Queen of the Sun

photo credit: Aaron Springston

At this time of the year, I love revisiting a documentary called “Queen of the Sun". In this film about bees, we are told that pollen is materialized light. I love that, don't you? When thought of like this, it seems possible that we, too, are materialized light. We're also shown that the bee's light is freed through blocks of honeycomb, beautifully shared with all as sweet, beautiful honey. And yet again, the light is freed in the goodness of beeswax candles. The freeing of light is cumulative with the bees, and we can experience the same thing as we unshackle the light and peace and joy within ourselves. Another lesson from the bees is the importance of community. Watching them working together for a common cause is uplifting and inspiring to me. It makes me want to join with my neighbors and do something important. But wait -- I'm doing that! What blesses one blesses all. My awakening to light and joy and peace is yours, too. Bees, people, trees -- as infinite ideas, we're all in this together!

“Light is a symbol of Mind, of Life, Truth, and Love, and not a vitalizing property of matter. Science reveals only one Mind, and this one shining by its own light and governing the universe, including man, in perfect harmony.." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 510:27-1

A Union of Hearts

Ken and Sandy Starbird
photo credit: Judy Rhodes

I am told of a study about marriage which has ascertained that the young get married for sex and children; 30-50s (maybe older) people join together for help with a business or to pool resources for whatever reason. But elders marry for companionship. I find this interesting for many reasons! I’ve been married three times and I don’t think it was ever for the top reasons given in this study. I plan on marrying soon, for the final time, and we don’t fall into the category of  companionship seekers. We are both comfortable with ourselves, so much so that we plan to live in different states — but not different states of mind, and that’s what we find important. Words have always been more important to us than physical presence. We feel no separation. We are awakening to something new, fearlessly!

“Marriage should signify a union of hearts.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 64:17

Stretched Thought

I’ve been making it a point to hang out with people who are outside of my regular social circle. It’s easy to fall into the habit of establishing tribes who agree with our belief systems. We join churches because folks support us in our preconceived beliefs and further root us in those understandings. We may join a community choir for the love of singing, or a theater group to act. Many of the multitude of activities we participate in encourage our personal growth and foster new experiences; others cause us to be more deeply set in our ways. I love to participate in pods which do neither. Finding a group of people whose beliefs and understandings are as varied as our ages and clothing choices is a stimulating and freeing activity! This is one of the reasons I love the group of people who regularly play duplicate bridge in my area. My thought is stretched and amused in many ways by these folks. May we continue to enjoy the openness this activity fosters!

“…sacrifice is nowhere and love is everywhere. For communication embraces everything, and in the peace it re-establishes, love comes of itself.” A Course in Miracles Chapter 15 XI:7

Forgiven and Understood

"I can forgive but I'll never forget." How often have we heard those words? I think the realization that we're all doing the best we can in any given situation has been a freeing thought for me. Perhaps recognizing what is of value and what is valueless is a factor in forgiveness, also. Nothing is of value if it's changeable and transient. Reality is that which does not change. Nothing else truly matters. I spoke with a distant relative who told me she was so sad that I “hadn’t had a chance to forgive my parents before they died”. I had to laugh, because no blame leaves nothing to forgive!

“The real world is the state of mind in which the only purpose of the world is seen to be forgiveness. Fear is not its goal, for the escape from guilt becomes its aim. The value of forgiveness is perceived and takes the place of idols, which are sought no longer, for their ‘gifts’ are not held dear. No rules are idly set, and no demands are made of anyone or anything to twist and fit into the dream of fear. Instead, there is a wish to understand all things created as they really are. And it is recognized that all things must be first forgiven, and then understood.” A Course in Miracles Chapter 30:V:1

The Infinitude of Love

photo credit: Heather Peters

I’m reminded of a story a friend once told about a relative who had been married seven times. This man felt he was a failure at love for having been divorced numerous times, so he was very much surprised when an uncle told him it was a wonderful thing! Why would you say that?, everyone wanted to know. The uncle said, How wonderful that seven women have loved you enough to marry you! This is an example of a slight shift in perception making a huge difference to everyone involved, don't you think? Seeing the world through Love shows us reality in a way which looks nothing like what we've become accustomed to viewing. A world of judgment and fear is not one which holds an interest for me.  I want nothing more than to see through Love, as Love, with Love.

“The intelligent individual idea, be it male or female, rising from the lesser to the greater, unfolds the infinitude of Love.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 508: 23-25

Correct Interpretations

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Are you afraid that the realization of Oneness would take away your individuality? Two things which, in reality, do not exist -- mortal mind, as termed by Mary Baker Eddy, and ego as it's called in ACIM -- want you to think you would no longer be you if you admit that you are One with all that Is. What if free will does not exist unless you DO give up what you think of as individuality and embrace Oneness? I'm beginning to see that I have no will of my own if I'm simply regurgitating well-rehearsed lines from the history of my life. I'm starting to glimpse the freedom which comes from throwing off the chains I have bound myself with through a lifetime of fears and learned behavior. A dear friend related a story about thinking his stepmother had never liked him. Recently he found out she was practically deaf, and actions he had interpreted as slights to him were actually moments of confusion on her part. He now sees their relationship with the freedom of understanding. As we separate illusion from Truth, by way of thinking with divine Mind, we are freed! 

“There is but one I, or Us, but one divine Principle, or Mind, governing all existence; man and woman unchanged forever in their individual characters, even as numbers which never blend with each other, though they are governed by one Principle.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 511:11-16

Climbing the Heights of Holiness

photo credit: Aaron Springston

There is a delightful little book called, The Holy Man, by Susan Trott. It is comprised of numerous scenarios recounted through a group of people who are waiting in line to see The Holy Man. They feel all their questions will be answered, all their problems solved, if only they can meet and speak with him. The irony is that when they are finally admitted to his home, he simply leads them through the house and out the back door. The beauty of the book is that everyone sees what they need to see from their interactions with others while waiting in the long line. We, too, have these ah-hah moments while going about our day-to-day activities. By releasing our by-rote reactions, we are free to practice forgiveness with every blameless thought we have. With this clean slate, who knows what insights will be ours? Like those people waiting to speak to The Holy Man, whom they believed had all the answers, we will be finding insight in every moment, simply by allowing ourselves to accept that we are One with God. As such, all answers are ours, even without asking questions!

“Mind, joyous in strength, dwells in the realm of Mind. Mind's infinite ideas run and disport themselves. In humility they climb the heights of holiness.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 513:26-9