Positively Restored

Photo from Scott Flathouse

 

Morning meditation and photo from Marianne Williamson:

“Negativity poisons my mind and positivity restores it

I have a choice whether to join in the darkness of the world, its petty judgments, and constant blame. When I do so I inject my psyche with poison, and today I choose a healthy mind.

I replace all negativity with a positive attitude, in which I seek to find, and to articulate, the good in others. If I disagree, I will disagree with respect. If I debate a point, I will debate fairly. If I need to draw a boundary for the sake of justice, I will do so with honor for the dignity of all.

I will no longer be careless with the working of my mind. Rather, I will use it as it was created to be used, as a conduit for love and as a gateway to peace. May everyone, including myself, feel the tenderness of my approval and not the harshness of my unkindness.

Negativity poisons my mind and positivity restores it” - Marianne

“Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring these into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 261:4-9

“Perhaps it will be helpful to remember that no one can be angry at a fact. It is always an interpretation that gives rise to negative emotions, regardless of their seeming justification by what appears as facts. Regardless, too, of the intensity of the anger that is aroused. It may be merely slight irritation, perhaps too mild to be even clearly recognized. Or it may also take the form of intense rage, accompanied by thoughts of violence, fantasied or apparently acted out. It does not matter. All of these reactions are the same. They obscure the truth, and this can never be a matter of degree. Either truth is apparent, or it is not. It cannot be partially recognized. Who is unaware of truth must look upon illusions.” 

A Course in Miracles M-17.4:1-11

Reflecting Divine Mind

Someone once told me hopes hold us captive, and that if we don't accept the "reality" of what we see around us, we are lost in dreams of what could be, giving up any chance of changing what is. I’m coming to see that the opposite is true. The material picture of good and evil warring with each other is what we have decided is truth, hence we hope and strive for good to win. With the burgeoning knowledge that divine Mind is the reality and mortal mind is the illusion, we are freed to do more than hope. The divinely-endowed, spiritually-scientific consciousness within us is opened, and like a fountain the ideas we need flow forth. This consciousness is realized when we see that God is our Mind, not just in our mind. Our reality is the divine Mind which we reflect. What a freeing concept!

“When we realize that there is one Mind, the divine law of loving our neighbor as ourselves is unfolded; whereas a belief in many ruling minds hinders man’s normal drift towards the one Mind, one God, and leads human thought into opposite channels where selfishness reigns.” 

Mary Baker Eddy- Science & Health Page 227:22-25

“O my brothers, if you only knew the peace that will envelop you and hold you safe and pure and lovely in the Mind of God, you could but rush to meet Him where His altar is. Hallowed your Name and His, for they are joined here in this holy place. Here He leans down to lift you up to Him, out of illusions into holiness; out of the world and to eternity; out of all fear and given back to love.” 

A Course in Miracles  C-4.8:1-3)

Nature Voices Divine Love

Art by Abbott Henderson Thayer

Forgive Me - Poem by Mary Oliver

Angels are wonderful but they are so, well, aloof.

It’s what I sense in the mud and the roots of the

trees, or the well, or the barn, or the rock with

its citron map of lichen that halts my feet and

makes my eyes flare,

 feeling the presence of some spirit, 

some small god,

 who abides there.

If I were a perfect person, I would be bowing

continuously.

I’m not, though I pause wherever I feel this

holiness, which is why I’m so often late coming

back from wherever I went.

Forgive me.

