Did You Say Visualization or Visioning?

We know how to picture things based on our past experience. However if we want to expand our thinking into a new direction, there is a meditation, or quiet listening, process that allows new ideas to come forward. Having taught this for a number of years I find that many times it takes students some time to develop comfort in the practice of quiet listening. Here is a listing and brief comparison of the two activities. The two main similarities are a) they both are meditative (or thinking quietly with inward reflection) and b) they both begin with the letters 'Vis'.
Click on the picture to enlarge the comparison

A Changed Economy

Imagine an economy that supports the greater growth of people, families, our communities and the natural environment. This PBS documentary features David Brancacchio traveling across the US and discussing what a local based economy looks like when it is based on people and communities in accountable relationship to each other. The evidence is that the large, multi-national and impersonal business structure and economy swings from boom to bust. In the 60 minute film David interviews people on alternatives. Watch at 45:30 minutes into the film for the 'hour exchange'. In Portland, ME the hour exchange is a banking system of exchanged services. All services are valued by time, not a dollar amount. By giving an hour of service in your specialty field you receive an hour of service in exchange for receiving an hour in return.

Watch the full episode. See more NOW on PBS.

Roadmap to Prosperity- part 1

If I were living in the time of the Babylonians I might use cuneiform wedges to communicate meaning. If I were an ancient polynesian and had no written language I might scrape my communication as a petroglyph in the rocks left after Pele revealed herself in volcanic eruption. But I am neither of those so I continue the human tradition of communicating with graphics by using powerpoint.

Life is a series of activities linked together with meaning; successive present moments tied together with intention, activity and result. While teaching Spiritual Economics (SOM 205), I understand the process better now. We start with now (today) and learn to engage the world with a different point of view. Where we are today is based on our history and what we learned and believed up to this point. Where we go is based on our choices in thoughts and the resulting activities going forward. This class is an 8 week Roadmap to Prosperity as mapped in the diagram below.

This evolution of this process proceeds from left to right. Source, G-d, Spirit provides unlimited supply and our work is to allow that understanding to propagate throughout our thinking and our lives. When we align our thinking to see the abundance and release old ideas of lack, don't have, I-can't and limitation.
You can begin today with a T diagram and do a + / - analysis of where you see fullness and abundance in your thinking and (that's the plus) and identify the times where you see the limitation. As an example, I see the abundance when I walk in nature. It is a reminder of the many forms of expression possible and is visible in the different types of trees, roving animals, shapes of leaves and clouds...just to name a few An example of minus would be this statement, "I have two good friends. Whenever I try to have four or five friends my life fills with drama and I come back to two good friends" or "I make $ x. I can't imagine making two times that much money."
From the T diagram, the work begins in releasing the minus. Affirmations and affirmative prayer are good ways to plant the seeds for a new idea. Understanding your thoughts on faith is critical as well. In the Roadmap (at the top by the word Faith) the Universe and the individual are in the same circle. The dashed line signifies the openness and infiniteness of the Universe. Faith is the knowing that as an individual you are unfolding to recognize yourself as part of that infinite possibility. In faith you release ideas of lack and limitation and see your revealing of alignment to source.
We use imagination techniques to create a mental picture of the life of abundance and prosperity we desire. With visualization you can mentally picture the different elements of your expanded abundant life. What are you doing? Where do you live?  What are you doing for work and enjoyment? Who are you doing it with? By paying attention to what you desire and remembering the feelings of that experience you are painting a picture of what your new experience will be. The other imagination method for is to do a meditation on the question, 'What is my life of prosperity?' After that process make notes on the Vision and the Visualization and let them grow in your mind. Affirm them both for the seeds of prosperity continue to be planted.
In part 2 I will highlight the rest of the picture. It is a Roadmap to Prosperity and your New Spiritual Economy.

