Moving from Dream to Experience
Sunday, January 19, 2025
Rev. Diana Johnson, IM, RScM, with 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:  |
| 21:33 | Guided Meditation | |
| 51:34 | Conscious Conversation |
Taizé
Inviting the Bell – 3 Bells
Chris – 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.
Dalton – Taizé Chants
- Welcome Home to Your Mystic Heart, written by Diana & Chris Johnson
- In the Stillness, written by Karen Drucker
Rev. Diana – In the stillness of this moment, it is enough to be here, now…breathing…sensing and knowing the Presence, with full awareness…relaxed…content to simply be who we are, with all that we are, and all that we are not. In this safe and loving space, I can simply be.
I bring my awareness to my connection with all of Life. I see, with my Inner Eye, a web of Light, encircling our beautiful planet, and infusing everything on it. I Am, each one of us, is a point of Light in that web…every human being…all creatures, big and small…every kind of plant in Creation…the rocks, the sand, the water in every form that it takes…all that exists is an intricate and irreplaceable part of the One Life. The Sacred Mother is Spirit expressing, as is everything that exists beyond our beautiful planet. We are One Light…One Life…there is no way that I can ever be separated from Life…there is no way that I can ever be apart from Spirit. Take a moment to breathe in that deep sense of connection…
As a human expression, I Am given the priceless gift of self-reflection and choice. In gratitude, I accept the responsibility of making choices wisely… of caring for my brothers and sisters, human and otherwise…caring for the Sacred Mother as she gives of her nourishment…making an honorable and noble contribution to Life Itself, leaving the world a more little more beautiful than I found it.
I know that I Am, by every thought, intention, word, and action, aiding in the transformation that is happening in our world, and I Am grateful for the privilege of being alive at this time in our history.
We are always viewing our lives Through the Lens of our own Story… our lives are the stories we are writing through our thoughts, feelings, words, and actions. We are reminded this month to Be Not Afraid as we courageously walk this Spiritual Journey called Life. As we put fear aside and stand grounded in Faith, we become more and more skilled at Moving From Dream to Experience.
As we envision whatever it is we’re dreaming into our lives and our world, there is a Spiritual Law forever at work…a Law that can greatly assist our process if only we come to understand it. We know it as the Law of Attraction. This label has become such a familiar part of our vocabulary, that we might tend to toss it aside as just another bit of woo-woo spirituality. But we do so at our own peril. We may think we understand this great Spiritual Principle, and yet our understanding may not be complete.
The Law of Attraction is a metaphysical Law, a Spiritual Law…it is not some kind of physical law like gravity, electricity, or aerodynamics. It is more akin to Love. It does not exist as some kind of external force. It is within us.
The Law of Attraction, by its very definition, implies a two-ness. We might think of it as me here, trying to raise my vibration to the level of that thing out there, so that it might somehow find its way over here, to me. This isn’t really how it works.
Consider a simple mirror. It has no on/off switch, requires no plug…no external power…it doesn’t work sometimes and not others. It dutifully and perfectly reflects back to me whatever I present to it…every time, no exceptions.
I would suggest that it might be beneficial, and more accurate, to begin seeing this Law as the Law of Reflection, rather than the Law of Attraction. The universe is an enormous 3-D mirror, reflecting back to you exactly what you are presenting to it.
We are at choice…we can regard a mirror as an enemy, or as a friend. If, when I look into the mirror, I don’t like what I see, I can curse the mirror for showing me what I don’t want to see, or I can thank it for reminding me of some aspect of self-care that I have been ignoring. And then, as I see to my health and fitness needs, it will confirm for me that I got the message, and I am returning to my natural, healthy state.
Just like changes to the physical body do not happen in an instant, and the new me will not immediately appear in the mirror, there is a perfect, beautiful, and necessary lag time between when I realize that my inner vibration is less than it needs to be, and the course correction showing up as something concrete in the mirror. The shifts in the habits of thought and feeling do not immediately transform the manifest world. The world is a manifestation…a reflection. It reflects back the dominant energy.
There is no genie of the universe, waiting to give me everything I want. Too often, when we think of the Law of Attraction, it can take on this magical flavor. The reality is far more amazing. The infinite abundance that I seek already lies within me. I need no genie because I Am the genie. You Are the genie. The universe doesn’t give me anything. It simply reflects the infinitely Loving gift of me giving to myself and others…discovering my own infinite nature, and allowing that to unfold in the most practical, loving, and surprising ways.
Understanding the Law of Reflection…that what comes back to me has everything to do with what I Am putting out into the world…who I Am being…and little to do with what I want, how much meditation I do, or how spiritually awake I perceive myself to be. In every moment, who am I being?
