It's Not My Business!

I’ll be honest. Sometimes preparing lessons to present on Sunday mornings can be challenging. Not because it involves a great deal of effort. It does require time, prayer, contemplation and intentional listening for the inner voice, but I’m not talking about that. I enjoy those things. I am referring to the process of understanding and integrating the messages in my own life.

I have often heard the adage, “We teach what we need to learn.” I can certainly attest to the truth of that statement. My current series, Conscious Co-creating, is profoundly proving that to me.

Today, it is kicking me in the butt. I can think of no better way to express what I am experiencing. I find myself struggling against the message that I am receiving and being lead to speak about, as well as to integrate in my life.

In my lesson this past Sunday (listen here), I briefly mentioned Rev. Dr. Michael Beckwith’s “Life Visioning” process. It is a powerful process, and one I recommend highly. As I mentioned on Sunday, one of the questions he suggests we ask as we vision is, “What is Spirit’s highest vision for (fill in the blank)?” Asking opens us to receive a higher vision for our desire.

Two of the follow-up questions to bring this vision into manifestation are, “What must be released? and What must be accepted?”

Asking those questions is where the “butt kicking” comes in for me. I am sharing this story with you because I have a sense that I am not alone. This is my story, but it may be yours as well.

As I meditated on what must be released, I was reminded of the story from Luke 18, in which a rich young ruler asked Jesus what he must do to follow him. Jesus told him to go and sell everything and give the money to the poor. The man turned and walked away.

I am coming face-to-face with what that means for me. No, I don’t plan to sell my possessions, give the money to the poor, and go live in a cave in the mountains. I do not interpret the story literally. I also do not believe that it is what I am being called to. What I feel I am being called to do, perhaps at a deeper level than at any time in the past, is to explore what I must release to follow the leading of my indwelling Christ.

I am being asked by Spirit to release attachment to every idea I have or have ever had about who I am and question everything that I have associated with those concepts.

Most predominant in my awareness today is the need to release the concern of what other people think of me. I realize that I care too much about whether others agree with me, like me, or appreciate what Spirit is inviting me to share. The message that came to me today in my meditation is that it’s not my business whether anyone appreciates me or approves of me, or resonates with what Spirit is expressing through me. My attachment to the need to be liked, approved of or appreciated is painful and can block my complete and full expression of my unique Christ nature. If I am to live fully as the Christ of my being, I must release that attachment. My inner knower also assured me that many do resonate with the message Spirit is bringing to me and through me.

When I asked, “What must be accepted?” I heard, “You must accept that you are a wonderful, unique expression of the One, living in this time at this place so that you can be in service to something higher and greater than yourself.” This is true for all of us. In my determination not to be perceived as conceited, I fear that I have limited myself and limited the Christ Light that I am here to be in the world.

Again, I am guessing that I am not alone. I am sure that many who are reading this right now can relate. We were taught not to be “too big for your britches,” (a Southern phrase), or not to be “too full of ourselves.” The unspoken, and sometimes audible, underlying message is, “Who do you think you are?” While well intended, these messages can and often do limit our full expression of all that we are here to be and do. They narrow the portal that allows Spirit to freely flow in this realm. To live large and in Spirit’s highest vision elicits fear that others will think us conceited, arrogant or contemptous.

As spiritual author and teacher, Marianne Williamson said in her book, A Return to Love,

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people will not feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It is not just in some of us; it is in everyone and as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give others permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” ¹

If others are uncomfortable in our light, we can send them love and be compassionate, but we must not allow their discomfort to block us from shining our light brightly. Jesus told us that we were born to be the Light of the World. The world needs our Light.

It’s not my business what others think of me. It is my business to be all that Spirit is – as me, and to shine my Christ Light brightly. Likewise, it’s not your business what others think of you. It’s your business to be the best Christ you can be, in service to the light you are.

Join us on Sunday, at 10:00 for our service as we explore these concepts further. It is time for each of us to let our light shine as the indwelling Christ in Spirit’s highest vision. Do you have the courage? Do we dare?

¹ https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/our-deepest-fear/

IT IS TIME!

In my post last week and in my lesson this past Sunday at Unity Spiritual Center Denver, I began a series which I am calling “Conscious Co-Creating.” I have been feeling the inspiration to do this series for some time. I have been resisting it. Honestly, I have grown tired of the numerous books, videos, and workshops purported to teach us how to create the lives we desire. I did not want to jump on that bandwagon with yet another perspective on the power of positive thinking, the law of attraction, or the power of our minds (thoughts and feelings) to manifest all the things we want in life. It seemed, to me, opportunistic and trite. However, the inner urge persisted, so I finally surrendered to it.

