In 1998, Arun Gandhi, the grandson of Mahatma Ghandi, introduced the Season for Nonviolence. These 64 days, observed each year, begin on January 30 and end on April 7—commemorating the assassinations of Gandhi and Martin Luther King, Jr. In California especially, the life work of Cesar Chavez is also honored. The Association for Global New Thought, and many New Thought churches, dedicate this season to promoting peace. 

You may have seen the quote "Be the change you wish to see in the world." Though it is…

It’s been nearly a year since the pandemic started necessitating changes in our everyday lives. Even if we think we’ve grown used to the restrictions and isolation, we need to be aware that we’ve lived under an ongoing shadow of fear. Add to this the increasing civil unrest and violence, and you have a population that is struggling with great stress on a daily basis. 

This stress shows up in our lives in many ways. We may have troubling dreams that interrupt our restful sleep. We may have short tempers. We…

We are living in remarkable times--times in which humanity is discovering the Truth about itself, and about the world. Times that are occurring because millennia of historic events have set the stage for our awakening. The biggest mistake we can make is to be too shortsighted in our attempt to interpret current situations. 

It’s easy to give in to our emotional response to the threat of violence when crowds stormed the Capitol on January 6. Yet, our feelings of fear, shock and anger do not lead us into the…

With all of the tumultuous events we are exposed to in our daily media, do you find it difficult to refrain from reacting to each seeming threat or injustice? When we remember that what we focus on grows, we learn to choose our responses, breathing through any initial feelings of shock or dismay, and allowing our higher understanding to guide us. 

Choosing to focus on peace is an intentional response to current events. We remember that what the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a…

Two caterpillars stood on a twig, happily munching away at a leaf. Gazing at the sky, they noticed a butterfly flutter by. One of them, momentarily distracted from his repast, commented, “You’ll never get me up in one of those things!” 

This popular joke is endearing because it illustrates our hesitancy to accept change, our unknowingness about the nature of life and our innocence when confronted with the signs and symbols of impending transformation. 

We, the citizens of Earth, are currently being…

It’s May! It’s here! That joyous time of year! The Earth itself resonates with rebirth and renewal. The cycles of nature are God speaking to us, teaching us about ourselves. The leaves drop in the fall and return in the spring. We live, and die, and live again. Each part of life comes and goes in perfect rhythm and divine harmony. 

Nature has been very active during our recent time of confinement – a word that has traditionally been applied to the period that precedes giving birth. 

And new birth has been…

As we all adjust to this Time of Corona, little comforts mean a lot. Including music, soft blankets, dog hugs and favorite meals enables us to maintain a positive and healing atmosphere in our homebound condition. 

I have found comfort in returning to some of the food of my childhood—big meals with roast, potatoes, carrots and green beans fill me and fulfill me as never before. I’ve begun making tuna salad sandwiches for many lunchtimes—complete with potato chips, and yes, Miracle Whip. 

Most of us are…

How can we tell that we are not free? The first step is the realization that we are not free. In what ways have we accepted the captivity of our belief systems, without the awareness that we have a choice? This coming Sunday, we begin a set of talks based on the Unity classic book Lessons in Truth by H. Emilie Cady. In it, Cady outlines basic Unity metaphysical principles, that when embraced, radically change our definitions and perception of the world in which we live. We learn that we are truly the…

Dear Ones, 

As we move through the days and weeks ahead, let us ask for greater understanding of the outpicturing of God’s divine principles in our lives and in our world. Part of this understanding is recognizing the presence of fear and grief, and providing the reassurance and comfort needed for our hearts to heal. 

Be assured, that regardless of the scary statistics and newscasts, we are never outside of God’s love. The human race, and the entire earthly realm, are making a transition into the next…

When President Kennedy was assassinated in 1963, schools and businesses were closed for several days. We had only 3 TV stations and they broadcast details of the shooting, and the funeral, nonstop. 

All six of us were at home and very restless. One afternoon,my father walked into the living room and pointed his finger at my brother Rick and myself (we were the two oldest, ages 11 and 13). “You two, please join your mother and me in the kitchen. You are going to learn how to play pinochle.” Thus began a…

We are sharing an amazing time in history—a time saturated with unforeseen benefits and unexpected blessings. Many of us are grateful for a “time out” from our otherwise overbusy schedules. On a global level, this time serves as a “reboot.” We shall return to our lives refreshed and inspired, having learned how to take care of ourselves and others. 

There is no place where God is not. There is no time outside of the divine. Our true challenge as we move through the days and nights ahead is to remain…

The fear that accompanies a health crisis such as the coronavirus can be quite destructive. It diminishes our joy and standard of living—and has a negative impact on our immune systems. 

Following are some suggestions for improving your peace of mind during the upcoming weeks: 

Most importantly, put God first. Go to God in times of prayer and meditation and be open to the comfort and guidance that are always present. 

