Shamanism

Shamanism Essay By Rev. Rick Fisher I want to thank the ULC for offering the course on Shamanism, I have learned very much from this course. Although I wasn't active on the forum I did read questions sent in by other students. One had questioned if the course was worth the price, for me it was. I have bought a few books on Shamanism but none of them had the information that was in this course. I especially liked lesson 6 on Animism and that there is life in everything, while I enjoy hiking in the woods I now find myself spending more time just sitting in the woods and observing everything. I now believe that there is life in everything if you just become aware of it. Lesson 9 also made me aware of animal spirits, before when leaving my house I would see the squirrels running around in my yard. But after reading lesson 9 I now believe that the squirrel maybe my animal totem. I watch, feed, and talk to them everyday. After reading lesson 13 and 14 on the Shamanic Journey I attempted this several times without success. I do use a drumming session but find my mind still wonders. Will continue to try and journey. For anyone interested in learning more about shamanism I do recommend this course, again I apologize for not being active on the forum but all the questions that were sent in was still valuable information for me. I hope that all of you taking the course stay on the path as a shamanic practitioner, we all can make a difference. Thanks again ULC. Best Wishes to all, Rick Rick Fisher ******************************************** To ordain yourself with the Universal Life Church, for Free, for Life, right now, use the Free Online Ordination, button -- Click the link! As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  As an ordained minister with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've enjoyed watching the continual growth of the seminary. Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Life of St. Paul

Master of St. Paul Final Essay

Master of St. Paul was very interesting to me.  I would like to thank Rev. Walter Moline for a great job on the course.  It was very well written and very informative.  I would also like to thank Amy for all her hard work she does making it possible for people like me to take such great courses.

St. Paul was considered to be the greatest person to come out of the apostolic age.  He became an apostle as a young man.  He was close to the age of Jesus when he started his ministry.  St. Paul preached until his death, which was about 65 years old.

Paul was known as Saul the Jew, "Chief of Sinners" before he found Christianity.  Paul vigorously went after Christians and persecuted them.  On one of his trips, this one was to Damascus, he received a blinding light.  In this light Jesus appears to him and talks to him.  Paul is blinded.  He is led to Damascus where he is told what he should do.  Paul has his eye sight restored by Ananias, after being blind for three days.  At this time Paul is baptized.  Paul now leaves Damascus and goes to Arabia. Paul stays there until he comes back to Damascus fully committed to being a Christian with a vital mission.

Paul becomes known as "Chief of Saints".   In Acts 9:15-16 It explains the ministry of Paul as a chosen vessel unto God.

Paul spread the word of God with some ease because of his language skills and the ease of getting from city to city because of the roman roads.  Also the Romans granted people a freedom of liberty on matters regarding religion.

Paul went on three journeys (missions), lasting years at a time.  People listened to Apostle Paul because the church was only two to three years old and there was some curiosity about this religion.  But Paul didn't always have an easy time of it.  While there were those who listened and joined the church, there was always someone else out to stop him.

This course talks about each of his journeys (missions) and specific people who were involved in Paul's life.  It covers the suffering he went through.  Paul was stoned (he survived), beaten, and jailed.

No matter where Paul was, he always found a way to present his main message:  "Christ is the son of God".

The last five lessons were on worship.  They covered sin, receiving grace, spiritual gifts and on Jesus and the Holy Trinity.  I definitely recommend this class.

Peace and love be with you,

Rev. Nancy Rutledge

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As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials. Many have been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and can attest to its ongoing growth and change.

