"Ego" and Pneumarium

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We did not invent the concept of the ignoring or dissolution of the tyranny of the "ego." "Ego" is used a bit differently in spirituality than in psychology. "Ego" is the word used correctly by mystics from every tradition, and it has been used by Christians, Jews, Buddhists, Hindus, and others.

In spirituality, it means the lower, feardominated self, the merely "humanimal" self. This is the area of the mind that the people of Love and enlightenment want to bring under the control of the "higher Self" or Soul, and to bring both under the regulation of the "highest Self," the Spirit of Love. The terminology can be a bit confusing at first, but never fear: The Way of Love does not recommend selfannihilation, but (sometimes radical) Selftransformation!

We gather at the Pneumarium because this is no easy task, and is made only much more difficult when we seek to "fly solo.":( This is why Sufis, and other mystics, have, for millennia, gathered together in small groups as "extended families." [Please see the little article in the latest uld ("Universal Love Digest")] We do not want you to come to our gatherings when you are sick, as this is not the best way to love either yourself or others. But when you are well, our gatherings are a splendid way to love, and to serve, others!:)
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House-churches

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The first churches of Jesus Christ were very poor. We are also poor in the U.S. But we have discovered, by much serious research, that the earliest churches did not have "Church-buildings." Instead, they met in small groups, in homes of members. We have been gathering here at our home for nearly six years, and have had no problems. God does not want the church to get into debt. In fact, a church should handle as little money as possible, since "the love of money is a root of all evil," as the Scriptures say. So, do you have a home in which you could come together, and save your poor sisters and brothers the money needed for a church? We do not need churches; we need only the Spirit of Christ's Love in our hearts.:)
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May the great and sweet Lord of gracious Love continue to bless you, and your work with Love Ministries in Kenya.:)

Love, Joy, and Peace,

Richard Francis,
Love Ministries, usa

Coming to the Pneumarium

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You said that you were "feeling uneasy and a bit selfconscious about not coming to the Pneumarium." I believe that there is a good reason for this. For this is something that your deeper Mind really wants, and wants you, to do.:)

When we fulfill the deeper needs of the Soul, It consistently rewards us, with feelings of serenity, tranquility, peace, joy, and bliss. But if we act against Its needs, or neglect them, it can take a huge toll. We do not live as happily during the day, and we do not sleep as well at night.
We feel, deep down, that "there is something that I should do."

The Pneumarium gatherings are fun and easy. When we do not go, there is no human being that criticizes us, but, often, our own conscience does the work for you. It gently nudges you, over and over; only when that does not work does it produce a sense of slight but increasing anxiety.

If you did not eat, your body would naturally send you all kinds of signals, some of which nmight not be the most pleasant. Your mind/Soul also needs "spiritual food." Many churches and religions, like many books, do not provide this "spiritual food" at all, although they might claim to.

You, dear friend, are experiencing "hunger pangs" because you never let yourself partake of the "feasts" that we regularly share at the Pneumarium.:(

When I was in the cult, people were forced into "meeting attendance."
About a hundred people came to those dull meetings every week, despite the fact that they were boring to the point that you felt like committing hara kiri! And, several times a week, about a hundred people, out of a small-population town, showed up. Almost no one wanted to be there. Yet they regularly came, from a sense of loyalty to the cult. Their regularity often puts the people of Love, who are powerfully much more blessed, to shame!

We personally learned from the cult: We decided never to use guilt or anxiety to "pressure" our friends to attend the Pneumarium gatherings.
We even call them "gatherings" instead of "meetings," because we want nothing in common with the fearbased cult. But, the simple truth is
this:

When you miss our sharings as a family, you are doing harm to yourself; and you might be indirectly "harming" others as well, for everyone is uplifted by these gatherings. This violates the fine lifepattern called ahimsa, which is living without any harm to any living creature, including yourself. That "harm" can be mental, emotional, or spiritual rather than physical.

So, if you are feeling some anxiety, I am truly sorry to hear this. The Pneumarium gatherings, and the family, are never designed to create or support any form of anxiety. But I must also be honest and share with you that, in this case, I believe that this mild anxiety is generated by your Soul as a healthy signal that you are neglecting, and perhaps harming, It. Your Soul is complaining; and the only course of wisdom is to listen to It, and then, out of Love, to heal It! We are having another Pneumarium gathering on Sunday, April 27, and you are, as always, of course, invited.

We provide a clean, warm, comfortable place (cool in summer) with a free meal, free snacks, and continuous free coffee, or tea of many varieties.
We are trying to serve by making your spiritual education and growth-- the only things of real value in this world-- as "painless" and "effortless" as possible!

But coming to the Pneumarium regularly will take a little planning and structuring of your time, and nobody else is going to act like your "papa" or "mama" and do this for you! You are not a "child," and you do not need this! And I certainly have never had any interest in being anyone's "daddy."

So, your whole life can become far richer, far happier, and far more at peace. But it is going to take some microwork on your part. After all, a fulfilled and satisfied life does not "just happen." It is something that we must actively create by our choices! Now, you have a chance to give the most wonderful gift to your own Soul! This opportunity very rarely comes to us in this life! So, do yourself the greatest favor:
Plan to come to our celebrations of life and Love, sharing friendship and wisdom! You'll be very glad that you did!:)
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Visit to Pneumarium

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Our gatherings of our students (little extended spiritual family) are nothing formal at all. In fact, we are very relaxed and informal.

Group-gatherings have been as small as three, and have attracted as many as twenty-four.:)

We meet in a very special room made for the purpose. It is clean, but not flashy or fancy.:) This is also the room where we store our books.

(We distribute twenty books on spirituality and spiritual psychology.:) So, we hope that you will pick up one or two (or more) while you are here!

Following the Flow or the Tao of unstructured spontaneity, we have no preplanned or prepared lessons. Our interactions (conversations) arise from whatever subject is mentioned at the time. The "floor" is always "open" to new inquiries and comments.

We recognize no leaders but the "Spirit" (Mind of the heart). (We call it the "deep heartmind.") We also have no dogma, no doctrines set in stone.

The closest thing that we have to a teaching is the belief that Love is the central Mind, the Center of the cosmos and of life, and that Love works practically to inspire, uplift, and inform our lives. As "God is Love," we worship Love. This expresses as kindness, goodness, friendliness, tolerance, and an entire list of positive qualities.

We are eager to share more with you, but you will not be pressured.:) No attempt will be made to "convert" you to any religion; for we are members of many religions, or none at all.:)

So, expect a small but friendly group of people who will be both delighted and eager to make your acquaintance.
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