We truly live in interesting times, which is a curse perhaps, but also can be the opportunity to use our spiritual teachings to bring forth peace in the midst of chaos, harmony in the presence of discord, and love and forgiveness in the midst of war and disaster. In what is now the greatest environmental disaster that the US has experienced, the oil leak in our Gulf Coast, people are angry, sad, and frustrated that no one is DOING anything to get it fixed. I too have searched for what I can do to help out – to serve and contribute and lend a hand in a situation that has even the greatest minds scratching their heads for a solution.

            Since my life is centered on the Sufi ideal of being in the world, but not of it, I want to bring more of my spiritual nature and understanding to bear on these challenges of being a human today. What consciousness can we bring to this dilemma? I know that as we open our minds and trust, the perfect solution will come forth. Focused prayer and intentional thoughts of love, forgiveness and gratitude directed toward the Gulf and all the living beings involved in this crisis, can create the shift in awareness, creating a positive force for good. I affirm that ultimately this disaster will bring blessings to us as a species.  Perhaps this will be the perfect event that will have us change the direction of our lives. We can use this as an opening to look with fresh eyes at what our values are and how to walk gently on our planet.

            There is a Hawaiian therapist, Dr. Len, who healed mentally ill patients through a method called Ho’oponopono. He used only the power of prayer, his deep spiritual consciousness, and although he never even met with or treated them in person, they were healed. He explained that as he reviewed their files, he would work on himself. As he worked on himself, patients began to heal. “I was simply healing the part of me that created them.” As I hear of this process, I can imagine that when he looked at the file of someone who had killed their parent, he looked at that part of himself that had at a time in his life, a time of anger and frustration, had wanted to kill his parent, and maybe even imagined it. He did his personal work in healing himself.

            Dr. Len explained that when you take total responsibility for your life it means that everything in your life – simply because it is in your life – is your responsibility. In a literal sense, the entire world is your creation. If you take complete responsibility for your life, then everything you see, hear, taste, touch, or in any way experience is your responsibility because it is in your life. (Be careful here to know that responsibility is not about blame. Don’t hear it like that…)

            Ho’oponopono means loving yourself. If you want to improve your life, you have to heal your life. If you want to cure anyone or anything, you do it by healing yourself. When Dr. Len was asked what he was doing exactly, when he looked at those patients’ files, he said, “I just kept saying ‘I’m sorry’ ‘Please forgive me’ ‘I love you’ and ‘Thank you’ over and over again.”

            In Romans, Paul writes to his congregations: “And be not conformed to this world: but be you transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” A more modern translation is: Don’t become like the people of this world. Instead, change the way you think. Then you will always be able to determine what God really wants-what is good, pleasing, and perfect.   So that is the opening for us now. Shall we change our thinking, our values and way we live our lives? That is the challenge and the opportunity of these interesting times we live in.

            Let us ponder what is real, what is true and what is an illusion. Just for fun, let’s imagine that ego created life as we know it – physical existence, separateness, diversity, senses, emotions, thoughts, and all that we identify ourselves as being, all that we see all around us. In this scenario from Oneness came what we think is REAL, the experience of time and space, of past, present and future. From the allness, from the oneness was created separateness.

            This physical life we live can be imagined as a game where we have each chosen a piece to play the game with. We take on the identity of a victim one time around, and the next time a rescuer; maybe the scholar in one game and in another someone intellectually challenged, perhaps the terrorist in one game and a soldier in another. But whatever part we choose to play, it is only a game and there really are no separate players. There is only One Being, one Mind, and even only one ego. Any perception differently is an illusion. It’s a slight of hand, all done with smoke & mirrors. That is why spiritual teachers are always saying, there is no one out there. That which you see in another is a reflection of who you are.

            The object of the game from the ego’s perspective is to win, to overcome all those who it perceives are keeping your good from you, to be right at all costs. The opportunity from our spiritual perspective is return HOME – to forgive and experience oneness, to experience the bliss of perfect love, unending peace and your own divinity.

            Jesus said in the Gospel of Thomas, “I am the light that shines over all things. I am everywhere. From me all came forth, and to me all return…Split a piece of wood, and I am there. Lift a stone, and you will find me there…” Remember in interpreting this scripture that I Am is the name of that point of God in each of us as was told Moses at the Burning Bush. The I Am is in each and every one of us.

            Jesus says this, “…the Kingdom of God is inside of you, and it is outside of you. When you come to know yourselves, then you will become known, and you will realize that it is you who are the sons of the living Father. But if you will not know yourselves, you dwell in poverty, and it is you who are that poverty.” In the Allness underlying all physical-ness, there is just Being-ness, total and absolute no-thing, Just Being without beginning and without end. When we don’t know this we live in lack and limitation, impoverished by our ignorance. This experience was created and we think it is real. But as the true powerful Beings we are, we can awaken to this illusion and live from the Truth of our Oneness.

