A Thousand Treasures

Photo credit: Aaron Springston

What blesses one blesses all. Divine Love does not look fondly on one and turn away from another. Love is boundless and blesses the world as it blesses me — and it blesses me as it blesses the world. Love has never left us. It has nothing to do with form, it is everywhere. I must let go of meanings I have placed on divine Love and allow it to Be. Acknowledging the reality of our Being, affirming our goodness as the experience of God, knowing that everyone is created as a manifestation of divine Mind, these are some of the ways we bless ourselves and everyone else. Join me in falling in love today -- with Life!

“Each day a thousand treasures come to me with every passing moment. I am blessed with gifts throughout the day, in value far beyond all things of which I can conceive. A brother smiles upon another, and my heart is gladdened. Someone speaks a word of gratitude or mercy, and my mind receives this gift and takes it as its own. And everyone who finds the way to God becomes my savior, pointing out the way to me, and giving me his certainty that what he learned is surely mine as well.” A Course in Miracles W-315.1:1-5

“Divine Love blesses its own ideas, and causes them to multiply, — to manifest [Its] power.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 501:13-18

Ancestry

My son and grandson

 

Ancestry" by Fred LaMotte 

My DNA results came back.

Just as I suspected, 

my great great grandfather

was a monarch butterfly.

Much of who I am is still 

wriggling under a stone.

I am part larva, but 

part hummingbird too.

There is dinosaur tar in 

my bone marrow.

My golden hair sprang out 

of a meadow in Palestine.

Genghis Khan is my fourth cousin,

but I didn't get his dimples.

My loins are loaded with 

banyan seeds from Sri Lanka,

but I descended from Ravanna, 

not Ram.

My uncle is a mastodon.

There are traces of white people 

in my saliva.

3.7 billion years ago I swirled 

in hydrogen dust,

dreaming of a planet overgrown 

with lingams and yonis.

More recently, say 60,000 B.C.

I walked on hairy paws 

across a land bridge

joining Sweden to Botswana.

I am the bastard of the sun and moon.

I can no longer hide my heritage of

raindrops and cougar scat.

My mud was molded with your grandmother's tears.

I was the brother

who marched you to the sea 

and sold you.

I was the merchant from Savannah

and the cargo of blackness.

I was the chain.

Admit it, you have wings, 

vast and crystal,

like mine, like mine.

You have sweat, dark and salty,

like mine, like mine.

You have secrets silently 

singing in your blood,

like mine, like mine.

Don't pretend that earth 

is not one family.

Don't pretend we never hung 

from the same branch.

Don't pretend we do not ripen 

on each other's breath.

Don't pretend we didn't 

come here to forgive.

Who Is My Neighbor?

[image of unknown origin]

What is the definition of neighbor? That question was asked by the priest of a church where I play keyboards. American Heritage Dictionary lists these three definitions: “One who lives near or next to another. A person, place, or thing adjacent to or located near another. A fellow human.” The question was asked as a prelude to a sermon centered around the story of the Good Samaritan and how he helped the man in need whereas others passed him by. While we were instructed on how to help others, my thoughts turned to a dear friend who took a young woman and her child into her house. They had been living in a motel, trying to make ends meet with a minimal income, and when my friend met them, her heart opened and she brought them into her lovely home. I thought this was great, and it’s a good example of what we should all be doing for each other. But her family and friends did not think so. Most of her people thought she was being foolish to open her home to a stranger. And isn’t that where most of us stand on this issue? How many of us would welcome an immigrant family or any other people in need, unless they were friends or family? I know there are many instances where I am selfish and/or fearful. This homily and my neighbor’s actions are going to stay with me for a while, hopefully helping me to love humankind more actively. Namaste…

“If selfishness has given place to kindness, we shall regard our neighbor unselfishly, and bless them that curse us; but we shall never meet this great duty simply by asking that it may be done. There is a cross to be taken up before we can enjoy the fruition of our hope and faith.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 9:11-16

“You respond to what you perceive, and as you perceive so shall you behave. The Golden Rule asks you to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This means that the perception of both must be accurate. The Golden Rule is the rule for appropriate behavior. You cannot behave appropriately unless you perceive correctly. Since you and your neighbor are equal members of one family, as you perceive both so you will do to both. You should look out from the perception of your own holiness to the holiness of others.” A Course in Miracles  T-1.III.6:1-7

What Is God?

