Pain Gives Way To Peace

Photo courtesy of Arthur Bruno

I visited with an old friend who feels as though she’s drowning in sadness. A man she didn’t want to live without died, and she’s having a tough time going forward on her own. I can understand how she feels as she tries to remember how to be happy. The things we spoke of led me to tell her about Mary Haskell, the woman who loved Kahlil Gibran. Although she was much older than him, he died many years before her. At his funeral, her friends were amazed that she was so peacefully happy and they wanted to know how that could be. She told them she felt closer to him than she ever had before. I talked to my friend about our unity in divine Love, and our inseparability as the experience and expression of God. These realizations are not meant to negate sorrow for her. I fervently believe we should honor our grief and give in to it fully. Allow the tears to dilute your sadness, and when you’re ready to embrace infinite Love, you will do so with an open heart. Namaste, my friends…

“Today we see only the loving and the lovable. We see it in appearances of pain, and pain gives way to peace. We see it in the frantic, in the sad and the distressed, the lonely and afraid, who are restored to the tranquility and peace of mind in which they were created. And we see it in the dying and the dead as well, restoring them to life. All this we see because we saw it first within ourselves.”

A Course in Miracles W-124.4:6–5:4

“If grief causes suffering, convince the sufferer that affliction is often the source of joy, and that he should rejoice always in ever-present Love.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 377:3-6

The Glory of Spring

Photo courtesy of Richard Quick

The gratitude I feel this spring is boundless! Flowers, rain, birds, clouds — such beauty is overwhelming! Our whole world seems to be telling us we are special and that we deserve much more than the gifts of divine Love. We yearn for peace and plenty, purity of heart and environment, joy, satisfaction -- but we keep forgetting the spiritual Principle which guarantees this reality. Sometimes we catch glimpses of what could be. For instance, I witnessed a man and woman in their 70s cavorting like teenagers in giddy expectation of exchanging marriage vows. Their happiness was infectious! A true new beginning is at hand -- your hand and mine, today, right now.  I will not be distracted by ego-based taunting to play the game being enacted all around me. I will look through the temptation to stay stuck in the muddle of material belief by giving energy to the lower propensities. Raising thought above what cries out so loudly for attention, I'll see a beginning in every situation. But if there is no end, can there be a beginning? Ah -- ever-flowing, forever, now!

“Let us be thankful. We have come to gentler pathways and to smoother roads. There is no thought of turning back, and no implacable resistance to the truth. A bit of wavering remains, some small objections and a little hesitance, but you can well be grateful for your gains, which are far greater than you realize.”

A Course in Miracles W-123.1:1-4

“Man’s individuality is not material. This Science of being obtains not alone hereafter in what men call Paradise, but here and now; it is the great fact of being for time and eternity.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 285:2-6

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