When I first came to Unity in 2002, we only ever met in person – there was no such thing as Zoom and online meetings. Looking back, I am deeply grateful for the opportunities we had to meet together at Unity House in Maidenhead for our services and study classes and for the other Unity centres and groups around the UK; for the four retreats held each year and that I was able to go to Unity Village in the US and study there. I formed many friendships this way and felt the support offered, not just by the Unity teachings, but also from the people who made up Unity. How very important this was. Today, I highly value these friendships and the people who continue to encourage and support me, just as I do my best to support and encourage others on this path. How different life is now that we all meet on Zoom. Please, do not misunderstand me. I am very grateful for Zoom, for we are building relationships and friendships around the UK and around the world in a very positive new way. Yet I recognise this is not the same as being together in person. Somehow that forms deeper bonds that support us on our spiritual journey; something we all need. When our lives get tough and challenging, as they will from time to time, we need each other, the friendships and understanding we offer that support and encourage us, mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually. I appreciate that attending a Unity retreat is not feasible for everyone. They are amazing experiences, yet travelling a long distance may not be possible for you. However, if you can get to Birmingham, Saturday 27th July, for Unity’s Celebration Day, you will have the opportunity to meet others in Unity who walk a path of faith and action, a path that is perhaps similar to yours and mine. This July we will be celebrating one hundred years of Daily Word, giving you the opportunity to meet other Daily Word readers, perhaps some of whom you have already met on Zoom. Are you studying in Unity? Come and meet other students on the path with you. Come and meet some of the leaders of Unity in the UK, and share food with us. This is what Jesus did in his travels around his country – he shared food and wine, teachings and messages of support. Let us do the same. Although I don’t promise wine, I do promise tea, coffee and cake! If you are looking to build new and lasting relationships with others on this spiritual path, come and meet us, share a hug perhaps, take part in the workshops offered and join in with the singing and meditations. Let us come together and celebrate being in Unity. Rev. Kimerie Mapletoft Director of Silent Unity and Daily Word UK
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I suspect that this is because we have instructed our minds to protect us from everything we do not like in the world. This is such an impossible task: we do not even realise we are doing it. However, if you stop for a moment and notice your thoughts, you will see that the human mind justifies, avoids, blames and seeks to fix the world, trying to keep us safe. In Unity, we know this does not work, yet our mind continues, until we learn the practice of getting still and moving into the silence.
This is why meditation is so important and why I write about this again and again. I know how busy my mind can get, and how exhausting it can be if I let my mind run havoc with my thoughts. Enough already! At nearly 62 years young, I want freedom from these thoughts – I want to enjoy peace, love and all the amazing gifts this world has to offer, which is only possible when I get still and seek to go beyond these everyday thoughts to the ‘still, small voice within’. This power of choice is mine to make – I choose peace no matter what. In Mark 4, Jesus rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Peace. Be still!” The wind died down and the sea was completely calm. We can interpret the wind as the turbulent impact of the world around us, with the disciples fear reflecting our own fear and panic when we allow the world to dominate our thoughts and feelings. Jesus said to the wind, peace be still. It is up to us to say to ourselves, peace be still – it is something I find myself doing quite a lot! To help me refocus, I am learning to observe my responses: to step back from them and witness them, instead of being dominated by them. This inner witness or observer is my sacred self, my divine nature, not affected by the world or my thoughts about the world. It is the part of me that is constant, steady, a pure presence and awareness to which I can turn each day. It is from here that I know true joy, peace and freedom. I encourage everyone to stop, step back from their distracted minds, practice centring, getting still and aligning with their sacred self to find the peace within, especially with all that is happening in our world. It is such a simple thing to do – yet it is a skill we need to practice continually as we unlearn old responses and take on the new. Our minds and hearts always hold the solution – stillness and peace. In the stillness our hearts open and soften, our bodies relax and heal and our lives change, as we show up as peace in our world, guided to positive action. Jesus is our guide and example – let us pick up the mantle and choose peace. If you would like to share what has happened to you when choosing peace, please email us at Unity. We love hearing from you. Rev. Kimerie Mapletoft Director of Silent Unity and Daily Word UK What has this got to do with anything you may ask? For anyone who has ever held a grudge against someone, or felt wronged by someone and believes that they are holding their feelings inside (this includes me and most probably, all of us), it doesn't work. Our negative feelings affect everyone we come into contact with as well as ourselves.