            We are magnificent and powerful Gods and Goddesses moving as if in a dream, thinking we are victims and paupers tossed about by events and circumstances we have no control over, and at the effect of a cruel and unfriendly universe. But Dear Ones, this is but a dream. The opportunity at any moment is to awaken from it and see the Truth of Who and What we are.

            Remember the movie, The Wizard of Oz? In it Dorothy is hit on the head by her bedroom window as a tornado hits her house and she falls on her bed unconscious – the whole Technicolor part of the movie is the dream she dreamed while the storm raged around her. Remember how she finds friends in the scarecrow, tin man & lion and battles her enemies – the bad witch and the winged monkeys – and the whole time is trying to go home?

            That is like our lives too, isn’t it? We are all trying to get HOME to that place of peace, where all is well, where we are loved, accepted and blessed. But friends HOME is here at hand – we don’t even need to click the heels of our ruby slippers to return to it. We can awaken to the dream we think is real and see that it is a dream. Isn’t that the best?

Yes, it is and thank you, God!

Recently Rev. Giita and I were asked how the Law of Attraction works – what is the science behind it? So following are pieces from each of us addressing this question.

First of all I want to state that for something to exist, to be true and real, does not mean there is necessarily any proof, let alone any scientific proof, that it exists. Science is a relatively new phenomena having arisen on the scene only within the last 200 or so years. There is no scientific proof of love or God and yet these do exist for many of us. Carl Jung when asked if he believed in God, said, “No. I do not believe, I know.”  Obviously even though Carl Jung was a brilliant psychiatrist, he did not rely on scientific data to determine his own ultimate reality. We read everyday of some new scientific advance that now proves what has been true all along. (One example I’m thinking of is the recent ability to test the DNA from old crime scene evidence that proves that a person serving time in prison for the crime is innocent. He was always innocent but there was no proof of it.) But given that caveat let’s now examine what proof there may be for the existence of the Law of Attraction.

We, who have a layperson’s understanding of quantum mechanics, know that all of life is energy. From high school physics we know that all of matter is mostly space. The particles within the atoms that make up what we see in physical form are vibrating within lots of emptiness. And the atoms of one thing are intermingled with the atoms of another thing. The “truth” of separateness is an illusion that our mind has constructed, filling in the space and having it appear solid. That which we see manifest in the physical is energy vibrating at a slower frequency than ideas, thoughts, emotions – the unseen. Furthermore even though we can’t see these non-physical things, they do exist and now can even be measured as scientists have developed methods of looking at the energy impulses in the brain associated with feelings, thoughts, and ideas. We understand that there is a universal field of this energy underlying all that is seen and unseen. It is from this field of all possibilities that things come forth. How do they come forth? Have you ever fixated on a problem, researched, talked about, theorized, tested, etc. looking for the solution? Suddenly in a flash of insight the answer comes. Where does it come from?

We of a spiritual bent have noticed that when we focus our attention, focus our thoughts, feelings, and desires upon a particular outcome for an extended period of time, that which we imagine comes forth. Abraham-Hicks would say that when we lift our vibrations to the level of that desired feeling, the feeling we’ll have when we get what we want, then it will be manifest. So we are focusing not so much on the object itself but on what will be our altered state of consciousness – joy, satisfaction, peace of mind, love – when it arrives.

Successful manifesters have discovered that if there are any conflicting or doubting beliefs, any ideas that it isn’t possible or right or that you are not worthy to receive that which you desire, then manifestation does not occur. The process seems to work really well at opening up parking spaces, probably because there seems to be no conflicted ideas about one’s worthiness to receive a parking spot, while finding the perfect mate or job or income comes with a whole set of beliefs that can act as obstacles to receiving the desired good. The successful practitioners know that it is so important to be in the Silence listening for any nay-saying block to receiving, then when any obstacle is discovered, denying its power to keep the desired outcome from you, speaking affirmations, speaking the truth of its possibility now present, taking in the feeling of it now present, manifest and active in your life and finally giving thanks for receiving it. We give thanks in advance for having received it. This process will bring it forth – that or something better.

Prayer practitioners and spiritual healers have noticed that imagining, knowing, sensing, affirming the perfect outcome works and yet I know of no scientific proof that it does. However I’ve read that scientists have noticed that the mere observations, the theories, feelings, and the intent of an “outsider” – the researcher – can influence the results of that which is being observed. Could this be thought of as scientific proof of the Law of Attraction? Perhaps, but whether there is proof of its existence or not, I go back to my beginning thesis – scientific proof is not a necessary prerequisite for the truth of its validity. The Law of Attraction is a reality in my life. I know it, use it, and so it IS.

