“OOMPA: Five Principles of Unity” published!

OOMPA: Five Principles of Unity

Decades later, Unity minister Connie Fillmore Bazzy encapsulated many core ideas of her great-grandparents into what became the cornerstone of the Five Basic Unity Principles.

Faith Matters

Rev. Dr. Mitzi Lynton

Guest Columnist

Have you ever heard a song in a movie that made you smile and reminded you of your spiritual path? That’s what happened to me when I heard the ‘Oompa Loompa’ song in the recent ‘Wonka’ film. OOMPA is an acronym I use every week to remind my congregation of the Five Principles that serve as the basis of the Unity Church, founded in Kansas City, Missouri, in 1889 by Charles and Myrtle Fillmore.

Unity draws inspiration from the teachings of Jesus, a metaphysical interpretation of the Bible, and the wisdom of various world religions. Unlike many faith traditions, Unity has no particular creed since Unity’s co-founders believed in the ongoing revelation of spiritual truth.

Decades later, Unity minister Connie Fillmore Bazzy encapsulated many core ideas of her great-grandparents into what became the cornerstone of the Five Basic Unity Principles.

OOMPA serves as an acronym to remember these tenets:

O is for Omnipresence. This principle states that there is only one presence and one power; it is the source and essence of all life everywhere: God. Human beings exist as expressions of God’s love and creativity. This is based on the idea that God is not a person but an eternal principle of Good. Jesus says, ‘I and the Father are one.’ (John 10:30). We are not separate from God and can access God’s presence and power within us at any time.

O is for Oneness. At our core, we are inherently good, capable of expressing divine qualities like love, wisdom, and joy. This principle is based on the teachings of Jesus, who affirmed his oneness with the Spirit and called us to do the same. We are eternally one with God and one with all beings.

M is for Mind. This principle states that we create our reality through the activity of our thinking. Our thoughts, words, and feelings have power and influence our circumstances. We can change our lives by aligning our thoughts with God’s highest and best for us. The ‘Law of Mind Action’ states that ‘thoughts held in mind produce after their kind.’

P is for Prayer. Through prayer and meditation, we heighten our awareness of God’s presence and power within us. By using affirmative prayer, we co-create our lives with God. Since there are numerous forms of prayer and meditation, we might wonder which is best? The one that is best is the one you consistently use and which connects you to the Divine Presence.

A signifies Action. This principle is about embodying our spiritual beliefs through our daily actions – be it in work, relationships, or community involvement. It demonstrates that what we do and how we behave in the world matters. It’s about shining our Christ light and contributing to the well-being of others through acts of service and kindness.

These OOMPA principles support me in practicing my spiritual beliefs and in living a more fulfilling and harmonious life.

Rev. Dr. Mitzi Lynton is the minister of Unity of Tempe. Services are on Sundays at 10:00 am on the grounds of the Church of the Epiphany, Building B, 2222 S. Price Rd, Tempe 85282. Services are also available at UnityofTempe.org.