February 2020 Feature 1 Circles of Love

This month we get to take a look at the new SOM magazine’s topic “All the Colors of Love.” In this issue we will read about honoring Black History Month and also a special section examining sacred travel acknowledging the many colors of leadership. With that, let’s recap some things for clarity simply because this is a new blog we will be reading each month.

First, until we actually start hosting a group, we will be reading together from this blog as I highlight and question the topics of the magazine. Second, as you read the magazine, follow the questions that I caption each week. So….. Let’s get started!

This month SOM (Science of Mind) features love which is so appropriate for the month that is dedicated to love. We will cover 4 themes weekly from the magazine along with the page numbers for your quick reference.

1. “The Great Surrender” by Ernest Holmes is week 1on page 74.

2. “Embracing Diversity: The Mastery of Differences” by Jeffon Seely is week 2 on page 26.

3. “Unraveling Racism: Real Conversations, Real Change” by Peter Bolland on page 80.

4. “The Imposter Syndrome” by Carol Burbank on page 90.

FEATURE #1 “THE GREAT SURRENDER” by Ernest Holmes

Pg 74

This month’s theme is captured by Ernest Homes, the founder in a number of ways:

Holmes idea of Oneness or inclusion when he said “God is one, and oneness means inclusion-that is, everything is in God.”

I know in Ministerial School, I found it somewhat difficult to wrap my head around that sentence but now, it makes perfect sense. We speak of love as having color and warmth, yet love is invisible. Included in the pure, divine love of God is all that is. Question: Does love suggest color to you? Does your life seem filled with color at times of happiness or even sadness (lack of color)? What do you think about when you read about….the Allness of God?

Could our level of color reveal our level of fear within us? Holmes asks us, “Why does the average person go through life afraid of the universe?” Many spiritual teachers think that it is our sense of separation that causes the fear we experience. Is fear an issue for you today? What are the reasons? Do you know that we all are Divinely loved?

According to Holmes, we all have a fundamental need for accomplishment and expression as well as a need for confidence in others and in one’s own destiny which I concur. He also says that in order to meet these needs, it is necessary to believe there is a Divine Presence and Principle greater than ourselves. I have spoken with many young people and their questions are often confusing when it comes to God and us having God qualities. Yes, we are a part of God but we did not create ourselves……big difference…..we are not God! Are these needs above mentioned the same for you? Is your life full of self-expression, confidence, accomplishment, and trust in your destiny? Do you think the key to your knowing is realizing there is a Divine Presence greater than yourself?

Holmes explains why our creativity is so important to our own happiness. When he says: “Every man has a fundamental need to express Life. We would not have it if Life were not always pressing against us. It has been called the Divine urge, the expression of Life in us, the very nature of our being.” I know I have and do constantly have this urge to express whether it is writing, painting, supporting others, sewing, decoration, designing whatever….simply put our true colors as humans is the ability to create (God only does that). We just use our desires for God to create. This one trait connects us all and we all have it.

Holmes reminds us that “The conclusion that God is all there is means that all that exists is God occupied, God-personalized, God-individualized, God in everything as that thing.” Do you think that God is present in all as our Source, substance, and activity? Do you feel God’s presence in your daily life or do you sense this Presence in your creative desires as well as its fulfillment?

God Undivided (pg75)

Note where Holmes says: “We ought to uncover this God-nature within us so that the subtle invisible force of Life would flow more fully between us and all whom we meet.”

He also suggests we say and believe: “There is only one God and that is my God. Some of that God is in me or I would not exist. Since God is not divided, as much of God as I recognize I can experience.” Remember how Jesus said that we have all we need within us.

Here, Holmes is saying the same thing but just a newer version of this truth. Have any of you tried to uncover this God-nature within you? If you have, did you feel the flow of Life between you and others? I wonder what it would look like to experience as much of God as you can recognize. Look at the lives of our many spiritual icons. What did their life look like? Clearly, when we respond to this Principle (God), it will respond to us. Holmes reminds us of this. Our Practitioners know this. When we all know this, we can create our lives certainly not as victims but as a force to be reckoned with….co-creators with the Divine.

Holmes says it beautifully when he describes a person that has this type of consciousness: one who has a nature of fellowship not dislike or antagonism, resistance, or resentment. A person who attracts…not pushes away; one who builds up and doesn’t tear down; one who has a lot of love, balance, poise and who is free from condemnation. This person is like sunlight having a warm embrace. Wouldn’t that be a person you would want to know? Are you that person?

God Defined (pg 77)

I agree with Holmes with the definition of God: “God is a synonym for Love, Life, Truth, Beauty, Reality, the Absolute, the Divine Presence, the universal Spirit.” This definition is very broad as it should be. My guess is whatever we can possibly imagine; it is more…way more.

