Myrtle Fillmore: Initial Reflections

In previous classes, Dr. Tom has talked about the importance of "lenses." These lenses profoundly influence how we see things and make connections. The lenses that I wear have influenced what I see in terms of Myrtle Fillmore's theology.

I came to Unity in 1986. My relationship with my mother was a difficult one to say the least. I often found her to be sharply critical and negative. What first attracted me to Unity was the profound sense of love, acceptance, and the concept of my inmate goodness. My first Unity minister was a woman as were most of the other ministers in my church. As I learned more about Unity, I identified this feminine warmth, acceptance, and love with Myrtle Fillmore. How much of this identification is justified by the actual facts is something I wish to explore in this course. But-- for better or for worse–– these are the "lenses" that I bring into this course.

Myrtle grew up in a strict and austere Methodist home. The family church preached hellfire and damnation. At a very young age Myrtle rejected the notions of original sin. She also did not believe that Christian churches had a monopoly on truth. When she lived with Charles in Colorado, she came to the conclusion that many Native Americans, given their practices, were  far closer to Spirit than many of the middle-class Christians that she knew.

Facing tuberculosis, Myrtle had what the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous calls "a vital spiritual experience." Through this healing experience Myrtle came to believe the essential goodness of human beings and that the same spiritual force that was inside of Jesus is inside of all of us. This Christ within heals and "brings life and brings it abundantly." She felt it was important to share these truths with all who would listen and learn.

While at times she could speak of this relationship with spirit as an abstraction, there were other times when she felt a deep relationship with a personal God. For example, there were times when she would take two chairs and face them at each other. In one of the chairs she would put a large portrait of Jesus, and she would sit in the other chair facing the portrait. Then she would have a "chat" with Jesus.

Myrtle viewed Unity as part of Christianity. In fact, Charles and Myrtle removed Unity from one of the early new thought alliances because they felt that the alliance was down-playing Jesus.

I look forward to seeing how much of the above is supported by actual facts and how much of it is myth (and I am using the word myth in the sense that  Joseph Campbell would use it.) I am curious if at the end of this class I will cringe at what I've written above or find that it is essentially supported by the facts.  Well, whichever it is I'm looking forward to this journey.