Spiritual Development

Doctor of Spiritual Development Essay by Janus Carson   I found the course to be most enlightening. I especially liked the way Doctor Crouch incorporated NLP techniques as a vehicle to promote spiritual development. As I have had some studies in NLP this program is refreshingly easy to follow. Dr. Crouch covered many excellent points and this course has helped greatly in my personal growth.  Surprisingly, One of the most powerful techniques I found was to ask myself who/what am I, really? I found myself returning more and more to this seemingly simple question, Meditating at times for hours. The layers of false self began to peel quickly at first, with little emotional attachment. After a few weeks I began to peel off some very painful layers however, once past the layer it was gone. I am now within the mind of my higher self and still peeling layers. This has been a very liberating experience for me. Another side effect from the self-inquiry is a calm, peaceful demeanor. I have much more energy and have begun to have prophetic dreams. I have now begun to think much more often in relation to what I desire and my life has improved immensely.    I attracted all the information I needed to learn Hypnosis Therapy. I then attracted enough clients to pay for my school and certification as a Clinical Hypnotherapist (C.HT). I am now in the process of building my business with focused concentration, meditation and visualization. Thanks to Dr Crouch and the reviews of Magick chapters I feel as though every moment is a magickal working and life keeps getting better every day. Negative events no longer have a negative hold on me, I realize that my response controls the outcome. I am in control of my emotional, mental and physical body. I live my life noticing the good and lending my energy to that. Life is becoming brighter every day. Thank you; ~Janus Carson C.HT.~ True Mind Hypnosis ******************************************** To ordain yourself with the Universal Life Church, for free, for life, right now, click on the Free Online Ordination link. Rev. Long created the ULC seminary site to help ministers learn and grow their ministries. The Seminary offers a huge catalog of materials for ministers of the Universal Life Church, as well as an online seminary program and a chaplaincy program.

Spirituality

UNIVERSAL LIFE CHURCH SEMINARY Defining Spirituality Course Rev. Chuck final essay The most fascinating part of this course was the discussion of god/God as an ever maturing entity.   That was a completely new concept to me and one I rather enjoyed pondering.  The multi-discipline approach (science, philosophy, etc.) was also unique from other presentations so that too was quite refreshing. The teacher had a great capacity to present complex ideas in common parlance.  He also demonstrated considerably more than a passing understanding of the verifiable material presented. The romp through science was a great start to this course and I found the physics-lite portion of particular interest.    I wish I had bumped into some of these concepts when in college, as the material was the same, however this rendering was far more interesting. The section on Marx too was particularly interesting.  Again, the history was not new per se but the context in which it was placed allowed me to widen my understanding and for that I am grateful.  Early on I surmised that the teacher of this course has (in the past or currently) a Christian point of view.   Not a denominational affiliation - but an understanding of life's purpose and a relationship with God that aligns most often and most closely to my understanding of that shared by most Christians.    He does not state that - but that is my take away.    If correct, that point of view cannot help but color the lens and/or filter of his understanding. He makes every effort to be objective and certainly at every point is sensitive and accepting of other points of view as being of worth.    For that, I am grateful.   If that is his belief, there is no harm in sharing that fact directly. The last lesson in this course was a gutsy, personal and touching.   It has an impact.    Perhaps even a positive impact.    While it is not inappropriate in the context of this course - a more objective and less personal ending would have suited me better.    Classroom work is different from spiritual testimony and in a classroom setting one does not expect such a personal account. It is NOT a negative but it is a startling conclusion to a course that begins with science, traces the philosophers throughout the centuries and ends denoting the limitations of religion on personal growth. One final point in summation, I very much appreciated the condensed, clear and intelligent presentation of the materials and would encourage Rev. Chuck to offer a follow up course. ********************** Ordination with the Free Online Ordination button. The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary. Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Metaphysical Healing

Metaphysical Healing

I am glad to be at the ending of a new beginning, by taking this course.  It has been a wonderful learning journey.  What I most enjoyed about taking the course was the many references that were made to traditional African healing modalities.  I felt it reconnected me back to a portion of myself.  This was the riches portion of the course for it connects to a long line of ancestral healers.  Learning about how to heal myself, has proved to be a wonderful healing tool.  On several occasions during this course I have used the tools and found them to be very effective. 

