Let's Begin

GREETINGS..... This is my first time blogging and I admit it's rather exciting to have this venue in which to share.

I've been on my spiritual growth path a long time and have had my private practice in metaphysics for 20 years. The Mystery School, Inc. is my business name and http://www.themysteryschool.org/ is my web site. This ten year old web site describes what I do, what I teach, and many of my philosophies, but doesn't address my current studies and experience as an interfaith seminary student, class of 2011. I figured this life-changing journey needed it's own venue.

I became a student of The New Seminary (http://www.thenewseminary.org) in their Interfaith Ministerial Ordination Program in September, 2009. In these last five months the roller coaster ride has been terrifying, exhilarating, tiring, brilliant, and worth every minute.

Each month we study another spiritual/religious tradition of the world, research, write essays; along with personal growth readings and exercises. Truthfully, when first entering the seminary I thought, "how hard can this be?"....I've been on a long spiritual path, studied and participated in several traditions and been a spiritual counselor for 20 years. I was in for quite a surprise and rather naive. My dean reminded me that when a person enters a ministerial program it takes them to a much higher level of learning about themselves. She's absolutely right. I've had to take a serious look at myself in countless ways. During my spiritual journey I have learned to trust God/Goddess even further than before. Trust has been one of my most difficult lessons. I believe this is true for all humans.....most people would agree.

Originally I had no idea why Source directed me to the seminary. My wise friend, Joyce, said she could see me as a hospital Chaplin. I could see that too and this next step on my journey felt right. That was enough for me to go forward.

I intend to share my experiences to-date, the good, the bad, the ugly, and the beautiful right here for all to possibly see. Because I am really a private person, this is a little scary...but I'm telling myself that I am doing this without expectations that anyone else will see it. This may sound quite illogical since I am blogging. But, I look at the Internet as something we know and trust that exists, but we cannot really see it; just like the Universe...we can know and trust it exists, but it's way out there someplace where we may say we really cannot see it.

But that's my point....I believe in both. Mainly, the whole Universal concept and the bigger One Mind. So, my studies of traditions and amazing site visits to temples, synagogues, rituals, and festivals, to name a few, are blowing my mind.

Where do I start? In September, 2009, I realized very quickly that I would be entrenched in study (beginning with Hinduism) and personal issues. At this time my youngest brother, Ken, only had a month to live. He had been diagnosed in May of 2008 with brain cancer. His first surgery was in the beginning of June of that year. We were hopeful, but not long thereafter decisions were made to use laser, chemo, and radiation therapies. The torturous treatments and approximately ten surgeries and procedures of various types over the next year, took his life force piece by piece until on the eighth of October, 2009 he took his last breathe.

I thank God/the Source, for clearing the crooked paths, getting me to Ken in California, shortly before he transitioned. Various people close to him, whatever the greater picture, tried to keep me away from my brother for the majority of his illness. I was basically told that they didn't want to hear anything metaphysical, holistic, or God-oriented; and that they would make sure they kept me from my brother no matter what they had to do. And they kept their promise. The experience was a tremendous gift. You see it gave me great opportunity to move into forgiveness in the midst of pain.

Those seventeen months were challenging for me. I was sitting at my brother's side, holding his hand when he took his last breath. At that moment I had further clarity given to me in the knowing that somehow hospice ministry would be an additional way I would serve God.

Namaste, Judy Miller Dienst Labels: New Beginnings draft 8:27:00 PM by Judy's Interfaith Seminary and Spiritual Experiences Delete 1 – 1 of 1