Moving Through the Fire

 

Crescent Hotel Balcony

Photo by Stephen Shogren

I want to write about the Ukrainians and their fear and pain. I want to write about a past president and his cohorts, and what they do in the name of greed and power. I want to write about my acquaintances, who are still defending the dishonesty in our government; also the conservatives who have realized there is no conservation in their chosen political party. I want to write about the pain of those who love goodness and truth. I want to write about those who cry out for full disclosure, no matter who may fall in this facing of facts, knowing this is the only way to reclaim the lofty ideals this country was built upon. I want to write about the slaves who were abused by our early ancestors, and the aftermath of our self-righteous bigotry. But I’d rather write about the new earth this cleansing fire will bring us, the beauty left in the aftermath of this torment, and the love we have not forgotten.

“How willing are you to forgive your brother? How much do you desire peace instead of endless strife and misery and pain? These questions are the same, in different form. Forgiveness is your peace, for herein lies the end of separation and the dream of danger and destruction, sin and death; of madness and of murder, grief and loss. This is the ‘sacrifice’ salvation asks, and gladly offers peace instead of this.” A Course in Miracles T-29.VI.1:1-5

“Earth has no repayment for the persecutions which attend a new step in Christianity; but the spiritual recompense of the persecuted is assured in the elevation of existence above mortal discord and in the gift of divine Love.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 97:32-3

Someday You’ll Join Me …

Dawn of Hope - by Daniel Gerhartz 

 “You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. 

I hope someday you'll join us. 

And the world will live as one.” 

John Lennon - Imagine, 1971.

Tribes and Oneness

While talking to a friend about the tribes people associate themselves with, I paused to think about the cocoon I feel cozy within here in Eureka Springs.  There are any number of groups of people I feel a deep kinship toward, but there is no limiting identity with any particular one. I remember when my boys and I moved here almost three decades ago. It was to attend the Clear Spring School. One of the mothers told me this school was a way of life, and I soon found out what she meant. We worked together to raise money to keep the school viable, and leaned on each other for child care and support in every avenue of life. This was a total-immersion situation unlike any other I’ve encountered. From that new beginning, I have been involved with and loved our metaphysical group and my Eureka Thyme family; now I feel a deep kinship with the three congregations where I play keyboards and the choirs I accompany, along with the duplicate bridge community, our Course in Miracles group, and my book club. Every day our lives expand to include others we meet. And the practice of non-duality we study opens us to our universal family fluttering just out of sight! Life is Good! 

“Groups of people who have shared spiritual Love are bound together for eternity.” Joel Goldsmith

“Peace is extended from you only to the eternal, and it reaches out from the eternal in you. It flows across all else. The second obstacle is no more solid than the first. For you want neither to get rid of peace nor limit it. What are these obstacles that you would interpose between peace and its going forth but barriers you place between your will and its accomplishment? You want communion, not the feast of fear. You want salvation, not the pain of guilt. And you want your Father, not a little mound of clay, to be your home. In your holy relationship is your Father’s Son. He has not lost communion with Him, nor with himself. When you agreed to join your brother, you acknowledged this is so. This has no cost, but it has release from cost.” A Course in Miracles T-19.IV-B.4:1-12

Dream, Dream, Dream …

 

Dreams - ceramic creation of Ken Starbird

Sleeping dreams are interesting things, don’t you think? As a child, I had a two recurring nightmares, and can still remember the feelings they brought forth. During years of waking up early, without the luxury of hitting a snooze button, I don’t remember many dreams. Now that I can wake up and go back to sleep for a while, I have more lucid dreams where I can think about what’s happening and even have some control of events. Many of my friends interpret their dreams and find meanings which extend to daily life. I don’t consciously do so, but often the nighttime events come back to thought during the day, and sometimes they seem to tell me to be aware. Then again, we should always be awake to events around us and intuition within us, so I rarely feel they are a portent of doom or goodness. I look forward to dreams where I get to visit with loved ones long gone from material sight. What do you dream about? Do you enjoy the experience? I hope so...  

