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No matter how diligent we are in our daily practices, how many classes we take, or how many Sundays we show up at church, occasionally we find ourselves swept away by the current of the collective human consciousness. When the culture we live in seems to be so focused on divisiveness and fear, when the evidence presented on the various screens through which we view the world are filled with such hatred and violence, what is our optimal response? How can we live authentically from Truth when there is such social, political, religious, environmental, and economic unrest in the world? Do we just go around saying, "It's all good..." and deny the facts and feelings of fear triggered within us?
As some of you have heard me say before, life is choices. In the very first moment we recognize that we are being swallowed up by the fearful collective human consciousness, our first choice is whether or not to participate. We have the faculty of Power, which is our dominion over the thoughts we allow ourselves to focus on. Recognizing our Power, we can then move to utilize our faculties of Will, Understanding, and Wisdom. When we find ourselves in fear consciousness, we can seek understanding. With understanding, we are more able to move away from fear and into the awareness of Truth. This allows us to experience the peace which is ALWAYS possible.
In the aftermath of the terrorist violence in Paris last fall, many people - all of them sincere, dedicated Truth students - admitted to me that they were experiencing high levels of fear and anxiety. They were recognizing and acknowledging the experience as fear, which is a good first step. It's difficult, if not impossible, to work productively with anything we won't acknowledge.
It can be very difficult to give voice to our fears. We might think that we "shouldn't" feel this way, or that "if I were really a good Unity/ New Thought person, I wouldn't have these fears." Beating ourselves up about our honest reactions to the circumstances of our lives is NEVER helpful. It's a very brave act to say honestly, "I know we talk about always claiming Good, and that Good is always present, but I'm afraid, I'm worried, and I don't know what to do about it."
Recently, I've heard another wave of similar feelings expressed around our current political climate, the state of the environment, and other current situations. Psychologists exploring the benefits of mindfulness suggest a helpful series of practices which utilize the acronym "RAIN":
1. Recognize. Understand that you do live in this material world, and that sometimes things happen which are difficult to accept and deal with. It is never helpful to deny facts or feelings. This is the first moment of Power (Dominion): recognize that this is happening, and it doesn't seem helpful. Use your faculty of Will to choose to pause, breathe, and do what you must to return to center.
2. Allow / Accept. This is what is. This is the experience of this moment of your life. Fighting it, complaining about it, resisting it, pretending it isn't happening is not helpful. This is what Jesus was talking about when he said "Resist not evil". As long as we are resisting we are choosing to remain in fear. Allowing what is helps us to move forward. It doesn't mean we can't work for change. It doesn't mean we should roll over and let people take advantage of us. It just means we stop adding to the negative, fearful energy.
3. Investigate. Having used our faculty of Will to chose to exercise Power over our thoughts, we move into Understanding. Be curious, be kind to yourself, and bring Will back into play through your willingness to learn. Sometimes, the way we truly claim the omnipresence of Good in our life is to recognize that we always have the opportunity to claim a gift of Good. We have to be willing to be curious to find that gift, and as long as we focus on complaining and resisting, all we will find is more discomfort and anxiety.
4. Non-identification. The situation does not define you unless you choose to allow it to do so. This feeling is not who or what you are: you are the Christ of God in expression. It is a situation you are experiencing, a feeling you are feeling, and it will pass, as all things do. Having exercised Power (Dominion) over our thoughts, we then chose to became willing to accept where we are, and to be willing to be curious, to learn, find the gift of Good(God) which must be present. That curiosity leads to Understanding. Once we understand that this situation is a transitory, difficult moment, we are able to become still, hear the voice of Wisdom within, and know peace.
Each and every one of us who is able to be Peace in the midst of chaos is doing the work we are truly here to do. We are allowing our "doing" to follow our "being". We are the Light of the World, and our work has never been more important than in this moment. When we learn that we can overcome the negative thoughts which seem to be so prevalent, we become the way-showers for others. Even Jesus told us that there would always be troubles in the world. He also told us that we could overcome the troubles. It's up to us to choose wisely and well.
Blessings and Namaskar (the Divine within me blesses and honors the Divine within you)
  
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** Special Services **
Good Friday service, March 25 at 5:00 pm.
