UU A Way Of Life

The universal nature of which I am a manifestation?

Fri, 25 Aug 2023 18:04:40 +0200

I said before that of yourself you can do nothing, but you are not of yourself. If you were, what you have made would be true, and you could never escape. It is because you did not make yourself that you need be troubled over nothing. Your gods are nothing, because your Father did not create them. You cannot make creators who are unlike your Creator, any more than He could have created a Son who was unlike Him. If creation is sharing, it cannot create what is unlike itself. It can share only what it is. Depression is isolation, and so it could not have been created. T-10.V.5:1-8

Schucman, Dr. Helen. A Course in Miracles (pp. 349-350). Foundation for Inner Peace. Kindle Edition.

We are not the author of our own existence. We had to come from somewhere, to have been made from something. We are an extension of our Transcendent Source and what we have made, thinking it is ourselves, is but a fabrication of the ego. Being an extension of our Transcendent Source we have security, peace, and bliss. If we believe we are simply the object of our own ego creation, we will be depressed.

In Unitarian Universalism some of us join together to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person which comes from our Transcendent Source and is not of our own making.

The question we all struggle with consciously or unconsciously is “What makes me tick?” Am I merely the consequence of social construction or deep down is there a universal nature of which I am a part? To what extent am I aware of the universal nature of which I am a manifestation?

How are our souls doing?

Wed, 23 Aug 2023 14:48:45 +0200

Sickness and death seemed to enter the mind of God’s Son against His Will. The “attack on God” made His Son think he was Fatherless, and out of his depression he made the god of depression. This was his alternative to joy, because he would not accept the fact that, although he was a creator, he had been created. Yet the Son is helpless without the Father, Who alone is his Help. T-10.V.4:1-4

Schucman, Dr. Helen. A Course in Miracles (p. 349). Foundation for Inner Peace. Kindle Edition.

So we think we are the authors of our own life. We all know where babies come from. We are usually joyous at the birth of a body. But what about the soul that is incarnated in that body whose manifestation grows as experience in the body is obtained? This soul can become more aware or depressed. There is a difference between growing old and growing up. All bodies grow old but not all souls grow up. The ego focuses mainly on bodies and is threatened by the soul because as the soul becomes more aware, the ego diminishes and is eliminated.

In Unitarian Universalism some of us join together to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person. Inherent worth and dignity comes from the soul not the body.

What condition is your condition in? When we say we need to “get into shape” we usually are referring to the condition of our body. What shape is our soul in? To what extent do we explore the awareness of our Higher self as distinguished from our ego selves? What is that part of us that can observe our cognitive, affective, psychological, social, physical, and spiritual functioning? Are we living examined lives? If so, how is our soul doing?

Moving our attention from the things of the ego to the peace of God.

Tue, 22 Aug 2023 20:16:19 +0200

Allegiance to the denial of God is the ego’s religion. The god of sickness obviously demands the denial of health, because health is in direct opposition to its own survival. But consider what this means to you. Unless you are sick you cannot keep the gods you made, for only in sickness could you possibly want them. Blasphemy, then, is self-destructive, not God-destructive. It means that you are willing not to know yourself in order to be sick. This is the offering your god demands because, having made him out of your insanity, he is an insane idea. He has many forms, but although he may seem to be many different things he is but one idea;–the denial of God. T-10.V.3:1-8

Schucman, Dr. Helen. A Course in Miracles (p. 349). Foundation for Inner Peace. Kindle Edition.

The ego has a stake in denying the non dual Oneness of God for becoming aware of the non dual awareness of God of which we are a part the ego would no longer exist. The ego has a big incentive in continuing to seduce us with the things it offers enticing us with the hope that those things will make us happy. Not only do the things the ego offers us fail to make us happy, but they keep us from realizing the one thing that will: giving up the things of the ego and becoming one with the non dual Oneness, our Transcendent Source.

In Unitarian Universalism some of us join together to affirm and promote the free and responsible search for truth and meaning and this search takes us inward in search of the peace of God not outward in search of happiness offered by the things of the ego.

This search occurs in meditation and mindfulness. We can take time every day to withdraw our attention from the things of the ego and focus it on the peace of God. This can occur for a prolonged period of time or momentarily several times per day.

To what extent do you see the Divine Spark in others?