 I have always had the gift of healing myself, but I now have more confidence than ever in my ability to heal.  I also learned about the different roles of traditional healers and how they rebuild relationships within physical and spiritual communities and how they utilize herbs, seawater and other tools for healing.  Additionally, I learned about the different body systems, and how they are connected to the meridians and chakra systems.  This vast and sometimes complicated knowledge was broken down into simple understandable components that enriched my knowledge of the body.  

Before going into a healing session it is important that one has been thoroughly cleansed and spiritually aligned and in tuned so they can be an effective, cleansed and open vessel to receive assistance from the spirit world, this would also apply to both physically present healing sessions or distant healing sessions. Conducing healing sessions requires one to be able to use various induction methods that are dependent on the personality of the client. I also learned how to go about lining with my client, and what professional office procedures to use for patient intake, follow up and develop a system of accurate record keeping.  Not only did I learn how to address the physical illnesses of the body, but also how to address spiritual issues, such as how to do soul retrievals, and perform spiritual baths, facials, etc that can aid in the spiritual and physical healing of a patient.  

I thought the course was through in its content and it is up to the student to study and practice the lessons in order to become an effective spiritual and metaphysical healer.  I would have like to receive more information on how to set up a office and healing practice.  I am thankful for this course and realize it is time for me to begin to use it as a practice.   Just recently I lost my job and am feeling a strong call to begin to do my spiritual work full time as a method of earning an income.  Thank you for the years of toll, strife, joy, success and spiritual growth that you have been given to be able to gift others with the knowledge to do the work of spirit. I am sending much light your way, for having made my path brighter, and for validating the work of spirit in my life.

             May the spirit of creation continue to bless you in all your endeavors to maintain this ancient traditional practice.

Rev. Dr. Edonna Alexandria

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Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Spirituality Course

DEFINING SPIRITUALITY

I was very pleased that the first lesson recognized that there is a re-emergence of Spirituality, even now, within the current trend towards materialism that has been increasing over the last century.  I was additionally pleased that the author has recognized that many people have moved beyond "traditional religion" in their Spiritual Lives.

I put quotes around the phrase "traditional religion" because anthropology and history have revealed that over the thousands of years of human history people have held so many different religions and religious practices that it is impossible to call any one of them "traditional". Among all cultures there are records of those who have gone beyond their traditions.  It is these individuals who are held as the shining lights of their cultures.

Nevertheless, the drive towards spirituality has moved within humanity even longer and more universally throughout all cultures than any specific religion.  This becomes clear when we look at the most ancient of the Shamanistic traditions.  It is clear that Spirituality moved within the human heart from the beginning and that at first, religions formed naturally as a way for people to try and make sense of the spiritual experiences they were having.

Unfortunately, some denominations devolved to become only concerned with bureaucracy and cash flow.  As a method of revitalizing the Spiritual core of the human experience, Philosophy became a study.  The author has given us an excellent review of some of the key 'moments" in the history of philosophy.  But, these ideas are presented as if they had up sprung in a vacuum.  There has been no discussion of the religious ideas and historical events that were occurring at the same time and in many cases were the impetus for the philosophical explorations (such events as war, the Spanish Inquisition, the exploitation of the poor, etc.).  Never the less, the presentation has been extremely impressive and parallels my own studies.  I addition to the author's observation that "…mysticism was recognized by science as being the ultimate truth of all things" (Lesson #3) a quote was discovered by a prominent physicist who, after studying the nature of matter for a lifetime, concluded that the Universe is a thought in the Mind of God.

What is Philosophy?  For simplicity's sake, let us say that a philosophy is a set of guiding principles.  In this regard then, we can say that all religions have a philosophy, but, not all philosophies are religions.  Also, in this regard, Philosophy is not necessarily antithetical to either Religion or Spirituality and in many instances has illuminated many aspects of both.  As a mental exercise, philosophy has illuminated the minds of many who have then gone on to achieve profound levels of Spirituality.

