From Faith to Surrender

Sunday, February 9, 2025

Rev. Diana Johnson, IM, RScM, with Lucinda Alton, RScP, and Chris Johnson, RScP.

Video Chapter Index

0:00	Taizé	Clicking on a chapter link will play the segment in a new YouTube tab. Your link to this page will remain open in this tab, but the video will play in the new window. Clicking on the Play arrow in the video screen above will play both Taizé and the Conscious Conversation on this page. To make the picture bigger, you may click the full screen icon in the lower right corner: To cast the video to your Smart TV, click the Play on TV button: . Also, we now have Closed Captioning available! To access Closed Captions, start the video and click on the CC icon next to the gear in the lower right of the video screen:
17:53	Guided Meditation
46:06	Conscious Conversation

Taizé

Rev. Diana invites the Bell – Three Bells

Lucinda – Opening Prayer

Rev. Diana – Good morning, and welcome… if you’re new with us here this morning… my name is Rev. Diana Johnson. We begin our Taizé Journey in musical prayer.

Rev. Diana & Chris – Taizé Chants

Welcome Home to Your Mystic Heart, written by Diana & Chris Johnson
Within Me, written by Chris Johnson

Rev. Diana – The Power of Creation is within me, and within each one of us…forever working for my Good…for the Good of all beings. We take a moment to move into the stillness of this moment…allowing attention to rest on the breath…letting everything else go…feeling a deep sense of gratitude for the privilege of being alive…of experiencing life on this beautiful planet…of coming together with Spiritual Family in prayer and meditation, in Joy and Celebration.

And now allowing awareness to move away from the breath, grounding even more deeply into the silence, into the timeless nature of your being…right here, right now…feeling your Oneness with the Creative Intelligence of the Universe…and acknowledging your Oneness with the global community…

Sensing a web of consciousness that surrounds and infuses the planet, each of us a radiant point of Light in that web…knowing that all beings carry the Divine Spark…every human, every creature, every plant…part of the web…every rock and grain of sand, every drop of water, infused with God’s Radiant Light…extending still further into the cosmos, the wind, the clouds, the stars, the planets…one Light, one Life.

Acknowledging our connection with all of life, our collective Work here is empowered…

Our collective prayer and meditation leave an imprint of Peace, of Love, of Grace, on the world, on the cosmos, for all time…transformation is under way…Wholeness is being revealed.

This month, our contemplations are centered in The Power of Creation, and this morning, by our gathering in meditation, we are practicing the art of moving From Faith to Surrender.

What is faith? Some might say that it is what we believe in. I think it goes much deeper than that. My Faith is that which, in my heart of hearts, I accept as true. My faith has everything to do with what my heart senses…with what my gut knows…it is embodied belief…it is what I live from.

Human beings are faithful creatures. It has been said that each of us has 100% faith in every moment…that we have all the faith we will ever have or ever need. It is not that some have more faith than others…it is that we place our faith in different things.

I can place my faith in the Abundance of Life, living as though my needs are always met. Or I can live as though there is never enough. I can place my faith in blessings…every cloud has a silver lining…or I can live in expectation that if something can go wrong, it will. I might have faith in the idea that life is a collection of lessons to be learned…difficulties to be overcome…or a beautiful gift, meant to be enjoyed and savored.

What we have faith in has been largely determined by our life experiences. There is no right or wrong in where we place our faith. But it is important to realize that where we place our faith determines our experience of life. This is sometimes called the Law of Faith…a Spiritual Principle, forever working, exempting no one from its effects. This means that it behooves us to become aware of where we are placing our faith, and consciously redirecting it when it is working counter to our desired outcome.

As self-reflective beings, we are at choice in every moment to redirect our faith. We can look at both positive and negative circumstances in our lives and ask, “What must I be placing my faith in, for this to be in my life?” Listen with sincere curiosity, and the soul will speak.

