Rev. Linda Pendergrass, my first Unity minister, opened doorways I'd explored - but I didn't know others were traveling. That was in the mid-80's and people were just awakening to the ideas that are so ubiquitous today. Back then - at least in Dallas-Ft Worth - Border's had no section for metaphysical books. And if we wanted to read something of a spiritual nature during a flight, we wrapped it in a book jacket to avoid unwanted comments.
Anyway, Linda introduced me to the idea of "living the question." Instead of looking for immediate answers, which bring closure, questions provide a lens of curiosity and wonderment through which to view the world. Questions open our minds and our hearts to new possibilities.
Bob Dylan looks like a prophet more than ever. Do you remember his words, "the times, they are a changin"? Indeed. Walk into a Starbucks; check out the news via the internet; visit the hairdresser; watch what's happening in our workplaces; notice how families are shifting their budgets and spending more time with one another. "The times, they are a changin'.
Most of us have a love-hate relationship with change. So as not to be caught in the fear that is present around us, it's essential that we stay open so we see what is being born. Yes, systems are breaking down, but new ones will emerge. Remember the old metaphysical adage that says, "Where one door closes, another opens." So one question is "Which doors are opening?" Living the question is one way to see what's being born. Simply ask "what is being born" throughout your day and see what you discover.
By the way, certain types of questions are more powerful than others. "Why" questions are least useful in this context. They draw us into our analytical nature and deeper into the quagmire. Questions that ask "what" or reveal your best qualities and characteristics open doors.
Here are three wonderful questions: I'd love to hear any of y'all's responses!
1. When have I been fearless in my life?
2. Who am I called to be for these times?” This is about finding the bigger you that is called into the world to face the challenges of systemic collapse and bring the future into being.
3. “What name do I call myself?” This question invites us to choose a name for ourselves that's big enough for our whole life now. This is a name beyond who we are and who we have been. Akin to the Native American Vision Quest where a life path is revealed, a new direction and thus, a new name ... or the Hebrew tradition [Old Testament] where a new name is given to represent a new consciousness.
Responses, anyone?
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Humanity Ascending
Barbara Marx Hubbard, futurist and founder of the Foundation of Conscious Evolution (www.barbaramarxhubbard.com), asks "What is the meaning of our newly acquired powers that is good?"
Her response comes in a 7-part series called "Humanity Ascending."
OUR STORY is a movie that spans the history of the evolutionary journey of our species from the big bang to current times, where we find ourselves precariously standing at the edge of conscious evolution or self-destruction. Our storyteller, Barbara Marx Hubbard, provides the unique perspective of viewing our history through what she terms as "evolutionary eyes" as the unfoldment of a fourteen billion year journey of transformation that is now pressing us forward to give birth to a new, never before seen, universal humanity. This compelling vision of hope sees us at an evolutionary edge where the old world is dying and the new world is being born.
I first heard Barbara speak of evolutionary consciousness in the early 90's. "Humanity Ascending" expresses a startling new level of clarity and with it a message of hope for the accelerated changes happening in our world today. This first installment in her series is so inspiring that I viewed it three times in succession.
An evolutionary perspective pulls the focus waaaaaay out, providing a sense of meaning and purpose for our experiences. Barbara leaves no doubt that we are at a great turning in evolution and that the stakes are high for the choices we are making now. She describes other great turnings in the 14 billion year journey since the Big Bang. Great turnings are times when a quantum leap occurs in the world of form and an entirely new creation springs forth i.e. no life to life; single cell to multi-cell organisms. Barbara leaves no doubt that at the core of evolutionary change, there is a divine design. She makes a strong case that God Mind guides the whole process. While painting a picture of the potential consequences for our choices, she reminds us that this is a friendly universe. Barbara reveals that more and more people are awakening to their spiritual nature and discovering how to listen to the divine core that has been guiding change since the Big Bang.
In short, Barbara paints a vision strong enough to pull us forward during these changing times. It is a vision of co-creation. And it is a vision of hope. We can be pulled by a vision or pushed by pain. Which will you choose?
Her response comes in a 7-part series called "Humanity Ascending."
