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"Nonresistance is not the path of least resistance.
Least resistance is to take the seemingly easy way, to go along with the crowd."
PUTTING LIFE BACK TOGETHER by Marion R. Brown, Unity Magazine
For much of our lives, we assume that progress is an additive process. We believe that when get that perfect job, meet Mr. or Ms. Right, or achieve some long-held goal, we will be complete. We'll have what we have been missing, and we will be complete. We create goals, we visualize, we buy this nail polish or that sports car, we read this book by that guru, we sign up for classes, we study, we work, we strive. And happily, we often achieve those goals that we have set for ourselves.And then... after the celebratory high-fives, we find ourselves again thinking... maybe there's more. Maybe this wasn't really what I needed after all. Perhaps it's really that job or that house or that workshop. That's it! We again begin the process of trying to fill in the gaps we perceive in ourselves.Even as we affirm, "I am a spiritual Being living in a spiritual universe governed by spiritual Law" and "Right here, right now, I am whole, complete, and perfect" we may be taking an inventory of our faults, our lacks, or our supposed shortcomings. The concept that progress could really be a subtractive process is completely contradictory to the lessons that the evidence presented by our culture and our society seem to teach us.The path of least resistance is to let society tell you what you need. Buy this iPad, wear these clothes, watch this TV show, participate in this drama, take these pills... The message that we are really receiving is generally one that says if we do all of those things we will be complete. Those things will fix what is wrong. Those things, added to you, will make you whole and acceptable.The path of non-resistance is the inner path. It is the path of acceptance and letting go. It is the path of awareness of what is right here in your life right now and what is your relationship to that in Spirit. It is the path that recognizes when we bump up against something that is making us uncomfortable and says... here... look at this... what resistance are you holding in consciousness that is making you uncomfortable? What are you fighting against? What are you holding on to that is no longer serving you as the beautiful and exquisite portion of God-made-manifest that You are?This is most assuredly NOT an easy path, and NOT the path of least resistance. It is the "straight and narrow" way that Jesus spoke of. It is learning to be "in the world and not of it". It is being ever willing to claim 'eyes that see and ears that hear". It is being ever willing to discern spiritually matters of Spirit, and to know what is yours to do. It is being in a space of knowing discomfort and saying, "Nevertheless, I am willing."We have free will. Our lesson is to learn from the tree that drops its leaves in the fall, entering that period of dormancy that can look like death. When we see something resembling the unknown in our path, we can choose to step forward, greet it willingly, and learn the gift that is being given to us in that present moment. Or we can choose to retreat. We can choose to sit and listen, with an open heart, to the difficult words being said to us. We can choose to respond from the willingness of Love. Or we can choose to retreat into our past patterns of judgment and anger. We can choose to recognize the discomfort of a moment of addictive "need" and sit with it until it passes, inviting it to teach us what will best serve the Oneness that we are. Or we can continue to perpetuate our self-destructive habits.As we are willing to let go of those preconceived judgments that no longer serve us, we can begin to hear what is really True. As we exercise our free will to choose the path of non-resistance, we will discover the gift that our Master Teacher, Jesus, gave to us when he taught us to seek first the kingdom of God. You are enough. You are whole. You are, as Emilie Cady told us in Lessons in Truth, "a portion of God made manifest" 
 (if this message seems familiar, thank you for being an observant, long-time reader! It was originally sent in July, 2011. I am allowing myself some time for a new project this summer)
Honoring the Divine within each of us, our mission at Unity/Peace Tucson is to inspire, empower, and support practical spiritual growth. Namaskar!
Thank you for your support!
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SPIRITUAL EDUCATION CLASSES...
The Five Principles continues through July 5th, and you are welcome to attend. Licensed Unity Teacher Candidate, Lynne Booth, facilitates this class as part of her practicum work. Tuesdays, 6:00 - 8:00pm
DIVINE AUDACITY - A NEW EXPLORATION OF THE TWELVE POWERS
7 Wednesdays, July 20 - August 31, 10:30am - 12:30pm
Rev. Nita will facilitate this class, which will be based on the book, Divine Audacity, by Rev. Linda Martella-Whitsett. Unity co-founder Charles Fillmore integrated ideas from many sacred traditions into what is probably his most complete work, The Twelve Powers. This contemporary look (by the author of "How to Pray Without Talking to God") gives us an accessible and very practical guidance as we put this material into practice. All are welcome and encouraged to attend! A limited number of books will be available at class, and are available through amazon.com. Read a small preview here
and...
DIVINE AUDACITY - A TWELVE POWERS DISCUSSION GROUP
Thursday evenings, July 21 - Sept. 1, 6:30 - 8:00pm
In addition to Rev. Nita's class, Susan Smith will facilitate a weekly discussion of this book. Learning how to work with and integrate these aspects of the Divine is at the heart of our Unity/ New Thought path of spirituality. You may attend either or both groups as you are able.
 AN UPDATE FROM THE 2016 NAT'L UNITY PEOPLE'S CONVENTION
by Sue NyhusUnity World Wide Ministries (UWM) celebrated 50 years at the Unity People's Convention this year. The theme of this year's conference was "Honoring Our Past, Growing Our Future" and focused on the three themes of prayer, prosperity, and healing. I attended as our delegate and would like to share some highlights I experienced with you.
The opening ceremony began with the words of our co-founder, Myrtle Fillmore, found in her book, Healing Letters. "We know that we are good and true and fearless from within." Music was provided by Michael Gott and Kit Holmes. It was an inspiring, poignant service that reminded us of the clarity with which Unity describes God presence.
The Tuesday afternoon general session keynote speaker was Rev. Ellen Debenport, author of The Five Unity Principles (which is the focus of Lynne Booth's current class). Her presentation light-heartedly navigated us through the many changes that have occurred over the past fifty years, while emphasizing the timeless power of Unity's focus on prayer. We were reminded that people of Unity are a blend of individuals from a variety of faith traditions who experience the Divine in a variety of ways. However, whether we experience God as life force moving through us or in a more personal, human-like way, or both, we are united in knowing that prayer is spiritual law. We draw to us that which we focus our attention on. And no matter where we are on our spiritual journey we are all welcome at Unity.
Speaker and best-selling author Rev. Mary Morrissey spoke at the Tuesday evening general session. She described how she led a congregation in building one of the largest New Thought centers in the world. After twenty five years of ministry she had to face the crushing blow that everything was lost due to financial mismanagement. She was thrust into a real life experience of putting Unity prosperity principles to the test and emerged a stronger and wiser person. During the convention, more details were shared regarding our new educational program, now administered by Unity Worldwide ministries, and that UWM and Unity Worldwide Headquarters at Unity Village are working together in visioning and negotiating the possible return of UWM to Village grounds.
Rev. Donna Johnson, President & CEO of UWM says; "The Unity message resides in each of us, in the words we say, the love we feel, the intentions we hold and the actions we take. The more we vibrate with a shared vision for our future and hone and trust our intuitive antennae, the greater will be the ease of manifestation and implementation of our dreams. Through collaboration, we become one community in making the leap forward into what Sprit is calling us to be; a stalwart spiritual presence in the 21st century, rich in history with a legacy of love, faith, miracles and power!
There was much, much more. I left feeling honored to represent Unity Spiritual Center of Peace, and honored to be part of a movement that honors every individual as the Presence of God!
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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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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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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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