On Sunday, January 6, we celebrated my favorite event at Unity of Stockton ~ our annual White Stone Ceremony.

Guided by my inner divinity, I allowed the quality that was seeking to emerge in new ways to be heard. I claimed how that quality would show up for me as the year progressed. Last January, I wrote my "Naming and Claiming" letter to myself expressing precisely how that intention would manifest in my life in 2018. Last December, I received my letter. I want to share my letter with you, acknowledging how powerful this exercise can be. It directed me on a path of peace and joy for the entire year. I claimed "Willingness"...

​Every Sunday at 11:30 we offer coffee, tea & snacks after the Sunday morning talk. This gives us some time to get to know each other, check and and see how our Unity Family is doing and what's going on in our busy lives.

​Join us and get to know what it is about Unity that brings us together.

​Our kitchen angels who set up the food, make the coffee, and clean up afterwards, give us a warm and inviting space to connect! Thank you, Kitchen Angels!

There are many books with the title, "Chop Wood, Carry Water". It is difficult to attribute this philosophy to any one of them. It is actually an age-old Zen story. This is the way I heard it.

There was a master teacher and his student. A couple of his student chores were to chop wood and carry water. This student did these chores diligently everyday for many years.

One day, the master announced to the student that he had reached another level of higher consciousness. The student replied, “What do I do now?”

The master answered, “Chop wood and carry water.”

Why do I tell this story? Up here, wood is like gold. It is the main source of heat for people in the winter. However, you can’t wait ’til winter to prepare it.

A friend of mine has a dad in his 90’s. She tells me he still splits his wood by hand. Incredible!

As Esther and I settled in, furniture in place, food in ‘frig, and clothes put away, it came time to hang pictures. There are numerous pictures to hang, some of which will never be hung as leaning triangular walls do not lend themselves well to hanging pictures.

There was one picture, however, I knew had to be hung. Bought on impulse many years ago, I did not realize its profound meaning at that time. This picture was the first to be hung and coincidentally ended up literally in the center of the cabin.

“A picture speaks a thousand words”. I feel it speaks considerably more than that. This picture shows a thread connecting a wolf with a Native American with a dragonfly. The caption reads, “WE ARE ALL ONE FAMILY”. It’s true. We are all one Family ~ Unity is a beautiful thing!

We often think of our connections to other humans and rarely to all else. We are also connected to the animals, to the insects, to Mother Earth herself. In fact, we are connected to the entire cosmos.

We have a book and cards entitled, “Medicine Cards”, by Jamie Sams and David Carson, published by St. Martin’s Press, copyright, 1988, 1999. It’s the discovery of power through the ways of animals. Native Americans have whole clans dedicated to one of these animals. This book is dedicated to ‘Grandmother Twylah’ for her lifetime of service to the teaching of the Wolf Clan and the children of ‘Mother Earth’.

The Wolf represents teaching; finding new paths and options; breaking through; being a role model and sharing inner knowing. At the moment, I identify with the Wolf. I say “at the moment” because I have experienced the impermanence of everything. I’ve been a turtle, a bear, and a butterfly and will likely be again. Esther identifies with the swan (grace) and the deer (gentleness). Those of you who know her will certainly testify to that! The dragonfly represents and confronts denials, breaks through illusions and honors inner truths. Honor your inner truths!!!

The Native American represents living in harmony with Mother Earth, respecting what they take, taking no more than required, and giving back. We truly believe this. Why else would we choose to live where we now live? This is our inner truth.

Have we used up our ‘thousand words’ yet? Stay tuned, there’s plenty more to come  It’s time now for us to take a walk in the woods…

In Unity, Peace, and Love,
Esther and Dave

Coming up on August 10 thru August 12 ~ 'Nature Retreat' offered by our fellow 'Unitic', Dave Becker and his lovely lady, Esther, at their new home in the presence of Mount Shasta. Camp out or choose a tree house with a full view of Mount Shasta for your stay.

Drum Circle on Friday evening; massages will be available on Saturday with Christine (formerly of the Napa Auberge du Soleil Spa); Stewart Mineral Hot Springs is an outing close by to be enjoyed. The Saint Germain "I AM Pageant" Saturday evening, Aug. 10 from 7:30 to 9:30 PM in Shasta, is a free musical treat you'll want to see.

Sunday morning at the Drum Circle below the tree house we'll finalize our uniqe spiritual experience in the angelic presence of Mount Shasta with a gathering. Dave plans to talk about their spiritual growth in moving to this location and how Unity inspired it. For the musically inclined, you are encouraged to brings instuments and your singing voice for rejoicing in the mountain air.

Sign up sheet is in the Social Room. Please let us know if you  plan to go. Dave and Esther are providing continental style breakfasts, so bring your own food and perhaps dishes to share for evening potluck on Saturday before the Pageant. The images below give you a glimps of the charms you will find on this Mount Shasta Retreat.

I ran across this article "Everything Is Energy And We Control It With The Power Of Our Thoughts" right after a Monday morning "Course in Miracles" class where we discussed the power of our thoughts. "All manifestation in the the two-dimensional world we create is preceded by thought". We understood the principle. Did we truly understand that our thoughts make our reality? Are we willing to accept responsibility?

It's much easier to relinquish responsibility for my life circumstances outside of my thoughts. My beloved retired minister, Albert Abdulky often said, "We create our life circumstances, then turn our power over to them" because it's easier to believe this world I see is outside of my making it.

On April 29, I began our Unity class on  “Lesson in Truth” (I was behind the group who had already read the first two chapters). My approach to all such teachings seems to be that I hold back. I admire Dr. Gail Derin and the enlightenment I've received from her talks. But, I'm like the disciple, ‘Thomas’ (dubious, doubtful, disciple ‘Thomas’). After the class, I read the first two chapters twice. After the first reading, I was led by a facebook post from Dr. Mitchell Mays, (another teacher for whom I have great respect) to watch a video narrated by Matthew McConaughey. The first time through, I thought, 'oh yeah', I’ve heard this before. Then, I listened again; then again. Matthew McConaughey's voice has always tapped my consciousness. It's intriguing. Finally, I heard the message. There really are no accidents. I hear what I need to hear, over and over again, until the message becomes a mantra that pushes me toward new growth.  There's no turning back.