A Course in Miracles

Okay, I've had six lessons now and no one is discussing any of this. Where are you? Is the information so overwhelming that you don't know where to begin a comment?

Let me try to get the ball rolling.

When I teach people to open up to intuition, I often tell them to tend to many of the Intellect-centered Messages below. Now, I need to rethink my advice.

I own all three books, I can't find the second one. I also have two workbooks. When I saw this course, I thought at last I could find someone else who read the work. I know you're out there.

Even if I end up talking to the writer, I guess it will be someone, but I hoped for more of you.

Read the following. I challenge you to post!

I. Intellect-centered messages might:

A. be based on scarcity, fear, or guilt

B. be based on protecting oneself

C. be compelling, with no time to reflect

D. be quick answer, and feel out of context with your flow

E. is the first thing to come to mind

F. feels like a desperate need.

II. Intuitive-centered messages are:

A. loving and reassuring

B. persistent

D. encouraging and positive

E. not usually demanding immediate action

F. rarely radical without smaller steps to initiate change.

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

The Shamanic drum

Some rhythms are abnormal and can create problems. They can overstimulate the inner pulse. they can force the normal heart rhythm into one that is counter to a healthy pulse within the body. One such rhythm is anapestic. This was a rhythm used by the Rolling Stones in the sixties. It is also a rhythm that is employed by some punk and heavy metal bands. In the sixties studies were conducted because individuals were experiencing breathing and heart arrhythmias linked to the music.

The normal heartbeat follows a pattern of Da-da Da-da Da-da. An anapestic rhythm sets up a heart rhythm of da-da-Da da-da-Da. This is counter to the normal heartbeat rhythm, which can effect all the internal body functions. Any rhythm that is strong and to which we are exposed long enough can create excitation and hyperactivity within the body as it is brought into resonance with it.

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Unconditional Love

By P. Mercer

2003-11-10

And as I seek a word from God each day to feed my spirit, I pray that He will bless me with a word to share with you. Not to judge your or to challenge you but to fire your imagination, to inspire you and trusting God to bless you as I am being blessed each day.

First Giving All Praises to the Most High, The true and living God, who is the director and the finisher of my faith. I trust that God will reveal to me His truths, will show me His love, will continue to guide me in the wisdom of the word so that I am more than a conqueror. I pray your strength and victory in every arena of your life. I pray that you may see love, may feel love, may know love and may seek love as you are loved by God and He continues to direct me, to direct us to the word that we may experience unconditional love within ourselves.

God should be the greatest love of our lives and as we love God and obey His commandments we embrace the spirit of unconditional love. In particular "love thy neighbor as thyself" does not make the friend that plays the music too loud, the one that talks about you, the one that envies you or even the one that continues to betray you with gossip and lies less deserving of love. Corinthians says in 1:13 "There are these things that will endure-faith, hope and love - and the greatest of these things is love. When we love someone we would only want the best for them. We would want that they would be blessed and blessed abundantly. When we love someone with the love of the Lord, God's love, that unconditional love that we talk about, write about, sing about...we appear to have a better understanding of the love that is in the word. Not so much romance but the personal relationship that we have with God that fills us with love and allows us to love and still endure the travesties around us.

Deuteronomy 11: 1 - 2 Where Love and obedience is rewarded...

Therefore you shall love the Lord your God and keep His charge, His statutes, His judgments, and His commandments always. Know today that I do not speak with your children, who have not known and who have not seen the chastening of the Lord your God, His greatness and His mighty hand and His outstretched arm -

His commandments are of love and compassion for our fellows. When we are obedient God will continue to reveal to us that we have done well. Again it is not the gifts that come from your hand, not the material things. It is certainly the gifts that come from your heart and Love is the greatest gift.

When Jesus was asked what commandment was most important he replied. "The most important commandment is this. 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.' The second is equally important "Love your neighbor as yourself,' " When we truly love God we want to fall all of His commandments. We all may fall short fore there is no perfect human being. We are spirits in human form and sometimes the flesh wants to demand our attention. We want to react as opposed to acting in holiness. When we really love our neighbor as we love ourselves we will want the best for them We will want the will of God to be done in their lives. We would want for them that which we might ask for ourselves from God. When we recognize how much God loves us we can again go back to the book of John where the apostle Paul explained how God showed His great love for man by sending Christ to die for us while we were still in sin.