South Africa Sunset

Photo credi: Heather Peters

If you ask a hundred people what they think God is, you will get almost that many different answers. Whether it’s an old man sitting in the sky and pointing a finger or an ethereal presence, years of propaganda have created an image in our thoughts, and that is what we envision today. This is one of the main reasons I prefer to think of It as divine Mind or infinite Love. It’s easier for me to depersonalize the God I have made in my own image, to turn the tables and allow myself to be the expression of Mind, the experience of Love. 

“Question. — What is God? Answer. — God is incorporeal, divine, supreme, infinite Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, Love.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 465:8-10

“Listen and learn, and do not judge. It is to God you turn to hear what you should do. His answer will be clear as morning, nor is His forgiveness what you think it is.” 

A Course in Miracles S-2.III.6:9-11

StarGirl

Grace Vanderwaal in 2016 - America’s Got Talent

We’ve probably all had the experience of seeing someone who was so delightful that we immediately began to smile, perhaps to laugh. When I first saw Grace Vanderwaal on America’s Got Talent, she was 12 years old, played a ukulele and sang a song she had written herself. Her voice was so beautiful she got the golden buzzer and we all laughed and cried along with her. Now, fast forward a few years to the StarGirl Hollywood movie. I would not have thought of watching this coming-of-age film, but David Hoffmeister (one of my favorite Course in Miracles gurus) featured this film in a recent movie chat he had on youTube. It was delightful to see a semi-grownup Grace as one of my favorite book characters of all time! When my boys were young and we traveled quite a bit to soccer games, we listened to scores of books on tape. StarGirl, by Jerry Spinelli, was one of our favorites.  While this sweet movie won’t be up for any awards, it kept me smiling the whole time. And that’s worth a lot in my book! A link to Grace’s AGT performance in 2016 is included here, and the StarGirl movies can be found on Disney. We can all use some gentle entertainment, I think. Rock on, Grace …

https://youtu.be/eNxO9MpQ2vA

“Beauty, wealth, or fame is incompetent to meet the demands of the affections, and should never weigh against the better claims of intellect, goodness, and virtue. Happiness is spiritual, born of Truth and Love. It is unselfish; therefore it cannot exist alone, but requires all mankind to share it.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 57:15

“To be wholehearted you must be happy. If fear and love cannot coexist, and if it is impossible to be wholly fearful and remain alive, the only possible whole state is that of love. There is no difference between love and joy. Therefore, the only possible whole state is the wholly joyous. To heal or to make joyous is therefore the same as to integrate and to make one. That is why it makes no difference to what part or by what part of the Sonship the healing is offered. Every part benefits, and benefits equally.” A Course in Miracles  T-5.in.2:1-7

Trust Your Self

Thailand Sunset

Photo credit: Aaron Springston

Have you noticed people are making major shifts in their lives? The cool thing I've observed is how these are not painful changes, but beautifully flowing shifts which seem almost effortless in their perfection. I love seeing people coming alive with the excitement of doing things which bring them happiness and deep fulfillment! Whether it's moving to another part of the globe, or starting a new career, or "retiring" and finding that life is just beginning, people are changing their focus in major ways. We’re feeling free to follow our heart and move into the space of Love which fulfills our function. And how do we know what that is? Listen inwardly and trust yourSelf! (I suggest listening to the Bob Dylan song, Trust Yourself). 

“Spirit, God, gathers unformed thoughts into their proper channels, and unfolds these thoughts, even as [It] opens the petals of a holy purpose in order that the purpose may appear.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 506:18-21

“Changes are required in the minds of God’s teachers. This may or may not involve changes in the external situation. Remember that no one is where he is by accident, and chance plays no part in God’s plan. It is most unlikely that changes in attitudes would not be the first step in the newly made teacher of God’s training. There is, however, no set pattern, since training is always highly individualized. There are those who are called upon to change their life situation almost immediately, but these are generally special cases. By far the majority are given a slowly evolving training program, in which as many previous mistakes as possible are corrected. Relationships in particular must be properly perceived, and all dark cornerstones of unforgiveness removed. Otherwise the old thought system still has a basis for return.” A Course in Miracles M-9.1:1-9

