A Quietness That Cannot Be Disturbed

In Memory of Cricket

When I was a small child, my parents owned and operated a slaughter house in a small town. People would bring in their cows and pigs, which they had raised for food, to be processed — killed, dressed, and packaged. I knew this was a part of living and dying and the food was treated with respect. Whether anyone actually thanked the animals for their part in this, I don’t know. But I was taught to do so. A book in my parents’ home was “Kinship With All Life”. Through this interesting book, I learned that inter-species communications is possible. When I really got interested in this sharing of thoughts, I was grown up and saw an article in The Sun magazine. It documented a woman’s life who lived alone in the woods, and occasionally she would slaughter a goose for her food. She and her birds were in such communion that the chosen goose would lay its head on the chopping block in acquiescence. These events have been playing in my mind today, but I have found no peace concerning the blatant killing of a dog by a major political figure. I know true forgiveness involves not placing blame; then there is nothing to forgive. I am judging this woman who is the governor of South Dakota, and I want to stop. Today I will live with A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #122 and allow it to lead me to peace. 

“Forgiveness offers everything I want.

What could you want forgiveness cannot give? Do you want peace? Forgiveness offers it. Do you want happiness, a quiet mind, a certainty of purpose, and a sense of worth and beauty that transcends the world? Do you want care and safety, and the warmth of sure protection always? Do you want a quietness that cannot be disturbed, a gentleness that never can be hurt, a deep abiding comfort, and a rest so perfect it can never be upset?

All this forgiveness offers you, and more. It sparkles on your eyes as you awake, and gives you joy with which to meet the day. It soothes your forehead while you sleep, and rests upon your eyelids so you see no dreams of fear and evil, malice and attack. And when you wake again, it offers you another day of happiness and peace. All this forgiveness offers you, and more.”

A Course in Miracles - W-122.1:1–2:5

“Mind, joyous in strength, dwells in the realm of Mind. Mind's infinite ideas run and disport themselves. In humility they climb the heights of holiness.” 

Mary baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 514:6-9

Redeeming the Past

Photo credit: Nick Franchi

Today’s Course in Miracles workbook lesson tells us: “Forgiveness is the key to happiness.” When we have a lesson which mentions forgiveness in its topic, I always pause and search my memories for remnants of treasured pain and long-held grievances. While I don’t find many of these feelings toward others, there are a few recurring things I hold against myself. These unforgiven episodes range from childhood mistakes to unthinking acts in later life, and some bring tears because I find them to be so heinous. I stop to wonder how these actions were interpreted by those toward whom I feel such guilt. Perhaps they didn't know, and if they did, they may not remember it in the same light as I do. In this reliving of the past, I recall a quote from someone, somewhere, which brings me solace: "What you do in the present redeems the past and changes the future." And these hopeful words bring peace. 

“Here is the answer to your search for peace. Here is the key to meaning in a world that seems to make no sense. Here is the way to safety in apparent dangers that appear to threaten you at every turn, and bring uncertainty to all your hopes of ever finding quietness and peace. Here are all questions answered; here the end of all uncertainty ensured at last.”

A Course in Miracles W-121.1:1-4

“The depth, breadth, height, might, majesty, and glory of infinite Love fill all space. That is enough!”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 520:3-5

Sickness is Not Your Fault

Photo Courtesy of Aaron Springston

A trusted friend recommended that I read, “Dying to be Me: My Journey from Cancer, to Near Death, to True Healing”, by Anita Moorjani. One of the important points made in this book is something which is recognized in our metaphysical studies: Sickness is not your fault. Often new-age teachings say that past thoughts and actions create karma which returns to you in terrible ways. Ms. Moorjani assures us that this is not the case. The recognition that you are pure Love, the knowledge that you are connected to everything, the joy which comes from acceptance of yourself just as you are -- this understanding is what allows the body to be well. It doesn't matter what caused it, what "stage" the problem has advanced to, what mortal predictions are on the table -- nothing matters but the acceptance of yourself as a product of Love. When feeling the purity of Oneness, all material thoughts must be silenced. We can stop striving and start Being. When slipping into this space of pure Love, nothing else matters. And all is well.

“Mortal mind must part with error, must put off itself with its deeds, and immortal manhood, the Christ ideal, will appear.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 430:3-5

“I am as God created me. We will repeat today’s idea from time to time. For this one thought would be enough to save you and the world, if you believed that it is true.”

A Course in Miracles W-110.1:1-2

Correction at the Level of Thought

Art from Catrin Welz-Stein

It seems there are any number of errors to correct in this world. It’s quite a relief to discover that I only need to correct them in my mind, not in the fearful and angry minds I witness around me. If I look at things with horror, or disgust, or anger, or fear, I have become a part of them, sharing the ugliness. If I look on people perpetrating these acts as Love’s reflection, there is forgiveness. When I voice these forgiving ideas in public, I run the risk of someone telling me I don’t know what I’m talking about  — and, perhaps, they wouldn’t be using words quite so kind! There is a young woman who makes videos about A Course in Miracles teachings. She is often verbally attacked in the comments section of YouTube. If the speaker and her supporters are willing to give these derogatory words energy in retaliation and defense, they are accepting attacks within themselves. But if we send forth forgiveness, realizing we are all One in Truth, then we give the gift of Love — and receive it ourselves. Therein lies correction!