In the book of Mark, Jesus says to a young woman, “thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole.” He repeats himself when approached by a blind man wishing to be healed: “Thy faith hath made thee whole.” And his sight was returned. He is clear that it is not his power, but the Power of Creation working through his deep and abiding faith that brings healing. The same is true today, in our own lives. It is our faith that determines the level of Wholeness that we experience.

What does it mean to move From Faith to Surrender? It means growing my faith in the Power of Creation to such a degree that I can let go of my need to control outcomes and fully trust that Divine Intelligence is guiding the process. It means relaxing my grip…letting go of my preferences…opening to possibility

Chris – Guided Meditation

As Rev. Diana said, faith is far more than mere belief… it is a deep and abiding inner knowing… a conviction of the Absolute Truth of something… When we believe in something, we are still not fully sure… there is a lingering doubt… a hint of maybe… Faith shows commitment… Faith generates expectation…

Hinduism teaches three stages of faith… the first is blind faith… belief unsupported by knowledge or experience… The second is informed conviction… faith strengthened through sacred study and spiritual practice… The third stage is personal realization… one’s own experience leads to certainty…

In the Christian New Testament, the author of Hebrews defines faith as the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen… Faith is substantial… it offers proof… It gives us a foundation to build on… a solid assurance that we are Divinely guided and guarded… that our spirit is eternal… indestructible…

It is faith in that solid ground of being that grants us the courage to surrender all that no longer serves us… lies about ourselves… fears… resentments… judgments… negative feelings that simmer just below the surface of consciousness… must be surrendered… because they are all acted upon by the Power of Creation…

Join me now in contemplation of that part of you which is eternal… divine… immortal… call it soul… the ground of being… Atman… God within… Focus all the positive feelings you can on that… Then, in our three minutes of shared silence, identify a single negative thought or feeling that you have repressed… don’t judge it… simply accept it… feel it fully… let it be OK that it’s there… Thank it for what it taught you… for its attempt to protect you… then release it… like a balloon in the wind…

Silence – 3:00

Creator God… Divine Parent of all that is… thank you for this time of sweet surrender… for this opportunity to more powerfully feel you living through us… And for revealing your Holy Self through each saint in this Beloved Community… May you ever grant us courage to continue to release everything within us that is unlike you…

Like a muscle, our faith grows stronger the more we exercise it… Affirmative prayer begins by calling forth all the faith we can muster… that the Universe supports us… that our intention is powerful… that the Power of Creation is compelled to respond to our word…

As Taizé continues, we resonate with Rev. Diana’s inspired words… knowing that the One Spirit within us responding is the Source of her inspiration as well… We allow ourselves to be empowered in our journey From Faith to Surrender…

Rev. Diana – Living a life surrendered in Spirit means walking a path of Peace. To move From Faith to Surrender, our bodies and minds must be peaceful….our speech must be Peaceful…and our hearts must be Peaceful.

But this is not where the Journey ends. In order to truly live a life surrendered in Spirit, we must make Peace with our past…and Peace with the future.

There are grievances we hold against others…past grievances filled with emotional charge. There are grudges we hold against ourselves…the could have, would have, should haves of our lives. If only I had done it differently. If only I had a fresh start, a do-over.

There are grudges that others hold against us because of things we have said or done…moments when we were not impeccable with our words, choices, or actions.

How can we ever move forward in life if we are not willing to step out of the past? With one foot locked in the past, how far can the other foot take us? If we are unwilling to let go of the blame, anger, sadness, or resentment we hold for ourselves or others, we stay trapped in the past. Waves of emotion disturb our peace, or even consume us, holding us captive to the past.

Moving From Faith to Surrender means letting go of shame, guilt and remorse…blame, anger, and victimhood. We each have the capacity to let it all go…if we are willing. We begin by giving ourselves permission to loosen our grip on the past…releasing any need to control outcomes, past, present, or future…I allow Spirit’s Loving Presence to bring healing to every area of my life.

Musical Meditation – I Release Control, by Alexa Sunshine Rose

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HdIEfWC0xA&list=RD6HdIEfWC0xA&start_radio=1

Rev. Diana – Let’s close in prayer.

