Myrtle states,“as far as we know, Jesus is the only one who has overcome the ‘last enemy’. “ The key is to follow Jesus’ example by finding the indwelling Christ. The body which is inhabited by the soul that is in tune with God’s love and peace and life, is not going to wear out, and none of its organs are going to suffer.
Charles, according to Myrtle, has been a great help to her, and vice versa. “As we prayed and meditated together in the silence holding the same prayers, the law governing regeneration gradually unfolded to us. The world needs souls who demonstrate Christ principles.”
In linking her belief to biblical sources, Myrtle claims that sex passion is a taint and lust is the result of men and women thinking that true spiritual intercourse is a thing apart from the Lord. However, Paul said, “Do all things unto the Lord,” and according to Myrtle, we should submit every thought and every act to the Divine Law. By doing this, a holy intercourse will ensue and the “immaculate conception” takes place instead of the usual conception through lust in sin. When “immaculate conception” takes place, children will be born healthy just as Jesus was, then the regeneration of the body naturally will follow. When the sex force is purified, uplifted and consecrated to the Lord, it maintains the body in health, youth, strength it quickens the mental and spiritual faculties and makes the mind alert, keen and capable of discerning the deep things of Spirit. It makes the soul radiant and the body alive.
Myrtle posits that 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 in which we shall all enter when we have lifted up the body idea and set free the forces that enter into it. Paul said, “Christ in you, Hope of Glory, “and the coming forth of the life Christ in every man is regeneration.
Regeneration is a key element in Myrtle’s theology and her vision of the work of Unity. Unity teaches the regeneration taught and demonstrated by Christ Jesus and all who aspire to eternal health and prosperity, even eternal life her and now, are accepting the way of regeneration. Unity’s mission is to give the Jesus Christ teaching in its purity …. Those who are seeking the higher way that leads to eternal life are receiving the blessings that come from fulfilling the spiritual law.
According to Myrtle, those who really become students of Truth, and apply the teachings of Unity, grow younger, and more capable of managing their own affairs. Unity does not force Christ principles on anyone, and does not condemn generation. “It is all right for those who are not highly evolved sufficiently to accept and understand regeneration. Thousands of children are from those who are not yet ready for regeneration.”
__________
Quotes from Neal Vahle's Torch-Bearer to Light the Way, pages 92-96 and page 178 which, in error, was not cited previously.
Leah,
ReplyDeleteLike you Neil Vahle points out that Jesus is the only example that Myrtle knew of that
gained regeneration. And it is interesting to note that Jesus did not spend too many days on Earth after obtaining a regeneration.
Your point on how the sexual act could be raised to a 'holy' act raises interesting possibilities. When I was a kid my uncle-- who was a second father to me-- gave me a big lecture on the birds and the bees. When it came to sexual activities, his views were almost in line with Myrtle. Sexual activity would reduce some 'life force' inside of me. Thus, I should save up this 'life force' as much as possible, he told me.
As I was writing this what came to mind was the woman who had been bleeding for many years, and she went up and touched the hem of Jesus' garment. She was cured, but Jesus noticed that somebody had touched his hem, and power had flowed out of him.
Best,
Rick
Leah, thanks for a most interesting discussion. Rick, your comment, "And it is interesting to note that Jesus did not spend too many days on Earth after obtaining a regeneration," raises interesting possibilities. Myrtle's primary proof of physical regeneration was Jesus' example. Yet, that was for a mere few days, as you noted. It wasn't eternity. Instead, it seems he then spiritually regenerated (she used the term, transcended). So, are we left without adequate proof, as she would see it? -Doug
DeleteLeah - Thank you for your post, which I truly enjoyed reading. I was especially touched by the wording towards the beginning when describing Myrtle's perception of our obstacles to regeneration, being essentially that the body and mind " has been crystallized in the conditions produced by race beliefs". I don't recall if Myrtle used the term "crystalized", but it is so perfect. That which has taken rigid form is difficult to change. That which is crystalized or almost petrified stands erect on its own and takes effort, persistence, and focus to change. And yet Myrtle was the consistent optimist. Jesus did it ... therefore...so can we.
ReplyDeleteMyrtle certainly did "grow younger" as she practiced the Truths she had come to know. She grew younger, more vibrant, and whole - to a point. Myrtle then appeared to see wholeness and regeneration differently, from a different plane, perhaps. I used to think 50 was old until I got there! Then my perception changed. :)
Leah writes:
ReplyDelete"By doing this, a holy intercourse will ensue and the 'immaculate conception' takes place instead of the usual conception through lust in sin. When 'immaculate conception' takes place, children will be born healthy just as Jesus was, then the regeneration of the body naturally will follow. When the sex force is purified, uplifted and consecrated to the Lord, it maintains the body in health, youth, strength it quickens the mental and spiritual faculties..."
"holy intercourse"?
The assignment was descriptive theology. However, some of your strongest thinking appears to be an interpretive pivot away from the central thrust of Fillmorean thought on sexuality in both Charles and Myrtle. I would really like to say Myrtle saw sex the way you presented it, but you'll have to provide better evidence from her writings.
Next week is descriptive theology. You get to play with the ideas and respond with other options. But to do that, you must first arrive at an accurate description of what Myrtle said. I am not convinced you have done this. So, convince me...?
Dr. Tom.
DeleteThe above is taken from a letter which Mrs. Fillmore wrote to a Mrs. Hazelhurst on March 21, 1930. Said letter can be found in Neal Vahle's Torch-Bearer to Light the Way, page 178.
Leah, I loved this post. You did a great job of describing generation in relationship to regeneration and I especially loved the paragraph in which you wrote about the "holy intercourse will ensue and the “immaculate conception” takes place instead of the usual conception through lust in sin." I agree with your last paragraph statement, which you support with a passage: "Regeneration is a key element in Myrtle’s theology and her vision of the work of Unity. Unity teaches the regeneration taught and demonstrated by Christ Jesus and all who aspire to eternal health and prosperity, even eternal life her and now, are accepting the way of regeneration. Unity’s mission is to give the Jesus Christ teaching in its purity …. Those who are seeking the higher way that leads to eternal life are receiving the blessings that come from fulfilling the spiritual law." Too often, we get distracted by the notion of manifesting things are ego thinks are "good" when our purpose is to manifest God (sometimes they're aligned but sometimes it's just what the ego wants rather than the soul's yearning to express its God nature, it seems to me..)
ReplyDeleteLeah, This post was fun to read and interesting as well. I am imagining talking to my mom about the birds and the bee's. If my mom told me that my life force would be used up if I had sex... Well, I may still be a virgin.
ReplyDeleteKidding aside, I believe you make some good points in your approach to understanding Myrtles beliefs. I love your thoughts on the immaculate conception. Oh, wouldn't it be a perfect world then. Thanks.