If You Build It, They Will Come

This is a famous line from the movie, Field of Dreams. In the movie the main character kept hearing a voice telling him, “If you build it, they will come.” He didn’t even know what it was he was supposed to build; but after several visions and more prompting of the spirit, his direction became clear.
Here at Unity of Cape Cod, we are building a spiritual community. We are also listening to the prompting of the spirit and learning to trust the higher vision that is taking shape in our collective consciousness. I am sure that Charles and Myrtle Fillmore had no idea how far and wide the Unity message would reach; but they held to their faith that Spirit was at the center of their vision, and their vision, being divinely inspired, would always lead to the highest good.

At times we allow our doubts and concerns to cloud the vision of our soul; but the voice will always remind us that what we are building is really a place in our heart. We build a place for more peace, for more joy, for more love and connection. We build not with board and brick, but with the energy of the Christ within. We build with light and compassion, charity and creative giving.
The kingdom of Heaven is being made manifest on earth through our commitment to build. We have much work to do here, while we are here; but it is a joyous and playful endeavor, rather than a drudgery of sacrifice. We are happy to build, to labor in the fields of our spiritual growth. We find satisfaction in seeing our brothers and sisters coming to the banquet of awakening.

We take great pleasure in building a platform for the rising consciousness of Humankind. In my opinion, there is no greater calling in this world than the call to awaken. This is a humble and holy way, a profession of sometimes invisible results; but in the end, we know that each and every heart will come to know their magnificent reality through the truths we teach and the example we put forth.
This place which we aspire to create together must be hidden from our eyes for a time; for in our limited sight we cannot bear the magnitude of this gift nor the full power of our God-Self. Hence the necessity for the voice, gently leading us to build our dreams. And so, we build on, knowing that Spirit will guide all those to us that need to be part of this wonderful adventure we call Unity. And as we continue to build, take time to look around you. They have come, and from all over the world more are coming to find our community to be their spiritual home.

Be Blessed my friends… Keep listening, keep loving one another and keep building.
Rev. Tony

Going Within

In his famous book, Discover the Power Within You, Eric Butterworth states, “The greatest mistake is in believing that we are ‘only human… ‘ We are human in expression but divine in creation and limitless in potentiality.”

Winter is the time when those of us who live in colder regions spend more time indoors. We get to cozy up next to the fire, spend quality time with each other, share our stories and songs and catch up on those books we have been wanting to read. It is also a good time to get in touch with the God of our being and go within. To experience our limitless potential, we must take the time to put down the things of the world and go within on a regular and consistent basis. To seek first the kingdom of Heaven, our higher consciousness and bring that consciousness back into the world.

The sub-title of Butterworth’s book is “A Guide to the Unexplored Depths Within.” In fact, the final frontier of Human exploration will inevitably be the realm of consciousness, the universe of mind and spirit. Why is the realm of inner experience still largely unexplored? Is it only because we have been too afraid to go there? Are we still denying the responsibility for world we see? Is it more convenient to see everything outside of us and place responsibility for what we experience on forces beyond our control? It does feel safer doesn’t it; but what we fail to see is we have become very comfortable with distress and disaster.

If we really want peace, true peace, we will have to activate the power within us, and to do this we must go within. We have come to a point of spiritual evolution where a God outside of us, controlling our experience of life makes no sense anymore. We no longer can look outside for the answers to those deeper questions. Again, the road leads in one direction, within.

Within the mind of the human being lies the memory of perfect Oneness, of unlimited power and eternal love. The question is not this, the question is, can I remember this as myself? Am I willing to accept the fact that whatever I define God or the Universe to be, that is what I am?
If I can spend a little time with this thought, I just might find this road I travel within the depths of my consciousness is not so frightening after all. I might just find it to be exciting and fun!
Finally, my brothers and sisters, I can only suggest the direction of where to look. What you will find there, well let’s just say the adventure has only begun.

Always Yours in Christ Consciousness,
Rev. Tony

Happy New You !

A New Year brings with it the opportunity to create a new you. In Truth, it is merely the memory of the real you, the original essence of you; but for this day, let us consider it an opportunity to create something new and wonderful, the unique expression of God in the world that you came here to be.

There is a teaching in the Bible that tells us, “no one pours new wine into old wineskins, for the skin will break and the wine will pour out unto the ground and both the wine and the skin will be ruined.” (Mark 2:22)

Often times we attempt to fit a new spiritual truth into our old thought system, and it doesn’t fit no matter how we try. We cannot use the truth in our old ways. It then becomes wasted energy trying to understand it with our limited thinking. We have come to a point where new ideas must have a new consciousness in order to accept them and put them into demonstration.