OUR STORY is a movie that spans the history of the evolutionary journey of our species from the big bang to current times, where we find ourselves precariously standing at the edge of conscious evolution or self-destruction. Our storyteller, Barbara Marx Hubbard, provides the unique perspective of viewing our history through what she terms as "evolutionary eyes" as the unfoldment of a fourteen billion year journey of transformation that is now pressing us forward to give birth to a new, never before seen, universal humanity. This compelling vision of hope sees us at an evolutionary edge where the old world is dying and the new world is being born.
I first heard Barbara speak of evolutionary consciousness in the early 90's. "Humanity Ascending" expresses a startling new level of clarity and with it a message of hope for the accelerated changes happening in our world today. This first installment in her series is so inspiring that I viewed it three times in succession.
An evolutionary perspective pulls the focus waaaaaay out, providing a sense of meaning and purpose for our experiences. Barbara leaves no doubt that we are at a great turning in evolution and that the stakes are high for the choices we are making now. She describes other great turnings in the 14 billion year journey since the Big Bang. Great turnings are times when a quantum leap occurs in the world of form and an entirely new creation springs forth i.e. no life to life; single cell to multi-cell organisms. Barbara leaves no doubt that at the core of evolutionary change, there is a divine design. She makes a strong case that God Mind guides the whole process. While painting a picture of the potential consequences for our choices, she reminds us that this is a friendly universe. Barbara reveals that more and more people are awakening to their spiritual nature and discovering how to listen to the divine core that has been guiding change since the Big Bang.
In short, Barbara paints a vision strong enough to pull us forward during these changing times. It is a vision of co-creation. And it is a vision of hope. We can be pulled by a vision or pushed by pain. Which will you choose?
Profound Integrity
During times of rapid change, we are called to a deeper spirituality - to connect with that within us that is profoundly true. It is the essence present within each of us. This document from the Maliwada Human Development Training School in Maliwada, India was first introduced to me in the late 80's. It ratchets up the presumed meaning of the age old adage, "to your own self be true."
Profound Personal Integrity
We are going to visit the arena of Profound Humanness called "Integrity". Sometimes "integrity" is reduced to mean a kind of moral uprightness and steadfastness, in the sense of saying, "He has too much integrity to ever take a bribe."
But profound integrity goes far beyond this. Sometimes, in order to distinguish it from more limited popular usage, it is called "secondary integrity". This is the integrity which is not constrained by limited moralities, however well-intentioned. The integrity that is profound living is the singularity of thrust of a life committed and ordering every dimension of the self towards that commitment. Thus the self is in fact shaped by the self, and focused towards that commitment. You can say that an audacious creation of the self takes place in integrity, without which you are simply the creation of the various forces impacting you in your society.
Thus the basis of integrity is a destinal resolve - a resolve that chooses and sets your destiny and out of which your whole life is ordered. The object of that resolve is the ultimate decision of each person, and each person makes that choice, consciously or unconsciously. To do so with awareness is the height of man's responsibility. It is incarnate freedom. It is what real freedom looks like. When man has thus exercised his freedom he realizes that to be true to himself ever thereafter he has a unique position to look at the values of his society. He is no longer bound by the opinions and codes of his fellow-man, but reevaluates then on the basis of their impact on his destinal resolve.
Thus the man of integrity is continuously engaged in a societal transvaluation, a moving across the values of society and reinterpreting them in line with his life's thrust. It does not give him the liberty of ignoring his society, but his obligation transcends the conformity of living within the codes and mores of his society. Thus the man of profound integrity always seems to not quite fit with his fellow-men, but his actions always are appropriate for him, even to those who oppose him.
No matter how odd the man of profound integrity appears to his neighbors, he experiences himself as securely anchored. While he is very clear that this world is not his home, nevertheless he experiences himself as having found his native vale. He experiences an eternal at-one-ness, not so much with the currents and waves of activity around him, but with the deeper trends of history itself. Amid the flux of wavering to and fro that is so evident in others, he experiences an inexplicable rootedness, as though he has sunk a taproot deep into the foundations of the earth itself. Though he experiences his life as a long journey, even an endless journey, towards the object of his resolve, yet he never senses himself as a stranger on the journey It's as if he'd been there before. Original integrity is experienced primarily by this sense of at-one-ness.
