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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: "With each new day I develop a greater awareness of the Divine Wholeness within and with-out." Clive deLaporte Wholeness by Rev. Kelly Isola I discover wholeness within and all around me. Wholeness is an unseen thread that joins all life. It is often thought of as “hidden,” but it really isn’t. It’s just so vast that it’s hard for us to hold it in view or feel it for very long. Wholeness is common to all of us, yet it expresses through each of us in unique ways. We can visualize wholeness as a spoked wheel: The rim is oneness, and the spokes are each an expression of life. When we as individual spokes move inward to the truth of who and what we are, we discover the hub—Spirit, where all life meets. The Lenten season is a time for awakening to the movement of energy from the rim to the hub and back again. It is a time for individual and collective contemplation, because when we look deep enough into each other, we find ourselves. As others hear our deepest fears, they witness our “crucifixions” in the well of their own heart. Through this exchange, we are resurrected. Each spoke in the wheel is strengthened and shines as the Christ in expression. 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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