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Shamanism

Essay on Master of Shamanism Course           Throughout this course I learned many different things about Shamanism and found the course extremely interesting. I have learned that Shamanism originated in Siberia among the Siberian Tungus. "Saman" refers to "sacred medicine men" and consists or is relevant to traditional beliefs and practices. Shaman make connections with spirits and through those relationships garner the ability to diagnose, treat, and even cure human suffering. Shamanism is more likely to be the oldest form of religion but there are likely as many variations of Shamanism as there are different forms of Christianity.         I learned as well that Shamans ar psycho pomp, meaning that Shamans conduct the souls of the dead by way of the underworld and spirit guides. There are also two other realms being the middle and upper worlds. I also found, and to quote a line in a lesson, "Everything that exists is alive". This has always been my belief , whether it be plant, sky, cosmos, or stone, all these exist as a form of life. All beliefs, are as well, a part or form of the truth about existence. Shamanism, in my mind comes closest to that reality or the search for that reality. That part of my own opinion about spirituality, reality, and the search for it being said I can continue to speak in terms of what impressed me about this course.          I am slightly disheartened by the term Black Shamans and that they existed and probably still do. I like to think of Shamanism in the light of the term White Shaman. I was very interested in the length to which the history of Shamanism was explored and also the garments, or coat, and the iron discs and copper ornaments applied to it. The likeness on the garment of the "amagyat", the spirit or guide very close to the Shaman.          I was pleased to learn of the relationship of Shamanism to Jewish beliefs. I was saddened, however, to learn how much of their knowledge was destroyed and burned by the pope long ago.           I learned so much from this course. I learned about self-hypnosis ( never done without a companion ). I learned how to achieve Altered States of Consciousness, by way of the death breaths or through rhythmic drumming. The drum being a tool of ancient shamans as well.            I found it very interesting in the lesson on Mayan Shamanism and 2012 that the Winter Solstice of December 21st 2012 AD will align with the center of our galaxy the Milky Way. This alignment has not happened for 25,800 years. I believe it to be the begining of a new spirituality of humankind on a large scale.            In conclusion, and on a lighter Shamanistic note by the the very meaning of "Shaman" as a "self-healed madman", I have survived my own madness at times and have healed. Bless those important shamans of history such as Jesus, Buddha, Mohhamed, Allah, etc.            The only minor problems that existed in the course were the occasional typographical errors. This was a very informative and helpful course. Thank you Amy Sherman Arnold  ******************************* The Universal Life Church is a comprehensive online seminary where we have classes in Christianity, Wicca, Paganism, two courses in Metaphysics and much more. Ordination with the , is free,  and lasts for life, so use the Free Online Ordination, button.We also offer many free wedding ceremonies for your use.   The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary.   Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Shamanism

Final Essay Shamanism Shaman's are extraordinarily remarkable people.  I found myself in awe of their ability to sacrifice, fight overwhelming fear and hardship, on their road to becoming a Shaman.   Magic was taboo in our church.  It was something to be feared.  Something to do with the evil underworld.  So I was not exactly keen on taking this course.  I am glad I did.  This course provided a keen incite and understanding into the Shaman's world.  I respect anyone who can go through this vigorous training and come out whole. I seems that every group in society has those that are the healers, the teachers, the guides, the judges to help them through life.  They were called, monks, priests, wizards, shamans.  Their judgment was sought to settle disputes; to heal loved ones; to foretell the outcome of a battle.  These leaders were not to be feared as evil but honored as trusted guides. Not everyone could be a Shaman.  You had to have special talents and characteristics.  The years of preparation were hard.  But in the end, you had someone the group could count on to watch over their specific needs. This was a very interesting course.  The chapter on Shamanism vs Christianity brought up many interesting comparisons.  I was raised  a strict Catholic, with many laws, rituals and traditions.  I read and study for myself.  Seek my own answers and form my own opinions.  Shamanism has it's own unique rules, rituals and traditions.  Rules, rituals and traditions not that different from Christianity in it's structure.  Except Paganism believes in the earth plus the creator as gods.  While Christianity thinks of God alone as the God of Creation. I have great respect for all religious beliefs.  Everyone has the right to seek the meaning of life for themselves. Thank you for this course.  It opened up a world totally foreign to me.  Yet holding many similarities to mutual religions and beliefs of this planet, earth. May God bless you all, Rev. Nitza L. Melgar, ULC Minister, SBT ********************** Ordination with the Free Online Ordination button. The  ULC, run by Rev. Long, has created a chaplaincy program to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials.  I've been ordained with Seminary since the beginning and have loved watching the continual growth of the seminary. Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Druidism

