Polishing the Lens
Sunday, January 26, 2025
Rev. Diana Johnson, IM, RScM, with Chris Johnson, RScP.
Video Chapter Index
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| 16:43 | Guided Meditation | |
| 43:11 | Conscious Conversation |
Taizé
Invite the Bell – 3 Bells
Lucinda – Opening Prayer
Chris – Good morning, and welcome…In case there is anyone here or online who doesn’t know, my name is Chris Johnson, and I am one of your professional prayer practitioners here at Mystic Heart. We begin our Taizé Journey in musical prayer.
Rev. Diana & Chris – Taizé Chants
- Welcome Home to Your Mystic Heart, written by Diana & Chris Johnson
- In the Stillness, written by Karen Drucker
Chris – In the stillness of this moment, it is enough to be here, now…breathing…sensing and knowing the Divine 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, you are, each one of us, is a point of Light in that web…every human being… all creatures, great 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 being, 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 siblings, human and otherwise… caring for our 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 my 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.
This month we are reminded to Be Not Afraid as we courageously walk this Spiritual Journey called Life. We are always viewing our lives Through the Lens of Story… our lives are the stories we are writing through our thoughts, feelings, words, and actions. And this week we are Polishing the Lens through which we view the story of our lives, so that we may get a clearer picture of just what we are creating for ourselves.
As self-reflective human beings – made in the image and likeness of Spirit – we have been given Spiritual Authority – or Authorship – over our lives. That means that I am the author of the story that is my life… You are the author of the story that is your life… Every once in a while it is valuable to polish the lens of our story, take a good, clear look, and check – is my story going the way I want it to? And if it keeps going this way, where might I end up? If we decide that we don’t want to go there, it’s time to introduce a plot twist…
In order to change the story arc of our lives, we must cultivate a new vision… a different way of being… we need to write a new story… dream a new dream… we must choose to respond to Life in an innovative way. Because if there is no inner change, there can be no outer change…
Rewriting the story of your life is a tremendous undertaking. It takes imagination… inspiration… and the courage to step outside your comfort zone… It takes a willingness to be someone you have never been before… someone who you might not even recognize as yourself for a while… and here is where things can get a little tricky…
While moving into our new story, our subconscious habitual thought processes may bubble up to just below the surface and tempt us to fall back into old ways of being. We may suddenly find ourself reacting the same way that we are trying to evolve out of… we seem to have slipped back into our old story…
Spiritual evolution requires vigilance… We need to be alert to when we slip out of present moment awareness, and go on autopilot. We have rehearsed our old story for a lot longer time than we have our new one. It takes time for a new habitual way of being to overcome the old, much practiced way…
When we find that our attention has lapsed, it is important to be gentle with ourselves… beating ourself up for forgetting won’t help. Just as in meditation, when our mind wanders and we gently bring it back to the moment, when our new story strays off the plot line, we can gently ask ourself: “Who am I being right now? Who do I want to be right now?” We simply remind ourself of who we are and what we do in our new story. Like an actor who accidentally slipped into a former role from a different play, we pick up our current script right where we left off… and sharpen our focus…
Rev. Diana – Guided Meditation
We have heard it said that we do not create in a vacuum. In terms of what we are facing, we may not have chosen it…we may not have wanted it to look this way. There may have been other things at play…there may have been co-authors helping to write our story. What then?
Challenging times come into all of our lives. It is in these unexpected twists and turns that stepping into our Spiritual Authority can really be beneficial. The work that we’ve done, and the continued Practices we keep, can serve as a life preserver.
Rather than asking, “Is my story going the way I want it to?,” we can move right into “What am I feeling right now?”…give ourselves permission to feel fully, and to express those feelings in healthy ways.
This might lead to “Who am I being in this moment?” And then, “Who do I choose to be moving forward?”
Change can be challenging…unwanted change even more so. But it is not the change that creates suffering…it is the resistance to change. In our three minutes of shared meditation, I invite you to call to mind a change that has come into your life, or into your world, that was unbidden…undesired. Notice the feelings that come as you bring it forward.
Spend some time holding the change in your heart, consciously relaxing any resistance you may be feeling…allowing the Love that permeates all of Life to make itself known…gradually expanding, until it surrounds and infuses the change with Grace. Know that you are supported…feel the Presence of Spirit flowing through the change. You are loved. You are held. All is well and unfolding for your Highest Good.
Silence – 3:00
Holy One…I am so grateful for Your Presence in my Life…for the blessed reassurance that no matter what comes, I Am held. I Am not alone. I give thanks for Your Comfort, Your Inspiration and Guidance. I give thanks for my deep Faith in the Goodness of Life, and for my willingness to Practice that Faith moment by moment.
