What Are you Still Carrying?

 

Photo credit: Richard Quick

An interaction with one of my neighbors has caused me to think about a tale told by Eckhart Tolle in A New Earth. He tells of two monks walking down the road. They see a young woman, dressed in white, trying to cross the road which is a sea of mud. One of the monks picks her up and carries her to the other side and they go on their way. A few hours later, the other monks says, You shouldn’t have carried that woman across the road; we don’t do that. The carrier responds: I put her down hours ago, but it looks like you’re still carrying her! Numerous things my neighbor has said over the years have been yokes around my neck, which I carry around and look at repeatedly at the slightest provocation. Every time I try to make peace with him, he says something else which sends me back into the old thought patterns. And so I shall stop trying to make peace with him and, rather, make it with myself. Namastè ~~~

“The metaphysician, making Mind his basis of operation irrespective of matter and regarding the truth and harmony of being as superior to error and discord, has rendered himself strong…” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 423:18-21

“Lay down your arms, and come without defense into the quiet place where Heaven’s peace holds all things still at last. Lay down all thoughts of danger and of fear. Let no attack enter with you. Lay down the cruel sword of judgment that you hold against your throat, and put aside the withering assaults with which you seek to hide your holiness.” A Course in Miracles W-190.9:1-4

A Delusional Prison?

 

Photo credit: Aaron Springston

This Albert Einstein quote caught my attention today.  I share it with you: "A human being is a part of the whole called by us 'the universe,' a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separate from the rest - a kind of optical illusion of consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening the circle of understanding and compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty." - Albert Einstein

“The belief that man has existence or mind separate from God is a dying error.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 42:19-20

“Thus does the son of man become the Son of God. It is not really a change; it is a change of mind. Nothing external alters, but everything internal now reflects only the Love of God. God can no longer be feared, for the mind sees no cause for punishment. God’s teachers appear to be many, for that is what is the world’s need. Yet being joined in one purpose, and one they share with God, how could they be separate from each other? What does it matter if they then appear in many forms? Their minds are one; their joining is complete. And God works through them now as one, for that is what they are.” A Course in Miracles M-12.2:1-9

Replacing Negative Thoughts

I have a friend who went on an eight-month solo camping trip to remote regions of the United States. At the age of 74, she jumped into her car with a pup tent, a few blankets and changes of clothing, her sketch pad — and not much else! She slept under the stars, when possible by a river, met many interesting people, and got quite an education about Kansas, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Oregon, Arizona, and Utah. As I related some of Lizzy’s adventures to a mutual friend, she said she could never do anything like that until she “conquered her fear”. Hum, what an interesting concept! I suppose we are taught that fear is something to be overcome, but I think of it as something to be replaced. I suggested she start by giving up sensationalized news in the media, surrender her addiction to crime dramas on the television, and stop reading horror stories. She thought I was joking, as she can’t imagine life without those activities. I could have given her a lecture, but I let it go with a smile. ☺️

“As human thought changes from one stage to an other of conscious pain and painlessness, sorrow and joy, — from fear to hope and from faith to understanding, — the visible manifestation will at last be man governed by Soul, not by material sense.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 124:12-16

“Are you invulnerable? Then the world is harmless in your sight. Do you forgive? Then is the world forgiving, for you have forgiven it its trespasses, and so it looks on you with eyes that see as yours. Are you a body? So is all the world perceived as treacherous, and out to kill. Are you a spirit, deathless, and without the promise of corruption and the stain of sin upon you? So the world is seen as stable, fully worthy of your trust; a happy place to rest in for a while, where nothing need be feared, but only loved. Who is unwelcome to the kind in heart? And what could hurt the truly innocent?” 

A Course in Miracles T-31.VI.6:1-10

Metaphorical Front Porches

 

While speaking with a friend, our talk turned to front porches. We lamented the loss of visiting with neighbors as we relax with iced tea and watch the fire flies rise at dusk. The camaraderie and community brought about by visiting together is indeed a loss for our society. But isn’t the front porch metaphorical? I mentioned to her that social media is a substitute for the building of friendships and banding together for common causes. We can be victims of things like Twitter and Facebook, or we can control what comes into our minds and make friendships with people all over the world who share our values. For instance, I unfollow folks who provoke anger and distrust, and welcome the posts of those who love books and music and esoteric spiritual teachings. We can join groups, such as those who follow the words of Ram Dass, Eckhart Tolle, and other people we admire. It’s a great way to share how we put into practice peaceful ways of living, and to give inspiration to those of us who need a helping hand. I also belong to a few groups of folks who love books, and we have interesting chats about what we’re currently reading. We can bring the world to our front porch in this age of instant communication, and it can be a fabulous nurturing experience, if we mold it to be a force for love. Thanks for the inspiration, Nancy! 

“You are being blessed by every beneficent thought of any of your brothers anywhere. You should want to bless them in return, out of gratitude. You need not know them individually, or they you. The light is so strong that it radiates throughout the Sonship and returns thanks to the Father for radiating His joy upon it. Only God’s holy children are worthy channels of His beautiful joy, because only they are beautiful enough to hold it by sharing it. It is impossible for a child of God to love his neighbor except as himself. That is why the healer’s prayer is: Let me know this brother as I know myself.” 

