Traveling from the United States to Europe in the 1870’s was not just

an experience, it was an adventure; not one for the timid but for those who

traveled with a purpose. It was during that period and with purpose in

mind that Ralph Waldo Emerson set out for Scotland to visit a friend he

had never met in person.

The journey had been arduous and the weather cold and damp, a brisk

wind chilled the traveler right to the bone. Just ahead the cottage looked

warm and inviting. Emerson pulled his coat just a little tighter as he took

his final steps to the door.

After years of correspondence that grew into a friendship of great

Issue # 43

U P W A R D B O U N D J * O * U * R * N * A * L SPIRITUAL LESSONS FOR YOUR PERSONAL GROWTH

mutual respect, Emerson was warmly greeted at last by the equally famous

writer, Thomas Carlyle.

It was, surely, a momentous occasion. Carlyle welcomed his guest,

offered him a pipe, and then lit one for himself. For the rest of the evening

Thomas Carlyle and Ralph Waldo Emerson sat comfortably in virtual

silence until it was time to retire for the night. At that point the two

warmly shook hands and praised each other for the fruitful evening they

had shared together. 1

Have you ever traveled

a great distance to visit a

close friend? What

happened when you finally

sat down together? For

many people the energy is

palpable and the

conversation is

unstoppable. Both friends

often talking at the same

time, as driven by what

they wanted to say, as by

hearing the words of their

friend; two people sharing

their personal adventures

with one another,

simultaneously. A time of

silence lost in the

enthusiasm of the reunion.

Photo by Art Holt

1. From the story as told by Richard and Mary-Alice Jafolla in “The Quest” pg 127.

Come Sit a Spell...

Photo by Art Holt

Why the difference with Emerson and Carlyle? Too much to say and

neither one knowing where to start? I doubt it. No, I think it was more

that the kinds of things they would share with each other were the deeper

philosophical understandings they had both written about and already

shared through their correspondence. They were not people whose

personal adventures were of great importance, and they certainly had no

need to attempt to impress one another with their accomplishments. They

simply had such a great appreciation for the fact that they finally were

together, in person, they had no need to talk, but only to savor the

moment.

The other night we attended a small gathering of neighbors. One

person started talking and never stopped. It made for a rather long

evening for the rest of us. Conversely, this past summer on our trip to

Seattle, we got together with some of my old college friends, a reunion

some 15 or 20 years in the making. Our conversations were lively; we

had much to share, but in the end it was the quiet, one-on-one intermittent

comments that linger in my memory as the most meaningful part of our

time together. After all was said and done, it was just the sheer pleasure

of being in one another’s presence that fulfilled each one of us.

Vivid in my mind still is the memory of a trip back to Naples not long

after we moved up here to Ocala. A dear and old friend was in his final

days and I knew I needed to see him quickly or I would miss the

opportunity altogether. When I arrived, this former captain of industry,

this man who had presided as president of several international

organizations, was sitting in a wheelchair with a blanket over his lap and

he was wearing a bright, warm and fuzzy, sweatshirt. Our hello was more

hug than conversation and he allowed as how his sweatshirt was so

comfortable that he really needed nothing more. Altogether I was there

with him for a little over an hour; our words were few; we avoided the

obvious subject, and then it was time to say good-by. Two weeks later I

was back to do his memorial service. Of all the lunches we shared

together, each one with an agenda topic, and the Board meetings where we

determined the direction for various church projects, I remember mostly

that quiet time with him at the end and his bright fuzzy sweatshirt.

These little stories, while factually true, are also great metaphors,

which is the reason I wanted to share them with you. On the social level,

there is much to be said about silence, about quiet reflection, about

shutting out the din of noise that comes with a surplus of words made

meaningless by their sheer numbers. On the Spiritual level, the metaphor

is how these public conversations mirror the multitude of random thoughts

that occupy far too many hours

of our private time, both awake

and asleep.

For years I have felt that I

wanted someone beside me, to

share the experience with me,

during those moments of magic

sunsets, spectacular waterfalls

or simply hitting the perfect

seven iron from the rough

directly to the flagstick, to save

par. Having a partner I cared

about and who cared about me

during those special moments,

somehow has always made the

sunset a little more brilliant, the

waterfall a little more dramatic

and the golf shot a little more of

an accomplishment.

U P W A R D B O U N D J * O * U * R * N * A * L

Digitally enhanced photo by Art Holt

I still enjoy those shared experiences. Life is a little richer when it is

shared with someone you love. But I have also become aware that it is not

always necessary to have a physical partner by my side in order for me to

fully appreciate those special moments, in fact sometimes being alone

intensifies the mystical side of the experience. In the quiet of being alone,

I feel the closeness of the Divine; perhaps more of the realization that it is

the Divine, the Holy of Holies, that has created that special moment, the

sunset, the waterfall and yes, even the perfect golf swing.