Kierkegaard once wrote a book about this kind of integrity that he titled, "Purity of Heart is to Will One Thing". An ancient philosopher focused his wisdom around this integrity with the advice, "Know yourself, and to your own self, be true.""This document comes from the curriculum of the Maliwada Human Development Training School in Maliwada, India, which is a former program of ICA International They are not certain of the year, so there are no further details that they could provide for a citation."Above quoted from an email dated 13 Feb. 2008 sent to me by the Director of Development and Communications at The Institute of Cultural Affairs International (ICA) in Quebec, Canada. Give a gift that gives again at Working Gifts"
Profound Personal Integrity
We are going to visit the arena of Profound Humanness called "Integrity". Sometimes "integrity" is reduced to mean a kind of moral uprightness and steadfastness, in the sense of saying, "He has too much integrity to ever take a bribe."
But profound integrity goes far beyond this. Sometimes, in order to distinguish it from more limited popular usage, it is called "secondary integrity". This is the integrity which is not constrained by limited moralities, however well-intentioned. The integrity that is profound living is the singularity of thrust of a life committed and ordering every dimension of the self towards that commitment. Thus the self is in fact shaped by the self, and focused towards that commitment. You can say that an audacious creation of the self takes place in integrity, without which you are simply the creation of the various forces impacting you in your society.
Thus the basis of integrity is a destinal resolve - a resolve that chooses and sets your destiny and out of which your whole life is ordered. The object of that resolve is the ultimate decision of each person, and each person makes that choice, consciously or unconsciously. To do so with awareness is the height of man's responsibility. It is incarnate freedom. It is what real freedom looks like. When man has thus exercised his freedom he realizes that to be true to himself ever thereafter he has a unique position to look at the values of his society. He is no longer bound by the opinions and codes of his fellow-man, but reevaluates then on the basis of their impact on his destinal resolve.
Thus the man of integrity is continuously engaged in a societal transvaluation, a moving across the values of society and reinterpreting them in line with his life's thrust. It does not give him the liberty of ignoring his society, but his obligation transcends the conformity of living within the codes and mores of his society. Thus the man of profound integrity always seems to not quite fit with his fellow-men, but his actions always are appropriate for him, even to those who oppose him.
No matter how odd the man of profound integrity appears to his neighbors, he experiences himself as securely anchored. While he is very clear that this world is not his home, nevertheless he experiences himself as having found his native vale. He experiences an eternal at-one-ness, not so much with the currents and waves of activity around him, but with the deeper trends of history itself. Amid the flux of wavering to and fro that is so evident in others, he experiences an inexplicable rootedness, as though he has sunk a taproot deep into the foundations of the earth itself. Though he experiences his life as a long journey, even an endless journey, towards the object of his resolve, yet he never senses himself as a stranger on the journey It's as if he'd been there before. Original integrity is experienced primarily by this sense of at-one-ness.
Kierkegaard once wrote a book about this kind of integrity that he titled, "Purity of Heart is to Will One Thing". An ancient philosopher focused his wisdom around this integrity with the advice, "Know yourself, and to your own self, be true.""This document comes from the curriculum of the Maliwada Human Development Training School in Maliwada, India, which is a former program of ICA International They are not certain of the year, so there are no further details that they could provide for a citation."Above quoted from an email dated 13 Feb. 2008 sent to me by the Director of Development and Communications at The Institute of Cultural Affairs International (ICA) in Quebec, Canada. Give a gift that gives again at Working Gifts"
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
64 Ways in 64 Days
64 Ways in 64 Days are practices within A Season for Non-violence, January 30 - April 4, a national 64-day educational, media, and grassroots campaign dedicated to demonstrating that nonviolence is a powerful way to heal, transform, and empower our lives and our communities. Inspired by the 50th and 30th memorial anniversaries of Mahatma Gandhi and Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., this international event honors their vision for an empowered, nonviolent world.
