Defining Spiritualism

Universal Life ChurchDefining Spiritualism;

Final Essay

Rev. Kipper T. Rowen

To begin with, let me just say, and I know I’m not the first to say this, this course in Defining Spiritualism is exactly NOT what I had envisioned or expected. But to be honest, I’m not exactly sure what I expected. In the same honesty, I thought I knew what “to be spiritual” and “spirituality” meant. To know the story of Jesus Christ; to know the CORRECT explanation of His parables; to know GOD’s ten commandments; to live a moral and upstanding life based on what our present day culture dictated; and finally to be able to blurt out any Scripture in any Book in my favorite Bible from memory. Then I would be wise, a sage, always having the right Scripture and band aid for every situation I would ever encounter. In short, bearing part of my soul, I would hold a position of knowledge and respect, setting me aside from all the ‘have nots.’

What I did find has in all probability been said by many students before; but I, have to say it. Socrates’ famous self-analysis statement totally rocked my foundations of what I thought my belief system was composed of. “The only thing I know is that I know nothing”. All of my lifelong attempts at gaining knowledge of a certain subject were accomplished by delving into books that taught me to ‘learn’ facts.

This course in fact actually MAKES you unlearn what you think you know. For many of us ‘old timers’, this shakes the very roots of a long life of learning experiences. We are to remember we are ministering to others and not to ourselves; as Jesus commanded; which can be found as a connecting thread through most religions I have been exposed to.

The beginning discourses, appeared to me at first glance was to just be another collection of philosophers, their theories, failures and success that contributed not only to Western thought, but also built up and in some cases, was the ultimate downfall of many governments. “What does this course have to do with me MINISTERING to others? You will notice the word MINISTERING is in all caps. This was because of my terribly distorted view of what a minister does. The word minister has so much power and purpose on its own, that all smaller case letters satisfies the need of that series of letters, to produce a word and ultimately a picture in your mind.

This I shall call the most important thing I learned from this exquisite course. What I do when I enter into a situation in which I may be asked to minister to someone. The first thing I will do before entering the room for the initial confrontation with someone ‘in pain’, is to remove any identifying and tell-tale signs that would tell anyone that I am a minister. I will enter as a new babe, with the addition of an ability to understand languages, the ability to listen and not condemn. My only tools of my ‘trade’ will be a totally open, loving and compassionate mind. An attitude and demeanor I would ask of someone entrusted to ease my suffering.

Besides the long list of contributors to Western Thought as explained; Socrates; Plato; Aristotle; Pythagoras; Descartes; Immanual Kant; (one of my favorites; Werner Heisenburg); on and on. To try to describe what I ‘learned’ from each discourse would in all reality just be retyping what was laid out for us. But then I began to feel a progressive train of thought that could very easily be redirected into a non-religious type of Christian Apologetics. defending the faith against all who would tear it down; in particularly the people who have a death grasp on their Religion of Science. But I was wrong again. What is truth for me obtained from this course may not be the same truths for you. Distilled down, what overwhelmed me the most, consists of four items; 1)As I understand it and embrace it, the statement made by Socrates; The only thing I know is that I know nothing”; 2) Socrates also said “The most important thing you can do is to know yourself” 3) The power of the collective mind is unfathomable. In the cases in the New Testament of the Bible, when Christ was attributed to the miracle of ‘healing’, there is hidden in those Scriptures an overlooked common thread. The one that comes to mind is the instance in which a woman of some age, who had been plagued by ‘an issue of blood’ for many years, approached Jesus from behind so as to not be noticed. She then touched the hem of His garment and the issue ceased.

Christ knew someone had touched Him. When He inquired who had touched Him, she could not withhold, she came forward and made herself know to Jesus who told her “…..your FAITH has healed you….” I’m compiling a booklet on the subject of Christ’s healings with respect to faith and the mind. It may never be seen by anyone, but this course has further influenced me to continue that labor of love with more interest than ever. “Your faith has healed you………………….”is repeated time and time again by Christ.