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 15:14:50 +0200

Do not forget, however, that to deny God will inevitably result in projection, and you will believe that others and not yourself have done this to you. You must receive the message you give because it is the message you want. You may believe that you judge your brothers by the messages they give you, but you have judged them by the message you give to them. Do not attribute your denial of joy to them, or you cannot see the spark in them that would bring joy to you. It is the denial of the spark that brings depression, for whenever you see your brothers without it, you are denying God. T-10.V.2:1-5

Schucman, Dr. Helen. A Course in Miracles (p. 349). Foundation for Inner Peace. Kindle Edition.

When we deny God we project our fears onto others in a multitude of forms. The failure to see the Divine Spark in others leaves us depressed and forsaken. If we would experience love we have to share it.

In Unitarian Universalism some of us join together to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person by seeing the Divine Spark in each person we interact with and think of. This perception of the Divine Spark in each person gives rise to peace and bliss.

The practice of Unitarian Universalism involves searching for the goodness in each person we meet. In Alcoholic Anonymous they say, “Take the best and leave the rest.” When we find the goodness it is good to acknowledge it, celebrate it, and express gratitude for the golden nugget we have found.

The seventh skill of spiritual intelligence according to Cindy Wigglesworth is the awareness of the worldview of others. This skill involves developing curiosity about the beliefs, values, opinions, practices, history, and traditions of those who come from cultures different from our own. The practice of the platinum rule is “Do unto others as they would have you do unto them.” To what extent do you know about and understand the religious beliefs of other faith traditions?

What makes you tick?

Sun, 20 Aug 2023 17:02:19 +0200

The rituals of the god of sickness are strange and very demanding. Joy is never permitted, for depression is the sign of allegiance to him. Depression means that you have forsworn God. Many are afraid of blasphemy, but they do not understand what it means. They do not realize that to deny God is to deny their own Identity, and in this sense the wages of sin is death. The sense is very literal; denial of life perceives its opposite, as all forms of denial replace what is with what is not. No one can really do this, but that you can think you can and believe you have is beyond dispute. T-10.V.1:1-7

Schucman, Dr. Helen. A Course in Miracles (p. 348). Foundation for Inner Peace. Kindle Edition.

The ego is so stupid. It attempts the impossible which is to get the person to deny their Transcendent Source. How can a person be made out of nothing? How stupid does the ego think we are? We are an extension of our Transcendent Source and to deny our TS is to deny our very self. Now that is depressing. We think we can deny our TS and author our own existence but this is impossible and to think we could do this is just stupid.

In Unitarian Universalism some of us join together to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person which is a very wise appraisal. UUs know whence they have been created and to where they return from their free and responsible search for truth and meaning.

The first skill in spiritual intelligence according to Cindy Wigglesworth in her book The Twenty One Skills Of Spiritual Intelligence is “awareness of one's own world view.” Do you know what makes you tick? Do you understand the social, psychological, biological and spiritual factors that have contributed to your consciousness? Some people are much more self aware than others. What are the resources that contribute to your self awareness on a daily basis and have helped you become self aware throughout the course of your life? Name them and share your awareness with another human being.

Are you living up to your highest ideals?

Sat, 19 Aug 2023 18:00:03 +0200

In many only the spark remains, for the Great Rays are obscured. Yet God has kept the spark alive so that the Rays can never be completely forgotten. If you but see the little spark you will learn of the greater light, for the Rays are there unseen. Perceiving the spark will heal, but knowing the light will create. Yet in the returning the little light must be acknowledged first, for the separation was a descent from magnitude to littleness. But the spark is still as pure as the Great Light, because it is the remaining call of creation. Put all your faith in it, and God Himself will answer you. T-10.IV.8:1-7

Schucman, Dr. Helen. A Course in Miracles (p. 348). Foundation for Inner Peace. Kindle Edition.

The great gospel song, This Little Light Of Mine’s, first lyric is “This little light of mine, I’m gonna let it shine,” The Divine Spark is in each one of us and when we recognize and acknowledge that Divine Spark within us, we not only can let it shine, but we can fan the spark to flame and “Great Rays” manifest.

In Unitarian Universalism some of us join together to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person which is inherent in the Divine Spark within. When we recognize the Divine Spark in ourselves we see it also in other people. In Matthew 5:15 Jesus says, Neither does a person light a candle and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick, and it giveth light unto all that are in the house.

