One Principle

We had a near-tragedy on our street today. A beautiful man with talent and money and good looks attempted to take his life. I am told by a good friend (who is also a friend of his) that he feels worthless, ugly, disliked by others, and sick. What a difference in perception from the way the neighborhood sees him! He is in the hospital recuperating. I hope he will allow us to wrap him up in the love of community. I hope he will be honest and open about his feelings. I hope he will see himself the way I do — full of life! I’m examining what can be done on a day-to-day basis to help people who may feel as he does. I know I’m going to pay attention to inner prompts, no matter how subtle. I will strive to clear my mind of my own turmoil, letting myself hear feelings others may be afraid to voice. 

“The rich in spirit help the poor in one grand brotherhood, all having the same Principle, or Father; and blessed is that man who seeth his brother’s need and supplieth it, seeking his own in another’s good.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 518:15-19

The Reality of Substance

photo credit: Arthur Bruno

Years ago, I had friends who were expecting their first baby. They thought it would be interesting to teach it the "wrong" things -- such as, blue would be red, a table might be called a chair, maybe a dog would be a cat. That would certainly be seeing things differently! I see a correlation in their mis-information scheme and the illusions and limitations we have set up for ourselves in our world. There is a Course in Miracles workbook lesson which asks us to give up any notions we have concerning the meaning of anything and everything. By doing this, we enable ourselves to drop what we've always thought about a particular thing and allow ourselves to be open to what it is and what it is for. I love where this exercise takes us! When we begin asking what things are rather than telling them what they are based on our previous labeling of them, interesting answers

come our way. For instance, the way we, as a society, punish wrong-doing: Does our present system of retaliation and retribution actually accomplish anything? In reading a book, "The Buddhist and the Terrorist", an alternative to the treatment of a murderer is explored. This book is one of many which encourage me to see differently, to see myself as Love sees me. This concept strikes me as worthy of exploration!

"The objects cognized by the physical senses have not the reality of substance. They are only what mortal belief calls them." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 311:26-28

Happy Mother's Day to All!

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Today I would like to celebrate everyone who has ever lovingly tended a garden, or carefully cooked a meal, or comforted a sad friend, or helped someone in need, or volunteered for a cause dear to their heart, or read to a child, or loved a dog, or anything else you may have done which took you out of yourself by thinking of another first. I have many friends who are sad on this day in which we celebrate mothers. Mothering encompasses so much more than having a child or going to dinner with your mom, don’t you think? Anything done with love qualifies you as a nurturer, so celebrate yourself today! It matters not if you’re male, female, young or old, be gentle with yourself today and every day! 

“Both sexes should be loving, pure, tender, and strong. The attraction between native qualities will be perpetual only as it is pure and true, bringing sweet seasons of renewal like the returning spring.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 57: 8-14

Immortal Ideas

photo credit: Chris Fischer

Every prayer, every meditation, every expression of love is magnified exponentially. We have the power to change the world through ourselves, as each interaction identifies us with either a world of love or of fear. The same way in which we take personal responsibility for ourselves, our health, our well-being, we can take responsibility for a return to Love. Every thought contributes to the whole! We never know what difference a simple interaction could make in someone's life, and a single word or a smile may turn them away from reactive fear to healing love. The truth which corrects all errors in our mind is our ascension into heaven within. Never doubt that you matter, that you make a difference. Allow silence and listening to guide you in your role of being the change you want to see! 

"Immortal ideas, pure, perfect, and enduring, are transmitted by the divine Mind through divine Science, which corrects error with truth and demands spiritual thoughts, divine concepts, to the end that they may produce harmonious results." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 259: 27-31

Let the Force Be With You

I hate computers! This is not something I would say, and that's because I've learned what happens if you do: they hate you back. I'm saying this semi-jokingly, but a lot of you have probably experienced this phenomenon. If we get frustrated and tense, this translates into blocked ability to know what's going on. I often tell people to think like a computer when working with them: to appreciate seeing what it has to teach you, and listen for instruction on how to learn. Computers are actually very zen-like machines, don't you think? If I'm not achieving the results I want, it's tempting to throw up my hands and give up. That's the time to sit quietly and ask for the knowledge which divine Mind always is providing. Once again, we're asking ourselves to be still and know. Silence mortal mind and and let the force be with you! Ommmm ~~~~

“Let Christian Science, instead of corporeal sense, support your understanding of being, and this understanding will supplant error with Truth, replace mortality with immortality, and silence discord with harmony." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 495:21-24

Dwelling in Sadness - Or Not!

photo credit: Chris Fischer

We all know people who seem to be chronically sad, don't we? They share a commonality of repeatedly replaying dismal and distressing events in their thought and conversation. I have some gloomy memories which pop into my head occasionally. When this happens, there's a choice: I can relive the events mentally and/or verbally and thereby keep them alive, or I can acknowledge that they're still in my thoughts, but know that they are 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. The peace brought by this understanding is priceless. I can be happy! Even in the midst of things which I may not think of as particularly joyful, I can give myself permission to be happy. It is, after all, my natural state of Being!

“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.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 304:16-19

The Ascending Path

PC: Aaron Springston

Today I took a friend to a pain clinic in a neighboring town. As I sat in the waiting room, I was morbidly fascinated by the people sharing their tales of pain and medical horror stories. I questioned those sitting closest to me. I asked them how long they’d been in pain, if they felt they would ever be pain free, what their future looked like to them. There was no hope in this room, at least none other than the hope that a new drug would be discovered to mask their torture. One thing I noticed about them was their sadness. It could be argued that their intense pain caused them to be sad. But I wondered if perhaps it was a circular feeling, and their sadness caused pain, and their pain fed their sadness, and on and on. This brief encounter caused me to see certain things from another perspective. I shall ponder this…

“Who that has felt the loss of human peace has not gained stronger desires for spiritual joy? The aspiration after heavenly good comes even before we discover what belongs to wisdom and Love. The loss of earthly hopes and pleasures brightens the ascending path of many a heart. The pains of sense quickly inform us that the pleasures of sense are mortal and that joy is spiritual.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 60: 24-28