He appears to be the conduit through which the GOD mind communicates between HIS willing creation's minds”. 4) The simplest of truths for me is simply “Things are all just as they should be.” So when confronted with an apparent evil, we must remember, good cannot exist without a counterpart, evil, to give a substance to the word ‘joy’. The good balances out the evil. Nature strives endlessly toward the state of perfect balance. So the Tibetan Buddhist accept a life of cold, harsh weather, lack of food, no heat, running water, everything we take for granted, JOYFULLY. They know their reward will come when they pass. Therefore they cry at a birth and rejoice at a death/funeral. That person has attained ‘Liberation’ from this worldly suffering.

Although I’m now a Christian, I practiced Zen Buddhism for 14 years now and in my studies my teacher taught me many truths about suffering, especially that of those beautiful people in Tibet and the ones in exile. They all are fully aware of the calling of the universal mind, to bring them back to its eternity, when all lessons had been learned. To return back to the unending collective mind.

What did I like best about this course? Discourse #6 really put my mind into overdrive; Socrates et all. The contents of which cannot, and I emphasize cannot be fully drawn into the correct perspective with 2 - 3 reads. I have so been enthralled with this discourse #6 (The entire course itself), that I have put it in a protective binder to carry with me always. When something has the impact on me that this Course has had, it becomes a source of ‘spiritualism’ (how about that?) in my life and won’t ever leave.

The only point I can truthfully say, that though it isn’t a point I dislike, it is one that makes me a little uncomfortable when I read it. I firmly believe the murky water will clear as I grow. That topic was presented I believe, not so much as an accepted truth, but as a motivation for further considerations. Basically it stated that if we are simply an arrangement particulates, then if I were to shoot someone, there is only the re-arrangement of those particulates, with nothing driven from existence. Does that constitute murder?

At this point in my journey, if good and evil are two sides of the same coin making it a whole, then there must be a source in that coin where good is the only attribute on the one side of the coin, with evil the only attribute on the other, a ‘balance‘, yet separates. Therefore some experiential knowledge of good and bad must exist and in creation this ‘moral standard ‘is imparted to it by its creator.

In conclusion, let me applaud Chuck, on this wonderful course and now for his “BOMB SHELL” of a closing discourse. He not only bared his soul to us, but in my case, he also gave me the strength, to simply put it……look at myself in the mirror, the first time in such a long time, I would only be presenting a guess as to how long it’s been. His story is so amazing, not from the content, but in his ability to offer it to us as a learning experience. Coincidentally, the Doctor I see recently instructed me, in an attempt to teach me to love myself, to embrace all the things, good and bad that is/ WAS me in the last 54 years, and to make each failure as I journey, a learning experience and not another failure.” Amazing! Then I read Chuck’s testimony of his ‘40 years in the wilderness’ and yes, I had a tear or two. Thank You Chuck.

I won’t ever be the same. I won’t ever ‘shove my beliefs’ down someones throat. It’s now apparent, it’s my life’s calling to plant a mustard seed and there my job ends. I’m not a missionary, I’m not an evangelist. However I am Kip with a capitol ‘K’ now.

I’ll let my GOD, your Creator, your Gods, your Gods/Goddesses; the universal collective Mind, do what they do best; nurture what we have planted into

whatever existence requires, to balance it self. Each of us as ministers, were not at first “not ordained” then suddenly “we are Ordained” with all the knowledge we need to minister is automatically ours to expound. Just as everyone else before us, with us, and that will come after us, are on spiritual journeys, whether they know it or not, we too have our own journeys, as ministers, where every experience is one of learning. We MUST be good listeners, sometimes with a tear. It’s been my focus of late, to love everyone, non-judgmentally. Chuck you have made my journey, so much more joyful, giving me the example to follow of simple acceptance that I am me, and not anything else. Everything is just as it should be.

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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 hand-fasting 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

Spirit-Quest

Final Exam for Spirit Quest Course

Rev. Dr. Elizabeth King

Where to begin? This course has been not only enjoyable, but held a lot of great information, much of which I have been and will continue to put to use in my life, and use as tools to aiding those who come to me for assistance either as a Hypnotherapist-counselor, Reiki Practitioner, or Minister.

Some of the discourses that were of the most interest and use to me concerned the use of picture (D. 22), roses, and using them to create a healthier, happier, and more joyful reality for me. The discourses on pain and forgiveness gave me some very important tools that I needed to deal with anger and pain from painful occurrences in my early life, as well as dealing with bleed-over from past lives that I had not yet fully dealt with. The ideas and suggestions, especially concerning holding the anger and the resentment in the liver and the spleen were not only fascinating to learn, but I began tapping those regions, and was amazed at what came out.

