Light And Strength Are One

Photo courtesy of Aaron Springston 

I read an article in which people were questions about spirituality and religion. Most of those interviewed thought of themselves as spiritual but not religious, and the few self-proclaimed religious people were mostly looking for a sense of community and fellowship. A sense of inclusiveness was often mentioned in the answers. People apparently are looking for a spiritual group which will accept them as they are, without trying to change them. Many spoke of doubt, stating they needed groups of like-minded people to help them in times of loss and fear. It seems so simple for everyone to live together in Love, being kind  and helping each other. Apparently it is not. Long-held beliefs cloud our vision and we fearfully try to pull others into our illusions. Today I will try to see the light of miracles everywhere I look, refusing to be pulled into darkness, even in jest.

“Strength comes from truth, and shines with light its Source has given it; weakness reflects the darkness of its maker. It is sick and looks on sickness, which is like itself. Truth is a savior and can only will for happiness and peace for everyone. It gives its strength to everyone who asks, in limitless supply. It sees that lack in anyone would be a lack in all. And so it gives its light that all may see and benefit as one. Its strength is shared, that it may bring to all the miracle in which they will unite in purpose and forgiveness and in love.”

A Course in Miracles W-92.5:1-7

“As a material, theoretical life-basis is found to be a misapprehension of existence, the spiritual and divine Principle of man dawns upon human thought and leads it to "where the young child was," --even to the birth of a new-old idea, to the spiritual sense of being and of what Life includes. Thus the whole earth will be transformed by Truth on its pinions of light, chasing away the darkness of error."

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 191:7-15

The Light Is Crucial

Eureka Dogwood

Photo from Richard Quick

What am I? This question has been asked from the beginning of recorded history -- and probably longer. Spiritual seers inform us that we are not a body. So if I am not a body, what am I? Intellectually, we can say that we are the reflection of God. We can tell ourselves and others that we're not material, we're spiritual. Then we'll stump our toe and declare that we can't be blamed if it hurts because we're not walking on water yet. We make jokes to explain why we aren't living the precepts which Jesus tells us are our heritage as children of God. But really, why is it that we've been so stunted in our realization of what all this means? Actually, we're not evolving slowly. There is no evolution involved in spiritual awakening, there is only getting rid of material belief and dogma. What we're doing now is cleaning the windowpane so the light has a transparency to flow through, rather than thousands of years of grime hiding our illumination. What are we? We're finding out more every day -- but that doesn't mean we have to wait a certain amount of time to learn a set amount of liberating facts in order to experience this light. That's the miracle! 

"Divine Science rolls back the clouds of error with the light of Truth, and lifts the curtain on man as never born and as never dying, but as coexistent with his creator."

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 596:11-19

“It is important to remember that miracles and vision necessarily go together. This needs repeating, and frequent repeating. It is a central idea in your new thought system, and the perception that it produces. The miracle is always there. Its presence is not caused by your vision; its absence is not the result of your failure to see. It is only your awareness of miracles that is affected. You will see them in the light; you will not see them in the dark. To you, then, light is crucial. While you remain in darkness, the miracle remains unseen.”

A Course in Miracles W-91.1:1–2:2

Book Clubs Saving the World

I’ve mentioned my book club a number of times in past writings. We are a group of women who have met for almost two decades, with a book as the center of our monthly discussion, but really that’s just a reason to get together and enjoy each others’ company. Some of us think logically from the standpoint of science, and some live intuitively from the heart. We have teachers, a yoga instructor, a veterinarian, businesswomen, farmers, a librarian — actually, a single definition isn’t enough for any one of these women. They are multi-talented and diverse. We have incredible discussions and enjoy one another more than I can say. While I think this group of women could solve all the problems of the world — and actually feel like we do that every time we get together! — I believe this feeling comes because, despite our various opinions, we all live from Love. Everything we do is guided by something larger than what our human reason can encompass. As I think about them and bask in our friendship, I will remember that problems come from a belief in separation, and I thank these women for helping me to feel whole. Namastè ~~~

“Let me realize today that the problem is always some form of grievance that I would cherish. Let me also understand that the solution is always a miracle with which I let the grievance be replaced. Today I would remember the simplicity of salvation by reinforcing the lesson that there is one problem and one solution. The problem is a grievance; the solution is a miracle. And I invite the solution to come to me through my forgiveness of the grievance, and my welcome of the miracle that takes its place.” 

