Curiouser and Curiouser

Things just get "curiouser and curiouser", said Lewis Carroll, through his most adventurous character, Alice. I'm sure everyone feels this to some degree, because every day brings more confused thought, deep sadness, pity, unabashed joy, clarity of purpose. This is some ride we're on, don't you think? The rollercoaster of emotions mentioned come from many sources. I'm confused because some people think it's fine to go out to dinner in the nearby city, to do shopping, and have a day out. I am deeply sad because one of our artists, one who is a big player in the heart and soul of Eureka Springs, decided it was time to fly away. And so she did. The pity I've felt today is toward an old friend who has no one closeby, yet wants companionship desperately. I am joyful because I love my family and home. This gratitude runs through me like a favorite song replaying in my head. It seems we are all either embracing or running away from our purpose. These things I ponder, while questioning my own motives and trying not to judge others. Whew! Sending you a moment of peace, wishing you a night of deep sleep, and the humor and strength to carry on tomorrow. 

"Spirit, God, gathers unformed thoughts into their proper channels, and unfolds these thoughts, even as He opens the petals of a holy purpose in order that the purpose may appear." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 506:18

Good Things

Yellowstone National Park
Photo Credit: Aaron Springston

My favorite weekly news magazine has a section entitled "Points of Progress", in which we are told of good things happening all over the world. Here are a few: Colombia is granting work permits to migrants. They have almost 2 million Venezuelans seeking refuge there and this is a big deal for them. Britain's carbon tax, which is a levy on carbon dioxide emissions, has helped the country to lower its reliance on coal-generated electricity from 40% to 3%, since its introduction in 2013. France will ban controversial practices in its poultry and hog raising sectors. I won't go into details on these practices, as I'm bringing good news today! So let's just say that Switzerland and Germany plan to follow France's lead. South Africa has overturned a law which gives black women's husbands total control over matrimonial assets. This law will benefit almost half-a-million women. And here in the United States, 25 years after 14 gray wolves were reintroduced into Yellowstone National Park, there is solid proof that restoring the balance which was missing in their ecosystem is allowing many good things to happen. These changes are milestones on the road to compassion for humanity and environmental stability. Let's notice points of progress in our own communities and give shout-outs when we see them!

"Spiritual causation is the one question to be considered, for more than all others spiritual causation relates to human progress. The age seems ready to approach this subject, to ponder somewhat the supremacy of Spirit, and at least to touch the hem of Truth's garment." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 170

Lothar, Remembered...

The Schäfers on their wedding day

Many of you know Lothar Schäfer. He lived in Fayetteville, was a professor at the University, and wrote two wonderful books concerning quantum physics. I first met him when he came to our metaphysical society and spoke about his first book, "In Search of Divine Reality - Science as a Source of Inspiration". Of course, I was very excited about this title and wanted to get to know more about this man's thoughts. Our mutual friend, Jim Young, made that possible by beginning a salon in which ten of us met once a month and deeply discussed some really cool topics (all the while enjoying fabulous food and plenteous wine). And then he wrote his masterpiece, "Infinite Potential - What Quantum Physics Reveals About How We Should Live." This book has a great story behind it, of how he heard a talk by Deepak Chopra, and when he asked a question, he was asked back stage for a chat. From which this book began. Lothar and I became fast friends, feeling certain, when we toasted a brilliant statement or momentous occasion, that our wine glasses rang clearer because of our connection. So I raise a glass to you this evening, you dear, sweet man. I'll visit you often, through your writings. And thanks for the memories!

