METAPHYSICAL HEALING

FINAL ESSAY – METAPHYSICAL HEALING

Rev. Teresa Swerdloff

Over these several months I have read lessons and in some cases applied techniques. But I think the most valuable lesson I have come away with is, too often we look for the truth in relationship to the world around us, others and ourselves. With our main focus on others and the world around us and checking to see if we're up-to- par, or fit-in. We might say it's “taking a hard look at what is.”

As I have grown these last few months I realize I am the center of my universe. And I am the most important thing in my day. And how I feel about the people, places and things in my day is the most relevant thing in my reality. There may have been a time when it was beneficial to look at something from someone else's point of view. And I spent most of my life doing just that. But someone else does not truly make any decisions in my life. I have really come into myself during these last few months and feel such a freedom, rebirth.

I found the lesson on anatomy very helpful. I think an expansion on this lesson would be very valuable to students. This lesson prompted me to go out and get diagrams of various systems of the body, and look for more information

I believe this class is a good introduction to Metaphysical Healing. It is a nice cross section of Metaphysical Healing techniques as they are practiced in Africa. I did feel it didn't relate as much as I would have liked to the way holistic practices are here in the United States.

I disagree with our instructor, in that I take complete responsibility for my reality. In doing this I am examining my own belief contents that attract my fears for the future of Healing. I do have to say though I think the point she was making is not to overwhelm the client with the thoughts (especially if they are struggling already) that they create their reality. If they are not ready they may hear this as “It's your fault the reality your creating”.

For me, there is no question but that Metaphysical Healing is where all healing stems from. As science and society has developed, I feel, a belief system in machines (surgical), drugs, and western practice has developed. This belief system is built on a structure of power control and economic gain, followed by (somewhere down at the bottom of the list) a need to heal. I fear the loss of true healing as this system continues to place more controls (legislation) on Holistic practices.

As I see it there will be little difference between Western Medicine and Holistic Practices if this continues. And as I experience this fear I am examining my part in attracting more of this that I do not want and I realize the desire to change my focus to what I do want. -A thriving healthy society- I have simplified this but then one of the things I also noticed throughout this class was when I broke things down to their simplest form, the point became crystal clear....

Love and laughter,

Terri

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As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.

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Wiccan Studies

Dr. of Wiccan Studies Program

Rev. Laury Burris

 

What I learned:

First let me thank the ULC for offering this class to further my education. I thank you for all the work you do. Next let me thank Lord Starwalker for putting together these lessons and presenting them to us, allowing us to grow. I thank you.

I have been writing rituals for some time now; they can be a hefty task by itself. To take into consideration what the ritual is for, what the person is requesting and all the correspondences that go into putting a ritual together. Now after finally mastering all of this along comes these lessons and a ritual for a Hand fasting or a Childs Blessing. It was not the writing of the ritual that sat me down to thinking, it was the idea of doing a Hand fasting or a child’s blessing. This was a part of my faith that I had not really thought of yet. Along with this is the idea of using the whole house or backyard as a sacred space. These two things together seemed to sit me down and wonder. First I live in a small town on the down east coast of Maine; there are not many Wiccans here, though we seem to be growing in numbers. But this was the reason I became ordained, was it not? To help the people in my community who followed the same path as I did, so why had I not thought of this before? Now don’t get me wrong it’s not the thought of doing a hand fasting or a child’s blessing, to me there would be no greater joy than to bless a new baby or join a couple together in the eyes of the Goddess. If anything the idea of this intrigued me, why? I know that if asked to do one there would be of course people attending not of the Wiccan faith; this is what made me come to a full stop. So now I wondered at myself could I undertake such a task? Could I present a Wiccan ritual to others and yet make them feel comfortable? 

So I suppose I was asking myself was I ready? Me? I wondered could I? With much thought given to this I came to a cross road, was I more scared of me being ready or was I more scared of what other people would think? Well I know both in my mind and in my heart that I am ready, so it left me wondering about the other. Then I came to another conclusion. If the parents of a child or a couple who wanted to wed had enough faith in me to come to me and ask me to perform this for them, then I had enough faith in myself to present a Wiccan ritual the best I could to all who attended. This then brought me to the final conclusion that being ordained in which ever faith you believe in meant not only taking care of the everyday needs of the people of your community, but also the major events of people’s lives. We as ordained ministers are responsible for the people of our community from their beginning to the end. So now one could say that have I not only learned that writing these rituals are important, but performing them is also an important part of our community. 

Thank you for helping me to see the full encompass of my position and thank you for teaching me to have more faith in myself. I am now a stronger person for this. May I now go forth into my community with a better understanding of me and now being able to better serve the people of my community?

