Doublespeak - What is Truth?

I read a rather long article about Friedrich Nietzsche today. It seems everyone, no matter their political persuasion, can make a case that he is writing just for them, supporting their views, and inspiring them to further heights of egotistical thought. While reading this, other instances came to mind of how we take songs and/or books and twist them into our own. I was talking to an uber-conservative and she mentioned the song, “For What It’s Worth” and how it perfectly expressed what she felt about the current political scene. Well, darn, that was “our” song! It came out in 1966 and was thought of as a protest song, beloved by hippies and free-thinkers. Here is a verse:

“There’s battle lines being drawn. 

Nobody’s right if everybody’s wrong. 
Young people speaking their minds, 
Getting so much resistance from behind. 
It’s time we stop, hey, what’s that sound? 
Everybody look what’s going down.”

The same thing happened with the novel 1984. I hear that white supremacists think it is supporting their stand. Orwell’s use of the term “doublespeak” seems to jive with “alternative facts”, and somehow everything is turned around to fit anyone’s point of view. From 1984: “War is Peace. Freedom is Slavery. Ignorance is Strength.” 

I always thought truth was obvious, as were lies. Perhaps I, too, have been brainwashed into misunderstanding. I shall examine this... 

"The question, 'What is Truth,' convulses the world. Many are ready to meet this inquiry with the assurance which comes of understanding; but more are blinded by their old illusions, and try to 'give it pause.' 'If the blind lead the blind, both shall fall into the ditch.'" Mary Baker Eddy

Dream, Dream, Dream...

ceramic creation by Ken Starbird - Dreams

Sleeping dreams are interesting things, don’t you think? As a child, I had a two recurring nightmares, and can still remember the feelings when I think of them. During the years I had to wake up early without the luxury of hitting a snooze button, I don’t remember many dreams. Now that I can wake up and go back to sleep for a while, I have more lucid dreams where I can think about what’s happening and even have some control of events. Many of my friends interpret their dreams and find meanings which extend to daily life. I don’t consciously do so, but often the nighttime events come back to thought during the day, and sometimes they seem to tell me to be aware. Then again, we should always be awake to events around us and intuition within us, so I rarely feel they are a portent of doom or goodness. I look forward to fun dreams where I get to visit with loved ones long gone from material sight. What do you dream about? Do you enjoy the experience? I hope so...  

"...Is there any more reality in the waking dream of mortal existence than in the sleeping dream? There cannot be, since whatever appears to be a mortal man is a mortal dream. Take away the mortal mind, and matter has no more sense as a man than it has as a tree. But the spiritual, real man is immortal." Mary Baker Eddy 

Tribes and Oneness

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Today my thoughts have repeatedly turned to tribes and the cocoon in which I feel wrapped, here in Eureka Springs. There are any number of groups of people I feel a deep kinship toward, but (as in high school) there is no limiting identity with any one. I remember when my boys and I moved here almost 25 years ago. It was to attend the Clear Spring School. One of the mothers told me this school was a way of life, and I soon found out what she meant. We worked together to raise money to keep the school viable, and leaned on each other for child care and support in every avenue of life. This was a total-immersion situation unlike any other I’ve encountered. In the past, I have loved our metaphysical group and my Eureka Thyme family; now I feel a deep kinship with the two churches where I play keyboards and the choirs I accompany, along with the duplicate bridge community, our Course in Miracles group, and my book club. Every day our lives expand to include others we meet. And this practice of non-duality we study opens us to the universal family fluttering just out of sight! Life is Good! 

"Selfishness tips the beam of human existence towards the side of error, not towards Truth. Denial of the oneness of Mind throws our weight into the scale, not of Spirit, God, good, but of matter." Mary Baker Eddy 

What Do I Want?

photo credit: Steve Shogren

I want to write about the Kurds and how they do the unspeakable in the name of honor. I want to write about our president and his cohorts, and what they do in the name of greed and power. I want to write about my acquaintances, who are still defending the dishonesty in our government; also the conservatives who have realized there is no conservation in their chosen political party. I want to write about the pain of those who love goodness and truth; who cry out for full disclosure, no matter who may fall in this facing of facts, knowing this is the only way to reclaim the lofty ideals of our founding fathers. I want to write about the slaves who were abused by those founders, and the aftermath of our self-righteous bigotry. But I’d rather write about the new earth this cleansing will bring us, the beauty left in the aftermath of this torment, and the love we have not forgotten.

