The Language of Spirit

Photo Credit: Gerry Toler

We’re learning the language of Spirit through our study of divine metaphysics For instance, the word spirit, as I used it in the last sentence, has an entirely different meaning from its use on the Ghost Tours at the Crescent Hotel. The capitalization of the word Spirit not only indicates a synonym for what we think of as God, but incorporates all the other nuances which are a part of its spiritual interpretation. For instance: Spirit is tangible; Spirit is substance. It "blesses the multiplication of its own pure ideas". (MBE) As with the learning of anything, this new language requires practice for it to become second-nature to us; allowing the incorporation of these ideas into our lives without specific thought of doing so. As we bring this Truth to our illusionary beliefs, we begin to understand that healing is universal, and that heaven is within. Have a joyous day everyone!

“God is Spirit; therefore the language of Spirit must be, and is, spiritual.”​ Mary Baker Eddy - ​Science & Health Page 117:6-7

Do You Hear What I Hear?

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What one of us may think is beautiful may not be so to all. It's my understanding that some people hear music in an inharmonious way. How can this be? It seems so odd, as I sit here listening to Yo-Yo Ma exquisitely playing his cello. There's a book by Oliver Sacks, Musicophilia, which documents many instances of people's ability to hear and/or play music changing after traumatic physical events. I thought it was pretty cool when someone woke up from a coma and wanted to do nothing but play the piano, even though they had never played before. On the other end of the spectrum, it was horrid for the man who heard dissonance when playing the violin he had dearly loved before a car accident. This has caused me to wonder about what I think I see and hear, and the possibility that others don't see or hear the same thing. I've written before about everyone seeing a rainbow differently, depending on where they are in respect to it. I know that someone may tell me something and I can take it totally opposite of how it was meant. But to hear music differently? We are, indeed, an interesting species! 

"Material beliefs and spiritual understanding never mingle. The latter destroys the former. Discord is the nothingness named error. Harmony is the somethingness named Truth." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 176

Obedience to Authority?

Photo credit: Richard Quick

Obedience to Authority, a book written by a man named Stanley Milgram, contains ideas worth examination. This man performed a number of experiments during the 1970s. He was prompted by the horrors perpetrated during Hitler’s reign, wanting to know why people would hurt or kill others for no reason other than being told to do so. He made subjects believe they were administering shocks to someone when questions were answered incorrectly. Sometimes they even believed that someone had passed out from the pain, yet they continued to hit the shock button when the subject didn’t answer right away. They didn’t know it was a set up; they thought they were hurting someone else badly, but continued to do so. These obedience experiments are cited in university classes and are referred to time and again when atrocities occur around the world. I think now is an excellent time to think about the reasons for this blind obedience. Perhaps it’s time to revisit Thoreau’s Civil Disobedience?

"Let us rid ourselves of the belief that man is separated from God, and obey only the divine Principle, Life and Love. Here is the great point of departure for all true spiritual growth." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 91:5

One Grand Brotherhood

After watching a movie called Crazy Rich Asians, I've been thinking about some of the human behavior exhibited in this chick-flick-date-night film. The main thing I've been wondering about is why in the world the super rich would think they're a higher form of humanity than everyone else. Exclusion is a sad concept, no matter how minor it may be. This is not to say I think everyone should be included in everything. Of course, that cannot be. For instance, my book club has 12-15 people who have been meeting once a month since 2005. We had to close our ranks because it's difficult to have a good discussion with too many present, and it's hard to meet in each other's homes if there are more than this. We don't think we're better than anyone else, but a line must be drawn for many reasons. Perhaps this is how the uber-rich feel, too. I don't know. But I'm certainly going to hold those in the higher echelons of our government in a purer light than they hold me! Sending warm thoughts to everyone on this cold winter's night.

“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

The Work of Time

photo credit: Aaron Springston

t’s very easy for me to say that I am going to see the innocence in my fellow beings, that I shall not condemn actions or words which bombard me, that I will recognize my essential part in this universe. But then, I find myself in a situation where I’m insistent on being right about something, and all my good intentions are laid aside in the pursuit of this goal. I’ve written numerous times in the past about the continuing saga of my neighbor and his vendetta against the turkey vultures which live in our woods. The issue has been raised once again, in a way I deem to be even more bizarre than ever before. It would be easy to dismiss his words as nonsensical ravings, but I truly want to look at the feelings behind them. My quest for listening to others with the intent of understanding rather than responding will not allow me to dismiss him so easily. Following the guidance of divine Mind, I will endeavor this day to listen, not just to others, but to the still, small voice inside, allowing my heart to lead my actions.

“Society is a foolish juror, listening only to one side of the case. Justice often comes too late to secure a verdict. People with mental work before them have no time for gossip about false law or testimony. To reconstruct timid justice and place the fact above the falsehood, is the work of time.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 238:25-30

Serendipity?

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Watching life pass you by, or watching life unfold? These, to me, have entirely different meanings! The former implies that you are hiding in your house, looking out the window at people living, gardens growing, life happening without you. The latter, watching life unfold, means more than that, in my opinion. There are so many things in this life which you cannot plan, because you don't know what's going to happen. You can be ready and willing to act when the time comes, but really can't know what to do until that happens. We've had a situation similar to this regarding our vehicle. My son had a feeling he should get a new battery, but had been putting it off. When I would drive the car, there would occasionally be a "cutting out" when driving at slow speeds. Also, there had been a "shudder" sometimes when it would shift from lowest gear to the next up. I decided to take it to K-Way mechanics to get their opinion. They took it out for a test drive, brought it back in and it wouldn't start again. The battery had given up the ghost -- right then and there in the shop!! They did indeed notice a shudder and contacted someone who told them that this model of Ford had four recalls on it and the transmission needed to be replaced right away, which is being done right now. This is the type of unfoldment I love to watch. Everything happening exactly when it should, with no angst or worry on my part. I am most grateful for the life lessons which have brought me to this way of thought.

Once you accept His plan as the one function that you would fulfill, there will be nothing else the Holy Spirit will not arrange for you without your effort. He will go before you making straight your path, and leaving in your way no stones to trip on, and no obstacles to bar your way.  Nothing you need will be denied you. Not one seeming difficulty but will melt away before you reach it. You need take thought for nothing, careless of everything except the only purpose that you would fulfill. As that was given you, so will its fulfillment be. God's guarantee will hold against all obstacles, for it rests on certainty and not contingency. It rests on you. And what can be more certain than a Son of God?" A Course in Miracles T-20.IV.8.

Wildpeace

Wildpeace by Yehuda Amichai

Not the peace of a cease-fire
not even the vision of the wolf and the lamb,
but rather
as in the heart when the excitement is over
and you can talk only about a great weariness.
I know that I know how to kill, that makes me an adult.
And my son plays with a toy gun that knows
how to open and close its eyes and say Mama.
A peace
without the big noise of beating swords into ploughshares,
without words, without
the thud of the heavy rubber stamp: let it be
light, floating, like lazy white foam.
A little rest for the wounds - who speaks of healing?
(And the howl of the orphans is passed from one generation
to the next, as in a relay race:
the baton never falls.)

Let it come
like wildflowers,
suddenly, because the field
must have it: wildpeace.