Movie About Maud Lewis

painting by Maud Lewis

I had never heard of the artist, Maud Lewis, until we watched the movie, Maudie, this evening. Wow! This beautifully written and produced movie is great! It tells a sweet story of a woman born with disabilities who never loses her joy or her desire to paint pictures. At one point she says she loves windows, because it's looking at life and it's already framed, right there. This sweet and smart woman will hold a place in my head from this day forward. I'll remember her when I notice a framed picture out the window, and many other times, I'm sure. Happy Spring, everyone! 

"The loss of earthly hopes and pleasures brightens the ascending path of many a heart. The pains of sense quickly inform us that the pleasures of sense are mortal and that joy is spiritual.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 265

The "Pain Body"

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Eckhart Tolle (and others) tell us to face negative emotions when we have them, then acknowledge them and allow them to leave us. If we do not, they are stored within us and can come forth in ugly ways. Perhaps it’s a simmering, constant anger expressed as irritation or unhappiness. Or maybe there will be a big explosion of well-hidden anger or sadness, surprising us all with its intensity. There are many expressions of this so-called pain body. Here is his definition of it: “Any negative emotion that is not fully faced and seen for what it is, in the moment it arises, does not completely dissolve. The energy field of old, but still very much alive, emotion that lives in every human being is the pain body.” It is this pain body which shows up at Thanksgiving dinner when everyone triggers everyone else’s past pains. We can generally hide our lurking negative emotions fairly well, unless we live with someone. This is why the intimate relationship is a perfect vehicle for clearing out past pain, because it is so often shown to us! In the past, I’ve been willing to walk away from closeness, confining unwanted emotions to a deep, untouched space. I guess the time has come to face them...

“Can the purpose of a relationship be to trigger our wounds? In a way, yes, because that is how healing happens; darkness must be exposed before it can be transformed. The purpose of an intimate relationship is not that it be a place where we can hide from our weaknesses, but rather where we can safely let them go. It takes strength of character to truly delve into the mystery of an intimate relationship, because it takes the strength to endure a kind of psychic surgery, an emotional and psychological and even spiritual initiation into the higher Self. Only then can we know an enchantment that lasts.”― Marianne Williamson, Enchanted Love: The Mystical Power Of Intimate Relationships

Anger

Anger is a terrible thing. We are told in A Course in Miracles that irritation is as bad as a full-blown anger attack, and I know they both feel horrid. To watch an angry reaction from a political figure or someone we don't know is apt to bring pity to my thought, but to experience it in myself is a disappointment, bringing about feelings of sorrow and self-recriminations. At times like these, it would be easy to fall into depression and sleep a lot. That's what I feel like doing. But I'm going to write these words, and think about what I've done, honestly and deeply. 

 "How is the peace of God retained, once it is found? Returning anger, in whatever form, will drop the heavy curtain once again, and the belief that peace cannot exist will certainly return. War is again accepted as the one reality. Now must you once again lay down your sword, although you do not recognize that you have picked it up again. But you will learn, as you remember even faintly now that happiness was yours without it, that you must have taken it again as your defense. Stop for a moment now and think of this: Is conflict what you want, or is God's peace the better choice? Which gives you more? A tranquil mind is not a little gift. Would you not rather live than choose to die?" A Course in Miracles M.20.4

Correcting Error?

photo credit: Richard Quick

It seems there are any number of errors to correct in this world. It’s quite a relief to discover that I only need to correct them in my mind, not in the fearful, angry minds I witness around me. If I look at these actions with horror, or disgust, or anger, or fear, I have become a part of them and share in them. If I look on others as Love, there is forgiveness. By making such a statement in public, I run the risk of someone telling me I don’t know what I’m talking about — and, perhaps, they won’t be using words quite so kind! There is a young woman who makes videos about A Course in Miracles. Today I witnessed someone attack her in the comments section of youtube. If the speaker and the listeners are willing to give this man energy in retaliation and defense, we are accepting this attack within ourselves. If we give him forgiveness and love, realizing we are all One in Truth, then we give this back to ourselves. Therein lies correction!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:
“Because Truth is infinite, error should be known as nothing. Because Truth is omnipotent in goodness, error, Truth's opposite, has no might.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 329:21-24

