Marianne Williamson's Facebook Post

 

this was from her facebook page, link below...

"The gap between the beauty of the natural world and the mess that we have made of it is excruciating. I saw a picture today of a woman lovingly holding her little girl in her arms, a reminder like so many of how wonderful life can be. It is not God, but us, who have messed things up so badly.

From assaults on our democracy to the increasing devastation of climate change to the unnecessary suffering of so many tens of millions, even billions of people due to the recklessness and greed of only a few, I can understand how those without faith in a higher power could fall easily into cynicism and despair.

But I believe in miracles. I believe in the power of awakening. I believe in the radical transformation of energy. I believe in us. I believe that people are good. I believe in the power of love. I believe in the power of forgiveness. I believe that the Red Sea parted. I believe that Jesus rose. I believe that God will always have the final say.
I believe we can harness all that, and use it to transform the world.

Are we in trouble? Oh yes we are. But who among us has not been in trouble before? Who among us has not seen signs that we had better change direction? And who among us has not seen the miraculous changes that come about when we sincerely do?

I am in deep contemplation, as I’m sure we all are, as to how I might best help. I do what I can, as I’m sure you do as well. Somehow, I just know it in my soul, we are going to change the world….in time." Marianne Williamson

https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=marianne%20williamson

The Lemming Effect

 

photo credit: Richard Quick

We, as humans, seem to need -- even enjoy -- following the lead of others. Many of us blindly go along with someone’s ideas, perhaps without questioning the wisdom of doing so. Often three or four cars turn down the dead-end street on which I live, each following the lead car without noticing the signs indicating there is no way out. The lemming effect often takes over! We seek out and follow orders from anyone we perceive to be wiser or more knowledgeable than we are. Perhaps we do this in case things go wrong, then we can say it wasn't our fault because someone else told us to do it (whatever IT may be!). I'm sure there are more reasons for this behavior than the simplistic examples I've given here today, which are really irrelevant because we don't need to dwell on the problem, but rather focus on the solution. And the solution is to follow the inward direction which we all hear, but often ignore. I pray for the courage to listen and follow, secure in the knowledge that a sure ending is inevitable.

“The Christian Scientist wisely shapes his course, and is honest and consistent in following the leadings of divine
Mind.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 458:26-28

Be the Change

 

Change is liberating! Have you noticed ​more ​people releasing the past? I have, and the freedom is bringing them peace and a new level of joy. One friend tells me of her beloved cat being at the vet's office, perhaps getting ready to pass on. In years past, she would have been distraught, ​and is surprised that she is not. It's not that she loves any less, and perhaps she's experiencing love even more fully. Another friend tells me she's going through a time of letting go -- without even being aware of what exactly is being released! Isn't this great? We don't have to know what it is that's bothering us in order to be freed from it. This concept in itself is liberating! To have no need for analysis or so-called deconstruction, but to simply give yourself the gift of freedom -- what a joy! I am so grateful for all of you who stand unafraid, welcoming the new paradigm!

“The depth, breadth, height, might, majesty, and glory of infinite Love fill all space. That is enough!”​ Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page​ 519​:​3-5

We Are Not Alone

 

photo credit: Aaron Springston

A few days ago, I made a comment to a Facebook friend. The discussion I jumped in on was about loneliness and feeling connected through family and friends. As I have been deep into thinking about expanding our identity to include All That Is, I made a comment which included this concept. This wonderful woman wrote a poem in response to my comments. Thank you Carolyn!!

"MARSHA’S SONG

We feel so alone

Identity bereft

Reach out, reach out…

From family to country

From community to DNA

We feel so alone…

BUT what if we stop…

And connect with the air

Surrounded with sweetness

And the gentle breath of life

We unify with all that is

We are not alone…

We are amongst friends

As we weave our hearts

With wings and leaves

With the lilies of the field.