To what extent do you look for and listen to your higher self setting the ego aside? Socrates said that an unexamined life is not worth living. Are you living an examined life? Do you take time everyday to examine your conscience and ascertain to what extent you are living up to your highest ideals? This awareness of your ego self and your higher self is one of the 21 skills of spiritual intelligence. The examination of conscience is an important daily spiritual practice.

Time for renewal of spirituality in UU.

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 15:25:04 +0200

It is a time for a renewal of spirituality in Unitarian Universalism. For too long Unitarian Universalism has abandoned its function of nurturing spiritual development in favor of social justice agendas. An awareness of Unitarian Universalism and other religions' basic function in society, to nurture and facilitate the development of spiritual intelligence, is long overdue. Join us at UU A Way of Life as we pursue the development of the main purpose of religion in society.

Look for the Divine Spark in others.

Fri, 18 Aug 2023 15:12:12 +0200

The miracle is the act of a Son of God who has laid aside all false gods, and calls on his brothers to do likewise. It is an act of faith, because it is the recognition that his brother can do it. It is a call to the Holy Spirit in his mind, a call that is strengthened by joining. Because the miracle worker has heard God’s Voice, he strengthens It in a sick brother by weakening his belief in sickness, which he does not share. The power of one mind can shine into another, because all the lamps of God were lit by the same spark. It is everywhere and it is eternal. T-10.IV.7:1-6

Schucman, Dr. Helen. A Course in Miracles (pp. 347-348). Foundation for Inner Peace. Kindle Edition.

Peace Pilgrim said that when she met other people she would look for the Divine Spark in them and then focus on that. Together, joining with another, the spark bursts into flame and the miracle is manifest in the world.

In Unitarian Universalism some of us join together to affirm and promote the acceptance of one another and the encouragement to spiritual growth. The acceptance is based on the faith in the Divine Spark in every person we meet, and the nurturance of spiritual growth is in encouraging the awareness of the miracle of Atonement or the understanding that we are all one with our Creator as the Universalists taught us.

To what extent is there an understanding in yourself and in your congregation about the unconditional love of God? Are there practices which manifest this understanding? To what extent is there a sense of purpose that motivates one’s life and work with others to bring about the salvation of humankind from the wiles and snares of the ego world?

Experiencing the no thing of the All, the non dual Oneness.

Thu, 17 Aug 2023 16:23:48 +0200

When you have experienced the protection of God, the making of idols becomes inconceivable. There are no strange images in the Mind of God, and what is not in His Mind cannot be in yours, because you are of one mind and that mind belongs to Him. It is yours because it belongs to Him, for to Him ownership is sharing. And if it is so for Him, it is so for you. His definitions are His laws, for by them He established the universe as what it is. No false gods you attempt to interpose between yourself and your reality affect truth at all. Peace is yours because God created you. And He created nothing else. T-10.IV.6:1-7

A Course in Miracles (p. 347). Foundation for Inner Peace. Kindle Edition.

When we experience the non dual Oneness, the cosmic consciousness, we don’t want the idols of the world of the ego. We have an experience of peace and bliss and the eternal now. We experience being one with God our Creator of which we are an extension.

In Unitarian Universalism some of us covenant together to affirm and promote a love for the interdependent web of all existence which is beyond our understanding or apprehension. The love of God’s creation is beyond understanding and yet we can remove the blocks to the awareness of this love when we eschew the idols of the ego. This is done in meditation when we relax into the no thing of the All.

Some of us set aside times during our days to meditate. In meditation we remind ourselves from whence we have come and to which we yearn to return, our true home with our creator.

To what extent do Unitarian Universalists have a meditation practice? Is meditation taught in our congregations? Is meditation encouraged? Are UU clergy and other leaders skilled in accessing the Transcendent Oneness?

The third principle series

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 16:15:47 +0200

One of the motives in moving the posts for UU A Way Of Life back to blogger from substack is so that the brand of UU A Way Of Life can be more visible and accessible.

A new effort will be made to develop a theology both public and private based on the seven principles and the six sources.

The first focus will be on the third principle which is to promote and affirm the acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth.

Come back for the series of articles on the third principle and share them with friends, family, and others and perhaps use them for small group discussions.

