One Problem; One Solution

Everyone is tired of problems without solutions. We seem unable to do anything about mass shootings, although there is a simple solution. Self-serving politicians appear to be an unsolvable problem, but that also has an obvious fix. One of my earliest experiences with A Course in Miracles was Wayne Dyer’s book, There’s A Spiritual Solution to Every Problem. People often tell me it’s too difficult to change long-held beliefs and move their thoughts to a spirit-based level. To them, I say that it is simple, but it is not easy. It’s not easy because it is a constant, conscious monitoring and translating of learned behaviors. In the past few years, we have all been tested. When we are bombarded daily by ugliness from leaders and media reporting, it can be tempting to throw up our metaphorical hands and surrender to the sorrow. But let’s remember there is only one problem, which is a cherished grievance; and but one solution, the miracle of forgiveness. In this understanding, problems are solved before they appear!

"In the Apocalypse it is written: 'And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.' In St. John's vision, heaven and earth stand for spiritual ideas, and the sea, as a symbol of tempest-tossed human concepts advancing and receding, is represented as having passed away. The divine understanding reigns, is all, and there is no other consciousness."
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 536:1-9

“I seek a future different from the past. From new perception of the world there comes a future very different from the past. The future now is recognized as but extension of the present. Past mistakes can cast no shadows on it, so that fear has lost its idols and its images, and being formless, it has no effects. Death will not claim the future now, for life is now its goal, and all the needed means are happily provided. Who can grieve or suffer when the present has been freed, extending its security and peace into a quiet future filled with joy?”
—A Course in Miracles W-314.1:1–2

Follow and Rejoice

It seems many people in public offices and positions of leadership are headstrong and seemingly unhappy. Looking at friends and public figures who are following the path of Love, we see contagious joy spreading around them! Those who have turned away from conventional life pursuits to follow their hearts are listening to divine Mind, then acting on what they hear. Some might say that everyone can't do this or there would be no one to deal with the day-to-day lifework, which many consider to be drudgery. In watching my son, who works in a job which is considered to be mundane, at best, I see that he is happy, because it's more than just a job; it's his ministry. He's always noticing ways to help others and find joy in situations. He, too, is listening and following. Let not this day leave us where it found us, as we follow and rejoice!

“I follow in the way appointed me. I have a special place to fill; a role for me alone. Salvation waits until I take this part as what I choose to do. Until I make this choice, I am the slave of time and human destiny. But when I willingly and gladly go the way my Father’s plan appointed me to go, then will I recognize salvation is already here, already given all my brothers and already mine as well.”
—A Course in Miracles W-317.1:1–2:5

“Jesus’ promise is perpetual. Had it been given only to his immediate disciples, the Scriptural passage would read you, not they. The purpose of his great life-work extends through time and includes universal humanity.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 328:27-31

Choosing Our Path

Photo credit: Blake Lasater

Two years ago, after the election of DJT as the leader of the free world, many of us had the hope of his taking the high road and recognizing his opportunity to bring people together, creating for himself an honorable legacy. As we watched him make many questionable (if not outright unlawful) choices, we have seen our country united in our desire to save democracy and change our system back to something which is truly of and for the people. I urge everyone to support the American Civil Liberties Union, the Southern Poverty Law Center, and any other group which can help us resist the dismantling of democracy which we have been witnessing. And don’t forget to take good care of yourselves: meditate, exercise, bring your mind back to peace through calming music, kiss your kids, hold your neighbor’s hand. As I heard someone say today: “Go and love intentionally, unconditionally, the broken world waits in darkness for the light which is you.” Namaste, dear Friends …

“One infinite God, good, unifies men and nations; constitutes the brotherhood of man; ends wars; fulfils the Scripture, “Love thy neighbor as thyself;” annihilates pagan and Christian idolatry, — whatever is wrong in social, civil, criminal, political, and religious codes; equalizes the sexes; annuls the curse on man, and leaves nothing that can sin, suffer, be punished or destroyed.
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 340:22-29

“It is this one intent we seek today, uniting our desires with the need of every heart, the call of every mind, the hope that lies beyond despair, the love attack would hide, the brotherhood that hate has sought to sever, but which still remains as God created it. With Help like this beside us, can we fail today as we request the peace of God be given us?”
—A Course in Miracles W-185.14:1-2

One’s Gain is Given to All

Everything is Waiting for You — David Whyte

"Your great mistake is to act the drama

as if you were alone. As if life

were a progressive and cunning crime

with no witness to the tiny hidden

transgressions. To feel abandoned is to deny

the intimacy of your surroundings. Surely,

even you, at times, have felt the grand array;

the swelling presence, and the chorus, crowding

out your solo voice You must note

the way the soap dish enables you,

or the window latch grants you freedom.

