Awake or Sleeping

Book Club Delight — And Rosie’s Tail

Returning from our monthly book club meeting, where we discussed the Dan Brown book, Secret of Secrets, my thoughts are excited from thinking of the word consciousness. We can be unconscious to events happening and the environment around us, or we can be unconscious from anesthesia prior to surgery. We can be conscious of what is being said at a lecture, or we can be consciously empathetic toward those in need. Conscious can mean “awake”, while unconscious indicates sleep, or torpor of some sort. We can think of “subconscious” as something mysterious which manifests as intuition, or a strong desire to act in a particular way. Or we can see the subconscious as being all the knowledge of the universe showing us truth, which our thinking brain tries to hide with ego-based belief and information. On the other hand, some think of being “consciously aware” as something they have figured out on their own, then quickly make plans to tell everyone how enlightened they are. Does intuition qualify as conscious unawareness? Should we look toward that lack of planning as a step toward higher thinking? Are we afraid to go forward with no plans, allowing consciousness to lead us? These thoughts, and more, I’ve allowed to flow from my brain to my fingers, and I send them to you. Not with any purpose, only for you to ponder …

“Consciousness, the level of perception, was the first split introduced into the mind after the separation, making the mind a perceiver rather than a creator. Consciousness is correctly identified as the domain of the ego. The ego is a wrong-minded attempt to perceive yourself as you wish to be, rather than as you are. Yet you can know yourself only as you are, because that is all you can be sure of. Everything else is open to question.
—A Course in Miracles T-3.IV.2:1-5

“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 264:13-19

A Magical Mystery Tour

Photo by Lisa West

Consciousness. Through the ages, the definition of what this actually is has changed drastically. Although I won’t list them here, Merriam-Webster definitions are all firmly based in the material states of being, and are caused by outside influences. Years ago, a group of us met every month for the better part of a year, with the purpose of discussing subjects which had no definable parameters. Our first meeting is etched in my memory and the topic we focused on was consciousness — what is it, where does it come from, how is it defined, does it change — you get the idea of how much fun we had! Currently, our bookclub will soon be discussing the Dan Brown book, Secret of Secrets. Consciousness and its manifestations are the main themes around which this mystery is built. Also, a book which I’ve had on hold for months has become available — Michael Pollan’s latest, A World Appears. It is an in-depth study of consciousness — do plants have it, what is the difference in being sentient and being conscious, and other tantalizing questions. This is an exciting time in our experience, with veils lifting and egos disappearing!

“Consciousness is the receptive mechanism, receiving messages from above or below; from the Holy Spirit or the ego. Consciousness has levels and awareness can shift quite dramatically, but it cannot transcend the perceptual realm. At its highest it becomes aware of the real world, and can be trained to do so increasingly. Yet the very fact that it has levels and can be trained demonstrates that it cannot reach knowledge.”
—A Course in Miracles C-1.7:3-6

“Lulled by stupefying illusions, the world is asleep in the cradle of infancy, dreaming away the hours. Material sense does not unfold the facts of existence; but spiritual sense lifts human consciousness into eternal Truth.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 95:28-32,

Disappearing Footprints of the Past

Photo by Catherine Reed 

Is there an incident from childhood which has stayed with you, perhaps affecting the way you live today? I know someone who, as a young child, caught her mother in a compromising position with a man other than her father. She refuses to marry. I knew a man who found his father dead from a self-inflicted gunshot to the head. His whole life was a series of dramatic events which he blamed on that incident. I'm sure you know many stories, too. The Disappearance of the Universe, a book by Gary Renard, speaks to events such as these, and more. When we let go of beliefs, we can release our personal history, too. I love hearing stories of people who experience horrendous events and remain not only happy, but proactive. This thing we call forgiveness isn't some sort of divine pardon, but a yielding within ourselves to purity of thought, without the impediments of holding on to memories of wrongdoing, resentment, and pain of all sorts. This yielding includes the release of things we think have been done to us, along with things we think we have done to others. So let's choose again, rest in Love, and go forward with joy!

“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.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 223:4

“Between the future and the past the laws of God must intervene, if you would free yourself. Atonement stands between them, like a lamp shining so brightly that the chain of darkness in which you bound yourself will disappear.”
—A Course in Miracles T-13.IX.1:7-8

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