What is a "White Stone Ceremony?" Why is it so important? This article is taken from the Unity Center for Universal Prosperity and is an excellent explanation.
A freed prisoner in ancient Rome received a white stone as proof of his right to a new beginning. The white stone symbolized a clean slate. Every new moment is an opportunity for me to begin again with a clean slate. Turning within for guidance, I initiate change in my life right now and become the person I want to be.
In my sacred time of prayer, I put aside any hesitation or uncertainty. Abiding in the presence of God, I ask for clear and unmistakable guidance. I listen in the Silence and trust the answers I receive.
I am grateful for the beginning of each new year and the opportunity for a clean slate upon which to design my life.
I will give a white stone, and on the white stone is written a new name that no one knows except the one who receives it.—Revelation 2:17
Preparation: Choose a white stone. You can purchase smooth white stones at any crafts store. You could also find a white stone in a stream or river bed. Hold your chosen stone in your hand as you read through this article and experience the White Stone Ceremony.)
The freedom and independence you want is no more than a stone’s throw away. As a matter of spiritual fact, your greater good is never more than a stone’s throw away! It’s closer than the objects which appear in your rearview mirror. It’s as close as your next breath. It’s as close as your next thought, intention, or choice. It’s as close as the stone you are holding.
Take a good look at your stone … because what you are about to discover in this brief ritual can change your life … if “you have ears to hear.” That’s what it says in Matthew 4:9 or Matthew 11:15. Here’s what it says: “Let anyone who has an ear to hear (in other words, take the cell phones out of your ears) listen to what Spirit is saying … and in Revelation 2:17; To everyone I will give hidden manna, and I will give a white stone, and on the white stone is written a new name that no one else knows except the one who receives it.”
The Book of Revelation deals in hidden meanings and symbology. This particular verse has to do with renewal and revitalization. It contains the code for what you can be. It was written by the disciple, John, around 95 CE, on the Island of Patmos, where he was in exile.
The MetaSpiritual interpretation of 2:17 is: “As we activate our Intuitive Wisdom by paying attention to high spiritual teachings and making them practical (eat the hidden manna), we tap into the Extraordinary Us, our innate Divine Nature, and become aware of our true Spiritual Divinity (white stone) which transforms our human personality into its higher, more spiritual essence — the True Nature of who we are (new name).”
It was the key verse in the message John sent to the church at Perganum. And it is the key message we want to share with you. Actually, it is an extension of the message from Isaiah in Chapter 62:2: “and you shall be called a new name.”
The Purpose of the White Stone
Let’s jump back to the Revelation account again. It says that “on the white stone is written a new name”… and that “no one knows the name except the one that receives it.”
The name written on the stone is your innate Divine Nature (‘is given to you’) by right of consciousness. No one else can have that same ‘divine genealogy.’ The white stone represents your I am-ness as the Eternal Presence in physicality. You are the unique expression of that I am-ness. That’s why no one can have the name (nature of) of your spiritual identity (your Spiritual IP Address).
When you surrender to the truth of you, you become aware of who you really are (assume a new nature [name]). A name change means there’s a change in your awareness. You are promised a ‘new’ nature when you claim your divinity. You are promised freedom and independence from what you have been.
Abram changed his name to Abraham. Saul changed his name to Paul. Simon changed his name to Peter. Caroline Page changed her name to Myrtle Fillmore. A name change is a change in consciousness.
It doesn’t matter what you’ve been, or what you’ve done, or haven’t done. It doesn’t matter how many mistakes you’ve made or how many opportunities you’ve missed. And it doesn’t matter how much you may have accomplished. You are promised a new nature, a new future filled with freedom and independence.
Take one more look at your white stone. Your new level of awareness (name) is written on it. Can you see it? It’s there. Look carefully. You’re going to see your true name, shortly. It’s your true essence. It’s the name you came to fulfill in this earth experience. It’s your spiritual destiny. It underwrites your ability to walk a positive, practical, progressive spiritual path.
Your word can be a noun like: peace, happiness, compassion, or joy. Or it can be an adjective like: compassionate, loving, joyful, or forgiving. It might emerge as one of the Twelve Powers, or one of the Seven Core Abilities of The Extraordinary You. Or it can be a combination of both noun and adjective like: loving kindness, compassionate healer, peaceful warrior, perennial metaphysician.
Take a good look at the stone you are holding … because what you are about to discover in this brief ritual can change your life. As we’ve already mentioned, it represents your awareness of your innate Divinity. If you’re willing to claim your oneness with One Reality the Ground of All Beingness, repeat this affirmation:
I am the Eternal Presence expressing goodness as me! I am the Eternal Presence expressing goodness as me! I am the Eternal Presence expressing goodness as me!
The White Stone Ritual
Unity of San Angelo's White Stone Ritual begins on January 5, 2025 in the main sanctuary at 10:30 a.m. It is very meaningful and you will be joined by others who are participating in this ceremony (if you wish) OR...
Record the instructions below so you can listen to your own voice guiding you through this sacred ritual, or have someone read them to you. You may want to have soft meditative music playing in the background.
- Close your eyes. Hold the white stone in the palm of your left hand and place your right hand over it. Take a slow, deep breath and exhale just as slowly. Remember, a name means the ‘nature of’ something and in this case it means the nature of your spiritual identity. Ask yourself quietly, “What is the ONE WORD (or short phrase) that will inspire me, keep me focused and move me to action this year?”
- Take a slow, deep breath again and exhale just as slowly. Think of one or two words that describe your highest spiritual essence.
- Don’t force the name of your chief spiritual quality to appear. Just allow it to surface from your depths. Just remain open to whatever comes to you through your inner awareness … from your Higher Self.
- Whatever spiritual quality you decide will represent how you intend to express your highest Divine Essence. You may choose to change it later, so the name that comes to you today can be kept, modified, or changed depending on the guidance you receive from the still small voice of your Higher Self.
- When you’re ready, you may open your eyes.
- Write your name on the white stone with a marker, if you’re sure at a deep level of knowing that it is the highest quality of your Spiritual Essence. If you need more time, keep the stone with you and write your name on the stone as soon as you know for certain that it is the right name for you.
Reflect on the name that came to you and on the significance of the whole white stone exercise. Place your stone in a prominent location so you’ll remind yourself of your Extraordinary Divine Nature.
You may want to repeat this spiritual practice each year. You can use it as a personal identity barometer to measure your spiritual growth, to assess whether the new you is the same as the you last year or the you who has become something different. Unity Spiritual Center in San Angelo, Texas, is a welcoming place to observe and participate in the White Stone Ceremony. This year it is on January 5, 2025 during their regular worship service at 5237 Bryant Boulevard South. You may call the church at 325-651-6830 if you need further directions or have questions. We hope to see you there this year!
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