Buddhism

Final essay on Buddhism

Rev. Rita Lamptey

I have thoroughly enjoyed studying the course, it has been informative and an excellent learning curve. I have been a practicing Buddhist for the past 19 years and through studying the course I have enjoyed learning about the other forms of Buddhism in depth and have deepened my own knowledge and understanding.

Theravada Buddhism has 100 million followers, mainly in Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Sri Lanka and Thailand, and parts of Vietnam. It started in Sri Lanka when Buddhist missionaries arrived from India. They promoted the Vibhajjavada School. By the 15th century, this form of the religion reached almost its present extent.

Buddhism contains many distinct schools: T'ein-t'ai, Hua-yen, Pure Land teachings, and the Meditation school. Buddhism has perhaps 10 million adherents in parts of China, Mongolia, Russia and Tibet.

SGI Buddhism is a religion that dates back almost three thousand years, yet its practical philosophy means that it is even more applicable in today's difficult times. The Buddhism of Nichiren Daishonin, as spread through the SGI movement, teaches individual empowerment and inner transformation which at the same time contributes to global peace, enabling people to develop themselves and take responsibility for their lives, no matter what their circumstances or background.

Shakyamuni`s key message is contained in his highest teaching, the Lotus Sutra. This states that Buddhahood, a condition of absolute happiness and freedom from all fear and illusions, is inherent in all life, and is eternal. This means that 'the Buddha' is nothing other than an ordinary person who is aware of this state in his or her life. `The Buddha` is not a special or divine being. The development of this inner life state can enable all people to overcome their problems and live a fulfilled and active life, engaging fully with others and with society.

Shakymuni taught many teachings on the way to teaching the Lotus Sutra. After he died Buddhism took different forms as it spread. It spread in two main forms, the Theravada (or Hinayana - 'lesser vehicle') and the Mahayana ('greater vehicle'), and traveled into China along the commercial Silk Route. The sutras were translated into different languages and the teachings were adopted and merged into different cultures in Asia. This is the origin of the great variety and diversity of the Buddhist teachings that currently exist across Asia today.

Nichiren Daishonin was born in Japan on 16th February 1222 in a country that was rife with conflicts and calamities that took a heavy toll on the ordinary people. He entered the priesthood as a boy, and it is said that while he was studying at Seicho-ji Temple he prayed to become the wisest person in all Japan, so that he could make sense of the Buddhist teachings, and lead his parents, and indeed all people, to enlightenment.

For 14 years he traveled around the main temples of Japan to conduct his research and became convinced that the key to transforming people's suffering and enabling society to flourish lay in the Lotus Sutra, and particularly its title, Myoho-Renge-Kyo. On 28th April 1253 he declared that the correct Buddhist practice in this age is to chant the phrase Nam-myoho-renge-kyo, which enables everyone to attain enlightenment and true happiness throughout their lives, manifesting inherent Buddhahood and gaining the strength and wisdom to challenge any adverse circumstances.

Nichiren Daishonin challenged the established schools of Buddhism that served the interests of the powerful and encouraged passivity in the suffering masses. After this a series of persecutions began, which served to confirm that the Daishonin was acting in accordance with the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, which include a warning of the difficulty of spreading its teaching of fundamental respect in future ages. In 1260 he submitted his treatise 'On Establishing the Correct Teaching for the Peace of the Land,' to the most powerful figure in the government, urging the government to take responsibility for the suffering of the people, and to use his philosophy to remedy the situation.

Nichiren Daishonin inscribed the Dai-Gohonzon on 12th October 1279 so that all people could have the means to reveal their inherent Buddha nature. He died surrounded by his closest disciples on 13th October 1282.

Nichiren Daishonin's Buddhism was passed from generation to generation, in Japan, for some 700 years until a lay society that became known as the Soka Gakkai (Value Creating Society) started to spread its teachings in 1930. Soka Gakkai was founded by the educators Tsunesaburo Makiguchi and Josei Toda, who found parallels in the Daishonin's teaching with their philosophy of education.

The key message of Buddhism is that it provides a path of individual transformation which teaches us to look within ourselves for the inner peace and happiness.

Buddhist philosophy teaches that by deepening our wisdom and compassion, we can improve the quality of our life and gain great power to help others.

nmrk

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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 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

Shamanism

This is to serve as my essay on the shamanistic practice and the principles obtained from the course.

