Living The Life.

The Humanitist Manual

THE CHURCH OF HUMANITY

THE CHURCH OF HUMANITY

You are more than what you think you are.
The Church Of Humanity is the natural creed of humankind. It is a religion with tenets as old as humanity itself. Ours is a religion that questions and actively seeks answers. We celebrate humanity and recognize the achievements and great destiny of all people. Ours is a religion of freedom, empowerment and hope.

THE CHURCH OF HUMANITY

Postal Address: The Church Of Humanity BM Box 700 London WC1N 3XX UK Web: Email: www.ChurchOfHumanity.com info@ChurchOfHumanity.com

2007 by The Church Of Humanity. All Rights Reserved.

Contents
A Personal Welcome From The Founder Being A Humanitist Your Personal Philosophy A Formula For Daily Living Meet Your Spiritual Guide -YOU Meditation: The Portal To The Cosmic Intelligence Tuning Into The Cosmic Intelligence How To Meditate The Science Behind Meditation Tips For Everyday Connection The Aims And Mission Of The Church Of Humanity Recommended Reading Church Of Humanity Membership Benefits Member Services Frequently Asked Questions About The Church Of Humanity Departments & Contact Details Mailing Address 4 6 9 12 16

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A Personal Welcome From The Founder

...That is humanities mission; to recognise who and what we are, and in doing so realise our full, infinite and divine potential. We shall give birth to ourselves.

t is with sincere pleasure and great delight that I welcome you to the worldwide community that is The Church Of Humanity. We extend the hand of friendship to every person on Earth irrespective of their race, religion, age or their social, educational or cultural background. Our creed is a religion of tolerance, hope, empowerment and freedom. It is truly a religion of reason. The Church Of Humanity brings together all that is wonderful, positive and noble in the human condition -- and we proudly proclaim our mission as being no less than the enlightenment of all and the unity of humanity. You are an amazing creation, and as we say; you are more than you think you are. You are not alone, separateness is an illusion, everyone and everything is connected, we are all part of the same amazing Universe... A vast Cosmic Intelligence where everything has a role and a place. You have a purpose and you are part of the great plan, the grand design. And now as a Humanitist, you stand at the beginning of a great journey. A voyage of discovery of the self and of the Universe. I think that you will agree that there is no greater work. My hope is that this book, together with the online Weekly Services, the Members Sanctum on the Church website, the publications, and the

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activities, courses and events, will provide you with a blueprint and guide to a more enlightened, joyful and prosperous life. It is also my hope to personally meet you at some time in the future at one of our services or events, until then may I wish you and your loved ones a profound peace,

David Abingdon

We extol the great achievements of humanity, the struggle to gain enlightenment and to throw off the shackles of ignorance, superstition and bigotry. We take pride in humankinds noble and ingenious abilities to succeed despite the challenges, regardless of the difficulties, and against all the odds... We are a race that can - and does.

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Being A Humanitist

Your decision to become a member of The Church of Humanity is the first step in your initiation into a new way of looking at yourself, your world and the Universe.

hat does it mean to be a Church of Humanity member?

Is it similar to a traditional religion where people attend services once a week, participate in other activities, such as Sunday School, charity events and sacred text studies? Well, there are some similarities to traditional religious organizations, but there are probably more differences. The Church has been organized within a framework that is reflective of modern times, and designed to fit a lifestyle conducive to the Age of Information, and to accommodate the ongoing and rapid changes in science and technology. For the present, all Church members can gain access to regular Church services via the Internet. The Churchs web site, www.churchofhumanity. org, features self study courses, publications, programs and video presentations in several formats. Everyone is welcome to take advantage of the information presented on the Church of Humanity site. As a member, youll also enjoy the additional benefits contained within the Members Sanctum and other programs that are progressively being introduced. Your decision to become a member of The Church of Humanity is the first step in your initiation into a new way of looking at yourself, your world and the Universe. By becoming a member, and by your frequent visits to the website, it is our hope that you will continue to grow in self-knowledge, and knowledge of the Church and its teachings. As a member, you are an equal among many. Thats why we value your membership. We need you. We

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need your unique perspective and your intellectual contributions toward shaping the mission and philosophy of the Church. Bringing people together, the unity of all human beings, and the collective effort of everyone to make the world a better place is an urgent goal of the Church. While you will find abundant resources provided by the Church, we place a very high value on what we call self initiation. This means that you take great personal responsibility for your own growth and salvation. We believe that when each individual member of our Church grows, we all grow. This process begins by gaining a deep understanding of the philosophy of the Church, which you can explore at your own pace both by viewing live online services, and by availing yourself of the materials youll find on the Web site. Of primary importance, and one of the most fundamental goals of The Church of Humanity is for everyone to have a greater recognition and connection with Cosmic Intelligence. It is through this intelligence that we not only connect with the One, but connect with each other, and flourish and expand as individuals. This is an exciting time to become a member of the Church of Humanity. You will participate in the creation of something new, with a fresh perspective on what it means to be a modern human being living in a scientific age, but an age which has also

Of primary importance, and one of the most fundamental goals of The Church of Humanity is for everyone to have a greater recognition and connection with Cosmic Intelligence.

