Human Craving for Something Better

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Thinking of ourselves as unlimited contradicts everything we've been taught. Many of our first memories are of being told to be careful or else something dire will happen. Quantum physics is helping us to understand form isn't as solid as we've been told. With that understanding, it becomes clear that 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've landed on a cushion, or so-called incurable diseases disappearing. Now, I'm not suggesting we exchange one human belief for yet another, but rather that we listen for divine Mind to tell us the truth of our being, then allow ourselves to be led in paths we wouldn't have considered otherwise. Thought is shifting so rapidly at this time, don't you think? Let's not be afraid to listen.

“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: 1-6

Truth Knocks at the Portal of Humanity

photo credit: Aaron Springston

Are we finally ready for truth? I've heard it said that we, as a human race, can’t stand to hear the truth. This is said about everything from extraterrestrial life to religious doctrine, but I think we are ready to hear it! People say if truth were known about everything, society would break down. It seems to me this might be a good thing, because our current belief systems don't appear to be functioning too well! Yet perhaps everyone's dissatisfaction stems from feeling we’re being lied to on many levels. A few centuries ago, a total eclipse of the full moon would cause many fear-based reactions when the orb turned red, disappeared, then reappeared. As the truth has set us free from that irrational fear, so it may in other ways, allowing us to joyfully look up in happy expectation and welcome what this new understanding will bring!

“Truth, independent of doctrines and time-honored systems, knocks at the portal of humanity.” Science & Health Page vii:13-15

Going to the Dogs -- For Advice!

Scout, the Cat

I’ve been observing our dogs facilitate change and I’m sure there’s a lesson there for us all. Daffy the Doberman generally sleeps/lays wherever she wants. Jeter has his favorite places, but acquiesces to the Alpha dog. Recently we rearranged the furniture in the living room and, in the process, decided that Jeter would have to give up his couch, so we removed the cover and told him “no”. He seemed okay with this, but was at a loss as to what to do with himself when the love of his life, Kevin, was at work. In the bedroom, Daffy had her special bed which was closest to the door and she would growl if Jeter tried to walk by her to get to his nighttime bed against the far wall. So Jeter would lay in the hallway, occasionally trying to sneak past her if she was snoring. Then suddenly we noticed they had switched beds! Jeter is sleeping closest to the door and Da​phne​ has taken the far wall position. The lessons we can all take from this could be varied, but what I’m seeing is that change can happen with patience and, eventually, cooperation. Actually, we think that Scout the Cat was instrumental in this shift, so perhaps it simply takes a strong leader to help us move forward. Whatever the case, I trust we can all work together as well as our dogs!

​"Love giveth to the least spiritual idea might, immortality, and goodness, which shine through all as the blossom shines through the bud. All the varied expressions of God reflect health, holiness, immortality -- infinite Life, Truth, and Love." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 518:19

Unity in Difference

photo credit: Heather Peters

There are many situations which bring on "knee-jerk" reactions, and it's a good thing to be aware of what we're doing. If someone is rude or mean we may become defensive, or perhaps we feel superior to them when we show kindness in return. If politicians or others in the public eye display ignorance (lack of knowledge), we can easily have a sense of self-righteous judgment. I often remind myself that we are all One, and no one is more special or enlightened than another. For instance, I'm a food snob. There are numerous things I don't eat and it's always interesting to watch how I try to impose my beliefs on others. It is yet another example of feeling superior because of an opinion. Eckhart Tolle often puts things in perspective for me, and he has done so once again when he was asked if we should be vegetarian. He said it was purely a personal preference, and if we have strong opinions about this we should remind ourselves that the Dalai Lama eats meat and Hitler didn't! Namastè to each and every One!

"One infinite God, good, unifies men and constitutes the brotherhood of man; ends wars; fulfills the Scripture, "Love thy neighbor as thyself;" annihilates pagan and Christian idolatry,--whatever is wrong in social, civil, criminal, political, and religious codes; equalizes the sexes; annuls the curse on man, and leaves nothing that can sin, suffer, be punished or destroyed." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 340:23-30

Facts of Being

photo credit: Gerry Toler

When you ask someone who/what they are, the answers typically will be name, profession, perhaps astrological sign, and things of this sort. We are learning that we embody something entirely different from our history and the material stories which have acted as our identity. I remember hearing about a local story which was described to me as being a tale of “betrayal, bordering on fraud”. Apparently a young woman came to town a couple of years ago and got a job in a popular restaurant. Everyone liked her, she was competent, and helped the business to grow. Then it came to light that she was not who she said she was. Whereas everyone thought she was from somewhere in the Hebrides and knew her by a certain name, it seemed she made everything up and was “not who she said she was”. Upon hearing this, I had to laugh! As my friend told me of people’s reactions to this fantasy, I stopped her and said that we shouldn’t make assumptions about any of this. What if the woman had something traumatic happen and wanted a brand new start, and so she went all the way with a complete change of her story? Whatever the case, I hope that all involved can put their ego-based reactions aside and listen with their heart, letting Love lead their actions, with their intention set for a good result!

“To divest thought of false trusts and material evidence in order that the spiritual facts of being may appear, — this is the great attainment by means of which we shall sweep away the false and give place to the true.” Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 428:8-12

You May Be Right About That -- NOT!

photo credit: Steve Shogren

During the years I worked with the public, I learned to say "you may be right about that" when someone said something with which I disagreed. It's a good way to say absolutely nothing, yet somehow not agree. But now there are too many injustices being perpetuated all around us to be silent. When I hear someone say that healthcare is not a right, it's a privilege, I must say that it is a privilege for the privileged at this point in time, and that is not right. When someone tells me they've worked hard for what they have and if someone can't take care of themselves then they haven't worked hard enough, I wonder what sect they come from, because the man for whom Christianity was named did not teach this. When someone tells me a woman's body is everybody's business and we should dictate its purpose, I can't even fathom where that idea originated. People who think oil is more important than the natural state of things, when they find fault with the power of the sun and wind and water, I wonder what corporation they are bowing down to. When I am told we can't feed the world by organic means and we must use pesticides and genetically modify our foods, I know the brainwashing which got them to this way of thinking -- because I've seen it develop in my lifetime. I could go on and on, as I'm sure you could, too. But the bottom line is I will no longer be saying, "you may be right about that", when I know darn well they are not. 

"Think of this, dear reader, for it will lift the sackcloth from your eyes, and you will behold the soft-winged dove descending upon you. The very circumstance, which your suffering sense deems wrathful and afflictive, Love can make an angel entertained unawares." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 574:25

What Did You Say?

Clear and concise communications have been on my mind today. Of course, we have miscommunication for many reasons: perhaps we don't listen closely, maybe the person speaking doesn't order their thoughts in a manner which can be easily understood. Perhaps someone doesn't want us to understand, and so they talk in double-speak or circular, unformed thoughts. It is easy to mislead, and it is easy to misunderstand. We must do a better job of conveying our thoughts and hearing others' words. When writing, I'm often reminded of the difference in meaning which punctuation can make. For instance: "Woman, without her, man is nothing." Or this: "Woman, without her man, is nothing." The way we speak that sentence makes a huge difference in conveyance of thought, demonstrating the power of the comma, whether on paper or in words. I recommit to asking questions to make sure I know what is going on around me, and I will strive to be a clear thinker in this world of muddled communications and purposeful misdirection. We're all in this together, and most of us truly want to feel the unity which is our natural state. Namaste...

"In sleep we do not communicate with the dreamer by our side despite his physical proximity, because both of us are either unconscious or are wandering in our dreams through different mazes of consciousness." Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 82:13