How Many More Books Do You Expect to Read?

PC: Aaron Springston

My book club met tonight, and I was the hostess. I had not read the book. As is our custom, we went around the room and everyone told what they thought of the month’s read. I stated that I was being selfish and I had not read the book, because if a read did not leave me at a better place than when I started, I’m not interested in spending time with it. Actually, this “it” is not only books, but everything in life. Perhaps I’m feeling my so-called mortality, or maybe I am being small-minded. Whatever the case, I do look at every moment of every day and ponder how I can help situations, or bring others out of pain. I’m currently reading Pema Chodron’s book “Getting Unstuck”.  It is helping me understand that many situations in this life are “sticky”. This, to me, is worth further examination. I don’t feel bad about not reading something which can help me understand the horrors of prejudice. I already understand that. I want to learn more about helping people leave behind the beliefs which keep them stuck in a life which does not serve them or anyone else. Namastè.

“Ideas of Truth alone are reflected in the myriad manifestations of Life, and thus it is seen that man springs solely from Mind. The belief that matter supports life would make Life, or God, mortal.” Mary Baker Eddy Science & Health Page 543: 25-30

I Shall Be Released

PC: Gerry Toler

A number of people whom I know seem to be incapable of making a decision. They often need confirmation that their beliefs about a situation are worthy of them, and so they wait for someone else to tell them they think that way, too, and then they can give their opinion. This need for validation is not a rare condition. I believe I may have suffered from it at points in my life. The tools we have at our disposal from the study and practice of divine metaphysics tend to let us walk past the temptation to feel so self-important that we're afraid to be wrong. While it's usually thought of as low self-esteem which causes this, it seems to me that it's valuing your own forever-believed image of yourself over your true image as the likeness of God. Releasing many long-practiced ways of life facilitates our recognition of this, and with this peaceful recognition we are freed. This spiritual sense allows us to speak without fear. I love listening to divine Mind rather than chasing in circles with mortal mind! It's more interesting, it frees me from worry and doubt, it leads me in fascinating paths, it teaches peace. 

"Human belief has sought out many inventions, but not one of them can solve the problem of being without  the divine Principle of divine Science. Deductions from material hypotheses are not scientific. They differ from real Science because they are not based on the divine law."

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 273:4-9

Whole-i-ness Expressed

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Love your neighbor as yourself. What a lovely world it is when we love ourselves more, and then let that love flow out to our neighbors. When we honor ourselves as reflections of Love, we are able to do no harm to others, because we wouldn't do it unto ourselves. Our purpose is to see this ever-present truth in everything. When I am interacting with someone who is living in fear, someone who turns every situation into a threat, I will turn it around in my thought by seeing the situation through differently. This allows me to release any thoughts of trying to change their attitude, any words of correction, all attack thoughts of any kind. I will live with Love and express it with words and actions as I move through this day, knowing that whole-i-ness expressed is my only purpose.

"We must form perfect models in thought and look at them continually, or we shall never carve them out in grand and noble lives." 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 248:25-29

Held in Place by What?

At a meeting of our book club, we discussed a book which dealt with a young woman who had lived in foster care all her life. We talked about the problems which seem inherent in a child who is not loved unconditionally, who is perhaps abused in multitudes of ways. It's the general belief in this world that some things are too horrendous to get over; that we will be plagued with certain conditions forever, no matter what. The Dog Whisperer, (mentioned often in these writings) Cesar Milan, tells us he rehabilitates dogs and trains people. I love hearing him tell us how dogs live in the moment. When he is helping people understand a dog maimed by past experiences in its life, he repeatedly tells the people that feeling sorry for the animal helps no one. Our words and actions hold animals (and people) in the same thought system which put them there in the first place! How can this be? The dog is hurting and we're being asked to deny that? Yes!! This is why we learn in the study of metaphysics that it is necessary to give up all beliefs -- not just those we deem to be "bad", but all material beliefs. By letting them go and replacing them with an openness of thought, which allows us to hear the Truth of our Being, we experience the so-called miracle which is the natural order of Life. It may not seem logical to say we can simply release feelings of fear and anger. They seem very real to us, but if we stop and examine them, do they have any purpose other than holding us where we are?

“Many are willing to open the eyes of the people to the power of good resident in divine Mind, but they are not so willing to point out the evil in human thought, and expose evil’s hidden mental ways of accomplishing iniquity.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 570:30-3

Reflecting Light

photo credit: Richard Quick

Seeing everything in light brings us happiness and peace. Reflecting Light to others shows them that they, also, are this harmony. A few simple words, expressing what we are seeing, brings joy to those we come into contact with every day. A compliment shared with someone in the grocery store or library may be just the encouragement they need at that moment. Shining the light of Oneness from within brings with it big blessings! I think we all know at least one someone whose expression of love seems to be a bit contrived. It's been my observation (both in others and within myself!) that these loving expressions must be sincere, not simply something we decide to say to make someone feel good. So today I will be feeling the joy which comes from seeing everything in light, and giving heart-felt expression to that joy, blessing the world.

“Spiritual vision is not subordinate to geometric altitudes. Whatever is governed by God, is never for an instant deprived of the light and might of intelligence and Life." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 215:11-14

To See or Not to See

PC: Arthur Bruno

We who are practicing metaphysicians often hear words like these: "Get real! Face facts! Pull your head out of the sand!" I usually just smile and say, "You may be right", and politely wander away. Rather than explaining -- or worse, arguing! -- I will feel Love, the spiritual reality, while allowing the material argument to pass through and be gone. I have not always been so easy to get along with! Recently I've had a chance to spend time with an old friend who moved far, far away. A number of years ago, she and I had an altercation which was deeply interconnected to many areas in our friendship. If either she or I had held onto the past, we wouldn't share the palpable Oneness we feel today. It's not a choice of seeing past or present, but a choice to see or not to see. I am grateful…

"Spiritual causation is the one question to be considered, for more than all others spiritual causation relates to human progress. The age seems ready to approach this subject, to ponder somewhat the supremacy of Spirit, and at least to touch the hem of Truth's garment." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 270:22-27

Transforming Error

Thailand - photo credit: Aaron Springston

In response to yesterday’s writing, my dear friend, Sandy Starbird responded: “This also applies to systems which decide that people who have erred legally are inherently bad and in need of punishment.  What a difference it would make if our compassion led us to help those who have broken our laws and need our help rather than our wrath.” This reminded me of a book I’ve mentioned in the past, The Buddha and the Terrorist by Satmi Kumar. In this short treatise, the murderous actions of a madman are explored. When he meets up with the Buddha in the forest, his life changes. But the brutality he has imposed on others is not so easily forgiven by those whose lives he has touched. This book examines how our system of retribution and retaliation do next to nothing to stop murder and mayhem. So what does? I think we all innately know the answer to this. Forgiveness is much more than ignoring actions; it’s transforming them in thought. And ideas make themselves known in form…

“If faith in the truth of being, which you impart mentally while destroying error, causes chemicalization (as when an alkali is destroying an acid), it is because the truth of being must transform the error to the end of producing a higher manifestation.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 401:7-11