The Benefits of Spiritual Coaching: Where to Begin

IIf you've ever set out to do something in your life you've likely done some research on it.  

For example, making a conscious choice for a healthy lifestyle.  You know you've got to let go of some bad habits, change your eating patterns and exercise.  But what should you start eating?  Stop eating?  Moderate eating?  What kind of exercise ought you do?  

So you choose to go to the gym and get a membership.  Yes!  You're committed, enthusiastic and on your way.  You arrive at the gym and are slightly overwhelmed by all the machines you see...treadmills, elliptical trainers, stationary bikes, free weights, ab machines, chest press machines, leg press machines, bicep machines, rowing machines and classes, classes, classes...shall you take yoga? Spinning? Zumba? Hip hop dance?  Body conditioning?    Or boot camp?  Pilates? Low impact cardio? Aqua fit? Step class? U-Jam? Trx or pmax? What do those acronyms mean anyway?  Kranking? Kickboxing?  The list goes on and on!

Thoroughly worked out mentally you feel exhausted and choose to cut to the chase and head for the jacuzzi, sauna and steam room.  Ahhh.  Workout complete!

Exhausted, you make your way home and into bed for a good night's sleep.  The thought of having a trainer of sorts to guide and direct you through the gym crosses your mind as you drift off into your slumber.

The same can be true for your conscious choice to expand, deepen, revisit, or explore your spirituality and find a deeper connection with the Divine.

You arrive at the Center for Spiritual Living or other temple of your choice, seeking to know more, faced with a similar experience...classes, classes, classes...Practical Mysticism, The Power of Your Word, Meditation, This Thing Called You, Foundations, Beyond Limits, Roots, The Dore Lectures, The Hidden Brain, The Bhagavad Gita, Metaphysical Bible, Finding a Love Partner, Prayer and Pilates, Creative Brilliance, Opulent Creative, Financial Freedom, 5 Gift for an Abundant Life, the list goes on and on and where oh where to begin?  Books, there are so may of them...and events, retreats, Gourmets for God, Heart Space Service, Wednesday Night Live, Youth and Family, Volunteering, Outreach, etc.  This place is thriving with offerings to deepen, grow and expand...

Additionally you heard some principles mentioned by the Speaker at the Sunday service which resonated with you but you have questions about them, how do they apply to me and my life, what does God mean to me, where do I begin?  

In the same way that there are Personal Trainers available to you at the gym, there are spiritual trainers, guides, or coaches, to assist you along the way at the Center for Spiritual Living.  A spiritual coach will guide, coach and pray with you, provide you with tools and direction to navigate this newly discovered or re-discovered world.

The Benefits of Spiritual Coaching: What I Learned at the Center for Spiritual Living

My first three Sundays at the Center for Spiritual Living, San Jose were epic to say the least.  Having built a spiritual foundation in Recovery I was ecstatic to find a spiritual community wherein the Spiritual Director and other leaders seemed to be in full alignment with all that I was learning.  I remember hearing so much in the first three sermons delivered by Dr. David Bruner.  

One thing I learned at the Center was that "there is a power for good in the Universe and I could use it." [Ernest Holmes] This altered my perception of life as I knew it and the way I moved through the world.  Wait, are you saying that life is not happening to me?  If there is a power for Good in the universe and I can use it, does that mean it’s not using me, attempting to destroy me?   Yes, I had many misunderstandings and my spiritual coach walked me through this one, and more. 

"God is personal to all who feel this indwelling presence."  This was a major turning point that changed my life.  In recovery, just about everyone is in the process of discovering or re-discovering what their “higher power” is.  There was a running joke about having it be the door knob, or the people in the group, even Starbucks.  Thinking it to be something outside of myself like a big daddy in the sky simply wasn’t resonating with me.  I just did not understand yet what God was or meant to me, until I arrived at the Center in San Jose.  My spiritual coach walked me through this one too.

"There is a place inside of everyone that has never been harmed, hurt, or wronged in any way."   [Dr.David Bruner] Sure, everyone but me, I thought.  Wait, am I included in the everyone referred to here?  If that was true and that place is within me then I can access it.  I can do more than access it, I can dwell in it.  In fact, I would like to dwell in it and allow myself some respite and relaxation.  I took comfort in this space within me which I was never conscious of before and it became my own personal spa for the soul.

I began to attend services regularly and found myself wondering how this man was so darn happy.  I became committed to discovering the secret to happiness that seemed to be the way of life inside of Religious Science.  I enrolled in Foundations to learn the basics and then I had to be there every Sunday to see my new friends and hear the message.  I didn’t want to miss any of it. 

Soon I made a powerful connection with one of the practitioners, Marilyn Pelz.  I set up a meeting with her, not knowing what to expect, and she was very open, kind, and a great listener.  At the end of the session she prayed with me and it was a very powerful experience.  I floated out of the Center and believed that I was well on my way to discovering a deeper level of happiness in my life.  Eagerly I setup another appointment, and then another and another.  She became my spiritual guide, walking with me on my journey inward, shining the light on everything within.  Healing, revealing, affirming, praying, and opening up to love are only a few things that occurred in my sessions with Marilyn; which created the real possibility for me of enjoying my life and presence on this planet.  A life that I truly love.  A life of happiness. 

This is only a touch of what I have learned at the Center for Spiritual Living.  The benefits of spiritual coaching touched upon here are life altering changes in my belief system.  I highly recommend it.