Through my introspection, meditation and contemplation on the subject, the purpose for my exploration of this topic has become clearer to me. It is not my intention, nor the sole purpose of Spirit expressing as me, to instruct anyone in the art of manifesting all the things they want, but more to support those who are willing and ready to hear the message on how we can connect with, use and strengthen the innate faculties we possess as self-conscious human beings to co-create a world that embodies the qualities of the Divine, as we understand them.

Charles Fillmore, the cofounder of Unity, termed these qualities “Divine Ideals.” He stated that the Kingdom of God is replete with these Divine Ideals, and that they are our inheritance as expressions of the Divine. Some of these Divine Ideals are Love, Peace, Joy, Harmony, Wholeness, Abundance, Freedom, Beauty, and Unity. This is not in any way an exhaustive list. I recommend that you take time to discern others for yourself.

These Divine Ideals are universal and form the foundation for all that I consider to be true desire. We, as human beings, all desire to experience and express these Divine Ideals. In addition, in our heart of hearts, absent of any thoughts or feelings of judgment, resentment or resistance, each of us desires the same for all humanity, indeed for all creation. These Divine Ideals are our way of understanding, connecting with and expressing the nature of the Divine.

My intention with this series is to not only remind us of the Divine Ideals that are our deepest desires, but also to acquaint us with, or remind us of, the innate capacities that we possess to manifest lives that embody these ideals, not only for ourselves, but also for all creation.

As conscious expressions of the Divine in physical form, we are here to bring forth the Kingdom of God upon the Earth – to awaken to, embody and express Divine Ideals. In order to accomplish that, we must know the tools we have at our disposal and how to use them effectively. It is clear to me now that this is the message that Spirit is bringing to me and through me at this time. This is not a lesson in how to have all the good you want without respect to the impact on the lives of others or on the Earth and our environment. This is a message about how to claim our power to co-create a world that reflects the nature of what we can comprehend as God/Source/Creative Life/Divine, or by whatever name you know It. And, to do so from a conscious awareness of the Unity of all life and a deep value and respect for our Mother Earth and all her inhabitants.

The process logically begins with our willingness to learn the principles, connect with the powers, and apply them in our individual lives. It is like learning mathematics. We begin by learning the numbers, progress with simple addition and subtraction, move on to multiplication and division, and eventually to algebra and calculus. We learn the principles and how to apply them progressively.

We can, for a variety of reasons, sometimes stall in the lower levels of our learning and application. We master addition and subtraction, and possibly even multiplication and division. We reach our comfort zone. We see no reason to stretch ourselves, or stress ourselves attempting to learn the principles and practices of higher levels of mathematics. We say, “When will I ever need that?” So, we go no further.

This is similar to learning the principles of metaphysics, along with some of the universal laws and how they apply to our lives personally. We have what we need, maybe even most, if not all, of what we want. We have learned how to manifest parking spaces, possibly even how to attract a good job or the perfect life partner. We are in the flow. We can reach a comfort zone. As long as we can stay there and have a comfortable life, we see no reason to learn more. We may think, “I’m good. Why would I want to go further? When will I ever need that?”

We need to learn the principles, and we need to use our powers because we are here to manifest the Kingdom of God upon the Earth, not just for ourselves, but for ALL. In my estimation, we have a long way to go.

The message I am getting from Spirit is “IT IS TIME!” It is time for me to expand my learning, strengthen my innate powers, move out of my comfort zone, and use the gifts and talents I have been given to support and encourage a world in awakening to our full potential. It is time for me to take the inspired actions to be the change and to help affect the change I wish to see in the world.

I do not claim to have the answers, but I do claim that I am open and receptive to a clear understanding of what is mine to do. I do not claim to know or even suggest to anyone else what is yours to do. I simply invite us into the question and welcome our shared exploration and discovery as we share this journey.

Let us come together with a shared intention to discern how we can use our innate faculties, some of which Charles Fillmore identified as The Twelve Powers, to not only co-create empowered lives for ourselves, but also to co-create a world that works for all.

Join us on Sundays at 10:00 for our service and for the engaging one-hour discussion that happens in our sanctuary following the service. Over the next four weeks (maybe longer) we will be delving into these ideas more deeply. This Sunday, April 22, I will be exploring our powers of Imagination and Faith and how we can use them to this end. I hope to see you there.