Today's practice is simple, but not easy. So often, we look at a practice and say, "Yes, I know that." The value comes not in "knowing" but in "doing." You'll see ...
February 17th: Today, I will tell the truth and speak honestly from the heart.
Years ago I was introduced to the idea of profound personal integrity and a document developed in India as part of the curriculum of the Maliwada Human Development Training School. At the time, I was surprised that there are at least three levels of integrity - and thus different levels of honesty. Here is the statement as it was introduced to me:
We are going to visit the arena of Profound Humanness called "Integrity". Sometimes "integrity" is reduced to mean a kind of moral uprightness and steadfastness, in the sense of saying, "He has too much integrity to ever take a bribe."
But profound integrity goes far beyond this. Sometimes, in order to distinguish it from more limited popular usage, it is called "secondary integrity". This is the integrity which is not constrained by limited moralities, however well-intentioned. The integrity that is profound living is the singularity of thrust of a life committed and ordering every dimension of the self towards that commitment. Thus the self is in fact shaped by the self, and focused towards that commitment. You can say that an audacious creation of the self takes place in integrity, without which you are simply the creation of the various forces impacting you in your society.
Thus the basis of integrity is a destinal resolve - a resolve that chooses and sets your destiny and out of which your whole life is ordered. The object of that resolve is the ultimate decision of each person, and each person makes that choice, consciously or unconsciously. To do so with awareness is the height of man's responsibility. It is incarnate freedom. It is what real freedom looks like. When man has thus exercised his freedom he realizes that to be true to himself ever thereafter he has a unique position to look at the values of his society. He is no longer bound by the opinions and codes of his fellow-man, but reevaluates then on the basis of their impact on his destinal resolve.
Thus the man of integrity is continuously engaged in a societal transvaluation, a moving across the values of society and reinterpreting them in line with his life's thrust. It does not give him the liberty of ignoring his society, but his obligation transcends the conformity of living within the codes and mores of his society. Thus the man of profound integrity always seems to not quite fit with his fellow-men, but his actions always are appropriate for him, even to those who oppose him.
No matter how odd the man of profound integrity appears to his neighbors, he experiences himself as securely anchored. While he is very clear that this world is not his home, nevertheless he experiences himself as having found his native vale. He experiences an eternal at-one-ness, not so much with the currents and waves of activity around him, but with the deeper trends of history itself. Amid the flux of wavering to and fro that is so evident in others, he experiences an inexplicable rootedness, as though he has sunk a taproot deep into the foundations of the earth itself. Though he experiences his life as a long journey, even an endless journey, towards the object of his resolve, yet he never senses himself as a stranger on the journey It's as if he'd been there before. Original integrity is experienced primarily by this sense of at-one-ness.
Kierkegaard once wrote a book about this kind of integrity that he titled, "Purity of Heart is to Will One Thing". An ancient philosopher focused his wisdom around this integrity with the advice, "Know yourself, and to your own self, be true."
Today's practice is simple, but not easy. So often, we look at a practice and say, "Yes, I know that." The value comes not in "knowing" but in "doing." You'll see ...
February 17th: Today, I will tell the truth and speak honestly from the heart.
Years ago I was introduced to the idea of profound personal integrity and a document developed in India as part of the curriculum of the Maliwada Human Development Training School. At the time, I was surprised that there are at least three levels of integrity - and thus different levels of honesty. Here is the statement as it was introduced to me:
We are going to visit the arena of Profound Humanness called "Integrity". Sometimes "integrity" is reduced to mean a kind of moral uprightness and steadfastness, in the sense of saying, "He has too much integrity to ever take a bribe."
But profound integrity goes far beyond this. Sometimes, in order to distinguish it from more limited popular usage, it is called "secondary integrity". This is the integrity which is not constrained by limited moralities, however well-intentioned. The integrity that is profound living is the singularity of thrust of a life committed and ordering every dimension of the self towards that commitment. Thus the self is in fact shaped by the self, and focused towards that commitment. You can say that an audacious creation of the self takes place in integrity, without which you are simply the creation of the various forces impacting you in your society.