John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (17) For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but the world through Him might be saved.

That's a whole lotta love!

God is love and light and all that we are, is His creation. Can we continue to profess to love God when we do not love what God is, who God is, where God manifest the spirit in us, through us and around us each day we open our eyes?

In Deuteronomy 6:1 - 9 (the word says)

6.(1) Now this is the commandment, and these are the statutes and judgments which the Lord your God has commanded to teach you, that you may observe them in the land which you are crossing over to possess, (2) that you may fear the Lord your God, to keep all of His statutes and His commandments which I command you, you and your son and your grand son, all the days of your life, that your days may be prolonged. (3) Therefore here, O Israel, and be careful to observe it, that it may be well with you, and that you may multiply greatly as the Lord God of your fathers has promised you - 'a land flowing with milk and honey.

(4) "Hear, O Israel: The Lord your God, the Lord is one!" (5) You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and wit all your strength.

(6) And these words which I command you today shall be in your heart, (7) You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up. (8) You shall bind them as a sign on your hand, and they shall be as frontlets between your eyes. (9) You shall write them on the doorpost of your house and on your gates.

In my house I post a prayer not so much that I am reminded but so that I can continue to meditate on the word wherever I walk in my home. On my front door I have posted a prayer so that all who enter in will know that this is a house of prayer, this is a house of LOVE. But it's so much more than sharing scripture or posting prayers I pray that God direct me each day so that I may live and love according to His word.

Can I now say that I am so devout that I love everyone and everything? It is difficult but when I think of the goodness of Jesus and all that He has done for me. When I think of the test and the testimonies. When I think of what I've been to and what I've been through. When I recognize that I can each day testify and not test-a-lie because I know that I was so far from perfect and God has brought me out of the mire and the muck. I have been redeemed and delivered. I am delivered into the righteousness. This is not something that I must prove to you but it is something that I much live each day otherwise my prayers are in vain. I pray that God direct me and guide me and Order My Steps in the word...Not what I write but what is written.

And God has granted me the greatest gift. He has shown favor in me and He strengthens me each day to love as I would want to be loved by my neighbor, by a stranger and the most difficult part sometimes by a friend.

I am also reminded that loving our enemies does not come easily, but it is what Jesus calls us to do. Jesus gave us the ultimate example while hanging on the cross, he prayed. "Father, forgive these people, because they don't know what they are doing. God's spirit enables us and empowers us to have and incorporate unconditional love in what we call love.

God loves you and so do I

Unconditionally

Minister Pamela.

Prayer:

May this message add another blessing to your live and to your spirit so that you may know the abundance of the Lord? You will know His love and you will share and experience love in every arena of your life. I pray that you love and are loved by your family. I pray that you love and are loved by your friends. I pray that you love and are loved by a strangers. Not because of your works or your deeds but because of the God in you because you must "Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind and all your strength."

I pray that you receive this with joy and with gladness

In Jesus name

Amen

My name is Rev. Amy Long and I've been a minister with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since its inception. I've been a member of ULC for many years and my site has created a terrific ULC Forum. We also have the most extensive catalog of Universal Life Church materials.

A Course in Miracles

Metaphysics

THE UNCONSCIOUS ADOPTION OF RELIGION BY SECOND GENERATIONS

Religious identity and thought have been studied by many disciplines with in the few elements learned in childhood that is the most commonly continued or retained into adulthood. Although religion and rituals may be consciously taught by the family and the community and are considered a major aspect of one’s identity and self, it is also believed that the child picks much of this religious shopping up unconsciously.

Religion is very personal – virtually from birth religious or ethical ideas are implanted in our mind by our parents and relatives. As a consequence, we usually follow the religious ideals of out parents and grand parents. Religion has become almost a matter of family tradition. What is the result of that process? That in many cases others have chosen out religion for us. It has simply been a matter of where we were born and when. Or, as historian 1Arnold Toynbee indicated, an individual’s adherence to a certain faith is often determined by “the geographical accident of the locality of his/her birth-place.” Is it reasonable to assume that the religion imposed at one’s birth is necessarily the whole truth? If you were born in Italy or South America, then without any choice, you were probably raised a Catholic, If you were born in India, then likely you automatically became a Hindu or, if from the Punjab, perhaps a Sikh. If your parents were from Pakistan, then you would obviously be Muslin. And if you were born in a Socialist country over the last few decades, you might have had no choice but to be raised an atheist.