Many groups have recognized Spirituality as the core of their culture and have indicated this realization in their symbolism.  In the West, the rose and in Egypt and the East, the lotus is used to illuminate this idea.

In this symbol each flower is a life and each unfolding pedal is an experience, a lesson learned, knowledge acquired or a skill mastered.  As our life unfolds the golden Spiritual core is gradually revealed.  What is also revealed is that, whether we were aware of it or not, the Spiritual was always there in the center of things.

Whomever we are counseling or teaching or ministering, whether they consider themselves religious or not, still have within them that Golden Heart of Spirituality.  Knowing this can enhance our effectiveness if we seek to speak to that core.  Each group has a vocabulary with which they are most comfortable and the first rule of communication is 'know your audience'.

With that in mind I would like to add to the discussion of the definition of the word 'sin' on the last page of lesson #18.  Originally the word was an archery term that means 'missing the bull' (bull's eye).  Far too many use the word to mean 'shooting arrows up into the grand stand', when it fact we are hitting the target but we just need more training.

Adding the above meaning to our understanding may allow us to use more kindness and thoughtfulness into our ministries, it has in mine.

Thank you for the opportunity to study this course with everyone.  I am always grateful for the opportunity to achieve greater understanding.

Again, thank you and Blessings upon all.

Rev Dr Kenneth A Thompson DD PhD

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more.

Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Metaphysical Healing

Master of Metaphysical Healing

Final Essay

We need to integrate all of ourselves into all of ourselves!

In the holistic healing approach the spirit of the individual is considered pure. The balance of energy is vital for holistic healing, as the individual is viewed as an organic whole with mental physical, emotional and spiritual aspects actively contributing to the state of health or illness. Imbalance of any sort in the body, mind and soul causes disconnection and distortion of energies. To attain harmonious whole personhood, the working energy of body, mind and spirit must be correctly realigned and balanced. Healing can bring balance between the physical, emotional, cognitive, behavioural activities, and the spirit; through spiritual awareness and self-knowledge. Knowing who we are, as well as understanding how we are interconnected with the universe and with each other creates the life force energy necessary for restoration and spontaneous healing.  Therefore the concept is to provide an opportunity to rediscover this space and to explore and develop specific interactive skills, knowledge and competency, within metaphysical healing. 

There is a lot more to healing than physical symptoms, as many illnesses are a result of emotional and mental energetic imbalance.  Healing can be used to stimulate and revitalise the whole being using vibrational energy.  It improves the quality of life and has no side effects.  Although the medical profession is skeptical there has been a massive shift in consciousness and the government is now giving holistic healing a place alongside Western medicine.  Healers are channels who absorb healing energy which is sent through the hands as positive energy into the client.  Traditional Priestesses and Priests healed way before 'doctor' was an established profession.  Healers are highly trained, qualified and professional people who undergo years of training to be in private practice.  Research proves that healing is a potent therapy that delves deep into a person's being.  However, healers do not 'diagnose' they 'observe' problem areas.  If Western Science took metaphysical healing approaches seriously there could be a huge impact on medical costs and patients.  It can cut medical costs and utilise the power of the mind to heal itself.  It is important to recognise that medical intervention is necessary sometimes and that self-administered care speeds up recovery, as a broken bone cannot be fixed by the mind alone. 

We can reclaim and heal ourselves by understanding our purpose in life and living it. In doing so we find opportunities to create balance and uncover the universal truth-'know thyself', an essential tool for healing and embracing the true oneness of the universe. The holistic healing approach views therapy not as a 'cure to crisis', but as support on the journey. Crises are not seen as problems, but as stepping stones for spiritual emergence and growth. Holistic healing builds on traditional theories, as well as recognising and accessing higher consciousness through such tools as meditation, imagery, metaphor, visualisation, creative arts, awareness, intuition and inner attunement. Within all of us is a space that holds our potential, our aspirations and dreams. It is the space that we enter for strength and stillness; it is from this space that healing comes. Within this space is our future, pain and healing.