Richard and Mary-Alice Jafolla demonstrate the importance of quiet

moments. “There are times when feelings are too deep, too special, too

moving for words. …Times like these call for silence, so that we can

perceive their full meaning, savor the sweetness, and listen with an inner

ear for the message inherent in the stillness. It is in (this kind of) silence

that we meet God.” 2

The fact is that we need those quiet spaces, the time apart from noise,

and stress, and interruptions, and depressing news, and uninvited

telephone solicitations, and blaring music, and even our favorite television

shows. It is very easy to continue on hour after hour, day after day, in a

non-stop pattern of seeking and doing…and accomplishing what turns out

to be very little. We get so involved in everything from chasing our

dreams to fulfilling our obligations that we lose the sense of who and what

we are. We lose our contact with the Divine, and we hear nothing but

meaningless chatter in our head. It’s time for a change.

I’m certainly no better than anyone else when it comes to the mindless

chatter that interferes with my peace of mind. But I have found a simple

way to return to my senses, and that is to turn to my sense of sight, sound,

smell, taste and touch. For one thing, my physical senses get me

immediately back to the now moment and I use each one of them to

redirect myself to a peaceful state of mind.

Nature abounds in and around our home, so when I feel stressed by

too many meaningless words running every which way in my mind, I grab

my camera and head for a flower garden, a park, or an open vista. I study

the light, becoming aware of its direction, intensity and color; I feel the

breeze and make note that I will need a faster shutter speed to stop a

fluttering flower petal from becoming a fuzzy image. And frequently I

stand still and wait for a butterfly to land on a near-by flower, or a bird to

spread its wings in preparation for flight.

The camera centers my attention and stills the endless words that

meander through my mind. And the bonus is not the picture that results,

for a camera is not required to have this experience, but the moment of

awareness it creates in me that I am in the Presence of God’s creation…

and I am part of that creation. Somehow it is in moments like these that I

can truly become aware, not only of God’s Presence, but that God is a part

of me, the flower, the butterfly, the light and the breeze. In a way the

image that I record in my camera is simply a reflection of God’s Presence.

God being God in one moment and in one place in time, just so I can bear

witness!

Gardner’s know this kind of feeling lost in time and space as they

kneel and trim one of their favorite plants. And fly fishermen standing in

their waders, knee deep in the frigid waters of a mountain stream, do as

well. So do musicians playing softly by themselves in the dim light of

dusk, and mothers, baking cookies just before the children’s school bus

stops outside their door, or the florist as she steps back to see if the

arrangement needs just one more flower.

God is in each of these moments, especially when they are quiet

moments. Of course, God is in every moment, everywhere, all of the time.

God is in me and you and the flower and the bird and the breeze and the

U P W A R D B O U N D J * O * U * R * N * A * L

2. “The Quest”, pg 128.

sunlight, for there is no where we can be where God is not. But it takes

our willingness to also be quietly in the moment for us to become aware of

both the Presence of God and our connectedness…our oneness.

Our oneness with God is emphasized by the Apostle Paul in his letter

to the Ephesians, “There is one body and one Spirit, …one Lord, one faith,

one baptism, one God and Father of us all, who is above all and through

all and in all” (EPH 4:4-7). Paul is describing God as Omnipotent,

Omniscient and Omnipresent. This is a major realization because if God is

everywhere present, it not only means that where ever anyone is, God is

there as well, but more than that, God is within everyone, everywhere, all

the time. Not just around us, but deep within us.

Quite often when I have mind chatter I put on my gloves, grab a rake

or a pair of shears and head for the garden. Simple weeding and puttering

quickly puts me in a state of appreciation of all the wonder and beauty that

abound in nature. I clear my head as I weed my garden, a metaphor and

reality rolled in one.

This lesson is a simple one, reminding us to get out of our ego selves,

for that’s all that mind chatter is, and do something that brings us back to

center. God is what we find, for God is the center of our being. If we don’t get this part we can’t learn the rest of our lessons and proceed along

the Spiritual Path that we are seeking.

It doesn’t make any difference whether a person is studying A Course

In Miracles, attending workshops at Unity or sitting in a pew of an

Evangelical church. We’re all trying to connect with God one way or

another. Each of these pursuits can provide a momentary ‘fix’ but each

can leave us unsatisfied and back in our ego rationale in short order…

unless we can find the Peace that comes with the Presence of God. Feeling

good for an hour on Sunday morning won’t last the rest of the week if we

spend the next six and half days listening to ego mind chatter complain

U P W A R D B O U N D J * O * U * R * N * A * L

about money, weather, politicians or negative news.

So, come sit a spell, in a quiet place, where you can become aware of

the wonder of life as it displays itself all around you. Breathe in the life

energy that is part of every breath, observe the life of God in everything

from your finger-tips to the dog that waits patiently to jump into your lap.

Feel the unconditional love that animal can’t help but give you, and feel

the love that automatically fills your heart as a result. Smell the roses, and

the pot roast, and the cinnamon rolls, and the air outside fresh from a

gentle rain. Touch the hand of one who loves you and sense a connection

like no other…and you will touch the Presence of God, you will smell the

aroma of God, you will feel the Presence of God, and your breath will be

the breath of life, God breathing life in and through you.

