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.

Here on the farm, the lilac tree is one of the first to awaken after a dormant winter. The tree is budding out, and the buds are forming green leaves.  In a few months, beautiful purple lilacs will cover the tree. It will take longer for the wine grape vines and the walnut trees to start leafing out.

Just as trees and vines awaken after a winter of many 27 degree nights, humankind is undergoing an awakening. Just as the trees are opening to the sunlight of the longer days, we are opening to the light of a new dawn. The light is shining on possibility—the possibility and potential of a new way of doing things and a better world. A world where people are free to be their own best selves.

At Unity, we learn that the spark of light from Creator God is in all of us. We can get rid of and lose all the old thinking that no longer serves our highest good. When we realize this truth, we experience an awakening. We discard the old, and attain a new awareness.

I find that Unity embraces all paths of wisdom that lead to the same outcome: Love. In this spirit, I would like to share a text from the Buddhist Monk, Shantideva, who lived around 700 A.D.  I found this in an email from Nick Polizzi, who writes for The Sacred Science Team. 

“The Dalai Lama considers this text to be THE source for developing altruism in your character and the “Spirit of Awakening.”

Unity Daily Post: Thursday, March 15, 2018

I don't know about you, but it's been a whirl wind of a first quarter in 2018 for me. I prayed for connection with others at the beginning of the year. WOW, did I get an "E" Ticket Ride (for those of you of an age to remember what that meant @ Disneyland). 

No sooner did I begin tax season with AARP Foundation, the certification to teach the "Connection Practice" was going to be condensed into a one week training course. Here was a chance to take advantage of a 'heady' goal in the middle of tax season. This would be risky in many ways. How would I juggle something I could not afford; arrange for others to cover in my absence; and find a way to pay for a week-long training along with a place where I could afford to stay?

The first challenge was delay by what turned out to be one of many compounded by my own lack of preparation for the challenge ahead of me. I prayed for support. If this challenge was one that was meant to be, it would be, was the response I received. It was then that I discovered my traveling and camping membership has a campground located 15 minutes from the Connection Practice training center. Full hook-up, hot showers and all. O.K.... Maybe this can happen, afterall!

​Ideal ~ so I thought. Missed opportunities to prepare for the event popped up at every turn to the point I was ready to back out at the last minute. Whatever it was that drove me to trust an inner voice compelled me to believe this was a 'required course'. I began to practice "connection" with others after connecting within myself. It takes a "Pause" (I call it the pause that refreshes! "Empathy + Insight = Connection) is possible once you pause long enough to connect within yourself before you connect with others. What am I feeling? What do I need?  What more do I need to know about this?

No sooner had I prayed for connection with others, my higher consciousness brought every possible opportunity for me to learn the way to do it. Relationships can be problematic if consciousness and dialogue is without empathy to truly listen. Insight comes from a higher realm of comprehension and understanding. I know that when I am connected coherently within my being, I am able to use the power that is my natural inheritance. Whatever I call that higher consciousness doesn't matter. Prayers were answered. 

Nevertheless, like Tevye in 'Fiddler on the Roof' ~ "Lord, why must you bless me this much?"

The connection practice of the "Connection Practice" was worth every reason to learn it, apply it and experience a flow of life that brings purpose, reason, creativity, and action together to manifest what you want rather than what you don't want. It's like anything else, you get better at it when you practice it. (Pun Intended)

Unity of Stockton is planning a workshop introducing the "Connection Practice" Part 1 in May. (tentavily on May 19th & 20th) Respond to office@unityofstockton.com for information about the workshop.

Often in my life I forget this message. Trust in the Divine to provide. It not only brings peace, it strengthens your confidence, places your thoughts in the domain of actualization. "We don't plant a seed, then keep digging it up to see if it's taken root." Mom was full of these witty sayings. I was so blessed to have her as my teacher, my mentor, and my guide.

​I recently read an article in "Learning Mind" which illustrates the concept that our thoughts create our reality.  I would like to share with you:
​
"The Fusion of Einstein and Buddha: Spiritual Science Creates a New Vision of Reality" 

At Unity of Stockton, I found a community of like-minded spiritual seekers who embrace heartfelt conversation regarding spiritual growth. Congregants express compassion for others, and demonstrate genuine desire to grow their faith in Divine Order.

Our Sunday talks, with a variety of ministers, provides a diverse insight into each speaker's own spiritual path. These talks foster deep personal insights into their challenges and mastery of spiritual strength and deeper faith in the principles of Unity. Workshops and events are always enlightening and lead to an ever-broadening vision of my own personal spiritual growth. I can say that I have become more peaceful, loving, calm, compassionate, less judgmental, happier and far more mentally healthy since I've become a member. ​

I started this blog to offer a platform for Unity members who wish to express their experiences with Unity of Stockton. Comments to blog posts are welcomed. Entries will be reviewed to ensure that topic and content is pertinent to our congregants' association with Unity activities and principles. Recommendations for improving content of our communication platforms, scheduling of events, future Sunday talks, social agendas and matters directly involving Unity of Stockton are the topics for your entries and comments.

​Everyone is encouraged to voice their recommendations, opinions and concerns with civility and respect.

Please send your entry to office@unityofstockton.com