We are not alone…

WE ARE ONE!"

by Carolyn Allen

From A Course in Miracles: “Oneness is simply the idea God is. And in His Being, He encompasses all things. No mind holds anything but Him. We say 'God is', and then we cease to speak, for in that knowledge words are meaningless. There are no lips to speak them, and no part of mind sufficiently distinct to feel that it is now aware of something not itself. It has united with its Source. And like its Source itself, it merely is." A Course in Miracles W-pl.169.5

Truth Makes a New Creature

 

photo credit: Aaron Springston

In my heart, I know we are close to a tipping point in mass consciousness, a point in which everyone sees there is no difference between them and that person over there. In this sight, there is a world bathed in peace and contentment. There are no conflicts because everything is done for the good of everyone, and nothing contrary exists because we cannot have such thoughts in the face of beauty and Love. Once again, I must mention expanded identity. We have a terribly limited view of who we are, don’t you think? When we identify with our closest family, our community, our nationality, the color of our skin, our gender — perhaps this sets us up for conflict. A larger identity, a broad and firm foundation of who I am, these are the things I long to understand. Every day I listen for clues which will guide me to that utopia. Catching a glimpse of it causes us to want more!

"We cannot build safely on false foundations. Truth makes a new creature, in whom old things pass away and ‘all things are become new’."  Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 201: 7-9

Breaking the Hold of Distress

 

Let it go. Just breathe. We are advised to do these things when learning how to break the hold of distress and open ourselves to peace. It took me years to realize that someone or something wasn't "making" me upset; it was my perception and interpretation and reaction to things which caused these feelings. Even with this realization, it's easy to get caught up in the craziness of the world. When I find myself becoming agitated about anything, I will remind myself to "let all the world be blessed with peace through us." [ACIM Lesson #360] After all, I can't change anything but my own self, and how wonderful that it’s the most important thing to do!

"Let us learn of the real and eternal, and prepare for the reign of Spirit, the kingdom of heaven,—the reign and rule of universal harmony, which cannot be lost nor remain forever unseen." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 208:20-24

Expanding Our Identity

 

unknown photographer

Do you wonder why human beings are having such a hard time getting along? I heard a talk about these things and what I gleaned from it is this: We are the slaves of our intellect. All of our lives we are taught to learn more, to set goals. to apply that learning, and get out there and change the world. In this parenthesis in eternity, we on earth are trying to fix things with our intellect, when we need to explore other dimensions of intelligence. We have all set up a limited identity for ourselves based on family, nationality, and other tribal limits. Our database is too small for us to expand into realizations we are fearful to explore. If the air was embraced as our identity rather than our community, it wouldn’t be so difficult to accept the Oneness of all that is. A limited identity combined with intelligence can be a dangerous thing indeed. I think we’re seeing this problem in action in our world today. In the next few days, I’ll be pondering what we can do, individually and collectively, to turn this trend around. Please feel free to share your thoughts. Namaste…

"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

Be A Garden

 

photo credit: Blake Lasater

Why are some people able to move through trauma in their lives while others remain stuck in the horror of it all? Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome is acknowledged and treated in our society, but what causes it? I heard an analogy today which ​helped me understand​. Every day we hear and see things we can’t forget. We can be like a garden and turn it into fertilizer which will help us grow and flourish, or we can wear the filth and suffer the consequences. I don’t say this to minimize anyone’s pain. On the contrary, I think we should acknowledge our feelings and go forward. The worst case I personally know is a man who was in the Tet Offensive in Vietnam half a century ago. He killed people until he couldn’t feel his arms, then took a break and did it some more. When I knew him well, this horror was fresh in his mind and memory. To a lesser degree, I’ve known other veterans who were consumed by the terrible things they had done. They wore the dirt, not proudly, but obviously, as they slowly committed suicide with alcohol and drugs. We can all help our friends come through trauma of various sorts, helping them to be free and wise rather than trapped in sadness by the pain. Memories don’t disappear because we want them to go away, but we can change them into stepping stones to bring us to higher ground. Let’s turn our own painful memories into a rich organic fertilizer and watch what happens!

