Click here to view the photo slideshow from the MSIA Seminar with John Morton in San Francisco.
I could hardly believe I was in San Francisco as my fellow traveling companion and eNDH reporter, Penelope Bright, and I pulled up to the Hyatt Hotel on Fisherman’s Wharf Saturday afternoon on December 3rd for MSIA’s events. If I had to paint you a picture of what was going on inside of me it would be like a TV having trouble with the vertical reception jumping up and down. We were greeted by some very nice folks from the hotel that took care of everything for us. I was also greeted by the beloved Eddie Chow who lives in San Francisco and who guided us to the hotel via cell phone as we exited the freeway.
A couple of really nice bellman helped us to our room and as we got settled in we realized we had some time to do some site seeing. What a place! Most of my vocabulary walking around during my visit consisted of “Oooooohhhh’s” and “Ahhhhhh’s” and a lot of “Look at that! Look at this! Oh my goodness!” The weather couldn’t have been better. It was crisp, cool, sunny and full of joy, peace, and goodwill. Everywhere we turned people were kind, joyful and full of holiday Spirit. Well, back towards the hotel we went to get ready for the evening seminar with John Morton.
Registration check in was at 6:30 p.m. as people gathered near the ballroom. We were greeted by a lot of wonderful people I normally see in my Doctor of Spiritual Science class, and it was nice to meet them on their territory for a change. I got to be the “out of town” person. I proceed into the ballroom and it was a nice, small, cozy and intimate room. Folks were mingling and catching up with each other. It was getting close to starting time as we took our seats.
Lily Goodman, our Mistress of Ceremonies, took the stage and welcomed everyone to town, and to the first of the Living In Grace activities held in Northern California annually. Lily then welcomed Greg Freitas who called us all forward into the Light for the evening. Next we sent Light to the upcoming events presented by the following people who made the announcements: Reb Bowman on behalf of Insight for San Francisco, Lee Clausen for PTS announcing an MSS Year 1 Class to take place in Sacramento in 2006. After announcements, Angel Gibson introduced a Moment of Peace video featuring John-Roger and friends at the Taj Mahal in India in 1972. This was a real treat. I had not seen this in quite sometime.
Next up Dan Millar sang a song entitled “Everything’s Gonna Be Okay.” It’s nice to know that, Dan. Thanks. Joe Millar read one of his poems entitled “The Telephone Repairman” which was not only enlightening but entertaining. Annie Millar and Chris Collins led the group in singing a Bhajan in Latin, “Deus ibi Est,” in medley with “Congregavuit.”
After our entertainment portion of the evening, John Morton was introduced by Lily Goodman. John began the seminar with a baby blessing for Mark Flohr, son of Mike and Letty Flohr. With Chuck and Leila Millar standing in as Godparents.
After the baby blessing, John made a request to send Light unconditionally for John-Roger’s health, and that loving always works as well as seeding. John shared a very personal story about choosing to stay in loving then opened the evening to Questions and Answers.
This was a very appropriate way to start as we were right next door to the San Francisco Police Department’s Christmas Party. John Morton is not only a good sport, but a demonstration of what he speaks on. It became more and more evident as John took on the questions and answered them using everything to his advantage, including the very loud and sometimes humorous things we heard from the party next door including the loud music.
The first question had to do with learning patience through intention and doing spiritual exercises with devotion and focus. Vigilance was another word that was a theme. John talked about working with Fear, and overshadowing it with Faith. He emphasized having neutrality toward the circumstances of life, and was very funny and timely as the band for the concurrent event next door seemed to provide musical accompaniment and emphasis for what he was saying.
He addressed one person’s concerns regarding care-taking of aging parents, and reminded us all about staying in the Loving, and having a consciousness of Service. I would say that laughter was of service to all of us in Light of this evening’s unfolding event of living in grace. I think a lot of us enjoyed both events. In fact, after John’s Baruch Bashan, some of us took to the hallway and started dancing to the music coming from the party next door.
After the seminar, another opportunity to hit the streets of San Francisco was at hand. A bit colder than it was earlier, we wrapped up in warmer coats and headed for a late evening snack and some hot tea. After a little fellowship, we headed back to the hotel to get some rest for the next day’s event.
Day 2 Dawns
Click here to view the photo slideshow from the Minister and Initiate Q&A with John Morton in San Francisco.
As per usual I’m up early. I get some spiritual exercises in and I’m ready for my morning walk. With that vertical jumping jack still inside of me I can hardly wait to once again see the city that has made me feel at home.
We set out to find coffee! We end up on the boardwalk of Fisherman’s Wharf and I got into my “Oooooohhhh’s” and “Ahhhhhh’s” once again. The morning was beautiful with sun, clear air, birds and the peace and quiet of being up early. I was taken in by an atmosphere of almost being in the country. We took in the sites and ended up in Ghirardelli Square. There we found a cute little 50’s caf
