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I will begin my course review by first stating that I have never been big on reading, let alone a person who enjoys learning information in books. I’ve learned that there is no definitive source of “truth” in the world, however, there are many sources of information that provide keys to helping unlock our own individual understanding of truth and this individual understanding applies directly to our current soul age. What I think is that we can only recognize information that our soul is ready for- if we are not ready for it, then we won't be able to understand it in this particular lifetime.

New souls have had to be created as the planet’s population increased, which happens if there are not any previous souls ready to reincarnate. Souls may get trapped in ego, never following their guidance and learn their life’s lesson, so they recycle and repeat until they learn what they need to learn to move onward.

Part of the process of the final transitioning is the gradual disconnect from humanity, as we prepare to move forward into the next evolutionary state.

With this information, I began the Defining Spiritualism course.

After completion, I came away with mixed feelings about the course, mainly because of disagreements with the author. While he says at the end that he never attempted to be neutral, it truly showed through several comments he makes throughout the course.

I think the background information and the different schools of thought were well done. I didn't aree with some of the author’s personal conclusions.

Here are a few of those disagreements that I found during the ULC course, which is based upon my own perception of what was written – right or wrong.

The author believes that, “when you realize you know nothing and then begin to realize that there is nothing to be known, it is then that you come to know everything.”

I strongly disagree. This concept would basically mean that there is really no point to our existence, other than just existing. Yet, I know that our entire existence is as a vessel for our soul to learn, therefore, there is quite a LOT to be known. It would be wiser to say, “I don’t know everything and never will,” then to say you know nothing and there is nothing to ever know.

However, the author does refer to this concept by saying, “The universal truth cannot be learned, cannot be understood and cannot be taught. Our mission isn’t to become spontaneously enlightened in one fell swoop, but to gradually develop enlightenment through numerous lifetimes of experiences and lessons.

· The author also made personal statements sounding like fact such as, “Help the people you minister to by encouraging social interaction. This is such a necessary part of the human condition…”

I can personally tell you that this is not true. Throughout my life I’ve never really enjoyed interacting with other people, I’ve never really felt a need to, and when I did interact, it felt somewhat foreign to me. Yet, those who understand about spiritual progression know that once the soul has grown to an advanced level, they begin to drift away from mundane human interactions. The fact is, by the time our soul reaches advanced levels, we have already, “been there, done that” in so many previous lifetimes, that it just no longer holds meaning for us anymore.

I believe ministers or anyone for that matter, on a profound spiritual journey, would do well to avoid seeing in personal absolutes when it comes to teaching others.

In closing my review of this Universal Life Church Seminary course, I’d like to add my favorite Buddhist quote, “Don’t believe something, only because I’ve said it.” I tell this to everyone I talk to about what I’ve learned. Therefore, I tell you now, do not accept what I have told you and do not believe what you read or hear, believe -- only that which you experience yourself, directly. The answers lie inside of you, not outside of you.