~ Mary Oliver

“Nature voices natural, spiritual law and divine Love, but human belief misinterprets nature. Arctic regions, sunny tropics, giant hills, winged winds, mighty billows, verdant vales, festive flowers, and glorious heavens, — all point to Mind, the spiritual intelligence they reflect. The floral apostles are hieroglyphs of Deity. Suns and planets teach grand lessons. The stars make night beautiful, and the leaflet turns naturally towards the light.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 240:1-9

“Forgiveness turns the world of sin into a world of glory, wonderful to see. Each flower shines in light, and every bird sings of the joy of Heaven. There is no sadness and there is no parting here, for everything is totally forgiven. And what has been forgiven must join, for nothing stands between to keep them separate and apart. The sinless must perceive that they are one, for nothing stands between to push the other off. And 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 Miracles T-26.IV.2:1-6

Calm, Asservite Women

 

My favorite day of the month is the last Thursday, because that’s when my book club meets. I’ve written about this fabulous group of women many times. We have met for almost two decades and have developed deep and strong friendships through the discussion of books. This month’s read brought on a lively and joyous discussion, from which I am still a bit giddy. The main character, Elizabeth Zott, defies the norms of 1960s life. She is a scientist and scholar, living with a man to whom she is not married, having a child without a husband, and speaking her mind calmly and concisely no matter what the circumstance. She reminded me of Mary Baker Eddy, who in the mid-1800s followed a calling which was unheard of for woman — writing about new/old ideas which people thought of as blasphemous, giving speeches in public about them (a lady preacher?!), and starting a school, then a church, to keep the ideas flowing into the future. When yellow journalism was doing its best to smear her name, she started a newspaper with the motto: “To injure no man, but to bless all mankind.” To this day, you can count on The Christian Science Monitor to tell the truth and bring the world to our doorstep. Thank you to every calm, assertive woman who refused to go away when she was told to do so!

“Truth, independent of doctrines and time-honored systems, knocks at the portal of humanity. Contentment with the past and the cold conventionality of materialism are crumbling away. Ignorance of God is no longer the stepping-stone to faith.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page vii:13-18

“There is no limit to the power of a Son of God, but he can limit the expression of his power as much as he chooses. Your mind and mine can unite in shining your ego away, releasing the strength of God into everything you think and do. Do not settle for anything less than this, and refuse to accept anything but this as your goal. Watch your mind carefully for any beliefs that hinder its accomplishment, and step away from them. Judge how well you have done this by your own feelings, for this is the one right use of judgment.” 

A Course in Miracles T-4.IV.8:2-6

Peace is Shining Through You

Wonsook Kim - Afloat in the light, 2014, 김원숙.

A cantankerous friend who insists he’s an atheist engaged me in a discussion about God. His diatribe consisted of stories from the news about people’s actions in the name of their church and beliefs. He told me of close friends who profess to be Christians, yet have become increasingly hateful in their speech in the last few years. I countered each of his stories with stories of my own which illustrated what I think of as God. I told him of a non-dualistic God, one which doesn’t sit up on a cloud granting favors and dispensing retribution, but which is found within. I endeavored to explain how this ever-presence wasn’t pantheism because God is not IN us, but God IS us in much the same way as a sunbeam is the expression of the sun. We are the experience of divine Love, Mind, Soul, Truth, Spirit, Life. The peace of God is shining through me now.

“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

“Truth and Love enlighten the understanding, in whose ‘light shall we see light;’ and this illumination is reflected spiritually by all who walk in the light and turn away from a false material sense.” 

Mary Baker Eddy Science & Health Page 510:9-12

Let It Go …

 

Painting by Diego Rivera

One of my neighbors stopped me in the market, saying excitedly that we had an “incident” on our street two nights ago. She told me she was crossing the street to visit her neighbor when a man was coming down the street, swinging a flashlight from side to side of the road and walking in a zig-zag manner, as though he might be looking for something. She asked if she could help him, and she asked him his name, both of which he declined to answer. She became fearful and called the police, who promptly came and escorted the man away. This incident was still so powerful in her memory that it was all she could talk about. She had been frightened by something I interpreted as a benign event, and she was continuing to crucify herself over it. I shall ponder ways I may be crucifying myself, while releasing any judgment I am tempted to have of this situation!

