The Practice of Compassionate Living

Compassion as a life

practice functions like

trees in the carbon cycle

of the natural world:

essentially invisible but

absolutely life-giving.

With compassion, real

connection thrives; with-

out it, it’s like the air is

sucked out of the envi-

ronment. The capacity to

‘feel with’ self and others

is essential to our cultural

eco-system.

At Bread of Life cultiva-

tion of this capacity is

rooted in how we regard

‘being human.’ I’ve spent

much of my life wanting

to be ‘better than hu-

man,’ looking down at

my foibles and faults as

fatal and striving to hide

or overcome them. I’m

learning that the human

journey is not so much

about overcoming my

humanness but taking

responsibility for it.

Our programs foster the

contemplative attitude

or “taking a long, loving

look at the Real” which is

at the core of transform-

ative practice. As I look

with compassion at my

own humanity, an amaz-

ing thing happens. I

begin to see “you” in the

same quality of light, and

real contact becomes

possible between us. It’s

the basis of dialogue,

connection and growth.

While demand and judg-

ment box us into posi-

tions, love has a very

different

effect. It

doesn’t

need to

batter

or blow up walls; in time

it simply dissolves them.

Summer 2014

Thank You to Donors 2

Volunteer Profile 2

SITA Update 3

Why We Believe ... 4

Active Engagement 5

Meet Margo Hayes 6

What Brought You ... 6

Spiritual Formation 7

Inside this issue:

“Our human compassion binds us to each other, not in pity or patronizingly, but as human beings who

have learned how to turn our common suffering into hope for the future.” Nelson Mandela

It’s the greatest power

the world knows; it

strengthens the fragile,

vital ecosystem of com-

mon humanity of which

we are part and upon

which we all depend.

Compassion matters. x

Cultivating compassion is

an essential underpinning

to everything we do in

our programs like Listen

to Your Life or our Dia-

logue intensive trainings,

in spiritual direction, and

in the way we see crea-

tive process in the art stu-

dio. Join us in committing

to breathe compassion

into our world for the

good of all.

Bread Basket

Getting Started

Set an intention

and then watch it

evolve. One couple recently

set the intention of being

more loving in the circles of

their family but didn’t notice

the results until they talked

about it with a spiritual

director. As they explored,

several concrete instances

came into view where their

interest or availability has

been mirrored by their

young adult children. Their

intention has released new

“oxygen” into the family

and allowed all to breathe

more deeply of the love that

is present. Just as important

is noticing how their

strengthened intention xx

continues to be part of a

virtuous cycle adding life to

the world.

“Compassion and love are not mere luxuries. As the source of both inner and external peace, they are fundamental to the continual survival of our species.” Dalai Lama

www.breadoflife.org

Minutes past midnight on May 6,

the first gifts to Bread of Life start-ed pouring in as part of the Big Day of Giving. The 24-hour social media campaign, organized by the Sacra-mento Region Community Founda-tion, in which 394 nonprofits from the area inspired their supporters to donate to worthy causes, brought together at least 111 supporters of Bread of Life who gave where their heart is.

We are thrilled and touched that these generous friends raised $12,270 (not including matching funds we are eligible to receive) to be put to good use in our programs. The funds will be invest-ed in expanding opportunities for people to embark on or continue

their journeys of discovery, and for organizations to encourage culti-vating spiritual practices among their employees and teams.

Not only did we raise necessary funds for our programs but we also connected with some people new to Bread of Life and deepened the cohesion of our growing community.

We heard from supporters:

“Thank you for building a communi-ty that is dedicated to transfor-mation. Bread of Life has changed—and continues to change—my life in wondrous ways. Thank you for being there!”

“My heart is filled with gratitude for our partnership. Thank you!!! Bread

of Life is at the foundation of my transformation, what a Blessing!”

If you have similar words to share with us, please do. Words like these inspire others and our com-munity grows even healthier. Thank you to all who supported us on May 6!