“Dreams are chaotic because they are governed by your conflicting wishes, and therefore they have no concern with what is true. They are the best example you could have of how perception can be utilized to substitute illusions for truth. You do not take them seriously on awaking because the fact that reality is so outrageously violated in them becomes apparent. Yet they are a way of looking at the world, and changing it to suit the ego better. They provide striking examples, both of the ego’s inability to tolerate reality, and of your willingness to change reality on its behalf.” A Course in Miracles T-18.II.2:1-5

"... Is there any more reality in the waking dream of mortal existence than in the sleeping dream? There cannot be, since whatever appears to be a mortal man is a mortal dream. Take away the mortal mind, and matter has no more sense as a man than it has as a tree. But the spiritual, real man is immortal." Mary Baker Eddy -Science & Health Page 250:22-27

Imperfection?

One of my favorite essay writers is named Robert Klose. For the past 20 years or so, I’ve followed his single parenting of two adopted boys, accompanied him on many nature adventures in Maine, and realized we are kindred spirits. Today I read a piece of his called “Perfectly at home with imperfection”. He talks of going to buy a canoe and seeing one priced so low he had to ask, "What’s wrong with it?" The salesman replied, “She don’t float right”. “I’ll take it!”, he said. He found he had to sit to the left side to compensate, but he’s very happy with that. He also bought a window that had a bubble in the glass, and it shone like a jewel in the sunlight. He states that if you get something in perfect condition, you are often disappointed, perhaps even feel betrayed, when it gets a dent or imperfection from regular wear and tear. I’m with him on these things! As he said, “How wonderful is the world of the imperfect!”

"Mortal thought transmits its own images, and forms its offspring after human illusions." Mary Baker Eddy 

Creating Compassion Through Education

A short documentary has been made about a ship, the SS Quanza, and the 83 mostly Belgium Jewish people who were trying to enter the United States in 1940. Many ships had been turned away at that time, with hundreds of their passengers returned to their homeland for extermination. This ship’s youngest passenger, Annette Yachmann, is still living and enjoying a happy life teaching writing at a community college in New York and being a grandmother. She recalls the horror of being trapped on the ship, but is grateful that she was with her mother. She is vocally rebelling against the treatment of children who are separated from their parents as they attempt to enter the United States. The maker of this film, Laura Seltzer-Duny, tells of Eleanor Roosevelt’s extraordinary efforts to bring these people into our country. She also documents the efforts of others who were integral in the humanitarian effort, including a married couple who were lawyers and used maritime law to stalls the ship’s return to Europe. The movie is called “Nobody Wants Us”. It was made with the hope of educating people on the plight of immigrants and the historical fate of those turned away.  Education is essential in creating compassion. This is a perfect example. Today I will look for ways to foster compassion, through education.  

"Spirit, God, gathers unformed thoughts into their proper channels, and unfolds these thoughts, even as He opens the petals of a holy purpose in order that the purpose may appear." Mary Baker Eddy 

“Let us join together in a holy instant, here in this place where the purpose, given in a holy instant, has led you. And let us join in faith that He Who brought us here together will offer you the innocence you need, and that you will accept it for my love and His.” A Course in Miracles T-19.IV-D.9:6-7

Amanda Gorman’s Poem at UN Assembly

 

AN ODE WE OWE - Amanda Gorman

UN Secretary General, distinguished guests, and all of humankind:

How can I ask you to do good,

When we’ve barely withstood

Our greatest threats yet:

The depths of death, despair and disparity, Atrocities across cities, towns & countries, Lives lost, climactic costs.

Exhausted, angered, we are endangered,

Not because of our numbers,

But because of our numbness. We’re strangers To one another’s perils and pain,

Unaware that the welfare of the public

And the planet share a name–

–Equality

Doesn’t mean being the exact same,

 But enacting a vast aim:

The good of the world to its highest capability. The wise believe that our people without power Leaves our planet without possibility. Therefore, though poverty is a poor existence, Complicity is a poorer excuse.