I particularly enjoyed the explanations of the souls, and how they behave in everyday life so we can recognize them and more importantly, decide where we are so we can work on growing into maturity. This, of course, along with the discourses on past lives (D.26) gave a lot of good information (Ds, 7 and 14). Most of these things I were already aware of, but the fresh material and ideas helped to open me to deeper understanding, and an ability to not only help myself, (D 22) which is, of course, very important for me as a healer and a minister, but also to help others.

Learning to ask the right questions (D. 24), too, I found invaluable, as I have always had a bad habit of either asking the wrong ones, or not asking enough to get to the root cause of a problem. Kinesiology has always been an important part of my own work with myself and others, as well, and I was interested in the techniques offered in this discourse for getting to the right answers. I’ve used it mostly to locate cellular and past life pain that has no physical basis, such as psychosomatic pain, so this was particularly interesting to me, and one that I shall practice so I can use in my work.

Money has also been a prime issue with me, and I tend to be more like you, Amy, reluctant to spend it because for so much of my life we lived in very real and severe poverty, so when my life dramatically changed in that area upon my marriage 18 years ago, rather than become a spendthrift, I remained the same often denying myself things that we could actually afford. I still find myself going to the store to purchase things for others and putting back everything I put into the basket for myself (don’t really need that attitude) while pushing down the reluctance to spend money even on those for whom I bought, which was not as severe as what I put on myself, but nevertheless there. I read this discourse more than several times, because it has actually caused problems in my marriage my squeezing every coin until the buffalo squeals, as my husband complains and I am working very hard to realize that money is a good thing, and that we do deserve to have it in our lives, and to work towards attracting it into my life.

In other words, this course has been very interesting, and very helpful to me in a multitude of ways. I could go on and on, but the best thing I can say is that I have truly learned from this course, and I would and do most highly recommend it to anyone who wants to gain the many tools offered in the pages of these lessons to help them to grow mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Learning how to heal oneself is the greatest gift we can give to our families, our friends, those who come to us for help in our ministries and classes we teach, as well as to our co-workers in our workplaces.

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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 hand-fasting 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

Comparative Religion

COMPARATIVE RELIGION

FINAL ESSAY

Kipper T. Rowen

As I sat there, feeling the effects of a combination of the rattlesnakes venom, alcohol and drug overdose, all surging through my body; awaiting for what my GOD was going to do to me at any moment; I never felt closer to HIM/HER and never farther away from HIM/HER at the same time, than I did at that moment; A feeling of the immense grandeur of life. That is the feeling that Rev. Kythera Ann’s Comparative Religion Course induced in me after 3 reads. She and The ULC have been satisfying my 54 year search for purpose in leaps and bounds. She has opened door after door, leaving me literally craving more and more; and then wanting to share the astounding revelations to others as a compassionate, sincere, and caring minister with a renewed love of life and my fellow travelers.

The awareness of past and current cultures, their rites and ceremonies, their origins, and in some cases their demise, many of which I have never heard of, literally, (excuse the basic language) BLEW me away. The world is huge and it’s population expanding by the day. What led me to that night and the reason for comparing the Reverend’s course to it is to get my point across, which is simply, that there is more to our lives than the monthly mortgage and our daily car pool. Obviously my CREATOR didn’t want this seeker; I was given a renewed life. Reverend Kythera Ann’s course has added to that revelation of the immensity of life on earth which will be offered to all I’m able and privileged to minister to for the rest of my life. So I will end the Reverend’s first topic requested for this essay “What you gained from this course?“ I could use all the adjectives in my Rand-McNally to describe her gift to me.

The gift ULC has also given me and that is the filling of the ‘hole’ in my heart that made me a searcher for 54 years. This course is as advertised, the most comprehensive course offered. That description doesn’t even begin to describe what a sojourner will unveil in their lives while delving into the 20 discourses. I came away with a new conviction of faith, tolerance and understanding for all inhabitants of this planet, and what for me is just as important, a new respect for my efforts of floundering, that has brought me through life, with the opportunity to help others with a new understanding.

