The months of January and February have been focused on taking time within.  During Lunch Bunch conversations and Winter Feast for the Soul’s meditations and sharing we have focused on not only on the importance of creating a meditative practice in our lives, but also to begin to develop a deeper communion with Holy Spirit, God or the Universe which begins to create a Mindful way of living 24/7.  During the classes what I seeing happening is people are developing a greater ability to attend fully to life’s experiences (Mindfulness).  Some have actually begun a meditative practice that they had not incorporated into their lives before our time together.  And last evening someone shared with us a physical healing that is happening during the meditation every Wednesday evening. YES!  Did you hear that – “healing”!  Did that wake you up?

The process of Prayer and Meditation was and is the basis for the creation of the “Unity Way of Life.”  It was created from the heart of Myrtle Fillmore merely because she had a belief that she was a Divine Child of God and thereby she did not inherit sickness, or poverty, or …….  What if you realized that all the things that pull you away from the calm peace of your soul could with ease and grace is released?  What if you knew that once you release those things you could fill up with loving kindness?  What if you knew you could experience a wholeness and wellness beyond anything you have ever allowed your body, mind, and spirit to experience.  What if you knew you could feel the peace that passes all understanding of any situation you might find across your radar screen.  What if you knew that prayer and meditation would lead you to living a happy, joy filled life?

If you knew that the financial issues you have been experiencing would fade away through the process of what you put in your mind and how much time you spent in communion with spirit – if you knew that the disease or illness you are experiencing would actually draw you into a deeper level of healing, body mind and spirit —  if you knew spending more time in the silence would fill you up with loving kindness your life would flow with ease and grace – if you knew that the relationship you are struggling with would begin to correct itself if you spent more time in the silence – and if you and the person you are struggling with could actually sit in the silence together – wow!  Miracles would shift everything………   Then would you be willing to make a change in your life?

“Who wants change in their life?”  Many times we say a big yes to this because we want things out there to change so that we can experience love, joy, and peace.  Then the question comes a little closer to home…… Who wants to change?There are usually not as many loud voices shouting yes to this question.  Let there be peace on earth and let it begin  with….. Them?  You?  Are you ready for a little bit of willingness that the change begins with you!?!   Join me on Sunday morning for The Practice of Mindfulness Creates Peace.

“The present moment is filled with joy and happiness. 
If you are attentive, you will see it.”
– Thich Nhat Hanh

May you be filled with Loving Kindness.  May you be well.  May you be peaceful.  May you be happy.

Peace is the Way,
Rev. D

The first time I tried to read the Course in Miracles was in 1990.  I was attending Unity Nashville, (then First Church Unity) and I decided to join the Sunday morning class.  Of course I quickly bought the book and began reading.  One of the passages I remember reading was about Love.  The passage began with the following words:  “Thought is the Cause experience is Effect.  If you don’t like the effects in your life, you have to change the nature of thinking.  Love in your mind produces love in your life.  Fear in your mind produces fear in your life.”

The good thing was I actually already believed those words.  I had experienced some extremely negative things in the late 80’s that had led me to an awesome therapist.  She told me about a book – Happiness is a Choice and I very soon had become a believer in the power of my choices in feelings.  Of course, I did not always find my new choices easy to make.  I remember saying, what about those times that I just found myself in the middle of an unpleasant situation?  (That was long before I really could grasp how I created those experiences for myself).   But – I quickly learned and practiced tools that assisted me in making different choices that led me back to a place of peace.  I felt really good about my progress until one day in class we began discussing the difference between what is real and what is an illusion.  I read the following words found in CIM……

• Love is real.  (It’s an eternal creation and nothing can destroy it.)
• Anything that isn’t love is an illusion.
• Remember this and you’ll be at peace.

Today I fast forward 20+ years realizing that I do have an easier time knowing that I know that I know.   Love is what I am.  Love is who we are.  There is only love.   But so many times during my life I “wake up” and find myself in a situation experiencing anything but love. You see we go to sleep around the truth of our being and create just the opposite.  The opposite of love is fear…. Anger….blame….. etc. etc., and when I am experiencing those emotions – boy, do they seem real!  But the part that seems to keep drawing me back is “Remember this and you’ll be at peace.”  The older I get the more I know in a very deep place inside I desire peace – not just for me but for everyone I meet – and the more times than not – I have learned to choose peace – even when there is a place inside me that is screaming, “This sucks – and it is not peaceful – and I want to tell everyone about it!”

Join us on Sunday morning as I collaborate with Voices of Unity for “Love is the Answer because there is really only Love….. so living loving spirit……….can you just “Wrap Me in Your Arms of Love and Hold Me There Forever?”

Peace is the Way,
Rev. D