The Law of Attraction by Rev. Giita Clark

The ancient principle of like attracts like is a statement of the beautiful symmetry and order that exists everywhere in nature. Just as we know that a peach pit will grow a peach tree, and a dog will give birth to a dog, we can also see that the type of thought, attitude or action that we offer will produce the same quality (or vibration) of result. An immature understanding of the Universal principles results in our thinking that the Universe is based on a punishment/reward system.  However we rarely speak about a hot stove punishing us when we accidentally touch it, or an air conditioner rewarding us with cool air when we turn it on.  It is simply the predictable outcome of following an understanding of the order of things.

This is why Jesus focused on the thoughts people ideated.  In his day there was more focus on following the rules and in having correct behavior.  Jesus took it a step further and suggested that the type of things you thought about created results even if you “just thought it in your mind”.   In Unity we like to say “Life is Consciousness”.  Only when we reach a certain level of understanding, do we realize that we have a choice in what we think about, and what feelings or attitudes we focus on or pay attention to.

Unity has a different name for the Law of Attraction.  Unity’s name for
this same Universal law is “The Law of Mind Action”.  This law basically states that whatever you think about persistently (more than just a fleeting thought) manifests.  Unfortunately many of us are not truly aware of what we are thinking about.  We only notice what we think we are thinking about. When we worry or get upset, we emanate a certain emotional energy. The quality of this vibration will effect how other people and events respond to us. How we see or think about those results will produce more results…sort of like in a chain reaction.

In an attempt to simplify this universal principle, it often comes across in a woo-woo or magical kind of claim. In reality the process of becoming aware of one’s thoughts, feelings and attitudes is a significant undertaking – a lot like gardening.  There is much more to gardening than just planting seeds. You must prepare the soil and understand the conditions that the seed and growing plant needs along the way.

If as a gardener you say, “If you want pumpkins, plant pumpkin seeds” this
is true. This is a statement of the Law of Attraction or the Law of Mind action.  But to say, “All you have to do is plant pumpkin seeds” is a little simplistic and does not even mention the rest of the work needed in the gardening process.  It is true in once sense, but not all there is to it. This is why a person can get inspired or uplifted for an hour or several days but then not notice a significant change in their lives.  It is the persistent development of awareness and practice that produces life changing results.  It is actually a good thing that our thoughts do not instantly manifest.  This gives us the opportunity to grow in awareness, discrimination and dedication. This is exactly why Gandhi said that we must become the change we want to see happen in the world. At first we may feel rewarded or punished by the Universe, but as we grow in understanding and experience (wisdom), we realize that this Universal order responds to the skillful employment of anyone who would choose to learn and cooperate with it.

One of the reasons the Secret is still a secret even after the principles have been shouted from the roof tops and shown on a movie screen across the world is that most people still do not truly understand it. Until each person takes this truth deeply into her soul and nurtures it and makes it her own, it will still remain a lofty claim.  Just because someone understands that gardening is work, it does not mean that they are good gardeners. Building a spiritual consciousness is a day to day practice, like any skill or talent. I find it rewarding along the way as well as “the pearl of great price” in the long run. 

 Spiritual Preparation for Easter

The word Lent comes from the Anglo-Saxon lencten, which means lengthen, as in the lengthening days of spring. In Christianity it originally was 40 hours of fasting and meditation honoring the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness. In 325 AD the Nicean Council changed it to 40 days. (It actually is 46 days from Ash Wednesday to Easter, but the six Sundays of Lent were not counted as part of the 40 days.)

The Lenten season offers the opportunity to set aside time for self-analysis and spiritual renewal. As we struggle with unresolved tensions with the difficult people in our lives and circumstances that appear too scary and unpredictable for us to get through, we can take this opportunity to bless everything, including the difficult events, challenging people, and every anxious thought and feeling that passes through our awareness. For as Truth students we know that nothing in the outer world has the power of itself to hurt us. Only our own perception, attitude, and beliefs can determine whether an event is beneficial or disastrous.

Lowell Fillmore writes, “The power of blessing is a mystery. We do not know how it works, but we know that it does work. A wholehearted blessing not only helps our affairs but it fills us with an inner light that seems to satisfy our soul and make us happy. In blessing we are blessed… Bless the good and it will increase. Bless what seems to be evil and something good will come out of it to justify your blessing.” So we choose to find the gift in life’s events and bless them all.

 There is No Evil by Catherine Ponder

If you will stop nourishing the thought of evil in your life, it will starve for lack of attention and fade away. To every suggestion of evil, boldly assert: “There is no evil.” To all talk of evil about you – scandals, description of disease, accounts of death and disasters, dangers, financial and family problems – say: “This is not true, there is no evil, only good shall come from this.” Many problems have been healed by that thought alone.