Therefore, is the religion of one’s birth automatically the true one, approved by God? If that had been the concept followed over the millenniums, many among mankind would still be practicing primitive shamanism and ancient fertility cults, on the premise that ‘what was good enough for my ancestors in good enough for me.

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Buddhism Course

Warm Greetings, All,

While I am not formally a Buddhist, I have studied Buddhist philosophy and scripture and have practiced forms of meditation that come from Buddhist teachings.

First of all, to reply to your question as to "what Buddhists do in churches," Revpo, is that Buddhists don't gather in churches. There are Buddhist temples, although what one would do there would depend upon what type of Buddhism one is practicing. There are, as in Christianity, many branches and divisions in Buddhism. The major division is hinayana vs. mahayana Buddhism. Hinayana is more prevalent in Southeast Asia whereas mahayana is most prevalent in the more northerly countries of Asia. Hinayana Buddhists have developed a system of thought and liturgy in which the Buddha certainly borders on being viewed as a deity. The Mahayana tradition is more insistent on regarding the Buddha as just a man, although a supremely enlightened one. A major outgrowth of the Hinayana tradition was the development of Zen, which initially occurred in China, but is more prevalent in Japan in recent centuries. In Zen thinking, which is the branch I am most conversant with, the fact that the Buddha was just a man is highly stressed, and practitioners of Zen really don't worship any deity. They venerate and revere the Buddha, and some of his successors (usually referred to as the "patriarchs") but do not worship. There are occasional petitionary prayers in Zen, but this is probably more rare than in almost any other religion. Zen teaches that one must come to enlightenment by one's own efforts, and so seeking assistance from supernatural entities is not encouraged. In fact, Zen thought really does not regard anything as "supernatural," and even the enlightened state is viewed as entirely natural. When Zen students experience visions of angels or buddhas or anything else, these are dismissed by the teacher (Roshi) as "makyo," that is, hallucinations, and the student is taught to simply disregard these as distractions from the real purpose. While the concept of reincarnation is present in Buddhism, which it acquired from the Hinduism it emerged from, Zen as a whole pays little attention to it. One could say, in essence, that Zen Buddhism, and to differing degrees other branches of Buddhism, is a non-theistic religion. It is not atheist--neither the Buddha nor his recognized successors taught that God does not exist--but divinity and concepts of theology are not stressed and are not matters of dogma.

I hope that answers your question. To me, the idea that a religion could be non-theistic without being atheistic brought about a real expansion in my consciousness in itself. To those steeped in the Judeo-Christian tradition of worship and obedience to a single deity, the concept of a non-theistic religion usually makes no sense. But then we in the West tend to have a very narrow view of religion, and most Americans know almost nothing about any other faith besides their own (and, I might add, most American "Christians" really don't know much about Christianity, either).

In Unity,

j.j.salt

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Desire & Anger

What is it that drives a man

to an evil action, Krishna,

even against his will,

as if some force made him do it?

That force is desire, it is anger,

arising from the guna called rajas;

deadly and all devouring,

that is the enemy here.

As a fire is obscured by smoke,

as a mirror is covered by dust,

as a fetus is wrapped in its membrane,

so wisdom is obscured by desire.

BHAGAVAD GITA

Yoga of Action

Desire and Anger? How are they related? Any comments?

B*B

S

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Wicca

Prayer, Meditation and Contemplation

I am at week ten. Every week gets better. Check my post on my ever growing book shelf. I don't know how the topic can get any better, when ding, another week passes and I am more impressed.

At every book store I try to ferret out another book referenced in the weekly installments.

Week one hooked me with the list of books for every shelf.

I marry trans-religious people and love knowing a bit about where they are coming from.

This week was prayer, meditation and contemplation. I recently eave dropped on our local catholic tv channel and waded through the rosary. It seems to involve all three of week ten's topics.

My mother is a converted Hindu.

I am a fallen Methodist, currently leaning to Wicca for the last five years.

I was ordained because I wanted to cover by butt while teaching dowsing and doing tarot readings for local people.

