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Greetings!
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One of his students asked Buddha,
"Are you the messiah?"
"No", answered Buddha.
"Then are you a healer?"
"No", Buddha replied.
"Then are you a teacher?" the student persisted.
"No, I am not a teacher."
"Then what are you?" asked the student, exasperated.
"I am awake", Buddha replied.
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"Somewhere on this journey the human consciousness, or intellect, comes to a place where it gladly bows to its spiritual Self and confesses that this spiritual Self, its Christ, is highest and is Lord. Here and forever after, not with sense of bondage, but with joyful freedom, the heart cries out: "The Lord [the Christ] is king" (Psalms 93:1). everyone must sooner or later come to this point of experience. You and I, dear reader, have already come to ourselves."
H. Emilie Cady, Lessons in Truth
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The examples above remind us that this life we are currently experiencing is part of a process, a path that we are traveling. We may think of it as a journey from darkness to Light, from forgetting to remembering, from ignorance to awareness. In very traditional language, it might be called the journey from sin to redemption, and rephrasing that into New Thought language, we would call it the journey from error to Truth.
In our Metaphysics class last week, we discussed the difference between facts and Truth. Facts change. Today it is a fact that we can get on an airplane after breakfast, fly across the country and have lunch in Chicago. One hundred years ago that would have been an unbelievably ridiculous fantasy. Doctors used to do advertising endorsements for cigarettes, declaring that smoking helped calm the nerves. At that time, the facts supported that belief. Of course, now we know more than we did then! Today, the facts might be that you are 47 years old and drive a Prius. Once upon a time, the facts were that you were three years old and drove a tricycle. Facts change.
Truth does not change. What is Truth today must be Truth tomorrow, and must have been Truth yesterday, or it is not Truth. Truth must apply to everyone- Buddhists, Christians, Jews, Muslims, Atheists, circus performers, bank tellers, and rock stars. Our understanding of Truth can (and should!) change. The ways in which we apply Truth to our lives will change- today I may choose to focus on my intellectual understanding so that tomorrow I can expand my heart understanding. Yesterday I may have focused more on prosperity teachings and today I may focus more on health and wholeness. We change as our understanding changes. But Truth does not change, or else it is not Truth.
As with all journeys, it is useful to have some idea where we're currently at, so that we can navigate the path to where we want to be. Now that we have "come to ourselves" as Dr. Cady phrased it, what do we do? Now that you are aware that you actually are on a path, how does knowing that help you live your life? There are many, many tools available to us which we can use to become ever more intentional in our thoughts and our actions. Our lives reflect the cumulative effects of a multitude of choices; one of the most helpful things we can do when faced with options is to ask ourselves: "Which choice best reflects Truth?" As you ask that question, it is good to also use the following affirmation:
God in me is infinite wisdom; I know just what to do."
(One of H.Emile Cady's Comprehensive Affirmations from "Lessons in Truth")
Namaskar (which means, the Divine in me recognizes the Divine in You)
Rev. Nita
(If this email lesson seems familiar- it is! This was updated from one which was originally sent in 2010)
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CLASSES:
Rev. Nita is facilitating two classes in July. All of our classes are open to everyone, there is no charge for Spiritual Education and Enrichment (SEE) classes at Unity Spiritual Center of Peace. Textbooks are highly recommended and may be obtained at class or from your favorite online bookseller; a few library copies may be available. (A love offering will be blessed).
PROSPERITY
Wednesdays 10:30 - 12:30pm,
Through July 31, 2013
Prosperity is based on a combined study of Charles Fillmore's book, Prosperity, and Eric Butterworth's Spiritual Economics. In our study, we will compare and contrast the ideas of these two great teachers: substance, the activity of mind, faith, visualization, what it means to develop a giving consciousness, the truth about money and how to replace a consciousness of lack with a lasting consciousness of abundance. As we study each concept, we will explore ways to use those ideas in our daily lives. There are two required texts: Prosperity by Charles Fillmore and Spiritual Economics by Eric Butterworth. (An electronic version of "Prosperity" is available at no charge- request a copy via email.)
METAPHYSICS (Part 1, Sec.1)
Saturdays, 10:00am - 12:00pm
Through August 3, 2013
During this course you will explore some of the fundamental Principles of Spiritual Law and how they can be applied to your life for greater love, health, and prosperity. By studying the quotes of prominent Unity writers, as well as specific metaphysical and theological views and commentary presented in our required text, Heart-centered Metaphysics, you will be encouraged to awaken your awareness and understanding of spiritual Truth. Through the consistent use of these practical principles, you will realize more of your spiritual potential and find that your life is transformed.
WORKSHOP: UNLEARNING RACISM
Wednesday, July 24, 1:00pm - 5:00pm (Free)
One of our Core Values is "Acceptance". As our community grows and more and more folks find us, this seems like a good time in our history to look at our feelings and beliefs around diversity. This workshop provides a forum to discover conscious & unconscious ways racism impacts our lives, regardless of what we look like. During the four-hour workshop, individuals view the film The Color of Fear and participate in small and large group facilitated discussions. The program is designed to encourage meaningful dialogue and offers opportunities to create individual action plans Please join us for this important dialogue and step toward greater awareness, understanding and meaningful action.
The Color of Fear is an insightful, groundbreaking film about the state of race relations in America as seen through the eyes of eight North American men of Asian, European, Latino and African descent. In a series of intelligent, emotional and dramatic confrontations the men reveal the pain and scars that racism has caused them. What emerges is a deeper sense of understanding and trust. This is the dialogue most of us fear, but hope will happen sometime in our lifetime. (1994, 90 minutes)
SAVE THE DATE: CALL TO ARTISTS AND VOLUNTEERS
Fall Arts/ Crafts and Kid's Fun Festival
Saturday, Oct. 19th.
Anyone who is interested in helping out or those who have arts and crafts they may want to display for sale are invited to participate. Email us
and we'll put you in touch with the coordinator of this event, Cheryl Perry. Keep an eye out for more information to come!
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. We provide professionally trained and screened childcare for those ages 0-3, so that you may enjoy attending service while knowing that your little ones are well cared-for.
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