Fasting--Days 11 and 12

May Rowland, a Leading Light of the Unity Movement

I was unable to find a saint for today that captured my heart, so I've decided to introduce you to a very remarkable woman named May Rowland. May was the director of Silent Unity from 1916 to 1971, serving this ministry for 55 years! Silent Unity, the Heart of the Unity Movement is the original and oldest  ministry dedicated to answering prayer requests from anyone and everyone around the globe. Today, they receive more that 1.5 million prayer requests each year through email, snail mail, and 24/7 telephone hotline. You can call them at 1-800-NOW-PRAY. All Unity prayers are positive in nature and seek to affirm Goodness and Truth. The words that will be prayed for you by the representative who answers the phone will be comprised of many Affirmations tailored to your specific need. The prayers of Silent Unity have a way of leaving one feeling more peaceful inside. You don't need to be a member of the Unity Movement to request prayer from them. They give freely to all. All prayer requests are taken to the Tower of Light for 30 days where someone holds silent prayer for all the prayer requests currently there 24/7. This ministry has remained unbroken for over 100 years.  Here is a picture of Silent Unity's Tower of Light:

May Rowland was largely responsible for the organization and success of this unique ministry. May wrote a wonderful little book titled Dare to Believe, and I would like to share an excerpt from it that is representative of the "Practical Christianity" that is taught by Unity.

Sometimes we feel we could live more harmoniously, with less confusion and disorder in our lives, if could change our environment. However, changing one's environment is not the solution to the problem, though it may be a temporary help.

In the study of Truth, we recognize that our environment is an outpicturing of our states of mind. Naturally we carry our states of mind with us wherever we go, and in entirely different surroundings we would still have the same type of problem to meet that we have now.

In order to change conditions in our environment, we must change our own consciousness. We start to change conditions by overcoming the state of mind that binds or limits us. Then we cultivate the harmony and peace and love we desire.

States of mind are not altered by changes in circumstances and surroundings, but circumstances and conditions are altered by changes in our states of mind.

The solution to man's every problem is in man's own consciousness. When we learn to tune in to universal harmony through daily prayer, we find new joy in living. Our body responds with health, our mind is at peace, and our affairs are in order.

Knowing the importance of keeping our lives in tune, let us be joyous, let us be happy and enthusiastic about the good things in life. Let us put into action the joyous life and energy within us by talking and thinking about the good things. Let us give thanks to God for the blessings that we daily receive. Let us bless with our love and good will the persons with whom we are associated; let us find joy in loving service.

Let us enter into the joyous, harmonious state of mind that will make us healthy, keep us healthy, and fill our lives with peace and happiness.

If you want more information on the history and teachings of Unity, please read the article What is Unity?

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Day 11 (January 12): I had a break though today. My nausea has been reduced by about 80% and so has the gas. I feel so much better, both cleaner and clearer. My weight was 99.0, my blood pressure was 87/68, my pulse was 81, and my temperature was 98.3. Slept from 3 AM to 7 AM (four hours total). Took my first B-12 injection. I ordered a special high dose, preservative free form from Wellness Pharmacy in Alabama. It provides 10,000 mcg per cc. I will do injection about once a week. It will be interesting to how long it takes to register on my blood work. My acupuncturist came to give me a treatment in the evening. Drank 2.5 quarts of water. No bowel activity.

Day 12 (January 13): Felt very good again all day. My weight was 97.8, my blood pressure was 90/68, my pulse was 80, and my temperature was 98.0. Slept from 11:30 PM to 1:30 AM and again from 4 AM to 7 AM (five hours total). Not being able to sleep normally is one of the most difficult aspects of fasting for me. I got my first blood work back today and my liver enzymes (AST/SGOT) were elevated at 46 on a scale of 0-40. This is completely normal while fasting. Dr. Nick Tancheff of Hawaiian Fasting Retreats told me that what you look for when fasting is the re-normalization of the blood work as an indication that you have accomplished what you needed to and that is the time to end the fast. If you choose to end the fast before this happens, he feels that you haven't really completed the process. I am still eliminating a small amount of blood from my uterus each day. I did have a bowel movement this morning, which is is the first one I have has since day two. This is completely normal. Everyone is different. Dr. Jack Goldstein, author of Triumph Over Disease (see book carousel above) had many bowel movements every day of his fast because he had ulcerative colitis. But many people only have one or two during their entire fast. The one I had today was a very uncomfortable experience for me and took about 20 minutes to come out. I was very sore afterwards. Several of you asked me about this, so there you have it. Drank 2.5 quarts of water. Everything else is going really well.

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Who has not found Heaven below -
will fail of it above -
God's residence is next to mine -
His furniture is Love.

Emily Dickinson, Mystic Poet (1830-1886)