Happy Renewal!

art by Judith Ann Griffith

For many of us, the celebrations of Easter hold negative trigger words such as salvation, resurrection, crucifixion. When we look at the metaphorical meaning of those words, we can relax into an understanding which is different from the traditional storytelling about the murder of Jesus. I’m not going to delve into those interpretations as you all know them as well as I — perhaps better, depending upon your religious background. No matter what we have believed, we’re asked to put down the sword and pick up the flowers, carrying forth the light of forgiveness and recognizing ourSelves in the light of the Christ. I believe this is what Jesus was trying to tell us in his beautiful teachings. If you want some affirmative videos this Sunday morning, search on youtube for Easter/David Hoffmeister. Happy Easter everyone! May the bunnies bring you joy!

"Resurrection: Spiritualization of thought; a new and higher idea of immortality, or spiritual existence; material belief yielding to spiritual understanding."

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 592:9-11

To Judge or Not

In reading a Facebook private message sent by an old man-friend, I was extremely tempted to judge his words. While I’ve moved past what we had 30-plus years ago, he continues to bring up detailed summaries which I would rather not contemplate. I tell myself that I have better things to think about. This implies that he does not. That is a judgment. Every thought I’ve had about this communication feels unnecessary. As I sat and contemplated his words and my reactions, I realize that it simply is what it is. There is no reason for me to think about it as good or bad; it just is. Once again, I turn to the ancient Toltec wisdom as interpreted by Don Miguel Ruiz in "The Four Agreements": I will not make assumptions, and I will not take anything personally. I'm grateful to be learning to rely on divine Mind and release the circular thoughts of mortal mind!

“It should be thoroughly understood that all men have one Mind, one God and Father, one Life, Truth, and Love. Mankind will become perfect in proportion as this fact becomes apparent, war will cease and the true brotherhood of man will be established.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science and Health Page 467:9-13

Unspeakable Peace

PC: Aaron Springston

Although I know peace is a choice within my own self, I would love to share it with everyone, everywhere. It has taken quite a while to grasp the concept that the only thought I can change is my own. After spending years trying to change thoughts and actions of husbands and friends, I think it was my children who finally taught me the meaning of Oneness. I could watch the mood of the household change with my emotions. Holding to peace within myself is all I can do. Jumping on the bandwagon of resentment and other negative emotions used to seem impossible to avoid, but I don’t find it as difficult now to simply witness these things without becoming a part of them. While I can't change what anyone else is thinking or feeling or experiencing, I can adjust my vision of reality. Every thought is important! We are all in this together, in every way, at every moment. Today I will make an effort to see everything through the eyes of Love.

“Spiritual living and blessedness are the only evidences by which we can recognize true existence and feel the unspeakable peace which comes from an all-absorbing spiritual love.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 264:24-27

Higher Cravings

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Quantum physics is helping us to understand that form isn't as solid as we've been told. With that understanding, it becomes clear how many limitations we've placed upon ourselves are nothing more than beliefs in material laws. Limitations are discarded when an athlete breaks a record in the Olympics, or if someone performs a seemingly-impossible feat like lifting a car off of trapped loved ones. We've all heard people tell tales we think of as supernatural, such as falling great distances and feeling as though they landed on a cushion, or so-called incurable diseases disappearing. The first Wayne Dyer book I read was "When You Believe It, You'll See It!" I was so excited to see that mainstream thought was shifting! Now, I'm not suggesting we exchange one human belief for yet another, but that we look to divine Mind to tell us the truth of our being and that we allow ourselves to be led in paths we wouldn't have considered otherwise. Thought is rapidly shifting at this time. Let's not be afraid!

“A mortal, corporeal, or finite conception of God cannot embrace the glories of limitless, incorporeal Life and Love. Hence the unsatisfied human craving for something better, higher, holier, than is afforded by a material belief in a physical God and man. ” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 258: 2-6

You May Be Right About That!

photo credit: Aaron Springston

I love Mary Baker Eddy’s advice to neither see, hear, nor repeat any imperfection -- no matter that our material senses indicate differently. It seems most people want you to join in their misery, so the goal of hearing and repeating only good becomes an interesting exercise. I find myself simply witnessing, without comment, while engaging in lots of smiling. A good friend taught me to say, "You may be right about that!" This is a good comment to make just before wandering away from the negative or combative person. I'm sure many think I'm daft, but that's okay. I often tell people I wake up in a new world every day, and this excuses many of my actions, as they think I'm addlepated and so forgive me -- or at least they don't push me for comments! Whatever the case, it's all right as long as I don't feel that uneasiness which comes from not living Truth.

“Let discord of every name and nature be heard no more, and let the harmonious and true sense of Life and being take possession of human consciousness.”

Mary Baker Eddy - Science and Health Page 355:11-14

The Holiest Spot

photo credit: Aaron Springston

"Clad in the panoply of Love, human hatred cannot reach you." This Mary Baker Eddy quote is one of my favorites, which I've always thought of as meaning that the human hatred others feel cannot reach me when I'm wearing the armor of divine Love. I now see that it includes the hatred I may feel toward others, also. It's very easy for me to think that I don't hate anyone or anything. Actually, it's a word I have pruned from my vocabulary and simply do not use. BUT if I am irritated by another's actions or words, or if I replay a past situation in my mind which caused anger in the past, or if I allow criticism to gnaw at me and I think of retaliatory statements which could have been said -- isn't that human hatred? Wearing this cloak of Love calms these nagging feelings and thoughts. I know that if I'm wearing the protection of Love, hatred cannot enter from inside or out!

“The holiest of all the spots on earth is where an ancient hatred has become a present love.” A Course in Miracles

Vote!

Do you know anyone who doesn’t vote? I have been surprised to hear that some of my dearest, smartest friends haven’t done so in years. While this is disheartening, I find great solace in the fact that so many young people are now standing up and challenging long-held belief systems which have kept us tied to ways of living which no longer (perhaps never!) served us as a nation, as a world. Now, while momentum is flowing, is the time to encourage everyone to register to vote. If people say they can’t vote for all the obvious reasons, help them vote early at the court house, or obtain an absentee ballot if they’re out of town. Let’s keep our nation free by exercising our right to speak and vote!

“The elements and functions of the physical body and of the physical world will change as mortal mind changes its beliefs.” Mary Baker Edy - Science & Health Page 125:1-2