Passing Through Illusions

 

"Whatever suffers is not part of me" [ACIM ​W​orkbook ​L​esson #248]​ These words​ could possibly be taken as an unfeeling, heartless statement. I see it as an expression of pure Love which allows us to pass through illusions into the reality of good, God. The death of a loved one is difficult in many ways, but I think the myths we have concocted surrounding this passage may do more harm than good. We say things like, God took her to be with ​Him because she was so good. Although these words are spoken in the name of kindness, I’m not sure they help anyone ​who is grieving. As we begin to understand divine reality, we are released from the stories we tell ourselves in favor of the Truth which sets us free. I'll always remember reading the book, "Beloved Prophet", which is the story of Kahlil Gibran and the woman who loved him. She sat at his funeral with a peaceful smile on her face, and when asked why she wasn't upset, she responded that she had never felt closer to him. What a lovely realization of Oneness and eternity!

"It was the divine law of Life and Love, unfolding to me the demonstrable fact that matter possesses neither sensation nor life; that human experiences show the falsity of all material things; and that immortal cravings, ‘the price of learning love,’ establish the truism that the only sufferer is mortal mind, for the divine Mind cannot suffer." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 108:5-11


​"​A Course in Miracles - LESSON 248​ - ​Whatever Suffers Is Not Part Of Me.

I have disowned the truth. Now let me be as faithful in disowning falsity. Whatever suffers is not part of me. What grieves is not myself. What is in pain is but illusion in my mind. What dies was never living in reality, and did but mock the truth about myself. Now I disown self-concepts and deceits and lies about the holy Son of God. Now am I ready to accept him back as God created him, and as he is.

Father, my ancient love for You returns, and lets me love Your Son again as well. Father, I am as You created me. Now is Your Love remembered, and my own. Now do I understand that they are one.​"​

Tears

 

Piney Creek Flowers on my piano

I’ve had one of those days when everything has moved me to tears: happy things, sad events — varying degrees of tears, from eyes welling up to sobs. There is a bond between a cousin in south Texas and myself. We have never met, but have been communicating through Facebook for several years. She ‘s been submitting to chemotherapy for eight years and has been in intense pain every day. I asked her if she would follow this route if she had it to do over again, and she said no; that she had only begun treatment to appease her mother. She is ready for it to be over. I love how she reminds me to appreciate every moment of freedom from pain and emotional upset. I cried with her today. I also sobbed when my cat ate a butterfly. My eyes leaked when listening to Father Joseph deliver a homily about helping one another. Hearing a chorus of hospital workers on America’s Got Talent almost brought me to my knees. When I was a child, my parents would tell me the only reason a person cried was to get others to feel sorry for them. I’d love to tell them that full hearts must overflow. And that’s okay.

“Take heart, dear sufferer, for this reality of being will surely appear sometimes and in some way. There will be no more pain, and all tears will be wiped away. When you read this, remember Jesus’ words, ‘The kingdom of God is within you.’ This spiritual consciousness is therefore a present possibility.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 573:29

Choose Again and Go Forward With Joy

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Do you have an incident from childhood which has stayed with you, perhaps even affecting the way you live today? I know someone who, as a young child, caught her mother in a compromising position with a man other than her father. She refuses to marry. I know a man who found his father dead from a self-inflicted gunshot blast to the head. His whole life is a series of dramatic events which he blames on that incident. I'm sure you know many stories, too. The Disappearance of the Universe, a book by Gary Renard, speaks to events such as these, and more. When we let go of beliefs, we can turn loose ​of ​our history, too. I love hearing stories of people who live through horrendous-seeming events and remain not only happy but proactive. This thing we call forgiveness isn't some sort of divine pardon, but a yielding within ourselves to purity of thought, without the impediments of holding on to memories of wrongdoing, resentment, and pain of all sorts. This yielding includes the release of things which we think have been done to us and things we think we have done to others. So let's choose again, rest in Love, and go forward, with joy!

“As the crude footprints of the past disappear from the dissolving paths of the present, we shall better understand the Science which governs these changes, and shall plant our feet on firmer ground.”  Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 223:4-7

Are We Ready For The Truth?

