All-Inclusive Wonder

A lot has changed in the last couple of millennia, don't you think? We could spend hours listing changes in our understanding of the universe! Something which has not changed appreciably is our idea of God. Religion has pretty much held us locked in to what has been thought of as the truth. Many of us are fearlessly admitting that we are all, each and every one, the expression and experience of God. We're happily allowing our thoughts to embrace new concepts such as, "I am the light of the world"! This is not a self-important declaration, but an all-inclusive, divine-Love centered exclamation of the wonder we know as Life. Our burgeoning understanding is bringing a joy we never dreamed would be possible on this earth plane. We're starting to see that the kingdom of heaven is right here, within and without, waiting for us to embrace it. Let's go forth today and shine!

“Your will be done, you holy child of God. It does not matter if you think you are in earth or Heaven. What your Father wills of you can never change. The truth in you remains as radiant as a star, as pure as light, as innocent as love itself. And you are worthy that your will be done!”
A Course in Miracles T-31.VI.7:1-5

“Accompanying this scientific consciousness was an other revelation, even the declaration from heaven, supreme harmony, that God, the divine Principle of harmony, is ever with men, and they are His people. Thus man was no longer regarded as a miserable sinner, but as the blessed child of God. Why? Because St. John’s corporeal sense of the heavens and earth had vanished, and in place of this false sense was the spiritual sense, the subjective state by which he could see the new heaven and new earth, which involve the spiritual idea and consciousness of reality. This is Scriptural authority for concluding that such a recognition of being is, and has been, possible to men in this present state of existence, — that we can become conscious, here and now, of a cessation of death, sorrow, and pain. This is indeed a foretaste of absolute Christian Science. Take heart, dear sufferer, for this reality of being will surely appear sometime and in some way. There will be no more pain, and all tears will be wiped away. When you read this, remember Jesus’ words, ‘The kingdom of God is within you.’ This spiritual consciousness is therefore a present possibility.”
Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 573:11-2

Shake It Off

Eckhart Tolle tells a story about ducks. As he’s sitting by a pond watching them go about their business, suddenly one of the ducks lashes out at another one. They squawk and flap their wings, seeming to be quite angry. Then they shake themselves off, and go back to being ducks on a pond. Even though their feathers got ruffled, when it was over, it was over. I’ve watched similar scenarios with my two cats. One will pass by the other and there will be an altercation — a vicious sounding disagreement with growls and hisses. And then it’s over and they are best friends again. We have much to learn from animals. It seems that fights to the death only occur amongst animals when there are males fighting over territory — and that territory includes females which they consider to be theirs. We have much to learn from animals. The pointlessness of current conflicts around the world break our collective hearts. Since we can only change the world by changing our own thought, let’s begin with our personal interactions with each other. Let there be peace …

“When the divine precepts are understood, they unfold the foundation of fellowship, in which one mind is not at war with another, but all have one Spirit, God, one intelligent source, in accordance with the Scriptural command: ‘Let this Mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.’” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 276:4-9

“Peace is the ego’s greatest enemy because, according to its interpretation of reality, war is the guarantee of its survival. The ego becomes strong in strife. If you believe there is strife you will react viciously, because the idea of danger has entered your mind. The idea itself is an appeal to the ego. The Holy Spirit is as vigilant as the ego to the call of danger, opposing it with His strength just as the ego welcomes it. The Holy Spirit counters this welcome by welcoming peace. Eternity and peace are as closely related as are time and war.”
A Course in Miracles T-5.III.8:7-13

Love Frees Us

Photo courtesy of Blake Lasater

At times, we all feel overwhelmed by life's circumstances -- or, at least, I know I do. Everything seems easier to me now, with grown children, no daily jobs to show up for, and most arduous demands gone from my days. But sometimes things happen and we are drawn into them. I have a friend whose life has been turned upside down when least expected. How do we cope when an illness befalls us or our loved ones, changing the rhythm of life we cherish? Of course, we do what we must, and we pray for strength and guidance, and we listen for answers in whatever form they may appear. This is not an easy task -- but really, what is our choice? To all of us who are afraid, perhaps angry, feeling put-upon unnecessarily, overwrought by things beyond our control -- just breathe. Breathe deeply and find something to be happy for, an idea to be peaceful about. Sometimes we must release a problem in order to find its resolution. We can't change the situation, but we can change our thought about it. Love to you, each and every one, during this time of newborn thought!

“Love is freedom. To look for it by placing yourself in bondage is to separate yourself from it. For the Love of God, no longer seek for union in separation, nor for freedom in bondage! As you release, so will you be released. Forget this not, or Love will be unable to find you and comfort you."
A Course in Miracles T-16.VI.2.

“If divine Love is becoming nearer, dearer, and more real to us, matter is then submitting to Spirit. The objects we pursue and the spirit we manifest reveal our standpoint, and show what we are winning.”
Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 239:18-2

The Light I Share With My Sister

Photo courtesy of Blake Lasater

When we have a misunderstanding or disagreement with someone, we usually have a litany of reasons why we are right and they are wrong. If you’re like me, you try to see things from their standpoint, seeing yourself and your actions through their eyes. And if you’re like me, you probably find more ways why they’re wrong and you’re right. Ha! I am ready to break that ridiculous circular thought process and see through the illusions I have created — both for myself and others. The only way to do this is to join with the light within my sister, to see her as the same creation of Love which we all are. Our ego (mortal mind) doesn’t want us to do that. So we place the ego’s hatred and fear in someone else and declare they are the enemy. To see through that facade is no easy task. But salvation lies in moving through that feeling of separation and truly feeling the Love which we are. Burning off the ego’s dross to see the precious Love which is our true being, we walk through the falsity of human belief and come out on the side. And we see as Love sees. I want this so badly …

