, he is considered by many to be one of the most influential psychologists of the 20th century. More therapists cite Rogers as their primary influence than any other psychologist. As described by his daughter Natalie Rogers, he was "a model for compassion and democratic ideals in his own life, and in his work as an educator, writer, and therapist."

Rabbi Akiva

Rabbi Akiva is one of the most significant personalities in Jewish history, in spite of the obstacles he faced. First, he was a convert to Judaism and the Talmud warns people to be wary of converts. Second, he was from really humble means. To make matters worse, he was illiterate. Rabbi Akiva became frustrated when he tried to learn to read so he could study the Talmud. In despair he noticed how dripping water eroded a rock. He resolved to be like that water and press on until he would become a Talmud scholar. He firmly believed that every common person who so desired could study Talmud. In time he would become the leading Talmud scholar with thousands of students. His central beliefs were that people should love neighbors as themselves, and that everything that God does he does for good.

8. Baal Shem Tov

Rabbi Israel ben Eliezer, who is credited with being the founder of Hasidic Judaism, was called Baal Shem Tov. That honorific title translates roughly into "Master of the Good Name" or "one who has a good reputation in the community." He is also called Besht, which is the acronym for the words that comprise the name (bet ayin shin tet). Born in the 1770s, little is known of Besht's early life, and much of his legacy is interwoven with legend. The foundation of his theology was a panantheistic vision of God. He believed that the entire universe was a manifestation of God. He held that all of humanity was a manifestation of, not an emanation from God. He believed that when any man spoke that man's speech was an element of life, and since life itself was a manifestation of God, that man's speech was also a manifestation of God. He held that nothing could be separated from God.

6. What is the purpose of sacrament? Which sacrament is the one not actually performed by a priest?

Sacraments are sacred rituals believed to convey grace to those who participate in them worthily. Catholics believe that the sacraments effect what they signify rather than simply symbolize and convey meaning. The sacrament of Marriage, though typically facilitated by a priest or deacon, is actually considered to be administered by the spouses themselves. The sacrament of Baptism, although normally performed by a priest, can be validly performed by any baptized person or even by a non-baptized, nonbeliever if dire circumstances warrant it and if it is performed correctly and with proper intent.

25. What is Yoruba (Santeria)? How do you understand the practice of animal sacrifices in the tradition? What is the book given to people when they become initiated into the priesthood of this community?

Santeria is also known as Regla de Ocha or La Regla de Lucumi. It is a religion of Caribbean origin which developed in the Spanish Empire among West African slaves. It is influenced by Roman Catholicism and Native American Indian traditions. Its liturgical language is a dialect of Yoruba and is also known as Lucumi. The slaves carried with them various religious customs, including a trance and divination system for communicating with their ancestors and deities, animal sacrifice, and sacred drumming and dance. In the Americas, this religious tradition evolved into what we now recognize as Santeria. Colonial laws criminalized their religion and were forced into a strange religion to them. Their religion was based on the worship of nature. To preserve their traditional beliefs, the Lucumi people took their spirits (Orichas) and tried to associate them with the Catholic saints in order to not be punished. The first officially incorporated church in the U.S. happened in 1974. The sacrifices were intended to provide energy to their healing spirits called Orishas. They used animals in their rituals which were later cooked and eaten (not wasted). There is a long list of rituals that one learns if they desire to be a Priest or Priestess. The main emphasis is on healing with herbs and divination. It is an oral tradition not learned in books. "Afro Cuban Divination" looked like the best book about how to cast the "Diloggun" and a detailed "mojuba" (prayer) to awaken the Orishas (spirit entities). I could not find a specific book given to the Priest or Priestess (in training).

6. Sarah

Sarah was the matriarch of the tribes of Israel, their founding mother as the wife of Abraham. Because she was barren, it was common custom to have a surrogate slave bear a child and so Abraham has a son Ishmael with Hagar. Because of many conflicts with Hagar and Sarah, Hagar and Ishmael are sent away. Although Sarah was known to be barren, later in years through a message from God to Abraham, she bore a son, Isaac.

30. Freud is generally considered the father of modern psychology and psychotherapy. Name some of the major contributions he made to the understanding of psychology.

Sigmund Freud's work supported the belief that not all mental illnesses have physiological causes and he also offered evidence that cultural differences have an impact on psychology and behavior. His work and writings contributed to our understanding of personality, clinical psychology, human development and abnormal psychology. Freud wrote and theorized about a broad range of subjects including sex, dreams, religion, women, and culture. Theories and major contributions include: The Conscious and Unconscious Mind The Id, Ego, and Superego Life and Death Instincts Psychosexual Development Defense Mechanisms

43. As you understand it, what is the difference between prayer and meditation?

Simply, prayer is talking to God (or a Higher Self) and meditation is listening for God (or a Higher Self). On another level, prayer is a conversation with whatever Higher Order of the Universe one subscribes to, in order to increase conscious contact with a Spiritual entity or dimension. Meditation can be the simple quieting of the "monkey mind," the ego or the physical, "thinking" rational mind, in order to tap into the quieter, subconscious, deeper and more spiritually connected mind.

