To Listen or Not to Hear

 Face-to-face duplicate bridge is happening again. Throughout the game there was a phone ringing in someone’s purse. After the game, my partner looked at me and asked, Doesn’t that phone ringing drive you crazy? I laughed and told her no, because I didn’t pay it any attention. She was surprised and more than a bit disbelieving as she asked me how that could be possible. Many platitudes (or maybe truisms) went through my thoughts. “If you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter”. And, “Don’t sweat the small stuff, and it’s all small stuff”. I told her I simply ignored it, to which she looked at me as though I might have sprouted wings! On the other side of this coin -- when I got home, a dear friend from California called and we had a long talk, solving most of the world’s messes in 30 minutes or so. As we hung up, I told him we had identified the problems, now it was time to implement change. While he agreed with me, I’m not sure he thinks it’s possible. Ignoring that phone ringing is the flip side of recognizing something is wrong, then translating my thoughts about it to facilitate change within myself. Then I’ll be prepared to listen, as affirmative action calls to me, and I hope I’ll be ready to Be The Change I Want To See!

“Mortal mind accepts the erroneous, material conception of life and joy, but the true idea is gained from the immortal side. Through toil, struggle, and sorrow, what do mortals attain? They give up their belief in perishable life and happiness; the mortal and material return to dust, and the immortal is reached.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 536:24

When Intuition Calls You

 

Intuition has been my focus today. I’ve pondered this spiritual quality quite a bit, so when my eldest son told me they are currently spending some time in Santa Fe, my thoughts went to a dear friend who followed her heart and studied for two years with a teacher in that area. Susan was visiting friends in Santa Fe and had been to the market to pick up supplies. On her way home, she had the radio on and suddenly a man speaking caught her interest. The station was fading in and out, and the man seemed to be using two or three different languages. She couldn’t understand him, but she told me it sounded like “flowers coming out of the radio”. When she got home, she called the station and found out who it was she had heard. His name was Martin Prechtel and he lived in Ojo Caliente, a small village between Taos and Santa Fe. She found out he was a teacher of accumulated knowledge from his childhood on a Pueblo reservation in New Mexico and adult life in Guatemala. Susan knew, intuitively, that she must study with this man. She left everything she knew well and moved into a tiny room in a house, living her life in the way she was called to do. I admire anyone who follows their dream, but especially those who don’t stop one step before fulfilling it!

“My angels are exalted thoughts, appearing at the door of some sepulchre, in which human belief has buried its fondest earthly hopes. With white fingers they point upward to a new and glorified trust, to higher ideals of life and its joys. Angels are God's representatives. These upward-soaring beings never lead towards self, sin, or materiality, but guide to the divine Principle of all good, whither every real individuality, image, or likeness of God, gathers. By giving earnest heed to these spiritual guides they tarry with us, and we entertain ‘angels unawares.’” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 299: 7-17

A Series of Unfortunate Events

 

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Looking back at the series of unfortunate events of today, I could be tempted to say “I’ve had a bad day”. But I don’t care for that phrase, or even believe that such a thing is possible. Days are, after all, neither good nor bad (only thinking makes them so!). The act of living in the present makes all the difference, don’t you think? I won’t list the mishaps and oddities which have occurred around me today, but I have closely examined my thoughts and actions. I’m not one to chant affirmations, but rather attempt to live by intuition, which can be heard from listening instead of telling. You can’t push the river, you know! Usually, before going out the door, I quiet myself and ask for the wisdom to listen for what I should do and where I should be. I did not do that today. As I sit here pondering, I think of my dear, departed Kevin and a serious accident he was involved in almost 40 years ago. If he had been a few seconds later or sooner in his arrival at an intersection, he wouldn’t have been hit by a motorcycle going more than 100 miles per hour. That one moment affected everything he did from that day forward. What I have experienced today will remind me tomorrow to surrender to the inner guidance which is available to us all. I’ll revel in the sweetness of moments, rather than rushing through things I’d rather not do. I don’t care for the choices I made today, so tomorrow I shall choose again!

