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Adapted from the Unity Worldwide Ministries Booklet - LENT 2016. “Lent is a season of spiritual growth, a time for progressive unfoldment, to lift us into a higher, purer, more spiritual state.” Charles Fillmore Today's True Lent Affirmation: "I am thankful for the spiritual power of Will, and the ability to choose, decide and execute my highest good, with ease and grace today." Clive deLaporte Will by John Wesley Kidd I use my power of will to establish new thought patterns that help me reach my goals. A powerful first step toward using the power of will to direct our lives is to notice what we are noticing. Out of the infinite number of thoughts available to us at any time, we can focus on only a tiny fraction of them. As habitual beings, we often think in patterns, and patterns of thought become patterns of behavior. We repeat the same predictable outcomes in our lives, sometimes for many years. Noticing what we are noticing leads to the realization that we have a choice: We can let go of blaming or self-defeating thoughts, and instead reach for a compassionate, more accepting or forgiving thought. As our patterns of thought change, so does our behavior. As our behavior changes, so do our results. Through the power of will, we integrate these new thoughts and behaviors into everyday life. We commit our time and attention to them. Noticing what we are noticing sets the wheels of change in motion for us to consciously steer the direction of our lives. With persistence, our identification with lower traits, such as a desire to get even or worry that we will not get enough or be enough, begins to fade and we identify more and more with Spirit within us. Eventually we realize our deepest desires and God’s will for us are the same. The Daily True Lent Practice: The Keeping of a True Lent is the dedicated daily practice of true: Repentance, Fasting and Prayer. Take time to begin each new day of Lent by reading the lesson and setting your affirmation in prayer for the day. In the evening dedicate a few minutes to review and reflect on your True Lent experience for that day. Release all that is not your best and highest good, and affirm the growing awareness of that which is your best and highest good. Take time for gratitude and silence. The Practice of True Repentance: Charles Fillmore Repentance is a turning from a belief in error to a belief in truth and righteousness. A process of giving up the false for the true. Repentance means denial; it is a relinquishment out of consciousness of old error thoughts. Repentance is forgiveness. It is through forgiveness that true spiritual healing is accomplished. The Practice of True Fasting: Charles Fillmore Fast from the false, and feast, feed your faith on the true and good. Fasting means abstinence. In fasting, abstain from error thinking and meditate on spiritual Truth until incorporated into the consciousness of oneness with the Father. To fast from all unworthy thought and feast on the good and the true. The practice of True Prayer: Charles Fillmore In true prayer we take with us words of Truth, a statement of Truth, or an affirmation, and turn our attention within to the very center of our being, where the awareness of the Divine dwells. We affirm these words of Truth and meditate on them, then get very still and wait in the silence for God to make them real to us. The Five Step Affirmative Prayer Practice: Firstly, assume a comfortable prayer position; relax the body, calm the mind and quieten the spirit. Secondly, concentrate on the awareness of oneness with the presence and power of the Divine within. Thirdly, say the affirmation of truth that you desire to come into realization in you, demonstration through you, and into material manifestation in your life. Say the affirmation of truth with faith and a feeling of deep assurance. Fourthly, enter into the sacred space of silence. As thoughts distract you, acknowledge and release them, return your awareness to the silence. Lastly, end with a feeling of thankfulness and gratitude for the the good you have affirmed and its coming manifestation in your life. If you have any questions about the spiritual insights in this teaching, blog post or any other of my Spiritual Director services: counseling, coaching, teaching, programs or retreats, contact me directly at: info@cdlministries.com
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