The Ceremony: Addressing Your Past and Future
Unity's Annual Burning Bowl Ceremony is a wonderful opportunity to let go of the things that no longer serve you. What will you release this year? You have control over what you carry into the New Year. Just as importantly, you can imagine the months ahead and the possibilities they hold, reminding you that your future is in your hands.
The Burning Bowl ceremony has two parts: Releasing historical patterns and setting intentions for the future. It takes place at the end of the year, when we come together as a community to focus on letting go the parts of our life that no longer serve us.
The Past:
On a piece of paper, write down your releases. Letting go begins the moment you put the pen to the paper. It is your conscious awareness that begins the activation of the release of problems, thoughts, and things from your life. It can be as simple as a name or word, or more in-depth. Let your heart open to the flow as it releases old wounds, negativity, or unhealthy thought patterns.
Follow these simple steps:
Become still and relax.
Allow your heart to help you to know what to release.
Submit the paper to the flames!
We light a fire in a bowl, and we drop our paper into the fire. Watch the paper burn and visualize our unwanted things rising up as the smoke and being released from our life. As the smoke travels up, say words of letting go:
Today I release what I no longer need.
I let go and let God do the work in this sacred experience.
I am healed and renewed.
I open my heart to love.
I am blessed with joy, love, peace, wisdom, harmony.
The Future:
Once you have completed the first part of this ritual, it is a good time to consider the future. Set aside some time to visualize what you desire to take the place of what was released. What do you want to experience in life now? How do you want it to take shape in your life and in general? Think of expanding your future. You have stepped into the realm of possibility, and you will know what to expect. And you will be pleased with the manifestations that you realize.
Your friends in Unity are walking beside you as you establish your new truth and welcome a New Year of Possibilities. There will be blessings of new beginnings. It’s a privilege to celebrate the promise of a new year with everyone.
Find New Meaning: Remember these ideas:
"You crown the year with your goodness; your paths overflow with rich food." -Psalm 65:11.
"Don’t remember the prior things; don’t ponder ancient history. Look! I’m doing a new thing; now it sprouts up; don’t you recognize it? I’m making a way in the desert, paths in the wilderness." -Isaiah 43:18-19.
“From now on, brothers and sisters, if anything is excellent and if anything is admirable, focus your thoughts on these things: all that is true, all that is holy, all that is just, all that is pure, all that is lovely, and all that is worthy of praise.” -Philippians 4:8.
12/31/23