“I have said that you cannot change your mind by changing your behavior, but I have also said, and many times, that you can change your mind. When your mood tells you that you have chosen wrongly, and this is so whenever you are not joyous, then know this need not be. In every case you have thought wrongly about some brother God created, and are perceiving images your ego makes in a darkened glass. Think honestly what you have thought that God would not have thought, and what you have not thought that God would have you think. Search sincerely for what you have done and left undone accordingly, and then change your mind to think with God’s. This may seem hard to do, but it is much easier than trying to think against it. Your mind is one with God’s. Denying this and thinking otherwise has held your ego together, but has literally split your mind. As a loving brother I am deeply concerned with your mind, and urge you to follow my example as you look at yourself and at your brother, and see in both the glorious creations of a glorious Father.”
A Course in Miracles T-4.IV.2:1-9

“Sorrow has its reward. It never leaves us where it found us. The furnace separates the gold from the dross that the precious metal may be graven with the image of God. The cup our Father hath given, shall we not drink it and learn the lessons He teaches?”
Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health 66:30-3

Forgiving My Illusions

Recently I wrote about a couple of old friends, whom I have apparently not forgiven for events in our past. Another dear friend responded that she was willing to talk about anything. In that moment, I realized that at the beginning of the pandemic she and I had gone for a long period with no interpersonal contact whatsoever. I had forgotten completely about this happening, until I read her words. I have always thought of true forgiveness as meaning there was nothing I was judging and condemning, hence there was nothing to forgive. This reinforces that idea, because it never crossed my mind that we had a temporary hiatus in communications. Also this morning, Holy Spirit led me to visit ACIM Lesson #219 as unpacked by Coreen and Nouk. In a beautiful dissertation at approximately minute-mark 12, going through 17”, I found exactly what I needed to hear. I will not go into all the details here, as it would take pages to describe the beauty and truth I found in Coreen’s words. Divine perfect Love is the way to see through the illusion of grievances. I hope to delve deeper into this in future days. Namaste …

“There is nothing you can hold against reality. All that must be forgiven are the illusions you have held against your brothers. Their reality has no past, and only illusions can be forgiven. God holds nothing against anyone, for He is incapable of illusions of any kind. Release your brothers from the slavery of their illusions by forgiving them for the illusions you perceive in them. Thus will you learn that you have been forgiven, for it is you who offered them illusions. In the holy instant this is done for you in time, to bring you the true condition of Heaven.”
A Course in Miracles T-16.VII.9:1-7

“My weary hope tries to realize that happy day, when man shall recognize the Science of Christ and love his neighbor as himself, — when he shall realize God’s omnipotence and the healing power of the divine Love in what it has done and is doing for mankind.”
Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 55:16-21

Thank You Honest Journalists!

It’s been said that lies spread faster than truth. In this age of instant communications, it’s often difficult to separate the two. Our media is prone to spreading deception and distrust, dividing people in ways which seem irreparable. Many of us remember the early days of television, a time when advertising revved up and consumerism became flagrant. Today almost everything we hear and see is designed to sell us something. We must continue to be vigilant in what we allow into our thoughts, not only for our own good, but for the collective. Repeating stories which create divisions through feelings of superiority or inferiority, that’s playing the game which has been created for us. It’s important to use our education, our intuition, our spiritual knowledge, every bit of common sense we still have, in order to discern truth. I am grateful to all the journalists who spend countless hours researching the origins of information, and connecting the dots of current events, so we all don’t need to do so! 

"The human mind, imbued with this spiritual understanding, becomes more elastic, is capable of greater endurance, escapes somewhat from itself, and requires less repose. ... It raises the thinker into his native air of insight and perspicacity."
Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 128:14-19

“You will identify with what you think will make you safe. Whatever it may be, you will believe that it is one with you. Your safety lies in truth, and not in lies. Love is your safety. Fear does not exist. Identify with love, and you are safe. Identify with love, and you are home. Identify with love, and find your Self.”
A Course in Miracles W-pII.5.5:1-8

The Perfume of Gratitude

Graphic of Unknown Origin

Are there incidents with people which replay in your mind at the most unexpected times? There are a few long-time friends with whom I’ve experienced periods of painful silence. Being ghosted and not knowing what you did to cause the person to ignore you — well, it was confusing and painful. Although we now talk and all is forgiven, we never talked about those incidents, and I still do not know what happened. Since this is coming up in my thoughts time and again, I take that as a sign I have not truly forgiven them. Since forgiveness is essential in moving forward with the way of life I have chosen, it’s time to examine these things. As a reflection of divine Love, I want to see as Love sees — purely, without judgment — seeing everyone in the same Light, because we are all One.

“Can you imagine how beautiful those you forgive will look to you? In no fantasy have you ever seen anything so lovely. Nothing you see here, sleeping or waking, comes near to such loveliness. And nothing will you value like unto this, nor hold so dear. Nothing that you remember that made your heart sing with joy has ever brought you even a little part of the happiness this sight will bring you. For you will see the Son of God. You will behold the beauty the Holy Spirit loves to look upon, and which He thanks the Father for. He was created to see this for you, until you learned to see it for yourself. And all His teaching leads to seeing it and giving thanks with Him.”
A Course in Miracles T-17.II.1:1-9

“This is what is meant by seeking Truth, Christ, not ‘for the loaves and fishes,’ nor, like the Pharisee, with the arrogance of rank and display of scholarship, but like Mary Magdalene, from the summit of devout consecration, with the oil of gladness and the perfume of gratitude, with tears of repentance and with those hairs all numbered by the Father.”
Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 367:10-16