Unity Spiritual Center Denver Unity Spiritual Center Denver

"THE SILENCE is a state of consciousness and non- awareness to which we may retreat from the relative realm of sense consciousness.It's always there, like the sun. It is a place of inner stillness and quiet that is the source of divine revelation and from which we make discoveries of the eternal truthsand therefore, ultimately of ourselves."– Rev. Paul Hasselbeck, Heart-Centered Metaphysics

There are many types of meditation and concentration methods used in the various spiritual disciplines of the world. In Unity, the purpose of these techniques is primarily to focus the attention on the Source/God of our being. The divine life and light at the center of our being and all around us.

Shereen Hill was our guest speaker this week and here is her talk titled, "Reclaiming the Present Moment."  You can join us each Sunday morning at 10:00 at Unity Spiritual Center Denver.  We would love to welcome you into our community next week.

This Sunday, Spiritual Leader Trish Morris continued the exploration of tuning into presence with Mindfulness Meditation practices. You can join us in person each Sunday morning at 10:00 at Unity Spiritual Center Denver.  Come see what our spiritual community is all about!

We concluded our Summer of Awe series Sunday with the grandeur of epiphany!Who doesn't love a good epiphany?Epiphanies are those big ‘aha’ moments whereby our current understanding of life gets rearranged in such a way that a whole new perspective suddenly becomes known.In his book Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life, the author Dasher Keltner summarizes the experiences of epiphany from the participants in his study of awe as follows:“Around the world, people were awe struck by philosophical insights, scientific discoveries, metaphysical ideas, personal realizations, mathematical equations, and sudden disclosures that transform life in an instant. In each instance, the epiphany united facts, beliefs, values, intuitions, and images into a new system of understanding” (pg. 18).I have come to consider that we are in an experience of collective epiphany. Of course our individual experience of a new understanding depends on where we are in our initial level of understanding. Regardless of where we land in that, there remains a shared opportunity for growth. I have certainly felt a deeper understanding of the ‘essential truths about life’ over these past several years. I am guessing you have as well.I have also become more keenly aware of how we are all so influenced by the prevailing social, political, religious, and cultural beliefs and values of our times. I have also been surprised by my former unawareness in that regard. I believe that many of us have become more aware of how these influences really do shape our sense of identity, for better or worse. It is often that very identity that we so often have to peel back in order to uncover ‘the gold’ of our True, Spiritual Nature. Who we think we are, or who we think that we should be, must eventually give way if we are to uncover the depth of who we are in Spirit. This is the essence of the lesson behind the spiritual teaching requiring that we ‘die to the self’ over and over again.The magnificence of this whole process is that we are hard-wired for these experiences of awe and wonder—which then continue to call us toward the fullness of Divine Life within and all around us. That fullness of Life strengths and guides us in rising up to meet the challenges of our times.It would seem that the very experience of awe is an epiphany as it connects us to something larger than our self, and holds a continual potential for expanding our perspective.We are all actively experiencing the paradox of change -which holds both great potential and opportunity alongside the feelings of uncertainty, and fear of chaos. It can be tempting to just hide away until the chips fall where they may.Yet, the wonders of life continue to call to us. Divine Intelligence is always at work and seeking to deepen, strengthen, and grow us. Experiences of awe and wonder are essential now more than ever because they help to neutralize the sense of overwhelm that uncertainty can exacerbate. Ultimately, these experiences support a much needed deepening of our connection to the Divine- in ourselves, each other, and the natural world. Perhaps that is, as Dacher Keltner concludes, " the great epiphany of our species" (pg. 244).He also offers this final intriguing question,"What is it that awe connects us to that is larger than the self?"Take some time to consider that question for yourself.

I hope that you have been taking time to notice the plethora of opportunities for awe and wonder that life so freely affords us.  This Sunday we will consider the power and purpose of Mystical/Spiritual Awe.The term mystical here simply means a direct, personal experience of the Divine. There are a plethora of these opportunities to connect. As we discussed last week, many of us feel this powerful connection while “walking in the Cathedral of nature” as Dr. Lisa Miller puts it.In his book Awe, author Dasher Keltner explores how our spiritual life actually grows out of experiences of awe.  Keltner refers to mystical awe as “…the feelings of encountering what we call the Divine, {meaning} what we feel to be primary, true, good and omnipresent” (pg. 195).Such experiences draw us closer to the power and presence of the Divine within and all around us. They also fulfill a deep and fundamental human need.The awe-inspiring body of work recently published by Dr. Lisa Miller in the book entitled, The Awakened Brain shares how science has also concluded that humans are hard- wired for spirituality. Not surprisingly, their work also shows the positive trends toward overall resilience and happiness, as well as greater physical health, and mental wellbeing among people with a strong spiritual foundation.Yet, statically speaking fewer Americans are finding that foundation in traditional religious settings. The need for spiritual connection and growth is alive and well, but the stronghold of dogma and outdated doctrine are increasingly less appealing in meeting that need.Keltner explored the analogy set forth by Rev. Jen Bailey in her experience of ministry as one of “composting religion.”I understood this to mean that she is doing the work of freeing religion/spirituality from its outdated and decaying foundations, particularly those rooted in racism and sexism. Doing so supports her ability to distill a message of Truth and a fullness of Spirit that nurtures deeper growth, and supports authentic connections among her membership.Using the natural process of composting is a powerful metaphor.  In nature, this is the process by which raw material is broken down by microorganisms that consume any toxins, distilling the purest mixture of organic matter to then nourish new growth.Keltner goes further by drawing the following intriguing comparison,   “Mystical Awe follows {that} pattern of decay, distilling, & growth. Our own experiences of mystical awe, or spiritual experience, follow this pattern of the decay of the default self’s preconceptions about the world, which results in the distilling of some essential feeling that gives rise to growth of our own spiritual beliefs and practices” (pg. 196).Our direct and personal experiences with the Divine grow us by expanding our limited preconceptions about the Divine, ourselves, and the world.Mystical awe, like most things, begins with awareness!We all have the ability to perceive what Emerson called “the benevolent life force.” That perception offers a direct connection with the vastness and mystery of that force.That connection also unifies us with all of creation, and our perception continues to widen.Consider for yourself:How do you experience mystical awe?What settings or practices support you in a direct and personal experience with the Divine?How have these experiences expanded your preconceived ideas about yourself, and the world?