We must go the distance,

Though this battle is hard and huge,

Though this fight we did not choose,

For preserving the earth isn’t a battle too large To win, but a blessing too large to lose.

This is the most pressing truth:

That Our people have only one planet to call home And our planet has only one people to call its own.

We can either divide and be conquered by the few, Or we can decide to conquer the future,

And say that today a new dawn we wrote,

Say that as long as we have humanity,

 We will forever have hope.

Together, we won’t just be the generation That tries but the generation that triumphs; Let us see a legacy

Where tomorrow is not driven

By the human condition,

But by our human conviction.

And while hope alone can’t save us now, With it we can brave the now,

Because our hardest change hinges On our darkest challenges.

Thus may our crisis be our cry, our crossroad, The oldest ode we owe each other.

We chime it, for the climate,

For our communities.

We shall respect and protect

Every part of this planet,

Hand it to every heart on this earth,

 Until no one’s worth is rendered

By the race, gender, class, or identity They were born. This morn let it be sworn That we are one one human kin, Grounded not just by the griefs

We bear, but by the good we begin.

To anyone out there:

I only ask that you care before it’s too late, That you live aware and awake,

That you lead with love in hours of hate.

I challenge you to heed this call,

I dare you to shape our fate.

Above all, I dare you to do good

So that the world might be great.”

Let’s Do This Together

I read an anecdote about an elderly man who was trying to pay for his groceries at the store. He had a bag of change that he was counting out to pay for his purchases. He kept messing up the count and was getting nervous. His hands began to shake. The people waiting in line were sighing and acting impatient. The lady checking him out gently put her hands over his and said, “Let’s do this together.” After he left, one of the customers thanked the cashier for her kindness, to which she replied: “You shouldn’t need to thank me. We all just need to love one another.” What a beautiful little story! In the hustle and rush of daily life, we may forget to help each other. Mindful awareness will bring us back to noticing where we may be of help, and what blesses one blesses all...  

"Love for mankind is the elevator of the human race; it demonstrates Truth and reflects divine Love." Mary Baker Eddy - from Miscellany Page 288:8-9

“A pure mind knows the truth and this is its strength. It does not confuse destruction with innocence because it associates innocence with strength, not with weakness.” 

A Course in Miracles T-3.I.5:5-6

Truth Will Stay Forever

San Francisco - photo by Aaron Springston

I’ve been pondering the difference in belief and understanding. Some people are blindly following leaders, while others have the questioning attitude which insists on answers. Do we practice by-rote actions or make thoughtful decisions based on evidence? These things, and more, are brought to mind when I witness what people do. It seems we see a lot of mean-spirited actions  — for instance, making rude comments about people, and poking fun in various ugly ways. Some folks have the belief that God has ordained how things should or should not be done. And what of habits we’ve fallen into, without questioning if they are necessary or productive — or even fun! Well, there certainly is much to think about, isn’t there? One thing I do know: When I wake up and meditate and do some deep thinking and study, the day goes smoothly and unfolds joyously. When I wake up and listen to reports of people’s crazy behavior before I’m centered, everything seems difficult. With a rocky start to the day, I’m not mindfully aware and may misplace things, or perhaps become irritated over nothing (or something!). Since I know I can’t change that guy over there, I will wake up tomorrow and do my best to not be foolish. Namaste...

“Life, Truth, and Love are the realities of divine Science. They dawn in faith and glow full-orbed in spiritual understanding. As a cloud hides the sun it cannot extinguish, so false belief silences for a while the voice of immutable harmony, but false belief cannot destroy Science armed with faith, hope, and fruition.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 298:2-7

“For faith brings peace, and so it calls on truth to enter and make lovely what has already been prepared for loveliness. Truth follows faith and peace, completing the process of making lovely that they begin. For faith is still a learning goal, no longer needed when the lesson has been learned. Yet truth will stay forever.” 