Hugh Prather III

In the later 80's I was in a search for meaning and found "Notes to Myself' on a bookstore shelf. Hugh Prather's writing provided insight and peace. He wrote about his thoughts, family and motivation in life, work and relationships. This was years before I had my own understanding so I was grateful for his writing. His book "How to Live in the World and Still be Happy" helped me realize that I am always in choice in what I think. In the early 90's I sent him a letter through his publisher. Three of four months later he called and wanted to know how he could help. We spoke about my topic and he provided suggestions. Today I still have ten of his books on my shelf; each one with pages dog earred as they were my most early resource and connection to the Universe as love, poetry, peace and meditation.
Hugh Prather made his transition on November 15 at age 72 while in his Hot Tub. Obituary and photo

Shadow and Light

A past experience- thought stuck in old beliefs
Unspoken words, situations unresolved
It's age independent

The Universe wants to express
To expand and create more
Since It lives only as now it can hold no grudge

Any thing stuck
Anything appearing as shadow
Emerges differently when the light shines

Dark and unknown has a new appearance
New insights, new angles are revealed
A new way of seeing things

Living fully illuminated
Living free
Today I shine the light

The Present- Thought for the Day

A byline I saw

Make the most of today. Time waits for no man. Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery. Today is a  gift. That's why it is called the present. 

Universe Notes- 5 Tips

On Sunday our Foundations class hosted a workshop to teach and model Affirmative Prayer. I am reminded of these 5 tips that I note about the Universe. I offer them as both explanation and inspiration on how It works and how to use It.
Tip #1. We live in a creative Universe-
Galaxies are being created. The Universe continues to expand. This means that whenever you feel faced with a challenge, remember there is a way to move through it and expand into a new idea. Any situation that feels too much is ready for a new perspective; a new thought.
Tip #2. Picture the experience of what you desire.
Stay out of 'I gotta do ____' thinking. Stay out of the 'what' and focus on the experience you want to create. For example "I want to experience more harmony in my life". When you focus on the experience you remain open to all of the different ways that harmony can appear. You are relieved of having to know every step right now. That will come as you continue to focus on experiencing what you desire.
Tip #3. Affirm support-
The Universe wants us to experience greater good in our living. How do I know that? Look at the ways people and groups innovate. From where they are today (the present) they find new ways and alternatives to have the new invention (tomorrow). That is the process of creation. There resources from the Universe are always present; they are never hidden. Our work is to release any block or old idea of 'no options' or 'can't do this' and open our minds to the new idea. That's the way creativity works.
Tip #4. Transform a Challenge-
Nature is our model. When you look at nature, observe that things change- just look at every plant, insect, animal and tree. No one expected the caterpillar to change its form into a butterfly. It changed and shifted form. Any situation that might feel lack can be opened up, new options revealed and situations become transformed. It all begins with how you think and what perspective you walk with.
Tip #5. "Listen, Listen, Listen to my heart's song"- Achieving mental clarity and knowing what is right for you comes from the silence. Many access silence through meditation and to listening to the heart, the metaphorical source of the 'inner voice'. The lyrics "Listen, Listen, Listen..." of Yogananda remind me of that. They are put to music by Robert Gass and Wings of Song and can be found on ITunes or Amazon on the 'Songs of Healing" album.

Think about it. Each of these tips is worthy of more description and discussion. I'll come back to that another time.

Statistical Study on Benefits of Meditation

The Shambhala Mountain Center conducted a study of 60 people on the subject of meditation. Half of the group went through an intense training and practice of meditation for three months. The other half were on the backup list for the intense training but did not participate in the training. (see article in Nov 19 Huffington Post)

Researchers from UC Davis designed the study and performed tests on both groups before, half way through and at the end of the three months. The results are now appearing in peer reviewed journals.

Some of the benefits of meditation are in this quote. Read the whole article for more source information and details on the study. This will become required reading for my students.

Tonya Jacobs, a scientist at UC Davis's Center for Mind and Brain, has just reported (on-line in the journal Psychoneuroendocrinology) that meditators show improved psychological well-being, and that these improvements lead to biochemical changes associated with resistance to aging at the cellular level. Specifically, an analysis of meditators' white blood cells showed a 30 percent increase in an enzyme called telomerase, a chemical essential to the long-term health of the body's chromosomes and cells.