Healing

photo credit: Aaron Springston

A friend recommended that I read, Dying to be Me: My Journey from Cancer, to Near Death, to True Healing by Anita Moorjani. One of the important points made in this book is something which is recognized in our studies: Sickness is not your fault. Often new-age teachings tell us that past thoughts and actions create karma which returns to us in terrible ways. Ms. Moorjani assures us that this is not the case. Although many factors may be involved in physical illness, blaming yourself and seeking absolution has nothing to do with true healing. The recognition that you are pure Love, the knowledge that you are connected to everything, the joy which comes from acceptance of yourself just as you are -- this understanding of your being is what allows the body to be well. It doesn't matter what caused it, what "stage" the problem has advanced to, what mortal predictions are on the table -- nothing matters but the acceptance of yourself as a product of Love. When feeling the purity of Oneness, all material thought must be silenced. We can stop striving and start Being. When slipping into this space of pure Love, nothing else matters. And all is well.

“Mortal mind must part with error, must put off itself with its deeds, and immortal manhood, the Christ ideal, will appear.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 430:3-5

We Are All Meant to Shine!

The understanding that we are all the light of the world is liberating! So often when we catch glimpses of our light, we deny the sight in the name of humility, or a false sense of sinfulness, or perhaps because we can't accept something so perfect about ourselves. We are learning that true humility is accepting our divine function and proudly reflecting light, never hiding under a guise of smallness. This light is demonstrated in many ways, often contrary to what we've been taught.  Here are some words of wisdom from Marianne Williamson. Have a good Monday everyone!

Finding Truth in Fiction

An upside down world seems normal to us. We have become accustomed to believing that the testimony of our physical senses is reality, while intuition is often discounted as being imaginary. Many of my favorite authors write about metaphysical concepts, and some of them use the genre of fiction to allow the leeway to take this new/old thought all the way, without the need for empirical evidence in support. And I applaud this method! What better way to introduce ideas to a skeptical audience than through the entertainment field? Dan Brown is an expert at this form of writing. He brings us thought-provoking concepts without asking us to accept them as true, such as in his book, "The Lost Symbol". Paulo Coelho gently hits closer to home in two of my favorite books, "The Alchemist" and "The Aleph". The enjoyment of these novels is softly preparatory for the life-changing concepts presented in A Course in Miracles and, also, Science & Health. Without prior opening of thought, the ideas contained in these books can be jarring indeed! We have been preparing for this opening of mind and heart for all eternity, and there is no time other than that, is there?

"In Spirit there is no matter, even as in Truth there is no error, and in good no evil. It is a false supposition, the notion that there is real substance-matter, the opposite of Spirit. Spirit, God, is infinite, all. Spirit can have no opposite." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 278

What Am I?

photo credit: Aaron Springston

What am I? This question has been asked from the beginning of recorded history -- and probably longer. Spiritual seers inform us that we are not a body. So if I am not a body, what am I? Intellectually, we can say that we are the reflection of God. We can tell ourselves and others that we're not material, we're spiritual. But then we'll stump our toe and declare that we can't be blamed if it hurts because we're not walking on water yet. We make jokes to explain why we aren't living the precepts which Jesus tells us are our heritage as children of God. But really, why is it that we've been so stunted in our realization of what all this means? Actually, we're not evolving slowly. There is no evolution involved in spiritual awakening, there is only getting rid of material belief and dogma. What we're doing now is cleaning the windowpane so the light has a transparency to flow through, rather than trying to look through thousands of years of grime which is hiding our illumination. What are we? We're finding out more every day, and that's the miracle! 

