Correcting Error?

photo credit: Richard Quick

It seems there are any number of errors to correct in this world. It’s quite a relief to discover that I only need to correct them in my mind, not in the fearful, angry minds I witness around me. If I look at these actions with horror, or disgust, or anger, or fear, I have become a part of them and share in them. If I look on others as Love, there is forgiveness. By making such a statement in public, I run the risk of someone telling me I don’t know what I’m talking about — and, perhaps, they won’t be using words quite so kind! There is a young woman who makes videos about A Course in Miracles. Today I witnessed someone attack her in the comments section of youtube. If the speaker and the listeners are willing to give this man energy in retaliation and defense, we are accepting this attack within ourselves. If we give him forgiveness and love, realizing we are all One in Truth, then we give this back to ourselves. Therein lies correction!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:
“Because Truth is infinite, error should be known as nothing. Because Truth is omnipotent in goodness, error, Truth's opposite, has no might.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 329:21-24

Healing

photo credit: Aaron Springston

A friend recommended that I read, Dying to be Me: My Journey from Cancer, to Near Death, to True Healing by Anita Moorjani. One of the important points made in this book is something which is recognized in our studies: Sickness is not your fault. Often new-age teachings tell us that past thoughts and actions create karma which returns to us in terrible ways. Ms. Moorjani assures us that this is not the case. Although many factors may be involved in physical illness, blaming yourself and seeking absolution has nothing to do with true healing. The recognition that you are pure Love, the knowledge that you are connected to everything, the joy which comes from acceptance of yourself just as you are -- this understanding of your being is what allows the body to be well. It doesn't matter what caused it, what "stage" the problem has advanced to, what mortal predictions are on the table -- nothing matters but the acceptance of yourself as a product of Love. When feeling the purity of Oneness, all material thought must be silenced. We can stop striving and start Being. When slipping into this space of pure Love, nothing else matters. And all is well.

“Mortal mind must part with error, must put off itself with its deeds, and immortal manhood, the Christ ideal, will appear.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 430:3-5

We Are All Meant to Shine!

The understanding that we are all the light of the world is liberating! So often when we catch glimpses of our light, we deny the sight in the name of humility, or a false sense of sinfulness, or perhaps because we can't accept something so perfect about ourselves. We are learning that true humility is accepting our divine function and proudly reflecting light, never hiding under a guise of smallness. This light is demonstrated in many ways, often contrary to what we've been taught.  Here are some words of wisdom from Marianne Williamson. Have a good Monday everyone!

Finding Truth in Fiction

An upside down world seems normal to us. We have become accustomed to believing that the testimony of our physical senses is reality, while intuition is often discounted as being imaginary. Many of my favorite authors write about metaphysical concepts, and some of them use the genre of fiction to allow the leeway to take this new/old thought all the way, without the need for empirical evidence in support. And I applaud this method! What better way to introduce ideas to a skeptical audience than through the entertainment field? Dan Brown is an expert at this form of writing. He brings us thought-provoking concepts without asking us to accept them as true, such as in his book, "The Lost Symbol". Paulo Coelho gently hits closer to home in two of my favorite books, "The Alchemist" and "The Aleph". The enjoyment of these novels is softly preparatory for the life-changing concepts presented in A Course in Miracles and, also, Science & Health. Without prior opening of thought, the ideas contained in these books can be jarring indeed! We have been preparing for this opening of mind and heart for all eternity, and there is no time other than that, is there?

"In Spirit there is no matter, even as in Truth there is no error, and in good no evil. It is a false supposition, the notion that there is real substance-matter, the opposite of Spirit. Spirit, God, is infinite, all. Spirit can have no opposite." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 278

What Am I?

photo credit: Aaron Springston

What am I? This question has been asked from the beginning of recorded history -- and probably longer. Spiritual seers inform us that we are not a body. So if I am not a body, what am I? Intellectually, we can say that we are the reflection of God. We can tell ourselves and others that we're not material, we're spiritual. But then we'll stump our toe and declare that we can't be blamed if it hurts because we're not walking on water yet. We make jokes to explain why we aren't living the precepts which Jesus tells us are our heritage as children of God. But really, why is it that we've been so stunted in our realization of what all this means? Actually, we're not evolving slowly. There is no evolution involved in spiritual awakening, there is only getting rid of material belief and dogma. What we're doing now is cleaning the windowpane so the light has a transparency to flow through, rather than trying to look through thousands of years of grime which is hiding our illumination. What are we? We're finding out more every day, and that's the miracle! 

"Divine Science rolls back the clouds of error with the light of Truth, and lifts the curtain on man as never born and as never dying, but as coexistent with his creator." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 596:11-19

No Condemnation

Having written about what I chose to give up for lent, I think an update on this effort is appropriate. Yesterday, I stated my goal was to drop judgment of others, or release past differences, or something similar things. In other words, I vowed to watch my thoughts and actions today, turning away from anything which was not a loving response. Fairly early in the day, Kevin asked me if I knew a local woman who wrote a book which he was reading. I responded that I did, and almost immediately told him something less than kind about her. Now mind you, I would have said this same thing to the woman's face. Which, actually, made it even worse in my mind! As soon as I said it, I felt uncomfortable. Upon examination, I realized it was simply unnecessary. Why should I make my opinion known because of something I remembered her saying years ago? This is exactly the type of thought and word I would like to relinquish, and even though I may not be rid of it, I'm happy that I recognized it as something I do not want to do. And since I didn't like my choice, I will happily choose again! For this, I am grateful...

"He will teach you how to see yourself without condemnation, by learning how to look on everything without it. 11 Condemnation will then not be real to you, and all your errors will be forgiven." A Course in Miracles 9.III.8.10

Love for Lent

The lenten season means many things to many people. Some of us choose to see this as a time to give up behaviors which do not bring peace, dedicating this time to reconciling actions that have been less than conducive to harmony. For instance, something may be standing in the way of getting along with a neighbor, or perhaps angry words have broken a friendship. There are many things considered to be impediments to living a loving life. Today social media has told me about a multitude of ways to change my actions and become a better person. These memes, together with a homily given by a priest in an Ash Wednesday service where I provided musical accompaniment, have made me realize only one thing is needed, and that is to Love more. When someone espouses an inane or insane idea, I will love the spiritual reality of that person, not the erroneous material sense they are expressing. Every moment of the day, we have a choice: react from fear, or respond with Love. Let's find out what happens when we return to Love!

“The message of the crucifixion is perfectly clear: Teach only love, for that is what you are.” A Course in Miracles T.6.2