Peaceful, Centered + Connected
I have wrestled with this segment a lot this week. I have clickety-clacked the letters on this keyboard forward and then deleted everything with one swift highlight of the mouse and a single tap of the backspace key. What is one thing I might offer? It has boiled down to this.
You can have peace in knowing we are all allowed our preferences and the preference of some does not lessen the path of anyone.
Your path is your path. It has led to experiences that have moved you from novice to a level of expert in some areas. And while the approval, certification, and validation of institutions and loved ones is lovely perhaps what the world needs most right now is a little more of your magic, a little more of your wisdom...a little more of how your path has shaped and formed you.
Perhaps your experience filtered through the lens of Love is the only validation necessary at this time.
Perhaps.
A New Way to See the Good News
A new way to see the Good News is a short passage that may offer a fresh perspective or insight into the ancient collection of poems, letters, and stories known as the Bible. This week we take a look at the verse that serves as the inspiration for the title of this segment of my newsletter.
"The beginning of the good news about Jesus..."
- Mark 1:1
The good news used here comes from the Greek euangelion and can be translated "gospel." Mark is doing something very subtle and deliberate here. Caesar issued proclamations of euangeilion for his enthronment, his birthday and victory celebrations. This was the "gospel" of the time. The content of Mark's "good news" would have been seen as a threatening opening passage to a Roman audience. He is in essence saying that the true King, the true God, the one with truly good news was Jesus, not Caesar. This verse illuminates how scripture often subverts power in subtle ways.
Until next time.
Grace + Ease,
Tia
New Virtual Course Begins September 28th
Building Your Contemplative Toolkit: Essential Practices for a Balanced Life
Tools for Healing and Transformation
Interested in learning more about the way contemplative spirituality and practices can transform your relationship with yourself and others and their connection to the human experience? Join this month's virtual learning cohort.
What You'll Experience
An immersive live virtual course where we explore transformative practices that connect your mind, heart, and body. This course allows us to experience and grow together in real time.
Join Me for the First Black Contemplative Prayer Summit
I’m incredibly excited about—the First Black Contemplative Prayer Virtual Summit, happening on February 22nd and 23rd, 2025. This summit is close to my heart, as it brings together Black spiritual teachers and thought leaders to explore the deep connections between prayer, activism, and community.
This summit is designed for everyone, led by Black voices, and aimed at diversifying the contemplative space
It's more than just an event—it’s a space where we can gather, learn, and grow together. You’ll hear from voices that resonate with the richness of our shared experiences and gain practical insights on how to weave contemplative practices into your everyday life.
Why This Matters:
- You’ll receive wisdom from Black spiritual leaders who offer fresh perspectives on prayer and practice.
- You’ll discover practical ways to nurture your inner life, which impacts how we show up in the world as people of color.
- You’ll explore how contemplation can be a powerful tool for social activism.
- And, perhaps most importantly, you’ll connect with a community that shares your commitment to spiritual growth and social change.
Special Offers Just for You:
- Early Bird Registration is just $99 until December 15th.
- Exclusive BOGO Offer: If you register before October 15th, you can bring a friend for free. It’s my way of saying thank you for being part of this journey with me.
And don’t worry if you can’t make it live—all the sessions will be recorded, so you can watch them at your own pace.
I truly believe this summit will be a transformative experience, and I’d love for you to be part of it. Please help spread the word and forward along to those who might appreciate this offering.
