Hosting these carnivals is an interesting process.  As the host, you can ask in several different ways  for submissions only directly related to a topic, and there are inevitably some who pay no attention and post everything and anything to the carnival. About 30 of the submissions didn't make the first cut of applicability.  So...with that caveat, on we go.  I have scanned most and read some, and take no ownership for any opinions expressed here.  Even though my perception is the lens for this carnival and many of the posts are more overtly religious than I am, or am even comfortable with, I am grateful for all who submitted.

My hope for this grouping of blogs was to foster good dialogue around how fear can be utilized as a tool for spiritual engagement. Not sure we accomplished this, nonetheless there are some interesting ideas presented here.

I took out several of the 'think yourself into bliss' blogs.  It's just too harmful a stance to perpetuate--freedom of speech aside!

Two favorites from the line up:

R.Pettinger presents Tying the Cat to the Bed and Missing The Essential posted at Sri Chinmoy Inspiration, saying, "The importance of focusing on essential rather than ritual" Thanks to all who submitted for this carnival. 

Praveen presents Peanuts Zen: Linus Explains Resetting to Charlie Brown posted at Tao of Simplicity.

The Denial of Death by Ernest Becker Read more about this book...

Now...here's a book to get to the heart of our fear! This is one of the best books yet written on our cultural denial of death...and all fears lead home to the fear of death.

I will not be hosting another carnival until the end of November. The topic will be Advent--from many different perspectives and inter-cultural stances, we hope. In the meantime, if anyone wants to host for this Carnival on Engaged Spirituality, please have at it!   Let me know and I'll put your info on the blog carnival listing.

Here are the submissions. Again, thank you all for participating.

James Lee presents The Power of True Storytelling posted at Online Business Freedom.

Nancy Hayssen presents What Drains Your Soul? posted at "Sexy at ANY Size!".

Jenn presents Trust In God posted at Way Of Hope.

Lawrence Doochin presents Giving form to the Formless,  posted at I am Therefore I am.

Theresa L. Twogood presents Just What If...What Then?, Turn Back Because, A New And Unique Philosophy? posted at OLIN e-Book e-Publishing.

Dawn Abraham Life Coach presents Where there is fear there is opportunity and Spiritual Awareness posted at Qualified Life Coach.Com, saying, "Searching for Spiritual Awareness..."

Arin Vahanian presents Why We Are All Connected To Each Other posted at Super State.

CG Walters presents Own Your Actions posted at Into the Mist, saying, "When we assess a value to another’s action, belief or behavior (i.e. to say it is good or bad, should be punished or rewarded), we are actually attempting to place on that person at least a portion of—if not the sole—responsibility for the actions or our thoughts that we have chosen to exercise toward that individual."

Sara Ost presents ecosalon :: the green gathering :: Gratitude posted at Sara Ost.

Hueina Su presents Nirvana is Only a Thought Away posted at Intensive Care for the Nurturer's Soul.

Andrea Hess presents Releasing the Energy of Obligation posted at Empowered Soul Blog.

ITAKEOFFTHEMASK presents Positive Thinking Fails the Law of Attraction posted at itakeoffthemask.com.

R.Pettinger presents Learning to Live In The Heart posted at Sri Chinmoy Inspiration, saying, "How to live in the heart and avoid the fears of the mind"

R.Pettinger presents Who Am I? posted at Sri Chinmoy Inspiration, saying, "Who Am I? A look at how we can go beyond our fears"

Sam Zoranovich presents Phobophilia - Love Your Fears posted at Unapologetic Genius, saying, "An article on cultivating a practice of lovingkindness towards one's own fears, and encouraging a feeling of joy in uncovering the foundation of the fear, and using that joy to override the fear's influence on behavior."

Gary van Warmerdam presents Where Do You Focus Your Attention? posted at Happiness, saying, "Focusing your attention on the negative, such as fears and self judgment, might be uncomfortable. But it is also valuable as a means to personal change. The key is in the way you do it."

Brendan McPhillips presents Meaning of Life: Who are You and Why are You Here? posted at Brendan McPhillips.

Yvette Nietzen presents posted at Fresh Wind Ministries, Int´l.

