Tesla and Eddy

Salt Flats - PC: Aaron Springston

The late 1800s and early 1900s were a hotbed of innovation and enlightened thought. In thinking about Nikola Tesla and Mary Baker Eddy, I am led to wonder about our choices during that time, and how different our lives would be today had we chosen the path which benefited humanity rather than individual monetary gain. Tesla was finding ways to supply the world with electricity and all the benefits which would ensue from it. If we had chosen his way of powering vehicles rather than Ford’s oil-based motor, we would not have the environmental problems we are facing today. Mary Baker Eddy had discovered the key to rising above debilitating physical ailments. Her science of The Christ was not religion, but a way of thinking which had been hinted at through the centuries, but always quashed by old men who wanted to lord over the masses, ruling them through servitude in its various forms. Then medical science began to progress and everyone thought it would be far simpler to let doctors cure them than to take personal responsibility for themselves, in the way a man called Jesus tried to show them. And to think each and every one of these choices have been made because someone wanted to make money.

""Ontology receives less attention than physiology. Why? Because mortal mind must waken to spiritual life before it cares to solve the problem of being, hence the author's experience; but when that awakening comes, existence will be on a new standpoint." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 556

Giving Up Attack Thoughts

This 14th of February, I want to write about lovely things, but seem stuck in some of the uglier segments of world events. So I looked around on my blog and found something from 2016 to hold onto. I share it with you. Much Love...

ACIM Workbook lesson #23:
"I can escape from the world I see by giving up attack thoughts."

It can be difficult to free ourselves from the prison of attack thoughts. It seems normal and natural to think and talk about things we don't agree with or like. It can occupy the majority of our thought and we often think it might facilitate a change if we talk about it enough. This fertilization of attack thoughts can be found everywhere from coffee shops to churches, and it doesn't do a single thing to change the world. We are told today that the only way out of fear is giving up attack thoughts. If the world we see is an effect, the only way to change this hallucination is to alter the cause: our thought. Some may ridicule this idea, and for those who do I only ask this: Have any material manipulations ever, in all of history, affected a change? Did our civil war free the slaves? It was a beginning, of course, but many people stayed in bondage long past when laws were enacted. It takes a change of thought to bring freedom. Let's free ourselves today -- and forever!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:
"Legally to abolish unpaid servitude in the United States was hard; but the abolition of mental slavery is a more difficult task. The despotic tendencies, inherent in mortal mind and always germinating in new forms of tyranny, must be rooted out through the action of the divine Mind." Science & Health Page 225:22-28

Home

What does home mean to you? To some, it's people who define home. What of the dear folks who have no people who love them, no one who enjoys them, no one who wishes they were near? Do they have this thing called home, even without external input? I think so, because our essence is the same as everyone's, and this realization allows us to be alone but never lonely. It seems most of us are too restless to understand the expansive oneness from which we can never be separated. I'm observing an old friend trying to reclaim the only place she's ever known as home. Perhaps her memories are not all that wonderful from her childhood, and maybe it's wishful thinking on her part to feel this is her home, but it's as close as she can come with her present awareness. Maybe this will be the day she sees that home truly is where the heart is, and her heart doesn't need someone else to make it complete, because One truly is a whole number! 

"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

#GoWuhan

As a subscriber to the Christian Science Monitor, I receive daily news articles via email, plus the weekly magazine. This part of the daily editorial caught my attention and uplifted my thought. I share it with you today.

"The coronavirus story, to date, has mostly been a narrative of fear and rising, faceless numbers. But for Hong Kong-based journalist Yuli Yang, this is personal. She grew up in Wuhan, China. Her parents are OK, but struggling with three weeks of quarantine and the death of a friend.

"Last week, Ms. Yang was “looking for a way to send beams of light into that darkness.” First, she published a “love letter” highlighting her hometown’s lakes, spicy noodles, and local hero, Li Na, a tennis star. The Wuhan vignettes were her effort to “open up a small space ... a space for compassion ... to support ... my fellow Wuhaners.”

Then, Ms. Yang organized a digital “get well soon” card on Twitter. “The people of Wuhan are fighting this virus and they need us ... so that we can all heal, collectively,” she told CNN Friday. The global response was swift and mostly inspiring.

“For those of you who have the virus, for those of you who are waiting and waiting ... you are not alone. We do care about you! We are praying for you. For strength, for healing, for peace ... Sending lots of love! #GoWuhan,” posted Celia Evenson, a French woman in Russia.

