Heal Thyself, Heal the World

I consider myself a practicing spiritual seeker. I have known several religious traditions, from Quakers as an adolescent in Pennsylvania to Islam as a student in Istanbul to New Thought in Denver. I was baptized an Episcopalian. I believe in Open Mind, Open Heart traditions. I believe in the Oneness of the universe and of living things. My connection is to Spirit or God or Goddess or Mother Earth and I am one with Spirit.

At sunrise, I practice my sacred meditations of reading a spiritual passage, of reading a poem aloud, moments of deep breathing, and journaling. I try to be mindful of a divine presence at all times in my life. I have to do my morning meditations like exercise to maintain my sense of well-being and centeredness.

For many years I suffered from mental illness disorders which put me on a quest for a higher self far from psychiatric medications, psychiatrists and mental hospitals. None of these taught me how to heal myself and thus heal the world. I believe if I heal myself, I heal the world. I have devoted sixty some years of service to others, often without pay. With these sacred practices, to me, I move closer to my center, my core and my inner light.

Without dogma of traditional religion, I am open with a full heart to others' beliefs and practices.

--Nancy Vorkink, Denver, Colo.