I am but just one student in an online class this
summer and we have been asked to ponder three questions this week when thinking
about Myrtle Fillmore’s Eschatology (beliefs on the end of time) on
regeneration.
1.)
What is regeneration for Myrtle, in both the spiritual and physical sense? Be
specific.
In regards to the spiritual aspect…Myrtle
believed that people had the ability to find the Christ consciousness within
them. When they did that Myrtle believed
they would be able to draw on their inner strength, which included
youthfulness, healing and vigor, which equates to sustaining life.
Myrtle believed that it was possible to transcend
death in the physical realm. Myrtle believed that this was attainable “through
the proper understanding and application of Truth Principles – regenerate the
cells of their bodies, remain youthful and vigorous despite advancing years,
and ultimately overcome physical death.” Torch-Bearer to light the way (92)
Myrtle made it perfectly clear in her works that
this would not be an easy task, she stated:
“To quicken and renew and transform a body that
has been for so long crystallized in the conditions produced by race beliefs…
those who choose to pursue this kind of transformational process are letting go
of the material mind and are unfolding the Truth consciousness. Therefore Myrtle believes they allow the
Christ mind to express in and through them.” (Paraphrasing and condensing work
found in Torch-Bearer to light the way
p.92)
2.) How
did she link this belief to biblical sources?
Myrtle linked her beliefs to biblical sources
using the example of Jesus Christ.
Myrtle said:
“Jesus Christ raised the body consciousness,
through His realization of the Absolute, and identified it with the spiritual body,
the character of which is so transcendent as to be beyond human concept. 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.” Torch-Bearer to light the way (92)
3.) How
central is her concept of regeneration to the structure of her theology and her
vision of the work of Unity?
Myrtle’s concept of regeneration has been
documented and thoroughly discussed by many writers. Aspects to Myrtle’s beliefs on regeneration are
central to the Unity Movement. Therefore
Myrtle’s concept of regeneration has been accepted although I’m not sure that
all Unity followers are on board with all of Myrtle’s ideas around her ideas on
regeneration. We are only to discuss
what Myrtle believes this week. Perhaps
next week we will get into some issues that may appear to be controversial,
especially with regards to Myrtle’s beliefs on regeneration, reincarnation and
abstinence. Myrtle remained confident and steadfast in her convictions. She
stated:
“I am convinced, that we are coming to the time
when we shall be obliged to face eternal life-to bring the soul face to face
with the Christ powers, and to hold it to the true course of life, until the
real Plan of Life is known and fulfilled.” Torch-Bearer to light the way (94)
And, so we wait, we do our work, and wait for our
face-to-face.
Christine, I think you did a very good job of stating Myrtle's views on the subject.
ReplyDeleteBut I think how Myrtle in fact lived her life raises some very interesting questions. For example, if regeneration was such a simple open and shut case, then why did Myrtle so easily welcome her transition in 1931? Why didn't she try to continue on this earthly level? Charles in the 1940s had a very different attitude to his transition than Myrtle showed in the 1930s.
I think Myrtle showed her reaction to her transition in the 1930s because she believe at a very gut level that regeneration can happen many different ways and not just in one body on Planet Earth. It was regeneration of the spiritual body that moved Myrtle the most.
She points to the example of Jesus in this matter. However, Jesus did not hang around on Planet Earth-- It is not like you can go to Israel today and meet with the historical Jesus in his new earthly body.
I think these points need to be added to your very good description of Myrtle's views of the matter.
Rick
Chrisitine..I totally agree.. Myrtle did believe in regeneration, and believed it was possible for us.
DeleteRick, My thoughts on why Myrtle easily welcomed her transition, was because she believed in reincarnation. She knew her time was done here, and she knew she was coming back to try again. Vahle writes: (quoting Myrtle)." Every one of us is going to have to reincarnate until we make the union of Spirit, soul and body, and spiritualize these bodies of ours." Myrtle believed that when we learned how to regenerate our bodies we would eliminate the need to reincarnate. Myrtle believed in the regeneration of the spiritual and physical body.
Thanks Beth. I agree with you about the point on Reincarnation. But I think Myrtle saw reincarnation somewhat differently from the traditional Hindu pattern. While reincarnation a la Indian thinking is back into something on Planet Earth, I think Myrtle saw it as reincarnation into something which might not be on Planet Earth or even in the physical realm.
DeleteIn my blog post this week I quote Myrtle as making a comment to her friend Earnest Wilson (a few days before she died) that she could do a lot more for Unity on the "other side", etc. If reincarnation happens but not always into some creature on Planet Earth, then this alters key parts of traditional notions of reincarnation, and it means that regeneration may take place in a very different realm-- even in the Absolute Realm (to use a modern Unity metaphysical term).
Lstly, isn't it fantastic-- and show Unity's sense of liberty and openness that Myrtle and Charles did not make their views on reincarnation and regeneration as "musts" that all Unity members have to believe (and quote "word for word')?
