The Breath of Freedom

Throughout our lifetime, we have seen oppression falling. I know, I know, there's still a long way to go -- but just think how far we've come! It seems to me it should be easier than it is. The strides I, personally, have made in releasing preconceived notions about people who seem different from me are huge! A man said to me that he was afraid to come to Eureka Springs. Of course I asked him why. He said if we were having one of our "diversity" weekends he didn't want to be here. He assured me he had nothing against "gays", but he didn't want it rubbed in his face. This is a learned behavior on his part and has nothing to do with the way he felt when he came out of the womb into this life. As we release what we think we're supposed to think, we open the way for divine Love to guide us. Love is the liberator!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The history of our country, like all history, illustrates the might of Mind, and shows human power to be proportionate to its embodiment of right thinking. A few immortal sentences, breathing the omnipotence of divine justice, have been potent to break despotic fetters and abolish the whipping-post and slave market; but oppression neither went down in blood, nor did the breath of freedom come from the cannon's mouth. Love is the liberator.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science and Health Page 225:14-22

Simple Seekers for Truth

photo credit: Gerry Toler

I often am reminded of my half-brother, Little George Havens, traveling evangelist. He was quite short and very flamboyant. I can still hear him singing, to the tune of Battle Hymn of the Republic, "The circuit ridin' preacher traveled through the mire and mud; preached about the fiery furnace and of Noah and the flood". What a character he was! He spent his life spreading the word of God as he knew it. And he helped countless people find hope along the way. But did he ever listen for the still, small voice, or did he just recite what he had come to believe as truth? That, I can't say. We can only know our own heart, and so today I will examine my motives in interactions. Lying to myself  is as bad as lying to others. I shall listen…

“Millions of unprejudiced minds--simple seekers for Truth, weary wanderers, athirst in the desert--are waiting and watching for rest and drink. Give them a cup of cold water in Christ's name, and never fear the consequences.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 570:14-17 

All Together Now

PC: Aaron Springston

We have insisted on separating ourselves from each other by setting up divisions such as nationality, gender, and religion. It seems as though it should be simple to accept our unity as an idea of divine Mind. We all have a song to sing, and we are all  part of the grand symphony of life. To rejoice in being One with everyone, to live from love rather than fear and its imaginings, is to humbly accept the goodness we inherently are. I pray to turn away from the illusion of material problems as I wholeheartedly accept my function as a reflection of Spirit, seeing that image mirrored in everyone I meet.

"The world believes in many persons; but if God is personal, there is but one person, because there is but one God. His personality can only be reflected, not transmitted. God has countless ideas, and they all have one Principle and parentage. The only proper symbol of God as person is Mind’s infinite ideal" Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 517:15-20

Happiness in Action

creation of Sandy Starbird

The action of happiness is profound. It affects everything and everyone around it. We all have stories of watching situations change when we touch them with peaceful joy. This doesn't mean we laugh in the face of misery, as that is not compassion. But neither is being overly sympathetic while perpetuating the illusion. I hope to never lose the ability to empathize with others, but, also, I hope to always retain the ability to see past the form of sorrow and know the Truth of the situation. To carry a calm, buoyant feeling of happiness wherever we go is to bring healing to everything, everywhere. Whether it's a peaceful internal smiling or an outward giggling eruption, I invite you to join me today in the expression of Love, "giving living waters to the thirsty", and never fearing the consequences.

“Whatever inspires with wisdom, Truth, or Love--be it song, sermon, or Science--blesses the human family with crumbs of comfort from Christ's table, feeding the hungry and giving living waters to the thirsty.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 234:4-8

Recognizing Reality

photo credit: Aaron Springston

My parents considered themselves to be free of prejudice. After all, my dad had married a Chicano girl from South Texas, and in 1931 this was tantamount to marrying outside of "your race", which wasn't often done. I'll always remember a day when we were riding in the car. I was around ten. My mom and dad were talking about Sammy Davis, Jr., a black man, marrying May Britt, a very white woman. I piped up and said, "I wouldn't mind marrying a black man". Dead silence ensued. Not another word was said until we got to our destination and my mom took me aside and told me never to say anything like that again. I didn't understand it then, and I don't understand it now. The difference is that now I have the option of making a decision to stand with Oneness as my reality. There is no decision to be made when we leave aside the strange human interpretations we have placed on everything in this world. So I will continue to strive to recognize what is past the illusion and live that as my reality. Namaste to the World!

“The point for each one to decide is, whether it is mortal mind or immortal Mind that is causative. We should forsake the basis of matter for metaphysical Science and its divine Principle.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 195:11-14

Harmony

Just be yourself! Countless times I heard this admonition from my mom. I don't recall wanting to think like my friends did, as much as wanting to do what they did. And so then I'd hear from her, "If everyone was jumping off a cliff, would you do it, too?" "Well, yes, mom, I certainly would", I would tell her. It's so easy to fall into the habit of being a lemming and thinking as those around us do. The act of realizing our true heritage as the child of divine Mind is the beginning of freedom from this bondage of mortal mind. My home is Love. Anything else is a stranger in that home. And so I relax into the comfort of my true home, turning away from every fearful thought. This acronym for fear will help me do this: False Evidence Appearing Real.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Harmony in man is as beautiful21as in music, and discord is unnatural, unreal.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 304:20-21

The Bondage of Belief

photo credit: Gerry Toler

Joel Goldsmith gives us an analogy of a person sitting in the dark and declaring that electricity gives light. Of course this is true, but we're still sitting in the dark until we flip the switch and make a connection with the source of the light. A while back, I had a conversation with a friend in which it was disclosed that her in-laws and her husband had been abused by their father. The father has passed away and the three children, now in their 60s, suffer in numerous ways from these past actions. The mother knew this, but wouldn’t admit it happened. If only she could have done this for her beloved children, perhaps they would all have been set free. This mother didn’t need to release her children for them to be freed, and hopefully they have seen this in the years hence. How many situations do we feel ensnared by, when in actuality nothing can keep us in bondage! All we need do is realize our source is Love. Nothing else matters.

"The adult, in bondage to his beliefs, no more comprehends his real being than does the child; and the adult must be taken out of his darkness, before he can get rid of the illusive sufferings which throng the gloaming." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page Page 371:14-18