DR OF SPIRITUALITY LESSON

Prayer Exercise:

Describe the obstacles that are preventing you from recognizing Love's presence within you. 

Write an essay explaining how the concept that nothing real can be threatened and nothing unreal exists might change what you ask for in prayer? 

The answer this question is my imagination and illusion that I am separate prevents me from allowing myself to recognize Love's presence around and within me.  Imagined fear, doubt, and lack makes me think I'm anything less than love.  This results in looking outside of myself to "find" something that's not lost to begin with.  It's the only things that's real. All things could not exist without love yet out of fear as human we scrounge around discovering what's already there, inventing what we already have, thinking we will "find" love.  It's a cycle that has gone on for eons that we are searching for love.  Time to stop searching and ALLOW what we are to be.  I understand now what it means to be.  It means that I AM LOVE. Nothing less nothing more because there is not anything more than LOVE.  

Feeling separate from everyone and everything is a lie- an illusion.  The challenge there in lies how to let go of the imagination of fear.  Letting go of fear which is imagined is the key to true FREEDOM by doing that only LOVE is left because that's all there is.  

Now, as I pray to God I now ask for help and guidance so I can use my free will to let My Love shine, let all Love shine in all things. I now ask God to assist me in letting what I AM BE! That is my true self, that's who I AM.  I now pray to God to help me accept and allow all that there is to be present in my life.  I now ask God that the only thing I perceive and have awareness of is LOVE

Law Of One

Naunie Maddox

Prayer

Spiritual Awareness

Spiritual Awareness I have found many things very helpful in this course and have learned a great deal from all that is offered.  I love how Charles is able to make things so understandable.  I have especially liked this course going through the natural laws and I am still working at seeing how these laws are so interwoven into my everyday life.  It has helped me to become more focused and to understand that we have the power to achieve what our desires and whatever our intention may be.  This enables our lives to flow with love and abundance in all areas. I have also learned from the meditation section and bringing in the Christ Light and allowing it to fill my being.  This has really helped to deepen my love for people and enabling me to see this Light in them as well. I also feel that it has made me much more aware of my higher self and it's relation to my own divinity.  This is always something I have struggled with because I was brought up in a very strict religious home and community and have had to relearn all my truth. I have learned from the chakra lesson and the energies that come from them as well.  I have always been aware of these and their associations to different colors but this lesson has led me to do some extra reading about them and I have learned much from it. I loved the part on the Kandalini and other life force energies taught in lesson 19.  These I have greatly benefited from because I didn't have much knowledge about them before. I was also very interested in learning about the Ascended Masters and their various rays and the energies they can bring to our lives.  I am really going to look into these some more and learn more about them so I can call on them for what they have to offer in my life. I also enjoyed the lesson on Spirit communication.  As a medium I am always in touch with my guides and the spirits of those who have passed and I often get asked how people can sharpen their abilities in these areas and so I love ideas and information that I can give them because it works so differently for everyone. One of the things that has really stuck in my mind through these lessons is not using so much of your own energy but using the energy around you from Ley Lines and Ley nodes and tapping into it.  Also just allowing the energy to come to you.  Remembering this has helped me not to feel as drained and also to control more of the energy that comes to me by doing more grounding. I could go on and on about all that these lessons have meant to me and how they have helped me grow as a person and a medium and my spiritual awareness in my everyday life.  I hope that with my learning I can offer more help and guidance to people around me as my own understanding and spiritual awareness grows. Rev. Cindy Roskamp ******************** Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church  materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary. Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Spirituality

Rev. David Dale Mavity
Master of Spirituality Final Essay

Having spent the last twenty-five years studying comparative religion and philosophy, as well as several esoteric/ mystery systems, I found this course to be very straight forward, concise, and easy to understand. What I found of particular value was the advice given from a practical, ministerial perspective. When ministering to others, it is clearly necessary to not only understand why a person would come from a completely scientific perspective, and the thought process, historically, that would bring a person to that perspective.

A very practical, nice little course for ministers. Or, so I thought. And then came Lesson 18.

In Albert Pike’s “Morals and Dogma,”# there is an odd chapter describing the lessons taught in the 15th Degree of Scottish Rite Masonry. The author goes on for quite some time, explaining the exoteric and esoteric meanings within the Zend- Avesta, Kabbalah, and Gnosticism (all favorite subjects of students of the Western Mystery system), then suddenly tells us that they are “wild and useless speculations.”  This generally leaves most readers scratching their heads, wondering what Pike was trying to do with this chapter. Then, it is usually quickly forgotten and the average reader goes back to his in- depth study of the same systems he was just told are a waste of time.