"Divine Science rolls back the clouds of error with the light of Truth, and lifts the curtain on man as never born and as never dying, but as coexistent with his creator." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 596:11-19

No Condemnation

Having written about what I chose to give up for lent, I think an update on this effort is appropriate. Yesterday, I stated my goal was to drop judgment of others, or release past differences, or something similar things. In other words, I vowed to watch my thoughts and actions today, turning away from anything which was not a loving response. Fairly early in the day, Kevin asked me if I knew a local woman who wrote a book which he was reading. I responded that I did, and almost immediately told him something less than kind about her. Now mind you, I would have said this same thing to the woman's face. Which, actually, made it even worse in my mind! As soon as I said it, I felt uncomfortable. Upon examination, I realized it was simply unnecessary. Why should I make my opinion known because of something I remembered her saying years ago? This is exactly the type of thought and word I would like to relinquish, and even though I may not be rid of it, I'm happy that I recognized it as something I do not want to do. And since I didn't like my choice, I will happily choose again! For this, I am grateful...

"He will teach you how to see yourself without condemnation, by learning how to look on everything without it. 11 Condemnation will then not be real to you, and all your errors will be forgiven." A Course in Miracles 9.III.8.10

Love for Lent

The lenten season means many things to many people. Some of us choose to see this as a time to give up behaviors which do not bring peace, dedicating this time to reconciling actions that have been less than conducive to harmony. For instance, something may be standing in the way of getting along with a neighbor, or perhaps angry words have broken a friendship. There are many things considered to be impediments to living a loving life. Today social media has told me about a multitude of ways to change my actions and become a better person. These memes, together with a homily given by a priest in an Ash Wednesday service where I provided musical accompaniment, have made me realize only one thing is needed, and that is to Love more. When someone espouses an inane or insane idea, I will love the spiritual reality of that person, not the erroneous material sense they are expressing. Every moment of the day, we have a choice: react from fear, or respond with Love. Let's find out what happens when we return to Love!

“The message of the crucifixion is perfectly clear: Teach only love, for that is what you are.” A Course in Miracles T.6.2

Perception

photo credit: Arthur Bruno

When my oldest son was in school, we watched a movie which we both thought was hilarious. Shortly afterward, he took the movie to a friend's house and shared it with her and her mother. The mother thought the movie was a tragedy and cried through most of it. This perfectly illustrates a statement in A Course in Miracles: "Perception is a mirror, not a fact. What I look on is my state of mind, reflected outward." Isn't that the truth!! I’m sure we can all remember times when you and someone interpreted things totally differently. I will try to remember this dichotomy when others look at something in a way I do not understand. Today I will strive to clear my mind, in order to allow Truth to melt away illusion.

“Corporeal sense, or error, may seem to hide Truth, health, harmony, and Science, as the mist obscures the sun or the mountain; but Science, the sunshine of Truth, will melt away the shadow and reveal the celestial peaks.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 299:26-30

Love is Prayer

photo credit: Heather Peters

A friend, who claims to be an atheist, brought up an interesting scenario which I’d never thought about before. He said one of his friends had asked him to pray for them, saying they had an incurable disease and wanted his prayers. He explained to the person that he was an atheist and he couldn’t do that. They begged him to do so anyway. He called me wanting to know what to do, mainly wondering what to say to them in order to not hurt their feelings by refusing. I assured him it wasn’t necessary to believe in a big guy in the sky who would grant favors if he asked; that it was perfectly acceptable to tell his friend he would send good thoughts to the universe, or something along those lines. Anything which expresses love is a gift, and one which may be given in a multitude of ways. Honestly expressing love to those in need flows freely to them, back to us, and circulates out to all! Let's never hesitate to express good will, best wishes, and Love!

