When I heard that phrase, it was as if a switch was thrown into the on position inside of me, a light went on, a connection was made. I have never forgotten those words and began to think of my mind as a solution-generating idea processor, a hub of creativity, that is hardwired for good because of its location.
Of course, I'm not talking about my mind as different from your mind. I'm talking about yours too. And because I completely accept that your mind too is a center for conscious awareness within the same creative field, I'm fascinated by what your beautiful imagination might thinking about, because what you are dwelling on and thinking about, and imagining, is creating something for me, you, and our world right now.
Once upon a time, someone used their mind to imagine a world without polio. And Rotary International’s global network of 1.2 million friends and members could see that vision, a world uniting around the idea, and has been moving toward that vision of a world without polio for over 35 years. Oh, there is still work to be done, however, did you know that in 2020, the paralyzing and potentially deadly poliovirus was eliminated from Africa, officially, after decades of devastation?
Yes, that happened in the train-wreck of a year known as 2020, a year that brought to the international community a heightened awareness of the sanctity of Black lives, albeit through the tragedies of, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and Ahmaud Arbery. Tragedies that have brought into focus that we cannot be indifferent to the inhumane treatment of others because of race, culture, gender, or religion.
Indifference is a cruel mindset.
People of faith, cannot and must not be indifferent to the suffering of others. And we must also not be indifferent to victories and advances that took place in 2020.
A doctor who treated and held children paralyzed by polio in Nigeria said the news of the poliovirus's ending ought to have been met with celebration and publicity because it was a milestone, a demonstration. It marked a new reality that no child in Africa would have to be paralyzed by polio ever again.
The CNN reporter, Rob Picheta, who reported this story, noted in his article that humans tend not to notice the good that is happening around them. Even before this current coronavirus pandemic, humans, he says, had an unmistakable tendency to believe the world is poorer, angrier, and more unsettled than it really is – as if there is an unconscious desire to hold onto negative stereotypes and ignore the progress unfolding right in front of us.
The problem is, Rob, says, and a practicing religious scientist would know this, that view of an angrier, worsening world is not accurate. It's certainly not the whole story. Yes, there is still a lot to tend to in our world, and simultaneously a lot is going on that is worthy of celebration.
When I learned that my mind is a point of conscious awareness within that creative field we call Mind, I learned also about my deeper mind, or subconscious mind, and how it will accept whatever I feed it. Which is the good news, and the bad news. I remember Dr. Mary Tumpkins of the Universal Foundation for Better Living describing that as the horse pill of metaphysics. It’s hard to swallow because it means that it is up to me to fill my consciousness with stories of hope, courage, and possibility.
Once upon a time, someone used their mind to imagine a world without polio. And Rotary International’s global network of 1.2 million friends and members could see that vision, a world uniting around the idea, and has been moving toward that vision of a world without polio for over 35 years. Oh, there is still work to be done, however, did you know that in 2020, the paralyzing and potentially deadly poliovirus was eliminated from Africa, officially, after decades of devastation?
Yes, that happened in the train-wreck of a year known as 2020, a year that brought to the international community a heightened awareness of the sanctity of Black lives, albeit through the tragedies of, Breonna Taylor, George Floyd, and Ahmaud Arbery. Tragedies that have brought into focus that we cannot be indifferent to the inhumane treatment of others because of race, culture, gender, or religion.
Indifference is a cruel mindset.
People of faith, cannot and must not be indifferent to the suffering of others. And we must also not be indifferent to victories and advances that took place in 2020.
A doctor who treated and held children paralyzed by polio in Nigeria said the news of the poliovirus's ending ought to have been met with celebration and publicity because it was a milestone, a demonstration. It marked a new reality that no child in Africa would have to be paralyzed by polio ever again.
The CNN reporter, Rob Picheta, who reported this story, noted in his article that humans tend not to notice the good that is happening around them. Even before this current coronavirus pandemic, humans, he says, had an unmistakable tendency to believe the world is poorer, angrier, and more unsettled than it really is – as if there is an unconscious desire to hold onto negative stereotypes and ignore the progress unfolding right in front of us.
The problem is, Rob, says, and a practicing religious scientist would know this, that view of an angrier, worsening world is not accurate. It's certainly not the whole story. Yes, there is still a lot to tend to in our world, and simultaneously a lot is going on that is worthy of celebration.
