Divine Appointments with Shared Heart Newsletter 9.4.24
Dear Shared Heart Friends,
Divine Appointments is one of the topics for this month’s Shared Heart Newsletter.
Autumn Couple’s Retreat November 14-17
Would you like your relationship to reach a new level of love, healing, intimacy, and commitment? Couples describe these three-day weekends as a safe and loving place to learn and practice new skills for their relationships.
Excerpt from this month’s article: “Rather than feeling that the people we meet are random acts, what if there is a higher purpose, spiritual guidance, to those we meet? “
“A Couple of Miracles is an amazing book by two amazing humans. I was brought to tears many times. I don’t want you to miss a word of this outstanding book.”
—Susan Campbell, PhD, author of Getting Real
Semi-Finalist, Book of the Year, Online Book Club
A Couple of Miracles: One Couple, More Than a Few Miracles, available only on Amazon.com as a Kindle e-book for only $6.95 (or paperback for $18.95). Here’s the link: A Couple of Miracles
“I would add to Joyce and Barry’s number of miracles … this book! When two health professionals, despite our training, can open their minds and consciousness to the truth of life, miracles can happen. Read this book!”
—Bernie Siegel, MD, author of Love, Medicine & Miracles
“A truly inspirational story that can open our hearts to appreciate the many miracles that can come through love, compassion and wisdom. A real page turner!”
—John Gray, PhD, author of Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus
“The Vissells’ latest book, A Couple of Miracles, will bring tears to the eyes of readers: tears of joy, tears of compassion, tears of heartache, and tears of laughter. It’s got everything! Readers who are skeptical about miracles should be warned that this book could turn you into a believer! Read this book if you’re looking for a jolt of pure inspiration!”
—Linda Bloom, LCSW and Charlie Bloom, MSW, authors of 101 Things I Wish I Knew When I Got Married
Unbelievable Book Sale: To Really Love a Woman and To Really Love a Man (each regular price $15.95) now $15 for both with free shipping; and if you buy both, as a bonus, just $3 each (and free shipping) for as many as you want of the following books: The Shared Heart, Models of Love, Risk To Be Healed, Rami’s Book, Light in the Mirror, and A Mother’s Final Gift.
Shared Heart Column
Heartfulness September 2024
with Joyce and Barry Vissell
“Divine Appointments”
Wouldn’t it be great if we could live our lives with the notion of “divine appointments?” Rather than feeling that the people we meet are random acts, what if there is a higher purpose, spiritual guidance, to those we meet? It may not be obvious at first, but with a little curiosity and then a little probing, we may learn the deeper purpose and soul lessons of each seemingly random meeting.
All this happened to me powerfully last week.
I crave the wilderness. Often, I’m alone, rafting down an isolated river for five days or backpacking in places where I may not see anyone for days. Some think I’m crazy or reckless to do this, but John Muir, the famous naturalist, would cheer me on. I find soul renewal and healing in these trips. Because Joyce has worried about my safety and not being able to communicate with me for days, I now have a satellite communicator to check in with her each evening or to send out an SOS if I’m in trouble.
My last trip didn’t go very well. I was backpacking on The Lost Coast, a rugged, remote twenty-mile stretch of coastline in the far north of California. It’s one of my favorite places to go. However, on my second night out, our three golden retrievers (I’m not alone) decided I needed extra protection and barked almost non-stop the whole night. In all fairness, a bear may have been searching for a free handout. In their dog minds, I just needed protection. Grandma Gracie and Mother Honey were more polite. They barked some distance away from my tent. I might have been able to sleep through their barking. One-and-a-half-year-old Ruby, however, stayed right by my head just outside the tent and barked so loud that it hurt my ears. She wanted to be near me, the pack leader, because she was scared. I spoke to her, and she quieted for perhaps five minutes. I yelled at her with the same results. I thought of bringing her into my tiny backpacking tent, but she would only have room if she slept on top of me. Needless to say, I got no sleep the whole night and ended my trip the next day exhausted.
So last week, with my schedule free, I decided on a different kind of trip. I loaded our camper onto my pickup truck and set out for the High Sierras. It would not be the total solo immersion in the wilderness that I like, but I was assured the dogs would be quiet sleeping in the truck’s back seat. And that they were. Heavenly silence from the canine world – all night long!