When you are in that state of consciousness you can heal any pain,

you can overcome any challenge, your prayers will be so faith filled that

you will move mountains, and you will find whatever you have been

seeking.

And so it is…

Amen

Photo by Art Holt

through me. I give myself to Your Divine Will of good for my life,

and I begin to feel that whatever I am called to do, I am Your

Works being expressed as well. In all that I am and do, I’m filled

with a joyful sense of my oneness.

I open myself to Your Presence, Lord, for You know what

is best for me - long before I ask. I am sure You are here and

You hear my prayers, for the guidance I receive from the Still

Small Voice is always provided even before I can finish my

prayer. The closer I get the more I understand - Your will for

me is only good.

I open myself to understand and express the Presence of

Your love, God, for I know that You give Your love to me, right

here, right now, right where I am at this moment ... and in every

moment. Your love enfolds me, sustains me, prospers and

heals me. And as I receive Your love, Lord, so do I extend that

love to every person on this planet.

I fill my heart with Your fullness, and I am lifted by Your

answers to my prayers. I know that my prayers are always

answered when I turn, with faith, to Your Presence that I find in

the stillness within. I remain open to whatever means You

provide, and give myself to follow Your guidance willingly. All my

prayers are answered as I place my trust in Thee.

Thank You, God. Thank You, God.

And so it is. Amen

All my prayers are answered

as I place my trust in God. As you relax in your special, quiet place, allow the words

that follow to be your own words. Begin by sitting comfortably,

free from intrusions or even objects that draw your attention

away from this time of meditation. Let soft music play in the

background or set a single candle nearby so you can rest your

eyes in the flickering candlelight whenever your attention

wanders a bit too far from thje present moment or this Holy

place. Breathe, long and slow, the breath of life as you begin…

"Into your Presence, Lord, do I enter now." Here in the

silence of my special place and time, I turn my attention to

Your Presence around me and above me, supporting me, and

dwelling within me. I have unlimited faith, God, that Your

Presence is with me in the love I feel in my heart, the beauty I

see with my eyes, the musical sounds that grace my ears, and

the rich fragrances that permeate my world. I now realize

there is nowhere I can be where You are not, Lord, and so I

give myself completely to Your Presence for You are the

source of all my good. With You beside me I am comforted

knowing that I can never be completely alone.

All my prayers are answered as I place my trust in You.

With each breath God, I open myself to Your working in

and through me, and I realize that I am Your idea of life itself in

expression. I give myself over to Your presence, for here I can

feel that even the words I speak are Your words being spoken

M E D I T A T I O N

Dottie Holt, Rev. Arthur Holt,

Licensed Unity Teacher Unity Minister

Upward Bound of Unity, Inc. 10870 SW 71st Circle

Ocala, FL 34476

Phone (352) 861 - 5518

Email: UpwardBoundRev@aol.com

Upward Bound Journal is a Unity publishing ministry based on Biblical teachings and dedicated to writing and presenting spiritual, inspirational, and metaphysical principles which empower people to enrich and transform their lives. For more information about Upward Bound email us at: UpwardBoundRev@aol.

com or check our website: www.upwardboundjournal.com. Issue # 43 Upward Bound Journal is © of Upward Bound of Unity, Inc. 2009

Member: Association of Unity Churches International, SunCoast Unity Ministers Association, and affiliated with: Unity Institute and Silent Unity, publishers of Daily Word.

Upward Bound of Unity, Inc. is a not-for-profit, 501(c)(3), charitable corporation sustained

entirely by your tax deductible gifts.

Upward Bound

Journal

U P W A R D B O U N D J * O * U * R * N * A * L

10

WORDS WE LIVE BY Our thoughts and words create our reality. Let us

acknowledge one word that will impact our lives in wonderful ways. This time, it’s

One We have heard the declaration: “There is but One

Presence and One Power in the universe and in my life, God the good, Omnipotent.” One God, only good, and everywhere present.

We have also said that God is within and a part of every one of us, and that we are all made in the image and likeness of God. With that in mind, can we begin to see that there is only one people and that the nature of people is also good?

I John 4:16 reads, “God is love, and those who abide in love abide in God, and God abides in them.” So, if love is the nature of God, love must also be the nature of human kind.

One God - Creator, the Father of life. One Son - one offspring, one people, humankind One Spirit - Love, Spirit of God, spirit of humankind

One God, One people, One Spirit...Only good and everywhere present. The Presence, the Spirit and the Goodness are a part of you, for you have been made in God’s image and likeness. We are all One.

And we thank God that it is so.

Blessings, Art & Dottie

UP

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Upward Bound Upward Bound Upward Bound Upward Bound Journal, Journal, Journal, Journal,

10870 SW 71st Circle,

Ocala, FL 34476

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Photo by Art Holt