Choices

Photo credit: Judy Kavan

From Ugly Bunny Garden

We have so many choices these days! From the time we wake up and decide which tea to drink, there are a myriad of choices every minute of the day. It seems as though the choice of joy or pain would be an easy one, wouldn’t you think? But making wholesome choices aren’t always easy. One day at the farmers' market, I had a conversation with a couple of people who said that good food was a luxury which they could not regularly afford. This caused me to consider the choices we have. If a person quits smoking, that frees up money for organic, fresh food. It was tempting to ask how much they spent on alcoholic beverages. There are all sorts of expensive luxuries, such as Starbucks coffee, which could be exchanged for a farm-fresh salad. Perhaps if they did a little research on how to easily prepare food, they would be prompted to do so. There's a book called "This Organic Life" where the author explains in detail how almost anyone with a small backyard can grow enough vegetables to feed themselves and their family. The main point of my rant today is that we most always have a choice. As we are told in A Course in Miracles: Don't like your choice? Choose again!

“As vapor melts before the sun, so evil would vanish before the reality of good. One must hide the other. How important, then, to choose good as the reality!” Mary Baker Eddy Science & Health Page 480:31-2

“The world has not yet experienced any comprehensive reawakening or rebirth. Such a rebirth is impossible as long as you continue to project or miscreate. It still remains within you, however, to extend as God extended His Spirit to you. In reality this is your only choice, because your free will was given you for your joy in creating the perfect.” A Course in Miracles T-2.I.3:7-10

Frightening Perceptions

 

Ozark Morning

Photo credit: Arthur Bruno

A friend in Sacramento, California just now posted to Facebook that the fireworks sound like bombs. She speculates they are the illegal kind. Someone ran amok today and opened fire on an Independence Day parade in Illinois. Every day there is a shooting incident of some sort, many of them so heinous we can’t even imagine them happening. And it seems more and more dogs and cats are frantically frightened by the sounds of simulated gunfire. I’m sure the real deal scares the bejeezus out of them, too. While I am extremely grateful that my little village did not have a fireworks display this year — and, now that I think of it, I haven’t heard one bang or pop on my woodsy dead-end street — I know not everyone is so lucky. Many soldiers suffer from the trauma of fighting. It’s my understanding more than 20 veterans kill themselves every day in America. Years ago, I was involved in Oneness Blessing training. We were taught to be a conduit for divine Love. I don’t think it requires a course, and if you have the desire to wrap those who are frightened and lost in Love, it is done. Namaste, dearest friends. Let’s keep on keeping on, okay?

“Remember what was said about the frightening perceptions of little children, which terrify them because they do not understand them. If they ask for enlightenment and accept it, their fears vanish. But if they hide their nightmares they will keep them. It is easy to help an uncertain child, for he recognizes that he does not understand what his perceptions mean. Yet you believe that you do understand yours. Little child, you are hiding your head under the cover of the heavy blankets you have laid upon yourself. You are hiding your nightmares in the darkness of your own false certainty, and refusing to open your eyes and look at them.” A Course in Miracles T-12.II.4:1-7

“As frightened children look everywhere for the imaginary ghost, so sick humanity sees danger in every direction, and looks for relief in all ways except the right one. Darkness induces fear. The adult, in bondage to his beliefs, no more comprehends his real being than does the child; and the adult must be taken out of his darkness, before he can get rid of the illusive sufferings which throng the gloaming. The way in divine Science is the only way out of this condition.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 371:11-20

The Breath of Freedom

 

Independence in Eureka Springs

Photo credit: Richard Quick

On this day of celebrating the independence of these United States, I'm reminded of something from Eckhart Tolle's book, "A New Earth". He speaks of collective consciousness being more powerful than individual thought. He cites instances of groups of people doing things which one alone cannot. He also tells how some of the things countries do would be thought of as insanity if one person were committing the action — i.e., wars, genocide, violations of human rights. I feel we are nearing the tipping point of higher consciousness, with more people every moment desiring the freedom which comes from peace and harmony, shown through compassionate living. Every thought is important, so remember to love each other emphatically — and vote in November for like-minded candidates! Happy Independence Day indeed!!