Rev. Chuck Bynum nailed it in one, short lesson, and that one lesson, Lesson 18, is the inner, secret beauty of this entire course, and the one I enjoyed and identified with the most.

To quote another famous Freemason (albeit a contemporary one, still living), “As I begin the seventh decade of my life, I find myself more inclined to listen to a story than to study a text or reflect on an argument- more inclined to tell a story than to presume to teach a lesson or offer advice.”# I have not hit my seventh decade yet, but I have the same issue, so I suppose that is sufficient apology for the story that follows. Even in the case of trying to describe what I learned from the course and my impressions, this seems the best way to do it, particularly with the subject at hand, and even more particularly with the fact that the knowledge imparted by Rev. Chuck is entirely indescribable- in his words, “The problem with words is that they are limiting.”

About two years ago, I felt I had hit a wall in my studies and practice, both as esotericist and as a minister. Everything I had studied suddenly seemed to be meaningless, even though it had been intensely interesting and exciting to learn. Even Freemasonry, of which I have been a member for 14 years (and of which some of my Brethren foolishly believe me to be a  “leader” and mentor) had lost its appeal and interest. I gradually stopped reading the oddball and obscure texts I had once so much enjoyed, and everything seemed to lack any particular meaning. About six months ago, I decided to put into practice something I had preached and given lip service for years: the line written above the doorway to the temple of Apollo at Delphi.

“Man, Know Thyself, and thou shalt know the secrets of the gods and of the universe.”

Having meditated for many years (effectively, I thought), I hit it with extra force and this orientation. So as not to further bore you, I won’t go into the progressive understanding, but suffice it to say, I arrived at the same conclusions as Chuck (and Albert Pike).

It’s so complicated that it’s not that complicated. I don’t think I can explain that in a way that makes any sense, maybe the worn- out phrase “the only secret is that there are no secrets” might come close.

What gets in our way with everything is our ego. Like it or not, I’ll bet that almost all of us initially became ministers largely because we could put “Rev.” in front of our names and have people think that we’re wise, serene gurus who have all the answers. C’mon, admit it. I originally became a minister and then even studied for the priesthood (Liberal Catholic) for just those reasons, although I fooled myself into thinking it was purely to “serve humanity.” Don’t get me wrong; some of it was that. But I realized most of it was me wanting to feel superior. My study of esoteric religion and philosophy eventually became motivated by the same thing.

There are really only a few of things we need to know, as ministers and just as regular people:
-    There is some sort of universal organizing, creating Source (I call it “God” because it’s easy to type and socially acceptable) that has its presence within all of us. Know Thyself to know God. You aren’t Him/ Her/ It, but you’re certainly a part of Him/ Her/ It, and He/ She/ It dwells within you, and connects all of us.
-    There is only now. No past, no future. What is, is what there is. Live in it, now.  
-    Your ego isn’t going to go away, and completely forget the popular idea of “dissolving the ego.” You can’t do it, nor do you want to- it’s a useful tool. But manage it. Question your own motivations by standing back and analyzing why you are doing what you are doing.
-    You can’t know everything, because there isn’t all that much to know. Like a rabbi friend of mine says, “You can try to get to the center of an onion by tearing off every layer, one at a time. And when you finally reach the center, you’ve destroyed the onion.”

That’s about the sum total of it. The course spent 17 weeks giving some incredibly valuable information on the evolution of Western thought, as well as great advice on how to minister to non- spiritual people, but the gem was Lesson 18.




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Spiritual Development

Doctor of Spiritual Development

Joseph Ceh

It would appear that self-acceptance begins very early in one's life – even while one inhabits the womb. Science tells us that singing, reading, music, and noises affect the yet-to-be-born. After birth one continues the process of learning, experiencing change and growth in one's self perception, viz., self-acceptance. This process is life-long and inherently dynamic because it involves change and inner growth. As we grow chronologically, ideally we develop core, personal values that enhance one's life or not!

Moving through childhood, pubescence, adolescence, and eventually emerging into adulthood, we have gained in self-acceptance and self-actualization. However, this is a process both ongoing and developmental. That is to say, we are always becoming, always changing – ideally for the better. We may come to recognize that we are much more than our job or title; more than our academic background or other mundane achievements. We are complex beings. In other words we are more than what we do. As homo-sapiens we live also on other levels, namely, the physical, emotional, and spiritual levels along with our intellectual capacity. Furthermore, it is not uncommon for us to experience aspects of life that threaten or strike an axe at our self-image. Negative self-talk about one's regrets and disappointing behavior may weaken authentic self-esteem and self actualization. In such circumstances we may fall into the trap of debilitating self-doubt or unnecessary worry. Genuine self-acceptance and spiritual growth ought not allow negative self-talk to grow, but rather one may employ the "tools" of prayer, meditation, journaling, spiritual reading, spiritual direction and any other methods to ground one in the highest good, altruistic living, and service to humanity. These are the touchstones of what is sacred and offers peace of heart, peace of mind, peace of soul, self-actualization and self-acceptance.