This might sound like the chicken and the egg idea. “Which came first, the thought or the consciousness?” Let me clear that up for us once and for all. It is all happening simultaneously. Time is not linear, and thought is not about something. Thought is not representational, as most of us believe. Thought is the substance of everything. And, something tells me the new you can clearly understand that. Your consciousness has expanded to accept new ideas.

If thought is substance, and Charles Fillmore assures us that it is, then we can view ourselves as a divine idea in the mind of God. Spirit and matter cannot be separate or be experienced separately. When we say, “I am a child of God,” I am acknowledging that whatever God is, that is what I am. I might be experiencing it only as potential right now; but that’s okay. I can let the mind which was in Christ Jesus also be in me. (Philippians 2:5)

The mind born out of the mistaken idea of separation does not easily lend itself to this truth, and that is precisely why you need a new thought in order to discover the new you. The new you is the receptive consciousness that can contain the new wine of spiritual awakening.

New Thought has always held to the proposition that we are one with the Mind of God, and therefore can create like God. We have an innate power to manifest divine ideas in form, which is spoken of in Unity’s third principle; “We create our experiences by the activity of our thinking, and… everything in the manifest realm has its beginning in thought.” When our thoughts are aligned with Truth, a new and exciting experience of life is ours, and we stand in the newness of our own being as God manifests its glory through us.

Rev. Tony

Celebrating the Light of Christ Consciousness

What made the man Jesus the Christ? For many, the traditional view that he was a specially anointed messiah, the one and only son of God, has left us empty and wondering, “where does that leave me? Am I forever separate from the divine, hopelessly tied to a position of begging for his favor? Or, do I also have the innate potential of Christ consciousness in me as well?” What made Jesus the Christ is what makes all of us a potential Christ, the light within, the light of our higher consciousness.

If we take the Hebrew definition of Christ, meaning anointed one, we must ask, with what was he anointed? The answer lies in the things he said and did. He said, “I am the light of the world. I am the way, the truth and the life. He that follows me, will not walk in darkness but have the light of life.” It is safe to say then, this light which Jesus spoke of was his greatest gift to us, the recognition that we have this light as he did. Some look at this light as spiritual energy, or divine substance manifest in human beings. I sometimes like to call it, God in us, our true Self.

When the baby Jesus was born in Bethlehem, it is written they called his name Emanuel, which properly translated means, God with us. This Christmas we have the opportunity to remember that God is indeed with us, within us and all around us. We celebrate the one presence and the one power, everywhere present at all times and in all space. There is nowhere this light is not, for it is the divine substance of life itself.

When I think of the birth of the Christ, I think of it in these terms. It is the birth of an awareness that God is within. This is Christ Consciousness. It lives and moves in us. It is the creative force, our inner essence and our one true reality. It is the awareness that I am not only one with the universe, I am the universe. No living thing could be separate from me. I am a child of the living God.

It has been said one of Charles Fillmore’s favorite scriptures was (Colossians 1:27) which states, “Christ in you is the hope of glory.” If the same spirit which was in Christ Jesus dwells in you, then you can have boldness in claiming for yourself the spiritual power and glory given freely to every person.
May this Christmas season, and every day of the year be a time of accepting this precious gift of knowing exactly who and what we are in truth, and may we also extend this gift to all those we meet, everyone we speak to or even think of. May the light of our own Christ consciousness shine bright across the world, transforming all darkness and mistaken ideas into a beautiful reflection of God’s eternal love and glory.
Namaste’ and Happy Holidays

Rev. Tony

Gratitude, The Great Game Changer

In Unity we learn the power of our minds, our thoughts, feelings and beliefs create the world we experience. In this season of giving thanks, let us be ever mindful of all the things we have to be grateful for. Let us focus on those things and thereby increase and multiply the good in our lives and in the whole world.

It is said what we focus on in our heart and mind will increase in manifestation in our world. Hate and conflict feed on more hate and conflict, while love and gratitude also feed on the same energy. If we are to put the power of dynamic, positive energy to work in our lives, we must begin with gratitude. When we are grateful there is absolutely no room for negative energy to accumulate in our minds. Rather, an air of joy and positive movement goes with us on our daily journey. We begin to influence those around us on a subtle level that is more powerful than the transient conflicts we perceive.