A Course in Miracle T-19.I.15:2-5

True Purpose

\

Unknown Artist

If you’re like me, you enjoy listening to people’s descriptions of Near Death Experiences.  When we hear these stories, we may think the tellers have vivid imaginations; perhaps because of their similarity, we see it as proof of our Oneness. It’s fascinating to think of the possibilities of existence beyond this plane to which we cling. A YouTube video title caught my attention today. There was a young woman pictured with the words: Earth is Just a School, by Jane Thompson. As I listened to this woman tell of dying and returning to her body, I was reminded of my favorite teachings. Almost everything she said brought to mind statements from A Course in Miracles or Mary Baker Eddy. She speaks of healing our trauma, forgiving our parents, and the need to feel complete in order to live out our true purpose. And what is our real purpose? Where we are at each moment, that is our real purpose. We are all evolving and learning, and how we react to everything which happens is our education. But we must not forget that every school has a playground. Having fun is a huge part of this school! And becoming quiet enough to hear the messages coming through for us — in order to hear where intuition is leading, to allow synchronicities to be noticed, to feel the all-encompassing Love of the universe, we must practice allowing divine Mind to lead the way. Put this intention out there, and get ready for change!

“The admission to one’s self that man is God’s own likeness sets man free to master the infinite idea. This conviction shuts the door on death, and opens it wide towards immortality. The understanding and recognition of Spirit must finally come, and we may as well improve our time in solving the mysteries of being through an apprehension of divine Principle. At present we know not what man is, but we certainly shall know this when man reflects God.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 90:24-31

“O my child, if you knew what God wills for you, your joy would be complete! And what He wills has happened, for it was always true. When the light comes and you have said, ‘God’s Will is mine,’ you will see such beauty that you will know it is not of you. Out of your joy you will create beauty in His Name, for your joy could no more be contained than His. The bleak little world will vanish into nothingness, and your heart will be so filled with joy that it will leap into Heaven, and into the Presence of God. I cannot tell you what this will be like, for your heart is not ready.⁷Yet I can tell you, and remind you often, that what God wills for Himself He wills for you, and what He wills for you is yours.” 

A Course in Miracles T-11.III.3:1-7

The Holy Relationship

Photo credit: Aaron Springston

Relationships are assignments made with the purpose of triggering each other’s wounds. These wounds are mainly from childhood, and we’ve probably been replaying a version of them all our lives. In order to have maximum growth, we must face them and heal them, which cannot be done unless they’re opened up and brought to the surface. And so we meet someone, fall in love, have a mountaintop experience, then trip and fall down the hill. From that point, we can work on climbing back up, or stay where we’ve landed. In the exhilaration of romance, we have seen the truth of each other’s innocence; after a while, we get to see each other’s messed-up-ness. We may look at it in a sacred context and recognize the spiritual meaning and purpose, or we can focus on the hurt and allow our egos to separate us. Whether we live together in bodies, or live separately but remain together in heart, it makes no difference, as relationships are of the mind. I keep reminding myself that all crises are an invitation to rise to the occasion. It’s quite a trip, don’t you think?

"The holy relationship, a major step toward the perception of the real world, is learned.  It is the old, unholy relationship, transformed and seen anew.  The holy relationship is a phenomenal teaching accomplishment. In all its aspects, as it begins, develops and becomes accomplished, it represents the reversal of the unholy relationship.  Be comforted in this; the only difficult phase is the beginning.  For here, the goal of the relationship is abruptly shifted to the exact opposite of what it was.  This is the first result of offering the relationship to the Holy Spirit, to use for His purposes." A Course in Miracles

“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

My Mother Loved Baseball …

 

Bryan and Anita Havens
circa 1931

My mom was a baseball fan. She followed the St. Louis Cardinals and talked about the players with her friends. After I left home and lived in Fayetteville, she came to spend a few days at my house. My roommate was a baseball fan, too, so she and my mother spent some time watching games. Imagine my surprise when Brenda told me that my mother knew nothing about baseball! I was dumbfounded, and a bit embarrassed. This dear woman was a joyous ball of energy. She had a great laugh and rarely walked when she could run. But as children sometimes do, I didn’t realize how fabulous she was. She wore bright clothing and a flower in her hair, when my friends’ moms were non-descript. She painted doors bright red with black spots and gold doorknobs. She was happier than any other mom I knew. Looking back on her lack of baseball expertise, I see how cool that was! She enjoyed watching the players, cheered when they hit the ball (not caring if it was foul or fair), and was ecstatic when they made the playoffs. I wonder if she even knew what that meant? It didn’t matter! Sophia Anita Bravo Havens loved life! What I'd give to watch a game with her...