The scientists emphasize that meditation does not lead directly to cellular health and longevity. Instead, the practice appears to give people an increased sense of meaning and purpose in life, which in turn leads to an increased sense of control over their lives and to less negative emotion. This cascade of emotional and psychological changes is what regulates the levels of telomerase, the anti-aging enzyme.

Positivity appears to be the link between meditative practice and a variety of health benefits. In a study scheduled for publication in the journal Emotion, UC Davis psychological scientist Baljinder Sahdra is reporting that meditation leads to a decrease in impulsive reactions -- another health improvement linked to psychological positivity. Impulsivity has been tied to an array of health problems, including addictions and other risky behavior.

Rev. Michael B on Visioning

This week's Huffington Post included an article by Rev. Michael Beckwith on attracting things into your life.

The metaphors and references to magnetism and vibration can be misleading to some audiences but we sense and witness the effect. I enjoyed his summary enclosed in three points-

To accelerate your magnetic frequency and manifest your vision for your life, you must enter the laboratory of your own mind and soul and evolve through three domains:

(first) Discovering, activating, expressing and promoting your gifts, talents and skills, which attunes you to the law of divine right action;

(second) Moving into a deeper spiritual understanding and practice of working with the laws governing the universe through affirmative prayer, Life Visioning, and visualization, which attune you to the law of attraction;

(third) Practicing meditation and surrender at such a depth that you no longer need to attract anything because you live in alignment with the law of radiance which automatically provides all that is required to sustain you and cause you to flourish.

Whisper

On the several "Genius Sails" with friends and family this summer I had the chance to sail, be in conversation and witness sunsets with about 20 different people. Each sail we would establish a rhythm- safety instruction, sails ready, start the engine, and off to sail. That was the routine. Then each sail would take on its own personality. However, the one question most often asked was "What is the name of your boat?" For five years no name really seemed to fit. Boat, the boat, meet me at the boat worked well in communicating everything needed to have a great experience on the water. So the defacto name was 'boat'.

I believe the inner voice speaks and when you are listening this is the guidance, the truth-full substance and direction. Staying aligned with that voice is the key to living a life of integrity- with self and others. I wrote earlier about Visioning. As I have taught it, attended lessons on it and have personally used it the last few weeks I am amazed at what comes up when I ask the question 'what is greater idea of (insert area you are visioning for) in my life?". This week, in recognition of this process, the boat name appeared. Whisper

Visioning, Timing and Force

Teaching the Life Visioning Process, a part of UCSL, ICSL and so well described by its author Rev. Michael Beckwith in "The Life Visioning Process" has sharpened my interest actively listen to what's next, and what is the greatest idea for projects in my life.
I tell my students...the number one idea of using Visioning is to disassociate or separate visioning from 'the to do list'. You will know when it is time to create the list. Just (sometimes a big step) allow it to come into form.

Last week about an hour after completing a Visioning exercise two phrases come to mind. They just came into mind, one after the other. I sat with them for a day to monitor if the idea drifted or diminished. Within 48 hours they seemed right. I believe that each of us has a personal indicator, an internal compass, that brightens whenever we are on a congruent path. One of mine congruency indicators comes as a fast shutter. It is as if a breath of the infinite has swooped in- from mind to emotion to physical. Enough of me trying to describe it. You will have your own indicator.

I used the two phrases to prepare for and to test my work for the week. This led to a week of satisfaction, peace and joy in the preparation and the presentation a new idea. I interpret this as the satisfaction of being personally aligned. The Vision pulled me. The list and the activities came to mind as the Vision unfolded. I am celebrating my amazement and the demonstration of the project.

I encourage you to try Visioning for your life purpose and projects. Aligning passion, purpose and projects is monumental. This works and I am knowing graceful unfolding for each of you.

Words Fall Short

This morning's poetic greeting from Panhala is "What's in the Temple" by Tom Barrett.

