Adventures

Today brings news of another friend passing from our sight. A well-loved member of our farming community died last night. I enjoyed Frank for his humor and progressive thought, but I must admit it’s his garlic, cilantro, and arugula I will miss the most. I think he is happy I feel this way. Death has never frightened me, but it has shown me many things. The love which carries on after someone is gone is palpable, and I am grateful for the continuing connection it brings. I always think of Kahlil Gibran’s platonic lover saying she had never felt closer to him than when he dropped his earthly form. We have so much to experience — the pain, the joy, and all the in between. Life is an adventure — and I’m sure what we think of as death is, too!

“In the illusion of death, mortals wake to the knowledge of two facts: (1) that they are not dead; (2) that they have but passed the portals of a new belief.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 251:8-11

Progress

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There is so much to do! Some friends work for environmental causes, others are assertive through political activism, some are educators, many raise money and give of themselves for the benefit of animals, a few are champions of those who cannot help themselves. The only inspiration needed is to walk out the door and talk with people. We earthlings have much progress to look forward to. Some people I know think they do not have the resources to do good, either in time or money. From my experience, if you have time you don’t have money; if you have money you don’t have time. This sets up the perfect scenario for us to help! Both time and money are needed to facilitate progress. And I recognize that many of us have neither assets nor the physical ability to jump right into causes. But we can all touch lives with kindness and caring. I love it when others reach out to me with kindness, and it inspires me to be more loving in every word and deed.

“There is moral freedom in Soul. Never contract the horizon of a worthy outlook by the selfish exaction of all another’s time and thoughts. With additional joys, benevolence should grow more diffusive.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 58:12-16

To Speak or Not?

photo credit: Aaron Springston

On this day of celebrating freedom and independence, I pause to think how difficult it is to keep my mouth shut — and wonder when I should and should not do so! For instance, someone was talking about Dunkin’ Donut coffee pods and how much they like them. I nearly told them how horrid pods were for the environment, and then wanted to rant about coffee production killing songbirds. Then someone was talking about television and I almost began a lecture on hypnotism and mind control by corporations. So I sit and ponder where to draw the line on this one. If I saw someone torturing an animal (or other living creature), I would step in and stop them. If someone was dumping their waste into a river, I would speak up and attempt to do something to change it. But what if someone is looking at life from a different perspective than mine, even if I feel it to be harmful? Do I have the right to impose my ideas on them? I know I must walk the talk and change the world by changing myself, but sometimes it’s difficult to keep quiet! Happy Independence Day...

“Watch carefully and see what it is you are really asking for. Be very honest with yourself in this, for we must hide nothing from each other. If you will really try to do this, you have taken the first step toward preparing your mind for the Holy One to enter.” ACIM Chapter 4: III.8

Glimpsing Freedom

photo credit: Aaron Springston

When we are acquainted with someone but have never been in their home, we may imagine their surroundings as we communicate via modern technology. When a loved one tells us about an experience, we "see" them in that situation and fill in the picture in interesting ways. When we think about God, images may come to mind which are no more than fairy tales and remembered myths. Is our freedom based on myth also? We live with limiting beliefs which seem inescapable.  So how do we think about this imagined bondage? Most of us live with limiting beliefs every day, and it often seems impossible to be released from them. As children we are told not to talk to strangers, to be careful lest we fall, to be afraid of God, to live in certain ways in order to gain the approval of others -- the list goes on. We think a multitude of rules and beliefs must be obeyed in order to survive and thrive, and when we start to realize most of these so-called rules have nothing to do with our true existence, it can be frightening -- and exhilarating! The freedom of our true creation is seen through a change in our perception of reality. Taking ourselves out of the prison of preconceived notions allows the Love we are to show through our actions in sublime ways. And we glimpse freedom…

“In a word, human belief is a blind conclusion from material reasoning. This is a mortal, finite sense of things, which immortal Spirit silences forever.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science and Health Page 124:11–13

Freedom

An old Kris Kristofferson song, "Me and Bobby McGee", has the line: Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose. At first glance, that line may seem forlorn: I’ve already lost everything and have nothing left and so I guess that's supposed to be freedom. But then again, there's something to be said for nothing left to lose! Does it have to imply loneliness and emptiness? I don't think so. By not counting on anyone or anything other than the still, small voice of yourSelf, there is an ultimate freedom in not worrying about what, who, where you'll be -- or anything else! When I  follow that inner knowing which supplies me with the freedom to be open to anything and everything, without wondering or questioning my own motives or those of others, I am free! It's quite a delightful trip, this waiting with heart wide open to see what's coming next!

“Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way. Right motives give pinions to thought, and strength and freedom to speech and action.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 454:18-21

Clearing the Past

"Thailand" photo by Aaron Springston

In my quest to keep thought love-based and away from fearful fantasies, I often listen to uplifting books while I’m doing busywork. The current book is The Celestine Prophesy. I was reminded of something today when the author told  how to “clear the past”. When I took an intensive two-day training in Giving Deeksha, a/k/a Oneness Blessing, I remember the teacher telling us that we cannot progress without forgiving our parents. Unless we rectify the past, stop blaming the present on those events — no matter how horrid they may seem — then we have little to no chance of  feeling the peace and Love which we innately embody. I want nothing more than to move forward, through any seeming ripples which rock my boat. And so I am holding thought to the fact that we are all doing the best we can. I am, you are, everyone is. Namaste…

“If mortals are not progressive, past failures will be repeated until all wrong work is effaced or rectified. If at present satisfied with wrong-doing, we must learn to loathe it. If at present content with idleness, we must become dissatisfied with it. Remember that mankind must sooner or later, either by suffering or by Science, be convinced of the error that is to be overcome.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 240:19-26

Be With Those Who Help Your Being

Today I am grateful for all the people I gather with who help me remember my true being as a reflection of divine Love. It's great to talk with others who recognize the images of divine Mind shining through the myths we have created for ourselves in daily life. More and more we are realizing truth, and recognizing what is simply habitual thinking, perpetuated by repetition. I’m often asked  how we can know if thoughts are coming from the one Mind or from our mortal, limited thinking. I ask myself: Does this make my heart sing and my mind feel at peace? Does it bless all equally, along with me, or do I feel an uneasiness which I can't exactly pinpoint. Maybe there's a feeling of importance and superiority. These last two things are absolute indicators that thoughts are coming from my limiting sense of ego and not inner Truth.  Today I want to "Be with those who help [my] being." Rumi 

“Gratitude is much more than a verbal expression of thanks. Action expresses more gratitude than speech.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 3:24-27

Loved of Love

I’m reminded of a Eudora Welty quote: "We are the breakers of our own heart." Looking back at my own life and how often I broke my own heart, I'm very aware of what that means. One friend has blocked herself away from close relationships all her life. There are many people who care for her, and she’s only now realizing how many there are now that she’s in the hospital. The kindness being shown to her by others who have known her for the last 60 years is unbelievable to her. She had no clue she was so well loved! My prayer for today is that we all open our eyes and see the love which is being expressed all around us. To those who help their neighbors, care for their friends, and steadfastly keep on loving the seeming-unlovable — Cheers!

“The poor suffering heart needs its rightful nutriment, such as peace, patience in tribulation, and a priceless sense of the dear Father’s loving-kindness.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 365:32-3

All-Encompassing Peace

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Forgiveness is all-encompassing. It’s more than saying we don't hold a grudge against someone for something. Forgiveness is born from the practice of realizing our unity with God, hence our Oneness with each other. What more could we want than peace, joy, love, contentment, bliss, appreciation, and satisfaction? This larger, all-encompassing forgiveness reconciles any so-called differences we may have with each other, and also with anything we are holding against ourselves. Allowing divine Love to guide our every action and thought would free us to live differently than when our lives are dictated by material beliefs and habits. It's always amazing to me that some people choose to not speak to one another simply because they disagree about certain things. I like oranges, you like apples. So what? Our commonality rests in the Oneness of our true being. That's a constant reality!

“Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need.”

Mary Baker Eddy — Science & Health Page 494:10-11

Forgiveness is My Wish for Today

"Forgiveness" by Carol Peacock

Today I received word that a sweet friend has an aggressive form of cancer and won’t be with us much longer. As usual, when these things happen to our friends, we remember the good times, recalling all the good times we’ve shared. This dear woman was never happy. She found it impossible to let go of old hurts and resentments, making it impossible for her to go forward and carve out the life for herself she wanted so much. My hope for today is that anyone who is feeling angry or hopeless can see their way past whatever is holding them in pain. Forgiveness is my wish for you today. Namaste…

From A Course in Miracles - Lesson 122

“What could you want forgiveness cannot give? Do you want peace? Forgiveness offers it. Do you want happiness, a quiet mind, a certainty of purpose, and a sense of worth and beauty that transcends the world? Do you want care and safety, and the warmth of sure protection always? Do you want a quietness that cannot be disturbed, a gentleness that never can be hurt, a deep, abiding comfort, and a rest so perfect it can never be upset?