Now that we have covered a broad spectrum of what love it, let’s look at how we can apply it to our life. Some valid questions to ask yourself:

1. Do I trust the healing Power of God with me?

2. Do I withhold love? Where and with whom?

3. Is withholding just my judgments and criticisms I have?

4. Do I actively hate or dislike anyone?

After reading this portion, you will understand and face your judgments of others. Holmes reminds us that “Only love will ever heal the wounds of the world” as he explains, “Love is the highest Principle that Life has to give us because It is Life acting in unity with Itself.” Once we understand and feel this impact, we now must look at the world differently. Holmes suggests, “Now this is the surrender we have to make: We must love everybody, we must not be afraid of anything. Then we will know that Life as Love is an all-conquering Power, carrying healing for all things.”

Wow, what a powerful statement! Are you ready to confront your state of consciousness? Are you ready for this surrender Holmes is talking about which is the answer to healing ourselves, our loved ones, and all beings of our world? This is embracing the colors of love!

February Feature 3 Unraveling Racism: Real Conversations

Week 3 “Unraveling Racism: Real Conversations, Real Change”

By Peter Bolland pg 80 in the SOM Magazine

Mr. Bolland provides us with an important and powerful article. He

features the “White Allies Toolkit” from the work of David Campt at the

top of the page. He invites us to finally put the issue of racism in our

New Thought work.

(Q) Have you ever thought that white allies can and are critical to the

healing of racism? If so, can you share or remember some examples?

Campt is educating us with clues that can forward the healing of racism.

He begins with the story of a Unitarian minister, Rev James Reeb in

1965 supporting African Americans to register to vote here in Selma,

Alabama. Can you offer some comments about this story? I know I can

because I was a young girl living in that time here in Alabama.

In our teaching we know the term “safe place” but now we are called to

hold a “brave place.” Conversations here can be difficult, painful, and

uncomfortable. From Tim Wise’s book, “Dear White America” to name

a few, he compels us to confront racism…that is white people seeing

racism as a white person’s problem and must be solved by white

people.

(Q) What is your stand on this issue? Do you agree that it is the

responsibility of the white population to step up to the healing of these

issues?

Bolland says, “As students of New Thought, we are keenly aware that

we do not see the world as it is; we see the world as we are. We

acknowledge that any real of meaning full spiritual transformation

begins with a courageous act of introspection.” Knowing that we see

the world as we are, how does this apply to racism?

(Q) Are you ready to look deeply and honestly into your thoughts,

feelings, and beliefs?

FOCUSING ON THE RACISM SKEPTIC PF 81

Notice where Bolland writes, “Throughout our cultural discourse,

brave people are daring to peel back the layers of shame and denial

that hide from us the last frontier of our awakening. For some in our

teaching there is another way of hiding from the fact of racism; some

even miss the thoughts and beliefs within due to spiritual bypass. Even

with our highest intentions, we can fail to see white privileges hidden in

the racial roots of our subconscious. Let’s face it….racism is not a

feeling; it is a measurable fact.

(Q) How do you feel about the problem of racism? (If you are white),

do you realize and are in touch with your thinking?

Mr. Campt is being at cause when it comes to racism. He travels the

country lecturing and giving workshops to make awareness about this

subject. He calls this training “The White Allies Toolkit’ promoting

transformative conversations with white racism-skeptic friends,

relatives, and colleagues.

(Q) How can we prepare ourselves to become the necessary white

allies in today’s world?

Campt offers us a way to prepare:

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THE R. A. C. E. METHOD

1. “The first step is to reflect. What do I need to do to remain in an

open and empathic listening mode? How can I avoid falling into

the old habits of argument, judgement and condemnation?”

2. The second step is to ask.” What are the key questions I can ask?

How can I gently guide them to talk not about their beliefs and

opinions, but about the personal experience that led to those

opinions?”

3. The third step is to connect.” Tell stories that reflect and support

the sharing. Look for places where you can agree and understand.

4. The fourth and final step is to expand. Once you have some

points of agreement, dig further until you see the reality of racial

discrimination today. Share your own experiences to stimulate

recognition of racism.

(Q) Do you see yourself being able to engage in conversations with

others? Do you feel comfortable starting a conversation?

BECOMING A WHITE ALLY

(Q) What would becoming an ally look like to you? What would be

hard about having what I call “the impossible conversation” with

anyone? Share your feelings and fears. What does “hard” look like

to you?

Bolland states that being a white ally is our moral obligation and

should be considered a force for good. White people have the

power and should exercise their power accordingly because it is the

only way to “unravel the stranglehold racism” has here in America.

Again we honor and bless the mission to embrace all the colors of love!