Giving Where Their Heart Is—Thank You to Our Big Day of Giving Donors

Page 2 Bread Basket

volunteering as an art room host

on Mondays and working in Devel-

opment and Communications the

rest of the week. Like her Millenni-

al peers, Caitlyn is quite at home in

the social media space and has

been helping to expand and ener-

gize our online community

through informative and inspira-

tional Facebook posts about what

makes Bread of Life such a unique

and needed place in the communi-

ty. She has also been instrumental

in promoting the Big Day of Giving

campaign. We just found out that

Caitlyn will be leaving us soon to

pursue a two-year Master’s pro-

gram at the Fuller Theological

Seminary in Pasadena, California. It

is bittersweet to see her move on

to the next important experience

in her life and we hope she knows

how much we value her work here.

Caitlyn shared that she has

completely enjoyed her time at

Bread of Life; what she loves about

the organization is that everyone

here is present for one another and

she feels fully seen and loved.

Ca i t l y n

moved back

to our area

after attend-

ing Wheaton

College in Illi-

nois. During

her last few

post-graduation years in Chicago,

she obtained an Acro-yoga certifi-

cation, explored puppetry and a

theater, and even helped start a

church which now meets in an art

gallery. Back in Sacramento, Cait-

lyn was scanning the Idealist web-

site looking for a part-time volun-

teer job when she found Bread of

Life. We are so happy she did. At

Bread of Life, Caitlyn has been

“Everyone at Bread of Life is present for one another and I feel

fully seen and loved” Caitlyn Ference

If you are interested in volunteering at Bread of Life as a program, admin or fundraising

volunteer, contact us at volunteers@breadoflife.org, or 916-648-1803, Ext. 10. We’ll give you a tour and orientation and

you may be surprised to find out how much you have to give and

how much richer your life becomes when you volunteer.

Artist’s Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity

Facilitator: Vina Parmar, MBA, Mon-days, Aug. 25—Nov. 12, 2014, 6:30 –9:00 pm, Bread of Life, $295 ($325 after Aug. 22)

For more information and to register: www.breadoflife.org, Clas-ses & Workshops, (916) 648-1803

Inside-Out: Inner Vision, Outer Life

Facilitator: Carol Mathew-Rogers Tuesdays, May 27-Jul. 1, 6-9 pm, Bread of Life, Suggested donation of $5-$20

The Art of Healing: Using SoulCol-lage® for Deep Listening and Healing

Facilitator: Karen Haas, Saturday Jun. 28, 2014, 10 am - 3 pm, Bread of Life, Suggested donation of $20

Soul Revealed: Introduction to SoulCollage®

Facilitator: Karen Haas, Aug. 9, 10 am—3 pm, Bread of Life; $45 for first time artists $30 for artists with previ-ous experience

Transformative Art Experiences at Spirit in the Arts (SITA)

Ten years ago, curiosity and my

Volkswagen took me to the Art Studio at Bread of Life. My friends, Carol Mathew Rogers and Billie Custock, assured me that my post-retirement, renewed interest in doing art could be satisfied in this unlikely place. And my life was changed.

I can hardly remember the woman I

was before that first night. I flour-ished among a circle of loving women in the Wednesday Night Women’s Art Group, and I contin-ued in the open art studio. In this place I found my Spirit in the Art. I touched my soul as my fingers were working with the clay, painting with the brush, pounding with the ham-mer, scissoring, gluing, threading, building, repairing, shaping, stitching, sighing, smiling, laughing, crying, and rejoicing in what was brought forth. I became aware of things through the process of creating that I hadn’t accessed during years of personal work.

My curiosity and my Volkswagen have now taken me away from Sacramento and I have said good-bye, but I want to express my enor-mous gratitude to each and every one of the art supplies and all of the “found objects”. A thank you to what’s on every wall, in every

box, up and down every stairway, and behind every door. Jaymee

Moving Forward … and Remembering with Gratitude the Spirit in the Arts

Page 3

“I offer my enormous

gratitude to everyone who

has ever worked and played

there, and I wish for you and

me a continuing awareness

of the Spirit that moves us to

create.”

Chris and Trudy have been part

of the Bread of Life community for over 10 years. Trudy participated in a clergy/therapist dialogue group while the organization was still in Davis. Chris was going through a period of spiritual hunger, and found spiritual direction at Bread of Life 8 years ago. Later, Trudy com-pleted the spiritual director training program.

