DANCE LESSONS

Rev. Mary Louise Ruffner

Pierre Teilhard de Chardin said, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience; we are spiritual beings having a human experience.” The entire month of February teaches me the divine dance between these two aspects of my nature.  One aspect is Invisible. It is the Source of my visible self, The Lead. It is The Presence, The Force, The Intelligence, The Living Spirit.  It is that which powers my every thought and action that shows up in the world.  I allow the events of the month to become lessons that support me in becoming a great dancer, that is, the best version of who I am. 

Black History Month

Dr. Martin Luther King taught, “Number one in your life’s blueprint, should be a deep belief in your own dignity, your worth and your own “somebody-ness.” Don’t allow anybody to make you feel that you’re nobody. Always feel that you count. Always feel that you have worth, and always feel that your life has ultimate significance.”   American history includes black women, from Harriet Tubman to VP Kamala Harris, and many in between, lest we forget Cicely Tyson. It includes black men, from Frederick Douglas to President Barack Obama, and many in between, lest we forget Hank Aaron. Their self-esteem transcended systemic racism. What A Lesson!

Valentine’s Day

 Love, is indeed the greatest power in the world. Lovers set aside this day to celebrate the phenomena of unyielding unity, oneness, and self-giving-ness.  Awakened beings know that Love is not limited in its expression.   It is the Namaste’ consciousness. It is the Madonna and Child. It is the Good Samaritan. It is the Patriot.  Love is God loving Itself. Yes, Love is a many splendored thing. I incline my ear and hear the Presence whisper, “lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Then, I dance.

Presidents Day

This is a day we pay tribute and give equal recognition to two of America’s most famous statesmen, George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. I am reminded that it takes courage to step into unchartered territory while fully aware that the foundation you are laying depends on future generations to fulfill the dream. The lesson I glean is, I am that future generation who propel the vision of “a more perfect union.” I do my part in the further evolution of humanity.

Lent

 This tradition, most common with Catholicism, is described as a practice that commemorates the 40 days Jesus spent fasting in the desert, before beginning his public ministry. I see the value in preparation. In order to be a clear, conscious conduit for my greater expression of being, I give up the lesser for the greater. I abstain from that which no longer serves. I cleanse my consciousness of any sense of lack or limitation.

Season for Nonviolence

The Sanskrit translation of the word nonviolence, is “absence of injury.”  Through this initiative I am reminded that it is my nature to practice loving-kindness as a way of life. I am reminded of the divine kinship I have with every living being. I am reminded to focus my energy on that for which I am “for” versus what I am “against.” I am reminded that I live, move, and have my existence in a spiritual universe, inhabited by spiritual beings, and governed by spiritual laws. My goal is to choose peace and harmony in everything I think, say, and do.

~ ~ ~

Self-Esteem, The Power of Love, Courage, Preparation, and Loving-Kindness support me in being a greater version of myself. These lessons from the month of February become my lodestar, guiding me along life’s way. I let go of my need to control. I let go and let My divine nature, the Indwelling Presence lead the dance.  


This Weeks Affirmation

Today I court the Divine and allow all of life to dance with me.
By Judy Hilley

LIFE DIVINE!

Rev. Mary Louise Ruffner

The Highest God and the Innermost God is One.”
~ Ernest Holmes ~

When describing our Ineffable nature, I like referring to It as that point of stillness within our hearts and minds that has never been hurt, harmed, or disappointed. I like affirming that It is the Presence and Principle of God, and that being changeless, is always intact.

Ernest Holmes tells us to keep faith with reason. After all, we are human beings, or for sure having human experiences; and therefore, none are exempt from the slings and arrows of the outrageous fortunes, delivered at the hands of ignorance.

However, just as we may cultivate and develop physical muscles that provide us with the strength to attain feats that were formerly out of our range of possibilities; likewise, through spiritual practices, we may cultivate an awareness of our Greater Self, thus developing a state of mind that provides a Peace that passes human understanding regardless of any apparent circumstance. Spiritual practices support us in aligning ourselves, time and time again, with the Ever-Present Divine that is forever whispering to our inner ear, “Lo, I AM with thee always, even to the ends of the earth.”

The more we cultivate an awareness of this Invisible Presence that walks with us, and talks with us, and calls us Its very own; the more we benefit from Its moment-by-moment Divine Guidance, Protection, and Its Healing Balm of Love.