A Course in Miracles W-90.1:2-6

“Human reason and religion come slowly to the recognition of spiritual facts, and so continue to call upon matter to remove the error which the human mind alone has created.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 173:25-28

Illusions Replaced By Truth

The Dog Whisperer, Cesar Millan, tells us he rehabilitates dogs and trains people. He observes that dogs live in the moment. When he is helping people to understand a dog which seems maimed by past experiences in its life, he always tells us that feeling sorry for the animal is of no benefit. How can this be? The dog is hurting and we're being asked to deny that? Yes!! This is why we are learning that it's necessary to give up all beliefs -- not just those we deem to be "bad", but all material beliefs. By letting them go and replacing them with an openness of thought which allows us to hear the Truth of our Being, we experience the miracle which is the natural order of Life. It may not seem logical to say that we can simply release feelings of fear and anger. These emotions appear very real to us, but if we step back and examine them, do they have any purpose other than to bind us to the past? One dog which Cesar worked with was afraid to walk on any floor without a carpet, because it had once gone sliding into a glass door. Upon investigation of its people's reactions, they had immediately reinforced the dog's fears by petting, commiserating, and talking about what a horrible experience it had been. They were holding the dog in fear by acts they thought of as compassion. What Cesar explains is that dogs live in the moment, unless they're held in the past by everyone around them. I’m so grateful for every experience which helps me to discern between belief and reality -- especially when it's shown to me by a dog!

“When an accident happens, you think or exclaim, 'I am hurt!' Your thought is more powerful than your words, more powerful than the accident itself, to make the injury real." 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 397:12-16

“Let miracles replace all grievances. By this idea do I unite my will with the Holy Spirit’s, and perceive them as one. By this idea do I accept my release from hell. By this idea do I express my willingness to have all my illusions be replaced with truth, according to God’s plan for my salvation. I would make no exceptions and no substitutes. I want all of Heaven and only Heaven, as God wills me to have.”

A Course in Miracles W-89.3:1-6

Let Me Be An Empty Vessel

Photo courtesy of Blake Lasater

Many of life’s experiences are humbling. Through them, I learn to admit that I know nothing; it gives me opportunities to say that I’m wrong about an opinion. I’ve gone through phases in the last 70 years when I didn’t want to admit either of these things, but now I am willing. On this beautiful spring day, join me in having no strong opinions and allowing beliefs to dissolve. Let’s see what shows up when we are an empty vessel, listening for Spirit to fill us! 

“In choosing salvation rather than attack, I merely choose to recognize what is already there. Salvation is a decision made already. Attack and grievances are not there to choose. That is why I always choose between truth and illusion; between what is there and what is not. The light has come. I can but choose the light, for it has no alternative. It has replaced the darkness, and the darkness has gone.” 

A Course in Miracles W-88.1:2-8

"There is no material truth. The physical senses can take no cognizance of God and spiritual Truth. Human belief has sought out many inventions, but not one of them can solve the problem of being without  the divine Principle of divine Science. Deductions from material hypotheses are not scientific. They differ from real Science because they are not based on the divine law."

