Although we are still in the winter season, the signs from the natural world are unmistakable that spring is just around the corner. I hear the songs of birds chirping in the morning, celebrating the return of longer and warmer days. Pods of dolphinsthis past week were jumping in the air out of sheer joy over being alive. The recent rains and cooler temperatures have washed over us as a natural cleansing and calming presence after our fiery start to 2025.
Here in the northern hemisphere, we can attune our spiritual lives to the rhythm of nature as she has been doing for thousands of years, reminding us of perseverance and resilience in the face of challenges. There is something inside of us that resonates with us at a deep level as we make our human journey through the changing of the seasons. I do not know about you, but I am ready for the spiritual renewal promised within the natural world this year. We witness the new blades of grass peaking out through the dirt and new shoots of branches start to emerge from trees. The natural world is celebrating this ancient wisdom as new life is born and cared after.
I often remind myself and others of the importance of taking time each day to pause and reflect on the sacred mystery of life and to have a daily spiritual practice that can help anchor us in peace. We do not need to do anything elaborate. It can be as simple as tuning in and paying attention to our breathing. Before reading this last sentence, there is a good chance we were unaware of our breathing. Paying close attention to our breathing is deeply connected to our physiology and our sense of well being. Breathe in intentionally and slowly with all of our attention and see how we feel afterwards.
Slow, intentional breathing is an easy way to gain spiritual renewal each day, whenever we need it. This is an ancient practice that has roots in both the eastern and western traditions. The Hebrew word for spirit is ‘Ruach,’ and is translated as wind, breath, spirit, or energy. The Sanskrit word Prana has similar meaning and also includes associations with life force and vital energy. A slow conscientious breath can be an amazing way to take a moment each day to spiritually reset and recharge.
The modern pace of life and the trauma of the recent fires have placed all of us in a bit of a panic mode. While necessary in the short term for an instant burst of energy to get things done, over time a high alert mode makes relaxation hard to come by. Breathe in, breathe out. It can become a powerful spiritual anchor when we feel out of sorts with what is going on in the world or in our own lives. Springtime is almost here, and the spiritual renewal that comes through the natural world is already available to us all.
Chapel updates
We have come up on the first anniversary of the closure of Wayfarers Chapel, which that took place on February 15, last year. Our Go Fund Me Campaign is back up after a delay caused by deciding how these funds will go towards rebuilding of Wayfarers on the Palos Verdes Peninsula:
https://www.gofundme.com/f/save-historic-wayfarers-chapel-after-landslide
You can avoid transaction fees by sending a check made out to Wayfarers Chapel Fund For the Future. This is a non-religious, non-profit charitable organization dedicated to the rebuilding of Wayfarers Chapel here on the Palos Verdes Peninsula. You can mail checks to the following address:
1621 W. 25th Street #430
San Pedro, CA 90732
Online and In Person Community Update
We have a firm launch date of Sunday, March 2 from 11:30am to 12:30pm for our online and in person hybrid experience, called Exploring New Earth. I will be be availble for an hour each week for our group to ask questions and explore the growing edges of our spiritual consciousness. For more information please visit our webpage:
wayfarerschapel.org/services/worship/exploring-new-earth/
Many Blessings,
Rev. Dr. David Brown