Let me begin by indicating that the elements of this course have been very helpful in providing insight into other forms of religious practice. The teachings of this course have provided the elements of the practice and I have found many valuable tools that can assist me personally in my everyday life. I am sure that anyone who wants to learn can derive many important facets of spirituality from this course.

What I found interesting was the basic matter that the shamanistic practice is renown world wide and is utilized by many peoples to enrich their lives and the lives of others. Although not considered main stream, the basis for this practices utilizes principles that will enhance anyone who is open to spirituality and help them to further within themselves, the personal ability to transcend traditional organized beliefs and realize that this practice does not oppose such systems, but actually enhances the ability to feel. It provides one with the insight to open their mind to the thoughts and wonder of nature and makes one more attuned to their individual surroundings.

The concepts of the shamanistic program and the teachings allow one to experience the mental journeys that many take without realizing it. The tools to relax and open one's thoughts beyond that of the normal every day responses are truly beneficial to the student. I practice the elements of trying to hook into the natural elements around me. I observe the birds and the sounds they make and the behavior of the

animals I see. I watch as the clouds go by and the winds blow the leaves on trees and hear the gentle breeze which soothes the inner soul.

No, I have not yet been able to release to obtain the animal spirits to guide me and to help me, but I am close and can visualize the faces of various animals as the run through my thoughts. These are influenced by the time of day in which I go into the meditative state and try to open myself to that of the great spirit that guides us all. I receive input from that of mother nature and I open myself to receive the spirits. Although this recognition is difficult to obtain, it is obvious that is there waiting for me to release my inhibitions to it. I cannot give up control enough to let the spirits flow, but I continue my daily ritual of attempting to do so and I feel the presence of the forces around me in a positive manner. This is cathartic and healing in its content.

I am not a user of substances, thus I find it is very difficult to allow such opening as I would obtain through the use of ethogenic materials. And yet, I think one can obtain such a state by mediation and allowing the soul to be opened as if it is a door to life beyond that of which opens normally and is exposed to us in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The teaching have allowed me to be open and to communicate about the spirit and soul and to understand the needs of myself and others to have some form of intervention when it is needed to help get beyond that point. Actually, I am a tobacco user and I use such as a means to enhance my feelings of self realization while using relaxation and thus I am able to cross into a state of a minimal alteration of my psyche.

I enjoy the knowledge that I have gained through the course because it has assisted me in my ability to relax and enjoy my life and to also discuss such elements with others. I have been able to guide through the teachings by being a listener and a teacher also. I had some background in teaching to begin with and the course has made me see that it is also something that can be transmitted to others to provide them with some words that will encourage and provide strength in time of need.

I found that the last several sessions also did much to make me see that when one attempts to assist and provide guidance it must be done with total reverence toward those seeking such help. Will I be able to "heal" and assist those in need in the manner prescribed through the courses, is of course a question yet to be totally answered. But, am I equipped or better equipped to do so, I can say yes to that. I am able to understand the principles of empathy and of the forces of nature that effect us all. I am able to seek guidance from the higher powers around me to find direction to live effectively and move forward. I have always looked for the meaning of things and the way that fate tend to come into play and it is no longer a asking of why such things happen so much, as it is a means to use the direction that fate takes one on their journeys through life. I submit that one has to want to see enrichment and be open to it, before one can obtain it to move forward.

Illness and bad feelings or that concepts of such are a truth, it is how one is able to deal with such issues and how one is guided should they seek such; that this practice provides one tools to help others who have decided to take this road and approach. No one is directed to this practice, it is a desire from those who wish to lend their hand to it to receive the spirit that it available to assist us to move beyond our present state to another state which provides strength and peace. It seems to me that what is gained through the study of this practice is the extent to which it may apply, which is universal, and to the desire to fulfill one's own soul with goodness and to transmit such goodness to others in a manner that gains their confidence and brings them too to the state of fulfillment and peace and the lessening of fear of the unknown and the future. I would think that that is the overall value of this practice, to reiterate, is to make peace within, no matter what

the issues.

