Theme for April 2020: FEATURE 4: “Beginning Again” By: Molly Kate Brown Page 82

Theme for April 2020: Bright Beginnings

FEATURE 4: “Beginning Again”

By: Molly Kate Brown

Page 82

Our last featured article for April appears to ask ourselves… how do we begin again? That particular question never crossed my mind years ago because I did not have the tools or knowledge to even know I could or where to start (if that was even an option). She starts with the idea, “The potential for deep healing is present now.” Here she suggests that we are fully empowered both individually and collectively……this is one principle you start with when you are at this position in life. Now I know and learned from the principles of healing that anything in need of healing must come to the surface whether physically or from the unconscious, for the healing process to start. She goes on to say, “The discord apparent at the surface level of reality is a blessing. It is no different than the infection in an abscess being drawn to the surface to be expressed so that healing can occur.” (pg83)

If you have ever had an abscess, you know that this has to develop from a trauma deep in the tissue, or from an infection coming from a puncture. Any trauma will at some time be ready to heal and travel to where it can be dealt with at the surface. And believe me when it happens, you know it, and not only do you know it, you will do whatever it takes to get rid of the pain…. right?

(Q) With this example, can you now see discord in this way…as an expression of a deep trauma demanding/wanting to be healed? Can you think of a life experience that forced its way to healing? How painful was it when you finally realized it’s cause? Do you realize if you aren’t conscious of your healing, you will one day, someday in perfect timing? How many of you are aware that your body holds all thought? In fact, thought controls the body. This is a principle to remember. Also, can you see society has problems, too as a deep expression of a wound or wounds of the past expressing in order to be healed? Can you give an example of one today expressing?

Brown describes the way unconscious reactions can bounce around in awareness as a pain avoidance. This can happen to you, to society such as a family system, or a country on a larger scale. “One unconscious fear-based misunderstanding and reaction fed and led to another as a morphing stew of distortion, destruction and unconscious action.” (pg83)

(Q) Does this description of disfunction make sense to you? Can you see how confusing and difficult it is to understand the physical, emotional, and mental aspect of escaping pain? Can you see how a vicious cycle starts with just 1 person triggered from misunderstanding another? How would you overcome this person if involved? Can healing occur when faced with this dynamic structure? (do you understand that if not, it will occur with someone else? The abscess will not be denied).

Science is starting to explain what spirituality has known. Brown shows us a study how fear is passed down through generations. “The duality-laden rupture from Source and the survival-mode mistrust and misdeeds have resulted in the level of discord and destruction that we witness personally and collectively. The collective is a result of the personal, the outer a reflection of the inner.” (pg83)

(Q) This is a painful description of how our own society continue to evolve: In her own words above, do you see the answer to the problem? Can you heal the outer by healing the inner? In other words, if we heal ourselves (personal) will that heal the collective (society) as we recognize our Oneness when we align with our Source/God?

Return Awareness to the Moment pg 83

“The good news for humanity is that the healing we seek is already here, poised within the present moment, the space of the eternal. Healing is as simple as returning the awareness from thought, from projection, from past, from future into the present moment where life occurs, where creation exists.” (pg83)

(Q) Brown defines the present moment as “the space of the eternal” and as the place “where creation exists”: Have you ever considered that the present moment is a portal of power? That every moment is fresh/new and you can change anything at any given time? When you allow the Presence of God (the loving, intelligent power which is all there is), to your awareness, is it possible healing can occur?

When we do bring our awareness away from our past, future, and dishonest, hurtful, or corrupt thought into the light (our awareness), can we access the present moment and find the Divine there all along? It takes us to see the change.

“This enlivens and strengthens our connection to our birthright of love, intimacy, healing, acceptance, courage, trust, allowing, spontaneity, dynamism and unconditionality. It awakens these facets within.” (pg 83)

(Q) Have any of you experienced what Brown is talking about “accessing the Divine in the now moment?” You need to distinguish this before you can realize/know it. The above verbs are God qualities. (Remind me to send you the list of them). If you used one in a life experience, would this benefit you, others, or the world? When forgiveness is possible, miraculous effects can provide healing on a global scale. Have you ever thought about what doing the forgiveness work provides on a larger scale (not only for you but for others)?