“Because Truth is infinite, error should be known as nothing. Because Truth is omnipotent in goodness, error, Truth's opposite, has no might.” 

Mary Baker Eddy- Science and Health Page 367:3-1

“It is essential to remember that only the mind can create, and that correction belongs at the thought level. To amplify an earlier statement, spirit is already perfect and therefore does not require correction. The body does not exist except as a learning device for the mind. This learning device is not subject to errors of its own, because it cannot create. It is obvious, then, that inducing the mind to give up its miscreations is the only application of creative ability that is truly meaningful.” 

A Course in Miracles T-2.V.1:7-11

Be Still and Listen

Photo courtesy of Richard Quick

News sources were bombarding us with predictions of high winds and tornadoes. I know this because everyone I saw told me about it!  While in our beautiful Carnegie Public Library, the attendant was very nervous, flitting about, even talking to herself. When I was checking out my chosen items, I asked her what was wrong. She told me she was upset about the weather and stated she wished it would just get bad and go past and be done. I assured her we had never had a tornado in Eureka Springs, and she was quite safe in these mountains. In thinking about this, I marvel at how readily we receive into our consciousness warnings of destruction and other erroneous beliefs. On the other hand, we balk at the admission, or even the possibility, that spiritual goodness trumps error every time. When our minds are busy with worries and repetitive thoughts, when we're voicing our concerns (either orally or mentally) it's very difficult to hear the still, small voice of Truth. Viewing life in its harmonious reality is known in divine Science as "knowing the Truth". It's hard to do this if I'm thinking about horrible "what-ifs" which may occur. As usual, I have a choice. And if I'm not happy with that choice, guess what? I get to choose again!! For this, I am most grateful.

“Lips must be mute and materialism silent, that man may have audience with Spirit, the divine Principle, Love, which destroys all error.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page15:11-13

“Listen, and hear your Father speak to you through His appointed Voice, which silences the thunder of the meaningless, and shows the way to peace to those who cannot see. Be still today and listen to the truth. Be not deceived by voices of the dead, which tell you they have found the source of life and offer it to you for your belief. Attend them not, but listen to the truth.”

A Course in Miracles W-106.2:1-4

Our Natural State of Happiness

At a gathering of women, talk centered around how stereotypes of people have changed over the years. We wondered what keeps these generalizations alive, and what we really, truly think about these antiquated ways of thinking. While the conversation was stimulating and fun for all involved, we were looking at this from an entirely matter-based standpoint. No mention or thought was given to the reality of our Being and the fact that there truly is no difference in any of us. Our race, nationality, and teachings — these things, and more, are thought to combine to make us who we are. We supposedly have differences which are irreconcilable with others of our species. In our study of metaphysical realities, we are eager to let go of these beliefs which keep us shackled to thinking which is stagnant. Living every moment in Love precludes thinking of others as different. We are beginning to understand that there are no others! It may seem impossible that we could all live in Love, doing no harm to anyone or anything, always expressing our perfection as a reflection of God. This possibility is an actuality which we're seeing more clearly every day. Love and happiness are our realities, and this Truth is seen clearly when the veil of material belief is lifted. Ah, the freedom of happiness! 

“Higher enjoyments alone can satisfy the cravings of immortal man. We cannot circumscribe happiness within the limits of personal sense.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Page 60:31-2

“God, being Love, is also happiness. Let me remember love is happiness, and nothing else brings joy. And so I choose to entertain no substitutes for love.

A Course in Miracles W-117.1:1-3

Happy Dreams

Happy Women of Eureka Springs

Photo courtesy of Richard Quick

Arthur C Brooks has spent decades studying happiness. We all know that things which bring us pleasure in our early years are not necessarily what nurtures us in our later ones. In his recent book, “From Strength to Strength: Finding Success, Happiness, and Deep Purpose in the Second Half of Life”, this columnist for The Atlantic reports, “Those who are unhappiest later in life are often the strivers on a continual quest for money, power, pleasure, and prestige.” Mr. Brooks also teaches a class on happiness at Harvard Business School. He tells us what most of us already know: “The world gives you a bogus formula for happiness. No 1: Use people. No. 2: Love things. No 3: Worship yourself. And it actually seems right because it’s so close to the truth. It just mixes up the nouns and the verbs. The right formula, based on all of the best neuroscience, clinical, and social scientific research, is simply: Use things, love people, and worship the divine. You can boil down all of the studies of happiness to five words. Those words are: Happiness is love. Full stop.”

"Happiness is spiritual, born of Truth and Love. It is unselfish; therefore it cannot exist alone, but requires all mankind to share it."
Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 57:18-21

“Happy dreams come true, not because they are dreams, but only because they are happy. And so they must be loving. Their message is, ‘Thy Will be done,’and not, ‘I want it otherwise.’” 

A Course in Miracles Text Page 223