Happy Inter-Dependence Day!

Photo credit: Richard Quick

Happy Interdependence Day! That is the title of an article which caught my attention, and it sounds like a great idea to me. In 1776, it was announced that we had the “unalienable” right to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness”. At the time, this wasn’t a win for “me”, but for “we”. A lot of people had to trust each other, work and fight together, to insure future generations of “liberty and justice for all”. Having an Interdependence day rather than an Independence Day wouldn’t erase the history of July 4, but rather we could reflect on what we want our tomorrow to be. We could look back on our past to discover why this democratic republic was formed in the first place. To quote Martin Luther King Jr. — “We are all caught in an inescapable network of mutuality, tied in a single garment of destiny. Whatever affects one directly, affects all indirectly.” Interdependence invites us to release fearful thoughts and replace them with loving, unifying ones. I have a dream …

“Like our nation, Christian Science has its Declaration of Independence. God has endowed man with inalienable rights, among which are self-government, reason, and conscience. Man is properly self-governed only when he is guided rightly and governed by his Maker, divine Truth and Love.”
Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 106:6-11

“The Kingdom is perfectly united and perfectly protected, and the ego will not prevail against it. Amen.

“This is written in the form of a prayer because it is useful in moments of temptation. It is a declaration of independence. You will find it very helpful if you understand it fully. The reason you need my help is because you have denied your own Guide and therefore need guidance. My role is to separate the true from the false, so truth can break through the barriers the ego has set up and can shine into your mind. Against our united strength the ego cannot prevail.”
A Course in Miracles T-4.III.1:12–2:6

Things Into Thoughts

Many mind-over-matter systems are practiced in the world. In the 19th century, mesmerism and hypnotism were thought to be the route to changing our physical experience and getting us what we want. Today we have "The Secret" and other systems telling us how to get the mate of our dreams, hot cars, and other material desires. Some may think A Course in Miracles or Christian Science falls into the same category, because we are "resolving things into thoughts". Here is an example of how it differs: Let's say we need a place to live. How do we think about this in order to manifest it in our existence? By understanding the substance of an idea! What are the spiritual qualities of this place to live, this house, this home? What does it represent? Some of the qualities of home could be warmth, comfort, peace, safety, beauty, love, hospitality. So the thought of "home" is really a spiritual idea, and these qualities of home already exist in our individual consciousness. We don't have to go out and find them, because they're already a permanent part of our being. We can express all these qualities included in the concept of home, no matter where we are. And when we express these qualities, we are cherishing our spiritual home, and this blessing is extended to others as well.

"Divine Science, rising above physical theories, excludes matter, resolves things into thoughts, and replaces the objects of material sense with spiritual ideas.”
Mary Baker Eddy - Science and Health Page 123:12-15

“When you want only love you will see nothing else. The contradictory nature of the witnesses you perceive is merely the reflection of your conflicting invitations.³You have looked upon your mind and accepted opposition there, having sought it there. But do not then believe that the witnesses for opposition are true, for they attest only to your decision about reality, returning to you the messages you gave them. Love, too, is recognized by its messengers. If you make love manifest, its messengers will come to you because you invited them.”
A Course in Miracles T-12.VII.8:1-6

Three Thousand Years of Longing

 

Overcome by Love in the Butterfly Pavilion 

Yesterday I set my thoughts to isolation and loneliness, and a beautiful example of these feelings was shown to me today. It came in the form of a movie: Three Thousand Years of Longing. Tilda Swinton plays a woman who is happy in her solitude, reveling in her intellectual endeavors and leading a lovely life. A djinn (or genie as we call them) is played by Idris Elba. He has spent most of his eternal life in solitude, in a bottle, hidden away in various places. When these two meet, they open up to each other with complete  honesty. Two things became abundantly clear to my muddled thoughts on this subject: It is a wonderful thing to love someone and share a life. And it is also a wonderful thing to love someone and not share a life. And so, as we all know but oftentimes do not want to admit: Love is all you need. And it matters not how it is manifested, only that it is acknowledged and embraced. And we are never alone. Love is a palpable Source of all that Is, and we are a creation of that energy.  Next time something opens your heart, leave that door open, okay? 

“Divine Love is infinite. Therefore all that really exists is in and of God, and manifests [Its] love.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 340:12-14

“The holy relationship reflects the true relationship the Son of God has with his Father in reality. The Holy Spirit rests within it in the certainty it will endure forever. Its firm foundation is eternally upheld by truth, and love shines on it with the gentle smile and tender blessing it offers to its own. Here the unholy instant is exchanged in gladness for the holy one of safe return. Here is the way to true relationships held gently open, through which you and your brother walk together, leaving the body thankfully behind and resting in the Everlasting Arms. Love’s Arms are open to receive you, and give you peace forever.” 

