tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-59189327649235407092024-03-05T05:04:13.254-08:00The Faith EntryWhile personal development and the performing arts is important to Jarrett, his church life is just as important. Here are notes, commentary and personal observations on the religious institutions as he embarks on his spiritual journey. For his other insights on acting, performing, and personal development, goto his <a href="http://jiayou168.blogspot.com">Jia You Site.</a>Jarretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403419253147836131noreply@blogger.comBlogger64125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918932764923540709.post-69899294311658815332016-07-08T13:49:00.002-07:002016-07-15T12:51:33.755-07:00Tragic but Not SurprisedWith all the carnage and turmoil going on these past few days, I going to step up and out here and make a statement that may or may not be popular, but Truth is Truth and the more I avoid stating it, the less sleep I’ll get.<br />
<br />
And I need sleep. I’ll need more sleep come September.<br />
<br />
Don’t have me post any flag color over my profile picture anytime soon after any tragic attack or a blue ribbon, a pink ribbon, or any other color ribbon. Here’s why:<br />
1) I did not once see a profile pic modifying app utilized to reflect the flag of either Iraq nor Turkey. Yet both countries suffered a higher casualty rate than the 2015 Belgium attack. I saw French flag and Belgium flag profile pics after their respected tragedies. Where was the Yemen flag? The Malaysian flag? The Turkish flag? The Iraqi flag? This double-standard about which terrorist related tragedy gets remembered and which terrorist related tragedy gets ignored is not only sickening, but it is perhaps a major factor of why so much anger and tension is up in the air now.<br />
2) I’m the only Lim grandson who is NOT a law enforcement officer. (Yet, I work in courts; still law related) Any attack against police officers is not acceptable. On the flip side, lack of accountability and not rooting out the so-called “bad apples” in law enforcement is also not acceptable. As tragic as the Dallas incident is, I was not surprised that it happened. In fact my only shock was that it didn’t happen sooner. (More on karma later)<br />
3) Please refer to my <a href="http://freezetag168.blogspot.com/2016/03/no-flag-photos-here.html" target="_blank">blogpost</a> about the uselessness of sending “thoughts and prayers” during any tragic aftermath. Even as a trained prayer chaplain and a practitioner in training, I find the gesture to be nothing more than an empty and useless cliché. “Our hearts, thoughts and prayers goes out to ____________.” What exactly does that mean?<br />
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I’ve said this on a post to the New Thought leaders: the root of the problem isn’t so much a racial and white supremacy thing. Our real problem is the fact that we collectively created a world that no longer recognize the humanity within a Universe that created Divine souls. Do you see the disparity? In fact, that source of comfort, that source of healing, that source of keeping such tragic events from becoming a much worse-case scenario is the Divinity within not some of us, but all of us. So if the Divinity within can keep these situations from getting worse, provides healing and comfort, why can’t the Divinity within prevent such events from happening in the first place?<br />
<br />
One of the many orders of The Universe: Free Will. We’re given dominion over our personal universe. Some people call it Weltanschauung, or world view. That world view affects the choices and decisions we make. We’re solely responsible in deciding what it is. Then we react accordingly with the power to change that world outlook at any given time, yet we choose not to change. A direct corollary to free will is personal responsibility.<br />
<br />
We are solely responsible for everything in our lives. The problem is the vast majority refuses to take and accept responsibility for their lives.<br />
Christians want to lay blame to Satan, Buddhists, Muslims, and atheists. (Should I add “members of the LGBT community too?”)<br />
Republicans want to blame Democrats; Democrats want to blame Republican.<br />
98% of the general population wants to blame the top 2% wealthiest.<br />
Racists wants to blame anyone and everyone who’s not WASP.<br />
Rich folks want to blame poor folks; poor folks want to blame rich folks.<br />
<br />
See where humanity gets lost?<br />
<br />
Even when olive branches are being extended, people will still chose to dehumanize those who disagrees with them. A Congressional member should never blame and threaten the life of the President of the United States on social media after a tragedy. Other people are flashing their academic credential as some sort of trump (no pun intended) card that they are entitled to be heard and the rest should shut up and listen to them. Accusations fly across each other in social media about being anti-this and pro-that all because of the profile pic that’s posted.<br />
<br />
On Karma:<br />
<br />
We always think of reaping and sowing to be that of each person and it is. However oftentimes an institution reaps and sows the karmic debt of an individual within that institution. That includes the institution of law enforcement. We may see specific names of police officers who are placed on trial for killing someone and then a short time later another officer falls in the line of duty. Consider this:<br />
<br />
In 2009 after Oscar Grant was killed by Johanne Mehserles on New Years Day, an officer with BART Police, three Oakland police officers were killed in the line of duty later in March that year. Though Grant was killed in Oakland, the Oakland Police Department was not involved in the Oscar Grant shooting, yet three officers were killed a short time later.<br />
<br />
More recently in 2014 after Eric Garner died of a choke hold by Officer Pantaleo of the New York City Police, Officers Ramos and Liu were killed in the line of duty.
In both cases, officers NOT involved in the civilian killings were killed in the line of duty a short time afterwards. Karma may or may not have affected the officers who were directly involved, but it caught up with the institution. That’s why it’s imperative that the institution of law enforcement must “clean house” of all the “bad apples.” When it doesn’t happen such tragic events occur.<br />
<br />
Most recent this week, what did Dallas Police and Dallas Rapid Transit Police have to do with Louisiana or Minnesota where Sterling and Castile were killed such that 5 of their officers were killed in the line of duty? Even closer to home, what did Oakland PD have to do with it to with it such that their station was vandalized and set on fire? More so, what did Oakland do to have their traffic and transit disrupted? Reaping and sowing on an institutional level. Hence why the importance of transparent accountability.<br />
<br />
This isn’t just limited to the institution of law enforcement. Does anyone remember Larry Gene Ashbrook? Seven people were killed at his hand when he shot up a Christian rally at Wedgewood Baptist Church back in 1999. During that period, various church scandals, both financial, and sexual had surfaced significantly, specifically when many molestation victims came forward against the Catholic Church. Again what did a Baptist church in Texas have to do with the Catholic Church? Institutional karma.<br />
<br />
Therefore, I wasn’t surprised at the Dallas shootings. I was more surprised that it didn’t happen sooner elsewhere during past protests.<br />
<br />
If it’s reaping and sowing, what about September 11?<br />
<br />
People forgot about the United Nations World Conference on Racism that took place from August 31-September 8, 2001. Actually people didn't even know such a conference took place in the first place. That same conference where the United States, Canada, and Israel walked out on because calling Israel out for their atrocities against the Palestinians was considered unacceptable.
<br />
<br />
What happened less than a week later?<br />
<br />
Not only was I not surprised at an event like September 11, I AM surprised that more incidents hasn’t followed. We can beef up security measures all we want, but how long can one hold a beach ball beneath the surface of water? It’s only a matter of time before the ball pops up to the surface. Besides, beefing up security is about as effective and shallow as sending out prayers after a tragedy occurs. It inconvenience the general public who too felt the impact of the tragic event, and like I stated earlier, that same general public becomes very hungry for a scapegoat. They begin to blame the “others.” Look at this current presidential election this year.<br />
<br />
Scapegoating, finger pointing, racism, classism, and bullying is dehumanizing. This discontent that a lot of people are expressing is the result of Divinity repressed by the lack of acknowledgement of one's humanity. What does that mean? It means we’re Divine beings whose channels of expression is blocked and limited because we created a world that fails to recognize humanity. The blockage and limitation is the source of our discontent. If we fail to acknowledge one’s humanity, how would we recognize their Divinity? (Short answer: YOU DON’T)<br />
<br />
Once again, it’s all about choice. The choice I make about what I think and how I’ll react to what’s been going on. It’s the choice of the powers that be on making a commitment to finding solutions and how to go about it. (That choice is also ours as well as theirs) It’s choosing on how we’ll accept and process the emotions that are felt in the face of all that occurred this week, but it all narrows to choice.<br />
<br />
The thing is, we know that is true, but then we DON’T know. At least not enough to remember at key moments. It’s like having Divine amnesia. We forget who we are then get caught up in all these twists and turns that tells us we're not even human, let alone Divine. People oppress others because they forgot. People are oppressed because they too forgot.<br />
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Divine amnesia also creates a scarcity consciousness. The Universe provides and gives, yet we scramble and even kill for what we considered as limited. We dehumanize and demonize those that we take those resources from in order to justify the taking of those resources. Yet if we remember our Divine identity, it doesn't have to be this way. <br />
<br />
Or more accurately, WE oppress others because WE forgot. WE get oppressed because WE forgot.
<br />
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Remembering is a choice, remember that. Jarretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403419253147836131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918932764923540709.post-50144900625333206712016-04-18T13:48:00.001-07:002016-04-18T13:48:29.950-07:00Visionto Edutain the Masses of their DivinityJarretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403419253147836131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918932764923540709.post-79306901082343059082016-03-23T09:48:00.001-07:002016-07-18T16:02:21.108-07:00No Flag Photos HereSince I began work with the California Judicial Council and working in one of the California State buildings, security and terrorism awareness is a common forefront day-in-day-out routine. There are days when our office is targeted by numerous causes and protests, therefore security issues is part of the job description. <br />
<br />
As someone who's working on a graduate/advanced credential in metaphysics and theology, the possibility of full-time clergy work is well...for no lack of a better term, POSSIBLE for me. I'm currently pursuing a Masters of Theological Studies degree as well as obtaining a Divine Science practitioners' credential. I currently serve as one of the local prayer chaplains at my <a href="http://unitycv.org/" target="_blank">Unity Church</a>. <br />
<br />
Since I have begun work with the CJC back in 2014, I've seen and witness several terrorist attacks worldwide that affected my work practices at the office. It's sad to see tragic events occurring, but at the same time peoples reactions to the event creates more of a cynical reaction within me more than anything else. <br />
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I'll say that as a prayer chaplain, if there's anything more annoying than nails on the chalkboard annoyance, it is the uniform aftermath of a tragedy such as a terrorist event, a natural disaster, or a mass shooting:<br />
<br />
<i>"OUR PRAYERS GOES OUT TO _________"</i><br />
...along with a profile photo donning the colors of the flag of the country the event occurred in.<br />
<br />
Why?<br />
<br />
My minister/mentor has a term she uses for such situations:<br />
<br />
<i>"Why secure the barn NOW after the herd already escaped?" </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
In other words, I'm annoyed at the "too little too late" reaction that for the most part, is a totally useless reaction. <br />
<br />
I live in the San Francisco Bay Area. I've given up my auto back in 2013 and utilize BART 90% of the time getting around. During that time, I've experienced a strike that grounded me, two sets of fare hikes including one this year, people bullying other people off of seats including myself and my pregnant wife, aggressive solicitors harassing passengers, broken escalators, delayed trains, closed restrooms, stranded passengers, and management who placed no protocol in preparing for the infrastructure scheduled decline to the point that "bus bridges" are put in place because tracks and routes are shut down. <br />
<br />
But hey, BART "<i>apologizes for the inconvenience," </i>so it's OK. <br />
<i>(Please Note SARCASM)</i><br />
<br />
Again a useless response that does little to no good for those who are affected. On top of that, BART management and employees are still on track for monetary bonuses this year in spite of all I just said about the system, so apparently apologizing for the inconvenience works for them. <br />
<br />
So as a prayer chaplain, please excuse me if you see my eyes roll when someone requests that I'll "pray for the tragedy of the day." <br />
<br />
See, here's the thing I learned from my training as a prayer chaplain:<br />
1) We're always in a state of prayer<br />
2) Believe it or not, someone or collectively a group was praying for such tragedies. Not necessarily by praying "God please let this happen" per se, but by remaining in a state of worry and paranoia. People need to understand that "Oh God, DON'T LET _____HAPPEN" creates the same results as "God please let this happen." <br />
3) All tragedies are self-imposed. There was a point of choice or decision made by someone or a group of folks long before the event that triggered the event. <br />
<br />
I did not carry a "Je Suis Charlie" sign in the aftermath of the Charlie Hebdo shooting. Knowing the history of the organization, knowing that the publisher who was killed had a personal bodyguard, this was an event that even the dumbest of dumbasses could see coming miles away. Yet the Facebook sheeps showed their true colors by French-coloring their profile pics and/or posting the "Je Suis Charlie" slogan on their profile. People came out in droves to various French locations worldwide and held vigils. <br />
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Certainly did not prevent the attacks in France that occurred ten months later. <br />
<br />
Truth be told, people in key positions are not committed to preventing such tragedies, and they even thrive when Facebookers react with profile changes in the aftermath. Why? It demonstrates a sheep mentality rather than a leadership mentality. <br />
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As a prayer chaplain, I encourage people to conduct prayer in such a way to tap into their inner Divine Christ quality, that Divine leader within. Praying in reaction to tragedies undermines that. It voluntarily gives more power away to the event, and that's what certain people wants. I'm no conspiracy theorist, but I wouldn't be surprised if certain people actually relish when such event happens. <br />
<br />
So now as people shade their profile pics in the Belgium colors, I continue to mind my own business and to tap into Divine Source. 1) I help others best when I operate from "OVERFLOW" mode, and 2) Sending thoughts and prayers with a changed profile picture is an overused cliche. Divinity gives more of what we ask for, so why ask for more cliches? Jarretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403419253147836131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918932764923540709.post-63183453256610414342015-12-08T14:43:00.002-08:002016-01-28T11:47:35.721-08:00Once Again Out of Necessity<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Dear Dr.
Anna Price, Dr. Robert Price, Dr C Wil Mercer, Dr. Durrell Watkins, Mr. Mark
Hicks, Rev Sherri James, Dr. (Bishop) Barbara King, Rev Donna Caldwell (aka “Mom”), Tuyet
Julie from Facebook Unity Group, and lastly to my beautiful partner in crime
Ireene Joanne:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Back in
1999 when I decided to formally train and pursue acting, I made it adamantly
clear that my intention was to be an actor; not a singer, not a comedian, not a
dancer, but an actor. It was naïve on my
part because learning the foundation of each of those other disciplines would
augment my skills and craft as an actor.
The last thing I viewed myself as was a writer. I felt that there were tons of talented
playwrights and screenwriters out there to create those wonderful roles to
portray and my focus was to develop my acting craft. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">A few years
passed and out of sheer frustration, I found myself adding “writer” to my title
along with “actor.” One could only
audition for the “angry Asian guy, the nerd, the Americanized dutiful son
coming out of the closet to immigrants from Asia parents,” and “the villain” for
so much. So I began writing in order to
create roles that I personally would’ve loved to audition for. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I felt
compelled out of necessity to hang my shingle out as a writer as well as an
actor back in 2001-05 when I became a part of the San Francisco Asian American
Theater Company’s New Works Incubator collaborative unit, serving in both
capacities. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Nowadays,
I’m beginning to get that same itchy compelling feeling regarding the teaching
and ministering of New Thought based Truth.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I don’t
consider myself a minister by any means.
In fact in 1997 I spent my entire summer in Asia with The Salvation Army
USA Western Territory Service Corps program.
This was a program where college-aged, early career young adults were assigned to a summertime
mission, oftentimes overseas. A part of the reason for the
program is to compel those in the program to consider becoming a Salvation Army
Officer (minister) and to undergo their Officers Training Program. It was during that trip that I concluded that
I was nowhere near being such material and for the next two years after Service
Corps, I contemplated what to do next in my life. That’s when I returned to school (California State University, Hayward) to finish my
BA in Ethnic Studies and to pursue acting full time after graduation. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">I lived the
life of a “true artist” going from one project to the next temp job to the next
gig while attempting to remain “faithful to Christ.” When I say that, I’m talking about the basic
evangelical POV with the concept of Original Sin and the Atonement of Jesus
Christ. I was at one point convinced
that I was going in the “right” direction when I was attending a church that
was pastored by someone who was trained at the infamous NYC Neighborhood
Playhouse (a world famous acting school founded by the legendary acting guru Sanford Meisner) I even attempted
to convince myself that I was going in the right direction as I visited various
mega churches in Singapore, including City Harvest Church, which has been the center of a recent church scandal. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">When I
signed up for a personal development class that came highly recommended by an
acting colleague in 2007, my spiritual life started taking drastic and sudden
abrupt turns. Actually my life in
general began to take drastic sudden abrupt turns afterwards. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">The further
down the personal development rabbit hole I traveled, the more materials from
the New Thought Movement I began to study, unaware what New Thought was. The first “A-ha” moment for me was when I
first read Eric Butterworth’s <u>Discover The Power Within You</u> back in
2010-11. This was a book that to me,
reconciled this wedge I felt between my initial beliefs in Evangelical
Christianity and the personal development courses I underwent from 2007-11. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Soon
afterwards, I dug up an older book I had placed in storage because a Sunday
school teacher told me to burn it, and I don’t believe in burning books that
people tell me to burn. Back in 1995
when I began to attend church, I came across a book called <u>Transform Your
Life </u>by Dr. Barbara King and was inspired by what I read. As an appreciation for the mentoring I
received from my then Sunday school teacher, I gave him a copy of the book,
only to have it returned to me with the “polite suggestion” for me to burn my
own copy of the book as it was determined that it was not truly a Christian
book per se. I may not have burned it,
but I placed it away from reach over the years both physically and even
mentally. I did not know at that time
that both Dr. Barbara King and </span><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12pt;">Eric
Butterworth were both part of the same theological/philosophical vein. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">If there
were such a thing as “geeking-out on New Thought,” that would’ve been perhaps
the most accurate description of me especially after May 2011 when I officially
left the mainstream (Evangelical) Christian church and began attending New
Thought based <b>CENTERS</b>. While clearing out my apartment recently, I
must’ve came across as least $8-10K worth of books and home-study courses on
New Thought, meditation, and law of attraction.
Unfortunately, “geeking-out on New Thought” does not necessarily
guarantee a healthy return on investment from all those courses and books,
in-person courses, and tithes.
Nevertheless I continued to explore the possibility of creating a
teaching/facilitating forum in Singapore and inquired about formal advanced teaching
through Unity School of Christianity only to find out that they were no longer
Unity School of Christianity. The
academic dean at that time inquired about my interest via email and I explained
to him that I was interested in helping plant Practical Christian churches in
Southeast Asia particularly in Singapore.
His response was that they were no longer Unity School of Practical
Christianity, that they discontinued the Masters of Religious Studies program I
was inquiring about, and was I aware that Seicho No Ie is based out of
Japan? Because of the bizarre last reply,
I decided to hold off on looking for another place to pursue advanced studies
in New Thought. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">If there
ever was a “bottom” from geeking out in New Thought, it’d probably was back in
the fall of 2013 while receiving a free meal from the local foodbank with a
Joseph Murphy prosperity book in tow.
From that point until now things have finally turned around. Slowly but surely I’ve had meals to thank God
for, a return to full-time employment in 2014, prayer chaplaincy in 2014 with
my local Unity church, a trip to Manila in 2015, and lastly, my new bride in
November 2015. Though there were
numerous spiritual panic and frustration moments, I can now savor situations to
be thankful for. (Although truthfully even in the panic moments are there lots of things to be thankful for) <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Eventually,
I contacted the Fillmore College, (Run by Dr. Charlie Smith), Barbara L King School of Ministry, Johnnie Colemon
Theological Seminary, and the Samaritan Institute of Sunshine Cathedral where
I’ve had the privilege of taking courses from both JCTS with Dr. Robert Price and
Samaritan Institute with Dr. Durrell Watkins. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">My wife
grew up Catholic and I’ve been very thankful that she has a very open heart
and mind. She became very active with my
Unity church the moment she stepped through the doors. She asks a lot of questions about what the
teachings are and where in the Bible was it based off of. The more we discussed, the more I see the
urgency for this teaching to continue to grow in Southeast Asia. Hence why again that gnawing inside is urging
me on continuing the route to further my studies and plant and grow the movement
there. When I visited her and her family in Manila back in February 2015, I was unable to connect with the Unity center there
because of the travelling distance between the center and where I was staying. I know that counties like the Philippines
and Singapore would gravitate towards the New Thought teachings. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">But my
wanting to spread the teachings of New Thought isn’t so much a Southeast Asian
thing. As I type this, we are now
recovering from the aftermath of the shooting that took place in San Bernadino,
California which was a month after another mass killing episode in Paris,
France. People from polarized sides are
coming out of the woodwork debating about what can be the solution to all of
this carnage. For those of us in the New
Thought arena, I present a “what if” scenario:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<i><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">What if the teachings of New Thought regarding
accepting personal responsibility in both thought and actions became common
knowledge amongst the entire world population instead of it being some sort of debated theory, that
the vast majority of humanity (70% or highter)knew and believed in assuming
self-responsibility for their thought and actions? Would that and could that have
made a difference in either of the two incidents? Would either of the incident have even taken
place in the first place under such a premise?