Being a responsible person fundamentally means having the ability to respond to life's circumstances with clarity of heart and mind. We are responsible when we aim to act purposefully in our choices while choosing goals worthy of us as beings reflecting the Divine image. These choices include living daily attuned to each aspect of that which makes us fully human and spiritually alive. As sojourners on this earthly journey we may ready ourselves to receive insights flowing from being attentive to every life situation, and appealing to one's inner conscience or soul or heart or spiritual intuition. And, too, it may be more than useful to consider a life-coach or spiritual director when life throws its inevitable curve balls that disrupt inner peace. Life-coaches help us to re-evaluate the paths we are taking on our earthly journey.

The goal or goals we set before us are more about the path itself and not the destination. Mistakes, personal disappointments, wrong turns, so to speak, are opportunities for growth. If, for example, my goal is to become a teacher, it is not merely obtaining the credentials to teach, but also to become a skilled teacher and a person of patience, compassion, understanding and openness. An authentic teacher continues to keep her/his goals in mind while at the same time remaining open to all those life lessons and challenges along the way.

During my ministry in a very large suburban parish, I fell victim to stress stemming from the demands of a large parish. I wrestled with this uncomfortable feeling far too long before naming the stressors brought about by daily time constraints, meetings, pastoral care, preaching and… You get the picture! I was able to refocus and take additional quiet, reflective time to reevaluate my ministry. In conversation with my spiritual director I learned something, or rather re-learned what I had lost sight of: that being present to/with parishioners means being in the here-and-now. That is to say, we may only be present to others when we are present to this very moment.

I recall an adolescent who was struggling with many issues inherent in the often tumultuous late adolescent years. We met often, but one particular day I asked if he might try living just one day at a time. His response was, "No, not for me. I can only live moment to moment for now." What insight he had! It is only in the NOW that we live, and each day takes us a little farther along on our journey. To place ourselves in the present is not to lose sight of one's goals, but to allow our goals to unfold in the thoughts and actions of this moment. We recognize that our thoughts affect attitudes and attitudes influence behavior in this moment.

There are many techniques to help us refocus and review our goals and aspirations – as has already been said. Whatever techniques or tools we use, the aim is the same, to allow time to reestablish clarity when life's waters become a little muddy. I especially like using a daily journal to help affirm established goals, evaluate and living in this moment, and reaffirm my goals for the future.

Rev. Dr. Joseph T. Ceh

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have various classes in Christianity, one on Wicca, along with several Pagan courses, more than a few courses about Metaphysics with more being added regularly.

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A Course in Miracles

Lesson 19 – Summary

Denise L. Graves

Choice

I was called to preach at a very early age.  I did not think women would be accepted as a preacher so I found other ways more acceptable to serve.  I taught school, Sunday school, bible classes, community classes and focus groups.  However, the nudge has always put me in positions to prayer and deliver faith based talks and lessons publicly.  I agree with the following statement in Lesson 19: Jesus says we have no choice in the matter of listening to God, for God is Truth cannot be denied.  We can choose to put off listening to Truth but ultimately we must all accept it.  Free will is not about if, it’s about when.

My faith journey has led me to the conclusion that my hesitation had to do with the historical Image of God presented to me.  Because in this image, I believed I would never measure up.  The God presented to me was racist, oppressive, sexist and fearful to the point of executing vengeful wrath upon those who do not comply.  However, in all my efforts, I never felt enough.  Every sin seemed to be a neon light over my head that flashed guilty.  I felt that the scrutiny of my humanity was more than I could bear or my family could stand.  So I stood and served in the shadows hoping God would see my piety and selfless service and lift me up to places of acceptability, value and honor.

The Course in Miracles and this course on Prayer have shaken my foundation.  It has challenged my beliefs about Gods’ choice of me, Gods’ love for me and my love for myself.  It has ushered me to a place of reconciliation with the truth of God I knew from the beginning, my beliefs now and presented new thoughts and behaviors that bring me closer to my call to serve.  Happily, I exercise free will to choose to counsel, teach and preach, pray for and with others, perform wedding ceremonies, teach others to heal and more. 