Final Essay: Druidism Course "All roads lead to Rome," some wise soul once said.  Rome in this case being the great essence which is the Creator, Yahweh, I AM, AWEN.  The question is which path is meant for me.  The Buddhist path, the Christian path, the Druid path, or a combination of all.  Perhaps, one has to travel, study and learn what each path has to offer in the way of enlightenment.  Maybe , then I will know my way home. In Buddhism the essence of life seems to be found in all things spiritual.  In Druidism it seems to be found in all things living.  In the trees, the animals, the clouds, the stars, in all living organisms.  The power and beauty of the Creator is all around us.  It is inside, outside and enveloping every part of our world. I am sitting here by my window looking out on the rain soaked grass and the beautiful trees, of all different types and shapes.  It has been raining for several days in my little corner of Alabama.  I love it.  I love the rain.  I love the smell of everything washed clean by it.  I love the feel of it on my face.  It was raining the day I was born.  I came into this existence, on my family's farm.  It seems that, I come from a long line of midwives, so my great aunt delivered me.  It was pouring and you could hear the rain hitting the roof.  The rain was probably the first sound I heard and smell of all things washed new filled my lungs with life.  I have always loved being in the country. I was raised in New York City.  I longed for the green of God's country.  I felt the trees were alive.  That they somehow could see, hear and feel.  That somehow, they spoke to us.  Some trees have been around for thousands of years.  Can you imagine what it would be like to sit in a grove and have a serious conversation with a beautiful Oak or Willow? In the park, I would lie on the grass and imagine what it was like to fly , like a bird.  Where were the clouds going?  Do they all talk to each other?  Do they talk about us?  I knew deep down, that a very great Creator had done this, for mere man could not accomplish such a task. Music was the center of my existence.  I couldn't sing, but boy, I could sure dance.  If I went missing, you could find me in some quiet corner listening intently to music.  I felt music spoke to the very essence of the body, to the heart of your very soul. When I grew up, I became a warrior and followed in my family trade of delivering babies.  I joined the military. When I  moved to the country, my heart filled with an all consuming declaration that I was finally home. So what does this have to do with Druidry? Druids hold nature to be sacred.   So do I. Druids were the ones who dedicated their lives to their tribes.  They were the military advisors, the teachers, the healers. So did I. Druids believed, "the gods must be worshipped, and no evil done and honorable behavior maintained." (Lesson 11 Druid Course )    So do I. Druids believe in the immortality of the soul, rebirth, and in the Divine Essence, the AWEN.  So do I. After searching a life time, studying many religions and teaching, I was always left with a sense of discomfort and incompleteness.   I am now a minister and I had the privilege to preside over my son's wedding.  When I went to do the wedding, I found myself standing in a small grove, under  a beautiful Willow tree, dressed in my white robes and white cinture.  I was filled with happiness, contentment, and completeness. So, as I sit here looking at my white robe and reading the teachings of the ancient Druids, I ponder to myself.    So many times, I was drawn to the Druids.  I looked and walked away.  I was afraid because of what I had been taught of witch craft, Devil worshipers, evil doers.   So when this course showed itself, I waited a year.  But I could not loose the feeling that I must study and learn the truth. Thank you.  I found a very deep connection with the Druid path.  I have worn a Celtic Cross around my neck for many years.  I have many books on Celtic prayer and traditions.  It seems so familiar to me. Were my ancestors Druids?   I don't know.   Ancestors have a way of reaching out and guiding you on your path, whatever that might be. This course has changed my life for the better.  I feel great peace and comfort in my soul.  Perhaps this is finally the way home.. We will see. May God bless you all, Rev. Nitza L. Melgar, ULC Minister, SBT ******************** Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free  and lasts for life, so use the button. As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials. Many have been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and can attest to its ongoing growth and change. Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Shamanism

MASTER  OF  SHAMANISM  FINAL  ESSAY

I think Bishop Pat did a marvelous job on this course.  It covered a great deal of information and I felt like I learned a lot.  I knew very little about shamanism before taking this course.

I learned that a shaman could be a man or a woman and they could be either black or white.  They have the spiritual ability to heal and work with energies and to see visions.  They can work alone or in a group.  A shaman has to be able to work with spirits.  The shaman has been around for ages across the world.

A shaman is not a priest because that would mean he would be specific to a God, Goddess, Demigods or Demigoddess, who would act in behalf of that God.  The shaman uses the power of the spirits, but does not control them.  He must have their consent to work with them.

The shaman deals with the lower, middle and upper worlds.  The lower world is entered by way of a tunnel.  There the shaman has the ability to use many levels of that part of the world.  There is no negative place like hell to the shaman.  The Power Animals reside in the lower world as does so many of the healing forces.

Shaman is considered to be a primitive form of religion and is practiced in many places around the world.  Most shamans use some form of dress.  These include masks, coats, caps and breast plates with each tribe having their own style.  The most important tool to the shaman is his drum, although some shamans may use a rattle or other type of instrument.  The drum is said to have the power of transporting the shaman to the superworld and evoking the spirits by the sound.  There are as many types of drums as there are tribes.

This course also covers animal spirits in a good amount of detail.  It lists many of the power animals, and even how to find your animal totem.  There are four different types of animal guides which are covered.  A book Bishop Pat recommended (I read it and agree with him) is "The Magical Lore of Animals" by Yvonne Aburrow.  It is a great book.  I liked it so much I also bought one of her other books called "The Enchanted Forest:  The Magical Lore of Trees".

This course teaches you (and it does take time and lots of practice) how to use self hypnosis to reach the trance state.  It also covers what it's like taking a shamanic journey.  Another book I would recommend if you're in any way interested in shamanic journeys is "The Way of the Shaman" by Michael Harner.

Bishop Pat also covers the shaman vs. Christians and the shaman vs. science.  One special lesson drew my interest was on the Maya Shaman.  It touches on the Maya calendar of 2012.  Bishop Pat explains it very well, but if your interest is peaked by this lesson, like mine was you will love his book "Maya Cosmogenesis 2012".  It is written under his name of John Major Jenkins.

This course was a definite plus to my knowledge of world religions.  I highly recommend this course on Shamanism.

