Sweeping Away Grievances

Finding and clearing out hidden grievances within ourselves is similar to cleaning away cobwebs from dark corners in our home. Perhaps we’re holding onto them simply because we’re afraid the story we’ve created for ourselves might fall apart if we let go any part of it. Maybe we’ve convinced ourself that we like our history, and don’t want to give any of it up — much less all of it! But what brilliance is hiding behind the cover of these grievance clouds? What light have we hidden behind the illusions created for ourselves and the world? I know something wonderful is there, just out of reach. So when an old story comes to mind, I will turn thought instead to contemplation of the wondrous Truth which flows in, out, and through me when I lift the veil created by my grievances. Now that's deep cleaning!


“The manifestation of God through mortals is as light passing through the window-pane. The light and the glass never mingle, but as matter, the glass is less opaque than the walls. The mortal mind through which Truth appears most vividly is that one which has lost much materiality--much error--in order to become a better transparency for Truth. Then, like a cloud melting into thin vapor, it no longer hides the sun.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 295:14-24

“From where you stand, you can see no reason to believe there is a brilliant light hidden by the clouds. The clouds seem to be the only reality. They seem to be all there is to see. Therefore, you do not attempt to go through them and past them, which is the only way in which you would be really convinced of their lack of substance.”
—A Course in Miracles W-69.5:1-4

A Cause For Celebration

Photo Credit: Aaron Springston 

A dear friend tells me that it has taken her seven decades to stop believing the things her parents told her about herself. They said she was ugly, stupid, worthless, and other hurtful damnations. She believed these things and they stayed with her, until being in a group with spiritually-aware people allowed her to see the truth about herself. She no longer feels unworthy of love and goodness. Hallelujah! Her salvation has come! How often do we believe lies about the reality of our being? We don’t realize we have chosen guilt for ourselves, but thankfully we are recognizing this and understanding that we have a choice. Nothing outside of our own self can save us; nothing from outside can bring us peace. The source of salvation and peace lies within. This acceptance is, indeed, a cause for celebration!

“Salvation seems to come from anywhere except from you. So, too, does the source of guilt. You see neither guilt nor salvation as in your own mind and nowhere else. When you realize that all guilt is solely an invention of your mind, you also realize that guilt and salvation must be in the same place. In understanding this you are saved.”
—A Course in Miracles W-70.1:2-6

“Innocence and Truth overcome guilt and error.”  
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 568:1

Filling the Empty Space in. Life

There have been three movie versions of A Star is Born. My personal favorite is the one with Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. The movie brings back memories of all the alcoholic/drug addicts who have been friends, along with all the incredibly talented Texas musicians I’ve loved. Whew! And this has led me to think about this thing we call will power. I’m not sure there is such a thing in our material sense of things. We say addiction is a disease, and that’s probably true, as it’s an acute sense of dis-ease which is felt in the throes of addictive behavior. An ex-heroin addict once told me he was trying to fill the “God hole” in his life. The religions he has tried to embrace did not fill his need, and he repeatedly turned to drugs. At one point I was addicted to many substances, and it was the illness of a child which caused me to want to change enough to struggle to do so. The study of the Science of Christ satisfied that longing in my life. Discovering A Course in Miracles closed the deal in my search for a happy existence. For this, I am thankful with all my heart.

“The power of the human will should be exercised only in subordination to Truth; else it will misguide the judgment and free the lower propensities. It is the province of spiritual sense to govern man. Material, erring, human thought acts injuriously both upon the body and through it."
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 206:4-9

“Your picture of the world can only mirror what is within. The source of neither light nor darkness can be found without. Grievances darken your mind, and you look out on a darkened world. Forgiveness lifts the darkness, reasserts your will, and lets you look upon a world of light. We have repeatedly emphasized that the barrier of grievances is easily passed, and cannot stand between you and your salvation. The reason is very simple. Do you really want to be in hell? Do you really want to weep and suffer and die?”
—A Course in Miracles W-73.5:1-8

Giving the Gift of Peace and Love

Dulaine Dancing Students

Pierre Dulaine wanted to be a ballroom dancer. After years of performing, he became a teacher. He was determined to bring ballroom dancing to the classrooms of New York City. No one wanted him to do this. Administrators, teachers, and especially students thought it was a horrid idea. He persisted and now his way of teaching is integral in more than 500 schools around the world. His idea is that if you can dance together, you can get along. He paired up kids by height, with no regard to nationality or gang affiliation or anything else. When these kids are dancing, they are happy and everything else falls away. It doesn't matter if their families have feuded for years or if someone hurt the other's feelings the day before. These students are being taught respect for themselves and others through dance. They must hold each other and cooperate in movement. They are taught to look into each others' eyes and learn the confidence to do so in daily life. Pierre Dulaine was led to do something everyone thought to be foolish and a waste of time. He has followed his heart and brought a gift of Love and peace and grace to thousands by doing so.