Since good is omnipresent, it is even in the midst of evil appearances. Nothing is evil that brings forth good, and something good can come from every experience, if only one person will have the courage to dare to look for that good. Realizing this, Emerson wrote: “Every evil to which we do not succumb is a benefactor.”

Do not feel obliged to join in conversations that dwell upon the dark side of life. Silence is better than assent to evil appearances. Silence is not only a virtue but one of the greatest denials of all.

One of the finest ways you can invoke the power of denial is in just keeping quiet about your problems. Stop feeding them the substance of your thoughts, words, and emotions. Also, watch that you do not criticize in secret; that you cease from even silently finding fault with another. Put away sarcasm from your speech. Stop complaining.

Do not prophesy evil for yourself or another. The ancient Greeks avoided a grumbler or one who foretold misfortune, believing he brought them bad luck. Refrain from accusing others of evil in any form.

Cease from petty statements about yourself or others. For instance, do not call your children “bad”. Stop referring to the faults of your family, business associates, neighbors, friends. Have a good word for yourself and others, or keep quiet. Silence is your denial of apparent evil.

There is no healing power available to anyone who describes hurts and pains. There is no healing power found in describing evil. Evil can exist only so long as you give it your consent. Only man’s belief in evil makes him subject to it.

       We are beginning a New Year and ending the first decade of a new millennium. I affirm that 2010 promises a new energy, a new consciousness and awareness of who we are, where we are going, and what is ours to do. All this is set in the realm of time – that human construct that so rules our everyday existence. Our lives are so often lived dominated by time, schedules and appointments to keep, to do lists, timelines, and alarm clocks. As we get on in years we mark each birthday with mixed emotion as we see the wrinkles and stray gray hairs emerging on the youthful, free and healthy, joy-filled and vibrant being that we truly are. How could this be? I don’t feel older; I feel wiser and calmer maybe on my good days – not OLD!

         In the realm of the Divine, the Allness, the Oneness of all life, there is no time. For time needs the idea of separateness to exist. Time is linked to the concept of space between objects. There has to be a beginning of something and the end of another – separateness. When this is what we operate in, there is time. It takes time to move from one thing to another. I hold the image of a rainbow in my mind and it helps me understand this idea. If I imagine a rainbow seen from the Earth there is an array of color – bands of yellow, orange, red, violet, and blue. This is separateness – yes? But when I imagine myself IN the rainbow there is only white light – there is only the allness of all color possible. There is no separation. Being in the rainbow is like being in the Divine Realm of all things possible. It is from this realm that all in the physical realm is created. From the field of all things possible come all that we see around us – and separateness and time. We do this from the perspective of Earth – that time-space continuum.

         So knowing all this, how can we, the metaphysical truth students that we are, hold the concept of aging and death? Yes, it is true that we humans age, wrinkle up, turn gray, and even sometimes feeble and addle-brained. We all then pass on from this physical plane. The challenge is to at the same time – note the humor in that – hold that we are timeless spirits whose lives are eternal, constant and unending. We are not separate and apart from any of life, we are immersed in the eternal life of Spirit, this white light of the rainbow image.

         There is no death in the Allness of Divine Life. There is the transmutation of form, the transition from one form of energy to another. When we burn a log in the fireplace, where does it go? Does it disappear – is it gone? No, it is transformed into heat, light, charcoal, and ash. Just as the young mammal emerges from the warm cocoon of its mother’s womb, in effect dying to fetus-hood, it then is birthed into a new realm of life. It changes form from a parasite living off the host who is its mother- in cold and analytical terms – to a free-standing independent being. Just as the caterpillar transforms from creepy crawly thing to a winged one, upon death we shed this body form to fly with the angels. We haven’t changed who and what we are at the core. We are the continuing essence of Allness in new form.

         So when we affirm these truths of our innate, constant connection to eternal life, we can manage that monkey mind chatter that worries over our aging and the approaching end of our physical life. As we affirm uplifting statements of truth we take ourselves to the experience of peace, calm and experience eternal life. All is well.

I am a spiritual being, a whole and perfect expression of God. I am; God is.

I am One with the One. I am an eternal expression of the All that Is.

And so it is. And so it is. Amen.

            As I ponder the approaching holiday season – Hanukkah and then Christmas, light is always a part of these traditions for me. One of my greatest joys as a child was driving through the neighborhoods all decorated with lights – in the trees, outlining the houses and transforming the neighborhoods into wonderlands. I grew up in Southern California with no snow or evidence of winter – the Christmas lights did it for me.