Moreover, I realized that my not choosing to follow the will of God in the past had to do with my perception of my worth and the lack of love for myself and others.  When every picture I see on billboards, television, movies and other media forms to not look like me, I have questioned my acceptability to a perfect all knowing God.  Without the faulty foundation agrees that forgiveness frees and heals, however, I have struggled with “is what I am forgiving the right or root thing to forgive.”  I do it because what have known has not produced the most optimum outcomes.  I can accept each outcome as a manifestation of the loving plan God has for me.

Projection

“Thought can be invested in fear or love.”   I agree with this.  As a young person, I learned to focus on the negative outcome rather than the positive outcome.  The reason given was that if I expect less then I would not be disappointed when the outcome is less than expected.  So I grew up wanting more and the best but not believing it would occur for me.  I believed it for others.  I hoped for me but did not act as if I knew my good were possible in matters of intimate relationships and acquiring economic wealth.  I projected fear.  The problem with this projection was that it escalated and before I knew it any unexplained absence of someone I loved, was due to tragedy and death.  Any test I took in school, though I studied hard, seemed not render the best score and if it did, I thought it was an error, everyone did bad (bell curve) or someone provided a deceitful favor.  I wanted love to win, It just seemed to take too long for it to manifest in an appreciable way.  I have been challenged to repeat mantras affirming my loving expected outcomes in the face of great hurdles. Those hurdles were typically associated with corrupt outside influences.  I needed someone or something to blame. My perception of powerlessness and the lack of great value were associated with obtaining my greatest good.  I thought that what I wanted was not what God wanted.  And often I felt God did not know my good or want it.  I also felt than my sins prevented me from receiving my good, consequently, I was unable to live up to the holy life standards required by God.  Boy, that was “some” madness!

I have been challenged to anticipate optimum intimate relationships and economic wealth.  It is a work in progress.  This lesson states that “In this world the power surge caused by the collective projection of unconscious fear causes incalculable devastation and destruction.  War, murder, rape, disease, accidents, hurricanes, tsunamis, earthquakes etc are all the work of projected fear.  So when, I ran into the back of a pickup truck significantly damaging the front end of my car, I wondered what I was thinking about.  Did I project fear unknowingly, was my behavior prior to the moment of impact fearful or was this the result of earlier thoughts?  I might add that I got out of the car grateful that none were seriously hurt.  I apologized to the driver and proceeded to handle the business of reconciling the exchange.  I want to accept ownership of my thoughts in that situation; however it does not come easily.  I am grateful for the presence of God and sustaining our lives and limbs.  I surrender my guilt of that moment and pray for my continual healing from projecting fear to projecting love and every situation.

How to perform Miracles

Jesus says we are all miracle workers.  I agree. However, I think many people live in such a sleepy, wounded and sick state that they do not know they are miracle workers.  As a faith based community organizer, I hear the prevailing thought about miracles is that they are far and few in between and that they are only recognized when the miracle is seemingly abrupt, against all odds and witnessed by certain valued religious voices.

The three step process of (1) accepting my healing, requires recognition that my mind changes when I say yes that I am healed in the presence of the health ailments and diseases.  Accepting my forgiveness means knowing I am guilty of nothing, now.  Step one is an ongoing process that needs the Holy Spirit to act with knowing, mercy and grace.  As I write this essay I wonder have I accepted my healing and forgiven in the last few moments to be in position for do step two- give away healing and the forgiveness I have received.  Again my foundation is re-shifting.  The very idea that I am like my elder brother Jesus, is able to do the seemingly impossible is mixed  with lifelong questions asked of me  “who does she think she is to call forth healing and I risk the possibility that the on lookers and I do not know what healing looks like in a particular circumstances.  I think we don’t do step two because the possibility of healing is incredible, seems risky and somewhat pompous.

With the entire above, step three makes sense to the teacher in me.  I feel confident about teaching the mechanics of teaching healing, forgiveness and miracle performance.  Perhaps, right now this is so because I doubt my own power and the knighting / anointing of my life to be extraordinary.  Foundation shift – who am I to play small and immature?

The opportunity to give up milk for food as a sign of maturity is about choosing God over the world.  I know longer choose to be sick and not know or accept the Truth.  Performing miracles allows me to face the guilt that has held me hostage.  With this recognition, I realize that I am not guilty.  My new challenge and opportunity is to learn to live without guilt.  What will I think, talk or act on.  Where will I work, what will I do now and who do I do my new life with?  The truth will change a person to replicate performance of miracles constantly.  It seems that performing miracles brings me closer to the crossover from time to eternity.  And my thoughts about shifting my energy manifestation in this world now to a different form in this world or another holds me captive, has my attention and yet encourages me to walk toward world transformation one thought and act at a time.

