April 4th - Easter: Festival of Eternal Life w/ Rev. Rose Houston
April 11th - Life After Death w/ Rev. Cay Tomerlin
April 18th - What I Did On My Winter Vacation w/ Rev. Cay Tomerlin
April 25th - In Divine Expression w/ Rev. Cay Tomerlin
OM – Ongoing Metaphysics – group continues to meet virtually every Tuesday night from 6:45-8:15PM Eastern Time. In March we completed the meditation “The Pineal Gland” that took the entire class time. In April, we will go back to the format of Sanskrit study from 6:45-7:30PM, and transitioning to a guided meditation from 7:30-8:15PM.
The Sanskrit shared is a continuing study of various Sanskrit and Buddhist mantras, and their spiritual and physical aspects. I send out excerpts via email for each week. Please keep in mind that this time is available for anyone to share information on a topic of their choice. If we have new topic, I’ll send emails to the Centre if it is something of general interest. Coordinate with me if you feel interested in this. Otherwise, I’ll continue the Sanskrit each week.
The new guided meditation is called “Project Coherence Meditation” from Dr. Joe Dispenza, who is the author of the two books (Becoming Supernatural and Breaking the Habit of Being Yourself) that our Centre has been studying in the Sunday morning Heart Math small group. All are welcome to participate at any time in Sunday morning Heart Math discussion as well as the OM Tuesday night sessions (class topics and guided meditations). The Tuesday night meditation is related to the concept of coherence – and in Heart Math “coherence” is defined as “a measure of the pattern in the heart's rhythm, which is independent of the amount of HRV [heart rate variability], and reflects an orderly and harmonious synchronization among various systems in the body such as the heart, respiratory system and blood-pressure rhythms.” So although this coherence begins in you and your physical body through physical coherent development (including brain waves and emotional heart linkage), it actually extends beyond your body in a field that connects us all. Basically, coherence helps us physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. The meditation is intended not to just help you personally (it will), but it will change the world, through you, into a better place. I feel this is something that unites all of us with a common purpose, and that our Unity Spiritual Centre Girard is, and should be, involved with making a change for the better through spiritual practices like this guided meditation. We’ll continue it each week at the same time over the next weeks and months until we decide to change it again. All are invited to listen in through our virtual platform from wherever you are by phone or computer.
Let’s try as much as we are inclined to, and feel that this is right, and find the time to do so, spend some time together doing this 45-minute meditation. On a related note, “OM” itself is a very sacred syllable/sound with origins in Hinduism, Jainism, Buddhism, Sikhism, and in the modern Western world, the sound and the symbol for the sound are well-known in yogic practice and various spiritual practices. The sound vibration of the OM when practiced physically, mentally, and spiritually, to me is similar to or related to the concept of coherence discussed above as it relates to coherence between the heart (emotions or feelings) being connected with the mind/intellect, bringing about Spiritual Light and Love, personally, and collectively. In fact, some definitions of the sound OM describe it as a union of the mind (or upper chakras) with the heart (Anahata or heart chakra). Anahata in Sanskrit means “not hit” and it is the sound that is heard without the need to strike something to cause a physical vibration. Physical vibrations cause sound through the medium of air, etc. I feel intuitively that we are working with this union concept when we do these meditations and say the OM vocally out loud or thinking it silently in our minds. Although our guided meditation on Tuesday evenings will not say the OM per se, I invite you to personally say OM, think OM, feel OM, and immerse yourself in the vibration of OM often. And change the world for the better.
We have a saying that April Showers bring May flowers meaning that after the rains come beauty. We have just moved through a year of physical separation and a lot of rain for most people. Hopefully we will see new life blossom by embracing what we have and not take things and people for granted.
I just heard this story, relayed by Rev. Eric Butterworth, on a pod cast and I thought it was very illuminating and am delighted to share it with you.
LOOKING OUT THE WRONG WINDOW
Of a little girl who was standing, looking out the front window of her home as her two brothers were dragging the lifeless form of her pet dog from the road in the front of the house where it had been struck down. They’re dragging it back in the yard, and she’s sobbing for all she’s worth.
Her grandfather, who was a good Quaker, came up, and attempting to comfort her, stood by her and just sort of patted her on the arm and was there to share his warmth and his love with her. They watched as the boys brought the dog back into the yard, and then they dug a hole, and they had a kind of a simple little burial service for the dog. The little girl was crying as if life was over for her.
Finally, when the dog was buried, the grandfather took hold of the girl by the arm and took her to the side window of the same room, looking out on a side garden by the house. There was a tree, a tree that was in full bloom because it was spring. They looked at this tree and the girl squealed with delight because in the fall before she and her grandfather has planted this very tree, and she felt the participation and the fullness of life coming back in the tree. She was so happy, and bubbling and joyous, and the grandfather let her experience this for a moment. Then finally he said, in a moment of great wisdom, reflecting also his Quaker dignity, he said, “You see dear, thee was looking out the wrong window.”
May you look out the Right window of life and see it Rightly!
Blessings, Cay
Board Notes:
The Board of Directors have just adopted a Sexual Harassment-Non-Tolerance Policy. This policy has been put into place to ensure a safe environment for all of our guests and congregants.
The policy and Complaint form is attached for your information. It will also be posted onto our website, and a brochure will be made and be available in our lobby.
If you know of, or have been involved in any sexual harassment, it is your duty to step forth and make it known so that it can be investigated and the appropriate action taken.
This policy doesn’t include staff or spiritual leaders because if they are involved in a sexual harassment complaint, then the Official Policy at Unity World Wide Ministries would come into effect. If you feel you have a complaint against a Staff member or Spiritual leader, please contact the Board Liaison to initiate an investigation.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Larry Heck, Pres.
Kim Ford, Vice Pres.
Janet Thornton, Secretary
Larry Etheredge, Treasurer
Nina Miller, Asst. Treasurer
Roger Juntunen, Member-at-Large
ASSISTANTS TO THE MINISTRY
Nicole Niewoehner - Communications
Lyn Hemphill - Financial
YOUTH EDUCATION
Nina Miller, Director
Alison McNeal, Asst. Director
