The Unfiltered Five – Part 1 of 2

Dear Spiritual Family,

In this week’s video message, I (Rev. Steve) share the first two Principles of Unity as I understand them. These two principles are foundational in New Thought. 

We begin with “There is One Presence and One Power in the Universe – God.” God is Omniscience, Omnipresence and Omnipotence. In other words, God is all Knowledge, all Presence, and all Power. This Truth is absolute. And the Nature of this One Presence, Power, and Knowledge is Unconditional Love. 

Then a reasonable question is, “What about all the other ‘stuff?’” Jesus referred to it as “appearance” and asked us to look past it. This teaching does not suggest that we’re not having an experience in the “relative” world with all that entails – life, sickness, good and bad, chaos, death, etc. But it does establish the One Reality of the Divine. (Contrary to the teachings of some religions of two gods – God and the Devil, we only believe in the One.) 

Now the second Principle is, “We are all made in the Image and Likeness of God.” We are Divine Beings and likewise, our true Nature is Unconditional Love. We cannot not be What God Is. Of course, we have forgotten this about our Selves. The Great Masters through the ages came to remind us of the need to awaken to this Truth. 

Can you sense the simplicity and power of these two Principles? 

The third Principle is the Law of Mind Action. Our predominant thoughts and feelings fashion our life experience in the relative world. The philosopher James Allen compressed it this way: “He thinks in secret but it comes to pass, environment is but his looking glass.” As addressed in the video message, this is one of the most misunderstood and misapplied teachings.  

Suffice it to say, the more rigorous we are in focusing on the first two principles, the more we advance spiritually and the greater our quality of life. 

In Part II, I will go into more detail regarding this principle as well as principles four,  “Through prayer and meditation, we increase our conscious contact with God,” and five, “We must live these truths (i.e., model them to the best of our ability).”  

Mary shares this beautiful piece from A Course in Miracles as a guide to applying these truths in our daily living:

I am only here to be truly helpful. I am here to represent Him who sent me.

I do not have to worry about what to say or what to do, 

because He who sent me will direct me.

I am content to be wherever He wishes, knowing He goes there with me.

I will be healed as I let Him teach me to heal.

We love you,

Rev. Steve and Mary

Going Deeper

If you would like to take this message deeper, here are two questions you can work with. Use these in your own self-reflection or in discussion with others.

1. What does the distinction between Omnipresent and Omnipresence, or Omnipotent and Omnipotence, mean to you? Can you see the distinction? How does that distinction impact your life?
2. How does the unfiltered application of Principles 1 and 2 help you to apply Principle 3 in your life?
3. Are you aware of ways you have diluted these principles? Can you let go of self-judgment and simply choose again?

We would love to read your thoughts in the comments below.

We love each one of you so very much,

Rev. Steve and Mary

No Going Deeper on Zoom this Week!

This group normally meets on Wednesdays from 6 to 7:15 pm CT following a new video message. They will not be meeting this Wednesday, but to learn more, Email Mary McIntosh.