Universal Mind

Photo courtesy of Alden Stallings 

“I'm not worthy!" When certain comedians say this in a silly movie, it seems funny. But when I hear this coming from people in everyday conversations, even though they don't use these exact words, it's tempting to tell them that they are very much worthy!! One evening, I had dinner with a group of people who were going to the Passion Play here in Eureka Springs. One woman stated that she had mixed feelings about the play because no one was "good enough" to play the part of Jesus. She felt it was presumptuous and arrogant for anyone to do so. As you can imagine, it was all I could do to stop myself from jumping up on the table and shouting that we are all worthy!! But I didn’t. Instead, I inwardly offered an affirmation of our goodness as the expression of God, the image of Mind, the reflection of Love — along with a silent Namaste…

"And we solemnly promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus; to do unto others as we would have them do unto us; and to be merciful, just, and pure." 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 497:24-27

“Only my condemnation injures me. My condemnation keeps my vision dark, and through my sightless eyes I cannot see the vision of my glory. Yet today I can behold this glory and be glad.”

A Course in Miracles W-218.1:1-4

Leaving The Old For The New

Photo credit: Aaron Springston

In the last few days' reviews we have released the past, the future, and the present. How do we let go of the memory of an event which haunts us? How do we forgive an incident which seems unforgivable? The ultimate understanding is that it never happened; that it's an illusion, a projection of thought from our mortal mind, and nothing more. But how do you see that reality when the seeming-reality keeps coming back, causing you to relive the painful memory? When my mind wants to replay a circumstance in all its glorified pathos, I recognize that I have a choice: I can choose again and not see that person, that event, in a way which causes me to feel yet more pain, anger, or sorrow. I can think instead of the goodness, kindness, and love inherent in everyone, and allow its reality to form an image in my thought. I can play lots of games with myself in this way, and perhaps cajole myself out of thinking badly or sadly, but to get to the root of this circular dream, the answer may lie in the ideas we're studying today: "It can be but my gratitude I earn". I take this to mean, in part, that I needn't worry about what anyone else thinks about me. If I am being true to myself, to God, that is enough! 

“Willingness to become as a little child and to leave the old for the new, renders thought receptive of the advanced idea. Gladness to leave the false landmarks and joy to see them disappear, — this disposition helps to precipitate the ultimate harmony.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 323:32-4

“How easily are God and guilt confused by those who know not what their thoughts can do. Deny your strength, and weakness must become salvation to you. See yourself as bound, and bars become your home. Nor will you leave the prison house, or claim your strength, until guilt and salvation are not seen as one, and freedom and salvation are perceived as joined, with strength beside them, to be sought and claimed, and found and fully recognized.”

A Course in Miracles W-197.2:1-4

It Can Be But You Whom You Crucify

Photo courtesy of Blake Lasater

Years ago, I jokingly told someone that my neighbor was so upset with me that I feared he might tie himself to a cross in my yard and set it on fire. In today’s review we are told that, “…you will realize that to attack another is but to attack yourself. You will be free of the insane belief that to attack a brother saves yourself. And you will understand his safety is your own, and in his healing you are healed.” Thinking about these past events, I wonder if I am attacking my neighbor and myself by not forgiving. And how do I know I haven’t forgiven these things? Because I remember them.

“When we realize that there is one Mind, the divine law of loving our neighbor as ourselves is unfolded; whereas a belief in many ruling minds hinders man’s normal drift towards the one Mind, one God, and leads human thought into opposite channel where selfishness reigns.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 205:22-27

“Salvation’s song can certainly be heard in the idea we practice for today. If it can but be you you crucify, you did not hurt the world, and need not fear its vengeance and pursuit. Nor need you hide in terror from the deadly fear of God projection hides behind. The thing you dread the most is your salvation. You are strong, and it is strength you want. And you are free, and glad of freedom. You have sought to be both weak and bound, because you feared your strength and freedom. Yet salvation lies in them.”

A Course in Miracles W-196.9:1-8

On Firmer Ground

Photo credit: Aaron Springston

“Love is the way I walk in gratitude." A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #195. Today’s review causes me to remember a time when I was relearning to walk. Having spent six months in a wheelchair after an amputation, I was eagerly putting one foot in front of the other with the aid of a prosthetic device. It was odd because, in that short time, I had forgotten some of the finer points of walking. I would watch other people to see what I was or wasn’t doing right, as nothing felt natural. This unnaturalness can also be observed in people who know something is missing in their lives, but aren’t sure what it is. When we meet someone who shines forth with goodness, has a spark in their eyes, a feel-good energy emanating from their being, we naturally want to emulate that person. As I walk through this day, I shall do so in gratitude, thankful to recognize that “certain something” when I see it — and follow it!