Gratefully,

Ms. Laury Burris

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Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.

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A Course In Miracles

Sincerely I hope this letter finds you well and in happy spirit. Let me introduce myself, I am Allana D Maher Leckie. I know we have met typographically via the Internet, unfortunately not in person, my loss. May I also explain why this paper is late; first of all I have been a superintendent of a small school, chairman of the board of Education, Financial data entry person, Spiritual leader, teacher trainer for the past four and one half years. Writing all my own worships for the parents and children. Also burdened with too much illness from members of my family and the unavoidability of their untimely death I had to take a sabbatical leave after training a pastor and four people to take my position at school. Another factor is I do not like writing about myself.

• Allana D Maher- Leckie

• Ordained Minister

• PhD in Holistic Health and Nutrition

• Masters of Science in Nutrition 1999

• Founder and Director of Alternative Directions - The BETR Way 

Nutritional and Bio-Chemical Counseling Service 1995

• RHC, Registered Holistic Counselor, RC, Registered Cosmetologist, LCE, Licensed Clinical Esthetician and a Bonded Notary Public.

• Website – gothebetrway4health@chinesesecret.com

• Allana has great respect and appreciation for ULC Seminary. . She recently introduced and encouraged one of her former students to become involved with ULC Seminary.

Allana D Maher- Leckie, MsHN, RHC, LCE, and N P., was recently inducted into the Manchester Who’s Who Registry of Executives and Professionals for her professional accomplishments. She is a Registered Clinical Esthetician and Registered Cosmetologist, who specialized in Professional skin peeling and electrolysis. She operated a private practice in Chicago for ten years. She trained as an intern under Chester P. Yozwick, PhD., and became a Registered Holistic Counselor, certified in Bio-Equilibrium testing. She received is currently pursuing her Doctorate in Holistic Health and Nutrition from the Clayton College of Natural Health. Allana is the founder and director of Alternative Directions 4 Managing Life, The BETR Way , and Nutritional & Bio-chemical Counseling Service. As a young adult she was diagnosed with an illness that doctors were unable to effectively treat. She decided not to give up and to attempt holistic medicine. She founded this organization/ministry in order to bring awareness and help to others in similar situations. The BETR Way  is a non-medical and non-chemical nutritional corrective holistic approach for body, mind and spirit health. She dedicates her services to children with learning disabilities, disabled adults, the homebound and elderly. It is her experience and expertise in bio-equilibrium testing and research (BETR) that enhances the professional services provided by the organization/ministry. She works diligently to maintain its outstanding reputation. While Allana specializes in Nutrition, Bio-equilibrium testing, MSA (Meridian Stress) Testing, manipulations, and acupressure, her emphasis is always on education and self-care, not treatment and dependence; on helping the client understand and apply lifestyle changes that will promote health and prevent illness. Also she gives Wellness workshops & educational classes for the public and authors two newsletters (one in English and one in Spanish). ( Manchester Who’s Who, 2003).

Allana’s practice of health for Body, Mind and Spirit is just that: the health of the Mind, the health of the body, and most importantly the health of the spirit. Qigong practitioners believe that disease begins spiritually. Studying religion and being a Spiritual Educator and Teacher, she believes that as well. She also had the honor of Confirming and bringing many special education children (a time when special Education classrooms were in basements of schools, later graduating to the Principal’s office, then in the mid 90’s to a small private classroom). She told me one of the greatest honors was of teaching God’s Word to young children and preparing them for First Communion and interpreting for deaf and Chinese students when they became Citizens of the United States of America. She was nominated for the Lumen-Christi Award in 2005 (for teachers) and appeared in the Lutheran Witness (2003) and the Reporter Newspaper, 2004 (spiritual magazine/newspaper).

She is member of the Coalition for Natural Health, the Homeopathic society, and the Homeopathic Academy of Naturopathic Physicians. ( Manchester Who’s Who, 2003).

In response to your question of why I became or who introduced me to become a minister, I would have to honestly say that it was God calling! I have been a certified Eucharist minister to the home-bound and elderly since the early eighties. I have visited many a bedside, (hospital and home) to bring communion to these wonderful people. However the one person I give the credit too is my teacher, friend and educator Dr. Chester P. Yozwick, PhD, whom I interned with to become certified in the scientific field of Bio-Equilibrium Testing, He suggested and introduced me to ULC Seminary. Now he is at home with the LORD, (March 2003). I certainly have and will miss his friendship and input in my life and practice. Thanks be to God for allowing me the great privilege to know Dr. Chester P. Yozwick, PhD and study his teachings and instructions, Laboratory work, etc., at his Clinic. May I use it always to assist humanity in their search for better health.

