Tomorrow evening I will attend the Ash Wednesday service at my (Unity) church, and my husband and I will honor the tradition that we started last year with a nightly reading from the Keep a True Lent book.  In my daily intention statement, I will focus on the denial and affirmation process.  I strive to incorporate spiritual growth in my daily activities, and during the Lenten season, I will give more focal attention to this area of my life.

~Lori

I'm not sure about most other Christian denomonations, but growing up in the Catholic Church Lent was a very serious time of year. From my perspective as a child I remember that it always appeared somber in it's presentation and an air of mystery loomed in the eithers (which, as a child, seldom stretched beyond the mystery of where the eggs may be hidden). I still think tradition and a certain amount of ritual (when approached with an unattached mind) can be very healthy for us.

A lot of information could be written regarding the crucifixion and ressurection from the standpoint of spiritual discernment and what they represent within our own consciousness. Even within the New Thought and Metaphysical communities there are different ideas regarding this. But every spiritual path is a deeply personal *experience* and can not be limited to the whole. I would say that the wisdom teachings behind Lent are to be practiced all year and not limited to a season, but such seasons provide us the opportunity to move beyond the form they present. It is a chance for us to formally ingest ideas that we may have otherwise neglected throughout the year.

This year I am reading the daily lessons from "Keep a True Lent" will be a part of my observance as well. For those interested in checking it out, the following link is to a free on-line version of the book:Keep A True Lent. It's not organized very well in this internet version (hey, its free!), but to read the Lenten Lessons click on the Chapter 17 link and scroll down to page 138, where they are briefly explained and then listed (the rest of the lessons are listed in "The Garden of Eden" link at the bottom of the page.)

Incidently, for those who wish to read any of the other Fillmore books for free the same website provides a list
The Works of Charles Fillmore. For those who would prefer a more "user-friendly" format this website Cornerstone Books: Charles Fillmore  provides a shorter list of his material and a few bucks downloading fee (Since I have all the books I've never tried it myself so, user beware!)


Zedd

[QUOTE=TigersEyeDowsing;270993]Zedd, I also have "Keep a True Lent" on my website, New Thought Library at http://ds.tigerseyedowsing.com .  Heads up on the downloading - I got the Fillmore books on my site from the user friendly downloadable book format, but they also carry a worm virus in them. (Not very nice I say!)  Not all of the ebooks do, but all the Fillmore ones I got did.  My site isn't as easy-to-read, however. :o  Just worm-free! :p

Joseph[/QUOTE]

Joseph,

Thank you so much for posting that!  Thats why I always put "User Beware" if I've never had direct experience with it myself.  I too have had bad experiences, even with good anti-virus and anti-spyware software.  I looked through your website and was impressed!  It is actually *a lot* easier to read than the one I posted and has quite a few books I'd really like to check into.

Thanks again,
Zedd

I have a booklet from Unity - "Your Higher Calling: Spiritual Preparation for Easter 2008. I just received it a couple of day ago. Each day contains a message and at the end of each week a page to write Reflections. So far it talks about God calling you and find your purpose. I really haven't observed Lent since I attended Catholic school. The New Thought way is so much more inspiring. Phyl

[QUOTE=Phyllizz;279114]I have a booklet from Unity - "Your Higher Calling: Spiritual Preparation for Easter 2008. I just received it a couple of day ago. Each day contains a message and at the end of each week a page to write Reflections. So far it talks about God calling you and find your purpose. I really haven't observed Lent since I attended Catholic school. The New Thought way is so much more inspiring. Phyl[/QUOTE]

Phyl,

It is more inspiring to me as well.  I posted earlier that growing up Catholic myself, Lent always seemed such a somber and bleak occasion.  It made me feel more distant from God after attending Mass than closer.

I am very happy to have the Unity alternative where I can still honor the Spirit of the season.

Zedd