Brown talks about how important meditation is for authentic awareness. “Negativity and projection onto self, other or life perpetuate the infected stew.” Here she warns us that the process to use is simply the return of awareness to the present and we need to realize that this can be painful and very difficult…. but necessary at some point. (when you shift, everything shifts).

Embark on a Journey Away From Fear pg 84

Ernest Holmes teaches us, “To overcome fear is the greatest adventure of mind of the man.”

(Q) How many of you now see by knowing the Principles we talk about here, you now have a tool to overcome fear as described above?

Talking about our spiritual journey (inward), Brown writes, “It is this journey that leads to the healing and liberation we seek. Joy is only as expansive as the depth of the sorrow endured to get there… This journey isn’t for the weak or faint heart…It requires strength of spirit and resolve to stay with the parts that are hurting.” Pg 84

We all have experienced or are experiencing fear, anger, mistrust of others, low self-esteem, self-doubt, self-loathing and insecurity just to name a few. We need to remember to not react in a way that projects our energies on to yourself or to others. This is how discord and disharmony are started or stirred up. These negative energies contribute to illness and disease, as well as mental illness and suicide.

Science knows what Buddhism has been teaching…. When we are able to remain present with these painful internal energies, our self-tranquility and serenity will stop and release them.

(Q) Have you ever looked at the opportunity to deconstruct the negativity within you in order to stop it? Did you know you could? Are you excited about learning how to do this?

Brown shares with us the up-side of our inner journey for healing: “Exquisite beauty arises from the compost of our terrain.” Pg 85.

Meditate and Move pg 85

“Meditation cultivates the ability to return awareness from ingrained, past-and future-oriented distorted mental habits to the body, the breath, the being and the present moment for increasingly longer periods of time.” Also, “Research shows meditation literally changes the brain.” P 85 This I know is true as I studied the brain in ministerial school. My teachers have a column in the SOM magazine each month under Science and Spirituality by Dr. Andrew Newburg and Mark Waldman. I would highly encourage you to read each feature they write. They give you great tools for your brain health and how to apply them. A great read worth your effort.

Changing our thinking is high on our list as students of SOM teachings. Meditation will change your brain. Choose this to be a daily practice for each of you for now you know why.

(Q) Do you know how to meditate? Can any of you share some ways to do it?

Brown also shows us how important breathing practices are. She suggests dances yoga, and other practices that involve movement that we can do. (YouTube) Other helpful expressions are art, writing, drumming, music, chanting, singing, and talking to others create a healing path for us. She explains, “While releasing traumatic, destructive energetic patterns, it is helpful to move…to assist with the release of negative energy.” Pg 85

(Q) By doing the above expressions, do you now know the closest way to experience the Divine is by doing them? Can you see yourself participating in some of her suggestions as another practice you put in your spiritual life?

Choose to Begin Again pg 86

Brown really challenges us by saying “Healing is an inside job. The unconditional love underlying all that is wants to be enlivened through us. This unifying liberating force wants to be breathed into reality through the connections we make with it….” Pg 86

She also directs us, “Don’t be hijacked by reaction to significant pain or discomfort on the path. Tears mean you’re on the right track.” Pg 87

I know when I cry, I am letting go as I realize that something is painful, I was not aware of or didn’t want to face.

(Q) Have you ever thought about why you have cried and how you felt later releasing it? Is crying a release held inside? Remember everything is an inside job? Could your tears be letting you know something important is on the rise? Do you see how much thought is actually programmed material?

This programmed material is made up of default thought and emotions. Brown explains, “It is a blip on an infinitely long chain of distorted action-reaction to painful internal stimuli that has been in motion for eons. It landed with us, and is ours to cleanse and to purify. Therefore, drop the story and the content associated with it.” Pg 87

Our own cleansing and purification (in other words, doing the work at hand) is our job to do for our healing (shifting in our consciousness and perception). With each attempt, we experience a new beginning…a fresh new moment…a better place to start. We are empowered to choose kindness, love and unity in all we think, say and do. We are empowered to live in the present moment and live in the Divine. Now, we are expressions of the Divine as we express It!

This concludes our theme this month for bright beginnings. I will let you know May’s theme soon. Don’t you feel transformed being given new knowledge and tools to live your life gloriously?

See you next Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Central time on Zoom. Reserve your spot if you haven’t done so and I will respond as soon as possible. Looking forward to seeing you!

Love, light, and laughter as we create new beginnings,

Rev Lyssa