</span></i><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">So you
could see the importance of why the teaching of New Thought should be spread,
not so much as some sort of religious revival, but as a means to empower people
with tools in order to cope, deal, and thrive with life in general. The collective consciousness of humanity currently operates out of a premise of scarcity when in Truth, abundance abounds. Even personally I have a struggle to remind
myself in the Truth of abundance as demonstrated with my food bank visit a couple of years back. It’d
sure would be easier to be reminded if more people were around to remind me,
and that’s the thing about spreading the teachings. The more people learn about what is taught in
New Thought, the larger pool of support you, me, us are surrounded with. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Here’s the
deal with the current world situation.
Nothing that the mediots (media+idiots) present to the public will ever
go away whether they’d be news of the dismal state of affairs or the
corresponding polarized suggested solutions.
We as metaphysicians know it’s an “inside job.” I’ve shared this on one of my assignment submitted
with Dr. Durrell Watkins:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<i><span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">"This is not a humanity problem per se, this
is a Divinity problem. The root cause of all the problems we’re currently
observing is that we created a world where we choose not to acknowledge one
another's humanity within a Universe that created, designed, and wired us to
affirm our Divinity."<o:p></o:p></span></i></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Let that
sink in for a bit. In a Universe where
we’re created in the image and likeness of our Creator, we created a world that
doesn’t even acknowledge each other’s humanity, let alone our Divinity. We’ve created this artificial pecking order
on who’s entitled to this artificially scarce resources while treating and
reacting to each other accordingly. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">So again I
present this scenario: if we have more of our population aware of an abundant
universe while tapping into this Divine consciousness, honoring each other’s
humanity <b>AND</b> Divinity, while accepting full responsibility for our thoughts and
actions, how much different would everything be? <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt;">
<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">So how’
bout it…who’s with me in stepping up and spreading the tools to uncover our
Divine self? We’re told to visualize the
end result. What is the end result that
you see of what I proposed? Is it
possible? Then can we
start? What about now?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "garamond" , serif; font-size: 12.0pt;">Who's down? </span></div>
Jarretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403419253147836131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918932764923540709.post-73105678305542352112015-11-19T13:06:00.002-08:002015-12-09T09:44:05.380-08:00NSNK Indeed.If I had to rely on a New Year's Resolution to get a book done, it'd take me more than twenty plus years to get it done. Hence why I taken the steps to advocate the concept of taking a daily resolution practice. <br />
<br />
Years ago, I was mentored by someone who was an openly unapologetic advocate of the 12 steps program of recovery. (What they were recovering from is irrelevant and their business only) One of his greatest gift he passed along to me was the concept of "Just for Today." <br />
<br />
This mentor was able to stay free from his addiction for over a span of 27 years when I met him, so I asked him what exactly did he do and how was he able to get where he was up to that point. I even questioned whether or not he actually had the addiction in the first place. He shared with me his lowest point and situation his addiction led him to and his journey for the 30 years since. (He had about 2-3 years of "finding his way through" so to speak) What he said to me was profound.<br />
<br />
<i>"I just decided that <b>JUST FOR TODAY</b> I will not cave into my desire. Then the next day I made that same decision, and then the next day. Now it's been twenty seven years." </i><br />
<i><br /></i>
So I asked him what if he decided to give into his desire.<br />
<br />
<i>"Tomorrow is a new day that I can decide <b>THAT DAY</b> to not give in. But <b>TODAY,</b> I decided that I will not ___________"</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
That conversation took place in the mid 90s. Actually it took place during the Holiday Season of 1998-99. So he continued to go off on a semi-tangent about New Years Resolutions.<br />
<br />
<i>"You know, before I decided to take this <b>One Day at a Time</b>, I used to make New Year's resolutions all the time that I would handle my situation. I'd say, 'this year, I'll handle it.' That'd only last for a week, two weeks, one year it was a whole month. Then I'd give in and thought oh well, I'll just try again next year. That was stupid. I didn't know that my gift of today was all I had for that moment. New Years Resolutions? Stupid, don't work for me. Now daily resolution, if I fail, I can wake up the next day and start over again."</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Basically using the elephant analogy, it does something like this: If it was a new year or a time period transition (like a birthday or something) I can resolve to eat an entire elephant. But what my mentor was doing was that for that day and that day only, he was going to eat a certain amount of the elephant. The next day, he decided to eat another portion of the elephant, and so on and so on. Finally at some point many days later, the elephant was completely consumed. <br />
<i><br /></i>
Then he decided to move on to another elephant or another animal per se. <br />
<i><br /></i>
So throughout the years, I decided to write a book on what I was passionate about. I thought of the title, the bylines, the subheader, some of the wittiest lines to include. Then I open my computer and draw total blanks.<br />
<i><br /></i>
<i> </i>If only I decided to keep it simple and just focus on one line at a time, which would lead to one paragraph at a time, which eventually would lead to one page at a time, then one chapter (or section) at a time.<br />
<br />
Back in 2009, I was at 189 pounds. Now for someone like myself at 5 feet, 9 inches, that was a little too much. I had enrolled in a 90 Day Goal program which assigned me 4 goals to set and meet at the end of 90 days. One goal was career and/or money oriented, one goal was relationship oriented, one goal was on physical, and the last goal was spiritually oriented. My physical goal was to get to 167 pounds by the end of that 90 days. <br />
<br />
On day 90 of that 90 day goal program, I hit a weight of 174. I was seven pounds short of my goal. (Target weight of 167 pounds) <br />
<br />
That haunted me throughout the summer of 2009. At the fall of that year (like September) I re-weighed myself (yes, I stop weighing myself after that last weigh-in back in May) and noticed I was up to 178. So I got construction paper out, drew with crayons a photo of a scale with feet on them (and I wrote "MY FEET" with arrows pointed at the haphazardly drawn pair of feet) with the scale saying "167" Next to that, I wrote "December 31, 2009 NSNK" "NSNK" means "no sh*t, no kidding." It was sort of a mantra during that 90 day period when my coach would issue an ultimatum. <br />
<br />
I had book a trip to Asia leaving the states on December 6, and returning January 10, 2010. Yes I was going to spend an entire month in Asia. I had plans to keep my eating to a minimum and actually sign up for a single month membership at one of the gyms in Singapore where I was scheduled to stay for the 2.5 weeks of the month there. That was curtailed when my back went out on the first morning in Hong Kong. I was supposed to meet my friend in Hong Kong for dim sum that first day I arrived, but my back went out on me that day. I was taken to a local Dit Dat specialist. (Traditional Chinese Medicine Orthopedics) who placed me to bedrest the next 48 hours. Sadly, I missed the meeting and had the doctor explained to her on the phone why I was unable to meet her at the bus station. Luckily my back recovered somewhat to be able to make the flight to Singapore. After a couple of days, I booked a trip to Davao City, Philippines in anticipation of spending Christmas with my girlfriend and her family. When she inquired where was I going to stay accommodation wise, I realized the Christmas plans were not going to happen, so I rescheduled the whole trip and cut it short. I only scheduled 4 days there instead of the initially planned 10. On the evening of the first day in Davao, I ended up with food poisoning. The following day my entire food intake was a bottle of Sprite. The following day was my flight out. Upon returning to Singapore, I was stopped by the health ministry because my body scan indicated a fever and I was coming out of the budget terminal. It was "recommended" that I remain at my hotel for another 72 hours, which included Christmas, so that cancelled out the option 2 Christmas plans. Finally I was able to take a bus tour of Malaysia two days after Christmas, to return to Singapore on the 30th. Luckily there was nothing out of the ordinary there and I was able to enjoy the local cuisine. On New Years Eve, I met my friends for a NYE dinner and decided to head to our favorite dessert place to kick off the New Year. It was closed. The only spot opened was a nearby Mc Donalds. Knowing that I was on a 12 year streak of not eating McDonalds food, my friends only ordered a Coke for me and did not allow me to eat any of their food. Upon returning to the hotel, I asked for a scale and was given a digital scale in the metric system. It read "74.5" I then went online to convert the weight. It was 164.24 pounds. (2 1/2 ahead of my "NSNK" goal) <br />
<br />
Be careful what is declared because it'll happen sooner or later, and in this case it happened in such a way that was not the most comfortable nor pleasant way. <br />
<br />
Now, instead of going through with all that, I could've broken things down to a daily resolution. Today I'll eat this and do this XYZ workout. Then the next day I'll eat that, then do the ABC workout. The following day, I'll splurge and enjoy this dessert. The following day, 2 meals with just veggies, and dinner with chicken and goto yoga. At some point, I'll get to that 167 range and most likely feel good physically about myself too. <br />
<br />
Just one moment at a time. Jarretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403419253147836131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918932764923540709.post-45572082207447499542015-11-06T16:52:00.000-08:002015-12-09T10:00:43.608-08:00Sh*tty Conclusion for "C*ty" Harvest ChurchPeople were approaching me about my reaction to the scandal that rocked City Harvest Church in Singapore because of my deep love and appreciation of Singapore, my spiritual background, and the fact that if you were Christian, visited or lived in Singapore, you were expected to have attended at least one service there. Attending a City Harvest Church service was sort of like a "bucket list" item for Singaporean Christians. <br />
<br />
Honestly, I have no reaction. Like I stated on the previous post, church scandals will come and go. People place some sort of artificial meaning to the church. It is an enterprise that's no different from a government agency, a business, a school, or any other organization that has people in it. Yes, it is SUPPOSED TO BE the responsibility and function of a church to create an optimal environment for it's attenders to connect with Spirit, Divine, God, ect, but they don't always create such an environment and/or different people have differing needs. I have stated indirectly on almost all my blogs on spirituality that the function of any religious or spiritual institution boils down to 2 functions/purposes:<br />
<br />
1) Enable the follower to connect with Spirit<br />
2) Enable the follower to optimize their life experience through the teachings and application of spiritual principles. (See #1) <br />
<br />
Hence why I left the mainstream Christian church and embraced New Thought Christianity. It's a lot more challenging to learn and apply in life, but at least the negative dogma of us versus everyone else is out the door. <br />
<br />
Let me re-visit my only experience at City Harvest Church to offer a background into my borderline reaction of indifference and jubilation:<br />
<br />
In November of 2008, actually Thanksgiving week of 2008, I trekked to Singapore as I've done twice annually from 2005-2010. At that point, I confessed my interest in a young lady whom I've attempted to court from 2006-08 only to find out her interest in me was merely as a shopping tool. (She had a taste for Coach bags) Anyhow, she began to attend church service at City Harvest and invited me to attend service with her one Sunday morning. In the slight possibility of any sliver of hope that our relationship would somehow blossom, I accepted her invitation. <br />
<br />
Upon entering the Singapore Expo Centre (where Sunday services were held at that time for both City Harvest aka Sh*tty Harvest Church and Faith Community Baptist Church, aka Fake Community Baptist Church) our seats were covered by an envelope. During the service, the senior pastor Kong introduced a guest speaker from Texas who proceeded to explain the meaning of the envelope. For those who will pledge in the envelope a minimum of at least $1500 SGD, God will prosper them and anyone who doesn't place anything in the envelope and turn in the envelope was going to receive the wrath of God through a devastating financial curse. (The "curse" applied to those who turned in nothing and/or any significant lesser amount) I found that quite disturbing and confused because he was addressing the members of CHC. He didn't leave any explanation on how to apply this to the visitor or guest which was the category I fell into.<br />
<br />
At the conclusion of service, I did what I always done when I visited a church for the first time: Introduce myself to the pastor. At that point, I was "handled" by the pastors' bodyguards. Apparently since I did not make an appointment to talk with the pastor, I was forbidden to go near him. I was then continued to be "handled" by the bodyguards (shoved back) It was a shock for me personally to the point that for the remaining part of the trip, I skipped church on Sundays, and upon returning to the States, I was also MIA at my regular church for about a month. <br />
<br />
That's my 1st (ONLY) impression of CHC<br />
<br />
It is my personal opinion and observation that both megachurches in Singapore (CHC and FCBC) is more showmanship and speak in pseudo-Christianese/Sin-glish rhetoric than actual Christian teaching even for the "standard brand" mainstream Christian "holy-roller" dogma. I personally question the sincerity and integrity of the leadership for both organizations. So in light of the guilty verdicts in Singapore against Kong and the CHC leaders, I simply shrug. As a New Thought practitioner,I don't have issues with how much a minister decides to pay him or herself. <br />
<br />
I even predict a much more bigger scandal to emerge out of the FCBC camp, simply because of the "he doth protest too much," rhetoric coming from the pastor. Normally the "s/he doth protest much" rhetoric tends to proceed a scandal of irony and hypocrisy. <br />
<br />
If there's ever a true spiritual harvest to emerge out of Singapore, it's a ripe moment to plant seeds of New Thought there. That has been a vision of mine since I finished reading Eric Butterworth's <u style="font-weight: bold;">Discover the Power Within You</u> back in 2011. Like I stated, what's categorized as The Prosperity Gospel "heavily borrowed" from New Thought, and The Prosperity Gospel is the dominant Christian ideology/paradigm in Singapore, plus New Thought does have a respect for other faiths including the Hindu, Buddhist, and various local spiritual traditions whereas most other Christians do not. <br />
<br />
And yes, I am looking for an excuse to be over there again. I miss my kaya toast, duck rice, teh tarik, and chicken rice! Jarretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403419253147836131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918932764923540709.post-66179574653944125242015-09-06T01:39:00.000-07:002015-12-09T10:12:03.670-08:00Not The First nor LastThe sex scandal in religious circles are as synonymous as violence in pro-football. Just when you think the religious figures begin to settle down, out comes another scandal. Now you can see my reluctance in becoming a full-time minister. I just don't want to get caught up in anything controversial. I know I'm going to have sex when I want it with whom I want it with, and I refuse to apologize when I get it. The very first time I traveled outside the United States, it was with The Salvation Army which was a Christian organization, so I left my royal oats in the sack, and I regret that decision to this very day. <br />
<br />
First of all, these two recent high profile sex scandals bored me to tears. Sorry, but there are other worthy news items worth discussing about other than who got caught stalking who. Seriously, there was a high scale corruption case that drew a million protesters out in Kuala Lumpor Malaysia last week and it got little attention from the mediots. Instead it was all about Ashley Madison leaked passwords, Josh Duggar, Subway Sandwiches, and Jared Fogle. <br />
<br />
Doesn't the media have more important things to inform the public about?<br />
<br />
You have two public self proclaimed "do-gooders" who got caught up in a scandal...actually more than one scandal. For some reason, people love to see a sexual downfall of self professed religious figures. It's like rubbernecking on the freeway during an auto accident. They don't give a shit about whether or not the drivers behind them need to be somewhere, their nosyness is more important. <br />
<br />
Likewise, the selfish extreme vengeful activists didn't give a crap other than hurting those who spoke against equal opportunity for marriage. They didn't care about the victims of the sexual crime; they were outed. In the case of Duggar, it was his own sisters. So sexual victims rights took about a step or two backwards because of these self-centered extreme activists who were determined to take out the Duggars just because of the family's beliefs as conservative Christians. That's straight up hypocrisy. Its no better than the Conservatives. When you become so determined in taking out someone who disagrees with you to the point that you victimize others besides your intended target, you set the entire group you're advocating for back because of your selfish behavior, which meant that they inadvertently took about 2-3 steps back on behalf of the LGBT community. You don't publicize the identity of anyone who's been sexually violated, especially if they were underdaged at that time. So they believe that the LGBT lifestyle is "sinful" and "wrong." Does that make it right to out a sexually violated victim? It's wrong on so many fronts. It's a step back on bridging the LGBT community with the conservative religious community, and at this point this episode demonstrates that I shouldn't expect any bridge to be built between these two groups anytime soon. It's a step back on victims rights. And here's the big kicker to all of this: those responsible for leaking out the information may or may not have been members of the LGBT community. They simply leaked the information out just to exploit the Duggars sexual dirt. <br />
<br />
Jared Fogle set up a children's charity organization to pretty up his image. He had ulterior motives. So he had the hots for underaged females, and he used his organization as a front to find them. OK. And how was this different from the first church I ever attended? <br />
<br />
I was "introduced to Jesus Christ" at a Chinese community church based out of Oakland California. It was headed by a non-Chinese pastor who "felt led to save the Chinese<b> 'HEATHENS.'"</b> I wish I was exaggerating, but unfortunately I'm not. This was a church who utilized "Chinese" on their name, but culture-shamed the community they outreached to. If you attended their church activities for a certain period of time and become absent, someone will be ringing your doorbell from the church, armed with their Bible and with ready to refer to verses to convict you of your "wayward ways." <br />
<br />
Eventually this church started a private K-12 Christian school back in the 1970-80s, which still "serves" the Chinese community in the East Bay, but they expanded and moved out of Oakland into one of the East Bay suburbs. All the while, this pastor was "counseling" specific students. He also had the following criteria of those he "counseled:" <br />
1) Female student of the school grade 8-12<br />
2) Parents were immigrants with limited English skills.<br />
3) History of family brokenness such as alcoholism/addiction, ect. amongst the parents.<br />
4) Were also consistent attenders/ preferably full time members of the church<br />
5) Were considered "disciplinary challenged" female students either in school and/or church. <br />
<br />
For those of you too dense to "get it," when I say this pastor "counseled" these troubled female students, I meant that he flat out sexually violated them. <br />
<br />
In other words, this pastor had a very comfy cushy operation going on there. Even if the girls could've and would've spoken up, (and in the beginning some attempted to) the power structure he created kept his victims at bay. And it was indeed a power structure he took advantage of. He shamed his church of their Chinese heritage so much, they worshiped this guy even to the point of raising money to buy him a car. He was a "can do no wrong" in the eyes of his congregants. Calling him out would've been viewed as a sin by that community. He targeted his victims well because of the reputation of both the student and their families. Their word against his. <br />
<br />
Basically Jared Fogle could've taken advice from this pastor. Bear in mind there was no social media during the time the pastor took advantage of those young ladies. This was during the 1980s and 90s, where Asian culture, specifically patriarchal Chinese culture was combined with this conservative independent baptist culture; therefore it wasn't conducive to come forward. Those women basically had nowhere to go. If the situation sounds eerily similar to the situation of the Cosby victims, well yes it's a combination of the power structure and the (lack of) technology and communication resources available then. <br />
<br />
So for those who did came forward about the situation, how do you think it was handled? It was handled initially in a very similar way as the Duggars situation. No, not the recent Ashley Madison, but the other situation within the Duggar family. You see, this was a church who also advocated Institute of Basic Life Principles like the Duggars, so the solution to the situation were handled similarly. It was a "God will deliver a solution" to all of this. Even though I don't mention nor identify the church directly, no matter how much you'd "Google" this situation, you will never see any news item on it even though it actually happened and the church is still one of the most prominent Chinese community churches in the San Francisco East Bay Area. The most they did was remove him as pastor after all the damage was done. <br />
<br />
I know, I'm an IBLP "alumni." In fact while re-auditing the IBLP seminar 20 years ago, I ran into one of the pastor's past victim. She was taking the courses in order to "heal" her life. So it doesn't surprise me at all that the Duggar family handled their situation the way they did initially. The way IBLP is structured and what it teaches, there's a method to the madness in how to handle every situation. Everything is a "sin" problem, so what does the Bible say about handling "sin?" Confession and forgiveness. Here's the catch: according to the IBLP, not forgiving is also a "sin." So if a Duggar or a pastor or a Fogle "confesses," the person whom they violated, if they too are part of that community or circle, must "forgive" that confessor, otherwise their "sin" of not forgiving is considered to be as bad as the "sin" the confessor confessed. Got all of that? So that's why the Duggar sisters want to move on, and that's why Josh's wife will remain his wife. <br />
<br />
As for that Fogle dude...<br />
<br />
I guess he should've became a Christian pastor to a community of color where English is a second language; then he could've enjoyed his perversity a little while longer before getting caught.***<br />
<br />
***-Please note sarcasm... <br />
<br />
As for that church, one of the aftermath footnote about it was the fact that the community was so cultured-shamed to the point that when the replacement pastor was Asian descent like the congregation members, a portion of the church split to find a "more qualified shepherd," to pastor their group. What was the "more qualified?" NOT being Asian. Jarretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403419253147836131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918932764923540709.post-76077138990498234132015-08-28T13:33:00.001-07:002015-11-19T13:21:04.773-08:00Lack of ActivityThere has been a lack of new entries on this blog lately, and it's not because I abandoned my spiritual journey or anything. On the contrary. I'm more immersed in it. It's just that as of now, I'm currently a Masters of Theological Studies candidate through <a href="http://sunshinecathedral.org/?page_id=6809" target="_blank">The Samaritans Institute</a>. The courses are short, sweet, to the point, and are well grounded in the fundamentals of New Thought Christianity. <br />
<br />
It's what I was looking for since 2011 when I first read Eric Butterworth's <a href="http://astore.amazon.com/uniofcasval-20/detail/0061723797" target="_blank">Discover the Power Within You</a>. <br />
<br />
When I was a part of The Salvation Army's Service Corps program back in 1997, as a person who didn't complete his undergrad work, it was indirectly implied that I was to be groomed into a ministerial lifestyle. My heart has always been in the performing arts, and they offered me opportunities to perform through that channel. On the flip side, I witnessed first-hand "behind closed doors" type of ongoing regarding the ministers and I completed the program with absolutely no interest in any type of ministerial endeavors. <br />
<br />
It may appear as a "change of heart" because I'm studying for an MTS in Divine Science as well as pursuing a Divine Science Practitioners credential, but I'm doing so because of the lack of channels to voice this teaching that I personally find valuable. It's out of necessity. Very similar when I started as an actor with absolutely no interest in writing; I began to write out of necessity after a year of auditioning for roles that did not have my best interest at heart. It's a similar situation here. <br />
<br />
Theology and teachings that fall into the category of New Thought, has become influential not only in theology, but in business, psychology, and especially the personal development movement. Yet very few centers and churches rooted in New Thought are thriving. Outsiders may easily conclude it's because the teachings that's considered New Thought has become irrelevant and obsolete. However one needs to simply turn on Oprah Winfrey Network, Joel Olsteen, or pop in the DVD, Secret to see that elements from New Thought is a $13 BILLION a year business! <br />
<br />
That's why it's upsetting to see the current state of New Thought churches and other establishments. I know first-hand how the teachings have benefit me, and the personal development has created a money making mechanism to become an outlet to teach what New Thought teaches, but at a price. I just simply want the teachings available to as many people as possible, period. Plus I am well aware that one of the "band-aid" approach to the current situation is that the established New Thought entities are distancing themselves from any affiliation with Christianity resulting from the media backlash such as the notoriety of Westboro Baptist Church, the Duggar scandal, and the recent John Oliver expose on the Prosperity Gospel. <br />
<br />
That is where I disagree with such an approach. <br />
<br />
To me, this is an opportunity to show the world that a good message, a great message can be associated with Christianity without the judgment and hypocrisy. Also, it can show and distinguishes the difference between New Thought approach to prosperity as opposed to the Prosperity Gospel, the more new agey Law of Attraction, and the more accepted "Think and Grow Rich" approaches. Yes, there are definite overlaps, but there needs to be a distinction communicated to the general public. For example, yes in New Thought tithing is important. However unlike the Prosperity Gospel, it is not a "seed" nor will you be "financially cursed by God" if you choose not to donate. <br />
<br />
And that's another reason the urgency to help spread the message. <br />
<br />
No one should be coerced into anything. Whether it's signing up for a personal development course, giving your time, treasure or talent, or making any sort of purchase of goods or services. What I learned from New Thought is that any actions or decisions motivated by fear will only allow the fear-based mentality and results to multiply. True religion, true spirituality is to set people free, and fear does not set anyone free. <br />
<br />
I spent the last two years angry and frustrated with the powers that be who run the Unity establishment. They have been making decisions to the detriment of the people they're supposed to teach and to the teachings itself. But expressing that frustration will not resolve anything which is why I'm focused on what I've been focusing on lately. So I may post a response or two whenever a decision or announcement is made from them, but I will not dwell on it whether or not I think it's consistent with my perception of the teachings. There are enough resources out there to teach and reinforce the teachings. I will no longer "wait" around for any organizations to get its act together and lament out loud that I'm not learning anything because they won't, nor will I wait for any splinter group to step up and fulfill that role. <br />
<br />
If it's truly true, it'll surface.Jarretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403419253147836131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918932764923540709.post-65881352121417501822015-05-19T13:17:00.003-07:002015-12-09T10:24:08.900-08:00Minister Hearted, NOT Necessarily Minister Material...<div class="MsoNormal">
My weekends are accounted for. I can easily be found
at <a href="http://unitycv.org/">Unity Church of Castro Valley</a> every
Sundays. Saturdays are my "catch-up" days since I work Monday
through Friday. It's a weekly clockwork routine regularly interrupted by
the inconsistent service level of <a href="http://www.bart.gov/">BART</a>.