When I learned that my mind is a point of conscious awareness within that creative field we call Mind, I learned also about my deeper mind, or subconscious mind, and how it will accept whatever I feed it. Which is the good news, and the bad news. I remember Dr. Mary Tumpkins of the Universal Foundation for Better Living describing that as the horse pill of metaphysics. It’s hard to swallow because it means that it is up to me to fill my consciousness with stories of hope, courage, and possibility.
It’s up to me to provide my mind with ideas of justice and equity as something normal and possible. It’s up to me and you to pour into our awareness visions of a greater good and a sense of the inherent holiness of all life, and to imagine a world that is awake to spiritual magnificence. And, also to pay attention to that tendency, should it exist in me, to be indifferent, or to attach to narrow and negatively focused thinking. Why? Well, firstly, because you and I do tend to get better at what we practice. And, secondly because of what a Harvard study revealed about our attention, showing just how out of touch we can be with the world’s global improvements because of what we focus on.
Researchers showed images to participants and asked them to look for certain things like blue dots, or threatening faces. Then the researchers showed fewer and fewer of those items in the pictures. This is where it gets interesting. When fewer blue dots and threatening faces were shown, the participants in the study did something creative. You see, they were on the lookout for blue dots and threatening faces, so they found them, even when fewer were in the pictures. They started to identify other color dots as blue. They began to include a broader range of facial expressions as threatening faces in the pictures. Participants found more of what they were looking for, even when the very thing they were looking for was less and less present.
There is a lot of work still to be done in our world, and, it’s also important to notice, celebrate and honor the advances we are making. I have to look for, and appreciate such things as the fact that in 2020, carbon emissions at one point fell 17% worldwide – and although that reduction isn't likely to be permanent because no structural changes have been set in place – it has caused the world community to think about how the way we work, commute, travel, and consume has an impact on our planet.
I have to look for and appreciate such things as the fact that 2020 was the year that plastic pollution finally got the global community's attention – with more than 125 nations banning or taxing single-use plastic or plastic bags. CBS's David Pogue reported the story of an ordinary person who imagined a world with fewer disposable plastic utensils being wasted and dumped into our oceans. Sheila Morovati single handily persuaded online food delivery services to have a check box—maybe you’ve noticed it—that says, "if you would like plastic cutlery, click here.”
Researchers showed images to participants and asked them to look for certain things like blue dots, or threatening faces. Then the researchers showed fewer and fewer of those items in the pictures. This is where it gets interesting. When fewer blue dots and threatening faces were shown, the participants in the study did something creative. You see, they were on the lookout for blue dots and threatening faces, so they found them, even when fewer were in the pictures. They started to identify other color dots as blue. They began to include a broader range of facial expressions as threatening faces in the pictures. Participants found more of what they were looking for, even when the very thing they were looking for was less and less present.
There is a lot of work still to be done in our world, and, it’s also important to notice, celebrate and honor the advances we are making. I have to look for, and appreciate such things as the fact that in 2020, carbon emissions at one point fell 17% worldwide – and although that reduction isn't likely to be permanent because no structural changes have been set in place – it has caused the world community to think about how the way we work, commute, travel, and consume has an impact on our planet.
I have to look for and appreciate such things as the fact that 2020 was the year that plastic pollution finally got the global community's attention – with more than 125 nations banning or taxing single-use plastic or plastic bags. CBS's David Pogue reported the story of an ordinary person who imagined a world with fewer disposable plastic utensils being wasted and dumped into our oceans. Sheila Morovati single handily persuaded online food delivery services to have a check box—maybe you’ve noticed it—that says, "if you would like plastic cutlery, click here.”
What a splendid reminder not to be indifferent to the power of one person with an imagination. There is a message – do not be indifferent to the power of your imagination, because your mind is a center of conscious awareness within that creative field we call Mind. I must use my imagination this way, because I, with you, am a post-pandemic reality generator.
And now that I know there is the possibility that some people tend to hold onto negative assumptions, it's even more compelling and exciting for me to be confident in what Mind can do. Especially because we are inundated with alarming, horrific, and surprising stories. The truth is, the stories are as real as they are, and also true is that simultaneously, regular people everywhere continue to dream up a world where spiritual wisdom guides them to do beautiful things.
