Tag: faith

Fear, Shadow, and Misperception

NOTE: The subject of understanding fear from a spiritual perspective always raises interest. As a companion article to Sunday’s talk, Confronting Fear, I thought I would share this article on the topic.

Fear as Contraction

If the Creative Life Force is always expressing, and if the soul is never separate from its Source, then what most disrupts our experience of peace and spiritual coherence? Over the years, I have come to see that the primary obstruction is not sin in the traditional sense, nor ignorance alone, but fear. Fear acts as a contraction, narrowing our perception and limiting our experience.

When fear arises, perception narrows. Imagination projects onto reality, faith becomes fixated on threat, judgment turns reactive, and the will succumbs to impulsive responses. Instead of affirming creative power, elimination becomes a denial of our affirmative abilities. The flow of Life does not cease, but our experience of it constricts. Fear does not extinguish the Light; it simply restricts reflectivity.

Rational Caution vs Imagined Fear

It is important to distinguish between rational caution and imagined fear. Rational caution is an intelligent response to a real situation, such as encountering a wild bear in the woods. In this case, the body responds appropriately, attention sharpens, and distance is maintained. This is not distortion; it is alignment with the facts of the situation.

Imagined fear, by contrast, arises when the mind projects threats where none exist—like fearing a bear under the bed. This imagined bear appears only in darkness, when perception is unclear. As visibility diminishes, imagination fills the gaps, and emotionalism overwhelms discernment. The bear under the bed is not reality; it is projection. The problem is not the dark itself, but misinterpretation of what might be lurking in the dark.

Emotionalism and the Collapse of Discernment

Fear intensifies when emotional response overrides rational evaluation. Without clear perception, imagination becomes creative in unhelpful ways; faith focuses on worst-case scenarios, judgment leaps to conclusions, and will braces for conflict. Through our faculty of elimination, we may try to suppress anxiety without resolving it. The faculties themselves are not flawed—they are simply misdirected. The bear in the woods demands caution; imagined fear collapses quickly when discernment is restored.

Shadow as Belief in Absence

Shadow, within this framework, is not an opposing force to light but the belief in the absence of light. There is just as much light in the darkness of space as there is on the face of a full moon; the difference lies in reflection. Similarly, there is no region of existence devoid of spiritual Light. What we experience as darkness is often a surface not yet reflecting clearly.

Fear gives darkness substance, but darkness has no independent existence. It is the temporary absence or blockage of revealed light. This distinction is essential; if darkness possessed independent substance, nonduality would collapse, and we would be forced into cosmic dualism—Light battling shadow, Good versus evil. But if shadow is cast by perspective, then the struggle is not between rival forces, but between clarity and contraction.

Love Restores Perception

I have suggested that the action of love is the drawing together of what allows further expression and the dissolving of what inhibits it. In this sense, love dissolves fear by restoring accurate perception. When we understand that the bear is not under the bed, fear dissolves naturally and no force is required. Love does not attack fear; it illuminates.

Practicing visualization of love dissolving fear is not magical thinking, but reorientation. It is consciously directing imagination and faith toward coherence rather than contraction. Fear cannot withstand sustained clarity.

Fear Is Not Based on Reality

If fear limits our perception, it cannot be considered an inherent evil. Fear does not exist as a rival principle to the creative power of life; it arises from finite perspective and failure to see the bigger picture. To live on Earth is to experience alternating day and night; limitation is built into vantage, but limitation is not corruption. Fear is understandable within finite awareness and becomes problematic only when misinterpreted as ultimate reality.

This distinction removes enormous theological weight. There is no cosmic villain opposing the Divine, no permanent stain attached to the soul. There is contraction and expansion, misinterpretation and correction, but the Light remains intact.

Variation in Suffering

If spiritual Light is constant, why do some suffer more intensely than others? The answer cannot be simplistic; it must consider trauma, biology, environment, and injustice. Embodiment includes many facets. Suffering is amplified or reduced according to interpretive conditioning. Past experiences shape imagination, cultural narratives influence faith, emotional patterns distort judgment, habitual responses influence will, and unexamined beliefs resist change. None of this damages our spiritual essence, but it profoundly affects our experience.

