World Wide Web of Oneness

Graphic of unknown Origin

I heard an interesting analogy concerning the body's immune system and the world's ability to heal itself. Each and every one of us are a cell in the immune system of the universe. Every thought we think is either contributing to the unified health of our planet or the propagation of fear and terror. Every prayer, every meditation, ever reaching out through inward listening is magnified exponentially. We have the power to change the world through ourselves. Every interaction brings us closer to a world of love or a world of fear. The Love which heals us personally spreads through the web of Oneness. In the same way that we take personal responsibility for ourselves, our health, our well-being, we can take responsibility for a return to Love. It does matter what we do and what we think. We never know when an interaction with someone will make a difference in that person's life, the difference  which turns them away from reactive fear to healing Love. The Truth which corrects all errors in our mind is our ascension into heaven within. Never doubt that you matter, that you make a difference. Allow silence and listening to guide you to being the change you want to see!

“Besides your recognizing that thoughts are never idle, salvation requires that you also recognize that every thought you have brings either peace or war; either love or fear. A neutral result is impossible because a neutral thought is impossible. There is such a temptation to dismiss fear thoughts as unimportant, trivial and not worth bothering about that it is essential you recognize them all as equally destructive, but equally unreal.” 
—A Course in Miracles W-16.3:1-3

"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: 27-31

Knowledge is Power

 

children’s bookshelf supplied by my bookclub to local food bank

“Worthy persons deserve to be called so because they are not carried away by the eight winds: prosperity, decline, disgrace, honor, praise, censure, suffering, and pleasure. They are neither elated by prosperity nor grieved by decline.” 

This quote by Nichiren grabbed my attention, mainly because of the phrase “elated by prosperity”. There seem to be too many people in charge of the world who are delirious over money. Andrew Carnegie was very wise in telling us: “Surplus wealth is a sacred trust which its possessor is bound to administer in his lifetime for the good of the community.” Mr. Carnegie created 1,689 libraries in the United States. Information is power, and he was not afraid of that idea. I’m reminded of the women on horseback who would deliver books to people far out in the woods, such as those in the novel by Jo Jo Moyes, “The Giver of Stars”. How I wish we could reclaim the excitement associated with gaining knowledge! Perhaps we feel that the information freeway known as the internet takes care of our educational needs. To me, nothing replaces falling into a good book. I think it's necessary to develop critical thinking, don't you?

“Look at the kindly world you see extend before you as you walk in gentleness. Look at the helpers all along the way you travel, happy in the certainty of Heaven and the surety of peace. And look an instant, too, on what you left behind at last and finally passed by.”
—A Course in Miracles C-2.7:4-6

“Being in sympathy with matter, the worldly man is at the beck and call of error, and will be attracted thither ward. He is like a traveller going westward for a pleasure-trip. The company is alluring and the pleasures exciting. After following the sun for six days, he turns east on the seventh, satisfied if he can only imagine himself drifting in the right direction. By-and-by, ashamed of his zigzag course, he would borrow the passport of some wiser pilgrim, thinking with the aid of this to find and follow the right road.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 21:25-2

We Need Another Mr. Rogers.

I read an article about Fred Rogers which said his goal was to promote “self-esteem, self-control, imagination, creativity, curiosity, appreciation of diversity, cooperation, patience and persistence.” He taught us how to perform necessary tasks, such as tying our shoelaces; he informed us about things which enrich our lives, such as planting a garden. He never told children they were just as good as anyone else, or that they were infallible, but rather he taught us that we each have value, and that value isn’t tied to particular successes or failures. He encouraged children to go to school and listen to their teachers, humanizing educators by telling the young viewers that the teachers were once children, too. Mr. Rogers taught us to be mindfully aware, to enjoy the process, and to love our neighbors. What more do we need? I think we need another Mr. Rogers...