Desire - The Impulse of Creation

This week at Unity Spiritual Center Denver, I will begin a five-week series entitled “Conscious Co-creation.” In my Sunday lessons during our 10:00 service and our regular Discussions with David following service, I will explore the power that we possess to connect with our hearts’ desires and take specific steps to bring into manifestation that which embodies our desires.

Over the next five weeks, we will explore how we can strengthen and use our innate capacities, which Unity cofounder Charles Fillmore identified as our Twelve Powers, to co-create and live the lives we consciously choose.

I will begin this Sunday, April 15, by delving into our concepts about desire. What is desire? How can we know if what we desire is truly in alignment with our highest and best good? How do we connect with our desire? How can we know what we must do to bring it into fruition?

Those are powerful questions and what follows is my expansion on the ideas about ‘Desire’ from my book, In This Moment – Prayers from the Well of Awareness.

It has been said that all manifestation begins with a thought. I assert that manifestation begins prior to a thought; it begins with the awakening of desire within the individual. Even prior to desire is the impulse of the Divine as it moves, expands, and extends into manifest form. Desire is the response to this creative impulse.

Divine Impulse → Creative Awakening → Inherent Desire → Inspired Thought → Conscious Co-Creation

Desire is not want. ‘Want’ implies that something is lacking. It is also not the same as yearning. Desire does not reveal itself as any object in the manifest realm, such as a new car, house, relationship, or job that we may want or yearn for. The unfolding of our desires may eventually demonstrate as any of those, but the inherent desire is much deeper.

True desire is always born of the heart. It is revealed as our longing to experience the ineffable reflection of the Divine. For example, we may have the idea that we desire a relationship with a beloved, but the deeper longing is the desire to experience the reflection of Divine Love in the expressions, words, touch and presence of another. The true desire is to connect with love, feel it, and share it.

True desire is never self-centered, but is meant to embody love in service to all. We are called to connect with the seed of desire in our hearts as the longing of Spirit to express as us and to open to the revelation of how it might manifest in service to love.

When desire is honored, life is enriched - not just the life of the individual, but also the life of creation. To deny desire is to deprive the world of the magnificence of Divine Life expressing as you.

The fulfillment of desire rests in its complete acceptance and allowing of the one who receives the conscious awareness of it, and is willing to nurture its unfolding.

I offer the following as an affirmative prayer to use when contemplating your desire.

I accept that the desire of my heart is a divine idea seeking its expression in and through me.
I release any thought that stands in judgment of my desire.
I open to the realization of its manifestation in my life.
I get out of the way.
I release any need to control.
I am open to accept all that is in alignment with highest Good for all.
I know that my desire is already a reality.
I am thankful.
I rejoice in the unfolding.

Join us this Sunday at 10:00 as we begin the five-week journey of enriching our lives and expanding spiritual flow through “Conscious Co-creating”.

The Urge is Divine

I was reviewing some of my past posts for inspiration on what to write this week when I ran across this one. Upon reading it, I realized that it speaks to where I am in my journey right now. I find myself longing to rediscover my “bliss” and follow it to the unfolding of what is next for me, as well as for us as at Unity Spiritual Center Denver.

I was reminded of the importance of connecting with what is moving in my heart and in the heart of the community prior to taking action. I find that it is often uncomfortable to stand in the place of not knowing. I would much rather have a step-by-step roadmap for the journey. I have learned, however, that life does not work that way.

I hope this post inspires you, as it did me, to take time to stop and listen to the “Divine Urge” within and embrace the courage to follow where it leads.

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In his 2005 commencement address to Stanford University, Apple founder, Steve Jobs, told the audience,

“For the past 33 years, I have looked in the mirror every morning and asked myself: ‘If today were the last day of my life, would I want to do what I am about to do today?’ And, whenever the answer has been “No” for too many days in a row, I know I need to change something.”

He went on to encourage the graduates to follow their dreams, and to not waste their lives “living someone else’s life.”

Taken literally the thought that one could live someone else’s life is preposterous. How can a person live a life that is not his own? Of course, it is not possible; however, it is possible and even common for one to live a life that someone else has prescribed for him, perhaps his parents, culture, or even her religion. All too often, we succumb to the pressures of others and do what is “expected” or what we believe will bring us success in the eyes of others. We may not live the life of another, but we often live or lives for another.