Patience and compassion are essential in spiritual practice. Habitual fear does not dissolve instantly. Even when fear returns and intensifies, the Light has not withdrawn.

The Courage to Illuminate

The spiritually mature response to fear is not denial, but illumination. We do not mock the child afraid of the dark; we turn on the light. We do not shame ourselves for contraction; we seek to clarify our perception. As clarity increases, fear naturally recedes. Alignment with the true light restores peace of mind and returns us to our true center of power.

Dealing with Shadows of Fear

Affirm that there is only light, and that the appearance of shadow is perceptual, not real. Do not deny a negative appearance as if it does not exist, but refuse to engage in negative imagery and uncontrolled emotional energy. If you awaken at night afraid, do not remain in distress; get out of bed and refocus. Read something positive until the emotional storm subsides. Turning on the light is the most effective way to dispel fear.

Choosing the Path to Peace

Often, the journey toward greater peace and clarity requires us to confront actions or situations we have been avoiding. It may mean stepping forward to do something that is uncomfortable or daunting. This willingness to act can be pivotal in breaking free from the grip of fear or emotional contraction.

Avoidance is sometimes rooted in hardened attitudes toward others or circumstances. Thoughts like “She doesn’t deserve this,” or “He’s only getting what’s coming to him” create rigid mindsets that block compassion and keep us locked in emotional turmoil.

The real question is about you: Do you deserve what you are mentally and emotionally doing to yourself? Are these attitudes robbing you of your own peace? Honest reflection encourages a shift in perspective.

When you notice your mindset stealing your peace, look for an “off-ramp”—a conscious opportunity to exit negativity and return to clarity. Be willing to soften your stance and reconsider your attitudes. By doing so, you restore calm and reconnect with inner strength.

Love this “enemy” by affirming that love is drawing to them what is for their highest good and dissolving what is not.

Do not pretend that a situation needing your attention does not exist. Name it for what it is, and strip away all mental and emotional baggage that does not belong to it.

Transforming Attitudes Through Love and Awareness

It is important not to ignore or deny situations that require your attention. Acknowledge the reality of the circumstance, name it clearly, and let go of unhelpful mental and emotional baggage. Focus on clarity and constructive action.

Confronting Fear

YouTube: Confronting Fear

Fear stands out as one of the most damaging emotions we can experience. It has the unique ability to disrupt our peace of mind and undermine our overall well-being. Despite its harmful effects, fear is deeply ingrained in the human experience—so much so that it seems to be as natural and inevitable as the very act of breathing.

One reason fear is so widespread is that we often focus our attention on the external things we fear, rather than examining the nature of fear itself. By concentrating on these fearful objects or situations, we allow fear to persist and take root in our lives, making it a common and recurring presence.

According to the Gospel accounts, Jesus entered Jerusalem during the final week of his life, fully aware of the danger that awaited him. Even as he understood the gravity of his situation, he did not shy away from facing it. Just before his arrest, Jesus prayed for the removal of the circumstance he feared most—the very event that would lead to his death. Despite this, he ultimately surrendered to the path before him, expressing acceptance with the words, “Thy will, not mine, be done.”

This story offers a profound lesson for us. Often, our prayers focus on asking for the removal of what we fear, rather than seeking the strength and understanding to overcome fear itself. If we shift our perspective and examine why we choose this destructive response, our object of fear can provide the opportunity for spiritual growth and enlightenment. The real challenge is to reach a place where, even if what we fear remains, we no longer feel afraid.

By setting aside our fear-based reaction—which seeks conditional freedom from fear—and allowing God’s greater will of freedom and power to prevail, we discover that experiencing the circumstance without fear is truly possible.

We can experience our own triumphal entry by using a fearful moment to confront our fear, to truly examine what it is that is prompting us to choose this negative response. Fear loses its power, not when circumstances change, but when we no longer grant it authority within us. What we once avoided becomes the very doorway through which courage and clarity emerge.

I Am Enough

YouTube: I Am Enough

For many years, I carried the belief that I was spiritually lacking. I thought that by accumulating more spiritual knowledge, I would eventually feel fulfilled. This mindset is not unique to me; I have met many others who share this same perspective.