            Another warm memory I have that’s associated with these holidays reflects the miracle that Hanukkah commemorates. As you remember in the Bible story, when the Maccabees returned to their holy Temple after their victory over the Syrians they were saddened that many things were missing or broken, including the golden menorah. They cleaned and repaired the Temple, and when they were finished, they decided to have a big dedication ceremony. For the celebration, the Maccabees wanted to light the menorah. They looked everywhere for oil, and found a small flask that contained only enough oil to light it for one day. Miraculously, the oil lasted for eight days. This gave them enough time to make new oil to keep the menorah lit. It was a miracle – evidence that God is always present and supportive, evidence that God is the source that fuels our light from within. I too had a miracle of light. Early in my Unity experience I worked as the office manager and assistant to the minister, Rev. Polly Dozier. I was responsible for resetting the church after Sunday service, locking up, and securing the building – making sure all was safe until we returned. I did this as usual after the Christmas Eve Candlelight service, but I was in a hurry to join my family and to begin the week off between Christmas and New Years – a special holiday that the church staff had been given – so I overlooked the oil-fueled Christ candle at the front of the sanctuary. I did not blow it out. When I returned to work a week later the candle still burned. There had been a sufficiency of oil to have it continue to burn safely for eight days, the church was divinely protected – it hadn’t burned down. For me, someone new to Unity from a Jewish tradition, I saw this as a sign from God that I was in my right and perfect place. Unity became my holy temple, a place to celebrate God.

            Light, more light… these are the last words of Goethe, one of the world’s greatest thinkers, as he lay on his deathbed. We can imagine that as his soul released itself from his body, he saw and was enfolded in the light as people who have had near death experiences report. I think these words also symbolize the quest each of us engages in as we progress on our spiritual journey. How can we bring new light into a situation? How can we move through the darkness of confusion and misunderstanding into the light of wisdom and compassion?

            When Jesus said I AM the light of the world he wasn’t referring to himself. He was training us to bring forth the I AM essence within us, that God-light that we experience as divine wisdom, guidance and understanding. He wasn’t talking about a source of illumination from the outer world but inviting us to turn within, centering in the stillness and seeing from the consciousness of this divine light. From this illuminated position we will see with God eyes. Eric Butterworth talks of a college student who after becoming blind was frightened by the challenge of finding his way through doorways, around walls, people and trees. He made the discovery that although he could not see the light of the world outside, the light was still within him. When he focused on this inner light he could move about easier. He rarely had problems. He also discovered that the only way he could see this inner light was from love. Anger or fear or sadness diminished the light, with love it expanded.

             So now with these thoughts in mind let us call forth, “Light, more light! Bring it on.” And as we focus on love, we are filled with Divine Light, seeing with God-colored glasses. And so it is. And so it is.

            There is a theory that all parts of life break down, fall apart, and naturally dissolve into disorder; that all systems eventually break down. It’s called entropy. Anyone who owns anything, a car, a house knows that is true. It seems that there’s always something that needs repair or replacement. And this is true of our relationships also. There is another theory that all of life is continually evolving into more complex and defined systems. This we call evolution. These are both happening – two seemingly contradictory forces happening simultaneously. When we look at how far mankind has come in just the last 250 years we see this is true. We have ended slavery in most of the world. Child labor has largely been outlawed. Women have the right to own property, receive inheritances, and vote in much of the world. So there has been an evolution in the consciousness of the world. And we also see how along with this evolution in society and in the global social consciousness, there has been a breakdown in our environment, and for many, in our family systems also.

            In chaos theory at a point in an organized system, when the forces of change become so great that the system cannot handle it, chaos breaks out, and the system is forced to restructure itself. In order to accommodate the new situation the system must develop new ways of handling its new environment and thus evolution occurs. As we look at history and even our own lives we see that the challenges, the horrible events that have happened to us have also ushered in the changes that brought forth our spiritual growth. Through our challenges we have matured emotionally and spiritually.

            Spiritual maturity is expressed through wisdom and compassionate action. Spirit-ual Intelligence or S.Q. measures the ability to integrate the inner life of mind-spirit with the outer life of the world. And its principles include:

• Self-Awareness: Knowing what I believe in and value, and what deeply motivates me
• Spontaneity: Living in and being responsive to the moment
• Being Vision- and Value-Led: Acting from principles and deep beliefs, and living accordingly
• Holism: Seeing larger patterns, relationships, and connections; having a sense of belonging
• Compassion: Having the quality of “feeling-with” and deep empathy
• Celebration of Diversity: Valuing other people for their differences, not despite them
• Independence: Standing against the crowd and having one’s own convictions
• Humility: Having the sense of being a player in a larger drama, of one’s true place in the world
• Tendency to Ask Fundamental “Why?” Questions: Needing to understand things and get to the bottom of them
• Ability to Reframe: Standing back from a situation or problem and seeing the bigger picture; seeing problems in a wider context
• Positive Use of Adversity: Learning and growing from mistakes, setbacks, and suffering
• Sense of Vocation: Feeling called upon to serve, to give something back

      Jesus spoke quite powerfully on this subject. He called upon us to develop our SQ. Maybe you might not recognize it as such, but He did say, “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.” When our enemies come to mind, (not just people, but also circumstances or situations that are challenging and that feel like our enemies), bless them. See them as blessings, because they will reveal things about ourselves that our friends will never tell us. The friendly circumstances in our lives will never reveal to us. Hardship, obstacles, even pain and suffering, can serve us if we let them.