Often we, as Thoreau said, live “lives of quiet desperation” in an attempt to make a living, be “respectable,” or feel safe and secure. In doing so, we may meet some needs, but we may sacrifice our deepest needs, which is to know ourselves as a magnificent expression of the One Life; to connect with the Essence of who we are and who we have come here to be; and to manifest that in the world. In other words, our deepest need is to, as American mythologist, writer and lecturer, Joseph Campbell, said, follow our bliss.

Most of us are most likely familiar with the quote, “Follow your bliss,” but like me, some may have a misconception of what it means to follow our bliss. Until recently, I thought it meant to discover what brings joy and only do what is fun; ‘bliss’ meant ‘pleasure,’ ‘elation’ and ‘ebullience.’ After further exploration of Campbell’s lectures and writing, I found a greater depth of understanding of what he meant. The following quotes are taken from “The Hero’s Journey: Joseph Campbell on His Life and Work.”

“I think the best thing I can say is to follow your bliss. If your bliss is just your fun and your excitement, you’re on the wrong track. Know where your bliss is. And that involves coming down to a deep place in yourself.”

“Your bliss can guide you to that transcendent mystery, because your bliss is the welling up of the energy of the transcendent wisdom within you.”

When we consider that Campbell defines ‘bliss’ as the energy of transcendent wisdom within us, we can clearly see that he was encouraging us to follow what could also be called the “Divine Urge” within us. It is not about feeling blissful 24/7, but about being true to who we are.

Also, following our bliss does not mean that life will always be easy, that we will not face pain and struggle or that we can just sit back and let it happen. On the contrary, following our bliss is, as Campbell says, the hero’s journey. It is a journey that each one must undertake in order to be true to himself.

Campbell says,

“A hero ventures forth from the world of common day into a region of supernatural wonder: fabulous forces are there encountered and a decisive victory is won: the hero comes back from this mysterious adventure with the power to bestow boons on his fellow man.”

Some of the most well known hero journeys from recent literature include Harry Potter, Luke Skywalker from Star Wars, Frodo Baggins from Lord of the Rings and Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz. It is an age-old theme. Perhaps the best known hero’s journey for those from the Christian tradition is the life of Jesus Christ.

For various reasons, they are called to embark upon the hero’s journey, and even though fear may arise at the thought of what lies ahead, something within urges them onward as they come face to face with dark and mysterious forces that attempt to dissuade them from their missions. When we choose to follow our bliss we will be called upon to come face-to-face with our fears, and in doing so, we embrace our own strength and power at a deeper level.

Campbell encourages,

“You follow [your bliss] and doors will open where there were no doors before, where you would not have thought there’d be doors, and where there wouldn’t be a door for anybody else. There’s something about the integrity of a life. And the world moves in and helps. It really does.”

When we say “Yes” to the Divine Urge within, we can rest assured that all the power of the Universe rushes in to help. Again, it will not always be easy, but with faith we know that all is provided in the moment it is needed.

“And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become. Everything else is secondary.”  – Steve Jobs

The Divine Urge is the movement of that “transcendent wisdom” in the heart. Intuition is the awareness of our innate wisdom. As Charles Fillmore, the co-founder of Unity said, “All wisdom is implanted in us by divine intelligence.” He further said, “Wisdom can only be found in its purity at the heart center.”  

We access wisdom when we consciously center our awareness in the heart, experience serenity, and listen for the still small voice. From this centered consciousness, we receive guidance, and can then take the steps to follow our bliss with courage. ‘Courage’ is derived from the French ‘coeur,’ which translates into English as ‘heart.’  Courage is the willingness to follow where the heart leads, trusting that the heart, the Divine Urge, our bliss, always guides us to the highest and best good for all.

As Steve Jobs said,

“Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of others’ opinions drown out your own inner voice. As with all matters of the heart, you will know it when you hear it.”

There are over seven billion people on Earth, and each and every one is a unique expression of the creative energy of the Universe. I have often wondered why there are so many people on the planet. That it takes each one expressing his or her magnificence in order to bring forth the kingdom of heaven is the only plausible reason I can think of.

Further, until every last one recognizes the Divine Urge and follows his or her bliss we will not fully realize the kingdom. That is how vital it is for us to follow our bliss. Listen!  Follow your bliss.

Join us on Sunday as we welcome Rev. Dr. David Ault as our special guest speaker. David will also present a workshop on Saturday, April 7, from 10:00 – 5:00 entitled, Solution Already Exists. Visit our website for more information and to register.