Our Body During Lent

For any practice, an aspirant needs a strong, healthy body. The body is a great instrument and it should be taken care of properly


Body is a projection of the mind. Any unrest in the body and nervous system is because of the mind. All of the body is in the mind, but the whole mind is not in the body. Anything that is in the body, the mind can know, but everything that is in the mind, body cannot know.


Physical health is considered to be an essential part of spiritual practice. An unhealthy body dissipates the mind, for all energy is directed to the body alone. A person with an unhealthy body does not have the energy to work on other aspects of his being.


Do not ignore your health. Body is an instrument and needs care. You are only a custodian of your body, breath, and mind. You are a pure soul--that is your real nature.

(The Essence of Spiritual Life, page 49)

I keep a true Lent ,,,,,.

 

Journey Through Lent Begins February 17th

 

Join us during this special time of Spiritual growth as we deepen our Spiritual Journey Through Lent through prayer, contemplation, and discussion of Charles Fillmore's classic Keeping A True Lent.

Beginning February 17th 7pm

 https://zoom.us/j/92438436372

Lent Begins February 17th 2021

 Lent begins Wednesday February 17th, 2021

Lent 2018 Do I have to give anything up? I don't really have anything to give up.

You don’t HAVE to give something up, but you should be planning to do something to help you grow spiritually—something that takes some effort and discipline. 

Dedicating extra time to spiritual reading and/or prayer may be the place to start.

One purpose of Lent is to grow spiritually so doing a little more with intention can help develop your spiritual muscles.

Another thing to do is clean your spiritual glasses. Is there anything in your life that distracts you from your spiritual pursuits? That might be something to give up or do less of during your Lenten practice.

We Behold the Christ in You!

John

The spirit of the Christ is awakened in me.

The spirit of the Christ is awakened in me.

Sunday, April 5, 2015 Jesus Christ, the great Way Shower, taught peace, compassion, forgiveness, and love. His teachings changed lives 2,000 years ago, and they are just as relevant today. As I spend time in the Silence this Easter day, I consider how to fully express the qualities of Christ in me. I draw my attention to the wisdom within. Awakening to Spirit, I discover ways to better express peace, compassion, forgiveness, and love. I revel in the life springing up in and around me and experience the world from a new perspective. I see through the eyes of love, hear with the ears of compassion, and speak words of forgiveness. By following the teachings of Jesus, the Christ is alive in me this Easter day. Jesus said to them again, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.”—John 20:21 Originally posted Unity Long Island Blog.

Prayer Drill for the Week

Here are some  affirmations you can use for this weeks prayer drill.

A Prayer Drill for the week

Divine love through me blesses and multiplies

the prosperity of my life.

First Day. As I bless, consecrate and rightly use the little things I find my possessions grow, and I begin to discover how great God’s loving, generous supply is for me.

Second Day. The oil of God's bountiful supply is sufficient to fill all the empty places in my soul, body, and affairs.

Third Day. The source of my security abides within me, where dwells the spirit of God, my Father.

Fourth Day. By exercising my faith in God's all sufficient supply I am able to draw upon it for all my needs.

Fifth Day.  Putting my God-given talent to work for Spirit brings me joy and success.

Sixth Day. The riches of God's creative word are the source of all supply.

Seventh Day.  I am thankful that my Father-God supplies me richly as I make myself ready to use that greater supply wisely and well.

25th Day of Lent; I remain centered in the peace of God

Are you willing to give up your enemies?

25th Day of Lent
Wednesday, March 18, 2015
Nonresistance
By Elise Cowan

Regardless of outer circumstances,

I remain centered in the peace of God.

Sometimes things don’t go the way we would like them to
go. We may feel we have been treated rudely, unkindly, or
unfairly. Yet despite outer conditions, we can choose to stay
centered in the love of God. When we do, peace permeates
our very being.

In Matthew 5:43-45, Jesus taught we are not to question
someone’s motive but to love them without judgment. “You
have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and
hate your enemy.’ But I say to you, Love your enemies and
pray for those who persecute you, so that you may be children
of your Father in heaven.” What happens when we love our
enemies? We no longer have enemies! When we practice
nonresistance, we allow the kingdom

Preparation: I prepare for a deeper understanding of God.Ash Wednesday 2015

Preparation I prepare for a deeper understanding of God.

Wednesday, February 18, 2015 I welcome this Lenten season by preparing for a deeper understanding of God. Releasing habits, thoughts, and behaviors that no longer support me, I embrace a new life. Letting go is a gentle and loving process, free of judgment and filled with gratitude for lessons learned and discoveries made. Ready and willing to grow, I identify spiritual practices that support my intention. I may meditate and write my thoughts and feelings in a journal. I make a list of what I am releasing, tear it up, and let it go to God. I ask Spirit to reveal a new life for me. On a fresh, new page, I write my new story. I am open to unique ideas, beautiful experiences, and a profound relationship with Spirit. And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know him who is true.—1 John 5:20 Originally published DailyWord.com

Embodied Prayer

Embodied Prayer

April 1, 2014 by Susan Stabile

The Christian faith is an incarnational faith. We believe God becomes human in Jesus Christ. We express believe in the resurrection of the body. That tells us that there is significance in our physical being, not merely our spiritual being.

