Stressful or Fun?

"Moab" PC: Heather Peters

Every day brings unexpected events, and I’ve come to believe those can either be stressful or exciting and fun. This morning I accompanied a fine singer to a small town in Missouri to provide music for a funeral. When we walked into the little church, a barefoot priest showed us to the modest musical instrument we were expected to use. As it turned out, the acoustics in this building were the worst my friend, a classically-trained performer, had ever witnessed. Nevertheless, we provided the grieving congregation with a B+ service and no one got hurt. Reflecting on this event, I realize if we had concentrated on the problems, we could easily have become overwhelmed by them. But we did the best we could with what we had to work with, and finished feeling satisfied by the result. Isn’t this true of everything we face every day? “You’ve got to get up every morning with a smile on your face, and show the world all the love in your heart.” Carole King

“Let us learn of the real and eternal, and prepare for the reign of Spirit, the kingdom of heaven, — the reign and rule of universal harmony, which cannot be lost nor remain forever unseen.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 

One Principle

PC: Aaron Springston

In response to one of these writings a few days ago, a dear friend wrote that she thought independence was no more than the ego telling us a lie. She brought up a beautiful fact: we are all one, so what’s with this separation we call independence? Thank you, Shanna Pra, for calling this to my attention! It is a false fear to think that we can lose individuality or independence by loving someone. We are ALL dependent on each other because we ARE each other. Cool, Shanna! Thank you for pointing this out to me. Sometimes we can’t see the forest… 

“There is but one I, or Us, but one divine Principle, or Mind, governing all existence; man and woman unchanged forever in their individual characters, even as numbers which never blend with each other, though they are governed by one Principle.”  Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 588:11-15

Breaking Up of Belief

PC: Aaron Springston

One of our social media mavens recently posted something to Facebook  saying that people seem volatile, jumping to conclusions and reacting in anger. Her advice to us all was to "Calm the f… down!"  I can translate that into wanting peace and making a choice to have it. If you're having trouble slipping away from tension and letting peace be felt, try doing things which can facilitate this: float on a river, walk in the woods, have a massage, get a Oneness Blessing. There are so many avenues to this end. Mainly, I think it's the realization that we have a choice which opens the door to 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.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 96:12-20

A Work in Progress

Lately, I’ve been examining my motives in regard to interpersonal relationships. I had come to believe I didn’t want to be emotionally dependent upon anyone, and certainly didn’t want them to feel they needed me. When I fell in love with a man, it was a frightening situation to me — although I wasn’t able to see it as such. I made up excuses not to love him, and I had many reasons for why he shouldn’t love me. I didn’t feel any empty places which needed to be filled in my heart, and didn’t have any desire to depend on anyone, so why should I be in love? Perhaps it’s so I can truly be a transparency for divine Love. Maybe it’s so a creative purpose can whirlpool into an unstoppable force. Maybe it’s just for fun! Whatever the case, I think the only way I can be wrong in this situation is to dictate what it should be, or what it should become. We are, after all, a work in progress.

“Jealousy is the grave of affection. The presence of mistrust, where confidence is due, withers the flowers of Eden and scatters love’s petals to decay.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 67:9-11 

The Breath of Freedom

Throughout our lifetime, we have seen oppression falling. I know, I know, there's still a long way to go -- but just think how far we've come! It seems to me it should be easier than it is. The strides I, personally, have made in releasing preconceived notions about people who seem different from me are huge! A man said to me that he was afraid to come to Eureka Springs. Of course I asked him why. He said if we were having one of our "diversity" weekends he didn't want to be here. He assured me he had nothing against "gays", but he didn't want it rubbed in his face. This is a learned behavior on his part and has nothing to do with the way he felt when he came out of the womb into this life. As we release what we think we're supposed to think, we open the way for divine Love to guide us. Love is the liberator!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The history of our country, like all history, illustrates the might of Mind, and shows human power to be proportionate to its embodiment of right thinking. A few immortal sentences, breathing the omnipotence of divine justice, have been potent to break despotic fetters and abolish the whipping-post and slave market; but oppression neither went down in blood, nor did the breath of freedom come from the cannon's mouth. Love is the liberator.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science and Health Page 225:14-22

Simple Seekers for Truth

photo credit: Gerry Toler

I often am reminded of my half-brother, Little George Havens, traveling evangelist. He was quite short and very flamboyant. I can still hear him singing, to the tune of Battle Hymn of the Republic, "The circuit ridin' preacher traveled through the mire and mud; preached about the fiery furnace and of Noah and the flood". What a character he was! He spent his life spreading the word of God as he knew it. And he helped countless people find hope along the way. But did he ever listen for the still, small voice, or did he just recite what he had come to believe as truth? That, I can't say. We can only know our own heart, and so today I will examine my motives in interactions. Lying to myself  is as bad as lying to others. I shall listen…

“Millions of unprejudiced minds--simple seekers for Truth, weary wanderers, athirst in the desert--are waiting and watching for rest and drink. Give them a cup of cold water in Christ's name, and never fear the consequences.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 570:14-17 

All Together Now

PC: Aaron Springston

We have insisted on separating ourselves from each other by setting up divisions such as nationality, gender, and religion. It seems as though it should be simple to accept our unity as an idea of divine Mind. We all have a song to sing, and we are all  part of the grand symphony of life. To rejoice in being One with everyone, to live from love rather than fear and its imaginings, is to humbly accept the goodness we inherently are. I pray to turn away from the illusion of material problems as I wholeheartedly accept my function as a reflection of Spirit, seeing that image mirrored in everyone I meet.

