Rev. Bodhi aka Ross Campbell began his service as the new minister of Unity of Jupiter on August 31st, 2020. With a rich history of serving Unity since 1991. Picking up the tools of affirmative prayer, healing, transformation, and abundant living Bodhi has been committed to a path of awakening: Yours and his.
April 28, 2022
Be Ye Transformed!
Part 1 ~ Renew Your Life!
I have heard that Charles Fillmore’s favorite scripture verse was “Be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.”
Romans 12:2.
This verse speaks to the Truth that our thoughts have an enormous power on our lives. This verse led Mr. Fillmore to dive into what he coined, “The Law of Mind Action.” What we think about we bring about. As we think affirmative thoughts, we manifest more of God’s good in our lives. That’s the LAW. (Unity translation of the word LAW = Love Always Wins!)
By renewing our minds, we are transformed. When we renew our minds with loving thoughts, we transform hate. When we renew our minds with prosperous thoughts, we transform lack. When we renew our minds with healthy thoughts, we transform illness.
So what do you want to transform? This Sunday I am speaking to the idea of renewing our lives. Spring is the perfect season for renewal. Watching nature, we see how new life springs forth with what appears to be effortless grace. A plant works its way up through the earth and even up through the cracks in the sidewalk as if to say, “Nothing can keep me down.”
We renew our lives every time we think a God thought. A God thought is a positive, affirming, intentional thought that brings about our highest good. As we align ourselves with the Divine Ideas in God Mind, our lives unfold perfectly.
Affirmation: My life is an expression of a Divine Idea in the Mind of God. I live in joy, peace and love.
In loving awareness,
Rev Bodhi
***
April 14, 2022
And Still I Rise
EASTER SUNDAY | APRIL 17, 2022
Happy Easter!
From her classic poem, “Still I Rise,” Maya Angelou writes, “Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear I rise.”
This is the theme of our Easter experience this year as we move through the 3rd Easter under the waning effects of the COVID pandemic. It is time to step into a new way of being in the wonderfully clear daybreak of possibilities. Are you ready?
The resurrection of Jesus is the central event of the Easter story. It is a onetime event in history that happens every time we make union with God-Mind in thought, word, and action, where limitations, erroneous beliefs, mistakes, pain and fear are transformed into new life.
From Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday, Jesus demonstrates the miraculous power of God’s love that transcends the darkest human frailties into the most magnificent radiance of new life. When we tap into our Indwelling Christ, we too can overcome every human condition into happiness, health, and wholeness. There is only one requirement in this process: Faith. Our faith in the “God of Life” reminds us that with God all things are possible.
Applying our faith as individuals, we can heal every ill of corporeal suffering. As a community, we can transcend every idea of lack into an expression of God’s abundance. As a world, we can realign ourselves with the Divine Plan of harmony and abundance for ending all war. These are the gifts of Easter. There is no problem, challenge, situation, or pain that the miraculous power of God’s love for His/Her Creation won’t turn into an amazing blessing.
The path ahead is clear. We are called to step into this new daybreak with all the assurance and power of the rising sun. Easter reminds of us of the great truth that not even death can end life.
The past two years have kept many in the tomb of death. But the stone has rolled away, and it is time to step out into the Sunlight of the Spirit new and improved, empowered and energized, to take on new life. I pray this is true for each of us individually and collectively for our ministry and world.
As we let go of fear, resentment, regret, judgment and lack ~ faith, acceptance, appreciation, and abundance rush in to help us create a new life in a new world.
Whatever the past two years brought into your life, affirm that the best is yet to be. And as we do, we will rise to new heights and new possibilities together.
And still I rise!
In love and unity,
Rev Bodhi
***
April 7, 2022
Walking In Peace
Happy Holy Week!
This Sunday is Palm Sunday. It is the beginning of what is known in the Christian world as Holy Week. From Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday many events of Jesus’ life are recorded. From his triumphant entrance into the city of Jerusalem to the Resurrection, Jesus’ ministry on earth is highlighted
and celebrated.
The text below comes from Charles Fillmore’s metaphysical interpretation of Palm Sunday. It is so clearly explained that I thought I would share it in its completeness rather than reinterpret it myself.
I will say that the Holy Week experience gives each of us the opportunity to become more aware of our spiritual nature. These are the final steps in the unfolding of our true spiritual nature. It is a “crossing out” of any false, erroneous, and limited nature that gives rise to the new and perfect life we are all moving toward in consciousness and the manifest realm.
May we all take this opportunity to release, let go, roll away the stones of our limitation and step into the Sunlight of the Spirit with grace and joy.
Enjoy!
