My husband and I recently attended an art opening here entitled, "Mandalas, Buddhas & More."…read morehttp://my.compassionateactionnetwork.com/xn/detail/2386694:Event:57954?xg_source=activity The art was intriguing as well as beautiful, and the venue, Nalanda West, offered an inviting garden entrance and a spacious gallery area. Colorful plates of finger foods and a variety of wines were served in an open, self-serve style on round tables that remained neat and tidy throughout the event. We enjoyed easy conversations with the artists and attendees, many of whom were fine artists themselves, including Dzogchen Ponlop, author of Rebel Buddha: On the Road to Freedom and an accomplished poet, calligrapher and photo artist. A relaxed, elegant evening.

A spiritual oasis. Nalanda West (and the NW Dharma Association) host a great series of speakers &…read moreworkshops, featuring teachers, scholars, poets, musicians, and eminent individuals from all over the world, speaking on subjects ranging from parenting to social justice and matters of a spiritual nature. Admission is usually inexpensive (though additional donations are encouraged for those with means to make them). There's a very nice bookstore downstairs as well. The meditation room upstairs is singularly beautiful.

Our preschool will be moving here for the fall, and I love this location…read more Not only is the leadership here friendly and welcoming, but their attitude about being a helpful part of the community is finally a strike in my personal history about the good organized religion can provide. This place has great groups meeting (Toasmasters!) here, wonderful spaces, and is in a cool 'hood. Parking is decent.

Research all you can about this religion. They're very nice and sweet until you are a member and…read moredon't agree with something. If you are vocal about a disagreement you will be shunned by everyone you know in the religion. Very harmful to families.

Wonderful Bible based community, very diverse, and friendly. I have found my church home here.read more

I have been a member of the church since 2001, when I moved to Seattle with my family. Only 18…read moremonths after moving to Seattle, my youngest daughter, who was 3 at the time, was diagnosed with leukemia. The next 2 years the congregation gathered around and supported our family with meals, house cleaning, babysitting, and support. People who knew we were new to Seattle were amazed at the support we had. If you are looking for a family you will find it at the Seattle Church of Christ.

I've visited this Catholic church in Ballard several times; as a Catholic it's a bit of a strange…read moreidea to "review a parish," but I'll try to share some helpful information for other potential visitors. Mass centers around broken, wounded and imperfect people (us) from all backgrounds coming together to receive the one thing that can heal them and thus bring them closer to God and the rest of humanity -- Communion. Having said this, I'll dispense with some basic facts about my experiences there. First things first: the Mass itself is celebrated with great reverence and respect. Altar boys assist the priest(s) throughout the celebration, and the choir and organ music is very well done. The organist(s) in particular seems to be very accomplished. The liturgy is orderly from beginning to end; all of the details seem to be attended to properly. The priest(s) are sincere in their homilies, and quite gracious if you speak with them before or after Mass. Considering many of the surrounding parishes which seem to have been built or remodeled according to the atrocious architectural ideas of the 70s, this church is actually quite beautiful from the inside. It has large stained glass windows, the tabernacle and a large crucifix are front and center, the main altar is made of marble, as are the side altars for St. Mary and St. Joseph, they have a pretty impressive set of the Stations of the Cross (always nice for Lent), and the organ is truly beautiful in design and sound. On the other hand, the outside of the church building is not much to look at; the pinkish-tan trim color is in pretty poor taste (at least to me). The current pastor is from the Philippines; he's been very warm and friendly when I've spoken with him. Also by my experience he is a very good confessor (shhh..., or he'll get too busy for the rest of us). According to the parish bulletin there are many active sub-communities; seniors, youth, etc. One challenge for this parish is that the parishioners need to take it upon themselves to be a bit more warm and welcoming; specifically prior to and after Mass. If you like to visit, worship, and disappear after Mass without having to ever meet new people, this would be a positive instead of a negative. They do host coffee and doughnut hour following the Sunday morning Masses, but it seems poorly attended compared to how many people attend Mass. Another challenge is that while visiting you need to try to sit in the front third of the church if you want to have a hope of hearing clearly what is being spoken from the sanctuary throughout Mass. The same space that makes this church sound angelic when the choir is singing, makes the readings, homilies and prayers very difficult to understand much of the time. Sitting toward the front remedies much (but not all) of this. Like many local parishes they don't seem to offer Confession very frequently, just one period on Saturday afternoons; it would be nice if they offered it prior to or after each weekend Mass, but they do not. They do have a very nice Eucharistic Adoration chapel available for prayer during the week, but it's only open on Tuesdays and Fridays. This makes it difficult to drop by for impromptu visits when life gets overwhelming, but I suppose it is fortunate to have the chapel available at all. It seems that their parish school is thought of quite highly by families whose children attend. Overall there is a lot of good to say about this place; it's well worth a visit if you're in the Ballard area and need to go to Mass. Just don't expect to be bowled over by smiling greeters who want to shake your hand; it won't be that "kind" of an experience. Expect to participate in a Mass that is well celebrated and reverent, accompanied my some beautiful organ music; and try to sit toward the front. And pray for the rest of us while you're there. Cheers

Cool Landmark in Seattle, Washington…read more.. I've had "The Center of the Universe" bookmarked for a while. It's a good thing to look at the bookmarked items on the Yelp app once in a while. I totally forgot about this novel and unique piece of Public Art! I should have visited it when I saw the Troll and the blue Fremont Bridge yesterday... darn! Anyway... I parked across the street and got a good shot of this directional sign! As I drew closer, I saw places on the sign that I would like to see - such as Machu Piccu and Rio de Janeiro. Other interesting places include The North Pole and The Milky Way. What a fun tourist stop! Check it out when you have time! It's free, quick, and a good break from daily routine!

