Maturity

 

Photo credit: Aaron Springston

I saw the following words today. They are attributed to Rumi. I can find no proof that they are, but I definitely think it is worthy …

Rumi, a 13th century Persian spiritual teacher, was asked:

 What is spiritual maturity?

  1. It's when we stop trying to change others and focus on changing ourselves.

 2. It is when we accept people as they are.

 3. It is when we understand that everyone is correct according to their own perspective.

 4. It is when we learn to “let go”.

 5. It is when we are able to not have "expectations" in a relationship, and we give of ourselves for the pleasure of giving.

 6. It is when we understand that what we do, we do for our own peace.

 7. It's when we stop showing the world how smart we are.

 8. It's when we stop seeking approval from others.

  

 9. It's when we stop comparing ourselves to others.

 10. It is when we are at peace with ourselves.

 11. It is when we are able to distinguish between "need" and "want" and we are able to let go of that want.

 12. Spiritual maturity is gained when we stop attaching "happiness" to material things!Å

Unity of Principle

 

    My son and grandson

To feel Love from a source outside ourselves is impossible. To express a material sense of love is an illusion. God is Love, and we are Its manifestation. Hence, we are Love. The recognition that we ARE Love is liberation in and of itself! Mary Baker Eddy tells us, "Love looseth me and lifteth me a'yont hate's thrall". Can you guess she was a fan of Shakespeare? Old-fashioned language aside, she's saying that Love sets us free, lifting us above and beyond any hate we may perceive. I’ve mostly given up trying to change anyone, and usually I can resist the urge to want to try fix others. I’ve come to see it's my purpose to show the way to freedom by living Truth. Through our actions and words we bring ourselves (and thereby everyone) to the realization that Love is the only reality. To live Love allows a release from past habitual thought and the pain we've chosen. Then there is no need for blame, guilt, nor forgiveness — and we are free!

“With one Father, even God, the whole family of man would be brethren; and with one Mind and that God, or good, the brotherhood of man would consist of Love and Truth, and have unity of Principle and spiritual power which constitute divine Science.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science and Health 

“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

Universal Harmony

 

How many times have you felt that we're 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!

"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 

“Prayer is a way to true humility. And here again it rises slowly up, and grows in strength and love and holiness. Let it but leave the ground where it begins to rise to God, and true humility will come at last to grace the mind that thought it was alone and stood against the world. Humility brings peace because it does not claim that you must rule the universe, nor judge all things as you would have them be. All little gods it gladly lays aside, not in resentment, but in honesty and recognition that they do not serve.” A Course in Miracles S-1.V.1:1-5

Clearing Our Vision

 

Passion Flower in Costa Rica

Photo credit: Aaron Springston

A dear friend posted the following on social media today: “My opinion of someone does not alter the truth of who they are.” I was thinking similar thoughts because I had recently been with a friend who limits herself and others severely by her negative opinions of them. It may be as simple as someone “setting her teeth on edge” or “rubbing her the wrong way”, but it made me sad because she is missing some wonderful interactions with others. It may even deprive a person she doesn’t like of what could be a life-changing experience, simply because she doesn’t want them involved in things she is involved with. No, it doesn’t change the truth of who they are, no matter what she thinks, but those of us who respect her feelings are in a tough spot at times. Thinking back, there are many situations such as this. I was once married to a man whose name I couldn’t say around my dad or else he would go off on a tirade about how much he didn’t like him. I can’t presume to know how others should react when confronted with someone they don’t care to be around, but I’ll be watching my own thoughts in similar situations. 

“Child of God, you were created to create the good, the beautiful and the holy. Do not forget this. The Love of God, for a little while, must still be expressed through one body to another, because vision is still so dim. You can use your body best to help you enlarge your perception so you can achieve real vision, of which the physical eye is incapable. Learning to do this is the body’s only true usefulness.” 