Thus the basis of integrity is a destinal resolve - a resolve that chooses and sets your destiny and out of which your whole life is ordered. The object of that resolve is the ultimate decision of each person, and each person makes that choice, consciously or unconsciously. To do so with awareness is the height of man's responsibility. It is incarnate freedom. It is what real freedom looks like. When man has thus exercised his freedom he realizes that to be true to himself ever thereafter he has a unique position to look at the values of his society. He is no longer bound by the opinions and codes of his fellow-man, but reevaluates then on the basis of their impact on his destinal resolve.
Thus the man of integrity is continuously engaged in a societal transvaluation, a moving across the values of society and reinterpreting them in line with his life's thrust. It does not give him the liberty of ignoring his society, but his obligation transcends the conformity of living within the codes and mores of his society. Thus the man of profound integrity always seems to not quite fit with his fellow-men, but his actions always are appropriate for him, even to those who oppose him.
No matter how odd the man of profound integrity appears to his neighbors, he experiences himself as securely anchored. While he is very clear that this world is not his home, nevertheless he experiences himself as having found his native vale. He experiences an eternal at-one-ness, not so much with the currents and waves of activity around him, but with the deeper trends of history itself. Amid the flux of wavering to and fro that is so evident in others, he experiences an inexplicable rootedness, as though he has sunk a taproot deep into the foundations of the earth itself. Though he experiences his life as a long journey, even an endless journey, towards the object of his resolve, yet he never senses himself as a stranger on the journey It's as if he'd been there before. Original integrity is experienced primarily by this sense of at-one-ness.
Kierkegaard once wrote a book about this kind of integrity that he titled, "Purity of Heart is to Will One Thing". An ancient philosopher focused his wisdom around this integrity with the advice, "Know yourself, and to your own self, be true."
Congratulations on having read this far. In your own words, what is the spiritual message you see here? We look forward to your comments.
Visit us at http://www.unitychurchofraleigh.org/.
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
A World That Works
Yesterday was the FIRST "A World That Works" show on Unity.FM with co-hosts Rev. Deborah Olive and Kelly Isola!! The show, a lively discussion of Unity principles making a positive difference in our world and frequently shared with "guests," will "air" every Monday at 1:00 pm EST.
Be inspired by an alternative to traditional news shows . A World That Works highlights the many positive things happening on our planet. People are just becoming aware of the many outreach projects we are doing in Unity. Unity Communities are reaching out to pick up litter along highways, paint houses for the elderly, crochet hats for those with cancer, provide a gathering place for returning veterans and so much more. Around the world Unity is digging wells in a village in Africa, building a school in Haiti and teaching children to speak and feel peace. We are getting more vocal about the work we are doing in the world.
Unity is co-partnering with other organizations and "A World That Works" will feature some of those projects. Whether or not Unity is partnering with an organization, we will feature the fine work being done around the world from a perspective of Spiritual Social Action.
What is Spiritual Social Action? What makes it different than Social Action? You'll want to listen to the February 2nd show. See how Spiritual Social Action fits into the Five Basic Unity Principles. Discover a bit about the history of Spiritual Social Action in Unity. Learn the difference between fixing, helping and serving and be inspired by projects that are making a difference in the lives of both the people in Unity and those they serve. It's all here in our FIRST "A World That Works" show!!
You can listen in the archives (or download). Go to: http://www.modavox.com/unityFM/ Once on this page, click MONDAY (go to 10:00 am PST); click A WORLD THAT WORKS; go to the CONTENT LIBRARY and click the show, "SPIRITUALLY MOTIVATED OR HUMANLY DRIVEN." Listen from your computer or on the go.
The content on this first show is excellent. Please be gracious and overlook some of the technical and timing issues. Remember, this is the FIRST show. The nature of the Universe is to continuely improve.
Join us next week with guest, Rev. Mary Omwake, as we feature "A Season For Non-Violence!" Listen "Live" and you can call in with questions or visit us in the "Chat" room of Unity.FM.
Be inspired by an alternative to traditional news shows . A World That Works highlights the many positive things happening on our planet. People are just becoming aware of the many outreach projects we are doing in Unity. Unity Communities are reaching out to pick up litter along highways, paint houses for the elderly, crochet hats for those with cancer, provide a gathering place for returning veterans and so much more. Around the world Unity is digging wells in a village in Africa, building a school in Haiti and teaching children to speak and feel peace. We are getting more vocal about the work we are doing in the world.
