Unitarian Universalists are a generous people who covenant together to affirm and promote seven principles all of which pertain to creating heaven on earth. However, like many such aspirants, they engage in their mission with strings attached which hamper their efforts.
When we wish people well and help them, if we worry about the outcome of our well wishes and efforts we have not really helped them. Our well wishes and help is conditional on the giver's expectations and requirements being fulfilled. What was offered was conditional and not freely and unconditionally given. The question then arises should the well wishes and help be offered again? The answer is "no" not until the giver gets his/her frame of mind in the right place first.
What is the right mind? It is one of Unconditional Love for oneself and others. With Unconditional Love the giver has turned his/her will over to his/her Higher Power who is working through him/her. The giver has decided to become one with the all and sees the recipient as part of oneself and therefore any help extended to another is help extended to oneself. In this right mind, well wishing and help never fail, indeed, cannot fail. Failure is impossible.
When well wishing and help is extended from the right mind, it never has be repeated because it's goal is always achieved.
When you wish people well and extend help, do so unconditionally as a conduit of grace of the Higher Power, the Spirit of Life to further the achievement of the Atonement.
An online magazine of faith based on a free and responsible search for truth and meaning. The mission of Unitarian Universalism: A Way Of Life ministries is to provide information, teach skills, and clarify values to facilitate the evolutionary development of increasingly higher levels of spiritual development for human beings around the world.
Showing posts with label Teacher of God. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Teacher of God. Show all posts
Sunday, April 1, 2018
Help offered should be done so unconditionally
Thursday, March 29, 2018
UUs third principle and the function of the teacher of God
Unitarian Universalists covenant together to affirm and promote the acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth. A person can't give what (s)he doesn't have.
The assumption in principle three is that UUs are already on the path of the spirit and have left the path of the ego. Observation will demonstrate that some UUs have left the path of the ego for the path of the spirit and some haven't. Jesus said to be aware of wolves in sheep's clothing and "by their fruit you shall know them."
A teacher of God is anyone who is on the path of the spirit and has left the path of the ego. What is the function of a teacher of God?
It is simply to remind people that they have a choice between the path of the ego and the path of the spirit.
Most people don't even know that a choice exists. The path of the ego is all they know because that is what they have been taught. It has been taught to them by parents who don't know either. It is a case of the blind leading the blind.
Usually in crisis, a person will question what they have been taught. In the midst of great disillusionment, it dawns on them that there must be a better way. It is at this moment, that the teacher of God appears, as an enlightened witness, to remind them of what is already theirs but which they have forgotten and not been consciously aware.
The teacher of God demonstrates from his/her own life and with his/her validating encouragement that "yes, there is a better way," and encourages the person to forgive their earlier mistakes in walking the path of the ego and all those who encouraged them to, and turn onto the path of the spirit which involves a surrender of one's will, one's ego to the Divine.
This surrender of one's ego can fill a person with great fear of engulfment and dissolution and it is with reassurance from the teacher of God that the seeker can take the risk.
People avoid the "risk of change." The person wants things to be different, but their fears keep them from initiating the steps to actually begin that change. They think that it may be better to "dance with the devil they know than the devil they don't know," but what they don't realize is that while they have been dancing with the devil on the path of the ego, there is no devil on the path of the spirit only Unconditional Love.
It is the encouragement from the teacher of God that allows the person to take the risk and let go of the path of ego and enter onto the path of the spirit which is within in them all along, but their awareness had been blocked by their worship of idols which had promised to make them happy.
The function of the teacher of God is threefold. First, the teacher of God is a reminder that there is, indeed, a better way. Second, the teacher of God validates the person's desire and wish to pursue it. Thirdly, the teacher of God encourages the person to take the risk of surrendering their attachment to the path of the ego and initiate their search on the path of the spirit for Oneness with the Divine which brings, peace, joy, and bliss.
The assumption in principle three is that UUs are already on the path of the spirit and have left the path of the ego. Observation will demonstrate that some UUs have left the path of the ego for the path of the spirit and some haven't. Jesus said to be aware of wolves in sheep's clothing and "by their fruit you shall know them."
A teacher of God is anyone who is on the path of the spirit and has left the path of the ego. What is the function of a teacher of God?
It is simply to remind people that they have a choice between the path of the ego and the path of the spirit.
Most people don't even know that a choice exists. The path of the ego is all they know because that is what they have been taught. It has been taught to them by parents who don't know either. It is a case of the blind leading the blind.