Chris – Guided Meditation
The overarching theme for 2025 is Through the Lens of Story… This month we ponder the most repeated commandment in the Bible – Be Not Afraid… and this week, we explore how to Move from Dream to Experience… Most of us can see the connection between dream and story… but how does fear enter into our stories and dreams?…
Spiritual Authority means that we have dominion… that we can be the author of our own experience… but we are not skilled authors at birth… We are born into our parents’ story… where we may already have a well-defined role… As we mature, we begin to experiment with our story… to try on roles we have dreamed of…
But what if our new self is not accepted by our family?… by our friends?… Our fear of rejection… of being alone… often entices us to give up our dream… to just be who we are expected to be… to not rock the boat… All too often, we allow fear to stop us from pursuing our dream… we give up before we have begun…
That dream… that new self in your imagination is who you are meant to be… what Spirit wants to experience through you… It is a Divine Desire for a greater sharing of your unique gifts… It is Spirit calling you into a new way of being… a fuller expression of your authentic Self… who God knows you to be…
So the Voice of Wisdom says, “Be not afraid… this is your calling… this is who you are created to be…” In our three minutes of shared, silent meditation this morning, let us bring to mind a dream we have… it doesn’t have to be one that requires a huge risk… just something simple… worth going a little way out on a limb for… Imagine yourself taking that chance… and imagine your Creator right there with you…urging you on… giving you strength… saying, “Fear not… for I am with thee…”
Silence – 3:00
Divine Creator… Source of all that is… Thank you for this new story… for this dream of greater expression… and for the courage to reach for it… Thank you for these courageous souls in my Beloved Community, as we support one another in changing our stories… in allowing our dreams change our lives… and our world…
We tell ourselves so many stories… and often they conflict… We tell ourselves why we need to go for our dream… and at the same time, we tell ourselves why it’ll never work… Which story will win?… That’s up to us… it depends on which one we empower with our thoughts and feelings… Pick the one you want… and ignore the other…
As Taizé continues, we listen to Rev. Diana’s wisdom… letting it inspire our personal stories… and alleviate our fear… knowing that we are always Divinely Guided and Guarded while Moving from Dream to Experience…
Rev. Diana – Of course, who I Am being has a direct impact on what I choose to do in the world. If I Am being truly compassionate, I will likely choose to do something to help another, to reduce the suffering in the world, in small or large ways. It may be nothing more than offering soup to a sick neighbor…helping an elder load groceries into a car. It may be cradling an ailing child, or looking into the eyes of an unsheltered brother or sister. One small but loving act at a time, the world is transformed by who we are choosing to be.
This month, we celebrate the life of one man whose actions made a huge impact on our world…a man with a big dream…a man whose life’s work was to help free the world of prejudice, separation, and alienation. This man had a dream…he had a big dream.
Video – I Have a Dream (Last four minutes)
Rev. Diana – You and I, being here today, are continuing in the creation of that Dream. Let’s close in prayer. (unscripted prayer)
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.
Rev. Diana – 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, enjoy this Daniel Nahmod song from Dalton.
Dalton – Offertory Music
- What Kind of World, written by Daniel Nahmod
Rev. Diana – Blessing for the Offering
Dalton – Taizé Closing Song
- A Soul’s Blessing, written by Chris Johnson
Conscious Conversation
Chris – 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!
Dalton – Opening Music
- Welcome to the Mystic Heart, written by Diana & Chris Johnson
- One Big Family, written by Robin Hackett & Gary Lynn Floyd
- The Silent Awakening, written by Tina Malia
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.
Using your Inner Vision, see and feel with me now, a world in which all humans are living from their Highest Selves, their deepest Wisdom, their most generous and Loving nature…honoring and caring for one another, for all creatures, and for our beautiful planet…
…a world where all needs are met…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 all beings work and play at what feeds their soul and are well compensated for their Service…
This is a world in which all beings are valued and respected for their inherent Goodness…where authenticity and vulnerability are not only welcome, but celebrated…where the Peace we cultivate within 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 pay no mind to appearances, knowing that transformation is underway here and now. And so we walk in gratitude, respect, reverence, and humility, acknowledging the sacred in everyone and everything…
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.
By the power of our deep Knowing, clear Vision, and inspired Action, this prayer is acted upon, answered even as it is spoken. In full acceptance of its Reality, and with the deepest humility and gratitude, we release our Word to the One, letting it go, and letting it be…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.
For 2025, I’m using the stories that make up our history, our culture, and our personal lives as a guide for how to set up the next year’s meditations and Conversations. If you were with us at Taizé this morning, you know that our year’s theme is Through the Lens of Story; our monthly theme for January is Be Not Afraid; and our topic of reflection this morning has been Moving From Dream to Experience.
We reflected on the idea that as we envision whatever it is we’re dreaming into our lives and our world, there is a Spiritual Law forever at work that can greatly assist our process when come to understand it. We know it as the Law of Attraction. We said that this Law is not some kind of physical law like gravity, electricity, or aerodynamics…that it is more akin to Love…that this Law is within us.
We said that he Law of Attraction, by its very definition, implies a two-ness. We might think of it as me here, trying to raise my vibration to the level of that thing out there, so that it might somehow find its way over here, to me. And we said that this is a mistaken understanding.
For those who weren’t here during Taizé, what was a more accurate name for this Spiritual Principle?
(The Law of Reflection)
Why?