“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 60: 24-28

True Likeness of Love

 

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Living a heart-centered existence has been my purpose for quite some time. When we live with a focus on Love, some people may think we are foolish, but the cynical outlook of my youth is what feels foolish to me today. Turning away from discord can be difficult, but I’ve begun to see how reality is created through our thoughts. I remember once when I was in a monthly meeting of gallery owners in our town and the talk turned to theft in their shops. I turned my attention away from the discussion and was looking into a corner, thinking about something else, when suddenly I noticed everyone had stopped talking. I looked up and saw they were all looking at me! Someone asked me what I thought about this situation and I honestly told them that thievery was not a part of my existence and I didn't want to make it a reality by giving it energy. One of the women said, Good for you! And the discussion continued in a different vein. Knowing the energy-creating power of emotions, I will not hesitate to wander away from discussions centered on fearful beliefs or angry reactions. But, rather, they must be countered with the Love which is our natural state of being!

“The substance, Life, intelligence, Truth, and Love, which constitute Deity, are reflected by His creation; and when we subordinate the false testimony of the corporeal senses to the facts of Science, we shall see this true likeness and reflection everywhere.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 515:4-8

Sheer Poetry

"Buffalo Blues" painting by Carol Dickie

 

Beside The Buffalo - by Rosalie Toler

"Alone on a rock with a

   book

I do the friendly thing

I read poetry to the

   river,

and the water molds it

   to a new rhythm.

Williams — Whitman —

   Dickinson,

I hurl their polished   

   syllables

away on the current.

Do people downstream

   hear them coming?

I wonder.

Maybe some fisherman,

casting his own lines,

   will feel the rush,

sense the lure of purling

   words leaping,

matching riff with riffle.

Or maybe some rugged

   kayaker,

etching his watery v’s,

will shoot rapids

   through them,

unaware that part of

   the thrill

is sheer poetry."

Rosalie Toler

Little George, Traveling Evangelist

 ​​

Lucy Havens, with statue of Little George

Many things remind me of my half-brother, Little George Havens, travel​ing evangelist. He was quite short and very flamboyant. I can still hear him singing, to the tune of Battle Hymn of the Republic, "The circuit ridin' preacher traveled through the mire and mud; preached about the fiery furnace and of Noah and the flood". What a character he was! He spent his life spreading the word of God as he knew it. And he helped countless people find hope along the way. But did he ever listen for the still, small voice, or did he just recite what he had come to believe as truth? That, I can't say. We can only know our own heart, and so today I will examine ​the motives in ​my ​interactions​ with people​. Lying to myself is as bad as lying to others. I shall listen​​…

“Millions of unprejudiced minds--simple seekers for Truth, weary wanderers, athirst in the desert--are waiting and watching for rest and drink. Give them a cup of cold water in Christ's name, and never fear the consequences.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 570:14-17

A Little Rumi for Sunday

 

photo credit: Richard Quick

Two Kinds of Intelligence - a poem by Rumi

“There are two kinds of intelligence: one acquired,

As a child in school memorizes facts and concepts

With such intelligence you rise in the world.

There is another kind of tablet, one

Already completed and preserved inside you.

This other intelligence does not turn yellow or stagnate.

It’s fluid, and it doesn’t move from outside to inside

Through the conduits of plumbing-learning.

This second knowing is a fountainhead

From within you, moving out.”