Having financial background and experience, Chris is very clear-minded about his own field. He says the world of finance is, gener-ally and justly, not regarded as a direct path to Spirit. He sees the

corrosive effects that greed and self-interest have been having on our nation’s economy and spirit. But he also credits his career path with giving him the chance to trust, love, and respect some people whose political and religious views are far removed from his. And, of course, to taste the nasty uncon-sciousness of some people whose politics and theology he shares. Focused on the role of nurturing and safety or lack of them in a hu-man’s life, Trudy grew up wanting to be someone who gives them to others. Her initial career choice—to become an art historian—was shaped by a love of the humanities and an early knowing of how neces-sary, and redemptive, art and beau-ty are to the human spirit. But she realized that academic art history would never be an environment where she could nurture and create safety as she wished. Becoming a clinical psychologist has been a far more fulfilling and true calling.

So, what did a financial profes-sional and a clinical psychologist find at Bread of Life? “It has given both of us a place in which we can feel that our rather heterodox Christianity—long on doubt, short on dogma—has a valid place to be expressed and explored. Also, it is very moving to us each time we are there, to see the ways in which the organization reaches out to, and has become a part of, the commu-nity around it. Both of us are artists (Trudy visual, Chris musical) who know in our bones that art, at its best, is a manifestation of spirit.” Chris and Trudy’s generous and loyal support for the mission came as a natural extension of their be-lief in the important role it plays in the community. Chris says, “Some organizations talk the talk of Chris-tianity. Bread of Life walks the walk. And those working there cre-ate an atmosphere that is shaped by their own honesty, integrity, and capacity to be spiritually present from moment to moment.”

Creative art experiences, life exploration and a sense of belonging and community at the Art studio.

Scholarship support for spiritual direction for anyone ready to explore their life’s meaning and purpose, skills and goals.

Active Engagement training for students and adults from diverse and economically troubled communities and a chance to develop skills to overcome conflicting viewpoints, personalities, interests and needs and engage in healthy, productive decision-making.

Why We Believe in Bread of Life

Thanks to Our Donors, We Offer:

Page 4 Bread Basket

“Bread of Life reaches out to those

on the margins, those in need—

immigrants, the poor, those who

have suffered diseases of the body

and the spirit, those who have

endured unimaginable losses—and

offers them a place to be heard and

respected in the context of a loving

community. “

“At Bread of Life, we found gratitude for all that has been

given—even the sufferings that we would not wish on anyone. And humility. And a sense of life not

merely going on, but flourishing.”

This QR code will

take you directly to

our online donation

page. Thank you

for your support!

of this innovative pro-gram developed out of the teachings and prin-ciples of organizational behavior, business theory and learning or-ganizations. The pro-gram focuses on such

You are not alone.

Individual employees and teams from Sacramento County, the Government of Alberta, Canada, Kaiser Permanente, …. have dis-covered the powerful tools and the liberating impact

issues as:

Engaging the collective mind of a group Awareness and the human person Developing an organi-

zational consciousness Slowing the inner

movement of a group

Do you think your organization or company can use Contemplative Dialogue/Active Engagement practices and skills?

“When I retired

from working for the state govern-ment a few years ago, I left with a mantra pound-ing in my head that was all too familiar: “There has to be a better way to conduct business. Government needs a new paradigm!”…I recently agreed to conduct an organizational health review project [for a state office] where I experienced first-hand how transformative Active Engagement can be in the workplace. In the past 2 years, this support services group had experienced significant business challenges and excessive staff turnover… Constant conflict, from both external and internal sources had taken its toll. Over the course of 16 weeks of sharing Active Engagement concepts I witnessed the emergence of a

more aware and cohesive group. I saw people setting aside their fears and their personality differences for the sake of developing as a learning team; one capable of drawing from collective experience and wisdom to drive transformative change. I saw staff begin to risk placing trust in their leaders, while taking stock of their own internal landscape and commitment to public service. I was heartened that people were discovering a new willingness to challenge processes for the sake of improving systems, even at the risk of difficult conversations. A set of tools had been offered to people willing to “become the change” they wanted to see. There is still work ahead, but I am completely convinced of the value of these tools they are learning to use.” Debbie

