Expanding Our Consciousness by Rev. Christine Emmerling, D.D. 7/19/2026

Today I’m speaking on Expanding Our Consciousness meaning to become more aware. Summertime for me represents the fullest of expression of God’s beauty throughout the gardens and fields of the earth; like a rose that is in full bloom, a tree filled with ripe fruit for the picking. Usually, we see people playing and having picnics in the parks, beaches, lakes, and travelers adventuring to faraway places. All experiencing a fullness of life; having adventures and gaining new experiences to bring back and share with our family and friends, and at home, school or workplace.

This year we can take our own adventure without leaving home through our mind of imagination. Expanding our consciousness is a creative imaginative process – stretching to new possibilities – and you can also add in some surprises just for the fun of it.

I have done this exercise for when I wanted to see – catch a vision – into the future for different possibilities. Expanding begins from where things are right now and then taking it to the next level. For example, to ask yourself, “What would be the next best version of me?” or “What could my life be like in 5 years?” Then get the sense of what it is like being the new you. It is like looking into the mirror wearing upscaled new clothes.

Science fiction has done this for us. On TV in the 1960s we had The Jetsons and Star Trek. And we can see so many of the futuristic ideas that have come to be created in some form – what seemed impossible is now the normal. The seeds were planted through imagination. Those seeds of imagination hold the whole potential for becoming reality.

Nona Brooks in her book “Mysteries” copy righted in 1924, in her own words, “We shall not need assembly rooms always; we shall sit in our homes, and hear the Sunday morning sermon, as well as the great musical programs, the operas, and speeches that are being broadcast now. From present indications we shall sit in our homes, some day in the not very distant future, and see the actors, as well as hear them, give their lines.”

Today we view all those programs through our video screens such as Television and some as large as a wall, computers, and mobile devices as small as wristband watches, and we even have equipment to experience virtual reality. Disney’s haunted house ride uses holographic technology for its ghostly images. Next it maybe holograms with the players dancing and acting in our living rooms or wherever we are, like in the Star Wars movies.

This is what I mean by taking it to the next step or level of expression. Jesus the Christ taught about a new kind of humanity; sees love as power, as in doing good towards their enemies; sees gentleness as strength; forgiveness as a way to be forgiven; giving as a way to receive; helping strangers with kindness without expecting a return.

He taught God is within everyone, is our very life, and is the one that does the works of raising the dead, miraculous healing, multiplying of the fish and loaves of bread, manifesting gold pieces from a fish's mouth, and the promise of eternal life. And, so much more was Jesus Christ’s vision for us; “And you too can do these works, and greater works than these shall you do.” John 14:12.

Jesus said to pray as though you have already received. This is using our imagination and being grateful knowing it is already fulfilled. Imagination is one of our greatest gifts - the gift to co-create into manifestation.

In the last 2000+ years we have seen much intellectual growth, but I foresee these next 2000 years of Aquarius as the age of the open heart. And what will that mean? The ego speaks through the mind of the intellect – our head – while the voice for God or Divine Spirit speaks through our heart with a still small voice. Ego is formed by a belief in separation from its source making it fearful. That Ego based running dialog within humanity is mostly judging oneself, someone else or something. While Divine Spirit is of oneness is always loving, compassionate and supportive. Fear constricts and destroys, while love enhances and expands life.

We have seen life with the intellect in charge; having wars, starvation, poverty, misuse of inventions for self-purpose and destruction. While if the heart was ruling equally with the intellect there would be plenty for all and peace would prevail on earth. Our next steps, require the expansion of the heart energy. Then we begin to experience the gifts of the spirit – divine intuition, wisdom, beauty, joy, and the ability to create heaven on earth.

Then the next giant leap in creation human beings to Christ Beings. Christ Jesus pointed to the Aquarian Age by telling his disciples to look for the man carrying a pitcher of water, for he will show them to the upper room. This upper room was their meeting place for what was the last supper with Jesus and his 12 disciples. Metaphysically the upper chamber represents being in a meditative or prayerful state of consciousness. Also known as being in a state of Christ consciousness.

Another example to stretch the imagination is to contemplate what this world might be like in 2000 years for the Age of Capricorn? What will the signs be? What will mankind or Christ beings be like? What comes next? I leave this to your imagination.

The following is a poem by James Dillet Freeman, titled “Through the Eyes of Love.”

Can you see the flowers when no flowers are there?

When the sky is empty and the fields are bare,

Can you see the beauty? Try, and you may feel

Through mind’s thin curtain to the eternal real

And shining glory, see the way things look

As they are painted in God’s picture book,

See that the stuff things have been fashioned of

Is not dull clay, but luminous with the love

Of God, and everywhere around you lies

Heaven, when you look at it with love’s eyes.

Not even all the flowers of May can match

This wonderment. Look, look, and you may catch

Glimpses of what was in God’s heart and mind

When first He made the world – oh; beautiful and kind!

Next I’m going to lead us in an exercise of creative imagination. First a little instruction. We’re going to have 5 minutes of silence for creative imagination. I invite you to be creative and expand your consciousness seeing and feeling it. If you’ve been ill, in pain, or unhappy with your situation. Just imagine what it would be like doing what you really love doing.

This is not a time to think about the how’s of getting there – just imagine the final outcome. Like turning on the TV and you are one of the actors in the play. What is the setting like – your surroundings? What part are you playing? What are you doing? Who is there with you? And, most importantly, how are you feeling? Describe in detail the future best you and what life is like. During this exercise be generous, be kind, be loving and adventurous with yourself. Imagine the best you - your best life.

We shall begin. Get comfortable, relax and bring your attention to your breath, to your breathing. Now ask the questions “What is the best me like? What is my best life like? How do I feel as this new me?” silence.

During the silence I shall play some soft music Tom Aragon’s The Angel Tape.

Now let us give thanks for this opportunity to be co-creative. And, that which is created in mind is being unfolded as our manifested world. And so it is.