“How willing are you to forgive your brother? How much do you desire peace instead of endless strife and misery and pain? These questions are the same, in different form. Forgiveness is your peace, for herein lies the end of separation and the dream of danger and destruction, sin and death; of madness and of murder, grief and loss. This is the ‘sacrifice’ salvation asks, and gladly offers peace instead of this.” A Course in Miracles

Falling off the Vegan Wagon

photo credit: Aaron Springston

A few years back, I decided to stop eating meat. I was invited to dinner at a friends house, along with three others. When I had been to this man's home before, it was for the salons we created and attended for 10 months, so it was easy to bypass the meat in the buffet line, hence I had not mentioned I was vegetarian. This particular evening was more formal, as he was introducing himself to his neighbors, who also happened to be artists I knew from my gallery. There was no serve-yourself, and he set in front of me a huge slab of meat and a few carrots and asparagus spears. I thought of my options: not eat the meat and hurt his feelings, or do as Jesus advised his disciples and eat what is put before you, which I did. Tonight I was at a gathering of our Course in Miracles group and a woman mentioned that she had fallen off the vegan wagon and had a hamburger. She looked at me and said she remembered the above story when I told it at a previous meeting, and it brought her peace, keeping her from beating herself up over her food choice. It caused me to realize we're all doing the best that we can, and at any given time that best is different! Let's all be gentle with ourselves, and others, remembering to be kind rather than right.

"The fact is, food does not affect the absolute Life of man, and this becomes self-evident, when we learn that God is our Life. Because sin and sickness are not qualities of Soul, or Life, we have hope in immortality, but it would be foolish to venture beyond our present understanding, foolish to stop eating until we gain perfection and a clear comprehension of the living Spirit. In that perfect day of understanding, we shall neither eat to live nor live to eat." Mary Baker Eddy 

Perfectly Imperfect

photo credit: Aaron Springston

One of my favorite essay writers is named Robert Klose. For the past 20 years or so, I’ve followed his single parenting of two adopted boys, seen him through many nature adventures in Maine, and realized we are kindred spirits. Today I read a piece called “Perfectly at home with imperfection”. He talks of going to buy a canoe and seeing one priced so low he had to ask, "What’s wrong with it?" The salesman replied, “She don’t float right”. “I’ll take it!”, he said. He found he had to sit to the left side to compensate, but he’s very happy with that. He bought a window that had a bubble in the glass, and it shone like a jewel in the sunlight. He states that if you get something in perfect condition, you are disappointed, perhaps even feel betrayed, when it gets a dent or imperfection from regular wear and tear. I’m with him on these things! As he said, “How wonderful is the world of the imperfect!”

"Mortal thought transmits its own images, and forms its offspring after human illusions." Mary Baker Eddy 

Tough Decisions

photo credit: Nick Franchi

Out of all the tough decisions we must make in this world, one of the most difficult is to have a pet put to sleep. No one wants to do this. But no one wants their beloved friend to suffer either. Perhaps believing there is no death makes this easier, do you think? I read an interpretation of the commandment “thou shalt not kill” which said it actually meant “thou cannot kill”. I rather like that one! The energy which we are continues on forever, although perhaps not in the form we like to imagine. Reincarnation, life continuing in another form, a different plane of reality, an alternate universe — well, we have many ideas of what the afterlife may hold — or not! And so what of humans? Is this decision all right for dogs but not for me? More people are accepting the alternative of right to death laws which have been enacted in some states. Death seems as individual as life, and I’m not sure there is a blanket answer for what is right and wrong. But I know what feels right, and I hope to not be frightened of it.

