Perceptions Dictate Actions

 

Randy Rainbow

We often hear of cruelty beyond comprehension. How could anyone possibly perpetrate such behavior? I would hazard to guess that, if asked, the people responsible would not think they were acting in a cruel manner. They would probably say it was necessary to protect themselves or others from some threat. Somewhere along the way, we have decided that it's all right to kill and perform other heinous acts because it's a logical defense against something or the other! Once again, The Four Agreements come to mind. In this wonderful interpretation of ancient Toltec wisdom, Don Miguel Ruiz explains four simple rules to live by which would ensure peace and happiness for everyone. The second agreement is, "Don't take anything personally". He goes so far as to say that even if someone shoots you in the head, it's not your problem, but theirs! I love this as it puts into perspective what we have misinterpreted. We seem to think retaliation is an acceptable behavior. I have a friend who tells me that Jesus told her she'd forgiven her sister enough, and it was all right to hate her now. Wow. I guess that's what I mean by people thinking they're doing a service to the world by killing or other gross behavior. We can convince ourselves, with our mortal minds, that anything is good. This illustrates the importance of letting go of all material beliefs. We are learning to listen, allowing ourselves to understand that as a reflection of divine Love we are capable of living Truth. We are not only capable of living this pure Life which is God, but it is our natural state, expressing only Love. The Utopia which comes with such a dream is a reality, when we allow it.

“And we solemnly promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus; to do unto others as we would have them do unto us; and to be merciful, just, and pure.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 497:24-28

“You respond to what you perceive, and as you perceive so shall you behave. The Golden Rule asks you to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. This means that the perception of both must be accurate. The Golden Rule is the rule for appropriate behavior. You cannot behave appropriately unless you perceive correctly. Since you and your neighbor are equal members of one family, as you perceive both so you will do to both. You should look out from the perception of your own holiness to the holiness of others.” A Course in Miracles -  T-1.III.6:1-7

An Invincible Love

 "In the midst of hate, I found there was, within me, an invincible love. In the midst of tears, I found there was, within me, an invincible smile. In the midst of chaos, I found there was, within me, an invincible calm. I realized, through it all, that in the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there's something stronger -- something better, pushing right back."

Albert Camus

Bringers of Joy

 

Art by J. Clement Wall

judyclementwall.com

The pandemic brought about many changes in our thought systems. Once we slowed down from our constant busy-ness, we began to think deeply again. Many people wondered what their purpose was. While we’re rushing about to meetings and other activities, we tend to feel our purpose is whatever it is that we’re doing at the moment — i.e., I’m a mom, an organist, a card player. When these activities stopped, some of us felt purposeless. I’ve recently had the epiphany that I don’t need to try to right wrongs, even though they seem to be screaming for me to do something. Everyone has a purpose, but that’s not mine. Perhaps by my realized purpose, wrongs may be righted by the changes which will occur because of the joy I’m experiencing. Yes, that is what I think my purpose is: to bring joy. In visiting with older friends who have limited access to the outside world, I find the laughter I bring to them seems more important than anything else. This is not to say that next week my purpose may be something else. We must listen and follow, right? But for now, my purpose is found in the joy I bring to others. So watch out friends and neighbors — happiness may be sneaking up on you!

“Spirit, God, gathers unformed thoughts into their proper channels, and unfolds these thoughts, even as He opens the petals of a holy purpose in order that the purpose may appear.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 506:18-21

“Joy is unified purpose, and unified purpose is only God’s. When yours is unified it is His. Believe you can interfere with His purpose, and you need salvation.” A Course in Miracles T-8.VII.15:1-3

Truth

“Humankind is being led along an evolving course, through this migration of intelligences, and though we seem to be sleeping, there is an inner wakefulness that directs the dream, and that will eventually startle us back to the truth.” Rumi

"This is what is meant by seeking Truth, Christ, not 'for the loaves and fishes,' nor, like the Pharisee, with the arrogance of rank and display of scholarship, but like Mary Magdalene, from the summit of devout consecration, with the oil of gladness and the perfume of gratitude, with tears of repentance and with those hairs all numbered by the Father.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 367:10-16

“Miracles are examples of right thinking, aligning your perceptions with truth as God created it.” A Course in Miracles T-1.I

