In the Christian tradition, this week is known as ‘Holy Week’ where on what is now called ‘Palm Sunday’, Jesus entered the city of Jerusalem on the back of a donkey with many of the people flanking the streets, placing palm branches on the path before him.  Events through the week culminated in the crucifixion and the resurrection, the latter now commonly celebrated as “Easter”.

While there are many sects within the Christian tradition with each having their own ‘take’ on the teachings of Jesus, I believe there is one teaching upon which all might agree.  That is his entreaty; “Teach only love”.

What does that mean for us as women who are spiritual leaders?

•    I think it means that when we are tired; “weak and heavy laden” that we turn to the Source of Love to “place our yoke” in order to feel that Love and experience peace within ourselves.  To be comforted in the way that only that Love can comfort.

•    I think it means that Love starts with us; that we cannot give it if we do not experience it ourselves.  What do you do to cultivate Love?  Do you have a daily practice where you can get quiet and access that part of you that knows Love?  Are you able to foster a state of awareness of that Love during your waking hours as you go about the experience of living?

•    I think it means that we use that awareness in order to know just how often we do not come from love, for to teach it, we have to be it.  And when the awareness we cultivate shows us that we are not coming from love; we learn to be easy on ourselves.  So often we are quick to judge and berate ourselves because after all, “we should know better”!

•    I think it means also honoring the ‘simple’ acts of kindness, such as when we let the person who is trying to ‘cut us off’, get into the stream of traffic.  When we check in on a neighbor we know is ill.  When we respond to a request for help.  When we pick up trash someone else has carelessly dropped.  And a thousand other acts of kindness.

•    I think it means being present with Love as we listen, really listen to those who are engaged with us in communication.  Our lives move so quickly, and, as we know, there are many distractions.  These facts often contribute to our not being fully there for the other when they require our respect and our presence.

•    I think it means, not only giving Love to others, but also to ourselves.  It is now almost trite to say that we cannot Love others if we do not Love ourselves, and that is filled with truth.  We speak often in our articles about ‘self care’ which is one of the ways we honor Loving ourselves.  How long has it been since you have taken the time to care for yourself in the ways that help you be a conduit for Love?

Jesus taught and lived the meaning of Love throughout his ministry.  To me, the ultimate act of Love was his victory over death.  Now are we free to Love as he Loved and to renew ourselves in that Love as we celebrate with all of our Christian friends, the meaning of Easter!

Love and Blessings!

Ruth

Ruth Reiner, Co-founder and President of The International Association of Women Spiritual Leaders is an ordained Interfaith Minister, Spiritual Counselor, Certified Life Coach, and successful business woman.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, PUBLICATION, OR ON YOUR WEB-SITE? You may, as long as you commit to leaving the entire article intact, do not alter it in any way, and include the following: “THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN SPIRITUAL LEADERS” was founded to support spiritual women in living abundantly while serving their unique missions. We invite you to download – as a gift to you- THE 5 SECRETS TO CREATING ABUNDANCE THROUGH YOUR CALLING.
You will also be registered to receive our weekly newsletter full of tips and information for supporting you in your mission or quest.

• Bookmark on Delicious
• Digg this post
• Recommend on Facebook
• share via Reddit
• Share with Stumblers
• Tweet about it
• Subscribe to the comments on this post

Two weeks ago, I posted the article; “5 Actions for the Woman Spiritual Leader to Ensure Financial Success”.  In the introduction, I addressed some of the issues women who are doing “spiritual work” seem to have around money.  Here are some excerpts from that article:

“How many times have you stopped short of telling a client what you thought your services were worth?  How often have you given your services away because it was considered to be the ‘spiritual’ thing to do?  We who deal with services that are considered to be spiritual in nature, it seems to me, have mind-sets to deal with; those of the people we serve, and … our own!  When we begin to deal with our own ideas, misconceptions, and beliefs around what our services are worth, we will then be able to better deal with those of the people we serve.”

Being women, we usually think about and handle money differently than men do.  Men seem to have an easier time asking for what they think they’re worth.  This likely is driven by a man’s need to provide and to ‘accumulate’.  Women, on the other hand, have a need for security, their family, their home, and their community.  Historically, women also have not been the ‘breadwinners’.