With the Reverend’s kind permission and tolerance from the reader, I’d like to offer a brief analogy, which I feel applies to this amazing course. For the longest time, we held the belief that the smallest unit that makes up matter was the molecule. An amazing revelation that helped us accept a truth that difference between different matters was just the rearrangement of molecules, which existed in various combinations exclusive to each object being subjected to examination. Then Lo and Behold (sorry), a scientist with unending ambition discovered the molecule wasn’t the smallest component of matter. The molecule was made up of ‘atoms’. This was the absolute truth our knowledge and minds could rationalize at that time. Then within a few years, WOW! Was probably the response by the Physicist when he/she was able to see into an atom and found the smallest, or so they thought, element in the makeup of matter. They discovered the proton, neutron and electron!

This, again, was the ultimate conclusion reached with any degree of accuracy, what matter was composed of. Then in 1963, a physicist by the name of Murray Gell-Mann, looked inside the proton, neutron and electron and what he saw he coined the term Quantum Chromo dynamics (or quark model). Again, Shocking! Then in a very short time, technology advanced so rapidly, there was no end to what we could learn. This was demonstrated when another group of Physicists probed the ‘quark model’ and found the “smallest particle” of matter, isn’t matter at all, but a series of fluctuating “packets” of energy. The rate of fluctuation of the ‘packets’ and the rate of the intensity and polarity fluctuations determines what that matter under examination is. The varying rates determine the make up. So now we have matter, that isn’t actually matter as originally thought. What we have is “matter’’ made up of constantly vibrating energy. This is the ultimate truth of this research. Now have we gone to the farthest limits of our discoveries? We ask, how do the ‘packets’ keep vibrating? Perhaps we’ve found the GOD/Goddess, we are told lives inside each of use as ‘Spirit’. Time will tell and eventually end this saga.

I relate this common knowledge for a singular purpose. Just as scientist reach an ultimate conclusion, so we as sojourners on the unveiling path of Spiritual knowledge, realize there is more to religions of the world at every step of increased awareness,; where we feel we have attained the ultimate knowledge. There’s nothing more to learn. Nothing could be farther from the truth. Some one will open our eyes a little bit more towards what will be accepted as final, true reality; with supporting evidence to support the new ‘ultimate knowledge’. They will present us with a wealth of knowledge, just as Rev. Kythera Ann has done for me.

It is true, most of what religions are composed of, is all based on historical facts as their foundations. But esoteric thought prevails into areas we are still calling “molecules”. What can we expect from the Spiritual Physicist, Kythera Ann? I think the universe is the limit. A place where GOD or Gods/Goddesses came into existence, a place of beginning where there is no beginning and extends to the other limit, a place where the cessation of everything occurs in a place that has no ending. This course has opened my eyes to worlds and stories, begging to be revealed and then scrutinized. Where will we go now? Only the CREATOR/Creators know absolutely. Religion takes an understanding and empathy between different people of different religious truths, (denoted as ‘ecumenical’), to the next higher rung on the ladder of higher accepted common knowledge and co-operation between these different people. This reality is disguised so well that it remains unknown until an appointed bearer is prompted to illuminate the ‘next rung’.

If we were to travel back into man’s earliest beginnings, to observe what evolutionists call the Cro-Magnon man, we would in all probability observe him as he stared at the sun’s travel across the sky that comprised his world. At night, he most likely wondered time and time again, what the glowing orb that traveled across the sky was. He had no understanding beyond his perceived reality of a ‘magic’ occurrence. Man’s first religion possibly, based on the ’magic’ of the sun and moon. This served his/her purpose for existing and more importantly it gave them something to believe in, in the realm of a higher power, that comforted them; filled their ‘emptiness’ and ‘longing’ for something to make their lives less confusing. Now flash forward to the year 2006 C.E. The comparisons are mind boggling! Now flash again 2000 years into the future. What will the panoramic view from the religions of the world be then? This is taking license in variables called self annihilation, a new religion solely based on science and whether we have succeeded as ministers in preventing self destruction.

