Reflections on the Retreat

Last weekend was the first-ever Vegan Spirituality Forum & Retreat at Unity Village. I have been co-organizing this event with Lisa Levinson and Judy Carman for the past nearly three years. It was originally scheduled for mid-September, 2020, but postponed due to COVID. We decided to go forth and hold it this year and I am glad we did. Who knows what the future holds and there is no time like the present.

The event itself is catalogued well by my friend, Judy Carman, in her blog post. I will write my own blog post when I am able. For now, I want to share some feelings and reflections.

First, it was a huge success. We had around 50 people, and the group included spiritual vegans, vegetarians and curious omnivores. I am proud that the omnivores were so open minded (curious!) and so wonderfully embraced by everyone. I think we are all vegans-in-process, because none of us would ever want to harm an animal unnecessarily. And it's no longer necessary. We have been conditioned since birth to eat and use animals. And while it may seem like a personal choice, every time we do it, it is really just indoctrination, or following the orders of our culture/family. It takes a while to see this. But if you give a hungry child a knife and offer her an apple or a rabbit, she will choose the apple every time (prior to indoctrination, that is).

About half the group stayed for the Interfaith Sunday service/Animal Blessing Ceremony on Sunday morning. This is our group photo.

Unity founders Charles and Myrtle Fillmore gave up meat eating in 1895, and they taught and lived ethical veg living as a key part of their ministry. Charles wrote and spoke with clarity and conviction for 40 years about the connection between our relationship with animals and our ability to develop spiritually, manifest peace, express love and live ethically. Together they opened the first vegetarian restaurant in Kansas City (Unity Inn), started a food company to sell meat alternatives (Unity Pure Food Company), bound their bibles in a leather alternative (Keratol), and published this statement: “Unity opposes the use of any product that necessitates the taking of life, whether it’s food substance, wearing apparel, or general utility.” This was part of Unity's early identity -- the years when the movement thrived. For many years I have felt guided by the Fillmores to bring their teachings back to life within the Unity movement. That guidance is what made this retreat happen.

NOTE: If you want to learn more about this part of Unity history, I have compiled some of the Fillmore teachings and history in a booklet called, The Forgotten Teachings of Charles Fillmore - How Our Relationship with Animals Connects to Universal Love, Ethical Living, Spiritual Development and World Peace.

Rev. Shad Groverland, Executive Director of Unity Worldwide Ministries, attended the retreat with his wife Errina. It was incredibly affirming to hear him share his view that over time, Unity ministries have lowered the standards for spiritual living and negated much of our history. We have. And we have suffered the consequences. We have taken the easy way out rather than hold ourselves to the teachings and faith-filled lives of the Fillmores as a standard to strive for. We no longer teach spiritual healing. We only consider humans when we say 'a world that works for all.' We 'meet people where they are' rather than call them to the Christ ideal. We are overly concerned about not insulting donors, so we water down our message and avoid speaking Truth.

This event and the way we were welcomed by Unity staff have given me hope that we are on the precipice of change in the movement. It will take some time as we must face the hard work to "put off our old self" (Ephesians 4:22). It is my hope that we are able to at least re-embrace the Fillmores' teachings as the ideal and equip our young ministers to be powerful messengers and teachers.

Before closing, I want to share about the experience of Unity Village. Unity Village is a magical-feeling place. I attribute that to the 24/7 prayer ministry of Silent Unity that has taken place there for the past 125+ years. The grounds are incredibly beautiful, inspiring and peaceful. If you haven't been there, it is a bucket list item. I plan to hold this retreat annually, so perhaps you will join us next year. Why not? Be curious!

This visit was particularly joyful for me. I have visited the village at least 15 times since the late nineties. Most of those years the food was a disappointing disconnect from what I knew of its history. How could a place whose history included founding the first vegetarian restaurant in Kansas City serve so little healthy, plant-based food? It baffled my mind and unsettled my stomach, every time. Thankfully, they now have a new, fabulous chef and he was so excited to do the research and prepare gorgeous and nutritious, plant-based lunches and dinners for us. Everyone raved about the food. The Unity staff was so impressed that they are considering serving our menu at other Unity retreats to honor the vision of our founders. If that happens, I guarantee that no one will miss their animal products. This would be a huge, huge positive step forward for Unity. Thank you, thank you God!

"We do not eat matter, but life." Charles Fillmore

As a group, we received a lot of feedback from Unity employees about how invigorating and inspiring our energy was. It was palpable. I knew it would be. When I welcomed everyone on the first day, I shared that we were seated in the heart of the Midwest, and that our energy would be profoundly felt and would reverberate outward throughout the nation. I have no doubt that was true. And I am quite sure the spirits of the Fillmores are delighted.

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