“Let neither fear nor doubt overshadow your clear sense and calm trust, that the recognition of life harmonious — as Life eternally is — can destroy any painful sense of, or belief in, that which Life is not.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 495:16-20 

“While you perceive the Son of God as crucified, you are asleep. And as long as you believe that you can crucify him, you are only having nightmares. You who are beginning to wake are still aware of dreams, and have not yet forgotten them. The forgetting of dreams and the awareness of Christ come with the awakening of others to share your redemption.” 

A Course in Miracles T-11.VI.8:5-8

Infinite, as Many of One

 

Contemporary Art in Denver, CO

“Conscious human individuality is not individual as one of many but infinite as many of One.” [Margaret Laird] The enormity of Oneness may seem more than we can fathom, but knowing we are an individual reflection of goodness, and united therein, seems much more manageable! Realizing our spiritual nature as the experience of divine Love opens a new world in which I am not a victim of mortal mind and its manifestations. I am unafraid to take a stand for harmony and peace, knowing that it is our birthright as reflections of Mind.

"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

“Miracles make minds one in God. They depend on cooperation because the Sonship is the sum of all that God created. Miracles therefore reflect the laws of eternity, not of time.” A Course in Miracles T-1.I.19:1-3

No Justification For Cruelty

 

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Photo credit: Blake Lasater

The belief in separation fosters fear, and fear and cruelty go hand in hand. We think we’re defending ourselves, our loved ones, or values which are of importance to us and our way of life. To this defensive end, we are willing to attack others in our words and actions, not listening to the voice of sanity which divine Mind is forever supplying. If I witness attack thoughts around me today, I will remember that those propounding such ideas believe they are justified in their defenses, and I will see them as a child of Love, knowing this is true, and praying they realize it, too.

“And we solemnly promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus; to do unto others as we would have them do unto us; and to be merciful, just, and pure.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 497:24-28

“With love as enemy, must cruelty become a god. And gods demand that those who worship them obey their dictates, and refuse to question them. Harsh punishment is meted out relentlessly to those who ask if the demands are sensible or even sane. It is their enemies who are unreasonable and insane, while they are always merciful and just.” 

A Course in Miracles W-170.6:1-4

Enacting Love

 

Image: Giovanna Photography

“How do we love all the children? Not just our children, not just the ones who look like us or who have resources, not just the human children but the young of birds and salmon and redwood trees. When we love all the children, when that love is truly sacred to us in the sense of being most important, then we have to take action in the world to enact that love. We are called to make the earth a place where all the children can thrive.” 

~ Starhawk, The Spiral Dance

“I bless you, brother, with the Love of God, which I would share with you. For I would learn the joyous lesson that there is no love but God’s and yours and mine and everyone’s.” 

A Course in Miracles W-127.12:4-5

“Jesus loved little children because of their freedom from wrong and their receptiveness of right. While age is halting between two opinions or battling with false beliefs, youth makes easy and rapid strides towards Truth.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 236:28-32

Appreciating Yourself

 

Art courtesy of Bob Page 

Maybe you think you should be appreciated more, or perhaps you know someone who is always "fishing for compliments". Both of these beliefs fall under the category of expecting something which you already have. When you appreciate yourself, when you are grateful for the wonder which is you, that's all you need. And it is an all-encompassing gratitude! This recognition is one of the after-effects of loosening the bonds of materiality. The more we let go of expectations and beliefs, the more opportunity there is for Truth to take their place. We needn't do anything but clear the way! And that’s what we’re doing!!

“When man is governed by God, the ever-present Mind who understands all things, man knows that with God all things are possible." 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 180:25-27

“The ego is afraid of the spirit’s joy, because once you have experienced it you will withdraw all protection from the ego, and become totally without investment in fear. Your investment is great now because fear is a witness to the separation, and your ego rejoices when you witness to it. Leave it behind! Do not listen to it and do not preserve it. Listen only to God, Who is as incapable of deception as is the spirit He created. Release yourself and release others. Do not present a false and unworthy picture of yourself to others, and do not accept such a picture of them yourself.” 

