This blog began by presenting the daily workbook lesson from A Course in Miracles with a correlative passage from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, with my writing in between telling tales of how I use these ideas in daily life. In 2019, my format became more free form. What you find here are short dissertations on what I notice each day. Feel free to comment!
Thursday, September 7, 2023
A Priceless Visit
For several years I avoided one of my neighbors, who was 90-plus years old, because it seemed there was no such thing as a short visit. She would tell me things I didn't want to know about her family and other people, so I began to avoid her. One morning she was sitting on her porch and asked for my help. Her phone was not working and it's connected to a Lifeline button which she can push if she needs help. As it was going to take some time to get the phone company there to reconnect her, I told her I'd come over every hour and make sure she was okay. As we sat on her porch, she started talking about herself, from childhood through more recent times, and it was fascinating! She told me the happiest times of her life were picking cotton with her sisters in the 1930s on a farm in Mississippi. Every visit that day brought me new stories from her life. When she wandered into condemnation of others, I would simply tell her I had to go, but would be back soon and wanted to hear more stories about her -- not others. It was like watching a documentary -- and I'm glad I was tuned in! She’s gone now and although I’ve forgotten all of her gossipy news, I remember some delightful looks into her life experience — and I am grateful.
“The poor suffering heart needs its rightful nutriment, such as peace, patience in tribulation, and a priceless sense of the dear Father’s loving-kindness.”
Mary Baker Eddy - Science and Health - Page 365:31-2
“Without judgment are all things equally acceptable, for who could judge otherwise? Without judgment are all men brothers, for who is there who stands apart? Judgment destroys honesty and shatters trust. No teacher of God can judge and hope to learn.”
A Course in Miracles M-4.III.1:8-11
Wednesday, September 6, 2023
Freedom Through Storytelling
“Love is priestess at the altar of Truth. Wait patiently for divine Love to move upon the waters of mortal mind, and form the perfect concept.”
Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 454:21-23
“Truth will correct all errors in my mind, and I will rest in Him Who is my Self. Then let Him lead you gently to the truth, which will envelop you and give you peace so deep and tranquil that you will return to the familiar world reluctantly.”
A Course in Miracles W-107.9:5-6
Tuesday, September 5, 2023
Witnessing Without Judgment
One of our learned behaviors is to place blame on others for things they have said or done which we perceive as detrimental to us or others. We are learning that we can simply witness these events, without apportioning any blame or cause to them. Then we can see things as they really are, without placing our own, personal meaning on them. As often happens, I am reminded of The Four Agreements, as interpreted by Don Miguel Ruiz: don’t take anything personally, and don’t make assumptions. I thank him for helping me to realize I can witness events, without constantly blaming and questioning why. Again, this doesn’t mean we don’t take action when necessary. It helps us to know what to do and when to do it.
“Without attack thoughts I could not see a world of attack. As forgiveness allows love to return to my awareness, I will see a world of peace and safety and joy. And it is this I choose to see, in place of what I look on now.”
A Course in Miracles W-55.3:3-5
“The question, 'What is Truth', convulses the world. Many are ready to meet this inquiry with the assurance which comes of understanding; but more are blinded by their old illusions, and try to 'give it pause'. The efforts of error to answer this question by some ology are vain. Spiritual rationality and free thought accompany approaching Science, and cannot be put down. They will emancipate humanity, and supplant unscientific means and so-called laws”
Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 223:14-24
Monday, September 4, 2023
Turn on Some Lights
“The calm and exalted thought or spiritual apprehension is at peace. Thus the dawn of ideas goes on, forming each successive stage of progress.”
Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 506:11-14
“I have already said that miracles are expressions of miracle-mindedness, and miracle-mindedness means right-mindedness. The right-minded neither exalt nor depreciate the mind of the miracle worker or the miracle receiver. However, as a correction, the miracle need not await the right-mindedness of the receiver. In fact, its purpose is to restore him to his right mind. It is essential, however, that the miracle worker be in his right mind, however briefly, or he will be unable to re-establish right-mindedness in someone else.”
