For the past two weeks, I have written on the underlying principles of principle. I asked the question, what are the fundamental characteristics that a principle must have in order to be elevated to the status of truth principle? If you have been reading along, then you know that in last week’s article, I described five fundamental characteristics, or principles of principle. I stated that in order for a principle to in fact be reliable as a principle, it must be: universal, unchanging, unbiased, unlimited and unerring.
In this week’s blog entry, I will test the first two of Unity’s five truth principles against the first two fundamental principles of principle to see if they apply and support their status as truth principles. In next week’s blog, I will address Unity Principles 3, 4 and 5 against the other three principles of principle.
It is the essence, not the specifics that matter.
In Unity, we teach five truth principles that we believe are fundamental to understanding and living Unity teachings. Like scientific principles, spiritual principles must also be principled in order to be reliable as fundamental expressions or propositions of truth upon which a belief system is based.
In making our attempt to understand these principles a little deeper than we may presently, it is helpful to remember Rev. Ellen Debenport’s advice from her book, The Five Principles: A Practical Guide To Spirituality. “Don’t be distracted by the specific language. Pay attention to the essence of the teachings.”
Focusing on “specific language” keeps us engaged in intellectual or thinking mode. Being open to the underlying “essence of the teachings” creates an opening for us to understand the meaning of the principles at a deeper intuitive level, which cannot be reached through the intellect alone.
Before we dive in, I remind you that the Unity principles stated below are UCOH’s unique articulation. There are many different statements of Unity’s five principles available, including one for children. This article and next week’s Part II, do not attempt to be exhaustive in their analysis and application. There is certainly much more that could be said on the subject than the space of this blog allows. Starting the discussion and inviting you to go deeper into your own discernment of Unity principles is the more desirable and practical goal. So let’s get started and take a look at the first two Unity Principles to see if they are in fact principled.
Unity Principle #1 Is Universal
There is only One Power and One Presence in the Universe and in my life, God the Good, Omnipotent.
Principle is universal. It is easy to see that this statement of Unity’s first principle is explicitly universal in its application. This principle clearly states there is “only One Power and One Presence.” There is no acknowledgement of an opposing power whatsoever. Further, this “One Power” is both “good” and “omnipotent,” which once again does not acknowledge the separate existence of either a bad or evil power. This “One Power” is omnipotent, or all-powerful.
Some metaphysicians will refine this last bit a little further to state that this “One Power” is omnipotence, or all power, rather than “omnipotent, or all powerful.” They support this refinement by stating that “omnipotence” speaks to the power itself. In contrast, “omnipotent” applies to an entity that is all-powerful. If we see God as an entity, then being “omnipotent or all powerful” is appropriate. On the other hand, if we see God as principle, then the more refined expression of the “One Power” (or God) as omnipotence, or all power is more accurate. Either way, it is clear that, as stated, Unity Principle #1 applies universally. The “One Power and One Presence” is ubiquitous and everywhere present, available to all at all times.
Unity Principle #2 Is Unchanging
We are Spiritual Beings created in God’s Image. The Spirit of God lives within each person; therefore, all people are inherently good.
Principle is unchanging. It is a rule or law that never changes. It is consistent and can be relied upon by everyone, everywhere, all the time. Unity Principle #2 builds on the first principle, reminding us that God is “inherently good.” Being “created in God’s Image,” Unity teaches that the “Spirit of God lives within each person,” which by extension means that “all people are inherently good” also, since principle is also universal. Because the “principle of God” is unchanging, our fundamental nature as “Spiritual Beings created in God’s Image” is also unchanging. No matter what anyone of us might have done or might do that could be deemed as “not good,” it does not alter the unchanging truth that “all people are inherently good.”
Be sure to look for next week’s blog, which is Part II of this blog, but also concludes our month long look at Unity Principles.