When I am grateful I am affirming that God is good and everywhere present at all times, that the Universe is always conspiring on my behalf, and that healing and wholeness is my natural state of being. When I say thank you to the Universe, I am calling forth more of the same experiences for which I am grateful. The continuous flow of blessings increases because I acknowledge what I want instead of what I don’t want. In this way, I am also ready to receive more. When I complain about my situation, I am blocking the flow of good that can heal my mind and satisfy my need. When I strive for worldly gain, my need is never satisfied, no matter how much wealth or status I accumulate. However, when I am grateful for everything I have now, more will be given me, because I have given all to fulfill the purpose Spirit has given for my life.

We have also learned through New Thought teaching that our thoughts are prayers. When I hold negative thoughts and harbor resentments against my brothers or sisters, I am praying for more of the same for me. The action of a grateful mind changes the game completely. I now pray for those who I disagree with, the ones I feel are committing evil acts or otherwise assault my sense of decency or morality. I send them the loving energy which I want to receive. I hold them in the light of their true nature and not what appears on the outside. I hold all my loved ones in this light as well, knowing they too will experience soul-growth and experience peace by connecting with the goodness within. I send out the thoughts and prayers that I wish to receive, and I am forever grateful for the blessings that continue to flow each and every day.

It is my sincere wish that we take the mystery out of affirmative prayer and know that what we are grateful for will increase in our experience. How I affirm the truth is by being thankful for it. In this manner, it becomes an unstoppable power of eternal love, flowing in me through me and as me. I am so impressed that these spiritual laws work at all times, in every situation and with every single person regardless of where they find themselves in this world. Focus on the solution my friends. Begin by changing the game completely. Flip it on its head and be grateful for every single thing.

“And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” (Philippians 4:8)

Always Yours in Christ Consciousness
Rev. Tony

Color My World with Love

In New England, Autumn brings with it a colorful array of natural, visual delights. Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Nature always wears the color of the Spirit.” We can also use this time to tune into a deeper change being brought about by the Spirit within. We have an opportunity to embrace the energy that colors our life and our world during these times of shift and change. Looking at your life, and the colors of your experience this Fall, perhaps you can sense a force moving in you that is more powerful than the seeming conflicts of the outer world. Perhaps the artist painting the picture of your life could be the Christ Spirit within you. Perhaps this is the moment we can step back and give thanks for all the beauty and perfection that has been revealed to us already, in the form of good relationships, abundance of kindness, and constant comfort and care. These are some of the colors the great artist within uses to color our world with love.

I often find, when I am attempting to paint my world without the guidance of the master painter, I don’t like the world pictured there; but when I give my life over to divine guidance, love once again becomes the theme of everything I see. In fact, universal love is constantly guiding each of us if we allow it. It will move our hands and feet, put the right colors on the paint brush of our minds, direct our thoughts and actions just right, in order to create that perfect masterpiece that only we can bring onto this world.

When I ponder all the decisions and all the possibilities there are in bringing forth my highest good, I know I cannot perceive them by myself. I can honestly say, “Of myself I can do nothing,” (John 5:30). I know I am not alone. There is a greater Self waiting and wanting to guide me on the spiritual path. We have come to know this as divine mind, the spirit of the living God in us, our Christ-Self. As I allow that force to move in me and in my life, the calm assurance of a loving presence is given me. This presence I feel becomes evident everywhere and in everyone. It brings me the comfort and strength to let go and forgive the world. As I forgive, I learn to entrust my life to Spirit. I pray only that the Divine Presence of love, light and wisdom guide me in all things, always and in all ways. I no longer fear the changing seasons; but rather welcome them, knowing they will inevitably color my world with nothing but eternal, Divine Love.
Always Yours in Christ Consciousness, Rev. Tony

Fall into Love

Here it comes again, the change of seasons in beautiful New England, the inevitable metamorphosis of the landscape and weather patterns that often mirror the changing patterns of our life. One thing I have come to know from my life experience is that everything always unfolds with grace and ease when I embrace the change. In fact, the more we go with the flow, the more exciting the adventure of life becomes. I often hear the phrase, “change is good.” Well, that doesn’t always seem to be the case if we are not prepared for it, or we resist the inevitable ebb and flow of the universe. The fall season comes every year and leads into winter and again into spring; but many of us act surprised when the cold and the rain and the storms returns. We might complain about the darkness, the short days, or the need to stay inside more often and wear those layers of clothes to keep warm. We have an opportunity this fall to embrace the change, to soak in the visual delights of colorful fall days, long walks on almost empty beaches, skies that stretch out beyond the horizon and point to endless possibilities just waiting to be brought into existence by the power of your intention.

