Curated from Rev. Linda Martella-Whittsett, author, teacher and retired Vice President of the Unity Prayer Ministry.
A student asked a guru for guidance in the face of what he should do when he wasn't too sure of what to do. He felt confused about which spiritual practice would be right for him. He wanted to know which spiritual teacher would lead him to the liberation he craved.
Most everyone gathered in the hall were dedicated to the present guru. It was surprising to hear the question. Surely the answer was to stay on the guru’s path—joining in our shared practices. The guru listened however with dispassion. He paused. What he said next was underwhelming but very memorable.
The guru's reply was. “Just do the next thing.”
What did he mean? He explained that the brain shuts down and has nowhere to go when confused. At such a time there's only one thing to do—the next thing. Perhaps, sit up in your bed; take out the trash; drink a glass of water... do the next thing. “Of the hundreds of pages, I have written over three years that I resided at the ashram, this one sentence has stayed with me and means everything to me.” -Rev. Linda.
Just doing the next thing means focusing attention on spiritual power— the power identified by Unity Co-founder Charles Fillmore. We have the ability to concentrate, to be masterful, and to stand in spiritual authority. Simply concentrate on the one next thing. Be as simple and practical as possible. Interrupt your confusion and questioning. Center your mind. Take action in the present. Be unstuck from not knowing what to do.
Just do the next thing means... Take the easy way, the path of least resistance. Walk through the open door. Do things the simple way by simply acting. In the easy way, proceed gently. Don’t be too smart. Don't worry about whether you have everything you need to go forward. Don't weigh the next thing against the long term or an ultimate goal. Enjoy the ease and the orderliness of it. Embody divine order by just doing the next thing. “Act” is Unity Principle #5. Here’s a little secret: Better an “Oops” than a “What if.” Home Depot’s purchase receipts say, “How doers get more done.”
When gripped by indecision and thinking that there is no way to go or when wondering what way to go, just do the next thing. Never be stuck; never be helpless. Planning on doing only the next thing gives breathing room. The first step may have nothing to do with the cause of indecision. The next thing will become obvious, ready for immediate action. The following thing will come later. It will arrive soon enough. Remember that you are capable. Celebrate!
I do the next thing.
I go through the open door.
I follow the clear path.
I am a spiritual being.
Divinity was born in me.
I embody divine order.
I am powerfully focused.
This is the next thing.
12/08/24