Alertness is the hidden discipline of familiarity.

The stairs are your mentor of things

to come, the doors have always been there

to frighten you and invite you,

and the tiny speaker in the phone

is your dream-ladder to divinity.

Put down the weight of your aloneness and ease into

the conversation. The kettle is singing

even as it pours you a drink, the cooking pots

have left their arrogant aloofness and

seen the good in you at last. All the birds

and creatures of the world are unutterably

themselves. Everything is waiting for you."

—David Whyte

“Millions of unprejudiced minds--simple seekers for Truth, weary wanderers, athirst in the desert--are waiting and watching for rest and drink.”

—Science & Health Page 570:14-17

“I came for the salvation of the world. Here is a thought from which all arrogance has been removed, and only truth remains. For arrogance opposes truth. But when there is no arrogance the truth will come immediately, and fill up the space the ego left unoccupied by lies. Only the ego can be limited, and therefore it must seek for aims which are curtailed and limiting. The ego thinks that what one gains, totality must lose. And yet it is the Will of God I learn that what one gains is given unto all.

—A Course in Miracles W-319.1:1–2:4

Shining Your Ego Away

Photo by Aaron Springston

Michael Pollan’s latest book, “A World Appears”, deals with his years’-long search for the meaning of consciousness, in which he also looks hard at “the ego”. After many instances of controlled psychedelic experiences, he says his ego is more or less under control. He states: “It’s still there, that supremely self-interested voice in my head, that over-eager contestant in the zero sum game of life, so quick to take umbrage.” But he has realized that while hearing the voice of ego, he is also able to release it, even laugh at it, as it carries on with its fear and hatred and blame. We needn’t be “stuck in the mud of unquestioned assumptions”. When we recognize ego for the bully which it is — always wanting us to be unhappy and fearful — we are freed from the emotions we thought ruled us. The other day I was becoming irritated by something a visitor to my home was saying. Rather than react, I breathed and silently slipped away for a moment into the consciousness uncontrolled by ego. That was all it took for the feeling of self-righteous superiority to be replaced by the peaceful acknowledgement that it doesn’t matter what someone else think, as I can only control my own emotions and reactions. Without that ego-driven voice in our heads, we can access our true being, expressed through lovingkindness and empathetic behavior. 

“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.”
—A Course in Miracles T-4.IV.8:3-5

“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

Deep Structural Change

Photo taken in Morocco

Unknown photographer 

Have you ever wondered if there is any merit to people shouting out loud, “Yes, We Can!!”? On the surface, it would be improbable — perhaps impossible — to think that three little words could make any difference in the outcome of anything at all. But think of why sports coaches give pep talks during halftimes of games. What about instilling confidence in a child who feels small and inconsequential? I’m sure you can think of hundreds of instances where it matters in a particular situation. But most people don’t think the collective can be joined together by the knowledge that something is possible. Usually when we practice “positive thinking” there is an element of doubt, a niggling sense that it would be nice, but probably won’t happen. We have just witnessed a huge “yes-we-can” moment in history. It’s not the first time it’s happened, but that doesn’t dim the beauty of it. Joining together for a deep structural change, not being afraid to speak truth to power, shouting hallelujah all together — that’s true communion! Yes, we can…

“The second step is a positive affirmation of what you want. This, then, is a step in the direction out of conflict, since it means that alternatives have been considered, and one has been chosen as more desirable. Nevertheless, the term “more desirable” still implies that the desirable has degrees. Therefore, although this step is essential for the ultimate decision, it is clearly not the final one. Lack of order of difficulty in miracles has not yet been accepted, because nothing is difficult that is wholly desired.”
—A Course in Miracles T-6.V-B.8:3-7

“It is a grave mistake to suppose that matter is any part of the reality of intelligent existence, or that Spirit and matter, intelligence and non-intelligence, can commune together. This error Science will destroy. The sensual cannot be made the mouthpiece of the spiritual, nor can the finite become the channel of the infinite. There is no communication between so-called material existence and spiritual life which is not subject to death.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 73:24-2

Escaping From Darkness

ON JOY AND SORROW — Kahlil Gibran

Your joy is your sorrow unmasked.

And the selfsame well from which your laughter rises was oftentimes filled with your tears.

And how else can it be?

The deeper that sorrow carves into your being, the more joy you can contain.

Is not the cup that holds your wine the very cup that was burned in the potter’s oven?

And is not the lute that soothes your spirit, the very wood that was hollowed with knives?