Ms. Yang translated and posted the notes on Weibo, a Chinese website. In one small corner of the internet, she is shattering the walls of isolation and indifference, sending light and love to the people of Wuhan."

Seeng Thoughts

photo credit: Aaron Springston

I’ve been looking at people, both in the news and in day-to-day life, and they all look exactly like their thoughts. The self-serving politicians look dull and bloated. The fake religious leaders seem plastic and polished. The sad people who feel victimized have a terrible vulnerability showing, frayed around the edges and a bit shaky in demeanor. I could go on and on. But the main point is that you can’t hide your thoughts. What we see is what is there. Now, I don’t mean tall, short, big, small, or any designation concerning what we think of as beauty. I mean what is either glowing or festering within the individuals. While I’m certain there are some exceptions to this rule, I haven’t noticed any since I began to pay attention. While it’s a bit frightening, it is also a wonderful tool when choosing who to represent you in public office!

“Seeing is no less a quality of physical sense than feeling. Then why is it more difficult to see a thought than to feel one? Education alone determines the difference. In reality there is none.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 86

What Are Your Politics?

graphic by Aaron Springston

Mary Baker Eddy stated, when asked about her politics, that she really had none -- other than to "pray for a righteous government, love her neighbor as herself, and God above all else." I often look to her words on government to guide my thoughts during these surreal times. One of the sentences which helps me in times of confusion is this one: “Neither material finesse, standpoint, nor perspective guides the infinite Mind and spiritual vision that should, does, guide His children” (“Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896,” p. 373). If left to the thoughts created by my ego-driven mind, I am tempted to jump up on my high horse and declare some governmental actions to be insane, at best. Perhaps I'll feel overwhelmed by too much misinformation and fall back on past ways of thinking about situations, not realizing each moment is different from the last. At these times, it helps me to know that infinite Mind (a synonym for what we usually call God) contains all the knowledge there is, and Truth (another synonym) can never be hidden, and Love (also, God) controls everything with Its all encompassing comfort and guidance. Rather than repeating in thought the things which are so upsetting, I hold to the Truth of our creation. We are the image and likeness of Truth, Love, Mind; reflecting those divine attributes leads me in purer pathways of thought and action than listening to error's hypnotizing repetitions. And I am grateful...

Mary Baker Eddy describes Jesus' prayers as “deep and conscientious protests of Truth, – of man’s likeness to God and of man’s unity with Truth and Love.” Science & Health, Page 12

Holding the Space

photo credit: Aaron Springston

I often mention the function of holding the peace, or holding the space of love, or something along those lines. I've been asked what that means and why I think it's necessary to do anything of the sort. I've been asking myself this question while people dear to me are having some tough decisions to make and are facing uncertainty in the midst of change. I have the deep feeling that it is my "job" to stake out a neutral space and hold it as an oasis of peace. Sometimes that space is invaded by fear or anger, but that doesn't mean it has been spoiled. The recognition that reflecting Love is our native state, and that other emotions are human diversions, is the way I reclaim this neutral, loving attitude, and hold it steady for any who wish to join in the peace. While I agree with those who tell me there is a spiritual solution to every problem, I am learning there never was a problem to begin with, and that this basic understanding is the solution. 

"You have no idea of the tremendous release and deep peace that comes from meeting yourself and your brothers totally without judgment. When you recognize what you are and what your brothers are, you will realize that judging them in any way is without meaning. In fact, their meaning is lost to you precisely because you are judging them. All uncertainty comes from the belief that you are under the coercion of judgment. You do not need judgment to organize your life, and you certainly do not need it to organize yourself. In the presence of knowledge all judgment is automatically suspended, and this is the process that enables recognition to replace perception." A Course in Miracles T.3.VI.3

A Rule for Motives and Acts

Yellowstone - PC: Aaron Springston

Have you ever taken on a project, only to see it fall apart or blow up right before your eyes? I'm watching such an event happen now within an organization in which I'm active. I think back to dreams I've had in past years, and the first one which comes to mind is the metaphysical society here in Eureka Springs which a group of us started in the early 2000's. It grew and flourished, mainly because none of us had a personal agenda we were seeking to promulgate. We listened to each other and rolled with the river, rather than trying to push it. The discord which is occurring right now in the aforementioned organization seems to be fueled by individual egoistic motivations. I won't try to list those actions, but they have caused me to look up A Rule for Motives and Acts from the Christian Science Manual. The examination of motive is a moment-by-moment litmus test for many people. I'm glad to be reminded of its importance. 