Why Am I Vaccinated?

photograph of a family in front of the fountain at 

The First Church of Christ, Science Mother Church in Boston. Getty Images

 Having never had a flu shot or any other preventative measure which is readily available to us in the 21st Century, I found it interesting that my decision to receive the Covid vaccine was made so easily. As a lifelong Christian Scientist, I’ve spent decades studying and remembering the truth of my Being. It is easy to know, intellectually, that I am created as the image of God; that as a spiritual being I am only living the illusion of materiality. The reason I’ve written more than 3,000 entries in this blog is my own personal attempt to understand these ideas and witness how daily living unfolds with this realization. So why am I vaccinated when my main goal in life is to accept the unreality of material life and understand the truth of my spiritual identity? The healing power of this way of thought involves seeing true substance in place of the illusion which bombards us at every moment. While I still strive to translate what I see into what I know, the constant flood of material evidence has become etched in my mind. In asking myself what the loving response is to these circumstances, the decision was to vaccinate, wear a mask, social distance, and pray for a deeper understanding. As when I had an amputation a few years back, this does not mean that I am giving up on divine metaphysics, but that circumstances are taking me higher than ever before. I pray and listen for answers, moment-by-moment, during these interesting times!

"Question: What is the scientific statement of being?
Answer: There is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter. All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all. Spirit is immortal Truth; matter is mortal error. Spirit is the real and eternal; matter is the unreal and temporal. Spirit is God, and man is His image and likeness. Therefore man is not material; he is spiritual." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 468:8-16

All Together Now

 

photo credit: Aaron Springston

We have insisted on separating ourselves from each other by setting up divisions such as nationality, gender, and religion. It seems as though it should be simple to accept our unity as an idea of divine Mind. We all have a song to sing, and we are all  part of the grand symphony of life. To rejoice in being One with everyone, to live from love rather than fear and its imaginings, is to humbly accept the goodness we inherently are. I pray to turn away from the illusion of material problems as I wholeheartedly accept my function as a reflection of Spirit, seeing that image mirrored in everyone I meet.

"The world believes in many persons; but if God is personal, there is but one person, because there is but one God. His personality can only be reflected, not transmitted. God has countless ideas, and they all have one Principle and parentage. The only proper symbol of God as person is Mind’s infinite ideal" Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 517:15-20

Miracle = Primal Order

 

unknown photographer

I love this quote attributed to Albert Einstein: “There are only two ways to live your life: as though nothing is a miracle, or as if everything is a miracle.” Because of various religious teachings, most of us think of a miracle as divine power setting aside a material law, allowing something otherworldly or supernatural to occur. What if a miracle is simply a correction of our limiting beliefs, opening us to the divine Mind and the limitless Life which is our true heritage as a child of Love? By this remembrance, we heal our mind of separation, giving us a clarity of thought and sight which was before unknown. I am very grateful —

“The miracle introduces no disorder, but unfolds the primal order, establishing the Science of God’s unchangeable law. Spiritual evolution alone is worthy of the exercise of divine power.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 135:6-10

Trust Issues?

 

Grand Canyon

photo credit: The Lasater Family

Trust ​issues. These words used to be used only during a romantic break-up, but now it ​seems to be a national ​topic. ​Things we have learned to trust suddenly feel frightening — i.e., policemen, politicians, preachers. Sometimes we have a tough time trusting our friends and loved ones. I know people who speak in derogatory terms about their children and their spouses. What is this thing we think of as trust? Does it truly originate in someone else, or does it come from within ourselves? Perhaps we don’t trust others because we don’t trust ourselves, or do we not trust ourselves because we don’t trust others? It all seems terribly complicated​, so I’m questioning​ my beliefs and understanding surrounding trust: what it means, where it starts, where it ends. Perhaps it’s like love, and there is no beginning nor end, although​ there often appears to be a finite amount to ​be allocated. I suppose I’m looking at this from a material view and I should practice what I preach, looking beyond human feelings and fears into the infinite realm of Love. ​​Be gentle with yourselves when you become caught up in the drama of daily life. Turning to "higher ideals of life and its joys" (as quoted below) is where I want to live today. 

