Embracing Self-Care: Nurturing the Divine Within
Summary
Today, we gathered to explore the profound topic of "How to Be Good to Yourself." As we began, I welcomed everyone to Unity of Chicago South, emphasizing our commitment to being an inclusive, online spiritual community. We discussed the importance of our virtual book club, which allows for interactive discussions and questions, fostering a deeper connection among us despite the physical distance.
We then addressed a common question: why don't we focus more on the Bible? I explained that while we do incorporate biblical teachings, our primary goal is to raise consciousness and draw from various sources to help people improve their lives. This approach is not anti-Bible but rather inclusive of multiple wisdom traditions to support our mission of helping individuals be better so they can do better.
Moving into the core of today's topic, we explored the concept of an infinite source available to everyone, regardless of race, religion, or gender. This divine principle, which holds the stars in the sky, is also within each of us. I declared that we must be open and receptive to this divine living principle, acknowledging its presence and power in our lives.
We then delved into the two parts of being good to oneself: the consciousness level and the physical level. On the consciousness level, we must be diligent about what we feed our minds. This includes the quality of our thoughts and feelings, which directly impact our overall well-being. On the physical level, we discussed the importance of being mindful of what we put into our bodies, emphasizing the need for high-quality food and other intakes.
Reflecting on personal experiences, I shared stories of influential women in my life who exemplified the importance of doing good for others. However, our author reminds us that we must also learn to be good to ourselves, not in an arrogant or self-centered way, but in a manner that respects our spiritual existence. This involves developing faithfulness in ourselves, even when life has been challenging.
We explored the idea that the creative energy within us has the power to change our lives. By changing our self-talk and the way we approach life, we can harness this power to create positive changes. It is our sacred duty to be good to ourselves, to nurture the divine essence within us, and to avoid depleting ourselves to the point where we cannot fulfill our life's purpose.
As we continued, we discussed the importance of vitality in overcoming life's challenges. This vitality comes from regular spiritual practices such as prayer and meditation, which strengthen our connection to the divine within us. By feeding our spirit with positive thoughts and feelings, we can maintain the energy needed to navigate life's storms.
In conclusion, we revisited the importance of both physical and mental diets. Just as we must be mindful of the food we consume, we must also be conscious of the thoughts and feelings we feed our minds. By making small changes, such as preparing healthier meals or shifting our mindset, we can significantly impact our overall well-being.
Key Takeaways:
1. Inclusivity in Spiritual Teachings: Our approach to spirituality is inclusive, drawing from various wisdom traditions to raise consciousness and help individuals improve their lives. This is not about being anti-Bible but about embracing a broader spectrum of spiritual insights to support personal growth. [06:15]
2. Divine Principle Within Us: The same principles that govern the universe are available to each of us. By being open and receptive to this divine living principle, we can harness its power to improve our lives. This requires acknowledging and respecting the divine essence within us. [09:16]
3. Faithfulness to Self and Creator: Developing faithfulness in ourselves is crucial, even when life has been challenging. This faithfulness is rooted in the understanding that the divine within us has never stopped loving or supporting us. By nurturing this connection, we can grow our faith in ourselves. [35:58]
4. Vitality Through Spiritual Practices: Regular spiritual practices such as prayer and meditation are essential for maintaining the vitality needed to overcome life's challenges. These practices strengthen our connection to the divine within us, providing the energy and resilience to navigate difficult times. [40:48]
5. Mindful Physical and Mental Diets: Just as we must be mindful of the food we consume, we must also be conscious of the thoughts and feelings we feed our minds. By making small changes in our physical and mental diets, we can significantly impact our overall well-being and align ourselves with the divine essence within us. [45:42]
Youtube Chapters:
[0:00] - Welcome
[06:15] - Addressing Bible Inclusion
[09:16] - Infinite Source and Divine Principle
[35:58] - Faithfulness to Self and Creator
[40:48] - Vitality Through Spiritual Practices
[45:42] - Mindful Physical and Mental Diets
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide: "How to Be Good to Yourself"
#### Bible Reading
1. Proverbs 23:7 (KJV): "For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he."
2. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV): "Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies."
