unity defined

Unity is a positive, practical, progressive approach to Spirituality based on the teachings of Jesus and the power affirmative of prayer. We teach the effective, daily application of the principles of Truth taught and exemplified by Jesus. We promote a way of life that leads to health, prosperity, happiness, and peace of mind.

Unity has established centers of study and worship throughout the world where people discover and practice the Unity way of life. We address physical, mental, and emotional needs through affirmative prayer and spiritual education. We serve those who seek inspiration and prayer support as well as those who use Unity teachings as their primary path of spiritual growth.
 
We believe that all people are created with sacred worth, and we strive to reach out to all who seek support and spiritual growth. Therefore, we recognize the importance of serving all people in spiritually and emotionally caring ways. Our ministries and outreaches are free of discrimination on the basis of race, gender, age, creed, religion, national origin, ethnicity, physical disability, and sexual orientation.
  

more about unity

What are unity's basic teachings?
​Unity's most basic teachings are rooted in the foundation of Love and Oneness of God, as taught by Jesus and other spiritual way-showers throughout time. While having its origins rooted in Christianity, the Unity teachings bring together ancient wisdom from many faith traditions. You will not find dogma in Unity, and we honor all spiritual paths.

The five basic Unity Teachings or Principles:
  1. God is everywhere and always present in every circumstance. This divine energy underlies and animates all of existence. 
  2. Human beings are innately good because they are connected to and an expression of Spirit. 
  3. Our thoughts have creative power to influence events and determine our experiences. 
  4. Prayer and meditation connect and align us to our own spiritual nature and to God. 
  5. It is not enough to understand spiritual teachings. We must apply our learning in all areas of life, incorporating them into our thoughts, words, and actions. 

We encourage you to explore and apply Unity teachings based on your own spiritual understanding. We believe this spiritual understanding is enhanced through reflective prayer and meditation.
Key Ideas about Unity
  • Unity is a spiritual pathway open to all seekers regardless of religious background.
  • Unity offers positive, practical, and experiential teachings that we can apply to our lives in the here and now.​
  • Unity practices the teachings of Jesus rather than the teachings about Jesus.​
What is unity's primary goal?
As a spiritual movement, Unity's primary goal is to help people develop a relationship with the presence of God expressing within them. Additionally, our goal is to offer a spiritual home for seekers of all kinds. Unity offers spiritual insights, teachings, and guidance that can be applied to all spiritual pathways and faith traditions.
does unity believe in the divinity of jesus?
​Yes, Unity teaches that the spirit of God lived in Jesus, just as it lives in every person. Every person has the potential to express the perfection of Christ, as Jesus did, by being more Christ-like in everyday life.
what does unity teach about heaven and hell?
In Unity, we view Heaven and Hell as states of consciousness rather than geographical locations. We make our own Heaven or Hell here and now by our thoughts, words, and deeds. The “fall” into Hell takes place in consciousness whenever we fall into negative habits of thinking. Meanwhile, rising into Heaven takes place in consciousness when we perceive our Oneness with God. 
what does unity teach about sin and salvation?
​In Unity, we view sin and salvation as representative of our conscious relationship with the God of our knowing. Sin literally means "missing the mark" and is our false sense of separation from God, the Good, in consciousness. Sin happens when we do not live or express from a place of Divine wholeness; thus, falsely believing ourselves to be alone, separate, not enough, less than, or in some way unfixable. In the words of Charles Fillmore, "sin is man's failure to express the attributes of Being--life, love, intelligence, wisdom, and the other God qualities."

On the other hand, salvation is always available to us in the here and now. Salvation happens whenever we turn our thoughts from fear, anxiety, worry, and doubt to thoughts of love, harmony, joy, and peace based in the Goodness of God within all life.
what is the role of the bible in unity?
The Bible helps us understand the deep, metaphysical teachings of Jesus and how they can be understood and applied today. In addition, the Bible helps us understand how many others from the Judeo-Christian tradition have related to God in consciousness throughout time.

The book we refer to as the Bible is one of the great pieces of spiritual literature, or scripture of our time. While the Bible is foundational to understanding the teachings of Jesus, Unity also recognizes universal Spiritual Truth as taught by many faith traditions and as communicated in many sources of spiritual literature. Scripture of all kinds comes alive when it is understood as a clear and helpful guide for today's experiences.
does unity practice baptism and communion?
Yes, symbolically. Baptism is a mental and spiritual process that takes place within the individual as he or she aligns with the spirit of God. We view baptism as a cleansing of the consciousness - releasing the old and bringing forth the new, so as to come into Oneness with the Divine. 
 
Spiritual communion takes place through prayer and meditation in the silence. Unity practices communion by sharing in and partaking of the spiritual energy of God through conscious communion with with Divine.
Unity's History and founders
​Unity was founded in 1889 in Kansas City, Missouri, by Charles and Myrtle Fillmore. After Myrtle used prayer and affirmations to heal lifelong ailments, her friends became interested in how she accomplished the healing. The Fillmores published their first spiritual publication in 1889, and over time the Unity movement grew from small prayer circles in living rooms to the worldwide movement it is today.

In 1919 the Fillmores bought 58 acres of land about 15 miles southeast of downtown Kansas City. Originally intended as a getaway for Unity workers, the area grew into a working farmstead called Unity Farm. In 1953 the area was incorporated as the township of Unity Village, which continues to be the home of Unity World Headquarters.

Many of the original teachings from the Unity founders about prosperity, healing, and the creative power of our thoughts have now been explained scientifically. The Fillmores were truly spiritual pioneers. Over the years, students who learned from the Fillmores established study groups and churches around the world, now numbering more than 600.
To learn more about the history of Unity, click here. ​

"Prayer is man's steady effort to know GOD.”

- Charles fillmore, co-founder of Unity

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Unity Spiritual Center
​of Panama City
PO Box 105
Panama City, FL 32402
309 W 5th St.
Panama City, FL 32401
850.769.7481
www.unityofpanamacity.org
Unity Spiritual Center of Panama City is a member of Unity Worldwide Ministries