April 16, 2012 - Be Still and Listen

Mt. Timpanongo, Utah, Heather
Photo by Aaron Springston

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #106

“Let me be still and listen to the truth.”

[Marsha's thoughts]

Walking meditations, sitting meditations, music meditations, mantras, chants, drumming. Most of us practice some form of quieting the mind, some way of slipping into the gap between thoughts and experiencing inner knowing. In Christian Science, this process is called prayer. It's not an asking, but a listening, as is the result of most meditations. The ability to visit this space at a moment's notice is integral in our ability to transcend the miasma of mortal, material thoughts which present themselves to us constantly. There are so many proofs of the fruits of this way of living. Everywhere we look there is another affirmation that we're on the right track with our studies. I love people's reactions to synchronicities! When something happens in perfect concourse with another event, creating wonderful circumstances for everyone and everything involved, we call this synchronicity. As an example, recently I had an appointment for a haircut. The day after the appointment was scheduled, I remembered that it had even been made. I e-mailed Jean (the most wonderful hairdresser in the world!) apologizing and asking for another appointment. She responded that when she started reading the note her heart dropped because she had forgotten to tell me she needed to cancel the appointment due to a family emergency in another state, and then she was glad because I had forgotten about it anyway. How's that for synchronicity? Some people don't see this as anything other than pure chance. Others think of it as supernatural and want to avoid it or, alternatively, to seek its return. Some of us see it as a natural way of life when listening past the roaring of material beliefs to the spiritual voice of Truth. Whatever our mode of listening to God, let's do it as much as possible, until we realize that's all there is.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The effects of Christian Science are not so much seen as felt. It is the 'still, small voice' of Truth uttering itself. We are either turning away from this utterance, or we are listening to it and going up higher. Willingness to become as a little child and to leave the old for the new, renders thought receptive of the advanced idea. Gladness to leave the false landmarks and joy to see them disappear,--this disposition helps to precipitate the ultimate harmony. The purification of sense and self is a proof of progress. ‘Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.’”

Science & Health Page 323:28-8

April 15, 2012 - Peace and Joy are mine

Immaterial mess in front of Eureka Thyme
photo by Randal Thompson

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #105

“God’s peace and joy are mine.”

[Marsha's thoughts]

The certainty that this is so, that God's peace and joy are mine because I am the pure reflection -- the essence, if you will -- of God, has carried me through this day. Yesterday I told you of the minor irritations involved with having the street torn up in front of my gallery, then having the phone quit working, and lastly my change of thought about the whole situation. At some point during trying circumstances, it's always tempting to fall into a why-me, victim mode. Midway through today, when the telephone company had not come to fix the phone (which is the same line that enables the credit card machine), I was perilously close to feeling put-upon. Plus, I've convinced myself that I can't greet the public more than four days in a row without a break, and I was on my fifth day! Knowing that gallery stroll days are twelve-hour marathons didn't help my attitude much. I felt grouchy and was happy that our featured artist was there to talk to people, because I didn't want to! And then something happened which caused me to realize the necessity of living Love. A sweet young couple with a baby came in. I didn't recognize them, but was talking to her about candles. The conversation turned to children and I shared with her what a great independent school we have here in Eureka Springs, with a short synopsis of why I felt that way. As I was telling her what a life-changing experience The Clear Spring School had been for us, she began to cry. She told me that not only had she needed to hear this, but that she had been in the gallery a year ago and had felt so welcomed she decided to move here. In that moment I realized that it doesn't matter if I'd rather be quietly enjoying my home, it doesn't matter if the street is torn up, it doesn't matter if we have no phone/credit card capabilities. What does matter is that I recognize that I am Love, and share that with everyone by my living of it. There is no way to know how far-reaching our actions may be. To genuinely care about everyone we meet, to listen to them, to respond honestly with Love, that's what renews our sense of joy and peace and restores energy. My cup runneth over.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Trials teach mortals not to lean on a material staff,-- a broken reed, which pierces the heart. We do not half remember this in the sunshine of joy and prosperity. Sorrow is salutary. Through great tribulation we enter the kingdom. Trials are proofs of God's care. Spiritual development germinates not from seed sown in the soil of material hopes, but when these decay, Love propagates anew the higher joys of Spirit, which have no taint of earth. Each successive stage of experience unfolds new views of divine goodness and love.”

Science & Health Page 66:6-16

April 14, 2012 - What is ours in Truth?