Palm Sunday Metaphysics
From Keep a True Lent by Charles Fillmore
Palm Sunday is the Sunday preceding Easter. Jerusalem, the Holy City, symbolizes within us the habitation of peace, possession of peace, vision of peace, abode of prosperity within us.
In us, Jerusalem is the abiding consciousness of spiritual peace, which is the result of continuous realizations of spiritual power tempered with spiritual poise and confidences. Jerusalem resides in the heart and from this point Spirit sends its radiance to all parts of the body.
Jesus symbolizes our I AM identity. His going up to Jerusalem means taking the last step in unfoldment preparatory to the final step, when the personality is entirely crucified and the Christ triumphs.
Jesus riding the donkey into Jerusalem means the fulfillment of the time when the spiritual I AM within us takes control and lifts all the animal forces up to the spiritual plane of mastery, purity, and peace.
When the I Am takes charge of the body, a new order of things is inaugurated. The vitality is no longer wasted. Through high and pure ideals, the whole consciousness is raised to a higher standard.
The hosannas of the rejoicing multitude and spreading of their garments and branches of trees before Jesus, represent joyful obedience and homage that all the thoughts in one’s consciousness give when an error state of mind is overcome. “Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.”
In unity and love,
Rev Bodhi
***
March 31, 2022
12 Principles for Spiritual Living
Part XII: Give It Away to Keep It
There are many paradoxes in life. One of the most profound is the fact that if you want to keep the energy and gifts of spiritual principles, you have to give them away. For example, if one is seeking love, one must be loving towards others. If one is seeking prosperity, one must be generous with others. If one wants to know the answers to the Universe, one must turn within.
Always teaching us how to live in God, Jesus stated that he was here to serve not to be served. He was here to teach, demonstrate, epitomize the act of sacred service. Whether it was creating more wine for the wedding or raising Lazarus from the dead, in life and death, Jesus was about service.
I truly believe that without the ability to be of service, no matter how big or small the act of service, life would be flat. It is giving of ourselves that brings value and meaning to ourselves and others. It is service, giving back, that enriches our lives. The metaphysical Truth is that we receive as we give.
This Sunday we have two opportunities to deepen our expression of the spiritual principle of service. First, I will share my insights of how service can enhance our lives during the lesson. Second, we are holding what we are calling our “Love in Action Reboot” workshop, giving everyone opportunities to serve our spiritual community.
Serving our spiritual community is one of the most direct paths to God. When we give and serve from our hearts we receive the blessings of connection and an abundance of all good things.
I live my life in service to Spirit and to all humanity.
In Loving Service,
Rev Bodhi
***
March 24, 2022
The 12 Principles for Spiritual Living
Part 10: Spiritual Practice
Say your prayers and move your feet!
Say your prayers and tie your camel!
Having participated in spiritual practices for many years I have discovered that the traditions, cultures, and history of my practices only matter to the extent that I actually practice them. And having been blessed to participate in many different spiritual traditions, I have learned to integrate what works and leave the rest. As the dross of erroneous thinking, beliefs, and behaviors burns off, the gold and light of Truth shines brighter.
Within the Five Basic Unity Principles in an inherent action.
1. God is absolute good, everywhere present.
Action: Knowing beyond belief that God is Good, we are called to look for and find this good. We move in the world with the support of this benevolent Energy, knowing all things are working for our good.
2. Human beings have a spark of divinity within them, the Christ spirit within. Their very essence is of God, and therefore they are also inherently good.
Action: Know the Truth of You. Your essence is Divine!
Myrtle Fillmore advised: “We accept the God-given perfection.” Can you do that? Most of us could instantly name dozens of things wrong with our bodies or health. She didn’t mean whatever is showing up right now is necessarily perfect. She meant the ultimate you—the Spirit you—is never sick…
Fix your undivided attention upon the Creator and inner pattern of perfection, Myrtle said. Keep bringing your thoughts back to the ultimate Truth: Know that God is bigger than any disease or injury.
3. Human beings create their experiences by the activity of their thinking.
Action: Get your mind right!
Charles Fillmore taught the ancient Truth that our lives are a reflection of our thoughts. If we want happy fulfilling life, we must align our thinking with God-Mind. Think Think Think!
4. Prayer and Meditation.
Action: Spend time in the Silence
Everything in the manifest realm has its beginning in thought. Prayer is the creative thinking that heightens the connection with God-Mind and therefore brings forth wisdom, healing, prosperity and every good thing. The manifest realm has its beginning in thought.
Prayerful Meditation is the key to right thinking, right speech and right action. Spending time in the silence aligns us with Divine Ideas that guide us to our highest good.
5. Knowing and understanding the laws of life, also called Truth, are not enough. A person must also live the truth that he or she knows.
Action: Action! Practice Practice Practice. It’s not only the way to Carnegie Hall it’s the way to Heaven on Earth. It is said that God can only do for us what God can do through us. Besides, you have to give it away to keep it!