When you are joyous, look deep into your heart and you shall find it is only that which has given you sorrow that is giving you joy.

When you are sorrowful look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight.

Some of you say, “Joy is greater than sorrow,” and others say, “Nay, sorrow is the greater.”

But I say unto you, they are inseparable.

Together they come, and when one sits alone with you at your board, remember that the other is asleep upon your bed.

Verily you are suspended like scales between your sorrow and your joy.

Only when you are empty are you at standstill and balanced.

When the treasure-keeper lifts you to weigh his gold and his silver, needs must your joy or your sorrow rise or fall." 

—Kahlil Gibran

“The escape from darkness involves two stages: First, the recognition that darkness cannot hide. This step usually entails fear. Second, the recognition that there is nothing you want to hide even if you could. This step brings escape from fear. When you have become willing to hide nothing, you will not only be willing to enter into communion but will also understand peace and joy.”

—A Course in Miracles T-1.IV.1:1-5

“The periods of spiritual ascension are the days and seasons of Mind’s creation, in which beauty, sublimity, purity, and holiness — yea, the divine nature — appear in man and the universe never to disappear.” 

—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 509:24-28

Ram Das Wisdom

"One of the systems we’re part of, of course, is the political system. We may wish we weren’t part of it often, but we are. And all of those people playing with the power of the medium of politics, and its effect on the media and its effect on collective human consciousness, and those people that are addicted to power are there because of us. It boils down to that. That we create a field in which they can play with power, and that power is more or less compassionate. And the political system is a system in which as long as you have a passport, you are a member of it whether you like it or not. You’re part of a government, and your not voting is voting. So there’s no way out. You can’t say, 'I’m not going to have anything to do with politics.' You can say it, but you’ve got to watch where you’re saying it from. You may say, 'I’m not going to get involved with politics because I am so busy with something else that I think is my dominant theme, and I’ll vote, but I’m not going to put my time into campaigning for candidates and things like that, or issues, because my energies are best used here.' That’s fine. If you’ve thought it through and felt that way and can look somebody in the eye and say, 'This is the way it is.' If you’re saying, 'I’m not having anything to do with politics because it’s too dirty and because I don’t approve of it,'. Forget it – you are abdicating your responsibility to society. It’s as simple as that.

“We’re at an interesting moment within the shift of collective consciousness, specifically around the way in which we’re integrating the changes in power structures. Now business holds sway over government, over religion, in terms of social power. And business is like pirates on the high seas – the question is, do you control it from the outside, or does it control itself? Does the whole process have a meta-game that’s controlling itself, and can you stand back far enough to see how it’s playing out? How is the shift in collective consciousness going to evolve and what part do you play?

“Part of the curriculum is looking at the systems that you are a part of and being able to say 'That system needs work.' It’s important to be able to shift your game so that you’re not simply pushing the system away and saying 'I don’t think about that stuff, because it’s too complicated. Let somebody else worry about it.' Because as long as you get really frustrated with Americanism, you may be standing in the way of everybody’s survival." 

—Ram Dass -1995

“Your influence for good depends upon the weight you throw into the right scale. The good you do and embody gives you the only power obtainable. Evil is not power. It is a mockery of strength, which erelong betrays its weakness and falls, never to rise.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 192:21-30

“An insane learner learns strange lessons. What you must recognize is that when you do not share a thought system, you are weakening it. Those who believe in it therefore perceive this as an attack on them. This is because everyone identifies himself with his thought system, and every thought system centers on what you believe you are. If the center of the thought system is true, only truth extends from it. But if a lie is at its center, only deception proceeds from it.”
—A Course in Miracles T-6.V-B.1:5-11

Separating The Gold From The Dross

Buffalo River

Photo by Theresa Beshara-Cox

For years, we’ve been feeling that a universal shift in thought is upon us — and I still believe that to be true. With all the turmoil in our world, this may seem to be a preposterous statement, but there’s a statement in the Bible about separating gold from dross. This is what I found about its meaning: “Dross is a substance related to the process of refining precious metals. Smelting involves the heating and melting of ores. Intense heat causes the dross to separate from the ore and rise to the top where it forms a scum and can be extracted, leaving a pure metal base.” These thoughts give me comfort. The breaking up of material belief brings peace.

