A Rule for Motives and Acts

Yellowstone - PC: Aaron Springston

Have you ever taken on a project, only to see it fall apart or blow up right before your eyes? I'm watching such an event happen now within an organization in which I'm active. I think back to dreams I've had in past years, and the first one which comes to mind is the metaphysical society here in Eureka Springs which a group of us started in the early 2000's. It grew and flourished, mainly because none of us had a personal agenda we were seeking to promulgate. We listened to each other and rolled with the river, rather than trying to push it. The discord which is occurring right now in the aforementioned organization seems to be fueled by individual egoistic motivations. I won't try to list those actions, but they have caused me to look up A Rule for Motives and Acts from the Christian Science Manual. The examination of motive is a moment-by-moment litmus test for many people. I'm glad to be reminded of its importance. 

​"​A Rule for Motives and Acts. SECTION 1. Neither animosity nor mere personal attachment should impel the motives or acts of the members of The Mother Church. In Science, divine Love alone governs man; and a Christian Scientist reflects the sweet amenities of Love, in rebuking sin, in true brotherliness, charitableness, and forgiveness. The members of this Church should daily watch and pray to be delivered from all evil, from prophesying, judging, condemning, counseling, influencing or being influenced erroneously.​" Mary Baker Eddy  

What Leads You?

photo credit: Heather Peters

“It is hard to steer a church in an age when no one is listening to the messages and call of the gospel.” This statement was made by a man whom I respect greatly. It has prompted me to think about what causes the majority of my friends to listen to their inner knowing, divine guidance, intuition — whatever they choose to call this cosmic consciousness of which we are all part. I know many fine people who are deeply religious, but that in and of itself is not enough to cause them to be compassionate. I watch as awakened, aware, conscious people handle difficulties in interpersonal relationships, and I learn what it takes to live from the heart, from an open mind, with Love reflected moment-to-moment. My conclusion is that we need not be led by sermons and gospel writings in order to live as the reflection, the image and likeness of divine Oneness. We have an ever-present ability to tap into expanding thought, and for this I am grateful.

“Our baptism is a purification from all error. Our church is built on the divine Principle, Love. We can unite with this church only as we are new-born of Spirit, as we reach the Life which is Truth and the Truth which is Life by bringing forth the fruits of Love, — casting out error and healing the sick. Our Eucharist is spiritual communion with the one God. Our bread ‘which cometh down from heaven,’ is Truth. Our cup is the cross. Our wine the inspiration of Love, the draught our Master drank and commended to his followers.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 35

Truth Telling

Today I've been pondering lies and truth. There is only one way to tell the truth, but there are scores of ways to lie. Perhaps you're not admitting certain events occurred the way they did, spinning webs of words to keep from saying something you want to hide -- or think needs to be hidden for a multitude of reasons. Then there's the lie involved in turning your head and ignoring something, or maybe you're blatantly denying what you know to be truth. We could name many others forms of lying, but to take an oath to tell the truth -- well, there's only one way to do that. For years, people have told me lies are necessary, and I haven't believed it. Long ago, a friend's husband was dying of colon cancer. They never talked about it, never acknowledged it was happening, and pretended everything was okay and he would be out of the hospital soon. So there are lies which happen because of fear. But the truth is still sitting there waiting to be heard and seen. Nothing can change truth, but many things change lies. I can't imagine lying until it seems like truth. I pity those who have done so.  

"What can correct illusions but the truth? And what are errors but illusions that remain unrecognized for what they are? Where truth has entered errors disappear. They merely vanish, leaving not a trace by which to be remembered. They are gone because, without belief, they have no life. And so they disappear to nothingness, returning whence they came. From dust to dust they come and go, for only truth remains." A Course in Miracles Lesson 107

Relinquishing Control

photo credit: Richard Quick 

“It makes me happy to know how very important I am not. It’s thinking you’re in control of things that leads to despair.” These words are from an essay having to do with a windy night and the excitement of not knowing what is to come. It seems everyone I speak with is confused and worried by some aspect of their lives. Our pets seem very excited about whatever is swirling around in the atmosphere of our consciousness, and I’m doing my best to catch the fever! The essay which I so enjoyed ended with these words: “I don’t need to be in control. I’d rather just bang around in the wind and wonder at the rare privilege which is my life.” I love the freedom which goes along with this relinquishment of control!