“Shepherd, show me how to go, o’re 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 from Mary Baker Eddy

A Quiet Mind

 

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Many of us feel we are exhibiting signs of attention deficit disorder. If you get right down to it, aren't we all? Doesn't it seem our thoughts want to flit about from one topic to another, gathering steam as we ​travel ​through all the avenues we are led into​,​ as one thought triggers yet another? The thing I find unfortunate is​ ​people think​ing​ they have no choice​ in these frantic ​thought processes. Like anything else, it takes practice to attain a quiet mind. I know I've said it before, but watch that first thought of the day. It can set the tone for everything which comes after it. Refusing to start the day with busy thoughts is key to choosing a quiet mind over a ​scattered one. And when we slip into worry and circular thoughts, just choose again! Before we know it, th​e​ choice of a moment extends to a way of life. Ah, peace…

“The ‘still, small voice’ of scientific thought reaches over continent and ocean to the globe's remotest bound.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 559:8-10

Unspeakable Revelation

 

An online writing seminar called out to me today. It was basically an advertisement for ​a company called ​The Author Incubator, but my time was well-spent as Marianne Williamson talked to us about bringing light to the world through ACIM-oriented life coaching and writing. Also, I went to a restaurant which I’d never before been to, which hasn’t happened in a long, long time! While at this restaurant, I saw a number of people I knew, plus one who invited me to a widow’s meeting which she attends. I know many of the people involved with this group and think it’s a wonderful thing, but I declined her invitation. These two happenings brought revelations in thought for me, and I am most grateful. When Diana mentioned the widow’s group, I quickly questioned why I was averse to attending, realizing it was because I felt no need to work through my sadness. And the reason is simple: I have lived on my own most of my life, so it was not an adjustment when Kevin passed on. Yes, it was a surprise and there was an overwhelming grief, but I now openly admit that there is more joy than sorrow. I even told my friend today that the big adjustment had been having him living with me, and now I only have gratitude for all he brought to my life. And the little seminar caused me to realize I have more than 3,000 blog entries from which to cull a book. Indeed, much food for thought was brought to me ​on ​this beautiful day!

“Revelation is intensely personal and cannot be meaningfully translated. That is why any attempt to describe it in words is impossible. Revelation induces only experience. Miracles, on the other hand, induce action. They are more useful now because of their interpersonal nature. In this phase of learning, working miracles is important because freedom from fear cannot be thrust upon you. Revelation is literally unspeakable because it is an experience of unspeakable love.” A Course in Miracles, T:1:II

Cooperative Living

 

Cooperation at Aaron's Wedding Reception

Cooperation: This word has come to my attention in numerous ways today. While reading an article about the efforts in Oakland, California to protect inhabitants of their city’s Chinatown, I wept tears of joy, reading of the unity which is bringing them together for a common cause. A grassroots movement led by Carl Chan has provided security cameras, formed voluntary street patrols, and organized rallies to create this united effort. He states he became aware of the problem when he was a child in Hong Kong and a group of British boys beat him up. When he came to the United States with his parents, he first heard a black man speak out for justice. That was Martin Luther King who said, “I have a dream”, causing young Carl to realize he, too, dreamt of peaceful living. His work to foster cooperation has been a beautiful expression of what he has always felt in his heart. Another great cooperative story is about Chicago’s humane society working with store owners to naturally alleviate the rat problem in that city. There have been more than 1,000 neutered cats released on the streets, with foster businesses providing food and shelter in exchange for their hunting skills. This reminded me of Texas ranchers’ fight against wolves. The end result of all the wolf killing was that prairie dogs multiplied to the point that livestock died in larger numbers from stepping in prairie dogs' holes than ever lost their lives from wolves. These instances of cooperation cause me to think of the natural order of living, how we can get back to The Garden, and live realizing our oneness with all that is. Namaste...

“In this divinely united spiritual consciousness, there is no impediment to eternal bliss, — to the perfectibility of God’s creation.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 577:9

The Midnight Library

 

“She realized that you could be as honest as possible in life, but people only see the truth if it is close enough to their reality. As Thoreau wrote, ‘It’s not what you look at that matters, it’s what you see.’” This is a quote from the novel,​ ​The Midnight Library, by Matt Haig. This book explores the possibilities of what might be, had we chosen a different path in our lives. Not just major decisions, but small ones. There are billions of possibilities in these lateral lives which could be occurring right now, along with the reality we think we are experiencing. Fascinating stuff!! I know most of us have wondered what our lives would have been if we’d accepted that job in New York, or taken a plunge into whatever it was that scared us, or any number of decisions which could have taken us in another direction. The revelations of quantum physics have opened our minds to possibilities we may not be willing to accept. And that’s okay! ​We h​umans have spent our entire existence dumbing down the world because we can’t accept what we don’t understand. Our minds can’t see what they can’t handle. And that’s okay, too, because we don’t have to understand this life, we only must live it. I love life-affirming books such as this one! Let me know what you’re reading which has rocked your world!

