01/03/10 White Stone Ceremony

January 3, 2010 

A new year is a time of beginnings.  As you begin this new year, consider these thoughts gleaned from Revelation 2:17: “Let anyone who has an ear listen….”To everyone who conquers I will give some of the hidden manna, and I will give a white stone and on the white stone is written a new name that no knows except the one who receives it.” 

3 Tools:

Prayer and Meditation

An ear to hear is not an outer ear, but the ear of the soul, which is within us; the ear that hears the “still, small voice”.  We develop this inner listening quality by getting out of our intellect and into our hearts, through prayer and meditation. 

Denial and Affirmation

With this tool we train our intellect to connect our I AM to Divine Ideas only, not to erroneous beliefs and negative emotions.  Charles Fillmore taught that the correct use of denials and affirmations would eventually “spiritualize the whole intellect.” 

Surrender for Victory

“To everyone who conquers…”  To all who see beyond the appearances, I will give all that is needed to live.  It is not an outer war, but an inner one. To everyone who takes the time to listen to the still, small voice; to everyone who makes the effort to deny outer appearance and affirm inner spirituality; you will realize it requires surrendering personal will to Divine Will, and the paradox is that in that surrender is victory, just as Jesus taught and demonstrated.    

3 Promises:

Hidden Manna

In the days of wandering in the wilderness with Moses, the manna was sent by God.  The people only had to go and collect it each day; they did not have to do anything else. If they tried to save it, it spoiled.  When we surrender to Spirit, we receive hidden manna, not visible to the world.  We are given peace that passes all understanding.  We are given an entirely new source of energy and nourishment.

This hidden m anna is derived from the higher level of being within us.  It nourishes the soul first and then, the body.  It benefits the whole being.  Jesus alludes to this when he says to his disciples in John 4:32, “I have food to eat that you do not know about.”  

White Stone

The white stone is an ancient ritual.  Back in the time when Jesus was teaching and someone served time in prison or in bondage of any kind, they were given a white stone when they were released.  Each of us comes from the bondage of past nonsense – false limitations, old beliefs, error thinking that have been a prison.  Today, we remember that we are children of God, one with the Divine, free and unlimited. 

New Name

In the Bible, we read of many name changes.  For example, Saul - which means personal will - was struck to his knees.  He was blind for three days and had to look within.  He went from persecuting Christians to helping them.  He became the reason that Christianity survived. His trips to spread Christianity changed the face of this earth.  He was given a new name at the time of his awakening. Saul (personal will) was transformed to Paul, which means enlightened will.  He became will that followed God’s will.

In Biblical times, a name was a very sacred thing.  Every name represented a quality.  Every name in the Bible actually means a quality that was in the person who carries the name. You didn’t choose a name for your child because you liked the name. You chose it for whatever essence you saw in the child.

Abram, as he grew in spiritual awareness became Abraham.  Sarai became Sarah.  Simon was name Peter by Jesus.

So when we surrender to the inner Spirit, we are promised a new name.  This refers to the new, higher realization of the I AM, a new awareness of our God Self, our higher self.  So, I invite you to meditate on what you want, what you’re being called to in the new year, and claim that as your new name. 

In our service on Sunday, each person came forward and selected white stone.  White metaphysically represents joy, victory and purification.  In our purified state of consciousness we know that the Father and I are one.  In our oneness with God, we surrender to our full potential.  We let go of unnecessary baggage.  We receive our hidden manna to feed us and our white stone of freedom.

We have some extra stones if you’d like to call the center and get one.  Or you may just find a smooth white stone you could use.  Hold it in your hand.  Allow yourself to feel the energy, the potential of your stone and your life.

Now, I invite you to consciously surrender to the activity of God - the Holy Spirit - for the next few minutes. Perhaps there is a new career, a new title, or a new quality that Spirit is pressing out through you.  I invite you to give your ego a few minutes off and let that divine holy self in you come through.  Give yourself permission to know that you have a new quality, a new name.

Whenever we ask there is an answer.

As you hold the white stone in your hand, hear the Christ of God that is you saying, “Behold, I make all things new.”

And so this is your sign of a clean slate.  Whatever has gone on in the past, let it go.  This is a sign of your ability in this moment to live in this new beginning. This is a moment in which you know you are free, free from all that has bound you.

Anytime you look at your white stone realize that you have the gift of choice; the gift to live differently, to live a more fulfilling life, to begin again, to connect with God and create with God.

John wrote in the book of Revelation that the white stone carries a new name, the spiritual identity and a deeper awareness of what God has planned for you.  No one, in the entire universe except you and God, knows what this new name is.  But it has come to you to be lived out, to be expressed, to be embodied as you.  It is what God is calling you to be or do. It is a whisper from your soul that you are so much more than you have ever let come into expression.

And so, as you are guided by Spirit, (and it may feel to you as if you are making it up because it may seem so wonderful or so much what you have yearned for), but still I invite you to trust in this now moment, ….as Spirit gives to you in this sacred place…in this moment of Truth…an insight into your divine purpose…an insight into your holy essence, and so in that secret place of the most high, I invite you to allow yourself to hear the new name that God has for you.

And, as that name becomes clear, just allow yourself to write it…it may be a title, it may be something like published author…or clean and sober…or grateful…whatever.      

Sometimes people who write the word peace, love, or presence, take on a new essence of who they are.

If a name has come to you, stay quiet and allow yourself to ask for a deeper understanding, to ask if there are any steps to take.  In this moment allow yourself to simply open to Spirit, to say, God in me reveals my true essence.  God in me reveals my next step.  God as me lives a joyous, peaceful, fulfilling life.

A thankfulness flows over us as we receive our new name.  Along with it comes the power and guidance to achieve all that we desire.  This is our new name.  We see it.  We decree it.  We are on the path to gaining greater insights and awareness and a new beginning.

It is your Father’s good pleasure to give you this kingdom.  Accept this consciousness of ever increasing good in your life. I invite you to carry this white stone as a reminder of that promise.