Customer Reviews

Heart-Centered Metaphysics

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While it certainly is an overview and introduction to Unity theological thinking, it must be stated very clearly that this is Hasselbeck's version of the Fillmores' teachings and don't represent the entirety or even necessarily a majority of the wonderful diversity and plurality of the Unity movement. There are many ways to understand and make meaningful the writings of Charles and Myrtle Fillmore, and Hasselbeck is one within a great variety of re-interpretation.

Hasselbeck makes it a point to let us know that he will be changing the Fillmores' language in order to more adequately fit what he takes to be the true meaning behind their words. However, he doesn't put his interpretation within the context of a wider tradition and environment of other Unity ministers and writers grasping the teachings quite differently. I guess I would liked to have seen more intellectual humility, interpretive nuance, and theological discourse with other perspectives than his own within the Unity movement. Instead, it was presented in a manner which suggests that his viewpoint is the only valid one in Unity or that his outlook represents everyone in the Unity denomination. And this is simply not the case.

However, as an avenue of entering into the general realm of Unity/New Thought concepts, ideas, and teachings, this book does a good job at this task.

This is perhaps the best introduction to Unity teachings that I've read. It reads like a glossary and clarifies Unity's views on God, the Silence, the Christ within, the Trinity, the nature of reality, the 12 Powers of the Christ within, Meditation, Prayer, ego, the process of spiritual unfolding (the spiritual path) and so on. For those who are not familiar with Unity Church, its teachings belong to the New Thought Movement (not to be confused with New Age) and present a practical Christianity far more similar to Eastern and Western Mystical thought (to include Gnosticism) than conventional Christianity. This book is one of the required texts if you're interested in taking Unity's courses on Metaphysics.

Hasselbeck presents each topic in a logical progression, supporting every point with numerous quotations from Charles and Myrtle Fillmore as well as many other classic Unity authors; then, he gives his summary of how he understands the meaning of those quotations. He also gives many practical suggestions for putting the teachings into practice in daily life. The book is divided into four sections corresponding to the four week-long classes in metaphysics that are offered by Unity's Spiritual Education and Enrichment program. In my opinion, Hasselbeck has provided the clearest expression of Unity's metaphysics that I have yet read.

If you are a metaphysician, New Thought practitioner, or Unity member, this book is an absolute must. It cuts through to the truth of what heart-centered metaphysics is all about and presents the information in a straight-forward manner. Hasselbeck knows his stuff and has compiled a great resource. This isn't a light read . . . it is an encyclopedia of Unity metaphysics. A great work.

Highly recommend this book for anyone who is into the Charles Fillmore readings. The author makes clear any metaphysical confusion the reader may have and also references every book of Fillmores. A reference bible if you may.

Purchased a copy and was glad I did. The book has a lot of good thoughts to absorb and is written in a friendly style. It will not appeal to Conservative Christians but the "New Ager" will be overjoyed with the contents.