44. What is spiritual healing? In your opinion, what is the key to spiritual healing?

Spiritual healing is an awakening by the mind of a person in whom some thought of, or belief in, or manifestation of dis-ease has occurred (either physical, mental, emotional, financial, relational or otherwise uncomfortable, fear-based or negative occurrence), to the Truth and Reality that All is Well, that One is perfectly safe and free from any injury, illness, disease, sickness or other dysfunction. The key to spiritual healing is the ability of the person in need of healing to change their perspective from fear to love.

7. St. Augustine

St. Augustine was an early leader of the Roman Catholic church. His theological and philosophical writings influenced the development of Western Christianity and philosophy. The author of City of God and Confessions, he is considered one of the more important of the Church Fathers. His City of God was a vision of the Catholic Church as a spiritual city of God that was distinct and separate from the material earthly city. Like many of the early church leaders he was not born into the faith but converted to it as an adult. He was ordained a priest and later became a bishop in Hippo, now part of Algeria. He became known as the Patron Saint of Regular Clergy, and is followed by the contemporary order of priests that bear his name.

17. What is Sufism?

Sufism is technically not a "sect" of Islam but a branch that is more mystical and/or aesthetic. It's adherents focus on the more spiritual aspects of Islam. Sufis strive to obtain direct experience of God by making use of intuitive and emotional faculties that one must be trained to use.

42. In alcohol use and abuse, what is the first faculty to go? What is a black-out?

Technically and medically, a person's motor functions and judgment are the first to be impaired by consumption of even a moderate amount of alcohol. A "blackout" is when a person's memory in real-time is so affected by alcohol that they have no conscious awareness of where they are or what they are doing. People in a blackout have been known to wake up (come to) in places far from home, without clothing, with large amounts of cash or in jail and have no memory of what happened and no idea of how they got there.

22. What is the Eight-Fold Path?

The Eightfold Path is a Buddhist concept which consists of the 4th segment or magga of The Four Noble Truths. It contains the following parts: 1. proper view 2. proper intention 3. proper speech 4. proper action 5. proper livelihood 6. proper effort 7. proper mindfulness 8. proper concentration There has been a "fundamental shift" in Buddhist thought due to new interpretations of The Four Noble Truths, including the Eightfold Path, in the Mahayana Tradition of Buddhism. The road to liberation retained the basic idea of dukkha and mankind's suffering due to ignorance and craving, but the path was less ontological (concerning the underlying principles of beingness). This tradition gave rise to a new focus in Buddhism: that of the bodhisattva path.

5. Aside from scripture, on what else do Roman Catholics base their belief?

The Roman Catholic Church believes in the importance of Apostolic Succession - that church leadership can be traced back to the apostle Peter, considered to be the first pope. The pope is considered to be the "Vicar of Christ" and, as St. Peter's successor, holds supreme authority within Christendom. The Pope is believed to be infallible when, through the Holy Spirit, he defines a doctrine on faith and morals that is to be held by the whole church. This is a dogma and is therefore a required belief within Catholicism.

21. What are the Four Noble Truths of Buddha?

The Four Noble Truths are a Buddhist concept which is recognized by all types of Buddhist traditions. Gained by the Buddha at the time of his enlightenment, they are believed to be salvic (will save an individual) in nature. Those in the Theravada Buddhist tradition believe The Four Noble Truths were part of Buddha's first sermon, the Dhammacakkappavattana Sutta. (A sutta is a noun form for Buddhist scriptures). This sutta was presented to the Buddha's original five disciples at Deer Park near Banaras. The Four Noble Truths in their earliest form at the time just after the Buddha's enlightenment are as follows: 1. Dukkha -- suffering 2. Samudaya -- determining cause of suffering. Buddhists believe that two things, craving and ignorance, are the fundamental causes of dukkha. 3. Nirodha -- cessation of suffering through rejection or release of all attachment associated with it. 4. Magga -- the path or method to prevent future suffering and ease the suffering that is already going on. In the magga, the Eightfold Way is enumerated. When one is suffering with a specific problem, The Four Noble Truths, with the Eightfold Way embedded in them, actually act as a map for finding one's way out. Basically, to me they amount to: 1) Admit that I am suffering. 2) Figure out what is causing it. 3) Cause suffering to stop or ease it through releasing it. 4) Find specific ways of speaking and acting that ease suffering now and prevent future suffering. The Four Noble Truths are a "middle way," an example of Aristotle's Golden Mean, which show the way between extreme asceticism and extreme sensual indulgence. They were fundamental in forming the Buddhists' basic compass for daily living. As with Biblical interpretation, there has been much interpretation of The Four Noble Truths, which has then deeply affected Buddhism. One of the traditions of Buddhism regards them as stereological or important for salvation, while another honors it as more of a historical part of the early thought of Buddha, i.e. less vital. The Theravada Tradition, which does revere it as a fundamental salvic doctrine, has an interesting belief about how a follower comes to fully understand The Four Noble Truths. Apparently, one gains this knowledge in an instant and with completeness (acquiring in one moment EVERY part of the Truths in all their complexity). Those in this tradition believe that The Four Noble Truths, by themselves as a unit, can save someone.

