A Novel of Rumi

Photo credit: ugurekenoglu

Having recently experienced an uplifting concert of Sufi music, I’ve been thinking about books I’ve read which gave me insight into this spiritual discipline. The Forty Rules of Love, by Elia Shafak, is described as “a novel of Rumi". It’s an enjoyable read with many pearls of wisdom, such as this: “You say you are ready to deliver all your knowledge to another person. You want to hold the Truth in your palm as if it were a precious pear and offer it to someone special. But opening up someone’s heart to spiritual light is no small task for a human being. You’re stealing God’s thunder.” This comes to me at the perfect time, as I’m itching to open up everyone’s heart to spiritual light — as you probably are, too! I sat on the front porch this evening pondering the quote from this book and rejoicing in its truth. Since we are each the reflection, the image and likeness of God, only we, individually, can recognize that spiritual light, that God-ness within, and allow it to flow out. What blesses one blesses all. I truly believe that. I can only have this recognition within, but that’s all it takes in order to share it! Shine on, dear Friends …

“In the Science of Mind, you will soon ascertain that error cannot destroy error. You will also learn that in Science there is no transfer of evil suggestions from one mortal to another, for there is but one Mind, and this ever-present omnipotent Mind is reflected by man and governs the entire universe. You will learn that in Christian Science the first duty is to obey God, to have one Mind, and to love another as yourself.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 495:31-8

“You are a mirror of truth, in which God Himself shines in perfect light. To the ego’s dark glass you need but say, ‘I will not look there because I know these images are not true.’ Then let the Holy One shine on you in peace, knowing that this and only this must be. His Mind shone on you in your creation and brought your mind into being. His Mind still shines on you and must shine through you. Your ego cannot prevent Him from shining on you, but it can prevent you from letting Him shine through you.” 

A Course in Miracles  T-4.IV.9:1-6

A Simpler Way

The documentary, A Simpler Way — Crisis as Opportunity, was made in 2016 and shows us ways people are living simpler lives by making tiny homes, sharing gardens, and finding innovative ways to live happily in a world which often seems to be hurtling towards disaster. These lifestyles are not about being self-sufficient but, rather, community-sufficient. You may live on a city lot and are able to grow all the vegetables you need by turning your yard into a garden (explained in detail by Joan Dye Gussow in This Organic Life - Confessions of a Suburban Homesteader), and your friend may have enough land to raise goats, another friend might have a flock of chickens — well, you get the picture. We’re all in this together. It’s time to utilize our talents to supply our families and friends with what they need, and in return receive what we need. As we have learned in our metaphysical studies: to give is to receive; to receive is to give. I try to buy from local businesses, and farmers who produce year-round by erecting wind tunnels, allowing us to have fresh greens all winter long. This holiday season, let’s ask ourselves if we really need to purchase from big business. Perhaps we can give of ourselves, in the form of visiting with friends, or giving gift certificates for movie dates, or walks in the part. It’s difficult to make shifts and release old habits, but it’s time for a new normal, don’t you think? I think we can do this!

“The peace of God is shining in you now, and from your heart extends around the world. It pauses to caress each living thing, and leaves a blessing with it that remains forever and forever. What it gives must be eternal. It removes all thoughts of the ephemeral and valueless. It brings renewal to all tired hearts, and lights all vision as it passes by. All of its gifts are given everyone, and everyone unites in giving thanks to you who give, and you who have received.” 

A Course in Miracles W-188.3:1-6

"When the divine precepts are understood they unfold the foundation of fellowship in which one mind is not at war with another, but all have one Spirit, God, one intelligent source..." 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 276:4-6

Music of the Spheres

Ustad Nizami, Ravi Nulu, and Faraz Nizami

This evening there was a happening in Eureka Springs. The three men in the above photo played Sufi music to a full house at Heart of Many Ways. The father/son duo, plus one, asked that we focus on peace and bring beautiful writings into our lives. We were told that the sitar accompanied the tabla, and the tabla accompanied the sitar; it is a circular communication. It was cool to watch the infectious joy which passed between the performers! The evening was a wonderful lesson in communication and Love. I am grateful for this new/old beautiful musical experience. Namaste …

LOVE SOUNDS THE MUSIC OF THE SPHERES

Rumi

(trans. by William Hastie)

“O soul, if thou, too, wouldst be free,

Then love the Love that shuts thee in.

‘Tis Love that twisteth every snare;

‘Tis Love that snaps the bond of sin;

Love sounds the Music of the Spheres;

Love echoes through Earth’s harshest din.

The world is God’s pure mirror clear,

To eyes when free from clouds within.

With Love’s own eyes the Mirror view,

And there see God to self akin.”

“Eternal Truth is changing the universe. As mortals drop off their mental swaddling-clothes, thought expands into expression. ‘Let there be light,’ is the perpetual demand of Truth and Love, changing chaos into order and discord into the music of the spheres.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 255:1-6

“The song of freedom, which sings the praises of another world, brings to it hope of peace. For it remembers Heaven, and now it sees that Heaven has come to earth at last, from which the ego’s rule has kept it out so long. Heaven has come because it found a home in your relationship on earth. And earth can hold no longer what has been given Heaven as its own.” 

