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myself, thats the one Ive been waiting for the last sevenyears. It was a defining moment and it changed both ofour lives forever. That meeting led to romance, marriage,and eventually to a new way of life in a strange new land,ministering a church in Naples, Florida. ...Whats missingfrom our story is all the previous circumstances, choices,and resulting successes and failures that led each of us toKansas City, for different reasons and from opposite

directions."How did I get here? And Where am Igoing?"are questions we may not often ponder, butmaybe we should. For everyday,we either move forward with anew experience, a newchallenge, or we remain onsome repetitious plateau. Howdid I get here asks us to lookback at our experiences,circumstances and the choiceswe have made. Where am I

going asks us to think aboutthe choices and decisions we areabout to make or may have beenavoiding.

Martha Smock said, It is never too late to begin, rightwhere we are, to express the God powers that are in us, toexpand our vision, to express the loving Spirit that is in us, tomake every day of our life an adventure in living.

As usual, there's a lot going on behind the scenes,below the surface of our everyday awareness. We are theproduct of our subconscious, either victims or victors byvirtue of what we believe. It is our beliefs that influence

our choices, and our choices that determine where we gonext.

Our subconscious is a bit of a mystery, but we doknow that we are feeding it constantly with experiences,with opinions, and with everything from television newsto street corner observations. Parents, Grandparents,and Teachers help us fill our subconscious during ourprimary years with their thoughts, their ideas, and theiropinions. And employers, and preachers, and evencolleagues can have the same effect for many more years.

Each little fact, or experience, or lesson, or evenhalf-truth, that we're exposed to gets collected into a veryintricate composite called "I believe. And thiscomposite belief system guides the day-to-day outcomeof our lives. It happens right under our noses, but mostof the time far way from our awareness, and because it'sall done on auto-pilot, we react unconsciously andautomatically.

As a result, we say and do far more thingsunconsciously than we are aware. The effect of actingunconsciously on those old beliefs can have a profoundeffect on our lives.

Former Apollo astronaut, Colonel Edgar Mitchell,told this story when he spoke at the Institute of NoeticSciences.

Mitchell's mother had been having increasingproblems with her eyesight and was losing her battle tocontinue to see. She had reached a point where shecould no longer drive and just getting around the housewas getting harder and harder. Mitchell invited a healer

friend, a man from India, a man very much like DeepakChopra, to travel with him to his mother's home andoffer her his healing work.

The Indian man worked all evening with Mrs.Mitchell. They prayed together for several hours. Hehad her do some powerful mental visualizations. Heused his healing energy around her eyes.

Finally he told her they had done enough and thatshe needed to go to bed and rest, to let the healing energywork within her during the night.

In the morning she got up very excited. Hereyesight was vastly improved. Within a matter of days

her eyesight was virtually restored. She even went to seeher eye doctor and in his examination he could findnothing wrong with her eyes at all.

Finally, Mitchell returned to his own home and acouple of weeks later he called his mother to see how shewas doing. She reported that her eyesight was continuingto do well. Then she asked her son, "Is the man whohealed me a Christian?" Well, Mitchell knew all too wellthat his mother had spent her life as a fundamentalChristian, and he didn't want to offend her, but he alsocouldn't tell her a lie.

"No," he said, "He's not a Christian, he is a Hindu".

Mitchell's mother was very disappointed, and said so.Three weeks later, after brooding about being healed by anon-Christian, Edgar Mitchell's mother lost her eyesight.Once, and for all. It was gone.

What a tragedy! Her old fundamental beliefs were sobiased they didn't leave room or respect in her mind for anon-Christian to be qualified to be her healer. Heroldbeliefs got in the way of a new and wonder-filledexperience. But, if she were to ask herself, "How did Iget here", she probably wouldn't have a clue that it washer own, old, and limiting beliefs that had prevented thecure, a cure that was given to her in love by her son and aHindu healer. Instead, she may have believed the secondloss of her eyesight was the "Will of God", particularly ifshe is the kind who believes that God is a punishing God

#We all have a myriad of beliefs we've picked up

along our lifes path. And like Col. Mitchells mother,we're not consciously aware of our beliefs... or that theyhave found a home down in some hidden vault in oursubconscious. And too many of them come from halflistening to other people expound on their negativeopinions. If we hear those ideas often enough, we buy

...everyday, weeither move for-

ward with a newexperience, anew challenge,or we remain on

some repetitiousplateau.


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into them and then we can easily make them our owncompletely unaware of their negative effect on our lives.

