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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: My peace is an awareness of spiritual truth that transcends the intellectual understandings of religion, doctrine, code and creed. Palm Sunday by Dr. Richard Belous I find peace in the Jerusalem of my consciousness and triumph in the Bethany of my challenges. The writer of the Gospel of Mark, believed to have been the first gospel written, says Jesus rode into Jerusalem on a colt, and “many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches.” Then many shouted: “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord.” Jesus entered Jerusalem, visited the temple, and then, according to the writer of Mark, “As it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.” So Palm Sunday included not only Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem, but also his walk to Bethany. The metaphysical meaning of Jerusalem is “the dwelling place in consciousness of peace and wholeness.” The meaning of Bethany derives from “moaning, sighing, (and) wailing sounds.” Bethany was the home of Lazarus and his sisters. It was in Bethany that Jesus raised Lazarus from the dead and “overcame the sorrow, lamentation, and affliction.” We can celebrate Palm Sunday by spending some quality time in the Jerusalem of our consciousness. But like Jesus and the 12, we can also take this occasion to “go to Bethany,” where we, too, can turn sorrow into joy. For as our Way Shower told us, “Greater things shall you do.” 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 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 connect with me directly at any of my contacts listed below.
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