This view of Earth from space is a fusion of science and art
Activate and Fuel Your Life Force
“The one thing in the world, of value, is the active soul. This every man is entitled to; this every man contains within him, although, in almost all men, obstructed, and as yet unborn. The soul active sees absolute truth; and utters truth, or creates.”
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Image Credit: NASA
The Beatitudes, "the blessings"
This 10-week study experience is based on the Sermon on the Mount and the blessings that are found in the Bible in Matthew 5-7
Transforming Presence
Our journey begins with setting intention and being clear about what we are seeking in body, mind and spirit.
The lifelong journey to transform our lives is sparked each day through awakening the body with an effective dose of physical exercise. Movement with proper form enables us to find our flow. This not only benefits the body, but the brain and nervous system as well.
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Scripture for Reflection
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.”
- Matthew 5:3
This first Beatitude makes me wonder about the transforming presence of God. Why is it when the world feels like it’s crashing and all is beyond control, that sometimes I am aware of a surreal peace that’s happening right in the midst of the intensity?
Releasing & Letting Go
Awakening to the true self means that we must see our whole being – what is real about our life. It is a delight to look at the light and positive aspects of our life with celebration and gratitude. It takes courage to open up the darker aspects that may include facing an incurable illness, a life‐changing loss, a traumatic injury, or grieving over loved ones.
Scripture for Reflection
“Blessed are those who mourn,
for they will be comforted.”
- Matthew 5:4
The second Beatitude inspires me to think about what I’m needing to release and let go. Facing my fears and shadows also helps me face the dangers that are “out there, in the world” and to not be destroyed by them. What burdens are too much for me to carry?
Energizing & Healing
How do you find your unique flow? Being in the moment and fully present in mind and body without the pressure of time or performance creates the opportunity to become energized and be in the zone. How do you bounce back when you feel blocked, down, or sluggish? Seeking community to support healing and reaching out to those who may be in need is a critical aspect of balanced healthy living.
Scripture for Reflection
“Blessed are the gentle,
for they will inherit the earth.
- Matthew 5:5
How does one begin the process of deep emotional healing? This third beatitude helps me to become more gentle and humble with gratitude toward others. As I begin receiving and accepting life as it presents itself, I can relax into an easy come, easy go attitude. Truly, the gifts of renewal, healing, and forgiveness rest upon me when I am open to receiving them.
Attuning & Listening
This meditation focuses on being present and listening to the subtext of what’s going on around us. How can we each nurture our resilience and cultivate hope in the face of injustice? On the personal level, it is also vital to be attuned and present in our physical selves. Honing the sense of where the body is in time and space is called proprioception.
Scripture for Reflection
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst
for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.”
- Matthew 5:4
This fourth Beatitude gives hope that as I hunger to become more holy, I will be shown the way. Perhaps my biggest stumbling blocks to holiness are my default modes of fight or flight. Being disagreeable, angry or violent is no way to resolve complex problems, neither does avoidance and denial of what’s going on. Things will keep bubbling up until I deal with the real issues.
Sharing Grace
Providing care for others in tangible ways helps not only the people in need, it also benefits the giver by developing deeper emotional structures for empathy. A shared vision can ripple forth like a wave to strengthen relationships within families, schools, workplaces and the overall community.
Scripture for Reflection
“Blessed are the merciful,
for they will receive mercy.
- Matthew 5:7
Sharing Grace is not bestowed due to merit, rather it is a gift of compassion and offering of complete forgiveness.
With the fifth Beatitude, compassion begins with facing my own shadow, and understanding how I may have contributed to a conflict. Every day I ask myself two questions:
What do I need to forgive?
What can I take responsibility for and seek forgiveness?
Uniting in Spirit
Letting things unfold naturally is grace. It is not something we create, rather it is a gift that we envision and then learn patience as we wait to see how it manifests. With trust that we will be given exactly what we need at just the right moment, we find that we are uniting with spirit. Seeking to flow with others in this way, with the unfolding of time and without forcing anything specific to happen, we will come to a place of mutual understanding.
Scripture for Reflection
“Blessed are the pure in heart,
for they will see God.
- Matthew 5:8
Uniting in Spirit is like catching the wind, a constant trimming of my sails. The sixth Beatitude brings me inward to my most essential truth. With whom do I share purpose and vision?
How can I stay connected to my own creative flow and begin to collaborate with others more deeply?
Resonating Tranquility
We cannot build bridges of peace or walk as a peacemaker if we harbor fear, anger or resentfulness.
Scripture for Reflection
“Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called God’s children.
- Matthew 5:9
Resonating tranquility with non-violent communication is the theme of this seventh Beatitude. When I take action from a place of restfulness and composure with a calm attitude, I can build bridges and walk as a peacemaker. How am I called into special and unique settings to be diplomat and emanate peacefulness? Each day I ask myself, do I have a gentle heart? Do I harbor any fear, anger or resentfulness?
Exquisite Love & Compassion
At the most unexpected times, we will face pain and loss. In learning to breathe and stay present with one’s body, we can manage this stress more effectively. When difficulties arise, what enables us to remain a calm, loving and compassionate presence?
Scripture for Reflection
“Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are you when people insult you and persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me.
Rejoice and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great; For in this same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
– Matthew 5:10-12
May I come to realize that I am always being embraced in God’s exquisite love. Believing that nothing of this world can shake this assurance of being beloved, creates a resilient mindset. This living into faith is not a natural state for me; it is one that I am always awakening to and seeking.
Beyond fight or flight may each of us experience a tranquil abiding as we learn to endure all things.
About Life Force U
Origin
Dr. Helen S. “Lena” Astin’s wisdom about young people searching for a sense of purpose and spirituality – first drawn on a paper tablecloth with Kathy Eldon, the founder of Creative Visions Foundation – became the seed of the Life Force University project. Dr. Astin, a Distinguished Professor Emerita at the University of California, Los Angeles and Senior Scholar of the Higher Education Research Institute at UCLA, is most known for her scholarly activism and research concerning higher education issues of women and minority students as well as enhancing the lives of students through sense of purpose and spirituality. She is a recipient of the Distinguished Research Award of Division J of the American Education Research Association and received the Howard Bowen Distinguished Career Award from the Association for the Study of Higher Education.
The portal for Life Force U was made possible by the fiscal sponsorship of Creative Visions and the Fetzer Institute whose mission is to foster awareness of the power of love and forgiveness in the emerging global community. They picture a world where we understand we are all part of one human family and know our lives have purpose. People across the globe, from all cultures and traditions, embrace love and forgiveness in daily life. These values are universally viewed as central to the fabric of humanity. Yet, the emerging global community has few institutions dedicated to deepening the understanding and fostering deeper awareness of these values. In this context, the Fetzer Institute pursues a unique role—working to investigate, activate, and celebrate the power of love and forgiveness as a practical force for good in today’s world. They are interested in how people truly experience and understand love and forgiveness from their diverse points of view, especially from the perspective of their daily work in the world.