"The world believes in many persons; but if God is personal, there is but one person, because there is but one God. His personality can only be reflected, not transmitted. God has countless ideas, and they all have one Principle and parentage. The only proper symbol of God as person is Mind’s infinite ideal" Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 517:15-20

Happiness in Action

creation of Sandy Starbird

The action of happiness is profound. It affects everything and everyone around it. We all have stories of watching situations change when we touch them with peaceful joy. This doesn't mean we laugh in the face of misery, as that is not compassion. But neither is being overly sympathetic while perpetuating the illusion. I hope to never lose the ability to empathize with others, but, also, I hope to always retain the ability to see past the form of sorrow and know the Truth of the situation. To carry a calm, buoyant feeling of happiness wherever we go is to bring healing to everything, everywhere. Whether it's a peaceful internal smiling or an outward giggling eruption, I invite you to join me today in the expression of Love, "giving living waters to the thirsty", and never fearing the consequences.

“Whatever inspires with wisdom, Truth, or Love--be it song, sermon, or Science--blesses the human family with crumbs of comfort from Christ's table, feeding the hungry and giving living waters to the thirsty.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 234:4-8

Recognizing Reality

photo credit: Aaron Springston

My parents considered themselves to be free of prejudice. After all, my dad had married a Chicano girl from South Texas, and in 1931 this was tantamount to marrying outside of "your race", which wasn't often done. I'll always remember a day when we were riding in the car. I was around ten. My mom and dad were talking about Sammy Davis, Jr., a black man, marrying May Britt, a very white woman. I piped up and said, "I wouldn't mind marrying a black man". Dead silence ensued. Not another word was said until we got to our destination and my mom took me aside and told me never to say anything like that again. I didn't understand it then, and I don't understand it now. The difference is that now I have the option of making a decision to stand with Oneness as my reality. There is no decision to be made when we leave aside the strange human interpretations we have placed on everything in this world. So I will continue to strive to recognize what is past the illusion and live that as my reality. Namaste to the World!

“The point for each one to decide is, whether it is mortal mind or immortal Mind that is causative. We should forsake the basis of matter for metaphysical Science and its divine Principle.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 195:11-14

Harmony

Just be yourself! Countless times I heard this admonition from my mom. I don't recall wanting to think like my friends did, as much as wanting to do what they did. And so then I'd hear from her, "If everyone was jumping off a cliff, would you do it, too?" "Well, yes, mom, I certainly would", I would tell her. It's so easy to fall into the habit of being a lemming and thinking as those around us do. The act of realizing our true heritage as the child of divine Mind is the beginning of freedom from this bondage of mortal mind. My home is Love. Anything else is a stranger in that home. And so I relax into the comfort of my true home, turning away from every fearful thought. This acronym for fear will help me do this: False Evidence Appearing Real.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Harmony in man is as beautiful21as in music, and discord is unnatural, unreal.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 304:20-21

The Bondage of Belief

photo credit: Gerry Toler

Joel Goldsmith gives us an analogy of a person sitting in the dark and declaring that electricity gives light. Of course this is true, but we're still sitting in the dark until we flip the switch and make a connection with the source of the light. A while back, I had a conversation with a friend in which it was disclosed that her in-laws and her husband had been abused by their father. The father has passed away and the three children, now in their 60s, suffer in numerous ways from these past actions. The mother knew this, but wouldn’t admit it happened. If only she could have done this for her beloved children, perhaps they would all have been set free. This mother didn’t need to release her children for them to be freed, and hopefully they have seen this in the years hence. How many situations do we feel ensnared by, when in actuality nothing can keep us in bondage! All we need do is realize our source is Love. Nothing else matters.

"The adult, in bondage to his beliefs, no more comprehends his real being than does the child; and the adult must be taken out of his darkness, before he can get rid of the illusive sufferings which throng the gloaming." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page Page 371:14-18

Breaking the Spell

PC: Gerry Toler

In examining my decisions, I see they are often nothing more than self-satisfied dogma on my part. I might think: This is the way it's always been for me, and I like it that way, and I'm going to keep it that way. And so I do. Even if some knee-jerk reaction brings me sadness and conflict, I may have decided that this is "right" and I must stick by my guns (what a horrible saying that is!) and continue on in this way whether it brings peace and happiness or the opposite. Today I vow to remember to see with new eyes, whether it’s a current event I find repugnant or a song someone sings to me. And I will forgive myself for forgetting…

“To break this earthly spell, mortals must get the true idea and divine Principle of all that really exists and governs the universe harmoniously. This thought is apprehended slowly, and the interval before its attainment is attended with doubts and defeats as well as triumphs.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 39:26-30

Beside the Buffalo

"Buffalo River" photo credit: Gerry Toler

I rediscovered the poetry of Rosalie Toler tonight. Here is one for you:

Beside The Buffalo

Alone on a rock with a

   book

I do the friendly thing

I read poetry to the

   river,

and the water molds it

   to a new rhythm.

Williams — Whitman —

   Dickinson,

I hurl their polished   

   syllables

away on the current.

Do people downstream

   hear them coming?

I wonder.

Maybe some fisherman,

casting his own lines,

   will feel the rush,

sense the lure of purling

   words leaping,

matching riff with riffle.

Or maybe some rugged

   kayaker,

etching his watery v’s,

will shoot rapids

   through them,

unaware that part of

   the thrill

is sheer poetry.

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