FEATURE #3: “The Calm in the Storm”By: Sally Robbins pg 84

Sally Robbins begins her article with an interesting statement: “Monkeys taught me a valuable lesson about staying calm when everything in my world is in chaos.”

Robbins shares a story by Tara Branch, involving the lesson learned by British golf club builders from the monkeys in Calcutta, India.

Despite all efforts-building fences, distraction using fruit treats, even trapping and relocation-the monkeys continued their playful stealing of the golf balls. At some point the new rule for golfing was to play the ball where the monkeys dropped it.

(Q1) Have you ever experienced a constant unyielding problem in your life like this example? Was your final or best solution was playing the ball where the monkey dropped it? Using this idea involves the ability to change on a dime: Would that be hard for you or could you welcome this quick creative way? Give an example if you have one.

Robbins sees this monkey story as a metaphor for the quick responsiveness that is required in dealing with the current COVID-19 pandemic. Clearly this has been devastating for a lot of people globally which includes loss of lives, finances, livelihoods, businesses and schools, and of freedom due to quarantine. We don’t have a clue to the full ramifications that this has played on us.

Robbins references the loss, grief, anxiety and fear which has come from these life-changing circumstances. She writes, “Playing the ball where it is dropped gives new meaning to the changing events in our lives. If we can let go of our need to control and instead focus on how best to play the game-even if the ball is dropped into a difficult circumstance/position-we can concentrate our energy on what we can do instead of what we can’t.”

In these times of painful loss, upheaval and fear for many, the ability to play the ball where it is dropped presupposes the sort of faith Ernest Holmes teaches in the SOM. In his book, “Living the Science of Mind”, Holmes writes, “Our first proposition is one of faith. We must believe, but when we find that we lack these qualities we now know what to do about it, because belief and faith are mental attitudes. So we practice affirmative prayer daily, by saying: ‘I do have faith; I do have conviction; I do believe; I do know and understand that there is a Power greater than I am; I do realize that I can use It; There is nothing in me that can doubt, deny, or limit this Power; my whole being accepts It, both consciously and unconsciously. ‘Thus, we are preparing our minds to pray affirmatively, which means to pray effectively.”

(Q2) How has your life been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic? Have you recognized the strong qualities you have to be able to play the ball where it is dropped? Has it elevated your faith? Can you see how it has elevated the world?

FACE WHAT’S NEXT pg 85

Robbins describes the military training as somewhat abusive requiring difficult physical training, brutal treatment, food and sleep deprivation in harsh conditions. Clearly this would require superior physical and mental strength. The story goes on when the training selection process was down to 5 men, they were told what was to come next. 2 of the men gave up because of physical problems. The last 3 men passed just by their willingness to go on-even in the face of impossibility.

The lesson that Robbins is showing us is having the faith-the trust-to just be willing. In the context of military, special operations training, Robbins tells us, “…Those three men were chosen because they had the mental capacity to keep their thoughts on the goal instead of on outer conditions.”

In SOM we come to know the spiritual goal upon which to focus the eyes, the thoughts, and the mind. In “Words that Heal Today” Holmes speaks of Jesus’ teachings: Jesus uses the expression of keeping the eye full of light, comparing the eye to the mind. When our thinking responds to divine goodness, peace, joy, and love, to givenness as well as to the idea of receiving, then the body will be filled with light. There will be calmness and peace at the center of our thought and in every direction, we turn, upon whatever person or object our thought rests, blessings will follow.”

(Q3) If your body or mind were in a state of complete exhaustion would you be- or have you been- able to keep your mind on the goal/commitment/promise and continue forward? In the context of the military story, is it easy to see that just being willing to continue-no matter what- was the key to success? Does the ability to maintain spiritual focus in the face of any potentially devastating challenge seem possible or desirable? How does maintaining your mental and/or spiritual focus factor into the challenge of COVID-19?

THE WORK THAT IS OURS TO DO pg 86

Robbins suggests, “Perhaps we can look at this time of crisis as one of selection as well…It’s easy to hold the torch when everything is going well. During times of difficulty, we truly know what we are made of.” Perhaps we’ve been training for this moment all of our lives. Perhaps we are meant to be the calm in the storm, a beacon on the hill, a light in the dark for those who cannot see their way, anymore.”