B*B

Sally in MT

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Spirit-Quest

What I learned at Spirit Quest camp……

There have been so many things I have learned over the last 30 weeks that it is hard to know where to start. The first things that impressed me about the lessons that there were words to express what I was doing. There was a way to communicate this to those I know that wanted to understand what I believed and what I was doing but I could not come up with words, pictures, ideas that were common between us. The differences in Soul Ages could explain why it is so hard for me to explain things to some people. It is hard to help a child understand what you know as an adult. The child does not have the vocabulary or life(or many life) experience(s) to see things the same way. It is very hard to get a child to understand being one with the universe when they are still trying to understand that they are a separate individual. Thinking of things this way has made me take more patience and understanding when explaining things.

The second lesson that made an impact was the lesson on letting the anger go – Forgiveness. I can not change what others have done to me. I can not make someone apologize for hurts and wrongs I perceive. I can keep from letting them put their hooks in me. For the most part it is under my control what I energy I let in. There are ways to clear the energy for me and it is up to me to do this on a routine basis. The best way to stay healthy is to take care of your self. A personal example of this is before there is a cousin I have who before the course I could not even hear her name without becoming extremely upset. By releasing the energy I was using toward her and releasing the hooks I had allowed to be placed, I have come to a place of peace when I think of her. I was even able to have a pleasant visit with her the last time I visited my grandmother. There are still a lot of things about her that annoy me but without the angry energy there I can see that most of what annoys me is just the mistakes a young soul makes as they are trying to grow up. Not everyone is a grown up. Some people take longer than others. All we can do is offer to help and teach the rest is up to them.

The third thing was the thought of using the grounding cord on places and things. I knew I could drain energy from people and things but until the lessons I had never thought of using a grounding cord on meeting rooms or building or even the land. I work with a group of people that have a lot of alpha personalities. Since I started connecting the ground cords to the meeting rooms before the meetings we have been able to have much more productive meeting and get the issues resolved without it becoming a pissing contest.

A last thing to add is that others have noticed a difference in me. My mother has noticed that I am calmer and seem to be more in control. She said that I am more confident. My boss and coworkers have noticed a difference too but they think I am loosing weight and look better. No weight loss but I guess confidence does make one look healthier. It helps to know that there are others out there that think that every religion has a valid point and that we don’t have to agree on everything to support one another.

Terri Greer

tsparkler@yahoo.com

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Smudging

How I smudge.

SMUDGING

There are many ways so I do not speak for all ways only mine. These are my own ways, and you can believe or not-believe it is your choice. I have to be careful and remember that my way is not the only way.

Smudging is an important part of my way. I use smudging to cleanse my circle, I also use it to cleanse houses and people. The practice of smudging is similar to the use of holly water that a priest might use.

I use White Sage, sweet grass, cedar, or tobacco, singly or in combination, there are other herbs. A container to hold sand and herb. A feather or fan made from a domestically raised bird (I use a fan made with hawk feathers this requires state and federal permits), matches, sand or fine soil and charcoal briquette. 

Put some sand in the bottom of the bowl or shell. This will keep it from being too hot to hold. Place the charcoal briquette on top of sand light the charcoal (some herbs won’t keep burning). When the charcoal is burning place the herb on the charcoal (the smell of the burning herb will attract the spirits and the smoke is their pathway).

When herb is burning well I smudge myself (if another shaman is with me we take turns smudging each other use method below). If you need special healing in some part of your body, you can pull the smoke to that area.

Then I walk to the edge of my circle and fan the smoke as I go. If inside smudge all the walls and corners. I stop at the east, south, west, and north and invite the spirit of each direction in (its normal for me to have a torch at each point that I light).

Then I go to the center of the circle and smudge the torches there and light them. The torches are for I AM (GOD) and mother earth (the GODDESS).

Then I go to the East Point and the others enter one at a time. They stand facing east and you are on their north side, take the fan and fan smoke on them have them turn clockwise and stop in each direction and repeat smudging as you do this say something like with this smoke and in the name of the creator I drive out all that is unclean and unholy. Then they will go into the circle always moving in a clockwise direction.

The next person enters the circle, and repeat above.

It is the individuals responsibility to cleanse their own energy field. The smudging will help

Remember to smudge all tools you will be using during ceremonies.

CLEAR SKIES TLANUWA Rev. Henry Gilbert

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Wiccan Training Course

The question is "What did I learn from this class"?

Actually, I learned quite a bit even though I thought I knew quite a lot, having studied Wicca and other religions for the past five years. It took some of the wind out of my sails, but that was a good thing (never think you know everything, because someone will always come along and prove you wrong). It also gave me a different perspective on how others work with Wiccan or pagan principles, which I loved.

