Seating Drama

St. Elizabeth in Eureka Springs

I am the accompanist for two congregations of St. Elizabeth Catholic Church here in Eureka Springs, Arkansas. In the past two days, I’ve witnessed three instances regarding people’s “regular” seats at these services. In the Saturday mass at the Parish Center, there are around 150 chairs set up in a large hall. One woman always — always — sits in “her” spot. This weekend two men decided to play a joke on her and they sat in her regular seat up front. We all knew this was happening and watched to see her reaction. She stared at them for a long while and then took a seat which was usually theirs at the back. We all had a good laugh and then everyone went about their business.  Just before the service started, a woman came in and saw that someone else’s things were in her seat, although the culprit was not present. She sat behind “her” seat and shot daggers at him during the service. Then this morning, at the historic church downtown, a large family, including regular parishioners and visitors, came in and took up the front row in the balcony, where another woman is generally seated. She arrived and saw her row taken up and so went to a seat on a bench in the back. The patriarch of the family noticed what was happening and moved back a row with his wife and visiting grand baby. The woman who usually sat there came forward, gratefully, and took her normal seat. There were many smiles and nods of conviviality. I relate these three instances to show that we can take circumstances in many different ways, accepting or resenting, humbly or arrogantly. The loving choice makes all the difference in the surrounding atmosphere. Let’s spread happiness today, okay?

“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

“Miracles are examples of right thinking, aligning your perceptions with truth as God created it.” 

A Course in Miracles T-1.I.36:1

The Soft-Winged Dove

 

Art by Ted Chin

“Sorrow prepares you for joy. It violently sweeps everything out of your house, so that new joy can find space to enter. It shakes the yellow leaves from the bough of your heart, so that fresh, green leaves can grow in their place. It pulls up the rotten roots, so that new roots hidden beneath have room to grow. Whatever sorrow shakes from your heart, far better things will take their place.” 

― Rumi

“The Son of God is egoless. What can he know of madness and the death of God, when he abides in Him? What can he know of sorrow and of suffering, when he lives in eternal joy? What can he know of fear and punishment, of sin and guilt, of hatred and attack, when all there is surrounding him is everlasting peace, forever conflict-free and undisturbed, in deepest silence and tranquility?” 

A Course in Miracles W-pII.12.3:1-4

“Think of this, dear reader, for it will lift the sackcloth from your eyes, and you will behold the soft-winged dove descending upon you. The very circumstance, which your suffering sense deems wrathful and afflictive, Love can make an angel entertained unawares. Then thought gently whispers: ‘Come hither! Arise from your false consciousness into the true sense of Love, and behold the Lamb’s wife, — Love wedded to its own spiritual idea.’ Then cometh the marriage feast, for this revelation will destroy forever the physical plagues imposed by material sense.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 574:24-6

Joy Over Sorrow

 

If we dwell on the sadness in the world, we will be overwhelmed. I know people who feel as though they can’t be happy while others are sad. But my sadness and fear will do nothing to bring others to happiness. Our thoughts spread to others, and when we are morose those around us begin to feel that way, too. Feeling bad for people doesn’t help their situation, but seeing through the illusions into the reality of spiritual Being helps them to know this reality along with you. Our joy, our laughter, clears the way to see this Truth. So even though we are often taught that being sad is a sympathetic act, I’m beginning to see that true compassion is shown by bringing my thoughts to joy. 

“Repeat God’s Name, and all the world responds by laying down illusions. Every dream the world holds dear has suddenly gone by, and where it seemed to stand you find a star; a miracle of grace. The sick arise, healed of their sickly thoughts. The blind can see; the deaf can hear. The sorrowful cast off their mourning, and the tears of pain are dried as happy laughter comes to bless the world.” 

A Course in Miracles W-183.3:1-5

“Sorrow is turned into joy when the body is controlled by spiritual Life, Truth, and Love.”Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 14:16-18

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