“Metaphysics is above physics, ​and matter does not enter into metaphysical premises or conclusions. The categories of metaphysics rest on one basis, the divine Mind. Metaphysics resolves things into thoughts, and exchanges the objects of sense for the ideas of Soul.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 269:11

Undoing Blame

 

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Upon hearing from an old acquaintance, my thought​s​ turned to a conflict of opinion we had years ago. All the grudges I had held, the blame apportioned, came flooding ​back. Then I stopped and wondered why it had ever mattered so much in the first place. My conclusion was that I had felt self-righteous in the situation. I had taken actions and words personally AND made assumptions about the reasons for her behavior. Now I look back and see that it just doesn't matter. Any hurt that I thought had been inflicted on me was nothing but my self-important response. Almost immediately I began to wonder if she thought badly of me. Then I realized that didn't really matter either. I'm not responsible for what anyone else thinks, only myself. As a good friend tells me time and again, it’s none of my business what anyone thinks about me! I'm happy to have released yet another perceived pain in favor of remembering the goodness of our true Selves!

"If your brothers are part of you and you blame them for your deprivation, you are blaming yourself. And you cannot blame yourself without blaming them. That is why blame must be undone, not seen elsewhere. Lay it to yourself and you cannot know yourself, for only the ego blames at all." A Course in Miracles, Chapter 11:IV-5

Breaking Thought Barriers

 

photo credit: Richard Quick

One of the Course in Miracles lessons states that the world I see holds nothing that I want.  This could be interpreted as meaning we must give up all enjoyment from this delightful form we’re holding. On the contrary! It's asking us to look past the world which is the creation of mortal mind, to the world of divine Mind. By setting aside the unrealities of belief, we are breaking the same kind of thought barriers which had to be set aside for humanity to realize the world was round. When asked to see everything with new eyes, to dare to stretch past belief and learned behavior, we may be frightened or confused. In this state of mind, our "ego" can tell us that it's all just nonsense and it's better to stay with what is well-known. But is it? If you feel -- really feel, deep inside — that there must be more to this existence than meets the human eye, then you will want to know what that is. We are capable of so much more than we realize. The veil is getting thinner!

"In the material world, thought has brought to light with great rapidity many useful wonders. With like activity have thought's swift pinions been rising towards the realm of the real, to the spiritual cause of those lower things which give impulse to inquiry. Belief in a material basis, from which may be deduced all rationality, is slowly yielding to the idea of a metaphysical basis, looking away from matter to Mind as the cause of every effect." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 268:1-9

The Journey by Mary Oliver

 

The Journey - By Mary Oliver

One day you finally knew

what you had to do, and began,

though the voices around you

kept shouting

their bad advice --

though the whole house

began to tremble

and you felt the old tug

at your ankles.

"Mend my life!"

each voice cried.

But you didn't stop.

You knew what you had to do,

though the wind pried

with its stiff fingers

at the very foundations,

though their melancholy

was terrible.

It was already late

enough, and a wild night,

and the road full of fallen

branches and stones.

But little by little,

as you left their voices behind,

the stars began to burn

through the sheets of clouds,

and there was a new voice

which you slowly

recognized as your own,

that kept you company

as you strode deeper and deeper

into the world,

determined to do

the only thing you could do --

determined to save

the only life you could save.”

― Mary Oliver

Choose Again?

 

Why do human beings find it so difficult to do the right thing? Let’s assume some things are right to one person and not so much to another. Setting that aside, yet aware it’s there, ponder on these thoughts with me. If we experience certain physical maladies (which are rampant), we know we could eat the right things and probably get better. But we’d rather take a pill and hope for the best, not wanting to abandon old habits. We improve our world by picking up litter, and we could facilitate change by not making litter! Yet we continue to use oil-based plastics which are as bad for our earth as that fried Twinkie is for that guy. Are there alternatives we could use? Yes, but it would take active participation on our part. Yours and mine. Maybe we would endure a few soggy straws before new technology evolves for the use of bamboo and hemp, for example. When the year of our isolation began, everyone was conserving their paper products to counteract all those who were hoarding theirs. That conservation caused us to examine how many wasteful habits could be replaced by copasetic-with-the planet alternatives. Word has it that an electric Ford pickup truck is making a big stir around the oil company break rooms nowadays. Thank goodness! We resist until a tipping point occurs, then we acquiesce and begin pulling weeds from cracks in sidewalks rather than getting out the herbicide. These are the types of “right things” I’m talking about. If your choices don’t feel right — choose again?

