Joy

Laughter is contagious, don’t you think? Most of us have “gotten the giggles” and been unable to stop laughing. There are numerous videos on the internet where people are sharing laughter in the most joyous of ways. I particularly like one which shows people’s reactions when someone tells them they are beautiful. The sheepish grins which emerge, the eyes which light up, are sure to bring a smile to my face and an expansion of my heart no matter how many times I’ve seen it. Joy, laughter, happiness — these are given freely to us as a part of our divine heritage. Today I will make the most of every opportunity I have to give these gifts, freely, joyously, with no reservations or restrictions!

“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.”

A Course In Miracles M-14.5:1-8

"Harmony is produced by its Principle, is controlled by it and abides with it. Divine Principle is the Life of man. Man's happiness is not, therefore, at the disposal of physical sense. Truth is not contaminated by error. Harmony in man is as beautiful as in music, and discord is unnatural, unreal." 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 304:17-21

Listening to Inner Promptings

Photo by Kristen Jones

Newton County, Arkansas 

Synchronicity, intuition, following your heart — We have many words to describe what may simply be listening for the voice of God. A small event happened today which reminded me of the necessity of listening to ourSelves in daily life. A friend was helping me with some home repairs today. He mentioned his mother and suddenly I thought of a clock which I took off the wall yesterday and placed in the thrift store donation box. I showed it to him, asking if he had a use for it. He exclaimed that his mom loved things with apples depicted on them, and since this clock showed a rustic apple scene in its middle, he wanted to give it to her when he goes to St. Louis to visit her next month. He began to tell me about her house and her love of cardinals (the bird). Hanging in my “plant room” was a Wilderness Society cardinal ornament, which was a perfect addition to his gift for his mom. I life watching Life flow through me!

“The Science of God and man is no more supernatural than is the science of numbers, though departing from the realm of the physical, as the Science of God, Spirit, must, some may deny its right to the name of Science. The Principle of divine metaphysics is God; the practice of divine metaphysics is the utilization of the power of Truth over error; its rules demonstrate its Science. Divine metaphysics reverses perverted and physical hypotheses as to Deity, even as the explanation of optics rejects the incidental or inverted image and shows what this inverted image is meant to represent.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 111:6-16

“A day devoted now to gratitude will add the benefit of some insight into the real extent of all the gains which you have made; the gifts you have received. Be glad today, in loving thankfulness, your Father has not left you to yourself, nor let you wander in the dark alone. Be grateful He has saved you from the self you thought you made to take the place of Him and His creation. Give Him thanks today.” 

A Course in Miracles W-123.2:1-4

A Revolution of Thought

Newton County, Arkansas

Photo credit: Tim Ernst

Perhaps humanity has been led astray, and we are truly not like this. Maybe we have become accustomed to the behaviors we witness and exhibit, never stopping to question if this is the way it must be. I've never been a fan of ritual and dogma, and in my advancing years I find little use for these things. Honesty and integrity dictate that we follow our heart, speak truth, act with compassion, and never fear the consequences! Many of us are stuck in our ways, doing the same things every day, thinking the same thoughts (with a few exceptions), and blindly believing what keeps us comfortably non-curious. Yes, we may have an inkling that something is wrong, thinking perhaps we could be happier, more fulfilled, more peaceful. We may go to therapists to advise us on what to do. Maybe we ask friends for advice. Or we simply tell ourselves to be glad that things aren't worse than they are. The time for this madness to cease is now! We are waking up, and it's not an easy revolution!

“Another change will come as to the nature and origin of man, and this revelation will destroy the dream of existence, reinstate reality, usher in Science and the glorious fact of creation, that both man and woman proceed from God and are His eternal children, belonging to no lesser parent.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 529:5-12

“The ego makes illusions. Truth undoes its evil dreams by shining them away. Truth never makes attack. It merely is. And by its presence is the mind recalled from fantasies, awaking to the real. Forgiveness bids this presence enter in, and take its rightful place within the mind. Without forgiveness is the mind in chains, believing in its own futility. Yet with forgiveness does the light shine through the dream of darkness, offering it hope, and giving it the means to realize the freedom that is its inheritance.” A Course in Miracles W-332.1:1-8

Saying Grace

I love Anne Lamott’s essay on gratitude. And so I share it with you this day of thanks giving.