How much we have seen this change in the last few decades!  While women are still not compensated at the rate that men in the same positions are, in many instances they have become the ‘breadwinner’; the main, or often, only source of income.

We women who are spiritual leaders doing “spiritual work”, it seems to me, have a double whammy to deal with.  I think we would agree that as women our mindsets around money are different from the mindsets from men.  And secondly, we have to deal with the mindsets we have brought to our work.

While much of this mindset has been borne of our culture’s view that anything of a ‘spiritual nature’ should not have monetary value (never the twain shall meet!! – Heaven forbid!) as women we have not been encouraged to change our own individual values around the services we provide.

In order to begin to build an awareness around any issues you may have around money and the services you provide, I invite you to take a notebook and respond to the following:

1.    Identify your own mindset around money and what money means to you

View your “monetary history”.  Take a look at your check register, credit card statements, investment records, and spending habits.  It would also be helpful to look at records of your reimbursements from individual clients, work-shops, and other sources of income.  What does this data have to do with your mind-set around money?

2.    Write down some phrases, edicts, shoulds, etc. that you may remember from your childhood around the subject of money

We all have grown up with probably hundreds of those that now form the hodge-podge of the way we view money and how we value what we do.  And so much of it is unconscious.  And what is “unconscious” will begin to surface once you have set your intent around making it so, and commit to being aware.  You may be surprised by what emerges…

3.     Try to recall situations where you have been involved in conversations around money, and your emotional reactions to what was being discussed

This is also a good exercise to do in the present.  Other people’s remarks, an article that you may read, or something you may view or listen to in the media, may trigger emotions in you that you may not have been aware of.  It is helpful to have a small note book in your purse or small recorder to document your reactions.

4.    Identify areas in your life where you would like to have more confidence

Building confidence in yourself and what you do is one of the key ingredients to becoming more financially successful.  Write those down, and don’t be bashful… no-one is looking over your shoulder, and, after all, this is your life!

5.    Seek support

It is not easy to roll back years of brain washing, acculturation, habit, and mindsets by yourself.  Women, by nature, love relating.  Find that group, person, program, or community that will best serve your needs.

To your financial success!

Ruth

Ruth Reiner, President and Co-Founder of the International Association of Women Spiritual Leaders is an ordained Interfaith Minister, Spiritual Counselor, Certified Life Coach, and successful business woman.

WANT TO USE THIS ARTICLE IN YOUR EZINE, PUBLICATION, OR ON YOUR WEB-SITE? You may, as long as you commit to leaving the entire article intact, do not alter it in any way, and include the following: “THE INTERNATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF WOMEN SPIRITUAL LEADERS” was founded to support spiritual women in living abundantly while serving their unique missions. We invite you to download – as a gift to you- THE 5 SECRETS TO CREATING ABUNDANCE THROUGH YOUR CALLING.
You will also be registered to receive our weekly newsletter full of tips and information for supporting you in your mission or quest.

• Bookmark on Delicious
• Digg this post
• Recommend on Facebook
• share via Reddit
• Share with Stumblers
• Tweet about it
• Subscribe to the comments on this post

I had the wonderful opportunity of hearing Byron Kate speak in person this past week. I must admit I am a huge fan of hers – I have all her books and one set of her CDs. I am constantly impressed by the simplicity and elegance of her message, also known as The Work (Click here for more information).

Like many spiritual teachers of today, her work is about being aware and living in the moment. The difference is that Byron Katie not only tells us to DO these things, she gives very clear instructions on HOW to do it. Notice I didn’t say “easy”. Her method is definitely not easy, it is however, very simple and straightforward. And “Katie” doesn’t mince words when talking to people directly.

The instructions are simple: Question your thoughts. Ask the following four questions about them:
1. Is this true?

2. Can you know for sure that this is true?

3. Who are you, how do you feel when you think this thought?

4. Who would you be without this thought?

I challenge you to give this process a try the next time you find yourself in a situation in which you are reacting emotionally to something someone has said or done. The minute your goes to “He should …” or “She shouldn’t…”, apply the questions, and then let me know what you think!

Patricia

• Bookmark on Delicious
• Digg this post
• Recommend on Facebook
• share via Reddit
• Share with Stumblers
• Tweet about it
• Subscribe to the comments on this post