The amazing insight of the Reverend is found in abundance in her statement “That when one studies different religious traditions, one is struck by the repeated similarities of basic truths”. What matters is not who influences who, but what does matter is the exploration of the positive similarities. The willingness, among peoples of different religious preferences, and yes, even of different ethnic backgrounds, can only conceive a positive multi-faceted element of spirituality in every individual. A positive example of this principle is in the existence and success of the ULC.

We, of the human species, are capable of receiving only the revelations/epiphanies that correspond to what we hear ‘inside’ each of us. When Christ tells a parable to the people (exoteric teaching), He is re-assuring the multitude of souls about “Divine Mercy” which circumvents all rational thought processes of the aimlessly wanderings of the human minds in that time period. But intuitively it reaches their souls via direct access.

I have had, in 54 years, extensive instruction in four of the many belief systems mentioned in this course; the Masons (Masonic ‘Blue’ Lodge) where I held the office of Chaplain, two years in the Rosicrucian, 13 years practicing Zen Buddhism, and two doctrines of Christian belief, one holding to legalistic beliefs and the other non-denominational, and now the Universal Life Church, of which this course exemplifies. The legalistic view was presented and enthralled me when its liturgy was conducted all in Latin. In my opinion, it provided a part of my personal belief system I’m trying to improve upon. To be held to the law (of Moses) is fine for some people, but I needed to keep searching, which I did several more times ending up in the Universal Life Church where every one respects everyone else in perfect harmony, Doing What is Right.

At this juncture I should get back on track and answer another of the Reverend’s questions we were asked to include in our essays. What I liked least about this course? What I found, to me, to be of any consequence in reality is actually not worth mentioning. So, in an effort to be a participant, and not just an accepter of what’s given me, I’ll continue. The recommended Book, “The Secret Teachings of All Ages”’ by Manly P. Hall, is an excellent addition to my ever expanding library, and an excellent source of information on the less traveled paths of beliefs; but even this disclosure of ’Masonic Secrets’ has several instances leaning toward inaccuracies; primarily with regards to the Masonic Lodge, it’s rituals, beliefs, allegories and order.

An example that could constitute a positive argument for a multiple course offerings of Comparative Religion Courses, would be delving deeper into the Mason Order (for men) and the Eastern Star (for women), and even the De Molay ( for teenage boys). Avoiding my seemingly propensity towards being long winded, the topic could further be explored past the present stopping point describing the 3 degrees of the Masonic Order, when in fact, the 3rd degree is a Master Mason, who is then offered the opportunity to travel farther into it’s order by entering different components that provide another 30 plus degrees depending on which order you choose, Consistory, Shriners, Scottish Rite, York Rite; all of which offer the initiate a treasure trove of advanced ‘secret knowledge’ and symbolic references that are now available on the shelves of any reputable book store, but would definitely be an excellent read, if presented correctly. This topic has in its offering, what used to be esoteric and allegorical teachings, all held in the strictest confidentiality, reduced not even to exoteric teachings but common knowledge for any and all who want to know “what was so secret?” This could very well explain why so many Lodges have shut their doors for good, due to lack of sincere, initiates. The number of even 3rd Degree Masons is apparently at an all time low in the United States.

The subject matter of Reverend Kythera Ann’s course I hold in my hands, actually astounded me when I began its study, simply because of the mass of accumulated knowledge she displayed. From her credits, I assume most of the information contained in the course came from her background and experience. To take on a project like this, are we to assume she used mass media storage to ‘fill in’, ‘to create’, etc.? It has been my experience that operating in a time frame on a project, with extensive research and a vast amount of knowledge to be acquired for an accurate and timely product, I’ve resorted more and more to mass storage databases. Unfortunately for me and my projects, this acquired database knowledge also brings with it’ a need for, at a minimum, of spot check proof reading. This would avert, unknowingly, inaccuracies that would be disseminated as truth, when in actuality, if not totally incorrect, it may hold at least modified truths.

