A (R)evolution of Consciousness =

Transformation

By Rev. Dr. Petra Weldes

No matter how awful things are, whether it's individual illness or loss, systemic racism or environmental destruction, we can always evolve and grow. This evolution requires a complete transformation of our sense of self and, therefore, possibility. It is the product of a willingness to do more than simply rail against what's wrong and then try to change things by “making them better.”

Fundamentally, what is needed is a profound (r)evolution of consciousness. We must evolve beyond thinking of ourselves as merely human, and therefore victims of outer circumstances, to embodying the truth of the indwelling Presence of Spirit. This (r)evolution is the transformation of our identity from human beings who are striving to be spiritual to, as Pierre De Chardin says, “spiritual beings having a human experience.”

This (r)evolution becomes the solid ground from which we make things better because we know and trust that all of life is evolving and progressing toward greater self-expression. This allows us to speak boldly, act confidently and expect cheerfully that humanity is, in fact, able, capable and designed to create better lives and a better world. Progress and evolution that out-pictures Life is inevitable, despite the manifestations of ignorance and destruction. As spiritual beings, we seize every opportunity to engage in transforming awful situations from a positive conviction that humanity is guided by Intelligence and impelled by Love to evolve and grow.

Affirmation: Life is always for more and greater self-expression. I trust in the creative impulse and infinite intelligence that is constantly causing a (r)evolution in the consciousness of humanity.

— Daily Guide for November 8, reprinted from the November 2021 Science of Mind magazine

Want to Reach Gen Z?

Meet Them in the Streets

Across the broad religious spectrum, faith leaders scratch their heads, wondering how to reach the Gen Z population, how to engage with them, how to bring them into a spiritual home. The demographics of Gen Z — generally defined as anyone born after 1997 — show them to be the most ethnically, racially and religiously diverse generation in U.S. history.

When Springtide Research Institute surveyed more than 10,000 young people about their spiritual practices, they found more than half say they engage in acts of protest as a religious or spiritual practice, with nearly 40% saying the engage in spiritually inspired acts of protest at least month. More remarkable, 20% of respondents who identified as “very religious” said they engage in acts of protest on a daily basis.

While many Gen Z-ers left organized religion behind, they retain important parts of inherited tradition: Songs passed down in churches find new resonance. Scriptures breathe new life when they proclaim, “Woe unto those who legislate evil and rob the poor of their right.” 

In this way, Gen Z defines and redefines what it means to live from their spiritual convictions. Protest is their proclamation of values and their spiritual practice. Faith leaders, take note.

— Download a copy of the full report: The State of Religion & Young People 2021

Open Your Eyes, Your Ears, Your Mind

By Ernest Holmes

Did you ever say to yourself, “I wish that I might never again be afraid of anything”? Or have you met someone who had such a deep calm and peace that you thought, “How I wish that I might be like that person”? Did you ever, in some still moment, feel as though you could almost reach out and touch something that would make you whole, happy and complete?

I know you have, and I am sure everyone else has. We are all alike because we are all human beings. You share this feeling with every other person, and you instinctively know there is something you ought to be able to tune into that could make everything right, not only for you, but for others and for the whole world.

What is the remedy for all this? Open your spiritual eyes! Listen with the inner ear! Open your minds!

What is it that you are to open your eyes, your ears and your minds to? What is it that you must see, hear and understand? It is this: Life flows into everything, through everything. It passes into every human event and translates Itself through every human act.

If you learn to think of Life as flowing through your every action, you will soon discover that the things you give your attention to are quickened with new energy, for you are breathing the very essence of Being into them.

— Excerpted from Discover a Richer Life: The Miscellaneous Writings of Ernest Holmes, Volume 1.