In love and Peace,

Rev. Nancy Rutledge

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Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free  and lasts for life, so use the button.

As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials. Many have been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and can attest to its ongoing growth and change.

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Spiritual Awareness

Doctor of Spiritual Awareness Final Essay

By Rev. Patricia Buben

Much of this class is organized around the fact that we are spiritual beings having a human experience.  It goes on to discuss definitions of spirit.  To me, spirit is the breath of life—the essence of a person.  It can also be described as being both immortal and intelligent energy.  As spirits, we go through lifetimes (reincarnate) to learn life lessons.  We continue to reincarnate as we have lessons to learn and when we have learned them all, we become ascended masters.  An ascended master is one who evolves to pure spirit.

The concepts of spirituality are easy and must be lived on a daily basis to become valuable.  There are many elements of spirituality that are discussed and all have aspects that are needed to develop spiritually.  The ones I liked best are:

·                 Having heart or being compassionate

·                 Understanding how karma works

·                 Learning to use your intuition

·                 Reincarnation – how it works and why

·                 Being of service to others

·                 Understanding death as a natural transition

·                 Evolution of the earth – coming earth changes

·                 Practicing meditation and several meditative techniques

·        Understanding energy and using it for healing

·                 Perceiving good and evil

·                 Knowing thyself or "Gnothi Seauton"

·                 Learning how to see auras

·        Developing your psychic abilities

·          Being able to develop self-love

·                 Unconditional love for others

·                 Learning to work with your spirit guides

Most of the concepts are very familiar to me and I have studied these concepts through research and reading a variety of books.  This course is unique in that it contains so many spiritual concepts in one place.  I especially enjoyed the different meditations and learning to work with my spirit guides.  In summary, I would highly recommend this course as it is clear, concise and all-encompassing.

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As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials. Many have been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and can attest to its ongoing growth and change.

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Spirit Quest

Spirit quest Final Essay Tools

To initiate this discussion of spiritual tools I am going to regress to a need for such an understanding. All of the things I am going to say here are postulation, my understanding to date, hence, quest, Spirit Quest. We start with an awakening of self-awareness; at this stage our understanding is stimulus and response. Next we move to social awareness, trade, getting along without merely grabbing and running or beating and taking.  During these first two stages we have started to recognize that we are able to manipulate the environment around us to our benefit this gives rise to physical tools and all manor of physical fabrication. In these earlier periods of growth we began to recognize that some things that we tried worked and others didn't, this gave rise to the concepts of right and wrong, the law and justice, the accumulation of knowledge, esthetics (the critique of taste and technique, that which is beautiful and pleasing or is not). While moving through this growth we began to see that there were and are forces that we don't understand or mystify us these forces that seem to control both cause and effect, acting on and in a medium undefined by our physical knowledge and reason. Is it an external agent or emanated from within or both for we both seem to be in control and the out of control. Spirit is intuited and recognized, but what is it and where is it?  The quest began as time went by we began to recognize that pretty much all of the above is true, it is both internal and external simultaneously, we are individual and a part of the whole in the broadest sense. We are both in and out of Control.

The Sages through the ages tell us faith and Grace is the key to this control, a topic for another conversation. Beyond faith and grace is the word (spoken or unspoken concept, imagination) and action (ritual) "actions speak louder than words". The word precedes action. So what does this have to do with Spirit, Control and tools? The tools are the outcome of generations of listening to the word and experiencing (including observing) the out come of the generated action. This may be a state of grace.

These statements direct us to the tools, which are to implement and explore the effect we as energetic facets of the whole, can exert as a change agent on our being experience. The tools embody the word and its conversion to experience, i.e. Matter. Some of these tools include:

·        Goals, direction and focus.

·        Forgiveness, the release of previous burdens to explore new possibilities.

·        Meditation, getting in contact with the energy we have to work with.

·        Grounding, a first step in directing the energy we have come to recognize.

·        The Center of the Head, a safe house and command station to work out of.

·        The Trap Door, another look at energetic burdens and their release.

·         Golden Suns, starting the use of active movement of that energy.

·         Little sticky Suns and roses, protection Roses, Blowing up Roses, more clearing of the work surface.

·        Spiritual Hellos

·        Mock ups

·        Amusement

·        Chakra  

·        Glass Body

My favorite of these tools thus far, are meditation with grounding, bringing in the golden suns the center of the head, workspace, with the trapdoor, to allow others to leave by, the little sticky suns and sticky roses and blowing up roses. All of these tools are of a clearing and releasing nature, which it seems at this time, is what I need the most. Using other clearing tool from various different disciplines I had discovered years ago that we are many layers of energies values and beliefs that have shaped out outcomes, but all of the tools seem to have a effective lifespan of usefulness or that certain tools are useful for some issues and in effective for others. Through the use the little sticky suns I found that I could remove my energy from places or people in the distant past even of those that have been long since deceased. Maybe due to the possible simultaneity of existence this all makes some sort of sense.