While I’m on my soap box, I would like to comment on the quantity of topics presented in only 20 discourses. If you take into consideration the size of the topic count, “everything”, and “everywhere” will exclude some expectations of content that will vary from reader to reader (but as people like to say, you can’t please all the people, all the time…..). In this same train of thought, without the consultation of acknowledged ‘scholars’ on each different topic, the few errors I encountered (due to my three reads I presume) as I said previously, are minimal to the point of being irrelevant. As well as the Reverend presented new idea and lists of definitions and descriptions related to each topic, I still found myself referring to my old trusty Rand-McNally dictionary. She did provide strategic definitions, but I found numerous cases that will hinder the assimilation of knowledge by a lay person without an English Degree. A brief chapter, a mini-dictionary if you will, would be a welcomed addition for most readers in my opinion. The expanse of these twenty discourses will make it a welcome reference addition to my library, as there is too much to memorize. This brings me to the next question we are to provide an input for, “How you think this course could be improved?”

I’ve been hinting on various points throughout my essay. However, I’d like to expand on the multiple ‘volume/course’ idea. The present offering as it stands would do well to be offered in two parts, making the assault on that vast amount of tidbits much more appealing and readable. More subjects that were only given a picture in the courses present form could be elaborated upon and totally ignored subjects could be added to expand its knowledge available for reference. These alterations, in an attempt to make each discourse less daunting by reducing each discourse page count from the mid thirties to smaller 10 - 15 page count.

I would venture to guess that most of the members of the Seminaries students work at least part time and would relish the idea of smaller bites of information, making it more enjoyable and less of a chore. It would also allow the side-by-side comparison layout, of a parallel Bible format. I would re-order the course just to have the comparison charts and the expanded knowledge base. With the enlarged number of topics and the reduced size of each discourse, I’m of the thought that it would be feasible to enlarge the course from 1 twenty discourse entity to a four part, twenty discourse series. I haven’t read any other students input on this subject, I can only speak of my desire to have the common thread that runs through all religions of all time everywhere, laid out expertly as I would expect coming from Rev. Kythera Ann. I would very much like to see a discourse on the results of the introduction of politics and the effects of the varying geographical locations of the source of each religion.

My proof-reader has brought to me the argument that this course as it stands is only a ‘tease’ course, which is one that, wets the students whistle’ motivating him/her to investigate the topics of interest further, on his/her own. This idea has its merits until you take into consideration the application of that line of ‘interrogative study’ on this course as it presently stands. With less detail than would be made available in a four-volume series, the curious student could find it very easy to investigate the lot of all topics presently contained in the course now (granted it would consume much more time spent in finding the info).

If a student /seeker wanted to know anything about a specific religion or church history, he/she could route it out for themselves which would invalidate the need for this course in the first place. Returning back to the 4 volume idea, in the preparation and presentation of the expanded 4 volume series, I am making the assumption that the Rev. Kythera Ann would have a field day in their creation. The students would have the availability of four volumes of reference material, in smaller more palatable bits.; 4 volumes to refer to as their journeys progress in any of a multitude of directions. This present form of the course will stay as a valuable reference in my library. To top off my suggestion (I won’t say argument….that too negative!) the Universal Life Church Store would have 3 more fantastic additions to add to the curriculum, with the addition of more knowledge! One prevailing truth about knowledge in all philosophies is that knowledge begets knowledge, unending.

In conclusion; This Comparative Religion Course, as it stands, meets the Universal Life Church’s motto of “Do What Is Right.”. This course fills the bill without doubt. We are all one species. The only differences are where on the planet the seed of yearning for internal knowledge was planted and how it was then nurtured.; Thus, giving each of us the truths of the universe. As adults, this knowledge guides us to see what is right, what is wrong, what is up, what is down, what is good, what is bad, what is GOD/Goddess, what is evil?

“Do I have any other comments?” I have only one question. That being, why was my favorite Buddhist, Bodhidharma left out, when he had such an impact on the transmission of Buddhism to the Chinese and later to the Japanese which resulted in the birth of Zen Buddhism and a style of martial arts. He has had such a great impact on the development Zen and Gung Fu in the East that is training has even spread to our Western venues of religion and martial arts. His teachings and resulting Zazen practice has even motivated several Catholic Priests to master zazen, writing several books on the topic of ’Christian Zen Buddhists‘, while still maintaining their Christian vows as Catholic Priests. I began studying under my teacher in 1990 and even though I cultivate a love for Jesus Christ, His sacrifice and my GOD’s Divine Mercy daily, I still practice zazen 3 times a day. I found, as did the Priests I just mentioned, the common thread between the East and the West. We truly are all the same.

