Calm and Exalted Thought

 

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Peace is a state of mind. We can feel the epitome of peace in the midst of turmoil, or we may be in an outer oasis of stillness but, due to our tumultuous state of mind, be anxious and upset. It helps me to know that we are all the reflection of Spirit. With this realization, I am able to see through the eye of divine Love. This is not to say that I'm always calm. Sometimes I forget I am the idea of God, and that everyone else is, too. At those times, who knows how I may be interpreting events! In a state of forgetfulness, I am at the mercy of material belief, being swayed by thought systems which were put into place long before my appearance in this world. But when I remember the spiritual Truth of creation, things appear differently to me -- and there is peace.

“The calm and exalted thought or spiritual apprehension is at peace. Thus the dawn of ideas goes on, forming each successive stage of progress.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 506: 11-14

Creation's Gentleness

photo credit: Richard Quick

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #265 states: “Creation's gentleness is all I see.” ​Although we usually see it everywhere, we’re often distracted by the universal belief in harshness as the way of the world. ​Yet, m​ore and more, we're noticing animals showing us the way of gentleness in their interactions with each other. As we begin to understand Oneness, we're seeing that if violence is done to or by one, it's done to or by ​a​ll. So it’s a noble goal to allow our thoughts to change from fear and anger to Love and gentleness. Many people are holding with the old paradigm, and some say it's necessary for heinous acts to be committed, and also retaliation in kind. On the other hand, more people are realizing the error of this way, and ​innately ​know that it is possible for the lion to lay down with the lamb. Every thought is important as we rush toward a new way of living. Filling our lives with beauty and joy helps us find ​the pathway and show others the way!

“The fowls, which fly above the earth in the open firmament of heaven, correspond to aspirations soaring beyond and above corporeality to the understanding of the incorporeal and divine Principle, Love.” Mary Baker Eddy-Science & Health Page 511:2

Surrounded by Love

 

Surrounded by Ozarks - unknown drone photographer

I don’t usually listen to mainstream radio, but there was an occasion where I was bombarded by it for a couple of hours. This forced exposure graphically brought into focus how insane the content was! The songs were totally inane and yet mesmerizing, the commercials were mostly for drugs and disease, the news -- yikes!! It may seem that we are being brainwashed from every direction, including collective consciousness, but this is the illusion. This illusion is not the consciousness of Love which is God. Love permeates everything, leaving no room for anything else to intrude. Nothing but this Love truly has power.  "Clad in the panoply of Love, human hatred cannot reach me." (MBE) "I am surrounded by the Love of God." (ACIM Workbook Lesson #264) When I am tempted to be mesmerized by material sense, I will remember what is True: I am surrounded by the Love that is God, which is my essence, my essential Being. So I needn't try to see or feel this Love, because it is what I Am!

“The very 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

The Scientific Statement of Being

photo credit: Tim Ernst

I have a friend in California who refers to himself as a contrarian. He also thinks he’s a curmudgeon, but that’s a topic for another day. He sent me an article from Big Think, entitled The Mystery of Life Cannot be Solved by Science, and he asked what I thought of it. As you can imagine, I had quite a lot to say! I think the only aspects of life which cannot be explained by science are the spiritual/metaphysical aspects which peek through the material illusion from time to time. Material medicine cannot explain things such as spontaneous healing or excessive strength in times of disaster, to name two of many. Hence, the reference to “mystery of life”. To admit that all of this life is actually spiritual allows us to find ways out of dead-end thinking regarding our existence. We are given permission to question all those things we were told we must believe “just because”. The Science of The Christ has given me a lifelong study topic and a source of never-ending revelations. Both metaphysics and duplicate bridge have supplied me with an exciting and fulfilling life, for which I am eternally grateful. May you enjoy this most wonderful almost-fall day, my Friend.

“Question. — What is the scientific statement of being?
Answer. — There is no life, truth, intelligence, nor sub-
stance in matter. All is infinite Mind and its infinite
manifestation, for God is All-in-all. Spirit is immortal Truth; matter is mortal error. Spirit is the real and
eternal; matter is the unreal and temporal. Spirit is
God, and man is His image and likeness. Therefore man is not material; he is spiritual.” Mary Baker Eddy- Science and Health page 468:8

Life Choices

 

I have much to say about the idea in this photograph, but when I try to verbalize it, nothing feels right. So I leave you with your own thoughts today. Namaste …

“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

The Matrix

 

Remember the hit movie, The Matrix? In it, there were some profound metaphysical principles addressed! My favorite scene is when Neo is in what appears to be a center for extraordinary behavior. He goes up to a person bending a spoon without touching it. Neo tries to bend the spoon with his mind, but cannot. He is told that the way to do this is through knowing the truth: The spoon is not there. This is what metaphysical healing is all about. The only cure is the understanding that there is no place where sickness can abide. In other words, the spoon is not there. Awakening to this knowledge brings with it the revelation that all which seems to be unlike good, God, has no reality. If we are attempting to change a material condition, it's just like trying to bend the spoon by the power of our mind. Only by the knowledge of its unreality is it seen for what it actually is: an idea. We are all ideas of the divine Mind. We are all One in this reality. What will this realization unfold in experience today? I am open with no expectations!

"The Science of Mind denies the error of sensation in matter, and heals with Truth. Medical science treats disease as though disease were real, therefore right, and attempts to heal it with matter. If disease is right it is wrong to heal it. Material methods are temporary, and are not adapted to elevate mankind." Mary Baker Eddy -Science & Health: Page 381:22-27

Growth in Grace

 

photo credit: Aaron Springston

I remember a young woman who came into my gallery one evening and told me that she loved art, but that she didn't have any talent because she had been sexually abused as a child. I smiled at her and she said, No, really, every day for years and years! I told her I wasn't smiling about what she had said or what had been done, but I was smiling at the part of her which had never been touched by any of this. I told her everyone has tons of talent and for her to continue trying things until she found something she really loved -- and then keep on doing it! Her eyes lit up as she listed things she loved and wanted to do. By practicing kindness when faced with hardness of heart, meekness when those around us are aggressive, loving those who seem unlovable, and paying it forward at every opportunity, we acknowledge the grace which is our true heritage. By this, we learn what it feels like, not just what it means.

“What we most need is the prayer of fervent desire for growth in grace, expressed in patience, meekness, love, and good deeds." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 4:3-5