“A good teacher clarifies his own ideas and strengthens them by teaching them. Teacher and pupil are alike in the learning process. They are in the same order of learning, and unless they share their lessons conviction will be lacking. A good teacher must believe in the ideas he teaches, but he must meet another condition; he must believe in the students to whom he offers the ideas.”
—A Course in Miracles T-4.I.1:1-4

“The sinless joy, — the perfect harmony and immortality of Life, possessing unlimited divine beauty and goodness without a single bodily pleasure or pain, — constitutes the only veritable, indestructible man, whose being is spiritual.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 76:22-26

A Simpler Way

Art by Judy Griffith 

The documentary, A Simpler Way — Crisis as Opportunity, was made in 2016 and shows us ways people are living simpler lives by building tiny homes, sharing gardens, and finding innovative ways to live happily in a world which often seems to be hurtling towards disaster. These lifestyles are not about being self-sufficient but, rather, community-sufficient. You may live on a city lot and are able to grow all the vegetables you need by turning your yard into a garden (explained in detail by Joan Dye Gussow in This Organic Life - Confessions of a Suburban Homesteader), and your friend may have enough land to raise goats, another friend might have a flock of chickens — well, you get the picture. We’re all in this together. It’s time to utilize our talents to supply our families and friends with what they need, and in return receive what we need. As we have learned in our metaphysical studies: to give is to receive; to receive is to give. I try to buy from local businesses, and farmers who produce year-round vegetables by erecting wind tunnels, allowing us to have fresh greens all winter long. Let’s  ask ourselves if we really need to purchase from big business. It’s difficult to make shifts and release old habits, but it’s time for a new normal, don’t you think? We can do this!

“The peace of God is shining in you now, and from your heart extends around the world. It pauses to caress each living thing, and leaves a blessing with it that remains forever and forever. What it gives must be eternal. It removes all thoughts of the ephemeral and valueless. It brings renewal to all tired hearts, and lights all vision as it passes by. All of its gifts are given everyone, and everyone unites in giving thanks to you who give, and you who have received.” 

A Course in Miracles W-188.3:1-6

"When the divine precepts are understood they unfold the foundation of fellowship in which one mind is not at war with another, but all have one Spirit, God, one intelligent source..." 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 276:4-6

The Voice of Healing

Christian Science Edifice

Eureka Springs, Arkansas

Built circa 1914

In the early 1900s, the Science of The Christ was being practiced by record numbers of students. Mary Baker Eddy was giving talks to upwards of 20,000 people at a time, and there were hundreds of teachers showing others how to practice spiritual healing. Everyone was very excited to be learning about this Truth! Mrs. Eddy referred to it as primitive Christianity, because it is the teaching of Jesus — free of the trappings added by old men who wanted to control the masses. Then there was a worldwide upsurge in medical knowledge, and people who had been taking responsibility for their own health through an understanding that there is only One divine Mind -- well, it seemed easier to take a pill or get a shot. We saw it as a revolution in thought. Little did we know we were leaving the revolution behind, in favor of a mirage which promised safety from disease, with the advantage of not having to think about it. It's difficult for people to be responsible for their own well-being, as it seems much easier to medicate and trust in professionals. When the system fails, we blame doctors, then the lawyers get involved and it's all about money, and our health and well-being feel nebulous and fleeting. In the last century, spiritual healing has gotten a dirty name, for reasons too numerous to mention here. But those reasons do not matter. What is important is that we can pick up the revolution at any time. The book, Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures, which Mary Baker Eddy gave us, has been the leaven bubbling about in thought and showing itself throughout our lifetime. It can now be read or listened to on the internet, found in almost any used bookstore, and obtained cheaply online. Every time I read it, it seems new!

"Correct material belief by spiritual understanding and Spirit will form you anew."
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health 425:24

“So do we lay aside our amulets, our charms and medicines, our chants and bits of magic in whatever form they take. We will be still and listen for the Voice of healing, which will cure all ills as one, restoring saneness to the Son of God. No voice but this can cure. Today we hear a single Voice which speaks to us of truth, where all illusions end, and peace returns to the eternal, quiet home of God.”
—A Course in Miracles W-140.10:1-4

Were “The Good Old Days” Good?

