Can we get over our tiny selves to gain the whole world?

Unitarian Universalists covenant together to affirm and promote the respect for the interdependent web of all existence of which we are a part. It is more than respect that is required. It is Love for the interdependent web and the awareness that the interdependent web is not separate from us but IS us.

Systems thinking helps us understand that the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. With our Aristotelian logic and reductionist scientific method we gain power over phenomena by reducing the whole to its component parts and at the same time that linear, reductionist thinking enhances our understanding it also leaves us not seeing the forest for the trees.

When we talk about the Christ we are talking about the Oneness of humanity. The bumper sticker says, "You are unique like everyone else." We are separate but part of the whole. We are drops in the ocean. It is from the Oneness that we have appeared to manifest the divinity on this earth plane. Most of us, in a daze, think that the earth plane is all there is and is "reality." Some of us have seen behind the veil and know that there is more, another dimension, which we intuitively sense, but can't clearly see.

We sometimes experience revelation. It is written in A Course In Miracles, "Revelation induces complete but temporary suspension of doubt and fear. It reflects the original form of communication between God and His creations, involving the extremely personal sense of creation sometimes sought in physical relationships." T-1.II.1:1-2 This sense of Oneness is sometimes referred to as a mystical experience. In our contemporary times, with more psychological sophistication, we call this experience "flow."

This revelatory experience is possible with our surrendering to the Holy Spirit which links our desire to be special and separate with the truth which is that special and separate is an illusion because we are so much more if only we could get over our tiny self and become aware of the glorious Oneness of which we are a part.

Suggested Spiritual Practices #4 - Random acts of kindness

One day this week, perform five acts of kindness—all five in one day. It doesn’t matter if the acts are big or small, but it is more effective if you perform a variety of acts.

The acts do not need to be for the same person—the person doesn’t even have to be aware of them. Examples include feeding a stranger's parking meter, donating blood, helping a friend with a chore, or providing a meal to a person in need.

After each act, write down what you did in at least one or two sentences; for more of a happiness boost, also write down how it made you feel.

For more click here.

Editor's note:

Kindness should be a way of life not just some random acts, but a practice has to start somewhere. So start with 5 random acts of kindness in a single day and then go from there. The more practice the better you will get at it. It will become a natural way of life.

In case you were wondering....

Prophetic voices and events - St. Elizabeth Ann Seton

Today, January 4, is the feast day of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton who died in 1921 at the age of 46. She is the first native born American to be canonized a saint in the Roman Catholic Church.




For more click here.

Question of the day

What is precious to you in your life?

What makes you tick?

Unitarian Universalism is a living tradition which is shared drawing from many sources, six of which are articulated. The first source is the "direct experience of that transcending mystery and wonder, affirmed in all cultures, which moves us to a renewal of spirit and an openness to the forces which create and uphold life." That's quite a statement which one can get lost in and confused by but simply means what is your experience of your experience? Reflect on it and you can learn a lot and it can bring you peace.

Ask most people, "What makes you tick," they can't tell you. They look at you annoyed, confused, and perhaps intrigued.

Socrates said that an unexamined life is not worth living. How many people do you know live examined lives? Do you?

We are so focused on the external world we rarely explore our inner kingdom. It is vast, mysterious, at first frightening, and then glorious.

Freud taught us that we have two minds: the conscious and the unconscious. The unconscious mind is revealed somewhat in dreams, in slips of the tongue, in acting out. Freud said that we can either talk it out or act it out. Children act it out, but as their vocabulary and self awareness increases they are able to talk it out. Talking it out is usually perceived as a sign of maturity.

Jesus told us that the kingdom of God is within and among us. If we are to grow spiritually, we need to explore that kingdom. Traditionally, this was called "contemplation". Some prefer the term "reflection."

Do you take time throughout the day to reflect on your experience? In educational pedagogical theory this is also called "meta cognition" which simply means thinking about what you think. What condition is your condition in?

Ask yourself "Why do I think what I think," Why do I feel what I feel," Why do I behave the way I behave," "What is the level of understanding that I have of what makes me tick?"

Suggested Spiritual practice of the day #3 Three Good Things

Before bedtime think in your mind of three good things that happened to you that day. They may be big things or little things. Things at the time you knew were good or only recognized during your review. You will find you go to sleep with a positive, peaceful frame of mind and feel more grateful for the great mystery of your life.

For more information click here.