Here, Together, Apart

art by J. Clement Wall - 

www.JudyClementWall.com

Everything seems soft around the edges today. It feels multi-dimensional, living in this new existence. On one level, there is exquisite beauty in nature this spring. It could be we are seeing with the “new eyes” of world-wide awakening, or maybe we feel the need to bring joy to sadness, or perhaps we’re facing down illusions and striving to correct errors. It’s probably a combination of these things, and more. For sure, those who think deeply about Life are aware that This Is Important. This is not a time to wallow in dramatic horror shows brought to us in many forms, straight from reality TV. Nor is it the time to hide our head in the sand. It’s time to be proactive in everything we do and say. It’s time to be calmly centered around what we know to be True. It’s time to live Love out loud! The past week has felt like swimming up from the ocean floor, but once we hit the surface of the water, we can take a deep breath and smile with the sun in gratitude! Here, together, apart.

"Instinct is better than misguided reason, as even nature declares. The violet lifts her blue eye to greet the early spring. The leaves clap their hands as nature's untired worshippers." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 220:10

Invincible Summer

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Heard while listening to Eckhart Tolle talking about our current situation with the virus: “In the depth of winter, I finally learned that there is, in me, an invincible summer.” Albert Camus — I’m holding to this thought while talking to friends who are having a difficult time. I’m holding it in thought when I become discouraged and angry. I’m holding to this when I hear of more idiocy and inanity from Donald. Today I think on these things. Tomorrow, I’m concentrating on Mooji. Here’s an 18-minute video entitled “Remaining True in a Time of Crisis”. Happy Sunday, Everyone!

https://youtu.be/t3wTOKjH3xM

Healing

Christian Science edifice built in 1914
Eureka Springs, AR
painting by Julie Kahn Valentine

In the early 1900s, the Science of The Christ was being learned by record numbers. Mary Baker Eddy was giving talks to upwards of 20,000 people at a time, and there were hundreds of teachers showing others how to be healers. Everyone was very excited to be learning about this Truth! Mrs. Eddy referred to it as primitive Christianity, because it is the teachings of Jesus without the trappings added by old men who wanted to control the masses. Then there was a worldwide upsurge in medical knowledge, and people who had been taking responsibility for their own health through an understanding that there is only One divine Mind -- well, it seemed easier to take a pill or get a shot. We saw it as a revolution in thought. Little did we know we were leaving the revolution behind, in favor of a mirage which promised safety from disease, with the advantage of not having to think about it. It's difficult for people to be responsible for their own well-being, as it seems so easy to medicate and trust in professionals. When the system fails, we blame doctors, then the lawyers get involved and it's all about money, and our health and well-being feel nebulous and fleeting. In the last century, spiritual healing has gotten a dirty name, for reasons too numerous to mention here. But those reasons do not matter. What is important is that we can pick up the revolution at any time. The book, Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures, which Mary Baker Eddy wrote, has been the leaven bubbling about in thought and showing itself throughout our lifetime. It can now be read or listened to on the internet, found in almost any used bookstore, and obtained cheaply online. I know I'm revisiting it every day. 

"Correct material belief by spiritual understanding and Spirit will form you anew." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health 425:24

"Jesus. The highest human corporeal concept of the divine idea, rebuking and destroying error and bringing to light man's immortality." Science & Health Page 589:16

Truth

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Today my emotions are so conflicted, I'm going to send you something from September of 2011, written shortly after I began blogging these ideas. Love to all!

How sublime it is to know I need nothing but the Truth! All worry and anxiety disappear when I'm not chasing something illusive which I can't quite name. Oh, sure, we may put lots of names on this je ne sais quoi -- names like success, fame, marriage. The list of personal fulfillments desired can be quite long. We are even encouraged to make these lists, to create affirmations surrounding them, to hold them in thought until they become realities in our existence. At this point, I must quote a Bible verse: "Seek ye first the kingdom of heaven [not forgetting another verse which tells that kingdom is within us] and all these things shall be added unto you." So let's set aside material desires, just as quickly as we turn from fears. When these desires are no longer with us, the void left by them cries to be filled, and it's tempting to just let the old, outgrown expectations come back in. Today I choose to look only toward the Truth we are learning to recognize; to want nothing else; and to listen confidently for where that takes me.