One of the most effective tools I learned from this class, even though I found all of the lessons of equal value, is the use of the pendulum. It brought to me a better understanding of how to use it comfortably and safely and with more useful information. But, on the whole, each lesson was informative, inspiring and thought provoking. Lord Starwalker is an excellent teacher who was prompt in answering questions and helping with problems.

Happy Holidays

Kathy Bailey

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The Universal Life Church offers handfasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Wiccan Course

An Essay On The Wiccan Course, Things Learned

Dear Lord Starwalker, Dear Amy,

I started the ULC Dr. of Wiccan Studies Program in the beginning of January this year and received the final lesson a few days ago. Despite a little glitch of no consequence in the e-mail system, the course was very well delivered and very enlightening.

It is clear that Lord Starwalker is well-learned on the subject of Wicca and Paganism, and he is very good at sharing this information. I appreciated his down-to-earth writing style, which could describe wide range of fairly difficult concepts in a straight forward way. He went directly to the point, making risks and potential pitfalls clear.

I liked the way the course was structured, moving from the history to the philosophy, to the mythology and theology, then to rituals only at lesson 15, and to spells only in the end. I find that a lot of books on Wicca tend to pass very quickly on the more spiritual aspects of the religion and dedicate most of their teaching to rituals. This in my opinion leads people to focus too much on the magic and not enough on spirituality, philosophy and theology. Not so in this course!

I have read quite a number of books on Wicca and Paganism, and this course was at the same time covering a number of topics I had already read on and meditated about, but it also very often put them in a new light. I liked the advices on rituals in lesson 16 and 17. You don't read very often about them, and they are important things to think about when performing rituals. I also found lesson 21 on ethics very important.

The lesson on herbalism and herbology were interesting, but I think that I would need much more reading before I delve into more than only the most risk-free basics. Lord Starwalker did well to include a warning at the beginning of the lesson.

The lessons on the holidays and the sabbats and esbats were very good. They put them into perspective from a historical and practical point of view, and I learned quite a lot there. It is true that the content of the Wiccan holidays can and does change from tradition to tradition and that their description is often different, but I think it is important to know the origins and reasons of celebration to be able to really know what we are doing at that time.

I have not been able to practice the lessons as much as I would have liked, but I have filed them all for further reference and I am sure I will go back to them regularly.

I thank you very much for your time and efforts. Again, this was a great experience. May the Goddess bless you and everyone at ULC.

Baudouin Heuninckx

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Shamanism

Rythm is the Pulse of Life

Rhythm is the pulse of life and it effects all physical conditions. Rhythm can be used to restore the normal healthy pulse within a person. Being exposed to a regular steady rhythm triggers a resonance with the bodies own natural rhythms. the rhythms outside of us can trigger a forced resonance and entrainment of our inner rhythms. This has both beneficial and detrimental applications.

In healing practices rhythm can energize and stimulate our basic primal energies. Rhythm especially through percussion instruments activate the spleen and base chakra centers of the body. These centers are linked to the functions of the circulatory system, the adrenals, and our basic life force. These are the centers of sexuality, the physical expression of our dynamic spiritual vitality. Steady directed rhythms restore the body's balance. A person with a heart condition would benefit by listening to Baroque music. This form of music has a rhythm that is soothing and healing to the pulsations of the heart.

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Universal Life Church

Humanity, A Lifestyle and Life Path

Hello Friends.

I wish to speak about my path in life. The path I choose is humanity.

I am what others refer to as a Humanist or a Free thinker. Some who are into judging others call me an Atheist. That is a label that may suite me on the exterior but not my interior.

I have been involved with many Christian-Judeo paths while I was growing up. I have developed a mind that challenges the answers that others give with more questions. I keep questioning until I am out of questions. I also quit questioning when I get answers that are supported by physical evidence. That usually appeases me.

Rather than going into all the information that brought me to this life philosophy, I'll just get to a few of my main beliefs that I hold as truth.

1. God is a Myth. I do not believe in a being called "God". I believe that "God" was created as a way to control others and give power to a select few over the many.

2. When man wages war in the name of God, it does not mean that this violence has been condoned by "God". It means man is using the idea of "God" to justify violence. War does not bring peace. Peace is what happens after the violence of war has run out of things to consume.

