Unity Church of Dallas - Rev. Condra's Message

A Message from
Rev. Kurt Condra,
Associate Minister

Swamp Monster

Had a weird anxiety dream last night co-starring a character I’m calling swamp monster. Most of the night, he bludgeoned me with a litany of personal failures and shortcomings. It’s disheartening because, despite years of conscious work affirming my ability to express the divine and fulfill my unique life’s purpose, swamp monster proves there’s slime and muck still swirling in my subconscious. I know I ought to be grateful these error-thoughts have been revealed because now they can be healed. Instead, I woke up cursing this new figment of my dream state, and in a state of total panic.

If you think only of the physical sensations of panic and anxiety, they aren’t vastly different from those arising from passion and exhilaration. Basic physiology is much the same…pounding heart, muscle contractions, heightened senses. (It’s why thrill rides, horror movies and Vegas are so appealing.) And yet the spiritual energetic quality between the two poles is profoundly different: One end of the spectrum is heavy, burdened and lifeless; the other is inspired, motivated and creative. Clearly, life is more joyous when we’re operating at the light end of the spectrum. And Unity teaches we always have the power to choose. But, in face-to-face swamp monster showdowns, how exactly do we make the shift?

I believe it arises out of the level at which we’re aware of our connection to Spirit. When we’re centered in our true nature, events that might otherwise overwhelm us seem perfectly manageable – even enjoyable. When we’re consciously aware of our divinity we can use challenging experiences to motivate us to greatness.

“Blah, blah, blah,” says swamp monster. “I never attack when you’re in touch with your divinity, anyway. I wait for those moments in life when the boat’s sinking faster than you’re bailing.”

Oh Jeeez, now he’s wormed his way into my conscious thoughts. Cool. In this realm, I can deal with him. Pardon me, reader, while I zap him with a denial – a prayerful statement intended to align thoughts, feelings and beliefs with Truth by declaring the untruth has no power over me: “Go away, creep.”

“Fine, for now,” he says, retreating hastily, “but if you want to sleep tonight, you’d better have another plan.”

He makes a good point. If we’re intent on changing subconscious beliefs, the conscious work has to be deep. Unity co-founders Myrtle and Charles Fillmore taught that denials should be followed by affirmations (prayerful statements declaring Truth). Their premise is that affirmations, stated with great conviction and frequent repetitions, are the surest way to reprogram the subconscious mind.

So, in this case, we’re looking for a denial to deal with panic and anxiety. Here’s a winner: “Nothing disturbs the calm peace of my soul.” That should be followed with an affirmation dealing with passion and exhilaration. Here’s one of Charles’ most memorable, written when he was in his 90s: “I fairly sizzle with zeal and enthusiasm and I spring forth with a mighty faith to do the things that ought to be done by me.”

Both are classic Unity prayers, used by Truth students with great effect for generations. If stress and anxiety are issues for you, my prescription is 10-20 repetitions, two to three times a day.

Sayōnara, Swamp Monster,
Rev. Kurt

Message Date: July 31, 2008