As for the tools for manifesting I have only scratched the surface with little effectiveness. It might have to do with focus of direction or level of visualization, imagination or depth of meditation. It occurred to me that perhaps as our strengths in these areas develop, along with the release or our anchors and small successes are recognized, our expectations turn more to the desired outcome and we gain the faith the sages speak of, a faith with works and mountains moved.

     The quest continues on.

Rev. Gene Rapalyea

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As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials. Many have been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and can attest to its ongoing growth and change.

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Mystical Christianity

Course Final for Mystic Christianity Rev/Dr Ron Boucher To say this course was an eye opener and thought provoking is too vast an understatement. I don't think I could have taken a course like this at a more appropriate time in history. You can not just see change (just take a peek into the White House), but you can feel the spirit of change sweeping throughout this country and the world as people start becoming more open to new ideas that we should all be equal and have the same opportunities and freedoms. This course has given me a new perspective on not just Christianity, but religion as a whole. It started with lesson one with it's lesson on Adam and Eve, and kept going through the end of lesson 26 with a lesson on the end of "a" world, not "the" world. I venture to state that even though the lessons have ended, the process of critical thinking that she has taught has not and that, I believe, is the mark of a true teacher. Give someone a fish and you feed them for a day, teach them to fish and you feed them for life. I really believe that this has just started my exploration into not just Christianity, but Gnostic works and other spiritual processes. I can understand the early Christian church and it's desire to keep believers from discovering too much, but I wonder how they narrowed down all of the books they considered until they arrived at what we now call the Bible. In this process, what has been lost and may never be reclaimed? Had it not been for the Dead Sea Scrolls and the Nag Hammadi finds, we may never have found the truth. Especially concerning the women of the Bible. While I understand the early Church and it's needs to compete with other religions of the time incorporating Virgin birth, I will never understand the need to take a woman who was probably the greatest disciple and turn her into a simple prostitute. This course shines the light of truth on the standard Church product and shows just how much spin was put into the packaging. I deeply respect Mother Maryesah Karelon and would take another of her courses in a heartbeat. She is concise, factual and well read. Her texts are footnoted with a variety of books that tend to show a way for the student to go out and check more than just her footnotes. Her lesson ending questions tend to keep one digging even after the lesson is over. I would rate this as one of the top two courses I have taken at the Seminary. Rev. Ron Boucher, D.D. ******************** Ordination with the Universal Life Church, is free  and lasts for life, so use the button. As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials. Many have been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and can attest to its ongoing growth and change. Try our new free toolbar at: ULC Toolbar

Mystical Christianity

Final Essay Submitted For The

Master of Mystical Christianity Course

By Daniel L. Moore

"What Is Mystical About Christianity?"

            Growing Christians, and some who are not, do wonder about the early history of the church.  Occasionally some ancient document related to early Christianity will be found that archeologists and scholars will study.  Some of these documents will often present ideas that seem foreign to orthodox Christian beliefs.  What is a person to do?  Is there something "hidden?"  Do we really have the truth?  These are legitimate questions to ask when one notes that transmission of documents and tradition within the Christian faith has not been smooth.  Wars, persecutions, and divisions within Christendom has caused some degree of loss and confusion.

            I believe some people have had a fascination with the secret and mysterious aspects of faith.  Some do so because they may have experienced oppression.  Others do so because they are not satisfied with the status quo.  Some are like me will study Mystical Christianity with an academic curiosity.

            This course does not limit itself to just the Christian era.  It begins with Genesis.  How did the world come into being?  Other ideas and myths are presented.  The text in question is "re-interpreted."  The danger with this approach is the tendency to diminish the value of God's Word.  It makes it less than divine revelation into a human invention. 

            Another reason for diving into the creation account is to find some way to deal with the feminine side of humanity.  Certain groups within history and within the church have downplayed or suppressed the contribution of women to faith and spirituality.  In several parts of this course it is the work of particular men seeking to instill a patriarchal system.  This does need further study.

            The Person of Jesus Christ is studied at length.  Along with Jesus, this course seeks to elevate other women who worked with Him:  Mary and Mary Magdalene.  In truth, we know very little about these two women from the four Gospels.  The non-canonical gospels are considered in this study as advancing more about these two women of faith.  The trouble with any dependence upon the non-canonical gospels is that they were written after the last witnesses of the resurrection of Christ died.  There were over 500 of them who could verify what Jesus (and these women) taught.  With them out of the way, it is possible that error could creep in and maybe why the early church did not support these other documents. 