A Course in Miracles T-4.I.10:1-7

The Best Day

 

Newell Convers Wyeth - Buttonwood Farm, 1919

“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 - Collected Poems and Translations, 1803-1882.

“To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, to-day is big with blessings.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page vii:1-2

“Miracles are both beginnings and endings, and so they alter the temporal order. They are always affirmations of rebirth, which seem to go back but really go forward. They undo the past in the present, and thus release the future.” 

A Course in Miracles T-1.I.13:1-3

Created as Equals

 

Be with those who help your being. I've always loved that idea, haven't you? More and more, I find myself reveling in the company of friends, and being even more content in solitude. This seeming conundrum feels similar to the realization that I'm not a body: It's both exhilarating and calming! I'm excited that I needn't be a victim of the false beliefs of material life. I'm content in knowing there is so much to realize in this unfolding Life. Thinking back through the years and recognizing momentous friendships which have helped change my perspective from life to Life, I am grateful beyond words. The love I feel for these precious people is eternal, and with this knowledge comes a freedom before unknown. 

"Mind has set me free from every error. Divine Love fills every avenue, flows through every channel and removes every obstruction." 

This is an excerpt from an article entitled "Body" by Mary Baker Eddy, filed in the Congressional Library, January 19, 1886

“My mind will always be like yours, because we were created as equals. It was only my decision that gave me all power in Heaven and earth. My only gift to you is to help you make the same decision. This decision is the choice to share it, because the decision itself is the decision to share. It is made by giving, and is therefore the one choice that resembles true creation. I am your model for decision. By deciding for God I showed you that this decision can be made, and that you can make it.” 

A Course in Miracles T-5.II.9:1-7

Peace to Struggling Hearts

 

Many good things are happening in our world, and one of those is the recognition that Post Traumatic Stress Disorder happens to people other than those in active combat zones. Many of our addictions may be a direct reaction to abuses in our younger life. I’ve been pondering an article about the Ukrainian people who have basically been locked in battle with Russia since the 17th century. Martin Kuz is a reporter who is devoted to telling the plight of these people, and I quote him here: “This trauma is like a terrible national heirloom. But it also explains the strength of the Ukrainians. They’re bound by this idea of collective memory.” He has spoken with psychologists who advise residents who have endured loss to establish new routines which can liberate them from some of the triggers of their sorrow. He refers to “post-traumatic growth” on the other side of this war. I think we can all benefit from his conclusion: “That doesn’t mean trauma magically dissipates; it means that you recognize that you can overcome things beyond what you ever imagined — and that will allow you to have that brighter future.” 

“Glory be to God, and peace to the struggling hearts! Christ hath rolled away the stone from the door of human hope and faith, and through the revelation and demonstration of life in God, hath elevated them to possible at-one-ment with the spiritual idea of man and his divine Principle, Love.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 45:16-21

“Nothing real can be threatened.

Nothing unreal exists.

Herein lies the peace of God.”

A Course in Miracles T-in.2:2-4

Today Is Simply a Day

Art by Caitlin Conn

TODAY by Donna Ashworth

“No, today probably won’t be a great day, but it absolutely won’t be a bad day either. 

Today will simply be a day. 

Twenty-four hours of a little bit of everything. 

Some moments will be hard, some will be joyous, some will be peaceful and some will be draining. 

And you, you will handle it all, because that’s what you do. 

Don’t put pressure on yourself to have any kind of a day my friend, life throws enough at you. 

Instead just remind yourself that whatever happens you are ready. 

And most importantly, you have your own back. 

It’s just a day. 

Another day of life in all its messy everything-ness. 

Lucky us.”   By Donna Ashworth

“To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, today is big with blessing.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page xiii:1-2

“Today, let us resolve together to accept the joyful tidings that disaster is not real and that reality is not disaster. Reality is safe and sure, and wholly kind to everyone and everything. There is no greater love than to accept this and be glad. For love asks only that you be happy, and will give you everything that makes for happiness.” 