We begin with a prayerful poem from John O’Donahue:

May you be blessed with a wise and compassionate guide
Who can accompany you through the fear and grief
Until your heart has wept its way to your true self.

As your tears fall over that wounded place,
May they wash away your hurt and free your heart.
May your forgiveness still the hunger of the wound

So that for the first time you can walk away from that place,
Reunited with your banished heart, now healed and freed,
And feel the clear, free air bless your new face.

Right here and now in this Sacred moment, in the Presence of the One Source, I let go of all that has held me back. I release any need to control outcomes, to have my preferences met. I find a deep sense of Peace with what is…I give thanks for every aspect of my life, receiving it all as blessing. I let go of any need or tendency to label it as good or bad and allow it to simply be. I let go of my mind’s critical nature and allow others to simply be. I let go and let God flow through my life in the week to come, moving From Faith to Surrender, with deep Gratitude for the Grace that carries me.

We bring our awareness back to this space, and to our Community. As you feel ready, look around and really see those beautiful souls who are gathered here with you this morning.

Love Offering

As we close our Taizé Meditation, we offer the opportunity for you to share your financial good in support of the work we do in the world. If you’re joining us online, you can find a Donate Button and our mailing address at mysticheart.org. We are an independent, self-supporting organization, and your financial gifts are what make it possible for us to do our work and provide this beautiful and safe space to gather.

As we honor the Spiritual Practice of Circulation, I’d like to pay tribute to someone who has given so much to all of us.

Offertory Video – The Power is Here Now (Alexia Chellun)

https://youtu.be/7rJfU1A6cxs?list=RD6HdIEfWC0xA

Rev. Diana – Blessing for the Offering

Rev. Diana & Chris – Taizé Closing Song

A Soul’s Blessing, written by Chris Johnson

Conscious Conversation

Lucinda – Opening Prayer

Rev. Diana – Welcome or welcome back and thank you for being here. I know you’ll be glad you came. If you’re new with us here this morning… my name is Rev. Diana Johnson, and I am the Pastor and Spiritual Director of Mystical Heart Spiritual Center. We are an Independent Interfaith Community that teaches Universal Principles and Practical Spirituality. It is my sincere hope that something you hear this morning will lead you back to the Wisdom and Guidance of your own Mystic Heart.

Let’s get our Conversation started by joining our voices in song and giving our bodies a chance to wake up!

Rev. Diana & Chris – Opening Music

Welcome to the Mystic Heart, written by Diana & Chris Johnson
One Big Family, written by Robin Hackett & Gary Lynn Floyd
I’m a Believer, written by Neil Diamond

Rev. Diana – Let’s take a moment to consciously engage the body in the Sacred Practice of Visioning for a Love-Soaked World. Take a deep breath…feeling the Presence of Life moving through…and let it go. One more time…and release.

Feel and know with me a world in which all humans are living from their deepest Wisdom, their most generous and Loving nature…thoughtful of the impact their thoughts, words, and actions have on one another, on the community, and on the planet…remembering that every thought, word, and action does have an impact…does leave an imprint…

This is a world where all needs are met gracefully and easily because we have learned to live according to our generous nature…where all beings have plenty of nourishing food…warm, comfortable, and affordable housing…a sense of safety and belonging……where mental/physical health, education, and healthy relationships are ensured by social systems grounded in Integrity and Wholeness…where honesty rules the day…

This is a world in which all beings work and play at what feeds their soul and are well compensated for their Service…are valued and respected for their inherent Goodness…where authenticity and vulnerability are welcomed and celebrated…where the Peace we cultivate within ourselves shows up as a world free of hatred or violence.

Feel and know with me now, a world without greed, where generosity is the norm…where every being receives all that is needed for a full and contented life.

By the Power of our collective intention, powerful imagining, and inspired action we are writing a new story…we are creating a world that works for all beings. We grant no importance or power to appearances, knowing that transformation is underway here and now. Whatever it may look like, we know that all is always being turned to Good. And so we walk in gratitude, respect, reverence, and humility, acknowledging the sacred in everyone and everything…planting seeds of Peace.