4. What is Kabbalah?

The Kabbalah (chabad.org, a reliable website in the view of my Jewish friend, says there are 24 possible spellings of this word, including some starting with "c," and "q" and "k." Apparently, Jews tend to spell it with a "k," as opposed to "c" used by Christians and "q" by occultists, which can give an indication of who you are dealing with re websites.) Baruch Emanuel Erdstein in Kabbalah: A Brief Definition (from chabad.org) says that Kabbalah is frequently called the "soul" of Torah, the first five books of the Hebrew Scriptures or otherwise known as the Old Testament. He goes on to state that Kabbalah is vital to Torah disciplines: the Kabbalah is an ancient Jewish tradition which teaches the deepest insights into the essence of G-d, His interaction with the world, and the purpose of Creation . . . Sometimes called 'the Inner Torah' or the Wisdom of Truth', it offers a comprehensive overall structure and plan for the universe, as well as a detailed understanding of the particulars of our lives. The student of Kabbalah is made aware of the personal as well as the collective rectification process and is encouraged to play an active part in it. (chabad.org) The above definition was said so well that I can't think how to reword or summarize it. In addition, our own Rabbi Gelberman in his book, Physician of the Soul: A Modern Kabbalist's Approach to Health and Healing, says that previously knowledge of Kabbalah was given only to certain elders and was not taught to "ordinary" people. Common people then missed out on one of the most ancient systems of mysticism. Initially only a system for worship, Kabbalah came to be used as "a potent psychological tool for self-discovery" . . . which "can lead to health, happiness, harmony, and joy." (p. 31) The Kabbalah is comprised of the Sepher Yetzereh (Book of Formation) and the Zohar (Book of Splendor), the former written in 2nd century A.D. and the latter in 13th century Spain. Due to religious persecution, these texts were passed down generation to generation, often in secret by Jews who spent their lives studying them. The basic symbol of the Kabbalah is The Tree of Life, a drawing which shows a variety of paths and ten sepiroth (spheres). We can learn the clues to the meaning of life through these spheres. Every globe or sphere has in it a particular part of the Divine. And as the Kabbalah says that we are part of the Divine, then the spheres also show personal attributes within us. Also included in the teachings of Kabbalah are gematria (a system of computing the numerical value of words in order to provide insight into the text) and the letters of the Hebrew alphabet, which are considered sacred. An important teaching of the Kabbalah is that our relationship with God is interactive, ie. a partnership. We can call for God's help. And also God cannot intervene unless we act as His "hands and feet" on earth. Equally important to remember is that the study of Kabbalah will not interfere with anyone's personal religious faith, should it not be Judaism. It is not exclusively Jewish in nature, because it presents universal truths and a path to use in awakening.

14. What is the nature of the authority of the Quran according to orthodox Islamic traditions?

The Koran (al-qur'an) means "recitation." Whereas Christians believe Jesus was God incarnate, the Koran is God in book form (inlibriate). It is the earthly form of the Uncreated Koran, in letters and sounds, which is a recitation by the angel Gabriel to Muhammad over a 23 year period wherein the illiterate Muhammad received the "continuation of the Old and New Testaments."

8. Messiah/Messianic Age

The Messiah or anointed one usually refers to a savior or liberator of a group of people most commonly in the Abrahamic religions. The Messianic Age means that in the future there will be a time of universal peace and brotherhood on the earth without crime, war, or poverty. Some refer to it as the Kingdom of God.

9. When did the Protestant Reformation occur? What were its causes? What were some of the consequences in terms of the church and Christianity?

The Protestant Reformation occurred in Europe in the early 16th Century. There was widespread dissatisfaction with many aspects of the Latin church: it's bloated bureaucracy, perceived arrogance, avarice and abuses of power. The Latin language used in worship left the multitudes in ignorance of their faith. There was also widespread agreement that the church needed to be reformed, to restore it to a purer and more accurate form. In 1517 Martin Luther, a Professor of Theology, grew angry at the selling of indulgences (forgiveness of sins for money) by the Church and produced 95 theses against them. As a result of the attempts at reforming the Church, a complete split occurred instead leading to a deeply divided Christianity and the centuries of conflict that have ensued. A lot of countries in Europe followed the trend of protestant reformation and Europe was divided by denomination and it created religious wars. The Pope reestablished the inquisition to combat heresies. The Catholic Church responded to the protestant reformation with the counter-reformation. New religious orders like the Jesuits were charged to combat Protestantism while educating the population to Catholicism.

2. What is the Torah? What does it teach? What is the "written" and "oral" Torah? How do the teachings affect you as an Interfaith Minister?

The Torah can be considered a number of things, including the first 5 books (of 24) of the Tanakh, which is also known as the Pentateuch. From Wikipedia: "Torah" usually includes the rabbinic commentaries. The term means "instruction" and offers a way of life for those who follow it, it can also mean the continued narrative from Genesis to the end of the Tanakh. It can even mean the totality of Jewish teaching, culture and practice. Common to all these meanings, Torah consists of the foundational narrative of the Jewish people: their call into being by God, their trials and tribulations, and their covenant with their God, which involves following a way of life embodied in a set of moral and religious obligations and civil laws (halakha). In rabbinic literature the word "Torah" denotes both the five books, Torah Shebichtav (תורה שבכתב, "Torah that is written"), and an Oral Torah, Torah Shebe'al Peh (תורה שבעל פה, "Torah that is spoken"). The Oral Torah consists of interpretations and amplifications which according to rabbinic tradition have been handed down from generation to generation and are now embodied in the Talmud and Midrash.

