The One Thing

Over the course of the past few years, I have had thoughts of writing a book or compiling some of my writings and publishing them as a book. I have begun the process a few times, but never felt inspired to continue. Using terminology from my traditional Christian roots, I could say that the project wasn’t “anointed.”

Lately, I have received renewed inspiration about this project or projects. I have gotten the message from Spirit that I am to publish a book. I have not received clear guidance on what form it will take.

During a recent meditation, I was seeking clarity from my inner Knower as to whether the timing is now right for me to devote the time and energy toward this. I received a clear message that said, “Focus on one thing.”

My first reaction was “What?!” “What does that mean?” My mind immediately began trying to figure out what “one thing” in the manifest realm I am supposed to focus on. Did that mean that I am not to spend time now focusing on a book or books, but am to be focused on the church, focused on classes, or focused on continuing to educate myself on social issues? What does it mean for me to “Focus on one thing?”

I have continued to ruminate on this message in the ensuing days. Like the proverbial dog with a bone, I have latched on and have been trying to figure it out. Then, this morning, as I was sitting on my trusty meditation cushion, it came to me.

The one thing that I am to focus on has nothing to do with anything in the external. It is not a book or books. It is not the church. It is not classes. It is not educating myself. I am to focus on Unity. No, not the spiritual movement. I am to focus on realizing my Unity in Divine Life Energy.

I received the Knowing from Spirit that when I focus on realizing Unity that everything in the external, the book(s), classes, church, education, and anything else that is to come into manifestation will be made known to me and the path will be revealed.

As I pondered this revelation, I realized that this is the foundational tenet of the Unity movement. It may be decorated with all sorts of teaching around healing, wholeness, prosperity and the like, but these are all external manifestations. The essential message of our teaching is conveyed by our name – UNITY.

Our spiritual practices, such as prayer, meditation, contemplation, visualization, forgiveness and others, when focused internally with the intention to know our Unity, will reveal to us what is ours to do to demonstrate our Unity consciousness.

It may be to write a book. If so, the book will be imbued with a higher vibration. It may be to teach a class or facilitate a workshop. If so, the underlying intention will be to assist all who participate in knowing their Unity. All else will be in support of how we live from that conscious awareness. It may be to continue to educate ourselves about social issues. If so, all will be seen through the lens of Oneness, and the learning will be from a higher perspective. It may be to take action to support change in the world, to help bring justice, equanimity and peace to the world. If so, it will be accomplished without fear, but with the energy of Love and Light.

Unity consciousness is the potential and possibility for each of us. Our way shower Jesus charted the path for us to follow. It requires our commitment and dedication to the path and to our daily spiritual practice.

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Identity Matters

Several years ago, I don’t recall exactly when, following a Sunday service as I was greeting people at the exit doors, I man came up to me and said, “identity matters.” I do not remember what my lesson was that day. I can only surmise that I had spoken about our spiritual identity and stressed that knowing who we are as individuated expressions of the Divine should be our only focus. That sounds like something I would say. While I have no recollection of what I said, what he said has stuck with me all this time.

I do remember that my first reaction to hearing those words was to defend myself. We did not engage in further dialogue, but in my head I told myself that he just did not understand what I was trying to convey. I assumed that if he had, he would have agreed with me. It was, of course, important for me to be right (smile). I have reflected on his words from time to time over the years attempting to understand what he meant. Recently, his words rang in my mind once again.

I do not know this man, so I am unable to ask him what he meant. Perhaps that is good, because I have had the opportunity to ponder and discern what “identity matters” means to me.

A group of us from Unity Spiritual Center Denver have been reading and discussing the book, Waking Up White: And Finding Myself in the Story of Race, by Debby Irving. In her book, Irving shares her personal stories about learning what it means to be White in America, something that many of us who identify as White have never taken the time or effort to consider. Because we have not had to.

Most of us White people have had the privilege of living unaware of the advantages we have enjoyed simply because we are White. Further, we have lived in blissful ignorance of the extent of institutionalized systemic racism that pervades our culture. It is not our fault. There is no need for us to feel guilty or ashamed. We simply have not known. Awareness is key to awakening and responding.