“Truth has no consciousness of error. Love has no sense of hatred. Life has no partnership with death. Truth, Life, and Love are a law of annihilation to everything unlike themselves, because they declare nothing except God.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 243:25-29

Keep Your Path Well Lit

photo credit: Aaron Springston

For the first time in months, the atmosphere at the church where I play on Sunday morning was crystal clear, with joy and good will emanating from everyone. Our choir ranks were brimming with new/old faces, the piano and organ were happy to be together again, and a flute joined in just for the fun of it! Numerous times a verse from Psalms came to mind: "Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning." No matter what turmoil is boiling up around you, remember to hold the morning light high and steady in your thought. It's all too easy to fall into anger and negativity, but it's easier to stay on firm ground when we have a lighted walkway, don't you think? I wish everyone a happy week, love in the face of fear, and an inner glow to light your way!

"Spiritual development germinates not from seed sown in the soil of material hopes, but when these decay, 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 - Science & Health Page 66 

Thank you

Happy Sunday!

Gleefully Applaud Yourself!

Photo Credit: Aaron Springston

As we all know, there are many lessons to be learned from children. For instance, imagine a child making a sand castle and a wave comes in and takes it back to its original state. Does the child cry? I'm told that they laugh in delight! Children innately know the impermanence of things and happily accept that -- until they learn differently from adults. Also, think about a child achieving a new benchmark in their young lives. They jump up and down with glee, applauding their little hands in celebration! When was the last time you applauded yourself? I hope it was recently, although I know it's been quite some time for me. I've had any number of things happen in the last couple of years which are worthy of applause, but I would never dream of doing so. Part of our "learning" experience tells us that to celebrate ourselves would be a form of arrogance or self-righteous behavior. I don't think an honest appreciation for ourselves is anything of the sort, do you? Life isn't always easy, and when we come through a tough time, or when we perform a task we were afraid of attempting, or when we wake up happy when we have been sad -- well, there are countless things which deserve gleeful hand-clapping. The next time you applaud a friend or loved ones' achievements, think about doing the same for yourself, dear friends. You deserve it!

"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." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 323:32

Self-Importance Backfires

PC: Aaron Springston

[a recycled writing from 2014] I love silly situation comedies, such as Modern Family.  A favorite episode is one where Claire has lunch with an old college friend. Her friend has a very successful career and an exciting life as a single woman. Claire is jealous and wants to show off her three kids and husband of seventeen years, so she takes her friend home to meet them. Her handsome husband is inexplicably wearing a huge fake mustache and is trapped in a port-a-potty placed there by the water department while they work on the lines. Her oldest daughter is having a loud altercation with her boyfriend. Her other daughter and her son have been recycling in the neighborhood and have the kitchen filled with semi-empty bottles of alcohol. The son is in his underwear because he spilled booze all over himself, while the daughter is trying to catch a rat which came in with the boxes. So much for self-importance, huh? Most of us probably have a silly story about a situation which backfired when we've wanted to show off in some way. If we stop and think about these feelings and what's behind them, it's easy to see how this desire to be "special", to be better than someone else, is at the core of every disagreement and conflict in the world.  With the understanding that we are all the reflection of Love, God, each demonstrating our individuality within this realm of unity, it becomes possible to release false images of self-importance and relax into the perfection of this experience we know as life. By doing so, we are the light of the world! Seeing ourselves in others and others in ourselves, we fulfill our function of forgiveness. We do this by giving up ideas and beliefs which foster the misconception that we are all different, and instead embrace Love as our common denominator.

"Self-forgetfulness, purity, and affection are constant prayers." Mary Baker Eddy Science & Health Page 15:26-27

Does Turmoil Amuse?

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Every moment of our lives have been spent getting us to the point at which we are now. I know some folks who want to hold onto their past, and others who wish they could change their past, then there are those who have grown through experiences and continue this expansion of thought. I am wondering why some people seem to feed on turmoil and drama, creating it to keep themselves upset -- or perhaps amused. Hum, it would never occur to me to be entertained by anger and other base elements of human behavior, but it seems some want to be in the middle of heated battle or else they are -- they are what? Bored, I think. Maybe it's something else. I'm watching a young woman trying to create difficulty for herself and another family member. Yesterday I wrote about young people knowing themselves and gaining self-confidence through that knowledge. Perhaps what I'm witnessing today is the same thing: low self esteem, which she hopes to boost through righteous indignation. Or maybe I'm misinterpreting the whole situation. So in the desire to not create a competing drama, I'll just watch and see what transpires, knowing only good can come of this. Namasté ...

