Meanwhile, by Rev. Staci Hylton

The inspiration for my writing came from Stephen Colbert this past week. The more chaos, unrest, and disturbing the world seems to be currently experiencing, the more spiritual truth needs to be remembered. My job is to commit to seeing that which is happening so that my unique and individualized version of love can realize what is needed to help lift and shift the world to a new place. 

Honestly, there are days that my focus and energy seem to be stalled, and I gravitate toward that which infuriates and disappoints me about humanity; therefore, I must give double attention to my spiritual practices. As my focus shifts to being “in the world and not “of the world,” that which is mine to do comes through. The blessing that comes from the chaos and seeming darkness that is happening all around us is that truth is being revealed, and if enough of us can find the strength and courage to wrestle with the uncomfortable and the unrest, we truly have the opportunity to create exactly that which we want which will serve humanity at a higher level. I am willing to look into the dark corners and crevices of my own mind and that which is out in the world, however, am unwilling to vibrate from a place of doubt, fear, and worry. My light must shine as brightly as it can from within. What brings me back to shine is the remembering the “meanwhile.” 

I am so grateful for the Principles of Science of Mind, which allow me to live in the meanwhile. Here is a reminder of the Principles which come from CSL.org. They are framed on the wall at LVCSL as a reminder, and they make up the “Meanwhile” that I choose to focus my energy upon.

Current conditions that weigh on my human mind and heart: Racism, Sexism, Heterosexism, Classism, Ageism, Ableism, Anti-Semitism, Anti-Any religion that isn’t traditional Christianity (ism), fear of one another, fear of loss of power, lack of resources, inequality, not-enoughness, unworthiness, change, lack of recognition and respect of the value in all beings and the planet.

Meanwhile, there is Oneness, Love, and Creation

“One infinite Reality, We call it many names, including but not limited to God, Life Universal Spirit, Infinite Intelligence. First Cause, or the Thing Itself. The One Infinite Reality is undivided, complete, and whole within Itself. This Oneness creates everything out of itself and therefore includes both the absolute and the relative, tangible and intangible, physical and metaphysical aspects of reality.

“Love is the self-givingness of Universal Spirit through its desire to express itself in terms of creation. Love is the impulse, and Law is the way of creation.” We each are divine and a unique expression of the One Love, and when we create from that place and space of love, we manifest more and more love.”

Meanwhile, there is The Creative Process and The Spirit Threefold Nature

The One Infinite Reality expresses in three aspects, Spirit, Soul, and Body, and we are made in that One Reality’s image and likeness therefore, we create from that.

Each individual is made in the image and likeness of the One Infinite Reality therefore, once each realizes and acts from its birthright of Love, we can and will ultimately choose to manifest the attributes of love, peace, power, joy, and harmony and realize our beauty, and abundance and so much more.

Meanwhile, the Truth is that Freedom, Heaven is a state of consciousness, and we are all living an Eternal Life Now

Freedom is the birthright of every living soul, and as we realize that heaven is our true nature and allow ourselves to live from that awareness, we create more of that state of consciousness within each of us. We also allow for others to create their own version of their highest and best lives, knowing that as each opens up to their own unique magnificent selves, each creates a world that works for each one. We are immortal and eternal spiritual beings, here at this time on purpose to walk each other Home.

Rev. Staci Hylton

Values, by Rev. Alice Reid

This morning I came across a reading by Mark Nepo in his book More Together Than Alone. Mark recounts the story of an early civilization that all spoke the same language and so loved their tribe that they decided to build a tower so that no matter how far someone wandered, they could simply turn around and find home.

The tower took much longer to build than they imagined, generations in fact, and many lost touch with the original purpose for all the resources and effort to build the tower. The tower was so tall that it took a full year for each brick carrier to carry a brick to the top of the structure.

One day a brick carrier fell and died; the masses mourned the loss of brick over the loss of the worker.

Of course, this is the story of the tower of Babel. The story goes on to talk about how the workers pressed on with the task, having no reverence for each other anymore, just the task at hand, building the tower.

I've seen several renditions of this story from Genesis 11:1-9, but basically, God becomes displeased and, according to Wikipedia, "confounds their speech so that they can no longer understand each other."

As I reflect on this story, I'm not focused on the idea that God would confound our speech. It seems more likely that humanity lost its center of compassion and was focused more on the effect than the cause, more on the task than the purpose for the task, therefore losing their ability to understand each other.

What struck me about the story was the resonance to today's politics (aka public agreements). Our democracy was created generations ago, and it seems we've lost touch with the idea that democracy was a means to an end; that end being public well-being through agreed upon ideas.

Today I'm wondering what the politics of compassion look like and how to draw upon my own values when considering how I want to participate in our body electorate. It's that time in the US when we decide what we are voting for. I recognize that the structures we've created have great value for some... I'm clear that the brick is less important to me than the worker lost.

Rev. Alice Reid

Rev. Alice Reid is the Spiritual Director at Center for Spiritual Living Santa Cruz in California and she lovingly serves the Centers for Spiritual Living on the Leadership Council as their treasurer.