Am I Hypnotized?

How many of you have been hypnotized? If asked, most of us would probably say we have not. But, what of the hypnotism of ritual and repetition? Daily news programs pound certain “facts” into our brain until we begin to agree — and tell our friends they should, too. The songs we listen to, the television we watch, the podcasts we believe, aren’t they all forms of hypnotism? Personally, I am in love with The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. As with any indulgence, I’m aware it has the opportunity to turn into a bothersome addiction. Perhaps I was hypnotized into watching this show in the first place? If I allow it to replay in my mind, or if (heaven forbid) I decide to do one of her standup comedy routines at a gathering of people — well, that could be a problem. I’m not suggesting we stop enjoying all the fun things we like. I’m simply reminding myself to be aware of what’s happening when I fall into the trap of repeating, repenting, or reruns of Mrs. Maisel. Life is supposed to be fun, so let’s keep on having it! Also, let’s be aware those cravings we’re feeling may just be the result of mesmerism. We, the people, are sharp enough to know the difference…

"We say that one human mind can influence another and in this way affect the body, but we rarely remember that we govern our own bodies. The error, mesmerism -- or hypnotism, to use the recent term -- illustrates the fact just stated. The operator would make his subjects believe that they cannot act voluntarily and handle themselves as they should do. If they yield to this influence, it is because their belief is not better instructed by spiritual understanding."
Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 402:20

“Miracles honor you because you are lovable. They dispel illusions about yourself and perceive the light in you. They thus atone for your errors by freeing you from your nightmares. By releasing your mind from the imprisonment of your illusions, they restore your sanity.”
A Course in Miracles T-1.I.33:1-4

An Informed Citizenry

Extra, extra, read all about it! Spread the good news! These sayings bring certain things to mind; things we may not think of nowadays when we pick up our phones and see the Apple News headlines. I used to get morning news from the radio. When my boys were small, I'd listen to the radio while we ate breakfast, but then I realized how horridly sensational most of it was, so I stopped listening. The Today Show was my mother's favorite, but most television news has gone the way of gossip magazines and such. More and more, we depend upon each other for news. I know I can trust certain sources, and I count on them to inform me. In the past few years, I've realized how important it is for each of us to educate ourselves and, also, to pass it on. So let's read, listen, learn, and then write! Write letters to the editor, or post your take on things to social media -- heck, pass out leaflets if you must! From my favorite news magazine: "Good government flourishes in the sunshine, and our nation's founders knew that. 'A press that is free to investigate and criticize the government is absolutely essential in a nation that practices self-government and is therefore dependent on an educated and enlightened citizenry.' Thomas Jefferson"

“As we give thanks, the world unites with us and happily accepts our holy thoughts, which Heaven has corrected and made pure. Now has our ministry begun at last, to carry round the world the joyous news that truth has no illusions, and the peace of God, through us, belongs to everyone.” 

A Course in Miracles W-151.17:2-3

“A spiritual idea has not a single element of error, and this truth removes properly whatever is offensive.”
Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 453:12-13

One Is A Whole Number

Art by Amanda Cass

On Valentine’s Day, I realize many people are feeling lonely and sad. They may have lost their spouse, they may wish they had a partner with whom to walk through life, or maybe they are simply in love with the idea of love — an idea which has never come to fruition. In the past, I have reminded people that One is a whole number! When I was a youngster, if you’d asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, I probably would have said a housewife. I had a very limited idea of what that meant, as it was based on 1960s television programs. But looking at my life today, I think I’ve become one — without the husband part of the equation. I love cooking and puttering around the house, feeding and watching birds, interacting with my cats, talking to my sons and grandsons occasionally. I can’t imagine a more perfect existence, and I hope whatever your life situation is, you feel this way, too. Much Love sent to you all!

“Love alone can impart the limitless idea of infinite Mind.”
Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 510:18-19

“The course does not aim at teaching the meaning of love, for that is beyond what can be taught. It does aim, however, at removing the blocks to the awareness of love’s presence, which is your natural inheritance. The opposite of love is fear, but what is all-encompassing can have no opposite.”
A Course in Miracles T-in.1:6-8

Be Not Dismayed …

art by Tijana Lukovic

Each of us has the power to change our thoughts about the world, 

and therein we hold the key...

“Do not be dismayed by the brokenness of the world.

