Greetings Beloved Ones,

A few months back I met Azim Khamisa of the Tariq Khamisa Foundation in San Diego. He shared with me the story of reconciliation with the family of the teenager who shot and killed his son Tariq, who was delivering pizza to pay his way through college.

Azim is featured in this month's film and I can tell you only that the story will move you to the depths of your heart.

Our featured film this month is:

"the Power of Forgiveness"

Researchers are now examining the psychological and physical effects of forgiveness on individuals and within relationships under an amazingly wide variety of conditions, ranging from petty insults to sexual assault. Clinicians have developed interventions that help guide people through a structured process that allows them to forgive transgressions and get on with their lives.

The POWER of FORGIVENESS explores this important work and translates it into a powerfully moving documentary film. The film points to the value of forgiveness as a virtue in many of the world’s great religions and the struggle that people of all faiths have in honoring it.

The film also combines character-driven stories of dramatic transgressions with those of more commonplace annoyances, examining the role that forgiveness can play in alleviating the resulting anger and grief and the physical, mental and spiritual benefits that come with forgiveness. These stories assure us that there is hope if we are open to seeking it and accepting it.

The film includes stories and interviews with people from many faith traditions: Buddhist teacher Thich Nhat Hanh, Nobel Peace Laureate Elie Wiesel on forgiveness in the Jewish faith; Azim Khamisa on forgiveness and Islam; Rev. James Forbes, pastor emeritus of Riverside Church in New York, on forgiveness from a Christian perspective. And best-selling author Thomas Moore (Care of the Soul) speaks on forgiveness from a spiritual dimension.

There are stories on forgiveness research, The Garden of Forgiveness in Beirut, Lebanon, building a Garden of Forgiveness at Ground Zero and the Amish teaching on forgiveness.

Join with like-minded seekers as we share an evenings of fellowship and movies. Later in the season we will also enjoy drum circles, book studies, workshops and classes. I will share more about these events on Friday night.

A Season for Inner Peace April 5-January 29, is a local 301-day spiritual campaign dedicated to demonstrating that inner peace is a powerful way to heal, transform, and empower our lives and our communities. Inspired by the Season for Nonviolence, this Pasadena area event honors their vision for an empowered community anchored in the principles of nonviolent communication. We are committed to the Global Heart Vision of a world that works for everyone, with no one left out..

Other Season for Inner Peace events at AHIAH will include:

Study for Course in Miracles
At the AHIAH Learning Center
Thursdays evenings, 7pm

Movies for Peace Night
Last Friday of every month
next showing Sept. 25, 2009 at 7pm

We are planning a " The Power of Forgiveness" workshop coming soon!
Let us know if you would like to enroll.

Meditation 101 coming soon

The Ahiah Center for Spiritual Awakening is a transdenominational center for enlightenment and metaphysical teachings. Ask one of our licensed spiritual practitioners about a complimentary spiritual support session.
[masked]

Blessings and Light,
Rev. MichaelBernard R.Sc.P.