A Course in Miracles T-20.VI.10:1-6

An Epidemic of Isolation

 

Recently the Surgeon General issued a statement calling loneliness and isolation an epidemic. This caused me to notice people around me and wonder if they feel lonely. I’m sure the curmudgeon next door to me is lonely. My neighbor across the street works from home and has many friends, plus she enjoys reading and other solitary activities. We visit often on my front porch and I know she is not lonely. But then I think about a few friends who have devoted their lives to spouses or jobs, which they no longer have. Many, if not all of them, seem to be looking for something they don’t think they’ll ever find. I have wondered in these writing why people don’t reach out to each other, why we don’t band together in friendship and common causes, what might we be afraid of in opening ourselves to others? I’m not sure I have any more answers now than three years ago, but I do know more people are talking about the subject and finding avenues to help bring us together. I’m also searching myself to remember days when I may have felt lonely in the past, and identifying reasons this is no longer my plight. I don’t feel separated from anyone or anything I love. My prayer for today is that we can be honest with ourselves and reach out to others when we need them or they need us. Namaste…

“Would existence without personal friends be to you a blank? Then the time will come when you will be solitary, left without sympathy; but this seeming vacuum is already filled with divine Love. When this hour of development comes, even if you cling to a sense of personal joys, spiritual Love will force you to accept what best promotes your growth.” 

Mary Baker Eddy Science & Health Page 266:6-12

“Let him no more be lonely, for the lonely ones are those who see no function in the world for them to fill; no place where they are needed, and no aim which only they can perfectly fulfill.” 

A Course in Miracles  T-25.VI.3:6

Intuition or Paranoia?

 

Butterfly Pavilion Broomfield, Co

Photo credit: Aaron Springston 

The past few days have been introspective for me. I’m pondering how to know if what I’m interpreting as an intuitive feeling is indeed that, or if it’s paranoia on my part. Usually these questions bring either peace or an uneasiness, and in that way I know if it’s a divine thought or human angst coming to my attention. But for the past two days, I’ve had no idea. Perhaps all the unrest within me comes from the unrest running through so many at this time. So I’ve taken a few days to disconnect with things, making more time to study and pray. Meditation connects us with true feelings more than “hecatombs of gushing theories”, as Mary Baker Eddy says. I used to question many things pertaining to knowledge or belief. For instance, if I think something is going to happen, and it does, I used to wonder if I was prescient or if I was creating my own reality by thinking it into existence. Ha! I’ve realized those are dead-end thought processes and have learned not to go there. But this nagging feeling that something is amiss in a situation keeps coming back to me. Perhaps one more day of hands in garden soil and eyes on fireflies will bring the peace I know is mine for the accepting. Namaste …

“Angels are pure thoughts from God, winged with Truth and Love, no matter what their individualism may be.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 298:28-30

“Watch with me, angels, watch with me today. Let all God’s holy Thoughts surround me, and be still with me while Heaven’s Son is born. Let earthly sounds be quiet, and the sights to which I am accustomed disappear. Let Christ be welcomed where He is at home. And let Him hear the sounds He understands, and see but sights that show His Father’s Love. Let Him no longer be a stranger here, for He is born again in me today.” 

A Course in Miracles W-303.1:1-6

New Beginnings

Marianne Williamson’s Morning Meditation

“Today I say yes to new beginnings

Our very cells respond to the thoughts we think. With every word, silent or spoken, we influence the body’s functioning. We participate in the life of the universe itself. If my consciousness grows lighter, then so does everything within and around me. This means, of course, that with every thought, I can start to re-create my life. In saying yes to new beginnings, I begin to bring them forth.

Today I am open to a life reborn, arisen from the ashes of my wounded self and any limits born of circumstances that are no more. I am willing to be renewed and repaired by the spirit of God’s love. I am willing to forgive.

Amen.

Today I say yes to new beginnings”


“Starting from a higher standpoint, one rises spontaneously, even as light emits light without effort; for ‘where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.’” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 262:24-27

“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

Pay Attention

 

Photo credit: Aaron Springston

I was reading Mary Oliver today and these words jumped out at me: “To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work.” This is the full paragraph:

“Yes! No! How necessary it is to have opinions! I think the spotted trout lilies are satisfied, standing a few inches above the earth. I think serenity is not something you just find in the world, like a plum tree, holding up its white petals. The violets, along the river, are opening their blue faces, like small dark lanterns. The green mosses, being so many, are as good as brawny. How important it is to walk along, not in haste but slowly, looking at everything and calling out Yes! No! The swan, for all his pomp, his robes of glass and petals, wants only to be allowed to live on the nameless pond. The catbrier is without fault. The water thrushes, down among the sloppy rocks, are going crazy with happiness. Imagination is better than a sharp instrument. To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work.” 

Mary Oliver - Owls and Other Fantasies: Poems and Essays

“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

“To be in the Kingdom is merely to focus your full attention on it. As long as you believe you can attend to what is not true, you are accepting conflict as your choice. Is it really a choice? It seems to be, but seeming and reality are hardly the same. You who are the Kingdom are not concerned with seeming. Reality is yours because you are reality. This is how having and being are ultimately reconciled, not in the Kingdom, but in your mind. The altar there is the only reality. The altar is perfectly clear in thought, because it is a reflection of perfect Thought. Your right mind sees only brothers, because it sees only in its own light.” 

A Course in Miracles T-7.III.4:1-10