All this forgiveness offers you, and more. It sparkles on your eyes as you awake, and gives you joy with which to meet the day. It soothes your forehead while you sleep, and rests upon your eyelids so you see no dreams of fear and evil, malice and attack. And when you wake again, it offers you another day of happiness and peace. All this forgiveness offers you, and more.” 

What is Spiritual Healing?

PC: Arthur Bruno

When people ask me to pray for them, they most often think I will be asking God to help them. This could not be further from the truth. The prayer which I utilize affirms the reality of our Being, combined with a listening to hear what should be affirmed. It's not an asking for a condition to be changed, but a knowing that there is no condition in divine Mind’s reflection. Our mortal mind often insists that this material existence is the reality of our being and any glimpse we may have of our spiritual perfection is but a mirage. The opposite of this scenario is true and our realization is what brings harmony. This is not a mind-over-matter type of healing. So when you ask me to pray for you, I'll never say or think anything similar to: Please, God, heal Mary's cold. But I will say, What do I need to know about this situation? This is what Jesus was telling us, and why his teachings were revolutionary. We are not material, we are spiritual. What is matter anyway? Physicists have found it is 99-point-something percent empty space! So what keeps us in the shape we’re in, even though our cells are replaced constantly? Thought! And this is why I find the study and practice of divine Science fascinating.

“If we would open their prison doors for the sick, we must first learn to bind up the broken-hearted. If we would heal by the Spirit, we must not hide the talent of spiritual healing under the napkin of its form, nor bury the morale of Christian Science in the grave-clothes of its letter.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 295:5-15

Systems of Ideas

PC: Aaron Springston

Do you want feel-good, improve-your-relationships, make-more-money types of reading material, or would you rather go all the way down the rabbit hole with a new way of thought? I've found that a momentary recognition of the Truth of Being leads me to want more, but I've known many people who don't want to go there. And that's cool, too. The present material beliefs we espouse and demonstrate in daily life are comfortable to us, and it's difficult to let them go. Sometimes we have held on to stubborn memories of the past for so long that we can't seem to let them go. These things may be frightening, especially if we've convinced ourselves we don't like change. So if you start to become afraid while trying on the new thoughts you are now having, realize that Love is all there is. Sing a Beatles song or two! Do anything you can to cultivate joy. Live life fully in the whirlpool of divine Love! Go all the way down the rabbit hole, knowing every step is sure when you walk with Love. 

“Mind, supreme over all its formations and governing them all, is the central sun of its own systems of ideas, the life and light of all its own vast creation; and man is tributary to divine Mind.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 209:5-8

One Grand Brotherhood

Today at the Catholic mass at which I play keyboards, the man who manages fundraisers made an announcement. It seems the young priest’s niece, who lives in his native country of Nigeria, is very ill. Through someone’s negotiations, it was determined that the Arkansas Children’s Hospital was willing to evaluate her and see if anything can be done to help, and they are willing to do this free of charge. Of course, the girl and her mother would need to have airfare from halfway around the world. So there was a letter sent out to the congregation asking for financial help in this matter. The announcement today was that $5,000 had been needed for this endeavor, and more than $17,000 had been donated to the family! Before telling the total cash contributions, the man looked down and shook his head. He said, You crazy people. And his voice cracked as he told of the large amount which had been collected. From my vantage point at the piano, I could see everyone’s faces and my eyes filled with tears as did most of the room. What a testament to the power of people to help people! This, in my mind, is what church is. What a blessing to have witnessed this!