For those of you in the San Francisco Bay Area, you may wonder why I
choose to trek from Daly City all the way to Castro Valley simply for church
service. For starters, I serve in several capacities for UCV: prayer
chaplain, treasurer, sound person, coffee/hospitality, and that is every single
Sunday. That doesn't include the fact that the Rev has entrusted me
enough to comfortably take more time off as I share the message on selected
Sundays. (Of course that was beginning in 2014 after my attendance began in November of 2011) For those of you not familiar with the SF Bay,
travelling from Daly City to Castro Valley is definitely a commute. If I
had a car, the commute would be 45 minutes. With BART, the commute is 1
hour and 15 minutes. </div>
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The closest Unity to where I live is in San Francisco,
located 3.8 miles away from home according to Google Maps. It’d be a 10 minute commute by car if I had
one, however with public transit and walking, the commute is more like 30-45
minutes. Not much of a difference than
with commuting to Castro Valley. Aside
from all that, I live in San Mateo County.
There are a total of 0 Practical Christianity, New Thought, or Unity
centers in San Mateo County. The nearest
Unity directly south of the aforementioned location in San Francisco is Unity
of Palo Alto which is a part of Santa Clara County. The distance between locations is about 40
miles. </div>
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Long story short: I’m in the East Bay every Sunday. Period.
Let’s just keep it at that. </div>
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I’d given up on mainstream Christianity out of sheer disgust
back in 2010. What sustained me over
that period was a support system created through the personal development
program I'd undertaken back in 2008-09. It was
brought to my attention that there existed a “link” per se between those
programs and what fragile religious practice I futilely struggled with back
then. That link was New Thought
Christianity and/or Christian Metaphysics.
In 2011 I made it a point to find and locate a center to grow. It was unfortunate that those were the years
that most centers affiliated with New Thought and their leadership decided to
distance themselves from any identification with Christianity altogether. It was a disheartening discovery as I felt
that books by Eric Butterworth and Barbara L King helped me restore my faith in
God. </div>
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I’m grateful to the internet because I was able to research
and receive information needed at that time.
I don’t believe in coincidences, but the fact that <a href="https://www.blogger.com/truthunity.net">Truth Unity</a> was developing into an online resource
when I needed resources convinced me that this was indeed “a God thang.” </div>
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I contacted Unity Institute and inquired about advanced
training around 2011-12 and received such a bizarre response I decided not to
have anything to do with them and went through different avenues including <a href="http://hillsidechapel.org/">Hillside</a>, <a href="http://www.jctseminary.org/">Johnnie Colemon Theological Seminary</a>,
and eventually <a href="http://sunshinecathedral.org/?page_id=6809">Samaritans
Institute</a>. As a prayer chaplain and
as the substitute speaker at Castro Valley Unity, people often wonder if I’m
being groomed in the event of the current minister’s retiring. The answer is absolutely no. 1) She’s not going anywhere, and 2) I still
do not view myself as a long term minister in any capacity, and 3) Castro
Valley isn’t where I want the teachings of New Thought Christianity taught and
spread. I have a heart for Oakland
California and for Southeast Asia.
Thankfully, Oakland has <a href="http://www.lakesidetemple.org/">Lakeside
Temple</a> while we need some serious inroads into Southeast Asia. </div>
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I am an actor at heart.
I’ve always have been. People often
think that acting and doing ministry are compatible because ministry requires
public speaking. Yes and no. I’m undergoing the training that I chose to
undergo simply because of the lack of teachers and centers out there, and because
Christian Metaphysics/New Thought Christianity is a passion as up there with
acting. I’m undergoing the ministry
training for the same reason I began writing screenplays and plays 15 years
ago: out of sheer necessity and frustration.
As an actor in the beginning, roles that I was auditioning for simply weren’t compatible with my inner artistic
voice, so I began to write in order to create such roles. Likewise, it’s frustrating of the lack of
centers and like-minded communities with a passion for the teachings and
practice of New Thought/Christian Metaphysics while other centers place an emphasis on the "guru/energy healer of the month." </div>
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Think about it. As of
this typing, the overall religious discussion has been about the <a href="http://www.pewforum.org/2015/05/12/americas-changing-religious-landscape/">Pew
research</a> and findings regarding American religious practices. First of all, I find the report to be
somewhat inconsistent because people who attend services and activities provided
by Unity, Religious Science (Center for Spiritual Living), UFBL, Divine Science
and other New Thought would most likely identify themselves in the
survey/research under the “Noner/nothing in particular” category whose umbrella
category includes atheists and agnostics, the “other Christian” category, the “other
world religion” category, and most likely the “other faith” category. And here’s the thing: while the overall
Christian category dropped about7%, the “nothing in particular” had grown about
4%. How many of that 4% include those
attending New Thought locations? </div>
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Needless to say, there is a need for more available resources
to teach and spread the message of New Thought.
Although the internet has been a godsend, filling gaps worldwide, there’s
no substitute for face-to-face interaction.
As I stated, I live in a county with an area of 450 square miles, and a
population of 750,000. There are no New
Thought centers located within that county.
(At least to date of this writing)
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Another thing: I attend Unity Church of Castro Valley with a
weekly average attendance of 15 people and an average age of 70. While the teaching is more welcoming and can resonate with a younger generation, members of such a younger generation cannot
attend if they don’t know that such teachings existed. If you look at the mainline Christian
churches, you’ll see an aggressive proactive outreach towards that age group. Now we've made attempts in outreach to that group such as Facebook and <a href="http://meetup.com/">Meetup</a>, but unfortunately the responses
have been from those who had their own personal spiritual agenda.</div>
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And that leads to the next reason why I decided to undertake
the ministerial route. From the time I first
entered a Unity center back in 2011 and from all my experience and interactions
with other people undergoing the New Thought approach, I observed first-hand
how existing New Thought based churches and centers have been utilized more as
a platform for these entitled eclectic spiritual energy figureheads pushing
their own personal agenda at the expense of the core teachings of New
Thought. That isn’t fair to those who
are sincere in their pursuit of studying New Thought. Hiring a third party consultant on marketing
your organization while abandoning your core teaching is only a band-aid,
short-term, temporary approach if it had worked at all. </div>
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I was hesitant and had reservations about whether or not to
pursue advanced training in New Thought Christianity. As I stated, I identify myself more as an
actor and as a performer. Secondly, I did
do a short-term missionary assignment years ago through The Salvation Army in
Asia and although the experience was enriching, it was also simultaneously constricting. This was my very first
trip outside of the United States, and my first trip to Asia. I didn’t get laid at all. It was like walking through numerous buffets
and not eating. I wouldn’t want to
subject myself to that all over again. Thirdly,
I also served in various youth counseling capacity within the church and from what
I observed regarding what the pastoral kids were subjected to, (aka, “Preachers’
Kids) I decided that I wouldn’t subject my own children to that kind of political BS.</div>
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But perhaps the most compelling reason of my reluctance to
ministerial training could be summed up by this hypothetical example:</div>
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Not only have I pursued acting professionally for over 18
years, I’ve practiced Chinese traditional martial arts and its peripheral arts
of lion and dragon dance for over 30 years.
Let’s say I decided to pursue a PhD in Martial Arts. The study is 3 years of academics including 1
academic year of different post graduate courses and 2 years of a doctoral
thesis. Meanwhile my martial arts school
accepts this new student at the same time.
During the course of my 3 years of academic study, this student has
learned just one set (set of choreographed movements) during his first 6 months
upon joining. In addition, he
consistently undergoes the physical conditioning and workout regimen from Day
1. After he learns his first set and
from month 6 to the time that I’m awarded my PhD, all he did was his physical
conditioning/workouts, hand-to-hand drills to practice the techniques from the
set, and the set itself. If he were to
enter a martial arts tournament, most tournaments would categorize a year 3
student as “intermediate,” so for the purpose of this example, he’s considered
an “intermediate” student. Also for the
sake of this example, I did not practice or learn during the past 30 years;
instead I “studied” the martial arts entirely through my Ph D. program. </div>
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Having established the groundwork of this working example,
in the aftermath of my reception of my PhD in Martial Arts studies, I accept a
full-contact match with this intermediate student. Oh in addition, let’s also say that as part of that post
graduate courses taken in year 1 included an academic quarter learning
ju-jitsu, an academic quarter learning Choi Li Fut Kung Fu, and an academic
quarter learning penjek silat in the form of an upper division "physical education" classes.</div>
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So on paper, there’s an “intermediate” martial student having
a match with a “doctor” of martial arts studies. On paper, who looks like who is going to win the match? In the actual fight, who’s most likely going
to win the match, and why? At the end, who is really the "expert" in martial arts?</div>
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So now you can see why I wasn’t in such an urgent state
regarding my advanced/ministerial/teaching studies of the New Thought Christian
curriculum. Why spend up to 2-3 years studying something where at the end, my prayer life, happiness, overall life
satisfaction may or may not be in the upper echelon? Why pursue the studies if I’m not going to
live it?</div>
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Here’s the thing: people will not express or pursue an
interest in such a teaching until they witness first-hand what a positive impact
it made on our lives first. Whether or
not I receive a Masters or Doctorate, or a certificate, or an ordination, if my prayer and faith isn’t impacting my own life for the better, then why am I there up front?</div>
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Then I’ll just be “acting.” Hmmm...</div>
Jarretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403419253147836131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918932764923540709.post-16562152747512713922015-04-11T18:54:00.002-07:002015-05-28T13:36:35.505-07:00K.I.S.S. The Process of Keeping It Stupidly Simple <div class="MsoNormal">
It’s no secret that I spent the last decade focused on personal development in the aftermath of my mother’s passing. Her death triggered the surfacing of deep rooted layers of anger, resentment, and shame that I’ve accumulated throughout my then 35 years of existence. I then pursued relentlessly my quest for a “comfortable” career in the arts and entertainment field, specifically in acting. </div>
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From 2011 to now, the drive to pursue acting slowly dwindled. Though I still have my agent in San Francisco, I volunteered to attend auditions for features filmed locally in the Bay Area which means the auditions are pretty non-existent. That enabled me to focus on my job at the California Judicial Council. </div>
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Also from 2011, specifically May of 2011, I decided to move away from the mainstream Christian theological paradigm. I could no longer reconcile the lessons that Jesus taught to the overall “us versus them” mentality perpetuated in all the mainstream Christian churches. Just as I was about the walk away from church life altogether and just focus on what I learned from all the personal development courses I’ve taken from 2007 to 2011, New Thought theology came to my awareness. That alone reconciled my aforementioned issue as well as my belief in God to my personal development experience. </div>
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So from 2011 to 2014, I became this spiritual acolyte junkie. I invested every extra cash on every possible book or home course from every possible New Thought “guru.” </div>
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And I got absolutely nowhere. Not, “NOW HERE,” but “NO WHERE.”</div>
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It didn’t matter which meditation course I purchased that month or how fresh the coffee I made at Sunday church service, or which book I’m currently reading. I got absolutely nowhere. During my spare time, I could be found at the lounge of Philz Coffee reading my latest book on prayer, attitude, goal setting, and Universal Spiritual laws. </div>
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And I still got nowhere.</div>
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So from 2011 to 2015 I read different books, took different courses, and supported different ministries yet got nowhere. So perhaps what I was taking the time to learn wasn’t legit? Or I had to cope with the fact that it simply doesn’t work. Or I was going about this all wrong.<br />
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I’ve practiced traditional Chinese martial arts, lion and dragon dancing off and on for over 25 years. Awhile ago my Sifu (“master” or “teacher”) was observing my practice session and pulled me aside to tell me something.</div>
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<b><i>You know so many sets, but you haven't learned one move!<o:p></o:p></i></b></div>
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An explanation to the comment: a “set” or a “form” are choreographed set of movements for the martial artist. Each “set” has an emphasis on a specific technique. Our “sets” are considered “short,” compared to other martial arts styles, meaning the typical “set” or "form" of ours has about 24-28 movements max. Some sets from other styles have up to 108 different movements per set. Even our “long sets” can be broken down in sections of subsets, which is like 16-24 movements per subset, placed together in sequence to create one "long set." </div>
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It’s true, over the course of 25 years I’ve learned about 12-18 different hand and weapon forms from this organization, and at the most, I probably remember the movements of 8 forms at the max. Even at the drop-off of quantity, that’s the least of my master’s concern. His concern was the fact that I have yet to learn a single specific technique to the point of mastery. By that definition of “mastery,” he means that the body parts required to perform the specific technique are developed and conditioned, (not to mentioned that my entire body should be that) that the fluidity and strength is effortless, that I can be able to naturally discover and apply 8-12 different variations from that specific technical move, and to be able to discover other supplemental movement that can proceed and follow afterwards naturally. </div>
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So what does this have to do with my spiritual journey from 2011 to now? </div>
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You mean you can’t see the connection here? </div>
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I’ve taken the time to read so many books, but haven’t truly studied ONE author. I’ve collected an extensive list of affirmations, but memorized NONE. I’ve learned the PSI relaxation cycles, Silva Mind technique, The Children of the Light Wholeness Meditation and Blessing, Oneness Meditation, and The Quantum Jumping technique on meditation. (Not to mention the Ch’i Kung meditation my Sifu taught me) Yet, I don’t sit still and relax quietly for more than 12 minutes per day, if that. Side note: for those of you who are familiar with Silva or any other types of guided meditations, how can the “Mirror of the Mind,” “Case Working,” or “Workshop” be effective for us if we haven’t even learned to be consistent with the basic “relaxation cycle?” </div>
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It wasn’t like I wasn’t familiar with this concept of taking the time to learn one thing at a time. After all, I was pursuing acting for more than 18 years. I’ve came across so many fellow actors who would jump from one acting class to another, one voice training program to another, one dance/movement class to another, and then they wonder why their performance wasn’t up to snuff either on set or on stage, or why they were “so heady," and not "in the moment."<br />
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And that’s the thing about certain specific well-known, recognizable actors we see on film and television: on one hand, we actors and even some public audience members would often criticize them for being too “one dimensional” or “hitting the same note over and over,” or “lacking a wide versatile acting range.” On the flip side, who are we to criticize their work, after-all they ARE working as actors. They've “mastered” a single move, so to speak and are being compensated accordingly.</div>
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So what was the “payoff” for being “busy” with all the materials purchased, consumed and processed from 2011 to now? </div>
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That was it, the state of remaining “busy.” It wasn’t the payoff of spiritual enlightenment or mastering the art of manifestation. I mean, that’s what I told myself and that’s what I told others back then, except that results don’t lie. </div>
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So the comment my Sifu made was taken to heart. It was a gut check. On top of that, about the same time he made that comment, I completed a prayer chaplain curriculum, and with this new found title as prayer chaplain, I felt simply lost. </div>
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So I packed up all my books into a box, and took out just three books. Two of them are in my possession at all times. I put away all the CDs and audio downloads to simply listen to just the Silva guided relaxation or the short version Silva relaxation. Eventually I learned to just shut my eyes, shut my mouth, sit, relax and breathe. All I did was study one of the three books, and listened to one of the relaxation tracks on a regular basis. In other words, I simplified things. I’ve been practicing just one of the sets on a regular basis only. </div>
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Slowly but surely, the results began to improve: the tax refunds, the regular work, the trip to Manila, the much improved relationship, the redone kitchen and bathroom, (that wasn't really asked for, I just put on a notepad about "getting the bathroom and kitchen working better," and I came home one day to a new shower area, toilet, fixed kitchen sink, and new stove) the speaking opportunities. </div>
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Most importantly, I discovered myself lashing out less and becoming more comfortable in my own skin. Yes, I still get irritated and still lash out at times, but those time period between the lashing out episodes have gotten longer and longer. Yes, sometimes I wish I were somewhere else or even someone else, but that too is less frequent than a year, two years ago. Even problems and/or challenges that do come up tend to lead to a solution much quicker. </div>
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All because I went back to the basics and focused on one thing at a time, or at least fewer things at a time. </div>
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Oh, so you want to know the three books I’ve focused on since September of last year?</div>
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That’ll be shared on my next entry…<br />
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<i><span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;">21. "It is not whoever says to me, 'My Lord, my Lord,'</span></i><br />
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<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>who enters the Kingdom of Heaven,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>except whoever does the will of my Father in Heaven.<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>22. "Many will say to me on that day,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>'My Lord, my Lord, did we not prophesy in your name<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>and in your name cast out demons<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>and in your name perform great powers?'<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>23. "And then I will declare to them that, I never knew you,<o:p></o:p></i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>go away from me, workers of abomination.</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Garamond, serif; font-size: 12pt;"><i>Matthew 7:21-24 Aramaic Bible to English Version</i></span></div>
