What Did You Say?

Clear and concise communications have been on my mind today. Of course, we have miscommunication for many reasons: perhaps we don't listen closely, maybe the person speaking doesn't order their thoughts in a manner which can be easily understood. Perhaps someone doesn't want us to understand, and so they talk in double-speak or circular, unformed thoughts. It is easy to mislead, and it is easy to misunderstand. We must do a better job of conveying our thoughts and hearing others' words. When writing, I'm often reminded of the difference in meaning which punctuation can make. For instance: "Woman, without her, man is nothing." Or this: "Woman, without her man, is nothing." The way we speak that sentence makes a huge difference in conveyance of thought, demonstrating the power of the comma, whether on paper or in words. I recommit to asking questions to make sure I know what is going on around me, and I will strive to be a clear thinker in this world of muddled communications and purposeful misdirection. We're all in this together, and most of us truly want to feel the unity which is our natural state. Namaste...

"In sleep we do not communicate with the dreamer by our side despite his physical proximity, because both of us are either unconscious or are wandering in our dreams through different mazes of consciousness." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 82:13

Meeting the Past in New Ways

Mongolia - Photo Credit: Aaron Springston

In today's recording session with the Presbyterian minister and two musicians, we had a discussion centered around how everyone was doing in their daily lives. Ben teaches choir at a local school and part of his comments were directed toward how much his choir is improving since they are focused on technique rather than getting ready for performances. They had a virtual online tryout for state choir and were excited to be judged in that way, even though the excitement of travel was not part of the experience. But they loved it and did well. Sharon is busy thinking of new and innovative ways to produce an online Celebration Choir performance, and she and Ben are coming up with some cool possibilities. We shall see in the next few weeks how this virtual performance will come together. John, the pastor for the church, also substitute teaches. His life is busier than ever, and more rewarding. He says these times have challenged him as he preaches to an empty room, but he is building a stellar musical group to enhance the services, and is seeing ways to help others in all facets of life. My organ and piano skills are working back to the level they were 50 years ago, and my bridge game is better than ever. And I love making soup! We all have challenges unique to these times, and perhaps some of our problems which were easily swept under the rug in the past are refusing to stay out of sight. But that's a good thing. Please, feel free to post your experiences on the blog, about this or anything else you'd like to say!

"In the material world, thought has brought to light with great rapidity many useful wonders. With like activity have thought's swift pinions been rising towards the realm of the real, to the spiritual cause of those lower things which give impulse to inquiry. Belief in a material basis, from which may be deduced all rationality, is slowly yielding to the idea of a metaphysical basis, looking away from matter to Mind as the cause of every effect." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 168:1

The Way I See It

photo credit: Aaron Springston

"The Way I See It", is a documentary about Pete Souza's photographs from Reagan to Obama. We get to see true emotions from our presidents, translated through the lens of this caring, sensitive photojournalist. The deep feelings of joy brought forth by this film were surprising, and welcomed. If you're looking for something uplifting for this chilly winter weekend, I highly recommend this! Let's never forget what is important in life, even in times which seem confusing. Sending virtual hugs to everyone today!

"Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way. Right motives give pinions to thought, and strength and freedom to speech and action. Love is priestess at the altar of Truth. Wait patiently for divine Love to move upon the waters of mortal mind, and form the perfect concept. Patience must "have her perfect work."
Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 454:18-24

Willingness

photo credit: Aaron Springston

The idea that we have a choice between joy and pain may not be easy to accept. Let’s not allow mortal mind​,​ or ego​,​ to lay a guilt trip on us in this regard. The only thing we are guilty of is a mistaken perception, for which there is immediate remedy: Change your thought! Through the wonder of social media, I have become acquainted with a woman I never would have met otherwise, as her life’s circumstance and mindset are on the opposite side of the world from mine. She openly writes of her pain and weaknesses, lashing out at others in a way so honest my heart aches in empathy. I feel I know this woman, perhaps because there was a point in my life I could have been her. I felt victimized by circumstances and didn’t think there was a way out. It’s difficult to believe we have a choice when everything we see appears solidly hopeless. Unfortunately, it will stay that way as long as we believe it to be true. What can cause our mind to open up to the lightness of hope? The willingness to do so…

​"​Willingness to become as a little child and to leave the old for the new, renders thought receptive of the advanced idea. Gladness to leave the false landmarks and joy to see them disappear, — this disposition helps to precipitate the ultimate harmony."  ​Mary Baker Eddy - ​Science & Health Page 323:32-4

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