            Mary Magdalene is given a lot of space in this course.  There are only 18 verses about her in the four Gospels.  She is a disciple and a witness of the resurrection.  She is not mentioned in Acts.  There is the Gospel of Mary, a non-canonical document, that is fragmentary which some view as revealing a division between Mary and Peter. 

            I wished the author had spent more time on the writings of mystical Christians like Teresa of Avila.  This was what I was hoping for.  These were the ones who spent time in meditation, prayer, and Bible study.  They wrote about their experiences.  This was particularly prevalent in the times of the rise of the monastic movement.  But alas, this discourse took a turn into the practices of the Eastern religions.  The discussion turned to reincarnation and seeking one's ascension.  Neither are supported by the scriptures.

            I did learn how others view Christianity.  I did come to understand the views of those who seek to blend other philosophies and beliefs in an attempt to make Christianity more "palatable" to them.  This course actually caused me to get back into the Scriptures and to compare.  I have left this course with a stronger belief in the orthodoxy of the Christian faith that I possess.  

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As a long time member of ULC, Rev. Long created the seminary site to help train our ministers. We also have a huge catalog of Universal Life Church materials. Many have been ordained with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning and can attest to its ongoing growth and change.

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Spirit Quest

Spirit Quest Final Essay

My life and spiritual practices have undergone some profound changes since starting the Spirit Quest course.  One of the most significant changes is the development of my meditation place in my mind.  For me this place is a large wheat field with an old oak tree in the center of the field.  I sit under or in this magnificent old tree watching the golden wheat bow in the gentle prairie winds.  In this place all my spiritual work begins, I run my energy here, I ground myself here, and I call my energy back and remove unwanted energy here.  Something I found interesting was how the tools given in this course have evolved for me over the duration of the 30 weeks.  Some examples of the evolution are grounding cords turned to roots for me.  Much like those of my oak tree, they run deep into Mother Earth and flow out from me in a wide circle.  From these roots I can expel larger amounts of unwanted energy and draw in more healing energy from the Earths center.  In the last few weeks I have begun playing with energy bubbles rather then energy suns for drawing my energy back to me.   

With these bubbles I found that I can draw them right to me covering myself in them and allowing them to absorb back into my body.  I can send these bubbles in swarms to my children and others making my work as a spiritual healer easier and more effective.  Some of the tools I use the most are the manifestation tools.  I have brought to myself my spinning wheel, money to pay bills, people back into my life that meant a lot to me as a child and a wonderful friend and as I sit here composing this essay I am waiting to hear back from a job that is perfect for me and my family. 

One thing this course and other events in my life have taught me is that every moment of my life is a miracle.  Every minute with my husband, my children, my friends and family is a miracle but the most profound miracle in my life is when I manifested a cure for my cancer.  Not only am I cancer free but I have no scaring from any of the medical procedures I had to endure.  While becoming cancer free really was a profound moment it is the nothing to the miracles my preemie son has seen in his 19 months; he is walking, talking, growing so big and over coming his difficult start and that as a mother is the most moving miracle ever.  Holding my 17 year old dog as she transitioned leaving her pain behind was a wonderful gift and miracle for me.  Being kissed good bye by my aunts' spirit when she transitioned in a hospital 15 minutes away from where I was at the time was a miracle.  The sun shine today, the rain that may come tomorrow, the snow in the winter are all miracles to me.  A miracle is made in every minute as long as we look through eyes of universal love and see the profound beauty given to us by God.

About six months before starting this course I became a level 3 reiki practitioner and was already on a path of spiritual renewal and growth however the tools I have been given during this course have allowed me to adjust my life and increase my spiritual awareness in ways I never knew where possible.  I am happier as a person, I smile more, and I am more outgoing and more willing to give myself as a companion and friend.  My family is happier and my husband and I are closer as a couple.  I find myself helping others in understanding how the universe affects our minds, bodies, and spirits more often and it is easier for me to guide others through their daily troubles.  My talks with Spirit have been greatly improved through visual communication and dreams as now I can understand that these are tools and I have learned how to use them.  Over all, this course has not only improved my understanding of myself and family but has proved to be invaluable in furthering my spirituality, my natural abilities and my skills and a spiritual leader and lightworker.

by Jessica Marshall

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Metaphysical Healing

Master of Metaphysical Healing

Final Essay

Rev. Barry Deel

        The master of metaphysical healing was quite informative and yet refreshing.  I very much like the course in its layout and the way it was presented.  The diversity that is allowed throughout the course makes it ideal for any faith or belief.  I also liked the terms and vocabulary that were given.  I found them to be very useful in explaining information and the way things happen in a healing to my new clients.  They seemed to understand and relate better to me and the healing they were receiving.   