So if you have these feelings, try and resolve them: Talk to the person, pray for them and yourself, but don't let them fester and poison your life. I hope this is useful. Angus Irons Unity student From Kimerie: Angus uses a simple yet profound affirmation in his prayer group Tuesday evenings and before our monthly Sunday service, inspired by Catherine Ponder: "Divine love is doing its perfect work in me and through me now. Divine love is doing its perfect work in you and through you now." Repeating this each day will help bring light, harmony, ease and right resolution to this world. What happens in you when you read this statement? Do you respond with Yes! Or No! Depending on your circumstances, your response will probably be quite strong either way. Yet Spirit will always lead us to the edges of our comfort zone, for as we move through fear, we discover it is here that we grow and expand. As Susan Jeffers wrote many years ago – feel the fear and do it anyway! Of course, it is one thing saying this and another to do it!
Yet when we affirm, ‘Divine guidance directs me wonderfully on my path’ it is helpful to know that our guidance will probably lead us out of our comfort zone. This has certainly been my experience. Speaking for myself, when I stay in my comfort zone, there is no growth or movement. It feels lovely for a while, but then I notice Divine energy fizzling out and I start to get restless and bored! Life is always calling us to grow and expand our thoughts and experiences of who and what we are. This means moving out of our comfort zone and feeling into our edges – the discomfort or fear that we feel here. As we feel into our fear, and gently breathe through it, it will change and we will discover there is so much more to us than we thought possible. It is important to know there are times when we must prioritise our safety. Anyone in a difficult or challenging relationship must do all they can to be safe. However, when we are ready to push through and open to new possibilities, be assured you will be supported, helped and enabled by the God-energy always with you. I encourage you, when life invites you to move out of your comfort zone, to stay with the discomfort: do not back down. As you breathe into the energy in your body, it will shift into excitement and even joy, for you are expanding into the divine possibilities that are here for you and coming through you. Enjoy the journey. Rev. Kimerie Mapletoft Director of Silent Unity and Daily Word UK
I also have my connection with the Divine. My pure and perfect spirit. Which, when I quiet my body, transcends the physical. Freely allowing the exchange of energy to pass through me. Renewing my partnership with God. Refilling my cup with spiritual wisdom. Imbuing my heart with perfect love and perfect trust.
Romans 5:5 “and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us” Then there is my physical body. Elements and chemicals derived from stardust across galaxies, across millennia. I really am made from the stars. What a miracle it is that I am me! That my cells are all pre-loaded to know exactly how to be a body. In fact - traces of me may well have been present at the beginning of all that we know. When light became light. Now that is pretty amazing and magical. Psalm 8:3-4 “When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars that you have established; what are humans that you are mindful of them, mortals that you care for them?” Well I guess in God’s eyes human beings are super awesome magical beings. All of us. Diverse, unique and amazing. I am. You are. We are. Let’s not forget it. Roald Dahl “And above all, watch with glittering eyes the whole world around you because the greatest secrets are always hidden in the most unlikely places. Those who don't believe in magic will never find it.” Stefanie Bridges, Unity Office Adminstrator
OK – we may not be as exalted in understanding and realisation as Jesus was. We are not claiming that we are Jesus the Christ! Yet we can recognise and claim that we are different people from whom we were when we started the Lenten season and this is important. We have applied ourselves, as best we can, to the practice of letting go of painful, disturbing and defeating human attributes, knowing we are so much more than this.