"Behind the visible surface of things is the infinite ocean of possibility. Its waves are so beautiful and inviting. "What a wonderful world," Louis Armstrong sings. What a wonderful life, in which the playful waves in the cosmic ocean dare you, tease you, and play a game of hide and seek with you, all the time hoping that you will catch one and turn it into a beautiful poem, a painting, a song, or a wonderful act of human kindness." Lothar Shäfer - Infinite Potential - What Quantum Physics Reveals About How We Should Live

Grandkid Withdrawal

Many people are lonely and missing their loved ones. The grandma tribe is going through withdrawal symptoms. It's not easy for them, missing the little hands around their necks and the sweet, messy kisses. Although there is no substitute for these interactions, we can help our friends find their way through this isolation period. Send a card in the mail, or make a phone call, or email photos and poems. There are other ways of staying connected which we may not have considered, such as Words With Friends on your computer or device. A dear friend and I began playing a couple of days ago and are taking great pleasure in this loosely-structured way of being in constant contact. You don't have to play at any specific time, and you don't keep someone waiting if you only play once a day, but it's comforting to know that someone has played a word which connects with a word you made. And of course there's a chat box on the side, where you can share a few thoughts now and again. We're all thinking outside of our regular routines and comfort zones nowadays. I see many positive side effects of this slowing down and being present in the moment. Hope you do, too!

"[The] human sense of Deity yields to the divine sense, even as the material sense of personality yields to the incorporeal sense of God and man as the infinite Principle and infinite idea -- as one Father with His universal family, held in the gospel of Love." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 576:31

Here, Together, Apart

art by J. Clement Wall - 

www.JudyClementWall.com

Everything seems soft around the edges today. It feels multi-dimensional, living in this new existence. On one level, there is exquisite beauty in nature this spring. It could be we are seeing with the “new eyes” of world-wide awakening, or maybe we feel the need to bring joy to sadness, or perhaps we’re facing down illusions and striving to correct errors. It’s probably a combination of these things, and more. For sure, those who think deeply about Life are aware that This Is Important. This is not a time to wallow in dramatic horror shows brought to us in many forms, straight from reality TV. Nor is it the time to hide our head in the sand. It’s time to be proactive in everything we do and say. It’s time to be calmly centered around what we know to be True. It’s time to live Love out loud! The past week has felt like swimming up from the ocean floor, but once we hit the surface of the water, we can take a deep breath and smile with the sun in gratitude! Here, together, apart.

"Instinct is better than misguided reason, as even nature declares. The violet lifts her blue eye to greet the early spring. The leaves clap their hands as nature's untired worshippers." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 220:10

Invincible Summer

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Heard while listening to Eckhart Tolle talking about our current situation with the virus: “In the depth of winter, I finally learned that there is, in me, an invincible summer.” Albert Camus — I’m holding to this thought while talking to friends who are having a difficult time. I’m holding it in thought when I become discouraged and angry. I’m holding to this when I hear of more idiocy and inanity from Donald. Today I think on these things. Tomorrow, I’m concentrating on Mooji. Here’s an 18-minute video entitled “Remaining True in a Time of Crisis”. Happy Sunday, Everyone!

https://youtu.be/t3wTOKjH3xM

Healing

Christian Science edifice built in 1914
Eureka Springs, AR
painting by Julie Kahn Valentine

In the early 1900s, the Science of The Christ was being learned by record numbers. Mary Baker Eddy was giving talks to upwards of 20,000 people at a time, and there were hundreds of teachers showing others how to be healers. Everyone was very excited to be learning about this Truth! Mrs. Eddy referred to it as primitive Christianity, because it is the teachings of Jesus without the trappings added by old men who wanted to control the masses. Then there was a worldwide upsurge in medical knowledge, and people who had been taking responsibility for their own health through an understanding that there is only One divine Mind -- well, it seemed easier to take a pill or get a shot. We saw it as a revolution in thought. Little did we know we were leaving the revolution behind, in favor of a mirage which promised safety from disease, with the advantage of not having to think about it. It's difficult for people to be responsible for their own well-being, as it seems so easy to medicate and trust in professionals. When the system fails, we blame doctors, then the lawyers get involved and it's all about money, and our health and well-being feel nebulous and fleeting. In the last century, spiritual healing has gotten a dirty name, for reasons too numerous to mention here. But those reasons do not matter. What is important is that we can pick up the revolution at any time. The book, Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures, which Mary Baker Eddy wrote, has been the leaven bubbling about in thought and showing itself throughout our lifetime. It can now be read or listened to on the internet, found in almost any used bookstore, and obtained cheaply online. I know I'm revisiting it every day. 

