Opening Day

Each spring, baseball celebrates Opening Day. For all of us, baseball fans or not, spring is a chance for a reset and a resurgence. What if we could approach every day as Opening Day? What if we used each morning as an opportunity for a deeper awakening?  Spring has sprung!  At Unity of North Kitsap this Sunday, thoughts on its renewing possibilities by songwriter and speaker Doug Benecke accompanied, as always, by the musical tones of Sallie Spirit.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.

Ordinary Ecstasy

The renewing powers of spring are evident to us now, if we have eyes to see.  Like seeds sleeping underground, like buds dormant on a bare branch, our vital energies lean toward a time of blossoming.  What we are fed by, in our own practice and in community, is that transcendent connection – what we may call ordinary ecstasy – that links us, over and over, to an awareness of a greater presence.  The relationships between ecstasy, empathy, and community, explored in a talk by songwriter and speaker Doug Benecke accompanied by the musical joys of Sallie Spirit.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.

Just Listen

Just listen.  Listen up. Are you listening? Which people, what voices are inviting you to listen today? Are you listening fully, wholeheartedly? Are you attentive to that which connects you to Spirit and to joy?  Are you listening to Spirit, to that still small voice? These questions and more to be explored in a talk by speaker and songwriter Doug Benecke with beautiful music to listen to by Doug and Sallie Spirit.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.

Seeking the Good

In daily life, humans generally seek good outcomes --- with mixed results!  Most people we encounter are operating, at root level, from intentions that are largely positive, but may have gone astray or become ineffective.  This week at Unity, we'll explore how we might seek the good, the best outcome, for ourselves and for all we share this planet with. An eternal question to consider as we proceed into 2024, from songwriter and speaker Doug Benecke with nothing but goodly music from Sallie Spirit.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.

Gratitude Camp 

Gratitude is a theme for the fall months, but could be a blessed approach to all of life – if we allowed it to be.  Our time on earth is limited, but through gratitude we see beyond our mortal selves, live in the holy instant, and touch the face of God.  This week at Unity – are you ready for Gratitude Camp? Grateful words by songwriter and speaker Doug Benecke with the graceful music of Sallie Spirit.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.

Peace Talks

Everyone wants peace, but how much does our world work for it?  How much do we work for it in our personal lives?  How often do we nurture the seeds of conflict deep in our hearts when we so deeply want peace in our families, in our communities, and on our planet?  How are your peace talks going?  Are you fostering peace or holding on to conflict?  This week at Unity, exploring peace talks, root and branch, with songwriter and speaker Doug Benecke who will also be making peaceful music with Sallie Spirit.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.

Speechless

There may be times when words fail us.  Perhaps this is as it should be: for words are maps of our experience - and the map is not the territory.  And, if this is true for even our daily life, then how much truer must it be of God, the ultimate Mystery?  This week at Unity, an exploration of the limits of human speech to describe the Infinite, and what may be beyond our descriptions.  Thoughts by songwriter and speaker Doug Benecke with Sallie Spirit’s inspiring music.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.

Play Ball!

Summer's now opening up fully in all its promised warmth and fervor. It's the season of hikes, picnics, gardens and... baseball!  If you look at your spiritual life as a ball game: Are you winning?  Losing?  Playing fair?  Bending the rules?  Are you having fun?  Are you playing with passion?  Are you a good sport?  How do you play the game?  A turn 'round the bases with songwriter and speaker Doug Benecke and his musical teammate Sallie Spirit.  Batter up!

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.

Peace Is Here, Right Now

Whatever we face each day, we can embrace it in a peaceful way. We know this to be true, though we may fall short of this ideal over and over. This week at Unity, pathways into that peaceful response with inspiration from Thich Nhat Hanh and others.  Reflections on the peaceful way the heart desires by songwriter and speaker Doug Benecke with musical love notes by Sallie Spirit.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.

This Beautiful Truth 

We may think of truth, if it can be known at all, as something to face up to --- a set of facts about each of us that could be irksome, irritating, or disturbing.  What if, instead, the truths we find on our soul’s journey are deeply helpful to us, are revelatory, are beautiful?

For Father’s Day at Unity, engaging with truth on the spiritual path, thoughts by songwriter and speaker Doug Benecke with truly beautiful music by Sallie Spirit and Doug.

Doug is a lifelong musician and student of the human spirit. He holds a religion degree from Oberlin College and works as an addictions counselor. Doug and his wife, Sallie Spirit, share talks and music at churches all around the Sound.

For the Zoom login links, subscribe to our newsletter here.