"An Inspirational Spiritual Community"
Mural by Arthur Mortimer, member of Unity by the Sea
MESSAGE FROM DR. MAYA
"Meandering in valleys is part of the human journey but we are destined for the high meadow and the heights that lie beyond."
These are difficult times. We are facing some common perils, habits, expectations and values of our current warring culture, threatening our environment and in that the life of the earth as a being and the heart and spirit of all beings.
It is becoming clear that no governments and no institutions are meeting the gravity of the global situation that it cannot be fixed; it must be changed. The change is one of consciousness.
"Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind!"
Many of you have experienced the beginning of a change of consciousness, we are drawn to be with others in a field of deepening collective consciousness, a field of possibilities and dreams, caring in ways of peacemaking, community and healing.
To facilitate and support this on going process in me and you and among us has been at the heart of Unity's Teaching. The Hopi have an image of a Sipapu, a corridor between the worlds. Passing through the Sipapu, one is entirely altered and becomes a being of a new world.
I believe we are being asked, by our own soul's discontent and longing, by Spirit and by the beings of a hopeful future, to enter the rigorous process of moving through the Sipapu, offering ourselves in a conscious willingness for individual and collective transformation.
When Unity by the Sea was closed as an organization and Sunday Ministry, I knew that this would not close the sacred consciousness that grew among you all over the years.
I am using my alternative ministry called UnityMountain to serve as a virtual frame to stay in touch, to nourish the renewal and transformation of our lives and all our relations thru regular e-bulletins, musings and reflections from places my heart and work take me plus four seasonal gatherings up on the deck of my house in Topanga.
I intend to send these musings from wherever I am. We will have no physical adress, no bank account.
Every season we will hold a gathering, a day of retreat. We will be looking to indigenous and traditional wisdom and ways and the timeless Unity Teachings to guide us.
This first gathering will be an Elder's Circle, where I ask you, young and old, in years, to join me in drumming, prayers and dialogue of what we are being called to focus and study, so that the individual strands of each present weave into a tapestry of common ground.
Thus each present and for that day will be an Elder! "Coming up Higher" was my theme for the year as President of the Association of Unity International in 1989.
May UnityMountain now hold us in another vital and loving circle.
In the Spirit of Unity and with much Love, 
Dr. Maya, Minister Emeritus
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UNITY BY THE SEA FAMILY NEWS AND EVENTS ELDER'S RETREAT with Dr. Maya invites everybody to a day of council, introspection and sharing we will ask ourselves, what are my dreams, night dreams and day dreams, hopes and difficulties on our path tell me about the activities of spirit in me and in all my relations.
DISCUSSION TOPICS: What am I being called for to focus on, maybe to study in this coming year, individually and in small groups and in what way can a spiritual community support me?
Pictures of last retreat coming soon...
WHEN: Saturday, May 17, 2008 from 1pm to 5pm
WHERE: 21089 Waveview Drive, Topanga CA 90290
CONTACT: Dr. Maya, Minister Emeritus (310) 455 3129 maya@unitymountain.org and unitybythesea@aol.com
UNITY BY THE SEA - HISTORICAL NOTES
Dr. Sue Sikking
Sue Sikking started Unity by the Sea in Santa Monica, California in 1944. Charles and Cora Fillmore, founder of Unity were guest speaker during that first year. In 1955 the Center moved to its home location at 1245 Fourth Street.
Dr. Sue was also a much beloved author.
From her writings:
All power is in the midst of us, doing all things through us, right where we are in every experience.
Close your eyes and think, for you and you alone know what your assignment is today. Only you know where your challenges lies, but whatever it is, know that it will work out. Don't try to know how, not any details, only it will. The answer will come!~
This is knowing without knowing. Right now, you need to be healed and you cannot understand how organs and cells can be renewed and recreated, but you must know that they can. " With God all things are possible." And it is God that you must depend upon. No outer power can do it, only God! That most complicated situation that you may have today concerning your work, your life, family, finances or business; if you are bold enough and have the courage to know without knowing, you will be carried, healed and set free by the Invisible Presence. If you can know without inquiring with your little mind, if you can know without knowing then YOU have stepped into the kingdom of heaven and all things shall be done unto you. Think without thinking, think only God can do it and even now while you are asking and thinking it is being taken care of because YOU ARE, RIGHT NOW, IN THE HOLLOW OF HIS HAND.
Excerpt from In The Hollow of His Hand, by Dr. Sue Sikking
Our God is Love - Our Race is Human - Our Religion is Oneness