“The world you perceive is a world of separation. Perhaps you are willing to accept even death to deny your Father. Yet He would not have it so, and so it is not so. You still cannot will against Him, and that is why you have no control over the world you made. It is not a world of will because it is governed by the desire to be unlike God, and this desire is not will. The world you made is therefore totally chaotic, governed by arbitrary and senseless ‘laws,’ and without meaning of any kind. For it is made out of what you do not want, projected from your mind because you are afraid of it. Yet this world is only in the mind of its maker, along with his real salvation. Do not believe it is outside of yourself, for only by recognizing where it is will you gain control over it. For you do have control over your mind, since the mind is the mechanism of decision.”  A Course in Miracles T-12.III

Television's Cumulative Effect

Photo Credit: Aaron Springston

The BF and I were discussing the state of the union tonight and our talk turned to how we, the people, have become so vulnerable and gullible. We decided it is a combinations of things -- as most everything is! -- but television plays the largest part in the dumbing down of us all. Add our limited education to that, perpetuated by our secondary schools and their policies held in place by stifling laws which make it difficult to teach and learn, and we begin to see the recipe taking shape. Yes, many students  become independent thinkers, but it's probably their parents and other role models who facilitate it. Another factor is food. The poisoned tidbits which we think of as food cause children to have mental, emotional, and physical disabilities. Add this to the fact kids can't play outside and feel clean dirt beneath their feet, fresh air in their lungs, and cool water swaddling them in summer -- well, these are ingredients set up to make Jack a dull boy (so to speak). I went to our high school today and worked with choir students for a while. They inspire me! There is hope in our world and we each have the assignment of tending it. Namaste, my Friends!

"In trying to undo the errors of sense, one must pay fully and fairly the utmost farthing, until all error is finally brought into subjection to Truth." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 240:27

Shine On!

Photo Credit: Aaron Springston

A lot has changed in the last couple of millennia, don't you think? We could spend hours listing changes in thought and our understanding of our universe! Some things which have not changed appreciably are our ideas about God. Religion has pretty well held us locked in to what has been thought of as truth. Many of us are fearlessly admitting that we are all, each and every one, the expression and experience of God. We're happily allowing our thought to embrace new concepts such as, "I am the light of the world"! This is not a self-important declaration, but an all-inclusive, divine-Love centered exclamation of the wonder we know as Life. Our expanding thought is bringing a joy we never dreamed would be possible on this earth plane. We're starting to understand that the kingdom of heaven is right here, within and without, waiting for us to embrace it. Let's go forth today and shine!

"Light: Symbol of Truth; revelation and progress." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 591:23-24

It's Befuddling

photo credit: Aaron Springston

I am befuddled by many things these days, but one of the biggest beliefs which give me pause is the idea that "god" has decreed that a certain man is to be our king. What kind of god do they think this is? It must be that they see something akin to a bearded white man in the sky sending down lightning bolts to chastise them, or gold stars if they please him, or having Jim Bakker making videos telling them what to do. It's a mystery to me how anyone can separate themselves from Life, Truth, and Love to the extent that they don't realize these everyday expressions are how we see God. How can anyone think our lives are predestined to have a madman in charge of things? Well, this is my Saturday night rant, so I won't go on. Have a happy, relaxing Sunday everyone! We need the down time to recharge ourselves with peace and love and all things good.

"Many are willing to open the eyes of the people to the power of good resident in divine Mind, but they are not so willing to point out the evil in human thought, and expose evil's hidden mental ways of accomplishing iniquity." Science & Health Page 570:30