6. Karma

The action, work or deed. They say we create our own futures through effort of Karma. "What goes around comes around." Every action creates an equal or opposite reaction. Karma is future destiny, predetermination, kismet.

39. Krishna

The eighth incarnation of Lord Vishnu in Hinduism. He is often portrayed as a young boy or infant playing a flute in the Bhagavata Purana or a youthful prince giving direction and guidance in the Bhagavad Gita. The stories of Krishna appear across a broad spectrum of Hindu traditions. They portray him as a God-child, a prankster, a model lover, a divine hero, and the supreme being. The principle scriptures discussing Krishna are the Mahabharata, the Harivamsa, the Bhagavata Purana, and the Vishnu Purana.

27. What are your views and feelings about charging for ministerial services? For spiritual counseling? For healing work?

The exchange of money for services in our society is never the ideal. In an ideal world giving and receiving would be recognized as one. All would be shared and no one would be in need. Ministerial services, spiritual counseling, healing work - these are first and foremost gifts and not transactions. Consider, though, a meal prepared by a chef and served to you by the wait staff of a restaurant. Is this not also first and foremost a gift? I would say that it is. When our world is overtaken by Love we will have no need to "compensate" another for "services rendered" through the use of money. Until then I would say we make do with this flawed transactional system but do so with great love and from a spirit of generosity. At times the minister may simply be led not to request payment or to suggest a "love offering" for their work rather than a set amount of money. An openness to Spirit and a practice of "listening" in each circumstance for the right approach to the use of money can nudge us closer to an experience of that ideal, sometimes called the Kingdom of God.

46. Abraham Maslow

The founder of Humanistic Psychology. (Positive psychology) At a time when most psychologists focused on aspects of human nature that were considered abnormal, Abraham Maslow shifted the focus to look at the positive sides of mental health. His interest in human potential, seeking peak experiences and improving mental health by seeking personal growth has had a lasting influence on psychology.

18. What do you see as the function of a minister in preparing and conducting a funeral or memorial service?

The function of a minister in preparing and conducting a funeral or memorial service is to support people, remind them of Spirit protecting and loving them, to personalize the service. For a funeral I would try to encourage people to take part as much as they feel comfortable to facilitate their healing and accepting the changes in their life. I would encourage them to "feel" their emotions and not hold back their grief. For a wedding I would encourage people to look at their intended spouse as their teacher and Holy friend. Marriage works when you make it a priority to see your spouse with new eyes every day and not take them for granted. Often young people see the ceremony as "Queen for a day" and just expect the spouse to fulfill their dreams. A commitment to marriage is a commitment to see the best in that person and encourage their spiritual growth. Unfortunately that requires you to have some spiritual beliefs to start with.

13. Salvation

The idea of being saved or protected from harm. In religion, being saved from sin. Within ACIM, Salvation simply means the correction or undoing of the mistaken belief in separation. It is equated with the process of Atonement, which undoes the error by a change in thinking. Stated another way... we are not saved from sin itself, but from our belief in sin. This distinction is crucial, because if sin is real, then the separation is real.

12. Resurrection

The idea that a living being has died and has returned to life. In religion understood to be both the physical person and that of the soul.

55. Solomon

The last king of a unified Israel. Solomon is commonly known for his wisdom and discernment but as a result of his policies Israel became divided into the northern and southern kingdoms. His father was the famous shepherd-king, David.

16. What are the major sects of Islam?

The major sects of Islam are Sunni, Shiite (Shia) and Sufi. There are other sects as well as many "schools" or sub-divisions within each sect.

54. How do you understand the All Faith's Seminary International motto, "Never instead of, always in addition"?

The motto "Never instead of, always in addition" to me means that everyone and everything is to be included and understood. No judgments. Do your best and immerse yourself. I understand that this was Rabbi Gelberman's motto.

