Comfort and Joy

Have you ever heard of an organization called Comfort Cases? A couple who host foster children noticed that most of them arrive carrying their few possessions in a trash bag. They realized that these children had little to no self-esteem, and the fact they didn’t have a real bag to carry their belongs caused them to sink further into despair. They started this organization to help their children see how they can give back what they have received. And have they ever! They’ve given our almost 100,000 cases with pajamas, stuffed animal or blanket, toothpaste and brush, soap, and other items which help a child feel valuable. The holidays provide us with many opportunities to give, and lists of reputable organizations are readily available. One of my favorites is Heifer International, because the animals they give to needy families help them nurture and expand their family’s resources. Let’s remember all the Angel Trees, food banks, women’s shelters, and other agencies which enrich humanity with their work. After all, we’re all in this together!

“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 

Life is a Meditation

How do you integrate your spiritual practice into daily life? This is a question someone asked me which brought a smile. Since I don’t have any rituals which would be defined as “spiritual practice”, I suppose they are asking about the moments I pause to commune with the Universe — times when waiting in line at the grocery, or sitting at the bridge table after having decided what to bid on a hand and waiting to do so, or clearing my mind to see a word appear in the Words With Friends board. Hum, I guess life IS a spiritual practice, don’t you think? When I find myself turning a situation around and ‘round in thought, or when I replay possible scenarios of how things may transpire, that’s the time for a mental reminder to just stop it! Spiritual practice, for me, can be defined as getting out of my own way and listening for the inner voice which could be called intuition, or God. While some may think going to church once a week constitutes a spiritual practice, most folks I know have a moment-to-moment awareness which is guided by Love. How do you know if you’re life is directed by Spirit or ego? If you’re at peace, it’s God; if you’re upset and unhappy, it’s ego!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Lips must be mute and materialism silent, that man may have audience with Spirit, the divine Principle, Love, which destroys all error.”

Science & Health Page 15:11-13

How You Look At It

photo credit: Aaron Springston

It’s been said that everyone sees a rainbow differently, according to where they are when they view it. Isn't that a perfect metaphor for everything from politics to the clothes we put on our bodies? Where I am, in thought, is how I will perceive something. Things which I may think of as being for the good of everyone, someone else may see as the downfall of society. It's just a matter of how you look at it. A line from a movie comes to mind in which an octogenarian tells her family that life is like a roller coaster ride: some people think it's frightening and stressful; others see it as fun and exciting. It’s often difficult to see beauty in the moment, when everything seems wrong. The myriad of spiritual disciplines have reasons for these times in our lives. It seems many of these beliefs cause more pain than healing. I find myself returning time and again to two of the 4 Agreements: don’t take anything personally, and don’t make assumptions. I find it easier to see what’s really happening when I remember this.

“The human mind will sometime rise above all material and physical sense, exchanging it for spiritual perception, and exchanging human concepts for the divine consciousness. Then man will recognize his God-given dominion and being." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 531

Peace to My Mind

Utah - Photo Credit: Aaron Springston

Things never do and should not go 100% your way, but your life can happen your way. What happens within you is entirely yours; what happens around you is never yours alone.  How often do you hear someone say, He/She pushes my buttons! This means, of course, that someone “makes you angry or upset”. Is this really happening? How we react to someone else is either peaceful or tumultuous, and we have that choice to make in every moment. When I was a child, I didn’t like to have conversations when I first awakened in the morning. My mother thought this was a flaw in my character and tried to change me. Looking at this now, I see that silence in the morning works best for many of us. If I start out the day with inane conversation, or news stories hand-picked to feed my fears, the timbre of the day has been set and it’s difficult to center myself in the calm needed to move happily through it. Similarly, when I don’t sleep well at night, it’s because I haven’t been able to shut down my thoughts. Although I am not a fan of ritual, these morning and evening meditations work for me. We are all individuals, and through an examination of your feelings, habits, and demeanor, you can discover what works for you, too! 

"Peace to my mind. Let all my thoughts be still.