I have thoroughly enjoyed this course and feel ready to go out there and heal with my hands.  Thank you for this wonderful opportunity to finally know myself and have the confidence to share my calling with the world. 

Rev. Yemaja-Ixchel Sophia Sekhmet-Maat

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Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.

The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Spirituality Course

Master of Spiritualism

Rev. James Connor

I found these lessons most enlightening especially the Faith and Learning chapters. A number of years ago I met a man named Walter. He was close in age to me but he seemed to have a lot of knowledge about human nature, faith and wisdom.

It was a time in my life when I was questioning my own faith in God so I began to watch this man and how he handled different situations. One day he was ministering to another man who was acting very belligerent, self-centered and just plain obnoxious. After the conversation ended between them, the man who was angry left in a huff. I then walked over to my friend and asked, "How could you let him talk to you like that?" "If it was me I would have hauled off and punched him in the face." My friend, Walter replied saying,"Well he must have convinced himself that he was right and I was wrong".Walter then asked me if I knew that the spirit of God is in all of us and that is what needs to be expressed in our every day living.

He then continued to say, let the Lord find expression through you in love and forgiveness. Otherwise nothing will ever change in this war torn world unless the Lord finds expression through each one of us, through you Jim, through me and everyone else. Then the Lord will not be "missing in action". He will be right here on earth because we make it so by our every day expression of good faith in everything we say and do. When deep down in your heart you want to see peace on earth, then you are not concerned if someone else thinks they have gotten "the best of you". Let the Lord express through you and me, then things will change and we can truly love our neighbor as ourselves.

So to summarize: I did put the Lord in action through me and lo and behold, my expression did change and so did my whole life experience. I stopped judging people and started to handle different situations with love and forgiveness. It wasn't long after that previous episode occurred that the fruits of my labor of controlling myself first, then I could really let God do his work on earth through me. Only when I was ready did I make the decision that now is the time to know the Lord.

Rev. James Connor

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

The Universal Life Church offers handfasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Metaphysical Healing

Final Essay Master of Metaphysical Healing Rev. Robert Gill This course is informative and interesting on several different levels.  On a superficial level, it describes the practices of traditional African healers, with a particular focus on South African practices.  While this is interesting and educational in and of itself, it is only the first level of understanding.  A much deeper understanding comes with the realization that the healing practices being described are universal in their cope and impact.  The healing practices described are common to many different healing traditions, including shamanic practices found in native cultures around the world, and are not limited to those cultures described by the author.  Thus, this course has a much broader reach and applicability than would be evident to the casual reader. I found the recognition of the importance of the human energy field to be especially significant.  As a Reiki Master Teacher, I deal with human energy fields in both clinical and classroom settings.  I understand and accept the importance of achieving and maintaining balance in the energy field – my own as well as others.  My own experience validates the importance of the human energy field in healing illness and sustaining a healthy life.  Many of the lessons were familiar to me, but several of the lessons introduced concepts I was not familiar with, as well as new approaches that I have adopted and adapted in my own healing practice. Perhaps the most important lesson for me was the final lesson which discussed the recognition and regulation of traditional healing practices in South Africa.  We are a long way from that step in America and much of the world, but I believe we are moving in that direction.  This is much more than a human interest or technical issue in America, but is bound up in the interplay of cultural and political forces in our society.  There is no simple answer, and it is likely that any solution will bring with it another set of problems dealing with what should be considered legitimate healing practice.  My answer is that all healing practices must be based on faith and belief in its efficacy, and none should be rejected simply because they are not broadly accepted. Rev. Robert Gill ******************** Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button. As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary. Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Spirituality Course

Spiritualism

This course was very informative, thought provoking and enlightening. It reminded me of past knowledge renewed and also new knowledge learned.

This essay will state and confirm what I have learned and agree and disagree with and also the thoughts it provoked.

I believe this is a very worthwhile and important course for ministry.

Scientific-minded people are left wanting more meaning in life. This lack of meaning in their life drives such people towards spiritual enlightenment.

Science it self has progressed to the point that it has it self proven that mysticism is at the heart of all things. Some scientists believe that we are but a collection of atoms. Science-minded people think that all things can be known and explained by man.