You may call Silent Unity’s 24/7 prayer line at (800) 669-7729 (now pray), or email a…

January 10, 2020 

Unity’s 5 basic principles provide a simple, yet profound, framework upon which to build both spiritual understanding and a program of spiritual practices. These basic principles can be stated as follows: 

There is only one Presence and one Power active as the Universe and in my life. God the Good. 
Our essence is of God; therefore we are inherently good. This God essence was fully expressed in Jesus, the Christ. 
We are co-creators with God, creating reality through thoughts held in Mind…

February 1, 2020

Are there times when your dreams seem to be in a holding pattern, and you keep running around the same circle looking for a way out? Times when you feel stuck, stalled or short-circuited? If so, sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey! 

In our high-pressure, goal-oriented society, we sometimes forget that life unfolds according to divine timing. There is a natural rhythm to our progress, with periods of high accomplishment followed with times of inactivity. Know that there is real work…

February 26, 2020

What does a church offer? It offers many things to many people. Folks come to church to experience a sense of belonging to a community, to share in social activities and learn ideas that help with the challenges of life. And sometimes, they receive a complete overhaul of their beliefs and their lifestyles. 

As James Dillet Freeman expressed in A Blessing for a Church: “May we who come here not only find out about God, but find God.” How would it change you if you really believed that God…

Unity’s 5 basic principles provide a simple, yet profound, framework upon which to build both spiritual understanding and a program of spiritual practices. These basic principles can be stated as follows: 

1. There is only one Presence and one Power active as the Universe and in my life. God the Good. 
2. Our essence is of God; therefore we are inherently good. This God essence was fully expressed in Jesus, the Christ. 
3. We are co-creators with God, creating reality through thoughts held in Mind. 
4. …

Entering the holy season of Advent, we allow ourselves to become focused in this sacred journey, this time-out-of-time. As we approach that Holy Day, we feel united with others who celebrate around the world. We feel our connection with our own ancestors--with the countries from which they came, with the special holiday traditions that they shared. 

We realize that no life is lived alone; each one is spun from the web of culture, of belief, of blood. Each person adds his or her own light, and just as the…

I recently read that it’s not what we don’t know that is the problem. The problem is what we think we do know—the embedded, unrecognized, unquestioned assumptions that color our perception of our lives and our world. These foundational beliefs were garnered throughout our childhoods. Until we realize that we are living one limited version of life, to the exclusion of an infinite number of equally available versions, we continue to blame the world for our troubles. 

One of my early wakeup calls came when I…

It seems like we live in threatening times. People today operate at a high level of “threat focus” due to the violence and uncertainty in our world. The coping skills we learn when we move through painful periods in our personal lives can also be applied to the risks we perceive nationally and globally. We can develop inner resiliency. 

Do you ever wonder “Why me?” Why did my heart get broken? Why did my loved one die? Why did I lose the job, or the baby, or the house? One of the traits of resilient people…

With all of the tumultuous events we are exposed to in our daily media, do you find it difficult to refrain from reacting to each seeming threat or injustice? When we remember that what we focus on grows, we learn to choose our responses, breathing through any initial feelings of shock or dismay, and allowing our higher understanding to guide us. 

Choosing to focus on peace is an intentional response to current events. We remember that what the caterpillar calls the end of the world, the master calls a…

Just when you’re trying to catch your breath from the holidays, here comes a whole new year, with the expectations and pressures to make it your best year, your best life, your best you. Whew!! That’s a lot to heap on the post-Christmas stress. So, how can we nurture ourselves while laying a path through the new year that will support us in our growth, allow us time for light-hearted relaxation and guide us through challenges? 

There is a rhythm to growth and change—rarely do we seem to follow a straight…

What obstacles do you perceive to be blocking your success or happiness? A while back I read “Merle’s Door” by Ted Kerasote. It is a great book about a man and his dog. The “door” in the title refers to a dog door that Ted installed a couple of years after Merle came to live with him, and how, in giving Merle this independence, Ted released much control over the dog, changing the dynamics of their relationship. 

When I moved into my current duplex, I installed a dog door for my Papillon Yoda, the first one…

Are there times when your dreams seem to be in a holding pattern, and you keep running around the same circle looking for a way out? Times when you feel stuck, stalled or short-circuited? If so, sit back, relax, and enjoy the journey! 

In our high-pressure, goal-oriented society, we sometimes forget that life unfolds according to divine timing. There is a natural rhythm to our progress, with periods of high accomplishment followed with times of inactivity. Know that there is real work being done in these…

Does it ever seem like as soon as you get it figured out, they change the rules? One of my favorite bumper stickers is “Shift Happens.” Yes it does, it surely does. Have there been shifts in your personal life or in our country or our world, when nothing was ever again the same?. 

I think of my own life and two major shifts—the first was signing myself in for 28-day inpatient treatment for alcoholism in 1988. The second was leaving a successful career in software to attend ministerial school in 1998. What…

Are you a Scarlett? Are you plucky and passionate? Do you sometimes struggle needlessly? Or are you a Melanie? Are you serene and loving, always seeing the best in people? The truth is that we all have qualities of each of these iconic women of the old South. 

And for the men, are you an Ashley or a Rhett? Like Ashley, do you value tradition and family, or are you a bit of a maverick like Rhett Butler? The enduring qualities of these characters created an unforgettable story. 

I have recently become aware…