Awakened Presence

“When Jesus said, "I have overcome the world," He meant that by the use of certain words He had dissolved all adverse states of consciousness in materiality, appetite, and selfishness.” - Charles Fillmore" - Christian Healing 

 

Jesus said, “In the world you will have troubles, but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) He did not mean that he had conquered the world or had ascended beyond the physical world, but that he was no longer subject to the illusory perspective of the conditioned mind when perceiving the world. 

As we awaken to the truth of our being, the Christ, which is not of the world, is not conditioned by the world, and is not subject to the appearances of the world; we awaken from the dream of identification with the conditioned consciousness that would have us believe that we are defined by the world, that we are our bodies, thoughts, emotions, and possessions. 

From the moment he came out of his forty days in the wilderness and began his ministry, Jesus was presented with many opportunities to face the conditions of the world. They appeared as lack of health, absence of life, inability to walk, see or hear, to name a few. However, Jesus chose to see beyond the limiting conditions.

By standing in his truth as the Christ, he was able to be fully present and minister to those he met as he walked his path. Regardless of how the world appeared from the human perspective, from his illumined consciousness Jesus was able to see the light of truth shining through all apparent conditions. And in his presence others were able to claim their truth, overcome the limitations of the conditioned consciousness, allow the light of their true nature to shine through, and take any action needed to reclaim their truth. In so doing, they too experienced the demonstrations of their true nature.

Jesus also said, “Those who believe in me will do the works I have done and even greater works will he do.” He was speaking as one who had awakened to his Christ nature and one who was living it. When we know our truth as the Christ (believe in me); stand in the world as the presence of the Christ; live from that consciousness; and go out and meet the needs of the beloved community as Jesus did, others will be affected and lives will be changed.

John’s gospel quotes Jesus, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life. For God did not send his son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” (John 3:16 & 17 NIV).

We are condemned as we identify with and allow ourselves to be threatened by the appearances of the world. We are saved when we know ourselves as the Christ, the one and only son/daughter/child of God. As we are saved, so is the world. We are here, not just to awaken, but also to follow Jesus’ example and be the presence of Christ in the world. That is how we will do the things that he did and even greater things.

It is not enough to awaken to our truth as the Christ: we must live the truth we know. When we do, we “overcome the world” and the world is saved through our awakened presence and our willingness to serve the world as the awakened presence.

Feeling Good

In his book, The Power of Intention, Dr. Wayne Dyer encourages the reader to focus on the mantra, “I want to feel good.” He says that “feeling good is synonymous with feeling God.”

When I read that, I was reminded of something that Abraham-Hicks says when talking about the Law of Attraction. They say,

“Nothing is more important than that you feel good. Because when you feel good you’ve got control of your vibration. And when you’ve got control of your vibration, you are the deliberate creator of your experience.”

Initially, it may appear selfish or self-centered to make how we feel our primary concern. However, when we explore this teaching more fully, we can see that it is in complete alignment with our basic Unity principles.+

It is important for us to understand that everything is energy. When focused through our physical senses, we perceive that things are solid masses of matter. I look outside my window and I see a tree. It has a trunk, limbs, branches, and leaves. That is what my brain tells me as it retrieves from my memory bank the picture of a tree and all that is associated with that memory. My brain sees the various vibrations of light as colors – vibrant greens and rich brown tones. I see light and shadow revealing the texture of the bark.

What is actually happening is that my eyes are receiving the energy of the light waves and through the miracle that is the human eye, those light waves are transmitted to my brain, and as if by magic I behold a tree.

I sit at my desk, and I hear the soft rush of air coming through the vents in the ceiling. My mind immediately knows that it is the air conditioner blowing cool air into the room. Just as the eyes are constructed to receive the waves of light, so the ears are designed perfectly to take in the energy waves that we call “sound” and transmit those signals to the brain where they are instantly interpreted and given meaning.

Likewise, while they may not be directly received and interpreted by the physical senses, although if we pay close enough attention they can be, our thoughts and feelings are vibrations of energy.

Everything is energy at its essence. Additionally, energy is constantly in motion. In other words, it is constantly vibrating. All energy vibrates at a particular rate known as frequency. This is the nature of the universe; therefore, it is the nature of God. It is all God. There is no separation.