(Q4) Have you ever had the sense that you were meant to be here for your own spiritual development, during these challenging times? Do you feel you are meant to be of assistance to others? Do you see your spiritual development as a training? Are you ready to be the calm or hold the light for others?

Robins shares this quote from Holmes: “To desert the truth in the hour of need is to prove that we do not know the truth.” Being the calm in the storm requires us to push through our own fears and doubts while standing firm in the spiritual principles we embrace.” She reminds us that this is not easy, but it is our work to do.

Because this time is so challenging to people-so frightening and painful in many ways-it may be clear to us that our spiritual strength is being called forward.

We may sometimes feel alone with our faith in the center of others’ suffering. In “Living the Science of Mind,” Holmes offers his encouragement: “We are surrounded by a certain amount of skepticism and doubt…This should not disturb us in the least. We are to know that we are working independently with God and the great Law of Good. Whether we are working for ourselves or our family or our friends or the whole world, every affirmative spiritual statement we make will have Power. An invisible Law of Good will be acting upon it.”

(Q5) Do you feel a strong sense of truth you have been learning, or is your own faith being transformed or challenged? Do you feel called to be the calm and to hold the light? Is your spiritual strength being stretched now? What are some new solutions to life’s situations that you can use for being the light?

Robins speaks of flowers in the desert which were rich with blossoms doe to the effects of fires in recent months. The fires had activated the seed pods. A master gardener has been heard to say: “Sometimes the most magnificent flowering occurs when you threaten a plant with death.”

Robins articulates, “There is something beautiful being born in this world right now as well. We may not be able to see it yet, but I know it is there.” She suggests that all sorts of difficulties, including this pandemic, can bring forth qualities of beauty, power, and strength-and those qualities that we know we are here to develop, such as peace, love, kindness and compassion.

(Q6) Are you seeing positive qualities emerge in your family or friends through this current challenge? Are you able to observe a new atmosphere of sharing or helpfulness among people in general? Are your relationships strengthened by deeper appreciation or a desire to stay connected in different ways? Do you sense a possibility for a more global connection among people?

She suggests we ask ourselves and look at self-inventory:

1.” The questions to ask ourselves in this moment are can we be the calm in the storm?

2. Can we maintain the vibration and frequency of serenity when those around us are frantic?

3. Can we be the light in the darkness?

BE THE CALM pg 87

Robbins tells us about self-inventory: “Author Gary Zukav was asked what the most important moment of his life was, and he gave a surprising answer. He said he had often wondered if he were truly tested, could he respond from a place of love and kindness? We learn that he was faced with that test and that he responded as he had hoped. Zukav was so happy to learn that he is indeed exactly what he believes.”

(Q7) Did it ever occur to you that your spirituality would be tested and how would you react to its test? Isn’t this a form of spiritual growth? Let’s say you failed on your terms as tested. How could you turn the truth around and transform this judgment of yourself? Is this test happening right now?

It is said that we can know our own spiritual growth by how we feel and how we respond.

(Q8) Problems in our life arise and when we are challenged, provide guidance to us in our prayer work, affirmations and spiritual practices.

1. What feelings are arising from you in the face of this pandemic?

2. Are you experiencing the pain of loss?

3. Are you struggling with fear?

4. Is loneliness or separation your experience now?

5. Are you suffering because others are in pain, loss, or suffering?

6. Can you see the beautiful possibility expressing through you, right now?

Robbins offers us supporting words of affirmation: “Today is our opportunity to make our conscious contribution to the planet: In the midst of confusion, I am peace. In the midst of fear, I am calm. In the midst of doubt, I am tranquil. When the world offers anxiety, I give back serenity. When the world gives agitation, I offer hope. When the world rages with turbulence, I am unruffled.

“The light and power of God are always at your disposal simply awaiting your choice to use them,” assures Robbins.

Many blessing to all you mavericks. I know this lesson touched all of us. Be the calm. I look forward to seeing you Tuesday at 6 p.m. (June 23).

Our next (4th and final) feature this month from the SOM magazine is on page 98 featuring “Marvelous Mavericks by John Waterhouse.

Love, Light, and Laughter Rev Lyssa