Aligning with Divine Will: Surrendering the Ego
Summary
### Summary
Welcome to Unity of Chicago South, the Beyond Walls New Thoughts Spiritual Community. Today, we explore the profound concept of "Thy Will." This phrase, found in the Lord's Prayer and Jesus' prayer in the Garden of Gethsemane, signifies a deep surrender to divine will, transcending ego and self-centeredness. This principle is not confined to Christianity but is a universal spiritual truth found across various religions and practices.
The essence of "Thy Will" is about aligning ourselves with a higher power, whether perceived as an external force or an internal divine presence. This alignment involves releasing our ego and embracing a greater good that resides within us. Jesus taught that the kingdom of God is within us, a spiritual realm of ultimate peace and union with the divine. This inner kingdom is not material but spiritual, and it is our task to harmonize with this divine presence.
Living "Thy Will" means expressing our unique individualization of the divine, despite the barriers and challenges we face in life. These obstacles are part of God's plan, and it is through life's activities that we navigate and overcome them. To align with divine mind, we must mature our relationship with the inner divine presence. This involves practices like meditation, mindfulness, prayer, yoga, journaling, and other activities that foster peace and spiritual insight.
The teachings of Jesus and other spiritual masters guide us on how to connect with this inner divine presence. It's not about finding new methods but about adopting a new perspective on familiar practices. By consciously connecting with "Thy Will," we can enhance our experience of life and align more closely with the divine plan.
### Key Takeaways
1. Divine Will and Ego Release: The concept of "Thy Will" calls for a surrender of the ego and self-centeredness, aligning ourselves with a higher power. This principle is universal, found across various religions and spiritual practices, emphasizing the need to focus on something greater than oneself. [04:11]
2. Inner Kingdom of God: Jesus taught that the kingdom of God is within us, a spiritual realm of ultimate peace and union with the divine. This inner kingdom is not material but spiritual, and it is our task to harmonize with this divine presence, recognizing the absolute good that resides within each of us. [08:16]
3. Navigating Life's Challenges: Living "Thy Will" involves expressing our unique individualization of the divine, despite the barriers and challenges we face. These obstacles are part of God's plan, and it is through life's activities that we navigate and overcome them, aligning more closely with divine mind. [10:16]
4. Maturing Our Divine Relationship: To align with divine mind, we must mature our relationship with the inner divine presence. This involves practices like meditation, mindfulness, prayer, yoga, journaling, and other activities that foster peace and spiritual insight, helping us connect with the divine within. [14:47]
5. New Perspectives on Familiar Practices: The teachings of Jesus and other spiritual masters guide us on how to connect with the inner divine presence. It's not about finding new methods but about adopting a new perspective on familiar practices, consciously connecting with "Thy Will" to enhance our experience of life and align with the divine plan. [16:28]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[02:02] - Introduction to "Thy Will"
[04:11] - Ego Release and Divine Will
[06:10] - Universal Spiritual Truths
[08:16] - Inner Kingdom of God
[10:16] - Navigating Life's Challenges
[12:51] - External and Internal Focus
[14:47] - Maturing Our Divine Relationship
[16:28] - New Perspectives on Familiar Practices
[18:26] - Conclusion and Blessings
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 6:1 - "Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven."
2. Luke 17:21 - "Nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There it is,’ because the kingdom of God is within you."
3. Luke 12:32 - "Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom."
#### Observation Questions
1. What does Matthew 6:1 warn against, and how does it relate to the concept of ego release mentioned in the sermon? [04:11]
2. According to Luke 17:21, where is the kingdom of God located, and how does this align with the sermon’s message about the inner divine presence? [08:16]
3. How does Luke 12:32 describe God's intention for us, and what does this imply about our relationship with the divine? [08:16]
4. What are some practices mentioned in the sermon that help mature our relationship with the inner divine presence? [14:47]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the warning in Matthew 6:1 about practicing righteousness in front of others challenge our modern-day actions and motivations? [04:11]
2. What does it mean to you personally that the kingdom of God is within you, as stated in Luke 17:21? How does this affect your daily life and spiritual practices? [08:16]
3. In what ways can the promise in Luke 12:32 that God is pleased to give us the kingdom influence our understanding of divine will and our purpose in life? [08:16]
4. The sermon mentions various practices like meditation and journaling to connect with the divine. How do these practices help in aligning with "Thy Will"? [14:47]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you acted out of ego rather than divine will. How can you apply the lesson from Matthew 6:1 to avoid such actions in the future? [04:11]
2. Considering that the kingdom of God is within you (Luke 17:21), what steps can you take this week to cultivate a deeper awareness of this inner divine presence? [08:16]
3. How can you consciously align your daily activities with the divine will, especially when facing challenges and barriers, as discussed in the sermon? [10:16]
4. Identify one practice (e.g., meditation, prayer, journaling) that you can incorporate into your routine to mature your relationship with the inner divine presence. How will you implement this practice? [14:47]
5. Think about a familiar spiritual practice you already engage in. How can you adopt a new perspective on this practice to enhance your connection with "Thy Will"? [16:28]
6. How can you remind yourself of God's promise in Luke 12:32 during moments of fear or doubt? What practical steps can you take to trust in this promise more fully? [08:16]
7. Reflect on a recent challenge you faced. How did you navigate it, and how might aligning more closely with divine will have changed your approach or outcome? [10:16]
Devotional
Day 1: Surrendering the Ego to Divine Will
The concept of "Thy Will" calls for a surrender of the ego and self-centeredness, aligning ourselves with a higher power. This principle is universal, found across various religions and spiritual practices, emphasizing the need to focus on something greater than oneself. By releasing our ego, we open ourselves to the divine will, which transcends our limited understanding and personal desires. This surrender is not about losing our identity but about finding a deeper, more meaningful connection with the divine presence that guides us towards our highest good. [04:11]
Matthew 16:24-25 (ESV): "Then Jesus told his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.'"