I enjoyed the whole poem and particularly these sections-

.
...The poets speak in obscure terms pointing madly at the unsayable...
The monk sits pen in hand poised to explain the cloud of unknowing.

I am reminded when teaching classes this fall that we are always describing the invisible and the mystery and postulating our belief how it works. This section reminds me of describing the 'unsayable'

Put your ear to the wall of your heart.
Listen for the whisper of knowing there.
Love will touch you if you are very still.

Although there is no recipe for hearing this whisper it does happen. When you listen, the attention moves from the brain to a larger knowing, which some would say comes from the heart. I think the heart is a word that just means, 'from within' It is amazing because this inner voice comes with loudness and clarity. 'Love touches you'

If I say the word God, people run away.
They've been frightened--sat on 'till the spirit cried "uncle."
Now they play hide and seek with somebody they can't name.
They know he's out there looking for them, and they want to be found,
But there is all this stuff in the way.

I love this section- People come from all different backgrounds of religious and spiritual training. In order to move ahead to a deeper understanding of the mystical each person must come to peace with where they have come from- what they learned first and then 'all this stuff' falls away.
Words we have learned in the past can be accompanied with strict interpretations- e.g. faith, heaven, hell. I have learned to speak using language inclusive of Divine qualities- infinite, joy, trust, support, peace, kindness. The choice of words helps to bridge old history and old beliefs into being present today to the Divine ideas.

I can't talk about God and make any sense,
And I can't not talk about God and make any sense.
So we talk about the weather, and we are talking about God.

This is my favorite. From Emerson's 'The Transcendentalists' we walk as idealists and materialists at the same time. And the weather, the sun, clouds, wind and rain help us bridge that which can be challenging to articulate.

God in America PBS

I have really enjoyed this week's PBS six hour presentations on God in America. Europeans coming to the new world attached significance to this new place, the journey and the challenges to unfolding and manifesting a Divine destiny. Christian sects embraced the freedom to follow their own religious interpretation without persecution.

Right now you can watch the series on the program's web site. Let me talk about two parts I was impressed with. First, having an evangelical training I related to the circuit meetings where preachers would travel the circuit and preach the word with zeal.  Second, I have been studying more about the great spiritual awakenings in our country and the associated great desire to spread the word and convert people to your own religious perspective.  It seems that whenever there is dismay or disappointment a spiritual awakening effort was organized to get people 'back on track'. Using inspired preachers explaining the promise of eternal salvation some meetings attracted over 7000 people in the Kentucky wilderness.

The third segment was particularly interesting to me as it highlighted the influence of Billy Graham on the society and how that period was one of the greatest periods of church attendance.  That segment also presented the role of Martin Luther King and his focus on injustice between races and how that is linked to being a moral society. MLK was scorned by local ministers for his activating black awareness. From his jail cell in Birmingham he wrote a letter to those clergymen thoroughly outlining his mission in Birmingham and the role of civil disobedience in the crusade for equality and fairness.

I highly recommend viewing the series.

A Whole Operation

You know, our body is very integrated in its intelligence. So the liver cannot be liver without spleen, pancreas, kidney, and all other organs knowing what is going on. So I know that the whole body is lifted to what has always been true. The body  remembers and shows up now as the highest intelligence- the clearest thought of how it works. It operates in and as perfection.  Surgeons, hospitals, nurses and teams have come together and represent God's downloaded App of Intelligence. They manifest as mind, hands, electronics, facilities, tools and wisdom. They operate in Divine flow; working seamlessly and with ease & grace always knowing the highest and best is in operation. This team is God's hands at work. 

You are so well cared for. Imagine resting and being supported wholly by the hammock of the Universe. The woven rope under your back; surrounded by the white light of pureness and healing--- revealing wholeness; Every woven hammock string supports you, resting you. And I know that light and that hammock, this Universe, is all ways present- today, tomorrow all day, in surgery, recovery and in strength. This I know to be True. It is now so and So It Is!