ONE
The first of our five basic Unity principles states, “There is only One Power and One Presence in the universe – God the Absolute Good.” ‘Good’ as used here is not an evaluative word, as in ‘good’ or ‘bad.’ ‘Good,’ when used in this context, implies that all of the energy frequencies comprising the universe work together in order, harmony, beauty, love and perfection, even though it does not always appear so from our human perspective. We get caught up in judging things as “good” or “bad.” When we choose to see all things and all circumstances as neutral and included within the energy of God, we will then discover what Paul called “the peace that passes understanding” (Philippians 4:7).

TWO
The second Unity principle states that all humans are created in the image/likeness of God (Genesis 1:24-25). I would go further to say that all creation is the image/likeness of God in all its diversity, mystery, wonder, and beauty. Each of us is an expression of the “Good” that God is. In Unity, we call that individuated expression the Christ. Additionally, we have the capacity to be consciously aware of ourselves as expressions of God, as well as to consciously choose to behold each other and all creation through that lens.

THREE
The third Unity principle states that we co-create our experience according to our way of thinking and feeling. This is where it becomes paramount that we understand the importance of the teachings of Dr. Dyer and Abraham-Hicks mentioned above. Respectively, “I choose to feel good” and “There is nothing more important than that [I] feel good.”

When we judge, we do not feel good. When we criticize, we do not feel good. When we condemn, we do not feel good. When we doubt, we do not feel good. When we fear, we do not feel good. When we try to force matters that are not within our vibrational energy, we do not feel good. When we go down paths that are not ours to own, we do not feel good.

These are examples of thoughts and actions that are in direct opposition to the Absolute Good – order, harmony, beauty, and perfection – that exists as the Allness of God. They deny the truth of the Christ of God expressing as each of us in the world. And they stimulate feelings that are not in vibrational alignment with that Good. We can choose them, but why would we? Why do we?

When we understand the laws of the universe, such as the law of attraction, the law of cause and effect, and the law of correspondence, we know that vibration attracts like vibration, what we put out is what we get back, and our outer world is a reflection of our inner world. Again, why would we choose to judge, criticize, condemn, doubt, or fear or take adverse actions in our lives when we know that what we receive in return will be a match to our vibration?

When we say that “nothing is more important than that I feel good, or that I feel God,” we are stating a foundational truth. Feeling good in this context is tantamount to embodying the frequency of the Christ that we are. It is allowing our thoughts and feelings to align more fully and completely with the Christ of our being. In doing so, we are attuning to the Absolute Good that God is; thereby resonating with all the qualities that are inherent therein. As we do this, we radiate Christ frequencies into the creative medium of the universe. Our lives and indeed the world begin to more clearly reflect these qualities rather than the energy of fear and other misalignments that seem so prevalent in the world today.

FOUR
The fourth Unity principle states that we consciously connect with the frequencies of the Christ through the practices of prayer and meditation. These spiritual tools help us to remove our focus from the conditions of our lives and the world so that we can focus on harmony, order, love, beauty, and the perfection of God. Again, the absolute Good that God is.

FIVE
Finally, the fifth Unity principle states that we must live the truth that we know. It is good to know all of this information, but unless we put it into practice, it has no real meaning in our lives. We all want to create lives of love, peace, joy, and abundance. We want the same for all creation. We know feeling good, or feeling God, will help live that vision.

Feeling good is not something that happens for us magically. It requires our intention and focus. It require our self-awareness. It requires commitment. It is a moment-by-moment choice. What do we choose?

I hope you will join me in embracing the mantra, “I choose to feel good. I choose to feel God.” Let us deliberately create a feel good life of feeling God. I am interested to hear from you how your life changes as your experience unfolds. I believe when we take control of our vibrations, the lives of those around us can also change. I hope to hear your experience around that too. We are One. Namaste.

Christianity as a Spiritual Path

While speaking with someone recently, I said, “Christianity has always been and continues to be my spiritual path.” I was surprised when I heard myself say it. If you have heard me speak or have followed my blog for a while, you know that I have questioned not only what it means to be a Christian, but my commitment to Christianity as well.