Usually in crisis, a person will question what they have been taught. In the midst of great disillusionment, it dawns on them that there must be a better way. It is at this moment, that the teacher of God appears, as an enlightened witness, to remind them of what is already theirs but which they have forgotten and not been consciously aware.
The teacher of God demonstrates from his/her own life and with his/her validating encouragement that "yes, there is a better way," and encourages the person to forgive their earlier mistakes in walking the path of the ego and all those who encouraged them to, and turn onto the path of the spirit which involves a surrender of one's will, one's ego to the Divine.
This surrender of one's ego can fill a person with great fear of engulfment and dissolution and it is with reassurance from the teacher of God that the seeker can take the risk.
People avoid the "risk of change." The person wants things to be different, but their fears keep them from initiating the steps to actually begin that change. They think that it may be better to "dance with the devil they know than the devil they don't know," but what they don't realize is that while they have been dancing with the devil on the path of the ego, there is no devil on the path of the spirit only Unconditional Love.
It is the encouragement from the teacher of God that allows the person to take the risk and let go of the path of ego and enter onto the path of the spirit which is within in them all along, but their awareness had been blocked by their worship of idols which had promised to make them happy.
The function of the teacher of God is threefold. First, the teacher of God is a reminder that there is, indeed, a better way. Second, the teacher of God validates the person's desire and wish to pursue it. Thirdly, the teacher of God encourages the person to take the risk of surrendering their attachment to the path of the ego and initiate their search on the path of the spirit for Oneness with the Divine which brings, peace, joy, and bliss.
Monday, March 12, 2018
There are teachers of God among us to help us find our way
Unitarian Universalists covenant together to affirm and promote the acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth. This encouragement requires that all UUs become teachers of God.
There are many ways to remembering the Love of God. And there are many teachers of these ways. They all lead to the same place, the experience of the Oneness of God's creation.
This experience arises when the blocks and obstacles to the awareness of Its presence are removed. What are the signs of this experience? The signs are peace, bliss, and gratitude.
The teachers of God hasten the experience by taking steps to help us remove the blocks and obstacles to the awareness.
The idols of the world that we worship bring a weariness to our souls that fill us with anguish and sometimes suicidal thoughts. We get to the point at which we don't want to go on. It dawns on us that there must be a better way. With this dawning, there is a turning to the search, and when we begin seeking, the teacher of God appears to guide us on better way.
The teacher of God may say a word, perform a kindness, manifest an example that removes a block or obstacle to our awareness of Love's presence. The teacher of God may not know what (s)he's lesson has meant to us and done for us, but a miracle has occurred. A breach between our detour on the path of the ego from the path of the spirit has been repaired and we feel we are back on the right track.
Teachers of God are a blessing in the world. They continue to learn right along with us. Helping us, helps themselves, and their work on themselves, helps us.
We are here, in this world, to learn. What we chose to learn makes the difference. Do we want to study and learn the ways of the ego, or do we want to study and learn the ways of the spirit? Do we want to continue our separation from God, or learn how to return to the Divine? The choice is ours to make and there are teachers of God among us to help.
There are many ways to remembering the Love of God. And there are many teachers of these ways. They all lead to the same place, the experience of the Oneness of God's creation.
This experience arises when the blocks and obstacles to the awareness of Its presence are removed. What are the signs of this experience? The signs are peace, bliss, and gratitude.
The teachers of God hasten the experience by taking steps to help us remove the blocks and obstacles to the awareness.
The idols of the world that we worship bring a weariness to our souls that fill us with anguish and sometimes suicidal thoughts. We get to the point at which we don't want to go on. It dawns on us that there must be a better way. With this dawning, there is a turning to the search, and when we begin seeking, the teacher of God appears to guide us on better way.
The teacher of God may say a word, perform a kindness, manifest an example that removes a block or obstacle to our awareness of Love's presence. The teacher of God may not know what (s)he's lesson has meant to us and done for us, but a miracle has occurred. A breach between our detour on the path of the ego from the path of the spirit has been repaired and we feel we are back on the right track.
Teachers of God are a blessing in the world. They continue to learn right along with us. Helping us, helps themselves, and their work on themselves, helps us.
We are here, in this world, to learn. What we chose to learn makes the difference. Do we want to study and learn the ways of the ego, or do we want to study and learn the ways of the spirit? Do we want to continue our separation from God, or learn how to return to the Divine? The choice is ours to make and there are teachers of God among us to help.
Sunday, March 11, 2018
What is a teacher of God?
