EPISODE 135: ARE YOU A KITCHEN MYSTIC?

Dear friends,
Welcome to the first show of our Kitchen Mystic Series on the Life Gets Better Now podcast.

Are you a Kitchen Mystic? 

A recent study on religion in America revealed many interesting things: among them, church enrollment is decreasing, secular seekers are increasing, and in both the churched and unchurched, the sense of peace, gratitude, and a sense of wonder about the Universe is on the rise!

It looks to me like some more evidence of the big spiritual awakening going on, that is the hope of the times we live in.
http://www.pewforum.org/2015/11/03/u-s-public-becoming-less-religious/

In coming weeks, Erin and I

  • will explore the idea of spiritual awareness in everyday life, and the difference between spirituality and religion.
  • We will celebrate The Serenity Prayer as a global contemplation that brings East-West wisdom together, and
  • we will attempt to articulate the concept of Christ Consciousness, the energy of peace and unity that underlies the spirit of all world religions, with or without Jesus in on it.

And please join us for two weeks in a row about “Hope” at the beginning of the New Year.

 

The New Kitchen Mystic
makes a great holiday gift!

A sweet and unpretentious book brimming with good stories, some how-to, and meaty home-grown philosophy about spirituality in everyday life.

Check it out! I’m glad to send your copies “signed by the author.” http://maryhayesgrieco.com/product/the-new-kitchen-mystic/

“I love Mary’s inspirational book! It’s perfect. Beautiful. Elegant. Useful. It is a wonderful holiday gift.”
—Andrew Ramer, author of Ask Your Angels

Abundant Blessings to You –
Mary and Erin

EPISODE 135  ARE YOU A KITCHEN MYSTIC?

“There is a benevolent plot afoot, and the conspirators are everywhere, visible and invisible.

Their mission? The complete destruction of my fear and limitation,and the expression of my fullest potential.

It’s uplifting, it’s harrowing, and more thrilling than Star Trek because I myself am the main character …

Kitchen Mystics are endlessly fascinated with the stories of their latest breakthrough insights.”  

from  The Kitchen Mystic, A Companion for Spiritual Explorers by Mary Hayes Grieco

What is a Kitchen Mystic?

– A Kitchen Mystic is a dedicated spiritual seeker who lives a personal synthesis of wisdom from the East and the West.

– We experience direct, intimate communion with the Divine in the arena of everyday existence,
– and we are conducting an ongoing loving dialogue between the God Within and the God Without.
– We’re getting it directly, through our own pipeline to God.

Mary says,

“I see God in an onion.

When a mystic enters into loving contemplation of an ordinary object, something opens up –

the mystical moment opens a window
into connection with everything
– people around the world,
– the fabric of nature,
– the ancestors,
– the descendants…

Something in you  fans out
into this very big space
and you feel the energy of peace
and creation,
and
you love it all,
with all your heart,
beyond words.”

Posted on December 6, 2015 | Discuss on Facebook

EPISODE 134: Create the holiday experience you LOVE

Hi all,
This week Erin and I continue our plans to create a low-stress, high-pleasure winter holiday season.

This week’s show will teach the fine arts of holiday self-empowerment, where we really get honest about what does and doesn’t carry meaning and pleasure for us.

Love to hear what you think!
Best,
Mary Hayes Grieco & Erin Warhol

EPISODE 134: Create the holiday experience you LOVE

“Remember – this is YOUR holiday, you are not ITS person.”

So make sure to pick your own favorite things to do (or not do) this season.

Holiday stress and exhaustion come from the pressure of unrealistic or undesirable expectations on ourselves or from others; but

you are the boss of your own holiday choices for meaning and pleasure.

What does this winter holiday mean to you?

A time of deeper religious devotion?
A festival of food and giving?
A commercial extravaganza?
The time for winter solstice silence in the mind, and rest for the body?
New Year/New Start?

Get clear. Make it yours.

Mary plugs her favorite holiday event:     “NOTHING.” 

Check out her recommendation of a good dose of silence for spirituality and stress relief. And the Christmas Day Nap. 

Here’s some other good ideas:

See the good and say it.
Clear your heart with forgiveness.
Go for the glow, it’s a collective activity. worth doing. 
Is the Yule log on TV silly or sweet?

See what Mary and Erin have to say – Yule like it.

Posted on November 20, 2015 | Discuss on Facebook

EPISODE 133: Smile through the holidays: do “pre-emptive forgiveness”

Dear friends,
 
As the winter holidays approach, we might be anticipating our time with our extended families with mixed feelings.
 
This time of year offers a prime opportunity to amp up our ability to live the powerful attitudes of unconditional love and forgiveness.
 
Our families are ours for a lifetime, to learn from, to accept and appreciate, or to avoid and set limits with, as the case may be. If you already are aware of what some of your uncomfortable family dynamics have been and are likely to be, you can practice “pre-emptive forgiveness,” and enter your family situations in a new way, surprising yourself at how much better this can go for you this year.
 
It only takes one person who is consciously bringing forgiveness and good will into a family system, to start a gentle trend towards real transformation of outdated family dynamics.
 
I hope you will make this special time of year a time to grow spiritually, in the most practical way possible.
 
In this conversation, Erin and I discuss the power of choosing to forgive yourself, a family member or a family situation, before the next time you are with them.
 
Then we can open up to the light of Spirit to enter in and do its quiet magic: reflecting to us everyone’s basic goodness, and giving us renewed ease in our own skin when we’re with our tribe. God bless us, every one.
 
Yours always,
Mary & Erin

___________________________________________________

EPISODE 133: Smile through the holidays: do “pre-emptive forgiveness”

 “Forgiveness is releasing an expectation that is causing you to suffer.”

 If the thought of spending time with certain family members causes you to tense up, it’s a really good idea to practice “pre-emptive forgiveness!”
 
Release your unrealistic expectations of others before they drive you crazy, and take some time to privately clear up a sore spot from the past.

No matter how difficult they are
– no matter how different you feel
– this year it will be better.

“Peace on Earth”
starts right here.

Posted on November 14, 2015 | Discuss on Facebook