During my Unity Bible studies, I was encouraged to view the Bible as a story of human consciousness evolving over time. The narrative begins with Adam and Eve, who represent a fall from an ideal state, after which humanity has been striving to recover and reach the level of Jesus Christ—the one who is seen as having achieved this highest state. While the message is subtle, it leaves the impression that, as a member of the human race, I am incomplete and must constantly work to reach that goal.

Over the years, I have realized that this very system might be the root of my sense of spiritual inadequacy. On a spiritual level, I am already complete. The mistakes I make, which bring discomfort or hardship, usually stem from forgetting my true nature. Yet, even my greatest moments of spiritual short-sightedness are not final failures. I always have the opportunity to recover, learn, and try again.

Reflecting on my childhood church experiences, I recall how the minister would make an altar call every Sunday as the congregation sang the hymn, Just As I Am. This was a comforting tradition, as it emphasized that I was welcome just as I was—no matter my human flaws or circumstances. The message was clear: I only needed to show up as myself.

Declaring “I am enough” does not mean we stop growing or learning. Instead, it affirms that our pursuit of knowledge and growth is driven by genuine desire, not by a sense of obligation or inadequacy.

House on the Rock

YouTube: House on the Rock

Part 2 of 2

3. Human beings create their experiences by the activity of their thoughts. (Thoughts held in mind produce after their kind/The formative power of thought/Law of Mind Action.)

4. Prayer is creative thinking that aligns us with God and helps us manifest good. (Or: Prayer and meditation connect us to our spiritual nature within God; often includes affirmations and denials as tools.)

5. Knowing and understanding spiritual laws is not enough; we must also live the truth we know. (The law of demonstration/We must walk the talk/Practice makes presence—applying the principles in daily life.)

* * *

Though these last three points are included as principles, they address specific outcomes based on the fundamental principle of oneness embodied in the first two points we covered last week. For example, if there is only one presence and one power, God the good, why do humans suffer? #3 addresses this issue.

Concerning point #4: Is all prayer creative thinking that aligns us with God? No. Only prayer that is grounded in the principle of oneness does this. Some traditional forms of prayer (petitionary) perpetuate the belief that we are separate from God. Prayer is not a principle; it is a technique that can either align with the principle of oneness or reinforce the principle of separation.

Finally, item #5 points to the importance of living the truth we know. All people are currently living the truth as they understand it. The distinguishing factor is found in what we mean by truth. This is defined in our understanding of God, ourselves, and the nature of our relationship with God, as addressed in the first two points.

To apply this fundamental principle of oneness in life, I start with my actual situation. As an expression of God, I am a spiritual being, inhabiting a physical body, and navigating through a material world. The notion that I live and move and have my being in God becomes my beacon. Though my soul is not subject to time, space, or gravity, my body is. So, my primary concern is this: How does a spiritual being live in a material world?

A composer can receive in a flash the idea for a piece of music. It may take him years to compose it. When we pray, we get in a flash a picture of the perfect outcome of our situation. The fact of our physicality and the laws it is subject to may require time to manifest. We make a persistent effort to hold to the truth that there is but one presence and one power, that we are perfect expressions of that power, and that nothing can diminish our relationship of oneness with our spiritual source. This paradigm of oneness is the only principle we need to remember to apply in any given situation. This is the rock upon which you build your house of consciousness.    

The Foundation

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Part 1 of 2

1. God is absolute good, everywhere present. (There is only one Presence and one Power active as the universe and in my life—God the Good, Omnipotent/Omnipresent.)

2. Human beings are innately good because they are connected to Spirit. (Or: The divinity of humankind; our true nature is good/We each have the spark of divinity/Christ Presence within us.)

Every religious system seeks to express and define Truth. However, what is meant by “Truth” varies according to each tradition. Generally, this understanding can be distilled into three core elements: the nature of God, the nature of the individual, and the nature of the relationship between God and the individual. In Unity, these foundational ideas are summarized in the preceding two statements. All subsequent teachings are grounded in this foundational comprehension of Truth.

A central distinction between New Thought Christianity and Traditional Christianity is their differing views on the relationship between God and the individual. New Thought teaches that we are one with God—a paradigm of oneness. Liberation from human suffering is found in remembering this unity. In contrast, traditional Christianity holds that God and the individual are distinct and separate—a paradigm of separation. By viewing God as wholly other, separate from humankind, union with God is achieved in a heavenly afterlife.