Unitarian Universalists covenant together to affirm and promote seven principles. What all these principles have in common is the belief in the Love for one another.
The slogan is "One for all and all for one."
Another way of putting it is, "We are all in this thing called Life together."
John Lennon, the great contemporary prophet, sang, "Imagine."
Who is a teacher of God?
The teacher of God it is written in A Course In Miracles is the person who "...has made a deliberate choice in which he did not see his interests as part from someone else's. Once he has done that, his road is established and his direction is sure."
When a person wants the best for another person because (s)he understands that that is what is best for everyone, an important step has been taken for the salvation of the world. An important step has been taken toward the Atonement, At-one-ment, when every body loves every body all the time.
The wanting what is best for another person is called Love. The opposite of Love is fear and fear is based on the belief in scarcity. The belief in scarcity leads to a belief in "me before you" or "me instead of you" and "give to get."
The teacher of God operates on different principles and beliefs. The teacher of God believes in the abundance of God's Love, and "give to have" and "your well being is my well being," and "one for all and all for one."
The slogan is "One for all and all for one."
Another way of putting it is, "We are all in this thing called Life together."
John Lennon, the great contemporary prophet, sang, "Imagine."
Who is a teacher of God?
The teacher of God it is written in A Course In Miracles is the person who "...has made a deliberate choice in which he did not see his interests as part from someone else's. Once he has done that, his road is established and his direction is sure."
When a person wants the best for another person because (s)he understands that that is what is best for everyone, an important step has been taken for the salvation of the world. An important step has been taken toward the Atonement, At-one-ment, when every body loves every body all the time.
The wanting what is best for another person is called Love. The opposite of Love is fear and fear is based on the belief in scarcity. The belief in scarcity leads to a belief in "me before you" or "me instead of you" and "give to get."
The teacher of God operates on different principles and beliefs. The teacher of God believes in the abundance of God's Love, and "give to have" and "your well being is my well being," and "one for all and all for one."
Saturday, March 10, 2018
What are you teaching?
Unitarian Universalists covenant together to affirm and promote the acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth. However, you can't give what you don't have, can't share that which is not yours to begin with.
So, the first thing for Unitarian Universalists to consider is their own state of spiritual well being. Are you walking the path of the ego or the path of the spirit? What is it that you believe about yourself and others fundamentally?
You teach what you believe you are and what you believe others are to you. It is not so much about what you say but how you say it. It is not so much about what you say as what you believe to be true about yourself and others.
It is written in A Course In Miracles, "The self-deceiving must deceive, for they teach deception. And what else is hell?"
When I encounter the self-deceiving I either laugh or cry. What else is there?
Sometimes with a gentle laugh I will say, "You know that thing that you do?" or "You know that thing that always seems to happen to you.?"
For most people, self-deception is unconscious. They are not aware of the habitual patterns of behavior, fueled by false beliefs, reinforced by misperceptions and faulty generalizations that have trapped them into a hell which they think will provide them with happiness.
Along comes a teacher of God who suggests to them that there might be a better way. There is a better way to think, and a better way to behave. With this better way there is a feeling of peace and not just happiness but joy and bliss.
The teacher of God often has no idea what (s)he has said or done to nudge the person onto a better path. The teacher of God has no control over the outcome. The teacher of God just does what (s)he does and turns the consequences over to their Higher Power.
All the teacher of God has done is make a choice to leave the path of the ego and journey on the path of the Spirit. This choice generates forgiveness and in forgiving themselves and others for their previous mistaken choices, gratitude for Love's presence in their lives wells up and exudes a fragrance as beautiful and lovely as one has ever experienced. This experience of God's Love is contagious.
Walking the path of the ego, people teach hell, and walking the path of the spirit people teach heaven. What are you teaching? What do you wish to learn?
As Stephen Gaskin taught, in the last analysis all we have to offer another is our own state of being. What state is your state of being in? What path are you walking?
So, the first thing for Unitarian Universalists to consider is their own state of spiritual well being. Are you walking the path of the ego or the path of the spirit? What is it that you believe about yourself and others fundamentally?
You teach what you believe you are and what you believe others are to you. It is not so much about what you say but how you say it. It is not so much about what you say as what you believe to be true about yourself and others.
It is written in A Course In Miracles, "The self-deceiving must deceive, for they teach deception. And what else is hell?"
When I encounter the self-deceiving I either laugh or cry. What else is there?
Sometimes with a gentle laugh I will say, "You know that thing that you do?" or "You know that thing that always seems to happen to you.?"
