• A Question of Interest
• Fresh Perspectives
• An Invitation

A Question of Interest

Recently a person on the other end of an email asked me if I knew of any therapy groups that had a spiritual component which includes the work of Eckhart Tolle (The Power of Now) and Byron Katie (Loving What Is). Anyone who has worked with me knows that my focus is about awareness, which Tolle calls presence, and my vehicle is usually Katie’s Four Questions.

That email became the key to the idea for Polishing Presence, Awareness Support Groups. The question of interest for me, is, what is Polishing Presence?

I know what it is not. Polishing Presence is not therapy or counseling, where people come to groups to tell their story and be heard. Often people in therapy are learning what their story is, how their family affected them, and how to cope with their emotional wounds. Polishing Presence is for people who already know some of their wounded places. Knowing and coping with their pain, is not enough. They want to go deeper.

For some of us, a main purpose of life is to grow, and we’ve have been working hard on ourselves. We have been reading books about awareness, mindfulness, self-mastery, presence, belief work, and putting what we learn into practice to the best of our ability.

In a respectful and constructive environment

Sharing the work with others, who care about growing, is a large part of the Polishing Present support group vision. Meeting weekly, in a respectful and constructive environment, relationships can develop that help us deepen our compassionate connections with each other.

Who will join Polishing Presence?

• People who want to grow.

• People interested in active listening and speaking with care.

• People who want to explore the habits and beliefs that keep them from living more loving lives.

• People who want to be a part of a group of people with similar spiritual leanings. Sometimes we feel lonely with our spiritual work, even when we are clear that this is important work, and we have to do it. It often seems that one person in a couple is ready to go deeper before the other, and the “other” doesn’t get it.

Sometimes we don’t have support from other people because they have no personal interest in what concerns us, and sometimes people around us criticize and make jokes about our changing attitudes and questions.

• People interested in developing their sense of open, active, curiosity. Curiosity is an essential aspect of being, especially when we sincerely want to feel better. We need to be willing to ask, “What is this?” in an open way—not knowing, or even needing to know what the answer is, right away.

• People who are changing, growing, and wanting to understand their experiences.

• Those with a readiness to look deeper after the loss of a loved one

Retreat 9.05

Yesterday

I rummaged through Jeff’s cupboards

Looking for a muffin mix

To satisfy a taste for sweetness.

This morning

There’s no sugar

that can satisfy a taste for sweetness

like this.

Just this.

New Name

During my recent two week solitary, silent, retreat, I received a new spiritual first name in a dream. My first name is now Padme (pronounced padma). It means lotus.

New Title

I recently found out that on January 1, 2006 calling myself a counselor will be a felony. The New York State Education Department has enacted a new licensing procedure that does not include meditation experience in its conditions for licensing.

Although I realize Spiritual Guidance may have different meanings for different people, I have decided that it is an honest description of my private meetings with clients. My work is now called Loving Presence Guidance.

Polishing Presence: Awareness Support Groups, begin November 10th.

The link for Polishing Presence at the bottom of this section will take you to full schedule information and registration instructions which can be copied and mailed in.

Late October Fest

The Discover U- New Health Expo, originally scheduled for next weekend, October 23-24, at the Eisenhart Auditorium of the Rochester Museum and Science Center, has been rescheduled! It is now scheduled to take place January 7 & 8th, same time 10 AM to 9 PM, same place.

The Dome Women’s Expo is still happening on the last Saturday of this month, October 29, 10 AM - 5 PM. Plan on coming down to the Dome for the day and say ,”Hi!” I'll have information about my private client work, Polishing Presence, and my CDs will be for sale.

My New Primary Focus

I am now publishing my newsletter once every two months, in order to focus more completely on Loving Presence Guidance. It's time for focusing on the one aspect of my work which is deeply satisfying for me. With all the creativity which began last year, our three meditation CDs, writing my book, articles, and newsletter, as well marketing my Qi Gong healing practice, I need to simplify my focus.

Helping people work through confusion and find more awareness, is what my work is really all about. Polishing Presence has grown from this new focus, and feels right. My new title is Padme Nina Livingstone, Awareness Meditation and Spiritual Guidance.

Work on getting my book published continues, and writing other articles for publication is on hold for now.

Make sure you continue to receive this newsletter by adding newsletter@healingwithawareness.com to your address book, trusted sender list or approved sender list. In fact, spam protection has gotten so good, we need to pay attention to what we want to receive.

Click on the links below for more information about the following:

Polishing Presence

Meditation CDs - If you haven't yet explored Nina's meditation CDs, you can read about them, listen to audio samples, and buy them at www.healingwithawareness.com/cds.htm.

Audio Talks - Listen to one minute talks reminding us about awareness in everyday life. Take a minute to use the side bar.

Group Awareness Meditation - Monday evening meditation and discussion sessions continue at Padme's home in Penfield. The group is small. Donations only. Beginners are always welcome. Call or email for more info.

Polishing Presence Schedule and Registration