Dwell in the peace and bliss of the Divine

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 16:09:37 +0200

You are not free to give up freedom, but only to deny it. You cannot do what God did not intend, because what He did not intend does not happen. Your gods do not bring chaos; you are endowing them with chaos, and accepting it of them. All this has never been. Nothing but the laws of God has ever been, and nothing but His Will will ever be. You were created through His laws and by His Will, and the manner of your creation established you a creator. What you have made is so unworthy of you that you could hardly want it, if you were willing to see it as it is. You will see nothing at all. And your vision will automatically look beyond it, to what is in you and all around you. Reality cannot break through the obstructions you interpose, but it will envelop you completely when you let them go. T-10.IV.5:1-10

A Course in Miracles (p. 347). Foundation for Inner Peace. Kindle Edition.

We are not free when we have been lied to, and we have been lied to continually by the world of the ego which tells us that its idols will make us happy. Once we get these idols of the ego out of the way we become aware of our freedom in the unconditional love of God.

In Unitarian Universalism some of us join together to affirm and promote the acceptance of one another and the encouragement to spiritual growth. This encouragement focuses on giving up the idols of the ego in favor of the unconditional love of God. This involves a rising above the things of this world of the ego so that we can dwell in the peace and bliss of the Divine. Jesus put it very accurately when He said, “Give to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s and to God the things that are God’s.”

UU A Way Of Life posts are back on blogger instead of substack

Wed, 16 Aug 2023 16:07:46 +0200

UU A Way Of Life is back on blogger from substack. Please follow the posts here.

UU A Way Of Life platform is moving from Blogger to Substack.

Fri, 14 Apr 2023 00:38:48 +0200

UU A Way Of Life is moving to Substack.

You are invited to follow it here .

Escape the drugged world of sleep and align ourselves with God’s will.

Thu, 13 Apr 2023 17:14:15 +0200

How you wake is the sign of how you have used sleep. To whom did you give it? Under which teacher did you place it? Whenever you wake dispiritedly, it was not given to the Holy Spirit. Only when you awaken joyously have you utilized sleep according to His purpose. You can indeed be “drugged” by sleep, if you have misused it on behalf of sickness. Sleep is no more a form of death than death is a form of unconsciousness. Complete unconsciousness is impossible. You can rest in peace only because you are awake. T-8.IX.4:1-9

A Course in Miracles (pp. 306-307). Foundation for Inner Peace. Kindle Edition.

So much of Jesus’ teachings in A Course Of Miracles are counter-intuitive. They don’t make sense from the thought system of the world of the ego. They do make sense from the thought system of Spirit. In this passage Jesus teaches us that sleep is withdrawal as if we are drugged and when the drug wears off our consciousness is shifted but this does not mean that we are spiritually awakened. To be spiritually awakened is to join with the Holy Spirit in the healing of the separation or what the Course calls Atonement where we experience the peace and bliss of the non dual Oneness.

In Unitarian Universalism some of us join together to affirm and promote the free and responsible search for truth and meaning which is the pursuit of awakening. This awakening involves aligning our will with God’s will for us and the many become one.

Today it is suggested that we escape the drugged world of sleep which is the denial of the non dual Oneness and align ourselves with God’s will.

What would Love have me do?

Wed, 12 Apr 2023 14:59:51 +0200

Wholeness heals because it is of the mind. All forms of sickness, even unto death, are physical expressions of the fear of awakening. They are attempts to reinforce sleeping out of fear of waking. This is a pathetic way of trying not to see by rendering the faculties for seeing ineffectual. “Rest in peace” is a blessing for the living, not the dead, because rest comes from waking, not from sleeping. Sleep is withdrawing; waking is joining. Dreams are illusions of joining, because they reflect the ego’s distorted notions about what joining is. Yet the Holy Spirit, too, has use for sleep, and can use dreams on behalf of waking if you will let Him. T-8.IX.3:1-8

A Course in Miracles (p. 306). Foundation for Inner Peace. Kindle Edition.

Sleep is a way of leaving the world of the ego by withdrawing from it. It is a hiatus from hell. When we return from sleep into our conscious mind most of us are not awake in the spiritual sense. To be awakened, enlightened, is to become cosmically conscious joining the non dual Oneness with our Transcendent Source by leaving the hell of the ego, rising above it, for peace and bliss.

In Unitarian Universalism, some of us join together to affirm and promote the free and responsible search for truth and meaning which takes us beyond the world of the ego to the world of Spirit, from the world of conditional love to the world of unconditional love.

Today it is suggested that we choose to awaken to the world of Spirit and leave the world the ego behind. When we leave sleep we can ask the Holy Spirit to help us be a conduit of God’s unconditional love in the world by asking continually throughout the day, “What would love have me do?”