“The rich in spirit help the poor in one grand brotherhood, all having the same Principle, or Father; and blessed is that man who seeth his brother’s need and supplieth it, seeking his own in another’s good.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 518: 15-19 

Spiders and Such

"Praying Mantis on a Fingertip"
photo by Richard Quick

I never watch doom-and-gloom television shows, and steadfastly refuse to listen to people's stories of their fear of nature and its consequences. But recently I saw a short snippet of a video about brown recluse spiders, which are prevalent in our area. The narrator of this video was telling us how spiders don't attack unless they're surprised or bothered in some way, and they showed a clip of a spider resting on a stack of washcloths with a person's hand going toward them. Yikes!! Well, that image has stuck in my mind to the extent that I look for spiders on every towel or washcloth I touch. And the odd thing is, I try to pretend I'm not doing this! Who do I think I'm fooling? This is the type of fearful living which I refuse to acknowledge, but yet I'm doing it. And so now, I can choose to analyze this behavior and rationalize that I don't worry about spiders in other places so why here. But that's all it would be: a material rationalization, trying to convince myself there's nothing to fear. A Course in Miracles tells us “my mind holds only what I think with God”. So I must ask myself if God is afraid of spiders. We are also told in ACIM to “loose the world from all I thought it was”, and this is sufficient reason for me to loose my beliefs and reactions to creepy crawlies - I hope! We are also told we “cannot fail when seeking to reach the truth of being”. I sure do want to do that!

“All of God’s creatures, moving in the harmony of Science, are harmless, useful, indestructible.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 514:28-30

A Cell in the Universe

"Ancient Enigma"
sculpture by Ken Starbird 

I heard an interesting analogy concerning the body's immune system and the world's ability to heal itself. Each and every one of us are a cell in the immune system of the universe. Every thought we think is either contributing to the unified health of our planet or the propagation of fear and terror. Every prayer, every meditation, ever reaching out through inward listening is magnified exponentially. We have the power to change the world through ourselves. Every interaction brings us closer to a world of love or a world of fear. The Love which heals us personally spreads through the web of Oneness. In the same way that we take personal responsibility for ourselves, our health, our well-being, we can take responsibility for a return to Love. It does matter what we do and what we think. We never know when an interaction with someone will make the difference in that person's life which turns them away from reactive fear to healing Love. The Truth which corrects all errors in our mind is our ascension into heaven within. Never doubt that you matter, that you make a difference.  Allow silence and listening to guide you to being the change you want to see! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Immortal ideas, pure, perfect, and enduring, are transmitted by the divine Mind through divine Science, which corrects error with truth and demands spiritual thoughts, divine concepts, to the end that they may produce harmonious results." Science & Health Page 259: 27-31

Life's Synchronicity

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Walking meditations, sitting meditations, music meditations, mantras, chants, drumming. Most of us practice some form of quieting the mind, some way of slipping into the gap between thoughts and experiencing inner knowing. The ability to visit this space at a moment's notice is integral in our ability to transcend the miasma of mortal, material thoughts which present themselves to us constantly. In many ways, we see the harmony evidenced by this way of living.  I love people's reactions to synchronicities! When something happens in perfect concourse with another event, creating wonderful circumstances for everyone and everything involved, we call this synchronicity. As an example, I once had an appointment for a haircut. I forgot about this appointment until a day past its time. I e-mailed my haircutter, apologizing and asking for another appointment. She responded that when she started reading the note her heart dropped because she had forgotten to tell me she needed to cancel the appointment due to a family emergency in another state, and then her heart lifted again because I hadn’t been there to find out she wasn’t! How's that for synchronicity? Some people don't see this as anything other than pure chance. Others think of it as supernatural and want to avoid it or, alternatively, to seek its return. Some of us see it as a natural way of life when listening past the roaring of material beliefs to the spiritual voice of Truth. Whatever our mode of listening to Spirit, let's do it as much as possible, until we realize that's all there is.

“The effects of Christian Science are not so much seen as felt. It is the 'still, small voice' of Truth uttering itself. We are either turning away from this utterance, or we are listening to it and going up higher. Willingness to become as a little child and to leave the old for the new, renders thought receptive of the advanced idea. Gladness to leave the false landmarks and joy to see them disappear,--this disposition helps to precipitate the ultimate harmony. The purification of sense and self is a proof of progress. ‘Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.’”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 323:28-8

