Empty Conceptions of Deity

Art by Rick Ortega

How surprised would you be if your prayers were answered? A friend tells me she's given up on praying, because she's never seen any proof it “does any good”. Upon questioning her, it turns out she has a laundry list of things she asks for regularly, and none of her wishes have come true. Once again, I think we often confuse divine Love with Santa Claus. We may be asking some guy in the sky for special dispensation, rather than recognizing that this Principle is an eternal activity which we can plug into at any time. It's kind of like electricity: It's there, but it doesn't supply our needs unless we know how to utilize it. I’m learning the secret to plugging in, which is to not want anything! By not delineating what we think we need, but rather keeping our thoughts tuned to the divine Mind, all our needs are supplied, often before we know what they are …

“How empty are our conceptions of Deity! We admit theoretically that God is good, omnipotent, omnipresent, infinite, and then we try to give information to this infinite Mind. We plead for unmerited pardon and for a liberal outpouring of benefactions. Are we really grateful for the good already received? Then we shall avail ourselves of the blessings we have, and thus be fitted to receive more. Gratitude is much more than a verbal expression of thanks. Action expresses more gratitude than speech.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 3:17-27

“Prayer is the medium of miracles. It is a means of communication of the created with the Creator. Through prayer love is received, and through miracles love is expressed.”

—A Course in Miracles T-1.I.11:1-3

Satisfied Aspirations

Art: Duy Huynh Studio

After spending years searching for love, grasping at brightly colored baubles and bangles, the realization came that I am Love and nothing can be more beautiful and complete than that. Seeing wholeness and unity, where once was separation, has brought the contentment which was so elusive. The false contentment found in marijuana and alcohol was an illusionary peace used as a hiding place for a while, but eventually it was necessary to face what it was which kept me restless. When nothing ever seems to be enough, perhaps it's because we need it All, and that Allness can only be found in one place, a place not present in changing, temporal life. This study which teaches me the meaning of reality also fills me with peace, and I am very grateful!

“Who hath found finite life or love sufficient to meet the demands of human want and woe, — to still the desires, to satisfy the aspirations? Infinite Mind cannot be limited to a finite form, or Mind would lose its infinite character as inexhaustible Love, eternal Life, omnipotent Truth.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 257:24-29

“Today we will accept our union with each other and our Source. We have no will apart from His, and all of us are one because His Will is shared by all of us. Through it we recognize that we are one. Through it we find our way at last to God.”
—A Courser in Miracles W-329.2

The Zombie Phenomenon

Michael Jackson’s Thriller

Zombies have invaded our little town of Eureka Springs this weekend. It’s time for 

the annual zombie crawl, and it’s a perfect fall evening for the parade. Personally, I have never understood the appeal of dressing up in ugly apparel, with macabre makeup and bloody accoutrement. As we drove through “the loop” this evening, I contemplated the zombie phenomenon. Why dress up in this way and congregate to parade the streets? It’s beyond my imagination why they enjoy doing it! Perhaps “living dead” personifies what many of us are exhibiting in these human bodies. Maybe we’re simply animated flesh, performing our human activities without ever realizing we’re alive. The dead-eyed stares of these Halloween zombies are vaguely familiar. When we haven’t looked beyond the surface of our human existences, there isn’t a whole lot to be excited about. 

A Bruce Springsteen song comes to mind:

“Dancing in the Dark” — 

I get up in the evening 

And I ain't got nothing to say 

I come home in the morning 

I go to bed feeling the same way

I ain't nothing but tired 

Man, I'm just tired and bored with myself 

Hey there, baby 

I could use just a little help.” 

Could it be the zombies are helping us wake up? I hope so!

“‘Rest in peace’ is a blessing for the living, not the dead, because rest comes from waking, not from sleeping. Sleep is withdrawing; waking is joining. Dreams are illusions of joining, because they reflect the ego’s distorted notions about what joining is. Yet the Holy Spirit, too, has use for sleep, and can use dreams on behalf of waking if you will let Him.”

—A Course in Miracles T-8.IX.3:5-8

“Naturalists describe the origin of mortal and material existence in the various forms of embryology, and accompany their descriptions with important observations, which should awaken thought to a higher and purer contemplation of man’s origin. This clearer consciousness must precede an understanding of the harmony of being. Mortal thought must obtain a better basis, get nearer the truth of being, or health will never be universal, and harmony will never become the standard of man.”

—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 552:32-9

The Door is Open

Photo credit: Aaron Springston

Many people are in a state of fear and anger. After receiving a phone call from an old friend, whom I had not seen since the early part of the 21st Century, I stopped to ponder how many people may feel as helpless as she does. This beautiful, smart woman has a PhD and is working in her chosen field. She feels estranged from her family. She is seeing a psychiatrist and has been diagnosed with Asperger’s. He wants her to take antidepressants and other medications. When she finished hurriedly telling me these things (and more), I was silent. She said, What do you think? I laughed and said I thought she shouldn’t listen to what other people thought she should do, but rather to do what was right for her. Because she felt hurt by her family’s words and actions, I reminded her that she needn’t take personally what others say, and not to assume that she knew why they said/did what they did. By this time I was ready to jump up on my soapbox, so I continued. My advice was to enjoy each and every thing, and a good way to begin this practice was by walking in the woods, stopping and noticing flora and fauna, being grateful for every breath — enjoying life! She said she had goosebumps and felt these words were true. As my friend, Jim, often says: We’re here to lend ourselves to each other. Let us not fear to give and receive!

