The Art of Being

Pottering in the Kitchen

"Pottering: A Cure For Modern Life", by Anna McGovern is a book I love without having read it -- and that's probably because I'm living it, as many of you are, too. One definition of pottering is this: to move around without hurrying, in a relaxed and pleasant way. That's just perfect! Wayne Dyer was fond of saying that we aren't human doings, we're human beings. He reminded us we don’t need to be rushing around all the time, constantly doing; that we are free to "be" and enjoy doing what we are led to do, independent of what we think we should be doing. I've always loved this way of thought and feel fortunate to have been able to follow this advice for most of my life. As I tell people when they ask how I'm adjusting to retirement: I've been practicing for it for years! I love pottering around the house doing chores and putting total attention on so-called mundane tasks -- the same full attention which I give to playing duplicate bridge. Washing dishes holds a rainbow of sensory events which I now have time to savor, as did making the meal which gave me the dirty dishes. To sit down and read a favorite weekly news magazine is bliss; to practice the piano is heavenly. I look forward to reading Ms. McGovern's book, because her title tells me we already know each other — though we've never met. Happy Pottering!! 

"Rushing around smartly is no proof of accomplishing much." 

Mary Baker Eddy - Miscellaneous Writings Page 230:12

“Then follow Him in joy, with faith that He will lead you safely through all dangers to your peace of mind this world may set before you. Kneel not before the altars to sacrifice, and seek not what you will surely lose. Content yourself with what you will as surely keep, and be not restless, for you undertake a quiet journey to the peace of God, where He would have you be in quietness.” A Course in Miracles T-13.VII.15:1-3 

The Disappearance of Oppression

Newton County, Arkansas

Photo by Tim Ernst

During my lifetime, I've seen oppression of various types evaporating. Admittedly, there are more walls waiting to fall  — but just look how far we've come! Despite these strides, a man told me that he was afraid to come to Eureka Springs. Of course, I asked him why. He said if we were having one of our "diversity" weekends he didn't want to be here. He assured me he had nothing against gay people, but he didn't want it “rubbed in his face”. This is a learned behavior of prejudice on his part and has nothing to do with the way he felt when he came out of the womb into this life. As we release what we have come to believe, all those things which we’ve been taught to think, we open the way for divine Love to guide us. Love truly is the liberator!

“Can the world seem bright and clear and safe and welcoming, with all my past mistakes oppressing it, and showing me distorted forms of fear? Yet in the present love is obvious, and its effects apparent. All the world shines in reflection of its holy light, and I perceive a world forgiven at last.” 

A Course in Miracles W-293.1:3-5

“The history of our country, like all history, illustrates the might of Mind, and shows human power to be proportionate to its embodiment of right thinking. A few immortal sentences, breathing the omnipotence of divine justice, have been potent to break despotic fetters and abolish the whipping-post and slave market; but oppression neither went down in blood, nor did the breath of freedom come from the cannon's mouth. Love is the liberator.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science and Health Page 225:14-22

Searching For the Wrong-Eyed Jesus

 Elvis Presley’s unique style was born from a childhood of watching blues performers along with the frenzied gospel singing and dancing at tent revivals. While watching a movie titled “Elvis” and seeing his fascination with these singers/dancers/music makers, I was reminded of a previous writing, which I repeat today:

"Searching For the Wrong-Eyed Jesus" is a documentary on life in the southern states of the U.S.A. This film takes us to small towns, where people turn to drugs and/or religion when they've given up all hope of finding happiness. I watched in fascination, realizing for the first time what people find in so-called "holy-roller" churches. In their feverish love of God, they find the pleasure they crave. Others turn to mood-elevating drugs for the same reason. One person in the film says that everyone is "lonely for God" in these desolate towns. Another line which struck me was this: "He was just a regular ol' Southern lunatic. In his quest for union, he ended up being more separate than ever." There is such truth to be found in their longing! I longed with them as they jumped up and down, speaking in tongues and dancing in odd jerky movements. There wasn't much difference in the drunken barroom scenes on Saturday night and the gyrations of the Sunday morning gatherings. They're all looking for the same thing: They want to fill the emptiness inside. They want excitement, fun, a way to pass time without feeling alone. I can't keep from thinking of how they would be set free with the knowledge of their true Being. The only way this can happen is if I realize it -- really know it! --not just intellectually, but with my heart.

“The ego is certain that love is dangerous, and this is always its central teaching. It never puts it this way; on the contrary, everyone who believes that the ego is salvation seems to be intensely engaged in the search for love. Yet the ego, though encouraging the search for love very actively, makes one proviso; do not find it. Its dictates, then, can be summed up simply as: ‘Seek and do not find.’ This is the one promise the ego holds out to you, and the one promise it will keep. For the ego pursues its goal with fanatic insistence, and its judgment, though severely impaired, is completely consistent.” 

