Returning to Ahhhh....

Returning to Stable Ground

Quick Links

Our website

Listen to lessons online

Find a map and directions

Read past email lessons

Join/Donate

Greetings!

I'm writing this email to you from my room at Unity Village, where I will soon be starting my annual session of classes. The scenery is about as different from Tucson as you can imagine. Last weekend, we all enjoyed temps in the 80's, and today as I write, it is a snow-covered 29 degrees. There is a group of deer playing in the snow, running, leaping, chasing each other like puppies.

As I've said many times, I am passionate about teaching Truth principles because they have been absolutely transformational in my own life. I know that, to the extent we are willing to do the work of transformation, we are indeed transformed by the renewing of our minds. I have been learning to integrate these principles into my life for over thirty years now, and I know they work. One of the things I have very greatly reduced in my life is the presence of anxiety. I am very thankful that, generally speaking, I do not live with anxiety.

Recently, however, I recognized this old symptom again showing up in my life. Driving home last Friday from our regional conference, the vague, not-quite-definable sensation which had been present within me for awhile began intensifying. Approaching Tonopah and the increasing Phoenix traffic, I felt the grip of anxiety within my chest, and knew that somewhere along the line I'd crossed back into old mental territory.



As I drove, the to-do list which needed to be complete before I boarded the plane yesterday seemed longer and longer. I continued doing all of the things I needed to do, but I didn't sleep well. Again, this is not normal for me. Finally, around 3am on Monday morning, I felt the grip lessen, I felt myself able to breathe fully, and I slept well. On Monday morning, I finished what needed to be finished and had a lovely lunch with Jon before going to the airport, and I finally got into bed here at the Village at 1:30am. This morning I unpacked, ate breakfast, and finally just sat down at the window. After a few minutes, I heard myself sigh... and realized I was finally back on stable ground again.



Many of you reading this are probably thinking, "Well, that's all well and good for you as you sit there toasty and warm at the Village, away from the day-to-day, and I'm really happy for you, but how does that help me? The deer aren't frolicking in my world, and I'm still here trying to deal with laundry and shopping and kids and bills and work and ..."



The reason that we talk about "practice" so often is because life in the human realm comes with the strong likelihood of stress. Things need to be done, expectations abound, and to-do lists can be a mile long. With a firm spiritual practice and a working knowledge of spiritual tools, we are more likely to remember that our basic choice is always one of victimhood or opportunity. With a solid spiritual practice, as soon as we recognize dysfunction, we can move into practical application of spiritual principles.



In my case, almost as soon as I recognized the constriction of anxiety, I remembered that, "My heart can breathe." As I drove, I began breathing intentionally, while focusing on my heart area. The to-do list kept coming to mind, and I kept reminding myself, "My heart can breathe." As I went through the next couple of days, that became my mantra.



There are a lot of tools in my spiritual toolbox, but we don't always need a lot of tools. We really only need to remember that there ARE tools, and use one. Sometimes my "one tool" is to physically pause and breathe. Sometimes it is to say to myself, "I AM peace". Sometimes I remember that I could listen to music. Other times I pull out one of my favorite spiritual books. Frequently it is simply to close my eyes (Be still) and remember that no matter what things look like, there is only One Power (and know).



Are you cultivating habits which make it more likely for you to remember that you have tools? Sometimes we are over-scheduled and over-committed. Sometimes things just happen. Commit to some type of spiritual practice. It could be to read Daily Word every day. It could be to sit and breathe for 10 minutes each day. It could be any number of things. Pick something and do it. When you forget to do it, don't beat yourself up, just begin again. And again. And again. When a moment comes that you need to remember you have tools, you will be oh-so-thankful you did.



Namaskar (which means, the Divine in me recognizes the Divine in You)

Rev. Nita

UPCOMING EVENTS...
We've got a lot going on. Keep reading and you're sure to find something that calls to you.


Spiritual Autobiography Workshop
Two Saturdays: March 9th and March 16th
9:00 - 11:30 AM
What is your spiritual storyline? Your spiritual storyline is the underlying thread which imbues your life experience with meaning and purpose. In this two part work-shop you will identify key elements of your spiritual story line. Author and coach Deb Knox will facilitate this workshop, which will help you to more aware of what is most personally meaningful to you. DOWNLOAD THE FLYER.(Free Will Donation)

Spiritual Book Study:
FINDING YOURSELF IN TRANSITION by Rev. Robert Brumet
Wednesdays, March 13 - April 10
10:30am - 12:30pm
Facilitated by Susan Sellers, LUT Cand.
Life is a series of endings and beginnings. As one door closes another always opens, but that does not always happen simultaneously! This book is an exploration of the process of moving from one segment of life to another. We are never standing still, and if we learn to navigate the process of change with ours eyes and hearts open, the journey will be much less frightening. Books are available from Susan. (Those interested in this class are also encouraged to check out our movie night this month, "Finding Joe". Keep reading for more details, below.)

