May I Rise Where I Have Fallen

Art by Mohamed Elabari

Yesterday was a time of clearing out papers and miscellaneous items from a storage area in my home. It was a happy trip through the past, but perhaps it’s the reason I awoke this morning with an influx of regret. As I contemplated unfortunate events which flooded my memory, a documentary about the functioning of our brains came to mind. It seems that every time we remember something which has happened, we change it, and then it becomes part of our delusion concerning the past! This helped me to break the mesmerism I was subjecting myself to, and I remembered that no matter how bad I felt about something, it would not change. But my thought about it could. I can forgive myself and move forward, living for what is, not what was or could be. A few hours later when opening my email, it was with joy I read the following which was part of Marianne Williamson’s morning meditation:

“I atone in my heart for the mistakes I have made: the recklessness and irresponsibility, the laziness and dishonesty, the harm I have caused myself or others. I pray for those who I may have harmed, and ask that they be healed of any pain I might have caused them. I vow to be a better person now, that I might rise where before I had fallen, and shine where I had dwelled in darkness.

Today I atone for the mistakes of my past.” 

Marianne Williamson

“The atonement is a hard problem in theology, but its scientific explanation is, that suffering is an error of sinful sense which Truth destroys, and that eventually both sin and suffering will fall at the feet of everlasting Love.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 23:-7-11

The Space Between Thoughts

Ozark Morning Photo courtesy of Mark McGee

It seems I can be perfectly calm and contented if I don’t talk to people! I’m sure many of you know what I mean. It’s easy to be unpleasantly surprised by the behaviors and reactions of others. When we see instances of people exhibiting their highest good, then witness the opposite in the next instant-- well, it gives pause. In this world, where we want to analyze everything and find answers to questions we don't even know how to ask, it's tempting to become angry in the face of divisive behavior, bullying actions, and accusations from those who should know better. But let's not, okay? Rather than react, let’s go to “the space between our thoughts”. There are many techniques for doing this, and people like to label the activity as prayer or meditation. It doesn’t matter what we call it, as long as we’re able to do it. I think this is one of the reasons I love duplicate bridge. When I’m playing, there is no room in my mind for worrying or wondering. It’s a single-minded enjoyment of mental gymnastics, and I love to lose myself in the world of cards, with nothing to think about but the coziness of something I know so well. I hope you don’t hesitate to lose yourself in a beloved activity! Namaste …

“It is impossible to accept the holy instant without reservation unless, just for an instant, you are willing to see no past or future. You cannot prepare for it without placing it in the future. Release is given you the instant you desire it. Many have spent a lifetime in preparation, and have indeed achieved their instants of success. This course does not attempt to teach more than they learned in time, but it does aim at saving time. You may be attempting to follow a very long road to the goal you have accepted. It is extremely difficult to reach Atonement by fighting against sin. Enormous effort is expended in the attempt to make holy what is hated and despised. Nor is a lifetime of contemplation and long periods of meditation aimed at detachment from the body necessary. All such attempts will ultimately succeed because of their purpose. Yet the means are tedious and very time consuming, for all of them look to the future for release from a state of present unworthiness and inadequacy.” 

A Course in Miracles T-18.VII.4:1-11

"We may well be perplexed at human fear, and still more astounded at hatred, which lifts its hydra head, showing its horns in the many inventions of evil. But why should we stand aghast at nothingness?" 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 563:4

Looking Up

Photo courtesy of Aaron Springston

Fall is in the air! I've always loved this time of year, and am particularly looking forward to the changes in weather. There's a feeling of putting down something heavy, cleansing our palates, releasing the mugginess which has been hanging around for months, breathing deeply the crisp air — getting ready for freezing weather to release us from biting bugs and dying leaves. Ha! The lowering of humidity, the excitement of something big about to happen, the changes -- I look forward to this shift. The whole world is ready for a shift in thought; an epiphany of deeper understanding. Let’s all continue to hold the light for those who choose not to see. It is there for all, an open secret to happiness. May we keep looking up! Sending Love to all...

“The rays of infinite Truth, when gathered into the focus of ideas, bring light instantaneously, whereas a thousand years of human doctrines, hypotheses, and vague conjectures emit no such effulgence.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 504:23-26

“Yet even the little spark in your mind is enough to lighten it. Bring this light fearlessly with you, and bravely hold it up to the foundation of the ego’s thought system. Be willing to judge it with perfect honesty. Open the dark cornerstone of terror on which it rests, and bring it out into the light. There you will see that it rested on meaninglessness, and that everything of which you have been afraid was based on nothing.” 