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 273:2-9

Light Shall Be My Guide Today

My thoughts turn today toward the holy relationship. We have many relationships in this life and, if you're like me, you prefer to think of all of them as holy! If God is Love, and we express that Love, then isn't everything we do coming from that Love which is our essence? Unfortunately, this is not true. What we think of as love is often colored with human emotions such as guilt, jealousy, lust, and fear. This is a tough admission for any of us to make. A dear friend has been talking to me recently about his sadness over a marriage which is ending. I have been thinking back over relationships I could have stayed in to this very day, and how that would have led my life in different paths. The thing which keeps coming back time and again is that each and every entanglement I have ever had was based in some way on the words, "I want". Maybe I wanted to be loved, maybe I wanted to be IN love, maybe I wanted a love affair like the movies and songs tell us is the be-all, end-all. My friend is feeling sad because he liked so many things about this woman, but there were some basic differences which caused their incompatibility. He could have stayed and been contented, but there was something missing: It wasn't a holy relationship. It was based on expectation of change and other material desires. My friend innately knows there is more than settling down with someone simply because it's easy. And I know he will recognize, within himSelf, what it is he's waiting for.

“Will, as a quality of so-called mortal mind, is a wrong-doer; hence it should not be confounded with the term as applied to Mind or to one of God’s qualities.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 597:24-26

“I will use the power of my will today. It is not my will to grope about in darkness, fearful of shadows and afraid of things unseen and unreal. Light shall be my guide today. I will follow it where it leads me, and I will look only on what it shows me. This day I will experience the peace of true perception.” 

A Course in Miracles -W-87.1:2-6

Realized Salvation

Ozarks Evening

Photo courtesy of Steve Poynter

Letting go of grievances frees us to express facets of ourselves which we didn't know were there. Have you noticed that you're stretching beyond what you've always thought of as your boundaries? While listening to what I think of as free-form piano playing of the new-age variety, it struck me how important it is to be singing your song, whatever form that may take. For me, piano lessons began at the age of four. By the time I went to college, playing was so ingrained that it was like speaking. But it was always structured interpretation from pages of music. Never once had I just sat down and played without thought. A few years ago, I did. Something pulled me to the piano and a tune came out. It's a simple melody which mutates here and there, with interesting progressions and surprises. It's never the same, and it never leaves me where I started. It has beautiful healing notes which shift and appear when they are needed. We all have a song to sing! It's a divine voice which requires a yielding of material sense in order to be heard and reproduced. It may be expressed through prose, or poetry, or music, or painting. It may be realized through raising children, caring for animals, or growing vegetables. The forms this Love will take are without limit! Just as we are the ideas of God, so are these emanations which shine through us. Let's free ourselves to allow Love to show itself in all Its varied forms of salvation!

"Salvation: Life, Truth, and Love understood and demonstrated as supreme over all."

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 593:20-21

“Holding grievances is an attempt to prove that God’s plan for salvation will not work. Yet only His plan will work. By holding grievances, I am therefore excluding my only hope of salvation from my awareness. I would no longer defeat my own best interests in this insane way. I would accept God’s plan for salvation, and be happy.” 

A Course in Miracles W-86.3:2-6

Salvation Is Within

St.Elizabeth Catholic Church

Eureka Springs, AR

Photo courtesy of Richard Quick

Too often I've expected a savior of some sort to bring salvation from all the wrong I think should be made right. I've pointed fingers and expected guilty parties to fix what they've wrought. In these teachings, we are beginning to understand that salvation lies within. And so when we see someone step up and do whatever they can to alleviate pain, to bring the light of salvation to a situation, it's an occasion to rejoice! A good friend of mine regularly puts this idea into practice. She is a veterinarian and a number of years ago, she vacationed in Belize, a beautiful tropical paradise. While there, she realized that many (perhaps most) dogs were left to fend for themselves, particularly when it came to reproduction -- or the stopping thereof! She was led to return with a couple of her associates and they spent a week spaying and neutering dogs, and performing any other tasks which their limited budget and care facilities would allow. Following her lead, other veterinarians have joined the cause and there have been donations enabling the building of a facility from which these volunteers can do their work. What started out as one woman doing what she could has snowballed into many people sharing in an awareness (a salvation, if you will) of how to improve conditions for animals and humans alike. This wonderful woman has followed her heart, and through this action she has inspired others to follow theirs. I see this as the perfect demonstration of living Love. Her love for and kinship with all things living is an inspiration to many. The realization of this inner knowing, and her fearless efforts to improve conditions for these animals and the ones who love them, this is the salvation we all hold within ourselves. And it blossoms when we set it free through our actions.