“We didn’t say grace at our house when I was growing up because my parents were atheists. I knew even as a little girl that everyone at every table needed blessings and encouragement, but my family didn’t ask for it. Instead, my parents raised glasses of wine to the chef: Cheers. Dig in. But I had a terrible secret, which was that I believed in God, a divine presence who heard me when I prayed, who stayed close to me in the dark. So at six years old I began to infiltrate religious families like a spy—Mata Hari in plaid sneakers.

One of my best friends was a Catholic girl. Her boisterous family bowed its collective head and said, ‘Bless us, O Lord, and these thy gifts. …’ I was so hungry for these words; it was like a cool breeze, a polite thank-you note to God, the silky magnetic energy of gratitude. I still love that line.

I believed that if your family said grace, it meant you were a happy family, all evidence to the contrary. But I saw at certain tables that an improvised grace could cause friction or discomfort. My friend Mark reports that at his big southern childhood Thanksgivings, someone always managed to say something that made poor Granny feel half dead. It would be along the lines of ‘And Lord, we are just glad you have seen fit to keep Mama with us for one more year.’ We would all strain to see Granny giving him the fisheye.

I noticed some families shortened the pro forma blessing so they could get right to the meal. If there were more males than females, it was a boy-chant, said as one word: ‘GodisgreatGodisgoodletusthankHimforourfoodAmen.’ I also noticed that grace usually wasn’t said if the kids were eating in front of the TV, as if God refused to listen over the sound of it.

And we’ve all been held hostage by grace sayers who use the opportunity to work the room, like the Church Lady. But more often, people simply say thank you—we understand how far short we must fall, how selfish we can be, how self-righteous, what brats. And yet God has given us this marvelous meal.

It turns out that my two brothers and I all grew up to be middle-aged believers. I’ve been a member of the same Presbyterian church for 36 years. My older brother became a born-again Christian—but don’t ask him to give the blessing, as it can last forever. I adore him, but your food will grow cold. My younger brother is an unconfirmed but freelance Catholic.

So now someone at our holiday tables always ends up saying grace. I think we’re in it for the pause, the quiet thanks for love and for our blessings, before the shoveling begins. For a minute, our stations are tuned to a broader, richer radius. We’re acknowledging that this food didn’t just magically appear: Someone grew it, ground it, bought it, baked it; wow.

We say thank you for the miracle that we have stuck together all these years, in spite of it all; that we have each other’s backs, and hilarious companionship. We say thank you for the plentiful and outrageous food: Kathy’s lox, Robby’s heartbreaking gravy. We pray to be mindful of the needs of others. We savor these moments out of time, when we are conscious of love’s presence, of Someone’s great abiding generosity to our dear and motley family, these holy moments of gratitude. And that is grace.” — Anne Lamott

“Are we really grateful for the good already received? Then we shall avail ourselves of the blessings we have, and thus be fitted to receive more. Gratitude is much more than a verbal expression of thanks. Action expresses more gratitude than speech.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 3:22-26

“And so, our Father, we return to You, remembering we never went away; remembering Your holy gifts to us. In gratitude and thankfulness we come, with empty hands and open hearts and minds, asking but what You give. We cannot make an offering sufficient for Your Son. But in Your Love the gift of Christ is his.” 

A Course in Miracles  W-306.2:1-4

More Than Meets the Eye

 

An Exhibit at Meow Wolf, Denver, CO

Eureka Springs has been described as a town having “all gurus and no students”. For the past three decades I’ve been witnessing people deepening their spiritual understanding through a variety of modalities. Anyone who has been paying attention has noticed there is more going on around us than meets the physical eye. During the years we hosted metaphysical meetings in the basement of the Christian Science edifice, we witnessed  scores of people awakening what could be thought of as psychic abilities. There were lessons in remote viewing, and metaphysical studies to see past disease and realize the true state of what appears to be a material body.  We were exposed to reiki and other life force energy works, and some told us of communications with all things living, while others taught the healing power of plants. There are more energies flowing around and through us than can be delineated in a brief writing. In the movie “The Men Who Stare at Goats”, we meet a group of people who call themselves the New Earth Army. That's how I see us all! It's time to wear our skills and talents proudly and be willing to help the world in any way we can. I've seen what we can do, and once the floodgates are opened, our talents will multiply. Let's shine those lights!!