I admit that until recent events brought home so unequivocally the extent to which racism is enshrined in our American way of life, I only gave it an occasional fleeting thought. After all, I never considered myself to be racist. I told myself, “I’m a good person. I treat everyone the same. I don’t participate in racist actions or speech.”  Little did I know! Again, I am not piling guilt or shame on myself or anyone else. I am simply stating that I was unaware of my unintentional and unconscious racism. After reading this book, as well as various articles, and watching videos and movies, I am more aware.

In a recent conversation with a member of our community who is of non-European descent, I was compassionately and lovingly made aware that some things I stated in a recent email were in fact unintentionally and unconsciously racist. Of the several things that I learned in that conversation, the one that hit me the hardest was that in my mind I had placed all people of color into one homogeneous group by making assumptions that they would all have the same perspective on certain words, phrases, comments from others, or other interactions.

It was certainly not my intention to be, but what I said was indeed inherently racist. I was able to hear that, take it in and learn from it. I deeply appreciate the opportunity to have this authentic connection with one of our members. Having these kinds of connecting conversations with the intention to understand and learn without shaming or blaming is an example of truly living our mission and being who we claim to be as loving, inclusive, and transformational people.

That’s when it hit me – “Identity Matters.” While each of us is an individuated expression of the One, each of us is unique. We are not defined by our life experiences, yet our humanity is shaped and formed by them. No one’s life experience is the same as anyone else’s. We may have similar backgrounds, but we are not the same. We may share common beliefs, but we came to them by different paths. We may be of the same race, but we are diverse. We are individuals with our own perspectives, gifts, talents, stories, beliefs, opinions and responses to life.

Identity matters because we are unique and diverse individuals, and I am reminded of the importance of honoring our uniqueness and diversity as well as our unity within Oneness. I celebrate my renewed appreciation for this truth. I have made a commitment to myself to keep it at the forefront of my consciousness.

Seeing each other and taking the time and effort to know each other as individuals will go a long way toward bridging the chasm that we allow to divide us, not only along the lines of race, but also politics, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, religion, nationality, and all the things that make us uniquely who we are.

May we all remember – Identity Matters!

Who or What is God?

This past Tuesday, I began facilitating a study of The Five Principles by Rev. Ellen Debenport. The book is an exploration of Unity’s Five Basic Principles. The first principle states, “God is Absolute Good, everywhere present.”

The class participants and I had a lively discussion about our reactions to the word ‘God,’ as well as our thoughts about the principle as stated. This reminded me of some earlier conversations I have had with others on these topics. What follows is a blog post I wrote several years ago addressing this very thing.

In discussing Unity’s first principle, someone pointed out that saying “God is Good” implies duality. She suggested that when we say that God is “good,” we are assigning God qualities that we associate as “good” compared to those we might deem “bad.” Her point was that God is neither good nor bad, nor is God benevolent or malevolent: God is.

In another conversation, I was asked how I define ‘God.’ I don’t recall the exact words I used, but I did my best to explain that I think of ‘God’ as the Divine Life that is the Source of all or the Life Energy that imbues all creation. In hindsight, I recognize that my effort to define ‘God’ was, at best, limited and futile. Anytime we attempt to define ‘God’ we limit our experience of ‘God.’ God is not this or that: God is.

Any attempt to define the ineffable is by definition impossible. However, while saying simply “God is” best captures the essence of my concept of ‘God,’ I think it is helpful, and perhaps necessary, for us to explore what we believe and teach about ‘God’ because it helps us as we communicate with others.

Each of us defines ‘God’ in our own way, and our concept of ‘God’ greatly impacts every area of our lives, at times enriching it, and at other times confounding it. To some, ‘God’ as a concept can provide comfort and peace of mind in times of need. To others, ‘God’ can also create much suffering. ‘God’ can stimulate a great deal of pain and guilt for one who has learned that God judges and punishes. 

Over the past few years I have participated in discussions about ‘God’ and the use of the word ‘God’ in Unity. I have heard, “I do not believe in God: I am an atheist.”  Others have said, “I am agnostic: I do not believe that any person can know the cause of reality without firsthand experience; therefore, there is no way to know if ‘God’ exists.” Still others question, “If we are not talking about the big guy up in heaven somewhere that is controlling everything, the God of most Christians’ understanding, and we have a more evolved understanding of what it is, why do we still use the word ‘God’: Why not use ‘Life’ or some other word?” 

While it is just a word and as with all words, is used to represent a concept, the word ‘God’ is imbued with centuries of meaning, not all of it in alignment with what we teach in Unity. When one, such as I, has been indoctrinated in a religion that uses ‘God’ to judge, punish and abuse, he or she often has a mental and emotional imprinting of the word that is not conducive to feeling centered or inspired when hearing ‘God’ spoken in the spiritual community. 

There was a time in the not so distant past when I chose not to use the word ‘God’ and was often disturbed when I heard others use it, especially those in Unity or other New Thought communities.  And, while I now use the word freely, I completely understand that it can be disconcerting and even confounding for some. I am sure it can be for them much like it is for me when I attend a traditional Christian church service; I find myself reinterpreting nearly everything that the minister says, as well as all the hymn lyrics. It can be tiring and trying.

When I use the word ‘God’ today I am certainly not referring to the God of my childhood, a man with a white beard and white robes sitting up in heaven somewhere judging me and everyone else and most likely damning me to eternity in hell because I do not measure up to his criteria for admittance to heaven. 

When I say ‘God’ I am not referring to a being or beings. I am, instead, to the best of my ability giving voice to that which is ineffable. I believe H. Emilie Cady said it best in her book, Lessons in Truth.

“God is the name we give to that unchangeable, inexorable principle at the source of all existence. To the individual consciousness God takes on personality, but as the creative underlying cause of all things, [God] is principle, impersonal; as expressed in each individual, [God] becomes personal to that one--a personal, loving, all-forgiving Father-Mother. All that we can ever need or desire is the infinite Father-Principle, the great reservoir of unexpressed good.”

God is. God is “no thing,” yet is All. God is the Essence of all that is real. As Unity co-founder, Charles Fillmore stated, “God is the eternal verity of the universe and humankind.”

I invite us, as Rev. Ellen Debenport encourages in The Five Principles, to “reexamine our view of God at least once per decade.” God does not change; God is and was and every more shall be the same. However, we change and so do our perspectives. Rather than dismissing the concept of ‘God’ altogether or putting 'God' in a box, perhaps we can allow our concept of ‘God’ to evolve and open us to an even greater experience.

Please let me know if you are interested in joining us in exploring the book - David@UnityDenver.org.

Seeking Self

Recently, thanks to the generosity of some friends, I spent some time in the beauty of Breckenridge, Colorado. Prior to going, I told myself that I needed to disconnect from the activities of my daily life and just get away. The mountains were calling. I needed time to be in nature, hike the trails, and sit by the water to reconnect with my soul. I thoroughly relished every moment of it.

One day, during a hike, I stopped to rest and sat on a large boulder. There was not another soul around, so I decided to sit for a while, breathe in the clean mountain air and connect with the energy of the rocks, trees, the ground, and all the other life expressing in that moment.

As I listened, I heard these words…

I escape to the mountains
hoping to find my Self there.

I walk among the trees
and commune with the rocks
thinking that perhaps
my Self will be revealed to me.

I sit by the racing stream
listening for an inner voice
to speak to me of my Self.

Then, I am reminded…

No matter where you go,
there you are.

Why do you continue to seek your Self?
Just BE your Self.

Are you looking for a better version of your Self?
BE it.

Are you seeking a Higher Self?
You are already it. BE it.

You cannot and will not
find your Self anywhere except
right where you are in any moment.

Seek here, and you will find!

