The Arizona Spiritual Growth Foundation, Inc.
8421 Wrightstown Road
Tucson, AZ
(520) 298-1245

FROM THE CORPORATE CHARTER:
The ARIZONA SPIRITUAL GROWTH FOUNDATION, Inc. shall provide programs and materials to as many people as possible to support them in their spiritual, personal and interpersonal growth.

THIS IS NOT THE END!

Bob Maginel

Some of you have noticed that the Upper Chamber hasn't arrived in your mailbox for awhile.

We haven't lost our desire to communicate those inspirational stories of personal and spiritual growth to you in this newsletter. We just haven't gotten much of a response to our requests for articles to publish.

The Board of Directors of the Foundation has agreed with me that we should publish a "Best of the Upper Chamber" Issue and then put the publication to bed for a period until the spirit moves us to communicate again.

We have enjoyed the last ten years of sharing our spiritual journeys with you all. We appreciate those of you who have contributed articles and sent checks to the Foundation to keep our work going.

We still need your financial support. (Our Foundation has distributed much literature this past year to the tune of a nearly $400.00 loss!) It is our pleasure to continue to support groups who are attempting to improve their relationship with God through our programs of tasks and meditations.

For those of you who want to review the publications for the past 10 years, go to: www.angelfire.com/az2/asgf. Most of the back copies of the Upper Chamber are linked on the home page so that you can access the trove of treasures submitted by our contributors over the past ten years.

We are not closing the Foundation. Indeed, we are now sponsoring Frank Rose in his efforts to develop a new approach to Spiritual Growth using an innovative program of tasks and lecture materials.

As I begin the task of editing this "Best" issue, I have the daunting task of selecting those articles that mean the most to me. I hope you agree that many of the contributions are worth a repeat reading.

Those of us at the Arizona Spiritual Growth Foundation wish you the very best for this Special Holiday Season.

ANOTHER RED LIGHT!

Louise Rose

I am fuming. We are on the way to pick up a friend in downtown Tucson (about 13 miles) and take her to a potluck and class at another home about 15 miles further on.

Before we left our home on the east side of town, I had called the hostess to ask her to turn on her oven so that the moment we get there, I can pop my little quiches in for 20 minutes.

It is now dawning on me that we have not had one single green light since we left our home 15 minutes ago. Every Monday evening I drive this route to singing practice in exactly 11 minutes. If you drive at 42 mph you hit green lights all the way.

Now, on a Friday evening at 5:30, traffic is heavy. The light turns green at last, the line of cars starts up sluggishly, and we barely touch 42 mph before beginning to slow down for the next red light.

I feel a burning impatience in my chest, frustration makes my neck hot. My hands squeeze the steering wheel. The proprium begins its search for someone to blame. A tiny voice in my head says, "You left late because you talked on the phone too long." But I don't want to listen to that. I'd rather listen to the voices yelling "Another red light! This is outrageous! We'll never get there. People will be finished eating before I ever put my quiches in the oven. How mortifying! Why don't all these people get out of my way?"

During this wallow in negativity, my husband, Frank, is calmly sitting in the passenger seat reading. Eager to disturb his irritating serenity and recruit his agreement that I have every right to be indignant, I say fiercely, "WHY? Why are we getting every red light when we're already late?" He says quietly, as though it is obvious, "To give me time to prepare my class."

Oh? This thought sinks in and begins to take the rough edges off the negativity. I feel the steam slowly leaking out of the angry mood. A brief tussle takes place inside my head and I'm relieved to find a willingness to stay with the positive thought and let go of the "fun" of fuming. The red lights are doing Frank a favor!

Instead of focusing on the lights, I just drive, taking whatever comes. I stop looking at the clock. Before we arrive at the friend's house, Frank closes the book and we look at the sunset together. I ask him whether he would be willing to drive the remaining leg of the journey. He agrees. The friend gets in the front seat, I get in the back.

We hit more red lights, but it doesn't matter. We chat happily. We arrive late and everyone seems happy to see us. My quiches go into the oven which has waited so long, and they come out warm. Everything is fine. I feel very grateful to Frank for showing me again how changing the thought can change the feeling. Even before the class begins, I have learned a great lesson

WHAT IS A FRIEND?

Herb Ridlon

A man, in his lifetime, has many acquaintances but few friends.

A FRIEND IS:

ONE THAT YOU CAN TALK WITH ABOUT ANYTHING AND FEEL AT EASE.

ONE THAT WILL LISTEN TO YOUR ADVICE AND ACCEPT WHAT IS USEFUL AND

NOT TRY TO JUSTIFY WHY ALL OR ANY OF IT WAS NOT USED.

ONE THAT WILL GIVE ADVICE AND NOT REQUIRE YOU TO JUSTIFY HOW OR IF YOU APPLY IT.

TIME AND DISTANCE NEVER ALTERS THE FEELINGS

ONE THAT YOU CAN READILY LAUGH OR CRY WITH OR IN FRONT OF AND NOT

FEEL GUILTY OR ASHAMED.