"In order to apprehend more, we must put into practice what we already know. We must recollect that Truth is demonstrable when understood, and that good is not understood until demonstrated. If 'faithful over a few things,' we shall be made rulers over many, but the one unused talent decays and is lost." 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 323:13

“Leave, then, the dark a little while today, and we will practice seeing in the light, closing the body’s eyes and asking truth to show us how to find the meeting place of self and Self, where light and strength are one.” 

A Course in Miracles W-92.10:4

Healing

Christian Science Edifice

In Eureka Springs, AR

Painting by Julie Valentine

In the early 1900s, the Science of The Christ was being practiced by record numbers of students. Mary Baker Eddy was giving talks to upwards of 20,000 people at a time, and there were hundreds of teachers showing others how to practice spiritual healing. Everyone was very excited to be learning about this Truth! Mrs. Eddy referred to it as primitive Christianity, because it is the teaching of Jesus — free of the trappings added by old men who wanted to control the masses. Then there was a worldwide upsurge in medical knowledge, and people who had been taking responsibility for their own health through an understanding that there is only One divine Mind -- well, it seemed easier to take a pill or get a shot. We saw it as a revolution in thought. Little did we know we were leaving the revolution behind, in favor of a mirage which promised safety from disease, with the advantage of not having to think about it. It's difficult for people to be responsible for their own well-being, as it seems much easier to medicate and trust in professionals. When the system fails, we blame doctors, then the lawyers get involved and it's all about money, and our health and well-being feel nebulous and fleeting. In the last century, spiritual healing has gotten a dirty name, for reasons too numerous to mention here. But those reasons do not matter. What is important is that we can pick up the revolution at any time. The book, Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures, which Mary Baker Eddy gave us, has been the leaven bubbling about in thought and showing itself throughout our lifetime. It can now be read or listened to on the internet, found in almost any used bookstore, and obtained cheaply online. Every time I read it, it seems new!

"Correct material belief by spiritual understanding and Spirit will form you anew." 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health 425:24

So do we lay aside our amulets, our charms and medicines, our chants and bits of magic in whatever form they take. ²We will be still and listen for the Voice of healing, which will cure all ills as one, restoring saneness to the Son of God. ³No voice but this can cure. ⁴Today we hear a single Voice which speaks to us of truth, where all illusions end, and peace returns to the eternal, quiet home of God.”  

A Course in Miracles  W-140.10:1-4

My Unrighteous Judgment

Although I think of myself as being mostly free of judgment and beliefs, I sometimes am blindsided by incredibly judgmental thoughts! Recently, I voiced the opinion that someone I play a word game with is cheating. When the words came out of my mouth, they felt ugly, and they have come back in memory numerous times. And then, a friend and I were discussing books for our book club in 2024. When she mentioned Virginia Wolfe, I reacted negatively. When she asked why I felt that way, I didn’t know. I told her it must be from my college years, but I did’t know why! As she told me of the reasons she loved this author, including how she had become a feminist partly because of her writing, I realized I was basing a present judgment on a past belief. Good grief! Today I am grateful that my erroneous thoughts were noticed and questioned. I pray that these incidents help me to see any future intrusions in my thoughts before they come out of my mouth!

“The choice to judge rather than to know is the cause of the loss of peace. Judgment is the process on which perception but not knowledge rests. I have discussed this before in terms of the selectivity of perception, pointing out that evaluation is its obvious prerequisite. Judgment always involves rejection. It never emphasizes only the positive aspects of what is judged, whether in you or in others. What has been perceived and rejected, or judged and found wanting, remains in your mind because it has been perceived. One of the illusions from which you suffer is the belief that what you judged against has no effect. This cannot be true unless you also believe that what you judged against does not exist. You evidently do not believe this, or you would not have judged against it. In the end it does not matter whether your judgment is right or wrong. Either way you are placing your belief in the unreal. This cannot be avoided in any type of judgment, because it implies the belief that reality is yours to select from.” 

A Course in Miracles T-3.VI.2:1-12

“Who, that has felt the perilous beliefs in life, substance, and intelligence separated from God, can say that there is no error of belief? Knowing the claim of animal magnetism, that all evil combines in the belief of life, substance, and intelligence in matter, electricity, animal nature, and organic life, who will deny that these are the errors which Truth must and will annihilate? Christian Scientists must live under the constant pressure of the apostolic command to come out from the material world and be separate. They must renounce aggression, oppression and the pride of power. Christianity, with the crown of Love upon her brow, must be their queen of life.” 

Mary Baker Eddy -Science & Health Page 450:25-7