It is not always easy to view life from a God’s Eye perspective…to join Julian of Norwich in her affirmation…that “All shall be well, and all shall be well; and all manner of things shall be well.” This is, of course, the Spiritual Truth…that while appearances can challenge our Faith, Spirit turns all things to Good. Always.
As we continue our Taizé meditation, we hold open our hearts and minds, allowing inspiration to permeate our being…we receive the message as it comes, like the soil soaks up the rain…with faith that the Good Seeds we are planting are beginning to sprout even here and now into Graceful change…into new ways of being…we are transformed.
Chris – In rewriting the story of your life, you may want to consider seeking the expertise of an editor. Professional authors usually have the help of an editor to help them polish their story: they give them parts of their manuscript and ask for advice. Authors do this because they know that they are too connected to their work to be objective about it. The editor can point out inconsistencies in the plot, or intuitive leaps the author made that readers may not be able to follow.
So, where can we find an editor to help us in creating a new story for our life? Mystic Heart’s professional prayer practitioners are here to serve that very purpose. We can listen to your current story and, if needed, help you understand how things got this way. And we will listen to what you desire to create in your life – your new story – and support you with our prayers. Your personal information is safe – Mystic Heart Professional Prayer Practitioners are held to the same degree of confidentiality as doctors, psychologists, and other professional therapists.
Sharing your new story is a very powerful creative act. Simply having the courage to share your dream deepens your commitment to it. And it is encouraging to know that someone is beside you, cheering you on, and available for further consultation if you need it. If you are seeking a change in any area of your life, I highly recommend consulting with any one of our credentialled prayer practitioners.
Polishing the lens means seeing our life story exactly as it is now. It also means getting very clear about what we want to experience going forward form this point. It requires us to commit courageously to our Dream – the dream of a lifetime: as Rogers and Hammerstein put it a dream that will need all the love you can give… Every day of your life, for as long as you live…
Let’s close in prayer.
Thank you, Spirit, for the Divine Gift of Spiritual Authority… for the ability to affirm the life we desire, and for the knowledge that the Infinite Creative Power of the Universe is compelled to respond to our prayer. We face this transformation courageously, in faith that as we lean into Divine Guidance, we have all the protection and support that we need: we can truly Be Not Afraid as we take the risks necessary for us to grow and evolve into the highest and best version of ourselves.
We each set a firm intention for our life from this moment forward… we commit to that intention… and we reflect our commitment in our thoughts, words, and actions. Knowing that this prayer is already moving into form and experience, I give abundant thanks, recognizing everything that happens from this point forward as answered prayer. So I lay it down on the Altar of Spirit, and let it unfold as it will. Amen
Take a moment to bring your awareness back to this space, and to our Beloved Community. As you feel ready, look around and really see the face of God in the faces of those beautiful souls who are gathered here with you this morning.
Chris – Love Offering
As we close our Taizé Meditation, we offer the opportunity for you to share of 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 music video from Dave and Claire Crosby.
Offertory Video: A Million Dreams, by Dave and Claire Crosby
Chris – Blessing for the Offering
Rev. Diana & Chris – Taizé Closing Song
- A Soul’s Blessing, written by Chris Johnson
Conscious Conversation
Lucinda – Opening Prayer
Chris – Welcome or welcome back and thank you for being here. I’m glad you came, and I’m sure you will be too. If you’re new with us here this morning… my name is Chris Johnson, and I am a Professional Prayer Practitioner here at 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 warm up for our Conversation by joining our voices in song.
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
Chris – 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, Compassion, 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 Divine Creative Process that I call God – to the One that Gets it Done, 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, we’re using the stories that make up our lives as a guide for the year’s meditations and Conversations. If you were with us at Taizé this morning, you know that our monthly theme for January is Be Not Afraid; this year’s theme is Through the Lens of Story; and our focus this morning has been on Polishing the Lens.
We’ve been exploring the idea of Spiritual Authority, which means that we have been given the Divine Gift of authorship of the story of our lives. I write my life story, and you write yours. And that means that if we don’t like the way the story is going, we can rewrite it at any time.
Sounds simple, yes? But it does require us to do the work it takes to extricate ourselves from our old story – a story that has decades of momentum behind it. We must take a bold look at the story we are leaving behind, and what parts of it may still serve us well. Then we must be sure that our new story is solidly based on a crystal-clear intention and vision for our future.
We build this solid foundation by making sure that the story we are telling ourself about where we are starting from in consciousness is absolutely true – this is no time for fiction or fantasy!
So, let’s explore this together.
