Creating Heaven on Earth
Discussion Group Format
By Ernest D. Martin
In 2019 I wrote and published my book “How to Create Your Own Heaven on Earth.” Yet, I always wanted my message of creating your heaven on earth to resonate with people together as a community, connecting with each other and encouraging each other to heighten their own experience and journey through life. However, I wanted that message to spread in small groups by talking and sharing with each other. So, what follows is my vision of how I see Heaven on Earth discussion groups will be structured and the benefits to the members of those groups.
The Purpose and Setting for Heaven on Earth Discussion Groups
The purpose of the discussion groups is for everyone who participates in sharing and reinforcing ways to create each person’s heaven in their heart, mind, and in their surroundings. Weekly discussion groups can be held in homes, at a park, in a backyard, on a beach, or even at a restaurant (as long as everyone wants to buy a meal). Meetings can also be held at a workplace, in an empty office, or in a conference room if it’s permitted. If people cannot be physically present, meetings can also be held virtually online utilizing Zoom, Facebook, or Google Meet. I encourage small groups of up to ten people each.
Leadership for Heaven on Earth Discussion Groups
A facilitator leads each weekly discussion group. There are no set qualifications to be a facilitator and lead a group. Each week a new facilitator leads the group conversation, so there is no one leader or person in charge. Facilitators don’t have to be an expert on any topic. Their job is to lead the discussion for the week, get the conversation started, and share a chosen topic. All other group members are encouraged to participate in the discussion. A facilitator may ask each group member to weigh in with their perspective regarding the topic. Or, the facilitator may prepare a list of questions designed to go deeper into the topic. At the end of each meeting, the facilitator for the next week is chosen.
I suggest limiting each discussion to one hour (60 minutes). The facilitator does not serve as a minister, a preacher, a master, a pastor, or a scholar of any kind. However, they are responsible for ensuring each person has an opportunity to share and present any questions for the week. The discussion group can meet any day of the week at an agreed-upon time and location.
Each week a different facilitator leads the group. Again, no expertise in any topic is necessary to serve as a group facilitator. Their job is to encourage the group to share the topic for discussion during that meeting. The facilitator is also responsible for assisting the group, ensuring that all the participants coordinate and work together well. Facilitators also communicate in advance to remind each person of the meeting. They also monitor the progress of each meeting to make sure the topic is smoothly delivered.
There are no judgments, letdowns, cursing, or monopolizing of the conversation. Just encourage sharing with positivity, understanding, heart-centered kindness, spirituality, and love. Know that divinity (God, the source, vibration, the infinite) is within each of us.
Suggested Topics for Discussion
Each week the chosen facilitator will choose one topic from the lists below – or on a different topic. I’ve organized topics into three discussion categories. These include:
spirituality / divinity
emotional / feelings / behaviors
physical / material / worldly
Spirituality / Divinity
These topics encompass the general concepts most of us associate with ideas of spirituality, divinity, and faith. These discussion groups do not encourage or discourage a particular religion or faith. Millions believe dogma or organized religion limits people in their personal expression and has created wars over the centuries and many other problems. Which word would you like to focus on for your next weekly discussion group?
Love
Sharing
Purpose of life
A good steward
Divinity (God, Source, Divine, Infinite)
Heaven
Hell
Prayer/Meditation
Healing
Transition from physical (death)
Creation
Faith
Dignity
Devotion
Life journey
Miracles
Minister
Messenger
Pastor/Priest
Peace/Harmony
Spirit
Serenity
Tranquil
Law of Attraction
Positive
Believe
Inner-Contentment
Blessings
Awareness
Emotional/Feelings/Behaviors
When embraced, these words can lead each person a little closer to living an experience of heaven on earth. Some of these emotions, feelings, and behaviors you might have in abundance. Others are new to you. When you choose one of these words for your discussion, you encourage others to expand their thoughts around the word and how to make life a little more heaven-like.
Compassion
Understanding
Friendship
Helping
Humility
Forgiveness
Relationships
Attitude
Humor
Respectful
Optimism
Hope
Trust
Confidence
Responsible
Accountable
Consequences
Tolerance
Errors/Mistakes/Crimes
Rejuvenation
Empathy
Sympathy
Reform
Commitment
Loyalty
Comfort
Testimony
Action
Common sense
Physical/Material/Worldly
Some of these words may bring joy and the satisfaction that being active in your life can bring. Other words may be a source of contention, confrontation, and perhaps something it’s time to make peace with. There is joy in raising children, and there are headaches. There are good things about prosperity, but it also comes with greater responsibility. Which one of these words would you like to discuss this week?
Raising children
Prosperity
Wisdom
Knowledge
Elderly parents (Other relatives)
Siblings
Music/Singing
Environment/Nature
Consuming Meats
Wars/Adversity
Following Laws
Comparing with others
Animals
Giving/Receiving
Money/Finances
Food
Play/Recreation
Materialism
Abundance
Barter
Resources
Education
Husband
Wife
Neighbor
Stranger
Citizen
Race
Gender
LGBT
We are all interconnected as one with Spirituality/Divinity, Emotional/Feelings/Behavior, and our Physical/Material/Worldly nature. For those of us who want to create our own heaven on earth, we must each work in total harmony with each system, and it’s components to create our version of Heaven on Earth.
Guidelines to Keep it an Experience of Heaven on Earth
Do not create an organized religion around these discussion groups or build a church or “Holy Place.” Since our version of heaven on earth takes place every hour or each day, there should not be a place set aside for the purpose of these conversations. Please do not form “organized churches,” “spiritual retreats,” or build any “church” or “holy place.”
Do not develop ministers, preachers, pastors, scholars, gurus, or experts out of these discussions. There will only be facilitators who change weekly to lead discussion groups.
Do not ask for donations to build a church or holy place.
There will be no offerings or paid employees.
If people in the group want to help the needy, go ahead and support the people who are homeless or hungry, Visit the sick and old or help out your neighbor. Help them before giving money to a charitable organization. Pray for them and for their wellbeing.
Go and Create Your Own Heaven on Earth.
Written by Ernest D. Martin
Author of the book: “How To Create Your Own Heaven On Earth.”
Edited by Denise M. Michaels
The original ideas for these “Heaven on Earth” discussion groups was created on: April 13, 2022 on a seven-day cruise on the “Majestic Princess” of Princess Cruises, which sailed from Los Angeles to San Francisco to Santa Barbara to San Diego to Ensenada (Mexico) to Los Angeles. While at Santa Barbara, CA for a day I took about two hours to write the rough draft of my vision with a pen and hard paper. I sat in a Wine Bar that was closed during the late morning.
