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July/August 2011 Featured Stories
Creating the Beloved CommUNITY in Portland

by Fredrick James

James Twyman is known for many things. He is the New York Times bestselling author of 14 books, including The Moses Code and Emissary of Light. He also is known as The Peace Troubadour, having performed concerts in many of the world’s hottest war zones. And he has directed or produced four feature films, including the award-winning Indigo.

Now James is ready to embark in a very new direction — in Portland — one he has envisioned for many years but only now feels ready to launch.

“I bought a house in Portland a few years ago,” he explains, “but spent most of my time traveling between here and Ashland where I had been living for the last 10 years. Around four months ago I took the leap and moved to Portland full time. The main reason was that I wanted to spend my time and energy developing something I’ve been envisioning for a long time — to start a new kind of spiritual community that meets every Sunday morning. In other words, we’re not starting a church, but a community that is alive and vibrant, focused on worship and mysticism, meeting every week to create and support its members. Portland is such an extraordinary city and needs something equally unique to express its spiritual diversity. I really believe that if such a foundation were laid here, hundreds of people would come. That’s why I’ve moved to Portland — to start the Beloved CommUNITY.”

When asked how this new community would be different than the other New Thought ministries in Portland, Twyman didn’t hesitate.

“There are a number of really wonderful churches here in Portland,” he says. “All of them seem to address a particular need or niche, but I also think that there are some important elements that have been missing. First of all, most New Thought churches do a good job inspiring people’s minds or intellects. What’s sometimes missing is inspiration for the heart and soul. That’s where ritual comes in. I was raised in the Catholic church, which is obviously really big into ritual. On the other hand, it never changes and is the same every week. What would happen if people had the chance to come to a community that began by inspiring the mind, but then drew upon heart opening rituals and ceremonies from many spiritual traditions in a creative, open way? I think a community like that would serve the spiritual needs of Portland in an interesting, new way.”

Until recently James’ schedule prevented him from being grounded enough to begin such an endeavor. He has been one of the most popular Hay House authors for more than 18 years, which has led to an international ministry performing concerts, giving lectures and retreats, and speaking at nearly every top conference in the world. When asked why he’s giving up life on the road, his answer was unexpected.

“I’m definitely going to be slowing down, not traveling as much,” he said. “I’m doing it because I need to. I feel so lucky to have led this life, but when you’re always on the road it’s hard to do the deep work, both with others and personally. Starting this community means that I can work with a group of committed people every week who are serious about their spirituality. Of course, the work I’ve done around the world has given me a unique perspective, and I’ll bring that perspective with me. I’ve been thinking about this for years, but only now has everything aligned so I can begin.”

Anakha Coman, a local spiritual teacher and the co-author of Twyman’s book The Proof, will be cofacilitating the services. In the book, Twyman and Coman presents a 40-day program for increasing the experience of oneness in a person’s life. The book inspired a worldwide movement with nearly ten thousand people following the lessons at the same time, then reporting their experiences through surveys, conferences and the Internet.

“Anakha has had her finger on the spiritual pulse of Portland for many years,” Twyman says. “She’s one of the most profound spiritual leaders I’ve ever worked with, and it was an easy decision to ask her to join me in establishing the Beloved CommUNITY here. The insight she brought to the book we wrote together was monumental. I couldn’t have done it without her. I feel the same way about this new project. I wouldn’t want to do it without her because I know what she brings to the table. She’ll bring a depth of experience that will be hard to imagine or match. I also knew that this wasn’t just about James Twyman coming to town and holding court. This is about all of us, and everyone will have an important role to play. I’m thrilled that Anakha will be with me in this.

“The Beloved CommUNITY is the name of the organization I started around 12 years ago,” he continues. “There are thousands of people around the world who have taken various workshops and trainings, and we’ve ordained more than 600 hundred ministers through the Seminary of Spiritual Peacemaking. We also have nearly 30 services happening every week around the world, but this is the only one that I’ll be personally leading. I have the feeling that this is going to expand in ways I can’t even imagine right now.”

Which leads to the biggest question: Where do you see this going?

“There’s no way for me to know what will happen, but I have the feeling it’s going to end up being a rich part of the spiritual landscape here in Portland. I love living here and I know I’m going to love building this community. We’re going to do things that no other congregation has ever done before. The idea is to balance the traditional with an openness that feeds people in a very deep way. If we can do that, then this will be an example for spiritual communities around the world. But it’ll begin here in Portland. I really can’t wait.”

Beloved CommUNITY services begin on July 17 at the Awakening Wellness Center at 1016 SE 12th Ave. in Portland. Everyone is invited to the inaugural service, which Twyman says will be special in many ways. It begins at 10:15 a.m. with a short meditation, followed by the service.

Learn more about James Twyman and the Beloved CommUNITY at www.jamestwyman.com.