One of the few photo ops (like the Rocket, dinosaurs, the Troll, etc) in Fremont…read more I saw the sign. It opened up my eyes. Life is demanding without understanding. To reiterate, I saw the sign and it opened up my eyes I saw the sign. No one's gonna drag you up To get into the light where you belong But where do you belong? Now if you excuse me, all that she wants is another baby, and she's gone tomorrow, boy.

There are two different services scheduled at different times for different needs. For those who…read moreenjoy quiet, the deep silent meeting is for you. Then there is another meeting oriented more towards those who like worship sharing. Because Friends are all ministers, you will meet a wide variety of individuals, each on their own path, and with a huge diversity. The commonality that draws Friends together is Universalism, compared to the Pariticularism found mostly everywhere else. Quaker Universalism And Natural Law Principles Compared To Particularism Beliefs, Qualities Of Inner Light, Universalism Groups, Religions, 12 Universalism Attributes; Love, Empathy, Equality, Imagination, Paying It Forward, Success, Transformation, Interfaith, Consciousness, Warriors Of Light https://www.agreenroadjournal.com/2019/05/universalism-principles-compared-to.html Friends are also attracted to gather together due to S.P.I.C.E.S.. What does it mean? Quaker Definition Of Integrity; What Does It Mean? TedX And Definition Of Integrity In Business, Voting, Elections, Politics, Keeping Promises - One Of Six Universal Human Values (Simplicity, Peace, Integrity, Community, Equality, Service = S.P.I.C.E.S.) That All Religions And Belief Systems Teach Plus Follow https://www.agreenroadjournal.com/2016/11/integrity-what-does-it-mean-one-of-six.html

UFM's main building is a beautiful Asian-Inspired architecture and the grounds are lovingly…read moremaintained. The community has an interesting adult religious ed program at the same time as the 9:30 am Sunday Meeting for Worship. First day School is provided during the 11 am Meeting for Worship. The 11 am worship is often followed by a Light Lunch afterwards. The library has an extensive collection of both Quaker writings as well as a wide-ranging survey of spiritual writings as well as social justice topics. The campus is quite active with a shelter which each night houses 50 men without homes, as well as space for Facing Homelessness and The Native Program Committee. Quaker House next door houses up to six QuEst interns who serve in area nonprofits for a year-long assignment, and also has two rooms available for visitors. It is a good place to find a spiritual community!

It's funny reviewing a church because how are we supposed to "rate" a place of worship? FFMC is a…read morecommunity of believers who are truly doing the work of Jesus in many different capacities. Their website says, "We partner with specific individuals and organizations as we participate in God's kingdom work amongst our 4 Spotlights: nations, needy, neighbors, and next generation." Kingdom work is happening in the place. I not only attended FFMC during my college years at SPU, I also ended up working there as well. Serving with the children's ministry at this church has been one of the best experiences of my life so far. If you are looking for a church family to connect with, serve with, and live life alongside please visit FFMC.

From the owner: Connect to Jesus. Serve the World. The church changes the…read moreworld not by making converts but by making disciples. — John Wesley, founder of Methodism. Sanctuary Worship 10 am Every Sunday In-Person & Livestream. Watch & Worship! Sanctuary Worship is every Sunday and features a historic format of music, preaching, and communion. Visit us at ffmc.org.

"In the Four Noble Truths, the Buddha tells us that the source of all suffering is desire,…read moreattachment and clinging. We are told that in order to stop our unhappiness, our dissatisfaction and emotional pain, we must let go of our attachments" (from the website). * * * * * Though I haven't been here for some time, I would like to "plug" this meditation group. There are not that many Buddhist groups near or Queen Anne hill--or, for that matter, in Fremont, Wallingford, Ballard, or Magnolia. As the name indicates, it follows the Japanese Zoto tradition of meditation as led by Suzuki Roshi founder of the San Francisco Zen Center, but the group is far from being doctrinaire. They meet every Sunday at 9:30 (be there by 9:25) and sitting/walking mediatin for approximately an hour. A dharma talk follows afterwards. About a dozen people will show up on a given Sunday. (The group used to rent a space from Puget Sound Akido on Dexter just a few blocks north of Denny Park). Cushions are provided, donations requested. A good place to begin a meditation practice and find some calm and peace in a city that thrives on hyper-activity and "getting somewhere." http://www.seattlesotozen.org

This is a lovely group of Buddhist who will share their meditation practice, dharma talks and…read morecookies with you every Tuesday evening and Sunday morning. The location is quiet and clean.