Movie About Maud Lewis

painting by Maud Lewis

I had never heard of the artist, Maud Lewis, until we watched the movie, Maudie, this evening. Wow! This beautifully written and produced movie is great! It tells a sweet story of a woman born with disabilities who never loses her joy or her desire to paint pictures. At one point she says she loves windows, because it's looking at life and it's already framed, right there. This sweet and smart woman will hold a place in my head from this day forward. I'll remember her when I notice a framed picture out the window, and many other times, I'm sure. Happy Spring, everyone! 

"The loss of earthly hopes and pleasures brightens the ascending path of many a heart. The pains of sense quickly inform us that the pleasures of sense are mortal and that joy is spiritual.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 265

The "Pain Body"

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Eckhart Tolle (and others) tell us to face negative emotions when we have them, then acknowledge them and allow them to leave us. If we do not, they are stored within us and can come forth in ugly ways. Perhaps it’s a simmering, constant anger expressed as irritation or unhappiness. Or maybe there will be a big explosion of well-hidden anger or sadness, surprising us all with its intensity. There are many expressions of this so-called pain body. Here is his definition of it: “Any negative emotion that is not fully faced and seen for what it is, in the moment it arises, does not completely dissolve. The energy field of old, but still very much alive, emotion that lives in every human being is the pain body.” It is this pain body which shows up at Thanksgiving dinner when everyone triggers everyone else’s past pains. We can generally hide our lurking negative emotions fairly well, unless we live with someone. This is why the intimate relationship is a perfect vehicle for clearing out past pain, because it is so often shown to us! In the past, I’ve been willing to walk away from closeness, confining unwanted emotions to a deep, untouched space. I guess the time has come to face them...

“Can the purpose of a relationship be to trigger our wounds? In a way, yes, because that is how healing happens; darkness must be exposed before it can be transformed. The purpose of an intimate relationship is not that it be a place where we can hide from our weaknesses, but rather where we can safely let them go. It takes strength of character to truly delve into the mystery of an intimate relationship, because it takes the strength to endure a kind of psychic surgery, an emotional and psychological and even spiritual initiation into the higher Self. Only then can we know an enchantment that lasts.”― Marianne Williamson, Enchanted Love: The Mystical Power Of Intimate Relationships

Anger

Anger is a terrible thing. We are told in A Course in Miracles that irritation is as bad as a full-blown anger attack, and I know they both feel horrid. To watch an angry reaction from a political figure or someone we don't know is apt to bring pity to my thought, but to experience it in myself is a disappointment, bringing about feelings of sorrow and self-recriminations. At times like these, it would be easy to fall into depression and sleep a lot. That's what I feel like doing. But I'm going to write these words, and think about what I've done, honestly and deeply. 

 "How is the peace of God retained, once it is found? Returning anger, in whatever form, will drop the heavy curtain once again, and the belief that peace cannot exist will certainly return. War is again accepted as the one reality. Now must you once again lay down your sword, although you do not recognize that you have picked it up again. But you will learn, as you remember even faintly now that happiness was yours without it, that you must have taken it again as your defense. Stop for a moment now and think of this: Is conflict what you want, or is God's peace the better choice? Which gives you more? A tranquil mind is not a little gift. Would you not rather live than choose to die?" A Course in Miracles M.20.4

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