In this sense, I think I have obtained much knowledge and ability to feel the freedom to speak of such things. It is thus, important to be one who has the confidence to be able to say to the spirit of the soul that we are at one and we are one together, each of us interwoven. It is such that some may not come to know what is available to them to be free, but yet it is inherent in all if they allow it to be visited.

So, in summarizing my feelings, I have the more accepted credentials of "Reverend" and I also have gained powerful insight into other means of communicating without having to in essence, announce such, yet I am greatly assisted in empathy and compassion to include these ever so important elements into my religious practices and can do so with or without the knowledge of others, in a way that opens me up to share the state of peace and to communicate such as I incorporate this use of these lessons into my life and into my practice that I offer to others.

I hope this meets the requirements of the documentation for this degree and I also have found wonderful lessons, teachings and values from this field of practice. I highly recommend it to others who may want to explore more traditional manners of spirituality then they may have given this credit for. In fact, it can only help, solely my opinion here, to show one a wider perspective of that which is needed to learn and then communicate for spiritual purposes.

I wish to thank the Church for making this course available and I think anyone who wants to experience another form of soulful spirituality should strongly consider taking this course to enhance what already may exist within them, and to open them to a broader vision of life.

Sincerely,

Reverend Adam Rocke

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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

Final Essay – Defining Spiritualism by Rev. Lucinda Parker

Perhaps the most important quote in the entire course is “…but we must remember that we are not ministering to ourselves, we are ministering to people who are searching for meaning. It is important therefore that we learn to minister to all people.”

As a trained and practicing environmental scientist who is also deeply spiritual, I found Defining Spiritualism an interesting read. It is really a history of scientific thought, and a discussion of the thinkers who have tried to explain our existence and purpose in this life. I have long believed that science is a religion but not spiritual. This course furthered those opinions. One drawback is that course is written based upon the assumption that scientifically minded, “prove it to me” type folks have no spiritual belief at all. No where does the author acknowledge that a great many scientists and scientifically based people are agnostics. This weakened the course.

The lessons on Marx, Darwin, Hegel and Freud were extremely well written. These two lessons made me sit down and think about the human condition and our thinking about it over the last fifty years. All too often we relegate philosophy to some unknown time a long time ago in some unknown, un-experienced place. These two lessons brilliantly demonstrated that philosophy and spiritualism are constantly evolving. These lessons also showed what happens when one person or group tries to convince any other person or group that “THIS is the ultimate answer you are seeking”. There is no ONE definition or right thought. I would have liked to see more on Einstein, Steven Hawkins and other recent great thinkers.

The worst lesson was the last lesson, although there were parts of the other lessons that drifted away from the topic too far. The author assumes everyone taking this course is Christian or will “end up” being a Christian. That assumption although never specifically stated, comes through loud and clear. As a non-Christian, I tired of the author’s proselytizing. He broke his own rule, as I quoted at the beginning of this essay “…but we must remember that we are not ministering to ourselves, we are ministering to people who are searching for meaning. It is important therefore that we learn to minister to all people.” His personal experience and belief detracted from the course. The last lesson should have been omitted for this very reason. In fact, the editor saved part of the day by adding a comment on a view of sin in non-Christian beliefs as distance from God. Rarely did the author mention any spiritual ideas other than monotheism.

If you are a Christian and have never studied the history of intellectual thought, this course is a good start.

Rev. Lucinda Parker

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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

A course in Miracles

A Course In Miracles

THE METAPHYSICS OF BECOMING YOUR OWN MIRACLE WORKER

An Online Course By: Reverend Loretta M. Siani, Ph.D.

Carol A. Birdwell, student of ULC Seminary

Love is all there is. Only Love is Real. All else is Illusion. The opposite of Love is Fear.

Hate is caused by Fear. Fear kills. Fear blinds. Fear lies. Fear literally “makes me sick.”

Love is of God. We are made of Love, God’s Perfect Love. Perfect Love casts out Fear.

God is Love. As the Beatles song says, “All You Need is Love.”

In Love we have great Power, all the power of God, all the Power there is anywhere, as the Sons of God. We are co-creators with God. We are part of God.

It is my lifelong job to choose between Fear and Love. I have seen, and lived in, the world of Illusion. This I was taught by almost all of the world around me, and by my parents, from infancy. It is all illusion.

