Tesla and Eddy

Salt Flats

Photo by Aaron Springston

The late 1800s and early 1900s were a hotbed of innovation and enlightened thought. In thinking about Nikola Tesla and Mary Baker Eddy, I am led to wonder about our choices during that time, and how different our lives would be today had we chosen the path which benefited humanity rather than individual monetary gain. Tesla was finding ways to supply the world with electricity and all the benefits which would ensue from it. If we had chosen his way of powering vehicles rather than Ford’s oil-based motor, we would not have the environmental problems we are facing today. Mary Baker Eddy had discovered the key to rising above debilitating physical ailments. Her science of The Christ was not religion, but a way of thinking which had been hinted at through the centuries, but always quashed by old men who wanted to lord over the masses, ruling them through servitude in its various forms. Then medical science began to progress and everyone thought it would be far simpler to let doctors cure them than to take personal responsibility for themselves, in the way a man called Jesus tried to show them. And to think each and every one of these choices have been made because someone wanted to make money.

"Ontology receives less attention than physiology. Why? Because mortal mind must waken to spiritual life before it cares to solve the problem of being, hence the author's experience; but when that awakening comes, existence will be on a new standpoint." 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 556

“The aim of prayer is to release the present from its chains of past illusions; to let it be a freely chosen remedy from every choice that stood for a mistake. What prayer can offer now so far exceeds all that you asked before that it is pitiful to be content with less.” 

A Course in Miracles S-1.IV.3:5-6

A Higher Peace

 

When something like a head cold or other dis-ease threatens, it's tempting to wonder if we've slipped into something from which we need to be rescued. But let's not fall into that trap! With physical maladies, as with emotional or other seeming discord or inharmony, it's not our job to figure out where we went wrong; it's our job to understand how we are right! We sometimes hear it said that metaphysical treatment is "denying error and declaring Truth". There is no set way to go about this process. When we glean a bit of spiritual Truth, we often think we can repeat this over and over, as a sort of mantra, and this will heal us. And sometimes we can talk ourselves out of symptoms -- but usually this is a temporary fix. We can tell ourselves that disease is an illusion and that it's no part of us, but until we know the reason why, it's nothing more than further illusion. When we find ourselves beginning to understand that disease cannot be in matter because there is no matter for disease to manifest in, then -- and only then -- are we coming close to understanding this Truth of which we speak. It may seem impossible to make this shift in thought, but I love the baby steps leading to it!

“Wrong-mindedness listens to the ego and makes illusions; perceiving sin and justifying anger, and seeing guilt, disease and death as real. Both this world and the real world are illusions because right-mindedness merely overlooks, or forgives, what never happened. Therefore it is not the One-mindedness of the Christ Mind, Whose Will is one with God’s.” 

A Course in Miracles C-1.6:1-3

"This scientific sense of being, forsaking matter for Spirit, by no means suggests man's absorption into Deity and the loss of his identity, but confers upon man enlarged individuality, a wider sphere of thought and action, a more expansive love, a higher and more permanent peace." 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 265:10-15

Affection and Purpose of the Heart

 

St. Elizabeth Catholic Church

Eureka Springs, AR

Have you ever needed to fire an employee, or end a relationship with a significant other, or stop spending so much time with a friend for your own mental health? If so, I hope you had the courage and kindness to be honest about it. In looking back at such situations when they have occurred within my orbit, people often turn the tables on the one they want out of the way. On the other hand, I can think of a few situations where someone has simply told the truth, even in part, in order to end an unwanted relationship. I've recently watched a situation where there were valid reasons to end the employment of a part-time musician, yet no one would do it. Rather, they made things so uncomfortable for the person that he resigned. It was torturous for many of us, with rumors and half-truths floating about. I've watched men and women want out of their marriage, but rather than hurting their spouse's feelings, they make them so miserable that they leave, rather than the one who originally wanted out fessing up to it. I've written many dailies centered around truth-telling. It seems like an easy thing to do. Apparently it is not!

"We should examine ourselves and learn what is the affection and purpose of the heart, for in this way only can we learn what we honestly are." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 8:28-30

“Forgiveness, truth’s reflection, tells me how to offer miracles, and thus escape the prison house in which I think I live. Your holy Son is pointed out to me, first in my brother; then in me. Your Voice instructs me patiently to hear Your Word, and give as I receive. And as I look upon Your Son today, I hear Your Voice instructing me to find the way to You, as You appointed that the way shall be: Behold his sinlessness, and be you healed.” 

A Course in Miracles W-357.1:1-5

A Child of Love

Someone who is familiar with A Course in Miracles tells me she doesn't think these teachings should be presented to children. She thinks they wouldn't have a reason to live if they thought this way. I see it as just the opposite! It seems to me many young people (and older!) have no sense of self. I have noticed, with my own boys, that knowing about their Self precludes them from worrying about the labels which may be put on them by others. Self knowledge fosters self confidence. There is much talk about bullying and labels which are used to taunt young people by their peers. Being a witness to what others do, but not becoming a part of it, is demonstrating the freedom which is our heritage as a child of Love. Not taking things personally is part of this freedom, but there's more than that. You must know what IS, not just what is not. It isn't easy, facing rudeness with kindness. But it is possible! 