“This material world is even now becoming the arena for conflicting forces. On one side there will be discord and dismay; on the other side there will be Science and peace. The breaking up of material beliefs may seem to be famine and pestilence, want and woe, sin, sickness, and death, which assume new phases until their nothingness appears. These disturbances will continue until the end of error, when all discord will be swallowed up in spiritual Truth. Mortal error will vanish in a moral chemicalization. This mental fermentation has begun, and will continue until all errors of belief yield to understanding. Belief is changeable, but spiritual understanding is changeless.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 96:12-24

“Conflict must be between two forces. It cannot exist between one power and nothingness. There is nothing you could attack that is not part of you. And by attacking it you make two illusions of yourself, in conflict with each other. And this occurs whenever you look on anything that God created with anything but love. Conflict is fearful, for it is the birth of fear. Yet what is born of nothing cannot win reality through battle. Why would you fill your world with conflicts with yourself? Let all this madness be undone for you, and turn in peace to the rememberance of God, still shining in your quiet mind.”
—A Course in Miracles T-23.I.8:1-9

A New Development Paradigm

Art by J. Clement Wall 

Thomas LeGrand has written a book called “Politics of Being - Wisdom and Science for a New Development Paradigm”. I discovered him in an interview on Buddha at the Gas Pump. He lives at Plum Village and refers to himself as a “wisdom seeker, a social scientist, and sustainability practitioner.” In order to facilitate change, he thinks we should turn our attention to becoming better humans. To quote him: “Most importantly, the emerging science of happiness is evolving our vision of well-being from hedonism, materialism and consumerism towards human flourishing and eudaimonia. Research emphasizes human relationships as the main factor for happiness, while highlighting the potential of meditation practices and spending time in nature.” I look forward to learning more of his ideas …

“And as we pay the debt we owe to truth,—a debt that merely is the letting go of self-deceptions and of images we worshipped falsely—truth returns to us in wholeness and in joy. We are deceived no longer. Love has now returned to our awareness. And we are at peace again, for fear has gone and only love remains.”
A Course in Miracles W-313.2

“Give up your material belief of mind in matter, and have but one Mind, even God; for this Mind forms its own likeness. The loss of man's identity through the understanding which Science confers is impossible; and the notion of such a possibility is more absurd than to conclude that individual musical tones are lost in the origin of harmony."
Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 216:30-5

Seeing Each Other in a Holy Light

Have I been superimposing my feelings onto my fellow humans? For the last decade, I’ve made a special effort to examine my beliefs and opinions about the political atmosphere. Fully realizing that when a finger is pointed at anyone, three are pointing back at me, perhaps I’ve made up a mythical me, wishing to be above untruth and misplaced beliefs. Convincing myself that I can differentiate between truth and lies has caused a separation between myself and whomever I deem to be a liar. We all have a personal agenda, which can clash with another person’s personal agenda. I cannot change what anyone else thinks; only myself. As ACIM daily lesson #335 tells us: “I never see my brother as he is, for that is far beyond perception. What I see in him is merely what I wish to see, because it stands for what I want to be the truth.” Today I shall release humanity from my false beliefs, thereby releasing myself. Namaste …

“In silence, close your eyes upon the world that does not understand forgiveness, and seek sanctuary in the quiet place where thoughts are changed and false beliefs laid by.”
—A Course in Miracles W-126.10:1

“The nearer a false belief approaches truth without passing the boundary where, having been destroyed by divine Love, it ceases to be even an illusion, the riper it becomes for destruction. The more material the belief, the more obvious its error, until divine Spirit, supreme in its domain, dominates all matter, and man is found in the likeness of Spirit, his original being.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 97:13-20

The Senselessness of Conquest

A favorite spiritual seer told this story. In the struggle to control civilization, the same fight has been fought through the ages. As an example, you have a pragmatic king who is greedy and power-hungry and takes advantage of people at every opportunity. On the other side, you have the idealistic church, forcing everyone to follow the same rules and believe the same things. Neither the king nor the church have ever been completely right or wrong. Both sides end up doing terrible things to get what they want — really terrible things. The point of the story is this: this struggle has been going on forever. The church and the king might take on different forms and philosophies, but they will always fight each other, pragmatists and idealists. And most times, you’re better off standing on the sidelines and letting them fight it out. But every once in a while, one side or the other decides it might be better to just blow up the whole world to get its own way. And when that happens, you can’t stand on the sidelines anymore; you have to pick a team.