The Path of Genius

There is an ease and grace that exists when you are doing something you love. It is your Genius. Henry David Thoreau wrote,

“Go not so far out of your way for a truer life; keep strictly onward in that path alone which your genius points out, do the things which lie nearest to you, but which are difficult to do...”

How simple and clear is his view. These Pennsylvania ducks demonstrate their Genius simply by swimming, navigating and entertaining in the lake. (beautiful sunset optional).

Robert Bly - A Gathering of Men

The PBS Bill Moyers 1990 classic interview with poet Robert Bly. Bly uses poetry and myth to interpret living life as a man.
Click here to go to PBS site and view-

A Healing Statement of Truth

New Thought is a philosophy of mental healing of anything that is discord. Ernest Holmes wrote this spiritual mind treatment (healing prayer).

There is peace, a Divine harmonious, dynamic, creative action at the center of my being. Every breath I draw, every beat of my heart, is the perfect rhythmic action of Life Itself. The expression of the One Perfect Life in me as me is now perfectly maintaining every atom, cell, and organ of my body.

My body is a Divine idea in the Mind of God and no thing, no situation or condition can prevent Its full and complete expression in and as me. God created my body, knows how to maintain it, to remove what doesn't belong, and to rebuild it. This is occurring right now. Without reservation I know I now manifest and experience in all fullness and completeness God's perfect idea of me, and in all respects, every action, function, and structure of my body now conforms to it. There is perfect assimilation, circulation, and elimination. All that I am is one with the One Perfect Life. All the joy there is, all the happiness, all the beauty are now mine. I am born of the Spirit. I am in the Spirit. I am the Spirit made manifest.

Chicago New Thought New World- Rev Dr Kenn Gordon

Rev. Dr Kenn Gordon leads the International Centers for Spiritual Living. At the Tuesday evening of the New Thought New World conference held in Chicago at the end of July Dr Kenn gave an inspiring talk on the power of the New Thought philosophy to help our world. I find it to be a simplifying view of how all the New Thought branches are really speaking the same message and how this philosophy can move ahead in this world as a global movement.

New Thought (Unity, Divine Science, Religious Science, INTA, AGNT ) has a long history of activity in Chicago. Emma Curtis Hopkins (1849-1925) opened a University in Chicago to teach metaphysics and mental healing techniques. The first 11:30 minutes are an introduction of Dr Kenn and a calling up to the stage of all the New Thought Chicago area Ministers.

Dr Kenn's talk is titled "The World Needs a New Thought". begins at 11:30.

Rev Maggie's Legacy

I had the joy and opportunity to travel to Souhampton, NY and speak at the New Thought Spiritual Center of Eastern Long Island (here)

This group is locoated 110 miles east of NJ and in a beautiful area of nature, sand and ocean. Started by Rev Marguerite Lewis and continued by others after 'Maggie' made her transition, her legacy remains with this list of fine Science of Mind statements. They are short and crisp reminders of the New Thought Philosophy. Thank you Nick and everyone for your warmth and gracious hospitality.

MAGGIE’S FAVORITE SAYINGS

“It is done unto you as you believe”

“Right where the pain is—God is”

“Short prayers pierce Heaven”

“Celebrate your epiphanies!”

“God don’t make no junk”

“Do not futurize your good!”

“Clarify before you Unify”

“Harmony is Heaven’s first law”

“That which I am seeking is seeking me”

“Act like a bouncer at the gate of your thoughts”

“Argue for your limitations and that is what you’ll get”

“The Spirit that has brought me this far will take me the rest of the way”

“Don’t tell God how big your problems are—tell your problems how big your God is”

“There is not a disease to be healed, but a perfect being to be revealed”

“We learn through inspiration or desperation. It is up to us.”

“There is not something to do, there is something to know”

“Everything that comes to you, comes to bless you”

“Thought + Feeling = Demonstration”

“Do not ask for success and prepare for failure”

“God is always home, it is we who take a walk”

Ease and Grace (1)

Life is about remembering and living as our Divine nature in everyday situations. With this mindset, with this consciousness, our daily activities unfold more easily. The materialist point of view always looks for specific measurements or results that can be sensed. The viewpoint of the idealist is that inner wisdom is the source of all outcomes. I like to look at my life as a blend of idealist thinking integrated with my skills of discernment on how to do things in the physical world. Being at comfort with this there is no resistance in my life.