3. What prayer is cornerstone of one major religion?

The prayer that is the cornerstone of one major religion is the Shema, a foundational prayer of Judaism. The Shema is as follows: "Hear O Israel, the Lord is our God, the Lord is One." I was puzzled by the meaning of this prayer to Jews, as I knew that the enormous significance to Jews could not be based simply on a numerical value. Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel emphasizes how essential it is by saying "Nothing in Jewish life is more hallowed" and goes on to say that it is said with "tender affection." (Man is Not Alone: A Philosophy of Religion, p. 114.) Its importance is further shown by how often it is recited -- twice a day in the morning and the evening. Kids are taught to say the Shema as soon as they gain speech. This prayer is said by the dying with their last breath and those in the room also say it. But the word "echad" in the Shema can have the meaning of both "one" and "unique." This means that God cannot ever be compared to anything. He is completely "other." Because "echad" can also mean "only," one could say "the Lord is Only", which can be interpreted as He is the only being that is actually real. And another spin-off of "only" is that it implies sameness. In other words, there are no dualities whatsoever in God as in Him everything is unified. Heschel lists some of the dualities that are unified in God: "love and power, near and far, Father and Eternal, known and unknown." All of these different meanings of the word "echad" can cause a feeling of layers and layers of awe and wonder at how incredible God is. The words "Hear O Israel" have interesting interpretations as well. Israel may refer to a fellow Jew and be a request for him to hear this faith-filled statement. Or, more mystically, Israel may be refer instead to a segment of one's soul and be a prompt to remember his/her "higher nature." Rabbi Heschel goes on to say that at a time when the Shema is being said and unity is being affirmed in this way, the Jewish person is aiding in the promotion of "harmony of the sefirot" (powers in the Godhead) so divine grace can flow unimpeded throughout creation." (Man is Not Alone, p. ?) So this recitation holds a wide significance for the world. But it does so for the individual reciting it as well. Saying that God is Lord of everything means that He is also Lord over me, as an individual. This is essentially the same as Step Three of AA: "Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God . . ." Both of these statements carry implications for the way one lives his/her life. How would we live differently if we knew that God had total dominion over us? . . . . not to mention the difficulties in turning over one's will to God. After reading all of this . . . And there must be much, much more in terms of interpretation, I begin to understand the deep love Jews have for their Shema. But there's more . . . Rabbi Jonathan Kligler of Woodstock Jewish Congregation has a cool exercise having to do with the Shema . . .perhaps to feel its influence on you. The gestures are his. The interpretation is mine: Put your finger to your lips and say "Shhhhhhh. Quiet yourself down inside. Then feel that quietness and the Presence there. Then say "Mmmmmmmmm" as you experience it. Then express yourself, express your awe, gratitude, whatever by saying, "Ahhhhhhh!!!"

31. Name a few of Jung's important contributions to psychology.

The psyche's 3 parts: Ego (conscious mind), personal unconscious, and collective unconscious. Collective unconscious = collection of memories common to all humankind. The individual becomes whole through integration of conscious and unconscious mind (=individuation process) Archetypes - symbols found in all cultures and religious systems. The Self = the archtype of archetypes. Core archetypal components: ego, persona, shadow, anima, animus. Popularized concepts of introversion and extroversion - inner world (ideas) and outer world (socialization). Linked these with four psychological functions: thinking, feeling, intuition, sensation. Everyone has a dominant type and a secondary type that manifest as the shadow personality. Significance of dreams. - access to the unconscious and shadow personality.

6. What is the purpose of meditation? What techniques or types of mediation have you found helpful?

The purpose of meditation is to achieve self awareness and enlightenment. An effect of meditation can be healing both spiritual, mental, emotional, and physical as it can also align the whole person to the Divine Source and to one's true self. The types of meditation that I have found helpful are Kriya Yoga Meditation, and Buddhist meditation practices. Just a basic centering and focus on the third eye can do wonders.

32. In psychological terms, what is meant by the "shadow"? As a minister, what impact does this concept have for you personally and for your work with other people?

The shadow exists as part of the unconscious mind and is composed of repressed ideas, weaknesses, desires, instincts and shortcomings. This archetype is often described as the darker side of the psyche, representing wildness, chaos and the unknown. People sometimes deny this element of their own psyche and instead project it onto others. Jung suggested that the shadow can appear in dreams or visions and may take a variety of forms. It might appear as a snake, a monster, a demon, a dragon or some other dark, wild or exotic figure. As a minister it would seem very helpful to be aware of this hidden aspect of the psyche which may be evidenced in the negative behavior of those you are ministering to - the tendency to project that which they would avoid in themselves onto others. In the religious setting the overly pious person may be seen as "stuffing" the darker parts of their personality, hiding it under the guise of "holiness." The ministers function should be, in part, draw others into the "deeper part of the pool" - lead themselves and others to a more balanced spirituality that honors the whole self.

15. Tent Ministry

The tent revival movement of the early 20th Century developed from the old camp meetings in which religious people gathered to hear a preacher. In the continental United States, tent revivals have ranged from small, locally based tents holding perhaps a hundred to large organizations with a fleet of trucks and tents able to hold thousands. Most tent revivals in the U.S. were held by Pentecostal or Holiness Christians who not only adhered to evangelicalism but believed in speaking in tongues (glossolalia), healing the chronically ill, and in some cases resurrecting the dead. The tent revivalists are the precursors of the modern televangelist. Oral Roberts, for example, began his ministry as a very successful tent revivalist.

45. Balshem Tov V'RA J.H.G.

The title Baal Shem Tov is usually translated into English as "Master of the Good Name," and can also mean "one with a good reputation." The phrase in Hebrew: טוֹב וָרָע, tov V'ra translatable as good and evil, may be an example of the type of figure of speech known as merism. This literary device pairs opposite terms together, in order to create a general meaning; so that the phrase "good and evil" would simply imply "everything". So we see that "Balshem Tov" is a term of acclaim given to a Rabbi, and when we add "Tov V'ra" we add the notion of all things, or All Faiths. JHG is Rabbi Joseph H. Gelberman's initials. Ergo: "Balshem Tov V'ra J.H.G." is a title of endearment for Rabbi Joseph H. Gelberman, the great "Modern Hasidic Rabbi," co-Founder of the Interfaith Movement.

