Book Clubs Saving The World

My book club has often been mentioned in these daily writings. We are a group of women who have met for over two decades, with a book at the center of our monthly gathering — but reading is just the vehicle we use to get together and enjoy each others’ company. Some of us think logically from the standpoint of science; others live intuitively from the heart. Our group includes teachers, body/mind/spirit workers, a veterinarian, businesswomen, farmers, a librarian — actually, a single definition isn’t enough for any one of these women. They are multi-talented and diverse. We have incredible discussions and enjoy one another more than I can say. It doesn’t matter if we agree with each other’s opinions, because we all live from the space of Love. Everything we do is guided by something larger than what our human reason can encompass. It seems this group of women could solve all the problems of the world — and actually it feels like we have done just that every time we get together! Thinking about them and basking in our friendship reminds me that problems come from a belief in separation, and I thank these women for helping me to feel whole.

“Let me realize today that the problem is always some form of grievance that I would cherish. Let me also understand that the solution is always a miracle with which I let the grievance be replaced. Today I would remember the simplicity of salvation by reinforcing the lesson that there is one problem and one solution. The problem is a grievance; the solution is a miracle. And I invite the solution to come to me through my forgiveness of the grievance, and my welcome of the miracle that takes its place.”
—A Course in Miracles W-90.1:2-6

“Human reason and religion come slowly to the recognition of spiritual facts, and so continue to call upon matter to remove the error which the human mind alone has created.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 173:25-28

An Earth Transformed By Truth

Morning Light — captured by Blake Lasater

I read an article in which people were questions about spirituality and religion. Most of those interviewed thought of themselves as spiritual but not religious, and the few self-proclaimed religious people were mostly looking for a sense of community and fellowship. A sense of inclusiveness was often mentioned in the answers. People apparently are looking for a spiritual group which will accept them as they are, without trying to change them. Many spoke of doubt, stating they needed groups of like-minded people to help them in times of loss and fear. It seems so simple for everyone to live together in Love, being kind and helping each other. Apparently it is not. Long-held beliefs cloud our vision and we fearfully try to pull others into our illusions. Today I will try to see the light of miracles everywhere I look, refusing to be pulled into darkness, even in jest.

“Strength comes from truth, and shines with light its Source has given it; weakness reflects the darkness of its maker. It is sick and looks on sickness, which is like itself. Truth is a savior and can only will for happiness and peace for everyone. It gives its strength to everyone who asks, in limitless supply. It sees that lack in anyone would be a lack in all. And so it gives its light that all may see and benefit as one. Its strength is shared, that it may bring to all the miracle in which they will unite in purpose and forgiveness and in love.”
—A Course in Miracles W-92.5:1-7

“As a material, theoretical life-basis is found to be a misapprehension of existence, the spiritual and divine Principle of man dawns upon human thought and leads it to "where the young child was," --even to the birth of a new-old idea, to the spiritual sense of being and of what Life includes. Thus the whole earth will be transformed by Truth on its pinions of light, chasing away the darkness of error."
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 191:7-15

Longing For New Things To Learn

Back to school time! Simply saying those words brings a feeling of anticipation and excitement! This week’s Christian Science Monitor’s focus is on this topic. The editorial describes this time as having a “sense of potential — not in that self-focused way of many New Year’s resolutions, but as an expansive sort of longing for new things to learn and new relationships to forge.” Ah, much like those brand new pencils with their sharp tips and new erasers, it feels really good to enter a classroom with a new teacher, new classmates, and high hopes. The Monitor staff asked children for their best tips for Day 1 at school. Here are a few of their responses: “Talk to people who look like they need a friend. Don’t do things just because other people do it.” They also advised not to stress over grades or you might miss out on the experience. My favorite was, “Don’t try to take it in all at once. Also, don’t worry so much.” That feels like good advice for all of us!

“All living hearts are tranquil with a stir of deep anticipation, for the time of everlasting things is now at hand.”
— A Course in Miracles M-28.4:1

“The human mind, imbued with this spiritual understanding, becomes more elastic, is capable of greater endurance, escapes somewhat from itself, and requires less repose. A knowledge of the Science of being develops the latent abilities and possibilities of man. It extends the atmosphere of thought, giving mortals access to broader and higher realms. It raises the thinker into his native air of insight and perspicacity.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 128:11-19

Healing Laughter

June At a Eureka Drumming

Photo by Richard Quick

Laughing Yoga. I had never heard of this until today, when talking to a lifelong friend on the phone. While relating a trip to the Department of Motor Vehicles to renew my driver’s license and get a replacement car title for my friend, we began to laugh so hard the therapeutic aspects were immediately noticeable. She told me her sister had given her a calendar (perhaps semi-facetiously) about laughing yoga. This inspired us to relate a couple of other ridiculous incidents and we laughed for the better part of 15 minutes. What a wonderful way to end a day! Try it, you’ll like it!

