Seeing Thoughts

Photo from Jane Goodall Institute

I’ve been looking at people, both in the news and in day-to-day life, and they all look exactly like their thoughts. The self-serving politicians look dull and bloated. The fake religious leaders seem plastic and polished. The sad people who feel victimized have a terrible vulnerability showing, frayed around the edges and a bit shaky in demeanor. I could go on and on. But the main point is that you can’t hide your thoughts. What we see is what is there. Now, I don’t mean tall, short, big, small, or any designation concerning what we think of as beauty. I mean what is either glowing or festering within the individuals. While I’m certain there are some exceptions to this rule, I haven’t noticed any since I began to pay attention. While it’s a bit frightening, it is also a wonderful tool when choosing who to represent you in public office!

“Seeing is no less a quality of physical sense than feeling. Then why is it more difficult to see a thought than to feel one? Education alone determines the difference. In reality there is none.”
Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 86

“Today our purpose is to free the world from all the idle thoughts we ever held about it, and about all living things we see upon it. They cannot be there. No more can we. For we are in the home our Father set for us, along with them. And we who are as He created us would loose the world this day from every one of our illusions, that we may be free.”
A Course in Miracles W-132.14:1-5

Living Life Here and Now

Checking Out the Hen House

A man named Adam Becker has written a book, More Everything Forever. He examines what tech billionaires are telling us about the future of the world, and us. He questions why we listen to them, and why they are saying the things they are — without a shred of proof as to why they think we can’t solve our problems. One overly rich venture capitalist says that we aren’t going to meet our climate goals, hence we should put more energy into artificial intelligence in order to make it super intelligent, then let it solve our problems. Good grief. And for whatever reason, people follow along and think this is a good idea! He posits that we acquiesce because we desire to transcend all limits. Since we can’t imagine how to do that on our own, we place our hopes in the unknown, hoping for salvation. He feels that we have done this because we don’t have good conversations between ourselves about what the future could look like, so we opt for a science fiction view, forgetting science fiction is fiction. His solution? Enjoy the earth which is right in front of us: get into nature, turn off your phone, talk to your neighbors. Live the life we have. To those of us practicing the presence, this sounds supremely natural!

“Do not underestimate the appeal of the ego’s demonstrations to those who would listen. Selective perception chooses its witnesses carefully, and its witnesses are consistent. The case for insanity is strong to the insane. For reasoning ends at its beginning, and no thought system transcends its source. Yet reasoning without meaning cannot demonstrate anything, and those who are convinced by it must be deluded.”
A Course in Miracles T-11.V.16:1-5

“Immortal men and women are models of spiritual sense, drawn by perfect Mind and reflecting those higher conceptions of loveliness which transcend all material sense.”
Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 247:15-18

The Fruits of Love

Christmas Tour of Homes

“It is hard to steer a church in an age when no one is listening to the messages and call of the gospel.” This statement was made by a pastor whom I greatly respect. It has prompted me to think about what causes the majority of my friends to listen to their inner knowing, to divine guidance, to their intuition — whatever they choose to call this cosmic consciousness of which we are all part. I know many fine people who are deeply religious. But that, in and of itself, is not enough to cause them to be compassionate. I watch as aware, conscious people handle difficulties in this world, and I learn what it takes to live from the heart, from an open mind, with Love reflected moment-to-moment. My conclusion is that we needn’t be led by sermons and gospel writings in order to live as the reflection, the image and likeness of divine Oneness. We have an ever-present ability to tap into expanding thought. And for this I am grateful.

“Our baptism is a purification from all error. Our church is built on the divine Principle, Love. We can unite with this church only as we are new-born of Spirit, as we reach the Life which is Truth and the Truth which is Life by bringing forth the fruits of Love, — casting out error and healing the sick. Our Eucharist is spiritual communion with the one God. Our bread ‘which cometh down from heaven,’ is Truth. Our cup is the cross. Our wine the inspiration of Love, the draught our Master drank and commended to his followers.”
Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 35

“A major tenet in the ego’s insane religion is that sin is not error but truth, and it is innocence that would deceive. Purity is seen as arrogance, and the acceptance of the self as sinful is perceived as holiness. And it is this doctrine that replaces the reality of the Son of God as his Father created him, and willed that he be forever. Is this humility? Or is it, rather, an attempt to wrest creation away from truth, and keep it separate?”
A Course in Miracles T-19.II.4:1-5

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