      When I think of someone who demonstrates a high SQ, I think of Dr. Martin Luther King. Here is an excerpt from his letter from Birmingham jail. He writes:

“…though I was initially disappointed at being categorized as an extremist, as I continued to think about the matter I gradually gained a measure of satisfaction from the label. Was not Jesus an extremist for love?…  And John Bunyan: ‘I will stay in jail to the end of my days before I make a butchery of my conscience.’ And Abraham Lincoln: ‘This nation cannot survive half slave and half free.’ And Thomas Jefferson: ‘We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal…’  

      So the question is not whether we will be extremists, but what kind of extremists we will be. Will we be extremists for hate or for love? Will we be extremists for the preservation of injustice or for the extension of justice?

      In that dramatic scene on Calvary’s hill three men were crucified. We must never forget that all three were crucified for the same crime — the crime of extremism. Two were extremists for immorality, and thus fell below their environment. The other, Jesus Christ, was an extremist for love, truth, and goodness, and thereby rose above his environment. Perhaps the South, the nation, and the world are in dire need of creative extremists.”

      We too can choose this path which many may call extremist – the path of Spiritual growth, and thus raise our S.Q. It can happen when we choose to view life from a higher perspective than a judgmental and critical mind. We too can be extremists for love, peace and compassion when we choose to do the kind and loving thing, when we consciously choose to see the good in the situation, when we know that despite the appearance of disorder, chaos and the rumors of calamity around us, we can stand for the conscious evolution of our Divine Spirit. And through this stance, aligned with divine beings throughout the world, it shall come forth. And so it is and so it is.

The Bhagavad Gita, nicknamed the Gita, is a sacred scripture of Hinduism and a concise, practical, self-contained guide to life. The law of karma, central to the Hindu tradition, is the tool that supports us, teaches us to move forward in our spiritual evolution. Karma is not punitive, rather it is an effective way of having us turn to the light and away from practices that don’t help us move forward. It is there to support us in making wise choices, by pushing and prodding. The problems, challenges and difficult situations are there to give us the choice to react with love. Free from our ego, with purity of heart, we can be surrounded by violence in thought, word and deed and yet remain calmly non-violent.

Hindus observe that people move though four stages in their spiritual evolution. The first stage is the goal of pleasure – satisfing the senses; the second is the goal of attaining power, status and prestige, the third is to selflessly serve mankind, and the fourth and final goal is Liberation. Liberation from everything that distances us from infinite being, infinite awareness, and infinite bliss.

Karma exposes the often painful awareness that the decisions we make in the first two stages do not bring us lasting satisfaction. We discover the consequences of our actions as we seek pleasure for ourselves at the expense of another. We discover the havok our quest for power has on the environment, on our brothers and sisters as we climb the ladder of success.

The Gita uses an image that helps us understand karma. When we do something unkind it is like giving birth to a little calf of karma that immediately sets off to find its mother. It wanders about through the thousands of cows until it recognizes the one that gave him birth. Even though many lifetimes may have passed, suddenly an unexpected mishap befalls you and you wonder, “Why did this happen to me? Life is so unfair!” The calf of past karma has found its mother. When we act from love, with kindness, self-lessly we become a new person and the calf of karma will no longer recognize this new you. You are no longer the mother of the calf of karma and it will pass you by. You are not its mother.

We can look at karma as a system of assets and liabilities, a bank account of sorts. Unkind, selfish, cruel, mean-spirited actions build up and accumulate in our “account”. And every self-less, kind, generous action creates balance there. Eventually through these loving acts, we can erase the negativity. We can cleanse and purify ourselves.

As we more and more act from love and compassion with non-violence in our speech and behavior, we quiet the negativity in our internal conversation, the fear-based activity is forgone, and our sense of separation from one another and from Spirit disappears. We express more of our naturally loving nature and it is no longer even possible to consciously do anything that would harm another.

There is a simple formula to going beyond karma: Be kind, be kind, be kind. It is that simple. Choose the loving thing. Speak, act, think and do the kind thing. Put others around you first, even the difficult ones. Doing this will erase backlogs of negative karma and build great reserves of positive assets. The good news is that we don’t have to stuff goodwill into our nature, we have just to remove the dust, grime and darkness that covers it – our innate loving nature. For evil is not real. It is a kind of shadow, a smog of sorts that covers our light. When we cleanse ourselves the light of who we truly are shines ever so brightly.

