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

The Shadow of Your Smile, by Rev. Staci Hylton

Today is my grandmother's 102nd birthday. Lavinia Twyne Hylton left this plane in March of 1995. Lavinia (Lou is what I called her) left when she was only 75. That is the age of most of my community members. She was a smoker, and lung cancer took her too soon for me. It seems as though it was just yesterday when she made her departure, and that is partially due to my inability to accept her leaving for so many years. Yes, this was the grandmother that was a Practitioner and her father the Founder of Eastside Church of Religious Science which is now known as L.A. 3rd. Lou was a handful! She was a world traveler, had her master's degree in education, and was a teacher that went on to be an elementary school principal. Owned several homes and investment properties; she was a foodie, had a great sense of humor, loved to read, was up to speed on all things political, and loved her cigarettes, milkshakes, and gin and tonics. She was a staunch believer in the teachings of Science of Mind. She believed in education and children and paid for my schooling from Montessori-6th grade and eventually for me to go on to UCLA. In my sharing of who she was, it comes to mind that she was perfectly imperfect and flawed. As much as she did right, there was a side that was judgmental, harsh, unforgiving, closed, not accepting, and she had no tolerance for what she might call "fools." Lou was my teacher. And me being the consummate student, I learned. So much of my good as well as my flaws come directly from her influence. She didn't show up on this plane perfectly, yet I have learned that my transformation comes from the flaws well as the good. Lou still lives and always will in me as my champion.

As Spirit would have it, another important event happened two years ago on the same day, and it was the departure of a very dear friend named Les.

Les would want me to let you know that he loved pretty women, whiskey, champagne, and Frank Sinatra. Those that knew him (and you did not have to know him that well) to know those things to be the truth of Les. As a friend of his for over three and a half decades, I will tell you that he was so much more than that. He is what I consider one of my life-long friends. He was a man that loved his family, his friends, football, boxing, politics, and music. He was funny, smart, never met a stranger, loved to cook, and had the gift of gab. He was probably my first male friend I met moving back from Northern CA to Southern CA. The night I met him, I remember he had to drive me home from the Valley to L.A. because my father's car broke down, and I was not supposed to be in the Valley with my father's car. I lived with my grandparents at the time, and he walked me to the door and explained what had happened to my grandmother. It was such a kind gesture on his part to take the time to try to make things right with her. That was the beginning of our friendship. We laughed about that story many times. I learned a lot from Les. Through our fun and crazy times hanging out, I learned even more, when our friendship took an unexpected turn. During that time, I learned that friendship takes work. It takes communication and sometimes just forgiving and forgetting. As the saying goes, people are in your lives for a reason, season, or a lifetime. For those that are blessed enough to have lifetime friends, there are, of course, times that you will disagree, fuss and fight and if you have enough love in your hearts to set ego aside and make an effort to practice communication, forgiveness, and unconditional love that is what lifetime friendship entails. Therefore, in a few brief words, that is what my friend, Les Roberson, gave to me. I was blessed to be a part of his life for not only a reason or season but a lifetime. Thank you, Les, for your friendship! Until we meet again!

My intention in writing this is to honor these individuals for all the many gifts they shared with me. The most significant gift is the love that is always within me. Yet, so much more was received by them being a part of my life. So often, when people move on to another plane, we speak of our departed as if they were angels while they were here on earth and don't speak of their messy humanness. As Religious Scientists, the "bypass" is real and so unhealthy. The truth of humanity is that people often don't show up as their best selves, and the realization of that keeps me from unrealistic blame and shame. The realization of that keeps me from feeling guilty when it is beyond my band-with at any given moment to be my best self. The truth is that transformation comes through making it through a shift. Once the feeling of transition happens, and it can be seen and felt in mind, then true evolution is a real possibility.

Sitting in deep contemplation about the gifts truly embraced through my awareness of who these beautiful, imperfect people have been to me. I feel their presence and essence in the bright sunlight that shines upon my face; I feel it as a tap on the shoulder before a talk from time to time; it is ever so present when a remembrance of an inside joke or experience tickles my soul. Though they may not laugh as loudly as I do, I can envision, as the song says, the shadow of their smile. When I leave, I would like to be remembered and spoken of for not only the good but even more so the bad and the ugly, which allowed the consciousness within you to stop, think and shift so that you might transform and evolve into your next best version of yourself. Happy Birthday Lou! Thank you for all you have done for me to become the best version of myself. I trust that wherever you both are at this moment, you are both smiling in my realizing how much more you are than I ever expressed while you were with me here on earth. Cheers! And So It Is!



