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I was very impressed when I first noticed the instructions on the shampoo bottle: "Wet hair, apply, lather, rinse, repeat". Clear, to-the-point, and doable by nearly everyone. What about all those things in life which do not come with instructions, despite the fact that instructions would be really, REALLY helpful! Learning to live in peace with one another would be one of those things.
Cultivating the willingness to live a more spiritually-aware life within the limits of our own personalities is challenging enough; add to that the misunderstandings and varying perceptions of others, and it becomes easy to see that the path of spiritual unfolding is most definitely NOT for the faint-hearted. We are all - each and every one of us - on this path of returning to the full awareness and expression of the Truth of What We Are. We are Divine Source in expression in this moment of eternity as humans on the planet earth.
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We are so fully invested in our human roles that, for the most part, we have forgotten our divinity. When we were first born into this experience, we were tiny, fragile, helpless and vulnerable to all sorts of physical dangers. If we were fortunate, we had parents or others who loved us and kept us safe. The less-fortunate among us found out early that survival meant adapting to whatever circumstances arose.
By the time we wander into a community of Truth and meet other awakening travelers, we've developed some pretty effective safety skills. We've learned to keep our vulnerable selves heavily barricaded behind behaviors like cynicism, intellectualism, and low expectations. We've learned to use various behaviors and substances as numbing agents: drinking, overeating, shopping, watching television, arguing about politics... each of these things may be fine in moderation, but when used to excess they only serve to numb us and keep us from waking up.
Yet, somehow, we do awaken one day. It may be a sudden "a-ha" kind of awakening or it may be a subtle, gradual process. It may simply be that we can no longer ignore the Truth that has been there all along. Now, we know there is more to life, and more to us, than the human jumble of fears and triumphs which have been our experience so far.
Many of us enjoyed a sense of "coming home" when we walked into our first compatible spiritual community. This homecoming is a recognition of our innate Wholeness. We realize and remember that we are not separate beings but individual expressions of the Holiness we might call God. It would be nice if when we awakened we all just said, "Oh wow! That was a weird dream!" and moved along our lives in graceful awareness of Truth. For most of us, that is not the experience. We are once again fragile, vulnerable newborns.
Once again, we must learn to navigate the human experience, only this time we have agreed to do it with our eyes and hearts fully open. Yikes! Who decided this was a good idea? We bump up against each other, we get our feelings hurt, we pull back, we blame... and we remember. We remember that we're not really separate from that "other" person. Indeed, if we are all One, there IS no "other" person, only another unique, individualized expression of Source, doing the best they can to navigate the human experience, just like us. Ideally, this awareness allows us to release the blame, to forgive, to bless and to love one another.
At some point along the way, we hear our own voice become harsh and our breathing become shallow: we have again hardened our heart to the Truth of One Power, One Presence, One Source, Wholeness. Recognizing this, we breathe, release the self-blame, bless and love ourselves, make whatever amends may be needed, and continue moving forward. Perhaps Life does come with instructions after all: Breathe, release blame (of self and others), forgive (self and others), bless (self and others), and Love (yes, self and others.)
Wet hair, apply, lather, rinse, repeat... clear, to-the-point, doable.
Breathe, release, forgive, bless, love, repeat... clear, to-the-point, doable.
The Light I AM recognizes, blesses, and honors the Light You Are-
Namaskar- Blessings, Rev. Nita
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CLASS INFORMATION
Classes are an opportunity to expand your spiritual understanding, get to know your fellow travelers along the spiritual path, and deepen your spiritual practice. We talk, discuss, pray, meditate, and laugh a LOT as we learn!
Discover the Power Within You Wednesdays, 6/18- 7/16 10:30 - 12:30pm
Barbara McLawhorn, LUT facilitates The Background of New Thought
Thursday evenings,7/10-7/17 (NOTE NO CLASS 7/03)
6:30-8:30pm Rev. Nita facilitates (upcoming) The Christ in the Bible 3 Saturdays: 7/19, 7/26, 8/02 9:00am - 12:30pm Rev. Nita facilitates (upcoming) Development of the Unity Movement Wednesdays, 7/30 - 8/27 10:30am - 12:30pm Susan Sellers, LUT, facilitates
Wednesdays: Based on the book by of Eric Butterworth, Discover the Power Within You presents the thesis that we all can discover, accept, and release the same power of the Divinity that Jesus believed dwelt within him, within consciousness, and also in each individual. Jesus described this Divinity as the Kingdom of Heavens within. Eric Butterworth calls us to believe that the Divinity within humankind's consciousness was not just Jesus' heritage. That divine heritage, he asserts, is also ours. For that reason, the book is more than just something to read and believe. It becomes a tool to develop an action plan and to practice the Divinity as our way of living.
Books will be available at class.
Thursdays: Unity is a part of what is called the "New Thought" movement, but did you know that New Thought has its origins in ancient Greece? This overview will start with a viewing of the movie, "What Is New Thought?" This class will give you a good overview of how our own Unity movement fits into the larger New Thought movement, as well as introduce some of our basic principles and explain some of the differences between New Thought and traditional religions. (upcoming) Saturdays: What is "The Christ"? There is a cultural tendency to think that the man, Jesus, was the one-and-only son of God, and therefore, "Christ". In our metaphysical understanding, Jesus was a fully human person, just like each one of us. We call him our "Elder Brother and WayShower" because he learned how to fully express "The Christ" which is within each one of us. We'll explore what this means, as well as how we might also express the Christ in our our day-to-day lives.
(upcoming) Wednesdays: If we consider that what we call Unity is the movement of Spirit--of divine ideas--in and through human minds and hearts, and if we believe that this movement of Spirit is ongoing, then each of us, becomes an important, even essential element in the continuing evolution of Unity.In addition to tracing the evolution of the Unity movement from its birth in the minds and hearts of Myrtle and Charles Fillmore, we'll explore the role we might assume in the forward motion of Unity.
All classes are offered on a love offering basis, and Unity Institute SEE credit is available for each of these classes. If you've got any questions, just hit the "reply" button on this email and ask.
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July Movie Night:
Saving Mr. Banks
When: July 18th, 2014, starting at 6:30 pm
Come join us for a free movie night.
Drinks and popcorn will be provided!
Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson bring to life the untold true story about the origins of one of the most treasured Disney classics of all time. John Lee Hancock (The Blind Side) directs this acclaimed film that reveals the surprising backstory behind the making of Mary Poppins. Determined to fulfill a promise to his daughters, Walt Disney (Hanks) tries for 20 years to obtain the rights to author P.L. Travers' (Thompson) beloved book. Armed with his iconic creative vision, Walt pulls out all the stops, but the uncompromising Travers won't budge. Only when he reaches into his own complicated childhood does Walt discover the truth about the ghosts that haunt Travers, and together, they set Mary Poppins free! This is a dramatic story that does portray aspects of difficulties P.L. Travers experienced as a child.
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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. 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.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
There are many things which need to get done here in our center, and Susan Smith is working to make it easier for you to become involved. Please check at the information table to see what might be fun for you to do.
INTERFAITH COMMUNITY SERVICES (ICS) RESOURCES & OPPORTUNITIES
To volunteer through our affiliation with Interfaith Community Services, you can contact, Sandi Brickley, ICS Volunteer Resources Manager, either by phone at 520-297-2738 ext. 217 or at their website
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If You Could Benefit from ICS resources, referrals are available
Interfaith Community Services provides a wide range of services for seniors, disabled individuals and people in financial needs. Please contact Susan Smith or Rev. Nita with questions about ICS services. Contact Susan via email.
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