"A few immortal sentences, breathing the omnipotence of divine justice, have been potent to break despotic fetters and abolish the whipping-post and slave market; but oppression neither went down in blood, nor did the breath of freedom come from the cannon’s mouth. Love is the liberator." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 225:16-21

“In the service of the right mind the denial of error frees the mind, and re-establishes the freedom of the will. When the will is really free it cannot miscreate, because it recognizes only truth.” A Course in Miracles T-2.II.2:6-7

Living Fearlessly

Aaron & Torin

Today our dear friend, Ramona, posted to social media a memory from their friend, William Symes. It bears repeating … 

“Becoming Fearless: The courage to live life boldly needs to be cultivated. There is a difference between reckless abandon or adolescent impulsivity, and spiritual courage. To walk the path of consciousness means to live in a world where we see our role in healing suffering and evolving humanity. To live fearlessly means that we abandon the childhood fantasy of being ‘taken care of’ by someone else. It means that we understand that we are the caretakers. To live fearlessly means that we quit ‘dumbing down’ in order to get approval. We quit responding passively to the predators of the world. We seek consciousness at every opportunity and do not despair at the gravitational pull of the masses. We live in service to the betterment of humanity and all sentient beings: to boldly confront unconscious behavior both within us and outside of us: to effectively limit the bad behavior of those we encounter in the world, and to provide hope where it is lacking.”

Aligning Perceptions With Truth

 

When did you last tell a lie? We may tell “polite” lies, designed to be kind to others, saving our loved ones feelings. These can fall under the category of little white lies. But what of a lie told to benefit yourself, without caring who it hurts or what harm it causes? And what of cheating? Maybe you moved your Monopoly piece too many squares during family game night, but how about taking goods and services from people and refusing to pay for them, or maybe outright taking possessions from someone? I don’t know many, if any, people who do this. Everyone I interact with has a higher sense of integrity and a moral standard which precludes such actions. Actually, most people I know would never consider lying or stealing or cheating, be it a small indiscretion or a major event. It always comes as a surprise to me when I witness blatant misconduct in public officials, movie stars, ministers — anyone, anywhere. I remind myself constantly that everything is either expressing Love or calling out for love. And so I shall not look the other way, and I will do my best to answer that call. Namaste...

"Take away wealth, fame, and social organizations, which weigh not one jot in the balance of God, and we get clearer views of Principle. Break up cliques, level wealth with honesty, let worth be judged according to wisdom, and we get better views of humanity." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 239:5

“Miracles are examples of right thinking, aligning your perceptions with truth as God created it.” A Course in Miracles T-1.I.36:1

Beam Me Up!

Photo taken from a Buffalo River site

Tonight two of my neighbor-friends were sitting on the front porch with me and, as we chatted, something extremely bright flashed in the sky. It was behind me, but was bright enough the sky I was facing lit up, too. As we talked about the possibilities of its origin, I remembered a photo someone had posted to social media showing a smoke ring and a bright light. Of course this led to a discussion about extraterrestrial life and the possibility of visitors from far, far away. Earthlings have always been fascinated with this possibility, and a goodly proportion of our population have seen something they cannot explain — or they explain it as an alien being sighting. I have never had the honor of seeing one of these events, but am not averse to it happening. I was reminded of something Isaac Asimov wrote decades ago. 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. Realizing we’re all doing the best that we can, I hold to the hope that once we know better we’ll do better. 

“A sense of separation from God is the only lack you really need correct. This sense of separation would never have arisen if you had not distorted your perception of truth, and had thus perceived yourself as lacking. The idea of order of needs arose because, having made this fundamental error, you had already fragmented yourself into levels with different needs. As you integrate you become one, and your needs become one accordingly. Unified needs lead to unified action, because this produces a lack of conflict.” A Course in Miracles T-1.VI.2:1-5

“It is neither Science nor Truth which acts through blind belief, nor is it the human understanding of the divine healing Principle as manifested in Jesus, whose humble prayers were deep and conscientious protests of Truth, — of man’s likeness to God and of man’s unity with Truth and Love.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 12:10

Facing Change Fearlessly

 

David Inshaw - She Did Not Turn, 1974.

This quote by Meister Eckhart caught my attention today: “And suddenly you know: It's time to start something new and trust the magic of beginnings.” In looking back at the new beginnings in my life, they were the best of times. Giving away practically all my possessions and moving to Eureka Springs, changing our lifestyle in a major way with this move, was by far the best decision I ever made. I’ve watched friends limit their happiness because they were afraid of change. One man loved his little dog so much that when she died he wouldn’t get another one, because he couldn’t stand the pain. We all know people who won’t fall in love because they are afraid of disruption and pain coming into their lives. One man talked his wife into not having children because the world was too awful and he felt it would be wrong to bring babies into it. I’ve always wallowed in sadness when the situation is presented. It seems to help me move through it more thoroughly if I honor the feelings, embracing them and finding the glimmers of joy. Every animal I’ve loved has shown me the meaning of eternal Life, as has every friend who has passed out of sight. Love is worth anything we must walk through, as it helps us to understand its power and grace. And I am grateful …