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come full circle to rediscover the intensely deep underpinning of spiritual power that had been guiding both science and philosophy from the beginning of time. The universe is full of magical things, patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper. Eden Phillpotts, Novelist & Poet

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Your Personal Philosophy

ne of the primary diseases of our time is that millions of people have been cast adrift from a basic foundation from which to understand their own lives. For centuries, traditional religions have provided most people with a framework to shape their lives. But it was inevitable as science progressed that the most fundamental precepts of most religions would be shaken to the core. Today, traditional religion is in crisis. The more people learn about science, witness the success of the scientific method, and pick up all the miraculous tools that science has provided for us, the less legitimate the claims of the old religions seem to be. Its only natural for people to feel deeply the basic disconnection between the methods of science and the tenets of religion. The former deals only with facts, in what is observable and measurable, and demands a constant rigorous self questioning. Science and skepticism are fast friends. With traditional religion, it has been much the opposite. Questioning is not encouraged. The ability to have faith is central to maintaining ones standing with a religious framework. Most religions say: What we say cant be disproven, so you might as well believe it. In a world steeped in science, thats just not good enough anymore. Thus, in most developed countries, traditional

The great awareness comes slowly, piece by piece. The path of spiritual growth is a path of lifelong learning. The experience of spiritual power is basically a joyful one. Scott Peck, Psychiatrist & Writer

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The Church of Humanity seeks to bridge the gap between science and religion, heal the painful rifts caused by rapid change, and provide an all-new and practical foundation...

religions have witnessed their congregations fall away in droves. Ironically, the crisis in religion has also produced the opposite -- more and more severe fundamentalist sects. Extremely narrow-minded and fundamentalist interpretations of religion is an overreaction to what believers see as a challenge to their long-held religious belief systems. Because they see millions of people becoming godless and because they fear that without the moral grounding that religion has always provided, they retreat even further into the most basic aspects of their religions, and close their minds to anything that may challenge their beliefs. While the fear of change breeds fundamentalism, the loss of a once comfortable religious framework produces a kind of mass ennui and despondency among large segments of the worlds population. The Church of Humanity seeks to bridge the gap between science and religion, heal the painful rifts caused by rapid change, and provide an all-new and practical foundation -- a philosophy that embraces both the wonder and comfort of a spiritual framework, while acknowledging the power and benefits of science -- and showing how religion and science can harmonize and provide a total world view. Thus, the basic philosophy of Church members is one that honors the rational, curious, questioning

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intellect of human beings, while also providing a rich framework to experience that which may not be able to be defined in purely rational terms. People still need to believe in miracles, that there is some basic magic in the world, that the universe is a realm of enchantment and adventure. Indeed, what science is showing us is that there really is a Godlike force in the universe, that there is a Universal Intelligence, and that there is a proper way to make that reality a positive, loving force in all of our lives. The great thing about being a member of the Church of Humanity is that you will take an active part in creating the philosophy and framework of what the Church is all about. It will provide you with a solid grounding in moral values that can help you make sense of lifes meanings and make you feel comfortably at home among people and a Universe that cares about us. Life does have meaning. There really is a Higher Power that can help you guide your life. You are not alone. There is a bright and clear way forward, and there is every reason in the world to have hope for the future.

Indeed, what science is showing us is that there really is a Godlike force in the universe, that there is a Universal Intelligence, and that there is a proper way to make that reality a positive, loving force in all of our lives.

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A Formula For Daily Living

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For too long, the human race has been living under a man against nature mentality, or man against man or even mind against body point of view.

eing a member of the Church of Humanity means more than attending a regular Church service. Members are encouraged to adopt a comprehensive lifestyle that informs all aspects of their lives. Members should strive to live the philosophy of the Church. When you do so, all of your normal activities will be enhanced in amazing ways as you become grounded by the core principles of the Church. This does not mean you need to carry around some kind of instruction manual to consult every minute of the day. Rather, as you grow in the teachings of the church, you will develop a superior mental construct -- a philosophical foundation that will help you in innumerable small ways, and often in big ways, as you traverse the course of lifes adventures -- because thats what life should be -an adventure. Being a member of the Church of Humanity means changing your paradigm, or your basic outlook on life. For example, it is critical at this juncture in history for every human being to stop thinking of themselves as a biological machine toiling away in isolation in a hostile and uncaring universe. For too long, the human race has been living under a man against nature mentality, or man against man or even mind against body point of view. Basic assumptions like these -- basically incorrect assumptions -- cause you to stay rutted in archaic thinking. There is a saying: As the twig is bent, so grows the tree. If, at the root of your personal world view, you believe that you are in aggressive competition with other people, other businesses, other ethnic groups, even with the opposite sex, then you will naturally go out and shape your world in this way -- a world wherein you are constantly

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struggling against others and yourself. Certainly, competition is a fundamental process of nature, and competition is often a good and motivating thing, but most people are oversold on the notion of constant, unending, aggressive competition. We have come to live in a hyper-Darwinian world in which all species of nature are enveloped in a titanic struggle to survive -- and do so by grappling with and defeating others. But when you take a second, more thoughtful look at nature, you find just as much cooperation as competition, and perhaps even more cooperation. Bees pollinate flowers as they gather honey. They cooperate. A deer doesnt like to get eaten by a wolf, but if wolves would not reduce the deer population, more of them would die of disease and starvation. When an animal dies, it makes food for other animals. When an animals remains decompose, it fertilizes the soil. Minerals that were once in bones once again become minerals of the earth, ready for use by something else. From that soil spring healthy new plants, which in turn provide nourishment for more animals. Indeed, the proper view of nature is that of a system of vast interdependence and cooperation. There is a web of life. Everything is involved in a ceaselessly interacting, nourishing, changing, enhancing, transformation into each other. It is a complex dance that is the throb and pulsation of all existence.

Everything is involved in a ceaselessly interacting, nourishing, changing, enhancing, transformation into each other. It is a complex dance that is the throb and pulsation of all existence.

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All energy and matter of the universe is grounded in the zero point field, the primary manifestation of the Cosmic Intelligence.

Thus, instead of getting up each day with the attitude of joining the rat race you can decide today to stop framing your reality as a competitive struggle, and re-vision your life as a journey of cooperation with everyone joining you for a mutual ride to get to a better place. Its interesting to note that one of the most successful business models in recent years have been joint ventures strategies. Others call it fusion marketing. This is when two disparate companies find ways that they can share and merge resources for the mutual profit of each other. Today, literally millions of businesses are getting together to find innovative ways in which they can help each other grow. If you have studied business at all, or follow business stories in the media, all you seem to hear about is competition and competitive strategies. But you will rarely hear about business cooperation strategies -- yet the latter are among the most powerful and successful tactics of all. The Church of Humanity recognizes that quantum science has provided an incredible underpinning that helps us model our reality on cooperation and inter-connectedness. All energy and matter of the universe is grounded in the zero point field, the primary manifestation of the Cosmic Intelligence. You are connected to that Intelligence, you are a part of it. Everything else is connected to it as well -- including those aspects which you think you are competing with. If you reorganize your

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fundamental world view, bringing it into line with this new loving, interconnected, supportive mode of thought -- you will find your life changing dramatically. It will seem like magic at first, and perhaps magic is not such a bad word for it! When you incorporate the basic premise that your life and your existence is more about cooperation, it will infuse all aspects of your life, making your professional, personal, intimate and social life more enchanting and fulfilling.

Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known. Carl Sagan, Astrophysicist

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Meet Your Spiritual Guide - YOU!

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Meditate. Live purely. Be quiet. Do your work with mastery. Like the moon, come out from behind the clouds! Shine. Buddha

dopting the Church of Humanity basic paradigm of interconnected cooperation as the central element of your thought processes is the beginning of your Church membership activities. The Church of Humanity will provide instructions in a wide variety of methods and resources in which you can participate as per your choice. A primary practice or ritual that is essential to your personal spiritual growth, and therefore growth in all areas of your life, is that which helps you make a stronger connection to that all-encompassing web of total existence -- that Universal Intelligence or Cosmic Consciousness which is the ground of all being. A n c i e n t w i s d o m , from many traditions, and now cutting-edge science supports the idea that the strongest, most natural connection of human mind to Cosmic Intelligence is through the subconscious or unconscious mind. Again, similar to the problem of operating under a false paradigm of hyper-competition, people today have largely retreated from any real practical use of their own subconscious minds. Many of the problems and failings of the human race today can almost certainly be blamed on the total dominance of conscious, ego-driven, linear and empirical thinking models. The conscious, ego-dominated mind tends to be aggressive, focused on competition and winning at all costs. Some call this the male aspect of the psyche unchecked by the softer feminine visage of

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the psyche. Very often, the subconscious mind is associated with the feminine archetype - it is the softer, more subtle, less aggressive, more nurturing and supportive quality of the human mind. But, leaving the concept of male and female behind for now, the larger point we want to make here is that all of us need to start paying more attention to the subconscious -primarily because it is there where the whispers of Cosmic Intelligence may be heard and understood most deeply. To gain greater access to the subconscious mind, the conscious mind needs to be at least temporarily dampened or quieted. The conscious mind must relinquish its control long enough so that what lies beneath it can come forward and be better understood and used by us in a practical way. Its important to remember that we do not denigrate the conscious mind -- we only want to make it more cooperative with the subconscious mind, making the two work in greater cooperation as partners.

...All of us need to start paying more attention to the subconscious - primarily because it is there where the whispers of Cosmic Intelligence may be heard and understood most deeply.

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Meditation: The Portal To The Cosmic Intelligence

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I believe that one of the characteristics of the human race - possibly the one that is primarily responsible for its course of evolution - is that it has grown by creatively responding to failure. Glen Seaborg, Scientist

ave you ever tried to go to sleep at night, only to be tormented by your own mind? As you try to drift off to sleep, your mind keeps racing. You keep thinking about dozens of things -- your current problems and worries, your plans for the next day, sudden memories that come back at you unexpectedly, sometimes memories from dozens of years ago. It can be maddening. You just want to sleep, but your own mind, for some reason, wont let you. Or perhaps during the day you feel your mind is scattered. Instead of being able to concentrate and focus on the important tasks of the moment, you keep getting distracted by all kinds of thoughts, and the activity in your environment. Your attention span seems limited. The result is that the important tasks that need completing today are more difficult to concentrate on, and you function like a scattered, inefficient machine. Both of these examples are signs that your conscious mind is out of balance with the deeper, more sedate aspect of your consciousness -- your subconscious mind. Your conscious mind is in hyperdrive. It crowds out all intuition and deeper contemplative thought. The ancient Buddhists had a term for a runaway mind -- they called it monkey mind. But monkey mind is very much a disease of

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modern times. We live in a complex age, the age of information. We are constantly bombarded with messages from a myriad of sources. When you get up in the morning, you probably click on the radio or TV and are confronted with enormous amounts of information. Modern media is designed to cater to a short attention span. Most news items on radio or TV are rarely more than 30 seconds long. Broadcasters throw dozens of information items at you, compacted into short-time bursts. In between the news, they jam in messages from advertisers, weather reports, music, and anything else they can dump into your mind. Bombardment with media messages is only the beginning. Today, people are so engaged in the everyday world, a new term has been invented to describe common human activity -- multi-tasking. The term has been borrowed from the world of computers and applied to human beings. When people are driving to work, they listen to the radio as they think about all the tasks they must complete in the coming day. While they drive and listen to the radio, they read billboard advertisements, look at the scenery, monitor traffic signals and watch out for other drivers. Some do even other things in the car, like check their hair and make-up in the mirror, talk to people on cell phones, read and send text messages, even make notes with paper and pen. Some people listen to audio novels, or foreign language tapes. When you get to work, its more of the same. There are dozens of tasks to complete, e-mail to read, coworkers to chat with, coffee to drink, telephones to answer. A lot of people listen to the radio while they work. The result is a daily blizzard of items for your mind to cope with minute by minute. It

Science is organized knowledge. Wisdom is organized life. Immanuel Kant, Philosopher

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Your waking conscious mind -- that which you experience front and center every minute of the day -- is only a narrow band of the total mind available to you.

doesnt even stop on lunch breaks. A lot of people discuss business over lunch or share the buzz of their personal lives as they eat. The result of it all is setting the conscious mind into overdrive, crowding out everything else -- and by everything else we mean the enormous amount of information that is existent in the sphere of consciousness, in that ocean of light that is the zero point field and Cosmic Intelligence. Think of it this way: The spectrum of light is actually a wide band of wavelength frequencies, but as human beings, we only perceive an extremely narrow segment of that total spectrum. We cannot see infrared light, ultraviolet light, radio waves, X-rays, gamma rays and more. But just because we cannot see it all does not mean that it does not exist. The spectrum of consciousness is similar. Your waking conscious mind -- that which you experience front and center every minute of the day -- is only a narrow band of the total mind available to you. Some psychologists compare the human mind to an iceberg. Ninety percent of an iceberg looms unseen beneath the surface of the water, with only the tip peaking out the top. A large iceberg is a magnificent sight floating in the blue sea, just as our conscious minds are magnificent. But because we tend to invest so much into what we can see with our eyes, it is difficult to remember that the vast majority of the iceberg is unseen, and the vast majority of our minds are ignored.