EVENING CANDLE-LIT MEDITATION
Wednesday, March 13th
5:55pm (doors open at 5:40pm)
The focus of this month's candle-lit evening meditation is SURRENDER & LETTING GO. This shared contemplative experience includes song, readings, silence and prayer. Meditation begins at 5:55 and lasts just under one hour.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH PROJECT, INFO and
SPECIAL SERVICE OPPORTUNITY
Sunday, March 17th after service
Tuesday, March 26th, 6:00 - 8:00pm
Saturday, April 6th

This month we have chosen to support NAMI, the National Alliance on Mental Illness. NAMI is a non-profit organization with more than 1,100 affiliates nationwide, providing support, education, and advocacy to all who are affected by mental illness - those living with a mental disorder, family members, friends, or loved ones.

On April 6th, NAMI is holding the 7th Annual NAMI Walks, their major fundraising event. Some of our community members will be participating. For the next four Sundays we will have a table where you can make a donation, sign up to walk, or become a sponsor. Remember, your business or employer can sponsor too!. Please stop by!

NAMI wants to support you, through a special program called FaithNet, which helps develop partnerships between NAMI and faith communities by providing education about mental disorders - what they are, what can be done, and who can help. The goal is to promote recovery, when the individual and loved ones can live quality lives that aren't dominated by mental illness.

On Sunday, March 17th, Dr. Sharon Nielsen, the FaithNet Coordinator, will be here after church with materials and information. Dr. Nielsen will also join us for a full presentation on Tuesday, March 26th at 6 pm, where she will detail NAMI resources and programs, and answer specific questions and concerns.

If you are dealing with mental illness, you aren't alone...
- One in four adults experience a mental health disorder in a given year.
- One in 17 lives with a serious mental illness such as major clinical depression, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.
- One in 10 children live with a serious mental or emotional disorder
- There are 100,000 people in Pima County with a mental illness

MOVIE NIGHT
FINDING JOE (Joseph Campbell and the Hero's Journey)
Friday, March 22nd
Doors open at 5:40pm, movie starts at 6:00pm (FREE)
FINDING JOE (2011) NR, takes us on the ultimate hero's journey: the journey of self discovery. This movie is viewed through the metaphoric journey that we all must take to conquer our own barriers as we move from separation into initiation and then to return. There are references to movies from the Wizard of Oz to Star Wars which portray us in self transformation, filled with a-ha's as we claim our inner resources. Several visionaries speak of the hero's journey: mythology present within all traditions, which was the primary focus of Joseph Campbell's writing. Of note is that President Obama personally requested a viewing of this film and to speak with the director, Patrick Solomon. Afterward, Solomon reported that, "He wants to say it was the best film he had ever seen! He wants to invite me to the White House to do a personal screening for the cabinet..." (And, to support you on YOUR hero's journey, consider attending Susan Sellers' class, Finding Yourself in Transition", details above.)

GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE
Friday, March 29th
5:00pm - 6:00pm
We enter into the most sacred weekend of the year by coming together for a contemplative hour of prayer, meditation, and music, facilitated by Rev. Nita.

WHITE STONE CEREMONY - EASTER SUNDAY
March 31st
10:30 - 11:30am
On Easter Sunday, we celebrate the demonstration of Life shown to us by our Elder Brother and wayshower, Jesus. As our master teacher, the Christed Jesus taught us that there is no death, only an experience of transformation to be lived. Rev. Nita will also facilitate our annual White Stone Ceremony; which offers an opportunity to discern the spiritual focus for your own personal journey of transformation at this time.

Child care and Sunday School is always available for kids

Our Sunday School teachers look forward to sharing Unity principles with your children aged 4-12. If you've got questions, please speak to our YOU teachers: Cindy Cawthorne, LUT, Barbara Richman, LUT, Judyth Willis, and Sunni Adams. Our nursery is available for the very young ones, as well.

Upcoming Sunday Lessons

3/10: Special lesson by USCoP Board Member & LUT student, Susan Smith
3/17: Overcoming Illusion
3/24: PALM SUNDAY

3/29: GOOD FRIDAY, 5:00-6:00pm

3/31: EASTER SUNDAY,10:30 - 11:30 White Stone Ceremony