“The door is open, that all those may come who would no longer starve, and would enjoy the feast of plenty set before them there. And they will meet with your invited Guests the miracle has asked to come to you.”
—A Course in Miracles T-28.III.8:7-8

“We should examine ourselves and learn what is the affection and purpose of the heart, for in this way only can we learn what we honestly are.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 8:28-30

My Mother Loved Baseball

Sophia Anita Bravo Havens

Through an invitation from a dear friend, I discovered the annual baseball World Series is upon us. This reminded me of a past writing about my mother, which I repeat here.

My mom was a baseball fan. She followed the St. Louis Cardinals and talked about the players with her friends. After I left home and lived in Fayetteville, she came to spend a few days at my house. My roommate was a baseball fan, too, so she and my mother spent some time watching games. Imagine my surprise when Brenda told me that my mother knew nothing about baseball! I was dumbfounded, and a bit embarrassed. This dear woman was a joyous ball of energy. She had a great laugh and rarely walked when she could run. But as children sometimes do, I didn’t realize how fabulous she was. She wore bright clothing and a flower in her hair, when my friends’ moms were non-descript. She painted doors bright red with black spots and gold doorknobs. She was happier than any other mom I knew. Looking back on her lack of baseball expertise, I see how cool that was! She enjoyed watching the players, cheered when they hit the ball (not caring if it was foul or fair), and was ecstatic when they made the playoffs. I wonder if she even knew what that meant? It didn’t matter! Sophia Anita Bravo Havens loved life! What I'd give to watch a game with her...


"Fed by Thy love divine we live,

For Love alone is Life;

And life most sweet, as heart to heart

Speaks kindly when we meet and part."

—Mary Baker Eddy

Perceiving Infinite Possibilities

Throughout the ages, we've been given hints about the unrealized possibilities in our world. We long for the ability to change what seems to be the reality of situations in and around our personal existence, and we enjoy stories of powerful mythological and fictional characters who do so. The world tells us that we are victims of circumstance, with our life experiences being changed at the whim of happenstance. Every time we hear a story telling of something we think is impossible, but which contains an outcome so beautiful we wish and hope it could be true, let's contemplate the possibility that there are no limits. Who knows what we're capable of doing? We seem to exceed expected outcomes in every avenue of our existence. Wasn't it said that running a mile in less than four minutes was impossible? Today let’s surrender any thoughts of limitation, thereby opening the door to a new understanding.

“Have you really considered how many opportunities you have had to gladden yourself, and how many of them you have refused? There is no limit to the power of a Son of God, but he can limit the expression of his power as much as he chooses.”
—A Course in Miracles T-4.IV.8:1-2

“Through all the disciples experienced, they became more spiritual and understood better what the Master had taught. His resurrection was also their resurrection. It helped them to raise themselves and others from spiritual dulness and blind belief in God into the perception of infinite possibilities.”

—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 34:17-23

Bathed in Beauty and Light

Photo by Blake Lasater

You have probably heard of, or witnessed, people facing dire situations calmly, with an other-worldly peace. Years ago I was privileged to witness one of these times, visiting with a couple who were learning to cope with the change we call death. Upon entering their home, the first thing I felt was an all-encompassing peace. My dear friend related how inspired she was by the leaves falling from the trees in their regular autumnal cycle. She explained how they take care of themselves. She never rakes them up into piles, but allows them to go where they need to be, and there they change to whatever form is required of them -- soil, protection for seedlings, shelter for insects and small animals. She sees perfection in this plan and knows that the same perfection is taking place in all existence. I am grateful to have experienced this deep and quiet peace with them. Divine peace is there for all, no matter what the material circumstance. The gift of Love satisfies the hungering senses, it calms fear, it allows us to release the ties which bind us to material existence, giving us more than we knew was possible. This understanding is priceless …

“When you have looked on what seemed terrifying, and seen it change to sights of loveliness and peace; when you have looked on scenes of violence and death, and watched them change to quiet views of gardens under open skies, with clear, life-giving water running happily beside them in dancing brooks that never waste away; who need persuade you to accept the gift of vision?”
—A Course in Miracles T-20.VIII.11:1-2

“As the crude footprints of the past disappear from the dissolving paths of the present, we shall better understand the Science which governs these changes, and shall plant our feet on firmer ground. Every sensuous pleasure or pain is self-destroyed through suffering. There should be painless progress, attended by life and peace instead of discord and death.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 224:4-10