Compassion in Emptiness

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photo credit: Aaron Springston

The Dalai Lama has profound and beautiful messages for us! He speaks of peace and love, reminding us of our true identity in such an unassuming and pure manner. His gleeful words never leave me where they found me, and for this I am most grateful. I remember a DVD of his entitled "Compassion in Emptiness". He speaks to the importance of relationships based on honesty and trust. The joyfulness born of these interactions is essential to our liberation from fearful illusions. The trust and honesty he speaks of isn't limited to those who have "earned" it. It isn't limited in any way. As we go through our daily activities, let's remember to treat everyone with the loving respect and courtesy with which we would afford a dearly beloved parent or child. May kindness and joy spread to every person you come into contact with today, and everyday. And if you happen to forget what that feels like, look up a video of the Dalai Lama and let him remind you!

“If selfishness has given place to kindness, we shall regard our neighbor unselfishly, and bless them that curse us; but we shall never meet this great duty simply by asking that it may be done.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 9:11-14

You Brave and Glorious Thing!

 

[Image of Elen Jordano by Philippe Vogelenzang]

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"How many years of beauty do I have left?

she asks me.

How many more do you want?

Here. Here is 34. Here is 50.

When you are 80 years old

and your beauty rises in ways

your cells cannot even imagine now

and your wild bones grow luminous and

ripe, having carried the weight

of a passionate life.

When your hair is aflame

with winter

and you have decades of

learning and leaving and loving

sewn into

the corners of your eyes

and your children come home

to find their own history

in your face.

When you know what it feels like to fail

ferociously

and have gained the

capacity

to rise and rise and rise again.

When you can make your tea

on a quiet and ridiculously lonely afternoon

and still have a song in your heart

Queen owl wings beating

beneath the cotton of your sweater.

Because your beauty began there

beneath the sweater and the skin,

remember?

This is when I will take you

into my arms and coo

YOU BRAVE AND GLORIOUS THING

you've come so far.

I see you.

Your beauty is breathtaking."

~ Jeannette Encinias: https://www.jeannetteencinias.com/

Getting Better All The Time

 

Dogwood Close Up - photo credit: Arthur Bruno

A friend from California called to tell me his exciting news: At the age of 74, the last two yearly visits to the optometrist have shown his eyesight to be improving. He also told of discontinuing cholesterol  medication a few years back because of side effects consisting of back pain and confusion. He was surprised to find out his numbers were going down, rather than the increase his doctor had predicted. He wanted my opinion on why this was happening. I laughed and told him what I’ve noticed about him in the last five years is that he is a much more laid-back guy now, happier, less worried than when I met him. He also is gaining an understanding of metaphysics and quantum thought. I told him he needn’t worry about why, but to be grateful and continue his walk on the road of realized consciousness, being aware and joyful each step of the way. I loved hearing his story!

“Truth is affirmative, and confers harmony. All metaphysical logic is inspired by this simple rule of Truth, which governs all reality.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health, Page 418:20-22

Work Ethics

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photo credit: Steve Shogren

We humans can be a judgmental lot. It seems our favorite hobby has become having strong opinions and expressing them self-righteously. A couple of threads on Facebook caught my attention and caused me to think deeply. Both have to do with working: whether people will work if there is a job to be had, and reasons they may not take a job if available. What has caused me to ponder are those who say people won’t work if they can get more on welfare. In my almost seven decades, I have not known anyone who would not work if it is possible. Now, I have known people who take a job and it turns out their physical condition is such that they cannot handle doing it. I’ve watched a loved one do a hard day’s work and then it would take three days to recover from it. Then there are people who are mentally unable to be around others. Reasons such as PTSD and agoraphobia keep many from gainful employment, and these problems could be interpreted as being “not willing to work”. Then there are instances when a person will have to pay as much in child care costs as they can bring in from any job they can do. I’m sure I could think of at least ten reasons why working can be next to impossible. This pandemic has helped us to see outside the structured work ethics we have set for ourselves, and this is a great thing indeed! We are expanding our ideas concerning the meaning of “gainfully employed”. There is much for us to learn, but one thing I’m sure of: it’s time to examine everything we’ve always believed to be true. Simply because things have always been done a certain way doesn’t mean they always should be done that way. Change is good and I’m thrilled to witness this evolution of thought!

"The conceptions of mortal, erring thought must give way to the ideal of all that is perfect and eternal. Through many generations human beliefs will be attaining diviner conceptions, and the immortal and perfect model of God's creation will finally be seen as the only true conception of being." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 260:7

Strength in Loving Energy

​I’ve mentioned my book club a number of times in past writings. We are a group of women who have met for over fifteen years with a book as the center of our monthly discussion, but that’s just a reason to get together and enjoy each others’ company. We have some who think logically from the standpoint of science, and some who live intuitively from the heart. We have teachers, a yoga instructor, a veterinarian, business women, cattle and turkey farmers, a librarian — actually, a single definition isn’t enough for any one of these women. They are multi-talented and diverse. We have incredible discussions and enjoy one another more than I can say. While I feel this group of women could solve all the problems of the world — and actually feel like we do that every time we get together! — I believe this feeling comes because despite our various opinions, we all live from Love. Everything we do is guided by something larger than what our human reason can encompass. As I bask in the glow of being with them, I will remember that problems come from a belief in separation, and I thank these women for helping me to feel whole. Namastè ~~~

“Human reason and religion come slowly to the recognition of spiritual facts, and so continue to call upon matter to remove the error which the human mind alone has created.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 173:25-28

Universal Harmony

 

photo credit: Aaron Springston

How many times have you felt we are on the verge of the realization of universal peace and harmony? I know I have a number of times. January 1, 2000 felt like a tipping point. Although I don't remember specific dates other than that one, I know there have been many occasions when it simply "felt like" this was it; that we would forget differences and only remember unity and the fact that we are all One. I felt this again today. Any unrest and dis-ease going on around me seemed like a cry for Love. Really, truly, I saw people reaching out for something secure in a material world full of insecurity and fear. We are all the same in the reality of Spirit. The "reign and rule of universal harmony which cannot be lost nor remain forever unseen" is waiting for us to cast off fear and embrace it. What do we have to lose? 

"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 208:20-24

Never Fear The Consequences

photo credit: Aaron Springston

​We may feel alone in the desert when we speak truth to error. Perhaps we feel we're the only one when we take a stand for morality and goodness in our political system. Maybe you've been verbally attacked for telling people the truth about GMOs and organic food. Perhaps a friend has resisted your efforts to recognize and change racism. And what of data mining? Are we being controlled every time we get on our computer? This is the age where the CEO of Facebook tapes over the camera on his laptop in an effort to insure privacy. I mention these things because it’s very important to speak truth, to take a stand for morality, and never fear potential consequences. 

“Because Truth is infinite, error should be known as nothing. Because Truth is omnipotent in goodness, error, Truth's opposite, has no might. Evil is but the counterpoise of nothingness. The greatest wrong is but a supposititious opposite of the highest right." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 329:21