This would be very much God like, but to think that we are but a collection of atoms and no more than that. Where's the meaning to life if we are but atoms? The utter lack of meaning to life is known as nihilism.

Have we so deluded our selves to think that there is such a thing as a soul, a mind and a life without meaning? I think not !

Along that line of thinking, I would agree that this type of thinking in a person is definitely an open invitation to minister to those needing guidance and meaning in their life.

With out purpose and meaning, why live? I agree that existentialism is one of the 20th century philosophical frauds that embraced diverse doctrines.

I believe that we can help these people through knowledge and compassion.

Einstein helped with his theory of relativity, in viewing the universe in relative terms opposed to mechanical terms, this mechanical term way of thinking was every thing being machine like that started as a collection of matter that would one day come to nonexistence. This was Nietzche's philosophical view. His famous statement was that 'God is dead.'

Bah hum bug I say !!!

He thought that he had learned so much that God was unnecessary, he disregarded moral values, he believed that will and power ruled for a self serving purpose. Not Jesus like at all.

Altruism was not his belief, unselfish regard for or devotion to the welfare of others.

Then this led to further refinement up to our day. Existentialism is the big bang theory.

This theory is that the big bang created the universe. There was a creation of stars that die, planets form, elements combine forming life.

Man evolved conscious thought. Then the belief is that mysticism and God were created

(made up) because man could not face his own morality.

This was to appease the ego.

Descartes had reduced the universe to a mere giant machine, but at least he still realized consciousness as coming first in creation. His famous saying was 'I think therefore I am'.

This implied that the soul of the man came first and all other things followed.

I was not at all surprised to learn that atheism was influenced by Descartes after reading about his beliefs. He only recognized what the human mind can acknowledge exists

Werner Heisenberg discovered the true nature of matter and changed the world.

He discovered that people can not predict the form that matter will take when it comes into existence. This is known as the uncertainty principle.

God is forever creating the world we see through the consciousness that we think of as being our own. We are in fact a small part of the collective consciousness of God. We are all a part of the whole.

I also agree that in regards to the power of thought and how our minds interact with the energy of the universe to create the world we live in. It is like prayer, it works wonders.

I believe that this is why science is one of those wonderful wondrous miracles that manifest.

If you think about all those minds concentrating on the same out come, it makes sense that it will come to be. There with in their faith lies (scientific faith ) and in understanding the science minded faith, as being parallel to our faith, we begin to understand how to minister to them. Science gives different names to God. Ultimately they can come to see the similarities of their faith and a God based faith and the wholeness they can have through a relationship with God through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.

The idea of the power of thought was shared by good old Aristotle in his belief that there only had to be a potential of form for it to exist.

God creates the world through us. Christians believe that Jesus Christ is our savior.

It states in the Bible that no man comes to the Father but through him. ( John 14:6)

This is how we speak to God, through Jesus.

I agree that there is two kinds of people in this world, those seeking and those who have found the truth.

Socrates said 'the most important thing you can do is know thyself' His wisdom was based on not knowing anything absolutely. The realization of only being able to believe in and live in the moment at hand.

I believe that we are in very trying times, as has been prophesized to come to pass in the Bible. B= Basic I= Instructions B= Before L= leaving E= Earth

As you can see, I rely on my Bible based faith and the Holy Spirit to guide me through life.

I agree that we do place limits on ourselves as God is not bound by human limitations.

I also agree with your statement about greatness coming from an upheaval, pain and suffering. I believe that there must be a test for there to be a testimony. God will get our attention one way or another. This is not always something that is pleasant nor understandable by us.

This is not because he is angry at us or dislikes us, it's because he loves us and desires a close relationship with us. We at times may feel forsaken, but we are always forgiven and loved. One must be willing to accept the forgiveness to receive it, you must be able to forgive yourself and to leave it at the cross.

Arrogance, pride and strife only render and limit our closeness to God.

We are to be ambassadors of Christ. We are to be Jesus like, this is also God like in our thinking, talking and actions.

We as children of God are striving for the same purpose, no matter the name or title you place on it. It does not matter if it be Buddha, Allah or the energy force of the universe.