“Today I will recognize where my salvation is. It is in me because its Source is there. It has not left its Source, and so it cannot have left my mind. I will not look for it outside myself. It is not found outside and then brought in. But from within me it will reach beyond, and everything I see will but reflect the light that shines in me and in itself.” 

A Course in Miracles W-85.3:2-7

“To ascertain our progress, we must learn where our affections are placed and what we acknowledge and obey as God. If divine Love is becoming nearer, dearer, and more real to us, matter is then submitting to Spirit. The objects we pursue and the spirit we manifest reveal our standpoint, and show what we are winning.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 239:16-22

Love Holds No Grievance

Photo taken by Richard Quick

Most of us have a list of grievances we can call up in thought at the slightest provocation. In the past, I've held grievances which ranged from deeds of ex-husbands to actions of politicians. I've resented neighbors’ words and blamed friends for perceived betrayals. As I pause and ponder what grievances I am presently nurturing, only a few come to thought. I'm in the process of asking myself why I feel the need to hold on to these feelings of discontent. I don't have a reason for these resentments; it's just a habit. I do not want to attack Love with these grievances. "Love created me  like Itself" we are told in part of today's A Course in Miracles review. If I attack Love with grievances, I am attacking myself. If I am attacking myself, I'm attacking you. I think I'll just stop it!

“Love giveth to the least spiritual idea might, immortality, and goodness, which shine through all as the blossom shines through the bud. All the varied expressions of God reflect health, holiness, immortality-- infinite Life, Truth, and Love."

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 518:18-22

“I am in the likeness of my Creator. I cannot suffer, I cannot experience loss and I cannot die. I am not a body. I would recognize my reality today. I will worship no idols, nor raise my own self-concept to replace my Self. I am in the likeness of my Creator. Love created me like itself.” 

A Course in Miracles W-84.1:2-8

A Release From Conflict

My Boys — circa 1997

Conflict resolution. Conflict transformation. How much time and energy do we spend in attempting to negate conflict between others and/or within ourselves? We can make lists of the merits of our choices, we can role play and put ourselves in each others' place in a situation, and we can enlist therapists to help us out. There are lots of ways to search for the door out of conflict. I have found the only way to truly leave it behind is to realize that such a thing does not exist anywhere other than in my thoughts I'll always remember a time when my boys were around 8 and 10 years of age. Their disagreements had advanced to the point where I saw no way out, other than to give one of them away! One day, during a particularly intense bout, I gave up and sat down in my bedroom to have a good cry. Next to my chair was a stack of Christian Science Sentinels, the weekly publication which has given us practical metaphysical writings for more than a hundred years. I reached down and pulled a copy from the middle of the stack and opened it up to an article about brothers fighting! I don't remember anything about the content, other than it was just what I needed. I also remember sitting there and thinking of all the reasons I loved them, and then thinking of what it truly means that they are  the expression of divine Love. It came to me that I was exhibiting an I'm-right-and-you're-wrong attitude. While that day was not the last time they had disagreements, they never again seemed so intense, and it was the last day I was in total despair over their actions. Living Love creates bridges which bring us together in peace. Trust that your function and happiness are your God-given right, and don't be afraid to open up and see what unexpected ways this function will be manifested.

 “God has endowed man with inalienable rights, among which are self-government, reason, and conscience. Man is properly self-governed only when he is guided rightly and governed by his Maker, divine Truth and Love.”

Mary Baker Eddy Science & Health Page 106:7-10[

“I have no function but the one God gave me. This recognition releases me from all conflict, because it means I cannot have conflicting goals. With one purpose only, I am always certain what to do, what to say and what to think. All doubt must disappear as I acknowledge that my only function is the one God gave me.”