"Wrong-mindedness listens to the ego and makes illusions; perceiving sin and justifying anger, and seeing guilt, disease and death as real. Both this world and the real world are illusions because right-mindedness merely overlooks, or forgives, what never happened. Therefore it is not the One-mindedness of the Christ Mind, Whose Will is one with God's." A Course in Miracles - Clarification of Terms 

Why Stand Aghast at Nothingness?

photo credit: Arthur Bruno

Someone who is familiar with A Course in Miracles tells me she doesn't think these teachings should be presented to children. She thinks they wouldn't have a reason to live if they thought this way. I see it as just the opposite! It seems to me many young people (and older!) have no sense of self. I have noticed, with my own boys, that knowing about their Self precludes them from worrying about the labels which may be put on them by others. Self knowledge fosters self confidence. There is much talk about bullying and labels which are used to taunt young people by their peers. Being a witness to what others do, but not becoming a part of it, is demonstrating the freedom which is our heritage as a child of Love. Not taking things personally is part of this freedom, but there's more than that. You must know what IS, not just what is not. It isn't easy, facing rudeness with kindness. But it is possible! 

"Human sense may well marvel at discord, while, to a diviner sense, harmony is the real and discord the unreal. We may well be astonished at sin, sickness, death. We may well be perplexed at human fear; and still more astounded at hatred, which lifts its hydra head, showing its horns in the many inventions of evil. But why should we stand aghast at nothingness?” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 563:1-7

Truth or...?

photo credit: Arthur Bruno

Have you ever needed to fire an employee, or end a relationship with a significant other, or stop spending so much time with a friend for your own mental health? If so, I hope you had the courage and kindness to be honest about it. In looking back at such situations when they have occurred within my orbit, I see the way people tend to turn the tables on the one they want out of the way. I can think of few situations where someone has simply told the truth, even in part, in order to end an unwanted relationship. I've recently watched a situation where there were valid reasons to end the employment of a part-time musician, yet no one would do it. Rather, they made things so uncomfortable for the person that he resigned. It was torturous for many of us, with rumors and half-truths floating about. I've watched men and women want out of their marriage, but rather than hurting their spouse's feelings, they make them so miserable that they leave, rather than the one who originally wanted out fessing up to it. I've written many dailies centered around truth-telling. It seems like an easy thing to do. Apparently it is not!

"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

Of Treatment and Other Things

When something like a head cold or other dis-ease threatens, it's tempting to wonder if we've slipped into something from which we need to be rescued. But let's not fall into that trap! With physical maladies, as with emotional or other seeming discord or inharmony, it's not our job to figure out where we went wrong; it's our job to understand how we are right! We sometimes hear it said that metaphysical treatment is "denying error and declaring Truth". There is no set way to go about this process. When we glean a bit of spiritual Truth, we often think we can repeat this over and over, as a sort of mantra, and this will heal us. And sometimes we can talk ourselves out of symptoms -- but usually this is a temporary fix. We can tell ourselves that disease is an illusion and that it's no part of us, but until we know the reason why, it's nothing more than further illusion. When we find ourselves beginning to understand that disease cannot be in matter because there is no matter for disease to manifest in, then -- and only then -- are we coming close to understanding this Truth of which we speak. It may seem impossible to make this shift in thought, but I love the baby steps leading to it!

"This scientific sense of being, forsaking matter for Spirit, by no means suggests man's absorption into Deity and the loss of his identity, but confers upon man enlarged individuality, a wider sphere of thought and action, a more expansive love, a higher and more permanent peace." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 265:10-15