A Course in Miracles T-21.IV.7:4-7

We Need Mr. Rogers

Perhaps our moral compass in the United States went haywire when Mr. Rogers' soothing show was no longer on television. He taught us all how to just be nice, but it was more than that, don’t you think? I read an article about him which said his goal was to promote “self-esteem, self-control, imagination, creativity, curiosity, appreciation of diversity, cooperation, patience and persistence.” He taught us how to perform necessary tasks, such as tying our shoelaces; he informed us about things which enrich our lives, such as planting a garden. He never told children they were just as good as anyone else, or that they were infallible, but rather he taught us that we each have value, and that value isn’t tied to particular successes or failures. He encouraged children to go to school and listen to their teachers, humanizing educators by telling the young viewers that the teachers were once children, too. Mr. Rogers taught us to be mindfully aware, to enjoy the process, and to love our neighbors. What more do we need? I think we need another Mr. Rogers...

“A good teacher clarifies his own ideas and strengthens them by teaching them. Teacher and pupil are alike in the learning process. They are in the same order of learning, and unless they share their lessons conviction will be lacking. A good teacher must believe in the ideas he teaches, but he must meet another condition; he must believe in the students to whom he offers the ideas.” 

A Course in Miracles T-4.I.1:1-4

“The sinless joy, — the perfect harmony and immortality of Life, possessing unlimited divine beauty and goodness without a single bodily pleasure or pain, — constitutes the only veritable, indestructible man, whose being is spiritual.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 76:22-26

A New Earth

Unknown photographer

Along the Buffalo River - Arkansas

The changes we have witnessed in our lifetime have been exciting and — to take a phrase from the ‘70s — mind blowing! Decades ago, when we were told about the Age of Aquarius and, more recently, when 2012 was explained as a shift in consciousness, I'm not sure we recognized there would be any real change in our lives. Those who are looking for material reasons to explain the shifts in everything from politics to weather, are feeling helpless and overwhelmed. Looked at from a different perspective, we see changes are necessary in order to facilitate the realization of this new earth which we are ready to embrace. As with any shift in thought, some people are afraid and working to keep the old ways, but it is impossible to see two worlds. For this reason, I choose Love!

“During this final conflict, wicked minds will endeavor to find means by which to accomplish more evil; but those who discern Christian Science will hold crime in check. They will aid in the ejection of error. They will maintain law and order, and cheerfully await the certainty of ultimate perfection.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 96:31-4

“Let us come daily to this holy place, and spend a while together. Here we share our final dream. It is a dream in which there is no sorrow, for it holds a hint of all the glory given us by God. The grass is pushing through the soil, the trees are budding now, and birds have come to live within their branches. Earth is being born again in new perspective. Night has gone, and we have come together in the light.” 

A Course in Miracles W-pII.2.4:1-6

Knowledge is Power

 

children’s bookshelf supplied by my bookclub to local food bank

“Worthy persons deserve to be called so because they are not carried away by the eight winds: prosperity, decline, disgrace, honor, praise, censure, suffering, and pleasure. They are neither elated by prosperity nor grieved by decline.” 

This quote by Nichiren grabbed my attention, mainly because of the phrase “elated by prosperity”. There seem to be too many people in charge of the world who are delirious over money. Andrew Carnegie was very wise in telling us: “Surplus wealth is a sacred trust which its possessor is bound to administer in his lifetime for the good of the community.” Mr. Carnegie created 1,689 libraries in the United States. Information is power, and he was not afraid of that idea. I’m reminded of the women on horseback who would deliver books to people far out in the woods, such as those in the novel by Jo Jo Moyes, “The Giver of Stars”. How I wish we could reclaim the excitement associated with gaining knowledge! Perhaps we feel that the information freeway known as the internet takes care of our educational needs. To me, nothing replaces falling into a good book. I think it's necessary to develop critical thinking, don't you?

“Being in sympathy with matter, the worldly man is at the beck and call of error, and will be attracted thither ward. He is like a traveller going westward for a pleasure-trip. The company is alluring and the pleasures exciting. After following the sun for six days, he turns east on the seventh, satisfied if he can only imagine himself drifting in the right direction. By-and-by, ashamed of his zigzag course, he would borrow the passport of some wiser pilgrim, thinking with the aid of this to find and follow the right road.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 21:25-2

“Look at the kindly world you see extend before you as you walk in gentleness. Look at the helpers all along the way you travel, happy in the certainty of Heaven and the surety of peace. And look an instant, too, on what you left behind at last and finally passed by.” A Course in Miracles C-2.7:4-6

Sisterhood

 

Art by Rafael Lopez

I came across this writing titled “Sisterhood” after spending the day with two friends who are having memory problems and another who recently completed radiation treatments. It was a beautiful fall day, full of laughter and disjointed conversation — and it was so much fun! Here are Donna Ashworth’s words which meant so much to me following our adventures today …

“SISTERHOOD

When I have been stuck, cocooned in this life, it was women who came to free me. 

Women who reminded me what I am made of and who I am becoming. 

Women, who broke my shell, reached for my hands and pulled me out. 

Not just to fly again, but to fly higher than ever before. 

There is much beauty, much ancient history, in that intuitive network of strength, support and silent sisterhood. 

Treasure it, as you would a very special gift, 

because that’s what it is, my sisters, 

that is what it is.”

Donna Ashworth - From Wild Hope

“Perhaps you think that different kinds of love are possible. Perhaps you think there is a kind of love for this, a kind for that; a way of loving one, another way of loving still another. Love is one. It has no separate parts and no degrees; no kinds nor levels, no divergencies and no distinctions. It is like itself, unchanged throughout. It never alters with a person or a circumstance. It is the Heart of God, and also of His Son.”  

A Course in Miracles W-127.1:1-7

“Jesus said: ‘For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.’”

Mary Baker Eddy’s writing surround this biblical quote on Page 267 of Science & Health, With Key to the Scriptures