It is through our hands, feet, hearts, and voices that positive change is happening as we align our actions with our Vision, living these changes in our own lives, with our families, friends, and neighbors. This Community stands as an open and welcoming place for all who seek support, belonging, and a sense of Family…it redefines Church as a place of Self-Discovery, Authenticity, Kindness, and Love, as we are Guided to the Truth that lies within every heart.

By the Creative Power of our deep Knowing, clear Vision, and inspired Action, that this prayer is acted upon, even as it is spoken.

In full acceptance of its Reality, and with the deepest gratitude, we release our Word to the One Who Gets It Done…And so it is!…Amen!

Let’s take a moment to bask in that creative and powerful energy…look around to say good morning to your Spiritual Family.

What is our theme for 2025? Through the Lens of Story.

Who has noticed the monthly theme for February? The Power of Creation

And what has our topic for reflection been this morning?

From Faith to Surrender

If you were here with us in Taizé, how did we define Faith?

that which, in my heart of hearts, I accept as true. My faith has everything to do with what my heart senses…with what my gut knows…it is embodied belief…it is what I live from

Do some of us have more faith than others?

Human beings are faithful creatures…each of us has 100% faith in every moment… we place our faith in different things

What kinds of things do we place our faith in?

the Abundance of Life, living as though my needs are always met; Or there is never enough. Blessings…every cloud has a silver lining…or I can live in expectation that if something can go wrong, it will; life is a collection of lessons to be learned…difficulties to be overcome…or a beautiful gift, meant to be enjoyed and savored

How do we know what we have faith in?

Rev. Michael Beckwith says, “Take a look at your life.”

How do we come to have faith in certain things or ideas?

In his book, Laws of Spirit, Dan Millman offers some thought-provoking interpretations of what faith is. Let’s take a moment to talk about each one.

“Faith is the Divine Order that pervades all things, the Light behind your eyes, the Loving and Mysterious Intelligence that emanates from the center of creation.” Anyone want to speak to that one?

Here’s another one:

“Faith is assuming that you always make the right decision.” What does that one bring up?

Another one:

“Faith means living with uncertainty – feeling your way through life, letting your heart guide you like a lantern in the dark.” What do you think about that one?

Another one:

“Faith involves the willingness to stretch yourself, make mistakes and learn from them – to trust the process of your life.” Anyone want to speak to that one?

How about this one?

“There is no absolute security, except in absolute faith.”

What is the opposite of faith? Fear.

In any given moment, we are standing in either fear or faith. What a simple concept. All deep Spiritual Truth is simple. It is we who complicate it. And so all we have to do when life brings us challenges is to ask ourselves honestly, “Am I standing in fear or faith right now?” If our Peace has been disturbed, you can bet fear is making the rounds.

Most often, fear is based on a lack of trust. Perhaps you don’t trust your heart or your head or the Universe. Maybe there have been too many times you have second-guessed yourself. Trust is the secret to making Peace with the future. You are already connected to everything you could ever desire or need, but you must trust…you must have faith to receive it.

Okay, let’s move our conversation to the idea of surrender. The theme for today’s Gathering is moving From Faith to Surrender. What does surrender mean to you?

Does it have a positive, negative, or neutral energy about it?

Do you live in a surrendered state, or is surrender something you are working toward?

What if I told you that you already live in an almost continual state of surrender? Would you believe me?

We surrender a lungful of air so we can take another breath; we surrender our balance with every step we take; we give up the comfort of our bed in the morning so we can make a contribution to the world; we abandon our clothing to take a shower; we close our eyes, surrendering our vision, so that we can go to sleep. Each one of these small acts is an act of faith…an act of surrender.

What are the benefits of living in a surrendered state?

Surrender creates a space for newness in our lives. We cannot receive a gift if our hands are already full. We cannot grow into our next yet-to-be without renouncing our old way of being. Spiritual surrender is merely giving up what no longer serves us. We let go of what we don’t want to allow room for what we truly desire. And Spiritual Surrender…letting go of our attachments to outcomes and placing our lives in the flow of Divine Wisdom and Intelligence opens us up to Infinite Possibility.

