“One way that we will know that we are following in the line of the Christ is the way we do love one another. In the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness, we teach that it begins with you so that you do love yourself. You honor yourself and you respect yourself. As that comes into fruition, you overflow. The caring becomes more than you can handle, so that it extends naturally to others.”
– John Morton (From: Are You Celebrating Christmas?).
The Christ Within Webcast Class began with our delightful host, Nick Segal, introducing us to the Movement of Spiritual Inner Awareness (MSIA) and Peace Theological Seminary and College of Philosophy (PTS), ecumenical organizations founded by John-Roger to help us know ourselves as Souls and as One with God.
Nick called in the Light which is a prayer or invocation for the highest good of all concerned. Folks in the room in Santa Monica ,along with those of us tuning in around the world via the Internet, joined together to chant Ani-Hu, an ancient sacred name for God that brings forth the quality of empathy. Our chanting together reminded me that wherever we are in this world, the Christ within us is that place where we are all One and in peace, joy and harmony always. What a beautiful way to begin our evening of attunement and at-one-ment!
Nick welcomed Nat Sharratt who performed his original song, Mystical Traveler, which can be heard in the new movie, Spiritual Warriors written by Dr. John-Roger and Jsu Garcia. Nat let us know about his new CD, This Life, which is abundant with his original songs including Mystical Traveler and is now available in perfect timing to share with loved ones for the holidays. Nat also informed us that over 1,000 copies of a specially made CD have been sent as gifts of comfort and inspiration to our beloved troops stationed around the world as they choose to serve us all for peace.
We were blessed with another original song, Let’s All Love One Another, in its first public performance by gifted singer and songwriter, Penelope Bright. Accompanying our lovely Penelope was Steve Chopyak playing a joyful, uplifting accordion. I loved how Penelope’s song reminded us in its delightful waltzing way to know the peace that is present and to love one another — a perfect song and dance to welcome the Christ within.
A profoundly inspiring Moment of Peace video allowed us to witness a tender exchange between John-Roger, Mother Theresa and the Christ within. These beloved masters offered a precious and vital message for us all about remembering to serve “the least one.” To me, their heartfelt caring is one of the most exquisite moments ever captured on screen.
Nick then introduced John Morton, our facilitator and the Spiritual Director of MSIA and PTS. Nick likened John to one of his best buddies from the playground of his childhood, a good friend who was a natural leader and a joy and inspiration to all. Nick then shared with us how John travels to MSIA communities around the world helping lead the way to continue making the teachings of MSIA available to those who are looking for them. Through his devotion to our knowing ourselves as the blessings we already are, John is a joy and inspiration to all of us who are at play in these fields of the Lord.
John began the evening by asking what the Christ meant to all of us. I heard the audience in Santa Monica call out: loving, forgiveness, peace, strength, joy, healing, wisdom and grace, amongst other words of comfort. John suggested that we don’t get caught up on the word “Christ” or what we have learned from our past about the Christ, but move to our experience within because the Christ transcends our beliefs.
John then led us all in a beautiful inner process of knowing that we are all anointed with God-consciousness and that we are all saints within. We then were blessed with a wonderful excerpt from John-Roger about having Christmas in July or anytime at all because the Christ is always present within each and everyone of us.
John then demonstrated for us the partner process for the class which involved seeing through the eyes of the Christ and forgiving ourselves for our judgments. I truly appreciated John’s openness in sharing his personal challenges as it inspired me to look at my own challenges with more courage and honesty and with divine appreciation for my ordinariness. As a webcast participant, my partner in this class was the One within — a further opportunity to know the Christ within as that One who is my partner always. After the partner process, John then guided us inside once again to help us know more fully and completely the blessings of who we truly are.
For a good portion of the webcast, John took questions from the Santa Monica audience as well as those of us on the Internet tuning in around the world. For a question regarding money, John suggested that inner guidance is more valuable than the outer signs. John mentioned one of the basic tenets of MSIA, “God loves all of Its creation”, and that all is perfect. If we find ourselves judging the perfection, John suggested that we embrace ourselves with forgiveness and compassion. John also let us know that the degree to which we are willing to forgive is the degree to which we are forgiven. And he lovingly reminded us that we are virtuous even when we have judged ourselves.
I heard John remind us to trust all the conditions in this world as serving us and that acceptance, the first law of Spirit, functions in our trust and faith. Our questions are answered simply because we ask, John encouraged us. Through our patience and acceptance, we can awaken to the living truth in every moment.
I was especially touched by John suggesting that we choose not to put others on pedestals but to look to the hero within ourself. John reassured us that in our ordinariness we are all divine because our Soul is eternally alive and glorious. I am grateful for John’s reminder that with God all things are possible and that we can let go of limitations by remaining open even when things may seem closed or not working. There are infinite ways to love ourselves, love one another, and know the Oneness that always is when we are tuning in to the Christ within.
To participate in an archive of “The Christ Within” class online go to www.msia.org/class.
Study materials related to the class at 40% off, are available online at www.msia.org/store.
To further explore the Christ and the teachings of MSIA & PTS via the Internet, be sure to tune in for our MSIA Family Christmas Eve Webcast on December 24th at 3:00 p.m. pacific standard time, and January’s Spiritual Exercises Webcast Class with John Morton on Tuesday, January 16th at 6:30 p.m. pacific daylight time. You can come in person to these events at 2101 Wilshire Blvd in Santa Monica, CA, or participate online at www.msia.org/live. MSIA and PTS are also offering free email classes in January 2007 — Manifesting the Christed Consciousness, Forgiveness, and Spiritual Exercises. To register for an email class or to learn more about all the MSIA and PTS Internet offerings, go to www.msia.org/worldwide.
Baruch Bashan