Rick
RIck, Thanks for the great discussions. I love delving deeper. Unity writings seem to indicate regeneration and reincarnation happens in this realm. In the History of Unity, John Dillett Freemen wrote that Charles believed he may be Paul reincarnation. Also Neal Vahle writes about Myrtle as saying, If we don't regenerate we will reincarnate adding " It would be better to do the work now...If you should do such a thing as to give up your body you would only have to come back and work out your lessons. I know nothing of the Hindu tradition, but, both Myrtle and Charles seem to indicate reincarnation happens in the earthly realm.
DeleteThis is an interesting discussion! We're exploring Myrtle's "problematic" concept of regeneration. However, it would seem that there's nothing problematic about the idea of regeneration into a spiritual body, something that she seems to have believed in. The controversy is only within her view of eternal physical life of the body. So, there seem to be three possibilities: reincarnation or either physical or spiritual regeneration. Which of these three did she choose for herself? Certainly not physical regeneration, the controversial option. -Doug
DeleteBut she DID choose physical regeneration in her writing and teaching; she just didn't achieve it. It wasn't until the end of her life that she yielded to the inevitable end of her physical existence in her current body.
DeleteBeth, I too enjoy this extended reading and comments.
ReplyDeleteWe are on the road to Macon, Ga and I do not have my Unity library with me, but I do not believe it is as an open and shut case as you present it. Look at Myrtle's quote to Earnist Wilson (I give the source in an end note-- that is not reincarnation on Planet Earth. Also, both Myrtle and James Dillet Freeman (in his book on reincarnation ) talk about what might go on after our transition might not be something on Earth or even in the Relative Realm.
When I get back, I'd love to talk more about this with you in Myrtle's Grove-- with Christine, Dr Tom and anybody who wants to join us. Maybe the reincarnation is as Myrtle's Grove?
Well for my next Freudian slip:)))))
DeleteI meant to to say: it is not an open and shut case:))))
Well, this is quite the discussion. Can't wait to see what Dr. Tom thinks about the theological debate. Before I make any major determinations here it looks like I will be reading a bit more on this and weighing in on my next blog post...
ReplyDelete“To quicken and renew and transform a body that has been for so long crystallized in the conditions produced by race beliefs… those who choose to pursue this kind of transformational process are letting go of the material mind and are unfolding the Truth consciousness.”
ReplyDeleteGreat quote, Christine, and apropos to the discussion about regeneration in letting go of the material mind. I’m hearing a dualistic notion from Myrtle, separating mind and body and spirit. We know she believes in regeneration of the body as the health and well-being that come with living in Christ Consciousness rather than material consciousness in life. From the start she says we are spiritual beings and that the physical realm is illusory and less than real. Weighing in on the discussion above, I’d say Myrtle is not talking about reincarnation in physical form so much as in spirit. That reincarnation might include another physical experience. I’m not hearing Myrtle putting any emphasis on physical life as necessary for a continuing soul journey. It’s necessary to one’s work here, but not for the work of spirit.
It does appear that Myrtle and Charles' concepts of regeneration were different and perhaps evolved differently over time as well. Myrtle made the statement in various forms several times before her transition that she had received the message that she could do greater work from "the other side". Her work would continue via spirit in some way, for this Myrtle appeared to be convinced. We don't really know how she envisioned this or if she just "knew it" intuitively and trusted the process.
ReplyDeleteChristine, I also appreciate that you gave "equal time" in your post to the spiritual aspect of regeneration. I realized I did not give that as much attention in my post and both were of critical importance to Myrtle.
Hi Christine. I also found the quote you used from Torch-Bearer (page92). I'm still puzzling over it. Part of the quote said, "...the character of which is so transcendent as to be beyond human concept." This seemed to me to be a quite tidy way of describing Jesus' transformation. She went on to say that we could do the same. Okay so far. However, this seems to imply that she thought regeneration was to take on a purely spiritual body, not maintain a physical body eternally. Of course, in other quotes she said directly that the body could last eternally. -Doug
ReplyDeleteChristine. As you indicate, Myrtle’s concept of regeneration has been documented and thoroughly discussed by many writers. It would appear that her views on regeneration changed in the latter part of her life. Interestingly, just over a year before her death she claimed that her body was being continually refined, renewed and spiritualized. Another interesting (and as you suggested controversial) note is her view that reincarnation was an alternative to regeneration. Let's see if we get to tackle that next! Good post.
ReplyDeleteChristine: First, I am impressed at how systematically you attempted to answer all three questions; not everybody did.
ReplyDeleteI wanted to raise one question, which struck me in reading your blog. You write: "Aspects to Myrtle’s beliefs on regeneration are central to the Unity Movement. Therefore Myrtle’s concept of regeneration has been accepted although I’m not sure that all Unity followers are on board with all of Myrtle’s ideas..."
If Myrtle's ideas have been "accepted" but Unity people don't know what she's actually saying, in what Universe is that acceptance of her ideas?
Maybe people are accepting a distorted view of regeneration, or maybe they haven't heard this level of discussion before. And there is the fact that most Unity ministers shy away from regeneration like it was the Ebola virus.
You're right; next week we'll high-dive into constructive theology and give our prescriptive analysis of what can be done to bridge the chasm between what Myrtle (and Charles) taught and most Unity people believe today.
I'll stand by the pool and play lifeguard and you guys dive in.