Give ’em the Business with a Chief Spiritual Officer

Making money and living a conscious life are not mortal enemies. So suggests May McCarthy, who over the last 35 years has founded and grown seven profitable companies, in a variety of industries including fashion retail, telecommunications, healthcare software, and capital equipment, that employs 250 people and bring in more than $100 million in annual revenues. She attributes her success to employing spiritual principles, including partnering with her “chief spiritual officer” as her source of intuition, in her business practices.

McCarthy introduced the CSO in her 2015 book, The Path to Wealth: Seven Spiritual Steps for Financial Abundance, which carries a five-star review on Amazon.com, showing how creating job descriptions for both yourself and the spiritual partner help in setting up and activating a seven-step daily practice that can lead to a shift in thinking about how financial wealth and abundance are created. The chief spiritual officer is the first step on the journey: welcoming the all-knowing power of the universe as a new member to your financial advisory team.

In her new book, The Gratitude Formula, published last month, McCarthy offers a definable, practical system that readers can put to use every day to achieve success beyond finances: in relationships, career, health, personal pursuits, spiritual growth, and virtually any other aspect of your life. But the basics still include a working relationship with the CSO, which forms the basis of her workshop taking place 1:30 to 4 pm this Sunday, April 8, at Unity of Santa Barbara. In an introduction to the seven simple steps to work with your new CSO as a partner, participants will discover what’s “yours to do” and what is your CSO’s to do – clearly delineating the separate job responsibilities, which can lead to experiencing more fun, more freedom, and greater levels of success in your personal and professional life. Admission is by $20 suggested donation. Call 966-2239 or visit www.santabarbaraunity.org/path-wealth-seven-spiritual-steps-financial-abundance-freedom.

Taylor-Made Healing

Santa Barbara resident Madisyn Taylor is the cofounder and editor in chief of DailyOM, a popular holistic lifestyle website that encompasses a daily email newsletter and also serves as the series title of two books that reached the top of Amazon.com‘s self-help charts (“DailyOM: Inspirational Thoughts for a Happy, Healthy, and Fulfilling Day” and “DailyOM: Learning to Live”) and have been translated into more than 15 languages. Her Meditation for the Highly Sensitive Person reached No. 1 on the New Age album charts for Billboard, Amazon, and iTunes, and she’s been a contributing author for Oprah.com and a regular host on XM Satellite Radio.

Taylor’s third book, Unmedicated. The Four Pillars of Natural Wellness, published in January, is her account of how she broke free from an excessive reliance on medications to treat binding mental problems and physical ailments to healing herself through the four pillars of natural wellness. The book serves as a gentle and accessible step-by-step guide to self-healing through clearing your mind, strengthening your body, nurturing your spirit, and finding your tribe. Taylor will be at The Sacred Space, located at 2594 Lillie Avenue in Summerland, on Sunday, April 8, to talk about and sign copies of the book. While her 3 pm talk in the small lecture hall is officially sold-out, visitors are welcome to listen in from the store and to have their books signed beginning at 2 pm and again after the talk. Info at 565-5535 or www.sacredspace.us. Visit Taylor’s websites at www.dailyom.com and www.madisyntaylor.com/wp.

SKY Pilot

SKY Meditation, which arrived in Santa Barbara via a series of free introductory sessions last month, has scheduled its first SKY Breathing Meditation Program workshop for this weekend, April 7-9. SKY, which is being practiced by tens of thousands of people around the country, utilizes the innate ability of the breath to trigger an automatic quieting of the mind, leading to a deep experience of meditation for both beginners and experienced meditators. The process is said to be easy to practice and effective even when the mind is restless or caught up in emotions. During the practice of SKY, meditators do not try to clear the mind or even watch the breath. The core technique brings the rhythms of the body, mind, and emotions into harmony with the innermost self to provide a framework state that resonates throughout the day.

The weekend program includes instruction and practicing the technique, plus specific light physical stretches, interactive processes, and other elements to help integrate the benefits of meditation into every aspect of daily life. Many of the wide-ranging physiological, mental, and emotional benefits are often seen immediately. The SKY materials suggest that numerous peer-reviewed published studies have verified these benefits.