A Course in Miracles T-1.VII.2:1-5

“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 239:5-10

Let’s Live and Love Together

 

Robert Klose is a novelist and an essay writer for the Christian Science Monitor. In this weekly news magazine he wrote about his house being robbed by a neighborhood teenager. He asked the authorities if he could offer the thief an alternative to court-ordered punishment, and they agreed to it. And so he asked the boy to pay back the money and to meet with him one day a week for an hour. During that hour, they would work on his homework, and then 30 minutes would be spent talking about anything the young man chose. It was a good experience for them both. Although the boy learned many valuable things from these meetings, he has occasionally lapsed into illegal behavior and spent time in jail. But when he’s back in the neighborhood, he is respectful and visits his mentor. Last time they met, Mr. Klose thanked the young man for thinking enough of his neighborhood to let it continue in peace. They two of them agreed they were both “trying to be good”. We’re all looking for ways to help our communities, and mentoring someone in need seems a noble cause to me!

“We must form perfect models in thought and look at them continually, or we shall never carve them out in grand and noble lives. Let unselfishness, goodness, mercy, justice, health, holiness, love — the kingdom of heaven — reign within us, and sin, disease, and death will diminish until they finally disappear.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 248:26-32

“Brother, we heal together as we live together and love together. Be not deceived in God’s Son, for he is one with himself and one with his Father. Love him who is beloved of his Father, and you will learn of the Father’s Love for you.” 

A Course in Miracles T-11.VIII.11:4-6

Let It Be

 

Art by Elisabeth Ladwig - @ElisabethOnEarth

While taking a friend to do some errands, I learned a valuable lesson. I should have known this sweet woman could not be rushed, and it would be foolish to expect that she not look at everything in the WalMart before deciding she needed to go somewhere else. My plan had been to attend a meeting after doing this with her, and I almost became irritated when I saw that wasn't going to happen. Watching us as if from a hidden camera, I began to enjoy each step which felt like walking through quicksand. I watched young people smiling kindly at us as we doddering along. I watched myself park in a loading zone with no worries about legality. I felt happiness in being able to help my old friend figure out ways to deal with problems she felt were insurmountable. When she wanted things she was not supposed to have, I talked to her about it honestly rather than telling her "no". It was a good practice in letting go of my expectations and giving in to what was happening right then. It's nice to look back and smile over the events, rather than chew on the resentment which could have easily overtaken me. Here's to accepting what "is" and making the best of it!

“Love never loses sight of loveliness. Its halo rests upon its object. One marvels that a friend can ever seem less than beautiful. Men and women of riper years and larger lessons ought to ripen into health and immortality, instead of lapsing into darkness or gloom. Immortal Mind feeds the body with supernal freshness and fairness, supplying it with beautiful images of thought and destroying the woes of sense which each day brings to a nearer tomb.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 248:3-11

"If he senses even the faintest hint of irritation in himself as he responds to anyone, let him instantly realize that he has made an interpretation that is not true. 3 Then let him turn within to his eternal Guide, and let Him judge what the response should be." 

A Course in Miracles M-18.4.2-3

Oh Happy Day!

Phases and Stages is a favorite Willie Nelson album, and it describes the flow of our lives, too. Some people say we move in 7-year phases, and then we change over to another focus. Someone once wrote that time is something we made up so everything doesn’t happen at once. Nevertheless, a new year begins tomorrow and this time always seems ripe with hope. May we all wake up with an extra-happy thought on this beautiful first day of 2023 — and hold on to that exuberance every day forevermore! 

“Give thanks for mercy and the Love of God. Rejoice in the power of forgiveness to heal your sight completely. Be confident that on this day there is a new beginning. Without the darkness of the past upon your eyes, you cannot fail to see today. And what you see will be so welcome that you will gladly extend today forever.” 

A Course in Miracles W-75.9:3-7

“A spiritual idea has not a single element of error, and this truth removes properly whatever is offensive. The new idea, conceived and born of Truth and Love, is clad in white garments. Its beginning will be meek, its growth sturdy, and its maturity undecaying.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 463:12-15