Kings River Bridge in Berryville, AR

Built in 1931

After my monthly book club meeting at the end of each month, I’m often inspired to write about what we talked about around the subject of our book. The book this month, Buckeye by Patrick Ryan, was a novel about emotional pain due to lack of communication, love with various human interpretations, and forgiveness. The time period was World War II and the following years. We saw the shame and denial of a woman whose mother abandoned her to an orphanage. When she was grown, she was so embarrassed she never told anyone. This affected her life in terrible ways, along with those who loved her. Then there was the man who married, and finally admitted, during his years in the Navy, that he was attracted to men. There were other people affected by a lack of communications, the foolish morés of the times, and misplaced importance which was placed on the actions of others and/or themselves. Honesty, integrity, open-mindedness: these are some of the characteristics which have brought humankind to a higher understanding of people and life. Support groups, mental health care, loving families, these things and more have helped us move into the new world in which we find ourselves. Let’s continue to look up to higher realms of being, even though there are many who believe the good old days really were good.

“Forgiveness turns the world of sin into a world of glory, wonderful to see. ²Each flower shines in light, and every bird sings of the joy of Heaven. ³There is no sadness and there is no parting here, for everything is totally forgiven. ⁴And what has been forgiven must join, for nothing stands between to keep them separate and apart. ⁵The sinless must perceive that they are one, for nothing stands between to push the other off. ⁶And in the space that sin left vacant do they join as one, in gladness recognizing what is part of them has not been kept apart and separate.”
—A Course in Moravia T-26.IV.2:1-6

“Fear of punishment never made man truly honest. Moral courage is requisite to meet the wrong and to proclaim the right. But how shall we reform the man who has more animal than moral courage, and who has not the true idea of good? Through human consciousness, convince the mortal of his mistake in seeking material means for gaining happiness. Reason is the most active human faculty. Let that inform the sentiments and awaken the man’s dormant sense of moral obligation, and by degrees he will learn the nothingness of the pleasures of human sense and the grandeur and bliss of a spiritual sense, which silences the material or corporeal. Then he not only will be saved, but is saved.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 327:22-3

Opening Hearts

Photo credit: ugurekenoglu

Having recently experienced an uplifting video of Sufi music, I’ve been thinking about books I’ve read which gave me insights into this spiritual discipline. The Forty Rules of Love, by Elia Shafak, is described as “a novel of Rumi". It’s an enjoyable read with many pearls of wisdom, such as this: “You say you are ready to deliver all your knowledge to another person. You want to hold the Truth in your palm as if it were a precious pear and offer it to someone special. But opening up someone’s heart to spiritual light is no small task for a human being. You’re stealing God’s thunder.” This comes to me at the perfect time, as I’m itching to open up everyone’s heart to spiritual light — as you probably are, too! I sat on the front porch this evening pondering the quote from this book and rejoicing in its truth. Since we are each the reflection, the image and likeness of divine Love, only we, individually, can recognize that spiritual light, that God-ness within, and allow it to flow out. What blesses one blesses all. I truly believe that. I can only have this recognition within myself, but that’s all it takes in order to share it! Shine on, dear Friends …

“You are a mirror of truth, in which God Himself shines in perfect light. To the ego’s dark glass you need but say, ‘I will not look there because I know these images are not true.’ Then let the Holy One shine on you in peace, knowing that this and only this must be. His Mind shone on you in your creation and brought your mind into being. His Mind still shines on you and must shine through you. Your ego cannot prevent Him from shining on you, but it can prevent you from letting Him shine through you.”
—A Course in Miracles T-4.IV.9:1-6

“In the Science of Mind, you will soon ascertain that error cannot destroy error. You will also learn that in Science there is no transfer of evil suggestions from one mortal to another, for there is but one Mind, and this ever-present omnipotent Mind is reflected by man and governs the entire universe. You will learn that in Christian Science the first duty is to obey God, to have one Mind, and to love another as yourself.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 495:31-8