This Higher Power is our Christ-nature. It is that divine potential that awaits our recognition. The “I AM” that speaks is that part of our identity that is indestructible. It is the Living Spirit Almighty and is the very center and circumference of our existence. When speaking of this One it may seem as if It is outside of ourselves. Actually, this “I” is the Great Mystery of human existence that indwells each one of us. It is the Truth about every one of us.

The great teacher, mystic Jesus was not an exception; rather, he was a living example of our innate divinity. We honor this great Way Shower for proving, through the great works he did, the possibilities stretched before us. Christ, in each one of us, is our hope of glory.

So, it is with unwavering faith that we now move forward, divinely guided by the Inner Presence that reveals what is ours to do in a world that may suggest separation and duality. Remember, “ You, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the one who is in you is greater than the one who is in the world.” (1 John 4:4, NIV)


This Weeks Affirmation

“I AM always present and alive in harmony and right action.”

by Keith Childers


Originally posted 12/20/22

HERE WE GROW AGAIN

Rev. Mary Louise Ruffner

“There is One Cosmic Reality Principle and Presence in the Universe—God.
All creation originates in this One Source. God is. God is all there is.”
(Core Concept One, SOM)

~ ~ ~ ~

“Keep your thoughts positive because your thoughts become your words. Keep your words positive because your words become your behaviors. Keep your behaviors positive because your behaviors become your habits. Keep your habits positive because your habits become your values. Keep your values positive because your values become your destiny.”
~ Mahatma Gandhi ~

~ ~ ~ ~

“It’s not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters.”
~ Epictetus ~

Years ago, when I first discovered the life-transforming principles of the Science of Mind, I believed I would reach a point in my life when I was challenge-free. I now realize how naive that kind of thinking is. It’s like saying, once the mathematician has discovered the secret of numbers, there are no more problems to solve.

Of course, if that were the case, I would not be using a computer at this very moment to convey my thoughts. Nor would I bear witness to people traveling to outer space from my living room chair. Nor would I be privy to the myriad inventions of technology that are beyond my understanding. The truth is that the principle of all sciences is an avenue to discover something that is otherwise hidden from our five senses.

As humans, we are always reaching for more, which means transcending and overcoming the lesser. The Principle Itself is the map, not the territory. It is the finger pointing to the moon, not the moon.

The tradition of setting goals at the beginning of each year is an example of how one may work with these life-giving principles. For example, instead of a defeatist attitude before getting started by saying: “what’s the use, these resolutions will be broken after a few weeks or a few months anyway” (which is self-fulfilling within itself), I now move forward, willing to grow into my greater-yet-to-be.

My high resolve is to live a healthy, wealthy, loving, and peaceful life in 2026 and beyond ~ and to support other Truth Seekers in accepting the good they seek. I am now challenged to keep fresh before me this moment of high resolve. I am now called to rise above any and all apparent conditions that suggest a sense of separation from the desired good. I stand porter at the door of my mind.


This Weeks Affirmation

“I continue to grow into my Spiritual Maturity by knowing that there is One Cosmic Reality Principle and Presence in the Universe which is God.”

Mary Jane LaBonte, RScP

Originally posted January 4, 2022

CHANGE

Rev. Mary Louise Ruffner

“Row, row, row your boat, gently down the stream.
Merrily, merrily, merrily, merrily, life is but a dream.”
~ Song lyrics, author unknown ~

 “The one thing you can count on is change!” This familiar phrase is no doubt relatable to you, just as it is to me.  Yes, everything that our five senses reveal to us, is in flux. Movement, that ultimately brings about change, is imminent. However, sometimes the flowing in and out of energy is so subtle that its effect is not noticeable. It’s much like rowing your boat slowly down a river on a lazy day and failing to notice the gradual changes that are taking place over the landscape.

There is an unconscious tendency to become accustomed to people, places, and things appearing a certain way as if they are permanently fixed in a certain mode of being.   Yet, atoms are always dancing, vibrating, and pulsating with thought patterns that cause ever-so-slight and gradual changes.

Though we don’t always “see” the change coming, we often “feel” the movement within us. Unable to define the particular outcome of these internal messages, our emotions, coupled with imagination begin to predict all kinds of scenarios.  In one scenario you may engage in “possibility thinking,” and you are pulled into a vision of great expectations. On the other hand, a worst-case scenario has a tendency to invoke fear, anxiety, worry, and stress.  These debilitating by-products of duality-thinking create delusional illusions that have no real substance or basis. Remember, energy flows where attention goes.