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Staci Hylton is Co-Senior Minister with her best friend Rev Cheryl Bell at the Las Vegas Center for Spiritual Living. Staci's Great Grandfather was the founding minister of what was once known as Eastside Church of Religious Science in Los Angeles, CA and that community is now known as LA 3rd which is still in existence in Los Angeles today. Staci grew up in the teaching however did not begin taking classes until 2007 under Rev Cynthia Clair the Founding Minister of the Las Vegas Center for Spiritual Living. After her first Science of Mind class is when she really realized the gift of the teaching. She decided to move forward with her studies becoming a Practitioner in 2010 and completed ministerial school at Redondo Beach CSL under Dr. Moira Foxe in 2014. After becoming ordained in 2017 she was elected to the CSL's Minister's Council and is enjoying her various duties as an elected representative for the organization. Her responsibilities at the Las Vegas Center for Spiritual Living are focused on teaching, community outreach, and facilitating growth for her community's spiritual leaders which includes Ministers as well as Practitioners. She is proud to say that she and Rev Cheryl are in the midst of Creating the Beloved Community in what is known as "Sin City".

The Gift of 2020, by Rev. Staci Hylton

I cannot believe that it is now the fall of this blessed year. It seems like yesterday that many of us sat down dreaming of what the year 2020 would bring. The year of perfect vision! Yes, I remember that feeling as we ended 2019 and anxiously anticipated all the good that would be granted. To be perfectly honest, this writing was supposed to be completed several weeks ago, and there seems to be so much continuously given that I have found myself almost at a loss of where to begin. Now, you may think that I am either being sarcastic, joking, or have simply lost my mind. The latter might be accurate; however, I have thought long and hard about this over the past several months, and 2020 indeed has been the year of perfect vision. 

 As the songwriter, Johnny Nash, might say this year, “I can see clearly now the Pandemic’s here.” I can see all obstacles in my way of creating a world that works for all. It is almost as if every person in the whole wide world was gifted glasses that allowed us to see the good, the bad, and the ugly in the world of effects. We asked for this, right? We at Centers for Spiritual Living have been threatening to create a world that works for all now for years, and so as the saying goes, you cannot change what you do not acknowledge. Usually, the first step in the acknowledgment is seeing them. We do not have to know how this will occur; we know that our prayers will bring it about—just saying!

I have been able to see very clearly what chaos and confusion look and feels like, the effects of fear on society, who the real essential workers are, the continuous harm we as people cause the environment, the state of health care in the US, racial inequity, police brutality, sexism, the effects of income inequality (especially as it relates to children), selfishness, homelessness, joblessness, and a political divide that is worse than ever in the states. Yes, I see it oh so very clearly!

The gift of perfect vision has been given. We can now see very clearly what we as spiritual beings have either created by default or design. We are up close and personal with our choices, and most of us are horrified.

The good news is that 2020 is scheduled to be over in a few short months. However, I doubt that we move through to the next year without some remnants of the chaos we have lived through this year. We want to acknowledge, accept, and evolve from this nightmare of a year. We must remember that our job is to shift and grow our awareness not to have to live from this vantage point. Yes, the gift of perfect vision has been given; the question is now, Do we have the courage to look at what needs to shift to live our very best lives? I guess time will tell!

Staci Hylton, Co-Senior Minister Las Vegas CSL 

Staci Hylton is Co-Senior Minister with her best friend, Rev Cheryl Bell, at the Las Vegas Center for Spiritual Living.  Staci's Great Grandfather was the founding minister of what was once known as Eastside Church of Religious Science in Los Angeles, CA, and that community is now known as LA 3rd, which is still in existence in Los Angeles today.  Staci grew up in the teaching however did not begin taking classes until 2007 under Rev Cynthia Clair, the Founding Minister of the Las Vegas Center for Spiritual Living.  After her first Science of Mind class, is when she really realized the gift of the teaching.  She decided to move forward with her studies, becoming a Practitioner in 2010 and completed ministerial school at Redondo Beach CSL under Dr. Moira Foxe in 2014.  After becoming ordained in 2017, she was elected to the CSL's Minister's Council and is enjoying her various duties as an elected representative for the organization.  Her responsibilities at the Las Vegas Center for Spiritual Living are focused on teaching, community outreach, and facilitating growth for her community's spiritual leaders, including Ministers and Practitioners.  She is proud to say that she and Rev Cheryl are Creating the Beloved Community in what is known as "Sin City."