Reflections by Chapel staff & spirit friends
Introduction
The life of the Chapel of Awareness and its school is maintained through the voluntary efforts of its many Ministers, Ordained Healers, and Staff Students. We would like to share with you a bit of ourselves and our many Spirit friends. Thank you for visiting with us.
Rev. Eric Berg began his studies at Chapel in 1982, was ordained in 2003 and continues to be an active staff member. He holds a Ph.D. in High Energy Physics and lay minister’s papers in Theravada Buddhism. He enjoys Ashtanga Yoga, backpacking and his cat, and is available for readings, counseling, and healings when he is not in working in Washington State (a few months a year).
The Value Of Chapel
In life we may find community in our family, work, school, neighborhood, hobbies and interests. The setting for us to be social, to share our stories for fun or support, is also provided by churches. But the main purpose of a church is typically more; to guide people to live according to a philosophy. It may be obedience to God, adherence to absolute morals, participation in a structured tradition, education about the meaning of life, or just to be better people. So what does Chapel offer a person? First off, all that Chapel offers is free from coercion, guilt, and judgment to the degree that all of us have a good sense of personal space – our choices are our responsibility. Chapel is only here to help.
You can come to Chapel and get a message from spirit. Like going to any number of fortune tellers, this can almost be cheap entertainment, where you only hear what you want. Spirit messages are just the commercials for what Chapel really offers: a path for personal development – meditation and spirit guidance through your own communication. Development of one’s sensitive skills has been the core part of Chapel’s program. Such a place was very rare in the 1970’s, but now there are a variety of options. Still, Chapel is a world-class institution of high quality.
Beyond a non-coercive community and one path for personal development, Chapel offers one thing more of even greater value: an environment to practice your own spirituality –to be a better and happier person. You may find a good example in a person or a good idea in a conversation, but you definitely are with people who value the same thing – learning to think, speak and act harmoniously.
Harmony doesn’t always mean peaceful and inactive, it means in accordance with the circumstances and free from interference, distraction and excess. So whatever brings you to Chapel, please be sure to stay focused on your own harmony and not be distracted by the imperfections in life.
All my love,
Rev. Eric C. Berg
