Today's Lesson
The Practice of Unity Consciousness

Dr. Ernest Holmes said that all of the problems we have are the result of separation and the solution to every single problem is unity. This applies to personal, family, or world problems.  Separation occurs when we feel isolated, cut-off, alone, different than and disconnected from others and ourselves. It also happens when we have no connection to our spiritual nature and/or to a power greater than we are. The experience of separation leaves us sad, lonely, fearful, and heartbroken. A feeling one might feel after losing a loved one through a breakup or death.  The feelings of separation can lead to depression, all forms of addiction and violence towards oneself or others. The experience of separation is a reality for far too many us and is reflected in our physical, mental and emotional health as well as the violence being reported  every day in the news.

We are striving for the experience of unity personally and globally. Unity, the experience of Oneness, leaves us with the feeling of belonging, as well as an awareness that who we are matters in the grand scheme of things and that we are a part of something bigger than ourselves. The emotional responses to unity are happiness, contentment, happiness, and peace. Most, if not all, personal, family, or global problems would not exist if we achieved Unity consciousness.

As always, any change to the whole requires that the parts change first. If we want anything outside of ourselves to be different, then we must be different. The work of transformation and consciousness raising is a personal effort which not only ensures we will live a transformed existence but ensures that we will have done our part for everyone else. For the sake of the earth and all its life forms, take seriously the question “what can I do to increase my consciousness of unity and oneness?”

The world as it is today, is merely a temporary representation of past and current consciousness. To view the world as fixed or real, separate and apart from consciousness, negates the possibility of healing or change and ultimately guarantees that it will be the same 10 years from now. This is equally true in our personal lives. If you and I don’t evolve or think something new, we will also be the same a decade from now. All progress boils down to our personal progress. If we change, the world will change.

With separation comes duality which is represented by a way of living I will call “either/or”. Either/or living has a particular kind of rigidity.  It implies that a choice must be made, a line must be drawn, sides must be taken. Chocolate or vanilla. Democrats or republicans. Gay or straight people. A person living from an either/or perspective has strongly held beliefs and opinions.  There will be resistance to anything that falls outside of these beliefs. The greatest source of mischief is when people think that what they think is real, right, and true. In this way of being, relationships are sacrificed, friendships are challenged, and people are injured or die in the name of the belief which is believed to be the only right way. Regardless of where one is on the spectrum, there is an unwillingness to try new things and the one living in this world will predominantly be in judgment and negativity.

Unity means everything is included and nothing is left out, rejected, or discarded. Before we explore what it means to live in a both-and world, let us investigate our belief in a power greater than we are.  In my world, it is self-evident that something other than ‘us’ fashioned the universe, the planets, the oceans, the sunsets, the elephant, babies, our bodies – and every other thing of intelligence and beauty.  We are totally blessed to be incarnated into an earth-suit equipped with the sensory equipment which enables us to perceive, enjoy, and utilize what we find in this world. In my world, I understand that all that is visible arises from invisible forces and sources and that our God-given gifts of imagination, belief, will and intention are embedded in each of us so that we may actively participate in the creative process.  We participate in the creation of both physical forms as well as the emotional and mental environments in which we live.

To grasp why it is imperative that we change our minds about how we view the world comes from understanding that everything is creative – not just the good stuff. Negativity, judgment, hatred, fear, anger, resentment, jealousy, pessimism, and negativity also create forms as well as physical, mental, and emotional environments.

The nature of whatever power or presence undergirds the universe is omnibenevolence – all good, all loving. God, Tao, Great Spirit, the Quantum Field is incapable of harm, negativity, or judgment. Our striving is to emulate that.

We may feel separation resulting from our conditioning and upbringing, but it is an illusion. There is a deeper reality with a capital “R” that can be known and lived. At any point we can accept that we are spiritual beings incarnated into human bodies.  We can accept that we have been fashioned by Love for the purpose of loving and open ourselves to radical forgiveness, connection, compassion, reconciliation, and spiritual insight.

God is completely unaware of our crazy misguided behavior so never judges or condemns us for being off track or missing the mark. Just like the prodigal son, we can squander our divine inheritance of love, peace, compassion, and abundance but when we are done being so foolish, we can return to our natural state at time and will be welcomed back with open arms.

The nature of both-and is the opposite of either-or.  It means that opposites can co-exist in the world.  Though you might prefer vanilla, you can be at peace with chocolate.  Even though you might be a conservative, you can make room for a liberal without condemnation. This does not mean you can’t disagree.  It does not mean that you can’t take actions to prevent acts of violence or ignorance or protect the innocent.  Just because we all have the DNA and capacity for love and compassion doesn’t mean we all know it or show it.  You can and should act where you are guided. But whatever it is we do, must be done from the perspective love and not hate.  From a desire to heal, minister to and reconcile – not to punish.

Living a life of Spiritual Power means that we relinquish powerlessness for power.  We relinquish feeling and acting like a victim to understanding that we are powerful and intentional beings.  Let us speculate that the universe is neutral, but we are not.  Let us suppose there is no inherent meaning or interpretation other than the one you made up.  Good and bad exist for humans not for God.  Good and evil exist for humans not for God. This is a radical idea but if we can spiritually understand it, we might then take responsibility for our perceptions and conclusions. The world is not black and white.  The world is to everyone what they see and say it is.

To live in this way requires the development of the skill of observation. You must learn to watch your thoughts and your reactions and actions. Emotions arise in response to circumstances and conditions around you.  You watch the news, and you hear about something that upsets you which initiates a chain reaction.  You complain, argue, rant, rave, take an antacid, check your blood pressure, kick your dog, yell at your kids, etc.  Before doing all of that, is it possible to just notice that some feelings arose and let the rest not play out?

If you and I who are consciously committed to a more peaceful loving world, cannot control ourselves in the face of differences, disappointments, or contrary opinions, what would make us think that the anyone can do it?  If we aren’t willing to open to a new possibility, why would anyone be willing? If you are living in reaction to your thoughts about people, situations, politics, news stories – and those reactions cause you anger, upset, sorrow, revenge, you would benefit physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually from a shift in consciousness and a change of heart.

The goal is that more of us experience peace of mind, calm happiness, joy, and generosity most of the time – regardless of what is going on in our personal life or in the world at large. The goal is to become “un-botherable” by the things that historically have bothered us.  This is true whether a situation from 5 decades ago, a current politician or those 15 extra pounds which allude all your efforts to lose them. Is it possible to relax into the idea that you are a spiritual being, loving, kind, whole, perfect, eternal and that it is possible to be at peace in this world exactly the way it is and exactly the way it is not?

In conclusion, every human being is  a point of consciousness in a sea of consciousness. See if you can lean more into “both/and”.  See if you can contribute more often to unity than to separation in your day to day living.  You will be happier and  everyone will benefit from your efforts.

Join me this Sunday for another episode of SUNDAY NIGHT ALIVE, where we continue the conversation of how to navigate this crazy world with elegance and ease.  Until then,

Love, love and more love,
Rev. Denise