Chris Edgar presents Bringing Choice To Your Anxiety Scenarios posted at Purpose Power Coaching, saying, "In this piece, I talk about a technique I use with myself and clients to relieve anxiety about problems that may occur in the future. Normally, when we imagine negative future scenarios, we picture possible events out in the world -- our businesses performing badly, intimate relationships ending, and so forth. With this technique, I have the client focus on themselves in the mental picture of the event, and their own emotional reaction to what's going on. When the client does this, they become more conscious of their control over their interpretation of and emotional reaction to the event."

Metaliphe presents Avoiding Being Alone posted at Chandra Unplugged - No nonsense, Straight-up blogging from a Life Coach, saying, "Are you afraid to spend time alone and will you do anything to avoid it? If you are constantly avoiding alone time, here are some things to think about that just might help in setting you free."

Gary Evans presents Love Music? Listen To Music That Loves You posted at Good To Feel Good.

Will Edwards presents Allowing Your Heart's Desires posted at Inspiration.

Anmol Mehta presents Kundalini Yoga Exercise for Overcoming Deep Seated Fears posted at Mastery of Meditation, Enlightenment & Kundalini Yoga, saying, "Excellent Yoga exercise for overcoming deep seated fears and living courageously."

Gayathri Moosad presents 8 ways to embrace Spirituality in everyday life for Personality Development posted at The Personality Development Workbook, saying, "8 ways to embrace Spirituality in everyday life for Personality Development"

Neeci presents The Law of Pure Potentiality posted at Do Your Thang.

Ellesse presents Can Self Hypnosis Really Help In Achieving Your Goals? posted at Goal Setting College.

Kathleen Gage presents posted at Daily Awareness, saying, "Words have power. How often have you heard this and yet, how true is it? Learn how one affirmation can change your life forever."

Paula Kawal presents Beautiful Monsters and Other Fine Things | Journey Inward Productions posted at Journey Inward Productions, saying, "This post about the process behind learning that the monsters in our lives are really here to serve our spiritual development."

Hopeful Spirit presents Breaking Back into the Light posted at On the Horizon.

Leticia Velasquez presents Disabled teach us about the Eucharist posted at causa nostrae laetitiae.

Lana presents Journey to Love! posted at Journey to Love!, saying, "Now days we can find tons of sources that promise us anything we dream about (The Secret is one of them), and all of them speak about transforming the beliefs we have, in order to accomplish the desired. While the idea itself might be valid, the process and implication of changing the beliefs is not presented by those sources wholeheartedly and accurately. My goal is to gather the existing studies of beliefs and present it on these pages, in addition to sharing my personal experiences of transforming the beliefs. The hope is to shed the light on this subject and to acquire the deeper authentic understanding of the belief system."

Scott.Goolsby presents Religion: Bondage and Freedom posted at Unapologetic Genius, saying, "Article on religion and mysticism."

Louise Manning presents Strength or weakness? posted at The Human Imprint.

axel presents Psychology And Spirituality posted at axel g.

Andrew Randazzo presents What?s Happening With the Southern Baptist Convention? posted at The Core.

Paul Beamon presents Wisdom Is The Principle Thing posted at Life Is For Living, saying, "My articles are mainly concerned with christian living and have an inspirational flavour to them. I would like your considration for my article to be posted in your up comming carnival. Thank you."

gia combs-ramirez presents Why Don’t They Call It Up Syndrome? posted at The Science of Energy Healing, saying, "Teaching a girl with Down Syndrome how to ride horses one summer changed my life in many ways."

Jenn Givler presents Are you invisible? posted at Create a Thriving Business, saying, "We all need help. We can't go it alone. And when we stop ourselves from being vulnerable, we cut ourselves off from the exact connection that we need."

Kathleen Gage presents Spirituality and work posted at Daily Awareness, saying, "Our spiritual life is reflected in all we do. There is no separation. Everything we do either moves us closer to our spiritual core or further away. Building a business is most certainly an aspect of spiritual discipline. Yet, many people make a very definite separation of work and spirit. As with your spiritual practices, when you stick with your business journey, are not dissuaded, you are more likely to achieve your desired outcome. Often what can happen is when someone doesn’t see obvious results they tend to give up on whatever it is they are trying to achieve. Would you give up on your spiritual beliefs simply because not all is evident in the timeframe you believe appropriate?"

Scott.Goolsby presents Limiting Beliefs Are So Last Year! posted at Unapologetic Genius, saying, "Overcoming limiting beliefs."

That concludes this edition. Past posts and future hosts can be found on the blog carnival index page.

Technorati tags: engaged spirituality, blog carnival.