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Your subconscious mind is open to a greater spectrum of information existent in the universe. Its available to you, but because your ordinary mind is so busy multi-tasking, you almost never pay attention to the more subtle forms of information that surround you at every instant. Yet, even people with the most busy minds sometimes get hunches, bursts of intuition and other sudden creative insights that seem to come out of nowhere. Indeed, we have been taught that these incredible creative nuggets are from nowhere and that they are anomalies. The fact is, however, there is very good scientific evidence to suggest that creative, intuitive impressions is information existent in the universe. When we experience those wonderful moments of inspiration, we are actually accessing not only our own greater minds, but the mind of Cosmic Intelligence. Everyone would agree that these mysterious, intuitive, creative bursts of information are wonderful experiences. Everyone wishes they would have more of them. The fact is, you can not only have a more creative and intuitive mind, but you can harness the vast potential of your subconscious mind -- and even more exciting -tap into the unlimited, infinite information of the Cosmic Intelligence. It is important to note that we are not saying that your conscious mind is bad or inferior -- but what is important is that it not be allowed to control and dominate your total daily existence. The goal is greater cooperation.

When we experience those wonderful moments of inspiration, we are actually accessing not only our own greater minds, but the mind of Cosmic Intelligence.

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Tuning Into The Cosmic Intelligence How To Meditate

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Meditation is both an art and science that can be traced back in many forms throughout centuries of human development.

etting in touch with the Cosmic Intelligence - the Mind of God - starts with learning to quiet the constant din and clamor of the conscious mind. There are formal ways to do this, and there are many small, daily adjustments you can make that will bring the subconscious forward. Formal methods involve regular or daily sessions of meditation. Lets discuss that first. Meditation is both an art and science that can be traced back in many forms throughout centuries of human development. All major religions have developed particular styles of meditation. Meditation is perhaps most associated with Eastern religions such as Buddhism, and various Hindu sects, which have developed very advanced and formal protocols for what each considers proper meditation. But even Western religions practice meditative techniques, even though they may not call them that. Catholics, for example, pray with rosaries, which involve the rhythmic repeating of certain prayers, and its usually done in a quiet setting while the worshipper focuses his or her mind on God. Those who practice Zen meditation might argue that their practice is extremely different from those who favor, say, transcendental meditation. The

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Church of Humanity does not endorse nor frown upon any existing technique or particular school of meditation, but recognizes the benefit of many forms of meditation. The bottom line is, you can learn to meditate in a way, or with a method, that suits your personality best. You can even invent your own form of meditation. All you need is to understand the universal basics that are common to just about all forms of meditation. Here are some suggestions and guidelines: 1. Formal meditation is most powerful when done every day. 2. Thirty minutes to one hour per day are optimum, but even if you feel you have time for just 10 or 15 minutes per day of formal meditation, the benefits will still be significant. 3. Meditation can be done alone, or with groups of people. Many people report that meditating alone is extremely difficult -- yet others prefer meditating while alone. Some experimentation will reveal what is best for you. 4. The fundamental goal of meditation is to quiet the mind. Note that the goal of meditation is not to go into some kind of trance, hypnotic state or radically altered state. The goal of meditation is very simple: To learn to become very calm and quiet for a certain period of time every day. You remain who you are and aware of who you are -- its just you

Formal meditation is most powerful when done every day.

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being very calm, quiet and peaceful. 5. Most meditation starts with breathing. Take notice of your breathing the next time you are very excited or experiencing anxiety. You will discover that you are breathing from the top of your chest, and with short and rapid intakes of breath. The greater your anxiety, the more rapidly you breath. When you are calm and relaxed, it is just the opposite. You breath more evenly and closer to your stomach. You will soon learn that your state of mind follows the way you breath. When you make a conscious effort to take deeper, slower breaths, your mind follows suit and becomes calmer and more relaxed. T h i s effect is increased when you make an effort to breath from your stomach, rather than from your chest. 6. Formal meditation techniques prescribe certain postures and positions. Zen meditation, for example, requires that you sit in the lotus position -- legs crossed, spine straight, chin slightly down with the skull cap pointing up toward the ceiling or sky. However, many people are simply unable to sit in

You will soon learn that your state of mind follows the way you breath.

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the lotus position, while others find it so uncomfortable they forego meditation altogether. Thus, we suggest you find a position that is easy and comfortable for you. You can sit in a chair, lie flat on your back on the floor, or find some other suitable position. Whatever the case, strive to keep your spine and neck straight and in alignment. 7. When you are in position, began breathing deeply and slowly, pushing the air in and out with your diaphragm, the lower part of your stomach. Breath in deeply, hold it for a tiny instant, and then let it out slowly and evenly. 8. Now the part which many people find the most difficult -- as you breath, you should seek to make your mind as empty as possible. The last thing you want to do is think about all those things you think about every day -whether it be problems or anxieties, or happy, pleasant thoughts. The goal is to ignore those daily conscious thoughts. The only thing you should be thinking about or paying attention to is your breathing. Simply pay attention to how your breaths come in, and how they go out, and nothing else. Now heres an extremely important point: You want to empty your mind, but you do not want to struggle against your thoughts. When people first start meditating, they are

Now heres an extremely important point: You want to empty your mind, but you do not want to struggle against your thoughts.