Unity is co-partnering with other organizations and "A World That Works" will feature some of those projects. Whether or not Unity is partnering with an organization, we will feature the fine work being done around the world from a perspective of Spiritual Social Action.
What is Spiritual Social Action? What makes it different than Social Action? You'll want to listen to the February 2nd show. See how Spiritual Social Action fits into the Five Basic Unity Principles. Discover a bit about the history of Spiritual Social Action in Unity. Learn the difference between fixing, helping and serving and be inspired by projects that are making a difference in the lives of both the people in Unity and those they serve. It's all here in our FIRST "A World That Works" show!!
You can listen in the archives (or download). Go to: http://www.modavox.com/unityFM/ Once on this page, click MONDAY (go to 10:00 am PST); click A WORLD THAT WORKS; go to the CONTENT LIBRARY and click the show, "SPIRITUALLY MOTIVATED OR HUMANLY DRIVEN." Listen from your computer or on the go.
The content on this first show is excellent. Please be gracious and overlook some of the technical and timing issues. Remember, this is the FIRST show. The nature of the Universe is to continuely improve.
Join us next week with guest, Rev. Mary Omwake, as we feature "A Season For Non-Violence!" Listen "Live" and you can call in with questions or visit us in the "Chat" room of Unity.FM.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Prosperity Principles: All the Time
No one doubts the principle of gravity. If you step off the curb, you know you will be pulled down, not up. Even if you have the rare opportunity of being in a spaceship with zero gravity, it is understood that, even though you don't feel the pull of gravity is still at work. The planets circumnavigate the sun in particular ways due to gravity. The spaceship itself is in a particular orbit due to gravity. The principle of gravity does not disappear. And so it is with prosperity principles. Our experience of prosperity may shift, but prosperity principles are still at work.
During challenging economic times, we read that unemployment is on the rise, the Dow Jones is dropping, there is a glut of inventory in our stores and the value of homes are decreasing. Everyone seems to be effected in some way by the times we live in. The question arises, "Do prosperity principles really work? Now? In an economy like this?" The answer is a resounding "yes." A better question is "What are prosperity principles?" and "How do I apply them?" Rather than tossing them aside, those who dig more deeply into an understanding of prosperity principles are the ones who will fare the best. Practicing prosperity principles means less wringing of hands and more peace of mind. Prosperity principles enhance our ability to think clearly and to notice the doors to abundance when they open. They provide an awareness that anyone, and that means you, can walk through those doors. During the Great Depression more millionaires were made than any time prior.
Sunday we begin a series called "Secrets of a Go-Giver." For many it seems counter intuitive to give when we may be concerned about having enough. Most of us know the term "Go-Getter" and applaud the person who is a 'real "Go-Getter.'" If you think about it, being a "Go-Getter" implies lack. The drive we see in a real "Go-Getter" comes from the desire to "get" - before someone else does. This, of course, demonstrates the belief that there is not enough for everyone. In a closed system, lack appears to be true. As soon as we open that system up, more becomes available. We can treat the new system like a bigger version of the old one and once again engage "Go-Getter" behavior, believing there is not enough for everyone. Or we can embrace the idea of abundance and realize there are always bigger systems available to us. When we have "eyes to see them," they will appear. In fact, life is more fun and can actually become easier when we participate in these bigger systems. Collaboration with others becomes a way of life. Giving to others in the areas they find passion and welcoming the gifts we receive in the areas we have passion brings great joy. There is a law of circulation - of both giving and receiving. When we consistently practice both giving and receiving, we open the flow of abundance in our lives. One of the fundamental practices for a prosperous life is giving.
We laugh at the person who might say to a fire, "Give me more heat, then I will bring another log." Yet, we catch ourselves doing the same thing. How often do we expect the other person to apologize first, then we will forgive? We want our boss to give us a raise, then we will work harder. We want to have more money, then we will give. It's likely that we are not shocked by any of these statements, for this is the way of the world. If we truly want to experience the abundance God has for us, these ideas and beliefs will trip us up. Mark Victor Hansen, an internationally known motivational speaker, reminds us, "Your raise will show up when you do."