A Course in Miracles W-83.1:2-5

The Light of Forgiveness

Drumming in Basin Park

Circa 2012

Photo courtesy of Richard Quick

The small, mountain town where I life is very close-knit. Most of us know and love each other on a personal level. We have community celebrations for everything from the equinox to religious holidays. By the same token, when someone is hurting or in trouble, we pull together to help them. A situation comes to mind where one of our well-known, well-loved men ran amok and surprisingly was involved in an act of violence toward his family. The event seems to be fueled by ego and alcohol. We all felt compassion for him and his family, as many of us had links to him by way of various community events. He was fired from his job and ostracized by many. I keep thinking of the story of an African tribe which purportedly has a unique way of rehabilitating wrongdoers. They all gather in the center of the village and recount, in great detail, the admirable things they know about the person. This process may take days. When everyone is done, they have a joyous celebration, bringing the person back into their fold. I can see this happening here. We all share the same light, which brings peace to every mind. We can talk about this light until the cows come home, but it won't dispel the darkness unless we actually spark a flame. May our world find the way to healing through active Love. Namaste …

“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

“My forgiveness is the means by which the light of the world finds expression through me. My forgiveness is the means by which I become aware of the light of the world in me. My forgiveness is the means by which the world is healed, together with myself. Let me, then, forgive the world, that it may be healed along with me.”

A Course in Miracles W-82.1:2-5

Forgiveness is My Function

Photo courtesy of Aaron Springston

I made a mistake. I never, ever post political things to my Facebook page. There was a post someone else had made about an unloving point of view one of Arkansas’s elected officials had voiced, and I was so astounded that I “shared” it without thinking of the consequences. Almost immediately, others began to post their thoughts. Then a distant cousin of mine wrote that he would vote for this politician for president because he was better than who we had — and he gave reasons why he thought so. I read it. Then my thoughts were inflamed with things I wanted to say to my dear relative. Actually, my first thought toward him was very rude — rude enough that I shan’t quote it here. Without hesitation, I deleted the entire post from my page. I’ve said before that I try not to have strong opinions because it closes my mind to anything else. By the same token, I do not serve my function as a reflection of Love if I post unlovely things about others — even if I deem their words to be ignorant and inappropriate. Especially so!! After all, forgiveness is my function as the light of the world.

“It is through accepting my function that I will see the light in me. And in this light will my function stand clear and perfectly unambiguous before my sight. My acceptance does not depend on my recognizing what my function is, for I do not yet understand forgiveness. Yet I will trust that, in the light, I will see it as it is.” 

A Course in Miracles W-81.3:2-5

"Self-forgetfulness, purity, and affection are constant prayers."

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 15:26-27

What’s the Problem?

Photo courtesy of Richard Quick

How do you respond when an acquaintance comes to you asking advice concerning a problem? It's probably NOT a good idea to tell them they don't know what their actual problem is and, if they did, then they would recognize that the problem has been solved! I was visiting with someone who knows the veracity of this seeming-conundrum and we mentioned a number of people we know who have problems with drinking alcohol. Actually, it only seems as though alcohol is the problem, and they are thinking of it as the solution. Looking at their situations from the outside, it appears that they are holding on to guilt because of their actions (for example, wartime killing of others), or pain because of others' actions (e.g., abandonment by a mother), or any number of things we think of as human problems. I bring this up to illustrate a lesson from A Course in Miracles: There is only one problem, feeling separated from God -- hence, separate from everyone. And there is only one solution: realizing what the problem is, letting the miracle take over, and being willing to accept it. So, when someone asks my advice concerning a “problem” of theirs, I will pause and realize God's law of adjustment, which is already done. I will recognize that nothing needs fixing by me or anyone else. And by this understanding, I will see them as whole, upright, and free. With clear, non-judgmental thought, what they need to hear will come out of my mouth. Namaste…

“If you are willing to recognize your problems, you will recognize that you have no problems. Your one central problem has been answered, and you have no other. Therefore, you must be at peace. Salvation thus depends on recognizing this one problem, and understanding that it has been solved. One problem, one solution. Salvation is accomplished. Freedom from conflict has been given you. Accept that fact, and you are ready to take your rightful place in God’s plan for salvation.” 