3. "God" to me is the Earth and the Sky. Everything I need to survive is given to me freely by both the Earth and the Sky. Air, Water, Earth, Wisdom, Energy, Shelter, Food. All of these things that are part of our daily lives is given to each of us by the Earth and the Sky.

4. Cannabis is the tree of life. Cannabis supplies everything that is needed to survive. You can build almost everything from the cannabis plant. It enriches soil and controls erosion. The seed is the most nutritious grain know to man. It can be used to make clothing, as well as build houses and other types of shelters. It has been used in the past for almost everything. It should be free in the world, and not suppressed by governments.

5. Greed is the biggest flaw of mankind. Greed is at the underlying cause of every single thing that is wrong in our societies.

6. Humility is the greatest asset of mankind. Humility opens up the way to resolution for all the problems that man perpetuates.

7. Man is the biggest problem for the environment as well as the biggest solution to all the problems mankind faces today. We can rebuild this planet. We need to get out of our superstitious ideas and embrace all that the planet can give us. If we are respectful of this planet, then we will be sustained by this planet.

These are my a few philosophical points to living. I study the Tao and practice being a better human being. Mankind forgets that it is not spiritual things that keep us alive, but it is nature that keeps us alive. We can not survive off this planet. To survive, we must have the planet Earth. We also need the environment that surrounds Earth to survive and exist. Mankind may continue to dominate the planet. The planet does not need mankind to survive. Mankind needs the planet Earth to survive.

Rev. Dr. Joseph Frank D.D.

Albuquerque, NM

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Defining Spiritualism

Essay for completion of Defining Spiritualism Course

This course helped me to understand the beliefs of others so that I will best know how to minister and to counsel others when called upon especially to those who are more science minded than spiritual minded. I learned much information regarding the history of western thought and the development of religion and received much insight and spiritual enlightenment as a result which has aided my ministry in that I have a greater understanding and compassion for those that I serve who have different spiritual beliefs and views than myself.

I have a greater understanding and compassion for those who believe themselves to be agnostic, or atheist, and am better able to serve and teach those who have more limiting beliefs than myself, who struggle with not believing in things that they cannot see and or touch, or things which cannot be proven.

I have a deeper understanding of faith and ways to minister to those who lack faith. Enlightenment came to me about sharing faith with others. Especially those who are scientifically minded or agnostic and question those things that cannot be seen or touched and how to become more inspiring to those who have difficulty with receiving divine inspiration, those with different views than me.

I had an opportunity to share with one who was agnostic most recently and he believed that God did exist, but just did not do anything in his life, and he insisted that he did not believe in things that could not be proven, seen. I asked him to stand in his chair and he looked at me somewhat puzzled, but did comply. I asked him if there was anything special about the chair. He said no. I asked if the chair had any problems that he noticed when he sat down or if he had really even paid attention to the chair. He replied, no, I just sat down. He seemed somewhat perturbed at that point so I decided to get to the point.

I asked him had he not had faith in the chair that it would hold him, faith that his car would make it to my house, faith that he had gas in the car when he got in it, some form of faith that I would have electricity when he arrived. He smiled and was like well, yeah. Well, then, why do you question so much if there is a God and if God is there for you simply because you cannot see him or touch him. I mean after all, you have faith in things such as chairs, cars and electricity. Even though you can see a chair, it does not mean that the chair is going to hold you when you fall. Yet, you have shared that you have fallen many times in your earth walk and somehow you are here before me.

A few days later he called me and said that he realized what I was trying to say and how he could see how he had placed so much faith in little things and so easily, like a chair holding him up, he realized that he did that without even giving it much thought. He said that he had struggled and agonized over the thought of God because of traumas and trials in his life, as it seemed others had such wonderful thriving lives, homes, families, and he did not, for he was plagued by alcoholism, sexual addiction, and was a victim of childhood sexual abuse, and physical abuse, coming from an alcoholic home. He destroyed relationships, lost jobs, and was homeless at one time. He realized that he had made it through all those things by some form of faith and that he could see now that though God had not packaged his life the way others had looked on the outside. He had been truly blessed and that it was miraculous that he had survived all those things and recovered from the two seemingly hopeless addictions. It was a beautiful conversation the following day and he came to know God that day and dedicated his life to a new path.

