One Principle

PC: Aaron Springston

In response to one of these writings a few days ago, a dear friend wrote that she thought independence was no more than the ego telling us a lie. She brought up a beautiful fact: we are all one, so what’s with this separation we call independence? Thank you, Shanna Pra, for calling this to my attention! It is a false fear to think that we can lose individuality or independence by loving someone. We are ALL dependent on each other because we ARE each other. Cool, Shanna! Thank you for pointing this out to me. Sometimes we can’t see the forest… 

“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 588:11-15

Breaking Up of Belief

PC: Aaron Springston

One of our social media mavens recently posted something to Facebook  saying that people seem volatile, jumping to conclusions and reacting in anger. Her advice to us all was to "Calm the f… down!"  I can translate that into wanting peace and making a choice to have it. If you're having trouble slipping away from tension and letting peace be felt, try doing things which can facilitate this: float on a river, walk in the woods, have a massage, get a Oneness Blessing. There are so many avenues to this end. Mainly, I think it's the realization that we have a choice which opens the door to peace.

“This material world is even now becoming the arena for conflicting forces. On one side there will be discord and dismay; on the other side there will be Science and peace. The breaking up of material beliefs may seem to be famine and pestilence, want and woe, sin, sickness, and death, which assume new phases until their nothingness appears. These disturbances will continue until the end of error, when all discord will be swallowed up in spiritual Truth.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 96:12-20

A Work in Progress

Lately, I’ve been examining my motives in regard to interpersonal relationships. I had come to believe I didn’t want to be emotionally dependent upon anyone, and certainly didn’t want them to feel they needed me. When I fell in love with a man, it was a frightening situation to me — although I wasn’t able to see it as such. I made up excuses not to love him, and I had many reasons for why he shouldn’t love me. I didn’t feel any empty places which needed to be filled in my heart, and didn’t have any desire to depend on anyone, so why should I be in love? Perhaps it’s so I can truly be a transparency for divine Love. Maybe it’s so a creative purpose can whirlpool into an unstoppable force. Maybe it’s just for fun! Whatever the case, I think the only way I can be wrong in this situation is to dictate what it should be, or what it should become. We are, after all, a work in progress.

“Jealousy is the grave of affection. The presence of mistrust, where confidence is due, withers the flowers of Eden and scatters love’s petals to decay.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 67:9-11 

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