ACIM Lesson #251

“I am in need of nothing but the truth.

​I​ sought for many things, and found despair. Now do I seek but one, for in that one is all I need, and only what I need. All that I sought before I needed not, and did not even want. My only need I did not recognize. But now I see that I need only truth. In that all needs are satisfied, all cravings end, all hopes are finally fulfilled and dreams are gone. Now have I everything that I could need. Now have I everything that I could want. And now at last I find myself at peace.”


[ACIM prayer for today]
“And for that peace, our Father, we give thanks. What we denied ourselves You have restored, and only that is what we really want.”

The Gift of Connection

old friends at The Quarter

One of the gifts of this enforced isolation is how we are all reaching out to one other. Today I got a call from Angel and Eric. Many of you may know them from their years here in Eureka Springs, and today I heard from them and it was as though we had never been apart. We shared a virtual hug, which reminded me of a day, during the early days of Eureka Thyme, when we had an event for them in which they shared "harp massages" with us. What is a harp massage, you might ask? So did I! You sit in a chair holding the harp in your lap, and Eric sits behind you and plays the harp. The sound vibrations travel through your body and your brain gets to share in a higher, different energy than it's used to feeling. Talking to Eric on the phone brought back all the fabulous times we had shared together during the years of our metaphysical society, and the days in Eureka Thyme when we would have joyous happenings which brought in friends who wanted to share in their books, videos, and simply the joyous vibe which surrounds them. Thank you, dear Friends, for bringing back those days in vivid remembrance!

"We think of an absent friend as easily as we do of one present. It is no more difficult to read the absent mind than it is to read the present." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 82

All Together Now!

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Today has brought wonderful suggestions from two friends. First of all, Lisa suggested we all have a minute of collective prayer, meditation, silence — whatever you want to call connecting with All That Is. If you are so moved, I invite you to join us at 10 a.m. and 10 p.m., and we’ll do this in whatever form feels right to you. It’s a great idea, having this type of concentrated prayer, and I hope we all remember that every moment, with every thought, we are either choosing fear or Love. Let’s also remember that when we catch ourselves in the middle of a fearful thought, we can always choose again! The next suggestion came this afternoon, with Carol saying how cool it would be to have everyone write down their thoughts about this pandemic — such as, why they think it’s happening, what they feel the outcome might be, any insights on how we got to this point. I think it would be Very Interesting to know what people are thinking on any and all levels: physical, metaphysical, emotional, et cetera. So feel free to tell me, make a Facebook post, start a blog, or whatever you’re moved to do. I promise I won’t use your name if I mention your words! (unless you want me to:)

"Thoughts unspoken are not unknown to the divine Mind. Desire is prayer, and no loss can occur from trusting God with our desires, that they may be moulded and exalted before they take form in words and in deeds." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 1:10

Where We Need To Be

art found at judyclementwall.com

I was talking to a dear friend on the phone today and at one point I surprised myself by saying, I've been preparing my whole life for this. Upon reflection, we all have, don't you think? I know one progressive thinker who moved back to town a couple of months ago, and she is definitely right where she needs/wants to be. She's back with her tribe, so to speak. By that, I don't mean that we look alike, or think the same in all ways, or defend ourselves against those who come from another train set. What we do have in common is a moral compass which keeps on pointing toward compassion and goodness. We may err in thoughts and actions, but we never veer from loving all creation as if it were our own. A new neighbor found herself drawn here about a year ago, having never visited our town before. We are all exactly where we need to be, prepared to do what we need to do, waiting to steer this ship collectively to its expected end. What a time to be alive! The divine reflection that I Am joins with the image and likeness of God that you are. Namaste...

"Spirit, God, gathers unformed thoughts into their proper channels, and unfolds these thoughts, even as He opens the petals of a holy purpose in order that the purpose may appear." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 506