The smartest thing we can do is question things. Atleast long enough to make the conscious choice whetheror not to accept someone else's opinion.

I hope you do question things; question what I havewritten here. Question this lesson. Question what youread and what you hear from television commentators.

Don't buy an opinion just because you read it in thenewspaper or a book, and don't buy someone else'sopinion just because theyre loud and vocal, just becausethey make a lot of noise about it. Were exposed to awhole lot more opinion in the media than factual

information.What you believe createsyour life experience. Yourbeliefs are far tooimportant to be theunconscious product ofsomeone else's negative

opinions. It is reallyimportant for you to thinkfor yourself.

There is a reason why Unity does not have a credoor a dogma that you are required to accept in order to bea member. We just like to present things for you to thinkabout, because we know that you already have enoughwisdom and intelligence to make up your own mind. Theone thing we teach is that Spirit is indwelling. (1 Cor. 3:16 -Do you not know that you are Gods temple and that GodsSpirit dwells in you? For Gods temple is holy, and thattemple you are.) There is a part of you that is connected

with the Divine; that's the part that is made in the imageand likeness of God. And your indwelling Spirit is yourconnection to infinite wisdom. Anytime you have a question, nomatter what it is, you can turn to Spirit for guidance.

For example, Dottie and I were sitting in quietcontemplation. I turned to Dottie and said, I'm stuckhalf way through my preparation for this lesson and justcan't seem to come to a conclusion.

She said, Better ask Spirit. You know your lessonis always about something you are working on as much asit is Spirit's way of using you to speak to one of yourreaders.

Bingo!"That's right, I said. So I stopped and turned

within. Within seconds Spirit was right there with theanswer. "You've got to move from your head to your heart,wasthe silent reply. Spirit always gives it to me straight.

"How did I get here?" It's been mostly a head trip.At least that's where the first half of the lesson wascoming from. "Where am I going?" Or, where do I wantto go? Well, its on a path guided by my heart. Myfeelings, my intuition, my inner knowing; being free toexpress my joy, my passion, my soul. That's where I

want to go.Jesus spoke from His soul. That's what made His wordsso lasting and so powerful. (Mat 5:12-16) Rejoice and beglad, for your reward is great.You are the salt of the earth; Youare the light of the world. A cityset on a hill cannot be hid. Nordo men light a lamp and put it

under a bushel, but on a stand,and it gives light to all in thehouse.

Let your light so shinebefore men, that they may see yourgood works and give glory to yourFather who is in heaven."

Your good works are the works that come fromheart-felt passion, and works that radiate your light.Light, like fire in the Bible, always represents the presenceof God, so when we let our light shine, we're acting onGod's presence within,and opening up to let that presenceshine forth. That doesn't come when we're workingstrictly out of our head, because the head is tied tooclosely to the ego. But, when we are radiating the passionof our heart, when we're filled with joy, we are in the flowof Divine Light, guided by Spirit, and truly letting ourlight shine.

Charles Fillmore, co-founder of Unity wrote anInvocation of Spirit that expressed his passion. See ifthese words aren't as uplifting and moving today as theywere when they were first written 100 years ago.

"I am now in the presence of pure Being,

immersed in the Holy Spirit of life, love, and wisdom.I acknowledge Thy presence and Thy power,O blessed Spirit, in Thy divine wisdomnow erase my mortal limitationsand from Thy pure substance of love bring intomanifestation my world according to Thy perfect law"

Repeating with a few observations"I am now in the presence of pure Being,(God and I are 0ne)immersed in the Holy Spirit of life, love, and wisdom.I acknowledge Thy presence and Thy power,

O blessed Spirit;(Surely the presence of the Lord is here with me now)In Thy divine wisdom (my inner knowing),now erase my mortal limitations (get me out of my ego),And from Thy pure substance of love(God is love"-I John 4:16),Bring into manifestation (Create in this physical reality),My world according to Thy perfect law"(Not my will, but Thine be done through me, Lord)You see, Charles felt that we all have a Divine

Your beliefs are fartoo important to bethe unconscious

product of someone

else's negativeopinions.

(Mat 5:12-16)Rejoice and be glad,

for your reward is

great. You are thesalt of the earth;You are the light ofthe world.


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only way we can reap the harvest of Peace, and Joy, andLove. "Mat 6:33 ... seek first his kingdom and hisrighteousness, and all these things shall be yours as well."

When we get our energy focused in God, we canknow that God's energy will work through us, and we willbe guided to Let our light shine. God is the source ofall that is good, and our good will manifest in thisphysical world.