7. Ki Tov

The word KiTov means "good". Avraham Eliyahu Mokotow, better known as Eliyahu Kitov was a Rabbi, community activist, and educator. Born Mar. 22 1912 In Poland. At 17 he moved back to Warsaw and did public backbreaking work. He also studied at a Beis Midrash (a house of learning). He then gave lectures in the Talmud, Tanach, and Jewish thought. He immigrated to Israel and worked in construction. He was extremely dissatisfied with the terrible working conditions and helped the Chareidi people establish a union for the workers. They eventually established factories themselves for the workers. He established a school for Chareidi children and worked as principle for 8 years. He left politics and began writing full time and editing.

4. Thomas Aquinas

Theologican, Philosopher, Priest, Saint ( C. 1225 - 1274 ). Born in Sicily. Trained among Benedictine Monks at the Abbey of Monte Cassino as a youth. Finished at Benedictine house in Naples and University of Naples. Joined the Dominican Monks in 1244. Earned Doctorate in Theology at the University of Paris. Exemplary scholar. After his education, he devoted himself to traveling, writing, preaching, and teaching. He was at the forefront of the discussion between faith and reason.

51. What are some of the important qualities people need from a helping person in order to grow?

There are a number of qualities that people need from a helping person in order to grow. Karl Rogers, one of the founders of humanistic psychology and founder of "person-centered" therapy, looked at a variety of research on therapeutic relationships. He found that the quality of the relationship actually created healing despite the type of therapeutic approach used. The qualities that he felt were most important are: • Unconditional positive regard, i.e. really accepting a client as they are without judgment. • Congruence -- the extent to which what the therapist is saying is in line with their behavior. • Deep listening -- listening from a deeply present, receptive, caring place without judgment. This way clients would recognize that the therapist was being "real" with them. But these qualities are important in a minister as well.

28. What kinds of things contribute to burnout? What are some of the signs or indications of burnout? How would you deal with it if you noticed those signs in yourself?

There are many things that contribute to burnout and the major one is not taking care of one's self. You can't give unless you nurture self first. You need to meditate, and go to retreats or vacations. Too many projects can confuse the mind (look at priorities and maybe delegate to someone else or drop some that are not as important), too many services (delegate an assistant or hire someone to help), not having cooperation from congregants or boards. The signs are exhaustion, sadness, no energy. I am pretty good at noticing my energy levels. I have had to let go of some of my classes to study and read and still have leisure time. My quality of life is up to me. If I was burned out, I would immediately get help from somewhere to come up with a plan so that my health (or my husband's sanity) didn't suffer.

27. Where does the ultimate authoritative power lie in the Baha'i faith? What is the relationship of the individual Bahaian to this authority?

There is no priestly class in Baha'i and no overarching authority figure. Authority lies with the whole body of Baha'i membership. Democratically elected "spiritual assemblies" are established at local and global levels. Emphasis is on personal spiritual education and interpretation of Baha'i scripture. Adult members elect the assembly members (usually nine) and may themselves be elected to the office. The Spiritual Assemblies exist to provide direction and preserve unity but do not dictate beliefs or interpret scripture. In the event of significant discord it has the power to administer sanctions against individuals causing dissension (loss of voting rights, attendance at major gatherings, etc.)

45. Can anyone do spiritual healing? What guidelines should a spiritual healer follow? Many healers describe themselves as "vehicles for healing", what is your understanding of this?

There is no simple answer to this, particularly because our country is based on the principle of separation of church and state. A cursory internet search will yield hundreds of site on the topic of spiritual healing, each offering differing definitions of spiritual healing, how one becomes a spiritual healer, and how one seeks a spiritual healer. In general terms, spiritual healing is looked upon as an alternative treatment for any variety of human conditions from physical ailments to emotional matters. There is no one definition of spiritual healing or one central organization with oversight. Some spiritual healers are affiliated with specific religions while some simply identify themselves as spiritual. Spiritual healing, which is based on spirituality, differs from faith healing, which is rooted into a specific religion. Spiritual healing usually consists of some type of contact associated with prayer. Although much has been written about its effectiveness on improving health by reducing stress, etc., there has been no clinical research to prove its clinical efficacy. It seems that anyone claiming to have sensitivities can claim to be a spiritual healer and can practice as such.

23. It is not uncommon for people to misuse metaphysical teachings to blame or judge themselves for the so called negative" things that happen in their lives (or to unwittingly reinforce self-blame and guilt in others who are facing life challenges). In the same way, spiritual or metaphysical teachings are sometimes used to deny, circumvent or skip over human experiences like anger or grief. How would you address/work with these issues in someone who came to you for spiritual counseling or direction?