"Fed by Thy love divine we live,

    For Love alone is Life;

And life most sweet, as heart to heart

Speaks kindly when we meet and part."

Mary Baker Eddy 

The Panoply of Love

 

A long time ago, I was leaving my art gallery at the end of the day, walking down the sidewalk to my vehicle, when I heard the old Louis Armstrong song, What a Wonderful World. There was a young man in Basin Park, sitting with his guitar and singing this song. I stopped to listen and was completely enthralled; lifted out of myself and the worries of the day. I stood across the street from him, loving what was happening on this cool summer evening. Out of the corner of my ear (so to speak) I heard some ruckus, but it wasn’t really registering with me. As the song ended, I heard some voices shouting obscenities. When I looked toward the noise, they were looking right at me! But my mind had risen to a place of pure Love while listening to the song and feeling the words, and so I just stood there, smiling, with no thought of anything other than what a wonderful world it is. There were three young people sitting on a wall in the park and as I happily looked back at them, it was as though they deflated. Where before they had been angry and loud, their anger disappeared right before my eyes. I waved happily at them and went on my way. This was proof that Love conquers hate. I saw it happen. So don’t lose hope, dear friends. Allow yourselves to be overtaken by Love and watch it spread!

“Clad in the panoply of Love, human hatred cannot reach you. The cement of a higher humanity will unite all interests in the one divinity.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 571:18-21

“Today the lights of Heaven bend to you, to shine upon your eyelids as you rest beyond the world of darkness. Here is light your eyes can not behold. And yet your mind can see it plainly, and can understand. A day of grace is given you today, and we give thanks. This day we realize that what you feared to lose was only loss.” 

A Course in Miracles W-129.8:1-5

Morning Poem - by Mary Oliver

 

Photo credit: Blake Lasater

Morning Poem by Mary Oliver

from Dream Work (1986) 

Every morning

the world

is created.

Under the orange

sticks of the sun

the heaped

ashes of the night

turn into leaves again

and fasten themselves to the high branches ---

and the ponds appear

like black cloth

on which are painted islands

of summer lilies.

If it is your nature

to be happy

you will swim away along the soft trails

for hours, your imagination

alighting everywhere.

And if your spirit

carries within it

the thorn

that is heavier than lead ---

if it's all you can do

to keep on trudging ---

there is still

somewhere deep within you

a beast shouting that the earth

is exactly what it wanted ---

each pond with its blazing lilies

is a prayer heard and answered

lavishly,

every morning,

whether or not

you have ever dared to be happy,

whether or not

you have ever dared to pray.

Mary Oliver

What Is Yet To Learn

Photo by Ashe Aria

I know a woman who compliments others so much they become embarrassed. She does it to such an extent it seems as though it may be a form of ridicule. I’ve been paying attention when she does this to me and a couple of other people. At first, I thought perhaps she wanted friends, then I thought she may want compliments herself, then I thought she might be compensating for being a rather hateful person — well, I’m not sure why this behavior is occurring, but I’ve begun to converse with her the same way I would anyone with an outlandish view of any kind: I ask her questions. It seems she has been ostracized by her children, she has never had a job, and she has a strong sense of being better than everyone, hence she thinks everyone is jealous of her. Wow! How interesting it is to listen to folks rather than avoiding them because they make you uncomfortable! Every time I think of her, I shall send her Ho’oponopono. 