The merciful gracious act of Jesus’ undoing the side effects of guilt is appreciated and accepted yet not quite understood.  I look forward to deeper prayer practices that equip me to consistently choose the truth, project love and perform miracles.

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The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers and lots of free online sermons for your use. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.

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Spiritual Development

I would not rate this course on the same level as some of the other courses I have or am currently taking. For example the idea of multiple universes where we exist in different worlds playing out different scenarios is good for science fiction but does not jibe with my Christian background or upbringing. How can one soul live out so many different destinies?? 

 

Basically in this scenario we are able to pick the best outcome and ignore the rest???  The other idea that we can "will" things to happen, if we think hard enough we can make things happen, picture it....and it becomes real. A lot of books have been written about this, but in my experience, life is not that easy. We are asked to pray for things and whatever is the highest good for one and all will happen. 

 

Sometimes what we think we want or need, is the worst thing that can happen to us, so willing it and producing it...may not be a good thing. "changing our mind...can change our reality.....I wish we had this much control of our lives.....changing our minds...can change our course in life...but my sense is..the reality stays the same.....our perception of things can change...but not the things themselves.........I try and be open to new ideas and concepts...but I find this course very simplistic and contrary to my christian beliefs and upbringing and actual experiences. The concept of "outcomes" to be is very controlling, like we have the power to change outcomes which means we can change our destiny??? If our destiny is for us to be at 'x', all the positive thinking in the world will not get us to 'y'. Yes we can influence our friends and family and coworkers with a positive attitude and mindset, but can we really change outcomes that have been set in motion?? by others....suppose we have a group of people all together, with different "outcomes" in mind for the group..which "outcome" will prevail???  the strongest desire?  the strongest will?? what happened to all the other "outcomes"? The author mentions "referencial" information we take in, influences our lives......that is true to a degree....but to the degree he seems to indicate.......if I inherited "high blood pressure" thru genetics...no matter what i think or do...i still have high blood pressure....if someone kills another human being in cold blood...the fact remains..they were killed....yes..it could be in self defense....protecting oneself and family members....but it is still murder...killing of someone...that is not going to change..how we deal with this situation as a society..is a different issue.....the reality remains the same...how we deal with the reality..is what changes............

 

The concept of NLP and communicating with the unconscious is dealing with reality as if...Deity..God does not exist....if mankind was the only creation and we all were individual islands of our own...we were all individual "gods" that we could tap into our deepest most mind, unconscious mind...higher self..and change things.........again...this goes against everything the Bible has to say...we are to pray to God...for help...we are to reach out to Him...the power of prayer and Divine Guidance..the working of the Holy Spirit is more powerful than anything mankind can think of. Sorry to be so negative...I read all the lessons with an open mind....and I know this course is required reading for the Chaplain Program...and it did explain what the author was trying to get at....it just did not resonate with me and I basically disagree with the basic concept.

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Spirituality Course

"Developing a Spiritual Mentality" A Final Essay for the Master of Spirituality Course By Daniel L. Moore     "Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things freely given to us by God, which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words" (1 Corinthians 2:12-13 NASB).     The above passage sums up what I learned from this course.  It was a challenging course for me.  The instructor did an excellent job in separating the spiritual from the natural way of thinking that people often do.  In order to minister in the spiritual realm, there needs to be an adjustment in my thinking.  The adjustment comes by…     First…understanding how human thinks and philosophize.  It helps when one ministers to those who are the "just the facts" type of person and those who follow the typical western mindset of thinking.      Second…understanding the major persons (Plato, Aristotle, etc) who developed the philosophies.  They were products of their time and culture.  Knowing these influences help to understand the background of their thinking.     Third…moving to understand what God desires us to know.  This is a radical transforming action.  Man is not God but a creation of God to reflect Divine character.      Spiritual learning and growth comes by responding to the circumstances and challenges God allows in our lives.  I learned that as I meet each challenge I will have to unlearn something to gain something from God.  This is the challenge of spiritual understanding.  It is to seek the divine perspective of things.  My small human mind may see an issue from a selfish angle.  As I adjust, setting aside my prejudices and biases, I am able to gain divine insight.  The spiritual mentality comes when I align myself with God's Person and Purposes.  When I can humble myself to a position to see as Christ sees, then I am able to obtain the mind of Christ and have a true spiritual mentality.     The course has blessed me in many ways.  It will challenge every person who enrolls in it.  And I believe it will leave the person in a better position with a greater understanding to minister to people. ******************************************** To ordain yourself with the Universal Life Church, for free, for life, right now, click on the Free Online Ordination link. Rev. Long created the ULC seminary site to help ministers learn and grow their ministries. The Seminary offers a huge catalog of materials for ministers of the Universal Life Church.