Aflame With Divine Love

Thailand Trees - photo credit: Aaron Springston

In our town, we seem to have everything we need -- but is spiritual help available for those who feel there is no hope? I follow Cyndi Lauper on Facebook, along with almost 3 million others. Today she made a post asking everyone how they were doing. I read through a number of them, skipping around to try and get a good representation of the general public's feelings. I am deeply saddened by how many people are lonely, how many have sick children, how many have had surgery or major illness, how many are frightened, and the numbers who want things to be like they were before. The other day, my neighbor told me she was hiding her razor blades -- implying that she was ready to slit her wrists. I didn't take it as a joke necessarily, but I also did not take it seriously. Perhaps it's time to listen -- really listen -- to everyone. Countries which I think of as civilized have systems which reach out to people who are having trouble. There are apps to help with depression and other mental health issues. There are hotlines for children who have unspeakable events going on in their homes. There are networks of resources for those who need them.  While I believe this is the shift humanity has been waiting for, what of those who don't understand and are afraid? What is our role as light workers? I do not ask these questions rhetorically...

"If we would open their prison doors for the sick, we must first learn to bind up the broken-hearted. If we would heal by the Spirit, we must not hide the talent of spiritual healing under the napkin of its form, nor bury the morale of Christian Science in the grave-clothes of its letter. The tender word and Christian encouragement of an invalid, pitiful patience with his fears and the removal of them, are better than hecatombs of gushing theories, stereotyped borrowed speeches, and the doling of arguments, which are but so many parodies on legitimate Christian Science, aflame with divine Love." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 366: 29

Jesus's Wife?

image taken from The Atlantic

Perhaps you know the writing of Sue Monk Kidd. Her most famous novel, The Secret Life of Bees, was on the bestseller list for two years and also was a darn good movie. I finished her latest offering tonight: The Book of Longings. Ms. Kidd spent more than a decade researching this book and dares to ask this question in its epilogue: "How does imagining new possibilities affect realities in the present?" This book is the story of Ana, Jesus' wife. It is a fascinating study of the social and political atmosphere as it was 2,000 years ago. Many of the problems they had, we of course are still dealing with. Anyone coming up with a way of looking at life which is radically different than the current accepted beliefs is likely to be crucified. But thankfully, more people are educated and know there is nothing to fear in new thought, whether it has to do with the rights of people or the way we think about God. When Mary Baker Eddy started the seemingly impossible task of introducing what she has called primitive Christianity, she was scorned in every way imaginable. In 1865, women didn't have many more rights than they did in Jesus' time, so for this lady preacher to be saying blasphemous things in public was not well thought of, to say the least! But she imagined many new possibilities which are affecting our realities today. Things which are called new age thought are actually old, ancient teachings which have been hidden or turned upside down by people who wanted control. We have always had the ability to think for ourselves, and now we can read and write what we choose, and I'm hoping we will question everything until we get answers which make sense! For all the people who have brought us to this point, I am very grateful! To all of you who insist on answers rather than dead-end platitudes, I applaud you!

"Jesus was born of Mary. Christ is the true idea voicing good, the divine message from God to men speaking to the human consciousness. The Christ is incorporeal, spiritual -- yea, the divine image and likeness, dispelling the illusions of the senses... The corporeal man Jesus was human."  Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 332:9

Reinventing Ourselves

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Prior to this pandemic-enforced isolation, most of us didn’t consider reinventing ourselves in any way, much less the drastic changes we are making today. In two months’ time, we have done a 180-degree turn in many aspects of daily existence. The way we check out books from the library, how we hunt and gather food, meeting with friends in clubs and churches, having our hair done and other one-on-one body experiences — well, I’m sure you could each fill up a page with things you used to do by rote, which now must be planned. Our creativity — individually and commonly — is growing exponentially! When we think outside the box in one way, it leads to yet another expansive thought. Whereas a few weeks ago we couldn’t envision a new life, now we are living one and finding ways to enjoy the new way and grow in our vision of what will be. I’m not sure why, but the words which come to mind are “mazel tov”!!

