Only Accouterments …

Often people retire from life-long jobs and feel lost. I’ve been thinking about how we often define ourselves by our jobs, our talents, our looks, our cars, our children — well, the list goes on, doesn’t it? When I closed my beloved art gallery, many people warned me that it would be a huge adjustment, not having it as the center of my existence; not going there every day. But it wasn’t difficult at all! Perhaps it’s because it never defined me, even though I was in love with it. It’s easy to think of one’s self as being a mother, or a mechanic, or any number of things which we do on a daily basis. And there is nothing wrong with that; nothing at all! But I’m very grateful to know that all the hats I’ve worn in this life are only accouterments to Life!

“Above all else I want to see. — Recognizing that what I see reflects what I think I am, I realize that vision is my greatest need. The world I see attests to the fearful nature of the self-image I have made. If I would remember who I am, it is essential that I let this image of myself go. As it is replaced by truth, vision will surely be given me. And with this vision, I will look upon the world and on myself with charity and love.” A Course in Miracles W-56.2:1-6

"God is divine Life, and Life is no more confined to the forms which reflect it than substance is in its shadow.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 331:1-3

The Consistency of Honesty

Loving Trust

When a major league baseball team was fined 5 million dollars for cheating in the 2017 World Series, some people thought, “So what? Everybody does it.” Well, I'm here to affirm that they are wrong: Everybody does NOT do it. This desire to win, no matter what, is a flawed mission. What's the point in winning a game, or an election, or any type of competition, if you do it by blatantly exploiting the principles of the event or interaction? Humankind seems to have fallen under a spell as wicked as any Disney witch could conjure. Greed for power and/or riches has become more important than integrity and a higher moral code. I have an old friend who apparently was never held accountable for her actions as a child -- nor, perhaps, as an adult. It has made her an odd little person, shriveled by her pettiness and self-righteousness. What we do matters. Let's teach our children (and remind latent grown-ups) that making a difference every day is a life well-lived. 

“Take away wealth, fame, and social organizations, which weigh not one jot in the balance of God, and we get clearer views of Principle. Break up cliques, level wealth with honesty, let worth be judged according to wisdom, and we get better views of humanity.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 239:7-10

"Only the trusting can afford honesty, for only they can see its value. Honesty does not apply only to what you say. The term actually means consistency. There is nothing you say that contradicts what you think or do; no thought opposes any other thought; no act belies your word; and no word lacks agreement with another. Such are the truly honest. At no level are they in conflict with themselves. Therefore it is impossible for them to be in conflict with anyone or anything." A Course in Miracles - M-4.II.3-9

An End to Polarization

 

People have become extremely polarized in their views about almost everything. Yet, a recent study by the University of Maryland found that voters place more importance on accountability through direct dialogue with their elected officials than they do on party identity. This give us hope that people are NOT irrationally polarized and will never change. This study is based on conversations with more than 4,000 voters. The findings start out a bit pessimistic with more than 90% of them believing our lawmakers have little interest in we the people’s views. But when asked if it would matter if a candidate promised always to consult his or her constituents and give their recommendations higher priority than the view of the candidates’ party leadership — more than 7 in 10 said it would, and 60% of those questioned said they would cross party lines to vote for a candidate making that pledge. More than 70% said that the majority of the public, as a whole, is more likely to show the greatest wisdom on questions of what the government should do — rather than relying on either party’s platform. And so we are not as polarized as it might seem! But we must talk to each other in order to discover that most of us are rational human beings. Let’s hold on to that thought!

“When we realize that there is one Mind, the divine law of loving our neighbor as ourselves is unfolded; whereas a belief in many ruling minds hinders man’s normal drift towards the one Mind, one God, and leads human thought into opposite channels where selfishness reigns.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 205:22-27

The savior’s vision is as innocent of what your brother is as it is free of any judgment made upon yourself. It sees no past in anyone at all. And thus it serves a wholly open mind, unclouded by old concepts, and prepared to look on only what the present holds. It cannot judge because it does not know. And recognizing this, it merely asks, ‘What is the meaning of what I behold?’ Then is the answer given. And the door held open for the face of Christ to shine upon the one who asks, in innocence, to see beyond the veil of old ideas and ancient concepts held so long and dear against the vision of the Christ in you.” A Course in Miracles T-31.VII.13:1-7

More Peaceful Every Day

Photo credit: Arthur Bruno

Growing More Peaceful Every Day  — These are the words written on a pillow a friend gave me. Through the decades, my idea of what constitutes peace has evolved. In younger days, the only peace I wanted was during sleep. The rest of the time was happily busy with people and learning things. Then came the years spent partying, which I don't think were peaceful, but memory is rather foggy during that time. Motherhood brought a certain peace to my restless soul, but it was full of the activity of child rearing and caring for a home where my boys’ friends were always welcome. Following that was the relative quiet of running a business. The practice of relating to others in a peaceful manner was my education during that decade. Finally, I now understand it's not what I'm doing, but how I'm experiencing it. The peace which seemed fleeting is possible in every moment, and not because there is nothing to do, but because I enjoy every single moment without judging it against anything from the past or wishing it to be different in the future. Ah, the bliss of a quiet(er) mind!

