Although Eric Butterworth wasn't a fan of after Service fellowship gatherings, he did host a week-long retreat each summer, during the week of the Fourth of July. The retreat was held at a liberal arts college in Pennsylvania. My friend recalls the college had a rose garden reminiscent of Myrtle Fillmore's Rose Garden at Unity Village, and a swimming pool at the far end of the campus, away from the dorms. Each morning, retreaters would meet in small groups to discuss various Unity teachings. Eric was a firm believer that afternoons should be their own, and they would swim or simply walk through the lovely grounds. But it was the evening sessions that were really special; they were lead by Eric Butterworth, himself (can you imagine that?!) One twelve-hour period of each retreat was silent. It began at 9 p.m., after Butterworth finished speaking, and ended at 9 a.m., after breakfast the following day.
One summer, the first evening they were at the retreat, Eric recounted a particularly interesting story. He had recently purchased a German car that was 'burglar proof.' Well, just as he closed the trunk with all of the retreat materials in it, he realized -- his keys were in the trunk! AND the car was locked. Eric lost his Truth in that minute, and for several minutes afterward. It took his wife, Olga, to remind him to give the situation to God (or at least the gardener) because she suggested that the gardener could open a car window with a coat hanger. Of course, the German car could not be broken into that way! Eric tried contacting the dealership -- he even called the automaker in Germany -- to no avail, the replacement key would not arrive until after the retreat had begun. Eric was distraught, he was about to rent a van and drive to Pennsylvania, despite the pleadings of Olga for Eric to "remember his Truth" -- when the gardener finally opened the car. Eric happily drove to Pennsylvania, retreat materials in tow.
To the retreaters' amazement, Eric recounted this story the first night of the retreat. I recount it here because after reading book after book by Butterworth, I was beginning to get numb. I felt Butterworth's theology, though uplifting was a bit glib -- as if nothing really bad ever happened in Greenwich, Connecticut, to test his faith. I now know Eric Butterworth to be aware of his shortcomings, and in his own German-car-Greenwich-CT-way, humble about them.
One other story from my friend -- also about a Fourth of July retreats. She said her very first retreat, Eric had spoken on the actual Fourth of July, and then everyone had gone into the silent portion of the retreat. Perhaps it was because it was her first retreat, or perhaps it was the fireworks bursting in the sky all around her; but the scene was surreal, and my friend was floating on air. She saw some friends come towards her, and as one leaned over to hug her, she experienced her friend's arms as twenty feet long. Here is the really amazing part: she could see her friend's heart beating. Then, another friend's, and another's. Finally, Eric, Olga and a retreat coordinator came towards her, and it was the same experience: their outstretched arms stretched twenty feet, their hearts beat visibly -- and, meanwhile, lights burst everywhere.
My friend returned to her room and was unable to tell her friend/roommate of her amazing and mystical experience. But the next morning after breakfast -- she let loose!
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Negatrend: Eric's misperception that the keys being locked in the trunk would keep him from attending the retreat, providing the materials, etc.: "If you lose your inner center and become immersed in the things of the world, you will be pushed and pulled, and you will feel lost ... Often the cause of pressure and strain is the burden of responsibilities, the clock and the calendar ..." (PosiTrends or negatrends? Chapter 4).
Positrend: Olga's reminder to Eric of his Truth -- that God would take control of the situation: "Instead of battering doors, I use a key" (Ibid. Chapter 8).
Also, my friend's mystical experience on the Fourth of July, which was a true experience of love: "Let there be respect for the divinity within people establishing love and rotherhood in all relationships" (Ibid. Chapter 11).
Eric Butterworth's Overriding Theology: "Stress cannot be measured by the external circumstances with which a person must contend but rather by his or her reaction to those circumstances" (Ibid. Chapter 5). This is a core Unity teaching, and perhaps a Christian one, too. Didn't Jesus say we should follow Him?
Good story.
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