The Purpose of Spiritual Community
A spiritual community is one that shares a set of spiritual teachings/practices and creates a safe space for people to learn and grow into them together. Of course, having a safe space to gather is important but physical safely aside, let’s consider Rev. Jim Lockard’s definition of safe space in the context of a New Thought spiritual community: " A space where one is free to be disturbed enough to look at one’s own beliefs, knowing that the community itself is supportive and caring. A safe space which guarantees no disturbance is not ideal for personal and spiritual growth” ( Being the Beloved Community, (2022), pg.11). Uncovering our core beliefs is a key element of Unity’s basic teachings. We teach that our thoughts, and beliefs along with their corresponding feelings shape our experience. As we begin to grow into the belief that the Divine (God) is the One, True source of all that is we first have to release some of our more childish beliefs about God as the good/bad