"Make fast your learning now, and understand you but waste time unless you go beyond what you have learned to what is yet to learn. For from this lowest point will learning lead to heights of happiness, in which you see the purpose of the lesson shining clear, and perfectly within your learning grasp." A Course in Miracles

Glorious Gatherings

 

The Salon

Have you ever thought something was true, and then you said it out loud and discovered you didn’t really feel that way? I was grocery shopping and ran into one of our local Course in Miracles meeting attendees. As we chatted, I mentioned that I did’t like meetings. As soon as I said it, I knew it wasn’t true. I don’t like random meetings! I love our ACIM group, and my book club, and maybe one other thing — which I can’t think of right now. But, for example, I was asked to be on the board of directors for an organization which I wholeheartedly support, but I declined. I’m too happy to be on a board! But I always feel good following one of the gatherings which bring together a group of like-minded people to have a love-based discussion. At the same time this revelation dawned, I accepted the fact that I like solitary study more than group study. And so even though I don’t attend weekly meeting of our ACIM group, I love you all dearly and thoroughly enjoy every time we are together. 

“It is impossible to remember God in secret and alone. For remembering Him means you are not alone, and are willing to remember it. Take no thought for yourself, for no thought you hold is for yourself. If you would remember your Father, let the Holy Spirit order your thoughts and give only the answer with which He answers you. Everyone seeks for love as you do, but knows it not unless he joins with you in seeking it. If you undertake the search together, you bring with you a light so powerful that what you see is given meaning. The lonely journey fails because it has excluded what it would find.” 

A Course in Miracles T-14.X.10:1-7

“Would existence without personal friends be to you a blank? Then the time will come when you will be solitary, left without sympathy; but this seeming vacuum is already filled with divine Love. When this hour of development comes, even if you cling to a sense of personal joys, spiritual Love will force you to accept what best promotes your growth.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 266:6-12

Supply is Giving

 

Unknown photographer

I love the teachings of Joel Goldsmith, and many mornings I will open up one of his books at random. This morning, I picked up “A New Concept of Supply” and immediately saw this sentence: “Supply is not getting; supply is giving.” He goes on to tell us that giving is not necessarily monetary, but it could be giving UP something, such as jealousy, hatred, or anger. Concerning money, he says sending out a dime into the world with the attitude of giving freely, with no thought for recognition or someone’s gratitude, is the key to starting the flow of supply. This is a tough concept for many of us, because we’ve been taught that the more we give, the less we have. We have a feeling that there is not enough to go around and we must hold on to everything we can get. In developing the consciousness of supply, we first must realize that supply is invisible and infinite; it is Spirit. It can be difficult to grasp the concept that giving is getting (and it’s actually more a releasing of thought than a grasping of it), but once the flow begins circulating, it’s easier to “take no thought...”, as Jesus recommended time and again. 

“The belief that money and property constitute supply has been accepted for so many years that most people rely on them for their security; and then when, through the devaluation of the currency or through a world-wide depression or for some other reason beyond their control, billions disappear, they feel that their world has collapsed. Students of spiritual wisdom must come to the realization that they have no supply outside their own being, that supply lies in something that cannot be known through the physical senses: Supply is the Infinite Invisible.” 

Joel Goldsmith

“Today we practice with the special case of giving and receiving. We will use this simple lesson in the obvious because it has results we cannot miss. To give is to receive. Today we will attempt to offer peace to everyone, and see how quickly peace returns to us. Light is tranquility, and in that peace is vision given us, and we can see.” 

A Course in Miracles W-108.6:3–7:5

“In the scientific relation of God to man, we find that whatever blesses one blesses all, as Jesus showed with the loaves and the fishes, — Spirit, not matter, being the source of supply.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science and Health Page 206 : 15-18

This and That

Photo credit: Arthur Bruno

What are your feelings when you hear someone justify their actions by stating that someone else did the same or “worse”? Do you cringe when you hear mention of women being made from a man’s rib? Does the extreme duality of the majority of religion cause you to wonder if they know the meaning of One? When someone is feeling hurt by another’s actions, why is it so difficult to say admit it — right out loud! These are a few of the questions which came to my attention today. I, of course, could expound on my opinions concerning these dilemmas, but I’m trying to listen for the deeper question here. But, please, feel free to tell me what your questions are today — and if you want, I’d love to hear your answers, too!