"Bryce Canyon, Utah, USA"
photo by Aaron Springston

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #104

“I seek but what belongs to me in truth."

[Marsha's thoughts]

What belongs to us in Truth? Peace and joy and happiness; the kingdom of heaven which is within us. A few weeks ago I wrote a segment about the street repairs going on in front of our art gallery, Eureka Thyme. The project has grown since that time, with approximately 30 feet of excavated street and piles of limestone and other detritus. There's nothing like an in-your-face situation to bring forth erroneous thought and breakdowns between what we espouse and what we actually do. At one point, I realized that in my zeal to be unaffected by the mess out front, I was ignoring the situation, rather than transforming it in thought. First of all, if these workers had been in front of my house, I would have offered refreshment and made some sort of mini-friendship with them. I had been ignoring them while looking past the orange cones and ugly ply-board and black plastic. From that start, there has been progression in thought -- that is, until today. Mid-afternoon, I discovered the phone was dead, which means the credit card machine doesn't work. Realizing why this affected me so deeply and releasing it from my thought left the doorway unblocked for hearing and seeing Truth. And that Truth came through my sweet son, Aaron, (whose photographs grace these writings). He broke the spell I was falling into. Turn it into art, he said! Since we're having the first Gallery Stroll of the year, and my featured artists are two of the wildest and most fun creative geniuses I know, I think it's quite possible this will manifest soon! I was going to show you a photograph of the mess in the street. But I'd rather share peace and joy and happiness with you! This terrain may not be what we're used to, but it certainly is beautiful ~~~

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“God has built a higher platform of human rights, and He has built it on diviner claims. These claims are not made through code or creed, but in demonstration of "on earth peace, good-will toward men."

Science & Health Page 226:14-17

April 13, 2012 - Butterflies, Love, Happiness

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #103

“God, being Love, is also happiness.”

Butterfly Gardens in St Louis
Photo by Aaron Springston

[Marsha's thoughts]

One of my favorite sayings is: If you have a choice of being right or being kind, be kind! I recently witnessed a man who was determined to be right no matter what. He  was relentless in correcting his wife on everything from her memory of events to her pronunciation of giclee'. I couldn't detect an iota of happiness anywhere in his aura. If he had been familiar with the above saying and had allowed himself to express kindness instead of a staunch determination to be right, perhaps a chink would have appeared in his armor and a ray of joy could have escaped. Mrs. Eddy made this declaration: "Clad in the panoply of Love, human hatred cannot reach you." Unfortunately it seems the opposite also applies. We can put up a barrier to Love and refuse to admit that it even exists, much less understand that Love is our essence.   We can allow belief to cover up Truth; hiding the knowing that God is Love, happiness. I have an acquaintance who tells me he doesn't know what love feels like. He is certain he's never felt love and wouldn't recognize it if he did. Personally, a most intense feeling of Love came over me a few days ago when I saw the first butterflies of spring! There they were, a gathering of beautiful Swallowtails, joyously flying from flower to flower. My heart opened at the sight, and I breathed deeper trying to capture just a bit of their grace. And so today I will remember the butterflies, knowing that I Am that same reflection of perfect Love, exuding happiness wherever I go.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Soul has infinite resources with which to bless mankind, and happiness would be more readily attained and would be more secure in our keeping, if sought in Soul. Higher enjoyments alone can satisfy the cravings of immortal man.”

Science & Health Page 60:28-1

April 12, 2012 - Happiness is my Natural State

Aaron at Bryce Canyon
photo by Heather Magnan

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson # 102

“I share God’s Will for happiness for me.”

[Marsha's thoughts]