A Course in Miracles T-16.II.8:5-8

 

The Liberation of Love

 

Photo credit: Stephen Shogren

The recognition that we are Love is liberating, in and of itself. Mary Baker Eddy tells us, "Love looseth me and lifteth me a'yont hate's thrall". Can you guess she was a fan of Shakespeare? Old-fashioned language aside, she's saying that Love sets us free, lifting us above and beyond any hate we may perceive. I’ve mostly given up trying to change anyone, and usually I can resist the urge to want to fix others, but I've come to see that it's my purpose to show them the way to freedom through living Love. By actions and words we bring ourselves, and thereby everyone, to the realization that Love is the only reality. To live Love allows a release from past habitual thought and the pain we've chosen. Then there is no need for blame, guilt, nor forgiveness — and we are free!

“With one Father, even God, the whole family of man would be brethren; and with one Mind and that God, or good, the brotherhood of man would consist of Love and Truth, and have unity of Principle and spiritual power which constitute divine Science.” 

Mary Baker Eddy Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures Page 469:30-5

“To love yourself is to heal yourself, and you cannot perceive part of you as sick and achieve your goal. Brother, we heal together as we live together and love together. Be not deceived in God’s Son, for he is one with himself and one with his Father. Love him who is beloved of his Father, and you will learn of the Father’s Love for you.” 

A Course in Miracles T-11.VIII.11:3-6

A Life Lived

 

This morning I was part of a musical cadre which celebrated the life of a 96-year-old mother of eight. For 27 years, she was the organist at the St. Elizabeth Catholic Church where I am currently employed to play. I never met her, but I feel I know her now. The sweet voices of her daughters’, the eulogy from her sons, the guitar sounds they brought with them — it was beautiful. The service ended with a recording of Nita Reuter herself singing a beautiful song which she had written and recorded years ago. The love for this woman was so great, joy was shining through their tears. Their voices occasionally faltered, but they were singing for her and, I feel, she was singing through them. Oneness was palpable, right there in front of our eyes. 

“We must form perfect models in thought and look at them continually, or we shall never carve them out in grand and noble lives.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 248:26–28

“In you is all of Heaven. Every leaf that falls is given life in you. Each bird that ever sang will sing again in you. And every flower that ever bloomed has saved its perfume and its loveliness for you. What aim can supersede the Will of God and of His Son, that Heaven be restored to him for whom it was created as his only home? Nothing before and nothing after it. No other place; no other state nor time. Nothing beyond nor nearer. Nothing else. In any form. This can you bring to all the world, and all the thoughts that entered it and were mistaken for a little while. How better could your own mistakes be brought to truth than by your willingness to bring the light of Heaven with you, as you walk beyond the world of darkness into light?” 

A Course in Miracles T-25.IV.5:1-12

What Are you Still Carrying?

 

Photo credit: Richard Quick

An interaction with one of my neighbors has caused me to think about a tale told by Eckhart Tolle in A New Earth. He tells of two monks walking down the road. They see a young woman, dressed in white, trying to cross the road which is a sea of mud. One of the monks picks her up and carries her to the other side and they go on their way. A few hours later, the other monks says, You shouldn’t have carried that woman across the road; we don’t do that. The carrier responds: I put her down hours ago, but it looks like you’re still carrying her! Numerous things my neighbor has said over the years have been yokes around my neck, which I carry around and look at repeatedly at the slightest provocation. Every time I try to make peace with him, he says something else which sends me back into the old thought patterns. And so I shall stop trying to make peace with him and, rather, make it with myself. Namastè ~~~

“The metaphysician, making Mind his basis of operation irrespective of matter and regarding the truth and harmony of being as superior to error and discord, has rendered himself strong…” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 423:18-21

“Lay down your arms, and come without defense into the quiet place where Heaven’s peace holds all things still at last. Lay down all thoughts of danger and of fear. Let no attack enter with you. Lay down the cruel sword of judgment that you hold against your throat, and put aside the withering assaults with which you seek to hide your holiness.” A Course in Miracles W-190.9:1-4

A Delusional Prison?