So as we look deeper at our daily practices we discover that the “simple kit of spiritual tools laid at our feet,” transforms our lives and awakens our souls.
In loving awareness,
Rev Bodhi
***
March 16, 2022
The 12 Principles for Spiritual Living
Parts 8 & 9: Love and Forgiveness
Unity’s co-founder Charles Filmore was a spiritual explorer and mystic. He loved to explore all the world’s religions and find the best practices to apply to his own journey. One of the most powerful practices he applied was the practice of forgiveness. He found it so meaningful that he wrote the following piece:
A SURE REMEDY
Here is a mental treatment that is guaranteed to cure every ill that flesh is heir to: Sit for a half-hour every night and mentally forgive everyone against whom you have any ill will or antipathy. If you fear or if you are prejudiced against even an animal, mentally ask forgiveness of it and send it thoughts of love. If you have accused anyone of injustice, if you have discussed anyone unkindly, if you have criticized or gossiped about anyone, withdraw your words by asking him, in the silence, to forgive you. If you have had a falling out with friends or relatives, if you are at law or engaged in contention with anyone, do everything in your power to end the separation. See all things and all persons as they really are–pure spirit–and send them your strongest thoughts of love. Do not go to bed any night feeling that you have an enemy in the world.
(Story of Unity 268-269)
Wow! What an order. Can you imagine sitting every night for 1/2 hour forgiving everyone and everything, including yourself? Well, if you want to be free, really free of anger, pain, guilt, shame, distrust, envy and blame, this is the key.
The most beautiful result of a forgiveness practice like this is that it removes every block to the life we long to live. A life free and serene where we can experience more of the grace of God.
Unforgiveness holds us down and back from what is
possible in life.
Jesus knew the power of forgiveness and encouraged us not only to forgive those we love but to go way beyond that to forgiving our enemies. He reminded us that forgiving those we love is easy. But to forgive one who had harmed us is where the
real blessings come.
There are other steps related to forgiveness that can execrate our healing such as: a confession of your contribution to the conflict, making amends, changing behavior, a commitment to the community — but giving up your claims for, and sometimes against, yourself is where you have to begin.
In loving awareness,
Rev Bodhi
***
March 9, 2022
The 12 Principles for Spiritual Living
Humble Willingness: Parts 6 & 7
As we move into the 6th and 7th Principles for Spiritual Living we combine two principles that work hand and hand: Humbleness and Willingness.
To be humble is to allow more of Thee and less of me to lead my life. Simply put: Put God First!
To be willing is to always have an attitude that the best is
yet to be.
I must let go of the belief that I have to rely solely on my own strength and intelligence to navigate my life. And then I must embrace and remind myself that the power of God in me is my power to think, speak and act. In fact, it has been said that the most humble way to live is to act as if you were God. Because anything else is of the EGO. (Edging God Out).
We become humble when we pause and make space for God to be God in us. It is God’s wisdom that illuminates our mind and guides our way. It is God’s love that opens our hearts and brings harmony to all our relationships. It is God’s peace that brings serenity to our mind.
The gifts and talents we express in our lives are only there because they are part of God’s dream for the world. We are expressions of God and by acknowledging God as the Source of our gifts and talents we use them in service to The One and all are blessed.
I need to keep reminding myself that all I have and all I do is because of the Spark of Divinity that seeded me into existence. And as long as I am willing to do that I will stay humble and radiate out God to the world.
Enjoy this translation from The Message version of the bible of Luke 14:10-11:
“When you’re invited to dinner, go and sit at the last place. Then when the host comes he may very well say, ‘Friend, come up to the front.’ That will give the dinner guests something to talk about! What I’m saying is, If you walk around all high and mighty, you’re going to end up flat on your face. But if you’re content to be simply yourself, you will become more
than yourself.”
In Love and Unity,
Rev Bodhi
***
March 3, 2022
12 Principles for Spiritual Living
Part V: Rigorous Honesty
You don’t have to be an addict or alcoholic to not tell the truth. In fact, research shows that EVERYONE lies. Some a little, some a lot. But we are not here to judge. We are here to continue on the upward movement of consciousness into our Christ Consciousness. That includes right thought, right speech and right action.
I used to think that rigorous honesty and cash register honesty were the same thing. Cash register honesty is about doing the right thing and return the money when the check out person gives you too much change back. But it is much deeper. Rigorous honesty is about being honest with ourselves and others for the purpose of healing and wholeness all the time.
Besides, the only one who we are fooling when we lie is ourselves. Any lie we put out there surely returns to us in kind. It is the spiritual law of Cause and Effect. Or as the Yogis would say, “It’s your Karma!”