“Consciousness of right-doing brings its own reward, but not amid the smoke of battle is merit seen and appreciated by lookers-on.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 37:13

Discovering Better Ways

photo credit: Richard Quick

 ​What gratitude I feel in my heart for this past year! I’ve loved watching the changes we have undergone during what can only be described as challenging times. The extremes in behavioral tendencies have been remarkable, and my admiration and, alternatively, repugnance for people’s actions has been manic/depressive in scope! Schools, restaurants, medical facilities, churches, retail stores, bridge clubs, music festivals — everything! — has changed and evolved, mostly in positive, more efficient ways. While we look forward to getting back together in groups to celebrate holidays and enjoy events, many of us have become more sedate in our enjoyment of life. I remember one man posting on Facebook what a relief it was to not have to attend every event in Eureka Springs, as he had always felt he would miss something if he was not there. Eureka parades are legendary, and not having them has taken some of the exuberance from us — particularly Valerie Damon, who is in this wonderful photograph — but by not being obliged to attend gallery openings and fundraisers, many have relaxed into the silence between thoughts, and discovered they are happy there. Hopefully we don’t rush back into the old ways too quickly, missing the chance to find better ways of living. Namaste...

“The true theory of the universe, including man, is not in material history but in spiritual development. Inspired thought relinquishes a material, sensual, and mortal theory of the universe and adopts the spiritual and immortal.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 547:25

It Is Impossible to See Two Worlds

 

photo credit: Aaron Springston

It is impossible to see two worlds. This is another lesson topic in A Course in Miracles. There is a world of Love, and there is a world of fear. I cannot see them both at the same time. This seems like an easy choice, but fear is often insidious and I may not realize which viewpoint is driving my actions. I can't know the world of Spirit when I'm thinking from the standpoint of mortal sense. I can't love my neighbors when I'm judging them. I can't hear the guidance of intuition when my thought is full of chaotic chatter. These dualities represent the two worlds we wish to embrace simultaneously. Everything I do, or say, or think, places me firmly in one world or the other. Moment by moment, I choose what to accept as truth. By consistently turning away from mortal concepts and looking to spiritual interpretations, I am choosing the world I want to see. And if I'm not comfortable with what I'm seeing, guess what? I can choose again!

“Take heart, dear sufferer, for this reality of being will surely appear sometime and in some way. There will be no more pain, and all tears will be wiped away. When you read this, remember Jesus' words, 'The kingdom of God is within you.' This spiritual consciousness is therefore a present possibility.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 573:29-2

What I Think I Know

 ​

photo credit: Nick Franchi

Many of us resort to chants and/or affirmations when seeking a specific outcome in life. ​Some people see nothing wrong with this approach -- and perhaps even a lot of right in it! I've come to think of this as mental manipulation, or a form of hypnotism, which may create a temporary change, but is not a lasting solution to anything. So then, if I'm not going to try to talk life into doing what I want it to, what am I going to do? I'm going to work to get out of my own way, to quiet my mind, to forget everything I’ve ever thought I knew about spirit. It's not my job to delineate what that is. Releasing what I think I know, surrendering projected outcomes, and totally relying on Love, I trust that everything I need will be added unto me. I needn’t think about what these things are,  because whatever the outcome is, it will be far better than anything I could have planned. Truth is waiting for me to clear the mist which is hiding it. For this, I am most grateful.

"This is what is meant by seeking Truth, Christ, not 'for the loaves and fishes,' nor, like the Pharisee, with the arrogance of rank and display of scholarship, but like Mary Magdalene, from the summit of devout consecration, with the oil of gladness and the perfume of gratitude, with tears of repentance and with those hairs all numbered by the Father.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 367:10-16

Of Eclipses and Such...

 

Total Eclipse of the Sun - Photo Credit: Blake Lasater

In mid-March, a group of 15 people, 7 men and 8 women between the ages of 27 and 50, went into the Lombrives Cave in France. Their intent was to spend 40 days without any outside stimulation. They had no watches and no schedules. They created their own electricity from stationary bikes and brought up water from an underground source. They were supplied with food and the temperature was a constant 54 degrees, with humidity of 95%. The purpose of this experiment was to see how people adapt to isolation. You and I have learned quite a bit about this topic in the last year, don’t you think? When this group of people came back into the “real” world, 2/3 of them said they would have liked to continue their underground experiment longer! They enjoyed being task-oriented rather than time-constrained. They fell into their natural sleep patterns and ate when they were hungry. We have learned a lot in the past 14 months. I’m hearing fabulous stories about the changing norms of education, ways of dispersing food to those in need, improved healthy living habits, and creativity in all areas of living. What an exciting time to be alive!