If you want to let your light shine; if you want to livein the now moment, if your goal is Peace, and Love, andJoy, simply follow your heart.

Then when you ask, "How did I get here?" andyou'll know that wherever you are is by God's wonderfulDivine plan of good. And when you ask, "Where am Igoing?" you will hear that still small voice within smileand say, You have already arrived.

God bless you. Amen

By Rev. Art Holt , Minister,

Upward Bound Journal

2006

2006 begins on an exciting note forUpward Bound Journal

For over a year we have been praying for an UpwardBound website. Our prayers are now fully answeredandwww.UpwardBoundJournal.comis officially upand running.

The site looks like the cover of the bi-monthly UBJournal and will contain a recent issues lesson andmeditation as the principal focus. Soon we will offerpast lessons, relevant pearls of wisdom from a varietyof sources and links to other related websites.

Check outwww.upwardboundjournal.com, formore information. If you would like to send a free

electronic copy of this issue to a friend just email yourrequest to [email protected]. You can alsohelp us continue our publishing ministry by making adonation on-line (click on contact us), or by sending acheck to:

Upward Bound Journal,10870 SW 71st Circle, Ocala, FL 34476.

Thank you for your interest and support,

Art

potential and we can express it, just as Jesus expressedHis Divinity. Fillmore's Invocation calls forth the

expression of his divinityfrom within, because that'swhere the source is, and hereveals in utter simplicityhow we can do it. His firstphrase says it all."I am

NOW in the presence ofpure being". In thismoment, NOW! That'swhere God is and that'show we find it. By being inthe moment! By being inthe NOW!

The power of our Divine Potential is in thismoment. It is powered by the passion of our heart, but itcan only be found in the present. It is not something thatwas, or will be, it simply is, and IS can only exist in thismoment, right now.

The question, "Where am I going from here?"becomes: "Where is this moment taking me?" If, "I amNOW in the presence of pure being, what's next?

What is my Divine Goal? --To be conscious of my choicesand to choose from the passion of my heart-- That is my goalto express and experience Divine Love; to remain in astate of complete Peace (of mind and body and affairs);and to be filled with Joy.

The Prophet Isaiah said: (ISA. 55:12) For you shallgo out in joy, and be led forth in peace; the mountains and thehills before you shall break forthinto singing, and all the trees of

the field shall clap their hands.I am inspired by this

scripture. I try to rememberthat going out in joy andreturning in peace is a choiceI can make, not a chance thatI take. Living in Joy is not anaccident. It's a decision Imake, and it's an example of something that can only bedone in the present moment. I can't make the pastjoyful, and the future is only going to turn out as an

unfolding of how I live my life right now.If I can start my day choosing to be grateful foreverything I have, and filled with enthusiasm forwhatever may lie ahead, then I've got a better than evenchance of finishing the day in a peaceful state of mind.I've done what was mine to do and done it with Joy inmy heart.

When we live in the present moment, and choose tocome from Gratitude in our heart, we are planting seedsof Joy for the future. We are giving of ourselves tosomething that is beyond ourselves.

There is a simple law that guides our life and is the

The power ofour Divine Potentialis in this moment.It is powered by

the passion of ourheart, but it canonly be found inthe present.

I try to remember

that going out in joyand returning in peaceis a choice I canmake, not a chancethat I take.


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Take a few moments to sit quietly and

allow yourself to be in a state of reflection

and meditation. Breathe deeply and

slowly as you begin to relax. Feel that

freedom of spirit assisting you to release

and let go of any tensions, stress, or

concerns.

And now, let these words be your own

words........

Take a deep breath and relax

I give thanks, dear and loving God, for my growing

awareness of your wonderful presence in my life,the presence out of which all my needs and desires

are fulfilled. I feel your loving and protecting

presence whether in the darkest night or in the

brightest day. You are always with me - when I

need you most, and even when I think I do not need

You at all.

You are always with me because You are always

within me ...always around me ...always loving me ...

always protecting me ... and in all ways.

I am safe, secure and peaceful. ThankYou, God, for

peace. Your sweet peace, Your complete peace. It

fills my mind and heart now. I am safe in You. I

totally give myself over to Your loving presence now

as I rest gently...rest completely in Your presence.

In this time of inner silence, I am wholly at peace...

Thank You, God, for the light of Your wisdom. Every

moment of every day I am guided by Your gentle,

loving presence; guided to new levels of

understanding...new dimensions of insight and

compassion...new ways of being. Each new

awareness and each new insight of Your light which

shines from within me, is like a new awakening. It

lifts me to a new and higher level of consciousness.

