F.E.A.R.

photo credit: Steve Shogren

One of my favorite acronyms is “False Evidence Appearing Real”. Fear stems from the idea that we can be separated from joy and love, from peace and security. It would be unkind to tell someone there is nothing to fear when they are in the middle of a war zone or, perhaps, have been brutally attacked. At this stage of our evolution, perhaps it's best to think this truth silently, affirming within ourselves that illusions are not facts and there is, in reality, nothing to fear. For instance, I have a friend who has been in a car accident and is now afraid to drive outside of our small hometown. While I did not make light of her fear, I also steadfastly refused to reinforce her trepidation by agreeing with her. I don’t think true compassion is shown by agreeing with erroneous thought; rather, thought can be changed by seeing the error in thinking and asserting the truth of our being as an expression of divine Mind (God). I pray  for the grace which will guide me to silence or action!

“The calm and exalted thought or spiritual apprehension is at peace. Thus the dawn of ideas goes on, forming each successive stage of progress.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 506:11-14

Addicted to Hate

photo credit: Aaron Springston
Loveland Pass, Colorado

I heard a program on National Public Radio today in which people who had been involved with hate groups, and were presently in recovery, were interviewed. There were white nationalists, neo-nazis, Islamic terrorists. Some wanted out because they realized they were wrong, others had wives who gave them ultimatums when they saw their children behaving in this way, whatever the reason, they all had something in common: they couldn’t leave without support from groups. It was very similar to Alcoholics Anonymous. These people said they were addicted to the feelings, the strong emotions, which were aroused when they screamed messages of derision toward others. Listening to these dear people talk about their experiences — how and why they were drawn to such a destructive group of people, the way it made them feel, why they had to get away from them — I was struck by how much we truly are all the same. Sometimes we lose our way and think that pain is pleasure, hate is love, and ugliness is beauty. I’m going to double down on my efforts to scatter joy and love my neighbor. It is, indeed, important!

"...fear demands the sacrifice of love, for in love's presence fear cannot abide. For hate to be maintained, love must be feared; and only sometimes present, sometimes gone. Thus is love seen as treacherous, because it seems to come and go uncertainly, and offer no stability to you. You do not see how limited and weak is your allegiance, and how frequently you have demanded that love go away, and leave you quietly alone in 'peace.'" A Course in Miracles T-29.2.7.

Not Arguing is Not Agreement

photo credit: Aaron Springston

I used to have a seeming need to speak my mind. Some might say I still do! It didn’t matter if it was a holiday dinner or family function where everyone was supposed to be having a good time, if I disagreed with someone, I was sure to let them know exactly why! At some point in the last twenty or so years, I’ve lost that desire. If I disagree with someone nowadays, I’ll perhaps say something like, “You may be right about that”, and smile and wander away. Or I maya ask them questions about why they have such an opinion. Rarely do I feel the need to argue a point. One of my favorite sayings is, “If you have a choice of being right or being kind, be kind.” Not having a desire to defend myself or others is my goal in this life's ministry. And there are always lots of opportunities to put it into practice!!

“Teach your student that he must know himself before he can know others and minister to human needs. Honesty is spiritual power.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 453:14-15

Nothing Unreal Exists

My mind is swirling this evening with visions of past friendships and present turmoil and confusion. The confusion is not mine, and I’m not taking it on, but I am having a difficult time holding to the spiritual truth of this situation. The thing I keep coming back to is Ho’oponopono, the Hawaiian practice of reconciliation and forgiveness. Perhaps I find this so appealing because of my Christian Science training in early years. I always go back to holding to the Truth of our being when facing difficult situations. The forgiveness practice of Ho’oponopono is a form of keeping thought away from the seeming problems, while concentrating on the words, “I love you. I’m sorry. Please forgive me. Thank you.” It helps to quiet my thoughts and allow the still small voice to be heard inwardly, guiding me to where I need to be. And so I will repeat these words every time the distressing situation tells me there is no solution. At times like this, I am extremely grateful for A Course in Miracles and all the teachers and students who are holding their thought above the illusion. Namaste...

“Nothing real can be threatened.
Nothing unreal exists.
Herein lies the peace of God.” A Course in Miracles

Bully a Wave?

photo credit: Aaron Springston

“Have you ever tried to bully a wave in the ocean?” This is the question a 104-year-old Buddhist nun asks her great-granddaughter in a beautiful novel titled, A Tale For the Time Being, by Ruth Ozeki. The two went into a store to get food for a picnic on the beach. A group of gangster girls were hanging around outside the store and harassed them as they went in. When they came out, the old woman bowed deeply to the group of young women before walking away. After they got onto the train to go to their destination, the older woman wondered aloud if it was a holiday of some sort, mentioning that the girls were all dressed so brightly and seemed so happy. The granddaughter tried to explain that they were gang colors, and that they were being derisive in their words and laughter. The grandmother didn’t see it that way and asked her young charge if she had ever tried to bully a wave, explaining that no matter how much you hit at it or yell into it, it stays what it is. That is its function, and that is our function. I love that!

“Can we gather peaches from a pine-tree, or learn from discord the concord of being? Yet quite as rational are some of the leading illusions along the path which Science must tread in its reformatory mission among mortals. The very name, illusion, points to nothingness.”  Mary Baker Eddy Science & Health Page 129:24-29 

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