This is a time of opportunity, to witness the unlimited substance of God’s universal mind expanding within our consciousness. I believe the ending of summer always brings new opportunities to love and be loved, to grow in the knowledge and experience of our own perfect divine nature, unfolding with the cycles of life itself. This wonderful time of year brings with it the winds of change and growth, whether that change, and growth is a positive experience or a troubling one is really our choice. I believe we have the power to harness the energy of change and embrace the process of growth. In fact, all our distress stems from resistance to the inevitable flow of change and the certain necessity of our spiritual evolution. I am convinced that by bonding together in a mutual commitment to spiritual awakening, we bring the energy of healing and remembrance of love to all humanity. When we fall into the love of the divine presence, we hold that space free and clear for others to follow. The universe offers such beauty in the movement and such excitement in the seasons of life. If you find yourself in the changing seasons of your life, embrace the season with a calm assurance that the universe is unfolding perfectly according to divine law. Embrace the moment and fall into the loving heart of God. I will meet you there.

Always Yours in Christ Consciousness
Rev. Tony

The Adventure of Spiritual Awakening Continues

Once upon a time, on a chilly fall day along a lonely beach on the shores of Cape Cod, walked a sixteen year old kid; mixed up and confused about the purpose of his life, he prayed to the sky, to the wind and seas, in a desperate, innocent attempt to reach the Spirit/God beyond the world he could see with his physical eyes. That kid was me, and little did I know, this story would become an integral part of my adventure. As I walked along, questioning the meaning of my life, I felt like I became one with the rolling waves as they persisted to crash into the sand. I noticed the sand did not mind being pummeled by the ocean, instead it welcomed the next wave and the next, as if they were part of one passionate dance of life. That day dozens of gulls were perched low on the beach because of the ferocity of the wind, and yet their faces were turned into it, not away in avoidance. Each and every gull took their place in the perfectly formed line of birds along the shore; accepting the wind into their faces, they seemed to enjoy the weather, again as part of the dance of life in which they played their part to perfection. Just as the birds, the wind and the waves played their roles in authentic perfection, I began to get the feeling that I too had a role to play in this dance of life, one that was equally as important as the rest. From that miraculous day on, I knew my purpose would find me. I no longer had to search wildly around in the world for a purpose that did not sing to my soul. The adventure would unfold before me and within me, without struggle or strain. In fact, the journey seemed to be one of letting go of struggle and confusion, and would now become one of inner peace and deep knowing. This journey has continued as the most exciting adventure ever imagined, the adventure of spiritual awakening.

Along the way I have encountered numerous souls, all on their own path of enlightenment, at various stages of experience, and at their own level of spiritual understanding. Everyone however, has had one thing in common, a deep desire for the truth, not a mere conceptual understanding of truth, but a deep inner knowing of who and what they really are, and a lasting experience of the oneness we all share. I have met thousands of people along my path of awakening who have proved to me their reality is not found in separation. At the core of it all, we all seem to share the same experience and have the same revelation. “I am in God, God is in me, and I am in everyone, as everyone is in me.” There could never be any truth found in this apparent separate state, and the real world of oneness and eternal love is the only true reality there is.

If you are feeling this overwhelming impulse to know the truth of your being and live in the knowledge of our singular reality, you have come to the right place. If you believe the real revolution is the evolution of our consciousness, you have come to the right place. If you want peace on earth and you know it must begin with you, you have come to the right place. If you are dedicated to giving to others, and to the idea that lifting others up is the way we rise, you have come to the right place. If you want to see the world of eternal peace and love as your manifest destiny, you have come to the right place. If you have a deep desire to make the shift from fear to love, you have come to the right place. If you want to teach only love and see the Christ in others, you have come to the right place; and if you want to be part of this growing community of those committed to sharing these spiritual principles, I would have to say, you have not only come to the right place, but you are the place, the place where God shines through and blesses all the world. Thank you for joining in the dance and taking your part in the glorious adventure of spiritual awakening. Welcome Home!