“The ‘still, small voice’ of scientific thought reaches over continent and ocean to the globe’s remotest bound. The inaudible voice of Truth is, to the human mind, ‘as when a lion roareth.’ It is heard in the desert and in dark places of fear. It arouses the ‘seven thunders of evil’, and stirs their latent forces to utter the full diapason of secret tones. Then is the power of Truth demonstrated — made manifest in the destruction of error.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 559:8-15

“Those with the strength of God in their awareness could never think of battle. What could they gain but loss of their perfection? For everything fought for on the battleground is of the body; something it seems to offer or to own. No one who knows that he has everything could seek for limitation, nor could he value the body’s offerings. The senselessness of conquest is quite apparent from the quiet sphere above the battleground. What can conflict with everything? And what is there that offers less, yet could be wanted more? Who with the Love of God upholding him could find the choice of miracles or murder hard to make?”
— A Course in Miracles T-23.IV.9:1-8

Awake or Sleeping

Book Club Delight — And Rosie’s Tail

Returning from our monthly book club meeting, where we discussed the Dan Brown book, Secret of Secrets, my thoughts are excited from thinking of the word consciousness. We can be unconscious to events happening and the environment around us, or we can be unconscious from anesthesia prior to surgery. We can be conscious of what is being said at a lecture, or we can be consciously empathetic toward those in need. Conscious can mean “awake”, while unconscious indicates sleep, or torpor of some sort. We can think of “subconscious” as something mysterious which manifests as intuition, or a strong desire to act in a particular way. Or we can see the subconscious as being all the knowledge of the universe showing us truth, which our thinking brain tries to hide with ego-based belief and information. On the other hand, some think of being “consciously aware” as something they have figured out on their own, then quickly make plans to tell everyone how enlightened they are. Does intuition qualify as conscious unawareness? Should we look toward that lack of planning as a step toward higher thinking? Are we afraid to go forward with no plans, allowing consciousness to lead us? These thoughts, and more, I’ve allowed to flow from my brain to my fingers, and I send them to you. Not with any purpose, only for you to ponder …

“Consciousness, the level of perception, was the first split introduced into the mind after the separation, making the mind a perceiver rather than a creator. Consciousness is correctly identified as the domain of the ego. The ego is a wrong-minded attempt to perceive yourself as you wish to be, rather than as you are. Yet you can know yourself only as you are, because that is all you can be sure of. Everything else is open to question.
—A Course in Miracles T-3.IV.2:1-5

“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

A Magical Mystery Tour

Photo by Lisa West

Consciousness. Through the ages, the definition of what this actually is has changed drastically. Although I won’t list them here, Merriam-Webster definitions are all firmly based in the material states of being, and are caused by outside influences. Years ago, a group of us met every month for the better part of a year, with the purpose of discussing subjects which had no definable parameters. Our first meeting is etched in my memory and the topic we focused on was consciousness — what is it, where does it come from, how is it defined, does it change — you get the idea of how much fun we had! Currently, our bookclub will soon be discussing the Dan Brown book, Secret of Secrets. Consciousness and its manifestations are the main themes around which this mystery is built. Also, a book which I’ve had on hold for months has become available — Michael Pollan’s latest, A World Appears. It is an in-depth study of consciousness — do plants have it, what is the difference in being sentient and being conscious, and other tantalizing questions. This is an exciting time in our experience, with veils lifting and egos disappearing!

“Consciousness is the receptive mechanism, receiving messages from above or below; from the Holy Spirit or the ego. Consciousness has levels and awareness can shift quite dramatically, but it cannot transcend the perceptual realm. At its highest it becomes aware of the real world, and can be trained to do so increasingly. Yet the very fact that it has levels and can be trained demonstrates that it cannot reach knowledge.”
—A Course in Miracles C-1.7:3-6

“Lulled by stupefying illusions, the world is asleep in the cradle of infancy, dreaming away the hours. Material sense does not unfold the facts of existence; but spiritual sense lifts human consciousness into eternal Truth.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 95:28-32,

Disappearing Footprints of the Past

Photo by Catherine Reed 

Is there an incident from childhood which has stayed with you, perhaps affecting the way you live today? I know someone who, as a young child, caught her mother in a compromising position with a man other than her father. She refuses to marry. I knew a man who found his father dead from a self-inflicted gunshot to the head. His whole life was a series of dramatic events which he blamed on that incident. I'm sure you know many stories, too. The Disappearance of the Universe, a book by Gary Renard, speaks to events such as these, and more. When we let go of beliefs, we can release our personal history, too. I love hearing stories of people who experience horrendous events and remain not only happy, but proactive. This thing we call forgiveness isn't some sort of divine pardon, but a yielding within ourselves to purity of thought, without the impediments of holding on to memories of wrongdoing, resentment, and pain of all sorts. This yielding includes the release of things we think have been done to us, along with things we think we have done to others. So let's choose again, rest in Love, and go forward with joy!