“Man is not absorbed in Deity, and man cannot lose his individuality, for he reflects eternal Life; nor is he an isolated, solitary idea, for he represents infinite Mind, the sum of all substance.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 259:3

A Higher and More Permanent Peace

 

photo credit: Kevin Wright

I had a friend who died from cancer. She was very active and always busy doing things. I once asked her if she ever had any quiet time and she told me that she didn't want any because then she would have to think. Many traumatic events had happened in her life, including the violent deaths of her parents and tragic passing of her children. Our thoughts can be occupied by many temporal things, such as collecting material possessions, or perhaps we simply need the busyness of daily life to keep us from thinking about painful memories -- whatever the case, we rarely allow ourselves the quiet we need to hear Spirit. We may fear the unknown and think that the activities we busy ourselves with are necessary, rather than looking beyond them to the Truth which heals our fear. We may use alcohol and drugs to cover up the turmoil for a little while, but lasting peace only comes through knowledge of Love. Sometimes love is used as a soporific, placating our desire for an all-encompassing Love with no beginning nor end. Today I vow to remember to remember what I have forgotten, which is only known by quietly listening for the still, small voice within. Namaste, dear friends...

Mary Baker Eddy quote: “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.” Science & Health Page 265:10-15

The Heights of Holiness

 

photo credit: Aaron Springston

There is a delightful little book called, The Holy Man, ​written ​by Susan Trott. ​There are numerous ​stories recounted through a group of people who are waiting in line to see The Holy Man​, whose little house is at the top of a tall mountain​. They feel all their questions will be answered, all their problems solved, if only they can meet and speak with him. The irony is that when they are finally admitted to his home, he simply leads them through the house and out the back door. The beauty of the book is that everyone sees what they need to see from their interactions with others while waiting in the long line. We, too, have these ah-hah moments while going about our day-to-day activities. By releasing our by-rote reactions, we are free to practice forgiveness with every blameless thought we have. With this clean slate, who knows what insights will be ours? Like those people waiting to speak to The Holy Man, whom they believed had all the answers, we will be finding insight in every moment, simply by allowing ourselves to accept that we are One with God. As such, all answers are ours, even without asking questions!

“Mind, joyous in strength, dwells in the realm of Mind. Mind's infinite ideas run and disport themselves. In humility they climb the heights of holiness.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 513:26-9

Heaven Within

 

Why would we fear to look within our own hearts? Why would we fear seeing our true self? I think it's because we believe all the little horrible things we've done in our lives are what we'll be looking at. Perhaps we feel that to look within would involve some sort of life review which would require us to answer for every supposed sin we've committed. But what if we're looking within at our pure and perfect Self, as we are created by divine Love? And what if, after we find what we've forgotten, we allow it to come forth and live with us? In the process, we truly forgive ourselves for all of it, allowing thought to stay on the good and the true, releasing guilt and fear, living only in Love. What if ...

“When speaking of God's children, not the children of men, Jesus said, ‘The kingdom of God is within you;’ that is, Truth and Love reign in the real man, showing that man in God's image is unfallen and eternal." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 476:28-32

No Conflict in Truth

 

photo credit: Aaron Springston

In this material world, we often have conflicting wishes about events and outcomes. When someone in our immediate family has a problem, we tend to think of it as our own. We have been conditioned to think we can fix others, and if we don't try, we fear that people will think we don't care. Then we're thrown into a quandary of feelings: love for our family, perhaps embarrassment over their actions, worry about what will happen to them, concern over what others will think -- the list can be endless! When we are able to release these feelings and see everyone as the spiritual creation they truly are, we begin to release this sense of personal responsibility, while affirming their goodness -- and ours! -- as a reflection of divine Love. Before we know it, we're thinking something wonderful about them when they come to mind, and we're free from the conflicting wishes born of material sense, revealing spiritual reality.

“We cannot serve two masters nor perceive divine Science with the material senses.” Mary Baker Eddy quote: Science and Health Page 167:11-12

Unrealized Possibilities

 

photo credit: Richard Quick

Throughout the ages, we've been given hints ​about unrealized possibilities​ in our world​. As attested by powerful mythological and fictional characters, we have longed for the ability to change what seems to be the reality of situations in and around our personal existence. The world tells us that we are victims of circumstance, with ​our ​life experiences being changed by the whim of happenstance. Every time we hear a story telling of something we think is impossible, but which contains an outcome so beautiful we wish and hope it could be true, let's contemplate the fact that there are no limits. Who knows what we're capable of doing? We seem to exceed expected outcomes in every avenue of existence. Wasn't it said that running a mile in less than four minutes was impossible? Today I set free any thought of limitation, any assumptions I may have as to what's what, and by doing so open the door to ​a ​new ​understanding.

“Truth never destroys God's idea. Truth is spiritual, eternal substance, which cannot destroy the right reflection. 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 299:24-30