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It is not enough to have a good mind. The main thing is to use it well. Rene Descartes, Philosopher & Mathematician

surprised at how extremely difficult it is to simply stop thinking! Your thoughts just keep coming. They distract you. They prod at you. They seduce and tempt you. Very often, you forget about your breathing and youre soon off on one thoughtful tangent or another. But whenever you find your mind wandering, dont struggle. Rather, very gently bring your attention back to your breathing. You will find your mind wandering again and again. Dont panic or get frustrated. Just keep bringing your attention back to your breathing, even if you have to do it a hundred times in 20 or 30 minutes. As you continue to practice, you may or may not find that this gets easier for you. Be aware: When many people try formal meditation for the first time, they find it to be among the most difficult activities they have ever done. Meditation sounds simple and relaxing -- and it can be -- but for people whose conscious minds have been on hyperactive overdrive for most of their lives, just 15 minutes of trying to make it be quiet and relinquish some of its control can be remarkably difficult. Its easy to get discouraged. If you continue this practice, however, the benefits to your life will be enormous, even extraordinary. Some people report that they never seem to get better at meditation. That is, they never seem to be able to calm their minds, or chase away their

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busy thought patterns. But advanced masters of meditation will tell you that this does not matter. Its not how well you meditate that is important, but the fact that you do it on a regular basis. In meditation, there is no good or bad or right or wrong. Just continue your practice and dont expect a specific result. The benefits in your life will make themselves known when you least expect it. On the other hand, many find that meditation brings powerful results, and changes their lives dramatically in a very short time.

Its not how well you meditate that is important, but the fact that you do it on a regular basis.

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The Science Behind Meditation

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The journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step. Lao Tzu, Philosopher

ecent advances in medical technology have made it possible to verify and explain the beneficial effects of meditation. Researchers Daniel Goleman and Tara Bennett-Goleman conducted tests which showed an active relationship between the amygdala and the prefrontal cortex during meditation. The amygdala is the part of the brain that controls feelings of anger and anxiety. The prefrontal cortex, on the other hand, makes people slow down and be more thoughtful. This makes the prefrontal cortex excellent for analyzing and planning, but not good for making snap decisions. The amygdala is good for making rapid judgments based on whats happening in the environment, and has a powerful effect on human emotions and behavior, mostly in moments of crisis. For example, if a person sees a lion leaping out at them, the amygdala will trigger a fight or flight response long before the prefrontal cortex responds. The trouble is, the amygdala usually does not discriminate between real danger and only perceived danger. This is particularly true in our modern world where social strife, job anxiety, relationship problems and more trigger the amygdala as if we were about to be attacked and eaten by a sabretoothed tiger. But unlike our ancestors who only occasionally had to worry about predators, people today experience events many times a week which can trigger the amygdala response. The result is frequent anxiety events which, simply put, tends to drive people crazy. Its why so many people are nervous and agitated. Its why so many people resort to taking anti-anxiety medications, such as Prozac or Valium -- drugs which calm the mind, but also

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deaden the creative spirit, produce addiction, and very often make people feel like walking zombies. Studies of meditators have shown that the amygdala effect can be eliminated from daily life without the use of any harsh drugs - yet still keep people safe by alerting them when they are truly in danger, and not just perceived danger. Other studies of meditation have linked the practice to increased activity in the left prefrontal cortex, which is associated with concentration, planning, meta-cognition, or thinking about thinking, and positive feelings. Meditation increases activity in the left prefrontal cortex, and the changes are stable over time. That is, even if you stop meditating for a while, the calming, positive effects linger. The brainwaves of experienced meditators have been studied using the electroencephalograph (EEG). The EEG showed that the brainwaves of skilled meditators showed a significant rise in gamma wave activity in the 80 to 120 Hz range during meditation. There was also a rise in the range of 25 to 42 Hz. This effect is most profound in meditators that have been practicing for 10 years or more, but the effect is also seen in beginning meditators. Also during meditation there is a modest increase in slow alpha or theta wave EEG activity. Alpha and theta wave activity is associated with a feeling of bliss, or as some people report, feeling blessed.

Alpha and theta wave activity is associated with feeling of bliss, or as some people report, feeling blessed.

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There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle Author

At The Church of Humanity, we place particular importance on those areas where religion and science intersect and support each other. In the case of meditation, we have literally centuries of evidence that meditation is a proven way to improve ones life, to feel happier and experience a spiritual oneness with the cosmos. And now that solid science has backed up this claim, we can state with a great deal of certainty that meditation will have the effect it claims to, and therefore, it would be a missed opportunity to not adopt this practice and use it to make your life better. Again, meditation will quiet the unnecessary clamor that rushes through your mind every minute of the day, causing you stress, anxiety, and blocking your conscious thoughts from the deeper, more profound and subtle information that is omnipresent in the universe -- what we call Cosmic Intelligence.

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Tips For Everyday Connection

o, think of formal meditation as a daily practice that will help condition your mind to be calmer, more creative and spiritual. But living the Church of Humanity philosophy means bringing your spiritual practices into every facet of your life. Thus, we recommend you nurture your deeper, more thoughtful subconsciousness mind in more practical ways, allowing it to come forward more often in every-day situations. If you practice daily meditation, this will happen more naturally. But you can also take a more proactive approach. Try this experiment: Tomorrow, during the normal course of your day, take a moment to notice how you are breathing. Do it several times a day. You may be sitting at your desk at work, driving your car, or cleaning your house. Many people are surprised to find that their breathing is actually fairly tight, shallow and rapid, and for no particular reason. What this indicates is that your normal state of mind is possibly a lot more tightly wound that perhaps you thought it was. While you continue what you are doing, consciously make your breathing deeper, slower and more regular. Breath from your stomach rather than from your chest. You may be very surprised at how much better you start to work, even in stressful situations. It may seem paradoxical, but by slowing down, you will actually speed up, and work more efficiently and

It may seem paradoxical, but by slowing down, you will actually speed up, and work more efficiently and productively.