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Jarretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403419253147836131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918932764923540709.post-74253298482330729302014-06-20T12:08:00.002-07:002015-12-09T11:06:39.970-08:00An Open Letter to Unity Leaders<span style="font-family: inherit;">Dear Corporate Leaders, Ministers, and Decision Makers Under The Unity Umbrella:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Throughout the last three years, I have openly blogged about my experience learning about the teachings of Practical Christianity, New Thought Christianity, and Christian Metaphysics as was taught and developed through Unity School of Practical Christianity. It wasn’t until the latter part of 2013 when I realized that I created the results in my life because I was merely learning <b>about</b> rather than actually learning.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">In the beginning, I was often told that New Thought, Practical or Metaphysics have been “the best kept secret” in spirituality. I don’t know if that is really such a good thing considering that people within the Unity organization are up in arms about declining revenue and attendance. In fact, there appears to be a major split between two factions within the overall Unity organization over how to reconcile a solution. That all came to a head a couple of weeks ago during the national convention. Although the resolution to change bylaws and implement a fee was defeated, there still remains a rift between those who feel that such changes undermines the overall teachings of Unity and those who feel that such a change is considered a part of an organizational evolutionary form of progress.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I have a question for members of both warring factions:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">When will the teachings become a priority again???</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">On my blogs, I’ve often shared about my journey of pursuing further studies in what is called Christian Metaphysics, New Thought Christianity, and Practical Christianity. I shared the frustrations of visiting different centers and churches only to find out what they’re offering to teach isn’t aligned to what I was looking for. I shared about deciding against studying a more structured curriculum through Unity Institute because of a head scratching email I received from the admissions director back in 2011. I shared about other teachings that I’ve taken which was considered to “complement” the teachings of Unity at the Unity centers only to find myself in a more confused state than prior to taking the course.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">During those years, I also visited two main Centers for Spiritual Living (Science of Mind, Religious Science) in San Francisco to further my studies. I was not aware that they too had differing factions over whether or not to use and quote the Bible. I personally didn’t find them aligned to what I wanted to learn either because of the conflicting factions, so I decided to move on.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The reason why I’m typing this right now is because of the many question marks that linger over the organization that supposedly everyone involved “loves and cares so much about.” One of my main questions is when will the teachings of Jesus Christ that was interpreted and developed through the Fillmores, Emmet Fox (although he was actually a Divine Science minister), Eric Butterworth, Ed Rabel, and H Emilie Cady become the focus and priority again? If you noticed, people are taking bits and pieces of their teachings and marketing them to the masses, becoming rich in the process, so there is no debate about the validity or value of those teachings. Hence that is why I don’t understand the discussion and debate over declining anything within or related to Unity. (attendance, revenue, ect) In fact, I find it very ironic that I’m involved with a spiritual organization where the founder who wrote one of the pioneering books on prosperity, is struggling financially. It’s ironic that I’m involved with an organization called “Unity,” knowing that a major organizational split took place in the 1970s over race relations, and a prior split that took place over finances and property distribution. (again, a financial irony) As the basic teachings state, I’d better choose-out of focusing on “ironic” aspects of the organization, otherwise I’ll see more irony, and God knows, I think our society has had enough ironies taking place within our spiritual and religious institutions.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I attend a Unity location now because they do adhere to their bylaws that specifically state that their purpose is to conduct a healing and teaching ministry based on the Practical Christianity taught by The Unity School of Practical Christianity. Yes, they do host other teachings there, yes, they have guest speakers from different backgrounds, yes, their bookstore includes titles and authors not directly linked to Unity. However… the minister takes the responsibility of upholding the bylaws very seriously. An example: this Unity hosted a Children of the Light Wholeness Blessing workshop that was held on a Saturday. They did not have that workshop taught during the Sunday School time slot, nor did the workshop facilitator spoke any Sunday message. In fact, I believe that the Unity Movement class was offered on Sundays during that timeframe. I shared on my other blog posts about how I used to attend Oneness Blessing sessions held and hosted by another Unity location on a regular basis. They hosted the Oneness Blessing in place of a mid-week prayer meeting, service, or class. At the end, I found that to be a detriment to the Unity teachings and to the Truth student. Granted, I don’t know the bylaws of that specific Unity location, so perhaps that location has no issues. I’ve shared that during a visit to another Unity location upon meeting the “spiritual leader” (they had no minister) I stated that I was there to learn more teachings of Christ that Charles Fillmore and Eric Butterworth taught, which not only left the spiritual leader flustered, but caused her to react with “<i>oh, we still read The Daily Word during our services.</i>” Another Unity location had a bookstore where the bookstore worker didn’t know who Fillmore nor Butterworth was. Actually, I remembered the exact response from her when I asked her which section that I can find their books: “<i>um…who are they? Are you sure we have their stuff here?</i>” </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As part of my journey to learn the teachings better, I joined several groups on Facebook that focused on Unity and New Thought. Because Unity is strict about the use of their name, the Facebook group was required to put a “non-affiliated” tag to their page information. One of the group facilitator, Tuyet Julie Van, invited me to join a group of New Thought students with an Asian background. She posed a question to me and to a Unity ministerial student: if Practical Christianity is considered Truth and important, then why is there a lack of access of such teachings for the majority of Asian communities worldwide? In fact, we’d often light-heartedly joked and chided with the ministerial student about how she will single-handedly bestow the teachings to the entire Asia and the Asian American communities. It was a joke because <b>as we all know, or we should know</b>, that the diversity in Asia is vast, and therefore there is no uniform or blanket way to outreach such a vast group. I may as well share my grievance regarding the email I received from the admissions counselor at the Unity Institute back in 2011. I made a statement that I may not necessarily want to be a minister, but I wanted to make sure that the teachings be taught and spread to two locations near and dear to my heart: Oakland, California, and Singapore. His response to me made a reference that Seicho No Ie is based out of Japan. At that time, I didn’t know what he was talking about. I looked up Seicho No Ie online to learn that it was another organization that branched out of Religious Science and was primarily based out of Japan. Still, I was puzzled at the response because I didn’t know what Oakland or Singapore had to do with Japan. Actually I knew that during the Second World War, Japan had occupied Singapore, but that was before Singapore became an independent country and was still considered to be Malaysia, and Oakland’s sister city is Fukuoka, Japan. Otherwise, the question remains what does Seicho No Ie have to do with the fact that I wanted to help spread Practical/New Thought Christianity in Singapore and Oakland?</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Which leads me to another incident regarding race/cultural relations in New Thought…</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">On one of the Unity group, someone came and posted his disdain that several members of the group acknowledged the fact that the Unity movement was influenced by Mary Baker Eddy and Christian Science. In his argument, he states that because the Christian Science stance in relation with the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, BiSexual, Transgender) community remained unchanged since the days of Mary Baker Eddy, they deserve no acknowledgement whatsoever of having anything to do with the entire New Thought movement, including Unity. He also applauded the branding process both Unity and Religious Science underwent because of their statement regarding LGBT issues. I pointed out that though the branding included those of other races and cultures too, I would like to see more of an outreach and effort to teach groups of other ethnicities and languages. His response was “I don’t care about them as long as they outreach to us.” (“Them” meaning other ethnic groups and “us” meaning those in the LGBT communities) I also asked him why he acknowledged “New Thought” to include Centers for Spiritual Living, AGNT, ANTN, Unity, and Divine Science, but didn’t mention Universal Foundation for Better Living, or even Hillside and Agape. (I don't remember if he mentioned INTA) He then accused me of “pulling out the race card.” I accused him of pulling out the LGBT card first to which other members of the group responded that there is “zero tolerance of homophobia in the group.”</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">So again I ask…</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">When will the teachings to everyone become a priority again???</span></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">When will teaching the teachings become a priority? When will people of differing languages be able to access the teachings? Most importantly, when will those who proclaim and identify themselves as Truth students be able to unconditionally acknowledge the Divinity in all people regardless of race and ethnicity such that placing a priority in outreaching and teaching them the principles becomes more than just a joint statement “for Peace and Diversity?” We talk about the law of GOYA, so then get off your arse and reach out and teach the diverse population, dammit!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I’d like to add one more caveat to my rhetorical question regarding the comment, “teaching the teachings:” When I say “teach the teachings,” I mean the practice and application of those teachings in every area of your life. Y’know, the “<b>PRACTICAL</b>” part of “<b>PRACTICAL CHRSTIANITY</b>.” In other words, there are certain things I’m confused about Unity. If the founders believed in a “free-will” love offering and tithing practice, why even attempt to implement mandatory fees? In reference back to an earlier schism that result in Unity churches branching off a generation ago, why did Unity feel the need to “re-possess” assets of Unity centers and churches that closed down if such locations were supposed to be “independent, autonomous” ministries? What or why would a pioneer figure of Truth like Johnnie Colemon feel the need to create her own ministry completely separate from Unity, knowing that at one point, she served as president? Lastly, is “Unity” just a name, or an actual practice? When I see these questions unanswered or the response is eluded, I no longer see a movement, but an organization whose leadership is operating out of a scarcity consciousness and not a consciousness of abundance. The same can be said for that one guy I mentioned earlier who was incapable to see beyond what the branding process that Unity and Religious Science (or CSL) underwent could only do for his community.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Lastly, I’d like to add one more question: so from what I’ve observed in the last three years was that the access to Truth teaching institutions tends to multiply after an organizational split. For example, Religious Science before becoming Centers for Spiritual Living, operated as two organizations, so people had access to more than one training centers for advanced, practitioner, and ministerial studies. If a group of Unity ministers feel the need to create an organization to teach Unity principles, why does the governing board feel the need to downgrade their status? If you place a priority in the teachings and believe in the teachings, would creating newer training organizations really be such a bad thing? It’s reaching and teaching a wider range of people, thus creating a larger community of like-minded and united heart folks.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Well…actually…based on what I’ve observed this past month, maybe not so united…</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I’ll be honest. Had the Unity church that I currently attend now undergone the branding procedure, the chances of me staying put to learn the teachings would’ve been slim to zero. Let it be known that the earlier mentioned bookstore incident occurred at a Unity location that utilized the then new logos. Speaking of logos, the intent of the powers that be wanted identification and recognition as a result of the logos. I find it amusing that this logo/branding has been compared to creating an identity and recognition as to a Nike or a Starbucks or a FedEx. Here's the catch: Nike established itself as a shoe manufacturer, Starbucks coffee, and FedEx as an overnight package delivery service. Even as they expanded and offered new products and services, even with a shiny logo to be easily identified, they did NOT abandon their initial product and services. If you think that the Unity "brand" will grow as a result of the shiny, spanking, trademarked logo at the expense of the foundational teachings of Practical Christianity, so long as The Daily Word is read at Sunday Services, that is a completely delusional mindset. (Please note: all of the Unity "centers" I visited did indeed read The Daily Word; some of them deliberately chose to leave out the Scripture reference at the end)</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">Here’s another irony (though I said earlier in this post to move on away from ironic topics) the reason why my current Unity location wasn’t part of the branding was because of “ineligibility” due to the fact that my minister is not a Unity minister. She trained with Religious Science, yet upon being selected to lead this Unity, she knew the importance of their bylaws and upheld and respected their bylaws. She’s been the minister there since the mid-1990s. If you’re wondering why she didn’t become an official Unity minister, the best thing to do is to ask her. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit;">I just want to go on record that I do not have anything against any peripheral teachings that take place at a Unity facility. As I’ve shared, I’ve taken spiritual workshops that are not linked to Unity or New Thought there in the past and will continue to do so. What I am emphasizing is that the foundational teaching be offered and taught first and foremost. I liken the situation to a Sufi analogy: in the event of a fire in a building, 5 different ladders were available to allow the occupants to climb out to safety. Yes, all 5 ladders worked for the same purpose of leading them to safety, but it’s inconceivable for a person to take several steps using one ladder, then a few more steps on another, and a few more on another. In order to get to safety one can only use one ladder at a time. Likewise, even with the statement of “honoring all paths to God,” Unity must still commit to its core fundamental teachings.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Bottom line: stop this power grab. For all sides involved, please stop this power grab. What this power grab and struggle has done was reinforce a practice of scarcity, not abundance. It also reinforced a lack of Divinity in self and others due to the ego-driven quest for institutional power. All the while, the teaching and implementing has taken a backseat, thus creating less transformed lives. Here’s a concept, instead of paying some corporation to “present” who you are, how about teaching people to heal and prosper themselves? A transformed life is a much better form of publicity than any sophisticatedly designed logo. A transformed life can flesh out what a catchphrase, a sound-bite, or a joint statement can’t. A transformed life allows a peace process to begin with that transformed life just like the song says. Then a transformed life will allow another life to transform which will allow another life to transform, which would create a transformed community, and isn't that what the movement called Unity is all about?</span><br />
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Jarretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403419253147836131noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918932764923540709.post-48111878644337987552014-06-18T15:48:00.003-07:002015-04-16T23:35:31.405-07:00Sex, Church, and Booty-Calls<div style="line-height: 19px;">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I wouldn't know anything about church booty calls because after attending church on a regular basis for over 19 years, I've only attributed one booty-call hookup as a result of meeting someone at church. I won't mention the name of the church or the location. (and definitely not her name) That means that after approximately over 1000 visit to a specific institution, I've hooked up with someone only once.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />Hence, why I don't encourage people to meet up at church. It's not so much that it's frowned upon to begin with because the higher-ups get uppity when the focus and attention isn't on them. (They'll use the term "God," but in all actuality, they really mean themselves) And it wasn't or isn't so much that I was "focused on God" such that checking out women took a complete back seat. It was a result on the type of churches I attended.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />I've always credited The Salvation Army as being my "1st homechurch." Yet the first institution where my spiritual journey began was actually a church in Oakland prior to their move to another East Bay city. And it wasn't that people weren't hooking up there, heck even the senior pastor there used his position as pastor, the church and private school to target his underage female side activities. I tend to connect and communicate with those church attending female counter-parts who supposedly placed a priority on focusing more about God and less on pursuing a dating relationship.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />At least that was THEIR excuse.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Truth is, if they wanted to, they would've did what they wanted to do. The "God" thing was merely a polite way of turning someone down. On top of that, inquiring about one's relational status openly in a church setting was regularly frowned upon. Hell, several years back, I attended a church of a young up and coming pastor whose wife loved her thong style lingerie. Of course I don't remember a damn thing <em><b>HE</b></em> said during the service. I do remember what<em> <b>SHE</b></em> wore at church services. And it wasn't like I could really discuss the matter with someone nearby me. 1) I could get frowned upon again 2) If I asked another guy about whether or not it was appropriate to notice, if he didn't notice, he eventually would and that would get another guy is the same predicament. 3) People at church talk. Last thing I needed was chatter about me for future visits. Truth be told, as a whole, most ministers and pastors are married to MILFs. I suppose that because the entire family is unnecessarily placed under some judgmental microscope, there's a pressure and expectation for the spouses of the minister to "present themselves" more. That thong was just a bonus. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />Discussing about anything <em>EXCEPT sex</em> could perhaps be a deterrent to regular church attendance from some people. It's the "pink elephant" people are attempting to ignore. Yet I would have the say that of all the scandals involving ministers, sex related situations seem to top it. Should anyone be surprised? There's no dialogue, no outlet, no acknowledgement, no way to express a topic that's so clearly there.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />I recall during a Salvation Army service that highlighted their Summer Service Corps program, one of the (very hot and attractive) Summer Service Corps alumni shared her testimony about her sexual struggles and addictions and our corps council members (elder board) commended her on sharing something so personal and private, and how brave she was for her openness. They also invited us to reach out to them (the whole team who presented) after the conclusion of service. So I did reach out to...HER! Just when we were talking about our respective different spiritual struggles, we began to hit on the topic of relationship status. That's when the officer's (pastor) wife chimed in and took her off to "meet other folks" and re-directed her away. (Actuality, she was not "the pastor's wife," as she was co-equal in position. That's one credit I have to hand The Salvation Army) So I applied to the Summer Service Corps program a year afterwards! I was accepted to teach English in Asia during the summer. That was one trip that I was on my best behavior and abstained from sex. I had to finally forgive myself recently (that trip was the summer of 1997) because I felt that I "wasted" a trip to Asia because of the lack of sex. In subsequent trips to Asia in the past 10 years, I did my best to make up for that lost opportunity. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />Lets face it, people attend church to meet other people. This whole notion that sex with someone other than their spouse needs a much deeper dialogue than "well God forbids it." So what? God supposedly forbids a lot of other stuff too. And not to harp on anything, nowhere in the Bible did God forbid cannabis. Not that I"m an advocate for such activities, but this whole notion that it's bad is none of the business of the church.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />So going back to the sex thing.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />While I was attending a church called the Journey, based out of San Francisco, I participated in a goal-setting program that gave a time frame to achieve 4 different goals: Physical, Monetary/Career, Relationship, and Spiritual. On my spiritual goal, I decided that I'll have 12 new guests to my church on a Sunday service within a 90 day period. Basically, I'll have 1 new guest per week to attend church with me. Criteria: they have not visited a church in over 1 year or longer; preferably someone who's never step foot in a church before.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />One of my friends, a transplant from New York, decided to accompany me to church. The Journey San Francisco at that time leased space at a concert/weekend night club location in the central part of SF. During the service, the pastor came out and did his kvetching. My friend could not contain his laughter to the point that he left the main room briefly to compose himself. Other members looked towards me, wondering what that was about. Finally when church service concluded, he explained everything to me.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />My friend was a freelance bartender who worked on the weekends. The reason why he agreed to attend that particular service was because he was assigned to tend bar at that same location the night before. He had friends in security who allowed him to crash somewhere in the lobby until the next morning. The reason why he lost composure was because the stage area where the pastor was leading was apparently the "designated fisting section" the night before. He basically couldn't get the visuals out of his head during the pastor's talk on "purity." I had to admit, he needed to explain to me what "<a href="http://simple.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fisting" target="_blank">fisting</a>" was. After that, I too had trouble attending services at The Journey afterwards as I futilely attempted to get the visuals out of my head.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />Several Easters ago, I attended a church's traditional Passion Play. That's when the drama department of most churches do the first of their two annual performances for the year. (The second being the Christmas play) The Passion play depicts the trial of Jesus all the way to the Resurrection of Jesus, so there's a heavy emphasis on the physical torture of Jesus. Needless to say, those scenes are notorious for evoking heavy emotions for the audience members. Many members of the audience are conducting their personal "re-commitment back to God(Jesus)" or even some of them are making a commitment for the first time. The person playing Jesus is scantily-clad, covered in artificial blood, carrying a heavy wooden plank on his shoulders. One or two people are dressed in Roman soldier costumes following Jesus and re-enacting a torture scene while walking through the intricate aisles of the church. No, they do not re-enact this scene on the stage, they are up-close and personal to the audience. (It's by design) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />So what does this have to do with the sex topic?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />After that most recently viewing of the Passion Play several years back, I resolved to not view anymore of such display. No it wasn't the repentant emotion that was evoked. No, it wasn't guilt either. You see, after I noticed that the prop the Roman soldiers were using to "torture" Jesus was a whip designed for bondage and S and M activities, I completely lost it.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />Yes, I couldn't stop my laughter while everyone else was crying, some even bawling.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />Here I was in this situation where I couldn't really turn to someone else and point out the fact that I saw the exact same whip at these stores in San Francisco called <a href="http://www.stormyleather.com/subcatmfgprod.asp?0=335&1=336&2=-1">Stormy Leather</a>, and <a href="http://www.goodvibes.com/display_category.jhtml?id=catalog70002_cat38019&navCount=0&navAction=jump">Good Vibrations</a>. It was sort of a similar situation as<em> "observing"</em> the under attire of that minister's MILFy wife. So I laughed. Actually I covered my mouth with both hands and ran out of the sanctuary, and apparently that gesture was completely misread by the ushers who followed me out to make sure I was "OK." It was similar to when my friend visited The Journey and had a similar reaction to that whole "fisting" thing. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />So for churches and meeting women, its such a low percentage for me. Like I said at first, I've only met ONE single person at a church setting after almost 20 years of church going that resulted in sex. Of all the institutions that gave me the highest probability of "companionship," it was school.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br />I guess it's time to re-apply to grad school!</span></div>
Jarretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403419253147836131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918932764923540709.post-23805306384603896322014-06-07T13:31:00.001-07:002014-06-11T00:28:41.930-07:00Center for Spiritual White Elephant SalesIt’s no secret that during that last three years, I was undergoing a shift of personal spiritual practice and beliefs. It’s not that I no longer believe in The Bible, it’s more that I’ve expanded my approach of how I study and apply the reading of it in my life. Even when I was active in my past churches, I’ve always questioned the validity of what was taught. I looked at the history and compared Scripture to other forms of Holy doctrines, looking for similarities rather than dwelling on the differences. After all, if focusing on the differences created the world we currently live in now, how is that working for us?<br />
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What I’ve been studying has been called many different names: New Thought, New Thought Christianity, (hey, they needed to sub-categorize “New Thought”) Practical Christianity, Christian Metaphysics, Metaphysical Christianity, and simply “Truth” with a capital ‘T.’ The three main branches of New Thought are Unity, Divine Science, and Religious Science. Divine Science dwindled out over the years since its inception back in 1888, and both Unity and Religious Science underwent a “branding makeover” within the last five years. Hence my confusion upon taking research into their teachings. Both changed their name to “Spiritual Center” or “Center of Spiritual Living.” As a whole, they eliminated “Church” in their name. So hypothetically, what was once a “Unity Church of Oakland” would become a “Unity Spiritual Center of Oakland.” (I use this example because there’s no such place in Oakland; what was once a Unity of Oakland is now Lakeside Temple of Practical Christianity)<br />
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I attend a Unity Church located in Castro Valley, California. They have still kept the name “Unity Church” as the minister there was not “qualified” to participate in the (re)branding process. Their bylaws, mostly unchanged since the inception of the church stated purpose was to create a “healing ministry to perpetuate and teach Practical Christianity as taught by The Unity School of Practical Christianity.” I suppose that one of a possible loophole to change that is the fact that there’s no longer such an institution called “Unity School of Practical Christianity.” This was part of the branding process to rename them from USPC to “Unity Institute.” Prior to that, I visited several renamed “Unity Spiritual Centers” throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. To say I left those locations confused was an understatement.<br />
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I was introduced to New Thought in 1995, or even earlier than that. It really depends on whether or not you feel that the personal development industry is part of New Thought. If so, then I was introduced to aspect of it back in 1993, otherwise it was when I bought a book called <b><i>Transform Your Life </i></b>by Barbara L. King in May of 1995. At that time, I began to attend church and really did not know how to read my Bible. That book helped me transition from attending marketing and personal growth seminars to church life. Because the church I attended at the time was more mainstream and evangelical and because the book was a New Thought book, I was discouraged from studying the book further.<br />
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From 1995 onwards, church life was an important part of my life. That was until 2005 when my mother passed away. Then it felt as if the ground was taken from underneath me. I still attended church, but I found myself bouncing around from one church to the other.<br />
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Eventually in 2007 I contacted another personal development group and went on one of their retreats. Then I was introduced to another personal development teacher who recommended another and then another until one of those instructors shared a recommended reading list. The reading list included a book by Eric Butterworth called <b><i>Discover The Power Within You</i></b>. After reading that book, I looked for other books by Butterworth. Then it was books by Catherine Ponder. Then it was Emmet Fox. After reading their author’s bio in their respective books, I kept seeing “Unity,” so that’s when I decided to visit a Unity “Church.” So here I was visiting these “Unity <b>CENTERS</b>” and inquiring about books by those authors. One specific bookstore located in the “center” never heard of those authors, and the person working there never knew who Charles Fillmore was which meant books written by them were obviously not available. I was then asked if I was interested in purchasing any books written by Abraham Hicks.<br />
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Throughout the years of attending New Thought centers beginning in 2011, I found myself attempting to participate as much as possible with the activities sponsored by the centers. Little did I know, I was actually drifting away from what caught my attention when I read the works of the aforementioned authors. First off, one of the Unity Centers held a weekly Oneness Blessing in lieu of a mid-week study group. I initially attended that on a regular basis throughout 2011 and 2012. It was just that the group was more clique-ish than other past mainstream churches who left a sour taste in my mouth when I visited them. Another time was visiting a Unity center who hosted a self-proclaimed “shaman” as a guest speaker for their <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1264813606" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span> service. If I were to visit a Unity location on a <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1264813607" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span>, they usually open up with a “we honor all the many paths to God,” so I waited patiently for that moment where someone, hopefully the minister and/or spiritual leader, to share a message consistent with the teachings of Fillmore, Butterworth, Ponder, or Emmet Fox even though he was a Divine Science minister. The closest semblance to anything Unity was the reading of The Daily Word. During those times, I was beginning to conclude that I was attending a Unitarian or there was another denomination named Unity.<br />
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After familiarizing myself with the writings of Ponder, Fillmore, Butterworth, and Fox, I began to inquire about taking courses from The Unity School of Practical Christianity. I learned that the program I was interested in no longer existed and that they were no longer Unity School of Practical Christianity. I corresponded with the admissions director briefly stating the reason why I was interested in taking the program that they just eliminated. I expressed interest in teaching Practical Christianity in Oakland and in Singapore. I inquired about the change and why they were no longer School of Practical Christianity. The director not only eluded to answer the question, but he made a random comment that Seicho No Ie (I didn't know what Seicho No Ie was at that time) is based out of Japan. At that point I lost all interest in taking any courses from Unity.<br />
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I didn’t think finding a location to teach what was taught by the older New Thought authors would be such a challenge. It was. My initial impression of the New Thought centers that I visited was that anything goes regarding the <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1264813608" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">Sunday</span></span> message and center teachings so long as the bookstore has an inventory of those authors with the exception of that one Unity bookstore who had never heard of any of the authors I mentioned. I contacted several Unity Practical Christianity churches who were still listed as a church on their respective websites. Their responses were somewhat curt and it seemed that they didn’t want to be bothered as I had no intention of visiting their location since they were normally located outside of California. <br />
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I started blogging about my confusion and frustration while continuing to purchase and study books. Someone contacted me on my blog that if I was looking to study Practical Christianity, she suggested contacting the Universal Foundation for Better Living, which I later found out that they were once a Unity organization. Shortly afterwards, I learned they were the link between Dr Barbara L King and Unity. Actually that “link” was the founder, Johnnie Colemon.<br />
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Eventually towards the end of 2011, I came across the Unity Castro Valley website. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to visit there since I lived all the way out in Daly City which was about a 45 minute drive away, and I didn’t want to go all the way there just to leave disappointed. Luckily for me, the sermons (they still called their messages “sermons”) were transcribed and provided for on their website. There was a reference to The Bible, quotes from one of the instructors I taken a course from (Debbie Ford), Charles Fillmore, and Eric Butterworth. I visited them that <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_1264813609" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">next Sunday</span></span>. Upon arrival, I realized I was one of the youngest attendee, and everyone there knew each other because the attendance averaged 12-15 regulars.<br />
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What exactly appealed to me about New Thought as opposed to the former theological paradigm that I followed for years? First off, “God out there” versus “God within.” Secondly, the concept of practicing and learning the form of spirituality that Jesus taught and practiced himself versus the whole notion of a doctrine and dogma that instead worships Jesus. (Quick note on that object of worship: Notice that in the New Testament, only one entity other than God said to worship him and it wasn’t Jesus.) Another appeal is that it focuses on the “here and now” as opposed to the “pie in the sky” afterlife. Lastly, what appealed to me most was the notion that humanity was “created in the image and likeness of God,” so we all possess an inner Divine Christ-self(which is the first description of man in Genesis) as opposed to the “miserable sinner, saved by grace” notion as espoused by the mainstream Christians.<br />
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So if one of the main premises of New Thought is this inner Divinity of humanity, then so long as we practice what Jesus taught, then we should be doing “even greater works” than Jesus. People would often read and look for cryptic messages from The Bible. If anything, the concept of “God within” has so many Biblical “hints,” many by Jesus himself, but go further back to Moses when Moses asked God what he should call God. Remember God’s response? “I AM.” What was the first thing said in the 10 Commandments? “I AM.” What got the Pharisees motivated to put a contract on Jesus? “I AM.”<br />
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I bring this up because after attending different Unity centers for several years, I’ve observed a few things that caused me to step back and pause for a moment. I stated I once regularly participated in the Oneness Blessing at one of the Unity centers, and about a year ago, I took a one-day course on how to give a “Wholeness Blessing.” Over the course of attending Unity and Centers for Spiritual Living, I’ve participated in sound bowl healing, angel therapy, the aforementioned blessings, reading material from people who channel, and lastly, preparing myself for the 2012 Mayan Calendar conclusion. All were under the guise of the “many paths to God” proclamation, and therefore, the materials were accepted as “compatible” with the Unity and other New Thought teachings.<br />
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REALLY???<br />
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As I take a closer look at all the peripheral teachings, I have to ask one question: if I’m Divinely created in the Image of God, and therefore have all attributes of God, at which point can I choose out of participating in those teachings and rely upon my own Divine nature? Let’s go back to that incident where I visited that Unity bookstore where the person was promoting the sale of the Abraham Hicks books. I know that many people benefitted from Abraham’s wisdom and insights and have transformed their lives as a result, including those who attend services at their respective New Thought centers on a regular basis. But that’s the paradox. We attend New Thought service to learn to connect with our inner Divine God self within. (In many cases for those like myself, we're really “<b>UN-LEARNING</b>” past dogma) So for those who keep leaning on Abraham, Sri Bhagavan, or Archangel _____, when will you learn to lean on you? YOUR I AM? YOUR Inner Divine Christ? I do not question whether or not someone benefited from participating, but think about this: has it ever occurred to folks who attend New Thought centers and see declining attendance numbers that the reason for those declining numbers is perhaps there aren’t enough people going within to their own Divinity and relying more on these supposed “complimentary teachings?” Has anyone ever made that connection, thought that such a connection is possible, or is that too much of a sacred “cash cow” for some of those centers?<br />
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I don’t know much about the branding process that both Unity and Religious Science underwent other than the confusion that I personally endured as I looked for locations committed to teaching what I became interested in learning. Since I don't study very much Ernest Holmes material other than sections of the <b><i>Science of Mind Textbook</i></b>, I’m less familiar with the process Religious Science underwent as they transformed into The Center for Spiritual Living. As for Unity, based on what was initially taught and the materials used, the change was more of an eyebrow raiser. My take on this situation: Not only is Inner Divine Christ taught at Unity and in New Thought in general, (for some New Thought branches, even when they take the “Jesus” and “Christ” out, the core teaching is still there) another Universal law taught is The “Law of Attraction.” The Law of Attraction wasn’t some theory made-up by the New Thought authors, it was simply explained more thoroughly. After all, Universal Law is timeless. Contrary to mainstream Christian dogma, LOA IS taught in the Bible. It just wasn’t called “Law of Attraction.” What does all this have to do with the branding process? Well around 2005-07 with the success of independent films like <b><i>The Secret</i></b>, and <b><i>What the Bleep Do We Know</i></b>, the Law of Attraction became en vogue not only in the States, but worldwide. The personal development industry received a spike in demand, and all of the sudden, Law of Attraction Wealth Building, New Age, urban shamans, and energy healing gurus came out of the woodwork. Oh and speaking of “New Age,” please note: (Mainstream Christians I’m talking to you especially)<br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
<b><i>NEW AGE IS NOT NEW THOUGHT AND VICE VERSA</i></b><br />
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(Then again, I shouldn’t single out just mainstream Christians with that statement. I take that back. Not just mainstream Christians, but New Agers who feel entitled that the New Thought centers they attend OWE them a space and forum)<br />
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Anyhow, going back to what I was talking about. So because of the popularity of <b><i>The Secret</i></b> and this sudden mini-renaissance of old New Thought authors who focused on applying spiritual principles to material wealth and business, guess who wanted to ride that wave of new-found popularity? Yup, our beloved New Thought centers! They just made one fatal mistake in all this: instead of appealing to the public that <b><i>The Secret</i></b> is a part of New Thought teachings, they attempted to squeeze all of New Thought into the package of <b><i>The Secret</i></b>. I likened the situation of how New Thought criticized mainstream Christianity about appealing to a “God out there” versus to the “God within,” and getting things reversed. This branding process seemed to reverse things.<br />
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I spent the last fifteen years working on my acting craft and twenty-five plus years in traditional Chinese martial arts and lion dancing. What I learned from both performing arts is the importance of really cementing the basic fundamental foundation. It get’s hammered over and over. In acting, it’s about developing voice, awareness, and bodily movement. In martial arts and lion dancing, it’s about stance work. Fancy blocking and punching combos are ineffective if the stance isn’t developed. Likewise, entering a New Thought facility with an expectation of learning the fundamentals of New Thought teaching should be a given and not something to catch the center's spiritual leader off guard. Are you an initiate of a shaman located in Costa Rica? Congratulations. Are you a Reiki healer? That’s great; I practice a hard form of hay gung.(qi gong) You graduated from Oneness University? Welcome back to the United States. Are you a certified A Course in Miracles instructor? Great, I enjoyed the film <i><b>Admissions</b></i>. The bottom line is that if a person were to read material from Fillmore, Fox,(yes, he's Divine Science) Butterworth, or Cady and decide to attend a Sunday service hosted by a New Thought center such as Unity, and the presentation was based on shamanism, energy healing, angel therapy, or even ACIM, wouldn't they leave questioning themselves whether or not they visited the correct location? <br />
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I met this lady who visits our Unity church. She attends more than one New Thought center within her location and decides which service to attend based on the bulletin announcement of what is going to be presented at future services. She explained that whenever a church or center announces a "guest speaker," she found herself weary of attending because in most cases the guest would discuss or present something other than New Thought. She even shared that if she didn't feel confident enough that the locations nearby her would present something consistent with New Thought, she'd go to the local Christian Science service because she knows that she'll receive foundation block teachings. <br />
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Now don't get me wrong, I'm not saying to not teach such materials. I'm saying that to hold a Oneness Blessing in lieu of a mid-week service is a detriment to your congregants. If you hold a Sunday school during church or after church service, the topics should be Biblically based, or at the very least, based on one of the New Thought authors and/or their teachings. Sunday school should not be a forum to hold a crystal energy healing workshop, a moon and sun energetic shift consciousness course, an in-depth Abraham Hicks study, or Reiki sessions. If you choose to provide a space or forum for such materials to be presented, then do so; hey, you could even include it in the church bulletin and announcements, but in no way should that be an official church or center sanctioned event. <br />
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Lastly, please don't throw any of the pioneering teachers and authors of New Thought under a metaphorical bus. Even as a newcomer, whenever an announcement is made about learning the latest and greatest energetic spiritual zapping modality, and the presenter makes some sort of comment that "if Fillmore or Butterworth were still alive, they'd approve of this," I can smell the inconsistent-incongruent B.S.Jarretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403419253147836131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918932764923540709.post-79989314984960509402014-04-23T20:39:00.001-07:002014-04-25T00:42:46.539-07:00Why I No Longer Identify Myself as ChristianNow before anyone gets all butt-hurt and bent out of shape, hear me out. This has been a long time coming since 2000. My spiritual life has always been and always will be an ongoing evolving process as it should be. <br />
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During a Campus Crusade for Christ meeting at CSU Hayward, I found myself in heated discussions with the members to where it eventually became an unofficial pissing contest of who read The Bible from cover to cover the most and/or who served whom under what capacity or who could retain the most memorized verses from Scripture. One of those heated discussion was after an email was forwarded and shared from a supposed member of Wedgewood Baptist Church which had been the scene of a mass church shooting. I objected to the 8-12 printed pages read aloud to the group as the list of prayer request had excluded the perpetrator, Larry Gene Ashbrook and the surviving members of his family. I attempted to quote from Romans 12 about praying and blessing those who persecute, and because I was unable to quote word-for-word verbatim, I was accused of not knowing what I was talking about. Then the leader began to quote different Bible verses in a taunting manner after he singled me out in front of the entire group that I needed to "fast" (go w/o food) for 2 days. I told him that back then I did have a fasting practice. He then quoted another verse about "known by the fruits," and that I "lacked fruit." At that point the temptation to outdo Ashbrook toward that group passed through my mind. That was back in 1999-2000.<br />
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Actually those years from 1998 through 2011 had been nothing short of tumultuous regarding church life. The rare years of growth and stability (for those of you who adhere to the belief that “growth” and “stability” cannot co-exist, I’m referring to “stability,” meaning I didn't want to knock the living crap out of people at church and beyond) existed from 2000 through the middle of 2005 thanks in large part to both mentors Peter and “Dr. Dave.” That and therapist Dr Wyatt enabled me to experience “grace” as defined in The Bible. Once Venture ministry began to deteriorate in the aftermath of the migration of Dr. Dave and Peter to a church in Austin, (Summer of 2005, when my mom passed) I began a journey of spiritual instability, or what The Journey’s Pastor Chris Brady described as being a “spiritual orphan.”<br />
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In Pastor Chris’ eyes and amongst many Christians, not having an official membership with a local church body isn’t just being a “spiritual orphan,” but is considered a “sin.” Take a closer look at the church’s financial reliance on stable membership and membership tithing. Could that be a reason why the pastor would declare “sin” for someone who doesn’t declare membership? I recall being at a church service in Singapore where it was learned by the prayer minister that I wasn’t a member of any church back home in the States nor in Singapore. The minister offered to pray for my “sinfulness.” I was offended and shared my dismay with my Singaporean Sis, Jojo who defended his declaration. I shouldn't be offended by a church where their leader's official title is "<i>Apostle.</i>" (I've honestly slipped and referred to him as "Impostor" on occasion. Of course that was prevalent after the said incident. Passive aggressive behavior? Whoops, my bad!) That’s when I learned that it was considered a “sin” to not have a church membership. <br />
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I’ve extensively ranted and lamented on how a Christian organization like The Salvation Army operated to the point where I was convinced that I experienced some PTSD symptoms during the Holidays when I heard the bell ringing outside the stores. It saddened me to see people who loved God and wanted to serve God become so jaded after serving in the capacity as an officer (pastoral level) for The Salvation Army. It was more disheartening to witness those who left their respected position, alienated, shunned, and/or ridiculed by current members and staff of The Salvation Army. Yet every Holiday Season, they put forth a do-gooder image. I considered them as a foundational building block to my spiritual life, yet when it was all said and done, I find myself currently having to unlearn, let-go, and forgive them. Amongst some of their practices to unlearn was their “Self-Denial” campaign which reinforces a scarcity mentality. The concept is to “self-deny” a regular item (like coffee, or meals) and donate the proceeds from not purchasing such item(s) to charity. (i.e. The Salvation Army) For example under the campaign, my daily coffee during the workweek is $3 a day, Monday through Fridays. That’s $15 a week. So let’s say the “Self Denial” campaign is a 6-week program, so at $15 a week for 6 weeks, at the end of the campaign, I’m expected to donate an amount of $90 because I abstained from purchasing coffee during those 6 weeks. In other words the campaign reinforces the false belief that in order for someone to have something, I must give up or “sacrifice” something in order for them to receive. From a theological standpoint, the program, which is a common practice in The Salvation Army, teaches and reinforces that there is no abundance. <br />