Now I must “choose again”, every day, every moment, for the rest of my life. I must choose Love and thereby be set Free, to live in Perfect Peace.

From the Introduction to this course we have this:

“What is a miracle? A miracle is an event fueled by supernatural power. For the purposes of this course, a miracle occurs whenever you breakthrough any barrier that has prevented you from realizing your full spiritual potential.

In this regard, a miracle occurs when you experience something you previously believed was impossible for you, such as overcoming an incapacitating fear, obsession or addiction; finally finding the work that is right for you; reconciling or attracting a loving relationship; transcending the effects of a debilitating disease or overcoming any inner obstacle that prevents you from being who you really are.

By the end of our journey (the course) … manifesting everyday miracles. Along the way we will discover over and over again that it is false, fear-based thinking that prevents us from accessing miracles. Seeing life through the lens of fear … separates us from our true source of power. …shift from fear-based thinking to love-based thinking and reconnect yourself to your true power source.

The second shift of thinking you must make is from assuming that you are in any way unworthy of partaking of all of the promises of life, into accepting your inherent and complete worthiness and your core magnificence. Littleness cannot come from greatness. And, you have come from greatness. You are indisputably worthy of all of the promises of life.”

I like all that this above says. I want to remember that I come from GREATNESS, and that I am indisputably worthy of all of the promises of life. I do not want to live in fear any more, but to rather live in Love and Purity with God, as part of the Oneness of God and my brothers.

In psychology we learn that the development of an ego is essential for the child, to realize the difference between “me” and “not me”. We cannot develop as healthy people with out this differentiation. The problem enters when we have over-inflated egos or under-inflated egos as opposed to the healthy balanced ego that can remain in Oneness with God and not “buy into The Separation”.

In meditation we learn that we are part of God, still, in the Oneness. That any other besides Oneness is, again, an Illusion. God, my brothers, and I, myself, are all One. There is, in Reality, no Separation. “The Separation” is Illusion.

Whatever I choose to give my attention to grows. If I choose to pay attention to being a victim, I shall be even more of a victim. If I pay attention to Forgiveness, Beauty, and Love, these, too, will grow in my life. Attention is a great power and it is my choice. Again I am free to choose. When I dwell in the Past and problems of the Past, I shall get more problems in the present and the future, just like those of the Past.

What are my Intentions? They, too, hold great power in creating my today and my tomorrow. As I intend, so is it. As I pay attention to, so I get more of. What are my Desires? These all, I must watch and be aware of if I shall choose Freedom, if I choose Miracles.

Another great gift we have been given is that of visualization. ”Whatever the mind of man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.” was said by W. Clement Stone. Another similar quote is by Johann Wolfgang von Goethe (1749 - 1832), “Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power, and magic in it.” There are many other quotes throughout history that speak of the power of visualization. Many athletes and people in various sports and other fields use the power of visualization to become winners in their particular areas.

As Marianne Williamson said in her book, A Return To Love, “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, and fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small doesn’t serve the world.”

Yet how many of us choose to “let our Light shine” in this world of Illusion, in the world where we may be hated for shining? Not many of us. We must learn and choose the new ways, and let our Lights shine, not only for ourselves, but for all of our brothers and all of the world, for them to see that it is not only OK to shine, but that it is, indeed, what we were put on this planet to do!

Love and Forgiveness are always the answer, to all problems generated by guilt. I must love and forgive all people, for everything, including myself. We all “do the best we can at any given moment in time”, and “When we know better, we do better.”

I am never a victim. If I feel like I am a victim, then I am not choosing correctly. As a Child of God, I cannot be victimized. It is not possible. I am not limited. As a Child of God, I am unlimited. God cannot be limited. I am part of God. All I must do is see aright, and claim my inheritance.

Acceptance and gratitude are other wonderful gifts for us to use to create a better life for ourselves.

“There is no order of difficulty in Miracles.” states The Course. A Miracle is a Miracle is a Miracle. All Miracles heal. Sickness is not an accident. It is a defense against the Truth. Sickness is caused by guilt and fear. It is a choice. Perfect Health is mine when I am ready to claim it. Perfect health is Peace of Mind; my Inner Peace becomes my Outer Peace in the healing of my body.