"Peace to my mind. Let all my thoughts be still. Father, I come to You today to seek the peace that You alone can give. I come in silence. In the quiet of my heart, the deep recesses of my mind, I wait and listen for Your Voice. Speak to me today. I come to hear Your Voice in silence and in certainty and love, sure You will hear my call and answer me." A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #221

“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 323:32-2

Communion?

Baby Communion

I’ve been contemplating the traditional religious act of communion. I play the organ for three congregations, two of which are Catholic, so I needn’t think about it in that church, as you must be one of them to partake in this ritual. But the second church I play for on Sunday morning is Presbyterian. They offer communion once a month, and today was the day. They also have numerous preachers who come on different Sundays, so they usually try to get me to eat and drink the body of Christ. Having been raised in Christian Science, I had never witnessed this process until I began playing for mainline religions six years ago. When I played for the Methodists a few years back, I asked the pastor if it was rude to decline when it was offered. He assured me it was not. I certainly would have done it if their feelings were going to be hurt, as I’m not saying “no” on moral grounds or anything like that. The Mary Baker Eddy quote below explains how I feel. To me, communion is a moment-by-moment, constant spiritualization of thought. And so it is …

“Our baptism is a purification from all error. Our church is built on the divine Principle, Love. We can unite with this church only as we are new-born of Spirit, as we reach the Life which is Truth and the Truth which is Life by bringing forth the fruits of Love, — casting out error and healing the sick. Our Eucharist is spiritual communion with the one God. Our bread, ‘which cometh down from heaven,’ is Truth. Our cup is the cross. Our wine the inspiration of Love, the draught our Master drank and commended to his followers.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 35:19-28

“Communion is impossible alone. No one who stands apart can receive Christ’s vision. It is held out to him, but he cannot hold out his hand to receive it. Let him be still and recognize his brother’s need is his own. And let him then meet his brother’s need as his and see that they are met as one, for such they are. What is religion but an aid in helping him to see that this is so?” A Course in Miracles P-2.II.9:1-8

Change Something …

 

Unknown artist 

“Everyone must leave something behind when he dies, my grandfather said.. 

A child or a book or a painting or a house or a wall built or a pair of shoes made.. 

Or a garden planted.. 

Something your hand touched some way so your soul has somewhere to go when you die, 

and when people look at that tree 

or that flower you planted, you're there..

It doesn't matter what you do, he said, so long as you change something 

from the way it was before you touched it 

into something that's like you 

after you take your hands away.. 

The difference between the man who just cuts lawns and a real gardener is in the touching, he said.. 

The lawn-cutter might just as well not have been there at all..

the gardener will be there a lifetime.”

-Ray Bradbury

“Never accord the ego the power to interfere with the journey. It has none, because the journey is the way to what is true. Leave all illusions behind, and reach beyond all attempts of the ego to hold you back. I go before you because I am beyond the ego. Reach, therefore, for my hand because you want to transcend the ego. My strength will never be wanting, and if you choose to share it you will do so. I give it willingly and gladly, because I need you as much as you need me.” A Course in Miracles T-8.V.6:4-10

“It is of comparatively little importance what a man thinks or believes he knows; the good that a man does is the one thing needful and the sole proof of rightness.” Mary Baker Eddy - Miscellaneous Writings 281: 8

Seeing Through Awakened Eyes

Photo credit: Alden Stallings

We are aghast at the injustice which seems rampant everywhere we look. How have we allowed corruption to reign supreme? Why is our food poison, our water scarce, the things we value meaningless? Why do we allow it to happen? The recognition of our unity is a major turning point in our evolution. With the knowledge that everything is connected, that what affects one affects all, we are prompted to stand up and make the change within ourselves that we would like to see in the world. This interconnectedness of All that Is was first shown to me by my Beagle, Harry. He was so sensitive to feelings around him that the mildest irritation on my part would send him to the deepest corner of the closet, where he would remain until I had "cleared my energy field" -- so to speak. We have within our Being the ability to change the world. True evolution is the evolution of consciousness. What a wonderful thing, to see through awakened eyes! To wake up from the hypnosis we have allowed ourselves to fall under is a very exciting proposition, don’t you think? Reality, as we have accepted it, is falling away to reveal a way of life we have believed to be impossible. Love is the liberator. Embrace the change which is moving away from human intellect, back into the space of the heart. Open yourself to the divine and live as you were created: free. Accept your reality as the reflection of God, with no fear, only Love guiding your every action. Live Love now! Hallelujah and Namaste!

“The mind that serves the Holy Spirit is unlimited forever, in all ways, beyond the laws of time and space, unbound by any preconceptions, and with strength and power to do whatever it is asked. Attack thoughts cannot enter such a mind, because it has been given to the Source of love, and fear can never enter in a mind that has attached itself to love. It rests in God. And who can be afraid who lives in Innocence, and only loves?” A Course in Miracles W-199.2:1-4

“Glory be to God, and peace to the struggling hearts! Christ hath rolled away the stone from the door of human hope and faith, and through the revelation and demonstration of life in God, hath elevated them to possible at-one-ment with the spiritual idea of man and his divine Principle, Love.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 49:16-22