"Comparison must be an ego device, for love makes none. Specialness always makes comparisons. It is established by a lack seen in another, and maintained by searching for, and keeping clear in sight, all lacks it can perceive." 

A Course in Miracles Text, Chapter 24, The Treachery of Specialness

“Human thoughts have their degrees of comparison. Some thoughts are better than others. A belief in Truth is better than a belief in error, but no mortal testimony is founded on the divine rock. Mortal testimony can be shaken. Until belief becomes faith, and faith becomes spiritual understanding, human thought has little relation to the actual or divine.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 297:24-31

Reporting Facts

 

"I'm Chet Huntley, and I'm David Brinkley." We never doubted they were reporting facts. It was, after all, the news. In the 1980s, the Christian Science Monitor started a cable television news network. They were the first, and no one wanted to watch news all day long. I wonder how different news reporting would be had we experienced what it meant to report with their motto: "to injure no man but to bless all mankind". The political polarization in the 21st century is obscene. News channels say they are telling the truth, but their lies are blatantly transparent, only requiring a modicum of research to prove they are playing us, feeding our fears and insecurities. Some news stations report facts, but only ones they want us to hear. A few try to find truthful middle ground, but other stations malign them so much that many people have no idea what to believe. When I hear an outlandish headline, I do a quick search on that exact headline; it is either true or it's not. I occasionally go to Snopes.com just to see what sort of craziness is making the rounds. My point is, anyone can find out if something is true or if it's a story with the purpose of scaring us or turning us against someone or a group of people. It is imperative to do the work in order to be informed in this age of misinformation. And it’s fun!

"When error strives to be heard above Truth, let the 'still small voice' produce God's phenomena. Meet dispassionately the raging element of individual hate and counteract its most gigantic falsities." Mary Baker Eddy - Miscellany Page 249

“Be still and listen to the truth today. For each five minutes spent in listening, a thousand minds are opened to the truth and they will hear the holy Word you hear. And when the hour is past, you will again release a thousand more who pause to ask that truth be given them, along with you.” A Course in Miracles W-106.9:1-3

I Don’t Do That

St Patrick’s Day dancers in front of Presbyterian Church

Photo credit: Richard Quick

My friends in the churches where I play organ might think I’m some sort of heathen, as I don’t participate in well-loved rituals and ceremonies. Today a visiting Presbyterian minister said something which expressed my feelings on this. In speaking of attending other churches, she said that she doesn’t genuflect because Presbyterians don’t do that. She said she doesn’t kneel because Presbyterians don’t do that. She said she doesn’t bow to the altar because Presbyterians don’t do that. Perfect! And there needn’t be an explanation given when we do what our hearts dictate. I truly think that most religious gatherings have only the best of intentions at their core, but I find many are trying to personify God. While my way of thinking is to spiritualize myself, others seem to want to humanize Spirit. Having dedicated my life to realizing my true self as a reflection of divine Mind, I do not call myself a sinner and ask for forgiveness, or refer to “our father WHO art in heaven”, or any of the things which would take my prayer back to a by-rote repetition of words. I love my main-stream religious friends and would never want to hurt them. I would be happy to do repetitions of prayers or rites of communion if anyone is hurt because I don’t. Namaste to all! 

"Question: What is the scientific statement of being?

Answer: There is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter. All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all. Spirit is immortal Truth; matter is mortal error. Spirit is the real and eternal; matter is the unreal and temporal. Spirit is God, and man is His image and likeness. Therefore man is not material; he is spiritual."

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 468:8-16

“Miracles are thoughts. Thoughts can represent the lower or bodily level of experience, or the higher or spiritual level of experience. One makes the physical, and the other creates the spiritual.” 