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productively. When your mind is calmer, you think more clearly, make fewer mistakes, and you will see possibilities for improving the way you work which your stressed out monkey mind may have been blocking from you. When you make conscious attempts to make better use of your subconscious mind, it will respond in kind. Developing Intuition: Another daily activity involves testing the abilities of your intuition dozens of times per day. For example, every time your phone rings, pause for an instant and see if you can guess who is calling you. If someone knocks on the door, look inward briefly to see if you can determine who is there before you go answer the door. Without looking at the clock, see if you can tell what time is it several times a day. When you try this as first, you will probably have mostly misses when you try to foresee who is calling you or who is at your door before you find out. But think of it this way: You are just beginning to exercise a certain mental muscle that you have long ignored -- in this case, your subconscious mind and its abilities. For most people, the intuitive, prescient powers of the subconscious have atrophied from long disuse. Thus, when you first began to invoke its powers, it may seem like a waste of time and produce lessthan-spectacular results. But like any muscle in your body, it will begin to respond and strengthen when you start to acknowledge it, test it, stretch it, and use it more vigorously every day. When you make conscious attempts to make better use of your subconscious mind, it will respond in kind. Its like telling your subconscious mind that you want it to wake up, come forward and play a

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larger role in your daily life and existence. The subconscious mind takes orders from the conscious mind to a great extent. It is said that the subconscious mind does not know the difference between the truth and a lie. Whatever you program your subconscious mind to do, it will do, and do so naturally. The more and longer you continue to test and attempt to activate your subconscious processes, the stronger you will grow in this ability, and the more amazed you will be with the positive results it will bring to your daily life. Always keep in mind: Your subconscious mind is your best and most direct connection to the Cosmic Intelligence. When you operate more in connection and with greater synchronization of the Cosmic Mind, everything in your life will seemingly fall together more easily, with less stress and with greater creativity. Youll get more work done with less effort. Youll have more flashes of brilliant insight. Youll soon begin to see the world and your life in a whole new way, and youll like what you see very much.

When you operate more in connection and with greater synchronization of the Cosmic Mind, everything is your life will seemingly fall together more easily, with less stress and with greater creativity.

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The Aims And Mission Of The Church Of Humanity

A
...It is important that we all clearly understand the values, principles and aims of the Church.

s a member of the Church we are sure that you will agree that it is important that we all clearly understand the values, principles and aims of the Church. This is useful to know, not just because you should but because non-members may enquire of you what it is that the Church does, what it stands for and what its goals are. Here is a brief explanation of each of these: Our Mission The mission of The Church Of Humanity is the relentless and rational pursuit of ultimate truth for the benefit of all humanity. The Personal Mission Of Every Humanitist It is our duty and responsibility to help our fellow human beings free themselves from poverty, misery and disease and in doing so help and uplift them so that they may realize their true potential. This is also expressed in The Code Of Humanity. The Aims Of The Church Our aim is to proliferate enlightened thought; freedom, empowerment and hope, thereby unifying humankind and strengthening our connection and bond with the Cosmic Intelligence All That Is. The General Statement Of Creed The Church Of Humanity is the natural creed of humankind. It is a religion with tenets as old as humanity itself. Ours is a religion that questions and actively seeks answers.

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We celebrate humanity and recognize the achievements and great destiny of all people. Ours is a religion of freedom, empowerment and hope. The Core Principle The Human Birthright There is an unlimited, all-encompassing and permeating force existent in the Universe.* This is the Ultimate Source and Power. It is infinite and all prevailing. It is everywhere, every-when and everything. It is all. It transcends space, time and dimension. It is without beginning or end. It is eternal. It is the originator, yet came before and remains after. It is without form, but is form itself. It is the field, the energy, the force, and the very fabric of the Universe. Is it the light. Above all, it is the power of balance and good. It is radiant love. It is pure intelligence. It is perfection, it is all-knowing, conscious and all-aware. It connects everything and is in everything; the planets, the stars, the galaxies and all that lies in-between and beyond. It is vibration and pressure. It is all matter, life, consciousness, intelligence and thought. So great has been the endurance, so incredible the achievement, that, as long as the sun keeps a set course in heaven, it would be foolish to despair of the human race. Ernest L. Woodward Author & Philanthropist

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It is The One. All That Is. It is the Ultimate Source and Power, the Cosmic Intelligence. Humanity is of, and is therefore part of, the Ultimate Power and Cosmic Intelligence The voyage of discovery is not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes. Marcel Proust, Novelist As part of the Ultimate Power, we have unlimited potential. *Some call it God, while others prefer more modern or
updated terms. But, ultimately, whatever term one chooses to apply to the concept of an Ultimate Source and Power.

The Code Of Humanity As Enlightened Human Beings: We do not kill or harm each other unless to protect the greater good or ourselves. We help and aide others gain freedom from poverty, misery and disease. We are citizens of the Planet; therefore, we respect, revere and protect it. We pursue knowledge and truth to understand the Universe and our place within it. We embrace our relationship with the loving and Ultimate Power -- the Cosmic Intelligence -- and the grace, power and wisdom we can gain from that stronger connection. It Is Therefore Our Mission: That this noble cause of the elimination of suffering and the relentless, rational pursuit of

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truth, be embraced by all humankind. That only by the unity of humanity can we collectively achieve our ultimate and divine destiny. That by nurturing our loving connection to All That Is, will we become more than we are. How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world. Anne Frank Diarist

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Recommended Reading

A
When you sell a man a book you dont sell him just 12 ounces of paper and ink and glue - you sell him a whole new life. Christopher Morley

ll of the teachings included in the books and courses written by the Church are well researched subjects and are designed to help you on your great quest. These are available at an affordable price as both downloads and printed copies from the Church Store on the website. To begin with you may wish to read the following which will give you a good grounding before moving onto the other teachings: Redefining Human Consciousness. The Science With Soul: Quantum Physics. Cosmic Consciousness - The Evolution Of The Mind. A Course on Abundance And Attraction: How To Get What You Want From Life.

Also, our monthly Magazine Humanity provides a wide range of subjects all related to the Church and its teachings.

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Church Of Humanity Membership Benefits

Reprinted from the Introductory Booklet.

