The Science of the Christ

The first Dan Brown novel I read was “The DaVinci Code”. I enjoy his books because they all deal with a mix of facts and speculation in the realm of religion, science, and secret societies. Currently I’m listening to his book, “Origin”, which speculates there is another possibility, other than creation science or evolution, to explain how humans appeared on this earth. Of course, churches and other powers that be do not want this possibility to be known. And this is what I find fascinating in his writings: why is everyone so afraid of thinking differently about religion and spiritual matters? Is it simply a matter of controlling the masses or is there a deeper fear? I have no answers to the questions Dan Brown is bringing up in his novels, but I love thinking about them! Something which comes up often is the melding of science and religion. People act as though this is something new, but many of us think of it as primitive Christianity. The Science of the Christ. I’d love to hear your ideas about all this!

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 55:15-21

“The world stands like a block before Christ’s face. But true perception looks on it as nothing more than just a fragile veil, so easily dispelled that it can last no longer than an instant. It is seen at last for only what it is. And now it cannot fail to disappear, for now there is an empty place made clean and ready. Where destruction was perceived the face of Christ appears, and in that instant is the world forgot, with time forever ended as the world spins into nothingness from where it came.”
A Course in Miracles C-4.4:1-5

Clap Your Hands!

As we all know, there are many lessons to be learned from children. For instance, imagine a child making a sand castle when a wave comes in and takes it back to its original state. Does the child cry? I'm told that they laugh in delight! Children innately know the impermanence of things and happily accept that -- until they learn differently from adults. Also, think about a child achieving a new benchmark in their young lives. They jump up and down with glee, clapping their little hands in celebration! When was the last time you applauded yourself? I hope it was recently! Part of our "learning" experience tells us that to celebrate ourselves would be a form of arrogance or self-righteous behavior. I don't think an honest appreciation for ourselves is anything of the sort, do you? Life isn't always easy, and when we come through a tough time, or when we perform a task we were afraid of attempting, or when we wake up happy when we have been sad -- well, there are countless things which deserve gleeful hand-clapping. The next time you applaud a friend or loved ones' achievements, think about doing the same for yourself, dear friends. You deserve it!

“You who have been unmerciful to yourself do not remember your Father’s Love. And looking without mercy upon your brothers, you do not remember how much you love Him. Yet it is forever true. In shining peace within you is the perfect purity in which you were created. Fear not to look upon the lovely truth in you. Look through the cloud of guilt that dims your vision, and look past darkness to the holy place where you will see the light. The altar to your Father is as pure as He Who raised it to Himself. Nothing can keep from you what Christ would have you see. His Will is like His Father’s, and He offers mercy to every child of God, as He would have you do.” 

A Course in Miracles T-13.X.9:1-9

"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

What is The Affection and Purpose of the Heart

Have you ever needed to fire an employee, or end a relationship with a significant other, or stop spending so much time with a friend for your own mental health? If so, I hope you had the courage and kindness to be honest about it. In looking back at such situations when they have occurred within my orbit, people often turn the tables on the one they want out of the way. On the other hand, I can think of a few situations where someone has simply told the truth, even in part, in order to end an unwanted relationship. I've recently watched a situation where there were valid reasons to end the employment of a part-time musician, yet no one would do it. Rather, they made things so uncomfortable for the person that he resigned. It was torturous for many of us, with rumors and half-truths floating about. I've watched men and women want out of their marriage, but rather than hurting their spouse's feelings, they make them so miserable that they leave, rather than the one who originally wanted out fessing up to it. I've written many dailies centered around truth-telling. It seems like an easy thing to do. Apparently it is not!

"We should examine ourselves and learn what is the affection and purpose of the heart, for in this way only can we learn what we honestly are." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 8:28-30

“Forgiveness, truth’s reflection, tells me how to offer miracles, and thus escape the prison house in which I think I live. Your holy Son is pointed out to me, first in my brother; then in me. Your Voice instructs me patiently to hear Your Word, and give as I receive. And as I look upon Your Son today, I hear Your Voice instructing me to find the way to You, as You appointed that the way shall be: Behold his sinlessness, and be you healed.” 

A Course in Miracles W-357.1:1-5

Footsteps of Truth

Photo credit Richard Quick

Almost two decades ago, Jim Young and I brought together a group of people which became known as Metafizzies. During the years we were affiliated with this metaphysical group, I got quite an education! I sat in a metal pyramid, holding a crystal skull, chanting Sanskrit. We had people who gave psychic readings, taught us about Akashic Records, performed Sufi dances — to name a few. Every other week, we welcomed people to present their views. No matter how farfetched they may have seemed on the surface, they were all based in love. I tell you this to give you an idea of my background in spiritual matters. My parents were Christian Scientists. When I left home at 16, I thought there must be something better, but after years of wandering through the in-vogue thought systems of the 1970s, I had found nothing more comprehensive than the book Science and Health, With Key to the Scriptures. Sometime in the 90s, I was at a yard sale and picked up Wayne Dyer’s book When You Believe It, You’ll See It. Immediately I wanted to know who he was because his ideas were exactly what I had learned from Mary Baker Eddy’s writings. And so I discovered A Course in Miracles, including it in the study which had always felt so natural to me. Truth is truth no matter where it is found, and there are many beautiful pathways in this world. Namaste, dear Friends …

“All roads will lead to this one in the end. For sacrifice and deprivation are paths that lead nowhere, choices for defeat, and aims that will remain impossible. All this steps back as truth comes forth in you, to lead your brothers from the ways of death, and set them on the way to happiness. Their suffering is but illusion. Yet they need a guide to lead them out of it, for they mistake illusion for the truth.” 