(It works more like a mirror…reflects back to me whatever I present to it…every time, no exceptions)
We said that the universe is an enormous 3’D mirror, reflecting back to you exactly what you are presenting to it…that we can regard a mirror as an enemy, or as a friend. If, when I look into the mirror, I don’t like what I see, I can curse the mirror for showing me what I don’t want to see, or I can thank it for reminding me of some aspect of self-care that I have been ignoring.
And then, as I see to my health and fitness needs, it will eventually confirm for me that I got the message, and I am returning to my natural, healthy state.
Notice the word eventually…The shifts in the habits of thought and feeling do not immediately transform the manifest world. The world is a manifestation…a reflection. It reflects back the dominant energy.
Understanding the Law of Reflection…that what comes back to me has everything to do with what I Am putting out into the world…who I Am being…and little to do with what I want, how much meditation I do, or how spiritually awake I perceive myself to be. In every moment, who am I being?
Spiritual Teacher Ernest Holmes says it this way: “By the Law of Attraction, you do not get what you want…you get what you are.”
Okay, here’s the jumping off point for today. Let’s take a look at how this relates to Moving From Dream to Manifestation.
Does anyone have a dream for the coming year, or the next few years? Something you desire and are willing to work to bring into manifestation?
What is the first thing we need to do to bring a dream into being a reality? (get a clear vision, set a clear intention)
How clear should the vision be? Do we need to prescribe exactly how it will look? (we can have a clear vision of how it might show up…our highest and best picture we can muster in this moment…but without attachment, open to ‘this or something better’…leaving it open to Spirit’s Highest Idea for our lives)
What are some good ways to set this kind of intention? (give more attention to the Qualities you wish to experience than to the form it takes; practice Faith in the Highest Outcome unfolding – trust that Spirit knows your heart’s desire…what do you think brought that desire through you?)
The Divine is seeking to experience Itself/Themselves through you. It moves through you as a particular desire…It knows the desire because It IS the desire.
Do you think the Infinite Intelligence of the Universe would form a desire in you that cannot be fulfilled? Or that It doesn’t have a Highest and Best outcome for all involved in Mind?
Sometimes, what unfolds along the way doesn’t look or feel like the Highest and Best outcome. Let’s talk about this. Why does this happen?
(our Vision is too specific, too rigid – there is attachment to how it has to look – we miss it when it shows up; or what we are seeking is out of alignment with who we are being at this stage of our lives – what we are seeing reflects who we are being, rather than what we desire)
This can be a difficult thing to look at…difficult to admit and accept – Hard Scripture, as my friend John Hughes used to say.
How do we make best use of this Hard Scripture?
Carolyn Myss would say, “Humble up…take a good look in the mirror. Do some honest self-inquiry.” Look at what is at play here…look at all the players. Admit that there are no mistakes in Life…that there is a perfect Law of Reflection at work. In every aspect of life, who am I being? How am I being? What Qualities am I seeking to experience? How attached to outcomes am I? Am I expecting Life to look a certain way? Is there any particular way my life must look for me to be happy? Can I envision other outcomes that might fulfill my desire in a different way? And most of all, are my habits and practices reflecting in such a way that my desire can be fulfilled?
So now, let’s put it all together.
How do we move from dream to experience?
Get quiet and feel our connection with our Inner Guidance; ask, what is it that Spirit wishes to experience in my life? What are the Qualities I Am seeking? With my human preferences in place, what might this look like? How might it show up? Are there other ways that Spirit might have in mind? Can I be open to these other ways? Are my ways of being reflecting out in such a way that my desires are likely to be fulfilled? Am I getting in my own way somehow? Spirit, Guide me…show me. And them take action. Make adjustments in your being, and in your doing.
How does this month’s topic, Be Not Afraid, tie into this morning’s Conversation?
It takes courage to look myself in the eyes, to admit that my ways of being are not going to bring the outcomes I desire, and to make the needed changes.
Is there anything else that wants to be spoken right now?
Rev. Diana – Closing Prayer (unscripted prayer)
Love Offering – 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 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, we’re going to share one more song from Dalton.
Dalton – Offertory Music
- What Kind of World, written by Daniel Nahmod
Chris J – Blessing for the Offering
Chris J – Invitations
- The Mystic Heart Book Club meets every Tuesday from 3-5 We are finishing Conversations With God, Book 2 this week, and will begin book 3 next week.
- Emotional Intelligence & Prayer meets this Wednesday, January 22, 10:00am – 1:00 pm. This is the last week to add. Check with Rev. Diana.
- Metaphysical, Allegorical Bible Survey meets this Wednesday, January 22, 2:00 – 5:00 pm. This is the last week to add. Check with Rev. Diana.
- 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.
- Shadow and Story begins this Thursday, January 23, 6 – 9 pm. This is the last week to add. Check with Rev. Diana.
There is more information available in the January Bulletin and on our website. There will be a New Year’s Bulletin out next week.
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.
Dalton – Closing Song
Love Be With You, written by Lainey Bernstein, RScP, and 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.