GENERATION AND REGENERATION

 

 

Myrtle Fillmore was a strong believer in regeneration, proclaiming that humankind’s need for it began in the Garden of Eden:

[i]According to the Bible allegory, it was not until after man separated himself from the spiritual    consciousness of life that the curse fell upon generation, and pain and sorrow followed in its wake. In order to restore Adamic conditions, man must open his mind to divine inspiration and again walk and talk with God.

Bodily regeneration was a major concept in her thinking. Her position  is evident as she writes:

Unity teaches the regeneration taught and demonstrated by Jesus Christ, and all who aspire to eternal health and prosperity. And even eternal life here and now, are accepting the way of Jesus Christ.

Not only did Myrtle believe Jesus Christ taught and demonstrated regeneration, she also believed that anything He did we could also do also. Furthermore, she believed Jesus now lives in a regenerated body and, eventually, we may all arrive at the same bodily state:

[ii]This is the body in which Jesus now lives, and into which we shall all enter when we have lifted up the body idea and set free the forces that enter into it.

She taught that Jesus was able to obtain regeneration by raising His body consciousness and by realizing the Absolute Truth.  We, too, can attain regeneration by following his example. Fillmore goes on to explain that  we can raise our consciousness by finding the “Christ within ourselves.” However, she admits, “It is no easy matter.” To do this, we must believe, without a doubt, that regeneration is possible. Along with unwavering faith, we must continually apply Truth Principles and affirmations, live a healthy lifestyle, and curtail sexual passion. Myrtle advises that for regeneration to occur, “Sex passion is a taint. The Unity co-founder was not against sexual passion, but suggested it should be reserved for the less evolved:

[iii]We do not condemn generation.  It is all right for those who are not highly evolved sufficiently to accept and understand regeneration.

Myrtle believed regeneration could happen for all of us. In fact, she believed we would continually be reincarnated, until we mastered the process:

[iv]Every one of us is going to have to reincarnate until we make the union of Spirit, soul and body, and spiritualize these bodies.

While Myrtle believed regeneration was one of our most primary and ultimate goals, she also believed it was a choice: [v]"People are free to choose their own destiny. Those who desire to continue generation may do so, for Unity does not force Christ principles on anyone.”

 

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[i] Fillmore, Myrtle Fillmore (2013-10-04). Myrtle Fillmore's Healing Letters (Kindle Locations 855-859).  Kindle Edition.

[ii] Neal Vahle, Torch-Bearer to Light the Way: the Life of Myrtle Fillmore (Unity Village, Mo: Open View Press, 1996),

[iii] Vahle. Pg 95.     

[iv] Vahle. Pg 96.

[v]  Vahle. Pg 96.

I Am the Way!

Dear Miss Kendrick,

Thank you for your thoughtful letter. If read on its own, it does appear evident that that the words, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father,” indicate that only those who believe in Jesus will go to heaven. And, as you state, this scripture can readily evoke images of “children suffering for eternity,” just because they had the misfortune to be born in a place where Christianity is not the predominant religion is not predominant or is non existent.

        To glean a clearer understanding of what “I am the way” does and doesn't mean, we’ll look at two sources--one from our Methodist roots and the other --the Bible. [i]In A Farther Appeal to Men of Reason and Religion (p. 26), Methodist co-founder John Wesley writes:

“By salvation I mean, not barely, according to the vulgar Notion, deliverance from Hell, or going to Heaven: But a Pre- sent Deliverance from Sin, a Restoration of the Soul to its Primitive health, its Original Purity; a Recovery of the Divine Nature; the Renewal of our Souls after the Image of GOD...”

According to Wesley, “The Way” Jesus speaks of is not salvation from heaven or hell, but, instead a return to our Divine nature in the image of God.  

In  answer to your questions about other religions, from the Bible we learn that God is no respecter of ANY religion. In Acts 10:34-35, “Peter opened his mouth and said, “Of a truth I perceive that God is no respecter of persons:  But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh righteousness, is accepted with him.”  Romans 8:14 also alludes to an all-inclusive God, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the children of God.”

When Jesus says he is “the way,” he is speaking as a child of God, led by the Spirit, as mentioned in Romans. He is speaking from, as Wesley calls it, his Divine nature. This Divine nature, also called the Christ within, or the I Am, was not only in Jesus, but, resides in us as well. The I Am is the Spirit of God that lead us, regardless of race or religion.  Jesus was showing us that the I AM, in all of us, is the way, the truth and the life.

As for your apparent shortness of breath, if we believe that at a certain age the body begins to deteriorate, the cell structures will respond to this error thinking, accordingly. When we begin believing this faulty thinking, we can easily become tired, achy, and can experience symptoms like shortness of breath. One can never be healthy if there is a constant worry, fear or doubt surrounding aging and health. We can change this process through right mental attitude and being open to the Spirit of Truth within who constantly heals and renews. Additionally, the body also needs proper exercise, rest, and food. Food habits have an enormous impact on our bodies and our health. If you keep a right mental attitude, exercise and eat proper foods, the body will aid you in remaining healthy and whole.

 

Blessing,

Myrtle

 

 

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[i] Albert C. Outler, ed., John Wesley (New York: Oxford University Press, 1964), viii-ix; Maddox, Responsible Grace, 22-24 (for an initial claim); and Steve McCormick, "Theosis in Chrysostom