A Course in Miracles T-1.I.12:1-3

Every Day Is The Best Day

Photo credit: Gabe Carlson

“Write it on your heart

that every day is the best day in the year.

He is rich who owns the day, and no one owns the day

who allows it to be invaded with fret and anxiety.

Finish every day and be done with it.

You have done what you could.

Some blunders and absurdities, no doubt crept in.

Forget them as soon as you can, tomorrow is a new day;

begin it well and serenely, with too high a spirit

to be cumbered with your old nonsense.

This new day is too dear,

with its hopes and invitations,

to waste a moment on the yesterdays.” 

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Decisions …

 

Photo credit: Gerry Toler

Often when you think you have a decision figured out, when you have all your pros and cons listed and you know which direction you’re going to take, suddenly things change and you once again must make a decision. Usually I don’t worry about choosing because I’ve learned that trusting intuition is the way to go, rather than becoming anxious about what is the right thing to do and wondering if I’m going to make a mistake. Sometimes we come up against a situation where nothing feels right. When this happens, I like to trust being kind rather than right — but what if neither course of action seems kind or right?? Perhaps turning to Chapter 30 in A Course in Miracles text, the part on Rules for Decision, can bring peace. “‘Today I will make no decisions by myself.’ This means that you are choosing not to be the judge of what to do. But it must also mean you will not judge the situations where you will be called upon to make response. For if you judge them, you have set the rules for how you should react to them. And then another answer cannot but produce confusion and uncertainty and fear.” So many paths to take, indeed …

“The science of music governs tones. If mortals caught harmony through material sense, they would lose harmony, if time or accident robbed them of material sense. To be master of chords and discords, the science of music must be understood. Left to the decisions of material sense, music is liable to be misapprehended and lost in confusion. Controlled by belief, instead of understanding, music is, must be, imperfectly expressed. So man, not understanding the Science of being, — thrusting aside his divine Principle as incomprehensible, — is abandoned to conjectures, left in the hands of ignorance, placed at the disposal of illusions, subjected to material sense which is discord. A discontented, discordant mortal is no more a man than discord is music.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 304:22-4

Who Will Win Your Vote?

 

Photo credit: Blake Lasater

Epiphanies sometimes occur gradually. I’ve come to realize my opinions of people are often predicated by happenings from decades ago. Wow! This is a ridiculous thing to do, given that we are all works in progress. We all make mistakes, usually from lack of knowledge, rather than mean-spiritedness. As I advocate living in the NOW without clinging to remnants of the past, it was a shocking realization! With this in mind, let’s all go forward into the next election cycle and vote for candidates because of what they stand for now, today. Let us analyze them in terms of honesty — honesty as we perceive it to be in the present moment. It’s always been a mystery to me that we have political parties, and why people stand by them so fiercely. But that’s irrelevant when you look at the facts of a person’s life, what they stand for, how they live — allowing those indicators to win your vote, not paid advertisements or party affiliations. These realizations came to me because of my stand for a particular city council person in our village. I can’t even remember why I have a derogatory opinion about one of the candidates, and I’m not positive I remember why I like the other one. So it’s time for some serious study and reflection. It will be fun to look at facts with an open mind!

“Think honestly what you have thought that God would not have thought, and what you have not thought that God would have you think. Search sincerely for what you have done and left undone accordingly, and then change your mind to think with God’s. This may seem hard to do, but it is much easier than trying to think against it. Your mind is one with God’s. Denying this and thinking otherwise has held your ego together, but has literally split your mind. As a loving brother I am deeply concerned with your mind, and urge you to follow my example as you look at yourself and at your brother, and see in both the glorious creations of a glorious Father.” A Course in Miracles T-4.IV.2:4-9

‘Students are advised by the author to be charitable and kind, not only towards differing forms of religion and medicine, but to those who hold these differing opinions. Let us be faithful in pointing the way through Christ, as we understand it, but let us also be careful always to ‘judge righteous judgment,’ and never to condemn rashly.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 444:13-19