“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.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 299:7-12

Expanding Consciousness Through Music

 

photo taken in Mexico

by Richard Quick

Music ​opens our ​mind to things we may have forgotten​,​ or​ ​perhaps​ have​ never  known. I love to sit with ​a ​symphony orchestra, opening my mind to only the music, until at some point I feel there is nothing else in the world. I recall Wayne Dyer talking about muscle testing using different items. ​Holding an organic banana ​near his heart ​allowed full strength in his son, whereas holding a CD of raucous music left him much weakened. ​We all enjoy music in many forms, and ​on multiple​ levels. Something we would ​like with friends at a party may not compare to the quiet strains of Bach, which take us deeper within ourselves prior to meditation or writing. Find the music which opens you to hearing the messages Life, Truth, and Love are offering you. Surround yourself with this river of salvation and see where it takes you!

“Mozart experienced more than he expressed. The rapture of his grandest symphonies was never heard. He was a musician beyond what the world knew.​ ​This was even more strikingly true of Beethoven, who was so long hopelessly deaf. Mental melodies and strains of sweetest music supersede conscious sound. Music is the rhythm of head and heart. Mortal mind is the harp of many strings, discoursing either discord or harmony according as the hand, which sweeps over it, is human or divine.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 213:19-29

We Are the Essence of Love

 

What is love? As a personal value, love changes and shifts. Friendships end over disagreements, marriages fall apart, societies struggle with how to remain cohesive while accepting those who think differently. In reality, Love is unchanging. This Love changes our material expectations and perceived shortcomings, when we allow it. There was a time when two people I care for did not get along with each other. Seeing them both as expressions of Love helped them to see themselves this way, too. Seeing myself as complete allows a shift to occur in the way I treat others — and myself. All problems, large and small, are symptoms of a basic misconception that we are fallen humans separated from Love. The understanding that we are Love, wholly and purely, starts a domino-effect process which inevitably includes everyone in this shift of thought, away from the unreal belief in what we think we are to the pure comprehension of our essence as Love.

“From Love and from the light and harmony which are the abode of Spirit, only reflections of good can come.”​ Mary Baker Eddy - ​Science & Health Page 280:4-7

I Want To Be Happy

photo credit: Aaron Springston

 I​ want to feel good. I want to be happy. Don't we all want these things? While feeling good and being happy may sometimes seem illusive, they are the product of the recognition of our true being as Love and the expression of it. When I'm feeling unhappy, I’ve found the way out is to do something for someone else. As the world is waking up to this, there are more writings concerning how we can continue to accept our enlightened state by realizing true consciousness. To share with others in this awakening is exciting! We are all doing it to some extent, aren't we? Look at the groups we are involved with in conversation: book clubs, spiritual meetings of various sorts, salons, chat rooms, virtual discussions, blogs -- the possibilities are endless! Every encounter I have with another, every thought I have, each and every one is shared with the universe. I vow to choose wisely, even when I think I’m talking to myself!

"It is essential to understand, instead of believe, what relates most nearly to the happiness of being. To seek Truth through belief in a human doctrine is not to understand the infinite." ​Mary Baker Eddy - ​Science & Health Page 285:32-4

Irreconcilable Differences?

 

photo credit: Arthur Bruno

It may seem as though we are all different. Our race, nationality, and teachings are said to combine to make us who we are. We supposedly have differences which are sometimes irreconcilable with others of our species. I am reminded of something Isaac Asimov said in one of his novels. I don't have the exact quote, but it was to the effect that we, as humans, would not realize our unity until life was discovered on another planet; then it could be us against them. This is the way it seems to be with human beings. Many of us are eager to let go of the beliefs which keep us shackled to this stagnant thought. Seeing everyone as reflections of God precludes thinking of others as different. Although it seems impossible that we could all live in this way, doing no harm to anyone or anything, always expressing Love in our actions and thoughts, it is not. This possibility is an actuality which we're seeing more clearly every day. Love and happiness are our realities, and this is seen clearly when the veil of material belief is lifted.

“Jesus aided in reconciling man to God by giving man a truer sense of Love, the divine Principle of Jesus’ teachings, and this truer sense of Love redeems man from the law of matter, sin, and death by the law of Spirit, — the law of divine Love.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 312:16-19