Practical Benefits Membership in The Church of Humanity will have practical benefits for your every-day life. Many traditional religions concentrate on socalled spiritual growth or benefits, which are not measurable in objective or realistic terms. But there is no true separation between what some call spiritual values and physical values. All areas of your life will benefit when all of them are in balance and working together. This includes personal, social, financial, spiritual, mental, psychic and the transcendent realm of your existence. Physical Benefits A major aspect of the Churchs philosophy is that a healthy body is an important element for each human being to achieve their highest potential. The Church of Humanity provides a program of enlightening insights into how every person can achieve vibrant health and increased physical vitality. The word vitality comes from the Latin vita which means life. When your physical body is not in peak condition, you are not fully alive. You will be hampered in your ability to grow in other areas of your life, including the transphysical areas of mind and spiritual growth. But when you are in peak physical condition, your physical body will assist you in all areas of development -because, ultimately, there is no true distinction between mind, body and what some would call soul.

A major aspect of the Churchs philosophy is that a healthy body is an important element for each human being to achieve their highest potential.

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Every individual has the power within themselves to have the positive and peaceful, yet creative and energetic stream of consciousness they desire.

Mental Benefits You are the master of your own mind, the captain of your mental state. The great Roman emperor Marcus Aurelius said some 2,000 years ago: Such as are your habitual thoughts, such also will be the character of your mind; for the soul is dyed by the thoughts. Yet, so many people live their daily lives as if a victim of their own thoughts. Every individual has the power within themselves to have the positive and peaceful, yet creative and energetic stream of consciousness they desire. Your mind is your own, you own it and you can make it work for you in exactly the way you want. The Church of Humanity is a place where you can gain Mental Mastery. Social Benefits Human beings are innately social animals and a fulfilling social life is essential to the overall highest potential of each individual. The Church of Humanity itself is a collection and gathering of like-minded people, all of whom feel the urgent need to expand who they are as individuals, but also to join in unity with others to find the natural love and support of a group. But whether within the Church or outside, a robust and healthy social life is key to the best development of human beings. Thus, the Church provides resources to enhance a fulfilling social experience. Psychic Benefits When most people hear the word psychic they think of ESP or some Sixth Sense kind of mental ability. But there is so much more, including enhanced forms of creativity,

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visualization, inspiration, animation and more. Whatever the case, good scientific data indicates that there are dormant or latent abilities of the human mind that have been ignored and remain undeveloped in the vast majority of the population. The Church of Humanity is extremely interested in tapping into the vast extended potentials of the human mind that lay beyond the traditional five senses. This is rich territory where much remains to be uncovered and discovered and is part of the exploratory mission of the Church. Spiritual Benefits Spirituality means many different things to different people. Albert Einstein, for example, felt that spiritual experience was the sense of wonder one gains when one contemplates the marvels of the Universe, including its yet to be understood mysteries, as well as the profound aspects of reality that science has already revealed to be true. For others, spirituality is a more abstract relationship with the divine that defies description. For the Church of Humanity, a connection with the spiritual recognizes both of the above. Spirituality is when you experience the connection with All That Is -- when you feel At one with the One. To feel expanded, and that total connection with the all-permeating Cosmic Intelligence is the natural state of human beings. That so, many dont feel this today is evidence of the fragmentation of humankind within itself -- a kind of spiritual disease with many complex underpinnings, including the pervasiveness of reductionist science and dogmatic, schismatic traditional religions. Through Church of

Spirituality is when you . experience the connection with All That Is -- when you feel At one with the One.

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Humanity study you can find your way back home to your natural state of belonging, to the human race, to the Earth and to the Universe.

One can never consent to creep when one feels an impulse to soar. Helen Keller, Author & Activist

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Member Services
Reprinted from the Introductory Booklet.

Weekly Congregational Services. The Church Of Humanity is providing a regular service. This is available online to the World Community. Details of service times are available on the Churchs main website. Healing & Support Council. The Church of Humanity is establishing distant intentional healing, support and assistance carried out by Church Healing & Support Council appointed practitioners. This is to help those members who are experiencing illness, or require support or comfort in time of need. Details of this valuable service will be available on the main website. Those members with healing and support skills wishing to be considered for membership of the Council should contact the Church directly. Church Of Humanity Advancement Programs & Classes. The Church is progressively introducing a range of personal development programs and courses designed to assist members in their spiritual pursuit. Further details may be found on the Churchs main website. Convocations, Forums & Retreats. The Church website provides up-to-date information on meetings, events and other activities.

Iron rusts from disuse, stagnant water loses its purity, and in cold weather becomes frozen, even so does inaction sap the vigors of the mind. Leonardo Da Vinci Artist, Architect & Scientist

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The mission of the Foundation is nothing less than to discover and reveal the answers to the Great Questions that have mystified humankind since its dawn.

Church Store. The Church Store is an online service that details many publications, videos, audios and Church products, supplies and resources of interest to Church members. IMPORTANT NOTE: As a member you will receive a discount on many publications, products and events. Please refer to the Church Store on the website for more details. Church Newsletter. Church members receive a weekly emailed newsletter that provides an invaluable medium for Church news, views and cutting-edge articles. Church Ministry And Support Practitioner Classes. The Church actively encourages and seeks those members that feel that they have a calling to assist in the great work of the Church as a Minister, or a Support or Healing Practitioner. Applications should be made directly to the Church. The Church Of Humanity Research Foundation. The Church is establishing a research and development foundation that is dedicated to the pursuit of human knowledge and to pushing back the boundaries of that which is as yet unknown. The mission of the Foundation is nothing less than to discover and reveal the answers to the Great Questions that have mystified humankind since its dawn.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Church Of Humanity

1. Why does The Church Of Humanity call itself a church or religion? Religion has always been an important part of the human psyche since the dawn of time. As human beings it is within our nature to want to belong. We consciously seek to identify with certain groups, causes or in this case, a religion. Many of us crave and pursue knowledge of that which we feel is greater than ourselves or mysterious. The Church Of Humanity answers this need by providing a forum and rallying point for those who seek to be among compatriots in an environment of sharing and enlightenment. The word church is broadly defined as a congregation of like-minded people, the followers of a creed. We feel that this adequately describes who and what we are. 2. What are the benefits to me of being a member of The Church Of Humanity? There are many benefits that you receive as part of your membership of the Church. Perhaps highest of these is knowledge and comfort that you now belong to a creed of fellow travellers. You now also have access to the online Members Sanctum which has an expanding library of tools, articles and resources for you to explore and use as well as details and announcements of upcoming Church events. Additionally, members may participate in Church activities and services. Additionally, you will welcomed into the Members Forum, an online discussion medium where you can exchange views, gain

The word church is broadly defined as a congregation of likeminded people, the followers of a creed.

