Sundays are Spirituality Day here at Taking it to the Streets
I’ve been writing about the five core principles of Unity.
1. There is only presence and one power in the Universe and in my life
2. The Christ spirit lives within me
3. Thoughts held in mind produce after their kind
4. I experience God’s presence and power through prayer and meditation
5. I put my faith into action by demonstration
This final principle is ‘officially’ presented by Unity as “Knowledge of these spiritual principles is not enough. We must live them.”
To me, this final of the five Unity principles is closely aligned with the 12th step of Alcoholics Anonymous (and other 12 step programs): “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others and to practice these principles in all our affairs.”
There is a reason why this is the last of the Unity principles (and why Step 12 is the last step). One has to have a firm foundation oneself before carrying the message or being an example to others.
However, one can begin immediately to ‘live it.’ This principle thus subsumes the other four. As I go about my day and my life in what ways do I act as though there is only one presence and one power in the Universe and in my life – and it’s God (not lack, fear, ‘evil’, ‘them’, ‘the economy’, etc.)?
Do I treat my body and my self as though the Christ spirit lives within me? Do I act with Christ consciousness (substitute God/Buddha/Loving-Kindness or whatever way you use to talk about the Divine)? Do my actions make other people think “yep, the Christ spirit sure lives within Diane” – or, not so much.
Do I practice Right Speech as the Buddhists would say? If I truly DO believe that “Thoughts held in mind produce after their kind” what type of reality am I creating. When I say (or think) “I’m so fat” or “I’ll NEVER get a job” or “I’m an idiot” or “You’re a jerk” – what reality am I creating? And when I catch myself in that space do I remember this principle and reframe my thinking and speaking?
As for “I experience God’s presence and power through prayer and meditation” – this is perhaps the most concrete. Either I pray or I don’t. Either I meditate or I don’t. And then there’s the part ‘experience God’s presence and power…” – am I fully present, sincere, and OPEN? If I’m not then my prayers may be like my sister’s learning to read experience. I taught her phonics using our Dad’s Wall Street Journal. Could the ever so precocious Pier say “capitalism”? Probably. Did she (at age 5) know what it meant? Not so much. So too, if we prattle off prayers – my hunch is that God/Our Self/the Universe says “ah! background noise” and tunes out the prattling. Not so a sincere heart.
So this is the action step. This is where you get to the Big Kids table. Having a philosophy, a theology, a set of principles is important to a religion, for sure. But to the individual it has no meaning unless we live it.
For me with these principles (and with the 12 steps, which I’ll explore next), it’s a start/stop/start again process. But like all habits, the more I “do the next right thing” the more habitual it becomes. It gets easier through repetition – and this principle evokes that as well.
Whether or not the religious movement of Unity is your path, I hope these principles have been spoken to you and informed the path that nourishes and nurtures you. I truly believe “Truth is one. Paths are many.” (I believe this was said by Gandhi, but Confucius said something similar and, true to the quote, this is likely a truism from many paths).
How do you live YOUR path? How do you remember to practice your principles when you’ve lapsed into negative thinking, ‘bad’ behavior or other side roads?
Very interesting, thought provoking post. And I guess I have to say that for me – I am still a lost traveler. I mean I do always try to act from a kindness perspective, think everyone should be heard (whether I agree or not) and I am not a person who derides others (usually). But in terms of living out of a Christ centered space – I’d have to say I have a way to go. The principles you have written about make me think and I guess make me a “seeker” of true spirituality. I feel more connected to a spiritual presence when at the ocean, or looking at a clear night sky full of stars, and also when Andrew and I really connect (emotionally or physically) or when I get what my kids are trying to tell me about a particular thought they have…but it’s never just me. There is always a trigger. I guess it’s gonna take me a while….
Michelle – it sounds to me like you are indeed a seeker. And the places you find God hiding are good ones! I think practicing kindness and listening are both very key spiritual principles (the Dalai Lama after all said “kindness is my religion”). Your response reminds me of a lyric from an ancient Jethro Tull song: “I don’t believe you, you’ve got the whole damned thing all wrong – I’m not the kind you have to wind up on Sunday.” Keep seeking! You will find that which you seek.
I loved this post. In fact, I bookmarked it so I can come back often. I’m struggling with routine right now – especially one that demonstrates the things that you’ve called out for us.
Thanks, Tammy! I find for me that routine can be quite comforting – until it feels prison-like. That is usually a sign to me that I need a bit of an oasis. Once I have that, returning to good habits and routines once again feels comforting. Trust your process!