"Human sense may well marvel at discord, while, to a diviner sense, harmony is the real and discord the unreal. We may well be astonished at sin, sickness, death. 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 563:1-7

“God is but Love, and therefore so am I. This Self alone knows Love. This Self alone is perfectly consistent in Its Thoughts; knows Its Creator, understands Itself, is perfect in Its knowledge and Its Love, and never changes from Its constant state of union with Its Father and Itself.” 

A Course in Miracles - W-rV.in.4:3-5

Who We Are

Art by: Catrin Walz-Stein

Catching Up To Who We Are - by Clarissa Pinkola Estes

“We do not become healers.

We came as healers. 

We are.

Some of us are still catching up to what we are.

We do not become storytellers.

We came as carriers of the stories that we and our ancestors actually lived. 

We are.

Some of us are still catching up to what we are.

We do not become artists. We came as artists. 

We are.

Some of us are still catching up to what we are.

We do not become writers.. dancers.. musicians.. helpers.. peacemakers. 

We came as such. 

We are.

Some of us are still catching up to what we are.

We do not learn to love in this sense. We came as Love.

We are Love.

Some of us are still catching up 

to who we truly are.”

~ Clarissa Pinkola Estes

“My angels are exalted thoughts, appearing at the door of some sepulchre, in which human belief has buried its fondest earthly hopes. With white fingers they point upward to a new and glorified trust, to higher ideals of life and its joys. Angels are God’s representatives. These upward-soaring beings never lead towards self, sin, or materiality, but guide to the divine Principle of all good, whither every real individuality, image, or likeness of God, gathers. By giving earnest heed to these spiritual guides they tarry with us, and we entertain 

‘angels unawares.’”

 Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 299:7-17

“Today in gratitude we lift our hearts above despair, and raise our thankful eyes, no longer looking downward to the dust. We sing the song of thankfulness today, in honor of the Self that God has willed to be our true Identity in Him. Today we smile on everyone we see, and walk with lightened footsteps as we go to do what is appointed us to do.” 

A Course in Miracles W-123.4:1-3

Making Illusions …

 

Every moment of our lives have been spent getting us to the point at which we are now. I know some folks who want to hold onto their past, and others who wish they could change their past, then there are those who have grown through experiences and continue this expansion of thought. I am wondering why some of us seem to feed on turmoil and drama, creating it to keep ourselves upset -- or perhaps amused. Hum, it would never occur to me to be entertained by anger and other base elements of human behavior, but it seems many folks want to be in the middle of heated battle or else they are -- they are what? Bored, I think. Maybe it's something else. I know a young woman who is trying to create difficulty for herself and another family member. Perhaps what I'm witnessing is low self esteem, which she hopes to boost through righteous indignation. Or maybe I'm misinterpreting the whole situation. Since I don’t want to create a competing drama, I'll just watch and see what transpires, knowing only good can come of this. Namasté ...

"Wrong-mindedness listens to the ego and makes illusions; perceiving sin and justifying anger, and seeing guilt, disease and death as real. Both this world and the real world are illusions because right-mindedness merely overlooks, or forgives, what never happened. Therefore it is not the One-mindedness of the Christ Mind, Whose Will is one with God’s.” 

A Course in Miracles - C-1.6:1-3

“The time for thinkers has come. Truth, independent of doctrines and time-honored systems, knocks at the portal of humanity. Contentment with the past and the cold conventionality of materialism are crumbling away.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page vii:13-17

Rocking-Chair Moments

Crescent Hotel View

Eureka Springs, AR

Photo by Stephen Shogren

One of my favorite authors, Robert Klose, wrote an essay about traveling by plane and dreading a two-hour layover somewhere in North Carolina. When he got to the waiting area, he was surprised to see a row of rocking chairs along the wall. As he happily rocked and people-watched, he noticed that everyone was rushing and distracted. There was a grand piano on the other side of the waiting area and to his delight someone sat down and began to play. His enjoyment was great, as was everyone else’s. He noticed people slowed their pace and even stopped to listen, some swaying along and others even singing to the popular old tunes. As I read this, it occurred to me that we can mentally have our own rocking chairs and pianos within us and enjoy the peace and joy wherever we are! So the next time I’m waiting somewhere I’d rather not be, I shall do my best to have a “rocking-chair/piano moment”. 

“Exclude the outer world, and let your thoughts fly to the peace within. They know the way. For honest thoughts, untainted by the dream of worldly things outside yourself, become the holy messengers of God Himself.” 

A Course in Miracles W-188.6:4-6

“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