 
Are we finally ready for the truth? I've heard it said that we, as a human race, can’t stand to hear the truth. I’m told of our fragility concerning honesty about everything from extraterrestrial life to religious doctrine, but I think we are ready for it! People say if truth were told about everything, society would break down. It seems to me that might be a good thing, because our current belief system doesn't appear to be functioning too well. Perhaps everyone's dissatisfaction stems from the feeling that we’re being lied to. A few centuries ago, a total eclipse of the moon would cause many fear-based reactions when the orb turned red, disappeared, then reappeared. The truth has set us free from that irrational fear, and so it can free us in other ways, allowing us to joyfully look up and say, “Wow"! I think we're ready, don't you?!

“Truth, independent of doctrines and time-honored systems, knocks at the portal of humanity.” Mary Baker Eddy- Science & Health Page vii:13-15

Divine Healing

photo credit: Blake Lasater

Jesus was here to teach us many things, not the least of which was how to be nice to each other. His two commandments were to love God above all else and to love our neighbor as ourselves. I've often thought that we need to love ourselves more, as it seems many of us are expressing a lack of love for ourselves in our actions toward others. Jesus was also telling us we are capable of much more than we know. We are not powerless victims of circumstance. He tells us that the things he does, so can we -- and more! Power and dominion have become ugly words because of the things done to others by ruthless people. True power and dominion have to do with peace and grace and Love, as expressed through the healing power within. We are capable of more than we know. Let's not be afraid to express that power in healing every ill which seems so real to our material sense. We are spiritual Beings, expressions of God, perfect and whole, needing nothing to be added or taken away for that perfection to show forth and bless all of humankind.

“In divine Science, man is the true image of God. The divine nature was best expressed in Christ Jesus, who threw upon mortals the truer reflection of God and lifted their lives higher than their poor thought-models would allow,--thoughts which presented man as fallen, sick, sinning, and dying. The Christlike understanding of scientific being and divine healing includes a perfect Principle and idea,--perfect God and perfect man,--as the basis of thought and demonstration.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 259:6-15

Binding Up The Broken-Hearted

Yesterday, I wrote of my friend in the hospital and her lack of interest in living. ​Last night at bedtime, I was ready to practice “tough love” on ​her, saying whatever necessary to break the spell ​o​f ennui she had sunk​en​ into. Low and behold, first thing this morning I got a call from her sister ​telling me ​that the hospital called and sweet Jane is ready to start physical therapy, ate breakfast, and she wants ​to take a shower! When I visited her this afternoon, she ate the watermelon I brought ​to her ​and was delighted with the body care products​ I spread over her bed. We shared good memories and talked about possibilities for her future. My gratitude is deep for the ability to show her gentle Love rather than tough love. She knows she might pass on, but is willing to live moment-to-moment, doing whatever is necessary to feel good again. Hallelujah!!

“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.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 295:5-15

Angels Entertained Unawares

photo credit: Christine Panas

Some of us thrive under adversity. Something seems to “kick in” and we look for the possibilities which are waiting on the other side of a closed door. I’ve mentioned my friend in the hospital who seems to have lost the will to live. The pandemic brought isolation, and so she stopped helping others — which she was very good at doing! Her son passed away and she sank into depression. When her best friend from forever left this earthly plane, she fell deeper. Now, she lays in a hospital bed and refuses the help they are attempting to offer. She’s turned her back on friends and family, and most everyone is feeling hopeless. Tomorrow is my turn to visit her and it’s time to remind her of some facts: she lost a son, but she has another who needs her. She lost her childhood friend, but she has many more who care and are dismayed at what is happening with her. On my drive to the big-city hospital tomorrow, I shall open my heart for words to say, to know what she needs to hear, to open her to that which seems to have closed. I wish to give her the joy I felt today when spending time with the Berryville High School Choir, which is practicing for a performance at Carnegie Hall next year. Having the privilege of being their rehearsal pianist lifts my thoughts above the fear so prevalent all around us. And I am grateful.

“’Now’ has no meaning to the ego. The present merely reminds it of past hurts, and it reacts to the present as if it were the past. The ego cannot tolerate release from the past, and although the past is over, the ego tries to preserve its image by responding as if it were present. It dictates your reactions to those you meet in the present from a past reference point, obscuring their present reality.” ACIM Chapter 13:IV:5

“The circumstance, which your suffering sense deems wrathful and afflictive, Love can make an angel entertained unawares.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 574:27-30