Easter Sunday Service with White Stone Ceremony, March 27 at 10:30 am
Pet Blessing, Sunday April 3 at 12:00 noon; Bring a picture of your pet, present or past and place it in the designated basket in the sanctuary by March 27; place pet's name and parent on back. Pets will not be in attendance.
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 Upcoming Events
NAMI Walks Unity Spiritual Center of Peace Team
Saturday, April 2, 2016, Check-In 7AM, walk starts at 9AM
John F. Kennedy Park, 3359 S La Cholla Blvd
The mission of NAMI Southern Arizona is to improve the quality of life for those affected by mental illness including individuals, family members and the community at large by providing education, advocacy and support that is high quality, recovery oriented, and culturally sensitive.
You can support our Unity of Peace Team through your presence and/or donations. Both are much appreciated! For more information click here.
Living Through the End of Life: Encore PLUS the Next Steps
Facilitated by Karen MacDonald, ICS, Health Ministry Manager
Saturday, April 16, 9:00am - 12:00noon
Even though we will each leave this experience of Life at some point, having "the conversation" about our end-of-life wishes is not easy. Last year, we began learning about the importance of making our wishes known, and on 4/16, we'll come together again to continue the conversation.
In addition to learning about the necessary documents, we'll also have time to actually work on completing them. Karen and Mara from ICS will stay to answer any questions that come up, and Nita will also be here in case you have questions or concerns you'd like to discuss.
Take a deep breath, relax, get your wishes down on paper, and do what needs to be done. We'd like to know if you're planning to attend so that we'll have materials for everyone. Either reply to this email or sign up at church to let us know. For more information about ICS End of Life Care and Resource,
click here.
Michael Gott in Concert
Sunday, April 17, 3:00-5:00pm
Michael Gott is a multi-talented musician and an engaging speaker who inspires and entertains. He is a pianist, a singer, a songwriter and a minister. Michael travels throughout North America and Europe, singing and speaking at conferences and spiritual centers. In recent years, he has shared the stage with internationally known personalities such as Wayne Dyer, Deepak Chopra, and Marianne Williamson.
In 2014 Michael Gott was named senior assistant minister at Unity Houston. With his background in disparate musical disciplines such as gospel, pop, opera, musical theater, classical piano and jazz, he has developed a unique performance style that is exciting, engaging and heartfelt. We are happy to be providing a venue for this event, which is being sponsored by our friends at CSL-Tucson.
Tickets $20.00 each or 2/$35.
Click here for more information.
Visit Michael's website.
Book Discussion Group
Are you interested in book discussions with like-minded people? Adrien Myers is organizing a book club at Unity of Peace. Plans are to meet once a month on either Monday or Thursday afternoons, focusing on books (fiction or nonfiction) which have an uplifting message. If you are interested, contact Adrien by email.
Spiritual Education Classes and Groups: Embracing the Feminine Nature of the Divine Thursdays, through April 14, 10:00am - 12:00noon (love offering)
In her book, Unity minister Toni Boehm suggests the drop of the atomic bomb in 1945 heralded in a new age of consciousness. One that we are just beginning to awaken to. In this thought provoking book participants will explore integrative spirituality, a uniting of the feminine and masculine nature of the divine and what it means for us, as members of a global community. LUT Candidate Sue Nyhus will facilitate this class as part of her teaching practicum.
Myrtle Fillmore's Healing Letters
Wednesdays, March 30 - April 27 - 10:30am - 12:30pm (love offering)
Embrace Unity's "face of the divine feminine." Susan Sellers, LUT, will facilitate this exploration of the feminine wisdom of our co-founder, Myrtle Fillmore, who's healing from tuberculosis through prayer was the catalyst for the beginning of the Unity Movement. A limited number of books will be available at class; also available through Amazon.
So you know...
Some of our participants have breathing problems which are exacerbated by fragrances. Fragranced products can adversely affect people with allergies, asthma, migraines. Thank you for considering lessening or eliminating your fragrance use when attending classes or other events
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Support Unity Spiritual Center of Peace through AmazonSmile
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 You can help support our center every time you shop at Amazon.com just by selecting us to receive a portion of each purchase. You pay nothing extra, and we'll receive .5% of every purchase. (Please Note: When you search for us, look for Unity Spiritual Center of Peace Tucson. Thanks!)
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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 ICS, contact their Volunteer Coordinator, Tori Carlson, either by phone at 520-297-6049 ext. 217 or visit their website
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