"Correct material belief by spiritual understanding and Spirit will form you anew." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health 425:24

"Jesus. The highest human corporeal concept of the divine idea, rebuking and destroying error and bringing to light man's immortality." Science & Health Page 589:16

Truth

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Today my emotions are so conflicted, I'm going to send you something from September of 2011, written shortly after I began blogging these ideas. Love to all!

How sublime it is to know I need nothing but the Truth! All worry and anxiety disappear when I'm not chasing something illusive which I can't quite name. Oh, sure, we may put lots of names on this je ne sais quoi -- names like success, fame, marriage. The list of personal fulfillments desired can be quite long. We are even encouraged to make these lists, to create affirmations surrounding them, to hold them in thought until they become realities in our existence. At this point, I must quote a Bible verse: "Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven [not forgetting another verse which tells that kingdom is within us] and all these things shall be added unto you." So let's set aside material desires, just as quickly as we turn from fears. When these desires are no longer with us, the void left by them cries to be filled, and it's tempting to just let the old, outgrown expectations come back in. Today I choose to look only toward the Truth we are learning to recognize; to want nothing else; and to listen confidently for where that takes me.

ACIM Lesson #251

“I am in need of nothing but the truth.

​I​ sought for many things, and found despair. Now do I seek but one, for in that one is all I need, and only what I need. All that I sought before I needed not, and did not even want. My only need I did not recognize. But now I see that I need only truth. In that all needs are satisfied, all cravings end, all hopes are finally fulfilled and dreams are gone. Now have I everything that I could need. Now have I everything that I could want. And now at last I find myself at peace.”


[ACIM prayer for today]
“And for that peace, our Father, we give thanks. What we denied ourselves You have restored, and only that is what we really want.”

The Gift of Connection

old friends at The Quarter

One of the gifts of this enforced isolation is how we are all reaching out to one other. Today I got a call from Angel and Eric. Many of you may know them from their years here in Eureka Springs, and today I heard from them and it was as though we had never been apart. We shared a virtual hug, which reminded me of a day, during the early days of Eureka Thyme, when we had an event for them in which they shared "harp massages" with us. What is a harp massage, you might ask? So did I! You sit in a chair holding the harp in your lap, and Eric sits behind you and plays the harp. The sound vibrations travel through your body and your brain gets to share in a higher, different energy than it's used to feeling. Talking to Eric on the phone brought back all the fabulous times we had shared together during the years of our metaphysical society, and the days in Eureka Thyme when we would have joyous happenings which brought in friends who wanted to share in their books, videos, and simply the joyous vibe which surrounds them. Thank you, dear Friends, for bringing back those days in vivid remembrance!

"We think of an absent friend as easily as we do of one present. It is no more difficult to read the absent mind than it is to read the present." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 82

All Together Now!

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Today has brought wonderful suggestions from two friends. First of all, Lisa suggested we all have a minute of collective prayer, meditation, silence — whatever you want to call connecting with All That Is. If you are so moved, I invite you to join us at 10 a.m. and 10 p.m., and we’ll do this in whatever form feels right to you. It’s a great idea, having this type of concentrated prayer, and I hope we all remember that every moment, with every thought, we are either choosing fear or Love. Let’s also remember that when we catch ourselves in the middle of a fearful thought, we can always choose again! The next suggestion came this afternoon, with Carol saying how cool it would be to have everyone write down their thoughts about this pandemic — such as, why they think it’s happening, what they feel the outcome might be, any insights on how we got to this point. I think it would be Very Interesting to know what people are thinking on any and all levels: physical, metaphysical, emotional, et cetera. So feel free to tell me, make a Facebook post, start a blog, or whatever you’re moved to do. I promise I won’t use your name if I mention your words! (unless you want me to:)

"Thoughts unspoken are not unknown to the divine Mind. Desire is prayer, and no loss can occur from trusting God with our desires, that they may be moulded and exalted before they take form in words and in deeds." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 1:10