A Course in Miracles T-2.V.3:1-5
Sunday, September 3, 2023
Kinship With All Life
My favorite dogwood tree is dying. I’ve been watching it and sending love. I became interested in the inter-connectivity of trees after reading the rich novel, The Overstory. This caused me to want to know more, so I delved into the plethora of youtube videos on the subject. It’s quite fascinating! Not only do they communicate with each other, they send needed nutrients back and forth to those in need. We all know there is much to be learned from all of nature. It seems I remember The Celestine Prophecy addressing trees and their auras. James Redfield suggests that we practice bringing back our innate ability to see auras by practicing on trees. He tells us the tree’s energy is strong and we can stand with an open mind and heart in front of the tree, holding our hands just an inch away, and feel, then see, the tree’s energy. Such strong entities all around us, and we seldom notice what they’re up to! Today I think I’ll see if I can feel as much life in human beings as the beautiful trees emit!
“Nature voices natural, spiritual law and divine Love, but human belief misinterprets nature. Arctic regions, sunny tropics, giant hills, winged winds, mighty billows, verdant vales, festive flowers, and glorious heavens, — all point to Mind, the spiritual intelligence they reflect. The floral apostles are hieroglyphs of Deity. Suns and planets teach grand lessons. The stars make night beautiful, and the leaflet turns naturally towards the light.”
Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 240:1-9
“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
Saturday, September 2, 2023
Consciousness Unfolding
In my never-ending quest to ascertain facts, I often listen to short videos from people whom I think are telling lies. I also utilize search engines which are not “mainstream”, seeking out news which does not arrive via corporate-owned sources, but also keeping up with what the big news guys are saying. It’s too easy to think others are wrong, either intentionally or mistakenly. The bottom line is that most media are owned by a few manipulators, and most people I know want nothing to do with either extreme. It reminds me of religion and how a well-practiced preacher can manipulate words to bring about a desired reaction in the congregation. I feel we are consciousness unfolding, and if we stay stuck in our strong opinions, if we remain unwilling to push past self-imposed boxes we have built, then we will continue to repeat destructive behaviors. We can’t change how anyone thinks, but we can question ourselves and find ways to practice what we preach.
“Above error’s awful din, blackness, and chaos, the voice of Truth still calls: ‘Adam, where art thou?’ Consciousness, where art thou? Art thou dwelling in the belief that mind is in matter, and that evil is mind, or art thou in the living faith that there is and can be but one God, and keeping His commandment?”
Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 307:31-4
“Miracles, however, are genuinely interpersonal, and result in true closeness to others. Revelation unites you directly with God. Miracles unite you directly with your brother. Neither emanates from consciousness, but both are experienced there. Consciousness is the state that induces action, though it does not inspire it. You are free to believe what you choose, and what you do attests to what you believe.”
A Course in Miracles T-1.II.1:4-9
Friday, September 1, 2023
May Reason Prevail
There was an article making the rounds on social media concerning a public school in Tennessee which is forcing children to participate in Muslim practices. The comments I saw concerning this article ranged from mildly ignorant to wildly speculative. Finally, someone named Doug calmly recited all the reasons this is not happening, stating that the article is a satirical joke, and nicely asking if all the responders felt silly for believing it. In other words, The Emperor has no clothes!! We see this same scenario taking place numerous times a day, in some form or fashion, and usually we look the other way — probably because it’s happening on the television news! We must speak truth to error of all sorts. It is far too easy to send disinformation through emails and social media posts, and I encourage everyone to refute lies which are “going viral”. May the calm voices of reason prevail!
“Erroneous belief is destroyed by truth. Change the evidence, and that disappears which before seemed real to this false belief, and the human consciousness rises higher.”
Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 297:12-15
“I want another way to look at this. Now you have changed your mind about the day, and have remembered what you really want. Its purpose has no longer been obscured by the insane belief you want it for the goal of being right when you are wrong. Thus is the readiness for asking brought to your awareness, for you cannot be in conflict when you ask for what you want, and see that it is this for which you ask.”
A Course in Miracles T-30.I.11:4-7
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