I really have not explained the Betr Way Nutritional Counseling Service. It is Biblically based nutritional way of eating your way to health The BETR Way, the Natural Way, Alternatively- that follows Scripture as accurately as humanly possible. I created it when I was studying for my Bachelors Degree in Nutrition. Being a former cardiac patient I spent (wasted) 27 years of my life on allopathic medicines that began destroying and shutting down my body functions. I prayed and knew that there had to be a better way to health and solutions to cardiac problems than prescription drugs and their poisonous side effects. These best medications that were prescribed for me for the rest of my life rendered me a cripple depending on a walker to motivate. I wobbled out of the hospital on this walker and that began my journey back to the improved health. This procedure of health building took almost 9 years. Following this horrendous journey I began studying at local colleges, anything that had to do with nutrition and health. Than I found the American Holistic College of Nutrition and began studying for my Bachelors Degree in Holistic Nutrition (Received 1996). This is when God brought Dr. Chester P. Yozwick into my life. He was one of my Professors at the American Holistic College of Nutrition. I was not completely back on my feet from the years of medicine poisoning but began an Intern program with Dr. Yozwick at his clinic in Ohio (meanwhile still working onward towards my Masters of Science at AHCN) Rec., 1999. My prayer was to emulate his techniques and use them to assist people in their search for better health.

The Betr Way™ is and Acronym for Teaching and Holistic Education thru Bio-equilibrium Testing & Research with Alternatives from Yahweh. Bio-equilibrium Testing & Research (BETR™) tests Chemical and Metabolic disorders detected by Urine Analysis of; 1) Carbohydrates (combined sugars), 2) Acid-Alkaline pH), 3) Sodium (electrolytes), 4) Cellular Debris (albumin), 5) digested protein (urea). This important test can test the soils of the earth as well. However many people put a small value on pH and the misunderstanding of it. This is my life work, Bio-equilibrium Testing is not only testing the pH of the secretions of the body, acidity or alkalinity it is an accurate means of expressing every degree of biological life in mathematical terms. It is a mathematical equation. It is not a measure of the amount of acids or alkalizes; it’s a measure of resistance between acids and alkalines. By the resistance I can tell whether someone has too much or too little calciums, or which calciums are enough and of which ones they have too much. It is not a quantitative measure; it’s a measure of resistance. By a differential calculus by deduction I can tell what is happening in the human system.

I certainly hope this answers all your questions on how and why I became a Minister of the WORD and how I’ve applied my studies and abilities to use the gifts GOD has put into my hands to assist other people on their journey. However, I know the beginning introduction was written about me, but I cannot really take the credit for any of these accomplishments. There is an innate nature that GOD placed within me to do these things, these are HIS gifts not mine, lent to me to be used for his Glory! Never an opportunity ceases to appear when I am not drawn to the situation, not of my own doing but the stronger force (hand/will) of GOD.

However, we must always remember all good gifts cometh from the LORD, cometh from the LORD GOD day by day. All good gifts cometh from the LORD, cometh from the LORD in great array, may we use them to bring glory to HIS Holy NAME.

Thank you for your time and energy spent to read this presentation of a life used to serve our LORD GOD Almighty.

Good Health, Regards

Allana D Maher Leckie

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Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.

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Christian Studies

The part of The Four Gospels course that I enjoyed the most was actually the bonus material of the Scholars Translation of the Gospel of Thomas. It was interesting to read a translation of the (original?) Greek text, but after thirty-five (plus) years of studying the Bible, and as many of the different original manuscripts as I have been able to obtain, the translation of the Greek version of the Four Gospels, given in The Unvarnished Gospels, did not shed much new light on my understanding of them. However, finding a new understanding of the Four Gospels is not necessarily why I read them most of the time. Over the years, I have read the Gospels for many different reasons, but the two primary ones are that I find them very comforting, and I really do enjoy reading them every so often! I am particularly fond of the Beatitudes in the Sermon on the Mount.

There is something about reading the words of the Master that seems to put me in closer contact with him, and deepens our relationship. His words are understandable at all levels, allowing each individual the freedom to develop their own unique and personal understanding of the timeless Wisdom. Indeed, everyone’s life is different, yet I believe that every person can find answers and hope in the words of Jesus, that apply specifically to their life! Scholars may debate their meanings endlessly, and certainly, many of the interpretations do contain Truth, but their real beauty lies in the fact that anyone, no matter their background or “intelligence,” can understand their meanings and find Truth. This makes sense to me, because I know that Jesus did not come to this planet to enlighten only those people who lived during the time of his physical incarnation, but to give a true and loving understanding of God to all people, for all time.