Where We Need To Be

art found at judyclementwall.com

I was talking to a dear friend on the phone today and at one point I surprised myself by saying, I've been preparing my whole life for this. Upon reflection, we all have, don't you think? I know one progressive thinker who moved back to town a couple of months ago, and she is definitely right where she needs/wants to be. She's back with her tribe, so to speak. By that, I don't mean that we look alike, or think the same in all ways, or defend ourselves against those who come from another train set. What we do have in common is a moral compass which keeps on pointing toward compassion and goodness. We may err in thoughts and actions, but we never veer from loving all creation as if it were our own. A new neighbor found herself drawn here about a year ago, having never visited our town before. We are all exactly where we need to be, prepared to do what we need to do, waiting to steer this ship collectively to its expected end. What a time to be alive! The divine reflection that I Am joins with the image and likeness of God that you are. Namaste...

"Spirit, God, gathers unformed thoughts into their proper channels, and unfolds these thoughts, even as He opens the petals of a holy purpose in order that the purpose may appear." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 506

The Need to Grow

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Audrey Hepburn said, “To plant a garden is to believe in the future.” One of the things I’ve been doing in this past week of quarantine is to watch YouTube videos about gardening. As it’s been too rainy to get out and put seeds in the ground, I’ve been planning with Kevin and getting excited about possibilities. Also, it seems to be time to become stronger. I thank my friend, Ramona, for suggesting a breathing exercise which she practices. That has inspired me to get up and do chair exercises, led by a sweet couple on the internet. They can be found by looking for Hasfit (heart and soul fitness). You can find exercises for the infirm, for those already fit, or heavy-duty workouts designed for different purposes. Our friends at Fire Om Earth are leading twice daily yoga sessions, which can be found on their Facebook page. They are available all the time on YouTube, also. There are a multitude of documentaries designed to get us up and moving, both figuratively and literally. Tonight we watched “The Need to Grow”, about how we can and are changing the way we grow food. We are ready to make many changes in our lives, and this educational, inspiring film helps us to know how ready we truly are! Happy growing, everyone!

"Nature voices natural, spiritual law and divine Love, but human belief misinterprets nature. Arctic regions, sunny tropics, giant hills, winged winds, mighty billows, verdant vales, festive flowers, and glorious heavens -- all point to Mind, the spiritual intelligence they reflect. The floral apostles are hieroglyphs of Deity. Suns and planets teach grand lessons. The stars make night beautiful and the leaflet turns naturally towards the light." Mary Baker Eddy, Science & Health Page 240

What if...

Last night, a friend in California sent me the following. I share it with you...

“There  is so much fear, and perhaps rightfully so, about COVID-19.

And, what if…

If we subscribe to the philosophy that life is always working out for us, that there is an intelligence far greater than humans at work…

That all is interconnected.

What if…

the virus is here to help us?

To reset.

To remember.

What is truly important.

Reconnecting with family and community.

Reducing travel so that the environment, the skies, the air, our lungs all get a break.

Parts of China are seeing blue sky and clouds for the first time in forever with the factories being shut down.

Working from home rather than commuting to work (less pollution, more personal time).

Reconnecting with family as there is more time at home.

An invitation to turn inwards — a deep meditation — rather than the usual extroverted going out to self-soothe.

To reconnect with self — what is really important to me?

A reset economically.

The working poor. The lack of healthcare access for over 30 million in the US. The need for paid sick leave.

How hard does one need to work to be able to live, to have a life outside of work?

And, washing our hands — how did that become a “new” thing that we needed to remember. But, yes, we did.

The presence of Grace for all.

There is a shift underway in our society — what if it is one that is favorable for us?

What if this virus is an ally in our evolution?

In our remembrance of what it means to be connected, humane, living a simpler life, to be less impactful/ more kind to our environment.

An offering from my heart this morning. Offered as another perspective. Another way of relating to this virus, this unfolding, this evolution.

It was time for a change, we all knew that.

