If the title made you open this blog to read it, know now that it has nothing to do with the Civil War or Rifles. It is about a demonstration.

What is a demonstration? It is the bringing forth of something that makes life reflect the inner workings of the Law of Mind in Action. A demonstration can be positive or it can be negative, although I don’t like to use those words. Let’s just say that a demonstration is just that – a demonstration of the consciousness of the one demonstrating “some thing or experience.”

In the case of the 16 Civil War rifles, I am catapulted back in time about 40 years. I was living in Farmington, New Mexico and I was heavily involved in the theater world there. I had acted in a few plays and decided I wanted to try my hand at directing. It was my first time out, and I decided to direct the musical “Shenandoah.” If you know anything about this story, it takes place during the Civil War. It is about a family – a widowed father and his six sons, and one daughter. He is trying to keep his family out of the war, but little by little he is drawn in.

At the time, I took on this play, I was told I was more than likely not going to be able to cast it. The male acting community in Farmington was sparse, and there was also an important role for a 10 – 12 year old Black male. I held the auditions and more than enough males showed up to cast the 16 confederate and union soldiers, the father and the six sons, the little boy, and the town pastor. The costumes were practically donated by a theater company in Albuquerque. The 16 Civil War rifles came through a Civil War historian who collected antique civil war articles. He JUST HAPPENED to have 16 rifles that he was willing to carry back and forth to the theater for everyone of the six performances.

Why am I telling you this story? Because t is about demonstration of a consciousness that was totally excited and passionate about what she was doing. I can tell you that I never once thought that this project would be impossible to accomplish and I never looked back once I started. I just saw the perfect conclusion all the way through. I’m not saying I didn’t have setbacks. I had to let the stage manager go during the dress rehearsals. I’m sure there were other instances of conflict, but never of indecision. I just knew.

At that time, I didn’t know anything about the Power of my mind. I didn’t know about the Science of Mind, of which now I hold a ministerial license. I just had a passionate, directed, consciousness that wouldn’t take no for an answer.

This is what I require now, as we continue with Center for Spiritual Living Kaua`i moving through this challenging time. That passion brought forth those 16 rifles is the same Power that drove us across an ocean seven years ago, with nothing but love for a philosophy. It is still here. Demonstrating a new Center under the restrictions and constant changes placed before us takes the same consciousness that brought forth 16 Civil War Rifles over 40 years ago.

“There is a Power in the Universe, greater than we are, and we can use it,” said Dr. Ernest Holmes. If there is anything you require in your life, I invite you to rely on that Power, to not take no for an answer, to be passionate about it, to be firm. The reliance on that Power is what is needed right now to bring forth healing for this planet. We all have access to It, because It is who and what we are.

Love and Aloha,

Rev. Rita Andriello-Feren

Spiritual Director, CSL Kaua`i, Practitioner and Spiritual Coach.