 

Photo credit: Aaron Springston

This Albert Einstein quote caught my attention today.  I share it with you: "A human being is a part of the whole called by us 'the universe,' a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separate from the rest - a kind of optical illusion of consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening the circle of understanding and compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty." - Albert Einstein

“The belief that man has existence or mind separate from God is a dying error.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 42:19-20

“Thus does the son of man become the Son of God. It is not really a change; it is a change of mind. Nothing external alters, but everything internal now reflects only the Love of God. God can no longer be feared, for the mind sees no cause for punishment. God’s teachers appear to be many, for that is what is the world’s need. Yet being joined in one purpose, and one they share with God, how could they be separate from each other? What does it matter if they then appear in many forms? Their minds are one; their joining is complete. And God works through them now as one, for that is what they are.” A Course in Miracles M-12.2:1-9

Replacing Negative Thoughts

I have a friend who went on an eight-month solo camping trip to remote regions of the United States. At the age of 74, she jumped into her car with a pup tent, a few blankets and changes of clothing, her sketch pad — and not much else! She slept under the stars, when possible by a river, met many interesting people, and got quite an education about Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Oregon, Arizona, and Utah. As I related some of Lizzy’s adventures to a mutual friend, she said she could never do anything like that until she “conquered her fear”. Hum, what an interesting concept! I suppose we are taught that fear is something to be overcome, but I think of it as something to be replaced. I suggested she start by giving up sensationalized news in the media, surrender her addiction to crime dramas on the television, and stop reading horror stories. She thought I was joking, as she can’t imagine life without those activities. I could have given her a lecture, but I let it go with a smile. ☺️

“As human thought changes from one stage to an other of conscious pain and painlessness, sorrow and joy, — from fear to hope and from faith to understanding, — the visible manifestation will at last be man governed by Soul, not by material sense.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 124:12-16

“Are you invulnerable? Then the world is harmless in your sight. Do you forgive? Then is the world forgiving, for you have forgiven it its trespasses, and so it looks on you with eyes that see as yours. Are you a body? So is all the world perceived as treacherous, and out to kill. Are you a spirit, deathless, and without the promise of corruption and the stain of sin upon you? So the world is seen as stable, fully worthy of your trust; a happy place to rest in for a while, where nothing need be feared, but only loved. Who is unwelcome to the kind in heart? And what could hurt the truly innocent?” 

A Course in Miracles T-31.VI.6:1-10

Metaphorical Front Porches

 

While speaking with a friend, our talk turned to front porches. We lamented the loss of visiting with neighbors as we relax with iced tea and watch the fire flies rise at dusk. The camaraderie and community brought about by visiting together is indeed a loss for our society. But isn’t the front porch metaphorical? I mentioned to her that social media is a substitute for the building of friendships and banding together for common causes. We can be victims of things like Twitter and Facebook, or we can control what comes into our minds and make friendships with people all over the world who share our values. For instance, I unfollow folks who provoke anger and distrust, and welcome the posts of those who love books and music and esoteric spiritual teachings. We can join groups, such as those who follow the words of Ram Dass, Eckhart Tolle, and other people we admire. It’s a great way to share how we put into practice peaceful ways of living, and to give inspiration to those of us who need a helping hand. I also belong to a few groups of folks who love books, and we have interesting chats about what we’re currently reading. We can bring the world to our front porch in this age of instant communication, and it can be a fabulous nurturing experience, if we mold it to be a force for love. Thanks for the inspiration, Nancy! 