Is there anything else that wants to be spoken right now?

Closing Comments: The Rabbi Yeshua spoke: “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen…Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding…Your faith has made you whole.”

Faith is a sacred Power. It requires no convincing. It is a deep trust, even a felt sense or knowing, that whatever the Power is that is flowing through you, flows through everything else…it has been flowing through the cosmos for billions of years and will continue to flow for all of eternity.

Trust or faith is embedded at your very core. You can’t think your way into Spiritual Faith…it ripens when you are ready to consciously invite it to emerge…to step out of the way and welcome it from the depths…and to lean into it as it rises to awareness. And as it arises, Surrender to the One Source is the natural result.

Let’s Pray…

Rev. Diana – Thank you so much for joining me here today. We’re going to bring this part of the morning to a close, but before we do, we’d like to…

Love Offering

…invite you to join in the celebration of the work we are doing in the world by sharing of your financial Good, should you choose to. If you are at home, you can go to mysticheart.org to use our Donate Button or to find our mailing address.

We are an independent, self-supporting organization, and your financial gifts are what make it possible for us to do our work and provide this beautiful and safe space to gather. We thank you in advance for your generous hearts. We acknowledge and give thanks for the Infinite Abundance of Spirit moving through you.

As we engage in the Sacred Practice of Circulation, let’s celebrate the transformation that we are contributing to as One By One, we awaken.

Offertory Video – One By One by Sam Garrett

https://youtu.be/a58kXKMmMsI?list=RD6HdIEfWC0xA

Lucinda – Bless the Offering

Lucinda – Brief Invitations

The Mystic Heart Book Club meets every Tuesday from 3-5 We are reading Conversations With God, Book 3.
Fast Track to Wellness meets every Thursday from noon to 2 pm.
Metaphysical Bible meets every Thursday from 3-5 pm. We are currently reading The Gospel of Thomas.

Looking Ahead:

Do you have an hour or two each week to share with our Community? Join Rev. Diana, Lucinda Alton & the Mystic Heart Cleaning Fairies for an Informational Meeting on Saturday, February 15^th from 3:30-4:30.
Write a New Story – In Living Color! Saturday, March 1^st, 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm.
St. Patty’s Day Dinner and Dance Party! Friday, March 14^th , 6:00 – 9:00 pm at the Mystic Heart Gathering Place. Join us for a real St. Patty’s Day Feast, as Rev. Diana and Chris Johnson sponsor and prepare a corned beef and cabbage dinner. Soup, salad, main course, and dessert will be served. Non-alcoholic beverages will be provided…you are welcome to BYOB. Tommy Johnson, DJ Extraordinaire, will be spinning the vinyl for this Fun-Raising event. And there will be a raffle happening, as well! The cost for this fun-filled evening is $30/person, with 24 tickets available. Get your tickets starting today. Mark your calendars…tell your friends. More info to come.
A Spring Medicine Wheel Workshop with April Jiménez-Wintersky, Saturday, March 22^nd, 11:00 am-1:00. Back by popular demand, this begins April’s second trip around the wheel with Mystic Heart. Suggested Donation: $20.

There is more information available in the February Bulletin and on our website.

Information Cards only if new people

Prayer Requests: I am available after service for prayer, in our beautiful Prayer Room or fill out a prayer card and I will get your request to our Prayer Team for daily prayer.

Rev. Diana & Chris – Closing Song

Love Be With You, written by Lainey Bernstein, RScP, & Gary Lynn Floyd

©2025 Mystic Heart Spiritual Center, All Rights Reserved
Permission is granted to duplicate for non-commercial educational use only.
All rights to music performed remain with the copyright owners.
Diana Johnson’s music is © by Barefoot Angel Publishing, ASCAP.
Chris Johnson’s music is © by SeaJay Music & Publishing, ASCAP.

Abundance, Consciousness, Faithful, Forgiveness, Release, Story, Substance, Surrender, The Power of Creation

Sunday Gathering