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Minister Articles
Service To Others
Service To Others
Sometimes we think of service as a one or two shot deal: serving a meal; making a donation; helping a ne…
Thanksgiving
Thanksgiving
by Rev. Rita Scheibeck
I can't count the times that I've thought to make a gratitude list, when all I really feel like doing is complaining about the circumstances in my life. When I feel bogged down by what appear to be external sources, the last thing I want to do is to pretend that everything is alright and to feel grateful.
Especially when I'm despairing and feeling lost, it's then that I must strengthen my resolve to find a quiet moment of solitude to look around and to …
Sacred Connection
Sacred Connection
by Rev. Rita Scheibeck
It doesn't matter what's going on around me; what matters instead is what's going on inside. As I consciously make a connection with the Holy Spirit, I breathe in deeply and exhale fully, allowing my mind to slow down. As I do this, I bask in the peace of divine order, in the power of Infinite Wisdom, and in the radiance of perfect Love. I remind myself that I can call on my Source at any time of day or night and in the midst of any challenge or emotion…
Zeal
by Rev. Rita Scheibeck
I absolutely love the word "zeal." It may be one of the most powerful words in the creative process. Charles Fillmore, one of the co- founders of the Unity Movement, states in his book "The Twelve Powers of Man" that zeal is one of those powers. For me, it describes a feeling of enthusiastic energy and joy in whatever action I am practicing at the time. When I visualize my life as I want it to unfold, zeal propels me forward to my greatest and highest desires, inspiring m…
Om Mani Padme Hum
OM MANI PADME HUM.
Om = the vibration or sound of the universe; represents divine energy and generosity and purifies the ego
Ma = represents ethics and purifies jealousy
Ni = represents patience and purifies want or desire
Pad = represents diligence and purifies ignorance and judgment
Me = represents concentration and purifies attachment
Hum = the unity of all; represents wisdom and purifies hatred
OM MANI PADME HUM (OHM-MAH-NEE-PAHD-MAY-HUM)...Is Sanskrit, meaning "Praise to the Jewel in the Lotus." I…
The Serenity Pause
by Rev. Rita Scheibeck
Today I saw the sweetest affirmation in one of my daily meditations from the "Daily Word" published by Unity.(see dailyword.com) The sentence was "Peace and calm are mine as I take a serenity pause." The idea of a "serenity pause" tickled me and made me think I should take one frequently. I mean, when you think about it, how many times a day do we need one of those?
After all, there are countless cars on the road that come with hair trigger brakes, no turn signals, and obl…
Exasperating Meditations
by Rev. Rita Scheibeck
Sometimes it seems that the more I try to focus on meditating, the more distracted I become. It's no surprise really. Most of us lead very busy lives, with responsibilities for ourselves and others, with stres…
Full Enlightenment Revisited
by Rev. Rita Scheibeck
I am hopeful that everyone who read my latest ADL blog will understand that I could never disparage any books, seminars, or other learning tools in my articles. Most of us (I most assuredly include myself!) wouldn't be where we are today without the guidance and assistance of others and of the tools we have used to help us along our paths. We have learned and grown from a great variety of outside influences.
The concept I meant to emphasize in my blog is that for me, at…
Where Is My Enlightenment?
by Rev. Rita Scheibeck
Sometimes it seems that I am always chasing after the best technique for finding myself and my true path in life. I often depend on the latest inspirational book, the next self improvement seminar and the easy five, ten or twenty step system to personal empowerment. I frequently find myself with a hole in my pocket where my money vanished, and no more enlightened than when I sought assistance to begin with.
So I ask myself, "Why is it so hard to find the enlightenment th…
My Transformation Into Oneness
by Rev. Rita Scheibeck
The chatter that sometimes fills my mind is like a small patch of leaves that is easily blown away by a gentle summer breeze. When I focus on my breathing, I let outside disturbances float in and out of my consciousness: the neighbor's lawnmower, the gurgling of the ice maker, the delivery truck in the street.
As I allow the leaves of distraction to drift away, I make room in my awareness for the knowledge that I am One with All-That-Is. My realization of Oneness deepens…