Jesus told us to resist not, to turn the other cheek. If we keep fighting whatever it is we're fighting, we only strengthen its presence in our life. It is only in turning away- "turning the other cheek"- that we will begin to see the good which is present and available in our lives.
Our master teacher, Jesus, also told us to love our enemies. Who (and what) are the enemies in your life? There are probably outer things: perhaps people you don't like, situations you "hate", politicians or corporations you think act in irresponsible ways, a job or relationship which causes you to feel trapped. There are also inner enemies: those thoughts which tell us we aren't good enough, or that we can't do certain things, or that we're too old, too young, too stupid, lazy, fat, or thin.
How on earth are we supposed to love these enemies? Well, there probably is no way on earth, since earth is the realm of effect and illusion. We need to seek first the Kingdom of Heaven - the consciousness of the Christ within. As we turn away from those thoughts and circumstances we've been resisting, we focus on Truth. We focus on the Light, Love, and Peace which is Truth. We focus on those things, and allow them to increase in consciousness.
This is where compassion for self and others comes into play. Turning away from the things in the outer, focusing on Truth, we simply wish ourselves and others well. We claim the intention of kindness towards self and others. Here's the how-to, adapted from
self-compassion.org. Settle yourself and breathe fully a few times. Perhaps place your hand lightly on your chest over your heart.
"May I be well. May I be peaceful. May I be kind to myself. May I accept myself as I am. May I remember this intention of kindness to myself." When thoughts stray (and they will), return to your intention of kindness to self. After a few minutes, include others in your intention of kindness: "May we all be well. May we all be peaceful. May we all be kind to ourselves. May we all accept ourselves as we are."
Don't worry if you don't feel especially kind or compassionate. It'll likely take time, but this is how it works: one breath, one loving intention at a time, your mind will come into alignment with the true intention of your heart. At some point, when you are willing, maybe after days or weeks or even months, include the difficult people in your life in your meditation. "May you be safe. May you be peaceful. May you be kind. May you accept yourself as you are." Again- don't worry if you don't really "feel" kind, compassionate, and forgiving. Just be willing. Or willing to be willing.
Through nonresistance and kindness, we eventually disarm and dissolve those enemies.
May we be well and know peace as we move forward. May we treat one another gently and with kindness. May we learn to truly love and accept ourselves so that we may fully love and accept our neighbors.
Remember your tools...
PAUSE: Continue to pause regularly to breathe. This is perhaps the most useful tool. It takes us from a point of reacting to a more loving stance of responding.
ASK: While you're breathing, ask yourself what your highest and best intention is. Your mind will eventually listen to your heart's true intention.
CONTINUE: to claim a time of daily stillness, no matter what.
MUSIC: It's still "Free Download Month" at emPowerma.com Create an account (its free) and download a positive, New Thought-friendly song each day in November.
MORE MUSIC: As we move into the holidays, you might want to try some new holiday music. EmpowerMA has some new, New Thought Christmas music. So do a couple of our favorites, JD Martin and Jan Garret. Listen to samples at their website.
Namaskar-- the divine within me recognizes and honors the divine within you!
Upcoming Events, Services, and Classes...
Crafting for a Cause, November/December 2014
We will be creating gift bags to donate to Emerge Holiday House. Holiday House is a donation driven event that gives Emerge! participants the opportunity to choose holiday gifts for their family in a safe environment, at no cost to them.
Dec. 3rd, 6:30pm-8:00 pm
at Unity Spiritual Center of Peace
Please come join us as we get together to share in this opportunity for fun and fellowship. We intend to put love and light into each bag we create. Supplies and equipment provided. If you have any bags with handles (like Trader Joe's grocery bags) that you would like to contribute to the cause please bring them in!
If you have questions about our Crafting for a Cause outreach events, just hit the reply button and you'll be put in touch with our Outreach Director, Susan Smith.
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Thanksgiving Day Service and Potluck
November 27th, 2014
Service: 11:00 am Potluck: 12noon
Come join Spiritual Education and Enrichment students Lynne Booth, Sue Lemmon and Susan Smith for a casual gathering to celebrate all we have to be thankful on Thanksgiving Day. We will sing, meditate and take some time to reflect on all the ways in which we are so richly blessed. We will have a very informal table set up to use as an altar for this service. Please feel free to bring in some small item to place on our altar should that will help ground you in appreciation and joy on this special day of the year.
Thanksgiving Feast: Please bring a favorite dish to share with us as we celebrate this special holiday together. We will have turkey and rolls. Sign up at the information table to let us know what you plan to bring.
We know we will have the perfect mix for our holiday feast.
Join us for an afternoon Thanksgiving Day potluck.
We will be enjoying food, fun and fellowship. No RSVP necessary.
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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, their Volunteer Coordinator, Tori Carlson, either by phone at 520-297-6049 ext. 217 or visit their
website
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.