Which choice will I make today: conditional love or unconditional love, reality or delusion?

Tue, 11 Apr 2023 18:24:02 +0200

Wrong perception is the wish that things be as they are not. The reality of everything is totally harmless, because total harmlessness is the condition of its reality. It is also the condition of your awareness of its reality. You do not have to seek reality. It will seek you and find you when you meet its conditions. Its conditions are part of what it is. And this part only is up to you. The rest is of itself. You need do so little because your little part is so powerful that it will bring the whole to you. Accept, then, your little part, and let the whole be yours. T-8.IX.2:1-10

A Course in Miracles (p. 306). Foundation for Inner Peace. Kindle Edition.

The bumper sticker is “Reality cares nothing about your beliefs.” The Buddhists say, “It is what it is.” However, the ego wants something different from reality and tempts us to act, believing its lies, thinking that what the ego holds out can be achieved much to our eventual dismay.

In Unitarian Universalism some of us join together to affirm and promote the free and responsible search for truth and meaning. UUs, more than other believers, tend to believe in reality even though we are no better than others at finding it.

Today it is suggested that we consider that reality, unconditional love, is different from unreality, conditional love. We have a choice in which world we want to live. Which choice will I make today?

Are you a body with a soul or a soul with a body?

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 15:40:54 +0200

I said before that the Holy Spirit is the Answer. He is the Answer to everything, because He knows what the answer to everything is. The ego does not know what a real question is, although it asks an endless number. Yet you can learn this as you learn to question the value of the ego, and thus establish your ability to evaluate its questions. When the ego tempts you to sickness do not ask the Holy Spirit to heal the body, for this would merely be to accept the ego’s belief that the body is the proper aim of healing. Ask, rather, that the Holy Spirit teach you the right perception of the body, for perception alone can be distorted. Only perception can be sick, because only perception can be wrong. T-8.IX.1:1-7

A Course in Miracles (pp. 305-306). Foundation for Inner Peace. Kindle Edition.

“Only perception can be sick, because only perception can be wrong.” Are you a soul in a body or a body with a soul? The ego answers one way and the Holy Spirit another. Which do you believe?

In Unitarian Universalism we join together to affirm and promote the inherent worth and dignity of every person. This inherent worth and dignity does not come from the body but from the soul.

Today it is suggested that we reflect on the question of whether you are a body with a soul or a soul with a body. With which do you primarily identify?

Focus on health and not sickness, on holiness and not separateness, on openness and not defensiveness.

Sun, 09 Apr 2023 17:05:55 +0200

Everything used in accordance with its function as the Holy Spirit sees it cannot be sick. Everything used otherwise is. Do not allow the body to be a mirror of a split mind. Do not let it be an image of your own perception of littleness. Do not let it reflect your decision to attack. Health is seen as the natural state of everything when interpretation is left to the Holy Spirit, Who perceives no attack on anything. Health is the result of relinquishing all attempts to use the body lovelessly. Health is the beginning of the proper perspective on life under the guidance of the one Teacher Who knows what life is, being the Voice for Life Itself. T-8.VIII.9:3-10

A Course in Miracles (p. 305). Foundation for Inner Peace. Kindle Edition.

The Holy Spirit does not accept sickness. The Holy Spirit always supports health. Health is wholeness while sickness is separation, division, and defensiveness.

In Unitarian Universalism some of us join together to affirm and promote the acceptance of one another and encouragement to spiritual growth. In other words UUs, under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, promote healing and health.

What is truth?

Sat, 08 Apr 2023 14:27:55 +0200

The fourth principle of Unitarian Universalism is to join together to affirm and promote the free and responsible search for truth and meaning. Pilate wasn't interested. He would not have been a good UU.

Loving without judgment.

Fri, 07 Apr 2023 14:23:50 +0200

The Holy Spirit teaches you to use your body only to reach your brothers, so He can teach His message through you. This will heal them and therefore heal you. T-8.VIII.9:1-2

A Course in Miracles (p. 305). Foundation for Inner Peace. Kindle Edition.

The body is a conduit of God’s unconditional love into the world. When we love everybody unconditionally all the time salvation of the separation has occurred on earth as it is in heaven.

In Unitarian Universalism some of us join together to accept one another and encourage spiritual growth. This is the function of the Holy Spirit manifested in human intentions and interactions.

Today it is suggested that we love unconditionally without judgment whoever crosses our path.