French philosopher, Pierre Teilhard de Chardin said, “We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience.” We affirm this Truth when we greet each other in Sunday service with, “The Christ in me sees the Christ in you.” It is this piece of the Divine in every living thing that connects us as one on the web of life. When we are among our friends, loved ones, and indeed our Unity family, feeling this Truth is deeply fulfilling.
But what happens when the day to day realities of our human experience become the elephant in the room? Even relationships between the most loving partners, compassionate friends, beloved family members and respected co-workers can become strained with disagreements and harsh words spoken in frustration. Where do we turn when those real human hurt feelings take up too much space in our thoughts no matter how hard we try to move past unpleasantness?
Emmet Fox, a New Thought contemporary of Charles and Myrtle Filmore, addressed this in his essay, The Golden Key to Prayer. He invites us to, “Stop thinking about the difficulty, whatever it is, and think about God instead.” In this way, we look past the human expression and connect with the Divine within the person who has hurt us. When our thoughts return to the trouble or hurt, we interrupt those thoughts by focusing on God.
Fox explains, "...(B)y constantly repeating some statement of absolute Truth that appeals to you, such as There is no power but God, or I am the child of God, filled and surrounded by the perfect peace of God, or God is love, or God is guiding me now, or, perhaps best and simplest of all, just God is with me -- however mechanical or dead it may seem at first -- you will soon find that the treatment has begun to “take”, and that your mind is clearing. Do not struggle violently; be quiet but insistent. Each time that you find your attention wandering, just switch it straight back to God."
When we are faced with a difficult relationship, we can “Golden Key” the person or situation by turning to our Divine centered affirmations and hold in prayer our connection to the Divine spark - the Christ within - where we may find peace within ourselves. In this way, we leave space for Divine Order to present opportunities for Spiritual growth - whether that comes in the form of drawing closer to the person, setting healthy boundaries or blessing and releasing the relationship or situation. We do not place a limiting outline of what the solution will be. As Fox concludes, “Leave the question of ways and means strictly to God... You do your half, and God will never fail to do His.”
Love and Light,
Amy Shao (Board President, UWSC)