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If we are truly created “in the image and likeness of God” as Genesis 1:26-27, then why was/is it necessary to “accept Jesus as Lord and Savior,” AKA “The Sinner’s Prayer?” The church that led me in that prayer while I was a 3rd grader, was a Chinese based church ran by a senior pastor who was of Native American and white descent. He laid down the “fire and brimstone” over the “sinful” nature of “Chinese culture.” He laid down the “fire and brimstone” against “sexual immorality and impurity.” Little did we know that he had an Asian fetish. He was into underaged Chinese girls. You see, that church eventually expanded into a private Christian school “serving the needs” of the Chinese East Bay Christian community. What eventually came out was that their “beloved” pastor profiled and targeted specific female students of that school. The girls singled out were students of the school, who was known to have specific challenges at home, and whose parents hardly knew a lick of English. He'd call those girls in from class for "<i>pastoral counseling.</i>" Unfortunately when this came to light and past students came forward, members of that church blamed the girls and defended the pastor. Quite frankly, I don't think that pastor got his just due consequences for his actions. <br />
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Others split from that church not because of the scandal itself, but because of their eventual choice of selecting a replacement senior pastor who was of Chinese descent. Yes, this was/is a church serving the Chinese community. It was just that the sentiment amongst specific Chinese Christians is that they feel “better led” by a “more Christian” leader. (ie, WHITE) It’s unfortunate but American Christians while ministering to people of color, tend to “culture-shame” those community members they’re supposedly “serving and saving.” I’ve voiced my piece regarding that in light of the Rick Warren incident when he publicly demeaned and performed an offensive caricature of Asians while a certain contingency of defenders including those cultured shamed Asians came out of the woodworks. I described such a group on my blog as “Asian House Negroes.” Either God so loved the world, or God doesn’t. And the last time I checked, “the world” included every nationality, every culture, so this culture-shaming done “in the Name of God” needs to be stopped “By Any Means Necessary.” (Another advantage of not identifying myself as a so-called Christian is the freedom <b>TO CHOOSE</b> and identify Malcolm X as a true to life prophet!) <br />
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What I’m unable to figure out and wrap around my head is the premise of our U.S. Constitution regarding “separation of Church and State.” Is it a “two-way” street, meaning the State must allow autonomy for the religious institutions and not have any control over them, and likewise the religious institution and leaders must allow the state to be run without religious interference? If that’d be the case, then this whole notion about legally defining marriages should be mute. In a democracy, let the voters decide. End of story. What sickens me is seeing religious institutions, mostly Christians, placing curses and public backlashes against the government for functioning as it was designed to function. On the other end of the spectrum, the left condemns the religious groups for the self perceived lack of intolerance, yet they display zero to no tolerance for those who openly expresses their own personal beliefs. Case in point, the recent resignation of the Mozilla Firefox CEO Brenden Eich is the most current example of tolerance hypocrisy. As long as the CEO was not creating policy or influencing company policy based on his own personal beliefs, who or what he voted for and supported politically is none of anyone’s damn business. OK Cupids overstepping of their boundaries makes them appear like some entitled piece of crap pretentious intolerant hypocrites. Does their dating service actually work? I wouldn't know since I chose not to give them a fuckin dime.<br />
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Speaking of “Church and State,” here’s my other main sentiment of my decision to no longer identify my spirituality as “Christian.” The premise, foundational, doctrinal basic beliefs of the mainstream Christian Catholic and Protestant denominations are based on 7 religious councils. The first two Councils: Nicaea in 325 CE and Constantinople in 381 CE were sponsored by Constantine himself. You cannot convince me that he did not have a hand on the decision making process. I’m supposed to base my entire spiritual belief, life, and practice based on a set of standards that was voted for, and decided by a group who were influenced by a political leader with his own selfish personal and political agenda??? Bull-fucken-shit! I’m supposed to base my faith, connect with and condemn other people based on whether or not they agree or disagree with that premise? On top of everything else, one of the first premise agreed upon on all 7 councils was the authority placed upon the canonical scriptures, which during those council sessions, was hand-picked and interpreted accordingly. Yet, through inaccurate translations and interpretations over the last 1800 years and different languages, I’m expected to take it as absolute law. That’s why I have more than one translation of The Bible. That's why I've been opened to reading other holy canons from other faiths like The Upanishads, or studying materials like Rumi. That’s why I question everything told to me through someone who was appointed by someone else as some sort of authority on what The Bible means. Hell, even the New Thought based theology that I’ve embraced and accepted these past three years goes under my own personal scrutiny. I no longer blindly accept something at face value solely because the person in the pulpit or the person who wrote the last NY Times best seller told me so.<br />
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So call me a hypocrite or ironic or paradoxical. Hell, call me a heretic. I'm choosing to educate the masses on New Though theology with my decision to study and submitting myself for ministerial candidacy in the New Thought institutions. Being accused as a heretic and a hell bound cult leader comes with the territory. <br />
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One of the main organization in New Thought is undergoing a debate/crossroad at the moment of whether or not to continue to identify themselves as a “Christian” organization. You would think that with the title of this posting and because of my interest in candidacy, I’d opt for them to drop the Christian label. Ironically, I'm actually against it. You see the way they have it set up, if they were to do such a procedure, they’d drop all their earlier fundamental teachings that established themselves in the first place. In other words, study materials and practices that their founders and their more famous figures within that organization created and shared would be dropped along with the label. Or those materials (studying) would merely be presented as a footnote. (Classic case of an example of throwing the baby out with the bathwater) As of now, New Thought, or Practical Christianity is presented with the materials of how to study, interpret and apply the Bible in a way that they differentiate between practicing a form of spirituality that Jesus practiced versus following a form of spirituality or religion that worships Jesus. If practicing and studying the form of spirituality that Jesus practiced and taught is the definition of a Christian, then yes, I identify myself as that. However in the proposal of dropping the Christian label, even that becomes more in the background and afterthought while embracing a smorgasbord of different religious and spiritual practices that’s presented more in the forefront. I wouldn’t identify myself as that either. If it was Jesus’ intent to “make disciples,” then logically speaking, it makes more sense to practice the form of spirituality that Jesus taught and practiced rather than practice a religion pieced together by councils that met hundreds of years after Jesus graced this planet. Unfortunately, those who practice the latter are identified as “Christians” and hence my reservations of choosing to be in that same category.<br />
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Besides...<br />
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If Jesus himself wasn’t a Christian, why should I be?Jarretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403419253147836131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918932764923540709.post-22360226281819946842013-11-27T03:24:00.001-08:002014-04-25T01:09:20.126-07:00Malcolm X's "House Negro vs Field Negro"Before beginning reading this entry, it's better to listen to Malcolm X's speech before going any further. There's no point reading this posting and not knowing what I'm talking about.<br />
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So what does this speech have to do with spirituality? Lots. This is not a pragmatic compare and contrast between conventional Christian versus Islam ideology in the Black Community. This speech was made some 50 years ago, and the majority would argue that this speech is irrelevant now that we have a Black President in office. Not only do I beg to differ, but I want to venture out and say that this isn't only applicable to the African American community, but all ethnic communities of color still being marginalized by White AmeriKKKa. <br />
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As a person of Asian descent, I know squarely and clearly that Asians are too divided along the "House" and the "Fields." It's just that the House Asians, (mostly females) didn't just make it into "Master's House" but also into "Master's Bedroom." (Both figuratively and literally) <br />
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Wait, so what does this have to do with spirituality? <br />
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First off, after the incident involving Pastor Rick Warren, there was a constituent of Asian Christians who protested against the coalition of Asian pastors who demanded/requested a formal apology from Warren. Their response was basically that because Warren has done so much for the Kingdom of God, he has no need to apologize and on top of that, as Christians, the Asian pastors failed in the example by "not forgiving" Warren.<br />
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Sickening<br />
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Truth be told, not only do Asian House Negros exist in the Christian Church, the Christian Church basically serves as an incubator for the development of AHN. Utilizing the urgency to "save souls" of the "heathen Asian culture," the Church has placed themselves into the position of power by placing an entire community based on their ethnicity and culture to "be saved." Consequently they leave the community of believers with an excessive amount of guilt because of their ethnic and cultural background. <br />
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The good news about the Pastor Rick Warren incident is that it sheds light to a problem that no one is willing to talk about. <br />
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Actually doesn't have the Cojones to bring up. <br />
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One of the strength of Asian ideology (call is Confucianism or Zen, or Tao, whatever) is the fact of the capability to make the best of a situation, flow with it, and be able to adapt with little to no resistance to the situation, regardless of challenges or difficulties that situation presents.<br />
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It can be a strength as well as weakness. <br />
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Can you see how a community can be exploited with such a mentality?<br />
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One of my professors with a Jewish background pointed out to us in class about how language and words can influence a culture. He cited the Yiddish term, "<i style="font-weight: bold;">chutzpah</i>" as an example. He said without that term, the Jewish community coping mechanism to institutional discrimination would've been compromised. Conversely he pointed out that especially in the Chinese culture, no such word or term exist in the Chinese language (both Mandarin and Cantonese) and the closest term is presented as a negative trait. <br />
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So I'll be the first to admit that my ethnic background lacks <b><i>"chutzpah." </i></b><br />
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So when missionaries or church leaders approach their Asian souls to "save," there's very little resistance or questioning about whether their theology is correct or not. "Heathen culture?" Guilty. "Idolatry?" Guilty. One former Sunday school teacher told me how he broke ties from his family because they still practiced the gravesite visitation as observed on the Chinese calendar. Buddhism, folk religion, Shintoism, Taoism, and Confucianism are all considered "satanic." <br />
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And the Typical Asian House Negro Christian replies, "Forgive me Father, for I have sinned."<br />
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Before I go any further, there needs to be come clarifications:<br />
1) Not all Christians are abusing the Name of God to elevate their social positions.<br />
2) Not all Asian Christians are Asian House Negros. <br />
3) Conversely, not all Asian House Negros are Christians.<br />
4) Lastly, "House Negro(s)" aren't necessarily black.<br />
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I grew up in the San Francisco Bay Area, specifically in the Oakland/East Bay. Not only was there a significant Asian population, but there were a lot of different churches serving the Asian communities in various capacity. What I've witness and experienced this past 20 years in a church setting had factored in my decision to radically change my theological paradigm during the past 3 years.<br />
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Some highlights (or low) regarding race-relations within the Church:<br />
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While training in the L.A. area during the summer of 1999, I attended a singles event sponsored by a prominent Asian American church in Rosemead. The keynote speaker was a doctor in psychology whose topic was "Christian Mental Health Professional Take on Inter-Racial Dating and Relationships." The newlywed PsyD speaker raged on how it was "God's will" and "God's gift" that she married a caucasian and how disastrous the attempted courtship by a person of her shared ethnic background was prior to her marriage. Upon further discussion in the group, the dialogue evolved into why the majority of the women present were not interested in dating Asian men.<br />
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I chimed in. (whoops)<br />
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I shared with the group my dismay that the discussion is about inter-racial dating, yet only two specific ethnic groups were singled out in the discussion. When asked (prodded actually) if I had dated other races, I replied "yes." When prodded even further of whether or not "the other races" weren't caucasian, I again answered, "yes." Finally, one of the women asked me, "don't tell me you actually went out with someone <b>black???</b>" Again, I answered "yes." The three women who were sharing the same table as me moved to different tables. As they moved, overheard was "wow, <b>THAT </b>desperate." <br />
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Mind you, this was a <i style="font-weight: bold;">church sponsored event</i>.<br />
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In 2001, I attended a mixer for "Christian artists." The host was a member of one of the largest churches in San Francisco. In fact, any young adult who attended church in San Francisco would've at some point attended this popular church in The Mission. As we were getting acquainted, we learned that we knew a mutual person and confirmed his whereabouts. "Yeah, he went to Vietnam," he told me. "Oh, for some reason, my other friend said he was traveling to the Philippines," I replied. "Ahh, Vietnam, Philippines, all those people are the same," he snapped. I told him that comment was offensive and demanded an apology. He pointed out to me that he was the host and I was at his house. Later on, the young lady he was apparently dating whom he met at his church asked me to leave. Yep, she was Asian. <br />
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Needless to say, I wasn't part of that art group. <br />
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One of the first churches I attended was in Oakland prior to their move to San Leandro. I was in the 3rd and 4th grade while attending there. (Late 1970s) Eventually, they felt that the children needed a better education so they started their own church-sponsored private school. <br />
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It was during one of their event that I "accepted Christ," so it was expected that I would be a prime candidate to be one of their first batch of students. My mother was adamant that I continue to attend my regular school and not theirs. It would be years later before I learned of the reason why. Actually I would learn of her distaste for that specific church after her death in 2005. (more later)<br />
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What made this church stand out amongst all the churches serving the Chinese community was the fact that 1) they ran their own private school, 2) their pastor was NOT Chinese, and 3) their size and the fact they were not located in the immediate Oakland Chinatown area. Once they grew out of their Oakland location, they expanded at their new location. <br />
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In the mid-1990s it came to light that the pastor of the church profiled specific female students at their private school and arranged for "special pastoral counseling" with them. He made sure that the students' parents' first language wasn't English. He made sure there was turmoil in the home. He targeted female students with "disciplinary issues" at the school. <br />
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In spite of the fact that some of the students came forward, no a single peep from the press and/or local media, and worse, no charges were filed against the pastor.<br />
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Remember what I said about culture of adapting to challenging situation without resistance? That's basically what happened. The church was too big and too central to the community, so things were kept hushed hush. <br />
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As bad as it was, the aftermath was just as bad.<br />
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The replacement pastor was Chinese. A group who felt that they would be "better shepherded" by someone "more Godly," (ie, caucasian) eventually split from the church to form their own church, and found their "more appropriate pastor." <br />
<br />
You think this was some sort of a church soap opera. But it's apparently just a typical day in da 510.<br />
<br />
Oh so let's go back to "Mom..."<br />
<br />
After my mother passed away in the Summer of 2005, my sister and I cleared out her personal belongings. She kept intricate records of every family activities. My sister was part of a drum corps in Oakland while I was growing up, and my mother was one of the parent directors of the group. Part of her responsibilities was to contact all community groups in the immediate Oakland area. That included the aforementioned church. For some reason, she kept a reply from THAT PASTOR addressed to her. In it, he scolded my mother for "being inconsiderate" to invite them to an event held on Sunday, and he "respectfully requested," that my mother should "cease leading his followers astray," and finally to "show more respect to God and Sundays." <br />
<br />
So Pastor, I formally apologize that my mother's action of inviting your members to a drum corps sponsored event held on a Sunday had led you astray to the point that you lost self control and took advantage of several underage female students who were placed under your watch. Be thankful that you created enough Asian House Negros to cover for your transgressions, and especially that committed group of AHN who was dedicated to continue the insanity by splitting from your so-called legacy. I know you've transitioned and be thankful that I'm currently slowly but surely unlearning the concepts of Hell and Damnation because if there was anyone I felt should go there, it'd be you.<br />
<br />
Along with the House Negroes of the World who sold the souls of their respected communities out. <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Jarretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403419253147836131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918932764923540709.post-62736001882628480192013-10-17T18:53:00.000-07:002013-11-30T04:20:22.594-08:00Is There Such Thing as "Justified Mass Church Shootings?"When I was completing my undergrad at CSU Hayward some years back, I was still very active in the church. (Mainstream Christian Church) In fact the only extra-curricular activity I participated in at Hayward was their local chapter of Campus Crusade for Christ. In fact there was a quarter where I took on 23 units so my Sunday visits to church was often compromised and my participation at the Campus Crusade meetings became more important as it became a substitute for Sundays. <br />
<br />
During one of our meetings, our facilitator read aloud a printed prayer request sent to us from a member of Wedgwood Baptist Church. At times our facilitator broke down while reading the list. It was Fall quarter of 1999, and we received the emailed prayer request in the aftermath of the church massacre committed by Larry Gene Ashbrook. The entire discussion time which normally takes about 40 minutes was taken as the prayer request(s) were tearfully read aloud to our group. At the end, I shared with the group that what I found disturbing in all this was throughout the list, not once was the name of the gunman (Ashbrook) mentioned, and I attempted to quote Matthew 5:44 as a basis that at some point, his name or at least his remaining family members should've been on that list. <br />
<br />
That created a stir at the meeting.<br />
<br />
One person came to my defense. The rest of the group including the facilitator began to engage in a Bible memory contest with me to rebuke my assessment. Thankfully that lone person who came to my defense is still someone I remain in contact with. Now granted, my prayers for my so-called "enemies" may be along the line of "muther-f*r," true. But throughout the years from 1995 to even now, I'm bombarded with the "forgive them, pray for them" in response to a violation done by others towards me to the point that I got sick and tired of that, especially when the violation was committed by a fellow brother or sister of the church.<br />
<br />
Hence...<br />
<br />
I left the mainline Christian church back in 2011. I began to embrace the New Thought Practical Christian movement who embraced more of a Christian Metaphysics approach and I <b>thought</b> I was in a better spot. <br />
<br />
I <b><i>THOUGHT...</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>
Unity and any church with the moniker "Practical Christianity, Christian Metaphysic, New Thought Christianity," has been undergoing an identity process that began to take place around 2009-12 and a lot of their material and literature as well as their basic teaching was undergoing a decision making process to determine the direction and the overall message of the Unity Movement. In other words, Unity not <i><b>was</b></i>, but <i><b>is</b></i> undergoing a process which is on the verge of creating an organizational split between those embracing the new changes versus those who wish to hold onto the original teachings. Along with those teachings, they also want to hold onto their older ways. In other words, if the Unity Church or Center declares themselves "Culturally Christian," they really embrace the culture of other Christians, and that includes the conservative thinking that comes along with it. <br />
<br />
Rev Guy Lynch runs a website, a non profit, and a call-in podcast called "The Practical Christian." He was one of the first Unity minister I contacted while Unity was going through their rebranding process and I was looking for a Unity who was teaching what Eric Butterworth and Catherine Ponder were teaching. He's an advocate for gun control, he's against the Christian right on numerous issues, he's for embracing the LGBT movement as well as marriage equality. He goes out of his way as a Christian minister to take a stand against conservative Christian clergy members. <br />
<br />
Recently, Pastor Rick Warren of the Saddleback Church had participated in an event where he mocked and imitated Asians in a caricature way. What's disturbing about the whole thing was that not only has he not apologized even after a group of Asian clergy had requested a formal apology, but numerous supporters lined up defending his actions. So I posted that article on Rev Lynch's Practical Christian Facebook page to bring it to their attention.<br />
<br />
It was deleted and ignored.<br />
<br />
