"Between stimulus and response there is a space. In that space is our power to choose our response. In our response lies our growth and our freedom." ~Viktor E. Frankl What do we know, truly, for sure? Our Universe is one of deep, sprawling mystery. Today's science, while it has revealed much, only scratches the surface of the infinite discoveries yet to be made. The Socratic paradox, attributed to the Greek philosopher Plato (a student of Socrates), says "I know that I know nothing." The Tao te Ching says, "Knowing that you do not know is the best. Not knowing that you do not know is an illness." Perhaps the greatest wisdom is in not knowing... being comfortable in the great Unknown. I don't know. A situation or series of events becomes to us what we see it as being. It has no special character or power of its own, certainly it has no power over you or me. Reality - or even what we call a fact, a truth - truly becomes, to us, what we make it. This is what we call "The Law of Mind Action." What's your worldview? That is, what is your view of the world around you? In our society today, the postmodern worldview is one that is characterized by a questioning of norms, mores, and the status quo, a resolve for social justice, environmental concern and care, the idea that all views and perspectives are valuable and to be respected... the perception of reality as an ever-shifting sand, diverse, unrefined, uncertain. Perhaps an agnostic attitude may hold sway in the mind, under the umbrella of spiritual matters. According to Licensed Unity Teacher Mark Hicks, Truth, to the postmodern thinker / spiritual seeker, is RELATIVE, this is to say it is known in relationships. He writes, "What is 'right and true' leads to loving relationships, or else it is not based on rightness nor Truth." The postmodern era and its revelations have led, through evolution, or progressivism, if you will - to outright rejection of "the old ways of living..." "Let what came before pass away, and make way for the new." Postmodernism saw the sweeping change brought about by the Civil Rights Movement, women's suffrage, the continuing achievements in LGBTQ rights, the climate change movement, and much, much more. The traditionalist worldview, conversely, holds the conviction that some things are "right" and some are "wrong." Because of this, traditionalists are often mischaracterized as being "too rigid," or "unyielding." In the realm of spirituality, Truth is to be REVEALED. This occurs through intuition, or through a process that Charles Fillmore described as "going to headquarters," or the "Secret Place of the Most High." Prayer reveals the Light of God within. The traditionalist worldview believes in a Higher Power, beyond the physical world... and that we are one with that Power and Presence. A majority of those who attend churches tend toward the traditionalist worldview, and in New Thought, we are open to that idea of Oneness on our planet and embrace it as Truth. The progressive end of the traditionalist worldview were the Greek philosophers (from whom Metaphysics originated), the Transendentalists, such as Emerson and Thoreau, and New Thought pioneers, such as Mary Baker Eddy and Phineas Quimby... Certainly Charles and Myrtle Fillmore, Unity's co-founders, fit within this category. Finally, the modern worldview emphasizes the importance of science, reason, progress, the pursuit of happiness. Truth is to be DISCOVERED. To one with a modern worldview, scientific discoveries, such as quantum physics, the concept of "life beyond/between lives," psychology, energy healing, astrology, and more progressively expands the awareness of God in, and as, all things. The idea of prosperity as "well-being" is paramount. I invite us to recognize, prayerfully consider, and even celebrate that with all of this knowledge and wisdom that we have discovered and accumulated in tens of thousands of years of human history: We have only just begun... There is so much more to be discovered, to be revealed, to explore in relationships. For myself personally, I fluctuate between all three of the above worldviews... I acknowledge, above all, that for all the intelligence I have, there is a lot I don't know about the nature of the Universe, the nature of humanity, and our relationship to it all. As I grow older, I have learned to become more "comfortable in the question," more open to the boundless possibilities before me. I am open to receive. I am open to more ways in which I may give, love, serve unto others. Unity as a Movement, in my view, has to some extent (in practice, especially on the administrative level, its publishings, its ministries - including ours) been all of these things... In its later years, Unity is shifting into an integrative worldview - Ours is a spiritual Movement that blends science and spirituality, humanity and nature, nature and God. Over many centuries, these things have been in direct conflict with one another in the West. In an integrative worldview, the power of both the individual and the collective consciousness are celebrated. Unity sees and embraces the "both / and" of a situation, and we teach that true wisdom and power results in overcoming the illusion of "either / or" in our human relations, our health challenges, our view of the world - everything. The teaching, in theory, has always been this way, but now our culture in the Unity Movement has begun to shift to a new paradigm, not only of "practicing what we preach," but embracing certain Core Values and sharing our teachings with the larger world (through the Web, social media, video-streaming, audio podcasts, and more avenues) in a spirit of limitless peace, love, abundance, and committing to the ideal of "a world that works for all." Unity of Columbus is becoming the latest in our Movement to shift its culture and its purpose for being to that of being a mission-centric, values-focused ministry. We work together to make our Vision manifest: "United in Spirit, we are a loving community, co-creating a world of peace, abundance, and joy for all." Unity leaves no one out. Whatever your worldview, background, upbringing, or culture, you are welcome - and at home - in Unity. We love you, we bless you, and we truly appreciate you; we behold the Christ in you! This month, our ministry sub-theme is "Mystery." I invite you to affirm, "I allow space for the unknown and the unknowable." Come and join us any Sunday morning - or Wednesday evening - at Unity of Columbus, as we explore the Great Mystery, and our relationship with the Divine, together. I'll meet you there. Yours In Unity, Daryn L. Wells "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts." ~ Isaiah 55: 8-9