We are to practice being a "Go-Giver." Many times people have come to me believing they do not have enough: whether its time, opportunity, education, money, love or whatever. And I counsel them to look for what they do have and give some of it away. Sometimes it's necessary to look deep, because the belief that there's not enough is so strong. Giving something away affirms that you have some. Keep giving and those doors open.
Prosperity principles work ALL of the time. They don't stop during economic down turns. Don't take my word for it. Ponder these things and put them into action. Share your success and share your thoughts.
At Unity Church of Raleigh, "the Gathering Place for spiritually motivated people in an awakening world," we are about to embark upon an amazing Sunday series. "Secrets of a Go-Giver" begins February 1st. For more on this community where spiritual principles come to life in practical ways, visit us at http://www.unitychurchofraleigh.org/.
During challenging economic times, we read that unemployment is on the rise, the Dow Jones is dropping, there is a glut of inventory in our stores and the value of homes are decreasing. Everyone seems to be effected in some way by the times we live in. The question arises, "Do prosperity principles really work? Now? In an economy like this?" The answer is a resounding "yes." A better question is "What are prosperity principles?" and "How do I apply them?" Rather than tossing them aside, those who dig more deeply into an understanding of prosperity principles are the ones who will fare the best. Practicing prosperity principles means less wringing of hands and more peace of mind. Prosperity principles enhance our ability to think clearly and to notice the doors to abundance when they open. They provide an awareness that anyone, and that means you, can walk through those doors. During the Great Depression more millionaires were made than any time prior.
Sunday we begin a series called "Secrets of a Go-Giver." For many it seems counter intuitive to give when we may be concerned about having enough. Most of us know the term "Go-Getter" and applaud the person who is a 'real "Go-Getter.'" If you think about it, being a "Go-Getter" implies lack. The drive we see in a real "Go-Getter" comes from the desire to "get" - before someone else does. This, of course, demonstrates the belief that there is not enough for everyone. In a closed system, lack appears to be true. As soon as we open that system up, more becomes available. We can treat the new system like a bigger version of the old one and once again engage "Go-Getter" behavior, believing there is not enough for everyone. Or we can embrace the idea of abundance and realize there are always bigger systems available to us. When we have "eyes to see them," they will appear. In fact, life is more fun and can actually become easier when we participate in these bigger systems. Collaboration with others becomes a way of life. Giving to others in the areas they find passion and welcoming the gifts we receive in the areas we have passion brings great joy. There is a law of circulation - of both giving and receiving. When we consistently practice both giving and receiving, we open the flow of abundance in our lives. One of the fundamental practices for a prosperous life is giving.
We laugh at the person who might say to a fire, "Give me more heat, then I will bring another log." Yet, we catch ourselves doing the same thing. How often do we expect the other person to apologize first, then we will forgive? We want our boss to give us a raise, then we will work harder. We want to have more money, then we will give. It's likely that we are not shocked by any of these statements, for this is the way of the world. If we truly want to experience the abundance God has for us, these ideas and beliefs will trip us up. Mark Victor Hansen, an internationally known motivational speaker, reminds us, "Your raise will show up when you do."
We are to practice being a "Go-Giver." Many times people have come to me believing they do not have enough: whether its time, opportunity, education, money, love or whatever. And I counsel them to look for what they do have and give some of it away. Sometimes it's necessary to look deep, because the belief that there's not enough is so strong. Giving something away affirms that you have some. Keep giving and those doors open.
Prosperity principles work ALL of the time. They don't stop during economic down turns. Don't take my word for it. Ponder these things and put them into action. Share your success and share your thoughts.
At Unity Church of Raleigh, "the Gathering Place for spiritually motivated people in an awakening world," we are about to embark upon an amazing Sunday series. "Secrets of a Go-Giver" begins February 1st. For more on this community where spiritual principles come to life in practical ways, visit us at http://www.unitychurchofraleigh.org/.
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