Is Artificial Intelligence Working For You?

Artificial intelligence is everywhere! When we try to type an email, it wants to give us suggestions – even being very insistent about doing so! I recently read an article by a woman who decided to let ChatGPT plan her every move throughout the day, simply to see what it would do. She discovered it thought it knew what she wanted, even when it did not. She also found out that she spent more money than she would have without its suggestions. For instance, when she would ask how to relax in her spare time, it never suggested she walk in the woods, but gave her options such as enjoy a specialty coffee drink. At the end of the week’s experiment, she discovered her life was more solitary when using A.I.’s suggestions for spending her free time. I’m not sure how I feel about computer-generated songs and stories, but I do know it’s not going to plan my activities!

“Controlled by the divine intelligence, man is harmonious and eternal. Whatever is governed by a false belief is discordant and mortal.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 184:15-18

“In the service of the right mind the denial of error frees the mind, and re-establishes the freedom of the will. When the will is really free it cannot miscreate, because it recognizes only truth.”
—A Course in Miracles T-2.II.2:6-7

Kinder Communication

We’re all trying to be kinder in our communications. We’re all learning how to listen and ask questions without being confrontational. To me, these have been some of the most difficult life lessons. Listening without reaction, questioning without self-righteousness, learning from everyone — even those with opinions diametrically opposed to mine — maybe especially from them! One thing I’ve discovered is that it doesn’t matter what I say out loud, if my thoughts are confrontational. We can’t hide our true feelings behind the facade of kind words: we must be kind. Those of you who have pets know how true this is. You can’t hide your real feelings from an animal — or an aware human. Go forth with joy, because it shines through in your actions!

“A spiritual idea has not a single element of error, and this truth removes properly whatever is offensive. The new idea, conceived and born of Truth and Love, is clad in white garments.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 463:12

“Every loving thought is true. Everything else is an appeal for healing and help, regardless of the form it takes. Can anyone be justified in responding with anger to a brother’s plea for help? No response can be appropriate except the willingness to give it to him, for this and only this is what he is asking for. Offer him anything else, and you are assuming the right to attack his reality by interpreting it as you see fit. Perhaps the danger of this to your own mind is not yet fully apparent. If you believe that an appeal for help is something else you will react to something else. Your response will therefore be inappropriate to reality as it is, but not to your perception of it.” 

A Course in Miracles T-12.I.3:3-10

A Leap of Faith

Creation from Sandy Wythawai Starbird

A woman I know always puts herself down when she thinks she has not done her best (which is often). She will top off her self-put-downs with something like, “Oh, well, I’m not not walking on water yet.” She has told me she will never meet Jesus’ expectations of her. Father Joseph, the priest at the Catholic Church where I am the accompanist, had a homily wherein he likened walking on water with taking a leap of faith. He encouraged us to speak to people we normally would ignore, or try a food we don’t think we’ll like, or to try anything which takes us out of our comfort zone. Writing, for instance, is a frightening activity at first, because you’re putting your thoughts out there for everyone to interpret, critique, or challenge. Art, in all of its forms, is an act of bravery. Raising a child is a supreme leap of faith! The world needs us right now, so let’s open our hearts and follow where we are led — today!

“Now try to slip past all concerns related to your own sense of inadequacy. It is obvious that any situation that causes you concern is associated with feelings of inadequacy, for otherwise you would believe that you could deal with the situation successfully. It is not by trusting yourself that you will gain confidence. But the strength of God in you is successful in all things.”
—A Course in Miracles W-47.5:1-4

"The calm, strong currents of true spirituality, the manifestations of which are health, purity, and self-immolation, must deepen human experience, until the beliefs of material existence are seen to be a bald imposition, and sin, disease, and death give everylasting place to the scientific demonstration of divine Spirit and to God's spiritual, perfect man."
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 99:23

A Grateful Heart A Garden Is

     

Long Creek Herbs

A group of us visited with my dear friends, Jim and Josh, at their beautiful home and business, Long Creek Herbs. They have worked four decades to create the peaceful beauty which we experienced during our visit. The flowers, herbs, hand-made garden trellises, the gazebo — all this, and more, combine to invite a visit on the front porch. And so we did. We were treated to fresh-from-the-garden strawberries and cold water with fresh mint. The butterflies frolicked while we enjoyed the beautiful spring day and each others’ company. I hope everyone can experience this type of peace, and then carry it with them no matter where they go or what they do. Peace does, after all, begin or end within our own selves. But the inspiration of a day like today makes it easier to look through the mirage of craziness roiling all around us. And I am grateful …


“A grateful heart a garden is,
Where there is always room
For every lovely, Godlike grace
To come to perfect bloom.”
—Christian Science Hymnal Page 3

“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? And after vision, who is there who could refuse what must come after? Think but an instant just on this; you can behold the holiness God gave His Son. ⁴And never need you think that there is something else for you to see.”
—A Course in Miracles T-20.VIII.11:1-4

