Universal Life Church - ULC Seminary

Dr. of Spiritual Awareness Essay by Rev. Cindy Roskamp

I have found many things very helpful in this course and have learned a great deal from all that is offered. I love how Charles is able to make things so understandable. I have especially liked this course going through the natural laws and I am still working at seeing how these laws are so interwoven into my everyday life. It has helped me to become more focused and to understand that we have the power to achieve what our desires and whatever our intention may be. This enables our lives to flow with love and abundance in all areas.

I have also learned from the meditation section and bringing in the Christ Light and allowing it to fill my being. This has really helped to deepen my love for people and enabling me to see this Light in them as well. I also feel that it has made me much more aware of my higher self and it’s relation to my own divinity. This is always something I have struggled with because I was brought up in a very strict religious home and community and have had to relearn all my truth.

I have learned from the chakra lesson and the energies that come from them as well. I have always been aware of these and their associations to different colors but this lesson has led me to do some extra reading about them and I have learned much from it.

I loved the part on the Kandalini and other life force energies taught in lesson 19. These I have greatly benefited from because I didn’t have much knowledge about them before.

I was also very interested in learning about the Ascended Masters and their various rays and the energies they can bring to our lives. I am really going to look into these some more and learn more about them so I can call on them for what they have to offer in my life.

I also enjoyed the lesson on Spirit communication. As a medium I am always in touch with my guides and the spirits of those who have passed and I often get asked how people can sharpen their abilities in these areas and so I love ideas and information that I can give them because it works so differently for everyone.

One of the things that has really stuck in my mind through these lessons is not using so much of your own energy but using the energy around you from Ley Lines and Ley nodes and tapping into it. Also just allowing the energy to come to you. Remembering this has helped me not to feel as drained and also to control more of the energy that comes to me by doing more grounding.

I could go on and on about all that these lessons have meant to me and how they have helped me grow as a person and a medium and my spiritual awareness in my everyday life. I hope that with my learning I can offer more help and guidance to people around me as my own understanding and awareness grows.

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Master of Mystical Christianity by Rev. Judith Lichtenberger

Lesson 20: Mystical Christianity
By Rev. Judith Lichtenberger

1. As outlined in our lesson, intimacy as in any other relationship begins with honest conversation. It is different with a human friend who in the initial stages of friendship often chooses to embellish personality and interests in order to hold attention. God, in contrast, sees through our human façade down to the bare bones. We can not help but be honest with Him. So, what intimacy can we hope to achieve? We can be certain that He will nurture that friendship in spite of our short-comings. We are His children. What good parent will not uphold the positive characteristics of a beloved child?

As far as intimacy is concerned – I tell God in prayer my thoughts and desires. I request guidance from Him and I know He will not steer me wrong. I beg Him to stay by me in my worst moments. I know a human friend might try but never be able to impart strength in the throes of illness or mental anguish.

2. On a personal level, I feel that prayer is always keeping in touch with our Savior. It does not necessarily mean “putting in a request” but just ordinary conversations with Jesus which will eventually lead to a positive life-long relationship with God.

Meditation is a skill which must be developed. It is leaving the world behind, closing out the distractions and getting a special focus on the divine. This is an aspect of “prayer life” which I need to work on. I am an individual who is easily distracted by worldly cares and I pray that my life journey will lead me one day to the peace contained in that meditative state. Prayer is always with me – meditation is not something which comes naturally to me.

Julian requested an affliction from God to develop her focus on the divine and eventually experience a miraculous healing. Her life of humility and self sacrifice was an example to all others. She let the world in so she could show others how to take the good from God’s creation (there IS good in the world!) and then let the evil (her disease) out. I am reminded of the “Dr. Faustus” character (novel based on the legend) of Thomas Mann. In his novel, the main character, Leverkuhn, contracts a disease purposely for the sake of his art- the suffering of the artist- but for him, God does not intervene and creativity must be its own reward.

With Julian, the reward is hope and her good works for the benefit of her order and the fortunate others who learn from her example.

Theresa is a mystery to me with such strength of character that she can dwell in each castle room and leave detailed instructions for us to enter in as well. The effort of her victory is daunting but the “pictures” which she paints of the various “mansions” would certainly make the struggle worthwhile.

The 21st century is only a number and name of an era. The divine is not obligated to “modernize” because mysticism is as old as creation – a journey within, of the spirit back to its origins, back to God.

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Master of the Life of St. Paul Final Essay

By Rev. Patricia Buben

One of the greatest voices which the world had ever heard was that of the Apostle Paul. He became by far the dominating figure of the Apostolic Age. Peter was great; John was great; most of the Disciples and many of the Christians of that day achieved greatness uncommon to the average individual, but Paul was greater. New Testament history confirms this truth.

The greatness of Paul was realized as the direct result of his complete abandonment to the commands of Christ—especially that which states that he who loses his life “for My sake” shall “find it.” Paul achieved his greatness by being tenacious. He was violently driven out from many cities and towns. He always reappeared eventually, with complete confidence in the cause he espoused. His sufferings served to make him strong.

Overcoming his prior life as the persecuting Saul of Tarsus, who killed many Christians, was not an easy task. Saul was converted when, on the road to Damascus, a vivid light appeared from heaven, blinding him. Jesus appeared to him and asks “why are you persecuting me?” and continues to have a conversation with him directing him to go into the city to learn what he was to do. Paul went into Damascus and remained blind for three days until Ananias restored his sight and baptized him. Right then and there, Paul went from being the “chief of sinners” to the “chief of saints”.

The success achieved by Paul was because he pursued two important avenues of the Christian experience:

- He became the interpreter of Christ, speaking the words that Christ himself would have said under the circumstances. He had never met Christ, except in the vision on the road to Damascus.

- Paul followed the doctrinal and theological school of thought which was nothing more than the explanation of his own, personal conversion.

These two truths explain the reasons for Paul’s outstanding success in Christian living, preaching and teaching. Paul focused on the Western world, rather than the Eastern one. So, it is Paul’s influence that carried throughout the Western world and remains today.

This is a very in-depth class on St. Paul and every aspect of his life and teaching. It is very well-written and detailed. I found it fascinating and would highly recommend it. St. Paul is a very popular saint who is still in the minds of people today. A good example of this is the Vatican recently validating that the body in the Tomb of St. Paul is truly his.

Master of Gnosticism By Rev. Patricia Buben

The Gnostics had a very different worldview from that of most other religions. In their view, the natural world is temporary and evil. For example, giving to the poor in a world that is temporary and everything is evil, would make no sense.

Their salvation would depend on gnosis (knowledge) so the affected soul wouldn’t pass the Archons. It is their fault and not the fault of the Gnostic.

One of the second century church writers Irenaeus wrote: “The Gnostic must indulge in everything. To be saved, they must sin. They must learn the role of the poorest farmer, to the wealthiest merchant.”

The soul aspiring to enlightenment must first rid itself of all debts and obligations. The Gnostic seeks to be like the light and return to it. According to Irenaeus, it is impossible for the spiritual element to suffer corruption, no matter what actions they have indulged in. He goes on to explain and illustrates their logic by comparing this spiritual element to a bar of gold dipped in filth, which will preserve its worth and be unaffected by the filth. Such enlightenment is not possible from the creator, for this entity cannot recognize the power greater than itself. It is flawed and imperfect, so he couldn’t hope to achieve this revelation.

The concept of salvation to the Gnostic is somewhat simple while at the same time very complex. Most religions require faith, good works or both to avoid damnation. Gnostics believe salvation comes through gnosis or knowledge. Gnosticism seems to indicate that even those who are not pursuing saving knowledge can return to the light someday.

However there are those few unfortunate souls who seem to be damned forever. Studying the universe though comes into play when discussing the Gnostic salvation.

There are many types of Gnosticism that spread throughout the world, but most can be defined as: “a religious movement consisting of various belief systems generally united in the teaching that humans are divine souls trapped in a material world created by an imperfect god, the demiurge, who is frequently identified with the Abrahamic God.

Gnosticism is very interesting to study, but I did have difficulty relating to some of the underlying philosophies (especially in the beginning). I’m glad I took the course, though. Bishop Pat took something that was (in my opinion) very difficult to understand and broke it down thoroughly so that the concepts can be better understood. I liked the contrast he gave between Gnostics and Christians. It was very effectively presented. In summary, I enjoyed the course—both the history and descriptions of the Gnostic beliefs.

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Master of Shamanism

I have read numerous books on shamanism. They usually tell of a system of shamanism, but rarely are their practices explained in the detail that this course was. To be honest I wasn’t expecting much more with this course, and was I ever wrong.

I am a ordained minister of the Universal Life Church and a Reiki Master/Teacher.

To better understand the impact this course has had upon me, you will need to know a little about me. Though my young life was involved in many different Christian faiths, by their own definition today I am no longer a Christian.

Do I believe in Christ? Yes, but not as most others do. I do not believe that he died because we were so very bad. Rather I believe that the people of power at the time believed that his words were worth more with him dead. Then they could change and alter them for their own needs. This was told to his closest followers when he warned them to beware of such people.

I also do not separate this entity others call God. Placing him/her somewhere out in the cosmos in a realm called heaven. Being Native American this is Great Spirit to me, and is within and without of all of creation. How very shallow of us to think that Great Spirit is stuck with such limits as a human body. Does Great Spirit wish to be worshipped? I don’t think so, we have been given this wonderful gift called life. Some seem almost painful compared to others, but when you step back, remembering that our souls are immortal, wow. What a truly wonderful thing this thing called life is. Great Spirit wishes to have something much more precious then worship. Unconditional love is all that is desired. No longer blamed for things that we have brought upon ourselves.

We are here to experience life, and through us Great Spirit experiences life. Love is what is more desired then wars, turmoil or strife, but that’s why we have freewill. Great Spirit wants unconditional love by our choices, not out of some ill based threats.

Off my soapbox… Back to the course….

A very complete understanding of shamanism was given. Not only were the areas given but their ways and beliefs were explained in detail. Most I had no idea of. Organized faith systems have always place anything beyond their scope as evil (ie; the devil made me do it) Finally taking the image of this person called over the years, like witch doctor, and letting others know that in fact the shaman was every form of know doctor all rolled into this one person. Though by today’s standards the methods may be considered crude, they worked then and they work today.

I found myself grinning when you taught me that, some of the very people that have condemned Shamans, were actually rooted in it so deeply, (ie; Judaism and Christianity). A Shaman (male/female) was the local doctor, the person to seek out when a problem arose. From Siberia and outward, it was found all across the globe, and though methods differed, the purposes were the same, and everything in all of creation was connected.

Shamanism was finally taken out of the faith based system where it never really belonged, and put where if belonged, a way of life. The tools used were not to worship, but rather to show respect to the one being connected to, spirit or real. This of course shown with masks and rattles.

Connection to all that is, to me is the main reason Shamanism worked then and works today. The Shaman never tried to separate themselves from the animals, plants or minerals. They were nor a better life form, that had been given to have dominion over everything else, to be used in any manner wished, whether greed based or not. This is probably best shown in the dealings between even humans themselves by explorers, claiming someone else’s home in the name of whatever flag they waved,

This connective ness is what Shamans used to accomplish their goals. A Shaman talks to them, seeking their advice and protection, in every realm that is being dealt with. This course, though after reading it, it made sense, hypnotism would be needed or guided journeying.

Shamanism is exactly what I knew it was, another piece of the puzzle. Something that should be used to compliment other healing ways. Because lets face it, it does no good fighting to destroy the illness alone, unless the cause is also treated.

Shamanism, Medicine and Science should become brothers. Only then can we hope to put illness behind us. Sadly, human vanity stops this from happening.

Rather then using all the terms used on this course, I thought you wanted what I got from it. This was best describes in a paragraph from the last lesson. A Shaman is all of the following, physician, psychotherapist, magician, performing artists, storyteller and weather person. A Doctor whose operating room I many cases, is your soul. I work with many people in some of these ways. Am I a Shaman, to this I will say because I am not vain, what do others say I am.

This concludes my essay, and all that is left to do is say, thank you for a wonderful course, I enjoyed every part of it, and a firm hug to Amy.

Dr. of Metaphysics Essay by Rev. Rhonda Straw

It always is fascinating when I read about the ego in metaphysics. I am always reminded of when I first listened to Eckhart Tolle, on Oprah Winfrey, regarding the book A New Earth.

By now we know that the ego, is part of our energy body, and it is, in fact, a false self. While it is easy to become mindful of our own egotistical mannerisms, it is not easy to break them. Many times, we become attached to a pattern of using the word, “I” or “mine”. Lesson 2 teaches that The ego is the part of us that says I’m me and you’re you. It also reiterates that a strong, balanced ego is necessary for getting along in this world. The hidden goal, in this life, is to create a balance between our strong ego, necessary for getting along in this world, and the other ego, that causes sudden success in the mind, then failure.

The over-inflated ego causes us to be judgmental. We must create a deflation by abolishing old patterns. The patterns are habits, which began at a younger age, or are embedded into our intellect by examples from outside forces, such as media. I’m never one to say that media is a poor influence, it isn’t, but if used incorrectly, it can be, if allowed. Over-inflated egos cause rambling thoughts, and loudness in the cerebellum area of the brain. We can abolish older patterns that attach the over-inflated ego, by exercises. If an exercise is completed over a period of twenty-one days, it becomes a habit, or a way of thinking.

One great way of demolishing the judgmental ego, is by stopping the overuse of the word “I”. The example used here will be, “I’ve earned my doctorate in metaphysics. I’ve studied for over ten years. I will display the certificate that I earned during the twenty week course of studying. I feel that I’ve accomplished something that the average person does not accomplish, which in fact, I have.” The ego becomes more judgmental, accusing the general population of being not as intelligent. That is the normal pattern of thought. Eventually, the ego takes over, causing the person to become more omnipotent. This is habitual.

As metaphysicians, we don’t speak of ourselves as greatness, as in the above paragraph states. We speak of ourselves in a smaller form, but nonetheless greater or lesser than anyone else, or equal. Others then, can emulate our mannerisms, and it becomes a transmittable, oral decree. By way of example, we pass the habit to others. This deflates the ego that chooses to be Right. This stops the demanding. Just by not using the word “I”.

We must be mindful of our words, if we choose to carry ourselves in the correct manner. We can still hold our head high, and be aware of all surroundings, and be present, but without the ego disruption. Now, when we explain our professional attributes, we can say, “I’m hanging my doctorate of metaphysics certificate on the wall. It took me ten years to go this route. My words will emulate what was learned. It’s called leading by example.”

To prevent an under-inflated ego, we must also be very mindful, and create balance. Again, this has to do with thoughts and then, words. Our ego wants us to be saddened, to be grieved in situations that require us to be grieved. Our under inflated ego wants us to carry feelings of depression and guilt in our heads, in fact, it works to force us to believe ill-standing poor self esteem that the under-inflated ego possesses.

As a metaphysics counselor of personal goals and grief, (actually, a very long title for Intuitive Counselor of Metaphysics), my goal is to teach the aspect of not holding onto grief, but letting go of the ego that presents itself in those feelings. To make a list of personal goals, and helping someone get to those goals by counseling and even tapping into energies not known to the one uneducated in this field, will help others with under inflated egos. Meditation, and thought patterns are mindful abilities that help, also.

People become self absorbed, and this in turn damages the healthy ego. Our place as metaphysicians is to lead others by being less absorbed, and in turn, the transformation, in lesson 2, can become reality. Seeing through spiritual eyes is a great goal. Developing our third eye area is part of our spiritual eye, and we can show others and demonstrate our knowledge by not becoming self absorbed.

The world is now open for us to turn the under-inflated or over-inflated egos of the earth, into balanced, quiet of rambling thoughts, thinking from higher mind, individuals. Imagine the shift this can create!

–Rev. Rhonda Straw

Insights into Awareness course; essay

By: Rev. Frank L Ducharme

Although I have read the book Celestine Prophecy some time ago and found it very inspiring, this course detailed step by step each insight that brings a new level of understanding. I have found this to be very enlightening and reaffirming to my practices and beliefs. I can say I have truly enjoyed this course and looked forward to each and every lesson. This course was not only a learning experience but a lesson of growth and development.

To slow down and put the habitual repetition of every day life aside for a moment and pay attention to the subtle signs that are easily missed. The signs and guidance are there we just need to open ourselves to see and accept them. We need to trust ourselves and trust what we feel and act upon what our instincts tell us not how we are conditioned to react. We must retrain ourselves not to get caught up in life’s daily routines but to experience life and the world around us to better see all it has to offer.

There are times we should think of our selves but we must also think of how we all affect each other, How our own actions affect the others around us and future happenings. One action or reaction can affect so many and how others may act or react in future situations. Every conversation no matter how mundane it may seem hold a message and has meaning, We need to pay attention to every thing that takes place in our daily lives because some ware sometime it may have a greater meaning or a lesson we need to learn. One may see a particular situation as a bad experience but we needed it to take place for one reason or another to learn from and break the cycle.

I was born into a Roman Catholic home as was my father and grandparents, my mother however was raised protestant and had what I would say different views. Upon entering school I went to a private Catholic school from first grade to eight having religious classes on almost a daily bases. Some ware between fifth and sixth grade I started to realize the contradictions I was being taught and started questioning what the priest and nuns were saying and teaching and believe me that was not what you were suppose to do. Throughout my teenage years to early adult life I searched for a belief system that I could wrap my head around, something that made sense and I could wrap my head around. At almost thirty I began a serious study of Wicca and the Pagan ways and things began to make sense. It is a belief and an ever evolving practice that encompasses what I have felt for so much of my life and is a way of growing that does not restrict or control.

Whether we realize it or not all of us thrive on energy, Energy from the center of the universe. We as humans have ways of sucking that energy from one another, one such way is threw conflict and control. Those who constantly try to control every one they come in contact with, who dominates every conversation are generally insecure in one way or another. Some ware in there lives they are not in control at all and so every ware they go the may feel the need to control every aspect and by doing so they will suck the energy from every one they come in contact with. Another method of control is seen threw conflict, some people feel or believe they can only gain power and control threw conflict and manage to drain the life power from others until there is nothing left. Once you realize that you don’t have to control others to get the power you require, that by fowling the principles of the insights you get all the power you need naturally life become so much simpler and easier to navigate, you can be truly happy and at ease.

Once we realize that the energy we thrive on can be obtained from some ware other than the people around us, that the universe itself has all we need and its there for the taking we just need to learn how to accept it. We need to take care of our selves by diet and exercise, and slow down a bit to enjoy the sights sounds and savor the tastes that we encounter on a daily basis. Through meditation and relaxation we can relieve the daily stress and focus on the positive energy. For if we can put forth positive energy and keep a positive attitude then we can affect everyone we encounter in a positive way and keep the positive flow of energy flowing around us. We also need to pay attention to each and every interaction we have on a moment by moment basis to see and realize what each conversation means, what message is their for us. Every experience we have on a moment by moment basis happens for a reason, we need to pay attention and learn from our experiences in order to evolve into a higher being. If we can affect more and more people we encounter with positive energy and a positive attitude and teach them to do the same, imagine the ripple effect it can have on society and how the world could change.

We are all here on earth for a purpose, to experience everything that occurs throughout our lives for a reason. To encounter everyone we meet in our lifetime on purpose, there are no chance encounters or coincidences we actually chose our entire life’s journey at the moment of birth. We choose our parents and family and friends to shape our life’s experiences so we could learn and feel what we needed in order to evolve to the next level for the next time around. Each life we choose what we need to experience in order to learn from those encounters. Each and every time we choose what we need in order to proceed for the next time we are born. When we succeed in learning what we need we will then advance to the next level of existence.

At this point in our history, we are not yet at the point of soaring as the eagle, but rather we are still caught up in the good versus evil. Our world is in chaos. Our leaders are ineffectual, religion has lost its purpose and that a great transformation is nearing. The transformation is not the result of a mythical “second coming,” but rather must stem from the higher thoughts of man; a man that reconnects mentally with the center of all that is in order to break our cycle of destruction and ignorance. The time is getting close and, as the Hopi have said, “it is we who we have been waiting for.” Higher human consciousness is attempting to break, alter, or change the current cycle. A cycle filled with ruinous dogma, fear, greed and confusion. Humanity is approaching a moment in time where he can consciously choose his next evolutionary step.

A great vibratory train is headed straight for us and that we must choose to either stay in its way or to get off of the track. If there is disaster, it will be because we stayed on the track. As with Nostradamus, the Book of Revelations and other prophecies, we are given the tools, in the form of a largely pictorial code, to raise our awareness, our vibration and our very nature above the ’slings and arrows of outrageous fortune.’ It is time to look deeply into the tools and images that been offered as a gift to our time and learn the true revelation of their inner meanings.

“The return of the Goddess and all of her wisdom.”

Once we transform into multisensory beings we will then see the beauty in everything and everyone. We can then look past the inabilities and disabilities and see the true abilities and potential. To recognize our intuitions and senses and true abilities and trust out gut feelings to guide us. Prophecy, telepathy, and clairvoyance will be accepted and taught as the norm. We will then be whole again.

The methods and activities set forth in this course are not necessarily a new concept but very important for awareness and self growth, and so simple. It is so very easy to get caught up in life’s challenges and the daily routine, one needs to take the time for yourself ; reflect and keep in touch with the energy around us. Everything we need to continue growing and evolving is their we just need to recognize and utilize it.

Blessed be to all

Frank L Ducharme

Master of Buddhism
Majick W. RavenHawk

This particular class is written quite well. I have been a practicing Zen student for over 30 years and I am glad to see all the different nuances within Buddhism covered. It is not only learning about the philosophy/religion that is important , yes we are better human beings by learning the differences of each culture and religion. What I find is that it is better to live the experience. By finding what resonated with your inner being and following your heart allowing your true essence to find its purpose while here on this planet at this time.

The understanding that we are all Buddha and Buddha in nature we can come to grasp that we are all interconnected in the essence of consciousness. There is truly no “us and them”, there is only the oneness. It struck me as incomprehensible when I witnessed a man on the news ranting about how he did not think it was his place to help those who were in need during this recession and had lost their homes. He stated that it was their own fault for making bad judgment calls on investments and having little savings. He felt that if they had to live on the streets so be it as long as he took care of himself. The ranting was loud and full of rage. I wondered if somewhere down the line he might not suffer the fate of those he refused to help and how he would feel if others turned their backs on him. Whether or not people understood what they were getting into during the time of greed and attachment one good thing has come from it. It has shown how painful it is to have such great attachment to the material so much so that one loses their own identity and becomes the “things”. It has also produced many who understand and have reached out in compassion to help those struggling during these times.

As the Buddha taught that attachment only brings suffering is so true. Without the attachment there is no suffering because the “want” no longer drives us and the “things” not longer define who we are. We are part of the collective consciousness or unconsciousness. The choice is ours. Should we decide to suffer or reach a point of non-suffering, it is ultimately up to us and what resonates with our very being. Should we awaken or slumber in our suffering.

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