A Course in Miracles T-12.IV.1:1-6

“The rich in spirit help the poor in one grand brotherhood, all having the same Principle, or Father; and blessed is that man who seeth his brother's need and supplieth it, seeking his own in another's good." 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 518:15-19

We Need More …?

 Artwork by Natasha Tarasova

“The plain fact is that the planet does not need more successful people. But it does desperately need more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and lovers of every kind. It needs people who live well in their places. It needs people of moral courage willing to join the fight to make the world habitable and humane. And these qualities have little to do with success as we have defined it.”

David W. Orr - Ecological Literacy: 

Educating Our Children for a Sustainable World

“Do you not think the world needs peace as much as you do? Do you not want to give it to the world as much as you want to receive it? For unless you do, you will not receive it. If you want to have it of me, you must give it. Healing does not come from anyone else. You must accept guidance from within. The guidance must be what you want, or it will be meaningless to you. That is why healing is a collaborative venture.” 

A Course in Miracles T-8.IV.4:1-8

“Truth, not corporeal will, is the divine power which says to disease, ‘Peace, be still.’” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 144:20-22

Grace in Unity

 

“Just For the Fun of It”

A Kriste-lee creation

The mass consciousness in which we swim tells us we've done something wrong and we can't be saved until we do a whole bunch of things right. Let's release all of those beliefs and concentrate on what feels true, right now, in this moment. Toward this end I will, at every possible moment, quiet my thoughts and allow Truth to permeate my being. It's there all the time, this Love which is God, this Truth which supports us more surely than the swirling waters of mass consciousness. Our true consciousness is expressed most perfectly in two words: I Am. I think I’ll keep it simple today. Have a happy day!

“Grace is an aspect of the Love of God which is most like the state prevailing in the unity of truth. It is the world’s most lofty aspiration, for it leads beyond the world entirely. It is past learning, yet the goal of learning, for grace cannot come until the mind prepares itself for true acceptance. Grace becomes inevitable instantly in those who have prepared a table where it can be gently laid and willingly received; an altar clean and holy for the gift.” 

A Course in Miracles W-169.1:1-4

“The scientific unity which exists between God and man must be wrought out in life-practice, and God's will must be universally done. If men would bring to bear upon the study of the Science of Mind half the faith they bestow upon the so-called pains and pleasures of material sense they would not go on from bad to worse …” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 202:3-9

Perpetual New Leaf

Leon Wyczolkowski - Spring in Goscieradz

"The chief beauty about time

is that you cannot waste it in advance.

The next year, the next day, the next hour are lying ready for you,

as perfect, as unspoiled,

as if you had never wasted or misapplied

a single moment in all your life.

You can turn over a new leaf every hour

if you choose.” 

Arnold Bennett

“Life is without beginning and without end. Eternity, not time, expresses the thought of Life, and time is no part of eternity. One ceases in proportion as the other is recognized. Time is finite; eternity is forever infinite.” 

Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 468:27-1

“Each day should be devoted to miracles. The purpose of time is to enable you to learn how to use time constructively. It is thus a teaching device and a means to an end. Time will cease when it is no longer useful in facilitating learning.”

A Course in Miracles T-1.I.15:1-4

A Priceless Visit

For several years I avoided one of my neighbors, who was 90-plus years old, because it seemed there was no such thing as a short visit. She would tell me things I didn't want to know about her family and other people, so I began to avoid her. One morning she was sitting on her porch and asked for my help. Her phone was not working and it's connected to a Lifeline button which she can push if she needs help. As it was going to take some time to get the phone company there to reconnect her, I told her I'd come over every hour and make sure she was okay. As we sat on her porch, she started talking about herself, from childhood through more recent times, and it was fascinating! She told me the happiest times of her life were picking cotton with her sisters in the 1930s on a farm in Mississippi. Every visit that day brought me new stories from her life. When she wandered into condemnation of others, I would simply tell her I had to go, but would be back soon and wanted to hear more stories about her -- not others. It was like watching a documentary -- and I'm glad I was tuned in! She’s gone now and although I’ve forgotten all of her gossipy news, I remember some delightful looks into her life experience — and I am grateful.

“The poor suffering heart needs its rightful nutriment, such as peace, patience in tribulation, and a priceless sense of the dear Father’s loving-kindness.”
Mary Baker Eddy - Science and Health - Page 365:31-2

“Without judgment are all things equally acceptable, for who could judge otherwise? Without judgment are all men brothers, for who is there who stands apart? Judgment destroys honesty and shatters trust. No teacher of God can judge and hope to learn.”
A Course in Miracles M-4.III.1:8-11