Always yours in Christ Consciousness,

Rev. Tony

Rediscovering The Independence of Your Soul

In this summer season, so close to our national celebration of Independence day, I can’t help thinking about the true nature of freedom. The way I experience true freedom is non-attachment, non-attachment to any worldly care or concern, to any material manifestation or physical outcome. It is a deep immersion into spirit, not as an escape from the world; but rather an acceptance of what appears in my world as a vehicle for soul growth and expansion of my spiritual experience.

When my expectations are translated into certainty of immediate release, my soul feels free. I am certain that Spirit/God is, and that the divine presence and power is omnipresent now and in every circumstance of my life, in all aspects of creation and available at every possible moment. The ever-present nature of God within and all around me assures me that I am free in my consciousness, without restriction or limitation of any kind. I am not shut off from my desires; but I see those desires are of a spiritual nature. I receive all that is mine by practicing patience. One of my favorite quotes from A Course in Miracles states, “Infinite patience brings immediate results.”
The ultimate awareness I want to achieve in my heart and my soul is to be totally free and unbound by the restrictions of mortal consciousness.

When we identify ourselves from the perspective of separation we cannot feel free. There always seems to be an outside force trying to control us, someone always seems to appear that we must combat and battle with for that freedom. To see oneself as an ego, trapped in a body and bound by time, we have to fight for our “so called” independence. If we do not see ourselves as free, then we do not see our creator as a loving and omnipotent force. I would suggest here that we can only gain back our experience of independence by becoming totally dependent on Spirit/God! And it might be important to remember our surrender is to an absolute good and loving presence in all, through all and as all.

In God we were created eternally free. The constraints placed on humankind are made up illusions of limitation, perpetuated by the minds content with seeking out worldly power and satisfaction of the ego. With this in mind, I seek an independence from the tyranny of the ego and release of all the methods of attack and defense I have built into my thought system. Another wonderful way I can recognize I am free is to remember I can choose to think anything I want. If my mind is forever free then I can bring into manifestation a world of freedom, equality, love, compassion and recognition of God in everyone. After all, it is my mind, I am free to use it on behalf of my own independence.
And… as we have discovered, our total dependence on a loving, powerful, creative and singular source of reality becomes the means to attain the liberation of our soul in the splendor of Spirit. Happy and free is the one who has cast the cares of the world aside to breathe the fresh air of sweet independence, here and now, always and forever free.

Happy Total Dependence Day!
Total dependence on a Loving God!
Always yours in Christ Consciousness

Rev. Tony

Practicing The Presence

When in the presence of pure being, I can realize this as my true nature, unlimited and endowed with all the attributes of my eternal source. Focusing my attention on the divine, creative spirit within and all around me, I remain aware of the perfection of this moment. This has been called by some, “practicing the presence.”

You might ask, “if I am already the light of the world, and live in the power and presence of God, why do I have to practice the presence?” Because my dear friends, we have forgotten who we really are. We have been in a deep sleep of forgetfulness and have been dreaming of separation, guilt, blame and attack. The thing we are not aware of is that we have been judging and attacking ourselves, and it is this we have projected upon the world we see.

By practicing the presence of God, we demonstrate our own true reality. We are bringing into manifestation the fruits of the Spirit and extending the eternal love that we are. Yes, you are the love, you are the miracle, you are the light, you are the evidence of a singular source of all creation here in this world. However, in order demonstrate the presence of pure being, there must be a willingness to let all other images of ourselves go. If we are made in the image and after the likeness of Divine Spirit, then we must accept the attributes of that Spirit in order to experience it for ourselves.

In this world, nothing will ever bring you more peace, satisfaction and joy than the experience of yourself as the pure being that you are. It is known to some as the Holy Instant, the moment when the presence of the Divine is all you know and all you are.
Let this new season bring with it a renewed passion for attaining continuing awareness of that moment. Let this summer truly be the summer of love, and extend your love everywhere to everyone all the time. Be grateful to share of your eternal, divine, perfect, all-pervasive love. Let us be determined this summer to bring forth the memory of pure being and the experience of the presence of the living, loving God within us and everywhere present at all times.

I would like us to remember this call of our Higher Self with this prayer from Unity’s co-founder, Charles Fillmore: “I am now in the presence of pure being and immersed in the Holy Spirit of love, life and wisdom. I acknowledge Thy presence and power O blessed Spirit. In thy wisdom now erase my mortal limitations, and from Thy pure substance of love bring into manifestation my world, according to Thy perfect law.”
(Charles Fillmore, Jesus Christ Heals, page 22)

Always Yours in Christ Consciousness
Rev. Tony