The Great World House
Heather's story

Creating Strong
Bonds

by Heather Hunt

This is why the Universal Language of Mind connects people too, because it is a language everyone has in common.

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Since September 1, 2010, I have been a student at the College of Metaphysics. Before this, I was a student and teacher at, as well as the director of, the SOM school center in Dallas, Texas. At different points in my life, I have held jobs in communications, event coordination, public speaking, and yoga instruction, each of which gave me a taste of connectedness with others. However, one of the reasons I appreciate my studies at the School of Metaphysics, and strongly desire a Great World House, is because of the profound experiences of connectedness that the School of Metaphysics offers.

When I became a student at SOM in July 2007, I was especially curious about two things we were to study and come to understand, Universal Truths and Universal Language of Mind. Even though I didn’t fully comprehend these topics at the time, I believed that once I did understand these I would develop a heightened awareness of the true nature of reality, which is connectedness. I also believed that I would eventually and continually have opportunities to share these concepts with as many people as possible.

Universal Truths are principles that govern the creation of our lives and hold true for anyone, anywhere at any time. For example, these two statements, “every creation begins first with a thought” and “one thing leads to another,” always hold true no matter who you are, where you are or when. As I began to learn these and other Universal Truths I came to understand myself better which helps me understand others more and become a better teacher and leader. As I watch myself and others grow I am recognizing how the awareness of simple principles like this have a remarkable way of neutralizing differences and unifying people on a deeper level.

This is why the Universal Language of Mind connects people too, because it is a language everyone has in common. This language is one of pictures or images, which is what makes it universal. Take three people, one speaks Chinese, another speaks Russian and the other speaks French. Simultaneously, show them pictures of a building, a dog and a flower. Each person will know exactly what the image is even though their words used to describe the images are different. The Universal Language of Mind is a communication method that allows individuals to relate to each other through images, which dissolves, or at least dilutes, the challenges of spoken languages.

In fact, it is this picture language of Mind that communicates the value of Universal Truth and how certain principles transcend space and time. For example, when I read the following Holy Scriptures I can see with my physical eyes that the words are different, yet with my mind’s eye, the picture behind each principle is the same.

Bahá'í Faith: "And if thine eyes be turned towards justice, choose thou for thy neighbor that which thou choosest for thyself." Epistle to the Son of the Wolf.

Buddhism: “Hurt not others in ways that you yourself would find hurtful." Udana-Varga 5:18

Christianity: “Whatever you wish men to do for you, do likewise also for them, for this is the law and the prophets.” Matthew 7:12, Holy Bible

Hinduism: “This is the sum of duty: do not do to others what would cause pain if done to you.” Mahabharata 5:1517

Judaism: "...thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." Leviticus 19:18

Would you agree that the picture is the same for each of these? Whether you identify the quotes as “The Golden Rule” or as the “Ethics of Reciprocity” is a minor point, it is the truth conveyed in the image behind the words that is most relevant. Countless commonalities like this one thread through our world’s religions and can serve to unite, rather than divide us. Organizations like the Council for a Parliament for the World’s Religions have been established for this same reason, to cultivate harmony among all religions. When individuals are unaware of their commonalities with others there is separateness, awkwardness and at times disdain. Many of us either don’t realize or often forget the potential bond we may share with the stranger sitting next to us.

The School of Metaphysics promotes curiosity, learning, and openness with others.
In September 2009, the SOM World Headquarters hosted a Pre-Parliament of the World’s Religions event to honor the December 2009 Parliament of the World’s Religions (PWR) held in Melbourne, Australia. Even though an SOM delegation was traveling to Australia, many people from the public would not have such an opportunity. A couple hundred people from all over the U.S. attended this event. It brought so many diverse groups together for a common purpose. The theme centered on “Living peaceably begins by thinking peacefully,” a line from the Universal Peace Covenant. Based on the Universal truth stated earlier this is another Universal Truth.

Someone asked me if we will have a similar type of event every year. At the time, I thought no way, maybe every 4-5 years before the PWR convenes. With a Great World House, events like this can occur more frequently. In fact, the SOM World Headquarters will be able to host many kinds of groups.

The International Association for the Study of Dreams is another organization the Great World House will be able to serve. In July 2010, I had the privilege of attending the IASD annual conference with 14 other SOM representatives. This year it was held in Asheville, North Carolina. The common interest in dreams among over 200 people caused harmony and intrigue to permeate the air over the entire week of the event. The SOM course of study teaches people how to interpret their dreams using the Universal Language of Mind because your soul uses a picture language to communicate with you while asleep and dreaming. This method of dream interpretation brought a fresh approach to several of the conference attendees. Likewise, we received valuable new perspectives that add to the knowledge base SOM teachers use to educate.

Do you think our souls speak different languages? I believe they speak a common language that unites all when understood. The building of this Great World House has the capacity to unite us as souls because it will be a place where people of all walks of life, all backgrounds, faiths and nationalities will be embraced, revered and connected to one another.

I associate the meaning of connectedness with Namasté, a word often expressed by devotees of yoga. I understand the word Namasté to mean, “The Divine within me salutes the Divine love, light and truth within you.” This beautiful, simple expression—Namasté—encapsulates both an honoring of our uniqueness and the universality of our Divinity