            I especially liked the lessons on the healer's morals and ethics and code of conduct.  I have been a healing practitioner now for over twenty years and have taken quite a few courses and classes and none have touched on this subject as well as this course.  I am also very impressed, being a health care professional, that there were lessons on taking a medical history.  I was glad to see that the course presented you with actual forms for taking a medical history that you could use in your healing practice as well as a disclaimer that the healer can present to the client for a signature. 

            How to properly handle clients that have mental or substance abuse issues was also something that I was not expecting to see.  The lessons and the way that the healer should handle these types of clients were very good.  As a healer, I also like the fact that the course gave you examples and ways to handle presenting information to a client in order to get them to see a medical doctor without the healer diagnosing their client.

            I would like to see the master of metaphysical healing course extended by maybe three additional lessons.  Those lessons being on subjects like "What to do when healing does not work in the eyes of the client."  "What to do or say when a healing relationship should come to a close."  "How a healer goes about getting insured and registered."  These are just a few that I think will enhance the course.

     

            Over all the master of metaphysical healing is a course that I would respectfully suggest to other healers in order to bring about some form of unified way of service and professional conduct here in the United States.

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Click the Free Online Ordination, button – Get ordained with the Universal Life Church, for free, for life, right now.

I've been a member of ULC for many years and our site has created a terrific ULC Forum. We also have the most extensive catalog of Universal Life Church materials and seminary courses. As an ordained minister with the Universal Life Church for many years and it's Seminary since the beginning, I've enjoyed watching the continual growth of the seminary.

Spirit Quest

Spirit-Quest

It was most important to me to accept the assignment and write something about Spirit-Quest and my experiences within the course.  The course is a wonderful addition to my life. From Lesson 1, Goal Setting all the way through, Reverend Amy Long had my attention.

If anyone would have told me just a couple of years ago that I would be setting spiritual goals I would have laughed at them. Now I have pages regarding personal, spiritual growth. That is a miracle in itself. For all people Spirit Quest holds great tools and philosophy for moving toward the light.  What is and has been very important for me is that these 30 lessons of Spirit Quest put me in touch with volumes upon volumes of information and non-information within me. With the lessons came the tools for me to start working through those volumes of whatever to see if it's worth bringing along in life.

 "Spiritual growth comes when you remember that your word is your bond."

That phrase from Lesson One is on my wall.  Being raised in the great State of Wyoming for the most part, people's word are their bond. Most people of the Cowboy State take great pride in matching their actions with their words. After moving East and becoming part of corporate America the phrase can still be found but the practice is limited.  

"With your word, comes your intention.  Your intention drives the force of your being. Your word is everything. . ."

These words of Reverend Amy are a huge part of the foundation of what I grew up thinking and it is my intention to pass these things along teaching and placing it out there in my actions for the world to see. There is a special sense of beingness when one "knows" his or her word becomes intention and intention is the driving force of one's life.  Ah yes, "In the beginning was the Word. . ."

The tools in Spirit Quest are of inestimable value. Hypnotherapy (or what in my practice I called 'Alpha- Technique') has been an ardent study of mine since securing my degree and certification in 1984.  Without question, Spirit Quest offers all people and therapists of any persuasion fine, new tools. 

In pursuing hypnotherapy I had learned about a "sacred place." Along with that my studies took me through many different kinds of induction and self-induction. To date none of them have been on the level of the tools Rev. Long teaches in Spirit Quest.  

Her 'Grounding Cord' is terrific if not essential.  Nearly every person seeking religion and/or therapy is insecure and seeking some kind of a new hold on life. Well, nothing could be better than to teach them about the cord and the visualizations of using their grounding cord. And, the internal visual exercises regarding their cord are a great foundation for engaging right brain activity and using the power in alpha brainwave technique. 

Personally, I now work with the Grounding Cord everyday – many times.  Within given days there can be a good deal of anxiety and conflict in my life and with this new tool (after months of practice) I simply send negative energy to Earth's center to be recycled. It's wonderful. I must admit it does not remove 100% of my anxiety or frustrations on every day I need it, but life is far better with a Grounding Cord than without one.

Coming from the philosophy that the Universe = Energy = Us, the Protection Rose is another far reaching tool both for me and my client/parishioners. The above concept, Universe = Energy = Us can really fill in a lot of holes in people's lives especially when it is offered with the tools. The "Protection Rose" is an ability for people to participate in protecting themselves. For people to begin to visualize their Protection Rose and participate in their own security is a profound move toward personal growth. 

We learned of "Creating and Destroying" in Spirit Quest. I am still a little hesitant to blow up beautiful roses with people in them.  I do not know why – I'm just slow I guess. Except that I can place my own frustrations or anger into roses and blow the hell out if them.  The Past – Present – Future exercises and "bringing something to the present" and then blowing up the rose is going better for me. I think that it is because this exercise is about time.  However, as the old saying goes, "I'm not sure I understand all I know about this. This is a great exercise to teach but, I won't be showing anyone anything about creating-destroying for awhile until I become more familiar with it and feel far more comfortable with what is going on. 