A Course in Miracles W-80.1:1-8

“Human reason and religion come slowly to the recognition of spiritual facts, and so continue to call upon matter to remove the error which the human mind alone has created.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 173:25-28

A New Standpoint

Photo credit: Michael Shaw

Are you a list maker? If you have a list of problems which need to be solved, it should be a relief to know there is only one problem and only one solution! If you watch or listen to news and feel overwhelmed by the problems of the world, it is a welcome respite to realize there is only one solution, and that solution is shown through a recognition of the problem. Actually, there is no need to think about a solution, you only need recognize that there is but one problem -- and that realization is, in itself, the solution. Every problem which seems to exist is the result of one thing: a belief in separation from God. I remember a friend had a poster in her office reminding the people who came in that the only reason she wanted to know their problem was as an identifier; after that, she only wanted to hear about solutions. Wayne Dyer wrote a whole book about it: There's a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem. The problem is that I believe I have separated from Source. The solution lies in that recognition!

"Ontology receives less attention than physiology. Why? Because mortal mind must waken to spiritual life before it cares to solve the problem of being, hence the author's experience; but when that awakening comes, existence will be on a new standpoint."

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 556:25-30

“A problem cannot be solved if you do not know what it is. Even if it is really solved already you will still have the problem, because you will not recognize that it has been solved. This is the situation of the world. The problem of separation, which is really the only problem, has already been solved. Yet the solution is not recognized because the problem is not recognized.” 

A Course in Miracles W-79.1:1-5

I Choose a Healthy Mind

The morning meditation from Marianne Williamson was this: “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.” Shortly after reading these words, a youtube video presented itself to me. It was an interview with Matson and Tawni Browning.  They have written a book, The Hate Next Door. This couple went undercover and became part of the new white supremacy, seeing what feeds these extreme views. As we know, strong, negative opinions breed hate and fear. And the opposite is also true: a positive outlook allows love and joy to permeate our lives. This is the miracle realization which replaces all our grievances. We can be unhappy about everything — i.e., the pollen is making me sick, politicians are liars, everything is too expensive, and on and on. Or we can notice the beauty of every little thing, and be grateful. At this time of the year, everything is being born again, in beauty and light. We can join in as the trees “clap their hands”! 

“Perhaps it is not yet quite clear to you that each decision that you make is one between a grievance and a miracle. Each grievance stands like a dark shield of hate before the miracle it would conceal. And as you raise it up before your eyes, you will not see the miracle beyond. Yet all the while it waits for you in light, but you behold your grievances instead.” 

A Course in Miracles W-78.1:1-4

"Human affection is not poured forth vainly, even though it meet no return. Love enriches the nature, enlarging, purifying, and elevating it. The wintry blasts of earth may uproot the flowers of affection, and scatter them to the winds; but this severance of fleshly ties serves to unite thought more closely to God, for Love supports the struggling heart until it ceases to sigh over the world and begins to unfold its wings for heaven."

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 57:22-30

The Natural Order of Things

Photo courtesy of Richard Quick

The miracles we seek are the natural order of things, and they are ours for the knowing of that Truth. Most, if not all, of our holiday celebrations are based on myth, and they are often quite odd and far-fetched. I suppose they are based on history of some sort; remembrances of past events. Usually, they involve a lot of drinking and so-called celebrating, and there is often some type of nationalism involved. Like this St. Patrick's Day craziness -- what's up with that? Perhaps it's because we want to believe in magical beings which give us happiness and abundance. We tend to think these things are somewhere outside of us, and we can find them if only we get lucky enough to be at the end of the rainbow. Some people think everything will be great if they give their lives to Jesus. And let's not forget about those birthday wishes coming true if we blow out all the candles! Maybe we celebrate so hard because we innately know all this good is ours simply for the acknowledgement of it, but we don't understand how to do that.  So we dance, drink, celebrate. We try so hard to find what is already ours, not realizing it is waiting for us to be still and know it. The miracle IS God's law. Now that's something to celebrate!