And FINALLY, “Would I be interested in taking other courses from Reverend Kythera Ann?” Let me answer that by saying that I found her knowledge and expertise to be totally under rated, only to be corrected by “direct transmission”, i.e. face to face. I would certainly count myself blessed to be able to take any of her classes she would teach in person. This course gets two thumbs-up from me!

To Reverend Kythera Ann, I would like to offer a statement that was a dedication made by my second favorite author, Charles Swindoll (my first being C. S. Lewis) in his book entitled “Swindoll’s Ultimate Book of Illustrations & Quotes” approved as a brief quotation for copyright fulfillment; Thomas Nelson Publishers; 1998 by Charles R. Swindoll”

This book (essay) is dedicated with great admiration to all my colleagues in ministry, especially those who work hard at communicating GOD’s truth with accuracy, clarity, and practicality, and therefore are in constant pursuit of “just the Right illustration”

To get the message across, lest they clothe the riches of Christ in rags.

Thank You, Reverend Kythera Ann

Thank You, Reverend Amy Long

Thank You, ULC Seminary

Thank You, my CREATOR………………………………....

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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

Four Gospels Course

Essay on The Four Gospels by a Pagan Clergy

Submitted by: Rev. Linda J. Paul

As a Pagan Clergy member, I found this course to be fascinating. I think if we choose to call ourselves Clergy of any kind, we need to be aware of other religious systems ideas and viewpoints. In this way we can compare, contrast and bring into unity the underlying threads that weave all these systems, however loosely, together.

I have long held great respect for Jesus the man, the healer, and the prophet. I see him as the greatest of all human teachers that have graced this Earth. His teachings encompass all beliefs and all religions if we look to his parables without getting caught up in the dogma.

I was raised in a Quaker/Pagan household.. strange as that may sound. My mother was a Quaker and my father was a Pagan. My grandmother was a Romanian Gypsy.. so I had quite an ecclectic childhood. I was called in my teens to Ministry. I always knew I wanted to be a Minister, but as I grew older and developed my own system of beliefs, I knew that a traditional Seminary school was not for me. I was very drawn to Paganism.. and for me it met my spiritual needs on a level that nothing else came close to doing. I see Divinity as both masculine and feminine in it's duality.

When I stumbled upon ULC Seminary.. I rejoiced!! Here was the Seminary I was looking for! The first course I chose was the Four Gospels. I had studied the Bible in the past, but I found that I could not quite grasp some of the content of the Gospels.

This course helped me to understand on a common sense, easily understood level the basic principles of not only the gospels themselves, but the history of their writers, as well as bringing in the Gnostic beliefs with the Gospel of Thomas, (my own personal favorite.) I began to see a picture emerging of who Jesus was, what he stood for, and what his message to the world really was. The course presented him as a human being who I could relate to, in the guise of both Son of God and Shaman.

I began to see the sychronicity between the gospels of Matthew, Mark and Luke... and how the information was basically the same, but from a slightly different viewpoint, and how John was more of a vision than the stories presented by the other three.

It was very helpful for me to have each lesson broken down into the Biblical text.. and then the viewpoint of the teacher presented underneath in a different color text. The format was excellent, and held my interest in a much better way than just reading the Gospels on my own.

Although, as a Pagan, I might not share the belief system presented by the Bible itself, I do appreciate the Bible as a tome of ancient knowledge. Thank you for helping me to break it down to a level of better understanding.

Respectfully,

Rev. Linda J. Paul

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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

Shamanism Course

My Personal Commentary on Shamanism

Rev. Diana Hango

I think I first became technically interested in shamanism because my best friend/room mate started getting me to watch some certain metaphysically oriented tv shows- John Edward and Sightings in the 90”s. She was part Native American (she passed over a few years later but is still very much still communicating!!!) so I began to look for things for her to read on the metaphysical aspects of Native American spirituality that I thought she might enjoy. I began to look at these things myself and found that I was relating to many spiritual aspects of my childhood experiences that I had forgotten. I began to realize that I could relate to many shamanistic experiences.