The Golden Sun and Running Energy are just plain exhilarating.  Everyday I get involved and I get other people involved in clearing out old energy and filling up with golden suns. Though these things are but metaphor the idea that the individual can be involved in doing something with their own energy is fantastic for them. Their energy does move and they can feel it. People readily understand that the Grounding Cord or the Rose etc., are human machinations but they also understand that the energy is really there and they are using and directing it! I love it.

Everyday at least 4 or 5 times a day I find myself running my energy and bringing in golden suns. (It seems to be happening almost subconsciously.) And, each time I do there is a wonderful, euphoric feeling and sense of well being. In these sad economic times everyone needs to be able to "run their energy" and clean out the old and bring in the new. It is possible we may have a duty to teach people this exercise. People need to know the tools to help themselves can be found within their own Spirit Quest.  I've told a lot of people about the course but I'm not certain that any of them e-mailed in and signed up for it. 

Most of them were family members and you know how that goes – at least for me. "A prophet is never known in his own home town."  My family believes that I live a little too far out there on the fringe. I always have.  In 1984 I tried to open up a nutrition based hypnotherapy center in Wyoming and South Dakota. Wow! Talk about lonely!

                                       Competition = Loneliness

Loneliness = Spiritual Death

Reverend Amy's discourse on competition was especially poignant and her dealing with our efforts at competing with amusement and comedy is genius. Personally I use this daily - particularly while driving. 

I think that I'm maybe a type 'A' personality sometimes. Before, I couldn't stand anyone driving in front of me on the road. And, if anyone would pass me I'd go a little bit nuts.  Many times I've scared my passengers nearly to death getting around all those imbecile drivers. 

Well, the lesson on competition is hitting home and I am quite a bit more calm when I drive now, and I instantly know when I'm going out of it and the humor gets me back under control (and more respectful of my fellow human beings.)

On occasion, though, I have been guilty of placing those "imbeciles" in a rose and blowing them all to hell. I get a real satisfaction out of that. All my frustration goes away but I'm fairly certain it's an improper use of the tool and I'll quit sooner or later.  I like sprinkling scenes with my can of Acme Amusement Powder.

Lessons 15 and 16, Affirmations and Speaking Positively have special meaning for me. I was one of those kids who, like Bill Cosby, thought his real name was "Dummy" until I was 12. The things I thought were achievement and ran home to tell were greeted with all the enthusiasm of a slug. Or, one parent or the other or some teacher would say, "Now, don't get a big head."  What they were really saying to me was, "It's really nothing!" Or, "You are really nothing."

Until moving out of my father's house and enrolling in college I didn't think I was worth spit. Those old voices have an insidious way of creeping back in – especially in hard times. I found Reverend Amy's Lessons not only informative but comforting too, with new sayings and new tools to bring on better, brighter methods of dealing with negativity. 

In Lesson # 24 we learned about "Kinesiology." We were taught that it is a way of communicating using the body as a gauge to determine truth.  It was all about learning to ask the right questions. The concept was really interesting but so far I haven't been able to play with it much but I can see where it will come in handy. Right now I have no experience from which to make any intelligent comments about Kinesiology.  

I am sure that I now know more about Universal 'Cosmic' Energy, Auras, and Chakras, and reincarnation than I understand. To this day, still with ardent, daily effort I have not been able to see the slightest bit of an aura around any living thing. I have practiced on every tree, the bushes, lizards, the dog – everything around here and I'm not seeing anything - yet.  It is my intent to get this and get it right because I want to be one who views auras and uses them to heal.

I do not believe in Reincarnation, Baby Beings or Spirit Guides.  However, I do not disbelieve in them either. I choose and want to believe in angels so I do fervently. Now, to me, Lesson #30 seems a little bit like a dumpster.  Therein Reverend Amy dropped so many different concepts that it became a bit jumbled for me. In this one "lesson" there are baby beings, spirit guides, angels, the reading screen, truth vs lie, charkas, roses, male & female grounding, karma and agreements, and healing energy.  I am certain that Reverend Amy could (and probably will) someday write a full discourse on each of these topics. Until then it is my considered opinion that Spirit Quest should end before lesson #30.

"When you first start this exercise, you will probably find that you spend a lot more time OUT of love than you are IN love."  

The above is the #1 concept from Spirit Quest that pulled me in deeply.  I'm still working on this one and I believe it is a lifetime assignment for anyone 'to know when you're operating out of love.'  To laugh at ourselves when we find we are outside of love, I guess, is as good a response as any. Getting into Love and staying there is a most respectful goal. Teaching myself and other people to operate from out of the right questions while in love is a script for life.

Thank you Amy,

Rev. Thomas Voss

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