We have all changed our stories many times already. What are some of the ways our lives change directions? What are the plot twists?
(we move from high school to college, from school to career, we change jobs, we retire, we change relationships, philosophies, or religions)
How did we have to rewrite our story to accommodate the change?
(disidentify with our old job, our old church or relationship)
OK, I know that sometimes we don’t initiate these changes on purpose. Often life changes are due to outer conditions or other people. Does that mean we have lost authorship of our story?
(when our life doesn’t match up with our soul’s journey, we have to change. If we don’t initiate it on purpose, the Universe does it for us. We are still writing the story, but not consciously)
How might we regain conscious authorship?
(Polish the lens – take a realistic look at where we are in this moment; Bring our dream fully back into our imagination, in detail; then find one thing we can do that will move us toward our dream)
What kinds of specific steps might we take?
(acknowledge our lapse in conscious awareness and bring our thoughts and actions back into alignment with our dream; shift our awareness from appearances back to our dream; accept what is true for us now, and move forward from there)
This leads us to the only limitation to this creative process. Anyone know what that might be?
(We can’t “write” anybody else’s role for how they show up on our life – we have to make room for whoever they are; we can’t deny them their spiritual liberty; and it’s not really a limitation)
Give me one spiritual tool we have that we can use to re-create our life:
(Imagination, emotion, visualization, affirmation, prayer, meditation)
And how might you use that tool?
(imagine ourselves in our dream; feel the fulfillment of it in the body; see ourselves in the new picture; speak our creative word)
What is the most powerful and important step to fulfilling your dream?
(Commitment; as the West African proverb states, “When you pray, move your feet.”)
How does Spirit know that we are fully committed?
(we take action)
Are there any further thoughts on Spiritual Authority of Authorship?
Reading:
I’d like to close with an excerpt from The Four Agreements by don Miguel Ruiz:
This is the beginning of a new understanding… a new dream. The dream you are living is your creation. It is your perception of reality that you can change at any time.
Imagine that you have the ability to see the world with different eyes, whenever you choose. Using your imagination and your new eyes of perception, see yourself living a new life… a new dream… where you don’t have to justify your existence… you are free to be who you really are… Imagine that you have permission to be happy… to live without fear of expressing your dreams… free to ask for what you need, and to say yes or no to anything or anyone…
Imagine living your life without judging others… You don’t have the need to be right, and you don’t need to make anyone else wrong… You respect yourself and everyone else, and they respect you in return…
Imagine living without the fear of loving and not being loved… Imagine living your life without being afraid to take a risk and explore life… Imagine that you love yourself just the way you are… You love your body just the way it is, and you love your emotions just the way they are… You know that you are perfect just as you are…
Once you feel what it means to live in a state of bliss, you will love it. You will know that heaven on earth truly exists… This way of life is possible, and it’s in your hands… Moses called it the Promised Land… Buddha called it Nirvana…Jesus called it Heaven… and the Toltecs call it a New Dream…
We cannot escape from the destiny of being human, but we have a choice: to suffer our destiny or to enjoy our destiny… To live in hell or to live in heaven… My choice is to live in heaven… What’s yours?
Closing Prayer –
Creator of the Universe… giver of Life, Love and Inspiration… we ask now that you enter into our hearts and minds, and help us to remain aware of our perceptions… Help us to remember who and whose we are, and grant us courage to keep moving in the direction of our dream… Help us to accept ourselves without judgment… and to love others unconditionally and without expectations…
Gently remind us when we forget that other people are part of us… part of you… and guide us back into awareness of our unity with our Divine Mother Earth, and all of her children… Let our hearts remain open so that we may notice your Glory shining forth through all of your Creation… and guide our hearts and hands as we work to reveal heaven right here on earth… as the Love-Soaked World we affirm…
Thank you Great Mystery for all the blessings and gifts of this day… and for all of the gifts and blessings yet to come… May we always live in gratitude, Love, Joy, and Peace. Aho.
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, we’re going to drop in at the Mranch and see what Jason is up to.
Offertory – You Do You, by Jason Mraz (Live from the Mranch)
Lucinda – Blessing for the Offering
Lucinda – Brief Invitations
- The Mystic Heart Book Club meets every Tuesday from 3-5 We are reading Conversations With God, Book 3, and it is truly amazing!
- 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.
Drop-ins are welcome at all three of these weekly gatherings, and your generous donations are greatly appreciated!
Looking Ahead:
- Write a New Story… In Living Color! A Creative Prayer Process, facilitated by Rev. Diana. Saturday, February 1st from 11:30 am – 4:00 pm. We will be using using Collage on Canvas to create a visual prayer.
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 for 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.