Our journey toward spiritual independence begins with recognizing which paradigm guides our beliefs and actions. The way we approach prayer, for example, reveals much about the paradigm we embrace: do we seek favors from God, requesting intervention and blessings, or do we affirm the empowering truth of our inherent oneness with God, acknowledging that divine goodness is ever-present and expressing through us?

If we imagine God as distant—separated from our everyday life—we may feel disconnected. On the other hand, considering God as the Creative Life Force, constantly active and present, allows us to recognize that we live, move, and have our being within this divine presence. This understanding shapes how we interact with the divine and influences our spiritual understanding.

Active Imagination

YouTube: Active Imagination: Open the Door to Spiritual Unrest

“ Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me” (Revelation 3:20).

Most people are familiar with this passage from the book of Revelation. Its purpose was to convey the idea that the second coming of Jesus was imminent, encouraging the wise to live as though he was already at the door and that significant changes were about to unfold.

This verse represents an important principle for anyone genuinely interested in spiritual awakening. The person standing at the door and knocking is not Jesus, but rather you—your higher self, your complete soul. The desire for more arises because we are inherently more. This greater part of ourselves stands at the door of our consciousness, persistently knocking.

Imagine being in your house while someone knocks at your door. With a “No Solicitors” sign posted, you choose not to answer. The knocking continues, so you block your ears with cotton, turn up the music, and sing along to drown out the sound. Yet the knocking persists.

Eventually, you are compelled to open the door and address the situation. Metaphorically, this reflects what happens at the spiritual level.

In her book Lessons in Truth, Emilie Cady writes:

With a restlessness that is pitiful to see, people are ever shifting from one thing to another, always hoping to find rest and satisfaction in some anticipated accomplishment or possession.

This restlessness originates in our soul. Being complete, it continually pushes at the door of our consciousness, patiently waiting for us to cease shifting from one thing to another and simply open the door.

To do this, we begin by understanding that fulfillment is not found in accomplishments or acquisitions. The spiritual unrest we feel is our wholeness seeking expression.

Today’s lesson introduces a technique developed by Carl Jung, where we envision a dialogue with the one—ourselves—who stands at the door and knocks. Jung called this method Active Imagination. I think you’ll find it helpful in addressing your own sense of spiritual unrest.

Dwelling in the House of the Lord

YouTube: Dwelling In the House of the Lord

“Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.”

Many of us hope to leave a legacy of “goodness and mercy,” a wake of influence that touches people in positive and enlightening ways. I sense this was a desire of the author of the 23rd Psalm, for he certainly accomplished it with this piece of work. I would also imagine he understood that if goodness and mercy were to follow him, he would need to consciously strive to be good and merciful in his own daily affairs. Emerson said the same thing in a slightly different way: If you want to be a great soul, be a great soul now.

The first half of the last line in this famous psalm is an affirmative reminder of what is required of us if we want to make a positive, constructive impact on our world. We learn to give what we want to receive, to do unto others as we would have them do unto us. It is not difficult to leave someone feeling better than when you found them. A simple kind word or act may be all it takes to turn their day around. Random acts of kindness has become a catch phrase, and yet such acts quietly performed will do more to increase your quality of life, and the quality of life for others, than you can imagine.

The more we give our light to the world, the more we realize that we already dwell in the house of the Lord. Being a conscious giver opens our eyes to things we cannot see when we’re drawn in upon ourselves. The world becomes a brighter place because we bring the much needed light of compassion.

Make a conscious decision today to look for ways you can sow seeds of goodness and mercy, to brighten a moment for someone, to bring optimism to the gloomy prospects that another may be facing. See your life as “the house of the Lord,” full of opportunities to serve, to bless others, and to be blessed in return. 

My Cup Overflows

YouTube: My Cup Overflows

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of my enemies; thou anointest my head with oil, my cup overflows.

This line from the 23rd Psalm is rich with the ideas of protection and prosperity. The preparation of the table in the presence of enemies is a way of affirming, Greater good is unfolding even when things appear to be working against me.

 This is an important understanding to affirm because it is absolutely true. When our life takes an unexpected turn for the worse, we often react in ways that rob us of our peace and our creative optimism. The psalmist provides a key that enables us to stay centered in the truth: This thing is not as it appears. A banquet of good is set before you. Know this and be at peace.

