How can we truly find peace in a world that seems caught up in dissention and aggression? Are we not all caught up in the mass consciousness of humanity? Those on the spiritual path are called to respond to and question their part in what Charles Fillmore called “race consciousness.” Although we are involved in and to some degree responsible for the world’s woes, their effects upon us vary according to our individual consciousness.
In times of challenge all that we have earned in the past, all the overcomings we have made, come to our aid. No good effort is ever lost. As one teacher has put it, “If I have enough on deposit in God’s bank of good, God will honor my check of need. If I am overdrawn, I will start over and square my accounts.”
People have found personal peace that passes all understanding in every condition of life. Perhaps this is the Creative Principle’s way of intimating to us the possibility of peace on a greater scale. In this age of worldwide communication we are conscious as it was never before possible to be aware of the world condition; the hopes and despairs of other peoples in other lands – and of our land. We have witnessed the heights and the depths of the human predicament; the demand of the Spirit within us that we reconcile the dual aspects of our own nature, and the duality of our relationship to other people, other nations.
Beyond the confusion of appearances there is a strong undercurrent of assurance that God is ever present. In returning to the conscious realization of God’s presence and power, and our willingness to be guided by Spirit, shall peace and freedom be found. The call to prayer allows the mind of man to probe ever deeper into the sources of life, at the center of which we will find the First Cause. This leads to answers to human needs, the fulfillment of high purposes, the possibilities of the vast unknown.
“Let There Be Peace On Earth AND Let It Begin With Me.”
We in Unity who have had our training with the original builders of Unity take an approach to the concept of prosperity that is not currently taught or assumed. Outside concepts have filtered in, and we have kind of a mixed bag. However, the TRUTH remains. We must always look to the spirit of the teaching and test the waters.
We know our way-shower, Jesus the Christ, always based his authority on Divine Principle. These we know had to do with mental states of consciousness. The man Jesus did not get into rules and rituals of the Jewish Priesthood, but he certainly encouraged us to observe our feelings, challenge the fears, and understand first cause. Too much of the current teaching is based on something out there, with little inner transformation. We are encouraged to look at our powers of perception and spiritual understanding. Many think the demonstration of money is the true state of prosperity.
The Fillmores believed we needed to look at what they referred to as wholeness. Certainly our good health, peaceful mind, and harmony in relationships are the path to success. As scripture tells us these things will be added once we have developed the kingdom consciousness. It must be clear to us what this means . . it is our connectedness, our oneness, with the True Source. When that connection is broken we find ourselves in all sorts of problems. To live a prosperous life we must release previous mental habits. The possession of doubt, fear, envy, prejudices, or forgiveness must be surrendered for the pure love of God to “open the windows of heaven, and pour out blessings.” Many have their confidence in academic background, attachment to things we have gathered on the journey, and pride in our personal achievements. Only too often our trust in the outer methods comes to a shocking halt. It is the Grace our heart longs to find and express for it calls us both to a place of receiving and a place of giving. It is as author, Frank Whitney tells us, “YOU CAN BEGIN AGAIN.” It is time to rethink some of the old concepts we have held dear and to take a new look at the deep teachings of the Master.
Rev. Richard Billings
MISSION STATEMENT
Unity of Oak Park is dedicated to teaching Spiritual Truth; awakening individuals to the indwelling Christ - I AM; and putting into practice Universal Laws of Love, Peace, Prosperity, and Healing.