I have had people come to me before in this dilemma and it was so much more difficult in the past. However, because of this course, I was able to reach this man. It can be so much easier to surround myself with those people who are already believers, as those who are not have made me uneasy in the past, but with the insights of the course, I was a much more effective Minister of Light.

Sincerely,

Rev. Tracey

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

Ritual

I would like to express my sincere thanks for our instructor and the material presented throughout the course. I found it to be a great benefit to me, not only in bringing to light the purpose and practical function of ritual, items used, the deities and workings of elementals. I very much enjoyed the weekly challenges of stretching myself with theexercises given and finding that all helped to make sense of what I have intuitively done for most of my life.

I feel that this course helps put me in touch with deeper meanings to the "why's and wherefores" of the physical and spiritual that is all aroundus in our daily lives. It has helped to bring, with more confidence, my desire for a broader approach to my ministry and helps to reaffirm mytrust in "flying by the seat of my pants", as it where, when called upon to perform a pastoral service, be it a wedding, or baby naming. I ammore comfortable now with bringing in many elements to whatever I amcalled on to do. And with the knowledge imparted by the course, I have more to draw from than ever before, and with a clearer understanding ofwhy I would feel drawn to include certain stone, herbs, ect. My thanks again to Lord Starwalker for his wealth of knowledge and histime spent in preparing and sharing this material with us. I willrefer to it often, and practice much of it daily.

Bright Blessings,
Betty Taylor


My name is Rev. Amy Long and I've been a minister with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since its inception. I've been a member of ULC for many years and my site has created a terrific ULC Forum. We also have the most extensive catalog of Universal Life Church materials.

Approval from Postsecondary Education

The California Bureau for Private Postsecondary & Vocational Education has been updated with a complete list of approved ULC Seminary Courses*

DOCTOR OF BUDDHISM

DOCTOR OF CHRISTIAN STUDIES

DOCTOR OF DIVINITY (HONORARY)

DOCTOR OF METAPHYSICS

DOCTOR OF SHAMANISM

DOCTOR OF SPIRITUAL COUNSELING

DOCTOR OF SPIRITUALISM

DOCTOR OF WICCAN STUDIES

MASTER OF BUDDHISM

MASTER OF CHRISTIAN COUNSELING

MASTER OF COMPARATIVE RELIGION

MASTER OF DIVINITY (HONORARY)

MASTER OF METAPHYSICS

MASTER OF PAGANISM

MASTER OF RELIGION

MASTER OF SPIRITUAL COUNSELING

MASTER OF SPIRITUALISM

MASTER OF WICCAN STUDIES

*State-Certified degree courses in bold are currently offered by the Seminary, while courses not in bold are future additions.

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Universal Life Church

Intuition and Intellect Challenge

Okay, I've had six lessons now and no one is discussing any of this. Where are you? Is the information so overwhelming that you don't know where to begin a comment?

Let me try to get the ball rolling.

When I teach people to open up to intuition, I often tell them to tend to many of the Intellect-centered Messages below. Now, I need to rethink my advice.

I own all three books, I can't find the second one. I also have two workbooks. When I saw this course, I thought at last I could find someone else who read the work. I know you're out there.

Even if I end up talking to the writer, I guess it will be someone, but I hoped for more of you.

Read the following. I challenge you to post!

I. Intellect-centered messages might:

A. be based on scarcity, fear, or guilt

B. be based on protecting oneself

C. be compelling, with no time to reflect

D. be quick answer, and feel out of context with your flow

E. is the first thing to come to mind

F. feels like a desperate need.

II. Intuitive-centered messages are:

A. loving and reassuring

B. persistent

D. encouraging and positive

E. not usually demanding immediate action

F. rarely radical without smaller steps to initiate change. --------------------

Blessed Be!

Rev. Sally Franklin Christie, D. D.

Bozeman, Montana

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Drumming

Warm Greetings, All, Just looking at the most obvious aspect of drumming, rhythm clearly has a powerful effect on human consciousness, although scientific research on such effects is rarely done. The late Jimi Hendrix was asked, more than once, who had taught him the "voodoo rhythms" that he used in his music. He always claimed that no one had taught him, that the rhythms had just come to him, although some maintained that he used specific rhythms used in shamanistic rituals for consciousness transformation. In Unity, j.j.salt

*******************************

The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

The Universal Life Church offers hand-fasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar