"...but we've always done it this way!"

There are very few original thinkers in the world. Most people are secondary thinkers, allowing others to do the thinking for them, and never questioning the why and how of their thought. This is often true in our society, in company structures, and wherever groups of people come together...even churches!

Just ponder on the following story of a study of a group of monkeys and their actions. Start with a cage containing five monkeys. Inside the cage, hang a banana on a string and place a set of stairs underneath the suspended banana. Before long, a monkey will go to the stairs and start to climb towards the banana. As soon as he touches the stairs, spray all of the other monkeys with cold water. After a while, another monkey will make an attempt for the banana. Again, spray the other monkeys with cold water. After another period of time, when another monkey makes an attempt for the banana, spray the other monkeys with cold water. Pretty soon, when another monkey tries to climb the stairs, the other monkeys will try to prevent it.

Now, put away the cold water. Remove one monkey from the cage and replace it with a new one. The new monkey sees the banana and wants to climb the stairs to reach it. To his surprise (and horror) all of the other monkeys attack him. After another attempt and attack, he knows that if he tries to climb the stairs, he will be assaulted.

Next, remove another of the original five monkeys and replace it with a new one. The newcomer goes to the stairs and is attacked. The previous newcomer takes part in the punishment with enthusiasm! Likewise, replace a third original monkey with a new one, then a fourth, then the fifth. Every time the newest monkey takes to the stairs, he is attacked.

Most of the monkeys that are beating him have no idea why they were not permitted to climb the stairs or why they are participating in the beating of the newest monkey. After replacing all the original monkeys, none of the remaining monkeys have ever been sprayed with cold water. Nevertheless, no monkey ever again approaches the stairs to try for thebanana. Why not?

Because as far as they know, that's the way it's always been done around here. And that, my friends, is how behaviors become accepted without understanding. Human beings sadly sometimes act in the same ways. Doing a certain thing, a certain way, and defending that action fiercely—all the while, not really knowing why they're doing it.

True God-given creative genius can not come through the mind of the unconscious follower of secondary thought. Choose to live your life being bold, creative and unique. Have the courage to look at life and ask the question WHY we are doing something a certain way. You will see things in a new light!

I'm holding the high watch!

Rev. Donna

Running...

Sarcasm, jitters, cigarettes, drugs, candy, tantrums, silent-treatment, yawning, yelling, obsessing, cheating...these are some of the wonderful ways we ruuuuuuuuuuun from our pain.

We must continue to disengage from the delusion of the ego by facing the pain head on...whatever your pain may be. It's the only way to find the reality underneath.

We have to ask...in what way am I hiding from reality? In what wonderful way am I running from my pain? Hmmm.

Rev. Donna

Religion vs. Spirituality

I have a t-shirt that reads, "Religion is for people afraid of going to hell. Spirituality is for those who've already been there."

Sprituality is not the same as religion. Religion is not spirituality. You do not have to be religious to be spiritual. And being religious does not make you spiritual. Going to church every Sunday and donating a portion of your income does not make you spiritual. It also doesn't make you religious. It makes you a religious-follower.

Spirituality is a self-directed and personal inner path. It is the idea that there exists something outside the experience of our 5 limited senses, and the belief that we can understand and be in relationship with the sacred. Most spiritual paths, while individually different, are also unlimited and inclusive.

Religion is a man made, culture-based doctrine that guides it's people in the practice of spirituality. Because religion is man made and culture-based, it naturally has some of the rules and taboos of that particular culture built into it. Many cultures have chosen to use fear to enforce the man-made rules of that culture, making their religion exclusionary and limited.

In choosing the paths which best express our personal truths and innermost beliefs, we honor ourselves and each other, and most of all, we celebrate Spirit.

Be religious or be spiritual...either way, connect with your Source and celebrate Spirit. Come to Unity of the Hills for unlimited, inclusive spirituality!

I'm holding the high watch!

Rev. Donna

PS: I have a new t-shirt. On the front it reads, "UNITY" and on the sleeve, "Namaste." I love my new t-shirt!