My entire adult life, I have looked for, read, and tried to discern Truth from all books concerning the life and teachings of the Master Jesus. I have followed this course for many other masters and religions as well. I accept Truth from whatever source I find it. It was a great boost to the material available on Jesus and Palestine, when the “Gnostic” codices and texts were discovered in 1945, near Nag Hammadi, Egypt, and again when the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in caves near Qumran, on the banks of the Dead Sea, in 1947. The Nag Hammadi Library not only contained copies of many gospels and texts that scholars thought had been lost for all time, but also many previously unknown gospels as well. Among these was The Gospel of Thomas. Before taking this course, I already had studied, and was familiar with, The Gospel of Thomas, The Hidden Sayings Of Jesus, by Marvin Meyer, which contains the original Coptic text (with the original papyrus annotations), as well as the translation and interpretations.

I have studied many, many books, analysis, and interpretations of both groups of texts. I personally, have long favored The Gospel of Thomas. Interestingly, it is one of the “Gnostic” gospels that biblical scholars tend to deride the most. They often state that after endless scholarly analysis of all texts containing the words of Jesus that “are generally accepted to have actually been spoken” by Him, they further state that many of the statements in The Gospel Of Thomas that are attributed to Jesus “could not possibly have been spoken by Him.”

None of it can be “proved “ conclusively either way. As much as I enjoy the scholarly pursuit of the origins of ancient codices and gospels, and trying to determine what Jesus really did or didn’t say, for application into my life, it still boils down to personal Truth and Faith. Every person must seek and find their own Truth. Whether or not statements can be proven to have been spoken by the Master, for me, the most important thing is do they hold Truth for me, and do they strengthen my Faith. If they don’t, then I am not likely to try to apply what they say to my own life. If instead, I feel that they do hold Wisdom, then I believe it is incumbant upon me to do my best to consciously live these Truths. My personal feeling is that each and every person is themselves, a “Minister,” consciously or unconsciously, living, and consequently teaching, their own Truth (whatever it may be) to the world, from one minute to the next.

I did enjoy this opportunity to re-read The Four Gospels of the New Testament and also The Gospel of Thomas! I am very pleased that our Seminary encourages its ministers to expand their range of understanding, by studying gospels, codices, and texts outside of the Bible, that reveal the life and teachings of The Son of God. I am including a very brief bibliography of some related texts that I have found helpful, and some of my fellow clergy may find interesting.

Holy Bible - From the Ancient Eastern Text: George M. Lamsa’s Translation From the Aramaic of the Peshitta (ISBN 0-06-064923-2)

The Jerusalem Bible - Reader’s Edition (ISBN 0-385-01156-3)

The Urantia Book (ISBN 0-911560-02-5)

The Gospel of Thomas - The Hidden Sayings of Jesus (ISBN 0-06-065581-X) by Marvin Meyer, Interpretation by Harold Bloom

The Nag Hammadi Library (ISBN 0-06066935-7) by James Robinson (General Editor)

The Lost Gospel: The Book of Q & Christian Origins (ISBN 0-06-065375-2) by Burton L. Mack

Jesus: A Life (ISBN 0-449-90807-0) by A. N. Wilson

Rabbi Jesus: An Intimate Biography (ISBN 0-38549793-8) by Bruce Chilton

Edgar Cayce’s Story of Jesus (ISBN 0-42510327-7) by Edgar Cayce and Jeffrey Furst (Editor)

Companions Along the Way (ISBN 0-44921221-1) by Ruth Montgomery

Lost Christianities: The Battles for Scripture and the Faiths We Never Knew

(ISBN 0-19-514183-0) by Bart D. Ehrman

Lost Scriptures: Books that Did Not Make It into the New Testament

(ISBN 0-19-514182-2) by Bart D. Ehrman

Whose Word Is It?: The Story Behind Who Changed the New Testament and Why

(ISBN 0-82649129-4) by Bart D. Ehrman

The Orthodox Corruption of Scripture: The Effect of Early Christological Controversies on the Text of the New Testament (ISBN 0-19510279-7)

by Bart D. Ehrman

The Second Coming of Christ: The Resurrection of the Christ Within You (2 Volume Set) (ISBN 0-87612555-0) by Paramahansa Yogananda

A Course In Miracles (ISBN 0-9606388-9-X) by Helen Schucman and William Thetford, published by the Foundation For Inner Peace

Love Without End: Jesus Speaks… (ISBN 0-9666623-1-8) by Glenda Green

The Keys of Jeshua (ISBN 0-9666623-7-7) by Glenda Green

James the Brother of Jesus: The Key to Unlocking the Secrets of Early Christianity and the Dead Sea Scrolls (ISBN 0-14025773-X) by Robert H. Eisenman

The Dead Sea Scrolls Uncovered (ISBN 1-56619-623-X) by Robert Eisenman and

Michael Wise

The Complete World of The Dead Sea Scrolls (ISBN 0-500-05111-9) by Phillip R. Davies, George J. Brooke, and Phillip R. Callaway

The books concerning the Dead Sea Scrolls are included because they do an excellent job of setting the stage for the religious, spiritual, and political environment of the time, into which Jesus was to incarnate. The list of books that have something meaningful to contribute to the subject of the life and teachings of Jesus is practically endless. While some of these books may contain material that all Christians might not agree with, they are very thought provoking, and I hope they will be read with an open heart and mind.