“Today accept Atonement, not to change reality, but merely to accept the truth about yourself, and go your way rejoicing in the endless Love of God. It is but this that we are asked to do. It is but this that we will do today.” A Course in Miracles W-139.10:2-4

“The understanding of Truth and Love, the Principle which works out the ends of eternal good and destroys both faith in evil and the practice of evil, leads to the discernment of the divine idea.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 561:1

The Pause, In All Its Forms …

 I’m taking my cat’s advice today!

art: Frederick Carl Freiseke

"Cats don't beat themselves up about not working hard enough. They don't get up and go, they sit down and stay. For them, lethargy is an art form. From their vantage points on top of fences and window ledges, they see the treadmills of human obligations for what they are -- a meaningless waste of nap time.”

~ Helen Brown, "Cleo: How an Uppity Cat Helped Heal a Family"

Conscientious Protests of Truth

 

Photo credit: Blake Lasater

When asked about her politics, Mary Baker Eddy stated that she really had none -- other than to "pray for a righteous government, love her neighbor as herself, and God above all else." I often look to her words to guide my thoughts during these surreal times. Another of her statements which brings clarity is this one: “Neither material finesse, standpoint, nor perspective guides the infinite Mind and spiritual vision that should, does, guide His children.” (“Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896,” p. 373). If left to the thoughts created by my ego-driven mind, I am tempted to jump up on my high horse and declare some governmental actions to be insane, at best. Perhaps I'll feel overwhelmed by too much misinformation and fall back on past ways of thinking about situations, not realizing each moment is different from the last. At those times, it helps me to know that infinite Mind (a synonym for what we usually call God) contains all the knowledge there is, and Truth (another synonym) can never be hidden, and Love (also, God) controls everything with Its all-encompassing comfort and guidance. And I am grateful...

Mary Baker Eddy describes Jesus' prayers as “deep and conscientious protests of Truth, – of man’s likeness to God and of man’s unity with Truth and Love.” Science & Health, Page 12:2

“The miracle is a sign that the mind has chosen to be led by me in Christ’s service. The abundance of Christ is the natural result of choosing to follow Him. All shallow roots must be uprooted, because they are not deep enough to sustain you. The illusion that shallow roots can be deepened, and thus made to hold, is one of the distortions on which the reverse of the Golden Rule rests. As these false underpinnings are given up, the equilibrium is temporarily experienced as unstable. However, nothing is less stable than an upside-down orientation. Nor can anything that holds it upside down be conducive to increased stability.” 

A Course in Miracles T-1.V.6:1-7

Mental Viruses

After watching the wild movie, “Dr. Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”, I’ve been thinking about alternative universes — ones which are similar yet entirely different from each other. This movie also brought into focus the powerful forces which are unseen in our world. In all these Marvel movies, forces are harnessed for evil and for good, with good eventually winning — but oftentimes not before extreme havoc is wreaked. Today we watch in amazement as seemingly evil forces attempt to take control of our world. I have always believed Love is a force more powerful than any form of hatred. And I do still see this as truth. After watching a short video by Eckhart Tolle with the subject, “Beware of Mental Viruses” I suddenly saw exactly how susceptible we humans are. If we replay something over and over in our thoughts, it becomes part of who we are. It becomes our reality. With this in mind, everyone of you who know in your heart that Love is an actual force, I’m asking you to be active in becoming a transparency for that all-powerful energy. Any time thought is pulled into a hopeless state, replace it with a translation of the situation, affirming a spiritual Truth. We’ve been practicing all our lives, and we are ready for this. Namaste …

“Love is not something put upon a shelf, to be taken down on rare occasions with sugar-tongs and laid on a rose-leaf. I make strong demands on love, call for active witnesses to prove it, and noble sacrifices and grand achievements as its result.”
Mary Baker Eddy - Miscellaneous Writings Page 250:16-18

“The Oneness of the Creator and the creation is your wholeness, your sanity and your limitless power. This limitless power is God’s gift to you, because it is what you are. If you dissociate your mind from it you are perceiving the most powerful force in the universe as if it were weak, because you do not believe you are part of it.” A Course in Miracles T-7.VI.10:4-6

With a Fairy, Hand in Hand …

 John  Grimshaw - Midsummer Night, 1876.