“In a Holy Union couples have joint interests. They focus on giving instead of getting.” Most people have unholy unions. Few of us have Holy Unions. It is the Holy Union we want, where we give to each other and live in the present, not in the past. We find Love and Acceptance in each other and offer the best of ourselves.

Whatever my work may be, it is my job to spread Love. Love is why I am on this planet. Love is what I am to do in all things I do.

This essay is already too long, as I have gone on and on with it, so I shall pull it together now to a close. These above are some things I learned in this course. Some of it I already knew, but this course gave me verification and review. I hate to see this wonderful course come to a close as I have greatly enjoyed looking forward to it each of the 20 weeks, and reading the materials for reinforcement.

Thank you.

Carol A. Birdwell

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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 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

Four Gospels

Fours Gospels

Always more to learn about Jesus Christ

I just recently finished the course, the Dr. of Christian Studies: The Four Gospels. When I first signed up for this course, I wonder what I could actually learn from the course that I didn't already know. I've been studying the four Gospels and the life of Jesus for many years now in fact Jesus has been a big part of my life since the age of four. At this age I first began remembering talking with my grandmother about the life of Christ and his works here on earth. My Grandmother told me stories of all the wonderful things Jesus did from miracles to his teachings and on and on. Needless to say I was fascinated. My Grandmother, being an active full-time minister, missionary and a very spiritual woman, had lived a life that I admired and wanted my life to be like. So with this brief history of my early years and the woman that inspired me to do most of the thing I have accomplished and will accomplish in my life, let me begin about the Four Gospels Course.

The fact that I have studied the life of Jesus since the age of four and have quite a vast knowledge of his life and his teachings, I did come to this course with a preconceived idea that I knew it all; my ego was huge, admittedly. So I can say that I learned from the experience with this course, in that no matter how much we study in or how much we learn even about one particular man or one particular subject there is always another viewpoint, idea or something else to be learned about it. In fact this is something that is very keen in the life of Jesus and his teachings. Jesus understood that we as humans are always learning, our minds are like sponges for information, we desire it; we crave it; we lust for it!

This course help me to see that, even though I have a great knowledge of Jesus and his teachings, there is still much to be learned. Everyday I read in my personal study something about this man that I did not realize or conceive before. His life, though a short one on this Earth, proved to be one of the most influential in world history. Jesus is indeed on of the greatest teachers that have ever lived.

So with all this said, I can honestly say that this course helped me to realize once again, that I am just a babe in the learning process that we as humans go through. I have much knowledge, but I have so much knowledge yet to acquire. Jesus knew this; he knew that the human mind is capable of learning and storing an endless amount of information. With this fact in mind, we as humans will never learn it all. This is the one thing I think I have taken away from this course and of course the life of Jesus Christ.

Sincerely Yours,

Dr. Judge Edward Singleton, D.M., CNSA

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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 Course

Universal Life Church Essay for Wicca Course

By Matooka MoonBear

While I have been a solitary practitioner for over 12 years through self study, never have I come across the style and structure of Lord Starwalker’s work. My practice has been a cross of eclectic Dianic witchcraft. So our flavors are quite different. I opted to do this study with the intention of forming a church in New Hampshire. This idea was cultivated upon my receiving my ordination. I felt it important to do some formal study for the sake of the goal being reached. My ministry would be earth based.

The weekly lessons have been fun. I enjoyed seeing different perspectives compared to my personal studies over the years. I found many things helpful such as altar layout in lesson 4 where I am supported in the idea of choosing what tools go with which elements. Many books have a strong view on this, so the lesson was validating for me.

I did not always resonate with Lord Starwalker’s perceptions on the craft. However, I can appreciate his wisdom and experience with this path. His humor was refreshing as well, making the reading of the material an upbeat and pleasant experience for me. There are many strengths in this program pertaining to it’s structure and information shared. I found the order of this quite useful. I also enjoyed his blessings at the end of each lesson.

My favorite lesson actually was the last #24, because the information on a banishing ritual used was something I have never come across in all my years on the path. The use of Kabalistic style and angels was fascinating to me!

To conclude, I am grateful for having the opportunity to have the ULC Seminary with these studies available not to mention the ordination. I feel supported on this path and guided by the universe. I thank ULC for making this possible for me and so very affordable. I have enjoyed my seminary experience and would recommend it to others who may feel called to minister.