A Course in Miracles T-5.in.3:1-8

“It should be thoroughly understood that all men have one Mind, one God and Father, one Life, Truth, and Love. Mankind will become perfect in proportion as this fact becomes apparent, war will cease and the true brotherhood of man will be established. Having no other gods, turning to no other but the one perfect Mind to guide him, man is the likeness of God, pure and eternal, having that Mind which was also in Christ.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 467:9-16

Diversity of Thought United

 

Loving Out Loud in Basin Park - Eureka Springs, AR

Photo credit: Megan Kirk

Eureka Springs, Arkansas is a small town where various ideas meld into one cohesive thought. We have a 60-foot Jesus statue which overlooks a passion play that attracts thousands of people, mainly conservative thinkers, every year. We also have four diversity weekends which celebrate the LGBTQ Community. Everyone is invited to join us through a wide array of events. This past weekend there was an intersection of these two major attractions with a diversity weekend and a Jesus parade crossing paths in our historic downtown area. Many people were fearful that there could be altercations, since our state legislature has recently tried to pass laws banning drag shows, while also rabble rousing for the prohibition of many civil rights. Once again, we have witnessed common sense and kindness prevailing, led by the young people shown in the above photo. They are dancing to “We Are Family” And why not? Jesus was all about loving each other, and the rainbow kids have Love Out Loud shirts on. Let’s all give up our beliefs and preconceived notions based on past events, while following the lead of the pure in heart. Namaste…

“The unforgiving mind does not believe that giving and receiving are the same. Yet we will try to learn today that they are one through practicing forgiveness toward one whom you think of as an enemy, and one whom you consider as a friend. And as you learn to see them both as one, we will extend the lesson to yourself, and see that their escape included yours.” 

A Course in Miracles W-121.9:1-3

“Then white-robed purity will unite in one person masculine wisdom and feminine love, spiritual understanding and perpetual peace.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 64:22-24

Innocence and Trust

 

Photo credit: Blake Lasater

On this beautiful Easter day, my son and I took a mid-day walk in our local cemetery. Since he walks faster and farther than I do, he went out on his own and I ambled along with many stops on benches to soak up sun and commune with nature. Across the way, I noticed a woman and her dog walking, and in a few minutes she drove up beside me in her car. She was someone I know well who wanted to tell me there was a suspicious man in the depths of the beautiful space and I should beware. After telling her that it was probably my son, she was embarrassed and wrote me a text later in the day telling me she was ashamed of the way she had jumped to conclusions. She said, “This made me sad because years ago no way would I have even thought a thing about seeing a person walking alone in the cemetery. I apologize. I want my innocence and trust back!” I think this is true of us all. We want the days when our children could play alone outside all day long with no worries of abductors or shooters. We don’t want to be afraid of the unknown, but rather to welcome the adventure. We have the power to change our thinking, thereby changing the world. Let’s give it a try!

“Innocence and Truth overcome guilt and error. Ever since the foundation of the world, ever since error would establish material belief, evil has tried to slay the Lamb; but Science is able to destroy this lie, called evil.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 568:1-5

“The Atonement itself radiates nothing but truth. It therefore epitomizes harmlessness and sheds only blessing. It could not do this if it arose from anything but perfect innocence. Innocence is wisdom because it is unaware of evil, and evil does not exist. It is, however, perfectly aware of everything that is true. The resurrection demonstrated that nothing can destroy truth. Good can withstand any form of evil, as light abolishes forms of darkness. The Atonement is therefore the perfect lesson. It is the final demonstration that all the other lessons I taught are true. If you can accept this one generalization now, there will be no need to learn from many smaller lessons. You are released from all errors if you believe this.” 

A Course in Miracles T-3.I.7:1-11

It’s Your Party, Too

Art by Inge Löök Oy Ab 

 DON’T MISS YOUR OWN PARTY - BY DONNA ASHWORTH

You know that feeling, when you have daily cleaned, cooked and prepared for a big family get-together or party?

You bustle around doing everything and making sure everyone has a wonderful time and when you finally do get the chance to sit down and relax with your guests, it’s home time...

Don’t let that be the metaphor for your life.

Don’t let the moment you finally relax be a moment too far...

I guess what I am trying to say my friend is, don’t miss your own party because you wanted everyone to else to have the best time.

  

Now is the time to sit down, take a beat and chat with a friend or loved one.

Now is the time to eat, break bread and be merry.

Now is the time to be fully here.

Fully present.

Enjoying.

Experiencing.

Living.

Not after, not when ‘everything is perfect’.

The dishes can wait, this is your party, your life.

You’re invited too.”

Donna Ashworth

From my poetry book ‘LIFE’

“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 45:16-21

“You will not find peace until you have removed the nails from the hands of God’s Son, and taken the last thorn from his forehead. The Love of God surrounds His Son whom the god of crucifixion condemns. Teach not that I died in vain. Teach rather that I did not die by demonstrating that I live in you. For the undoing of the crucifixion of God’s Son is the work of the redemption, in which everyone has a part of equal value. God does not judge His guiltless Son. Having given Himself to him, how could it be otherwise?” 

A Course in Miracles T-11.VI.7:1-7