And now that I know there is the possibility that some people tend to hold onto negative assumptions, it's even more compelling and exciting for me to be confident in what Mind can do. Especially because we are inundated with alarming, horrific, and surprising stories. The truth is, the stories are as real as they are, and also true is that simultaneously, regular people everywhere continue to dream up a world where spiritual wisdom guides them to do beautiful things.
And beautiful things are being done; from the noteworthy to the ordinary; they are getting done. Like when someone awkwardly loves their child in these unprecedented shelter-in-place conditions. Like when someone quietly takes trash for a neighbor struggling with isolation, even though they are pressed for time. Like when someone investigates their complicity in racial inequity and makes a personal commitment to learn and grow through it. Or like when someone donates to a cause, even when their personal resources are low – and these things happen all without clamoring for attention or making a fuss.
Right now, someone, maybe you, can see clearly in their mind’s eye, a world in which there is food justice, gender equity, economic security, and they can see it and believe it even before their mind knows how it will come to pass. It could be you. And we need that. That’s how it works. That’s how it starts, first, we must have a vision of a better world. Next, we have to let that vision stir us into action. And then we have to use the gifts we have been given to speak our words and advocate for that beautiful outcome, all the while knowing and trusting that it is consciousness that does the heavy lifting. As the Mandalorian would say, it is the way.
Somebody has to risk dreaming a new dream. When there is such a strong pull in the group mind to what is wrong with our beautiful world. I read on Facebook about the Russian language online magazine called The City Reporter. A reporter from the service told what happened when they attempted to feature only positive angles on the stories for one day. “It turned out that virtually nobody wants it," she wrote, noting that the site drew significantly fewer readers that day.
Virtually nobody wanted it.
Well, I want it. And I want whatever good and beautiful things you are dreaming up for the good of all and the harm of none. Because when your consciouness is lifted up, so is mine, and your conviction joins with mine and unlocks the direction we must go in as a human family interested in awakening to our spiritual magnificence.
And if you’re struggling to find hope or to see a greater yet-to-be, let that be ok too, and let your virtual spiritual community help carry you until your flame of vision is reignited. And consider turning to our World Ministry of Prayer for support until you can feel it again.
Hugh Prather - Quiet Answer
Who really knows the effect of one happy thought? Is it possible that it circles the globe, finding entry into any open heart, encouraging and giving hope in some unseen way? I am convinced it does. For whenever I am truly loving, I feel the warmth and the presence of the like-minded, a growing family whose strength lies in their gentleness and whose message is in their treatment of others.
Right now, someone, maybe you, can see clearly in their mind’s eye, a world in which there is food justice, gender equity, economic security, and they can see it and believe it even before their mind knows how it will come to pass. It could be you. And we need that. That’s how it works. That’s how it starts, first, we must have a vision of a better world. Next, we have to let that vision stir us into action. And then we have to use the gifts we have been given to speak our words and advocate for that beautiful outcome, all the while knowing and trusting that it is consciousness that does the heavy lifting. As the Mandalorian would say, it is the way.
Virtually nobody wanted it.
Well, I want it. And I want whatever good and beautiful things you are dreaming up for the good of all and the harm of none. Because when your consciouness is lifted up, so is mine, and your conviction joins with mine and unlocks the direction we must go in as a human family interested in awakening to our spiritual magnificence.
And if you’re struggling to find hope or to see a greater yet-to-be, let that be ok too, and let your virtual spiritual community help carry you until your flame of vision is reignited. And consider turning to our World Ministry of Prayer for support until you can feel it again.
Hugh Prather - Quiet Answer
Who really knows the effect of one happy thought? Is it possible that it circles the globe, finding entry into any open heart, encouraging and giving hope in some unseen way? I am convinced it does. For whenever I am truly loving, I feel the warmth and the presence of the like-minded, a growing family whose strength lies in their gentleness and whose message is in their treatment of others.
Fabulously beautiful inspiring reminder... I am so grateful.
ReplyDeleteThank you, very much Kate, for your comment and support.
DeleteVery well said!
ReplyDeleteVery well said!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this, Rev. Edward. What a lovely reminder of how important it is to use our minds in the most beneficial way possible.
ReplyDelete💓
ReplyDelete