Blessed be,

Rev. Matooka MoonBear

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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 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

Comparative Religion

ULC Comparative Religion

What I gained from this course:

The twenty-lesson course in Comparative Religion was a validation of my beliefs. I have always thought that the various religions that developed around the world were based on the same basic belief in a higher energy, Creator, Source, Divine Bring or any other term developed by humanity's limited language skills that one would care to use to describe the underlying power of the Universe.

It has been my life long belief that all the religions of the world lead to one place, it is just a matter of how one gets there. A brief visual description may assist in understanding my point. Imagine a large mountain and the goal is the summit. Each person is located at the base. There are paths that spiral around the mountain climbing ever higher. There are some paths whose course takes them directly up the side of the mountain on a vertical ascent. These paths all start at different points at the base of the mountain, but all end at the summit. Some of these paths even travel the same course at times, some never meet. While all start at a different point, all take a varied route; all arrive at the same point in the end - the summit or to phrase it another way - reunification with Divinity.

I believe that the vast differences are there to accommodate the various level of spiritual development evident in each culture at any given point in their evolution. That is to say, an early pagan would have had a hard time comprehending the higher teachings of the Buddhist religion. Another example of this is the evolution from Hinduism into Buddhism. This difficulty in comprehension is just as true for the modern day Christian. By that I mean that a Christian has trouble accepting that each individual is responsible for their own evolution on the wheel of life, death and rebirth. Most of the Christians that I have spoken with believe that unless one believes in Jesus salvation can never be obtained.

What I liked best and least about this course, and how to improve:

While I was pleasantly surprised to see the more obscure religions given the same basically fair treatment as the more commonly practiced ones, I would also have liked to have seen a more in depth comparison of each of the religions covered. Many times I was waiting in vain for the next religion to be explained to the extent that the last one had been discussed. This was true not only of the obscure ones, but even the common ones. The discussions (lessons 16 and 17) on Divine Messengers for example as well as the discussion on Religious Titles (lesson 18) serve to illustrate this point.

I would have preferred to see a systematic breakdown showing how each religion compared and contrasted with each other one during the course of each lesson. Using the above examples, if each religion's terms for angels had been laid out in table format and each religion's titles had been detailed side by side I believe it would

have more fully explained how they relate to one another.

Over all, this was an excellent course. I would definitely be willing to take another course from Reverend Kythera Ann; and am looking forward to Part 2 of this course. I am of course assuming there is a Part 2.

Theresa A. Bedwell

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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 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

I took the Wicca course and I am happy to say that it dispells all the negative "witch" theories I ever heard. The spiritual Wicca is a beautiful religion.

Ritual is so steeped in tradition that we forget about the energy of ritual. This course helped me learn the energy of the altar. Energy is a direct line to all that is divine, a real connection.

Negative is only a type of personal energy, not a stereo type of "witch" or faith. Pagan, Wicca-based learning for me has opened my life to alternative medicine such as herbal remedies. I learned to look at the feminine divine in a whole new way.

I have found new meaning in the "earth brought forth" and theories of "Eve". I have become more of an advocate of nature and wildlife after learning the Wiccan faith. I also learned that reclaiming the ancestors ways has helped me to become more whole as a person.

The faces of divinity are ever present for me now. I also learned to ask in faith for interaction as well as reaction. I have an energy part in the universe. This alone is a wonderful feeling wich came to me in learning Wicca.

Best of all I learned that the only "fear" is fear itself. Casting and banishing are wonderful tools. Sacred spaces and words are ways for me to connect my frame of mind to divine inspiration and knowledge.

I have found the pagan pantheon, nature and spirit, cycles are presenting me with a library and enchanted helpers are ready and willing for the heart and soul seeker with an open mind.

Thank you ULC seminary.

Tishanne Patterson

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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

Four Gospels

The Four Gospels

Rev. Ken Ayotte

I found "The Four Gospels" to be both educational and fascinating. The story of Jesus, the man, has always been one of profoundness, but I think that the stories or parables that Jesus told are of much more value.

This is not to say that Jesus himself was and is not an important figure. He has been one of, if not the, most important influences that ever existed. However, it is my belief that Jesus was not nearly as important as His messages. He spoke, through parables, of many truths, which have existed throughout history.