For most people, self-deception is unconscious. They are not aware of the habitual patterns of behavior, fueled by false beliefs, reinforced by misperceptions and faulty generalizations that have trapped them into a hell which they think will provide them with happiness.
Along comes a teacher of God who suggests to them that there might be a better way. There is a better way to think, and a better way to behave. With this better way there is a feeling of peace and not just happiness but joy and bliss.
The teacher of God often has no idea what (s)he has said or done to nudge the person onto a better path. The teacher of God has no control over the outcome. The teacher of God just does what (s)he does and turns the consequences over to their Higher Power.
All the teacher of God has done is make a choice to leave the path of the ego and journey on the path of the Spirit. This choice generates forgiveness and in forgiving themselves and others for their previous mistaken choices, gratitude for Love's presence in their lives wells up and exudes a fragrance as beautiful and lovely as one has ever experienced. This experience of God's Love is contagious.
Walking the path of the ego, people teach hell, and walking the path of the spirit people teach heaven. What are you teaching? What do you wish to learn?
As Stephen Gaskin taught, in the last analysis all we have to offer another is our own state of being. What state is your state of being in? What path are you walking?
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Friday, March 9, 2018
Teach what you want to learn
The third of seven principles of Unitarian Univeralism asks us to covenant together to affirm and promote the acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth. This "encouragement" is a form of teaching. We teach all the time by demonstrating through our thoughts, feelings, and behavior what we believe.
Are you a teacher of God or a teacher of the ego?
It is written in A Course In Miracles, "Any situation must be to you a chance to teach others what you are, and what they are to you. No more than that, but also never less."
Stephen Gaskin said that the only thing we have to share with others is our own state of being.
It also is important to understand that we are teaching all the time and that we learn what we teach. It is written in ACIM "It (the course) also emphasizes that teaching is a constant process; it goes on every moment of the day, and continues into sleeping thoughts as well." A little further it is written, "Teaching is but a call to witnesses to attest to what you believe."
We must choose what we wish to learn and what we wish to teach. Do we want to teach about the idols on the path of the ego or about the attributes of the Divine on the path of the spirit?
It is simple really. Do we want money, power, fame, sex, social status, approval, drama, or do we want peace, love, and bliss?
Are you a teacher of God or a teacher of the ego?
It is written in A Course In Miracles, "Any situation must be to you a chance to teach others what you are, and what they are to you. No more than that, but also never less."
Stephen Gaskin said that the only thing we have to share with others is our own state of being.
It also is important to understand that we are teaching all the time and that we learn what we teach. It is written in ACIM "It (the course) also emphasizes that teaching is a constant process; it goes on every moment of the day, and continues into sleeping thoughts as well." A little further it is written, "Teaching is but a call to witnesses to attest to what you believe."
We must choose what we wish to learn and what we wish to teach. Do we want to teach about the idols on the path of the ego or about the attributes of the Divine on the path of the spirit?
It is simple really. Do we want money, power, fame, sex, social status, approval, drama, or do we want peace, love, and bliss?
Tuesday, January 9, 2018
What have you come here to teach?
The first of the six sources for the living tradition of Unitarian Universalism is "direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder..." The second source is "Words and deeds of prophetic women and men..."
Do you understand your role as a prophet? We are told in A Course Of Miracles that we all our teachers. By virtue of the fact that we are alive and interact with others and with life, we teach what we believe. Some people are more aware of what they believe and teach more intentionally than others. If you were to teach more deliberately, what would you teach?
Did you ever wonder why you were born, what the purpose of your life is?
They say there are no two snowflakes alike. There are no two human beings exactly alike, even identical twins. So why did God go to all the trouble to make each one of us unique?
And why were you born at this point in human history? Why not 500 years earlier or 1,000 years later? Why now?
During this lifetime, your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to figure out why you were created to become the person you are destined to become, and why you were born at this point in human history. There must be a reason, otherwise, why would God, the Creator, go to all this trouble?
How do you discern God's will for you, to become the person you were created to become, and to do at this point in human history, what you came here to do?
The essential strategy of discernment is to ask the Holy Spirit, your muse, the Spirit of Life, whatever you want to call your source of inspiration, for help. Discernment is not a solo activity. We all need help. Not only can we not do this alone, we shouldn't do it alone because we will, undoubtedly, on our own, go astray.
Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:7-8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Neale Donald Walsch in his Conversations With God books tells us that God is talking to us all the time. It is we who are not tuned in and not listening.