We are sure to make great strides and become less limited in life if we only walk, talk and speak out of compassion and love. W. W. J. D.

What would Jesus do.

I am the type of person to plant a seed, an idea and let God help it grow with in that person.

If this person is open to ministry and I feel that the door has been opened up for a work to begin, then I am in there with all I can offer that is of use to this brother or sister.

I will only debate another's thoughts and opinions to a certain point. If they are open to knowing what I have to share then as I stated before, I am all for it.

This of course is always done with compassion and love guided by the Holy Spirit.

I had never really thought about the white garb worn by the doctor's and scientists as ceremonial before, but if you think about it, it is a recognition type of thing.

I do know that all that is available to these people have been made available to them through the elements on this earth created by God. As far as them being great and magical with healing powers and superior minds, I have to state that the great physician is Jesus, he heals, he has and will continue to heal, as is stated in the Bible. Rather these doctors and scientists realize it or not, they have been blessed with their abilities to do good with the gifts provided to them by God. This would include but is not limited to their minds, not all of us are cut out to be and do what they are and do. Also as stated all the elements made available to them to do their work. We can not make herbs, nor can we make any of the minerals that come from the earth and etc. You get the idea.

I had not ever thought about the ego as controlling part of a person

but I definitely agree after reading about your thoughts and mulling it over in my mind, that the ego is a constant battle within that I now understand.

I have in just the past year, since my call to ministry come to realize that we are the body, a part of the grater whole. I also had not viewed evil as something that does not exist.

I can see how it is absorbed by good and therefore becomes non existent.

I was very enlightened by the platonic view of science minded and spiritually minded people, how they are holding onto only half of reality and not applying the other half. How the mind has created what is and is not at the same time into being by a mere thought. Wow !!!!

This was deep and food for thought to say the least. The thought of symbols being created by man for the things that language can not define.

I have learned in a different way in regards to the representation of the reconciliation of opposites.

These are all one:

Good & Evil, Life & Death, Physical & Non-Physical, Physics & Metaphysics,

God & Energy, Prayer & Meditation, ect….You can come up with many more if you try.

I was also enlightened by what I learned about Saint Augustine, how he merged the philosophy of Plato and Christian ethics. Platonic doctrine had a profound influence on Christianity that is still influential to this day. Christianity had no philosophy per say of it's own, Augustine gave it one through the incorporation of Platonic doctrine.

He outlined concepts such as heaven, the soul being a perfect form of ourselves and when we die we will go to Heaven and live in perfection and harmony for eternity.

Jesus did state that the Kingdom of heaven is within you, but I do have to state that I believe in scripture as it is written in the Bible. In the New Testament it is written in the book of John 14:6 “I am the way, the truth and the life, no one comes to the Father except through me. In the Old Testament Genesis 1:1 it does state that God created the heavens and the earth, also Revelation10:6 states “and swore by him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and everything in it and the earth and all it contains. I could go on and on in regards to this topic of heaven being written in the Bible, but I choose to merely state that I am not stating that you are wrong or that I am right, just quoting scripture. It all just depends on what you believe in. We all know that the Bible has been changed, how much is a question that I believe will remain unanswered.

I totally agree that there are some definite problems with organized religion that turns a lot of people away from churches. I myself am considered to be non-denominational and I attend a non-denominational church as a result of my past experiences in organized religion churches. This is as I have witnessed a huge cause of people loosing their faith.

I agree that Jesus would not give his blessing of the torture and burning of so called heretics.

Nor would he bless the Inquisition. Stereotyping all people that refer to them selves as Christians is not a practice of mine. That would be like me stereotyping bikers I am part of an organization called Bikers For Christ, it is a motorcycle ministry and I have experienced the stereotyping involved with this title.

I enjoyed the food for thought about how the unconscious mind is able to make you act with out conscious thought, even drawing on past conscious acts and experiences. Wow !!!

Neat stuff, the human mind is so awesome.

