What is a Spiritual Toolbox?
We are Divine beings. That is the foundation of our being, the very toolbox itself. We are also having a very human experience here on our earthly home, and sometimes we need temporary reminders of our Divinity. Our spiritual toolbox is a source of strength, assisting us to remain centered in the truth of who we are at all times. Our toolbox is a collection of spiritual insights, and practices. While our spiritual toolbox is a personal creation, and no two boxes will be exactly the same Unity founders, Charles and Myrtle Fillmore, have some recommendations for tools to include in our collection. As you grow in your spiritual journey you will add your own tools unique to you.
The Foundations of Our Toolbox:
Inherent Divinity
As eternal expressions of the Divine, Unity believes that we are spiritual beings having a human experience. We are not human beings striving to be spiritual. We are already spiritual.
Christ Consciousness
Myrtle Fillmore, Unity’s co-founder, described Jesus’ development of a conscious inner realization of the oneness with God as the Christ Consciousness. “You need to think of God as being already within you, in every part of your mind, heart, and body.” The Fillmores believed that we may all manifest the Christ Consciousness through the development of our intuition. According to Myrtle, “Intuition is the divine knowing faculty” helping people “know beyond question of doubt” what their “best good” is. “Intellect reasons, but intuition knows.”
Divine Action
The truth we know is the truth we live. Unity students are encouraged to demonstrate their beliefs through Right action. Right action varies from situation to situation but may include things such as using positive language, and affirmative tones in our interactions, protesting injustice, and helping collect supplies for those in need.
Tools in the Unity Toolbox:
Affirmation
Affirmations are one way of disciplining the mind. They are declarations of spiritual truth or positive statements of faith. These declarations help us focus our thinking on the positive, creative aspects of life, and deny the negative thinking that disrupts the flow of the Divine energy. Myrtle asserted that “I AM statements of Truth” were particularly effective. “I AMis God expressing in you, in your mind, in your soul and body.”
Affirmative Prayer
Unity teaches the practice of affirmative prayer or positive statements of faith. Rather than begging or beseeching God, we connect with the Divine within us, affirming that which we seek is already done. This is the method of prayer used by Jesus in the Bible. In the book of Mark Jesus states, “Whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it and it will be yours.” (Mark 11:24)
Compassion
Compassion is love in action. By connecting with our inner Divinity, we manifest actions such as kindness, patience, harmony, and understanding with the world around us.
Creative Thinking
As beings created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:27 & Solomon 2:23), we have the creative power to manifest thoughts into being. Through the alignment of our inner divinity, we give form to the formless.
Creative Work
Creative work is a manifestation of our creative spirit. When our creativity is allowed conscious expression, we connect with our Divine nature. Creative work may include creating artistic works, or musical compositions, dancing, building projects, journaling, or anything you feel inspired to create.
Discipling the Mind
Myrtle said, “You must refuse to open the door of your mind to any anxious negative thought. You cannot let these ‘thieves and robbers’ of your health and peace of mind come in…. When the mind is undisciplined and open to all kinds of disagreeable thoughts there can be no peace.” Prayer and meditation are tools that we may work with to discipline our minds.
Forgiveness
Forgiveness allows us to release negative connections and create space to regain our inner peace and balance. As H. Emilie Cady, states in her book, Lessons in Truth, “To forgive is to give for – to give some kind of actual good in return for evil given.”
Gratitude
Gratitude is the appreciation of life’s infinite blessings. As we cultivate this appreciation for all of life, we manifest the richness of life.
Meditation
While prayer aligns the mind with God’s creative power, meditation brings the mind into oneness with God. As we connect to the divine within, we bring wholeness into our lives. Myrtle said, “When you get very still and go into the silence when you commune with your Indwelling Guide, you will be shown the easy, pleasant, harmonious, and orderly way out of every situation.” Failure to pay proper attention to the inner life had its consequences. She warned, “When we spend so much time working on the outer without setting aside needed periods to gather new strength in the silence, we get the results of our sowing.”
Present Moment
The present moment is all there is. When we focus on the present moment the beauty of life reveals itself to us and we can enjoy the moment rather than anticipate what’s to come or dwell on what has been.
Sacred Space
The development of sacred space works hand-in-hand with disciplining the mind. Sacred space is an inner space that we create allowing room for conscious thoughts and actions to emerge rather than an automatic reaction or response to stimuli that occurs. Through prayer and meditation, we create sacred space, opening ourselves to Divine energy, and allowing it to flow through us and every moment of our lives.
Self-Reflection
If we are to live fully from our Christ Consciousness we must be willing to examine ourselves and be open to using our spiritual tools to recenter when necessary.
Wholeness
Wholeness is our natural state of being. Healing is the physical manifestation of our state of spiritual balance. We restore health through the application of the principles of Truth by engaging in regular spiritual practices that encompass mind, body, and soul. These are the tools in our toolbox.
We can find the peace we are searching for and breathe fully into life with loving gratitude. Using our spiritual tools, we are able to express our Christ Consciousness, and experience heaven on earth.