I have long ago left behind the beliefs of the traditional Christian culture in which I was raised, although I recognize that it still lives in my DNA. It lives in the DNA of all of us whose ancestors subscribed to those beliefs. It is inexorable. Once we accept that and make it conscious, we can be present to it, lean into it, and make conscious choices for ourselves about what we believe.

One who holds traditional Christian beliefs might ask me how I can say that Christianity is my spiritual path when I do not believe that Jesus was the only son of God who died on the cross in sacrifice for my sins, was resurrected and ascended into heaven where he sits at the right hand of God. In case you are wondering, yes, I can still recite The Nicene Creed from my days in the Methodist and Presbyterian churches. We did not recite it in the Baptist church.

In fact, someone once said to me, “Jesus says who he is in the Bible. If you do not believe that Jesus is who he says he is, you cannot call yourself a Christian.” At the time, I did not care to get into a discussion about who wrote the books of the Christian Scripture or what their intention might have been for writing what they wrote. I assumed it would be futile. So, I let it go.

Reflecting on his question now has caused me to ponder, “If I do not believe that Jesus is who the writers claim he is, then what do I believe about Jesus and how can I say that Christianity is my spiritual path?”

Today, I believe that Jesus was a teacher of Spiritual Truth. I believe that he possessed a deep connection with wisdom beyond the empirical knowledge of his day and even of today.

I believe that Jesus understood the mysteries of the universe and did his best to convey his understanding to those who were listening. I believe he knew that there were few who could fully grasp the wisdom he was imparting.

I believe he was an iconoclast who dared to speak out against the hypocrisy of religion and society. He was one who boldly stood up for the disenfranchised and disinherited.

I believe he was one who consciously connected with and embodied the Christ, the power of God within him.

I believe he was a way shower, one who showed us the way to release ourselves from the bonds of fear and separation and reclaim the power within us.

I believe he was the Christ made visible in human form through his words and actions, and that by doing so he exampled what is possible for each of us.

I believe that being a Christian means following the example of Jesus, not worshipping him.

I believe that being a Christian has less to do with what one believes and more to do with what one lives.

Being a Christian means that we acknowledge the Christ that we are, we acknowledge the teachings that can blind each of us to that truth, and we open our eyes to see that every person is the Christ personified - whether or not it is visible to the naked eye.

Being a Christian means that we cease being deaf to the cries of a suffering world and open our ears and our hearts to the needs of the human family. We claim Oneness in our compassion and extend that to all creation.

Being a Christian means that we stop allowing fear to cripple us, to make us weak, to keep us in our comfort zones. It means that we take up our bed and walk. ¹ In other words, get off our meditation cushions and do something.

Being a Christian means that we do all of that so we can be the ones who embody the Christ in this day and time and bring forth what Jesus called the Kin(g)dom of God upon the Earth. ² It is not a realm that is ruled by an earthly power, but a consciousness of Oneness that embraces all within itself and is demonstrated in love for all creation.

When I say that Christianity is my spiritual path that is what I mean. Do I live it perfectly? No. But it gives me a path to follow and a vision to which I can aspire.

It is a daily walk. It is a moment-by-moment choice.

In this moment, I make the commitment to myself and to the world that I will continually ask myself,

“How can I be Christ in the world today?”

“How can I follow Jesus and his example more clearly?”

“What can I do today to manifest the Kin(g)dom of God upon the Earth?”

I invite you to join me in asking these questions. Then I encourage you to share your answers, your beliefs, your spiritual path. Share them with me as well as others. Together we can spread the truth of Christianity as a Spiritual Path.

 

¹ John 5:8

² The Emerging Church – Bruce Sanguin

Pride

 “Gay pride or LGBTQ pride is the promotion of the self-affirmation, dignity, equality, and increased visibility of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) people as a social group. Pride, as opposed to shame and social stigma, is the predominant outlook that bolsters most LGBTQ rights movements.” – Wikipedia.org

June is officially designated as LGBTQ Pride month in the United States this year. You may read the White House proclamation here. It is important to note that only three Presidents have recognized the importance of this acknowledgement – Clinton, Obama, and Biden.

