To Speak or Not?

photo credit: Aaron Springston

On this day of celebrating freedom and independence, I pause to think how difficult it is to keep my mouth shut — and wonder when I should and should not do so! For instance, someone was talking about Dunkin’ Donut coffee pods and how much they like them. I nearly told them how horrid pods were for the environment, and then wanted to rant about coffee production killing songbirds. Then someone was talking about television and I almost began a lecture on hypnotism and mind control by corporations. So I sit and ponder where to draw the line on this one. If I saw someone torturing an animal (or other living creature), I would step in and stop them. If someone was dumping their waste into a river, I would speak up and attempt to do something to change it. But what if someone is looking at life from a different perspective than mine, even if I feel it to be harmful? Do I have the right to impose my ideas on them? I know I must walk the talk and change the world by changing myself, but sometimes it’s difficult to keep quiet! Happy Independence Day...

“Watch carefully and see what it is you are really asking for. Be very honest with yourself in this, for we must hide nothing from each other. If you will really try to do this, you have taken the first step toward preparing your mind for the Holy One to enter.” ACIM Chapter 4: III.8

Glimpsing Freedom

photo credit: Aaron Springston

When we are acquainted with someone but have never been in their home, we may imagine their surroundings as we communicate via modern technology. When a loved one tells us about an experience, we "see" them in that situation and fill in the picture in interesting ways. When we think about God, images may come to mind which are no more than fairy tales and remembered myths. Is our freedom based on myth also? We live with limiting beliefs which seem inescapable.  So how do we think about this imagined bondage? Most of us live with limiting beliefs every day, and it often seems impossible to be released from them. As children we are told not to talk to strangers, to be careful lest we fall, to be afraid of God, to live in certain ways in order to gain the approval of others -- the list goes on. We think a multitude of rules and beliefs must be obeyed in order to survive and thrive, and when we start to realize most of these so-called rules have nothing to do with our true existence, it can be frightening -- and exhilarating! The freedom of our true creation is seen through a change in our perception of reality. Taking ourselves out of the prison of preconceived notions allows the Love we are to show through our actions in sublime ways. And we glimpse freedom…

“In a word, human belief is a blind conclusion from material reasoning. This is a mortal, finite sense of things, which immortal Spirit silences forever.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science and Health Page 124:11–13

Freedom

An old Kris Kristofferson song, "Me and Bobby McGee", has the line: Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose. At first glance, that line may seem forlorn: I’ve already lost everything and have nothing left and so I guess that's supposed to be freedom. But then again, there's something to be said for nothing left to lose! Does it have to imply loneliness and emptiness? I don't think so. By not counting on anyone or anything other than the still, small voice of yourSelf, there is an ultimate freedom in not worrying about what, who, where you'll be -- or anything else! When I  follow that inner knowing which supplies me with the freedom to be open to anything and everything, without wondering or questioning my own motives or those of others, I am free! It's quite a delightful trip, this waiting with heart wide open to see what's coming next!

“Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way. Right motives give pinions to thought, and strength and freedom to speech and action.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 454:18-21

Clearing the Past

"Thailand" photo by Aaron Springston

In my quest to keep thought love-based and away from fearful fantasies, I often listen to uplifting books while I’m doing busywork. The current book is The Celestine Prophesy. I was reminded of something today when the author told  how to “clear the past”. When I took an intensive two-day training in Giving Deeksha, a/k/a Oneness Blessing, I remember the teacher telling us that we cannot progress without forgiving our parents. Unless we rectify the past, stop blaming the present on those events — no matter how horrid they may seem — then we have little to no chance of  feeling the peace and Love which we innately embody. I want nothing more than to move forward, through any seeming ripples which rock my boat. And so I am holding thought to the fact that we are all doing the best we can. I am, you are, everyone is. Namaste…

“If mortals are not progressive, past failures will be repeated until all wrong work is effaced or rectified. If at present satisfied with wrong-doing, we must learn to loathe it. If at present content with idleness, we must become dissatisfied with it. Remember that mankind must sooner or later, either by suffering or by Science, be convinced of the error that is to be overcome.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 240:19-26

Be With Those Who Help Your Being

Today I am grateful for all the people I gather with who help me remember my true being as a reflection of divine Love. It's great to talk with others who recognize the images of divine Mind shining through the myths we have created for ourselves in daily life. More and more we are realizing truth, and recognizing what is simply habitual thinking, perpetuated by repetition. I’m often asked  how we can know if thoughts are coming from the one Mind or from our mortal, limited thinking. I ask myself: Does this make my heart sing and my mind feel at peace? Does it bless all equally, along with me, or do I feel an uneasiness which I can't exactly pinpoint. Maybe there's a feeling of importance and superiority. These last two things are absolute indicators that thoughts are coming from my limiting sense of ego and not inner Truth.  Today I want to "Be with those who help [my] being." Rumi 

“Gratitude is much more than a verbal expression of thanks. Action expresses more gratitude than speech.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 3:24-27

Loved of Love

I’m reminded of a Eudora Welty quote: "We are the breakers of our own heart." Looking back at my own life and how often I broke my own heart, I'm very aware of what that means. One friend has blocked herself away from close relationships all her life. There are many people who care for her, and she’s only now realizing how many there are now that she’s in the hospital. The kindness being shown to her by others who have known her for the last 60 years is unbelievable to her. She had no clue she was so well loved! My prayer for today is that we all open our eyes and see the love which is being expressed all around us. To those who help their neighbors, care for their friends, and steadfastly keep on loving the seeming-unlovable — Cheers!

“The poor suffering heart needs its rightful nutriment, such as peace, patience in tribulation, and a priceless sense of the dear Father’s loving-kindness.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 365:32-3

All-Encompassing Peace

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Forgiveness is all-encompassing. It’s more than saying we don't hold a grudge against someone for something. Forgiveness is born from the practice of realizing our unity with God, hence our Oneness with each other. What more could we want than peace, joy, love, contentment, bliss, appreciation, and satisfaction? This larger, all-encompassing forgiveness reconciles any so-called differences we may have with each other, and also with anything we are holding against ourselves. Allowing divine Love to guide our every action and thought would free us to live differently than when our lives are dictated by material beliefs and habits. It's always amazing to me that some people choose to not speak to one another simply because they disagree about certain things. I like oranges, you like apples. So what? Our commonality rests in the Oneness of our true being. That's a constant reality!

“Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need.”

Mary Baker Eddy — Science & Health Page 494:10-11