Father, I come to You today to seek the peace that You alone can give. I come in silence. In the quiet of my heart, the deep recesses of my mind, I wait and listen for Your Voice. My Father, speak to me today. I come to hear Your Voice in silence and in certainty and love, sure You will hear my call and answer me." W-pll.221   

Life, Its Own Self

"Both Sides Now"
created by Sandy Starbird

In the continuing saga of the lightning-struck organ, it can be forced to work, but only by a professional and only for a little while. So it will be functional for our concert on Sunday, but I must play the piano for dress rehearsal tomorrow. I'm going to look at this as a good thing, as I've been saying for years I'd like to improve my piano skills. So I shall look at this as an opportunity! The pianist who had a heart attack on Monday is going to be well soon, and I'm sure will be even more appreciated than before when she's back on the bench! My beloved book club met this evening and the appreciation I feel for this group of women grows deeper every time we gather in our homes. Our book this evening was about a retreat where people go to get a jump start on improving their lives. The twist in this story was that they were being given small amounts of hallucinogens with their morning smoothies. The result was quite interesting and led to a fine discussion! At the end of the day, I only feel gratitude for everyone I've encountered. Where there could be anxiety and frustration and anger expressed by workmen and others in charge of things, there has been harmony and good humor. The group of women who met this evening have their turmoil, too, but we're not afraid to confide in each other when we need advice or encouragement. And that's what it's all about, don't you think? Hugs to each and every one of you...

"Problems are not specific but they take specific forms, and these specific shapes make up the world.  And no one understands the nature of his problem.  If he did, it would be there no more for him to see." A Course in Miracles T-27.V.8 

Only Good Can Come of This

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Yesterday, I told a sad story of random lightning strikes and a piano player being felled by a serious health event. I want to assure you that our pianist is going to be fine. She is in the heart recovery place in Fayetteville and may be able to play on Sunday for the concert. But the wonderful music directors of our Celebration Choir sprang into action and lined up a great pianist, the pastor of the church has managed to get all the lights and heat working (although the speakers are “shot to hell”, as he said). Unfortunately my beautiful organ is not working properly, but it will stay on if someone holds the switch in the “on” position. The technician from the big city thinks it must be a simple fix, replacing the switch, but his wife is very ill and he can’t come until an indefinite time in the future. We have some leads on another organ wizard and I will have sweet dreams tonight of him swooping in and waving his magic wand tomorrow. After spending the morning with the high school choir who will be participating in the performance, I am joyous and certain that only good will come of this. And everything! Let’s all keep smiling and being nice to each other, helping where we can, and knowing there truly is a spiritual solution to every problem. Oh, wait a minute -- there is no problem! 

"There is but one way to heaven, harmony, and Christ in divine Science shows us this way. It is to know no other reality -- to have no other consciousness of life -- than good, God and [Its] reflection, and to rise superior to the so-called pain and pleasure of the senses." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 242

Just Breathe

"Protennoia" in the early sun

In stressful times, when I might become overwhelmed or frightened, I like to listen to Deva Premal and meditate on the art of Sandy Starbird. This morning was one of those times. Yesterday, we discovered that the fabulous organ I play at the Methodist church had been struck by lightening. We have the Celebration Choir performance this coming Sunday, so that left us in limbo. I am the organist and we have a professional pianist to accompany this great local choir, which is being joined by the performance choir from Berryville High School. So we weren’t too worried because there is a beautiful Steinway piano at the church where the performance will be held, and we can bring in a keyboard for the organ parts. Then today we hear that the pianist has had a heart attack. It’s at times like these we need to keep a calm, clear thought and know everything is working together for good. Much healing is happening in our world and our understanding is needed. So I will wake up in the morning, commune with Sandy’s rendition of Protennoia, and know only good can come of this.

“I am Protennoia,

the Thought that dwells in the Light.

I exist from the first.

I am numberless. I am immeasurable.

I am a Voice speaking softly by virtue of Thought.

And it is a Word that was sent

to illumine those who dwell in darkness.”

These words are adapted from Trimorphic Protennoia, a Sethian Gnostic text from the New Testament apocrypha. The only surviving copy comes from the

Nag Hammadi library (Codex Xlll )