Up until then I had no idea that my experiences were experienced by others. Some of these were strange beings in my dreams who took me flying around in the air and who took me through strange “openings” to other places. These beings could also sing and change reality. I had also felt connected to animate and inanimate objects and I didn’t know why. I had always felt that everything was alive and should be respected. I didn’t know anyone else felt this way so I kept it to myself most of my life.

I still was confused about these experiences since I am not native American. I decided to start looking into my heritage. Then I found out that I have a similar heritage to native Americans. I most likely have a Saami/Laplander background from my father, who was Finnish. They were also a shamanistic society. I have begun some research in this area but information in English is limited.

I don’t presume to be any kind of shaman. I haven’t helped or healed anyone that I know of except maybe some sick feral cats. I have a houseful of rescued feral cats. I am extremely shy and I would be terrified of having to do any rituals with people I know as well as those I don’t know.

I do wish to live a shamanistic lifestyle though. I have brought many rituals into my life. I bought the most beautiful dishes I could find so I could make eating (nourishing my physical body) a part of my spirituality. Everyday I do a meditation/Tarot/Shaman wisdom card reading to open myself to any possible spiritual synchronicities for the day. This also involves candle lighting and smudging with tree sap a dear friend brought back from a yearly spiritual pilgrimage in the Jefferson wilderness (Oregon).

I am also an artist, so I am also putting prayers of blessings into whatever artwork I do. I paint, do digital photography/art, and crafts. Mostly I do this as gifts. I believe this is my main purpose to give positive energy into the universe. This is how I practice a shamanistic lifestyle.

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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 hand-fasting 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

Paganism Course

This has been a very informative course. In this I feel I have gained a more in-depth understanding of the experience of meditation. This has been highlighted by exploring the Gods and Goddess, what they all mean and how this in turn connects with me and others around me. This connection I personally find to be key. How do you connect to something you don't understand? You can't, is my answer.

Through this as well as moon phases, and the tools of the trade shall we say, the depth of the meditation is by far the most lifting yet. There is no easy way to put into words the connection that this has helped me feel, except I hope one day I may help others experience the same deep interaction with a higher force. I have been both a Pagan and Wiccan for many years, but up until now have never felt so much like this is everything all in one.

In many ways, I see this as driving a car. When you pass your test you have proved you have the knowledge to go out on the road, but it is only then that the true learning begins. Life I feel is all about the experiences you go through and how you learn from it as well as how you help others. For me this course has magnified this. Understanding how the Gods, Trees, herbs and all the things around us connect us. This is where the true learning starts. Furthermore, the Great Rite, although I understand that this is really not practicable to practice this in today's world, I feel this is one of the most emotional and moving rites that exist, and even though cannot be put into practice should never be over looked.

Many Thanks!

Joscelyn A Vivian

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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 hand-fasting 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

Master of Religion

Universal Life Church

I feel truly blessed to have had the opportunity to receive information on many subject matters over the past 20 weeks. I particularly enjoyed the teaching about the apostle Paul and him many journeys and trails. Paul was a man of strong belief, this was demonstrated on several occasions. I recall the story about Paul prior to his conversion, when he was one of the main witness that approved the death of Stephan. I have found out that a person can have conflicting views on various subject, and that does not make them wrong. I have learned that the lessons of the past are for our benefit and we should embrace the lesson of our ancestors. When I think back on all the adversity that the apostles went through and the did not give up or stop, it encourages me to continue with the quest of letting others know the love of GOD the father.

I also learned about the early language of the church was Greek and that many denominations existed in the church. In the early church many Greek speaking Jews realized that the most important part of being a christian was to display the attributes of Christ. Today unfortunately there are a lot of people confessing Christianity but they are not showing any of the qualities that Christ displayed while walking the earth. I feel that through the reading material provided me through this course I am better able to defend my beliefs and help others to understand what it means to be a Christian.

I have learned that my life action must coincide with the words that I am speaking. I have also learned the importance of forgiveness. This course has taught me that in order for me to move forward in my christian I must forgive the trespasses of others so that I can display the attribute of Christ in my life. I found out the true meaning of the passing of scripture that says: Forgive that your father in heaven may forgive you. I discovered that in my forgiving others that I am free to move forward with my present and release the pain and disappointment of my past the may have held me back from my destiny.

Rev. Charles Sneed

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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 hand-fasting 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