This is an essential, pivotal question in skillfully intervening with people in a psycho spiritual way. Denial, circumventing or skipping over human experiences through spirituality is called spiritual bypassing, ("using spiritual ideas and practices to sidestep personal, emotional "unfinished business," to shore up a shaky sense of self, or to belittle basic needs, feelings, and developmental tasks, all in the name of enlightenment.") Whatever the minister, teacher or spiritually oriented therapist believes, one must begin with where the person you are trying to help is, in his/her own belief system. What you do not want to do is force your belief system onto another person. What can be skillful and helpful: 1) Make room for exploring what spiritual beliefs the person you are helping already has. For example, does the person believe that his/her difficult circumstances are a punishment from God? 2) Help someone understand that their thoughts, of course, influence what happens in their life, but they are not the only thing that is of influence. Ken Wilbur in Grace and Grit speaks from his own experience, having had his wife die of cancer. He feels that theorizing this way is something being done to the sick person, not something done to help them. He went on to say, "The implicit message behind such theories . . . Instead of saying, 'I care about you; what can I do to help,' I was actually saying, 'What did you do wrong? Where did you make your mistake? How did you fail?' And . . . "How can I protect myself?" (p. 249) He had previously spoken this way to people and used this as a way to protect himself when dealing with them and their illness, but then listened to a friend who had been severely hurt this way. I saw fear, unacknowledged, hidden fear, as what compelled me to come up with stories that told me that the universe made this kind of sense, that it was ordered in a way that I could control. (p. 249) 3) Help others notice, with compassion for themselves, what they may have contributed to their own suffering. Know that some people need more help to accept responsibility while others need more help to let go of self blame. In general, all of us need someone to look at what we are facing with compassion. When a helper is looking at others compassionately, she/he is teaching others to look at themselves that way. People are generally not helped by self condemnation. Tara Brach, herself suffering from a debilitating illness, writes in Radical Acceptance: Accepting Your Life with the Heart of a Buddha that one needs to learn to bring radical acceptance to both physical and emotional experiences ie. bringing a steady attention to where the experiences "live in the body." She agrees with Rumi that "the cure for the pain is in the pain" as we face it, not to run or blame. Therefore, instead of a "defended and insufficient self," we feel "a precious freedom" as "we learn to meet whatever arises in our body, heart and mind." (www.tarabrach.com) Brach continues by saying that we then, as Buddhists say, encounter our Buddha nature, the awareness and love that are our true selves. 4) There are psycho spiritual approaches to helping people face difficult feelings and move through them. These approaches are proven to be antedotes to the tendency to whitewash or deny difficult emotions. Pema Chodron in When Things Fall Apart, says that one way we can gently help clients realize that What we call obstacles are really the way the world and our entire experience teach us where we're stuck. What may appear to be an arrow or a sword we can actually experience as a flower. Whether we experience what happens to us as obstacle and enemy or as teacher and friend depends entirely on our perception of reality. (p. 65)

15. Mary Baker Eddy

Was widowed and six months pregnant after her first marriage. She founded the Christian Science Movement, 1879 founded church of Christian Science Monitor when she was 87 Years. She was not connected with Spiritualism but influenced by passages of the Bhagavad Gita. Mark Twain said that she was the most interesting lady that ever lived. It was suggested that she had a lifelong dependency on Morphine. In 1995 she was inducted into the National Women's Hall of Fame. Many critics of Mary Baker Eddy said that she stole her ideas from longtime teacher, Phineas Quimby, magnetic healer from Maine. It was said that she had a feisty personality and had run-ins with many of the families that she stayed with.

29. In your own words, what is the meaning of the word "religion" and what is the purpose of religion?

Webster's dictionary defines religion as, "an organized system of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules used to worship a god or a group of gods." Humans are by nature social beings. As such we seek to gather together among families or other communities. Religion gives people an organized and social way of worshipping and expressing faith in God. But to me religion is more. It is defined by the cultural circumstances of the people practicing it. Many religions are defined in some way by the circumstances faced by its earliest adherents. Although there is a movement away from organized religion to more individualized spirituality today, religion still holds an important place in society. In its simplest form, religion is the manner in which people practice their faith.

7. What do you see as the place, importance, and purpose of service in spiritual growth?

When we offer service to another, it is only beneficial to the soul if one is truly offering compassion. Compassion connects us together and through its offering, we are receiving compassion. This compassion comes naturally when we are truly connecting to God on a regular basis. We cannot help but be motivated to help one another out of love because it is our natural inclination to be this way. If our motives are guilt or duty based, then we are a mere gong booming and it may feel empty. What we give we receive. There are times when service to others in the traditional sense is not appropriate, like if the soul needs a respite, or is calling for quiet. Compassion for self is then the way.

64. John Wycliffe

Wycliffe lived in the 1300s when the Roman Catholic Church ruled, and it authorized Bibles written only in Latin. After Wycliffe translated the Bible into English, each copy took ten months to write by hand. These translations were banned and burned as quickly as church officials could get their hands on them. Today Wycliffe is remembered first as a Bible translator, then as a reformer who spoke out against church abuses nearly 200 years before Martin Luther. He asserted that the Bible contained everything necessary for salvation, without the church's additions of prayers to saints, fasting, pilgrimages, indulgences, or the Mass.

14. Does a cleric have to pay income taxes? Does a church have to pay income taxes? What is a letter of determination?

Yes, a cleric has to pay income taxes. Does a church have to pay income taxes? Not in most cases. What is a letter of determination? A letter sent to IRS for tax exempt status. IRS issues the documents after determining the tax status.

8. Are there other kinds of practice that you consider important or helpful to spiritual growth and balance? (Body work, physical practice such as Hatha Yoga, breathing exercises, ritual shamanic journeying, journal writing etc). How do you understand the benefits and value of these particular practices?