“You are being blessed by every beneficent thought of any of your brothers anywhere. You should want to bless them in return, out of gratitude. You need not know them individually, or they you. The light is so strong that it radiates throughout the Sonship and returns thanks to the Father for radiating His joy upon it. Only God’s holy children are worthy channels of His beautiful joy, because only they are beautiful enough to hold it by sharing it. It is impossible for a child of God to love his neighbor except as himself. That is why the healer’s prayer is: Let me know this brother as I know myself.” 

A Course in Miracles T-5.in.3:1-8

“It should be thoroughly understood that all men have one Mind, one God and Father, one Life, Truth, and Love. Mankind will become perfect in proportion as this fact becomes apparent, war will cease and the true brotherhood of man will be established. Having no other gods, turning to no other but the one perfect Mind to guide him, man is the likeness of God, pure and eternal, having that Mind which was also in Christ.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 467:9-16

Diversity of Thought United

 

Loving Out Loud in Basin Park - Eureka Springs, AR

Photo credit: Megan Kirk

Eureka Springs, Arkansas is a small town where various ideas meld into one cohesive thought. We have a 60-foot Jesus statue which overlooks a passion play that attracts thousands of people, mainly conservative thinkers, every year. We also have four diversity weekends which celebrate the LGBTQ Community. Everyone is invited to join us through a wide array of events. This past weekend there was an intersection of these two major attractions with a diversity weekend and a Jesus parade crossing paths in our historic downtown area. Many people were fearful that there could be altercations, since our state legislature has recently tried to pass laws banning drag shows, while also rabble rousing for the prohibition of many civil rights. Once again, we have witnessed common sense and kindness prevailing, led by the young people shown in the above photo. They are dancing to “We Are Family” And why not? Jesus was all about loving each other, and the rainbow kids have Love Out Loud shirts on. Let’s all give up our beliefs and preconceived notions based on past events, while following the lead of the pure in heart. Namaste…

“The unforgiving mind does not believe that giving and receiving are the same. Yet we will try to learn today that they are one through practicing forgiveness toward one whom you think of as an enemy, and one whom you consider as a friend. And as you learn to see them both as one, we will extend the lesson to yourself, and see that their escape included yours.” 

A Course in Miracles W-121.9:1-3

“Then white-robed purity will unite in one person masculine wisdom and feminine love, spiritual understanding and perpetual peace.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 64:22-24

Innocence and Trust

 

Photo credit: Blake Lasater

On this beautiful Easter day, my son and I took a mid-day walk in our local cemetery. Since he walks faster and farther than I do, he went out on his own and I ambled along with many stops on benches to soak up sun and commune with nature. Across the way, I noticed a woman and her dog walking, and in a few minutes she drove up beside me in her car. She was someone I know well who wanted to tell me there was a suspicious man in the depths of the beautiful space and I should beware. After telling her that it was probably my son, she was embarrassed and wrote me a text later in the day telling me she was ashamed of the way she had jumped to conclusions. She said, “This made me sad because years ago no way would I have even thought a thing about seeing a person walking alone in the cemetery. I apologize. I want my innocence and trust back!” I think this is true of us all. We want the days when our children could play alone outside all day long with no worries of abductors or shooters. We don’t want to be afraid of the unknown, but rather to welcome the adventure. We have the power to change our thinking, thereby changing the world. Let’s give it a try!

“Innocence and Truth overcome guilt and error. Ever since the foundation of the world, ever since error would establish material belief, evil has tried to slay the Lamb; but Science is able to destroy this lie, called evil.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 568:1-5

“The Atonement itself radiates nothing but truth. It therefore epitomizes harmlessness and sheds only blessing. It could not do this if it arose from anything but perfect innocence. Innocence is wisdom because it is unaware of evil, and evil does not exist. It is, however, perfectly aware of everything that is true. The resurrection demonstrated that nothing can destroy truth. Good can withstand any form of evil, as light abolishes forms of darkness. The Atonement is therefore the perfect lesson. It is the final demonstration that all the other lessons I taught are true. If you can accept this one generalization now, there will be no need to learn from many smaller lessons. You are released from all errors if you believe this.” 

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