I commented two or three times how disappointed I was about Rev Lynch decision to look the other way and pointed out the hypocrisy in the entire situation. Had Warren mocked gays in a similar fashion, Rev Lynch would rally his supporters immediately. Earlier today I found myself banned from the Practical Christian Facebook page where I was further humiliated. <br />
<br />
So what does this journey to New Thought have to do with incidents involving church shootings? <br />
<br />
At that Campus Crusade meeting, I was flabbergasted at the possibility that someone would enter a church and just begin shooting. After all, it was less than two years after I visited China and even a government sanctioned church there. Christianity was still outlawed in China and even at the church we were allowed to attend, someone entering in and shooting up the place was unfathomable. So when this incident occurred during a young adult Christian rock concert rally in Texas, we were all shocked. Then I read about Jeremiah Neitz's account about his interaction with Ashbrook moments before his suicide. The more Neitz told Ashbrook about his faith in Christ, the more defensive Ashbrook became until Ashbrook shot himself. Until that point I often wondered how angry can you get at God, at life in general, at people in order to shoot up a church. I mean people have then and now been blatantly violated by the institution called the Church (all denominations) and they don't react the same way. <br />
<br />
Then again, the law of karma is enforced even against an institution called the Church.<br />
<br />
The institution called the Church has done so much cover-ups and blatant violation of people who looked to them for help, inspiration and hope that sooner or later, that karmic debt needs to be paid. What's sad about an institution, the actual individual who committed the violation may not even feel any of the impact of repercussion in the event of the institution repaying it's karmic debt. From what I've seen past and even now I don't think that debt's been fully paid yet. In some ways, I can't blame those clergy who keep preaching "forgiveness," because who knows what could happen if it wasn't constantly reminded. <br />
<br />
For all we know, the Larry Gene Ashbrook incident may actually be part of a karmic debt resulting from clergy who sexually violated their parishioners. Now the pastoral staff of Wedgwood had nothing to do with those clergy who's guilty of sexual violations. But as I said, the overall institution of the Church may be paying for that violation through that incident.<br />
<br />
So when the institution of the church justifies, defends, or looks the other way whenever clergy offends other people because of their ethnicity, karma is around the corner. <br />
<br />
No, there may be no such thing as "justifiable mass church shootings," but I look forward to whenever the next bunch of dead bodies are strolled out of a church sanctuary, I can send the pastor a message of "get over it" just like those Warren supporters who made those same comments against the Asians who filed that grievance. Actually, in all honesty, even though I've been searching for a ministerial training program, if I were to learn that a shooting and/or tragic incident occurred with certain specific churches, I'll admit I may find myself in a celebratory mode. Like if another child of Warren were to take their own life, or if Saddleback experienced some other sort of tragedy, it'll be like a Raider's victory, and you know how much of a Raiders fan I am. <br />
<br />
The Journey SF, Cornerstone Church, actually BOTH Cornerstone Churches in SF, don't ever think that I'll pray with you or for you if some crazy were to enter your place and tear sh*t up. Same for Rev Lynch and Practical Christian, whether it's an actual church or not. Either case, karma's a bitch. Pastor Lightfoot may be dead, but karma will accept payments from his so-called legacy. <br />
<br />
Time to shop for "Get Over It" cards...can't wait to mail them!Jarretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403419253147836131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918932764923540709.post-9776211773489500652013-08-14T00:08:00.000-07:002013-10-31T03:55:35.270-07:00Fox News vs. Reza AslanBy now I'm sure the infamous debate that the inept Fox News reporter Loren Green created against Reza Aslan has been forwarded and viewed numerous times. The more I view the so called interview, the more I question the qualifications on what it takes to be hired as a "journalist" for FOX News. Based on my observations of the footage, the lone requirement to work for FOX in the capacity of a host is:<br />
<br />
1) Modest and professional appearance with a hint of attractiveness.<br />
2) 8th grade reading level for teleprompter abilities.<br />
3) Voice/speech coaching to articulate words.<br />
4) Transparency to show emotions.<br />
I also suppose that logic and common sense was <b>NOT</b> a requirement.<br />
<br />
If you haven't seen the footage or know what I'm referring to now, simply goto YouTube and type keywords: "Resa Aslan, FOX, Loren Green" and the footage should pop up. I only heard heresay about biased from FOX News over the last few years in the aftermath of the Obama election back in 2008, although I heard they were pretty biased on behalf of Former President Bush and The Iraq War 2.0. What I saw was not even journalism. I have never seen a reporter or interviewer look so ill-prepared for an assignment. I mean it had all the appearance of a real-life Kelly Bundy auditioning for a newscaster position type of situation.<br />
<br />
Reza Aslan was on FOX News to discuss the contents of his recently released <a href="http://wms-na.amazon-adsystem.com/20070822/US/js/link-enhancer-common.js?tag=jiayou168-20" target="_blank">Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth </a> Unfortunately, he ended up not discussing his book because Loren Green kept placing him in a position to defend his right to even write the book in the first place.<br />
<br />
Based on Ms. Green's logic, as a person of Chinese descent, I will utilize her logic and declare from this day forward that all Sinologists who have no trace of Chinese ancestry whatsoever are not qualified to write any literature on China, Chinese, or Asia-related material. <br />
<br />
Sounds ridiculous? Ludicrous? I later learned that this was actually not an anomaly on FOX; this was actually a common practice amongst other hosts and journalist on that network. I don't know what's scarier: that such programming is the norm on national television or that a significant segment of the population would actually accept it at face value without any question and/or research.<br />
<br />
And I haven't even discussed what the topic is in relation to this blog which is my discourse and reflection on spirituality and religion. That's because the point of all this was to show and illustrate how a news interview can distract one from the core issue topic.<br />
<br />
If you really want to know more about the content of the book, click on the above title link and order the book. Heck as much reading as I do, I wouldn't mind reading it myself. I just had a surge of energy after reading <a href="http://wms-na.amazon-adsystem.com/20070822/US/js/link-enhancer-common.js?tag=jiayou168-20" target="_blank">The Shack</a>. I highly recommend that book for those who were or still are angry at God, and/or those who question whether or not there is a God period.<br />
<br />
What's more disturbing about the situation is the fact that Loren Green is supposedly the "Religious Correspondent" of FOX News. It's disturbing in the sense that after Dr Aslan listed his credential as a religious scholar, it went totally over her head and she promptly returned to her argument in questioning his qualifications for writing the book due to his personal faith. I don't know what their qualifications are for a "Religious Correspondent," but I expect more than someone to simply regurgitate other peoples religious opinions. <br />
<br />
Otherwise Dr. Aslan has FOX and Ms. Green to thank because he ended up #1 in book sales after the interview. Great job FOX. <br />
<br />
<br />Jarretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403419253147836131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918932764923540709.post-61049114463828608532013-04-11T22:05:00.000-07:002014-04-25T01:10:50.741-07:00To Unlearn...<span style="font-family: inherit;">For the past three years, I've been cramming every New Thought pioneer author from Cady to Butterworth to E. Fox to Fillmore, all the way to Ponder and other authors. Certain books I carry with me to read over and read over again. For the last year and 3/4 I've been attending different New Thought based worship centers, primarily Unity, and most recently I finally pledged membership at the <a href="http://unitycv.org/" target="_blank">Castro Valley Unity Church.</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">It's not such much that I need to learn something new, it's more of a need to emotionally let go and unlearn what's been imbedded in me from a spiritual perspective. If you never had a church background and you decide to embrace the core belief/premise of The New Thought Movement, I border on "envy." The reason is because you're learning from a much clearer slate than I am. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
For those of you who are unfamiliar with the terms, "New Thought," "mainstream/evangelical" or any other terms common with non-Catholic Christianity, there are many resources out there on the internet, and you can simply look at my older entries on this blog. Let me clarify what I mean when I used the term "Mainstream/Evangelical Christianity:" This normally refers to Christian churches not affiliated with the Roman Catholic Church, and their basic beliefs/agreements include:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
1) Old and New Testament of the Holy Bible to be the highest authority/Word of God</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2) Humanity had fallen as a result of Eve's "disobedience in the Garden of Eden" which caused "sin" to enter the world.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Corollary to 2 is We as in humanity are "sinners."</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3) Jesus is both simultaneously God and Man</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Corollary to 3 is Jesus was borned by Mary, who was impregnated not physically, but spiritually</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Jesus performed numerous miracles</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Jesus is "God's begotten Son." (yes, in capital letters) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">4) Jesus was crucified on the Cross during the Jewish Passover festival. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">5) Three days after his death, Jesus was resurrected. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">6) God exist in the form of the Trinity: Father, Son, Holy Spirit</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">7) Humanity is condemned for their "sin" to eternity in Hell.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Corollary to 7: believing, confessing, and accepting Jesus death and resurrection of the Cross saves them from eternal Hell. Grace as a result from Christ covers all sins committed by those believers and are pardoned and forgiven.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Corollary to the corollary: those who don't believe in Jesus will go to Hell. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
That's pretty much it in a nutshell. In a lot of ways, those core beliefs doesn't deviate much from Roman Catholicism, but it gets more complicated to the point I'm not knowledgeable enough to provide a nutshell of their basic beliefs. I can tell you that after being in a relationship in the last three years with a very devout Catholic young lady, what I do learn I tend to disagree or put up an initial resistance. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
The premise for New Thought:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
1) We (humanity) are created in the Image and Likeness of God.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Corollary to 1 is we're divine beings with God present in us. ie, we're spiritual beings having a human experince</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">2) The Universe is expanding and growing because God is expanding and growing</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">3) Only one power exist Universally: God. No other power exist.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">4) As an additional Corollary to 1, we(humanity) as Divine beings, are given dominion, therefore what we think, we create. (ie, thoughts become things)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">5) For New Thought Christians: Jesus manifested the Beingness of Christ, however he isn't the only one who can; we all can. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
So for so many years, as a member of The Salvation Army, I learned and it was reinforced to me over and over how my best effort to connect with God was just "a filthy rag" as compared to "His Holiness." Without Jesus, or without Christ, I was doomed. When I church hopped from Crosswinds to Cornerstone to Journey, the message was the same, with perhaps a "more graceful" message that "they love the Sinner, but HATE their Sin." </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
Here's the irony in all this. The first description of Man (Humanity) in Genesis (1st book of the Old Testament of the Bible) is that Man was "created in the image and likeness of God." (Gen 1:26-28) So this whole concept that man is "sinner saved by Grace" is false. Yet from an emotional and core standpoint, this is one thing that's challenging to let go of. As a matter of fact, I'm looking over my shoulders out for lightning to strike me as I type this. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br />
So much need to unlearn and to let go. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /></span>Jarretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403419253147836131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918932764923540709.post-37879574328646326922012-09-01T02:55:00.001-07:002014-07-03T18:17:37.170-07:00The Secrets of The Salvation ArmyFor a good 7 years of my life, I was a part of The Salvation Army Asian American Corps in San Francisco, California. Church, God, and Christ became a center or SUPPOSEDLY became a center of my life during that time. I've blogged in the past about my time with them on my original <a href="http://freezetag168.blogspot.com/2011/04/faith-entry-pt-2-days-of-sa.html#comment-form" target="_blank">Faith Entry</a>.<br />
<br />
Let's face it, for the most part all families are dysfunctional. (Best case scenario: quirky; worse case: criminally dysfunctional) This church family is no different. It's just that there's no "father/mother" dynamic, but more of a "pastor/pastor" one in place. (One of the requirements of The Salvation Army pastors aka "Corps Officers" is that both parties to the marriage must enter the ministry. In other words, if a husband felt a "calling," the wife must enter ministry training too along with him. It's somewhat progressive in a sense cause the wife does have equal title and position, but not progressive because what if the wife felt another occupation was her calling? Refer to this cause I'm going to go back to this.)<br />
<br />
I've already shared a lot of the criticism I received from various key members of this organization on the aforementioned <a href="http://freezetag168.blogspot.com/2011/04/faith-entry-pt-2-days-of-sa.html#comment-form" target="_blank">blog entry</a>, and some of their "quirks," but it seems like the quirks are ever expanding.<br />
<br />
When I "officially" left at the end of 2001, there were a lot of whispers and speculation of where I was going to end up. I left a message on the end of my letter acknowledging them as my "1st church family," and that I leave "with no ill-will towards anyone." When I received a message from the Territorial Director of Program that I "fell short of the higher standard of Christ," I suspected that though I share no ill-will, the opposite may not be true. That was confirmed when I learned that I was a center topic of discussion shortly after my departure amongst my previous study group. Now of course my study group was going to discuss my departure, it's just that the added twist was the attendance of the Corps Officers themselves. That's when I learned that the officer commented with a sarcastic tone that he "hopes I find what I'm looking for."<br />
<br />
Now that I've been studying and learning about New Thought Practical Christianity, I feel a breath of fresh air and a sense of freedom, however I also am aware that there still lies an emotional bondage I developed as a result of my time with SA. Slowly and surely, those layers are thankfully coming off. Gone is the need to inquire about whether or not a business person is a Christian before conducting a transaction with them. In fact I recall that it was "a good idea" to use those who advertise on KFAX. (A Christian talk show station) So after following suit I learned the hard way that just because a business declares their Christian belief, that doesn't necessarily means their business practices are "Christ-like." <br />
<br />
Now another aspect of The Salvation Army is their propensity to assign the corps officers to different assignments. They nickname this procedure as "the move." This is when around the month of May corps officers learn if they're going to be re-assigned to another location. Having visited a corps with several different officers in charge within a seven year period, one should not be surprised at the general surface small talk, lack of a connection mentality amongst the congregants. Having visited a "final service" of a corps officer who was being "moved," what I witness was not an encouraging sight.<br />
<br />
When a corps officer couple went through a divorce, the husband adamantly wanted to remain as the corps officer. Because of the divorce, not only did he lose his position, he lost his other benefits as well. It was believed that they were not "truly called" as corps officer since they could not hold their marriage. Eventually the Army "rehired" the husband as an "Envoy" (not full benefits as an officer) since they were short-handed finding officers.<br />
<br />
I also shared an experience where I was openly criticized about my "quiet time." That's a time which consist of anywhere between 10 minutes to up to 120 minutes of Bible reading/studying and personal prayer time. Upon my return and learning about "quiet time," I often closed my day before bedtime. After an incident involving myself, I was accused of not having a "quiet time" otherwise the incident wouldn't have occurred. I was then grilled on what I did and how I performed my "quiet time." When they learned that I did so at the end of the day, they concluded that the incident occurred because I did not conduct that time in the morning. Eventually my quiet times became less and less.<br />
<br />
Our Sunday school instructor was the brother in law of the then corps officers. He often interject his opinion on how "sinful" it was to not honor the boycott of Disney. (This was during the Ellen De Generes controversy) Ironically enough, The Salvation Army was sponsoring a Salvation Army Day at Disneyland. He was also the same one who linked any struggle that the male congregants experienced to whether or not they attended an annual event called <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Promise_Keepers" target="_blank">The Promise Keepers</a>. The Promise Keepers was an all male Christian outdoor rally. If they struggled and did not attend, that's where the problem lies. If they struggled and did attend, they needed to make a commitment to register for the next one. It should not be surprising that one of the number one "struggle" within those who attended regularly were sexual and pornographic in nature. That aspect was so repressed so deep. Sadly, the single male members were singled out or "profiled" as being the highest "at risk" for such struggles. <br />
<br />
When I was "baptized" into the Corps, it was really a "swearing-in" and a document signing ceremony. There was no water involved. The document itself included The Salvation Army's<a href="http://salvationarmyusa.org/usn/what-we-believe" target="_blank"> Articles of Faith</a>. It also included a list of "I commit to..." One of them included an "I commit to abstaining from smoking, alcoholic beverage, and <i><b>non-prescription </b></i>drug consumption." So based on that declaration of commitment, drug-addiction within The Salvation Army is avoided right? Well, remember the key word(s) here are "<b><i>NON-PRESCRIPTION</i></b>" drug use. There's no problem as long as the doctor makes a prescription. So even though there were incidents of Corps officers who were abusing their prescription pain-killers, there was technically no problem since the doctor prescribed them.<br />
<br />
Lastly, as a member of the Summer Service Corps program, I came and met a number of those who were openly recruited to become Corps officers in training. I'll admit even I once considered the possibility. Let me explain what Summer Service Corps is. During summer academic break, college age and young adults are recruited for a 6-8 week program to serve on behalf of The Salvation Army in a ministry, in most cases overseas. It's basically a summer mission. It's also a way to recruit for new corps officers. A territory would send 4-6 teams to different assignments. All teams report to the Territory center for orientation. (In my case, we were part of the Western Territory, located in Palos Verdes, California) I met quite a few people during that summer (1997) I even reconnected with some of them via Facebook in the past few years. Recently I learned that one of them whom I met through the orientation and the "debriefing session" (we served on different assigned teams) was suffering from substance abuse and suicidal tendency. Upon further inquiry, this person suffered from PTSS that was incurred during her assignment when we served in 97. The traumatic event she encountered was coming upon the levels of abuse the officer to whom she reported to during her assignment was committing. (Physical, sexual, and emotional) I don't know if she personally received that abuse or was a witness to it. If you think that the Catholic Church was guilty of scandals, then I'm sure The Salvation Army comes a very close second.<br />
<br />
So why letting all of this come out now? Part of it is simply "housecleaning" for me. Tired of keeping all of this inside and not moving forward. Another reason is because of recent events coming to light. One of the former members whom I maintained contact with over the years was allegedly involved in a criminal investigation and mysteriously disappeared. <br />
<br />
In dealing with the emotional abuse that I tolerated from this organization during my 7 years with them, I accept my responsibility of my part in it. As an institution who's public image is based on supposed "Christian qualities" and public perception, it's time to clean up and take a closer look in the mirror before condemning others. It's not so easy to practice what you preach after all. Stop sweeping the dirt under the rug and pretend that the dirt doesn't exist. When I spent time with the Territory Program Director back in '97, I was surprised and baffled when he mentioned to me of all the pending lawsuits against them.<br />
<br />
Now I'm not as surprised.<br />
<br />
Jarretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403419253147836131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918932764923540709.post-60420187897731955772012-07-10T07:08:00.002-07:002012-07-10T07:08:07.149-07:00My ConfessionToday is July 10, 2012 at 6am PST. Normally I'm asleep until 9am
after going to bed around 2 or 3am. I awoke at 4:48am this morning
after going to bed around 2:30am. In other words, I barely had about 2
hours of sleep. <br />
<br />
Since 1999, I pursued acting on every
possible level: from audition notices on Backstage West, to Craigslist,
to CSU Hayward Theater department and everything in-between. I did not
call myself as a "professional actor" until I was actually paid for my
performance on some commercial karaoke videos in 2001. I was cast in my
1st local commercial at the end of 2003, and my first lead role on a
stage production in 2004. I "peaked" when I was cast as one of the
leads on the independent film <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1439482/" target="_blank"><u><i>So Beauty</i></u></a>.
That was in 2005. During the filming, my mom passed away literally 20
minutes before call time. Since that point, I've struggled with ease
and confidence on productions, auditions, even promotional events.
Though I landed an agent based out of the San Francisco Bay Area in
2010, nothing had been handed to me easily. <br />
<br />
On a
personal level, my last relationship ended in the summer of 2004, and I
went on my first date since that summer in July 2006. It didn't go too
well. I dated again in the spring of 2007, and once again, it didn't go
too well. It was disastrous enough that I sought out a personal
development coach. I attended one of his retreats during my birthday
week in the end of August. That was the start of my personal
development journey. <br />
<br />
In March 2008, I took <a href="http://www.psiseminars.com/basic" target="_blank">The Basic Seminar</a>, offered from <a href="http://www.psiseminars.com/" target="_blank">PSI Seminars</a>.