Blessed be,

Scott R. Bobbitt

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Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.

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Life of St. Paul

Greeting all who took my study,

I just wanted to say as the contributing author of this course that I feel compelled to myself turn in an essay about its overall attributes. First off, one should know that this whole project was founded upon finding some of my father’s unfinished Christian studies which I found in the attic of the house in which I now reside. Basically the outline of St. Paul’s life and the study chapter outline for a 10 lesson plan.

I took the next several years researching, drawing mainly from Dallas Seminary study bibles, and both new international and King James Version additions, my conclusions on the life of this, the greatest Apostle.

When I submitted it to Rev. Long, she revamped it into 15 lessons and asked if I could complete five more. I was able to do this with the help of my sister, Rev. Luci Moline, though I do feel the last five lessons are a bit weaker then they should be. Maybe if I had more time and focus. Originally, as well, I almost made this lesson plan available to that Monastery website thing that came about after the whole ULC changeover, but was guided correctly through their website by a special guest sermon by Rev. Amy, who has been so helpful in making this study available, I owe her much thanks and I hope you received some enlightenment from it.

I also encourage all feedback both positive and negative you may have or suggestions on how you felt it could have been made better.

Thank you,

Rev. Walter Moline

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Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.

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Spirit Quest

Universal Life Church

by Rev. Kamyar Shadan

Thank you for the Spirit quest program. I wanted to share the insights I gained in the Discourse on MONEY!!! I guess that gives it away. The exclamation point that is. I consider myself a spiritual being living and adapting to an overly materialistic world. In a way materialism is part of our being. We possess our body and organs so life as we know it is biased towards materialism. I appreciated that you where not resisting or resenting money during your presentation. You where reflecting that like everything else in life it is what you do with it that makes the difference. I think at a certain stage most humans get to a point they believe that they either have it or don't and then they hopefully realize that with it or with out they can live the life they seek. Most of life is window covering. 

All the things we exaggerate need for are dependencies that we are exposed to, create, adopt and become hooked on. They exist because we chose the degree that they are a part of our lives. So how can a spiritual being make friends with money since most human beings would actually, admittedly or not, like to have a lot of money and want all the luxury and freedom that goes with it? That is why the lotteries all around the world are so huge. Every one of those millions of tickets represents at least a few hundred thousand human beings and millions of their dreams. You can get what you seek. If you don't have something material that you really want it is very likely that you really truly don't want it. It may be good to have, nice to have but not a must have for you. So if you struggle with it just start getting to know yourself better and be around people that are like minded. Even someone with G5 Private jet may feel inferior or that they lack something when it is parked next to a private 747.

First, let’s focus on the idea that money is good but our impression of it or people who have it is not very good. Most people don't regularly meet many people that accumulated exuberant amounts of wealth that they truly respect. Another pain point for money is having it is too much trouble. You have people chasing you to invest it, spend it, rob it, gamble it or loose it. One of the unpleasant experiences you can have with your money is managing it and not letting it manage you. Most people have a love/hate and dysfunctional relationship with their money and their money manager. One of the pain points are when you have to deal with a mostly sales oriented and artificial money management world. That world is filled with mostly self serving people and entities that are just gaining peoples trust to prey on them. They befriend clients, gain their trust and cover the facts in six feet of fine print. They make people think it is ok for them to make more money on their client’s money than the clients themselves. People have surrendered to the way the industry churns and burns them. It is most hurtful when they want to stay in the relationship just because they have known the person for so long or that they are concerned about how their advisor would feel no matter how brutally they are being preyed on. Its only money after all! Is it! Wow. 

Those types of people are usually the kindest and most vulnerable. But they are choosing to stay in a co dependent, predatory and abusive relationship that they do know how to leave. So those of us that have our hearts in this industry need to earn our keep by continuing to do what we truly believe and are dedicated to and not worrying about saving every single person. Only save those that want to be saved. We need to do this in the most sincere matter and not get disappointed when people don't believe us and want to stay in a dysfunctional, predatory financial environment. We need learn from the rejection, doubt and reluctance we sometimes face and not try to save or savor it or wallow in it. 

