More Helpful Than Harmful

We are all on a spiritual path whether we know it or not. Before I knew that there was a spiritual path to be on, I would often get stuck in ideas that would not let go of me. They stuck to me and I stuck to them. Most of them were not for my highest good. I practiced the blame game with alacrity. There was always something to fear, and then there was always someone to blame for that fear. (Believe me, I rarely considered that I could be the cause of my unhappiness.) I  was probably typical for women of my age -- there were so many things wrong with life -- there was the government, my spouse, low wages, parents of the children I taught, the children themselves, and the weather. Just to begin. It was not uncommon for me to declare that the weather was just miserable. And it may have been stormy, or cold, or icy, or too hot, but none of those conditions makes weather miserable. Feeling that there was someone or something to blame made me feel righteous. I was filled with righteous indignation. Imagine what charming company I would have been! Haha. Nothing was my fault. But I was playing the victim.  Of course, I would have railed against the idea that I was a victim. Through my eyes, I was simply describing what was so.

Later in my thirties, when I awakened to the awareness of divine presence, I was fascinated by God. I spent hours in meditations and contemplation. I wrote volumes about the nature of God. Most of what I thought I knew, I have now changed my mind about. But still it was a great change of direction to be contemplating something eternal, omniscient, omnipotent and omnipresent whose nature is love. I spent a great deal of time wondering about my purpose. What was God calling me to do or be specifically? That was not very productive as far as directing divine mind, but it was much better than the first two decades. It was healthier.

When I started understanding New Thought, I still contemplated God, but now as me. The Divine Presence that fascinates me is in me as me! During one of the first classes I took, I remember feeling overwhelmed by the vastness of subconscious mind, and how impossible it felt to change my entire way of thinking. I would often catch myself in negative thinking and often felt discouraged. Fortunately, we don't really have to erase every negative thought we have had, we simply need to keep filling up with positive ideas and hopefulness until the tendency of our thought is more helpful than harmful. 

Gradually, almost imperceptibly, I  started noticing that the tendency of my thoughts were positive, hopeful and life-affirming. I noticed that there is always so much for which to be grateful. I notice that more and more things for which to be grateful come into my life. (Were they always there, and I just couldn't see them because my filter was so negative? Or did my change in thinking actually change my life?)

I like to think it is the latter. Since then I did discover my true purpose which is to assist others in seeing their divinity. I feel thankful every day for my wonderful life!

Remember, it is  a wonderful life and all the better because you are in it.

A Gift From Some Students

I

Heart of Peace

Do you realize that your thoughts are impressing Divine Mind at all times?

When your thoughts are focused on Peace, Love, Harmony, Beauty and Joy as being true for you, they emit the atmosphere of those qualities.

We have all felt this. Imagine walking into a room and you immediately feel uncomfortable. Then you notice that conversations are loaded with fear and suspicion. You see the people are frowning, bodies are rigid and lips are pursed. Most of us would leave that place as quickly as we could.

Now imagine walking into a different room-- this one looks different. All the colors seem to enhance the room. People are chatting happily or smiling enjoying the ambiance. the music is up-lifting and inviting. You are comfortable and decide to stay for awhile.

Ernest Holmes describes Thought Atmosphere as: "An influence or condition surrounding a place, person or thing. A person whose atmosphere is always of love and cheerfulness, will always attract friends."

I love the words of St. Francis, "Let me be an instrument of Thy Peace."  I know that many people resonate with the idea of being peace-keepers and difference-makers.

We began the Season For Non-Violence on January 30th. Recently,  I have noticed that many people were feeling fearful about the changes in the nation and what those changes could mean for them. The antidote for Fear is always Love. 

Coincidentally, Centers for Spiritual Living has been working on a Peace Initiative in which all communities would commit to participate in some way. Rev. Pattie Mercado has been part of that team. They have done great work. Their initiative is based on the principles of oneness, and the inherent nature of Peace. 

Dr. Nancy Anderson states: "We can help change the consciousness of people from fear and chaos which may be caused by ignorance of our inherent creative power as direct expressions of God. The force or influence of beliefs and emotions fostered by ignorance is dissipated by the power of spiritually trained minds and hearts of love. We learn through the practice of collective meditation to more deeply embody or BE PEACE and then Peace is automatically amplified and resonates through humanity."

Those of us who have been meditating for awhile know that the atmosphere in a group meditation is Deep Peace. 

With that in mind, we are initiating several Group Peace Meditations for our community.Please let everyone know that they are welcome to attend. They do not need to be part of our community. They don't need to be Religious Scientists. They don't need to be aware of their spirituality. The only requirement is to being a safe place where Peace can be known. Some meditations will be guided. Some will be more free flow. We will hold them in the sanctuary because it has the thought atmosphere of prayer and loving kindness.You can start the meditation before you enter the sanctuary by mentally taking your concerns and setting them down in the peace garden until you come back out. We are starting with three meditations:
      Monday: 12:15 to 12:45 PM  I will lead this one. I will lead this meditation.
      Tuesday:   6:15 to 6:45 pm. Kathy Storey, RScP and Toni Sparks, RScP will lead this one.
      Thursday  10:00 to 10:30 AM. Rev. Pattie will lead this meditation.
More times an dates may come available. Check our website.

Remember you are the one who makes a difference! Choose Peace.

Ernest Holmes wrote: " Peace is the Power at the Heart of God."

A Portion of Our Peace Garden