NCCA Newsletter

	Northern Colorado Coaches Alliance The Spiritual Life
Welcome to the fourth issue of the NCCA Newsletter, and another great article by one of our professional coaches! Our next community presentation is scheduled for July 23rd, and we'll let you know the details as this firms up. Don't forget to scroll down for other announcements at the bottom of this message.
The Spiritual Life by Lloyd J. Thomas, Ph.D. The French philosopher, Teilhard DeChardin, once wrote: "We are not physical beings having a spiritual experience. Rather we are spiritual beings having a physical experience." If you define "spirituality" as any experience that is not available to our five senses, then the majority of our life experiences are spiritual. Concepts like peace, joy, love, truth, beauty, connection, surrender, bliss and fulfillment are all spiritual in nature. Indeed, life itself is a spiritual experience. Spirituality may have nothing to do with "religion" or "religiosity." It is not the same as "morality" or the "right way" to live. Some aspects of spirituality include: an expanded self-awareness, particularly of your true nature; the experience of joy, inner peace and love; and the realization of your essential unity with all of the universe/creation; and the acknowledgement of your body is a form of energy, therefore indestructible. The evolutionary growth of your spirit follows some known principles. It usually begins with an "awakening" to the awareness that there is more to being alive than we can ever know. This leads to an intense desire to know more. This desire is often referred to as "spiritual hunger." Then we usually let go of all previously held ideas, habits and behaviors. We lose our old "self." We let go of Mind and Ego. This loss evolves into a sense of emptiness and is often called "the dark night of the soul." From that darkness emerges a new awareness, a new identity, a new sense of self that feels more "real" than the one we lost. We then integrate our new self into a new lifestyle or "way of being in the world." We reach "spiritual maturity" when the search for knowledge is replaced with living from the center of our being; when we no longer seek the truth, rather we live in it; when we always love rather than fear; when we realize our essential unity with the Universe You can identify spiritually mature persons by some of the following qualities. They function on the principles of love, rather than the habits of fearful defense. They respond from within themselves, rather than react to the people and events that are outside their skin. They live as they consciously choose, usually very simply. They are graceful in their responses to others. They experience "bliss" on a regular basis, not just when meditating or praying. They maintain internal equanimity and calm. They are often delightfully humorous. They are non-hostile. They relate to others in healthy and beneficial ways. They reflect their true nature in all they do. They are insightful, quick to learn, open to new experiences and eager to make themselves, others and the world more loving and peaceful. The benefits of developing your spiritual life can include: getting along with others much better; contributing positively to all your relationships; bringing your healthiest and best to your service; acknowledging the true nature of others as the same as yours; experiencing more belonging, vitality, joy, peace, and love within your experience of being alive. Aren't these benefits worth growing spiritually for?
About Lloyd Thomas Lloyd J. Thomas, Ph.D. is a Life Coach and Licensed Psychologist, specializing in corporate, personal and professional coaching. He lives in Wellington, Colorado. If you would like to contact Dr. Thomas with your questions or comments, you may call (970) 568-0173 or e-mail: DrLloyd@CreatingLeaders.com
Please mark your calendar for the next NCCA community presentation: Wednesday July 23 7:00-8:30 Fort Collins Downtown Library Marina Volosov will be speaking on The Macro Asset Perspective (MAP). This will be a great opportunity for you to learn tools for planning your retirement and help your clients deal with these issues. Register on the website by clicking here!
Last year the NCCA participated in Bixpo, and it was a rousing success. The participating coaches appreciated the opportunity to talk directly with potential business clients. If you are interested in participating in Bixpo this year (September 17-18), please contact Pam Day as soon as possible. We need to figure out if we have critical mass, and what size booth to purchase. Please consider this as a valuable way to draw in new clients!
You are receiving this because you have expressed an interest in the NCCA. If you wish to be removed from the mailing list, please contact secretary@nccoaches.org. Copyright © 2008 Northern Colorado Coaches Alliance.