That course enabled me to piece together my acting training, the
personal development course I took in 2007, the sales and personal
development courses I took during my 1st stint as a college student
during the 1990s, and my church experience. I took all the following
advanced courses offered by them. One of the unique benefits as a
graduate is the opportunity to re-attend the Basic course at no charge,
so I was able to review the elements of the class up to the present
day. In the fall, PSI offers an advance course/convention called
Principia where guest speakers are invited to teach. I attended the
event in 2008, 09, 10, and 2011.<br />
<br />
More recently in
2011, I made a spiritual transition of leaving the more mainstream
evangelical form of Christianity and embraced what is considered "New
Thought," which has been labeled as "Practical Christianity,"
"Spiritual," "Science of Mind," "Metaphysics Christianity," "Religious
Science," "Unity" "Truth." <br />
<br />
Yet, I have a confession to make. <br />
<br />
With
all that experience and new insights and achievements over the past 5
years, there is still an inner struggle I deal with day in and day
out. <br />
<br />
My "I AM" statement.<br />
<br />
Personal
development and New Thought really has an overlapping concept of the "I
AM" theory. Not only is it a foundational spiritual statement. (In the
Bible, God's "name" is Hebrew form of "I AM") In other words, an "I
AM" statement is basically a self declaration belief about ourselves,
and our concept of God simultaneously. So when I say, "I AM _____," I'm
saying that I am this, AND my concept/belief about God (Divine,
Universe, Infinite Intelligence, Allah, ect) is this. <br />
<br />
An "I AM" statement can be empowering or it can be limiting. <br />
<br />
My "I AM" statement(s) falls in the "latter" category. <br />
<br />
In
1999, Crosswinds Church began a "post-modern, college, young
career/family" ministry called "The Sanctuary." It was an evening
service aimed for young adults and "the young at heart." That's when I
befriended Peter Sleeper, who was the newly hired Executive Pastor of
Crosswinds. He and I met on a regular basis, and he recommended a home
study course by a Dr Eckman about identifying the "Sonship of God," and
claiming yourself as the rightful Child of God. It was during that
study when I came to the conclusion that I could never be a Child of
God. I'm not, wasn't, and would never be. <br />
<br />
"I AM God's mistake." <br />
<br />
<br />
You see, I was placed for adoption even before I was
born. Not only did I have the legal documentation to confirm that, I
met my biological mother face-to-face who told me herself. I spent my
childhood growing up with four main messages:<br />
<br />
1) I was a mistake by my "real" parents.<br />
<br />
2) I can or will be returned to the adoption agency if I didn't live up to standards.<br />
<br />
3)
Every family negative situation was MY fault. (I was often blamed for
my parents health issues, my father's alcoholism, and for my younger
cousin's misbehavior) <br />
<br />
<br />
4) I was lovingly "chosen." <br />
<br />
Yes,
that 4th message did contradict the other three messages. It's funny
about the "chosen" message and the fact that I "chose" a profession
where I present myself to be "chosen" by casting directors, producers,
ect. Bear in mind, the "lovingly chosen" was a mild form of
manipulation of the expectation of gratitude I needed to openly express
to the family who poured their heart and soul into raising me. <br />
<br />
So
this journey of the last 4-5 years was about letting go of a false "I
AM" statement about myself as a "mistake," but I recently discovered a
corollary "I AM" statement that was just as strong as the one I was
dealing with.<br />
<br />
"I AM worthless." <br />
<br />
That tends to sabotage and cancels out a lot of intentions I've set and developed over the last few years. It not only undermines my financial and career goals, it also sabotages any sort of relationship goals. <br />
<br />
Don't
ask me what I am going to do about those beliefs, for I have just come
to the realization of the 2nd one and it has surfaced very recently. I
need to process what has been brought to my attention. I have a list of
request to ask in support of the recent discovery:<br />
<br />
1) Please don't demand that I "get over it." That only places additional pressure.<br />
<br />
2) Please don't tell me to "not feel that way." How about if I tell you to NOT think about the pink elephant. <br />
<br />
3)
Sometimes your presence is worth more than the words you attempt to
say. If I'm at a state of feeling and am not saying much, you need to
say even less. <br />
<br />
4) Don't let my smile fool you. I am an actor after all. <br />
<br />
5)
I acknowledge your Divinity, please acknowledge mine. In other words,
let God reveal to me that those two "I AM" statements are not true. I
know that already on an intellectual level. It needs to sink, root, and
plant in the depth of my heart. <br />
<br />
I am thankful for
the support I've received over the years, the miracles that showed me
differently, and tools I've learned to overcome such beliefs. <br />
<br />
<br />
But I just need time. Time to process. Time to reflect. Time to let God show me the errors of my way. <br />
<br />
<br />
Thank you in advance. <br />Jarretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403419253147836131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918932764923540709.post-47406004296467889392012-05-23T13:57:00.001-07:002013-11-27T03:41:06.739-08:00A Childs' BlessingI have not attended church service in over three weeks so far. No, it's not that I'm avoiding church. I'm not. I simply have been scheduled to work on Sundays. It's times like this where I think an evening service would prove useful. In fact, it'd be nice if a New Thought church would step up and offer what I call a "cafe format" evening service on a Saturday or a Sunday evening.<br />
<br />
Since I started exploring the Unity Churches throughout the Bay Area, I've noticed that a common worship format practiced at several locations was that prior to concluding the service with the congregations' rendition of "<b><i>Let There Be Peace on Earth</i></b>," the congregation would present the children's participation in Sunday School. (Then the children would receive a church blessing)<br />
<br />
When I attended Mission Bay Community Church, Pastor Bruce held a cafe/contemplative format during service. Contemplative as in there were moments we were able to spend time alone and reflect, and the cafe format to get the congregants to inter-mingle. Though they were not a New Thought church, there were a lot of elements of progressiveness and inclusion. What I enjoyed during their service was that there was a 4-6 minute period of complete silence. Bruce would declare that parents need not to maintain the silence of their young children during that time. If a child were to make any sort of noise during that moment of silence, it was meant to be. One service I arrived totally combative, disconnected and defensive. To be honest, I don't remember a lot about that service because I was combative, disconnected and defensive. What I do remembered was during that moment of silence, someone's baby blurted out a very present and joyous "aaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhheeeeeeee." And the reason why I specifically remembered that moment was because I felt those three walls of combative, disconnection, and defense crumble with tears welling up in my eyes.<br />
<br />
Going back to the Unity services, one of the San Francisco location and the San Leandro location would have the childrens' Sunday school presentation and childrens' blessing before concluding service. (San Leandro is the only Unity that I've visited who doesn't close with "<b><i>Let There Be Peace on Earth</i></b>." They conclude with Ricki Byar's "<i><b>Blessed Always</b></i>.") With apologies to Rev Diana and Rev Maggie, I have to admit that there are times where one of the child's comment during this segment has more of an impact on me than what was shared during the message. The children leader would ask them what they learned and it can be a simple word, or a belly laugh, or two kids wrestling around. It'll hit me on the head like a ton of bricks, and I'll leave church service in high gratitude because I know without a doubt in my heart and mind, God spoke directly to me.<br />
<br />
The reason why I bring all of this up was because of the most recent service I attended at the Castro Valley Unity. A young mother brought her 1 1/2 year old daughter with her, and because the congregation is small in attendance (8-14 attendees on average) there was no childrens' church/Sunday School. Therefore little "Jazzy" joined us. Throughout the service, Jazzy was...well she was simply <b>being Jazzy</b>. That's what 1 1/2 year olds do: They just are. Unfortunately after the end of service, the young mother was confronted by some of the attendees who demanded that her "child does NOT belong here at church," and that she was not welcomed to church as long as her child accompanies her. Ironically my first time visiting that specific Unity was in November of 2011, and one of the prayer request that day from the pianist was that we would like to see "new young children grace our service" which confirmed my initial impression of that location as I had visited San Francisco and San Leandro prior. In May of 2012, that prayer was answered but it was clear that a couple of members weren't too thrilled. I pulled the mother aside and told her that as an actor, I pay hundreds of dollars just to re-learn how to be like Jazzy, and that their presence is a reminder of what's important.<br />
<br />
People tend to measure or determine what a church is like based on attendance, worship format, the presentational skills of the pastor, or even what kind of food is served. I think a measure of a church can be simply determined on how the children are. Not necessarily their behavior, but just their overall beingness. If anything I've learned this past year's spiritual journey, it's the lesson that I should never under-estimate the power of children, for not only do they have that same access to divinity like the rest of us, but they have LESS obstacles in their way.<br />
<br />
<i><sup class="versenum"> </sup>But Jesus called for them, saying, <span class="woj">“Permit the children to come to Me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. -Luke 18:16 NASB</span></i>Jarretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403419253147836131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918932764923540709.post-46076380874236461432012-02-15T03:04:00.000-08:002012-02-15T03:04:03.174-08:00Religious Familia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<br />Jarretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403419253147836131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918932764923540709.post-6382371432239764622011-12-28T16:53:00.000-08:002012-01-18T04:11:20.294-08:00Is Christmas a Birthday Celebration?Happy Two-Thousand-somethingish Birthday Jesus, you don't look a day over 35!!!<br />
<br />
Is it really? <br />
<br />
Technically No. Theologans and historians do not know the exact date of the birth of Jesus. It was agreed somewhere around the 4th Century that December 25 was chosen to signify the Birth of Jesus. So for over 16+ centuries the majority of humanity has recognized December 25 as "Jesus' Birthday." It's been said that the adaptation of December 25 as Jesus' birth was a result of merging the significance with a Pagan Winter Solstice Yule Holiday. <br />
<br />
Social paradigms come and go in regards to the reaction to this season. Christmas at certain points became outlawed in England and in the beginning of the U.S. It's ironic considering there's a perception out there currently that a "War on Christmas" exists. Unfortunately the so-called "War on Christmas" hype intensified in response to the Inauguration of President Obama and the unfounded, unproven racially driven ties of him to Islam. <br />
<br />
Which leads me to my next point.<br />
<br />
People need to lighten the fuck up when expressing greetings to each other. So what if someone greets you with a "Happy Holidays" rather than a "Merry Christmas." So what if someone greets you with a "Merry Christmas" rather than a "Happy Holidays?" The bottom line is someone is putting forth an effort to wish you well. Can you focus on that and not whether or not they greeted you "correctly?" Hell, Jews had to put up with "Merry Christmas" and not be greeted with "Happy Chaunukah." Some members of the Black Community celebrate Kwaanza. If someone wishes someone else a "Happy Holidays," it doesn't necessarily means that they "HATE JESUS," it means they want to wish you well during this time of the year and they're attempting to be sensitive to your personal needs. If you hate "Happy Holidays" so much, then I'll greet you with a "Happy Festivus!" Fuck it, I'll just greet you with a "Mele Kalikimaka," OK? Or would you prefer a "Fuck You and Fuck this Season" greeting, like I used to express five years ago? <br />
<br />
So then what is Christmas about? Or December 25?<br />
<br />
So December 25 was chosen to signify the Birthday of Jesus. Some theologians are OK with that, some aren't. Also for those of you who think that everyone who labels themselves as "Christians" are all on the same page in regards to December 25, think again. Some of those who call themselves "Christian" distance themselves altogether from the December 25 date because from a historical sense, Christmas was linked to other Winter Pagan Holidays. <br />
<br />
So yes,(going back) Winter Solstice (Northern Hemisphere) occurs approximately on the 21 of December. That's the event there the Earth surface is furthest away from the Sun. In other words, the period where the planet receives the least amount of light. At one point, Caesar declared DECEMBER 25 as Winter Solstice during his reign. If you Wiki "Winter Solstice," almost every culture has some form of celebration or seasonal significance to that period. Always along the line of the theme of "light over dark, rebirth, end/beginning of a new cycle." (BTW, in the Southern Hemisphere Winter Solstice is June; so is there Christmas on June 25 in the Southern Hemisphere?)<br />
<br />
Since the majority of the cultures observes some form of "birth or rebirth" theme during this time of the year, would it be more appropriate just to greet others with a "Happy Birthday?" <br />
<br />
Hear me out here...<br />
<br />
Since I've been studying Practical/New Thought Christianity and Spirituality, the premise or theological foundation isn't so much that Jesus died and was resurrected on the Cross, but more so that Jesus taught and set an example of tapping into an inner Divinity that exists IN EVERYONE. (Yes, even those who don't call themselves "Christian") Divinity in almost every major faith is referred to as "light" and/or light symbolizes Divinity. <br />
<br />
Notice an ongoing theme here? <br />
<br />
It should be no surprise that even though Jesus birthday didn't technically fall on December 25, since He's viewed by many in a Divine manner, wouldn't who He is, what He signifies, and how He entered into the world "fit" into this recurring, unifying, underlying theme of light overcoming darkness? (Remember, mangers weren't these wooden stables in Jewish society during the Birth of Jesus, they were more like cave-ish hillside openings near the main housing, so that adds more of this "light overcome dark" imagery theme) <br />
<br />
Now let's add my take on this. <br />
<br />
As I stated, I'm leaning more and more into this concept of Jesus setting en example of tapping into the Inner Divinity as humanity was originally created. In other words, I'd rather be a "disciple" of Jesus than a "Christian." I'd rather believe in the theology that Jesus believed rather than believe in the theology that worships Jesus. Before He ascended, he commanded to "go and make disciples," not "go and create Christianity." So as His disciple, I aspire to allow the inner Divine light within me to shine and inspire others to shine their inner Divine light. To me, that IS the "Good News." <br />
<br />
So let me greet others during this time of year with a "Happy Birthday Divine Light Within!" (And when I wish a "Happy Birthday" to that Divine Light Within, that's INCLUDING EVERYONE, PERIOD!!!)<br />
<br />
Its much better than "Happy Holidays" or "Happy Festivus," isn't it?Jarretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403419253147836131noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918932764923540709.post-61710545826007926112011-12-08T01:22:00.000-08:002014-07-03T18:29:14.354-07:00An Open Letter to Practical/New Thought Christian MinistersDear Rev ________,<br />
<br />
I would like some clarification. Years back during college in the
early to mid 90s, I got swept away by the business/personal
development seminars craze. In fact I skipped my college courses to attend sales
and personal development seminars because I found more value in them
versus my college classes. In 94/95 I came across a personal crisis
(including getting kicked out of college for academic probation!) where
I decided to attend and join a church. For clarity and such, I wandered
into a bookstore in spring of 95 praying that God will help me connect
the dots to what I was learning from the church I was attending (The
Salvation Army) and to what I learned from past seminars. A book titled <u><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Transform-Revised-Expanded-Include-Flood/dp/0399519327/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404437242&sr=8-1&keywords=transform+your+life+king" target="_blank">Transform Your Life</a></i></u>
by Dr Rev Barbara King literally fell into my arms afterwards, I bought
the book, and I felt connected. Up until that point, I didn't really
read The Bible and had no idea how to study it. When the corps officer
(pastor) learned of the book a year later, he reviewed it, told me to
not refer to it as it was considered "not truly biblical." My Sunday
school teacher even took the reaction further by suggesting that I burn
the book. I placed the book in storage instead. <br />
<br />
I officially left The Salvation Army in 2001 and was attending various what is considered "Emergence and/or Post-Modern" Evangelical churches up until last year. In 2007, after hitting a block in my acting endeavors I returned to take courses in the personal development arena and was taking a series of courses until completion in 2009. The church I attended at that time once again discouraged my attendance at such events. Also that time, I came across my tattered copy of <u><i><a href="http://www.amazon.com/Transform-Revised-Expanded-Include-Flood/dp/0399519327/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1404437242&sr=8-1&keywords=transform+your+life+king" target="_blank">Transform Your Life</a></i></u>, and re-read it. I looked up the term "New Thought" and began this literary journey researching and studying authors such as Eric Butterworth, H Emilie Cady, Charles Fillmore, Joseph Murphy, Emmet Fox, Catherine Ponder, and Florence Shinn. <br />
<br />
This year, I began to attend various worship services in both Unity and Religious Science (Now Center for Spiritual Living) in hopes of attending a Practical Christianity center and/or New Thought Christianity center. The Unity minister at one of the Unity Center I visited announced that she "had never picked up a Bible in her life." I left confused thinking there were several types of religious organizations with the name "Unity" in them. <br />
<br />
Are there organizations out there teaching and practicing New Thought/Practical Christianity, and is there a difference between New Thought Christianity and Practical Christianity based on former Unity principles. I'm located in the San Francisco Bay Area. I also travel to Southeast Asia often, and I noticed a lack of a presence there too. (Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, and Hong Kong) <br />
<br />
If the New Thought principles is about connection to the inner indwelling of God within by following Jesus' example in order to live an abundant (abundance in every area) life, why does there seem to be a lack of outreach to such teachings? Why does Unity distance themselves from their past as an institution to teach Practical Christianity? Why does the folks at Unity Village not respond when I present such questions to them? I made a few attempts to contact the Conference on Practical Christianity which operates the Charles Fillmore College and there seems to be no listing for centers affiliated with them either. <br />
<br />
I consider the works and writings of the aforementioned authors to be not only useful and inspiring, but timeless. They offer a perspective in the application and interpretation of Biblical living that's been under-represented and very much needed. While the majority of Unity center(s) I've visited has been deliberately and consciously referring to this work less and less in their messages and teaching, I feel that we need more. Much more. <br />
<br />
Thank you for taking the time and reading this.<br />
<br />
Warmly,<br />
<br />
Jarrett ChinJarretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403419253147836131noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5918932764923540709.post-46268541190596580732011-12-07T20:51:00.000-08:002011-12-07T20:51:52.354-08:00Erasing the Negative Legacy of Bad MinistersI understand...<br />
<br />
Yes, I agree there's no such thing as a "perfect" church.<br />
<br />
Likewise, there's definitely no such thing as a "perfect" minister.<br />
<br />
Far from it. <br />
<br />
I thought I processed all my negative experiences in regards to church experience through creating this blog. Yet here I am, another Christmas season staring at me in the face. Christmas is just a seasonal reminder of what I don't want to experience anymore while attending church or any other spiritual institutions. <br />
<br />
I spent over 6 years with The Salvation Army and part of the Holiday tradition is their infamous red kettle stationed all over commercial areas. Over the years, I've dealt with the best and worse of human behavior and with the expectation of placing a "Christian face," I've forced a smile all the way through some of the ordeals. There were some highlights like receiving a solid gold krugerrand in the kettle. For the most part this was definitely a character builder. <br />
<br />
The first two years with the Salvation Army allowed me to build a spiritual foundation, and allowed me to express myself to how creating a relationship with God helped transformed my life. Once we got to year three and beyond, I found myself attempting to please the powers that be in that organization and my connection with The Higher Power deteriorated. I equated pleasing them as pleasing God. I took to heart every little criticism they made towards me including my activities outside of church, my study habits and the time I took to study, and the type of acting jobs I pursued. <br />
<br />
It was a challenge to believe that "God loved me" when I kept on dealing with disapproval after disapproval from those who supposedly have authority on who God is/was. When I officially ended my membership with "SA" (Asian American Christians utilized a lot of initials and acronyms), I received an email from the Territorial Director of Programs:<br />
<br />
<i>"The responsibilities of being a Soldier of The Salvation Army requires a higher calling and empowerment of the Holy Spirit. I am sorry you were not able to fulfill such higher standards."</i><br />
<br />
Those words haunted me to this very moment such that hearing the different bells at each kettle corner creates a similar effect as a military war veteran with PTSD would react to "popping" sounds. <br />
<br />
Yet, a week ago I attempted to take the higher ground and assisted my friend who needed an hour break from his kettle duties. I thought afterwards I've moved forward and everything in regards to being a part of The Salvation Army was behind me, but I found myself bombarded with all emotions from the past as a result of just one hour of simply ringing a bell. <br />
<br />
Lately, I've found myself angry and easily irritated around people attending church, those who openly talk about God, the church I attend now, God him/herself, and most of all, Me for allowing and co-creating all of the experiences in the first place. <br />
<br />
Nobody wants to live life feeling disconnected from a Higher Source. In fact I see that people are doing what they can to create such a connection, even risking mental and emotional abuse just for a brief second of connection. Look no further beyond the bars, the crack houses, the dispensaries, the Occupy camps, the music and dance gatherings, and other places where drugs are prevalent. I would venture to say that these folks are sooooo starving for a connection to feel comfortable existing in their own skin, free from shame, free from discomfort, free to just be them and to be ok with it. They're willing to go all out in search of it even to the detriment of their immediate mental and physical health.<br />
<br />
Meanwhile, on the corner somewhere near a congregants of shopper a bell is ringing away, asking for money.Jarretthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/12403419253147836131noreply@blogger.com0