ONE THAT YOU CAN COUNT ON FOR SUPPORT WHEN NEEDED WITHOUT THE FEELING OF OBLIGATED PAY BACK.

ONE THAT YOU WILL SUPPORT AT ALL TIMES WITHOUT ANY EXPECTATION OF PAY BACK.

ONE THAT YOU CAN SPEND TIME WITH AND NEITHER FEEL OBLIGATED TO TALK ABOUT ANYTHING.

ONE THAT IS WILLING TO LISTEN TO YOU WHEN YOU JUST NEED TO TALK

ABOUT ANYTHING.

STRENGTH

Dottie Ridlon

God will give us the strength for what we must do each day. In Phillippians, Paul says "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me ". So it is with each one of us.

I pray daily for that strength, because I feel that without the Lord's help I can do little. I put myself in His hands, and he never fails to help..

The tasks of Spiritual Growth are there for me to use. They are very useful tools I can rely upon. I think the one I've used most is the one about forgiving. It takes strength to forgive. Another favorite of mine is one on criticism. I use this one frequently so I can just let some things go.

Another task is about living in the present. It teaches that we cannot let the past rule our life.

I remember the saying: "Spiritually growing up sends us on a higher road" one that helps us on our journey. Strength for the journey is provided by God.

I think it is about time I worked through all the tasks of Spiritual Growth again. I've done them three or four times now and I always learn something I hadn't thought about when I worked them the first time.

KEEP CLIMBING

Do you like It in the basement?

Do you love to cry and frown?

When life is rough

And the going tough

Do you thoughtlessly head DOWN?

It's kind of fun to rant and rave,

To yell and blame and groan.

At the end of the day

You've pushed others away

And you're standing there all alone.

It takes much more effort to climb.

The pull of the basement is strong.

Your 'Self's' asking why?

As you constantly try

To stay spiritually awake all day long.

Yes, it takes much more effort to climb

To the warm loving place up above.

It requires much more

But on that upper floor

You're surrounded by people you love.

Thank you, dear friends, for the work you have done,

And the work you have helped me to do.

When life is tough

And the going Is rough

I will love remembering YOU.

Anthony

Bob Maginel

Once in a lifetime (if you're lucky) you can meet someone who can teach you about unconditional love, the joy of extending a kindness and the character to forbear suffering without projecting it on others. I was blessed with such a relationship.

A young Tohono Odham Indian boy came into my life when friends adopted him. The Tribe permitted the adoption because they could not provide adequate care for the abandoned baby with gonorrhea, drug addiction and aids. He wasn't expected to live more than a few months, but the love of his adoptive parents and the best medical care they could find, kept him alive for nearly seven years.

We buried Anthony on his seventh birthday. The ceremony on the Reservation was a celebration of his short life and a recognition of the many lives that he had touched during his short stay with us on this earth. I watched hundreds of people stream by his coffin to pay last respects. Many placed flowers on him. Others left pictures of his classmates from school. Many reached to touch his hair with a gentle caress. I saw his Doctor bend over to kiss him goodbye.

Everyone that I saw at the service was there to celebrate Anthony's life, not to mourn his death. I think we all realized that Anthony was a gift to us from God. Thank You, Lord for sharing Anthony with us. Thank You, also for the lessons of love that he has left behind

LEARNING FROM SYMPTOMS

Frank S. Rose

The cough would not go away. I knew that it was time to see a doctor. After he examined me, and learned about my state of health, he made several recommendations. As soon as I began to follow his advice, the cough cleared up and has not returned. That was over fourteen months ago. The symptoms that got me to go to his office were annoying, and were very important messengers. I am glad I listened to them.

Isnt it wonderful how the body provides signals to tell us when something is wrong. These signals may come in the form of aches and pains, lumps or bumps, shortness of breath, tiredness, fever or a host of other indicators. They are all there to inform us. Of course, even with the best medical care, we may find that certain symptoms never go away, and we live or die with them. But many of them do disappear once the underlying problem has been addressed.

Something similar takes place with the human spirit, though in this case the symptoms involve our feelings and thoughts more than the body.

Part of spiritual growth is paying attention to our usual state of mind. Do we find that we spend a lot of time with worry or frustration? Are we chronically angry? Are we unhappy? All of these symptoms are cause for concern. They are signals that something is wrong. I know how hard it is for me to admit to physical problems and actually go to see a doctor. Many of us find it even harder to admit that our state of mind is not what it ought to be, partly because we assume that nothing can be done to make it better.

Just imagine a person waking up to the realization that they are just not feeling well spiritually? The person has a strong sense that something needs to be done. What is the next step?

Fortunately in many cases, a little spiritual work will make an enormous difference. Many of the spiritual growth tasks are designed to support people in changing their state of being so that the symptoms go away.