Some of these are obvious and some a bit more vague. The more obvious ones are the ones which we live by every day. They would include most of the Ten Commandments (yes, of course Jesus taught these) as well as most values cherished by the western world. His messages are those of tolerance, and love and understanding each other and why we think and believe the way we do.

The Book of John, although my least favorite of the Gospels, certainly demands a certain amount of attention. I think that maybe this book became popular because it is so controversial. It is quite dramatic and even contradictory at times. What I really do not like about it though is the fact that most "Christians" tend to consider this the book to pay attention to and design their entire lives after.

Of course it would be much easier to do it with this book than with the others because of its simplistic messages. I find this both ironic and disturbing.

Ironic because it was not only written long after Jesus had supposedly died, but also because it was obviously not written by a single person.

Disturbing because of its interpretation that the Jews were responsible for Jesus' death. I cannot believe that a book that is supposed to teach about the life, the messages, and the death of a man such as Jesus would teach such vile hatred and bigotry. Jesus was a Jew and taught mainly Jews. His teachings never included such messages as hate.

Also, it was God's will that Jesus be put to death, not the will of the entire Jewish population of 2000 years ago. Knowing this, should the people who hate the Jews for supposedly doing this also hate God? I doubt if they would wish to, but that is, in essence, exactly what they are doing. Jesus' entire life and death was supposed to be preordained by God. Not by man--Jewish or otherwise.

If the Jews are to be condemned for the death of Jesus, then they must also be given credit for all that happened prior to His death. This would be wrong also. The whole basis of Christianity is that Jesus rose from the dead to save all of mankind. Well, if he was never put to death, and died a natural death at a ripe old age, would His existence have had the same impact? I doubt it.

We should be thanking all of those who were part of the journey of Jesus, not condemning a single person, let alone an entire race or races. Otherwise, the entire journey was wasted. Jesus taught that we need to learn to love each other, not hate each other. The easy road is seldom the best road to take and yet we tend to always take the easy road. What have we learned? We cannot even agree within our own families, our own communities, let alone agree in the global community. That would be too hard a road to take for most of us, especially and obviously much too hard for our world leaders.

The Book of John. It is as though several very young scholars got together and attempted to rewrite the sacred words so that they would appeal to their peers. Put into a language and context of their time, it probably worked. Jesus would never want us to hate.

Reverend Kenneth Ayotte

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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

Dr of Shamanic Theology Degree Course Essay

Rev. Craig Bradley

This course offered by the Universal Life Church Seminary and the online forum are a progressive approach for providing a thought provoking view of Shamanism. Topics covered by the course encourage a responsible and ethical approach of behavior pertaining to the subject. The legal aspects remind both the Practitioner and the Theologian of the challenges faced by the participants of Shamanism. Etiquette procedures mentioned also emphasize quality in every aspect of participation.

Shamanism over the centuries has largely been handed down from generation to generation by word of mouth or written in some areas of the world. This provides differing views of Shamanism that the students are encouraged to consider for a more global perspective. Years of personal research has revealed personal experience and how to books dominate to subject. This course had information that was not present in any of the other resources studied. This approach of fresh information avoided the normal over lap of material. I found only one book and one author listed in the extensive course resource list that had been apart of my studies. I recommend this course to anyone who wants a practical view of Shamanism historically to present day that provides a broader range of topics.

The most curious aspect of the course for me was the selection process. I was advised by the spirit to enroll. This was not unusual at this point as we had traveled the United States looking for answers for the last five months by the same advice. This reason caused me during week three to determine a source in the material that had required my enrollment. Indicated was a paragraph on spirit guides! What I had known as guardian angles most of my life had informed me that I required more faith in them and myself to complete this journey.

Due to the amount of coincidences occurring since enrolling I posted a question to the forum to see if anyone else was any having similar experiences! These coincidences were leading up to a trip to Mesa Verde that produced what can best be described as a spiritual ordination at week ten during the course.

After just completing a return trip I now realize that the course and other Seminary contacts helped me stay grounded during the events to this date! The weekly lessons, assignments, posts, and forums required attention to a goal based in reality! Considering all the resources available from the Universal Life Seminary including the Forums, The Doctor of Shamanic Theology course was the best choice available.

Rev. Craig Bradley

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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 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