​"​A Rule for Motives and Acts. SECTION 1. Neither animosity nor mere personal attachment should impel the motives or acts of the members of The Mother Church. In Science, divine Love alone governs man; and a Christian Scientist reflects the sweet amenities of Love, in rebuking sin, in true brotherliness, charitableness, and forgiveness. The members of this Church should daily watch and pray to be delivered from all evil, from prophesying, judging, condemning, counseling, influencing or being influenced erroneously.​" Mary Baker Eddy  

What Leads You?

photo credit: Heather Peters

“It is hard to steer a church in an age when no one is listening to the messages and call of the gospel.” This statement was made by a man whom I respect greatly. It has prompted me to think about what causes the majority of my friends to listen to their inner knowing, divine guidance, intuition — whatever they choose to call this cosmic consciousness of which we are all part. I know many fine people who are deeply religious, but that in and of itself is not enough to cause them to be compassionate. I watch as awakened, aware, conscious people handle difficulties in interpersonal relationships, and I learn what it takes to live from the heart, from an open mind, with Love reflected moment-to-moment. My conclusion is that we need not be led by sermons and gospel writings in order to live as the reflection, the image and likeness of divine Oneness. We have an ever-present ability to tap into expanding thought, and for this I am grateful.

“Our baptism is a purification from all error. Our church is built on the divine Principle, Love. We can unite with this church only as we are new-born of Spirit, as we reach the Life which is Truth and the Truth which is Life by bringing forth the fruits of Love, — casting out error and healing the sick. Our Eucharist is spiritual communion with the one God. Our bread ‘which cometh down from heaven,’ is Truth. Our cup is the cross. Our wine the inspiration of Love, the draught our Master drank and commended to his followers.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 35

Truth Telling

Today I've been pondering lies and truth. There is only one way to tell the truth, but there are scores of ways to lie. Perhaps you're not admitting certain events occurred the way they did, spinning webs of words to keep from saying something you want to hide -- or think needs to be hidden for a multitude of reasons. Then there's the lie involved in turning your head and ignoring something, or maybe you're blatantly denying what you know to be truth. We could name many others forms of lying, but to take an oath to tell the truth -- well, there's only one way to do that. For years, people have told me lies are necessary, and I haven't believed it. Long ago, a friend's husband was dying of colon cancer. They never talked about it, never acknowledged it was happening, and pretended everything was okay and he would be out of the hospital soon. So there are lies which happen because of fear. But the truth is still sitting there waiting to be heard and seen. Nothing can change truth, but many things change lies. I can't imagine lying until it seems like truth. I pity those who have done so.  

"What can correct illusions but the truth? And what are errors but illusions that remain unrecognized for what they are? Where truth has entered errors disappear. They merely vanish, leaving not a trace by which to be remembered. They are gone because, without belief, they have no life. And so they disappear to nothingness, returning whence they came. From dust to dust they come and go, for only truth remains." A Course in Miracles Lesson 107

Relinquishing Control

photo credit: Richard Quick 

“It makes me happy to know how very important I am not. It’s thinking you’re in control of things that leads to despair.” These words are from an essay having to do with a windy night and the excitement of not knowing what is to come. It seems everyone I speak with is confused and worried by some aspect of their lives. Our pets seem very excited about whatever is swirling around in the atmosphere of our consciousness, and I’m doing my best to catch the fever! The essay which I so enjoyed ended with these words: “I don’t need to be in control. I’d rather just bang around in the wind and wonder at the rare privilege which is my life.” I love the freedom which goes along with this relinquishment of control!

“The world you perceive is a world of separation. Perhaps you are willing to accept even death to deny your Father. Yet He would not have it so, and so it is not so. You still cannot will against Him, and that is why you have no control over the world you made. It is not a world of will because it is governed by the desire to be unlike God, and this desire is not will. The world you made is therefore totally chaotic, governed by arbitrary and senseless ‘laws,’ and without meaning of any kind. For it is made out of what you do not want, projected from your mind because you are afraid of it. Yet this world is only in the mind of its maker, along with his real salvation. Do not believe it is outside of yourself, for only by recognizing where it is will you gain control over it. For you do have control over your mind, since the mind is the mechanism of decision.”  A Course in Miracles T-12.III

