Spiritual Intensive with Ron Roth in Chicago

This week I travel to Chicago for a four day intensive spiritual workshop with Ron Roth. It has been my privilege to know Ron and experience his workshops since the first one I attended in February, 2001. I've been a regular at these twice yearly events since September, 2003. At that time, I entered his education program and now have completed the first level of training and am entering the next phase of this spiritual growth process.

I discovered Ron when a friend suggested I read The Healing Path of Prayer. It is still one of my favorites of his books, because it spoke to me so powerfully when I first read it. I return to it again and again for inspiration and guidance.

When the book came to me, I was still reeling from being diagnosed with breast cancer and having a mastectomy in December, 1999. Ron's book gave me my first real hope for healing. In it, he describes how he discovered that the healing power of the Holy Spirit moves through him to bring physical healing as well as spiritual, mental, and emotional healing to people he and prays for and touches. I decided I would go to an intensive with him when I was well enough to do so. The following February, I was on my way.

He warned many times during his talks with the large group gathered together in Scottsdale that year that when we pray for healing what we receive is not always what we think we want and need. I prayed for healing. What I received was not what I would have consciously chosen. It involved undergoing some massive changes in my life. Yet what evolved was exactly what I needed. Through all I've experiened during the past four years, I've come to live with a much deeper faith in God than I had ever imagined previously.

During my growing up years in the Episcopal Church, I loved to hear the phrase "the peace that passes all understanding." I wondered how that would really feel and if it would ever be possible for me. Now, much of the time, I do experience that peace and a deep knowing of the constant presence of the Divine in my life. Quite simply, my life has been transformed through the work of the Holy Spirit.

One of the things I most value about Ron is that he makes clear to everyone that it is not he who does the healing. It is the Holy Spriit working through him. He also reminds us of Jesus' teaching that the healing gifts He demonstrated throughout His ministry are also within all of us if we open our hearts to receive them and allow ourselves to be used.

Ron is a former Roman Catholic priest. He is a devout Christian though he affirms that there are many paths to becoming God realized beings. In his workshops, there are people present from many faiths - Jews, Buddhists, Christians, and others. We experience that God's love is inclusive and unconditional, not exclusive and conditional upon belonging to one "right" group.

Ron's teaching and healing touch are great blessings to me and to thousands of others who gather to grow and heal in his presence. If you would like to ask for prayers for your needs, go to his web site, www.ronroth.com, and make your request.

I'll tell you more about my experiences when I return from Chicago.

With peace and blessings,
Martha

Imago Conference in Atlanta

Last week I attended the annual conference of IRI, Imago Relationships International, in Atlanta. It was lovely to be with good friends and participate in excellent workshops on Imago work with couples and singles. IRI is planning a world wide Valentine's Day celebration in 2006 sponsored by Alanis Morrisette, Dr. Harville Hendrix, and Tango Magazine. There will be a very large gathering in New York City and smaller events around the country and the world. The theme is Keep it Real: Practice Imago on Valentine's Day, 2006. In Oklahoma City, I'll be hosting the event for singles and couples who want to have fun and learn more about Imago. It will be an exciting hour with refreshments and activities. I hope you'll plan to attend with your partner or a friend before going on to dinner or other romantic events. I'll keep you posted about where we will gather from 6:30 to 7:30 on Valentine's Day.

On my way to the airport to fly to Atlanta, I got an urge to go to the bookstore, because I wanted something to read on my trip. When I arrived, I found a real treasure - a book I hadn't heard about but knew immediately that I had to read. I wasn't disappointed. It's a wonderful resource by Eckhart Tolle called A New Earth. Tolle begins with a marvelous description of the blooming of the first flower to appear on earth. He goes on to use that as a metaphor for the flowering of consciousness that is taking place now on earth. On Friday, when I presented a workshop on Bringing the Spiritual Dimension into Imago Couples work, I gave each participant a long stemmed rose to symbolize their expanding consciousness as therapists and healers. I loved giving the workshop and sharing experiences with those who participated.

Another favorite experience for me was a workshop I attended titled Couples in Emotion and Motion. It was given by Susan Frieder, Ph.D., who lives on Maui and uses movement and dance in her work with couples. She led those of us participating in non-verbal mirroring experiences that were delightful and very powerful ways of deeply connecting with the people who were our partners for these exercises. The man who was my partner was someone I hadn't met previously. We never talked except briefly to process the experience after it was completed. Without any words at all, we felt a genuine connection with each other. When I went to my next workshop that afternoon, I wasn't surprised to discover that the seat I chose was next to the one he had picked and left marked with his workshop materials while he was away from the room. When he appeared, we laughed about still being on the same wavelength.

Tonight I'm looking forward to the second of a series of free workshop seminars I'm presenting at my office each month. I'll be talking about Mastering Your Needs and Feelings and recognizing how our needs and feelings connect. If you're in the Oklahoma City area, I hope you'll join me from 7-9 at my office, 11912 N. Pennsylvania, Suite D-3, tonight, November 3. Next month's session will be on Thursday, December 1. The topic is Holiday Gratitude, Grief, and Forgiveness.

With peace and blessing,
Martha