“The world will end in peace, because it is a place of war. When peace has come, what is the purpose of the world? The world will end in laughter, because it is a place of tears. Where there is laughter, who can longer weep? And only complete forgiveness brings all this to bless the world. In blessing it departs, for it will not end as it began.”
—A Course in Miracles M-14.5:2-8

“The good in human affections must have ascendency over the evil and the spiritual over the animal, or happiness will never be won. The attainment of this celestial condition would improve our progeny, diminish crime, and give higher aims to ambition.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 61:4-9

What My Illusions Hide

Photo credit: Aaron Springston

A good friend struggled with depression all her life. She felt her existence was a series of horrible events, occasionally interrupted by happy times, which inevitably ended in pain. In an attempt to escape the pain, she turned to alcohol, drugs, and God. But the judgmental God she saw made deals with her, and never deemed her worthy of favor. She often recounted events from the past, and they seemed to affect her every action. We can escape this trap by accepting that we are actually the holy reflection of divine Love, a/k/a God. Any feeling of hopelessness and sadness can disappear in an instant! By releasing our material history, we are free to learn the reality of our spiritual self, which is unending, uninterrupted good. It's a beautiful thing to witness someone realize the nothingness of their personal history and to see the wondrous peace which lies within. My dear friend never felt this light. I think of her often … 

"Immortal ideas, pure, perfect, and enduring, are transmitted by the divine Mind through divine Science, which corrects error with truth and demands spiritual thoughts, divine concepts, to the end that they may produce harmonious results."
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 259:26-31

“As I share the peace of the world with my brothers, I begin to understand that this peace comes from deep within myself. The world I look upon has taken on the light of my forgiveness, and shines forgiveness back at me. In this light I begin to see what my illusions about myself kept hidden. I begin to understand the holiness of all living things, including myself, and their oneness with me.”
—A Course in Miracles W-57.5:3-6

Believe It To See it

Rock Formation in Peru

Markawasi, Peru is high in the Andes Mountains in South America. At this site, there are hundreds of figures, faces, and various shapes which may be seen in the living stone. There is much speculation concerning the origin of these fabulous monuments, yet some people cannot see them. As shown by time-lapse photography, these illusive figures are more obvious at some times of the day than at others. I would suppose it also is predicated (as so many things are) on whether we want to see or not. While watching a documentary on this subject, I was repeatedly reminded of its metaphorical relationship with our spiritual study. The very first Wayne Dyer book I discovered jumped out at me because of its title: When You Believe It, You'll See It. This is the exact opposite of our material basis of truth: When I see it, I'll believe it. These stone faces are easily overlooked if you don't want to see. With these thoughts as my inspiration, I shall go through this day seeing my holiness enveloping everything. And while many things are beyond my ability to see, that's okay, because knowing they're there is enough for now.

"As mortals gain more correct views of God and man, multitudinous objects of creation, which before were invisible, will become visible. When we realize that Life is Spirit, never in nor of matter, this understanding will expand into self-completeness, finding all in God, good, and needing no other consciousness."
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 492:7-11

“From my holiness does the perception of the real world come. Having forgiven, I no longer see myself as guilty. I can accept the innocence that is the truth about me. Seen through understanding eyes, the holiness of the world is all I see, for I can picture only the thoughts I hold about myself.”
—A Course in Miracles W-58.1:2-5

Inevitable Consequences of Separation

Art by Marianne Faguy

“Deep within you is everything that is perfect, ready to radiate through you and out into the world. It will cure all sorrow and pain and fear and loss because it will heal the mind that thought these things were real, and suffered out of its allegiance to them.” 

—A Course in Miracles W-41.3:1-2

“The capacity to be alone is the capacity to love.

It may look paradoxical to you, but it's not. It is an existential truth: only those people who are capable of being alone are capable of love, of sharing, of going into the deepest core of another person, without possessing the other, without becoming dependent on the other, without reducing the other to a thing, and without becoming addicted to the other.

They allow the other absolute freedom, because they know that if the other leaves, they will be as happy as they are now.

Their happiness cannot be taken by the other,

because it is not given by the other.”

~ Osho

“Today's idea will eventually overcome completely the sense of loneliness and abandonment all the separated ones experience. Depression is an inevitable consequence of separation. So are anxiety, worry, a deep sense of helplessness, misery, suffering and intense fear of loss.” 

—A Course in Miracles - Workbook Lesson #41

“Wilderness: Loneliness; doubt; darkness. Spontaneity of thought and idea; the vestibule in which a material sense of things disappears, and spiritual sense unfolds the great facts of existence.” 

—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 597:16-19