I totally agree in regards to social interaction and recognition being a very necessary part of the human well being. I believe that with out this interaction you become a very unhappy, discontented person. With the motorcycle ministry my husband and I have experienced a lot of people needing this social interaction. This an awesome experience, because not only do we minister to this person, but we also make a new friend. We have swapped a lot of phone numbers and made a lot of new friends. I consider these and all people to be my sisters and brothers in Christ. 

After all, we are all connected, we are all a part of the whole.

Schopenhauer was definitely on the right track in regards to us all being of one.

It's too bad that he didn't realize that this also included a oneness also in a spiritual way.

He then could have experienced the peace and joy found by having faith in a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

Until reading this I had not realized that Buddhism and Atheism shared the same belief that our existence ends into nothingness, back to the universal energy where it came from.

I found it intriguing that the eastern and western peoples came to the same belief of consciousness is an illusion that fools a person into suffering.

I agree with the power of manifesting what we allow our conscious mind to focus on.

I have found it is important to know that the great philosophers have proven that science can not define any laws with any concrete certainty, with time and the thought process changing, so does experimental out comes, so called proofs.

In lesson # 13 I thought it very thought provoking, but complex to ponder a thought of the universe being a projection of our moral selves and that we are beings existing in some plane other than what we believe to be the real world.

Schilling in my opinion was missing the rest of the thought of what we are part of. Nature, as you put it, could easily be called God. Is it not also part of the whole?

I take great joy in stating that we as humans do eventually mature to a total acceptance of a state of forgiveness and self realization. I imagine there are and have been and will continue to be those who sadly enough do not reach this maturity level. Hopefully those are put into our paths to minister to. Be it God's will.

As far as Hegel's philosophy of us being a combination of spirit and mind, being the ultimate form, being the makeup of existence,this is some what parallel in my opinion to the mind and thought process guided by the Holy Spirit that was sent to guide us. Some refer to this as a conscious. I agree with his idea of us all being connected, a part of the whole. Hopefully he is right in his thinking about there being a balance in conflict and strife some day.

I have learned that Marxism was the intellectual foundation of communism, most of the Marxism views were taken from Hegel. True Marxism is a materialist philosophy and completely atheist. Hegel believed in the spirit. Marxism denied the realities of human nature and painted a picture in his mind that is not possible because of human nature, but yet because of the harmonious picture he painted, it is imaginable.

I disagree with the existentialists mind set. I believe that there is another plane, level or what ever you want to call it, after the body dies there is more to come. This is just in my opinion a part of our existence. The soul, energy, spirit or what ever you'd like to call it goes back as part of the whole.

Darwin, I think is as far off the map as can be and any one accepting his beliefs are yes, probably very depressed and trying to figure out what their purpose, if any they have in the grand scheme of things in life.

It has to say the least been interesting to learn how modern society has been influenced by philosophical ideas from the past. I agree that everything influences every thing else, even time has had no barrier on human beliefs.

Things are forever changing in the realm of cause and affect, today is tomorrow’s history.

I had not until now, after reading this course pondered the idea of self analyzing myself for any unconscious or conscious driven self serving purpose when ministering to a person I think is in need. Hmmm. Food for thought.

I really felt that your sharing of your own personal experiences and the journey that led you to the call of ministry was very thoughtful of you and not unlike, I would think so many other people's calling that also includes lessons to be learned, heart ache and a humbling of mind and spirit.

As I have learned through my own personal journey that led to ministry, and it did include all of the afore mentioned, God will get your attention one way or another. If you choose to hear and answer the call is a personal choice. I can only imagine that it would be very unsettling to not answer that ever present, divine calling.

As it is written in the New Testament, Revelation 3:20, Here I stand at the door and knock.

If any one hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him and he with me.

As far as the trials that are endured, it is written in 1 Peter 1:6, In this you greatly rejoice, though for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith-of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire-may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. So as you can see trials sharpen your faith.

As you stated in the lesson, the gates will be opened with much to be endured, we will be tested, gleamed each time and made stronger.

I have been very enlightened by this course in defining spiritualism and believe it will serve me well along my never ending journey of enlightenment. I have definitely realized that I know that I know nothing for certain.

I strongly recommend this course to any one who wants to be an affective contributing human being in society, it is in my opinion a must read for ministry.

