A Metaphysical Perspective on Lent 

You will not find Lent in the Bible. This is a tradition that comes from the church; our religious and spiritual history. In early Biblical times, if a person was in mourning they would tear their clothes and put ashes on their heads to note their grief. In the Christian tradition the ashes represent acknowledgment of our sins...or the errors we have made in our thoughts, words and actions.

Lent is rich in metaphysical teachings. I would like to point out a few. The period of Lent is 40 days. During this time we are instructed to pray, meditate, fast, and repent of our sins...or errors. It is not surprising that scientists have determined the amount of time required to cleanse impurities from our body is roughly six weeks...40 days. In 40 days we can find freedom from a habitual thought, belief, action or feeling that blocks or impedes our transformation, and expressing all we are meant to be.

The ashes are "imposed" on the forehead of those who come desiring forgiveness, cleansing or transformation. Metaphysically; the head, which is where the thinking process takes place, represents acknowledgment of error thinking and grief for the problems this causes. Most of us desire change in our lives. We may have habits or emotions that we would like to change. We cannot change what we do not acknowledge. Ashes indicate a desire and willingness for repentance. The word repentance means re-thinking, changing our thoughts, therefore changing our lives.

The ashes are "imposed" in the sign of the cross, which acknowledges our sorrow for offending God, or Christ. In Unity we see ashes as a reminder that we are "crossing out" our negative thoughts, words, actions and beliefs.

Another way that Unity or New Thought churches in general differ from traditional religion, is that we do not see ourselves as inherently evil. Just because we make mistakes in life does not reduce our standing as God's own children. It empowers us, to know that we CAN change our thoughts and change our lives through Christ...which is the spark of divinity within us...that part of us that is One with God.

We teach there is only One presence and One power in the Universe and in our lives. God...the good...Omnipotent. God has blessed us with the gift of free will. We are free to think and act as we wish. When we do not align our will with the will of God however, pain and suffering result. Our dreams turn to ashes of mourning. But as we change our minds...change our thoughts...our feelings...repent as it were...the ashes turn to beauty.

                       Personal Lenten Observation Suggestion

1. Begin each day with prayer, meditation and/or inspirational reading.*

2. Find a negative habit or thought to release.

3. Each day strive to BE the change you want in your life and the world.  

4. Starting today, create a Lenten Journal to reflect on your process. 

* Reading Suggestion: Just click on this link to read Charles Fillmore's Keep a True Lent for free. The book includes great Metaphysical teachings, and at the back of the book daily lesson. Keep A True Lent by Charles Fillmore