We are so distracted these days with media and so many consumer choices and so much drama that we rarely pay attention. To tune in and listen to the Holy Spirit, our muse, the Spirit of Life, we need quiet, stillness, silence. The Holy Spirit does not speak above the roar that we create in our won minds and hearts.
What we need to do is shut up. Stop. Step down. Back off. Disengage. Get quiet. Listen.
The Christmas song says, "Do you hear what I hear? A song, a song, high above the trees, with a voice as big as the sea......."
Today, take some time to listen, at least twice, and more if you can tear yourself away, and make time for your muse. Try to understand your purpose in this life and then endeavor to do God's will to Love yourself and humanity.
Do you understand your role as a prophet? We are told in A Course Of Miracles that we all our teachers. By virtue of the fact that we are alive and interact with others and with life, we teach what we believe. Some people are more aware of what they believe and teach more intentionally than others. If you were to teach more deliberately, what would you teach?
Did you ever wonder why you were born, what the purpose of your life is?
They say there are no two snowflakes alike. There are no two human beings exactly alike, even identical twins. So why did God go to all the trouble to make each one of us unique?
And why were you born at this point in human history? Why not 500 years earlier or 1,000 years later? Why now?
During this lifetime, your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to figure out why you were created to become the person you are destined to become, and why you were born at this point in human history. There must be a reason, otherwise, why would God, the Creator, go to all this trouble?
How do you discern God's will for you, to become the person you were created to become, and to do at this point in human history, what you came here to do?
The essential strategy of discernment is to ask the Holy Spirit, your muse, the Spirit of Life, whatever you want to call your source of inspiration, for help. Discernment is not a solo activity. We all need help. Not only can we not do this alone, we shouldn't do it alone because we will, undoubtedly, on our own, go astray.
Jesus tells us in Matthew 7:7-8 Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you: 8 For every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened.
Neale Donald Walsch in his Conversations With God books tells us that God is talking to us all the time. It is we who are not tuned in and not listening.
We are so distracted these days with media and so many consumer choices and so much drama that we rarely pay attention. To tune in and listen to the Holy Spirit, our muse, the Spirit of Life, we need quiet, stillness, silence. The Holy Spirit does not speak above the roar that we create in our won minds and hearts.
What we need to do is shut up. Stop. Step down. Back off. Disengage. Get quiet. Listen.
The Christmas song says, "Do you hear what I hear? A song, a song, high above the trees, with a voice as big as the sea......."
Today, take some time to listen, at least twice, and more if you can tear yourself away, and make time for your muse. Try to understand your purpose in this life and then endeavor to do God's will to Love yourself and humanity.
Sunday, October 1, 2017
Truth and meaning is based more on what I do than what I say
The fourth principle of Unitarian Universalism is to covenant together to affirm and promote the free and responsible search for truth and meaning. If you wonder what the truth is and what it means watch what people do; watch what I do. What kind of choices do I make? What kinds of actions do I engage in?
If you are spiritually mature, you understand that you are a teacher of God by your example, the life you have created, the values you act on, the opinions, interpretations, and meanings you make and share. Actions speak louder than words and actions come from our beliefs about what it is we think we want to have happen.
The pupils of the life course we teach have been assigned to us often by circumstances that we can't account for. They come into our lives because there is something they can learn from us and us from them.
A person asked Mother Teresa, "Jesus said that the way to the kingdom is to love as I have loved and I wonder whom should I love?" Mother Teresa replied, "Love whomever Life puts in your path."
Stephen Gaskin said one time that in the end all we have to offer another human being is our own state of existence. So what condition is your condition in? We need to be attentive to our own well being if we are to be of any help to anyone else. People should follow the airplane rule and put their own oxygen mask on first, then attend to the needs of others.
If you are spiritually mature, you understand that you are a teacher of God by your example, the life you have created, the values you act on, the opinions, interpretations, and meanings you make and share. Actions speak louder than words and actions come from our beliefs about what it is we think we want to have happen.
The pupils of the life course we teach have been assigned to us often by circumstances that we can't account for. They come into our lives because there is something they can learn from us and us from them.
A person asked Mother Teresa, "Jesus said that the way to the kingdom is to love as I have loved and I wonder whom should I love?" Mother Teresa replied, "Love whomever Life puts in your path."
Stephen Gaskin said one time that in the end all we have to offer another human being is our own state of existence. So what condition is your condition in? We need to be attentive to our own well being if we are to be of any help to anyone else. People should follow the airplane rule and put their own oxygen mask on first, then attend to the needs of others.
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