“My wife and I attended separately Contemplative Dialogue (CD) work-shops; I started first and about a year later, my wife wanted to learn more about the changes in me she was experiencing - more presence, awareness, and compassion. Practicing what we’ve learned has drastically changed our marriage…I thought I was engaged, connect-ed, and paying attention to her - what I was doing was paying atten-tion to what was in my head and reacting… As we slowed down, we've begun to really see each other and ourselves. The “seeing ourselves” part actually came first. When I began to embrace the 3 stances of “noticing, being non-defended, and being nonviolent”, suddenly I found myself standing on unfamiliar ground with more information about myself and her that I had never slowed down enough to see…Now, when I feel hurt or edgy, I can look at where I am on the “ladder of inference” and see what my assumptions are, and when I share my assumptions, my wife feels safe enough to share hers.” Mike

Taking

Page 5

“This outstanding program is exactly what is needed to help move our

organization into the 21st Century… I believe it will become over time the

primary catalyst for staff all across our large organization in reaching our

full potential.” Doug

Upcoming Contemplative Dialogue/Active Engagement Trainings

Contemplative Dialogue Intensive, Jun. 25-28, Sacramento, CA

Active Engagement/Contemplative Dialogue Conference,

Aug. 8-10, Auburn, CA

Skills for Dialogue

The Undefended Self

Polarity Management

If you would like to bring this program to your organization or experience it yourself, contact Jenny, at (916) 648-1803 (Ext. 16) or jennyt@breadoflife.org.

to Work

Margo Hayes

first came to Bread of Life around 1988 soon after the organiza-tion began. She loved the Advent and Easter work-

shops offered in Davis on Satur-days. Since then, she has served as a Board member and currently as a fundraising volunteer, and has par-ticipated in a number of programs and classes. Her enthusiasm for the organization is fueled by the rich offerings that are spiritual in their core but go beyond a particular faith or religion.

Margo quickly became an advocate for Bread of Life – supporting it per-sonally and engaging family and friends to participate in programs

and support them financially. She believes that the organization offers every person who comes in its orbit unique opportunities to grow, explore possibilities and discover one’s wonderful self. It serves an important role in the community because it is one of very few places that nourish growth and promote healing and understand-ing for individuals and groups through art, learning and self-knowledge.

Though initially she wanted to be in the medical field, Margo changed directions and received a BA in Child Development. She taught at a Nursery School and later went back to school and received her Master’s in Social Work degree. She is partic-ularly proud of having a private practice for 22 years which, along with her family, brought purpose, joy and satisfaction to her life.

Retired now, Margo has more time for her family and her volunteer service at several organizations, among them Bread of Life. And she always finds time for creative arts classes or learning opportunities at Bread of Life that feed her hunger for exploration and growth.

If you or anyone you know is inter-ested in helping us elevate support and goodwill for Bread of Life, let us know at emilia@breadoflife.org, or (916) 648-1803 (Ext. 13)

I find a gentler, kinder world where a person’s essential worth is a given and is not something that needs to be proved.” Talib Huff, staff

“What I wanted and find here is

freedom to explore. I had come to a point where I needed to go deep-er in exploring who I am deep down and how that connects to “Something More.” I wanted to travel further and reach higher than is possible on my own which meant I needed to connect with others on similar paths willing to ask fundamental questions like ‘Who am I?’” Anonymous

“I came wanting to learn a “new

language” for how to connect in a way that genuinely values human diversity with a deep respect. Here

“As each new person arrives -

whether an artist or a volunteer or someone in a workshop - I have the sense “Here’s another piece of this amazing puzzle we are!” Here we ex-plore and learn together and see more of what’s being revealed.“ Carol Mathew-Rogers, staff

Margo Hayes—Former Board Member, Current Supporter and Volunteer

What Brought You to Bread of Life

Page 6 Bread Basket

“Art is such an important path toward spiritual growth.

Words sometimes get in the way of expressing one’s self.

Art is a gift of discovery available to everyone. One

doesn’t need to explain art or even understand it but can grow just by participating.”

“The invitation here is to involve all that you are with everyone

else, which enriches us all. The change we support is not to

“remake” people but to find a way of seeing self and others that

frees people to be their authentic best together.

What happens here is very generative and feeds me and others.