Legislating Morality

The Ten Commandments were created to tell people what is right and what is not. We know that, don’t you think? When we look to Spirit to guide and govern every action, there is no need for a multitude of laws to tell us how to and how not to do everything. For instance, laws which tell us how to and how not to love. There's a television series called "Big Love" which takes a look into the everyday lives of Mormon polygamists. In the United States, polygamy is illegal. When we see accounts of cruel men with 20 wives and 100 children, it seems this decree is just. But when the beauty of deep Love is illustrated in a multiple-marriage situation, it seems not only plausible but admirable. In any situation, love needn't be legislated, it must be truly expressed. This takes us back to those rules we are taught to live by, the laws which we will be punished for breaking. The government of ourself is not dictated by any material laws. We all know of situations where children, animals, all things living, are abused by others. It doesn't appear that making more laws keep such things from happening. What I see is that such behavior is impossible when we allow government by divine Love, God. When listening in this way, we can't help but be keenly aware of the "still, small voice".  It speaks to me as a peaceful feeling. If uneasiness is bouncing around in my chest, it's time to wonder why! So today I want be governed by my intuitive feeling which comes from listening through spiritual sense, at-one-ment.

“The serpent of God’s creating is neither subtle nor poisonous, but is a wise idea, charming in its adroitness, for Love’s ideas are subject to the Mind which forms them, — the power which changeth the serpent into a staff.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 514:4-9

The Exquisite Harmony of Life

There’s an awesome BBC series entitled "Life", with David Attenborough  as narrator. When viewing the perfection of all life blending together in exquisite harmony, I am inspired to be more in tune with this tapestry. Once again, we need only let loose the things we do by rote, leaving habitual behaviors where we found them, in order to open ourselves to new-old ideas and experience where that takes us. Today my thought goes to sustainable farms, organic and pure food, happy animals, pesticide-free vegetables! How wonderful to go to farmer's markets and actually talk to people who grow our food. In the last fifty years, the production of food has changed so drastically that most of our young people have no idea what they’re eating. And, in too many cases, we don't want to know. Every decision I make at the supermarket casts a vote for the process involved in its production. Every dollar I spend at a Farmer's Market also casts a vote. I don't really want to give my dollars to a corporation which manufactures food without Soul. I vote for food created with Love. I want everything I consume to be nurtured with Love. Releasing all guilt, I see that forgiveness is there for the realization of it, and a new world becomes visible. The New Earth has always been here, and now we're remembering and demonstrating that knowledge in a myriad of ways.

“Ask yourself: Am I living the life that approaches the supreme good?” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 496: 9-10

Irreconcilable Differences?

PC: Arthur Bruno

It may seem as though we are all different. Our race, nationality, and teachings are said to combine to make us who we are. We supposedly have differences which are sometimes irreconcilable with others of our species. I am reminded of something Isaac Asimov said in one of his novels. I don't have the exact quote, but it was to the effect that we, as humans, would not realize our unity until life was discovered on another planet; then it could be us against them. This is the way it seems to be with human beings.  Many of us are eager to let go of the beliefs which keep us shackled to this stagnant thought. Seeing everyone as reflections of God precludes thinking of others as different. Although it seems impossible that we could all live in this way, doing no harm to anyone or anything, always expressing Love in our actions and thoughts, it is not. This possibility is an actuality which we're seeing more clearly every day. Love and happiness are our realities, and this is seen clearly when the veil of material belief is lifted.

“Jesus aided in reconciling man to God by giving man a truer sense of Love, the divine Principle of Jesus’ teachings, and this truer sense of Love redeems man from the law of matter, sin, and death by the law of Spirit, — the law of divine Love.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 312:16-19

Life's Lessons

Every moment can be a learning experience of some sort if we’re paying attention. Two things happened today which I took as profound life lessons. A decades-old friend was telling me she was thinking about going to the food bank because of a change in her income. As we talked about this, I mentioned it was fortunate we had such a great distribution center. I also remembered that I had a bag of non-perishable food in the back of my vehicle which I’d been carrying around for a couple of weeks without dropping it off at Flint Street. It struck us simultaneously that I could pass it on directly to her and save us both a trip! The lesson in this is that what may seem like procrastination could be for someone’s benefit. Also, never be ashamed to tell your friends your needs; perhaps they are a source of supply. The second lesson is much simpler. I broke my favorite salad plate due to lack of attention being paid to the details of life. It reminded me that every moment is important. I want to be ever-more aware of my actions and how they may affect someone else. I don’t care about my plate, but I do care about people I may hurt through my thoughtlessness.  

“The one Ego, the one Mind or Spirit called God, is infinite individuality, which supplies all form and comeliness and which reflects reality and divinity in individual spiritual man and things.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 281: 14-17