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answers and share your own wisdom. 3. As a member are there any costs or fees to pay? No. Membership is free. Every person is entitled enjoy the benefits that Church membership provides without cost. Of course, we hope that as a member that you may choose to donate towards the work and causes of the Church but this is entirely voluntary and completely at your discretion. The Church also promotes publications and merchandise - in addition to programs, courses and events which you may or may not wish to purchase. 4. Are there be any special obligations or requirements made of me as a member? No, there are no obligations or requirements whatsoever. The Church Of Humanity is dedicated to the uplifting of humankind. As mentioned, there are no demands for money, no expectations of members having to perform tasks, nothing whatsoever. Our wish is for every member to gain value, insights and personal enlightenment from their membership of the Church. 5. How old is The Church Of Humanity? The Church is a recently established organization but maintains that its Core Principle and much of its teachings are as old as humanity itself. This ancient wisdom is now being verified by cutting edge science. With the Church you have the opportunity to examine and use these teachings and truths for yourself and to bring practical, positive and lasting illumination into your life.

The Church Of Humanity is dedicated to the uplifting of humankind.

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6. As a member do I have to give up my current beliefs or religion? No. The Church Of Humanity does not pass judgement on other religions or philosophies other than those belief systems that may endorse or encourage harm to others. Members are free to pursue whatever they wish outside our Church. Our hope is that all members will find great value and a sense of fellowship at the Church in an atmosphere of growth, friendship and discovery. 7. What specifically are the beliefs or teachings of The Church Of Humanity? The Church does not have doctrine or dogma. It does however have a code known as The Code Of Humanity. This is a simple convention that is more a pledge of conscience made by members to try to live, and help others live, a better and more happier life through the pursuit of truth, connection with the Cosmic Intelligence and the unity of humanity. Furthermore, the Church holds as its Core Principle that there is a force, an ultimate power of infinite intelligence that originated, permeates and indeed is the universe and humanity itself. As such, humanity is a race of connected spiritual beings of unlimited potential. It should be noted that we do not advance this principle as a matter of faith but on reason and overwhelming scientific evidence. The teachings of the church are put forward on the basis of helping to extend each and every members consciousness with the aim of exploring, utilizing and strengthening this divine connection.

The Church does not have doctrine or dogma. It does however have a code known as The Code Of Humanity.

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The Church encourages those members who wish to assist in the great work or in helping humanity by participating, volunteering or even providing financial support.

8. What activities are there? Members are invited to participate in Church retreats, workshops and conferences. These events, which cover a broad range of related subjects, usually include an inspiring spiritual service or convocation. There are also new and engaging self-learning programs being progressively introduced for the benefit of members. 9. Is there a meeting place or is it all online? Currently all services are only available online. The Church is working towards opening several centers throughout the world, as funds permit, over the forthcoming two years. 10. Can I get more involved? Yes, most certainly. The Church encourages those members who wish to assist in the great work or in helping humanity by participating, volunteering or even providing financial support. As the activities and influence of the Church grows, more and more people are required to facilitate the expansion. This may be in the form of assisting in healings, counselling, church administration, foundation work, or humanitarian projects. 11. How does The Church Of Humanity financially support itself? Membership of the Church is free and no one is expected or obligated to donate any monies whatsoever. The Church provides an increasing range of services and support to members that have been initially funded by the founder. However, to continue and build upon the great work, the expansion, new premises, administration and proposed

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humanitarian projects, there is a clear need for more and continuing funds. Obviously, this is only possible by the enormous generosity and philanthropy of our members and friends. We provide several donation methods for those of our members who wish to support the cause and work of the Church. Additionally, the Church offers books, materials, programs and events which raises some money.

In everyones life, at some time, our inner fire goes out. It is then burst into flame by an encounter with another human being. We should all be thankful for those people who rekindle the inner spirit. Albert Schweitzer, Theologian, Muscician & Medical Missionary

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Departments & Contact Details

Administration & General Information info@ChurchOfHumanity.com Love the animals, love the plants, love everything. If you love everything, you will perceive the divine mystery in things. Once you perceive it, you will begin to comprehend it better every day. And you will come at last to love the whole world with an all-embracing love. Fyodor Dostoyevsky Novelist Donations donations@ChurchOfHumanity.com Humanity Publications publications@ChurchOfHumanity.com Founders Office founder@ChurchOfHumanity.com Voluntary Services volunteer@ChurchOfHumanity.com Church Store store@ChurchOfHumanity.com Healing & Support Council healing@ChurchOfHumanity.com Humanity Foundation foundation@ChurchOfHumanity.com Ministry ministry@ChurchOfHumanity.com Members Services help@ChurchOfHumanity.com

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Mailing Address
The Church Of Humanity BM Box 700 London WC1N 3XX UK

You are more than you think you are. from The Church Of Humanity to every human being

Telephone

Tel:

From outside UK: + 44 207 873 2305 Within UK: 0207 873 2305

Fax:

From outside UK: + 44 207 873 2303 Within UK: 0207 873 2303

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THE CHURCH OF HUMANITY

You are more than what you think you are.

The Humanitist Manual

The Humanitist Manual is your guide to getting the most from the Church and is free to members. This invaluable book provides a daily plan for living the philosophy and preparing yourself for a new, thrilling and more fulfilling life.

THE CHURCH OF HUMANITY