Oil is a symbol of prosperity, both materially and spiritually. The head is a symbol of wisdom, intelligence. The Bible describes Joseph, for example, as “a head above his brothers,” meaning, he was sharper. The image of God anointing your head with oil is a way of reminding you to open your mind to the infinite, divine possibilities both of a spiritual and material nature. In times of stress, we close our minds to all but the apparent problem, and it appears that our world is falling apart. God never ceases working, anointing you with everything you need to prosper through your challenges.

The image of the cup overflowing is the most obvious. See yourself overflowing with the light, life, and intelligence of God, touching everyone and everything that concerns you with peace, order, and an abundance of good. Our prosperity begins from within us and works its way out into our affairs. We literally overflow with divine energy. As we affirm and visualize this truth, we enhance its prospering activity in all that concerns us.   

Finding Peace in the Valley

YouTube: Finding Peace in the Valley

Part 4 of 6

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil; for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff, they comfort me.

The phrase valley of the shadow of death is thought to refer to a time when shepherds would guide their flocks through narrow valleys. In these places, predators could hide among the shadows cast by rocks and trees, using the terrain to ambush the flock. This imagery conveys a sense of danger and vulnerability, emphasizing the risks present in life’s challenging passages.

Regardless of historical accuracy, the valley represents a place of danger. Metaphysically, valleys symbolize low moments in consciousness, in contrast to mountains, which are seen as moments of enlightenment and spiritual clarity. Everyone experiences these low points, and during such times, feelings of vulnerability can arise, with threats—both real and imagined—seeming to loom large and threaten what we hold dear.

During these challenging moments, it’s helpful to affirm, as the Psalmist did: I do not fear this negative appearance. God is my protector, my refuge, my guide. By standing firm in this affirmation, we cultivate the confidence that visible good is imminent, even when uncertainty and fear seem to move in the shadows. This approach encourages strength, steadfastness, and the courage to continue moving forward.

Shadows can be deceptive. Even the gentlest person can appear sinister if a flashlight is held to their chin, casting unusual shadows across their face. Merely shifting the light changes the shadows, causing their negative effect to disappear. This analogy suggests that much of what frightens us is fleeting, dependent on perspective, and can shift with even a minor change in how we view our circumstances.

Life consists of valleys and mountaintop experiences. It is important to remember that God is present in all states of being, whether in moments of challenge or moments of joy. The 23rd Psalm serves as a powerful reminder of this truth. Even a slight movement of thought toward God can refresh faith, reassure us of life’s goodness, and remind us that today’s fears are temporary. Peace is available, even in the valley of the shadow of death, and awaits our recognition.

The Right Path

YouTube: The Right Path

Part 3 of 6 

He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

The Psalmist continues with the theme of spiritual guidance. The translators of the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible change the phrase, paths of righteousness, to right paths, a clarification that should prove helpful in our understanding of the idea contained in this line. In practice the path of righteousness is sometimes converted into an attitude of religious self-righteousness, one that is often condemning of those who hold beliefs that are not compatible with what we think is right. The simple thought that God is leading you in right paths is a powerful, affirmative attitude that allows you leave others to find the way that is most meaningful to them.

The word sake means for the good, the benefit or the welfare of somebody or something. In addition, Biblical names, particularly in the Old Testament, depicted a characteristic or the nature of a person or place. The phrase, for his name’s sake, can be thought of as meaning, for the benefit of his (God’s) nature. In other words, there is a right path for you, a way through which God seeks expression. In this line, you are affirming that God is leading you to your right path, one through which all the divine attributes of peace, health and the abundance of all good shines forth naturally.

In your times of quiet, let go of your grasping for answers. Looking outside of yourself and seeking the resolution to a problem is the cause of all tension of your mind, shortness of breath, and stress in your body. You are on the right path when you turn to God alone for guidance. You are complying with God’s nature that works from the center to the circumference of your being. You know you are on the right path when you feel the stress of groping for solutions begin to subside and the peace of trust in God rise from your center.

Affirm: God’s perfect peace is my right path and I choose this path now. Be still. The peace of stillness is your right path.