One night, I camped not far from a hot spring in the thermally-active Owens Valley. I woke up the next morning with the sun rising, illuminating the majestic High Sierra front range. I went for a soak, hoping to be alone to meditate in silence. But there was a young man at the tub. Of course, I had the choice to be silent and close my eyes. But then I thought about “divine appointments” and began to talk with him. In a recent one of our weekly videos, Joyce spoke about the importance of deep conversations, taking the opportunity to go deeper with people. Shawn (not his real name) lives in Mammoth and teaches skiing in the winter. When he heard I was from Santa Cruz, he mentioned how much he loves to go to The Land of the Medicine Buddha to walk and meditate. I seized upon that as an inroad and asked about his spiritual path. He told me how important Ram Dass (a Harvard professor who transformed after meeting his guru in India) was to him. His mother had given him her original copy of Be Here Now, held together by rubber bands. I told him all about our profound personal relationship with Ram Dass.
Shawn listened deeply, then suddenly burst into tears. He said he hardly ever cries, but now he couldn’t stop. Between sobs, he told me his sad story. Last spring, he got bitten by a rattlesnake and almost died, but it took a long time to recover. He got fired from his job and couldn’t pay his rent, so he was evicted and now lives in his car. Last night, in a moment of deep despair, he asked God for a sign, and for some light in his life. With tears running down his cheeks, he said, “I feel the love of Ram Dass coming through you. I’ve never felt it this strong. God clearly sent you to me. I just needed evidence that I am worthy of divine love and intervention.”
I, too, had tears in my eyes, tears of profound gratitude and joy. It is my frequent prayer to be used as an instrument of love, and this was a clear example. I don’t know if it was Ram Dass’ love coming through me, or simply the love from my Higher Self. It doesn’t matter. What mattered is my trusting that I had a divine appointment with Shawn, and then taking the risk to find out exactly what it was.
I empowered him to know that he would be used in a similar way to help someone else who was suffering. A big reason we are here in this world is to alleviate suffering and to help in any way we can. So I tell all of you who read this: Be ready to help. Ask to be of service. Look for the divine appointments. Take the risks to go deeper with those you already know and with complete strangers. It will bring joy not only to them but also to you.
Semi-Finalist, Book of the Year, Online Book Club
Order our new book HERE.
Joyce & Barry Vissell, a nurse/therapist and psychiatrist couple since 1964, are counselors near Santa Cruz, CA, passionate about conscious relationships and personal spiritual growth. They are the authors of 10 books and a free audio album of sacred songs and chants. Visit SharedHeart.org for their free weekly inspirational video and monthly e-heartletter, updated schedule, and inspiring past articles on relationships and living from the heart.
Our schedule at a glance (details below — All events are now in-person):
November 6-10: The Greatest Journey (Mentorship Program)
November 14-17: Autumn Couple’s Retreat
January 3-5: Esalen Couples Retreat
February 12-16: The Couple’s Journey
Quote of the Month:
“It is the friend within our heart who fills the loneliness and gives us the feeling of being loved. The more we contact and feel our inner friend, the more we can give to and receive from others.” – The Shared Heart, p. 18
Please join Joyce and me in holding a vision of a world where women, men, and children of all nations, races, and religions can see and feel the divine in themselves and one another. Here is our current 2024-2025 workshop schedule. Joyce and I would love to see you at one of these events. Please remember how vital this spiritual-emotional growth work is. Let’s take another step into the heart of love and deeper awareness, where real-world healing begins. Peace be with you all.
November 6-10: The Greatest Journey (Mentorship Program) Find and live your dream, passion, and purpose! Individually and together with a small, carefully chosen group of 8-14 participants, these six months will help you transform your life.
November 14-17: Autumn Couple’s Retreat
Would you like your relationship to reach a new level of love, healing, intimacy, and commitment? Couples describe these weekends as a safe and loving place to learn and practice new skills for their relating.
January 3-5: Esalen Couples Retreat
Learn skills to dramatically improve your relationship while luxuriating at one of the most uniquely beautiful retreat centers we have ever visited.
February 12-16: The Couple’s Journey
During this four-day retreat, you will be open to more love and connection than you thought possible and have enough time to integrate these positive changes into your lives back home.
We are excited to offer our first musical recording, “I Stand for Love,” a FREE album of sacred songs and chants. You can download the whole album for free or listen to it on YouTube. Wait until you hear the exquisite harmonies added by our son, John-Nuri.
Free Album Download
Listen on YouTube
Volunteers Needed. The Shared Heart Foundation needs volunteers. If you would like to support our vision and work, no matter where you live, email info@sharedheart.org
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Counseling with the Vissells. For individuals or couples who want help, you can choose from one hour to a two-day intensive with either of us. https://sharedheart.org/counseling/
Our love and blessings to you all,
Barry and Joyce Vissell
Please click on SharedHeart.org for inspiring articles about relationships and consciousness and our updated schedule.