And, change has arrived.

What if… "

-Gutpreet Gill

Helping Each Other

photo credit: Aaron Springston

One of the benefits of our newly-imposed solitary lifestyle is having the time to contact people we've been meaning to talk to. My new goal is to call two people a day, and let them talk as much as they want. In the olden days, we would sit on the front porch and visit with our neighbors. Back then, there weren't as many labor-saving devices as we have nowadays. We may not have had washing machines, but we didn't have as many clothes to manage either. Our phones kept us connected to the wall, with one person at a time on the other end (excluding party line members, of course!) -- but now we are connected to hundreds if not thousands of acquaintances every day. During these current days, we are called upon to help all humankind, beginning with just one person. Today I got a phone call from a sweet 90-something-year-old. Earlier in the week I sent her a card with butterflies on it, telling her I was thinking of her. She was so delighted when she received it that she called and we had a nice chat. She said the remembered the word "pandemic" from her school days, but never thought we'd experience such a thing. I assured her she wasn't alone in her thoughts and we talked about that a bit. So let's all reach out to others when we feel the urge. We never know who may need it!

"Divine Truth must be known by its effects on the body as well as on the mind, before the Science of being can be demonstrated. Hence its embodiment in the incarnate Jesus, -- that life-link forming the connection through which the real reaches the unreal, Soul rebukes sense, and Truth destroys error." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 350:24

Joy is Spiritual

photo credit: Aaron Springston

We have had torrential rainfall for almost 24 hours now. It’s tempting to think of floods and plagues, wondering if toads will fall from the sky. I suppose it’s conditioning which makes us feel punished when we're ill or things seem to be out of whack. “What did I do wrong? Why me?” While there is no one to blame for our predicament today, there are contributing factors being cited by the media. Most of those scenarios make sense, given our irresponsible actions as humans during the past centuries. We have much work ahead of us, but for right now I’m hoping we can keep our energy high with good food from local farmers, good thoughts shared with each other, and happy, positive visual and audio entertainment. I’ve been a practicing Pollyanna for so long that this comes easy to me — and most everyone I know! You’re all smart, cool people and I trust you are sharing your joy with others. Much Love sent to everyone! 

"Who that has felt the loss of human peace has not gained stronger desires for spiritual joy? The aspiration after heavenly good comes even before we discover what belongs to wisdom and Love. 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

Heal the World

I just read that swans and dolphins have reappeared in the canals of Venice. The water is clear enough that fish can be seen from the banks. This is but one of the beautiful things happening around the world, resulting from our lack of busy-ness and constant polluting. We are acting differently because of fear of contagion, but hopefully we will see the wonder of changing our behaviors in a multitude of different ways, and will reset our values as a result. We will finally grok that we don't need to buy everything in sight simply because we can. I have a great bumper sticker from Penzey Spices which says, "Heal the World. Cook Dinner Tonight." Isn't that the truth? Take the time to love your family and friends, cook them food, eat it with appreciation for the farmer who grew it and the animal who made it possible. I feel so fortunate that the last book I checked out from the library, before they closed to protect us, was about Instant Pot Vegan cooking. What fun! I'm ready to pick dandelions and purslane and wild onions and have a feast! (I joke to some extent here) My point is: We are ready for this change which is being forced upon us. Let's do everything we can to help each other through it to the other side!

"This material world is even now becoming the arena for conflicting forces. On one side there will be discord and dismay; on the other side there will be Science and peace. The breaking up of material beliefs may seem to be famine and pestilence, want and woe, sin, sickness, and death, which assume new phases until their nothingness appears. These disturbances will continue until the end of error, when all discord will be swallowed up in spiritual Truth." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 96:12

