This past Wednesday evening was a most mystical and wonderful evening in our Spiritual Home. Rosemary Peters, who is longtime ISD-DC family member and guest yoga instructor, was a guest for our monthly Evening Meditation, and shared with us the experience of a Gong Bath. Our group was about seven people, all of whom, except for me and for Rosemary, were relative newcomers to ISD. Bathed in the glow of candlelight, Rosemary guided us through a brief relaxation meditation, then some breathing exercises, and then...the Gong Bath. The vibrations and reverberations of the Gong filled the Sanctuary with a rich, magnificent clanging and humming that washed over us with a gushing wave of sound, leaving us feeling cleansed from any worry, distraction, negativity that might have accompanied us as we arrived that evening.

And then, after slowly re-entering our bodies and the building, we who had just experienced this intense, yet gentle, out-of-body meditation experience, sat mesmerized by it all. The silence rinsed us as gently as the clanging had cleansed us. Someone asked Rosemary a question about the gong. And then a quiet, serene conversation arose from the silence as we basked in the energy of each other and what had just happened there. What a profoundly fresh and beautiful energy this little group of spiritual travelers had generated together.

All this on the heels of last week's incredible homily given by special guest speaker Rev. JoAn Dawkins, who shared her message of mindfulness in a deliciously inspired package of song and word. This too, was a mesmerizing experience for those who were blessed to be there. 

All this to say...our Spiritual Home is a magical place indeed. Each experience made unique and special by those who have come to take part in it. Each gathering of unique souls imbues our Sacred Space with more and more fellowship and more community, which help us align with each other, thereby aligning with Divine that is within us and around us. 

We have so many opportunities to do this in the coming weeks! Services...classes...workshops -- all designed to be gatherings and celebrations for our ever-seeking, ever-evolving and ever-becoming Souls to continue the journey back to The One. Join us, then. For one or for many of these beautiful experiences. 

To name a few:   

ISD-Sparta Pastor Rev. Kathy Kerston, our favorite "visiting astrologer-in-residence," will make her annual visit to Washington D.C.  August 11 - 21, and is scheduling a limited number of appointments for private readings. Interested clients can email her directly at  kathykerston@gmail.com to make their appointment. 

We have also extended our The Empanadas for Everyone Sale   through August 27th support the activities of our Spiritual Home by purchasing these doughy delights filled with chicken, beef or cheese -- hand-made with love by our very own ISD-DC members and congregants. Delivery for these tasty treats will be on September 3, when we host our first ever "Family Fiesta Fellowship" between the 11 a.m. service and the Spanish Service.

Also it is time to start planning for our 2018 Retreat -- but we need YOU to help us decide a very pivotal component of the retreat -- will it be on dry land, or will it be ON A CRUISE??? PLEASE help us make the decision by filling out a 2-question survey that is available by clicking here. Your response is not a commitment, but it is crucial for future planning.

I will look forward to being with all again at the end of August after I return from my vacation! Make sure to keep your Light on, while I'm gone, and I'll have no problem at all making my way back...

Much, much love, 

Rev. Rob Banaszak

Pastor, Institute for Spiritual Development, Washington, D.C.