A New Earth

On this Earth Day, I have a vision. I see a world built on honesty. All liars will be uncovered and replaced with honorable human beings who value lives more than cash. Schools will teach children to love learning, rather than to spit out rhetoric. Religious institutions will be there to help those in need, finding ways to supply their material needs while feeding their spirit. We will be allowed to know what Spirit is, rather than simply repeating religious beliefs which manipulate and punish. We'll know about the good in ourselves as well as our neighbors and love ourselves more as a result. We then see the value in making art -- music painting, creativity of all kinds -- and understanding how those practices allow us to be whole, rather than automatons which spit out facts and figures. I see a world where we can trust ourselves enough to stand up for what is right and just for all, not just those in our tribe. Let's build back a world where all its resources are kept intact and nurtured, using the things which never run out, realizing the sun shines on us all equally, and is here for our supply. We will know the value of every living creature, realizing that the loss of one leaves a hole in the music of the earth. We will be proud of knowledge, science, learning of any and all sorts. We will see that we can understand God, because we are Its reflection and that source lies within us. Namaste …

“What hatred claimed is given up to love, and freedom lights up every living thing and lifts it into Heaven, where the lights grow ever brighter as each one comes home. The incomplete is made complete again, and Heaven’s joy has been increased because what is its own has been restored to it. The bloodied earth is cleansed, and the insane have shed their garments of insanity to join Them on the ground whereon you stand.”
—A Course in Miracles T-26.IX.4:4-6

"St. John's corporeal sense of the heavens and earth had vanished, and in place of this false sense was the spiritual sense, the subjective state by which he could see the new heaven and new earth, which involve the spiritual idea and consciousness of reality."
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 573:19

Renewing Your Mind

Do you think the study of divine metaphysics is difficult? One person tells me he thinks it's incomprehensible, and it would take years of study and training to understand. Another tells me she's not smart enough to "get it". Yet another thinks she's not up for the hard work this way of living entails. I've been pondering these statements. Are they true? Does it take some special dispensation, some quantum gift from beyond, an unraveling of DNA, or perhaps years of study? Maybe we think it will take a long time to change our way of thinking because it's taken us decades to solidify our present matter-based belief systems. The spiritual Truth we're uncovering has always been a part of us: It's our birthright as a reflection of divinity. What takes practice is leaving behind the erroneous teachings of a lifetime. The easy part is the realization that Truth is always within us, just waiting to be discovered. With this discovery comes a renewal of our mind, which comes from pushing aside false beliefs and uncovering the truths we've always known. So, no, I don't think it's hard work. But it is dedicated work. It takes discipline to see and feel as Love. Not through Love, not with Love, but AS Love. That is our essence. That is our Truth. Let's keep it simple!

“Individuals are consistent who, watching and praying, can ‘run, and not be weary; . . . walk, and not faint,’ who gain good rapidly and hold their position, or attain slowly and yield not to discouragement.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 254:2-6

“Put not your faith in illusions. They will fail you. Put all your faith in the Love of God within you; eternal, changeless and forever unfailing. This is the answer to whatever confronts you today. Through the Love of God within you, you can resolve all seeming difficulties without effort and in sure confidence. Tell yourself this often today. It is a declaration of release from the belief in idols. It is your acknowledgment of the truth about yourself.”
—A Course in Miracles W-50.4:1-8

Facing Trauma; Healing Lives

Chili Dog circa 2012

Interpersonal relationships can often feel out of control. Dogs and their people are the focus of Cesar Milan, a/k/a the Dog Whisperer. I love watching these shows and seeing how he helps people pinpoint their anxieties and understand how they are passing them on to their dogs. In watching Season 3, Episode 12 of his current show, “Better Human, Better Dog”, I was struck once again by the healing which can occur in our lives through understanding from whence the problem comes. An attack in a dog park triggered memories and fears for one woman, who had experienced an attack on her person in the past. She became nervously fearful, passing on her fright to her dog, which then responded with uncontrolled aggression. Every time they went out or anyone came to their home, she became anxious. Through Cesar’s peaceful, assertive presence, she was able to regain her calm, and then she could pass on this confident energy to her dog. I love seeing these examples of how traumas are faced and lives are healed. Much work is being done in the field of healing traumatic memories. It’s enlightening to watch this occur through recognition, acceptance, and release. It’s a fascinating study and I hope to learn more.

“Casting out evil and fear enables truth to outweigh error. The only course is to take antagonistic grounds against all that is opposed to the health, holiness, and harmony of man, God’s image.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 392:7-10

“It is enough to heal the past and make the future free. It is enough to let the present be accepted as it is. It is enough to let time be the means for all the world to learn escape from time, and every change that time appears to bring in passing by.”
—A Course in Miracles W-110.2:2-4