All things break. And all things can be mended.

Not with time, as they say, but with intention. 

So go. Love intentionally, extravagantly, unconditionally.

The broken world waits in darkness for the light that is you.”

L.R. Knost

“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. The way to extract error from mortal mind is to pour in truth through flood-tides of Love. Christian perfection is won on no other basis.”
Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 201:13-19

“Put out your hand, and see how easily the door swings open with your one intent to go beyond it. Angels light the way, so that all darkness vanishes, and you are standing in a light so bright and clear that you can understand all things you see. A tiny moment of surprise, perhaps, will make you pause before you realize the world you see before you in the light reflects the truth you knew, and did not quite forget in wandering away in dreams.”
A Course in Miracles W-131.13:1-3

A Clean and Unmarked Slate

Primal Images created by Sandy Wythawai Starbird

No matter what you believe in, you can find a group of people who think the same way as you do. I recently heard a man explaining that more harm can be done by the truth than by out-and-out lies. WHAT?? To prove his point, he told about a web page devoted to instances of black people physically attacking white people. Every day they post more examples of this violent behavior, along with rhetoric warning us of the consequences of “us” allowing “them” to “get by” with it. While these things actually happened, they are being presented in a way which causes fear and suggests retaliation. Our learned behavior of tribalism is not conducive to peaceful living. The myriad of activities which pit us against each other, or set up sides for us to group together with like-minded people —- years of these practices have made us an adversarial society, and it feels wrong. So I’m going to visualize a world where we all trade our beliefs for a blank slate. On this we can see what is actually happening, without our biased perceptions interpreting everything. Let me know how you see the world with a clean heart and clear head!

“Mortal error will vanish in a moral chemicalization. This mental fermentation has begun, and will continue until all errors of belief yield to understanding. Belief is changeable, but spiritual understanding is changeless.” 

Mary Baker Eddy- Science and Health Page 96:21

“Forgiveness gently looks upon all things unknown in Heaven, sees them disappear, and leaves the world a clean and unmarked slate on which the Word of God can now replace the senseless symbols written there before.”

A Course in Miracles W-192.4:1

Fearlessly Expressing Love

Twenty years ago, it seems I spent much more time every day in prayerful study and contemplation than I do now. Or maybe that’s not so. When I stop to think about it, nowadays every interaction is an expression of Love, with a fearlessness which grows daily. These seeds were planted and are still being nurtured by moment-to-moment expressions of joy. No matter what we do on a daily basis, this Love can be expressed in many ways – actually, in every way! And by loving yourself, you’re loving everyone. By living fearlessly, you’re spreading this confidence to all. I will go forth with loving gratitude today and expect only Good.

“If we look to the body for pleasure, we find pain; for Life, we find death; for Truth, we find error; for Spirit, we find its opposite, matter. Now reverse this action. Look away from the body into Truth and Love, the Principle of all happiness, harmony, and immortality. Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring these into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health  Page 260

“Let us resolve today to ask for what we really want, and only this, that we may spend this day in fearlessness, without confusing pain with joy, or fear with love.”

A Course in Miracles W-339.1:9

The Light of Joy

Most of us know someone who lives with debilitating depression. Something I did not realize is that many family members feel guilty when they are happy around their depressed loved one. So oftentimes, the whole family ends up depressed on some level. Hum. I learned of this while listening to BK Shivani talk about the phenomenon. She likens it to a family walking in the woods and one member falls into a pit. Right away, one by one, the others jump in to be with the trapped member. They’re family after all, and they must stick together. But wait! At least one must stay out of the pit if they are to survive. And so it is with depression and grief: one person must be willing to keep their vibrations high and joyous in order to bring the others up to that level, raising them out of the depths. Let us be proud that we have the courage to stay out of the pit and be happy, bringing others along with our joy! An example comes to mind of a dark closet. When you open the door, the dark doesn’t escape into the light room; the light chases away the darkness. Keep on shining everyone!

“The light that belongs to you is the light of joy. Radiance is not associated with sorrow. Joy calls forth an integrated willingness to share it, and promotes the mind’s natural impulse to respond as one. Those who attempt to heal without being wholly joyous themselves call forth different kinds of responses at the same time, and thus deprive others of the joy of responding wholeheartedly.”

A Course in Miracles T-5.in.1:4-7

"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