Realizing Our Purpose

Those who take the Christian bible literally may feel these are the end times, or the rapture, or something of that sort. The magnitude of fires, earthquakes, plagues, and other disruptive happenings seem to be increasing every day. I feel these events are helping us to see we're doing things wrong, and giving us an outline on how to right them. We've been trying to wake up to the Truth of our being forever, and the time is upon us. Many are afraid of change and do not want to give up the comfort of their long-held beliefs, so this is a push to help us take the next step in our realizations. We are not material; we are spiritual. It can be difficult to see this when we are so certain in our illusions. Those railroad tracks really do look like they come together, just as it seems we can fall off the end of the flat earth when we're out for a sail. But we know better, because we've been educated to know the fallacy of those thoughts. Because of a desire to control the masses, religion has taught us to fear, has told us we're weak, has kept us shackled for reasons too ridiculous to speculate upon. It's time to just say no and claim our heritage as the magnificent Beings we truly are!

"The enslavement of man is not legitimate. It will cease when man enters into his heritage of freedom, his God-given dominion over the material senses. Mortals will someday assert their freedom in the name of Almighty God. Then they will control their own bodies through the understanding of divine Science. Dropping their present beliefs, they will recognize harmony as the spiritual reality and discord as the material unreality." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures - Page 228: 11

Am I Hoarding Judgment?

I watch in fascination as people buy toilet paper and soap and hand sanitizers in mass quantities. I hear people are stealing protective masks from medical facilities. The odd thing (to me at least) is the lack of  logic in this hoarding behavior. I feel certain you have thought of these things, too, so I won't belabor the point. I can see many positive things coming from this time of upheaval in our "normal" activities. Perhaps we will become more mindfully aware of our actions toward others. Maybe we will decide to be kind rather than right. I'm going to work on this one, because I always say I want to be kind rather than correct, but my actions prove me wrong. While I can't see myself fighting over a four-pack of toilet paper in the Wal-Mart, I can hear myself insisting something is not so about where things are planted in the garden. Good grief! And so, rather than pointing fingers at others who are doing things I don't understand, I'll try to understand me, which will hopefully lead to losing judgment and finding Love!

"Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way. Right motives give pinions to thought, and strength and freedom to speech and action. Love is priestess at the alter of Truth. Wait patiently for divine Love to move upon the waters of mortal mind, and form the perfect concept."  Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 454

Joyous Contagion

Laughter is contagious, don’t you think? Most of us have “gotten the giggles” and been unable to stop laughing. There are numerous videos on the internet where people are sharing laughter in the most joyous of ways. I particularly like one which shows people’s reactions when someone tells them they are beautiful. The sheepish grins which emerge, the eyes which light up, are sure to bring a smile to my face and an expansion of my heart no matter how many times I’ve seen it. Joy, laughter, happiness — these are given freely to us as a part of our divine heritage. Today I will make the most of every opportunity I have to give these gifts, freely, joyously, with no reservations or restrictions!


"Harmony is produced by its Principle, is controlled by it and abides with it. Divine Principle is the Life of man. Man's happiness is not, therefore, at the disposal of physical sense. Truth is not contaminated by error. Harmony in man is as beautiful as in  music, and discord is unnatural, unreal." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 304:17-21

Gratitude in Times of Turmoil

photo credit: Aaron Springston

I read an interesting editorial in the Christian Science Monitor, which talked about gratitude in times of crisis. Gratitude was expressed for health care professionals working to contain and treat the current virus outbreak, among other things. The article mentioned how gratitude helps put a focus on the good in a situation, dampening fear. It helps people form stronger bonds across borders and through their differences. It encourages generosity. I found it particularly interesting that they referred to expressing appreciation as a kind of reset for thoughts, saying that it allows calm reflective thinking, which is just what we need to bring a healing perspective during these times. These wise words can certainly be applied to many situations in our current atmosphere, don't you think? I'm going to practice this as a way of turning around fearful or defensive thinking when it occurs. If someone is saying something which I find abrasive, I will find something to be grateful for about them. When a politician has upset me with his actions, I shall try to follow my own advice. Whatever the case, I love thinking about gratitude as a "reset"!! 

"Gratitude is much more than a verbal expression of thanks. Action expresses more gratitude than speech." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 3:25-26

Compassionate Rats

Have you seen the study about rats and how they care enough about their rat friends to not give them a shock, even when it means getting a tasty treat? I think this is wonderful! Even the “lowly” rat doesn’t want to see its counterpart suffer. I think it’s normal for us to want others be happy and do well, but quite a few folks think their friends revel in their failure. I hope this isn’t as prevalent as is supposed, don’t you? I’ve heard tell some parents are jealous of their children when they exceed their parents’ performance in, for instance, sports. What a shame. I will remember the rat study and its uplifting results the next time I witness human injustice, and I will strive to hold myself to the same standard!

"A feasible as well as rational means of improvement at present is the elevation of society in general and the achievement of a nobler race for legislation, -- a race having higher aims and motives." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 63

Consciousness rules

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Nothing can be imaged forth in form unless it exists in consciousness. What??  I know, I know. You may say you had never heard of such and such disease until you got it. Well, collective consciousness counts, too. Yikes! So how do we keep from contracting every disease and imaging forth all the horrors of the world? This is exactly what Gary Renard tells us in "The Disappearance of the Universe" and what Mary Baker Eddy means by "there is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter". When we put more faith in matter than Spirit, then, yes, we are subject to every little quirk of the universe. But the realization of Truth puts us under no government but that of divine Mind, God. It may seem that it would be impossible to come out from under the tent of materiality in favor of Spirit. I've had enough glimpses to know it is indeed very possible -- but it takes work. When you listen to detailed stories of disease, it become embedded in consciousness. I'm never surprised when something jumps out of that vast forever, but I do negate it in thought -- to the best of my ability. And practice does make perfect, so I won't give up!

"Disease arises, like other mental conditions, from association. Since it is a law of mortal mind that certain diseases should be regarded as contagious, this law obtains credit through association, -- calling up the fear that relates the image of disease and its consequent manifestation in the body." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 154

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!