Universal Understanding

Gates and Buffet playing duplicate bridge

I’ve been thinking about things we do which are universally understood. Music: no matter what language you speak, people who read music can sit down and play together in perfect harmony. Mathematics: I’m not much of an expert at this science, but math is the same no matter where you are. The extent I understand it has to do with 52 cards, dealt out in the form of bridge hands. Having never played bridge online with actual people, a whole new world has opened to me with this forced isolation we are experiencing. As long as we had ten duplicate bridge games a month at local clubs, it was never brought to my attention that the world of online bridge was vibrant, thriving, and free! At any hour of the day or night, I can log on and play a single hand or more, enjoying the universal language of bridge bidding as we try to get to the best contract. Or as defenders, it does not matter if my partner is from Armenia or Argentina, there are universal laws which pertain to this fascinating game. I would encourage all parents to teach their children things which can never be fully conquered. My love of bridge, the study and practice of spirituality, along with the desire to become a more proficient pianist, these things are a never ending source of enjoyment during these interesting times. I am grateful to have activities which will always keep me striving to grow in understanding. These things I mention can be enjoyed at any level, so it's never too late to start!

"Love is impartial and universal in its adaptation and bestowals." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 13:2

Being True to Ourselves

photo credit: Aaron Springston

This season of renewal seems so pertinent to our daily life in this age of pandemic. A change of thought is looming and is also being resisted. The words our friend, Jim Young, sent out on Easter, bear repeating, whether you've already read them or if they're new to you here. 

"Easter as a metaphor:

As a metaphor, Easter can be thought of as nailing our hidden guilt and shame, outmoded beliefs and opinions, regrets and fanciful desires on the cross of self-forgiveness—rising to begin life anew. Especially in these times of the coronavirus—but always—each new day can begin this way, freeing us from a mental, emotional and physical load that traps us in ego consciousness, manifesting as a world of seeming difference and separation.

Life is not about seeking to gain something we feel we’re not or have not. Life is about peeling away what we’ve taken on as the truth about life and our part in it, so we can instead reveal and express our innate essence Being—living true to our Self—united as one. This is where inner peace and the expression of authentic love begin and end.

NAMASTE!

Jim"

"The necessity for uplifting the race is father to the fact that Mind can do it; for Mind can impart purity instead of impurity, strength instead of weakness, and health instead of disease. Truth is an alterative in the entire system, and can make it 'every whit whole.'" Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 371

Peace, Be Still...

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Just when I think anger will never flare within me again, it does! My first reaction is always self-righteous: I'm right; you're not. And examining the seeming motive for my anger usually brings about more self-righteous thought. So I've found the only escape is by replacing the anger with the Love which is our only true nature as the image and likeness of God. If self-justifying thoughts persist, they are replaced again with the Truth of our being. This process may take a while because mortal mind, ego, insists that it is justified in this action. But when we know it is not, the process becomes more natural to us. And if anger is not replaced, it can mutate into many forms, all erroneous.  In thinking about a number of acquaintances who have committed suicide in the last few years, it seems we become stuck in feelings, thinking there is no way out. Mrs. Eddy posits that we will be surprised when we die and find out we're not dead. Salvation must be worked out here or hereafter. I remember this in times of sadness or turmoil. There is no escape other than through an understanding that we are a reflection of God, good, and that everything else is unreal. By bringing thought back to this truth time and again, we begin to see the veracity of it and the falsity of any other way of seeing this experience. Our inner peace cannot be taken away, even if joy seems to have disappeared!

“Spiritual living and blessedness are the only evidences by which we can recognize true existence and feel the unspeakable peace which comes from an all-absorbing spiritual love.”
Science & Health Page 264:24-27

Happy Easter!

Easter Message, 1902, from Mary Baker Eddy.

"May this glad Easter morn find the members of this dear church having a pure peace, a fresh joy, a clear vision of heaven here -- heaven within us -- and an awakened sense of the risen Christ. May long lines of light span the horizon of their hope and brighten their faith with a dawn that known no  twilight and no night." 

"Through all the disciples experienced, they became more spiritual and understood better what the Master had taught. His resurrection was also their resurrection. It helped them to raise themselves and others from spiritual dullness and blind belief in God into the perception of infinite possibilities." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 34:18

Cleaning Up Our Heart and Earth

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Does anyone else feel as though they're in a sort of limbo? On the one hand, we are finding out how little we actually need and what is truly important to us. On the other hand, many are suffering because of lack of income to handle the necessities of life. I'd love for the outcome of our quarantine to be a universal acceptance of free power from the sun and wind, more entertainment supplied by nature her-own-self,  and happy connections with our family and neighbors. I'd like to see people playing bridge and pinochle at the kitchen table after dinner together, going for long walks with their dogs, reading to each other, relaxing into being rather than always doing. Wouldn't it be perfect to barter our services within communities? Wouldn't it be great to have neighborhood markets and bakeries and shoe stores like in the olden days? I want our kids to be safe walking to school, where learning is a joy and they wake up every morning excited about going. What if we all worked at something we enjoyed, something which benefited our communities, things which brought satisfaction to our soul? What kind of world could we have if everyone was present in the moment, noticing the needs of others and our planet? We wouldn't need to eat animals at every meal, and could raise them in such a way as to not pollute our hearts and earth. We've strayed from what is important, but we can find it again. We must help each other or we'll never make it back to the garden. Nothing is more outlandish than the way we, as a society, are living right now. There are models of sustainable living all around us. Let's bring it into existence for us all!

"RESURRECTION: Spiritualization of thought, a new and higher idea of immortality, or spiritual existence, material belief yielding to spiritual understanding." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 593:9

A Quotation

This quote has haunted me all day. I leave it here.

photo credit: Aaron Springston

“There is no question Baghdad is a remarkable city, but no beauty on earth lasts forever. Cities are erected on spiritual columns. Like giant mirrors, they reflect the hearts of their residents. If those hearts darken and lose faith, cities will lose their glamour. It happens, and it happens all the time.” The Forty Rules of Love by Elif Shafak 

Helping Each Other

United Methodists of Eureka Springs
photo credit: Richard Quick

According to Gallup polls, almost 20% of Americans say their faith or spirituality has gotten "better" as a result of our current pandemic. Apparently this is occurring worldwide, as witnessed by people in England putting signs outside their homes asking prayers for Boris Johnson. This hints at a spiritual revival, as it shows concern for the weakest during this health crisis, no matter what their station in life. It is a common religious cause to look after the desolate, the poor, the weak. Wealthy countries are showing this desire by helping poor countries fight this virus, if for no reason other than to stop a global economic collapse. Here in Eureka Springs, we have our wonderful Methodists rising to help the "least, the last, and the lost", as they word it on their website. During this time of quarantine, they have been delivering meals to people in need. They have partnered with Ben E. Keith and local restaurants to make up frozen dinners (that look pretty darned good!) for people, so they do not have to go to the grocery store and possibly expose themselves to something their bodies could not bear. Their service started out delivering 7 frozen meals to 60 people, once a week, made possible by a $10,000 grant. With the help of local donations, including the Rotary Club, this number has increased to 120! I am so happy to know the people who make this possible. In a day and age when churches get a bad rap for so many legitimate reasons, it's inspiring to see church members walking the talk, opening their hearts to everyone, and putting their efforts toward this most worthy cause. Thank you, Blake Lasater and the United Methodist Church of Eureka Springs! 

"Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way. Right motives give pinions to thought, and strength and freedom to speech and action. " Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 454:18