“As the crude footprints of the past disappear from the dissolving paths of the present, we shall better understand the Science which governs these changes, and shall plant our feet on firmer ground.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 223:4

“Between the future and the past the laws of God must intervene, if you would free yourself. Atonement stands between them, like a lamp shining so brightly that the chain of darkness in which you bound yourself will disappear.”
—A Course in Miracles T-13.IX.1:7-8

Empty Conceptions of Deity

Art by Rick Ortega

How surprised would you be if your prayers were answered? A friend tells me she's given up on praying, because she's never seen any proof it “does any good”. Upon questioning her, it turns out she has a laundry list of things she asks for regularly, and none of her wishes have come true. Once again, I think we often confuse divine Love with Santa Claus. We may be asking some guy in the sky for special dispensation, rather than recognizing that this Principle is an eternal activity which we can plug into at any time. It's kind of like electricity: It's there, but it doesn't supply our needs unless we know how to utilize it. I’m learning the secret to plugging in, which is to not want anything! By not delineating what we think we need, but rather keeping our thoughts tuned to the divine Mind, all our needs are supplied, often before we know what they are …

“How empty are our conceptions of Deity! We admit theoretically that God is good, omnipotent, omnipresent, infinite, and then we try to give information to this infinite Mind. We plead for unmerited pardon and for a liberal outpouring of benefactions. Are we really grateful for the good already received? Then we shall avail ourselves of the blessings we have, and thus be fitted to receive more. Gratitude is much more than a verbal expression of thanks. Action expresses more gratitude than speech.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 3:17-27

“Prayer is the medium of miracles. It is a means of communication of the created with the Creator. Through prayer love is received, and through miracles love is expressed.”

—A Course in Miracles T-1.I.11:1-3

Satisfied Aspirations

Art: Duy Huynh Studio

After spending years searching for love, grasping at brightly colored baubles and bangles, the realization came that I am Love and nothing can be more beautiful and complete than that. Seeing wholeness and unity, where once was separation, has brought the contentment which was so elusive. The false contentment found in marijuana and alcohol was an illusionary peace used as a hiding place for a while, but eventually it was necessary to face what it was which kept me restless. When nothing ever seems to be enough, perhaps it's because we need it All, and that Allness can only be found in one place, a place not present in changing, temporal life. This study which teaches me the meaning of reality also fills me with peace, and I am very grateful!

“Who hath found finite life or love sufficient to meet the demands of human want and woe, — to still the desires, to satisfy the aspirations? Infinite Mind cannot be limited to a finite form, or Mind would lose its infinite character as inexhaustible Love, eternal Life, omnipotent Truth.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 257:24-29

“Today we will accept our union with each other and our Source. We have no will apart from His, and all of us are one because His Will is shared by all of us. Through it we recognize that we are one. Through it we find our way at last to God.”
—A Courser in Miracles W-329.2

The Zombie Phenomenon

Michael Jackson’s Thriller

Zombies have invaded our little town of Eureka Springs this weekend. It’s time for 

the annual zombie crawl, and it’s a perfect fall evening for the parade. Personally, I have never understood the appeal of dressing up in ugly apparel, with macabre makeup and bloody accoutrement. As we drove through “the loop” this evening, I contemplated the zombie phenomenon. Why dress up in this way and congregate to parade the streets? It’s beyond my imagination why they enjoy doing it! Perhaps “living dead” personifies what many of us are exhibiting in these human bodies. Maybe we’re simply animated flesh, performing our human activities without ever realizing we’re alive. The dead-eyed stares of these Halloween zombies are vaguely familiar. When we haven’t looked beyond the surface of our human existences, there isn’t a whole lot to be excited about. 

A Bruce Springsteen song comes to mind:

“Dancing in the Dark” — 

I get up in the evening 

And I ain't got nothing to say 

I come home in the morning 

I go to bed feeling the same way

I ain't nothing but tired 

Man, I'm just tired and bored with myself 

Hey there, baby 

I could use just a little help.” 

Could it be the zombies are helping us wake up? I hope so!

“‘Rest in peace’ is a blessing for the living, not the dead, because rest comes from waking, not from sleeping. Sleep is withdrawing; waking is joining. Dreams are illusions of joining, because they reflect the ego’s distorted notions about what joining is. Yet the Holy Spirit, too, has use for sleep, and can use dreams on behalf of waking if you will let Him.”

—A Course in Miracles T-8.IX.3:5-8

“Naturalists describe the origin of mortal and material existence in the various forms of embryology, and accompany their descriptions with important observations, which should awaken thought to a higher and purer contemplation of man’s origin. This clearer consciousness must precede an understanding of the harmony of being. Mortal thought must obtain a better basis, get nearer the truth of being, or health will never be universal, and harmony will never become the standard of man.”

