The Buddha taught that this human experience of life consists of suffering and that it is possible to be free from suffering. The path he taught involves learning to be present in each moment, releasing our attachments to judging everything as good or bad, to blame and shame, guilt, fear, anger, and so on. He taught that as we stop struggling against 'what is' and learn to be present with things as they are, we will remember our innate perfection. Again, this doesn't sound as though we need to "fix" all the "bad" stuff. It also sounds quite a bit like what Jesus taught about nonresistance. Again, nothing here really sounds like we're supposed to be "fixing" everything.
Whether we believe in the concept of original sin or not (and Unity/New Thought specifically denies the truth of that concept), we live in a culture which wants to fix everything. The cultural media tells us that if we buy this lipstick or that hair color we'll look younger and be happier. If we wear those shoes or this brand of jeans, or carry that brand of phone and drive just the right car, others will be irresistibly drawn to us. We need to bulk up or thin down, get rid of the wrinkles on our faces, and it's never too late to get braces (preferably invisible ones so no one will know you need them).
There's nothing wrong with any of those things. If you enjoy a driving a certain type of car or like having a special hair color, that's no big deal. But when we do these things because we believe they will fix us or hide something which is inherently wrong with us or make us somehow more perfect, we are guaranteed to continue experiencing sadness, frustration and anxiety over whether we will ever be "good enough". We are guaranteed to keep our seats on the roller coaster of good moods, bad moods, good times and bad times. And we won't even be able to really enjoy the good times because we'll be worrying about the bad ones.
Accepting what is doesn't mean there's anything wrong with healthy striving or having fun or enjoying good things. If you recognize a pattern of behavior and know it'd be a good thing to let go of that, then by all means claim the intention and go for it! If you wake up one day and think you'd enjoy having a new hair style, have fun with it! And that new phone? By all means, enjoy the heck out of it. Just recognize each of these actions for what they are. Each can be helpful or enjoyable. None will in any way make you more perfect or more complete or more Whole than you already are.
And, just in case Jesus and Buddha aren't authoritative enough, perhaps you'll listen to Mr. Rogers:
"You are an important person just the way you are. You can make healthy decisions."
Blessings and namaskar (the Divine within me blesses and honors the Divine within you)
**************
Classes Continue
Classes are offered on a love offering basis, and EVERYONE is welcome to attend. Unless you are seeking Unity credentialing as a teacher or minister, you are free to attend as you can. Please speak with Rev. Nita or hit the reply button if you have questions about classes or credentialing.
-
Metaphysics (2) Wednesdays, 2/11-3/11, 10:30am-12:30pm TEXT: Heart-Centered Metaphysics. Take a deeper look at the concepts we talk about on Sundays. (No prerequisite. The designation number '2' simply indicates which of the 4 metaphysics classes this is. You do not need to have taken #1). Books available at class.
-
Discover the Power Within You. Thursdays, 2/12-3/12, 6:30-8:30pm TEXT: Discover the Power Within You, by Eric Butterworth. One of the clearest and most accessible overviews of New Thought teachings ever written. Books available at class.
-
Metaphysical Bible Interpretation. Saturday, 3/7,
9am-1pm, plus Thursdays, 3/26 and 4/2, 3-5:30pm.
If you've been curious about how we look at the Bible, join us for this series of three sessions.
This will be our third year having a Unity Spiritual Center of Peace team at this walk! More details coming soon. Please plan on joining us!
Calling All Artists!
We want to show our team pride and our support for the work that NAMI does to stomp out the stigma of mental illness by wearing our very own specially designed Unity Spiritual Center of Peace NAMI walks team t-shirts.
We are asking our community artists to submit designs for consideration for our NAMI Walks Team t-shirts. We will be selecting our favorite and using that design for the t-shirts we will be wearing on walk day. REPLY TO THIS EMAIL IF YOU'D LIKE DETAILS ABOUT SUBMITTING A DESIGN!
CHILDCARE IS ALWAYS AVAILABLE DURING SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE
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.