Since June 1969, when patrons of Stonewall Inn in New York dared to stand up against the bigotry and abuse of the police and demand respect, LBGTQ persons have been inspired and have continued to stand up, speak out, march and demonstrate for dignity and equality.

While great strides have been made on many fronts, such as marriage equality in 2015 and non-discrimination laws in some states, there are many states that offer limited protections, and still others that offer no protection. In these states, LGBTQ persons can legally be denied rights and fired from their jobs simply because of who they are.

Additionally, the epidemic of hate crimes in the United States continues with attacks based on sexual orientation and gender identity lagging behind only those motived by race or religion. Fatal crimes against transgender persons is at an all-time high so far in 2021.

Further, suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people ages 10 to 24 with LGBTQ youth being five times more likely to have attempted suicide than heterosexual or cisgender youth.¹  This is an alarming statistic regardless of age, sexual orientation or gender identity.

While it is at times challenging for me to do so, I can have empathy and compassion for those who feel fear when they do not understand or judge others who look or act different or present in ways that do not conform to conventional understanding of ‘woman’ or ‘man’ whether that is reflected in sexual attraction, gender identity, or gender expression. We often fear what we don’t understand. We judge what we have been taught to judge whether our prejudice is based in our religious beliefs or other cultural influence.

Obviously, there remains a great deal of misinformation and misunderstanding when it comes to LGBTQ persons. We need more education. We need more compassion. We need more understanding. We need places where LGBTQ persons know they are welcome, included, and celebrated.

This is where we come in. By “we” I mean all of us. Each of us individually and we as a human family are responsible for creating spaces, within ourselves and in our world, where all people are accepted, included, and where they know they belong. We can do this only when we know in our heart of hearts that regardless of any personal identity or expression, we are all created in the image/likeness of God. In Truth, we are all One.

I am also specifically addressing the members and friends of Unity Spiritual Center Denver who are reading this. We can be one such place! In service to that, we will be offering opportunities in the coming months that will assist us in educating ourselves about the issues and concerns facing LGBTQ persons and how we can lovingly and compassionately respond.

The first opportunity will be on Sunday, June 27, from 12:30 - 2:00 as we host a workshop facilitated by Maren Scull, Ph.D., Associate Professor at UC Denver. Maren specializes in gender and sexuality studies. She is preparing a presentation specifically for us. Her presentation came about because the organizing committee of the Feminine Identity Retreat made the conscious decision to open to all who identify most strongly as feminine, include those who identify as cisgender, transgender, or who are feminine in their gender expression. We all agreed that education would be advantageous, not only for the team, but for all of us. I hope you will join us. Additional information and details will follow.

I am also in conversation with a transgender female and a transgender male about offering presentations along with question and answer sessions. These will be offered in follow up to Maren’s presentation. Both have expressed an open and eager willingness. We have yet to set dates, but will share that information as soon as it is established.

In addition, you may notice LGBTQ Pride flags adorning our hallway when you enter. We want people to know when they enter our doors that this is a safe and welcoming place for them. As a gay man, I know from personal experience how scary it can be to walk into a church for the first time not knowing what to expect. It is important to display our openness and acceptance in a visible way.

Further, with the aid of Ken Rinehart’s expertise, we have created a video (linked below) that will be prominently placed on our website, on our Facebook page, and on our YouTube channel. I encourage you to share it on your social media accounts, as well as with family and friends.

I invite you to join me in envisioning Unity Spiritual Center Denver as a spiritual community that not only espouses inclusivity, but also lives it. Let us make this commitment to ourselves and to all who are seeking a place where they can explore their spirituality in a community that celebrates our Unity in our diversity. I encourage all to join us in this endeavor - wherever you are, in whatever way speaks to you.

¹ The Trevor Project

Lessons From Nature

Earlier this week, I listened to a podcast, “Hey, Jacob. Hi, Scott,” hosted by Scott Stabile and Jacob Nordby. These guys get together each week and record their conversations on a variety of topics. They are vulnerable and authentic as they share their personal journeys and life challenges. I find it refreshing to hear men being so real with each other and with us listeners.

On several of the podcasts, both Scott and Jacob have shared about how they are enriched by being out in nature. I can relate as I also feel connected to God/Spirit/Universe when I am in nature. I was particularly struck by something Scott shared in the May 18 episode. He said that he has been spending a great deal of time by a river during his stay in North Carolina and appreciating the lessons it can teach.

I am summarizing here, but what he said is that the rocks in and around the river teach him about being strong, stable, and grounded amid whatever may be raging around us. I have always loved rocks. I have a special memory of going to a beach in Northern California, hugging the large rocks on the shore, and being connected to their power. Since then, I have had many opportunities to commune with rocks of all sizes. I have several collections of small rocks. They say to me, “Yes, I may be worn by time and pressure, but I am still here, strong, unmoved, and radiating life. As are you!”

 “To be like the rock that the waves keep crashing over. It stands unmoved and the raging of the sea falls still around it.” – Marcus Aurelius

Scott also shared that the water teaches him about being in the flow, letting things go, and finding a way. I, too, have enjoyed the times I have spent hiking along the rivers and streams. They remind me that the flow of life is sometimes gentle and easy, at other times fast and turbulent. Yet, the water continues in its relentless flow. In addition, water always finds its way over, around, or through whatever appears in its path.

“I like to think I am like water that adapts to its surroundings and eventually finds a way in.” – Georges St-Pierre

Considering this, I decided to invite nature to reveal its messages to me in the things I observed on my daily walk today.

As I walked across the bridge in DeBoer Park, I noticed a lone mallard duck sitting in the creek. It was making no effort to move and appeared to be at rest. He reminded me that we all need times to sit peacefully in our favorite habitat to rest, reflect, or retreat. It is okay, and more than okay; it is preferable to occasionally do nothing but sit. It serves us best to wait, even in solitude, for the next right thing.

“Often we tell ourselves ‘Don’t just sit there, do something!’ But when we practice awareness, we discover that the opposite may be more helpful: ‘Don’t just do something, sit there!’” – Thich Nhat Hanh

I also noticed a bed of irises. Some were in full bloom, others just beginning to reveal some color, while other buds were still tightly bound. They spoke to me of divine order. Things unfold in perfect time, whether or not it is according to our preferred schedule. We can try to rush things along, but we often regret it when we do. Nature cannot be hurried or forced to bloom. Like flowers, each of us is unique. We grow and blossom in our own ways in our own perfect time. It is best for us not to try to force ourselves or others.

“Be patient with yourself. Nothing in nature blooms all year.” – Unknown

Observing the vast array of flowers that are now springing up everywhere not only connected me to the beauty of nature, but also reminded me that beneath the snow of winter there is always the promise of spring.

I must admit that since moving to Denver seven years ago there have been times when I wondered if spring would ever arrive. Having lived in the south most of my life, I was accustomed to spring in March, not May. Winters can seem long here.

We all experience seasons in our lives. Sometimes we feel the dark and cold of winter when we experience loss or other dramatic change. But we can rest assured that spring will come again. The timing is certainly not as predictable as in nature, but we can trust that the beauty of life will once again reveal itself if we remain open to the possibility.

“Perhaps the Earth can teach us as when everything seems to be dead and later proves to be alive.” – Pablo Neruda

Lastly, I continue to be in awe of how dandelions grow in the most restrictive places. They sprout up through the tiniest cracks and crevices imaginable. As I thought of this, I was reminded of a recent hike in Evergreen where I saw a tree seemingly growing out of a rock. This speaks to me to the power and resilience of nature and reveals to me an important lesson.

We are also resilient and powerful. Even in the times when we may feel that we are restricted by life circumstances or believe that we cannot possibly grow in our current environment, we can trust that growth is happening when we keep our minds and hearts stayed on the power and potential within us. The dandelion doesn’t say, nor does the tree, “I can’t grow here. I will wait for more favorable conditions.” No, it grows where it is. We can do the same.

“Like a wildflower, you must allow yourself to grow in places people never thought you would.” – E.V.

Nature is replete with wisdom that it is ready and willing to share with us. Our opportunity is to open our hearts and minds as we open our eyes to witness its mystery and majesty. When we remember that we are not separate from the nature all around and we choose to breathe it in, nature will reveal its lessons through our willingness to consciously connect with its beauty, wonder, and power.

“In every walk with nature one receives far more than he seeks.” – John Muir

Living by Default or Living by Intention

Are you living by default or are you living by intention?

That is the question that came to me this morning as I meditated.

As I sat with the question, I became more consciously aware of the ways that I have been living by default rather than by intention.

In my day-to-day life, it is easy for me to fall into habits of thought as well as habits of behavior. After a while, these thoughts and behaviors become my default mode. Without conscious awareness, I can fall into patterns that are life-denying rather than life-enriching.

These patterns can be thoughts of lack, limitation, not enough, judgment of self or others, and any of many other iterations of a mind in default mode left to its own devices. It may also present as sitting in front of the television watching programs about dysfunctional human behavior or violence.

When I am living by default, I can often allow my mind to be programmed by words and images that are not in alignment with who and what I truly am and intend to be. Living by default may also exhibit as not caring for myself; not exercising regularly; eating unhealthy food; overspending; or not getting enough rest.

Living by intention requires me to make conscious choices.

As I contemplated what it means to live intentionally, I was reminded of one of my favorite life-changing books from years ago, The Power of Intention, Learning to Co-create Your World Your Way, by Dr. Wayne Dyer. In his book, Dr. Dyer offers us a new perspective on the Power of Intention. Rather than thinking of intention as an aspect of the human will in which one is determined to achieve a desired result, he asserts that there is a Power of Intention in the universe. He quotes Carlos Castaneda from his book, The Active Side of Infinity,

”Intent is a force that exists in the universe. When sorcerers (those who live of the Source) beckon intent, it comes to them and sets up the path for attainment, which means that sorcerers always accomplish what they set out to do.”

Dr. Dyer goes on to suggest that the Power of Intention is the power of God that intended us and all of creation into expression. This power intended that each of us come into this life experience to express and create something unique that will bless humanity and the world. Further, our opportunity in every moment is to connect with this power and use it.

From this perspective, living by intention takes on a whole new meaning. There is a universal Power of Intention that we can tap into, and we must be intentional about tapping into it and using it.

Rather than living by default, falling into habits of thought and behavior, and being adversely influenced by the world, we can instead be intentional about staying in conscious communion with the universal Power of Intention, connecting with the inspiration derived, and giving expression to it through our thoughts, words, and actions.

We can do this by actively engaging in spiritual practices, such as prayer, meditation, contemplation, denials and affirmations; communing with nature; dancing in the spirit; singing; conscious movement, such as yoga or tai chi; journaling; and many other practices that help us move out of our default mode and into a deeper connection with the power within us.

When talking about intention, I have often used the metaphor of a radio dial. We tune our radio dial to the frequency of the station we want to hear. Likewise, when setting an intention we use our minds to tune to the frequency, such as love, peace, abundance, wisdom, beauty, etc. that we choose to receive. As we keep our minds stayed on that frequency, we draw to ourselves people, places and situations that match our frequency.

When we set our intention on tuning to the Power of Intention, we open ourselves to demonstrations of all the qualities of that power. Dr. Dyer refers to these as “The Seven Faces of Intention” which are creativity, kindness, love, beauty, expansion, unlimited abundance, and receptivity. I won’t go into each of them here, but I suggest that you explore this book if you are interested in learning more.

I invite you to join me as I set a clear intention to no longer live by default but to live by intention. I have written my intention as follows. I welcome you to use it or craft one that suits you.

I cease living by default. I choose to live by intention. I am in the flow of the Power of Intention. It flows to me and through me as Unlimited Abundance, Creativity, Inspiration, Love, Beauty, Vitality and all the Good I can imagine. I enthusiastically commune with this power as I joyously open to and actively engage with it through my thoughts, words, and actions. I become a sorcerer as I co-create a world that embodies all the qualities inherent in the Power of Intention. I am grateful.
And, so it is.

Winning the War

Recently, when I was watching a video on the topic of church growth in a post-pandemic world, I was introduced to a new book, Winning the War in Your Mind: Change Your Thinking, Change Your Life, by Rev. Craig Groeschel. Prior to this, I had never heard of him. Obviously, I do not keep up with who are the prominent voices in the world of mainstream Christianity.

Rev. Groeschel is the founding and lead minister of Life Church, an Oklahoma-based, multi-city, multi-campus megachurch with thousands of congregants. He is also a New York Times bestselling author with a list of books to his credit. You can learn more about him at craiggroschel.com.

When I heard the title of his latest book, I was intrigued. Keep in mind that this book was first published this year. Yes, 2021! I was curious and eager to get the book so I could learn more about his approach to something that we in Unity have been teaching for more than 100 years.

I wondered what he could have to say that I and presumably most of his readers had not already heard. Or could it be that some of his followers had never heard this before?

In the introduction, Rev. Groschel says,

Our lives are always moving in the direction of our strongest thoughts. What we think shapes who we are.

So you might read that and think I’m being an overly dramatic preacher using hyperbole to get your attention. But this is no exaggeration. Our lives do follow the direction of our thoughts. The better we grasp that truth, the better equipped we’ll be to change the trajectory of our lives.

Really?! In 2021, are there still people who have never heard the concept that our way of thinking affects our lives and who think he might be being “an overly dramatic preacher”?!

In keeping with traditional his Christian ideology, Rev. Groschel goes on to say that,

Your mind is a battlefield, and the battle for your life is always won or lost in your mind…Satan is your enemy…his strategy to defeat you is to persuade you to believe his lies.

His premise, as I expected, is that God is the author of Truth and “he” will save us from the lies of Satan.

While he does offer some good exercises to help the reader connect with the limiting thoughts and their sources, as well as practices to help them connect with truth, I found it challenging to continue reading the book. I thumbed through it, stopping here and there to explore some of the exercises. But with each page, I found myself wanting to close the book and throw it across the room.

So I closed the book, held it in my hands, took a deep breath, closed my eyes, and connected within. In the space of quiet contemplation, I recognized that Rev. Groschel’s words were stimulating my own embedded theology and the pain and grief I experienced when I was involved in the traditional Christian church.

In that moment, I chose to give myself empathy and compassion for my feelings and the needs that were not met for me in my association with those churches. As much as anything else, I wanted to belong and to know that I was loved, no matter what. When I did not receive that, I felt sad, lonely, and angry.

From that space of self-connection, I was more willing and available to extend the same to Rev. Groschel and to all those who might be reading his book and discovering, perhaps for the first time, the power of their minds.

While I still do not agree with or support his theology, I am glad to know that he has awakened to the scientific evidence that proves what we in Unity have known for a long time. I am thrilled to hear an influential mainstream Christian minister acknowledge that science and religion can not only coexist, but work in tandem to help people improve their lives.

Still, I would like for everyone to know that we are not doing battle with something external to us that is trying to control our minds, nor is there something outside of us that is seeking to save us. There is no author of lies called Satan. There is no being called God who is going to show up to rescue us. The power lies within each of us.

Each of us is responsible for the choices me make with our thoughts. We can give power to the thoughts of lack and limitation that drain us of our energy, motivation, and creativity. Or we can choose to focus on the thoughts that empower us to live enthusiastic, passionate, and expansive lives that reflect the truth of who we are.

I encourage us to ask, “What lies am I telling myself?” Then ask, “What is the truth of who and what I AM?” Write down your answers. Burn the first list. Tape the second list to your bathroom mirror or somewhere you will see it often. Condition your mind with Truth and save yourself from your self-imposed limitations.

Again, while I am critical of his theology, Rev. Groschel offers some good insight and practices that can assist the reader in reclaiming truth. If you choose to read it, be prepared to do a great deal of “Unityfying” his words to bring it in alignment with that we know to be true.

I shared the following during my Sunday message last week. Please read and hear these words as the voice of Love within your heart that is always calling you to remembrance of who you truly are.

I know it can often be scary to be in the world that judges you, asks you to conform, and fills your mind with ideas of what is right/wrong, good/bad. I know it can be confusing and confounding. I know you simply want to love and to be loved, because love is who and what you are. Please know that you are never alone. Even if you cannot see me, I am here. Even when things seem the darkest, I am here shining the light of love on you. Know that I love you just as you are. You do not need to be or do anything to earn love or deserve love. Please do not lose yourself. Do not conform to the world and its expectations and fears. Claim your joy, your love, your light and trust that others who value and respect you are drawn to you and will reflect your light.