Reflection: What is one area of your life where you find yourself holding back from surrendering to God? What would surrendering this area to Him actually look like in terms of daily habits?
Day 2: Discovering the Inner Kingdom of God
Jesus taught that the kingdom of God is within us, a spiritual realm of ultimate peace and union with the divine. This inner kingdom is not material but spiritual, and it is our task to harmonize with this divine presence, recognizing the absolute good that resides within each of us. By turning inward and seeking this spiritual kingdom, we can experience a profound sense of peace and connection with the divine. This inner journey requires us to quiet our minds and open our hearts to the presence of God within. [08:16]
Luke 17:20-21 (ESV): "Being asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, he answered them, 'The kingdom of God is not coming in ways that can be observed, nor will they say, "Look, here it is!" or "There!" for behold, the kingdom of God is in the midst of you.'"
Reflection: How can you create space in your daily routine to connect with the inner kingdom of God? What practices can help you become more aware of the divine presence within you?
Day 3: Embracing Life's Challenges as Part of God's Plan
Living "Thy Will" involves expressing our unique individualization of the divine, despite the barriers and challenges we face. These obstacles are part of God's plan, and it is through life's activities that we navigate and overcome them, aligning more closely with divine mind. By viewing challenges as opportunities for growth and alignment with God's will, we can transform our perspective and approach to life's difficulties. This mindset allows us to see the divine purpose in every situation and trust that God is guiding us through each experience. [10:16]
James 1:2-4 (ESV): "Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."
Reflection: Think of a recent challenge you faced. How can you reframe this experience as part of God's plan for your growth and alignment with His will?
Day 4: Maturing Our Relationship with the Divine
To align with divine mind, we must mature our relationship with the inner divine presence. This involves practices like meditation, mindfulness, prayer, yoga, journaling, and other activities that foster peace and spiritual insight, helping us connect with the divine within. By dedicating time and effort to these practices, we can deepen our understanding and experience of God's presence in our lives. This maturation process is ongoing and requires a commitment to spiritual growth and self-awareness. [14:47]
Colossians 3:16 (ESV): "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God."
Reflection: What spiritual practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to deepen your relationship with the divine? How can you make these practices a consistent part of your life?
Day 5: Adopting New Perspectives on Familiar Practices
The teachings of Jesus and other spiritual masters guide us on how to connect with the inner divine presence. It's not about finding new methods but about adopting a new perspective on familiar practices, consciously connecting with "Thy Will" to enhance our experience of life and align with the divine plan. By approaching our spiritual practices with a fresh perspective, we can uncover new depths of meaning and connection with God. This shift in perspective can transform our spiritual journey and bring us closer to the divine presence in our everyday lives. [16:28]
Romans 12:2 (ESV): "Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect."
Reflection: How can you approach your current spiritual practices with a new perspective? What changes can you make to deepen your connection with God's will in your daily life?
Quotes
### Quotes for outreach
1. "But first, I want to remind you that there is an infinite power available to everyone, no matter their gender or religion. Believe what you may, but you should know that the source of the universe is also the source of each of us. Therefore, the principle of supporting the stars is the principle available and supporting each of us." [02:02] (30 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Life is God's plan. And it is in the activity of life that we interact with the barriers, the challenges, and the inhibitors of aligning with divine mind. Therefore, it is in the activity of life that we move through the barriers, challenges, and inhibitors of aligning with divine mind." [10:16] (37 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "It is thy's, thy's, it is thy's, God's, thy's desire to give each of us a kingdom experience while living God's plan we call life. That kingdom experience evolves from a divine seed located within each of us. It's a full bloom, full blossom into God's plan we call life experience. It's designed to come forth. We are designed to bring forth thy will as we are living thy will." [12:51] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "Our work is really to mature our relationship with that inner divine presence. That's what our work is. So, that there is a correlation from what we believe thy is, God is, and it's what our life is expressing." [14:47] (19 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "Meditation, mindfulness, non-denominational prayer, yoga, journaling, walks in nature, and other activities that promote a sense of peace, a sense of connection with spirit and a sense of spiritual insight." [16:28] (18 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for members
1. "Now, some religious practices teach thy will as a belief, in the faith that divine will knows best. Some spiritual practices develop thy will as an understanding based on the focus that the nature of divine will is absolute good." [06:10] (25 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Now understand, be it an external focus practice, an internal focus practice, or a combination of both, when it's properly done, they normally include the honoring of something greater than, along with a desire to connect with that which is greater than. A desire usually expressed through asking, as in prayer, or inviting, as in meditation." [08:16] (35 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "Thy will can be interpreted as the desire of thy for us to consciously harmonize with this spirit of absolute good that resides within each of us." [08:16] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "So, I can look at my life out here, the external, and I can determine this absolute good, huh? This welcoming thy will, which is inside, this life that I'm living, this God presence, and I look at my life and I see how have I interpreted, how have I interacted with it, how have I allowed it to come forth in my life? That's the external. And it doesn't matter whether it's what you want or what you don't want, it is what it is. So, it is the expressing of God through you that is your life." [12:51] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "It's not necessarily finding a new thing, but a new thought about a thing, which includes where it's located, and how it works. Thy will, the life we're living right now." [18:26] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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