Mind in the Forefront

photo credit: Aaron Springston

A favorite writing by Bicknell Young begins by telling me that if I don't bring God into my experience first thing in the morning, it may be difficult or even impossible to have It with me throughout the day. Of course, I'm tempted to think, But wait a minute, God is always with me! And while this is, of course, true, it is not the case when we allow consciousness to be ruled by mortal mind. So when we ask God to be in our mind through the day, what we're actually asking is for our material self to be transparent enough to allow divine Mind to be in the forefront.  When I wake up in the morning, rather than planning my activities of the day, I will contemplate the meaning of  this Presence. I'll see myself as the expression and experience of divine Mind and await what unfolds!

“Mortal mind is the acknowledged seat of human motives. It forms material concepts and produces every discordant action of the body. If action proceeds from the divine Mind, action is harmonious.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 239: 23-27

Simple Truth

PC: Aaron Springston

The collective consciousness we swim in keeps telling us we've done something wrong and we can't be saved until we do a whole bunch of things right. Let's allow all of those beliefs to go away today and concentrate on what feels true to us right now, in this moment. I will, at every possibility, quiet my thoughts and allow this truth to permeate my being. It's there all the time, this divine Love which supports us more surely than the waters of mass consciousness. My pure consciousness is expressed most perfectly in two words: I Am.  Today, I want to live this simple truth. Join me!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The scientific unity which exists between God and man must be wrought out in life-practice, and God's will must be universally done. If men would bring to bear upon the study of the Science of Mind half the faith they bestow upon the so-called pains and pleasures of material sense they would not go on from bad to worse …” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 202:3-9

A Path Less Taken

Our lives tend to fall into familiar patterns as we move through our days. We may find ourselves going to the same places, saying the same things, thinking the same thoughts -- and all these habits become comfortable. Even if we're experiencing disharmony, we often fear change. We may say, "Something told me I should do so-and-so". We may hear this calling, this inner voice leading us toward a different path than we're on, but we feel it takes courage to walk a road less or never traveled, and so we settle. To settle for anything which brings us less than joyful existence is to dishonor ourselves, which is to dishonor God. The next time I think I'm feeling this thing we call fear, I'll choose to interpret the emotion as excitement about what will come next!

Mary Baker Eddy quotes:

“Walking in the light, we are accustomed to the light and require it; we cannot see in darkness. But eyes accustomed to darkness are pained by the light. When outgrowing the old, you should not fear to put on the new. Your advancing course may provoke envy, but it will also attract respect.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 452:7-12

Greatest Fear

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Our Greatest Fear —Marianne Williamson

“It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us

Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate.

Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure.

It is our light not our darkness that most frightens us.

We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous,

talented and fabulous?

Actually, who are you not to be?

You are a child of God.

Your playing small does not serve the world.

There's nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other

people won't feel insecure around you.

We were born to make manifest the glory of

God that is within us.

It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone.

And as we let our own light shine,

we unconsciously give other people

permission to do the same.

As we are liberated from our own fear,

Our presence automatically liberates others.

—Marianne Williamson

Happy Renewal!

art by Judith Ann Griffith

For many of us, the celebrations of Easter hold negative trigger words such as salvation, resurrection, crucifixion. When we look at the metaphorical meaning of those words, we can relax into an understanding which is different from the traditional storytelling about the murder of Jesus. I’m not going to delve into those interpretations as you all know them as well as I — perhaps better, depending upon your religious background. No matter what we have believed, we’re asked to put down the sword and pick up the flowers, carrying forth the light of forgiveness and recognizing ourSelves in the light of the Christ. I believe this is what Jesus was trying to tell us in his beautiful teachings. If you want some affirmative videos this Sunday morning, search on youtube for Easter/David Hoffmeister. Happy Easter everyone! May the bunnies bring you joy!

"Resurrection: Spiritualization of thought; a new and higher idea of immortality, or spiritual existence; material belief yielding to spiritual understanding."

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 592:9-11

To Judge or Not

In reading a Facebook private message sent by an old man-friend, I was extremely tempted to judge his words. While I’ve moved past what we had 30-plus years ago, he continues to bring up detailed summaries which I would rather not contemplate. I tell myself that I have better things to think about. This implies that he does not. That is a judgment. Every thought I’ve had about this communication feels unnecessary. As I sat and contemplated his words and my reactions, I realize that it simply is what it is. There is no reason for me to think about it as good or bad; it just is. Once again, I turn to the ancient Toltec wisdom as interpreted by Don Miguel Ruiz in "The Four Agreements": I will not make assumptions, and I will not take anything personally. I'm grateful to be learning to rely on divine Mind and release the circular thoughts of mortal mind!

“It should be thoroughly understood that all men have one Mind, one God and Father, one Life, Truth, and Love. Mankind will become perfect in proportion as this fact becomes apparent, war will cease and the true brotherhood of man will be established.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science and Health Page 467:9-13

Unspeakable Peace

PC: Aaron Springston

Although I know peace is a choice within my own self, I would love to share it with everyone, everywhere. It has taken quite a while to grasp the concept that the only thought I can change is my own. After spending years trying to change thoughts and actions of husbands and friends, I think it was my children who finally taught me the meaning of Oneness. I could watch the mood of the household change with my emotions. Holding to peace within myself is all I can do. Jumping on the bandwagon of resentment and other negative emotions used to seem impossible to avoid, but I don’t find it as difficult now to simply witness these things without becoming a part of them. While I can't change what anyone else is thinking or feeling or experiencing, I can adjust my vision of reality. Every thought is important! We are all in this together, in every way, at every moment. Today I will make an effort to see everything through the eyes of Love.

“Spiritual living and blessedness are the only evidences by which we can recognize true existence and feel the unspeakable peace which comes from an all-absorbing spiritual love.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 264:24-27