Breaking the Spell

PC: Gerry Toler

In examining my decisions, I see they are often nothing more than self-satisfied dogma on my part. I might think: This is the way it's always been for me, and I like it that way, and I'm going to keep it that way. And so I do. Even if some knee-jerk reaction brings me sadness and conflict, I may have decided that this is "right" and I must stick by my guns (what a horrible saying that is!) and continue on in this way whether it brings peace and happiness or the opposite. Today I vow to remember to see with new eyes, whether it’s a current event I find repugnant or a song someone sings to me. And I will forgive myself for forgetting…

“To break this earthly spell, mortals must get the true idea and divine Principle of all that really exists and governs the universe harmoniously. This thought is apprehended slowly, and the interval before its attainment is attended with doubts and defeats as well as triumphs.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 39:26-30

Beside the Buffalo

"Buffalo River" photo credit: Gerry Toler

I rediscovered the poetry of Rosalie Toler tonight. Here is one for you:

Beside The Buffalo

Alone on a rock with a

   book

I do the friendly thing

I read poetry to the

   river,

and the water molds it

   to a new rhythm.

Williams — Whitman —

   Dickinson,

I hurl their polished   

   syllables

away on the current.

Do people downstream

   hear them coming?

I wonder.

Maybe some fisherman,

casting his own lines,

   will feel the rush,

sense the lure of purling

   words leaping,

matching riff with riffle.

Or maybe some rugged

   kayaker,

etching his watery v’s,

will shoot rapids

   through them,

unaware that part of

   the thrill

is sheer poetry.

Adventures

Today brings news of another friend passing from our sight. A well-loved member of our farming community died last night. I enjoyed Frank for his humor and progressive thought, but I must admit it’s his garlic, cilantro, and arugula I will miss the most. I think he is happy I feel this way. Death has never frightened me, but it has shown me many things. The love which carries on after someone is gone is palpable, and I am grateful for the continuing connection it brings. I always think of Kahlil Gibran’s platonic lover saying she had never felt closer to him than when he dropped his earthly form. We have so much to experience — the pain, the joy, and all the in between. Life is an adventure — and I’m sure what we think of as death is, too!

“In the illusion of death, mortals wake to the knowledge of two facts: (1) that they are not dead; (2) that they have but passed the portals of a new belief.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 251:8-11

Progress

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There is so much to do! Some friends work for environmental causes, others are assertive through political activism, some are educators, many raise money and give of themselves for the benefit of animals, a few are champions of those who cannot help themselves. The only inspiration needed is to walk out the door and talk with people. We earthlings have much progress to look forward to. Some people I know think they do not have the resources to do good, either in time or money. From my experience, if you have time you don’t have money; if you have money you don’t have time. This sets up the perfect scenario for us to help! Both time and money are needed to facilitate progress. And I recognize that many of us have neither assets nor the physical ability to jump right into causes. But we can all touch lives with kindness and caring. I love it when others reach out to me with kindness, and it inspires me to be more loving in every word and deed.

“There is moral freedom in Soul. Never contract the horizon of a worthy outlook by the selfish exaction of all another’s time and thoughts. With additional joys, benevolence should grow more diffusive.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 58:12-16

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