As part of the Unity Movement’s program of growing thriving ministries throughout the world, your Board has been looking at our purpose, our mission and values and what we see as our unique role in this part of the world. We have developed a new mission statement and declaration of who we are. Please review them and let us know your thoughts.

Our Mission Statement: Open doors, open hearts, supporting spiritual transformation.

Unity of Vermont is part of a global movement of prayer, education, publishing and peace. We celebrate and honor all of humanity, helping them deepen their connection with God as they move along their Spiritual Journeys.

As an interfaith community, Unity embraces all people regardless of race, color, gender, age, creed, religion, national origin, ethnicity, physical disability, or sexual orientation. There are No Exceptions! There is only one power and presence of God and God loves each one of us equally.

We honor the many paths to God and celebrate all religions that demonstrate love.

We gather together, joining with others who celebrate God by whatever name, in Temples and Mosques, Synagogues and Pagodas, Stone circles and Worship Centers all around the World. You are always welcome here. Come as you are, your presence here enhances our Spiritual Journey.

             In Unity, March is the month we metaphysically focus on the power of strength. Charles Fillmore, the co-founder of Unity outlined the twelve faculties or powers we can call upon to develop as we evolve spiritually. These spiritual gifts are hardwired, so to speak, in each and every one of us and it is our job to activate them. I see them as a spiritual tool belt; one that we have with us always and from which we can turn within to extract the right and perfect tool during times of need. Fillmore was well aware of the body-mind-spirit connection and instructed us in ways we can develop these latent gifts. He identified the power of strength as located in the small of the back, a place many of us feel the strain of efforting and struggle. Charles said, “The back grows weak under the burden of material thought.” But we can strengthen our minds and therefore our bodies through affirmative prayer, through the speaking words of truth into difficult situations. Fillmore said that “All strength originates in Spirit; and the thought and the word spiritually expressed bring the manifestation.” We are to “be steadfast, strong, and steady in thought, and we will establish strength in mind and body.”

            Today we have many opportunities to develop this faculty of strength, to be strong and steadfast in our thoughts. We have many chances each day to lift up our thoughts to the truth of God’s abundant universe and turn away from thoughts of lack, doubt, fear and anxiety. As we do this, we raise our vibrations to a place from which we can see the perfect solution to what is before us.

            We know that everything in the universe, all of it, is energy vibrating at various frequencies. Mass, the stuff we can see around us, is vibrating at a slower or lower frequency than that which we cannot see – thoughts, feelings, light, sound. What we call Spirit is vibrating at the highest/ fastest frequencies. When higher frequencies are brought into arenas of slower vibrations, they raise the vibratory level. This is how problems can be solved – through the dissipation and the uplifting of the slower frequencies, by altering and uplifting our thoughts.

            We, each and every one of us, have this spiritual tool belt that includes love, wisdom, strength, imagination, and faith. We use these invisible strengths to raise our consciousness, and thus our vibratory levels. When we do this we can raise our perception to the level where we can solve the problem creatively, from a higher perspective. We suddenly have insight and tap into our imagination. When we can come from a space of love, kindness, compassion, trust and appreciation rather than fear and suspicion, resentment and anger, we fill ourselves with peace and this higher vibration not only changes how we are at a cellular level but it has a profound effect on everyone we encounter.

            In truth those things we call problems are part of the illusion that we operate in – thinking we are separate and apart from God, the life force, Spirit. When we operate from the understanding that we are one with the one, then the distinction “problem” dissolves. We see events as being, just being, without negative evaluations attached. We see them as opportunities to move in new and unexplored areas of being, rather than obstacles to what we want.

            Metaphysically the story of David and Goliath demonstrates the power of strength over fear or as Charles Fillmore says,

             The battle of David and Goliath “illustrates the mastery of the spiritual over the material…David, spiritual strength, had no armor or material protection. David’s        power was gained by trust in divine intelligence, through which he saw the weak           place in Goliath’s armor…  He transmuted the lower qualities of man to a mighty soul strength. David, the Lord’s beloved, represents your righteous        privileges as the child of God that you are, that we all are.  “You are not a slave        to anything or to anybody in the universe.  The threat of this Goliath … holds no        terrors for you in this consciousness…The Lord has been with you in the slaying    of fear then …  and he will be with you in the slaying the fear now…

 So what are the practical steps we can take to build up the spiritual power of strength within us? First of all we can Stop Giving Energy to What We Don’t Want. We can avoid sending energy to what we don’t want. For we know that that which we focus on, we give energy to, and make more real, and make it manifest in our experience. We can give up talking about, whining, complaining, and making excuses for our situation. We can let go of hating what is. Instead we can say what we do want. We can ask for what we want.  We can state our intention to have it with no doubt in our mind. We can know we are aligned with Spirit. We can strap on our spiritual tool belt and bring out the spiritual tool of love, hope, faith, and peace of mind. For we remember that problems are illusions of the material world and solutions flow from the world of Spirit. As we confront the problems in our lives we understand that we created them from the human mind and they will be solved through calling forth the Mind of Spirit. This is our greatest tool, so we choose now to use it! And so it is. And so it is. Amen.