These last few lessons have concentrated on happiness and what allows us to feel and express it. We have acknowledged that God wants us to be happy, that we want it because our will and God's are the same thing, and that nothing can keep us from this peaceful joy -- other than our thoughts! I'm acquainted with a few people who are chronically sad. They seem to revel in this feeling and do everything possible to keep it foremost in their lives. A very talented artist, whom I greatly admire, uses bright colors and paints seemingly happy scenes. One is of a man riding a bicycle, pulling a huge house-like structure through a colorful forest. Everything looks bright and happy, but on the front of the oversized house is a sign which says "Baggage". I've talked to him about this and he realizes he's carrying around every sadness and hurt which have ever touched him, but he can't manage to let them go. Another man of long-acquaintance unfailingly reiterates a story of betrayal which happened to him 20 years ago. I personally have certain events from the last 50-plus years which repeatedly come to thought, usually when manifested by a reminder. At this point, there's a choice: I can relive the event mentally and/or verbally and thereby keep it alive. Or I can acknowledge that it's still in my thoughts, but it is not the Truth of my Being. Yes, it happened (whatever it is). It's part of my material history. But my spiritual reality has not been touched by it. What peace is brought by this understanding! I can be happy. Even in the midst of things which aren't particularly joyful -- such as, dealing with paperwork and phone calls and other things which can be tedious -- we can give ourselves permission to be happy. It is, after all, our natural state of Being!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"An ill-attuned ear calls discord harmony, not appreciating concord. So physical sense, not discerning the true happiness of being, places it on a false basis. [The] Science [of The Christ] will correct the discord, and teach us life's sweeter harmonies."

Science & Health Page 60: 24-28

April 11, 2012 - All you need is Love

Mount Timpanogos Goat
photo by Aaron Springston

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #101

“God’s Will for me is perfect happiness.”

[Marsha's thoughts]

How many of us cringe when we hear the words salvation and atonement? I know I always have, and that's just from the general collective consciousness of the world, because I wasn't taught that these are things which God demands of us if we are to get to heaven. I was taught in Christian Science that the kingdom of heaven is within you. That atonement is realizing your unity with God and all of creation. That salvation is understanding the truth of your being and demonstrating it in daily life. That God is Love, and therefore I Am, too. And so what is left other than happiness? If we give up fear and replace it with Love, peace reigns within and is demonstrated without. When we give up notions of separation from God and each other, replacing them with thoughts of unity and feelings of Oneness, joy is expressed. Every situation which seems so real in our material world can be seen through spiritual sense for what its reality is, not what we have made up about circumstances. It is said in A Course in Miracles that everything is either a call for love or an expression of Love. The only difference I see is that a call for love is looking for something outside of yourself to bring you something which you do not have. An expression of Love is an acknowledgement that everything you need is already there, because you are reflecting the Love that you are as the image and likeness of God. As we clear out material beliefs concerning our identity, happiness will fill the void in the realization that  Love is all you need and it truly is All that Is. The Beatles were right!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“That God's wrath should be vented upon His beloved Son [you], is divinely unnatural. Such a theory is man-made. The atonement is a hard problem in theology, but its scientific explanation is, that suffering is an error of sinful sense which Truth destroys, and that eventually both sin and suffering will fall at the feet of everlasting Love.”

Science & Health Page 23:5-10

April 10, 2012 - Happiness is our Heritage

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #100

“My part is essential to God’s plan for salvation.”

Heather, Sunset, Principia
photo by Aaron Springston

[Marsha's thoughts]

Today we are urged to be fully present in the joy which is our inheritance as a reflection of God. When I hear the word joy, I tend to think of exuberant happiness. But quiet, peaceful happiness spreads joy, too. And we've all had times in our lives when happiness doesn't seem to be present at all. At times like those, it's even more important to understand what our part is in all of this: and that is to express God. In every situation, whether solemn or celebratory, our function is the same. Sometimes it seems too simple, doesn't it? All we have to do is to allow everything to be Love: to reflect it, to live it, to be it! A sentence from today's lesson says: "God's Will for you is perfect happiness." Wow! God wants me to be happy!! And not just wants me to, but tells me how to do this, if I will listen. Once again, quieting the material senses is the key to hearing this guidance. There are so many ways to open up to spiritual sense, and I love practicing them in daily life! One of my favorites is the nightly time of listening for what the topic of these writings will be.  I tune in Pandora radio to classical music and/or George Winston piano music and sit quietly, waiting to hear what I'm going to write about. Living all elements of life with an attitude of listening is a constant adventure, and at the same time, it's a calm road to peace and joy. Have you noticed that cameras capture inner feelings? The eyes tell it all, and whatever you're feeling is pretty easy to see in this digital age. But let's not be afraid of those times we're sad. Quietly do what needs to be done, in the surety that happiness and joy are ever present, waiting for each of us to let them in.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Harmony is produced by its Principle, is controlled by it and abides with it. Divine Principle is the Life of man. Man's happiness is not, therefore, at the disposal of physical sense. Truth is not contaminated by error. Harmony in man is as beautiful as in music, and discord is unnatural, unreal.”

Science & Health Page 304:16-21