"A miracle fulfills God's law, but does not violate that law. This fact at present seems more mysterious than the miracle itself."

Mary Baker Eddy -Science & Health Page 134:31-32

“You are entitled to miracles because of what you are. You will receive miracles because of what God is. And you will offer miracles because you are one with God. Again, how simple is salvation! It is merely a statement of your true Identity. It is this that we will celebrate today.”

A Course in Miracles W-77.1:1-6

Free As A Bird

Photo courtesy of Richard Quick

We live in a world where many laws are enacted to protect us, such as wearing motorcycle helmets and seat belts in cars. Yet the items we find in our grocery stores are filled with chemicals and other things which can barely be classified as food. We are told to use pesticides on ourselves, our gardens, our pets, even though the rates of autoimmune disease and cancer climbs steadily. There are laws forcing us to immunize our children and our pets, yet what began as a life-saving procedure has been contaminated with odd chemicals and industrial waste. It seems impossible to get away from the multitude of horrors which are spoon-fed to us from every direction. And yet, I truly think there IS a spiritual solution to all the things which seem impossibly horrible. So I shall continue to study, continue working to rise above the miasma of erroneous thought, and strive to see past the hideous forms we seem to manifest. These things have nothing to do with the laws of Love, the creations of divine Mind, the Principle which we yearn to serve. May we live in the “glorious liberty of the children of God”! (MBE) 

“Citizens of the world, accept the ‘glorious liberty of the children of God,’ and be free! This is your divine right. The illusion of material sense, not divine law, has bound you, entangled your free limbs, crippled your capacities, enfeebled your body, and defaced the tablet of your being.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 227:24-28

“We have observed before how many senseless things have seemed to you to be salvation. Each has imprisoned you with laws as senseless as itself. You are not bound by them. Yet to understand that this is so, you must first realize salvation lies not there. While you would seek for it in things that have no meaning, you bind yourself to laws that make no sense. Thus do you seek to prove salvation is where it is not.” 

A Course in Miracles W-76.1:1-6

The Light Has Come

Photo courtesy of Aaron Springston

Mahatma Gandhi famously said to a rioting crowd: “I am a Muslim, a Christian, a Buddhist, a Jew — and so are you!” In Galatians we are told of the teachings of Jesus: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female…”  We are all the same One, and we are free! Perseverance in dropping false testimony of the material senses is celebrated today: The light has come! Of course, it has always been there, waiting for us to notice it. Critical mass tipping point isn't 51%, because just a taste of goodness spreads exponentially. The light has come! Thinking that we need a tribe in order to prosper, or that family is necessary for us to feel whole, or that a religion is needed to see God, these are all beliefs we have come to rely upon. Knowing and seeing the truth of our being has nothing to do with belief, dogma, or creed. The light has come! Let's join our thoughts today in the realization that Love is all that is enduring. Other things pass away, but this light of Love cannot be extinguished. The light has come!

“The light has come. You are healed and you can heal. The light has come. You are saved and you can save. You are at peace, and you bring peace with you wherever you go. Darkness and turmoil and death have disappeared. The light has come. Today we celebrate the happy ending to your long dream of disaster. There are no dark dreams now. The light has come. Today the time of light begins for you and everyone. It is a new era, in which a new world is born. The old one has left no trace upon it in its passing. Today we see a different world, because the light has come.” 

A Course in Miracles W-75.1:1–2:7

“Let us feel the divine energy of Spirit, bringing us into newness of life and recognizing no mortal nor material power as able to destroy. Let us rejoice that we are subject to the divine 'powers that be.' Such is the true Science of being. Any other theory of Life, or God, is delusive and mythological.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 249:6-10