“As the crude footprints of the past disappear from the dissolving paths of the present, we shall better understand the Science which governs these changes, and shall plant our feet on firmer ground.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 224:4-7

“Therefore give thanks, but in sincerity. And let your gratitude make room for all who will escape with you; the sick, the weak, the needy and afraid, and those who mourn a seeming loss or feel apparent pain, who suffer cold or hunger, or who walk the way of hatred and the path of death. All these go with you. Let us not compare ourselves with them, for thus we split them off from our awareness of the unity we share with them, as they must share with us.”

A Course in Miracles W-195.5:1-4

A New World

Photo courtesy of Blake Lasater

Science fiction, the speculation of how life could be, has always fascinated me. The serene surroundings of those who neither want nor need anything is very appealing. A place where there is no room for anger or warlike behavior, because all actions are filled with Love. A place where the rare disagreement is settled through the decision of a "fair witness". It feels as though these dreams of future perfection are here with us now. They are being realized in a myriad of ways. Do an internet search on good deeds, or Age of Aquarius, or peaceful living, if you feel the need for affirmation that this reality is with us here and now. I recently saw a movie in which a 102-year-old woman said these words: "We ain't what we should be, we ain't what we gonna be, but at least we ain't what we were." These major shifts in thought are making many people uncomfortable. It is tempting for many to cover these feelings of distress with alcohol and drugs, perhaps even with extreme physical activity. Let’s not be afraid, but rather hold thought steadily to the good and true. Follow your intuition to find ways to assuage this discontent. I see now that nothing can keep the miracle away, no matter how hard we try.

"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

Forgive, and you will see this differently. These are the words the Holy Spirit speaks in all your tribulations, all your pain, all suffering regardless of its form. These are the words with which temptation ends, and guilt, abandoned, is revered no more. These are the words which end the dream of sin, and rid the mind of fear. These are the words by which salvation comes to all the world.”

A Course in Miracles W-193.5:1-5a

Freed From the Past and Future

Photo courtesy of Blake Lasater

I’ve had a shift in thought toward my parents. They were beautiful, kind, generous people; this I've always acknowledged and appreciated. But those memories seemed to be dimmed by the stronger remembrances of their latter days. I had feelings of anger and betrayal, plus guilt concerning my part in it all. I've realized that many things they did came from their love, although their actions were influenced by strong opinions about the way things should be. Regrets come from my actions which were based in selfishness and fear. In acknowledging these memories, (which may not be the way things actually occurred, but merely the way my ego remembers!) I feel as though they are falling out of me and I’m sweeping them away into the ethers. With every release of well-rehearsed past events, peace becomes reality for me. It doesn't matter if anyone was right or wrong, it doesn't make any difference what motives were involved, part of me has been emptied to be filled with the only reality: Love.

“We cannot fill vessels already full. They must first be emptied. Let us disrobe error. Then, when the winds of God blow, we shall not hug our tatters close about us.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 201:13-15

“The past is gone; the future is not yet. Now am I freed from both. For what God gives can only be for good. And I accept but what He gives as what belongs to me.”

A Course in Miracles W-214.1:2-5

Intuition, Recognized and Lived

When I think of instances where friends have followed intuition, my thoughts go to a time when a dear friend followed her heart, left the life she had carved for herself, and embarked on an adventure. Susan was visiting friends in Santa Fe and had been to the market to pick up supplies. On her way home, she had the radio on and suddenly a man’s voice caught her interest. The station was fading in and out, and the man seemed to be using two or three different languages. She couldn’t understand him, but she told me it sounded like “flowers coming out of the radio”. When she got home, she called the station and found out who it was she had heard. His name was Martin Prechtel and he lived in Ojo Caliente, a small village between Taos and Santa Fe. She discovered he was a teacher of knowledge which he had accumulated from his childhood on a Pueblo reservation in New Mexico and his adult life in Guatemala. Susan knew, intuitively, that she must study with this man. She left everything she knew well, packed her bags and moved into a tiny room in a house in his village. She was living her life in the way she was called to do. I admire anyone who follows their dream, but especially those who don’t stop one step before fulfilling it!

“Spiritual sense, contradicting the material senses, involves intuition, hope, faith, understanding, fruition, reality.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 298:13-15

“I seek the function that would set me free from all the vain illusions of the world. Only the function God has given me can offer freedom. Only this I seek, and only this will I accept as mine.”

A Course in Miracles W-212.1:2-5