In duality, which characterizes the physical world, everything changes. There are always two sides to the coin. We experience good and bad, sickness and health, success and failure, and so on. A striking example of the impermanence of the physical is what I learned from a ranger’s talk when I first visited the Grand Canyon in 1990. The canyon before us, was once at the bottom of a sea. Geologists conclude that the uppermost layer of rock was formed at the bottom of an ocean millions of years ago, although today it comprises the Colorado Plateau which sits at 9,000 feet. This denotes a change in what appears to be dense, immoveable, physical rock. It brings to mind scripture that says with faith, we can command a mountain into the sea. The solid, unyielding, physical, is indeed subject to forces over time, as well as that inherent in a Holy Instant, when we speak the Word of God and invoke a higher law. Throughout time, physical miracles and healings have been routine in relation to divine command.
Divine principles always trump physical laws.
Divine principles always trump physical laws and act for our good, given we establish an alignment to those laws through our relationship with God. Without a relationship, we cannot easily employ or benefit from divine law. Miracles performed by Jesus, by His Disciples, and by every Representative of God since, bears testimony to the ultimate dominion of Divine Law. When a miracle occurs through us, we too represent the Divine. Similarly, effort established in such a firm foundation, enables a person in grossly unfavorable circumstances to overcome, and achieve freedom, health, happiness, and success.
The power to determine what occurs in life is our own. It may seem that so many factors, and at times, every factor, is external to our own influence, causing us to believe events happen at random, or even that things are being done to us. This is a depressing, burdensome perspective of the world and is one that is void of spiritual authority. We’ve been given dominion over earth and sky, we, as God created us; not our little, independent self-concepts that can only demonstrate varying conditions in duality throughout a lifetime. What do we think such dominion encompasses? Every aspect of our life and being - - our physical bodies, relationships, our work, finances, our home, and all the world, are all a part of "earth and sky".
We must act as possessing all power.
“Mortals must look beyond fading, finite forms, if they would gain the true sense of things. Where shall the gaze rest but in the unsearchable realm of Mind? We must look where we would walk, and we must act as possessing all power from Him in whom we have our being.” (from “Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures” by Mary Baker Eddy)
Personal and spiritual alchemy is a process of inner transformation that frees and heals us from our past, from fears and all limitation. We become aware of the Self that heals, resolves, reveals, and makes all things possible. In this, we gain “the true sense of things”, spoken of by Mrs. Eddy. With God, and with experience in choosing and acting in ways that transform situations, we may strengthen and grow in faith. We will even begin to interpret happenings in such a way that choices become apparent that before, were veiled.
Without such intervention, we may too often live, as if we are a victim of the world rather than being the author of our lives. For me, this is an ongoing effort as I can get lost in appearances and at times feel as if I “hit a wall”. It is encouraging to know that what is before me is mine to overcome and that success is my true inheritance. This is an effort we take with God, and not through arrogant leaning on personal strength, for on our own, we may find ourselves on the shoreline, facing the Red Sea.
Reject and Replace.
The principle that everything is changeable is a blessing. It means we can reject what we don’t want and replace it with what contributes to our happiness and fulfillment. To reject and replace is to choose what we prefer, with commitment to change. It may involve concentrated, ongoing inner work as well as taking action in the world. Choosing may further require acceptance, surrender, service, contemplation, and prayer, for we must be guided along the way, so our choosing supports a higher purpose. In this, we learn that serving a higher purpose encompasses and meets our own needs as well. When the task is beyond what we can do ourselves, we can be certain it is a time to seek guidance and grow our spiritual life. God’s capable hand awaits our call for help when something is beyond our grade.
I’ve come to believe it is through cooperation with God that we further our ability to live beyond the confines of physical life. By it, we gain strength and a foundation that endures. In order for our choices to have lasting value, they must be in harmony with spiritual teachings or at some point, we will tire of them and desire the more that is true. We cannot live fully, or even live at all, identified with the lower self in the physical world. We may mistakenly seek for more in what satisfies us in the world, but at some point, we will indeed, seek within, for that is where what is more, lives.
The clouds in the sky are changeable, as are our turbulent emotions.
Several days ago, I observed the sky and the clouds that were moving even as I gazed. I realized how quickly everything changed. I related this idea to our emotions which are as changeable as the sky; as the clouds. Especially as we allow change and do not hold clouds in place. Unpleasant emotions need to be pliable and not imprisoned or chained by the habit of ruminating on them or attaching to some story we form about them or have rehearsed from the past. I have become skilled at rehearsing my stories but am exhausted by merely being with what I have made up and which gives me nothing I truly want. Emotions change and are no longer static when we cease reviewing past files of previous hurts, anger, or fears that relate to our present feeling. We can review and gain understanding from the thoughts that accompany our feelings and then give them wing.
What is gray turns sky blue as we manage our thoughts and think on what is more positive, loving, and peaceful. Philippians 4:8 encourages us to stick with what is noble and true: “...whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” What is true, needs to be practiced and lived. “Pollyanna” (1960 Disney movie) transformed the unhappy, lonely lives of people all about her with her positivity and joyful manner.
I can see clearly now.
I was amazed at how quickly the sky opened up before me as the clouds easily rolled by, simply because the air was moving. The hand of God is the breeze that can nudge these hurts away. Once we get the necessary learning, emotions will surely roll along and disappear. When we implement changes in our thinking and behaviors because of such learning, these clouds may not show up again, or if they do, be a gentle passing-by that we may acknowledge without lassoing them in for another go ‘round. It is general knowledge that the higher we go in the sky, the faster the clouds move. Walking with the Divine is the current that lifts us higher.
The pleasant stuff we can enjoy with gratitude. Authentic joy is easily shared as it emanates in our aura, radiates in our smile, and is the twinkle in our eyes. Our loving overflows and impacts people's lives, how they think and perceive, in ways we may never know. The fruit of our victory is real joy, and is without victims, prisoners, or carnage. These heavy clouds are now replaced by clear, blue skies as far as the eye can see.
In 1971, Johnny Nash put it like this in his pleasing pop hit with which we so often readily join in singing:
“Oh, yes,
I can make it now the pain is gone
All of the bad feelings have disappeared
Here is that rainbow I've been praying for
It's gonna be a bright (bright)
Bright (bright) sunshiny day
Look all around, there's nothing but blue skies
Look straight ahead, there's nothing but blue skies.” (I Can See Clearly Now)
Let’s look for clear skies. “There’s nothing but blue skies”, to be sure.