"Ontology receives less attention than physiology. Why? Recause mortal mind must waken to spiritual life before it cares to solve the problem of being, hence the author's experience; but when that awakening comes, existence will be on a new standpoint." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 556:25-30

Old Movies

photo credit: Aaron Springston

I love old movies! Not only is it fun to watch actors we have known all our lives, but it’s absolutely fascinating to see behavior which we thought of as acceptable and now seems horrid. I checked out a 6-DVD set of Jack Lemmon movies from our library. In watching Carol Lynley in Under the Yum Yum Tree, it was very apparent everyone was caught in limbo, not knowing if they were progressive, honest women or manipulative sex-kittens. And the men! My goodness! Most were womanizers who couldn’t relate to women without making blatant innuendoes — except for the few who were portrayed as dullards or buffoons. In many films, we witness the cruel racism which continues on the fringes in 2020. There are also many examples of environmental carelessness, animal cruelty, and smoking and drinking to excess. Is it more apparent to us now, looking back, because we have come so far in realizing civil, human, and animal rights? I certainly hope so. I love reading a section of the Christian Science Monitor entitled Points of Progress, wherein we can join in applauding people who are making a difference around the world. There are also websites which celebrate these things, in case you want to applaud the good news, too!

"The rights of man were vindicated in a single section and on the lowest plane of human life, when African slavery was abolished in our land. That was only prophetic of further steps towards the banishment of a world-wide slavery, found on higher planes of existence and under more subtle and depraving forms." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 225:31

Loving the Quiet

Having grown up as an only child, I looked forward to going to school, belonging to many clubs, and leaving for college a year early so I could have a crazy social life. Today, it’s quite a revelation to see all desire to do “things” has left me. I do enjoy my daily walk at the cemetery, which tops off a day of puttering, reading, doing household things, bridge playing, piano playing, and an occasional chat with family members or watching a movie. The more I stay home, the more I want to stay home. Today, I did not join a number of group chats being held by friends, as I had no desire to talk to others. I did speak with a good friend on the phone, and we mentioned how we had reached a point of not wanting to “do” anything. Another friend told a mutual social media friend how much she is enjoying this quiet time of contemplation and communing with nature. I heard a program on NPR today which talked of how people are becoming more aware of where their food comes from now that things are not magically re-appearing in grocery stores. People are actually thinking about the high cost and foolishness of shipping a strawberry from the west coast, perhaps letting it rot in the refrigerator, then putting in a landfill, thus adding triply to their carbon footprint. I am grateful for the lessons I’m learning about myself during this time, and I trust you are discovering some things, too. And don't forget to support your local farmers!

"A higher and more practical Christianity, demonstrating justice and meeting the needs of mortals in sickness and in health, stands at the door of this age, knocking for admission. Will you open or close the door upon this angel visitant, who cometh in the quiet of meekness, as it came of old to the patriarch at noonday?" Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 224:22

Young @ Heart

The Junes - photo credit:
Richard Quick

[a repeated post from 2018] ​A documentary comes to mind about a group of people whose average age is 80. These delightful people sing in live performances all over the world. Their songs are surprising and joyous, bringing happiness to all who hear them. This ever-changing group of joyful givers call themselves "Young @ Heart", and the film bears the same name. These people inspire me to give of what I have been given, to be willing to share the salvation which is mine -- and yours! Whenever I forget my true Self, the memory of these resplendent people will remind me that we're all here for each other, and that with giving we receive, and with receiving we give.

​"One marvels that a friend can ever seem less than beautiful. Men and women of riper years and larger lessons ought to ripen intohealth and immortality, instead of lapsing into darkness or gloom. Immortal Mind feeds the body with supernal freshness and fairness, supplying it with beautiful images of thought..." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 248:6

Critical Thinking

Little Red Book Shelf
At Loaves and Fishes
in Berryville, AR

“Worthy persons deserve to be called so because they are not carried away by the eight winds: prosperity, decline, disgrace, honor, praise, censure, suffering, and pleasure. They are neither elated by prosperity nor grieved by decline.” This quote by Nichiren grabbed my attention, mainly because of the phrase “elated by prosperity”. There seem to be too many people in charge of the world who are delirious over money. Andrew Carnegie was very wise in telling us: “Surplus wealth is a sacred trust which its possessor is bound to administer in his lifetime for the good of the community.” Mr. Carnegie created 1,689 libraries in the United States. Information is power, and it’s apparent today that many would rather have an uninformed electorate rather than an informed citizenry who can ascertain truth from fiction. I’m currently reading a novel called “The Giver of Stars”, and it is about the women in Appalachia who rode horses, carrying backpacks full of books, delivering them to those who otherwise would not have had them. I guess we feel that the information freeway called the internet takes care of our educational needs. To me, nothing replaces falling into a good book. I think it's necessary to develop critical thinking, don't you?

"Recalling Jefferson's words about slavery, 'I tremble when I remember that God is just,' the author trembles whenever she sees a man for the petty consideration of money, teaching his slight knowledge of Mind-power, -- perhaps communicating his own bad morals, and in this way dealing pitilessly with a community unprepared for self-defence." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 445:29