Do you recognize spirit when it speaks to you and through you? Have creative ideas bubbled up unbidden as an intention or image in mind? I don't mean voices; more like 'ideas' that seem to come from outside yourself. I know writers and artists have attributed inspiration to a muse. And why not? If we are spiritual beings having a physical experience, it makes perfect sense that we have spiritual experiences too! Listening to "Divine Ideas" has brought me miracles in abundance. They have healed me, prospered me, guided me in career directions, to homes to choose, to ministry, to learn to fly an airplane, and to adventures I would never have known I wanted! Recognizing Spirit activated in consciousness as inspiration has blessed me in countless ways. What is fascinating is that I am always surprised when it happens. This time was no exception.
It happened on a special night, a perfect night, actually, for Unity Village's annual candlelight procession the night before World Day of Prayer, Unity's High Holy Day, if there is one. When the procession got to the Bridge of faith, people gathered there instead of moving directly to the Silent Unity Chapel as in past years. 'This is different,' I thought to myself. Maybe because there were fewer people this year. My mind did it's usual acrobatics trying to figure it out... until I let it go. Breathing in the beautiful night, I found an open place for myself at the balustrade, away from the crush of people, a place to enjoy the wider view as and the candles flickering prayerfully in the dark.
Looking outward, I was mesmerized by the sparkling fountains and the sacred feeling of the moment as chanting went on in the background. 
The bridge seemed magical, Disney-like, arrayed in blue floodlight for the occasion. I gave myself to the sound of the rushing waters as people chanted behind me on the bridge. I couldn't make out the words. It hardly mattered; the cadence carried me to totally blissful place.
As the procession began to move off, I lingered in my lovely spot, one with the fountains. That's when I heard it--inside my head--a clear and simple statement: You are going to Israel to learn Modern Hebrew.
I knew in that moment something strange had happened. Again, my mind searched to make sense of it asking, "What? Who? I am going where?"
Even if it hasn't showed up in a while, I am no stranger to Guidance. That being said, it has never before shown up a la Luke Skywalker to Dagobah!
Perhaps I had been in a trance. The quieting of my mind, the sound of the waters, the light of the candles, the rhythm of the chanting... Had they opened a deep, subconscious thought? Maybe the bridge triggered memories of an ancient place in consciousness. Perhaps. Except I have never had the slightest desire to go to Israel. Learn Hebrew? For goodness sakes, why? That is what made it so strange; here was a statement about a future action to which I was not yet a partner.
I sat with the experience reverberating through me through the rest of the ceremonies and prayer vigil. In the silence, it was all I could think about. I got up to bless some the prayer requests sent in from all over the world just for this special day. Back in my seat I did my best to focus on the names, to hold each in my heart; it was a struggle to stay centered. The spiritual presence of a recently departed friend kept rubbing my right shoulder with a gleeful bounciness that bordered on inappropriate to the prayerful occasion. Impatiently, I accepted a love-filled squeeze before settling her energy down with the assurance that I wouldn't forget what had happened, what I had heard or what it might mean going forward. I finished blessing three packets with my highest love and prayerful intentions before getting up to get some air.
Outside, my head was buzzing with the experience of having been told I was going to Israel. It was a tremendous relief to see a friend there I could safely talk to about it.Her first words after listening my story were, "Are you saying 'yes' to this?"
What? Say 'yes?' It had not occurred to me that I had a say in it, that I could say no. "I don't know," I replied.
She asked me again, the same words. "Are you saying 'yes' to what you heard?" I gave it a moment's thought before answering. Israel? Never wanted it before... But who am I to argue with Spirit?
"Sure. Okay. I'll say yes."
"Then you know what's your's to do," she said matter-of-factly. Clueless, I waited for her to tell me. "You could start learning Hebrew now... look for information about Israel... put your attention a future trip and make room for it without worrying how or when. If Spirit is telling you it will happen, you just have to say 'yes.' Once again, she made things clearer and healed my spirit.
When I woke up the next morning, the inner excitement had subsided. Remembering what happened the night before, I picked up my phone and downloaded a 'Learn Hebrew' app that looked good. Doing a couple of lessons was fun. I surprised myself conjugating a verb with ease and liking the sound of my pronunciation. I was definitely saying 'yes.'
PRAYED UP
I have fairly ignored the Jewish High Holy Days in my eight years here in Missouri. With my family so far away, there was no reason to make holiday dinners, although once or twice I did, inviting the few Unity, lapsed-Jews like me that I knew. As I studied to be a Unity minister, there was little reason to join with the Jewish community here besides saying Yizkor for my dad. For sure there have been efforts to pull me back in to the fold. I get that. It is simply not my path anymore.
This year something was different. The live stream from Central Synagogue in New York City has been showing up on my Facebook feed every Shabbat. So I googled their High Holy Day schedule and decided this year I would fast and pray-along, watching Kol Nidre services live-streamed. It felt good--familiar and inspiring--reconnecting with God in my old way. The prayer, repetition, praise, and song were uplifting and filled my spirit. Alone in my house, participating through the live-stream on the computer and reading along in the Mahzor, I felt a part of something I had stepped away from years ago.
I tuned in again the next day for Yom Kippur, still fasting, praying and singing full out, even listening to the post services lessons. Unfortunately, I had committed to four hours volunteering at Silent Unity at 3:30 which meant missing Yizkor. In my break I actually caught the last of the Nehilah service and repeated along with the congregation "Adonai hu Elohim" ten times before they put the Torahs back in the ark, concluding Yom Tov for yet another year. I broke my fast a little sad being by myself instead of at someone's house. It was bittersweet to remember all the happy Break Fast nights at Noemy and Peter's. None of us would be there this year or ever again. My heart ached at the thought, making me wish I hadn't been away in the years they celebrated without me. At least I had taken part this year. It would have to be enough.
WHEN THE UNIVERSE PULLS UP TO YOUR FRONT DOOR, GET ON.
The next morning, Yom Kippur was a pleasant memory. I did my usual routine, ACIM workbook and a short meditation, walked the dogs and checked my email. There was the usual marketing crap that I click through, delete, delete, delete, until one about a 10 day trip to Israel stopped my world from spinning.
It couldn't be this easy! Could it?
We will see. I signed on, putting it on a credit card I have no idea how to pay for in this moment. Trusting my prosperity consciousness, I know the money will come. I know because experience and faith have taught me, if Spirit brings you to it, Spirit will bring you through it. Spirit definitely brought me to this. My part was to say YES. And I did.
My friend is calling this a Spiritual Journey. She may be right. All I know is I am going to Israel on April 7th next year and that I will be learning Hebrew, much of it before I even go. Thank you, Spirit. I am excited for this adventure I did not consciously desire. I have no idea how it will change my life. All I know is it will.
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