Let’s explore the spiritual solutions we can bring to solve the problems, the challenges, the unwanted prospects that confront us in our lives. We can see from a spiritual prospective that problems are illusions of the material world. From this uplifted point of view we can see them as opportunities to grow, to expand our awareness of possibilities, and develop creative solutions, for solutions flow from the world of Spirit. As we confront the problems in our lives from this understanding, we realize that although we created them from the human mind, they will be solved through calling forth the Mind of Spirit. Albert Einstein said this same thing, “No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.”

Everything in the universe, all of it, is energy vibrating at various frequencies. Mass – the stuff we can see around us is vibrating at a slower or lower frequency than that which we cannot see – thoughts, feelings, light, sound. What we call Spirit is vibrating at the highest/ fastest frequencies. The wonderful part of all this is that the faster vibrations are stronger than the slower ones. When we bring the light of divine inspiration, healing love into a situation, we bring a strong energy that dissipates and dissolves the slower, heavier energies of fear, anger, suspicion, and negativity. When higher frequencies of love, kindness, compassion, and joyful cheerfulness are brought into arenas of the slower frequencies, they raise the vibratory level. This is how problems can be solved – through the dissipation and the uplifting of the slower frequencies – by altering and uplifting our thoughts. When we raise our frequency we open ourselves to divine guidance and inspiration. Solutions that were previously blocked from our awareness open up to us. We receive the magical aha, the perfect solution to the problem.

We have energy fields and are part of energy fields. We all have experienced this, even if only subconsciously: when we feel peaceful and calm around some people, when we feel uplifted and joy-filled around others. Sometimes another’s anger and negativity feels like it’s bringing us down. When I lived in San Francisco I took the kids on a tour of Alcatraz. We walked through the prison; saw the cells, and where the prisoners spent their time. We could feel the cold horror, the dark, dense, brooding atmosphere of the place. The thoughts, feelings, and energy of the guards and the prisoners are still present in the very structure of the place. We were glad to be out of there. None of the magnificent splendor of the city on the bay – San Francisco was present on Alcatraz. Recently I walked into a metaphysical bookstore and was filled with joy, peace, love, and was moved to tears. This place holds the energy field of Spirit! The energy field of a location is affected by the thoughts and activities of the people living in it. People say Washington, D.C. was filled with harmony, joy and a sense of intense love, hope and celebration during the Inauguration as millions of people gathered from all over this country and from foreign lands.

Our thoughts, emotions, attitudes and beliefs are transmitted vibrationally to the atmosphere around us. We use to say, you are what you eat; it’s true and so is, you are what you think. For us to use the higher energy fields that are part of who we are, we need to clear them of any toxicity and avoid substances and behaviors that will contaminate them. We clear ourselves from within and without. It is important to be kind to your body with what you eat and drink, the thoughts you dwell on, the energy level of information you read, watch and listen to, and the vibratory level of those you hang out with. It is important to get enough rest and to spend time in the silence. Prayer and meditation truly do build up our spiritual reserve.

As people move upward on their spiritual path they notice they associate with people who resonate with the higher vibrations – the kinder, loving, compassionate folks. Their negative, anxious, worrisome acquaintances seem to have dropped away. Yet many times we are in relationship with negative people that cannot be avoided – people at work, in our family, etc. The opportunity in these occasions is to meet anger, fear and hostility with love. The opportunity is to realize that it is not between you and this other person, but it is only you and God in relationship with this personality and God. There is only God. You are enfolded in Divine Spirit, strength and wisdom. You have all the resources at hand to be the Peace of God. You have the ability to return love for anger and disrespect. You have the resources to shower love and compassion for hostility. Mother Theresa had this reminder on the walls of her orphanage for the children and staff to read everyday. We would do well to follow her invitation also.

The Final Analysis

People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered;
…Forgive them anyway!

If you are kind, people may accuse you of selfish, ulterior motives;
…Be kind anyway!

If you are successful, you will win some false friends and some true enemies;
…Succeed anyway!

If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you;
…Be honest and frank anyway!

What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight;
…Build anyway!

If you find serenity and happiness, they may be jealous;
…Be happy anyway!

The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow;
…Do good anyway!

Give the world the best you have, and it may never be enough;
…Give the world the best you’ve got anyway!

You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God;
It was never between you and them anyway.