3. Philippians 4:8 (NIV): "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things."
#### Observation Questions
1. According to the sermon, what are the two levels of being good to oneself? ([10:38])
2. How does the sermon describe the relationship between how we treat ourselves and how we view our Creator? ([15:35])
3. What are some of the physical practices mentioned in the sermon that can help us be good to ourselves? ([12:23])
4. What does the sermon suggest is the result of feeding our spirit with positive thoughts and feelings? ([41:45])
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of "as he thinketh in his heart, so is he" (Proverbs 23:7) relate to the idea of mastering our personality as discussed in the sermon? ([13:56])
2. In what ways does 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 support the sermon’s emphasis on being mindful of what we put into our bodies? ([10:38])
3. How can Philippians 4:8 guide us in changing our self-talk and the way we approach life, as suggested in the sermon? ([36:53])
4. What does the sermon mean by saying that our vitality comes from regular spiritual practices, and how does this connect to the Bible passages? ([40:48])
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on your current physical and mental diets. What small changes can you make to improve the quality of what you consume, both physically and mentally? ([45:42])
2. How do you currently view yourself in relation to your Creator? What steps can you take to improve this relationship by being kinder to yourself? ([15:35])
3. Identify one spiritual practice (prayer, meditation, etc.) that you can commit to regularly. How do you think this will impact your vitality and ability to overcome challenges? ([40:48])
4. Think about a recent situation where you were hard on yourself. How could you have approached it differently by acknowledging the divine essence within you? ([17:44])
5. What are some practical ways you can start being more diligent about what you put into your body? Consider both food and other intakes. ([12:23])
6. How can you change your self-talk to be more positive and supportive? What specific phrases or affirmations can you start using? ([36:53])
7. Reflect on a time when you felt depleted or exhausted. What changes can you make to ensure you have the vitality needed to answer your life’s call? ([39:12])
Devotional
Day 1: Embracing Inclusivity in Spiritual Teachings
Our approach to spirituality is inclusive, drawing from various wisdom traditions to raise consciousness and help individuals improve their lives. This is not about being anti-Bible but about embracing a broader spectrum of spiritual insights to support personal growth. By incorporating teachings from different sources, we can find common ground and shared wisdom that enriches our spiritual journey. This inclusivity allows us to connect more deeply with ourselves and others, fostering a sense of unity and understanding within our community. [06:15]
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 open your heart and mind to wisdom from different spiritual traditions today? What steps can you take to incorporate these insights into your daily life?
Day 2: Recognizing the Divine Principle Within Us
The same principles that govern the universe are available to each of us. By being open and receptive to this divine living principle, we can harness its power to improve our lives. This requires acknowledging and respecting the divine essence within us. When we recognize that the creative energy that holds the stars in the sky also resides within us, we can begin to live more intentionally and purposefully. This divine principle is not limited by race, religion, or gender; it is a universal truth that connects us all. [09:16]
1 Corinthians 3:16 (ESV): "Do you not know that you are God's temple and that God's Spirit dwells in you?"
Reflection: In what ways can you acknowledge and honor the divine essence within you today? How can this recognition influence your actions and decisions?
Day 3: Developing Faithfulness to Self and Creator
Developing faithfulness in ourselves is crucial, even when life has been challenging. This faithfulness is rooted in the understanding that the divine within us has never stopped loving or supporting us. By nurturing this connection, we can grow our faith in ourselves. It involves trusting that we are always supported by a higher power, even in difficult times. This faithfulness is not about arrogance but about respecting our spiritual existence and the divine presence within us. [35:58]
Hebrews 10:23 (ESV): "Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful."
Reflection: How can you cultivate a deeper sense of faithfulness to yourself and the divine today? What practices can help you strengthen this connection?
Day 4: Vitality Through Spiritual Practices
Regular spiritual practices such as prayer and meditation are essential for maintaining the vitality needed to overcome life's challenges. These practices strengthen our connection to the divine within us, providing the energy and resilience to navigate difficult times. By feeding our spirit with positive thoughts and feelings, we can maintain the energy needed to navigate life's storms. Spiritual practices are not just rituals; they are lifelines that keep us grounded and connected to our source of strength. [40:48]
Isaiah 40:31 (ESV): "But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint."
Reflection: What spiritual practices can you incorporate into your daily routine to maintain your vitality? How can these practices help you stay connected to the divine within you?
Day 5: Mindful Physical and Mental Diets
Just as we must be mindful of the food we consume, we must also be conscious of the thoughts and feelings we feed our minds. By making small changes in our physical and mental diets, we can significantly impact our overall well-being and align ourselves with the divine essence within us. This involves being intentional about what we allow into our bodies and minds, ensuring that we nourish ourselves with high-quality inputs. By doing so, we create a foundation for a healthier, more balanced life. [45:42]
Proverbs 4:23 (ESV): "Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life."