A Course in Miracles T-11.in.3:6-10

An Invincible Love

“In the midst of hate, I found there was, within me, an invincible love. In the midst of tears, I found there was, within me, an invincible smile. In the midst of chaos, I found there was, within me, an invincible calm. I realized, through it all, that in the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer. And that makes me happy. For it says that no matter how hard the world pushes against me, within me, there's something stronger -- something better, pushing right back." Albert Camus 

“The good in human affections must have ascendency over the evil and the spiritual over the animal, or happiness will never be won. The attainment of this celestial condition would improve our progeny, diminish crime, and give higher aims to ambition. Every valley of sin must be exalted, and every mountain of selfishness be brought low, that the highway of our God may be prepared in Science.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 61:4-10

“Thanks be to you, the holy Son of God. For as you were created, you contain all things within your Self. And you are still as God created you. Nor can you dim the light of your perfection. In your heart the Heart of God is laid. He holds you dear, because you are Himself. All gratitude belongs to you, because of what you are.” 

A Course in Miracles W-197.8:1-7

Going Home to the Mountains

Rocky Mountain High

“Thousands of tired, nerve-shaken, over-civilized people are beginning to find out that going to the mountains is going home; that wildness is a necessity; and that mountain parks and reservations are useful not only as fountains of timber and irrigating rivers, but as fountains of life. Awakening from the stupefying effects of the vice of over-industry and the deadly apathy of luxury, they are trying as best they can to mix and enrich their own little ongoings with those of Nature, and to get rid of rust and disease.” ―  John Muir - Our National Parks

“To mortal mind, the universe is liquid, solid, and aëri-form. Spiritually interpreted, rocks and mountains stand for solid and grand ideas.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 511:23-25

“Accept the miracle of healing, and it will go forth because of what it is. It is its nature to extend itself the instant it is born. And it is born the instant it is offered and received. No one can ask another to be healed. But he can let himself be healed, and thus offer the other what he has received. Who can bestow upon another what he does not have? And who can share what he denies himself? The Holy Spirit speaks to you. He does not speak to someone else. Let by your listening His Voice extends, because you have accepted what He says.” 

A Course in Miracles T-27.V.1:3-12

Awake Awhile …

 

It’s not often I find myself despondent throughout an entire day. But this has been one of them, and so I search out inspiration from some of my favorite writings…

Awake Awhile - By Hafiz

“Awake awhile.

It does not have to be forever.

Right now.  One step upon the Sky’s soft skirt would be enough.

Awake awhile.

Just one True moment of Love will last for days.

Rest all your elaborate plans and tactics for knowing Him,

For they are all just frozen spring buds

Far, so far from Summer’s Divine Gold.

Awake, my dear.

Be kind to your sleeping heart.

Take it out into the vast fields of Light

And let it breathe.

Say, ‘Love, give me back my wings.

Lift me, lift me nearer.’

Say to the sun and moon, say to our dear Friend,

‘I will take you up now, Beloved,

On that wonderful Dance You promised!’”

“Earth has little light or joy for mortals before Life is spiritually learned. Every agony of mortal error helps error to destroy error, and so aids the apprehension of immortal Truth. This is the new birth going on hourly, by which men may entertain angels, the true ideas of God, the spiritual sense of being.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 548:11-17

“The world will end in joy, because it is a place of sorrow. When joy has come, the purpose of the world has gone. The world will end in peace, because it is a place of war. When peace has come, what is the purpose of the world? The world will end in laughter, because it is a place of tears. Where there is laughter, who can longer weep? And only complete forgiveness brings all this to bless the world. In blessing it departs, for it will not end as it began. To turn hell into Heaven is the function of God’s teachers, for what they teach are lessons in which Heaven is reflected. And now sit down in true humility, and realize that all God would have you do you can do. Do not be arrogant and say you cannot learn His Own curriculum. His Word says otherwise. His Will be done. It cannot be otherwise. And be you thankful it is so.” 

A Course in Miracles  M-14.5:1-15

A Senseless Death

Sycamore Gap on Hadrian’s Wall Trail

Around 25 years ago, I met Cal and Stephanie Piston when he was coaching my son’s club soccer team in Fayetteville, Arkansas. Recently I have enjoyed photographs of a vacation they took to England. While they were there, they walked the 70-plus miles known as Hadrian’s Wall. It brings me great joy to see this beautiful retired couple traveling and enjoying life in this way. Sixteen days ago, they posted photos to social media of an iconic tree on the trail they were hiking. The Sycamore Gap tree at Hadrian’s Wall is more than 200 years old and has been featured in movies. It is a landmark and a national treasure. Yesterday, someone vandalized it in the most terrible way possible: they cut it down during the night. Why would anyone do such a thing? It’s inexplicable. I join with countless others who must be feeling sadness tonight. Perhaps we will all find ways to nurture the earth today, maybe we’ll even hug a tree in memory of this lost life. 

“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