“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 

Memorials

Vietnam Memorial
photo credit: Aaron Springston

Most of us have an idea of what we would like to happen with our bodies once they are no longer animated by our thoughts. We may want to be buried in a casket or cremated; we may want a headstone telling who we were, or maybe we want our ashes buried in the flower garden. I’ve spent a lot of time walking in cemeteries and they are fascinating places. I wonder about the people’s stories and who loved them enough to make these lasting memorials. Nowadays, there are Facebook pages devoted to those who are gone, with people remembering their birthdays and “heavenly birthdays” and sharing other memorials. Whatever the remembrance, it’s all an expression of the love manifested in their lives. I wish I’d given my parents more flowers when they were here, and I’m grateful that my sweet son picks bouquets for me when he sees a pretty stand of wildflowers. Every loving kindness is a tribute to Life, don’t you think? Moment by moment, memories are made and love is shared.

"Thou to whose power our hope we give, 

     Free us from human strife. 

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 - the poem, Love.

Truth Marches On

My parents, Bryan and Anita Havens
circa 1935

Fifty years ago my favorite album of all time was released: Abbey Road by the Beatles. And I have dear friends in town for their 50th class reunion this weekend. While I could be amazed by the way a lifetime passes by in a heartbeat, I’ve chosen to remember the simple ways my parents taught me to live. Even though it wasn’t very exciting to be an only child of older Christian Science parents, I am extremely grateful for the education I received at their hands. For years we bought nothing other than flour and sugar; everything else was raised and canned or frozen. I learned how to grow food and how to drive an old Chevy truck with three gears in the column. I learned to love reading and spent many hours hiding in the back field with my dog. But I also remember that they fell for the “poison is safe” rhetoric pushed on us by the pesticide companies. I have vivid memories of my daddy with one of those hand-pump sprayers full of poison, chasing the flies away from the watermelon at a picnic. But they also showed me how to be content, to know a loving God, and to be grateful for everything. This is why I look back at the last five decades with a smile of thanks. I’m certain they would have learned to be better stewards of the land today than they were then — just as I try harder every day.

"You may know when first Truth leads by the fewness and faithfulness of its followers. Thus it is that the march of time bears onward freedom's banner. The powers of this world will fight, and will command their sentinels not to let truth pass the guard until it subscribes to their systems, but Science, heeding not the pointed bayonet, marches on." Mary Baker Eddy 

Treat Yourself as Well as Your Neighbor

Mongolian Mountaintop
photo credit: Aaron Springston

I know someone who is being asked to move from her current apartment. She has been quite upset over this major life change and every day I hear a different problem and the improbability of its resolution. She is stuck in a helpless, hopeless mode and it’s become quite the drama for her. Today’s worry was how much work it would be to move and she didn’t know if she could face it. Now, this woman is extremely involved in helping at her church and projects with other friends and acquaintances. She has the energy and drive which marks a true go-getter. It suddenly came to me that she should treat herself as well as she does everyone else. If she was helping someone else move, she’d have the joy and energy which could transform a chore into a happening! I made her promise to imagine a friend in need, and see herself helping. When she crosses my mind, I’ll see her as happily expectant!

“A miracle is a service. It is the maximal service you can render to another. It is a way of loving your neighbor as yourself. You recognize your own and your neighbor's worth simultaneously.” A Course in Miracles

An Informed Citizenry

Workshop at Writers' Colony

Extra, extra, read all about it! Spread the good news! These sayings bring certain things to mind; things we may not think of nowadays when we pick up our phones and see the Apple News headlines. I used to get morning news from the radio. When my boys were small, I'd listen to the radio while we ate breakfast, but then I realized how horridly sensational most of it was, so I stopped listening. The Today Show was my mother's favorite, but most television news has gone the way of gossip magazines and such. More and more, we depend upon each other for news. I know I can trust my former newspaper man's take on the news, and I count on him to inform me when I'm not strong enough to do it myself. In talking to him, I've realized how important it is for each of us to educate ourselves and pass it on. So let's read, listen, learn, and then write! Write letters to the editor, or post your take on things to social media -- heck, pass out leaflets if you must!  And may we all heed Thomas Jefferson's words: "Good government flourishes in the sunshine, and our nation's founders knew that. 'A press that is free to investigate and criticize the government is absolutely essential in a nation that practices self-government and is therefore dependent on an educated and enlightened citizenry.'" 

Give A Good Day!