Reflection: What small changes can you make today to improve your physical and mental diets? How can these changes help you align more closely with the divine essence within you?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "You can't be all you can be as long as you've seen yourself less than you are. Wow. Some heavy stuff, huh? You cannot be all you can be. None of us can be all we can be unless we start seeing ourselves as we are and stop seeing ourselves as less than we are. And how do we see ourselves as we are? We're spiritual beings. Now. Now, that's not just the words. That's not just a phrase. The essence of us is not this physicalness. The essence of us is something much bigger, much deeper, much more powerful." [19:20]
2. "How do we out picture ourselves? The question is asked, how do we out picture ourselves? So if I see myself as small, inadequate, failure, loser, I'm out picturing that into existence because those were that's where my thoughts are. That's what my feelings are. I'm creating that environment for me to express as that. I'm doing that. But I'm a failure. I'm a loser. I've never done anything. Blah, blah, blah. We can go on and on and on. When that happens, based on how to be good to yourself, let us detach ourselves from those ideas and attach ourselves to our essence." [20:24]
3. "How can I honor that? How can I honor that? I don't have to honor anything else. Let me just start honoring that which created me and start from that point going forward not asking what you do for me. Lately. What you do for me lately? You didn't give me what I want. I don't have the things I want but I have the power because of you which is inside of me. I have the power to be good to myself right now right now right now right now." [29:12]
4. "Take inventory of what you have. What are your assets? What are your strengths? Huh? And what are your abilities doesn't have anything to do with anybody else doesn't have anything what they say about your job. How what are your assets? And if you don't see any if you do not see any assets in your self inventory. Then you realize at that point you should you have the ability to realize I'm focused at the wrong place at the wrong time because the first thing in our inventory should be the creator within me. I have that it was given to me. I didn't do a daggone thing to get it. I just came with it because I'm here." [30:28]
5. "How do you see yourself standing in the mirror looking at yourself naked to the world and say, who am I? How do I think about me right now? Not about my possessions, but about me right now. And if you are not saying, I think I'm the heights, the pinnacle of being good to ourselves, because that's really what it's all about, isn't it? I want to be the best to me that I can be. How to be good. Good to ourselves goes on to remind us that wonderful saying that many of us have heard as a man think of in his heart, as a man think it's in his heart. So is he as a person think it's in their heart. So are they?" [24:46]
### Quotes for Members
1. "Why don't we have more Bible. And I pondered and pondered that question and to give a appropriate answer. And the answer is we include Bible as often as we can to fit what we're doing and what we're doing is attempting to raise consciousness. And if there are some that study the life of Yahshua, Jesus, and by understanding his land. And by understanding his language that that was what he was spiritual interpretation, so that the people would be beneficial of the teachings in their lifetime and not sometime after. So with that in mind, our main focus is to do that. We're not anti Bible. We just know that it's more than the Bible that will help a person be better so they can do better." [06:15]
2. "There's an infinite source and it's available to everyone it's there for each who seek it no matter their race religion or gender you can believe what you may but you should know that the source of the universe you is also the source of each of us therefore the principles that hold the stars in the sky are the same principles that are available to each of us just think about that how big and powerful you are as I declare this statement in the first person I declare for all I am open and receptive to this divine living principle father mother God I am grateful and to Thyhan as I declare it Lord gives me truth and as I declare so, it becomes all is well and well indeed." [09:16]
3. "Arthur tells us here that we have to develop a faithfulness in ourselves, man. Come on now. I feel there's so many things. I've tried so many things so many things have not worked out in my life. How can I be possibly be faithful to myself? It's the same. Same process. The faithfulness if it cannot be in me this physical me that I'm standing in the mirror naked looking at myself. I don't have any faith in myself, but there's that which is within me. That is so powerful that it has never stopped loving me. That has never stopped caring that has never stopped supporting me has never stopped. Never stopped because it cannot stop as long as I'm here on this planet. It cannot stop. I have faith in that and having faith in that will allow us. To grow the faith in ourselves." [35:58]
4. "If you pray you need to pray regularly, you don't just wait until the situation comes and then oh, let me pray. If you meditate you need to meditate regularly and not when the situation comes. Okay, I'm gonna get connected with God. Whatever your practice is. That's the practice that we need to be doing on a regular. Basis understanding that the practice the practice the practice is not about anything out here, but it is about a tighter closer warmer connection to that which is within us. So that when the storms come we have the vitality as our author says to overcome it to get through it, even though it's sometimes a real struggle to move through the mud, right?" [40:48]
5. "The crux of it is the way that we treat ourselves is the way that we see the creator. And we are, in essence, treating the creator in the same manner. So if we're abusive to ourselves, we're abusive to God. Hmm. Wow. Because we are, right? We are. In the image. In likeness. We are pressed out of this God essence. And the God essence is in us. It is the sustaining factor of us. So if we're not treating ourselves decently, then we are not treating the essence of ourselves decently. And I didn't say great. I didn't say great at all. What I said is that decently. So whatever we're doing. To ourselves in the current, in our current status, we can change that. And as we change it for the good, we are changing our relationship with our essence." [15:35]
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