Love as an Action Verb

 

Photo credit: Aaron Springston

Many people are dealing with stress, anxiety, and depression. It is more necessary than ever to “be in this world, but not of it”. I fully understand how difficult it can be to look beyond the illusion. When we see a person being cruel, it would be cruel of us to look the other way. But we can begin by seeing that person as they were created from Love; not making comparisons, but seeing the purity of Spirit. It breaks my heart to think of the pain people in war-torn countries are experiencing. But no matter how bad I feel, it won’t help them. Love is an action verb and feeling it deeply exposes what we need to know in our quest to help situations. Every thought is important!

“God goes with me wherever I go.

1. Today’s idea will eventually overcome completely the sense of loneliness and abandonment all the separated ones experience. Depression is an inevitable consequence of separation. So are anxiety, worry, a deep sense of helplessness, misery, suffering and intense fear of loss.

2. The separated ones have invented many ‘cures’ for what they believe to be ‘the ills of the world.’ But the one thing they do not do is to question the reality of the problem. Yet its effects cannot be cured because the problem is not real. The idea for today has the power to end all this foolishness forever. And foolishness it is, despite the serious and tragic forms it may take.” 

A Course in Miracles W-41.1:1–2:5)

“Eternal Truth is changing the universe. As mortals drop off their mental swaddling-clothes, thought expands into expression. ‘Let there be light,’ is the perpetual demand of Truth and Love, changing chaos into order and discord into the music of the spheres. The mythical human theories of creation, anciently classified as the higher criticism, sprang from cultured scholars in Rome and in Greece, but they afforded no foundation for accurate views of creation by the divine Mind.” 

Mary Baker Eddy Science & Health Page 255:1-10

Sometimes - by Mary Oliver

 

Photo credit: Aaron Springston

Sometimes

by Mary Oliver

1.

Something came up
out of the dark.
It wasn’t anything I had ever seen before.
It wasn’t an animal
or a flower,
unless it was both.

Something came up out of the water,
a head the size of a cat
but muddy and without ears.
I don’t know what God is.
I don’t know what death is.

But I believe they have between them
some fervent and necessary arrangement.

2.

Sometime
melancholy leaves me breathless…

3.

Water from the heavens! Electricity from the source!
Both of them mad to create something!

The lighting brighter than any flower.
The thunder without a drowsy bone in its body.

4.

Instructions for living a life:
Pay attention.
Be astonished.
Tell about it.

5.
Two or three times in my life I discovered love.
Each time it seemed to solve everything.
Each time it solved a great many things
but not everything.
Yet left me as grateful as if it had indeed, and
thoroughly, solved everything.

6.

God, rest in my heart
and fortify me,
take away my hunger for answers,
let the hours play upon my body

like the hands of my beloved.
Let the cathead appear again—
the smallest of your mysteries,
some wild cousin of my own blood probably—
some cousin of my own wild blood probably,
in the black dinner-bowl of the pond.

7.

Death waits for me, I know it, around
one corner or another.
This doesn’t amuse me.
Neither does it frighten me.

After the rain, I went back into the field of sunflowers.
It was cool, and I was anything but drowsy.
I walked slowly, and listened

to the crazy roots, in the drenched earth, laughing and growing.

Shifting Human Consciousness

Costa Rica - photo credit: Aaron Springston

Words of Paul Levy: “Quantum physics is a flag bearer of an epochal paradigm shift currently taking place within human consciousness, deep within the collective unconscious, concerning the nature of reality itself. The discoveries of quantum physics are directly pointing to the hitherto unsuspected powers of the mind to cast reality in its image rather than the other way around. Quantum theory provides insight into how conscious entities, such as ourselves, can alter the course of the physically described aspects of reality through the decisions they make. The new physics is the beginning of the realization that the human psyche can intervene creatively in the physical and chemical processes of nature.” ~ Paul Levy

“Metaphysics is above physics, and matter does not enter into metaphysical premises or conclusions. The categories of metaphysics rest on one basis, the divine Mind. Metaphysics resolves things into thoughts, and exchanges the objects of sense for the ideas of Soul.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 469:11-16

“Let us come daily to this holy place, and spend a while together. Here we share our final dream. It is a dream in which there is no sorrow, for it holds a hint of all the glory given us by God. The grass is pushing through the soil, the trees are budding now, and birds have come to live within their branches. Earth is being born again in new perspective. Night has gone, and we have come together in the light.” 

A Course in Miracles W-pII.2.4:1-6

Right to Die?