Rigorous honest leads us to integrity. Integrity is about living our values without regret. Jesus is a great example of one who lived his integrity by claiming and demonstrating that he “came that they may have life and have it more abundantly.” John 10:10. Through his outpouring of love, kindness, generosity and patience he showed us how living one’s own values keeps one honest.
Step 5: “Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.”
You can practice integrity in your recovery by talking through everything that you feel guilty about and your mistakes. Basically, having integrity is to live honestly.
In Loving Awareness,
Rev Bodhi
***
February 23, 2022
12 Principles for Spiritual Living
Part IV – Courageous Compassion
One of the greatest experiences of ministry is watching the light come on in the eyes of those I serve. I have witnessed the transformation of people who were so down and out, lost and confused that they had trouble holding their head up. Then, I saw them embrace Truth and watched them come back to life and find success in many areas of their lives. This is the essence of Amazing Grace ~ “I once was lost but now I’m found.”
Whether a person suffers from addiction, trauma, or negative experiences and abuses there is always hope. Unity principles also called Universal Truths, are tools that turn the lights back on and lead us home.
Myrtle Fillmore, Unity’s co-founder, used a technique that helped her heal. In her healing stories she shares about how her negative attitude towards her body kept her sick. She apologized for how she had mistreated her eyes calling them sick. She apologized to her arms and legs for calling them weak. Once she acknowledge how her language and attitude was keeping her sick she reversed her attitude and language and began to bless her body part by part. She blessed her eyes and thanked them for seeing clearly calling them God’s eyes. She blessed her body and thanked it for carrying her through life. As we know, Myrtle healed and lived another 40 years to share her story and techniques with millions of others. And although Myrtle was against building Unity churches and ordaining Unity ministers, her message continues to bless many around the world.
The point is, Myrtle was willing to do what many others fear to do. She took a personal inventory of her own beliefs, attitudes and actions, discarded them and replaced them with positive, affirmative and uplifting ones.
As we come into the 4th Principle for Spiritual Living we become willing to look at our own behaviors, attitudes and actions and see how we have held ourselves back from the best version of ourselves.
It takes courageous compassion to be willing to look at oneself and take responsibility for our own lives. In the Gospel of Thomas, Jesus says, “If you bring forth what is within you, what is within you will save you. If you do not bring forth what is within you, what is within you will destroy you.”
When I first heard these words of Jesus I was blown away. This was the introduction to my deepest transformation and lead me to look at my “shadow” so I could use it to “save” me and
not “destroy.”
It is not always easy to take a personal moral inventory. Yet it is a gift, as Jesus and Myrtle have demonstrated, an instrumental piece of the healing journey. Everything we need to enter the Kingdom is within you.
In Love and Unity,
Rev Bodhi
***
February 16, 2022
12 Principles for Spiritual Living
Part III – Sweet Surrender
I have found Principle #3 to be the most powerful, most meaningful and most transformation tool of spiritual living. That principle is SURRENDER!
As for most, surrender feels like a giving up, a failure, and loss. That is because most people don’t know what to surrender to. We are not surrendering to an enemy but rather the best friend you could ever imagine. And when we surrender to that Power, we let go of the whatever is the challenge and make way to receive something even better.
The 3rd Step of the 12 Step Program suggests that we “make a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God, as we understood God.” When our understand of God is knowing God and a Benevolent Presence and Positive Influence we then know that when we truly surrender, something better is at hand.
I remember once when my family was traveling and we waited too long to make a hotel reservation for our next stop. It was a holiday weekend and all the hotels were booked. After stopping at the fifth hotel and hearing that they didn’t have any rooms available, we finally surrendered. Not only did we surrender but we took a moment to pray. When we were done praying the clerk had discovered an available room, a suite as a matter of fact and only charged us the regular room rate! Surrender is not a giving up but a giving over and into the challenge to discover the solution.
Jesus’ words from John 5:30-33 The Message
“I can’t do a solitary thing on my own: I listen, then I decide. You can trust my decision because I’m not out to get my own way but only to carry out orders. If I were simply speaking on my own account, it would be an empty, self-serving witness. But an independent witness confirms me, the most reliable Witness of all.”
The Witness Jesus is referring to as “the Father,” is his understanding of a Power Greater than himself. Metaphysically we know that Jesus is each of us and The Father is the Christ Within. As we surrender to the Christ Within, we discover miracles and experience life on greater terms than we could have ever imagined left to our own devices.
Join us this Sunday as collectively we surrender the good for the better. We surrender our will for God’s will. The beautiful thing about this practice is that the more we do it the more our will aligns with God’s will. It’s like the Father and the Son walking hand in hand into paradise.
In Sweet Surrender,
Rev Bodhi
***