A dear friend gave some fine advice: Instead of worrying about having a good day, put your attention on giving a good day. What a wonderful perspective this gives to life! It also reminded me of something that happened when my gallery was open. People would ask how my day had been and I’d say, Great! Almost always they were referring to whether I’d made a lot of sales, which never factored into my answer. One day, a lady brought a stained glass ornament up and showed me that it was broken. I thanked her and she said, I’m so sorry to ruin your day. Of course, I laughed. If I had to make money to make my day, or if a broken item would ruin my day — well, most days would be so-so at best! Thank you dear heart-centered friend for the wonderful saying, which I will now use: Are you giving a great day today?

“Protect all things you value by the act of giving them away, and you are sure that you will never lose them. What you thought you did not have is thereby proven yours. Yet value not its form. For this will change and grow unrecognizable in time, however much you try to keep it safe. No form endures. It is the thought behind the form of things that lives unchangeable.” A Course in Miracles

Just Breathe

What a difference a day makes! I've been encouraging a dear friend who has been going through tough times, feeling suicidal, hopeless, deeply sad. Something shifted in her attitude yesterday and today she's almost happy again! I encourage everyone who is feeling depressed, or desperate, to know there is an end to it. Plant some flowers, even if you have no energy. Take a walk, even if you want to stay in bed. Get some sunshine, even if you'd rather stay in a deeply-curtained room. Talk to friends, when you're rather be alone. Watch a funny movie, even if you want to cry. But don't be afraid to cry, and savor every moment of the grief. It, too, is life. Feel everything to its ultimate end. Be grateful for all these things, and remember to breathe.

"Love propagates anew the higher joys of Spirit, which have no taint of earth. Each successive stage of experience unfolds new views of divine goodness and love." Mary Baker Eddy 

News in the 21st Century

"I'm Chet Huntley, and I'm David Brinkley." How I long for those days of hearing their voices and never doubting they were reporting facts! It was, after all, the news. In the 1980s, the Christian Science Monitor started a cable television news network. They were the first, and no one wanted to watch news all day long. I wonder if news channels would be different had we seen what it meant to report with this intent: "to injure no man but to bless all mankind". Our political polarization in the 21st century is obscene. News channels say they are telling the truth, but their lies are blatantly transparent, only requiring a modicum of research to prove they are playing us, feeding our fears and insecurities. Some news stations report facts, but only ones they want us to hear. At least one tries to be middle of the road, but the powers that be malign them so much that many have no idea what to believe. When I hear an outlandish headline, I do a quick search on that exact headline; it is either true or it's not. I occasionally go to Snopes.com just to see what sort of craziness is making the rounds. My point is, anyone can find out if something is true or if it's a story with the purpose of scaring us or turning us against someone or a group of people. It's not difficult!

"When error strives to be heard above Truth, let the 'still small voice' produce God's phenomena. Meet dispassionately the raging element of individual hate and counteract its most gigantic falsities." Mary Baker Eddy - Miscellany Page 249

Lift Your Voice & Love Loud!

Art of J. Clement Wall

What do you do when you hear someone say something racist, sexist, ageist -- something that lays like a rock in your memory? When I was a child, I distinctly remember other children saying mean things to and about a girl. She didn't seem to have much going for her. To our way of thinking, she wasn't pretty or smart. But I liked her. I was only 8 or 9, and I was afraid to refute the words of a wad of kids who felt the need to be mean to her. I never forgave myself for that. But I hope I'm rectifying it now! After that time, I began to speak up in the face of injustice. Of course, I went overboard and sometimes would challenge others and defend things that didn't need my defense. Hopefully, I'm learning when my words are needed, as opposed to keeping my mouth shut and letting someone dig a hole for themselves! Whatever the case, this chalkboard art from J. Clement Wall speaks to how I feel today. "Lift Your Voice & Love Loud"! May I have the wisdom to know what to say and when to say it -- or not!   

"Who would defend himself unless he thought he were attacked, that the attack were real, and that his own defense could save himself? And herein lies the folly of defense; it gives illusions full reality, and then attempts to handle them..." A Course in Miracles

Time for a Course Correction

photo credit: Aaron Springston

I play keyboards for a Catholic mass on Saturday afternoon. Today’s homily started out with the priest telling us that in order to get into heaven, you will need a letter of recommendation from the poor. He then spoke at length about charity. Then I came home and heard Marianne Williamson tell a revised version of the Good Samaritan story. The Samaritan was walking down the road and came upon a beggar, whom he gave alms. This happened a number of times, until he asked himself, Why are there so many beggars? This I feel is the question — don’t you? Why, in the richest country in the world, do we have so many people in need?  It’s time for a deep, meaningful, course correction in our nation.  It is time for all thinking people to ask the important questions and insist on answers. We must ask ourselves how we have been complicit in world problems. Whether I am concerned with environment, government, religion, whatever societal sickness is in my face, it is time for a moral awakening. And it begins with me.

