[19] In 2000, Diana Tumminia stated that in several cities in Southern California, the local public access channels carried weekly showings of Unarian films.

[29] When his description of fatalities allegedly lowered morale at war plants where he worked, he left and started to give lectures of his own philosophy in theosophical churches during the mid to late 1940s.

Unarian channeling is a process of relaxed contemplation in which the practitioner closes their eyes and enters into a composed state, allowing thoughts and images to flow freely, as he or she voices "messages" received from a supposed higher consciousness, or "other beings" which speak to or through him or her.

While the Normans interacted with other early contactee groups, Ernest initially concerned himself with the "spiritual nature" of planets and their supposed history.

He briefly mentioned flying saucers, saying that residents of more "spiritual" worlds were concerned about atomic testing, and responded by making their spacecraft visible and increasing contact with Earth people in order to attract attention.

[34][35] Ernest Norman claimed to receive "transmissions" from Mars and Venus, the homes of "great teachers" and ascended masters who described their cities to him.

[36] Altogether, channeled descriptions of seven spiritual planets including Venus, claimed to be "advanced teaching centers", comprise the set of books known as the "Pulse of Creation" series.

[3] He explained this book was not channeled in the usual type of meditative, trance-like state or in a darkened room, but spoken normally and recorded on tape.

In the work, Venusians are described to have "energy bodies" and live in a higher vibratory plane that would be invisible to a human were he to stand in the middle of the capital city known as Azure.

[42] While Unarius lacks the main elements normally associated with religion, such as a hierarchical structure, priests and clergy, initiation rites, weekly services or ceremonies, its beliefs satisfy many religious criteria in that spiritual reality is taught; humans develop their spiritual potential over lifetimes; the concept of the Space Brothers is basically a supernatural assumption as they seem different in kind, and are empirically unprovable; they involve a Western concept of good and evil and an Eastern concept of karma; higher entities are channeled; the texts read like sacred scriptures; and its system of beliefs can explain or dispel all phenomena, thus satisfying all questions of meaning for adherents.

[43][44] Unarians do not offer prayers to God or higher entities, but prefer the word "spiritual" as opposed to "religious" to describe the overriding philosophy of the group.

[45] Ernest criticized religion in several books, most notably in The Infinite Contact, which describes in detail the origins of Christianity as rooted in Mithraism, Zoroastrianism, and assorted ancient belief structures.

"the Science of Life",[3] which incorporates such New Age themes as "harmonic frequencies", karma, reincarnation, past-life memories, channeling, and an elaborate cosmology of "spiritual planets".

Central tenets of the belief system include contact with the "Space Brothers" and a millenarian prophecy that predicts a mass landing of starships.

[27] According to Unarius, the purpose of the research institution is "to awaken the individual to previous life encounters, the clairvoyant aptitude of the mind, and the reality of one's spiritual connection".

[47] Although the group is generally known for its predictions regarding flying saucers landing on Earth, Ernest stressed his spiritual teachings as the key to personal development and mastery over material circumstances.

[38] In 1974, in the "Tesla Speaks" volumes, Ruth redefined the Unarian mission by introducing the concept of the Interplanetary Confederation and the prophecy of a 33-vehicle spacefleet landing.

[41][59] The content of Unarian belief increased as these revelations evolved into collective biographies of members who are believed to have acted under Uriel on Earth and many other planets throughout millennia.

Tumminia comments that this type of collective weaving of past-life narratives as a regular practice of intersubjectivity may be unique to Unarius.

[60][61] Most Unarians were skeptical about the future predictions of a space fleet landing, also channeled by Louis Spiegel, and felt that they undermined Ernest's original mission and a schism happened.

[59][64] Unarius generally has two types of students: the followers of Ernest's original texts and works, and those who believe in every channeling that occurred after his death.

Subsequently, he channeled elements of the millenarian prophecy, including a new planet Myton which would send a spaceship in the year 2001[66] Ruth directed the organization for two decades and published over 80 books.

[68] After several falls and surgeries in the late eighties, Ruth had more limited physical contact with the students and members, but said she was "psychically" communicating with them on a day-to-day basis.

[13] After Ruth's death, some long-term students left over disagreements with Spiegel in the 1990s; they wanted to refocus on Ernest's original teachings and the more "scientific" aspects of Unarius.

It was in complete opposition to previously expounded Unarian principle, wherein members, no matter how far advanced, never interfered or predicted future human activities.

Alex Heard, in Apocalypse Pretty Soon: Travels In End-Time America, described her as "a true American original who combined the couture sensibilities of a drag queen with the joie de vivre of a Frisbee-chasing Irish Setter.

"[citation needed] Around 2000, local public access channels screened weekly showings of Unarian films in several cities in Southern California.