Also, we need to learn that you can't save the people that don't want to be saved. How interesting. I guess faith and belief plays out in a similar way no matter whether you go to a church, mosque, temple, synagogue, nature or shrine. “YOU GO”. Nobody can drag you there and keep you there for long at least not in most countries. Those who stay reluctantly do so for other reasons and are just playing along to get along. We need to save the people that want to be saved. We need to move on and take the learning experience to the next relationship, stay committed and share our story of why we do what we do. You can only help those that care and want out and trust that there must be a better way.

Another great point you made was about doing what you love and perhaps loving what you do. I love helping people and helping them overcomes their obstacles. I love making things better. I take pride in helping people be in a better place than I found them. When we have ideas and plans in our head we need to bring them to life we can't get stuck before or right after the creation part. You need to realize that they are there for a reason. They are a gift from life. In a perfect life you would get done all the ones that are important to the core of your being. You would get them done in their order of importance and maturity.


In a perfect life we fulfill the inherited, earned and learned purpose of our mind, body and soul. It’s like having children. Most people don't realize that their dedication is judged in raising their children not in just being willing to give up their freedom and choosing to have them and then just having them. You don't bring children into this world to turn them over to someone else to raise or to turn them out at 18. That is a social machine. You are just feeding the system without even knowing it. If you think you can justify it by doing that. Don't. You would be only contributing if you do everything possible from your first breath until your last breath to make them wonderful, fulfilled, loving, caring and confident human beings. Anyway back to ideas, creating things and leaving everything better than you find it. After creation of an idea the tendency is to think the rest of the motivation is mostly about power and money. That is when the spiritual being in us wants to stop and may not want to follow through. We say it’s created or it’s conceived. I am done. Now I have to raise it and grow it. No way. It exists. Next! Not quite just yet. Same goes for beginning of marriage or any relationship. The work is just starting. Only you can take it to the next level. It is not truly living, nurtured and vital until you get your creation so it can survive and blossom on its own.

In my case I love finding things that I can make better and helping people with learning that they can have a functional and fulfilling relationship with their wealth. I need to stick it out and reach out despite the rejection, disappointment and the denial I see. I need to put my self in their position and the reasons that they have become so complacent, bitter and/or numb about their wealth and unconditionally surrendered to those who manage it. I need share my sincerity. I need to seek and work with like minded people that can see through me, appreciate my dedication and that choose to place their trust in me. You can't help those that have totally surrendered to a predatory and dysfunctional environment or to those that have lost faith in the possibility of a better way for them to be served..

Thanks,

KS

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Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Islamic Studies

The twenty week study of Islam was far too short. The information and material presented by Paul Culp was informative and led to the study of other authors and texts. It was a great experience leaning from a person who had first hand knowledge of the culture of Islam and was able to share from an outsider’s perspective. The course brought a human aspect to the history of Islam and the day-to-day practices of the faith.

I was most intrigued by the similarities of the beliefs of the Muslim and those of Judaism and Christianity. I did know that each had a common background but did not know of all of the similar practices and beliefs until the course. The history and the culture of the areas, explained in the course, helped me to understand why beliefs are held and the reason for many of the conflicts and misunderstandings.

I did focus on the masculine/feminine as that is something I am most interested in because of my ministry. I used N. J. Darwood’s translation of the Qur’an during the course and it states in several places the honoring of women and that Allah made his children with both male and female attributes. Not that God took from Adam to make Eve but that humans were made to have both softness and nurturing and protective and strong abilities. Total equality is given the sexes. It was brought out many times in the course that there were holdovers of ideas that had been practiced before Mohammad gave the teachings to the people; therefore, this strengthened my conclusion that the separation and the blaming of the frailty of resolve and spirit is from cultural aspects rather than religious teaching.

I of course, because of recent events in the United States, looked for the Muslim perception of heaven. I can not be sure of how the ideas were presented to the people who died for their religion but I found that indeed it stated there would be maidens to serve in heaven for those found worthy by following the teaching of Allah. While it is true that these ideas were taken from the Qur’an they possibly were used out of context and reported in that manner by the media. This was not a surprise to me but I wanted to know where the ideas came from. All religious writings are interpreted and each can be manipulated to serve the current message being given.

The infighting and the wars against those who do not agree with specific teaching and practices is manmade. The writings about taking up arms against unbelievers rings true in all religions started in Middle East region of the world. It is the idea that if your neighbor does not believe as you do then you must conquer them and bring them to belief with any means available. You must bring the world to the “true belief” to be considered worthy. Conquering and forced conversion to a religious belief was done to the Indigenous of the Americas when Christianity was brought to the Americas during global expansion of European countries as well as other areas of the world. It is still being done throughout the world no matter what the religion.