“Come away, O, human child! 

To the woods and waters wild, 

With a fairy hand in hand, 

For the world’s more full of weeping than you can understand.”

W.B. Yeats - Fairy and Folk Tales of the Irish Peasantry, 1888. 

In The Name of Truth

Creation of Sandy Wythawai Starbird 

Certain things seem to be difficult for human beings to do: admit that we are wrong, and say we are sorry. I know when I was a child I didn’t like to admit I was wrong. I grew into the ability to admit these things. I’m extremely happy when opportunities arise to apologize — probably a bit of ego slipping in there. But even today I find opportunities to check myself. A few weeks ago, the Response and Acclamation books I use in the Catholic services mysteriously disappeared. The cantor and I decided the substitute cantor must have taken it home. When I asked him to bring it back, he said he didn’t have it. Well, last week when I was looking for a particular piece of music on my shelves at home, I discovered it in the midst of all of my wedding music books! We had had a wedding planning session with a couple who will be marrying next month, and when I picked up all the music the missing book had been hiding between a couple of others! I am admitting right here and now that my first inclination was to pretend I had not found it — or taken it! But no, that was not a possibility because two people were thinking the substitute had it and simply did not know. So I fessed up to everyone involved. Now, this doesn’t seem like a big thing, but there is no degree of importance when we choose to lie. May this way of thinking spread the world over, so we can live in peace, harmony, and truth! 

"What can correct illusions but the truth? And what are errors but illusions that remain unrecognized for what they are? Where truth has entered errors disappear. They merely vanish, leaving not a trace by which to be remembered. They are gone because, without belief, they have no life. And so they disappear to nothingness, returning whence they came. From dust to dust they come and go, for only truth remains." 

A Course in Miracles Lesson 107

“As the reflection of yourself appears in the mirror, so you, being spiritual, are the reflection of God. The substance, Life, intelligence, Truth, and Love, which constitute Deity, are reflected by 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 516:2-8

Choose Again

I'm listening to Eckhart Tolle's classic book, A New Earth. It seems very appropriate at this time of changing values and the fearful actions we're witnessing as consciousness unfolds into form. Living from Love should be as easy as pie, but apparently mortal mind can misinterpret anything in any number of ways. Eckhart has reminded me that every one of us who accepts this shift from fear to Love helps to pave the way for others to move into this space. While every thought we have is important, let's not beat ourselves up when we feel we have failed -- because thoughts of failure and guilt are once again the ego jerking our chain. Let's learn to laugh at ourselves as we choose again and go forward with joy!

“Trials are but lessons that you failed to learn presented once again, so where you made a faulty choice before you now can make a better one, and thus escape all pain that what you chose before has brought to you. In every difficulty, all distress, and each perplexity Christ calls to you and gently says, ‘My brother, choose again.’” A Course in Miracles - T-31.VIII.3:1-2

Mary Baker Eddy quote: “Erroneous belief is destroyed by truth. Change the evidence, and that disappears which before seemed real to this false belief, and the human consciousness rises higher.” Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures Page 297:12-15

Let’s Speak Truth To Error

 

Photo credit: Aaron Springston

There was an article making the rounds on social media concerning a public school in Tennessee which was purportedly forcing children to participate in Muslim practices. The comments to this article range from mildly ignorant to wildly speculative. Finally, someone named Doug calmly recited all the reasons this is not happening, stating that the article is a satirical joke, and nicely asking if all the responders felt silly for believing it. In other words, The Emperor has no clothes! We witness this same scenario taking place numerous times a day, in some form or fashion, and usually we look the other way — probably because it’s happening on the television news! Let’s not look away: We must speak truth to error of all sorts. With the ease of sending messages through emails and social media platforms, I encourage everyone to refute lies which are “going viral”. May the calm voices of reason prevail!

“Erroneous belief is destroyed by truth. Change the evidence, and that disappears which before seemed real to this false belief, and the human consciousness rises higher.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health 297:12-15

“If a light is suddenly turned on while someone is dreaming a fearful dream, he may initially interpret the light itself as part of his dream and be afraid of it. However, when he awakens, the light is correctly perceived as the release from the dream, which is then no longer accorded reality. This release does not depend on illusions. The knowledge that illuminates not only sets you free, but also shows you clearly that you are free.” 

A Course in Miracles T-2.I.4:6-9