The workshop takes place 3 to 6 pm on Saturday and Sunday, plus 6:30 to 9:30 pm Monday in an intimate space on East Victoria St. The course fee is $395, with a $100 discount for students. Call 815-9700, email santabarbara@skymeditation.org or visit www.eventbrite.com/e/sky-breathing-meditation-program-tickets-44713006807 for details.

If you’re not ready to commit, the organizers are also hosting continuing free workshop that have been moved from the Goleta Valley Community Center to Unity of Santa Barbara. The next one takes place 6:30 to 8 pm on Wednesday evening, April 11, and will feature theoretical as well as an experiential component, including a guided meditation process. Call or email as above, or visit www.eventbrite.com.

Center of the Art of Gong

In Harmonic Immersion: The Art of Gong Meditation, Ron and Michelle Anuradha Angel employ a wide variety of sacred instruments, including gongs, crystal singing bowls, Himalayan bowls, the Halo handpan, Rav drum and Native American flute. In orchestrating the instruments, they sculpt a rich and varied harmonic soundscape that invites listeners to relax and let the vibrations induce a healing inward journey. The couple, who tour the Art of Gong around the Western states, arrive at Center of the Heart’s Center for Spiritual Living in Goleta on Monday evening, April 9, for a 6:30 to 8 pm session, that costs $20 in advance, or $25 at the door. Please bring your own yoga mat and pillow to find your horizontal comfort. Call 964-4861 or visit www.centeroftheheart.com/event/.

Get with the Systems

The Science and Religion Study Group’s next meeting takes place from 7 to 8:30 pm on Monday, April 9, at Trinity Episcopal Church, 1500 State Street, where the group’s Mel Sahyun will lead an exploration of Systems Theory, the emerging paradigm that has major implications for scientific endeavors as well as faith. Videos will be screened to provide an overview of the approach that emphasizes connectedness, relationship, community, and belonging, an ecological view of life that is grounded ultimately in spiritual awareness. Discussion follows. For more information, call Bob Richard at 680-5590 or email starryrobert@aol.com.

Essential Oils Workshops

Dr. Benjamin Perkus and Elaine Perkus wind up a series of five free classes about using essential oils for physical, emotional, and spiritual healing. “Creating a Healthy Home with Essential Oils”, which takes place 3 pm on Saturday, April 8, discusses how to remove toxins, enhance wellness and create a soothing and uplifting personal environment, while “Aroma Freedom Technique”, which will be held at 11 am on Wednesday, April 11, is a simple yet profound process developed by Dr. Benjamin Perkus for manifesting your heart’s desire and fulfilling your purpose. Dr. Perkus has integrated 20 years of clinical experience as a practicing clinical psychologist with 15 years of work with essential oils into the technique employs the power of scent to gently shift awareness away from negative thoughts, feelings, and memories to make space for initiating a positive outlook and attitude. The workshops take place up in the foothills at 497 Mountain Drive. A reservation by calling or texting Elaine at (607) 725-7785 is required.

Ongoing Opportunities

Singing to Free the Mind: The Monthly Mantra Lounge Kirtan returns to the intimate small chapel at Unity of Santa Barbara this Saturday, April 7, for an evening of meditative song via call-and-response kirtan – calling to the Divine by various names to invoke presence and connection. As always, the chanting is followed by the sharing of the provided plant-based refreshments and time to connect with the others. Admission is a $10 donation at the door, which includes the vegan refreshments. Call 722-0064, email mantraloungesb@gmail.com or visit www.meetup.com/Santa-Barbara-Mantra-Lounge-Kirtan…. Living in Truth, Peace and Happiness: Santa Barbara Advaita, Non-Duality, Satsang Meetup gets together for one of its periodic meetings from 6:30 to 8 pm on Wednesday, April 11, at host Gail Brenner‘s home, 11 La Cumbre Circle. As always, newcomers are most welcome to join the community of folks for a gathering that starts with guided meditation to illuminate the deepest truth of being before the floor is opened for questions. Brenner, a Ph.D. psychologist and author, speaks from her own experience about the possibility of moving from common everyday problems to awakened, embodied living in the deep acceptance of awareness of the present moment. Those who are tired of suffering, driven by their emotions, and/or long to see through the mind-made barriers that create separation and limitations, are especially encouraged to attend. No admission charge, but donations are accepted. Read more about and from Brenner on her website, www.GailBrenner.com, or visit www.meetup.com.