“Forgiveness paints a picture of a world where suffering is over, loss becomes impossible and anger makes no sense...The world becomes a place of joy, abundance, charity and endless giving. It is now so like to Heaven that it quickly is transformed into the light that it reflects.” A Course in Miracles

A Force For Good

Melinda Gates and Women

I read a wonderfully succinct sentence distilling the largest problem we have facing Western democracies: “We are feasting on our misunderstanding of others.” Wow! The article went on to say that mass migrations are raising questions about race and culture. Economies are shifting into new forms that risk leaving some people behind. And our appetite to misunderstand others warps these challenges into things which seem so much worse! Our politicians are fueling misunderstanding amongst us. Melinda Gates was given as an example of someone who is transforming tough problems. For instance, she went into Senegal and found the good in people and concentrated on growing it. Through this, they have made huge strides towards stopping child marriages and genital mutilation of their women. We too can find the good in situations and bring it to the surface. What we put our attention on grows. Let’s be a force for good! 

"Man walks in the direction toward which he looks, and where his treasure is, there will his heart be also." Mary Baker Eddy

Crazy Energy Out There...

photo credit: Arthur Bruno

It seems every September, I’ve forgotten the crazy energy which bounces off our Ozark Mountains when thousands of bikers spill over into Eureka from a big event in a neighboring town. The atmosphere changes, and if I don’t remember to guard against it, I become a part of it. This morning, I found myself feeling testy and overwhelmed by nothing other than regular chores and duties. Add the biker energy to the confusing thoughts due to the political problems we are swimming in — well, it’s enough to make me jumpy, to say the least! I think I’ll double-down on meditation and quiet study, limit time outside my cocoon, and realize that we needn’t be a part of anything unless we choose to be. Namaste (even to bikers and politicians!)

“Clad in the panoply of Love, human hatred cannot reach you. The cement of a higher humanity will unite all interests in the one divinity.” Mary Baker Eddy

To Speculate or Not

Unknown Origin

We live in a speculative society, don’t you think? Today a neighbor called me and said, Do you know what’s going on with the pig people? (This was in reference to the folks who had a pot-bellied pig here in town, prompting much ado until the city council finally declared them a farm animal and prohibited them.) “No”, I said, “I do not”. Whereupon she launched into a speculation of what may have happened, based on the fact there was yellow tape on the sidewalk in front of their house. And now, as I overhear Kevin listening to the Rachel Maddow show, I am again struck by the endless speculation of our species! Perhaps I simply have an under-active imagination, but I’d rather just wait and find out what has happened when the dust settles. I don’t think I have a point to this writing. If you have any thoughts about this, let me know!

“This is not a course in philosophical speculation, nor is it concerned with precise terminology. It is concerned only with Atonement, or the correction of perception. The means of the Atonement is forgiveness. The structure of ‘individual consciousness’ is essentially irrelevant because it is a concept...” A Course in Miracles

Ancient Hatred - Present Love

A beautiful thing happened on Linwood Avenue today. Two of my neighbors have been pretending the other doesn’t exist for a long time, but today they spoke and expressed sorrow to each other for their breach in friendship. As with everything, this could not have been orchestrated any better than happenstance created it. It seems my street has been riddled with ill health, depression, and misunderstanding. But most of us have kept on keeping on, being kind and helpful to each other and holding the space for Love to bridge the chasm. Any healing is cause for celebration, don’t you think? I was a court reporter for three decades and the saddest development I saw in those years was families fighting over stuff -- land, pots and pans, whatever. Any rift brought on because someone wants something someone else has — well, it’s a tragedy in my opinion. May we all witness healing in  our relationships and those around us! Celebrate with me these moments!

“The holiest of all the spots on earth is where an ancient hatred has become a present love.” A Course in Miracles