It was a clear and present reminder that as Rumi said, “What you seek is seeking you.” Or, stated another way, “That which you seek is that with which you seek.” While being in nature often helps us to reconnect with the natural flow of life, it is not necessary. Anytime we are willing to stop, breathe, open our hearts and consciously connect with the Life Energy in which we live, move and have our being ¹, we can find a connection with our Divine Self. And, every moment is our opportunity to BE it through our every thought, word and action.

Remember that “Wherever you go, there YOU are” – YOU, your Highest, Best, Divine Self! You need seek no further.

¹ Acts 17:28

End of Daze

Earlier this week, I listened to an interview on NPR’s “All Things Considered” in which host Michel Martin spoke with Dr. Russel Moore, president of the Southern Baptist Ethics and Religious Liberties Committee. She asked Dr. Moore how his religious beliefs have shaped his perspective on all that is happening in the world today, namely police killing unarmed citizens, racial injustice, COVID-19, and the social and economic effects of it all.

Dr. Moore stated that a lot of people have been asking him if this seems like evidence of apocalyptic times, pointing to the belief that many traditional Christians hold that catastrophic world events will presage the second coming of Jesus.

I was pleased to hear Dr. Moore say that considering that the word ‘apocalypse’ literally means “an unveiling or revelation,” he believes that it could be apocalyptic in that many things that have been hidden are now coming to light in ways that have not only revealed the horrors, but have also revealed signs of life in that people are coming together to do the “right thing.”

I deeply appreciate hearing him, as a leader in the Southern Baptist denomination, state this perspective. It is heartening to hear what I consider to be a more enlightened view. However, I was disheartened, but not surprised to learn that as many as 200 Southern Baptist churches have threatened to withdraw from the organization because of Dr. Moore’s “radical” views.

I grew up hearing eschatological theology that included this frightening belief in the horrors of the apocalypse that awaited us if we did not accept Jesus Christ as our personal savior. I know that many people still hold to this belief. I know because some of them are members of my family.

The Left Behind series of books by Tim LaHaye and Jerry B. Jennings that have enjoyed wide-spread popularity over the past nearly twenty-five years and which have been made into movies, are based on this conservative Christian interpretation of the Book of Revelation. According to their version, Revelation predicts the end times when those who are “good Christians” will be taken up to heaven, leaving the rest behind to suffer the wrath of a vengeful God as punishment for sins.

I have not read any of the Left Behind series, nor have I seen the movies, but I am familiar with the premise of this Christian eschatology, referred to by some as the “rapture.” I have seen artists’ depictions of planes plummeting to the earth because the pilot was taken, people floating up into the sky leaving cars on the freeway, and the ensuing death and destruction experienced by those who are “left behind.” In my way of thinking, these are not the actions of a loving and forgiving God. I continue to be dumbfounded by this alarming predication of what will occur in the “last days.”

I prefer to accept Dr. Moore’s interpretation of the apocalypse. I choose to see what is happening now as uncovering or “revelation” of the darkness that has been lurking in the hearts and minds of humanity and which has been expressed in ways that until now had been hidden from view. I choose to believe that all that is happening now does not presage the “second coming of Jesus,” but the dawning of Christ consciousness upon the Earth. In other words, the “second coming of Christ consciousness.”

It is not up to Jesus to bring the reign of peace and harmony to humankind; it is up to each and every one of us. We do this by inviting the Light of Christ into our consciousness, revealing the darkness hidden in our own hearts and minds, allowing the light to restore us to the realization of who we are in Truth, and taking the actions that are inspired therein.

My hope and prayer is that we will come together as the human race to bring about not the “end of days,’ but the “end of the daze” we have been living in and have allowed to blind us to the realities of the pain and suffering in the world.

I pray that we will be the ones to bring forth the manifestation of the consciousness of heaven and a world that reflect it here and now. It will not happen in a flash, but will happen as we make conscious choices moment-by-moment. It takes our clear intention, strength and commitment. It may not happen in our lifetime, yet every choice we make can move us one step closer to the end of our daze and the second coming of Christ Consciousness.