A Course in Miracles W-155.7:1-5

“Whatever furnishes the semblance of an idea governed by its Principle, furnishes food for thought. Through astronomy, natural history, chemistry, music, mathematics, thought passes naturally from effect back to cause. Academics of the right sort are requisite. Observation, invention, study, and original thought are expansive and should promote the growth of mortal mind out of itself, out of all that is mortal.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 195:15-22

Rocking Chair Moments

 

The Crescent Hotel Balcony

Photo credit: Steve Shogren

One of my favorite authors, Robert Klose, wrote an essay about traveling by plane and dreading a two-hour layover somewhere in North Carolina. When he got to the waiting area, he was surprised to see a row of rocking chairs along the wall. As he happily rocked and people-watched, he noticed that everyone was rushing and distracted. There was a grand piano on the other side of the waiting area and to his delight someone sat down and began to play. His enjoyment was great, as was everyone else’s. He noticed people slowed their pace and even stopped to listen, some swaying along and others even singing to the popular old tunes. As I read this, it occurred to me that we can mentally have our own rocking chairs and pianos within us and enjoy the peace and joy wherever we are! So the next time I’m waiting somewhere I’d rather not be, I shall do my best to have a “rocking-chair/piano moment”. 

“Exclude the outer world, and let your thoughts fly to the peace within. They know the way. For honest thoughts, untainted by the dream of worldly things outside yourself, become the holy messengers of God Himself.” 

A Course in Miracles W-188.6:4-6

“The calm and exalted thought or spiritual apprehension is at peace. Thus the dawn of ideas goes on, forming each successive stage of progress.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 506:11-14

Who We Are

Art by: Catrin Walz-Stein

Catching Up To Who We Are - by Clarissa Pinkola Estes

“We do not become healers.

We came as healers. 

We are.

Some of us are still catching up to what we are.

We do not become storytellers.

We came as carriers of the stories that we and our ancestors actually lived. 

We are.

Some of us are still catching up to what we are.

We do not become artists. We came as artists. 

We are.

Some of us are still catching up to what we are.

We do not become writers.. dancers.. musicians.. helpers.. peacemakers. 

We came as such. 

We are.

Some of us are still catching up to what we are.

We do not learn to love in this sense. We came as Love.

We are Love.

Some of us are still catching up 

to who we truly are.”

~ Clarissa Pinkola Estes

“My angels are exalted thoughts, appearing at the door of some sepulchre, in which human belief has buried its fondest earthly hopes. With white fingers they point upward to a new and glorified trust, to higher ideals of life and its joys. Angels are God’s representatives. These upward-soaring beings never lead towards self, sin, or materiality, but guide to the divine Principle of all good, whither every real individuality, image, or likeness of God, gathers. By giving earnest heed to these spiritual guides they tarry with us, and we entertain 

‘angels unawares.’”

 Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 299:7-17

“Today in gratitude we lift our hearts above despair, and raise our thankful eyes, no longer looking downward to the dust. We sing the song of thankfulness today, in honor of the Self that God has willed to be our true Identity in Him. Today we smile on everyone we see, and walk with lightened footsteps as we go to do what is appointed us to do.” 

A Course in Miracles W-123.4:1-3

Tesla and Eddy

Salt Flats - photo by Aaron Springston

The late 1800s and early 1900s were a hotbed of innovation and enlightened thought. In thinking about Nikola Tesla and Mary Baker Eddy, I am led to wonder about our choices during that time, and how different our lives would be today had we chosen the path which benefited humanity rather than individual monetary gain. Tesla was finding ways to supply the world with electricity and all the benefits which would ensue from it. If we had chosen his way of powering vehicles rather than Ford’s oil-based motor, we would not have the environmental problems we are facing today. Mary Baker Eddy had discovered the key to rising above debilitating physical ailments. Her science of The Christ was not religion, but a way of thinking which had been hinted at through the centuries, but always quashed by old men who wanted to lord over the masses, ruling them through servitude in its various forms. Then medical science began to progress and everyone thought it would be far simpler to let doctors cure them than to take personal responsibility for themselves, in the way a man called Jesus tried to show them. And to think each and every one of these choices have been made because someone wanted to make money.

"Ontology receives less attention than physiology. Why? Because mortal mind must waken to spiritual life before it cares to solve the problem of being, hence the author's experience; but when that awakening comes, existence will be on a new standpoint."
Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 556

“The aim of prayer is to release the present from its chains of past illusions; to let it be a freely chosen remedy from every choice that stood for a mistake. What prayer can offer now so far exceeds all that you asked before that it is pitiful to be content with less.”
A Course in Miracles S-1.IV.3:5-6