God Bless and thanks for sharing all you have.

Your sister in Christ,

Reverend

Jeanette Buschman

Ordained 12-28-2005

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The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. I have been a proud member of the ULC for many years and the Seminary since its inception.

The Universal Life Church offers handfasting ceremonies, funeral ceremonies and free minister training.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge selection of Universal Life Church  minister supplies. Since being ordained with the Universal Life Church for so many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've watch the huge change and growth that has continued to happen.

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Metaphysical Healing

I learned that there is a much greater connection between the people in the healing profession than I had ever before known of or considered, both past and present and that both have had an important impact on each other. I also learned that I can use parts of the lessons to harness and fine tune parts of my own abilities that still need the rough edges smoothed. I learned that the abilities I have in terms of healing can be fine tuned with a little effort and practice. I like the fact that I can re visit some of the lessons to hone and fine tune some parts of my abilities. I don't really think there was very much to dislike about this course, except reading on and on about the African Healers was a tad bit tedious. I have a greater connection to Native American Healers. In general, the course was fascinating. What I can relate to in terms of this course, is that I have already been doing healing for others for several years, with a great deal of success. Although what I do is quite a bit different, as most of my work is distance instead of hands on, as per being a shut in and recluse, I don't do anything to bring on these abilities, except to be able to do deep visualization, sending that energy from my heart chakra. For example; When my Grandmother broke her arm, I felt it in my own arm. I was able to go to her at night, as she slept, as my Astral or Higher Self, placing a "White Light Cast" over her arm, allowing it to heal more quickly, much to the surprise of her doctors. They were stunned with the rate of speed at which her arm healed. All it requires now, is just a brace. I think I would like to know more about seeing Auras, although I will likely go back and try to re study that lesson again, to see if I can fine tune that. I will also see if I can try to complete the lessons that I was not able to or complete to any degree. Rev. Bryan ******************************************** To ordain yourself with the Universal Life Church, for free, for life, right now, click on the Free Online Ordination link. Rev. Long created the ULC seminary site to help ministers learn and grow their ministries. The Seminary offers a huge catalog of materials for ministers of the Universal Life Church, as well as an online seminary program and a chaplaincy program. Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Metaphysical Healing

Master of Metaphysical Healing

Final Essay

Rev. Barry Deel

            The master of metaphysical healing was quite informative and yet refreshing.  I very much like the course in its layout and the way it was presented.  The diversity that is allowed throughout the course makes it ideal for any faith or belief.  I also liked the terms and vocabulary that were given.  I found them to be very useful in explaining information and the way things happen in a healing to my new clients.  They seemed to understand and relate better to me and the healing they were receiving.   

            I especially liked the lessons on the healer's morals and ethics and code of conduct.  I have been a healing practitioner now for over twenty years and have taken quite a few courses and classes and none have touched on this subject as well as this course.  I am also very impressed, being a health care professional, that there were lessons on taking a medical history.  I was glad to see that the course presented you with actual forms for taking a medical history that you could use in your healing practice as well as a disclaimer that the healer can present to the client for a signature. 

            How to properly handle clients that have mental or substance abuse issues was also something that I was not expecting to see.  The lessons and the way that the healer should handle these types of clients were very good.  As a healer, I also like the fact that the course gave you examples and ways to handle presenting information to a client in order to get them to see a medical doctor without the healer diagnosing their client.

            I would like to see the master of metaphysical healing course extended by maybe three additional lessons.  Those lessons being on subjects like "What to do when healing does not work in the eyes of the client."  "What to do or say when a healing relationship should come to a close."  "How a healer goes about getting insured and registered."  These are just a few that I think will enhance the course.

     

            Over all the master of metaphysical healing is a course that I would respectfully suggest to other healers in order to bring about some form of unified way of service and professional conduct here in the United States.

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To ordain yourself with the Universal Life Church, for free, for life, right now, click on the Free Online Ordination link.

Rev. Long created the ULC seminary site to help ministers learn and grow their ministries. The Seminary offers a huge catalog of materials for ministers of the Universal Life Church. 

Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar