From the Practitioners

In this time of mask-wearing, I find myself asking some strange questions, like: “What expression is really on the face of someone else with whom I may be speaking, or greeting with a nod?” Or, “How do they know that I’m smiling at them in acceptance of who they are, or what they’re saying?” It was disconcerting untiI realized I have to shift to my eyes – and theirs- and our body language - in order to better know what we each wished to reveal as the sub-text of our words.
How do we reveal the truth of our real thoughts and feelings? And why is this important – or not – to our individual beings? Long ago I came to know that holding back true feelings and thoughts takes a lot more energy than releasing them, and that holding back damages us at every level of our existence. Having been a bodywork I understood that it produces tensions in our physical being – but the harder we hold back, the deeper those tensions go, moving into our minds, our energy levels, our psyches, and, ultimately, our spirits. At every level of our being, we are harming ourselves and setting ourselves up for discomfort and disease, and those negative effects begin to affect all of our relationships and the situations and outcomes that are the reactions to our not expressing what is true for us.
Long ago there have been others who, seeing this, developed different practices – some physical, some mental, some spiritual – or combinations of all three – to bring ourselves into alignment and harmony, to free ourselves to speak and live the truest expression of who we are and to explore our own meaning of life and the paths we wish to walk that bring the greatest joy to ourselves and others.
Whether or not we admit it to ourselves, we all yearn for our freedom – whether from a repressive regime or an oppressive and dangerous society that doesn’t extend equal rights to all due to divisiveness and intolerance. This holds true not only for humans but to every expression of Life - the animal and plant worlds included. We all have a deep inner yearning for the freedom to allow the true expression of our beings. We wish to uncover, through free exploration, the exact nature of our individual trajectories in life, to feel the exhilarating pulsing of self-discovery and mastery of gifts we had not known before. We yearn for joy and fulfillment and deep contentment from being “at one” with ourselves, authentic and real. Discovery is one of the gifts from living a life filled with the freedom to explore and learn. And when we fulfill our “inner directive” to express fully who we are meant to be, then we are one with ourselves, and we are set free!
By Rachel Rosen
Because of the Safer at Home requirement these activities are available virtually on ZOOM
Sunday Service
Join us live @ 10 am @
or on
SBCSL Facebook Page
or
Visit us on YOUTUBE @ Seal Beach CSL anytime!
Informal ZOOM Mingle @11 am
After service get together by going to
Or using this Meeting ID: 848 1956 9193
Sunday Prayer
Request
Join @12 pm by going to: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/99133149595
Men s Group Bible Study
SBCSL MEN’S GROUP
1st Wednesdays 6:30 p.m.
 Join the Men’s group for good conversation and to get to know each other a bit deeper. We meet virtually on zoom on the 1st Wednesday from 6:30- 8:30 PM.  If you need more information call
Rev. Michael, Bob Papp and Chris Johnson. Go to https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86797258495
or use Meeting id #
867 9725 8495
Walking Paths to Wellness
Every Wednesday 11:00-12:00 p.m.
Join us for an experiential journey in becoming effective self-advocates for our own health and wellbeing. We will utilize the embodiment of spiritual principles, meditation and mindfulness techniques.
The zoom link is:
Meeting ID: 319 830 6476 Travis, RScP Facilitating
Seal Beach Soul Sisters Woman’s Group
1st and 3ed Sat’s 10:00 – 12 pm
A Woman’s group of a spiritually and culturally diverse women meeting regularly to discuss the deep and important things in life. EVERYONE is welcome, simply bring an open mind and open heart. We strive to
provide a safe, loving space where women can be authentic and vulnerable. Zoom link:
Support Group
Living and Thriving Through Life After A Loss
Third Saturday of the month
August 15th 10:00 – 11:30
This Group is for those who are moving through grief as a result of the loss of a loved one or other experiences of grief. It is a safe place where one can share in an environment with like-minded people who are moving through a similar experience with spiritual support as appropriate. Join Zoom Meeting @
Zoom Meeting ID: 854 3253 3666
If you would like more information, please contact
Rev. Donna Baranyay (714) 469-3972 
Revdonna@sbcsl.org Rev Juanita Gardner (714) 756-0315 Sylvia Hungerford (562) 355-3300
Seal Beach Center for Spiritual Living’s
Book Club
4th Saturdays 11:00-12:00 p.m.
Our Jewel by the Sea Book Club meets the fourth Saturday of the month from 11 am to noon on Zoom. Each month we discuss a book that we have read or are in the process of reading. You are invited to share your thoughts, challenges, questions, and aha moments. Some chose to listen while others chose to more actively participate. Please know that whichever calls to you, you are welcome to join us. This month we have are reading “Radical Acceptance” by Tara Brach. Please feel free to contact me if you have any questions. I am looking forward to a fun, spiritual discussion with all of you!   Love and blessings,
Rev Donna
Join Zoom Meeting
I of the Storm
A particularly powerful time to come together. In this season of change, awakening, and healing.  Tina Carson will be leading an 10 week course based on the book I of the Storm by Gary Simmons. In this course we will learn to go beyond merely managing the conflict in our lives to actually embracing the conflict, and allowing it to teach us what we otherwise might not learn. This process leads to peacemaking... whether it be within ourselves, in our relationships, or as a result of outside circumstances. 
Morning & Evening options available starting:
Aug. 11th 5:30 - 7:30 pm
Aug. 14th 10 - 12 pm
11 weeks for 11 Chapters
Duration: 10 weeks Cost: $110 On Zoom Participants will receive a zoom link upon completed registration. Contact Tina Carson for questions: 562-370-0949 or tinacarson@tcoutloud.com
i of the storm
Youth Program
After seeing how well Zoom services were working for the adults, we started Zoom gatherings for the Youth Program.
This is the schedule every Sunday:
10:30 am to 11 am ..... Pre-K through 3rd grade
11:00 am to Noon ... 4th through 6th grade
Noon to 1:00 pm ..... Jr. High & High School

Please join us for a time to LEARN, SHARE, & CONNECT.
The Zoom address for all Youth events is:
Zoom meeting ID: 748 847 504
SBCSL OFFICE
562-598-3325 (Limited hours)
Look for email updates every Friday
OR
CLICK HERE to go the SBCSL website to see past talks & future events.