Translating Our Thoughts

Photo Credit: Dale Johnson

There seems to be much to fear these days. My son lives in Colorado and the fires are visible from his house. The political races are escalating in their vitriol, and it's easy to jump up and down and stamp our feet in protest or agreement. The virus infections rates are rising and people are reacting in various ways to the isolation of the times. Yet according to a Gallup poll, 56% of people are happier now than they were four years ago.  Of course, other polls tell us that suicide rates are up and chronic depression is at an all time high. I've long held to the thought that physical circumstances have nothing to do with happiness and contentment, and now this view is being put to the test. How do you feel compared to four years ago? Ten years? Many things bring us joy, but it doesn't seem money is one of them. The contentment of being in a safe, cozy home with a cat or two and a nice man is enough for me to feel better every day. But in the back of my mind there plays a little video of fires and facism and fury of various sorts. Worrying about these events is sort of like praying for something bad to happen. And so when I think of these things, I'll translate them into their harmonious counterpart and visualize that as a prayer. May you find peace today in the quiet spaces between your thoughts. Namaste...

​"Error of thought is reflected in error of action. The continual contemplation of existence as material and corporeal -- as beginning and ending, and with birth, decay, and dissolution as its component stages -- hides the true and spiritual Life, and causes our standard to trail in the dust." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 550:15

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Spiritual Ideas

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Many mind-over-matter systems are practiced in the world. In the 1800's, mesmerism and hypnotism were thought to be the route to changing our physical experience and getting us what we want. Today we have "The Secret" and other systems telling us how to get the mate of our dreams, hot cars, and other material desires. Some may think A Course in Miracles or Christian Science falls into the same category, because we are "resolving things into thoughts". Here is an example of how it differs: Let's say we need a place to live. How do we think about this in order to manifest it in our existence? By understanding the substance of an idea! What are the spiritual qualities of this place to live, this house, this home? What does it represent? Some of the qualities of home could be warmth, comfort, peace, safety, beauty, love, hospitality. So the thought of "home" is really a spiritual idea, and these qualities of home already exist in our individual consciousness. We don't have to go out and find them, because they're already a permanent part of our being. We can express all these qualities included in the concept of home, no matter where we are. And when we express these qualities, we are cherishing our spiritual home, and this blessing is extended to others as well. 

"Divine Science, rising above physical theories, excludes matter, resolves things into thoughts, and replaces the objects of material sense with spiritual ideas.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science and Health Page 123:12-15

Separation or Unity

photo credit: Gerry Toler

We hurt ourselves by believing in separation more than unity. Feelings of aloneness are manifested in many ways in our daily life. Perhaps we think everyone is out to get us, or maybe we feel like no one knows what's best other than those in our particular tribe. There are any number of ways we assert our specialness and keep ourselves separate from God, hence from everyone, and sometimes this separation is manifest in ugly ways. Maybe something is said to another which we wish we could take back, or perhaps anger flares suddenly and we feel guilt over our feelings and shame about the outcome. There are a multitude of human actions we may regret, but the acceptance of our heritage as a child of divine Love allows us to forgive and choose again. For this, I am grateful.

“Error begins by reckoning life as separate from Spirit, thus sapping the foundations of immortality, as if life and immortality were something which matter can both give and take away.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 539:3-7

Tipping Point is Near

photo credit: Arthur Bruno

I have always felt as though there is a tipping point in mass consciousness, a point ​where everyone sees their perfection and recognizes there is no difference in their own self and the self of that person over there. In this sight, there is a world bathed in peace and contentment. There are no conflicts because everything good and pure is done for the good of everyone, and nothing contrary exists because we do not have such thoughts in the face of beauty and Love. There is no world of separation because we are all One and happily recognize this ​t​ruth. In order for perfection to emerge, error must be washed away. A dear friend, who has never believed these things I espouse, called to ask me what’s happening to this tipping point of Love, as he feels we’ve tipped the other way. Once again, I reiterate: Every thought is important! I feel like we're getting close!

​​"We cannot build safely on false foundations. Truth makes a new creature, in whom old things pass away and ‘all things are become new’."  ​Mary Baker Eddy ​Science & Health Page 201: 7-9

Open to Peace

 

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Let it go. Just breathe. We hear these instructions when learning how to break the hold of distress and open ourselves to peace. It took me years to realize that someone or something wasn't "making" me upset; that it was my perception and interpretation and reaction to things which caused these feelings. Even with this realization, it's sometimes difficult to not get caught up in the craziness of the world. When I find myself becoming agitated about anything, I will remind myself to "let all the world be blessed with peace through us." [ACIM Workbook Lesson #360] After all, I can't change anything but my own self. How wonderful that it’s the most important thing to do!

"Let us learn of the real and eternal, and prepare for the reign of Spirit, the kingdom of heaven,—the reign and rule of universal harmony, which cannot be lost nor remain forever unseen." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 208:20

Relaxing Into Oneness

photo credit: Aaron Springston

I often remind myself that if I have a choice of being right or being kind, I’d rather be kind. That's not to say I always am, but I sure do want to be! Another choice I try to make is peace over specialness. I’m sure I’ve gladly proclaimed to others about my pain, my divorce, my cold, my sciatica, my low bank account — you get the picture! It’s much nicer to look past MY specialness, watching and praying for guidance from divine Mind which is everywhere, allowing feelings to flow with the Love which is eternal, and to live with the excitement of Spirit lifting daily activity to the miraculous adventure it can be when I stop dictating reality. Gratitude and appreciation is a peaceful, easy feeling. Today I want to choose the harmony of unity, releasing separation as I relax into our Oneness!

"Let us rid ourselves of the belief that man is separated from God, and obey only the divine Principle, Life and Love. Here is the great point of departure for all true spiritual growth." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 91:5-8

Just Love

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Today's simple hope is that everyone will love each other. Whether it's your child, spouse, friends, or strangers, just love them. A rather well-known seer once advised us that it's easy to love those who love you, but to love your enemies, to bless those who persecute you, that is the difficult task. In an age when almost everyone seems determined to make someone an enemy, this is particularly good advice. A dear friend told a story about herself in which she was terse with a loved one over a small act which made no difference in the scheme of life. During these days of high emotions and hateful rhetorical speech, it's easy to become ensnared in the collective turmoil. So let's be aware that we may not be feeling our own emotions, but those being sold to us by people who will benefit from our angst and division. Whatever the case, just love. It's not easy to understand each other under the best of circumstances, but with a pandemic and political unrest afoot, it can seem almost impossible. But it is not. Sometimes we may falter, but forgive yourself and begin again. We always get a second chance to be kind...

"If a career so great and good as that of Jesus could not avert a felon's fate, lesser apostles of Truth may endure human brutality without murmuring, rejoicing to enter into fellowship with him through the triumphal arch of Truth and Love." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 40:19