To say that Islam speaks of peace but is violent and warlike is to forget the Old Testament and the fact that for instance Christians have fought against Christians for many centuries. Some of this attitude is a product of frustration in trying to convert the unbeliever to the faith or other ideals held by those conquering. Other times it is used by rulers and leaders to increase their nations. Therefore it is important to fully understand all religions and cultures and to come to an understanding of the sameness to foster tolerance. The belief and creed of the Universal Life Church says it all “Do only what is right” I would add we are all One and harm to any part of the One is harm to all.

So many times I hear from Christians that “Muslims do not believe in God they believe in Mohammad.” The split was many centuries ago but the fact that both came from the same source and the promise of Abraham should make for a better understanding and fellowship rather than division, total rift, and war. Muslims do not believe in Mohammad anymore than Baptists believe in Billy Graham. The message both brought to the people was of how to live properly with the teachings of God. Neither cared to be worshiped nor should they be.

Christians should understand and be thankful that Islam held to the ideas of the advancement of learning and science while the Christian world was in the dark ages and would not accept the knowledge of medicine, science, math, etc. because it did not foster the teachings the church wanted to convey to the people. When the western world was ready to give up the controlling teachings of the church they then were grateful for the fact that many things had been preserved by the Muslims and could be shared with the world. It is said in the history of the Roman Empire that the roads built to expand the empire allowed the Muslims to travel to the far areas of the world and give their knowledge to many. They were willing to share this knowledge in contrast to the Christian Church and the rulers that used the church for expansion who wanted to suppress knowledge to keep the peoples in bondage to them.

Especially in this day and age when the weapons produced in varied countries can bring total annihilation we need to practice tolerance, forgiveness, and foster understanding of all religions and cultures to bring love to the world instead of war. Knowledge of each culture and religion is the key to peace. The lessons for Master of Islamic Studies provide a good start in this direction.

Rev. Sharon J. Mayer

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Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.

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Spirit Quest

Spirit Quest has been an informative and excellent lesson in taking charge of my life. It is well written and comfortable to learn. Of all the lessons, the most meaningful to me were the basic meditation techniques-especially the grounding exercises. I enjoyed learning how to center myself, cleanse negative energy and practice awareness and mindfulness.

Many years ago I learned meditation as a means of managing migraine headaches. Slowly, with time I have forgotten about daily practice because I got caught up in the craziness of life. Renewing this practice has allowed me to slow down and stay present. It has taught me to free up personal energy for healing and wholeness. I no longer take on negative energy from others and if I inadvertently let some in I know how to handle it. This is the miracle I have created for myself. The change is extremely positive and uplifting. At any time I can ground, center, breathe and heal.

The lessons on getting unstuck were also meaningful to me. Throughout life I have been aware of getting stuck on things and of how this has kept me focused on the past. Moving forward became difficult often resulting in problems. Some of the tools came more naturally than others. The Body of Glass tool was very difficult at first but with practice I am seeing small improvement. Since I love centering neutrality was one of my favorite lessons. Clearly seeing a situation makes the choices about that situation much more available. I like picturing a movie screen while sitting in a nice comfy chair. This is a very safe environment from which to evaluate a situation and choose a course of action.

Another area that was meaningful to me was the lesson on time. I have done some therapeutic work with somatic counseling to look at the trauma of a serious car accident. Although I didn’t know it at the time I was using the tools of neutrality and time to recover from this trauma. Most of my time and energy was spent in the past still involved in the accident. The anxiety was incredible and I was stuck beyond belief. Through hypnosis, meditation and learning balance I was able to release some of that negative energy and move more freely in the present. This course has reminded me of the tune-ups I must continue to do to keep from getting stuck again.

Above all I have learned that spirituality is fluid. This course has given me the tools to continue healthy growth, to identify my needs and to adjust my attitude when needed. I learned some of these tools once, misplaced them and now have them again. Thank you Spirit Quest.

Rev. Elizabeth Andres

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Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.

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Religious Philosophy

Traveling throughout the world has expanded my understanding of the similarities and differences between various people. It has been an honor to meet individuals from all corners of the world, to experience their culture, and learn what the same planet looks like in their eyes. I have discovered some very interesting common themes between the multitude of global residents and myself, as well as some deeply divisive gulfs. The material presented in this course provided me with many valuable tools to further explore the reasons why people believe what they believe and the origins of many of the legends, myths, and stories we have today. By taking this course I also have a deeper understanding of myself. 