The Beloved Interfaith Community Church distributes a daily message(sign up on site)that today reminded me of the Grace in life.

"To offer no resistance to life is to be in a state of grace, ease, and
lightness. This state is then no longer dependent upon things being in a
certain way, good or bad. It seems almost paradoxical, yet when your
inner dependency on form is gone, the general conditions of your life,
the outer forms, tend to improve greatly. Things, people, or conditions
that you thought you needed for your happiness now come to you with no
struggle or effort on your part, and you are free to enjoy and
appreciate them - while they last. All those things, of course, will
still pass away, cycles will come and go, but with dependency gone there
is no fear of loss anymore. Life flows with ease. "

--Eckhart Tolle

Name That Author

I'm reading a 1970 biography of Ernest Holmes, written by his brother Fenwicke. In it I found this quote:
"There is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter. All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all. Spirit is immortal Truth; matter is mortal error. Spirit is the real and eternal; matter is the unreal and temporal. Spirit is God, and man is His image and likeness. Therefore man is not material; he is spiritual."
I was surprised when I learned who wrote it.
Stumped? Look here.

The Genius Dialog

I'm working on a clearer articulation on individual uniqueness, aura or personal magic. Let me share the process - a silent dialog on genius.
What is genius?  From Emerson's Essay Spiritual Laws--
"A man's genius, the quality that differences him from every other, the susceptibility to one class of influences, the selection of what is fit for him, the rejection of what is unfit, determines for him the character of the universe. A man is a method, a progressive arrangement; a selecting principle, gathering his like to him, wherever he goes." and in Self  Reliance --
"It may be safely trusted as proportionate and of good issues, so it be faithfully imparted, but God will not have his work made manifest by cowards. A man is relieved and gay when he has put his heart into his work and done his best; but what he has said or done otherwise, shall give him no peace. It is a deliverance which does not deliver. In the attempt his genius deserts him; no muse befriends; no invention, no hope."

Our genius is the expression we do in living or in our our work where we put our heart into the activity and have done our best. It is as a divine pressure or voltage operating through us that wants to deliver an electron flow or current of natural creativity. Genius is the pulse, the squirt of beauty, the magic that is a skill, an approach when you feel a supreme dose of 'Yes!'. In reference to Emerson, genius was the force attempting to come through you- it is unique to you. It is not a statement of an intelligence level or IQ. In the 1840's you would not say, "He is a genius!". Instead you might say, "He expresses his genius in everything he does".

An Exercise To Understand and Reveal Your Genius
Follow these steps in an exercise to explore and recognize your genius. Allow 15-20 minutes, more is fine.

• First, come to a meditative state with music, walking, breath or whatever works for you. Have a pen and pad available for any notes.
• When you feel relaxed ask the question "What is my genius?. Sit in the quiet and listen to what comes as the answer
• Write down the words or images. Ask the question again, "What is my genius?" 
• Continue with this question, "What is my emerging genius?" During our lives we are always developing our skills and recognizing our joys and passion of expression. This meditation recognizes today and allow for greater genius tomorrow.
• From the past, look for things you have expressed or created and see how your genius came through.
• Going forward, whenever you think about a new plan, a new manifestation or creation look to see if it speaks to your genius. 

The genius is a natural or inherent idea, like the spring flowing out of the ground, like the birds flying against the sun setting sky- it pours out, without effort, and in grace. When you are operating from your points of genius you and the world receive all your good. Let this exercise be a natural guidance to the genius that is you.

A New Pledge on this Independence Day

Dr David Ault is an musician and minister at the Conscious Mile Center for Spiritual Living in Mobile, Alabama. He prepared this 7 minute inspirational segment titled 'A New Pledge'. Watch and listen or simply listen in the background.

May I Join the Choir Invisible

 Yesterday at the Center for Spiritual Living, Morristown, NJ we celebrated the Installation of a new Staff Minister, Rev Stephen Bartlett. Rev Stephen will lead the Youth Ministries for the Center. You can see the pictures of his Installation.  The Director of the Center, Rev Frankie Timmers has been a minister and teacher for over 20 years and Stephen is just one of 8 ministers she has  guided and trained.

So as an individual, as a minister this poem by George Eliot speaks loudly.

O May I Join the Choir Invisible!

O may I join the choir invisible
Of those immortal dead who live again
In minds made better by their presence; live
In pulses stirred to generosity,
In deeds of daring rectitude, in scorn
Of miserable aims that end with self,
In thoughts sublime that pierce the night like stars,
And with their mild persistence urge men's minds
To vaster issues.

....

 May I reach
That purest heaven--be to other souls
The cup of strength in some great agony,
Enkindle generous ardor, feed pure love,
Beget the smiles that have no cruelty,
Be the sweet presence of a good diffused,
And in diffusion ever more intense!
So shall I join the choir invisible
Whose music is the gladness of the world.

~ George Eliot ~ 1895

Expansion of Knowledge

This year is the 50th anniversary of the invention of the laser. It is being promoted by the American Physical Society on a website called LaserFest. What drew my attention was the amazing timeline of the inventions which has led to 8 Nobel prizes over the period. From CD and DVD players to defense systems, space applications and optical communications, the invention of the laser has expanded the way we live. It is a demonstration of the Law of Natural Growth described by Thomas Troward (1847-1916) in his Edinburgh Lectures. This law says that the Universe, Nature, Mankind has a natural tendency to expand. Where once was the chance to stimulate microwaves and amplify them further research expanded the principles to light radiation, then to electrons then to x-rays. Each invention relying on foundation principles of the previous generation. This is the way knowledge grows. You see it in humans, science and in understanding spiritual principles.

Parenting with Spirit

I like how Unitarian Universalists (UU's) organize and create their youth education programs. They have a well developed curriculum and many churches have a full time Director of Religious Education and a formal year long 'coming of age' program for teens. They also teach about human sexuality and responsibility in the OWL (Our Whole Lives) curriculum. It is impressive.

This spring I took a course at the local UU Society and today found the blog on UU Parenting . Written by Michelle Richards, it covers a diverse set of topics applicable to families of any faith. Families who support their children in the developing their spiritual awareness create great opportunities to share experiences that enrich family life. In the April 26 topic, "Spiritual practices for children and youth" Ms. Richards points out how youth and teens have different methods of processing their spiritual essence and provides suggestions on how parents can integrate practices into their family life. Take a read and see what fits for you and your family.

The Re-creation

This dawn I am reminded of the re-creation story where out of dormancy nature comes alive and springs forth in color and grand form. This is my favorite time of year and each year I witness and participate in re-creation. I walk in amazement.

The process became visible nearly a month ago when the silver maples showed their red buds and contrasted new growth with white snow. It continued as the bulbs pushed up through the ground and last weekend the yellows of forsythia moved from green to yellow to brighter yellow. Every day each leaf comes alive as it remembers its beauty in color and shape. The deer who last month dug through snow looking for food now browse the woods in the abundance and opportunity of new branches.

Oh Divine Mind, my mind, One Mind.
Today I see, today I know the joy of re-birth
The joy of re-creation
Like the sap moving to the tree top
My mind flows with great creativity and inspiration
I participate in the beauty of this world
Seeing its abundance I claim this abundance as mine
I am grateful for this re-creation
And know this is the Divine in motion
This is the Divine Life. This is my life.
And So It is. Amen.

No Separation

In the 1866 Mary Baker Eddy founded a religious group called First Church of Christ Scientists or more commonly called, Christian Science. Eddy was so clear that the her interpretations were absolute that Christian Science still today only use her text, 'Science and Health with Keys to the Scriptures'. Her belief in healing prayer was so strong that she mandated practicing Christian Scientists could not work with physicians or apply medical practice to an illness. When faced with a health challenge members are directed toward a trained Christian Science Practictioner who provides prayer support for the healing.

Now a century later, people are having difficulty believing prayer is the only method of healing. The New York Times reported last week the church is now opening itself to the use of medicine to accompany prayer. Faced with declining membership and several losing legal battles where medical procedures were denied to children something needed to shift.

I see it this way- When you look at the seen (the visible world) and the unseen there is no separation. While our power of observation works well at the macro level we are aware of a greater knowing that is harder to describe or apply linearly to the areas that are unseen.  The nature of Science has been to reveal and predict the behavior of the unseen. And the beauty of the Infinite is that when you think you understand it all, there is more unseen to understand. As the Universe creates humans, it creates them as perfection. That means perfect health is by design. When there is disharmony in the mind, or dis-ease, the body takes on the illness.  Thus prayer that is used to reset an individual's knowing of their own physical perfection is powerful. It is healing. And the medical procedures, the drugs that help the cells come back to health are also part of the Universe in operation. They could not have been created without human research and experimentation. Taking a pill does not take away from using healing prayer, there is a continuum of the seen and the unseen. There is no separation between the seen and the unseen.

Synthetic & Creative Imagination

I'm taking a 14 week class based on the book "Think and Grow Rich" by Napoleon Hill. In the early 1900's Hill was commissioned by Andrew Carnegie to investigate the characteristics of successful people.  The book is the result of his research. At the beginning each person creates their desire statement which is read twice a day during the 14 weeks. It goes as "I desire ____ dollars to be in my hands by the end of this class, April 6.  I am willing to (do or give up) _________ to receive this.  I intend to possess this money by _____ ". During the week we gather in groups to discuss and support other class members in achieving their desire.

The topic this week is imagination.  I have a rich imagination which shows up as ideas, images, words, phrases, dreams or all of the above.  In classes I teach both two areas of imagination- visualization and visioning. Visualization is the picturing or acting out in the mind an activity or upcoming event.  Visualizations can be guided by a leader or like a baseball player or golfer you can picture yourself  doing the activity as a way of preparing for the event.

In the other method, visioning, one person leads a process of meditation and asks a series of questions designed to reveal more information about the new idea.

With that background I thoroughly enjoyed and understood Napoleon Hill's definitions of imagination. He said, "Our only limitation, within reason, lies in our development and use of our imagination."..."The imaginative faculty functions in two forms. One is known as "synthetic imagination: and the other as 'creative imagination.'"
"Synthetic Imagination: Through this faculty, one may arrange old concepts, ideas, or plans into new combinations.This faculty creates nothing. It merely works with the material of experience, education, and observation with which it is fed."
"Creative Imagination: Through the faculty of creative imagination, the finite mind of man has direct communication with Infinite Intelligence; It is the faculty through which 'hunches' and 'inspirations' are received. It is by this faculty that all basic or new ideas are handed over to man."

So writings from two different eras, describing the same thing. Synthetic Imagination is equivalent to visualizing and reforming the current known order. while Creative Imagination is open at the top.  How do you use your imagination? Using these methods you can enhance and extend your use of imagination...and create new ideas.

Knowing this Day

Let this affirmative prayer always begin your day-

In this moment and all moments I know the Divine Presence. The infinite applied through me as Ease and Grace in every activity I take on. Where there is struggle I now see new ways in mind to the outcome. I fully access my creative nature...I fully access God within in my work and my life today. It is in that way that I wake up, prepare, engage and complete my work today. I know the Universe supports me, I support me, my surroundings support me, my friends and family support me and the great unfolding happening now. As I participate in this activity of life even more life pours through me. I am so blessed. I am so full. I am so capable. I am Divine activity and love in action all at the same time. With open arms I embrace the I Am that I am. I accept my greater good. I celebrate it all. And knowing all this is already done I release this word into law. My mind is clear and it is most certainly so!