Yoga and meditation have been indispensable practices for me for most of my life. I have practiced hatha yoga since my 20s and more recently have been exploring kundalini yoga. Yoga helps greatly to bring a sacred dimension to the physical experience for me on a daily basis. To bring focused intention to my movements on the mat naturally carries over into the rest of my day off the mat. The breath work aspect of yoga helps to revitalize the whole body and clarify and center the mind. These practices also naturally induce a state of gratitude for the gifts that my physical body provides. Senses are awakened and attuned. Yoga also invites me to tune in to the inner movements and processes of my emotional and spiritual self. It is a practice of awareness that involves the whole self. My meditation practice has limped along for the same period of time. It's something I remain committed to though I consider myself to be somewhat of an expert at mind wandering. My 20 year study of A Course in Miracles has been especially beneficial in maintaining my meditation practice. ACIM's workbook of daily lessons is a systematic course in meditation itself. Playing an instrument has been for me another form of accessing meditative states of mind and one that is perhaps more natural for me than sitting in silence. Playing in a free-form, stream-of-consciousness way can open me to an inner field of peace. It helps me enter the "flow."

18. What is Yoga? How is it practiced according to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjah?

Yoga is defined many ways. Mental, physical, spiritual practice or discipline that denotes a variety of schools, practices and goals from Hinduism, Budhism, Jainism. 6th and 5th centuries BCE. This is the way it is practiced according to the yoga sutras of Patanjahli: There are 8 limbs of yoga (asanas, etc.) (1.)Yamas: ethical restraints (don'ts) Ahimsa/nonviolence to other living beings, Satya/non illusion, Truth or reality Asteya/non stealing Brahmacharya/sexual abstinence, we don't use this energy in any way that might harm others Aparigraha/non hording or possessiveness (2.) Niyamas (ethical observances (do's) Saucha/purification of mind, speech and body Santosha/acceptance of others and self Tappas/ persistence Svadhyaya/self -study, reflection on thoughts speech, and actions Isvarapranidhana/contemplation of God or supreme being (3.) Asanas (poses held comfortably and motionless) (4.) Pranayama: the regulation of the breath through techniques and exercises (breathwork) (5.) Pratlyahara: the yogic practice of turning the mind to introspection by voluntarily shutting out distractions provided by the senses, withdrawing one's attention from material things to the interior thoughts, fetching and bringing near one's thoughts. (6.) Dharma: path of righteousness and living one's life according to the codes of conduct as described by the Hindu scriptures. Holding one's mind to a fixed point (state of mind) (7.)Dhyana: can refer to a form of meditation or to an absorbed state of mind brought about by meditation. Holding onto and reflecting whatever Dharama is holding onto, stream of continuous thought. (8.)Samadhi: a state of intense concentration through meditation. In Hindu yoga this is regarded as the final stage at which union with the Divine is reached (at death or near death); union with or harmonious trance; the action, the person, the meditation are all One.

4. Whether or not you include the following in your own prayer life, what can you see as the value in the following forms of prayer?

a. Spontaneous, Personal prayer This is "in the moment prayer" and can be tailored to the issues that a person is having. That personal touch in prayer may be very helpful to someone who is struggling with feeling appreciated or loved. No need to thumb through a book to find the right prayer. b. Collective, group or community prayer Helpful at times when I don't feel like praying but need prayer. The community lifts me up. I consistently experience greater power during group prayer. During my silent Quaker meeting, I personally experience an almost tactile Presence that feels like a cloak around my shoulders when there is a "gathered" meeting. Gathered is the term used to describe a time when not only an individual feels touched by the Presence but all are touched together and share that awareness. . . . The Presence has swept through the room enclosing us all in an embrace. Also, very often the intensity and volume of the conversation goes up, and there is more laughter, both indicators that pent up energy inside us needs release. c. Traditional prayers, such as those found in prayer books of organized religions These are sometimes very beautiful and can be helpful at times when I am less familiar with the religion of the person being prayed for or simply can't find the words myself. The words, sometimes drawn from centuries of having been polished by someone saying them, provide a link to others through the centuries, our forerunners in faith sometimes called "the cloud of witnesses (Hebrews 12:1) d. Singing, chanting, dancing With these forms I can express exuberance, my need for less constrained forms of worship. I am a dramatic person at heart and need to express myself with more creativity and energy than community prayer traditional prayer sometimes allows. These kinds of prayer can allow a minister and a client to "push the boundaries."

37. Khadijah

b.565 AD and d.576. Wife of the prophet Muhammed. She earned two titles although her society was very male chauvinistic: "Amerrrat Quraish", Princess of Quraish and "at-Tahira", the Pure One, due to her impeccable personality and character as well as her honorable descent. She was a distant relative of the Prophet Muhammed. Her father was a merchant and successful businessman whose wealth was inherited by Khadijah. She was known to feed and clothe the poor and assist relatives financially. Unlike her people, she never believed or worshipped idols. She was also known to initiate the marriage proposal to the Prophet herself, as she knew him through the trade business. They had a daughter, Fatima, who was known to be one of the four perfect women in history.