—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 552:32-9

The Door is Open

Photo credit: Aaron Springston

Many people are in a state of fear and anger. After receiving a phone call from an old friend, whom I had not seen since the early part of the 21st Century, I stopped to ponder how many people may feel as helpless as she does. This beautiful, smart woman has a PhD and is working in her chosen field. She feels estranged from her family. She is seeing a psychiatrist and has been diagnosed with Asperger’s. He wants her to take antidepressants and other medications. When she finished hurriedly telling me these things (and more), I was silent. She said, What do you think? I laughed and said I thought she shouldn’t listen to what other people thought she should do, but rather to do what was right for her. Because she felt hurt by her family’s words and actions, I reminded her that she needn’t take personally what others say, and not to assume that she knew why they said/did what they did. By this time I was ready to jump up on my soapbox, so I continued. My advice was to enjoy each and every thing, and a good way to begin this practice was by walking in the woods, stopping and noticing flora and fauna, being grateful for every breath — enjoying life! She said she had goosebumps and felt these words were true. As my friend, Jim, often says: We’re here to lend ourselves to each other. Let us not fear to give and receive!

“The door is open, that all those may come who would no longer starve, and would enjoy the feast of plenty set before them there. And they will meet with your invited Guests the miracle has asked to come to you.”
—A Course in Miracles T-28.III.8:7-8

“We should examine ourselves and learn what is the affection and purpose of the heart, for in this way only can we learn what we honestly are.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 8:28-30

My Mother Loved Baseball

Sophia Anita Bravo Havens

Through an invitation from a dear friend, I discovered the annual baseball World Series is upon us. This reminded me of a past writing about my mother, which I repeat here.

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

Perceiving Infinite Possibilities

Throughout the ages, we've been given hints about the unrealized possibilities in our world. We long for the ability to change what seems to be the reality of situations in and around our personal existence, and we enjoy stories of powerful mythological and fictional characters who do so. The world tells us that we are victims of circumstance, with our life experiences being changed at the whim of happenstance. Every time we hear a story telling of something we think is impossible, but which contains an outcome so beautiful we wish and hope it could be true, let's contemplate the possibility that there are no limits. Who knows what we're capable of doing? We seem to exceed expected outcomes in every avenue of our existence. Wasn't it said that running a mile in less than four minutes was impossible? Today let’s surrender any thoughts of limitation, thereby opening the door to a new understanding.

“Have you really considered how many opportunities you have had to gladden yourself, and how many of them you have refused? 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.”
—A Course in Miracles T-4.IV.8:1-2

“Through all the disciples experienced, they became more spiritual and understood better what the Master had taught. His resurrection was also their resurrection. It helped them to raise themselves and others from spiritual dulness and blind belief in God into the perception of infinite possibilities.”

—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 34:17-23

Bathed in Beauty and Light

Photo by Blake Lasater

You have probably heard of, or witnessed, people facing dire situations calmly, with an other-worldly peace. Years ago I was privileged to witness one of these times, visiting with a couple who were learning to cope with the change we call death. Upon entering their home, the first thing I felt was an all-encompassing peace. My dear friend related how inspired she was by the leaves falling from the trees in their regular autumnal cycle. She explained how they take care of themselves. She never rakes them up into piles, but allows them to go where they need to be, and there they change to whatever form is required of them -- soil, protection for seedlings, shelter for insects and small animals. She sees perfection in this plan and knows that the same perfection is taking place in all existence. I am grateful to have experienced this deep and quiet peace with them. Divine peace is there for all, no matter what the material circumstance. The gift of Love satisfies the hungering senses, it calms fear, it allows us to release the ties which bind us to material existence, giving us more than we knew was possible. This understanding is priceless …

“When you have looked on what seemed terrifying, and seen it change to sights of loveliness and peace; when you have looked on scenes of violence and death, and watched them change to quiet views of gardens under open skies, with clear, life-giving water running happily beside them in dancing brooks that never waste away; who need persuade you to accept the gift of vision?”
—A Course in Miracles T-20.VIII.11:1-2

“As the crude footprints of the past disappear from the dissolving paths of the present, we shall better understand the Science which governs these changes, and shall plant our feet on firmer ground. Every sensuous pleasure or pain is self-destroyed through suffering. There should be painless progress, attended by life and peace instead of discord and death.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 224:4-10

This Part of Our Journey is Important

This quote caused me to search for something to counter it.

“The more unpredictable and uncertain our world becomes, the harder it is for our brains to navigate it effectively. As a result, we struggle to make decisions, solve problems, and consciously communicate with each other. It can feel like having fog in our brains that just won’t clear.”