 

Photo credit: Blake Lasater

Having just read an article about “right to die” laws around the world, my thoughts are swirling with the ramifications of this choice. I think most of us would agree that if someone was well on in years and terminally ill, it should be their choice to die with dignity. But some countries are stretching the possibilities to those who are chronically depressed, or disabled and unable to take care of themselves. There is a fine line legally where we might fall into the pit of exterminating the poor or disabled for reasons other than their desire to do so. So that’s a thing. One doctor says that “assisted dying is less about death than it is about how we want to live”. My daughter-in-law’s grandfather chose this option around this time last year when he was terminally ill with pancreatic cancer. I know not all of his family agreed with his choice. There are many questions and no easy answers. I hope we can examine these issues with Love leading our voices.

“Mortals have a very imperfect sense of the spiritual man and of the infinite range of his thought. To him belongs eternal Life. Never born and never dying, it were impossible for man, under the government of God in eternal Science, to fall from his high estate.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 258:25-30

“There is a light in you which cannot die; whose presence is so holy that the world is sanctified because of you. All things that live bring gifts to you, and offer them in gratitude and gladness at your feet. The scent of flowers is their gift to you. The waves bow down before you, and the trees extend their arms to shield you from the heat, and lay their leaves before you on the ground that you may walk in softness, while the wind sinks to a whisper round your holy head.” 

A Course in Miracles W-156.4:1-4

Sweet, Peaceful Music

Scott Thompson and Don Matt

Today I attended an hour of music at Heart of Many Ways here in Eureka Springs. It was exceptionally beautiful, leaving me feeling joyously peaceful. Don and Scott are two men who play and write music for their own enjoyment, and we are fortunate when they share it with us. Today was one of those magical moments. Playing a guitar and an amahi, they sang original songs of peace, happiness, friendship, love — life in all its beauty. I feel inspired and ready to experience all tomorrow has to offer. Namaste…

“Love, too, would set a feast before you, on a table covered with a spotless cloth, set in a quiet garden where no sound but singing and a softly joyous whispering is ever heard. This is a feast that honors your holy relationship, and at which everyone is welcomed as an honored guest. And in a holy instant grace is said by everyone together, as they join in gentleness before the table of communion. And I will join you there, as long ago I promised and promise still. For in your new relationship am I made welcome. And where I am made welcome, there I am.” 

A Course in Miracles T-19.IV-A.16:1-6

“Whatever inspires with wisdom, Truth, or Love — be it song, sermon, or Science — blesses the human family with crumbs of comfort from Christ’s table, feeding the hungry and giving living waters to the thirsty.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 234:4-8

Kindness and Joy — no matter what!

 

Miten in the Full Moon

The Dalai Lama has many profound and beautiful messages for us! He speaks of peace and love, reminding us of our true identity in such an unassuming and pure manner. His gleeful words never leave me where they found me, and for this I am most grateful. I remember a video of his entitled "Compassion in Emptiness". In this talk, he addresses the importance of relationships based in honesty and trust. The joyfulness born of these interactions is essential to our liberation from fearful illusions. The trust and honesty he speaks of isn't limited to those who have "earned" it. It isn't limited in ANY way. As we go through our daily activities, let's remember to treat everyone with the loving respect and courtesy with which we would afford a dearly beloved parent or child. May kindness and joy spread to every person you come into contact with today, and everyday. And if you happen to forget what that feels like, find a video of the Dalai Lama and let him remind you!

“If selfishness has given place to kindness, we shall regard our neighbor unselfishly, and bless them that curse us; but we shall never meet this great duty simply by asking that it may be done.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 9:11-14

“Spirit makes use of mind as means to find its Self expression. And the mind which serves the spirit is at peace and filled with joy. Its power comes from spirit, and it is fulfilling happily its function here. Yet mind can also see itself divorced from spirit, and perceive itself within a body it confuses with itself. Without its function then it has no peace, and happiness is alien to its thoughts. A Course in Miracles -  W-96.4:1-5

Joy and Harmony

 

Joy in Costa Rica

A friend who lives on the west coast called to tell me his exciting news: At the age of 76, his last two yearly visits to the optometrist have shown his eyesight to be improving. He also told me he discontinuing cholesterol  medication a few years back because of side effects consisting of back pain and confusion. He was surprised to find out his numbers were going down, rather than the increase his doctor had predicted. He wanted my opinion on why this was happening. I laughed joyfully as I told him what I’ve noticed about him in the last five years: he is a much more laid-back guy now, happier and less worried than when I first met him. He also is gaining an understanding of metaphysics and quantum thought. I told him he needn’t worry about why, but only be grateful and continue his walk on the road of realized consciousness, being aware and joyful each step of the way. I loved hearing his story!

“Truth is affirmative, and confers harmony. All metaphysical logic is inspired by this simple rule of Truth, which governs all reality.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health, Page 418:20-22

“There is no difference between love and joy. Therefore, the only possible whole state is the wholly joyous. To heal or to make joyous is therefore the same as to integrate and to make one. That is why it makes no difference to what part or by what part of the Sonship the healing is offered. Every part benefits, and benefits equally.” 

A Course in Miracles T-5.in.2:3-7.