What is Morality?

 

“If I had to write a book on morality, it would have a hundred pages and ninety-nine would be blank. On the last page I should write: 

'I recognize only one duty, and that is to love.'” 

Albert Camus

Peaceful, Thoughtful Resolution

 ​

Working to correct injustice is not attacking — unless we make it so with thought! Many people feel the way of life we’re studying demands we sit around having happy thoughts, meditating, and turning away from pain and suffering. Of course, it does! But that does not preclude speaking truth to error when it is uncovered. By turning away from attack and demonstrating the Love which is our reality, we begin to understand our purpose on a totally different level than we may have espoused all our lives. I remind myself time and again of these words from A Course in Miracles: “There is no point in trying to change the world. It is incapable of change because it is merely an effect. But there is indeed a point in changing your thoughts about the world. Here you are changing the cause. The effect will change automatically.” It takes a change of thought to bring freedom. Let's free ourselves today -- and forever!

“By purifying human thought, this state of mind permeates with increased harmony all the minutiae of human affairs.” Mary Baker Eddy - Miscellaneous Writings Page 204:23-25

Seeing Through New Eyes

 

photo credit: Gerry Toler

Everywhere​,​​ huge changes are occurring. Let​'s​ not be afraid to look at traditional values in a new light! New ways of looking at old words, such as The Lord's Prayer, give us new insights and understanding. In the late 1800s, Mary Baker Eddy gave us a spiritual interpretation of this well-known prayer. Here is a beautiful modern-day interpretation by Peter Russell, which I feel is helpful in facilitating our shifting perception.

Peter Russell's Contemporary Lord's Prayer

​"​Our essential Being, that dwells within,

'I am' is thy name.

May thy true nature be revealed.

May thy knowing inform our daily lives,

As it does our inner Being.

Nourish us today with thy Presence.

Release us from any judgment we have held against ourselves,

As we release others from judgments we've held against them.

Let us not be tempted to seek solace in worldly things.

Liberate us from that which veils the truth.

For it is in our Being that we find your Presence,

The Source of all good, the home of all joy,

Eternally, and without change.

So be it."

http://www.peterrussell.com

Mary Baker Eddy quote: "Our Father-Mother God, all harmonious, Adorable One. They kingdom is come; thou art ever present. Enable us to know, -- as in heaven, so on earth, -- God is omnipotent, supreme. Give us grace for today; feed the famished affections. And Love is reflected in love. God leadeth us not into temptation, but delivereth us from sin, disease, and death. For God is infinite, all power, all Life, Truth, Love, over all, and All." Science & Health, Page 16:27-15

Peace Inherent

 ​

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Peace is inherent in every seemingly volatile situation. Tell this to someone who has been involved in a violent attack and they will scoff at you — at the very least. It’s my understanding that one in every three calls to the police in our area involves domestic abuse. I can only assume this is a woman calling concerning a man's actions, although that isn't always the scenario. I know I can’t change anyone; only my thoughts about them or the situation. By this peaceful resolution within myself, I may be guided to take particular actions in my world, or I may be led to quietly know the Truth about us all and, by that knowing, facilitate peace. I wish I could quiet everyone's mind so they wouldn't need to lash out at others. Hum -- maybe I can, right here within me! Do I really understand Oneness? I certainly want to...  

 
“Truth and Love enlighten the understanding, in whose 'light shall we see light;' and this illumination is reflected spiritually by all who walk in the light and turn away from a false material sense.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 510:9-12

Reflections of Good

 ​

photo credit: Kailey Jones

A good friend once called me and said she felt as though she had been punched in the face by God. Of course, I asked what she meant by this — as many different interpretations crossed my thought, mainly that she had awakened from the illusion! It turns out she had a toothache. So I immediately told her not to put that [expletive deleted] on God! We talked of definitions for God, specifically that we are the image and likeness of divine Love, and there is no way that this gentle Presence would ever punch us in the face. This particular friend is so receptive to Truth that she almost immediately felt better and has spoken with me often about the many instances wherein this new understanding has changed her outlook. What a joy it is to see someone open the door and not be afraid of the light!

"Man is, and always has been, God's reflection." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 471:17-18

Book Club in the Time of Covid

 ​

Last fall, I was Zooming with my book club and Kevin was fascinated by the exchanges he overheard. He had always admired the books we read and how energized I was after attending one of our meetings, so when he heard us talking via computer, the journalist in him came to life and he wanted me to write an essay about our group, its history, and how the pandemic had affected us. I had forgotten our conversation and was happily surprised today to find these notes he made for me. He slipped the piece of paper into a stack of 2020 tax stuff I had in my desk. Since his passing two months ago, he is in my dreams almost every night, but seeing this note today brought him into the room as surely as if he had walked through the door! What a welcome surprise this was...

"Life is the law of Soul, even the law of the spirit of Truth, and Soul is never without its representative. Man's individual being can no more die nor disappear in unconsciousness than can Soul, for both are immortal." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 427:5

Let Them BE

 

                                                            

Someone posted this on Facebook today. It reminds me of my beloved friends. Happy Spring to each and every one!

"When you meet that person, a person, one of your soulmates, let the connection, relationship be what it is. 

It may be five mins, five hours, five days, five months, five years, a lifetime, five lifetimes.

Let it manifest itself the way it is meant to, it has an organic destiny, this way if it stays or if it leaves, 

you will be softer from having been loved this authentically.

Souls come into, return, open, and sweep through your life for a myriad of reasons.

Let them be who and what they are meant.”

Nayyirah Waheed