So I give you these words from Marianne Williamson:

“I read the news and like so many others these days, I grieve. So much that we thought of as the greatness of our country, even though we’ve been flawed and weak and wrong at times, appears to be crumbling into the dust of memory. Feeling sad and even depressed about this is not a dysfunctional reaction. In a way it’s healthy. Something has gone very wrong and we need to feel it.

The issue in life, whenever things have gone awry, is to pray ‘May I become a better person because of this.’ And it applies to the country too. What is going on in America now is humbling us in a way that can ultimately be positive. We need to think deeply about where we have gone wrong and to imagine ways to make things right. To be more responsible. To be more compassionate. To care more about what people are going through. To care more for our children. To care more for our elderly. To care more for the sick and suffering. To care more for the rest of the world. To be more just. To think more for ourselves. To stop allowing foolish and greedy people to make life-and-death decisions for millions of people. To be more wise. To stop treating life so carelessly.

The fact that it’s so sad thinking about some of this is not a bad thing. It’s good, because we’re burning through something. It’s how we mature. We have allowed ourselves to be infantalized in this country, remaining so often in shallow waters. We didn’t take life seriously enough, in large part because we took ourselves too seriously. Of course it doesn’t feel good to look at any of this, but there’s no real healing unless we do.

This part of our journey is important. Read history. Read about the great ones. Be inspired by great leaders. Become one yourself. Refuse to hate. Try to be more gentle. Let art uplift you. Don’t spend too much time on ultimately unimportant things. Despite it all so much good remains. There is so much to love in ourselves and others. Life is hard for people now and we need each other’s kindness. Listen more, forgive more, and bless more. Remembering all this is how we will make it through.

On any given day, we can improve. And we will rise up from this. It won’t be immediate, but we will rise.”

This part of our journey is important — vote!

A New Vision

Lovell Estates

Eureka Springs, AR 

In the early 1900s, people flocked to Eureka Springs for the healing waters. Thousands of people in need found their way here, as they still do today. People are drawn to our town, often without knowing why. I love watching the transformation as people's thoughts change from focusing on their problems to relaxing into solutions. In varying degrees, we are all realizing that true healing comes when we release our beliefs in things and open ourselves to feeling and understanding the presence of Love. When this is our only desire, when there is no other need or want, new perceptions become visible and viable. Often it takes extreme conditions to cause us to seek the understanding of our unity with the consciousness we call God. But isn't it sweet when we skip that step and fall straight into Love!

“The great miracle, to human sense, is divine Love, and the grand necessity of existence is to gain the true idea of what constitutes the kingdom of heaven in man.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 560:11-15

“Miracles reawaken the awareness that the spirit, not the body, is the altar of truth. This is the recognition that leads to the healing power of the miracle.”
—A Course in Miracles T-1.I.20:1-2

Forgiving Everything

 Art: Adrian Borda

“Therefore, dark past,

I'm about to do it.

I'm about to forgive you

for everything.”

~ Mary Oliver

I knew a man who was the smartest, funniest, most messed-up person I’ve ever known. We met late in life and I felt he was the “love of my life”. Neither one of us were particularly easy to get along with — for various reasons. The four years we knew each other were an extremely turbulent time for us personally, and the world in general. He died nearly six years ago and recently I’ve been dreaming of him almost every night. This has caused me to examine my feelings about him and the time we shared. While I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything, there is much forgiveness needed in my thoughts and memories. A recent Course in Miracles workbook topic reminds us to “behold my brother in the light of holiness”. As I examine the grudges I’m holding and the guilt I’m feeling, I pray to release them from my being and know that “I am saved because the past is gone”.

“Let me forget my brother’s past today. This is the thought that leads the way to You, and brings me to my goal. I cannot come to You without my brother. And to know my Source, I first must recognize what You created one with me. My brother’s is the hand that leads me on the way to You. His sins are in the past along with mine, and I am saved because the past is gone. Let me not cherish it within my heart, or I will lose the way to walk to You. My brother is my savior. Let me not attack the savior You have given me. But let me honor him who bears Your Name, and so remember that It is my own.

“Forgive me, then, today. And you will know you have forgiven me if you behold your brother in the light of holiness. He cannot be less holy than can I, and you cannot be holier than he.”

—A Course in Miracles T-288.1:1–2:3

“Spiritually to understand that there is but one creator, God, unfolds all creation, confirms the Scriptures, brings the sweet assurance of no parting, no pain, and of man deathless and perfect and eternal.”

==Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 69:13-16