Television's Cumulative Effect

Photo Credit: Aaron Springston

The BF and I were discussing the state of the union tonight and our talk turned to how we, the people, have become so vulnerable and gullible. We decided it is a combinations of things -- as most everything is! -- but television plays the largest part in the dumbing down of us all. Add our limited education to that, perpetuated by our secondary schools and their policies held in place by stifling laws which make it difficult to teach and learn, and we begin to see the recipe taking shape. Yes, many students  become independent thinkers, but it's probably their parents and other role models who facilitate it. Another factor is food. The poisoned tidbits which we think of as food cause children to have mental, emotional, and physical disabilities. Add this to the fact kids can't play outside and feel clean dirt beneath their feet, fresh air in their lungs, and cool water swaddling them in summer -- well, these are ingredients set up to make Jack a dull boy (so to speak). I went to our high school today and worked with choir students for a while. They inspire me! There is hope in our world and we each have the assignment of tending it. Namaste, my Friends!

"In trying to undo the errors of sense, one must pay fully and fairly the utmost farthing, until all error is finally brought into subjection to Truth." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 240:27

Shine On!

Photo Credit: Aaron Springston

A lot has changed in the last couple of millennia, don't you think? We could spend hours listing changes in thought and our understanding of our universe! Some things which have not changed appreciably are our ideas about God. Religion has pretty well held us locked in to what has been thought of as truth. Many of us are fearlessly admitting that we are all, each and every one, the expression and experience of God. We're happily allowing our thought to embrace new concepts such as, "I am the light of the world"! This is not a self-important declaration, but an all-inclusive, divine-Love centered exclamation of the wonder we know as Life. Our expanding thought is bringing a joy we never dreamed would be possible on this earth plane. We're starting to understand that the kingdom of heaven is right here, within and without, waiting for us to embrace it. Let's go forth today and shine!

"Light: Symbol of Truth; revelation and progress." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 591:23-24

It's Befuddling

photo credit: Aaron Springston

I am befuddled by many things these days, but one of the biggest beliefs which give me pause is the idea that "god" has decreed that a certain man is to be our king. What kind of god do they think this is? It must be that they see something akin to a bearded white man in the sky sending down lightning bolts to chastise them, or gold stars if they please him, or having Jim Bakker making videos telling them what to do. It's a mystery to me how anyone can separate themselves from Life, Truth, and Love to the extent that they don't realize these everyday expressions are how we see God. How can anyone think our lives are predestined to have a madman in charge of things? Well, this is my Saturday night rant, so I won't go on. Have a happy, relaxing Sunday everyone! We need the down time to recharge ourselves with peace and love and all things good.

"Many are willing to open the eyes of the people to the power of good resident in divine Mind, but they are not so willing to point out the evil in human thought, and expose evil's hidden mental ways of accomplishing iniquity." Science & Health Page 570:30 

Can Peace Be Absent Here?

I saw a picture today of a man in a tee-shirt which said, "Give peace a chance". Then it had a photo of a big gun and it said, "I'll cover you if it doesn't work out." Where did we ever get the notion that we could be protected by violence? Later in the day, I saw an article from a few years back in which President Jimmy Carter is telling us the time for peace is now. He brought up such concepts as killing people for killing people, and governments waging wars to enforce peace. There are a multitude of ways we seem to think violence will end violence. I look back over the last few decades and it is astounding how often teachers and parents and authority figures think they can control others with threats and corporal punishment. Violent little boys grow up to be violent little men. Let's just stop it -- stop it now!

"Peace is impossible to those who look on war. Peace is inevitable to those who offer peace. How easily, then, is your judgment of the world escaped! It is not the world that makes peace seem impossible. It is the world you see that is impossible. Yet has God's Judgment on this distorted world redeemed it and made it fit to welcome peace. And peace descends on it in joyous answer. Peace now belongs here, because a Thought of God has entered. What else but a Thought of God turns hell to Heaven merely by being what it is? The earth bows down before its gracious Presence, and it leans down in answer, to raise it up again. Now is the question different. It is no longer, 'Can peace be possible in this world?' but instead, 'Is it not impossible that peace be absent here?'"

Love is Enthroned

"What the world needs now is love, sweet love." "Come on people now, Smile on your brother, Everybody get together, Try to love one another right now." "I see skies of blue, And clouds of white, The bright blessed day, The dark sacred night, And I think to myself, What a wonderful world." "All you need is love, All you need is love, All you need is love, love, Love is all you need." "You may say I'm a dreamer, But I'm not the only one, I hope someday you'll join us, And the world will be as one."