Perhaps you are like me. Because of the daily reminders to let go, I recognise when I am being negative or critical and pull myself back to centre more quickly. I recognise when I feel resentful – and instead of spiralling into that energy, find a way to be kind and compassionate with myself, be present to my feelings and needs, re-centring and re-connecting with my loving self instead. I now notice when I am deeply shocked, upset or angered by what someone says or does and how my gut reaction is so strong I just want to walk away rather than be with the energy. When I felt this reaction recently, instead of staying in the energy of anger and blame I stopped, stepped back from the energy as it were, took a moment to breathe and move through it, so I could continue with the meeting. That evening, in our Lent meditation, the affirmation was, “In the middle of chaos, by the power of my spirit I declare, ‘Let there be light!’” It was as if a light shone in the darkness. I knew this light was the answer. I gave thanks for the light shining in and through the whole situation. No blame, no anger, just gratefulness and peace. These are a few of my examples of how the application of letting go is helping me shift. There is, as Myrtle Fillmore our co-founder said, ‘less of me and more of Thee’. How joyful and freeing this is. It truly is something to celebrate. You may like to take some time over Easter to recognise these inner shifts in you. They may not be volcanic in your mind or heart. However, every small step is one in the right direction. Every time we let go of some of our defeating human responses, the more brightly shines the light of God through us and as us. This is the Christ energy being born in us each day. Let us celebrate and sing songs of praise today. Rev. Kimerie Mapletoft
It is excellent mind training. For most of us, this busy world has many distractions. Our minds are often unfocused and far from present to what we are feeling and experiencing in the ‘now’ moment. In fact, we often try to avoid these feelings and sensations, as they can be overwhelming and difficult. Mindfulness teaches us that when we practice being present, we find underneath the turmoil and anxiety, a deeper peace and sense of well-being. Consequently, we experience calmer, healthier and more fulfilling lives.
What about meditation? The Oxford English Dictionary defines meditating as, “focusing one's mind for a period of time in silence or with the aid of chanting, for religious or spiritual purposes or as a method of relaxation.” In Unity, meditation is “a steady effort of the mind to know God. It is man’s spiritual approach to God.” (Taken from Revealing Word, Charles Fillmore) Immediately there is a different focus from mindfulness. It is not just about focusing our thoughts, although we begin here, training our bodies and minds to be still. It is about contemplation and reflection – creating space in our minds and hearts to ‘know God’. In Unity, meditation is about transcending thought and feeling; moving beyond a single one-pointed focused thought. It is a practice inviting us to move into pure consciousness – the quality in us that knows itself as the Christ: the Self beyond thought and feeling where oneness with God is the true experience. Unity calls this practising the Silence. For in the Silence we know ourselves not as simply human, but as divine beings who are so much more than our human experiences. In April, I will be leading a 5-week evening class on meditation. We will practise different techniques to relax the body and focus the mind. All with the intention of moving into the Silence and the deeper part of us that is beyond thought. Would you like to join this class? Click here for more details. Meditate on the possibility and book your place if the answer is yes! Rev. Kimerie Mapletoft Director of Silent Unity and Daily Word UK
What does peace mean to you? It can mean peace and quiet just to hear myself think! Peace can mean no more arguments or disharmony in the home or workplace. Peace could mean relief from noisy neighbours. Of course, we may be yearning for peace in the world – all of us learning, finally to get on with each other. Peace has many meanings. Yet, as many of you have heard me say in the past, peace begins with us. If we want peace in the world we begin with peace in ourselves – and this can be hard, especially when we find ourselves caught up in the turmoil of human living. Like me, you may have a busy mind that, by itself, can become agitated, focused on a problem or event, and just will not switch off (especially at night time). Sometimes anxiety about something can take over, and before I know it, my energy is lost down a rabbit hole that is not of my spiritual choosing. Either way, I am no longer experiencing peace. So, what do I do about it? Over the years, I have learnt some techniques: using my breath to still my mind, body work to get re-centred and out of the automatic thinking mode, being in nature and practising the silence in meditation. My ongoing journey is to keep practising them, keep re-tuning to Spirit, remembering I am spiritual as well as human. Yes, there are times when peace seems beyond me and it takes a little time to move through the turmoil. Yet as soon as I remember there is a part of me not impacted by human struggle, which we call the Christ within, I can step back and tune in once more. Anything we can do to help us reconnect is vital. Do you have specific tools you use? This is my focus right now, as we are busy preparing for our April online workshop, “The Path to Inner Peace.” We will ask these questions, share tools to help us and share meditations to encourage the stillness. As we move into spring, and enjoy the flowers, warmth and fresh greens of nature, let us also commit to reconnecting with the peace that is within us. You are also very welcome to join our online workshop – it is by donation so you choose the amount you wish to pay. Be part of a day that helps us be the peace we want to see in the world.
