This past Saturday, May 11th, I was privileged to attend a Divine Principle Seminar taught by Gerard Servito from the Unification Thought Institute. There were 20 of us, ranging in age from 18 to 65, and everyone was equally moved by the content. Unlike other DP seminars I’ve attended in the past, this one was focused through the lens of Unification Thought and the value of the family.
What is Unification Thought?
Unification Thought is a philosophically based understanding of the teachings of Sun Myung Moon. The Divine Principle is a Judeo-Christian based theological exposition of God, the purpose of human beings, the cause of evil, God’s work throughout history, and so forth. Unification Thought however is not limited by a specific religious theology and goes directly to the heart of the matter: What does it mean to be human? What is the value of life? What is my value and purpose? Is it possible to end suffering, conflict and evil to create a world of peace?
Although I’ve been a student of religious thought for most of my life, and I’ve heard similar presentations in the past, I would have to say that Mr. Servito’s presentations were the most heart warming. It was a refreshing experience to hear this perspective and share the day discussing it with others of various age and experience in life. For each of us, our purpose for being there was not just to mull over some interesting thoughts on the purpose of life, but to empower ourselves to live and act authentically from the heart in a world that is often harsh and cruel.
To be fully alive we need to experience love and joy on a daily basis. Our drive to experience love and joy is so strong that without clear guidance and direction it can propel us into a never ending cycle of looking for love in all the wrong places, and constantly grabbing at temporary solutions for happiness. The pasture always looks greener on the other side of the fence. With the understanding of Unification Thought we learn to connect to love at it’s source, and experience joy through creating a life where love can grow.
Music for the Soul
Mr. Servito is also a very accomplished musician, having shared the stage in the past with classic rock bands such as Steppenwolf. To our delight he performed several of his own songs. We could not have asked for a more moving expression of the ideas he was presenting. His music seamlessly tied in with the conclusion of each topic, however he did not presume that we wanted top hear a song, he always asked first. I count myself as extremely fortunate to have met this man who has a humble and sincere heart and many gifts to share.
Be There Next Time!
We will be hosting other Divine Principle and Unification Thought seminars in the near future, and we will certainly invite Mr. Servito back. However, regardless of who presents these profound teachings it would be well worth your time to be there. We began at 10:00 AM, there were four short presentations each followed by discussion and breaks, with lunch after the first two topics, and we ended by 4:30 PM. The end of a tiring week can be the beginning of new inspiration for your life!