The most intense revelation for me, by being exposed to so many different ideologies, is the realization about how grossly under informed I am in the matters of different belief systems. In my own life there has been a progressive shift from taking things for granted simply due to the fact an influential person told me something, to searching for the truth through observation and scientific study. It has taken too long for me to finally ask the necessary questions. Surprisingly, many of the answers I am finding are contrary to what I was taught. There is some bitterness in the feeling of being deceived, but there is also relief in knowing that the answers can be found. I can not subscribe to an ideology that decides it is the truth with no proof. Many religions take this stand simply because any admittance of possible error would decimate the whole belief system. Science on the other hand, takes a different approach. Science begins by being ignorant of the truth and establishing a path to find the answers, a search for facts. Studying the different religions of the world using a scientific approach is not a process in place to destroy a faith based belief structure, but a manner of explaining and understanding why a belief is in place. To search for the origin of a story is an extremely exciting study, especially when an other than expected answer is found. It is not enough to simply mull over books or take in a National Geographic program to completely understand another group of people. A person almost needs to be submerged in the other society in order to grasp true understanding. The same stands for studying their beliefs and philosophies. Several times throughout the Religious Philosophy course I caught myself instantly dismissing a belief or idea that did not conform to the “truth” according to the program that I grew up with. By identifying the propensity to immediately default to my opinions based in the propaganda of a particular belief structure, injected into my life prior to being allowed to develop my own views, I will hopefully generate a freer atmosphere for knowledge and understanding to blossom. It saddened me to learn and observe the lack of consideration and open-mindedness that pervades many so called advanced civilizations. Most are comfortably barricaded in the security of ignorance and they leave little opportunity to experience the beauty of the world’s vast differences. Those most guilty of this philosophical prison are all too often members of the larger religious organizations. These larger organizations also have the unfortunate nature of being the most fractured due to the narrowness of their ideology. One such example is the division of an entire church over the matter of the acceptable color of a song book. 

Of course I do not and cannot accept all belief systems. However, this course helped me to see that it is not necessary to personally “believe” in all things but is enough to accept the validity of a belief systems’ existence. There also seems to be an “ethical” foundation to most of the religions of the world so at least that element ties much of humanity together. It has unfortunately been mankind that has corrupted and spoiled the most precious possession humanity has. We all innately possess the knowledge of “greater possibilities.” This is the key we will have to use in the evolution of our understanding our existence.

Rev. Dale Furr

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Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Paganism

This is my essay for my degree in Masters of Paganism.

Rev. Lee Warner

Master of Paganism has been an extraordinary course. This course helps you to learn all aspects of paganism. Being a pagan is a way of life for me, since I was a child. Growing with this spiritualism has encouraged me to know and learn my craft, with precision. Learning and studying this course, has given me a renewal in my life, to be able to teach paganism to others..

The creation lesson is one of the most unforgettable lesson. I am able to explain our creation story with more ease.. Without this course it was sometimes difficult to explain, to others how we came into existence.

The second course was very informational. I went through this lesson many many times. I learned in great detail about the maiden, mother and crone Goddesses. Teaching the sabbats and knowing in detail about the Goddesses are important in my family.. To be able to go into a prolific details with the ones that taught me and to know exactly what I am talking about, has given them great respect and pride for me.

I would encourage everyone to learn about the great rite. As I studied this concept, I realized that not many follow this particular way, anymore. I have learned to raise energy through the power of dancing, drumming and singing.

Divination, was so exciting for me, as I experimented with many forms , to see which were compatible with me. I began with the tarot cards. I did not have much luck with the deck. I did not get a feel of anything from them.

The pendulum, became my next experiment. After calming my mind and meditating, I had positive experiences with this form of divination.

Scrying mirrors I discovered, are doorways to the unknown.One particular night I asked a question with the scrying mirror. My dog began whimpering and the an all out growl and protective mode she was in , as she began nudging my arm. I turned the mirror over and sprinkled salt on the backside of the mirror. This was very curious and scary to me. However what I discovered, is there is a spirit in my house. My dog could see and sense this spirit before I could. How amazing is that. I do not use a scrying mirror after that. I have learned that it can be a doorway or a portal.

I am in the process of understanding tea leave reading more. I went through this lesson many times. It was somewhat difficult, but the more I do it the easier it is becoming.

Runes are as exciting to me as my pendulum. I have enjoyed learning and reading runes. I have enjoyed it so much , that I am helping a local artist design my own runes.

I have experienced and learned so much from this course. Thank you for this opportunity that has helped develop and shape my thoughts, into experiences that I shall share with others.

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To ordain yourself with the Universal Life Church, for free, for life, right now, click on the Free Online Ordination link.

Rev. Long created the ULC seminary site to help ministers learn and grow their ministries. The Seminary offers a huge catalog of materials for ministers of the Universal Life Church.