For me nothing quite nourishes my soul more than a walk in the woods. Forest bathing I think they call it. As I head inward the sound of the road fades and all I can hear is the birds happily chirping. The trees of green envelop me and my to-do lists and worries no longer hold the importance that they had on the drive over. I feel free. I feel that I am within touching distance of the Divine. I notice flowers and insects and details that evade me during my normal working week. I feel peaceful. My connection to all that good and perfect is renewed.
Sometimes I even take off my shoes and socks and tread the Earth barefoot, a practice called Earthing. It is important in my personal practise to synchronise my emotional and spiritual energies with my physical body. Afterwards I breathe deeper and feel less anxious. This is the gift I give myself this week. The gift of feeling grounded, anchored to this magical place, long after I leave. Stefanie Bridges Unity Office Administrator I do not think I have ever cut away so much deadwood in one year. The photo now would show a big gap in the middle of the shrub. It is almost shocking to see because of course, I want it to look full and beautiful. However, in cutting away the deadwood, I found so much potential new growth waiting to burst forth as little tiny buds, which I would not otherwise have seen and potentially would not have grown.
To me this is a real metaphor for life. We carry a lot of ‘deadwood’ around with us. Old, outdated belief systems, habits, situations and sometimes people that have run their course. Yet we often continue to carry them with us, not even realising they are no longer relevant or helpful to anyone. When we realise we have been carrying all of this around and prepare to let it go, it can feel like a huge hole in our lives. We may ask, ‘What do I do now?’ or, even more importantly, ‘Who am I?’ Yet this is a powerful moment in our lives. We have made space for something new, something that we would not have experienced if we had not cut out that deadwood. Further, this ‘newness’ has the potential to be beautiful and profound for us. Right now, as we move through Lent, we are using Unity‘s Lenten booklet to let go of something different every day. I joked at the beginning of the season, that if we were able to let go of everything listed, we would rise up like angels, so light would we be. Yet really, this is no joking matter. It is true. How much are you carrying around with you today? How much are you holding onto something or someone that feels like a dead weight, restricting and limiting you? Can you find a way to recognise that which you no longer need and let it go to its good? Something I really desire to let go of, is people pleasing. It can still have an unconscious hold on me, which then creates resentment, frustration, limitation etc. My response is to breathe through this quality and associated feelings, to free myself and everyone else as well! In its place, I claim and know strength, authority and wisdom. For when we let go, it is important to remember that we must claim something positive and empowering in its place. Otherwise, the old feelings and habits return multiplied. As explained in the parable in Matthew 12: 43-45. There is a quote by Lao Tzu: In the end, the treasure of life is missed by those who hold on and gained by those who let go. This Lenten season, I encourage you to join me in letting go of the old ‘deadwood’. Look for the new growth that may have previously been hidden, but is waiting to bloom and grow in you. Claim it, feel it, give thanks for it. For there is untold treasure waiting for you and our world. I invite you to break free of limitation and know the full potential that is bursting forth through you this year. |
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