A friend forwarded to me a Lenten reflection by Fr. Robert Barron titled Why Your Body Matters for Prayer. In it Fr. Barron provides what strikes me as good advice:

Christian prayer is embodied prayer. In C.S. Lewis’ Screwtape Letterswe discovered an experienced devil giving lessons to a young temptor. At one point, the veteran orders his young charge to encourage his ‘client,’ a budding Christian, to envision prayer as something very ‘interior’ and ‘mystical,’ having little to do with posture or the position of the body. He wants the poor Christian to think that whether he stands, slouches, sits, or kneels is irrelevant to the quality of his communication with God. This, of course, is the Cartesian voice, the belief that our bodies and souls are independent and have little to do with each other.Read More

What will you let go?

During Lent we release that which holds us back from realizing the Christ within. What do you need to release to be able to take a stand and be who you were meant to be?

Ash Wednesday The Beginning

Self-Discipline

 

 

I EMBRACE AND EXERCISE SELF-DISCIPLINE.

Each person has spiritual attributes such as wisdom, nderstanding, strength, power and discernment. These powers help us reach our divine potential. I grow into fuller expression of my Christ Self as I commit to my spiritual practice.

Self-discipline is my companion on the road to self-discovery, enlightenment and a more fulfilling life. I call upon the power of the indwelling Christ to strengthen my resolve. I keep my divine appointment to commune with God in prayer every day. I gently release that which does not support my spiritual growth and well-being. Today, as I embark on a journey of spiritual renewal, I confidently exercise self-discipline.

God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and … self-discipline.—2 Timothy 1:7

Ash Wednesday 2013

Self-Discipline

00:00

I EMBRACE AND EXERCISE SELF-DISCIPLINE.

Each person has spiritual attributes such as wisdom, understanding, strength, power and discernment. These powers help us reach our divine potential. I grow into fuller expression of my Christ Self as I commit to my spiritual practice.

Self-discipline is my companion on the road to self-discovery, enlightenment and a more fulfilling life. I call upon the power of the indwelling Christ to strengthen my resolve. I keep my divine appointment to commune with God in prayer every day. I gently release that which does not support my spiritual growth and well-being. Today, as I embark on a journey of spiritual renewal, I confidently exercise self-discipline.

God did not give us a spirit of cowardice, but rather a spirit of power and … self-discipline.—2 Timothy 1:7

The Cross

The Cross of Jesus is an emblem of triumph. 

It stands as the symbol of the supreme overcoming.

 The Christ in me crosses out all error and reveals the Truth of eternal life. 

I deny the self that I may unite with the selfless. 

I give up the mortal that I may attain the immortal. I dissolve the thought of the 

physical body that I may realize the spiritual body

A Lenten Prayer

William Arthur Ward (1921-1994)

A lenten prayer

Fast from judging others; feast on the Christ indwelling in them.

Fast from emphasis on differences; feast on the unity of all life.

Fast from apparent darkness; feast on the reality of light.

Fast from words that pollute; feast on phrases that purify.

Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.

Fast from anger; feast on patience.

Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism.

Fast from worry; feast on trust.

Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.

Fast from negatives; feast on affirmatives.

Fast from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayer.

Fast from hostility; feast on nonviolence.

Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.

Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.

Fast from personal anxiety; feast on eternal truth.

Fast from discouragement; feast on hope.

Fast from facts that depress; feast on truths that uplift.

Fast from lethargy; feast on enthusiasm.

Fast from suspicion; feast on truth.

Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast on promises that inspire.

Fast from idle gossip; feast on purposeful silence.

Gentle God, during this season of fasting and feasting, gift us with your presence

so we can be a gift to others in carrying out your work. 

Amen.

 

William Arthur Ward (1921-1994)

(American author, educator, motivational speaker)

A Prosperity Practice for Lent

Give up buying what you can't afford for lent.

Pretzels originated in Europe during the Middle Ages. A monk was making unleavened bread for Lent with flour and water because eggs, milk and lard were not consumed as part of the Lenten fast. He twisted some of the dough into the shape of people praying with both arms folded across their chests.(can you see it?)  He decided it would be a perfect treat for children learning to say their prayers. He called the treats pretiola, the Latin word for "little reward."

Love Wins, an Interview with Rob Bell

Take a moment with this interview. As you spend this Lenten season getting to know God's presence a little better you may enjoy this discussion.
God Bless You
John
Rob Bell--Love Wins  http://livestre.am/F4gw

Watch live streaming video from lovewins at livestream.com

Lent 2011, Let Go, Let God

As we begin our journey through Lent you may wish to use the Unity booklet Let Go, Let God as part of your daily practice. click here for the booklet. 

You can download it or it can be mailed to you.

God bless you on your Journey through Lent.

http://www.unity.org/publications/freeBooklets/lent2011LandingPage.html

The Resurrection

Father-God I rest in the consciousness of Your presence with me and about me. I rest in the consciousness of Your life and perfection within me.