You will first dream of peace, and then awaken to it. ²Your first exchange of what you made for what you want is the exchange of nightmares for the happy dreams of love.
—A Course in Miracles T-13.VII.9:1-2

“Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way. Right motives give pinions to thought, and strength and freedom to speech and action. Love is priestess at the altar of Truth. Wait patiently for divine Love to move upon the waters of mortal mind, and form the perfect concept. Patience must ‘have her perfect work.’”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 454:18-24

Let’s Stop the Madness

 

Mahatma Gandhi famously said to a rioting crowd: “I am a Muslim, a Christian, a Buddhist, a Jew — and so are you!” In the Book of Galatians we are told of the teachings of Jesus: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female…” If only everyone in the world acknowledged this truth. The worldwide persecution of people for their nationality, religion, gender, and who-knows-what-else, is rising. I can’t change how that guy over there thinks, but I can change how I see things. Instead of blaming, perhaps even hating, those perpetrating atrocities in the name of power, let’s see them as they were born: the pure reflection of Love. Anything else is an illusion they are living. We tend to think it will take some sort of physical force to break through the hate, but actually Love is the only power capable of that.

“You are what God created or what you made. ²One Self is true; the other is not there. Try to experience the unity of your one Self. Try to appreciate Its Holiness and the love from which It was created. Try not to interfere with the Self which God created as you, by hiding Its majesty behind the tiny idols of evil and sinfulness you have made to replace It. Let It come into Its Own. Here you are; This is You. And light and joy and peace abide in you because this is so.”
—A Course in Miracles W-93.9:1-8

“Millions of unprejudiced minds — simple seekers for Truth, weary wanderers, athirst in the desert — are waiting and watching for rest and drink. Give them a cup of cold water in Christ’s name, and never fear the consequences. What if the old dragon should send forth a new flood to drown the Christ-idea? He can neither drown your voice with its roar, nor again sink the world into the deep waters of chaos and old night. In this age the earth will help the woman; the spiritual idea will be understood. Those ready for the blessing you impart will give thanks. The waters will be pacified, and Christ will command the wave.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 570:14-25

Dolly Lives!

A friend on the east coast called today, in tears over the passing of Dolly Parton. To me, she is every bit as much alive as she ever was! I can hear her voice and music any time I choose to do so. The good she did in this life will continue to live on and, hopefully, exponentially grow with those of us who emulate her actions. Dolly’s efforts to put a book into every child’s hand has been a beautiful thing to watch grow. We cannot say how far the seeds this woman has sown have and will spread. But everybody has a Dolly story! Everywhere she went, she treated people with kindness and respect. I remember years ago when she was traveling with Linda Ronstadt and Emmylou Harris in preparation for their album, Trio. They came through this part of the country and almost everyone I knew had a story about their visit. Whether it was restaurants, motels, or rest stops, Dolly (and her friends) were exceptionally friendly and generous. Sitting here, listening to her incredible voice coming through my device, my gratitude is great for this woman and her music. Dolly lives!

“‘Heaven and earth shall pass away’ means that they will not continue to exist as separate states. My word, which is the resurrection and the life, shall not pass away because life is eternal.”

—A Course in Miracles T-1.III.2:1-2

“A blundering despatch, mistakenly announcing the death of a friend, occasions the same grief that the friend’s real death would bring. You think that your anguish is occasioned by your loss. Another despatch, correcting the mistake, heals your grief, and you learn that your suffering was merely the result of your belief.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page386: 16-22

One With The Earth

“Lupins” by Era Leisner

We live in a world where many laws are enacted to protect us, such as wearing motorcycle helmets and seat belts in cars. Yet the items we find in our grocery stores are filled with chemicals and other things which can barely be classified as food. We are told to use pesticides on ourselves, our gardens, our pets, even though the rates of autoimmune disease and cancer climbs steadily. There are laws forcing us to immunize our children and our pets, yet what began as a life-saving procedure has been contaminated with odd chemicals and industrial waste. It seems impossible to get away from the multitude of horrors which are spoon-fed to us from every direction. And yet, I truly think there IS a spiritual solution to all the things which seem impossibly horrible. So I shall continue to study, continue working to rise above the miasma of erroneous thought, and strive to see past the hideous forms we seem to manifest. These things have nothing to do with the laws of Love, the creations of divine Mind, the Principle which we yearn to serve. May we live in the “glorious liberty of the children of God”! (MBE) 

“Citizens of the world, accept the ‘glorious liberty of the children of God,’ and be free! This is your divine right. The illusion of material sense, not divine law, has bound you, entangled your free limbs, crippled your capacities, enfeebled your body, and defaced the tablet of your being.” 

—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 227:24-28

“We have observed before how many senseless things have seemed to you to be salvation. Each has imprisoned you with laws as senseless as itself. You are not bound by them. Yet to understand that this is so, you must first realize salvation lies not there. While you would seek for it in things that have no meaning, you bind yourself to laws that make no sense. Thus do you seek to prove salvation is where it is not.” 

—A Course in Miracles W-76.1:1-6