Social Distancing

Gnosticism: Embracing God’s World 

For those of us used to hugging any and everybody, this idea of physically distancing ourselves from each other is a difficult one to get used to! But we know the reason for it is valid and we are trying our best to keep from doing so. In my recent experience, I'm finding that heartfelt eye contact expresses the same care as the spontaneous hug has done in the past. Our physical proximity is not the important thing when we are showing empathy for those who are frightened or worried or sick. It is our honest, loving response that lifts us all above the fear of this unknown situation. We're in uncharted territory here, and I keep thinking about the prophecies concerning the year 2012. It was the end of an era, and we were told it would be difficult. And it has been, don't you think? It feels like we had a chance to make the shift on our own, but refused to do so and so we're being forced to go beyond our learned behaviors and take charge of our lives. Our current viral situation feels similar to the election in 2016. We were willing to go along complacently, thinking things weren't too bad. But then pow! We got to see how awful they really were, and have been forced to face what we have been doing to ourselves with our materialistic, selfish ways. And so we continue to be forced to look at ourselves, while learning more about loving and forgiving...

"Advancing spiritual steps in the teeming universe of Mind lead on to spiritual spheres and exalted beings. To material sense, this divine universe is dim and distant, gray in the sombre hues of twilight; but anon the veil is lifted, and the scene shifts into light." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 513:6

New Earth Army

photo credit: Aaron Springston

I watched the movie, Men Who Stare at Goats. It has inspired me to think of all the people I know who have been honing their metaphysical skills for the past few decades, or all their lives. Everyone who has been awake and noticed there is more going on around us than meets the physical eye, each and every one of you, have been doing this. We have been awakening the ability to view remotely, to see past disease and realize the true state of what appears to be a material body, to work with reiki and life force energy, to utilize psychic abilities, to communicate with all things living, to recognize the healing power of plants -- there are more energies flowing around and through us than can be delineated in a writing this short. In the movie I mentioned, there is a group of people who call themselves the New Earth Army. That's what we are! Having spent hundreds of hours interacting with higher thinkers during our metaphysical meetings between 2005 and 2011, I have seen a large sampling of the unseen abilities at work in our very midst. It's time to wear them proudly and be willing to help the world in any way we can. I've seen what you can do, and once the floodgates are opened, those talents will multiply. Let's shine those lights!!

"In order to apprehend more, we must put into practice what we already know. We must recollect that Truth is demonstrable when understood, and that good is not understood until demonstrated. If 'faithful over a few things,' we shall be made rulers over many, but the one unused talent decays and is lost." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 323:13

And the people began to think...

photo credit: Aaron Springston

There is too much to say, so am sending you the best thing I've read today! Love to all...

“And the people stayed home and read books, and listened, and rested, and exercised, and made art, and played games, and learned new ways of being, and were still and listened more deeply. Some meditated, some prayed, some danced. Some met their shadows. And the people began to think differently.

And the people healed and in the absence of people living in ignorant, dangerous, mindless, and heartless ways, the earth began to heal.

And when the danger passed, and the people joined together again, they grieved their losses, and made new choices, and dreamed new images, and created new ways to live and heal the earth fully, as they had been healed."

~Kitty O'Meara

Not an Easy Revolution

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Perhaps humanity has been listening to the wrong voice all along. Maybe this is not how we truly are, but we simply have become accustomed to the behaviors we are taught and witness in others, never stopping to question if this is the way it must be. I've never been a fan of ritual and dogma, and in my advancing years I find little use for these things. Honesty and integrity dictate that we follow our heart, speak truth, act with compassion, and never fear the consequences! Many of us are stuck in our ways, doing the same things every day, thinking the same thoughts (with a few exceptions), and blindly believing what keeps us comfortably non-curious. Yes, we may have an inkling that something is wrong, thinking perhaps we could be happier, more fulfilled, more peaceful. We may go to therapists to advise us on what to do. Maybe we ask friends for advice. Or simply tell ourselves to be content that things aren't worse than they are. The time for this madness to cease is now! We are waking up, and it's not an easy revolution!

"Shepherd, show me how to go
O’er the hillside steep,
How to gather, how to sow,
How to feed Thy sheep.
I will listen for Thy voice,
Lest my footsteps stray;
I will follow and rejoice
All the rugged way." 

- Poem by Mary Baker Eddy