Unity Metaphysics 1 (Blue Book)
Lesson 06 The Threefold Nature of Humankind
As we have seen in the previous chapters, the metaphysical Trinity (mind, idea, and expression) is also known as the creative process. However, it is important to understand that there is a corresponding trinity or threefold nature in humankind as well, which we refer to as spirit, soul and body. In this chapter, we will discuss the trinity in humankind as a framework, which can provide us with the opportunity to better understand the creative process inherent within each individual.
6A THE TRINITY:
"We may understand the relation and office of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit by analyzing our own mind and its apparent subdivisions during thought action , because each person is a perfect image and likeness of this great universal first cause: God the Father" (Keep a True Lent 17).
In understanding the trinity in humankind, it is most helpful to relate our threefold nature (spirit, soul and body) to the metaphysical Trinity (mind, idea and expression). The relationship of the metaphysical Trinity to the trinity in humankind illustrates an aspect of the law of correspondence which states "as above, so below" and gives us a deeper insight into the metaphysical meaning of the scriptural reference that humankind is ". . . made in the image and likeness of God."
6B SPIRIT:
"In its higher functioning the mind of man deals with spiritual ideas, and we can truthfully say that man is a spiritual being" (Jesus Christ Heals 74).
"Spirit is in you and is you. You are Spirit. It is the whole of you which may be expressing in part" (Eric Butterworth Celebrate Yourself 55).
It is accurate to claim that we are spiritual beings because we have a spiritual nature and a spiritual identity. The spiritual aspect of our being is invisible and eternal.
6C SOUL:
"S0UL—Man's consciousness; the underlying idea back of any expression. In man, the soul is the many accumulated ideas back of his present expression. In its original and true sense, the soul of man is the expressed idea of man in Divine Mind (Revealing Word 182).
"Soul unfoldment means the bringing forth of divine ideas in the soul or consciousness of man and the bringing of these idea s into expression in the body" (Charles Fillmore Mysteries of John 124).
The concept of the soul is one that may be difficult to understand. One of the reasons for this confusion is that different schools of thought use different terms in describing the nature of the soul. In Unity, we use the term "soul" to describe the entire spectrum of our awareness. Contained within our soul is individual awareness of both our spiritual and physical natures. The terms "soul" and "consciousness" are often used interchangeably.
6D BODY:
The physical body of humankind is generally understood in Unity teachings to be the outpicturing of the soul or consciousness in its present state of unfoldment."BODY - the outer expression of consciousness" (Revealing Word/Body).
"The body of man is the visible record of his thoughts" (Sue Sikking Beyond a Miracle 19).
“Your body is the blossom of your mind” (Imelda Shanklin What Are You? 15).
6E THE CREATIVE PROCESS:
"When we come to an understanding of our own threefold character as spirit, soul, and body, we shall better understand the threefold character of God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. The Trinity of God which is also mind, idea, manifestation, is continually in our mind, and when we are attuned to God, instead of relying on the limited ideas of our own intellect, the Holy Spirit brings the Father's idea of sonship into expression, to our good and to the glory of our Creator" (Frances Foulks Effectual Prayer 41).
It is important to understand that the soul has the ability to perceive both the spiritual and material aspects of life. If we are focused on Spirit, and put God first in our lives, we will align ourselves with the orderly process of demonstration and see the highest good manifested in our lives. However, if we become dependent on the physical realm as the source of our good, the manifested results are likely to be limited and inconsistent.
6F WHOLENESS:
"In thinking of ourselves, we must not separate Spirit, soul, and body, but rather hold all as one, if we would be strong and powerful" (Emilie Cady Lessons in Truth 25).
It is important to remember that although we refer to ourselves as having a threefold nature, in truth, we are describing our oneness and wholeness.
EXTENDED LECTURE ON CHARLES FILLMORE'S BIBLE GRAPHIC:
At the end of lecture 6 or at the start of lecture 7, Ed Rabel spoke for 17 minutes about a chart that Charles Fillmore had provided regarding the nature of man.
SUMMARY STATEMENTS
THE THREEFOLD NATURE (TRINITY) OF HUMANKIND IS REFERRED TO AS SPIRIT, SOUL AND BODY.
THE RELATIONSHIP OF THE METAPHYSICAL TRINITY TO THE TRINITY OF HUMANKIND ILLUSTRATES THE CREATIVE PROCESS INHERENT IN BOTH GOD AND HUMANKIND AND GIVES MEANING TO THE SCRIPTURAL REFERENCE THAT WE ARE "... MADE IN THE IMAGE AND LIKENESS OF GOD."
IN ORDER TO ALIGN OURSELVES WITH THE UNIVERSAL CREATIVE PROCESS, WE MUST FIRST TURN OUR ATTENTION TO OUR INDWELLING SPIRIT AND RECEIVE THE INSPIRATION OF DIVINE IDEAS. WE THEN ALLOW THOSE IDEAS TO TAKE FORM AND SHAPE IN OUR SOUL OR CONSCIOUSNESS AND BECOME MANIFEST ON THE PHYSICAL PLANE. IN THIS ORDERLY MANNER, WE FULFILL OUR ROLE AS CO-CREATOR WITH GOD.
AS WE CONTINUE ON OUR PATH OF SPIRITUAL UNFOLDMENT, WE MUST REMEMBER TO DEVOTE THE PROPER TIME AND ATTENTION TO ALL THREE ASPECTS OF OUR BEING IN ORDER TO CULTIVATE BALANCE IN OUR LIVES.
TOPICS FOR DISCUSSION
- What is the relationship between the metaphysical trinity and the trinity in humankind? What meaning does this insight have for you?
- Describe your understanding of the statement "divine ideas are our divine inheritance."
THOUGHTS FOR REFLECTION AND MEDITATION
"I am the image and likeness of God, in whom is my perfection" (Charles Fillmore Christian Healing 29).
"Daily declare that your spiritual life and world, your mental life and world, your physical life and world are unified and that you are expressing harmoniously the ideas of the Christ Mind on these three planes" (Myrtle Fillmore's Healing Letters 88).
SUPPLEMENTARY READING
Fillmore, Charles, Christian Healing, chapter 2, "Being's Perfect Idea."
Fillmore, Myrtle, How to Let God Help You, chapter 3, "Life Is a School."
Cady, H. Emilie, Lessons in Truth, chapter 3, "Thinking."
Transcribed by Rev. Evan Coleman on August 19, 2017.
- Download a PDF copy of 06 The Threefold Nature of Humankind
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