It helps me to live what I experience here in other places in the

world. And it makes me want even deeper connection with

others in this ‘communion’ of people living their life

as a spiritual journey.”

For more information and appli-cation, visit www.breadoflife.org, Listen to Your Life, or (916) 648-1803

One-on-one sessions with a trained spiritual director. Interested?

Go to www.breadoflife.org to learn more about our spiritual directors and contact Pia at (916) 648-1803 (Ext. 10) for next steps.

Listen to your Life, September 2014—May 2015

Still Listening, September 2014 —May 2015 in Lafayette

Internship in the Art of Spiritual Direction, 2015-17

Spiritual Formation Opportunities

Whether you are ready to Listen

to Your Life’s currents beneath the voices of culture and ego or are Still Listening as your life shifts, we support your process.

Listen to Your Life is a foundational program for listening to everyday life with an ear attuned to the movements of Spirit that are always present. We are currently interviewing candidates for the

next 9 month cycle that begins in September 2014. Who would bene-fit? People in formal and informal leadership in spiritual communities; helping professionals exploring the spiritual journey as a core part of the human journey; intentional journeyers wanting to give shape and form to their life practice for service in the world.

Still Listening deepens the attitudes and skills of listen-ing in daily life for next steps in your life’s ‘calling’ by

helping establish a peer listening community. It is for those who have completed Listen to Your Life or a similar depth formation year, or established programs of preparation and find themselves moving in unknown directions. Interested? Go to:xxxxxxxxxxxxxx www.breadoflife.org/ Listen to Your Life or call at (916) 648-1803.

The Art of Spiritual Direction

Page 7

“Everything we’re about here is

‘expression of the soul.’ When a person

comes for spiritual direction, it’s like

they’re creating a painting of their

soul-life across time.”

Cathy Squires, spiritual director

Nice quote

Spiritual Directors at Bread of Life: (sitting from L to R)

Jane Rabin, Cathy Squires, and Rena Grant; (standing

1st row from L to R) Lucy Chalifour, Sandra Lommas-

son, and Carolyn Kees; (2nd row from L to R) Kathy

Miranda, Tom Morgan, and Bill Kees.

The sense of a depth community in the “Listen to Your Life” program helps me see myself a little better and with more compassion. -A 2014 participant

Ready to ‘Listen to Your Life’ or ‘Still Listening’?

Simple Gifts, practices to cultivate connection to the spiritual dimension of life.

Trauma, Healing and Spirituality for survivors and those who walk with them.

Contact us to discuss and schedule: pia@breadoflife.org, (916) 648-1803 (Ext. 10)

Some of these are eligible for Continuing Education Units (CEU) credit from the California Board of Behav-ioral Sciences. For more information about our CEU policies and all our offerings, please visit www.breadoflife.org

SoulCollage, creating expressive photo collages as a healing art

Writing from the Soul, spontaneous writing in response to facilitator prompts as a way to express, heal and grow.

New Perspectives, an interactive arts experience to enhance group dynamics

Custom Creations, where you choose from differ-ent artistic media for an individualized experience

Creative Conversations to help discover common ground in any setting.

We can bring interactive learning opportunities to your organization or group, tailoring them to your specific needs and preferences. These are particularly beneficial for professional groups providing direct service such

as medical, therapeutic, social services, serving people with disabilities, mental health professionals, child protective services, substance-abuse recovery programs, and religious organizations. But any organization committed to

growth for its employees will benefit too.

All of our workshop facilitators lead participants in exploring personal and group experiences, providing opportunities for healing, understanding and growth both within individuals

and the larger organization.

650 El Camino Avenue

Sacramento, CA 95815

(916) 648-1803

www.breadoflife.org

For questions, comments or suggestions related to this newsletter or if you would like to support the important work of

Bread of Life - contact us at (916) 648-1803, Ext. 13 or emilia@breadoflife.org. Please let us know if you would like to

receive the newsletter electronically.

Spirit in the Arts is funded in part by the Cultural Arts Award of the Sacramento Metropolitan Arts Commission with support from the City and County of Sacramento

NONPROFIT ORG

US POSTAGE PAID

SACRAMENTO, CA

PERMIT NO. 1097