When the change becomes evident in the external world, we may encounter a moment when suddenly the whole picture of that which we are accustomed changes. When the unexpected change expresses greater good in our lives, we may call it a miracle. On the other hand, when the sudden change out pictures as the falling apart of that which was stabilized, we may call it devastation. It is all perspective and perception.

Often, what is considered obstacles along the way are simply the terrain we must cross in order to arrive at the desired destination.  Those who are consciously traveling a path of enlightenment, soon realize the old ways of being in the world must fall apart in order for a higher viewpoint to be actualized.

                                                                                                 ~ ~ ~ ~

It is here that our spiritual knowledge and power come into play. Spiritual knowledge rises above the five senses into the realm of the metaphysical; i.e., that which is beyond and transcends the physical realm. The Truth is, there is only One Life Force that undergirds and governs all life, all of the time.  The nature of this One is Changeless. It is always the same, today, yesterday, and forever. Its changeless nature is Peace, Harmony, Love, and Joy. Any other suggestion is false evidence appearing real, causing a sense of separation from the Absolute. This Divine Principle receives the direct impression of our thought and acts upon it.


This Weeks Affirmation

“I am in control of my life and how it unfolds.”

https://www.happierhuman.com/affirmations-change/

Originally posted 1/2024

CONSCIOUSNESS IS ALL

Rev. Mary Louise Ruffner

“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and rightdoing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there.” ~ Rumi ~

“There is one mind common to all individual men. Every man is an inlet to the same and to all of the same.” 
Ralph Waldo Emerson ~

“…It will be done just as you believed it would.” 
~ Matthew 8:13 ~

“Cosmic Consciousness is the perception of the Whole. 
~ Ernest Holmes, The Science of Mind p.581.8 ~

Mystics, philosophers, scientists, theologians, and deep thinkers throughout the ages have arrived at the same conclusion; i.e., there is a Presence permeating the universe that always hears and always answers, which is another way of saying, ‘The Presence responds by corresponding’ with one’s perception of Reality. 

The Presence is Universal Creative Energy through which all things are possible. Its nature is Pure, Unadulterated Consciousness. It is Omnipotence (all-powerful); Omniscience (knows Itself as all); Omnipresence (everywhere at once). It is a Power for Good, emanating Love, Peace, Harmony, Beauty, Wisdom, Abundance, Joy, etc., endlessly. It is the First Cause of all life forms. This Originating Life Force is God. 

I love what Emerson says regarding humanity’s accessibility to God-Consciousness, as follows: “He that is once admitted to the right of reason is made a freeman of the whole estate. What Plato has thought, he may think; what a saint has felt, he may feel; what at any time has befallen any man, he can understand. Who hath access to this universal mind is a party to all that is or can be done, for this is the only and sovereign agent.”

~ ~ ~ ~

Spiritually speaking, the word “consciousness” is often used to describe one’s awareness of universal principles (individual or the collective). However, there is a vast difference between being aware of a principle and actually embodying it as a guidepost for one’s life. The embodiment of the divine qualities of Spirit, coupled with the belief that they are operating in the midst of your affairs, all the time, is a realization of The Divine, or God-Consciousness. 

Staying anchored in the Consciousness of Truth during “trying times” requires courage and self-discipline. Daily spiritual practices that affirm the Truth regardless of what the form looks like, are essential. Cultivating this kind of consciousness takes place in the Secret Place of the Most High. The one who is diligent in moving in the direction of their dreams pierces the veil of illusion, and on that clear day, sees the magnificence of The One stretched into infinity, and bears witness as the former things fall away, and new forms are birthed.

Yes, the one who understands that God-Consciousness is always ‘for us’ and never ‘against us,’ perceives spiritual attributes operating in, through, and as the physical, material, mental, and emotional experiences of our lives. 

And so, it is!


This Weeks Affirmation

I AM always connected. Peace be with me!

Keith Childers

Originally posted June 6, 2023


ANNOUNCEMENT

SATURDAY, JANUARY 10, 2026
10 AM – 12:00 Noon
Centerville Community Center
3025 Bethany Church Rd. – Room D
Centerville, GA 30039