Good Things

Yellowstone National Park
Photo Credit: Aaron Springston

My favorite weekly news magazine has a section entitled "Points of Progress", in which we are told of good things happening all over the world. Here are a few: Colombia is granting work permits to migrants. They have almost 2 million Venezuelans seeking refuge there and this is a big deal for them. Britain's carbon tax, which is a levy on carbon dioxide emissions, has helped the country to lower its reliance on coal-generated electricity from 40% to 3%, since its introduction in 2013. France will ban controversial practices in its poultry and hog raising sectors. I won't go into details on these practices, as I'm bringing good news today! So let's just say that Switzerland and Germany plan to follow France's lead. South Africa has overturned a law which gives black women's husbands total control over matrimonial assets. This law will benefit almost half-a-million women. And here in the United States, 25 years after 14 gray wolves were reintroduced into Yellowstone National Park, there is solid proof that restoring the balance which was missing in their ecosystem is allowing many good things to happen. These changes are milestones on the road to compassion for humanity and environmental stability. Let's notice points of progress in our own communities and give shout-outs when we see them!

"Spiritual causation is the one question to be considered, for more than all others spiritual causation relates to human progress. The age seems ready to approach this subject, to ponder somewhat the supremacy of Spirit, and at least to touch the hem of Truth's garment." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 170

Lothar, Remembered...

The Schäfers on their wedding day

Many of you know Lothar Schäfer. He lived in Fayetteville, was a professor at the University, and wrote two wonderful books concerning quantum physics. I first met him when he came to our metaphysical society and spoke about his first book, "In Search of Divine Reality - Science as a Source of Inspiration". Of course, I was very excited about this title and wanted to get to know more about this man's thoughts. Our mutual friend, Jim Young, made that possible by beginning a salon in which ten of us met once a month and deeply discussed some really cool topics (all the while enjoying fabulous food and plenteous wine). And then he wrote his masterpiece, "Infinite Potential - What Quantum Physics Reveals About How We Should Live." This book has a great story behind it, of how he heard a talk by Deepak Chopra, and when he asked a question, he was asked back stage for a chat. From which this book began. Lothar and I became fast friends, feeling certain, when we toasted a brilliant statement or momentous occasion, that our wine glasses rang clearer because of our connection. So I raise a glass to you this evening, you dear, sweet man. I'll visit you often, through your writings. And thanks for the memories!

"Behind the visible surface of things is the infinite ocean of possibility. Its waves are so beautiful and inviting. "What a wonderful world," Louis Armstrong sings. What a wonderful life, in which the playful waves in the cosmic ocean dare you, tease you, and play a game of hide and seek with you, all the time hoping that you will catch one and turn it into a beautiful poem, a painting, a song, or a wonderful act of human kindness." Lothar Shäfer - Infinite Potential - What Quantum Physics Reveals About How We Should Live

Grandkid Withdrawal

Many people are lonely and missing their loved ones. The grandma tribe is going through withdrawal symptoms. It's not easy for them, missing the little hands around their necks and the sweet, messy kisses. Although there is no substitute for these interactions, we can help our friends find their way through this isolation period. Send a card in the mail, or make a phone call, or email photos and poems. There are other ways of staying connected which we may not have considered, such as Words With Friends on your computer or device. A dear friend and I began playing a couple of days ago and are taking great pleasure in this loosely-structured way of being in constant contact. You don't have to play at any specific time, and you don't keep someone waiting if you only play once a day, but it's comforting to know that someone has played a word which connects with a word you made. And of course there's a chat box on the side, where you can share a few thoughts now and again. We're all thinking outside of our regular routines and comfort zones nowadays. I see many positive side effects of this slowing down and being present in the moment. Hope you do, too!

"[The] human sense of Deity yields to the divine sense, even as the material sense of personality yields to the incorporeal sense of God and man as the infinite Principle and infinite idea -- as one Father with His universal family, held in the gospel of Love." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 576:31

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.”