Take the case of fear. If fear is a recurring and debilitating companion in someones spiritual state, the task that helps us to dissociate ourselves from the fear can be very helpful. A person can say: "It (the lower self) is afraid, but I am not." or work the task about taming the wild elephant. Relax the body; Take a hot bath; Get a massage. And when negative thoughts arise that play into the fear, reject them in favor of positive thoughts.

The task about living in the present could also help. Most of the things we fear are in the future. If we dwell too much on possible future catastrophes we will find ourselves welcoming fear into our lives. Turning our attention to something positive and good in the present can be an enormous help.

This also holds true for other emotions such as chronic anger. "There is anger in my basement, but I am not angry" could be one way of reducing its power. Another technique is to ask ourselves "Why am I making myself angry so much of the time?" Anger, like all negative emotions, is an "inside job."

Of course there are injustices, and there are things that call for change. If that is the case, we can use our anger to achieve some positive goal.

Some of our mental unrest comes because of intolerable situations, like the woman who is in an abusive relationship, and finds herself miserable most of the time. The state of misery is an important symptom. She cannot forever stay in the abusive relationship. She needs to do something. She may need to find a shelter, go to counseling, get legal advice, or take some other course of action that will change the situation. Spiritual work by itself is not strong enough to keep a person positive when something really depressing is going on.

There are conditions like depression that call for professional help. We are not meant to feel sad for long periods of time. So just as the body is designed to feel healthy and whole, and pain is a signal to get help, so the spirit is designed to be happy. Negativity of any kind is there to tell us to do spiritual work, or get help.

So the next time you find yourself in a negative state of mind, see if one of the spiritual tasks will help you to move into a better place. If that doesnt work, consider whether something going on in your life needs to be changed. If changing your life does not bring relief, get help from counseling or therapy.

But what ever you do, do something. Life is not supposed to be negative. We can learn from our symptoms, and put energy into coming into a better spiritual state.

THE STAR

Mike Brown

Prelude. "We have seen His star in the east, and have come to worship Him". For thousands of years these words have opened the Christmas story. It tells of the journey of wise men who journeyed to bring gifts to the newborn savior of the world. We, too, are on a journey, a journey of body, mind, and spirit. We, too, seek to find a place to bring our spiritual treasures.

Story. I arise early in the morning and look toward the morning light and the sun behind the Rincon Mountains. It has been a difficult year with illness and surgeries. I am happy to be able to say that today is Sunday, December third, two thousand and six.

A few weeks ago I couldn't remember the day, month, or year. The return to life brings a sense of renewal for spiritual work. Spiritual growth work is labor of love of the spirit, and is a way of bringing our gifts of spiritual love into the light.

The first gift is love. I find I have more acceptance of people, places, and things. An attitude of gratitude is all around, and I believe it casts a certain golden glow. Adversity brings a new appreciation and love for those around us, especially family and friends. Love is truly experienced as the reality of the universe.

The second gift is wisdom. I understand again the need for balance and harmony in all things. Not next year, not next week,...it needs to happen NOW. In this moment of NOW I can see more clearly what needs to be done.

I let go of one job responsibility that has become stressful and burdensome and is no longer necessary. I have more clarity in my thought process.

I look for the harmonies among the disparte elements of daily living. The wind, the cold, the blue sky is one element...My tasks for the day; another element...Talking to people: at the grocery, at home is another element.

All can find a harmonious resolution in my life if I am in harmony. I keep that harmony by finding a theme that is a touchstone that brings me back into harmony and balance. The theme today is, "We have seen His star in the east and have come to worship Him". I trust that another theme will show up in the clarity of the present moment when it is needed.

THE PRESENT MOMENT IS GREAT!

Bob Maginel

The hustle of the Holiday Season is upon us! What a great time to do spiritual work.

I am always anxious about the Holidays. Travel planning! Gift buying! Entertaining! I really need a break from all the concerns. I need to put away both the good and bad memories so that I can enjoy THIS SEASON. I need to live in the moment and appreciate the gifts that surround me.

My favorite Spiritual Growth task for this situation is: "Living in the Present Moment." I really don't want to relive the disappointments from past Holidays. I certainly don't want the memories of both good and bad holidays to spoil the joy of this season. What I need to do is to take a clue from the children with whom I come into contact.

Children are masters of "Living in the Present Moment." Nothing can match the heavenly joy that they experience in the excitement of the Christmas Season. Just look at their eyes sparkle when they see the bright lights go up on the tree. We can learn so much about how to achieve joy and peace at this time of year from the children.

I believe that God intends for us to experience joy and peace when we remember the gift he sent to us in the form of Jesus Christ. I intend to focus on that "best gift" as the Holiday Season unfolds. Maybe a child or two will lead me into the joy of the moment. I wish the same for each of you.

WE DO GOOD WORK!

Please help us with the work of teaching spiritual growth. Your gift is tax deductible and will support the distribution of literature, CDs and tapes.

We have no paid employees so your entire gift will go to the work of the Foundation.

Please send your gifts to:

The Arizona Spiritual Growth Foundation, Inc.

8421 E. Wrightstown Road

Tucson, AZ 85715