Through Your presence within me, I feel the warm

glow of my spiritual light... And I dedicate myself to

let my light shine, so that others who may be

guided for just a moment by this Divine light, will

turn to You with glory and thanksgiving.

Thank You, God, for my life. In the midst of the

activities of my day, I am strengthened by Yourpresence. I live and move and have my being in the

presence of Your life. Through Your presence I find

true healthand wholeness --health of the spirit and

wholeness of mind and body.

I breathe deeply and feel Your presence as life

itself. My spirit, mind, and body are healed through

Your living presence within me. I entrust those I

care about to Your sacred presence within them,

and I see them also as strong and vibrantly

healthyOne with Your living presence.

Thank you, God, for being all that I need and all that

I really want. Your presence within me feeds me

spiritually, and Your pure, sweet love nourishes me

physically.

My every need is met through Your presence. You

are what I need...You are what I want, You are what

I have been seeking all my life.

Lord, Your presence fills my heart and mind as the

one true light. In the warmth of this light, I speak

words of love to everyone. Led by Your light, I find

new ways to cooperate...new ways to live in

harmony and understanding with everyone I meet

along my lifes path.

Thank You Father, Mother, God, for this time in

which I now know I can be Your instrument of

Peace. I go forward knowing that from this momenton, the power and wisdom of Your loving Presenceis deep within me, blessing everyone I meet andtouch along the way. Thy will is done, Your Kingdomof Heaven is at hand, and peace now reignseternal.I am filled with Your love, and Joy, and I do givethanks.

And so it is

AmenUpward Bound Journal, 2006

M E D I T A T I O N


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Words to live by A Seed Thought from

Art HoltWe are guided by our knowledge that our thoughts

and words create our reality. Let us acknowledge

another word that will impact our lives in wonderful

ways if we give it its proper due. The word... in this

case, words?

Taught, Bought, & Thought

As children we weretaughtby our parents, schoolteachers and in Sunday Schools, factual information,

ethical values, the three Rs, religious dogma, and awhole lot of personal opinions. The intention might

have been to teach us right from wrong and start us

out with an education that would serve us throughout

our lives.

But, in our innocence weboughtmost, if not all, ofthe information, opinions and dogma without ever

thinking about whether it was true or not. Very few

of us were taught to think for our selves, to separate

fact from opinion or to question the morals, ethics or

opinions of our teachers. Some people go throughlife that way.

One of Gods greatest gifts to us human beings is

the ability to think, and it is ourthoughtsthat makethe difference between a life of accomplishment and

one of mere survival. Our mind is a powerful tool,

but it requires thinking to make it useful.

In Unity we say that the thoughts we hold in mind

are made manifest in the same kind. Wouldnt you

rather create the life you have consciously chosenthrough your thoughts than to have your life become

the result of someone elses oppressive opinion or

pessimistic perspective? Whether positive or

negative, your thinking will make it so.

In John 8:32, Jesus said: you will know the truth,

and the truth will make you free. In this case, truth

is the difference between fact and opinion; truth is

using your innate intelligence to think for yourself,

your spiritual connection to listen to your Divine

UPWARD BOUND J *O *U *R *N *A *L

WORDS TO LIVE BYWORDS TO LIVE BYWORDS TO LIVE BYWORDS TO LIVE BY

guidance. For Spirit will never tell you anything

less than the real Truth.

So What were youtaught? What have you

bought? And what have youthought(foryourself)?

Rev. Arthur Holt,

Unity Minister

Dottie Holt,

Licensed Unity Teacher

Upward Bound of Unity, Inc.

10870 SW 71st Circle

Ocala, FL 34476

Phone (352) 861 -5518

Email: [email protected]

Upward Bound Journalis a Unity Church publishing ministry dedicated towriting and presenting spiritual, inspirational, andmetaphysical principles which will empower peopleto enrich and transform their lives. Electronic

copies of Upward Bound Journal are now availablevia email in an easy to read and printer friendlyformat (PDF files).

For more information about Upward Bound check our website:www.upwardboundjournal.com.Upward Bound Journalis of Upward Bound of Unity,Inc.

Member: Association of Unity Churches International, SunCoast UnityMinisters Association, and affiliated with: Unity School of Christianityand Silent Unity, publishers of Daily Word.

Upward

Bound

Journa

l

A Unity Publishing Ministry

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