I Want to See

We, as humans, clutter ourselves with any number of trivial pursuits in order to keep from seeing and knowing Truth. We may occupy our time with busy-ness in order to keep Truth from sneaking in. There was a time in my life when I was a semi-hermit. I read five or six books a week, but nothing of import; lots of horror stories and historical romances. Time spent with others was in a bar, talking about politics, gossip, and other mind-numbing topics. I went to extremes to keep from thinking about the reality of my being. I see others using television, the internet, anything that will totally occupy their minds, in order to keep from seeing. What is this we refuse to see? The Truth of our being, the Truth that is God, the essence which I Am, the meaning of Life and our function as the expression of divine Love. There are many ways to define this sight, but only one way to see. We must have the desire to want sight and the willingness to let illusions disappear. "I am determined to see!" (A Course in Miracles)

“The question, 'What is Truth', convulses the world. Many are ready to meet this inquiry with the assurance which comes of understanding; but more are blinded by their old illusions, and try to 'give it pause'. The efforts of error to answer this question by some ology are vain. Spiritual rationality and free thought accompany approaching Science, and cannot be put down. They will emancipate humanity, and supplant unscientific means and so-called laws” Mary Baker the Eddy - Science & Health Page 223:14-24

Fear Has No Home Here

 

Photo composite by Nancy Ward Redman

I’m sure most of you know someone who identifies with fear, turning every situation into a nervous drama. A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #160 states: “I am at home. Fear is the stranger here.” Reading this caused me to think of two different people I met today. While in the media center of our library, I noticed a woman I’ve known for years having her first computer lesson. As she got up from the keyboard, she had a barrage of questions for the librarian, most of them fearful “what-ifs”. As I was choosing videos to check out, she came up to me and continued fretting about the computer, telling me she was afraid she would break it. I assured her that wasn’t likely, unless she took a baseball bat to it or threw water on it. I immediately noticed the contrast between this woman and a young woman whom I’d met earlier in the day while doing laundry. She had moved to a strange town with two young children, knowing deep inside she was in the right spot. She was at home and she wore that loving knowledge for all to see. 

“Fear is a stranger to the ways of love. Identify with fear, and you will be a stranger to yourself. And thus you are unknown to you. What is your Self remains an alien to the part of you which thinks that it is real, but different from yourself. Who could be sane in such a circumstance? Who but a madman could believe he is what he is not, and judge against himself?” A Course in Miracles -  W-160.1:1-6

“Let neither fear nor doubt overshadow your clear sense and calm trust, that the recognition of life harmonious — as Life eternally is — can destroy any painful sense of, or belief in, that which Life is not.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health 

Identifiers and Solutions

 

Photo credit: Blake Lasater

In my younger days, I enjoyed horror stories. Stephen King was a favorite because of his exceptionally good writing and his insights into the psyche of the psychopath. I was fascinated by the awfulness of it. Going hand in hand with that fascination, was my desire to pollute my body with substances which seemed to be fun, but ultimately were not. Over the last three decades, I’ve given up these things one by one, some more readily than others. I’ve been thinking about the horrors of the political scene as we’ve watched it unfold over these same decades. It has culminated in a particularly intense awfulness at this point, and I have no desire to partake of its emotional rollercoaster. While it seems wise to know what’s going on, I’ve begun to question even that. But I go back to the old statement attributed to a wise person: I only want to hear about the problem as an identifier; after that, I only need to think about it to find solutions. As of today, I reaffirm my conviction to do this. I wish you peace in whatever way you choose to do good!

“The Holy Spirit’s problem solving is the way in which the problem ends. It has been solved because it has been met with justice. Until it has it will recur, because it has not yet been solved. The principle that justice means no one can lose is crucial to this course. For miracles depend on justice. Not as it is seen through this world’s eyes, but as God knows it and as knowledge is reflected in the sight the Holy Spirit gives.” A Course in Miracles T-25.IX.5:1-6

“The mild forms of animal magnetism are disappearing, and its aggressive features are coming to the front. The looms of crime, hidden in the dark recesses of mortal thought, are every hour weaving webs more complicated and subtle. So secret are the present methods of animal magnetism that they ensnare the age into indolence, and produce the very apathy on the subject which the criminal desires.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 102:16