One Love

For years I was in love with love. I loved being in love and flitted from one love affair to another. When I began a serious study of divine metaphysics, the love I had always chased seemed small in comparison to divine Love. As I discovered that I am the expression of this Love, I spent quite some time separating these feelings and cordoning off the love which I had humanly craved. At some point, I realized I was increasing my feelings of separation with my definitions and restrictions on love. In thinking about it, I realized there is only one Love, and it makes no difference if I’m loving my children or my dog or a man I see as the love of my life. We can separate material love into categories, but the Love of which we are created is not variable. I am grateful for this revelation!

“One moment of divine consciousness, or the spiritual understanding of Life and Love, is a foretaste of eternity.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 598:23-24

Truth Governs Reality - January 11, 2018

photo credit: Arthur Bruno

A friend from California called to tell me his exciting news: At the age of 74, the last two yearly visits to the optometrist have shown his eyesight to be improving. He also told of discontinuing cholesterol  medication a few years back because of side effects consisting of back pain and confusion. He was surprised to find out his numbers were going down, rather than the increase his doctor had predicted. He wanted my opinion on why this was happening. I laughed and told him what I’ve noticed about him in the last five years is that he is a much more laid-back guy now, happier, less worried than when I met him. He also is gaining an understanding of metaphysics and quantum thought. I told him he needn’t worry about why, but to be grateful and continue his walk on the road of realized consciousness, being aware and joyful each step of the way. I loved hearing his story!

“Truth is affirmative, and confers harmony. All metaphysical logic is inspired by this simple rule of Truth, which governs all reality.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health, Page 418:20-22

Joyful Interactions

photo credit: Aaron Springston

The Dalai Lama has such profound and beautiful messages for us! He speaks of peace and love, reminding us of our true identity in such an unassuming and pure manner. His gleeful words never leave me where they found me, and for this I am most grateful. I remember a DVD of his entitled "Compassion in Emptiness". In this DVD, he speaks to the importance of relationships based in honesty and trust. The joyfulness born of these interactions is essential to our liberation from fearful illusions. The trust and honesty he speaks of isn't limited to those who have "earned" it. It isn't limited in any way. As we go through our daily activities, let's remember to treat everyone with the loving respect and courtesy with which we would afford a dearly beloved parent or child. May kindness and joy spread to every person you come into contact with today, and everyday. And if you happen to forget what that feels like, pick up a DVD of the Dalai Lama and let him remind you!

“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.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 9:11-14

Life

photo credit: Aaron Springston

What do you think of when you hear the words, There is no death? You may be conditioned to think of someone living on in your idea of heaven, continuing in much the same way as we knew them. We find it comforting to think we will see them again, continuing our lives as before they left us. I, personally, think of the change we call death as a grand adventure. Who knows for sure what this change will bring? Some even have an idea that the afterlife is whatever you think it is: if you believe in a traditional heaven and hell, so it is; if you see everything as eternal energy, so be it. You probably have some ideas and intuitive feelings about this, too. I’ve been examining these concepts lately, and I feel comfortable with what I’m feeling. 

“When your body and your ego and your dreams are gone, you will know that you will last forever. Perhaps you think this is accomplished through death, but nothing is accomplished through death, because death is nothing. Everything is accomplished through life, and life is of the mind and in the mind. The body neither lives nor dies, because it cannot contain you who are life. A Course in Miracles - The Lessons of Love

“If the belief in death were obliterated, and the understanding obtained that there is no death, this would be a ‘tree of life,’ known by its fruits. Man should renew his energies and endeavors, and see the folly of hypocrisy, while also learning the necessity of working out his own salvation.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 426:12-16 

#ChurchFail

photo credit: Gerry Toler

Blake Lasater, minister of the Eureka Springs Methodist Church, is intelligent, kind, and quite brave. This month’s sermons fall under the heading of #ChurchFail. Today he told us the failure of American Christianity is its love affair with hellfire and damnation. He gave us a history of how churches ceased working for social justice and began the the business of “saving souls”. Rather than helping the least, the last, the lost, they began berating their congregations for supposed sins. He told us churches are meant to comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. I am honored to play music for this congregation which defines itself as a reconciling ministry. May more people examine their motives and acts in the way Blake so openly does!

“If the crucifixion is seen from an upside-down point of view, it does appear as if God permitted and even encouraged one of His Sons to suffer because he was good. This particularly unfortunate interpretation, which arose out of projection, has led many people to be bitterly afraid of God. Such anti-religious concepts enter into many religions. Yet the real Christian should pause and ask, "How could this be?" Is it likely that God Himself would be capable of the kind of thinking which His Own words have clearly stated is unworthy of His Son?” A Course in Miracles - Chapter 3, Atonement Without Sacrifice 

Usher in a New Era

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Writers, artists, musicians, all of us who are willing to live from intuition rather than belief, heart instead of head, each and every one of us are ushering in a new era. We're shifting consciousness to reality rather than the illusion of such. Every thought is important! Compassionate action is replacing fearful hibernation; honesty trumps lies. Let's all hold tight to each other and go forward with joy!

“The calm and exalted thought or spiritual apprehension is at peace.Thus the dawn of ideas goes on, forming each successive stage of progress.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 506:12-14

The Forms of Loneliness

photo credit: Aaron Springston

I’ve been talking to someone about loneliness and the many forms in which it appears. The years I spent in bars wasn’t for the alcohol, but for the people, the easy connection found in those bottles. I’ve known folks who belong to enough clubs and groups to keep themselves busy all their waking hours. Many people can’t abide silence and constantly have a radio or other device playing, often simply for the company they feel it brings to them. Then there are those who marry to keep from being alone, many times not realizing the most lonely of individuals are often not alone. To sit quietly by yourself, happy, realizing there is a deeper connection than the busy-ness often used as a substitution for it — this is the open secret to happiness, the key to contentment, the welcoming element of eternal Love. “I am in you, and you in me, mutual in divine Love.” William Blake

“Wilderness: Loneliness; doubt; darkness. Spon‐taneity of thought and idea; the vestibule in which a material sense of things disappears, and spiritual sense unfolds the great facts of existence.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 597:16-19

“Today's idea will eventually overcome completely the sense of loneliness and abandonment all the separated ones experience. Depression is an inevitable consequence of separation. So are anxiety, worry, a deep sense of helplessness, misery, suffering and intense fear of loss.” A Course in Miracles - Workbook Lesson #41