“Human hate has no legitimate mandate and no kingdom. Love is enthroned.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health 454:9-10

Right Now

photo credit: Aaron Springston

I had a lesson in living in the moment today. Following duplicate bridge, I was taking a friend to do some errands. I should have known this sweet woman could not be rushed and it would be foolish to expect her to not look at everything in the WalMart before deciding she needed to go somewhere else. My plan had been to rush to a meeting after doing this with her, and I almost became irritated when I saw that wasn't going to happen. Watching us as if from a hidden camera, I began to enjoy each step which felt like walking through quicksand. I watched the young people smiling kindly at two doddering women, I watched myself park in a loading zone with no worries about legality, then felt happiness in being able to help my old friend figure out ways to deal with problems she felt were insurmountable. When she wanted things she was not supposed to have, I talked to her about it honestly rather than telling her "no". It was a good practice in letting go of my expectations and giving in to what was happening right then. It's nice to look back and smile over the events, rather than chew on the resentment which could have easily overtaken me. Here's to accepting what "is" and making the best of it!

"If he senses even the faintest hint of irritation in himself as he responds to anyone, let him instantly realize that he has made an interpretation that is not true. 3 Then let him turn within to his eternal Guide, and let Him judge what the response should be. 4 So is he healed, and in his healing is his pupil healed with him." A Course in Miracles M-18.4. 

Cheating

photo credit: Aaron Springston

A major league baseball team was fined 5 million dollars for cheating in the 2017 World Series. Some people think: So what? Everybody does it. Well, I'm here to affirm that they are wrong: Everybody does NOT do it. This desire to win no matter what is a flawed mission. What's the point in winning a game, or an election, or any type of competition, if you do it by blatantly exploiting the principles of the event or interaction? Humankind seems to have fallen under a spell as wicked as any Disney witch could conjure. Greed for power and/or riches has become more important than integrity and a higher moral code. I have an old friend who apparently was never held accountable for her actions as a child -- nor, perhaps, as an adult. It has made her an odd little person, shriveled by her pettiness and self-righteousness. What we do matters. Let's teach our children (and remind latent grown-ups) that making a difference every day is a life well-lived. 

"Only the trusting can afford honesty, for only they can see its value. Honesty does not apply only to what you say. The term actually means consistency. There is nothing you say that contradicts what you think or do; no thought opposes any other thought; no act belies your word; and no word lacks agreement with another. Such are the truly honest. At no level are they in conflict with themselves. Therefore it is impossible for them to be in conflict with anyone or anything." A Course in Miracles - M-4.II.3-9

Dark = New Ideas & Rebirth

unfinished creation of Sandy Wythawai Starbird

I have a wise and dear friend who creates primal images from fabric. They are all exquisitely full of the wisdom of the ages and reflect their maker, as each of us does. Sandy Starbird sent me this image the other day when I was feeling overwhelmed. It is a photo of an unfinished work of art. I love her process almost as much as the product! Here are her words about the above photo: "In the Celtic spiritual tradition the raven symbolizes recovery and healing. The Tlingit and Haida cultural traditions say that Raven brought Light to the world.  It signifies cleansing, which means that if you have something unhealthy happening, you need to let go of it to return to balance and come into the Light. This is my gesture toward remembering to follow Raven's path. It is so easy today to linger in darkness with so much crazy swirling around. But Dark itself is not the problem. Dark is the place of new ideas and rebirth. It is making the gesture of bringing new Light, new Hope into this place that will make the path open and the way clear." Thank you, Sandy!

Remembering Truth

photo credit: Arthur Bruno

What is truth? Everywhere we look, it seems we have been and are being told lies. Religion, science, politics, the news media, advertisements, history — the list goes on. If we know something is a lie, why do we cling to it so adamantly? It seems we prefer to live in a world of lies rather than to take a step into the great unknown world of Truth. And then we ask, How do we know what is Truth in a world of lies? That, dear ones, is why we must listen within. The reality of our existence is covered up so thoroughly we have forgotten how to experience it. But we are remembering, aren’t we? Infinite Mind never hides Its voice!

“As the reflection of yourself appears in the mirror, so you, being spiritual, are the reflection of God. The substance, Life, intelligence, Truth, and Love, which constitute Deity, are reflected by creation; and when we subordinate the false testimony of the corporeal senses to the facts of Science, we shall see this true likeness and reflection everywhere.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 516:2-8