Friday, August 28, 2009

Consecrated Canoeing Contra Carnal Cataracts

Like most life-long Christian Scientists I have probably read the parable of the sower (Matt 13 and Luke 8) hundreds of times. No doubt, I have usually taken a bit of smug solace in the thought that though I might not be a blue-ribbon producer I had at least achieved the status of marginally "good ground". I am thus sheepishly indebted to Emma Shipman (a student of Mrs. Eddy) who pointed out in one of her (too few) excellent articles that it is unlikely we are wholly one or even two of the four mental states in the parable, but rather may partake (liberally?) of all to varying degrees. This humblingly inspired thought somehow never suggested itself to me, though it was, I fear, blindingly obvious to everyone else. Now I can, I hope, take legitimate comfort in a fruitful garden here and there while vigilantly ferreting out those numerous, inobtrusive wayside, stony, and brambly places and then doing something Christianly Scientific about them.

Ms Shipman discussed in the same article the parable of the tares (also Matt 13), and it has become clear to me, at least, that the enemy who sowed those tares isn't running amok out there in the neighborhood, in my sinful neighbor's back yard for example, but in the only there there is, ones own thinking, ones own consciousness, and harvest time for tares may be for some of us as frequent as bedtime for Bonzo, i.e., daily. It is all too easy to view Jesus' parables as inspiring, but somewhat abstract, metaphysical lessons, when in fact they are instructions for daily behavior and thus need to be acted upon, not merely cogitated.

It might not be amiss for us to think of ourselves as paddling our little mental canoes a short distance upstream from mortal mind's Niagara Falls. The waters around us may appear to be smooth and calm, but the unsensed current of aggressive mental suggestion is strong, and if we don't paddle vigorously against it we could be swept over the falls. We would then learn the very hard lesson that the challenges of canoeing above the falls are preferable to the challenges of having capsized because we went over it. As the proberb says, a stitch in time saves nine.

22 comments:

California regula said...

Really, really good! You do keep them coming and at such a high level. A pleasure to read a blog on Christian Science so well presented.
Thanks much.

NYC said...

What a title you've come up with. Arresting. It may just be me, but I do believe this may be one of your very best. And that's saying a lot.
Found this quite inspiring.

Appreciation, AZ said...

Well done, blogger. You've certainly chosen the Best to write about.
Thanks for doing this. Helpful to me to ponder.

Anonymous....still said...

I'm going to read this again at least once as I do with your blog posts, but upon first read, really think it's first-rate.
Quite uplifting as well.

D. L. said...

Bless you for blogging on our Wayshower's parables. And love what you say about Jesus' instructions being for everyday practice. (my words)
Thank you very much.

Anonymous said...

No one presents metaphysical concepts quite like you, blogger. Always refreshing to see your take on things we've all read many times. You make me think more deeply and for this I am indebted to you.

Thanks from Ohio said...

Have been checking your website to see what's new and am not disapointed in your latest offering. Found this one quite helpful and stimulating mentally.

Helen said...

This website and its excellent contents is such a blessing to the CS field in my view. So glad you have been inspired to do this.
Best regards,

L. R. said...

Wish I knew your identity (not for a nefarious reason) but I do know you're a dedicated student of our Leader's writings, as well as faithful follower of Christ Jesus. This is enough for me.
Best,

Around Boston said...

Another in a long line of very well written entries. Really enjoyed seeing this one, and I look forward to more from you!
Thanks.

London (UK) --again said...

A nice little essay you have here. I do enjoy seeing divine metaphysics given to readers in such a clear and fresh way.
Keep up the fine work.

No name, for now said...

An inspiring blog all in all, and I especially like this one where you mention Jesus' parables. As the Bible points out somewhere, New Testament I believe, God wants His beloved Son to be heard--and acted upon.
God bless you,

Patrick said...

You do come up with the most interesting titles, and this one's a doozey. (sp?) You will know, but anyway, love the freshness of your writing. Nothing else quite like it out here.

New England said...

I follow your blog with great interest, and appreciate what you are doing to raise the thinking level of CS's across the world.
With love to you,

Hi from Dallas said...

Well done, writer. You do have marked talent for making CS topics readable. Not the same old, same old we've seen for years.
Like this one a lot!

Cambridge said...

I noticed in the little biographical info you gave us that you are class taught. I'm not surprised, but I bet your teacher in Christian Science is pleased with you.
Good work you're doing.

R. W. said...

Doing what our great Exemplar says to do is the key, is it not?
A fine little essay.
Thank you.

Anonymous said...

Dear Blogger,
A brief comment to say how much I enjoy seeing what you have on your mind. Do miss the razor-sharp ones, so funny! but probably not so for those on the receiving end.
Best wishes,

New Hampshire CS said...

The previous commenter mentioned those hilarious blog posts you've done. Keep holding the banner high for our Cause and don't neglect to post something we need to know. You seem to have pipeline to officialdom, and we need to be kept informed.

Dorothy said...

Like just about everything you post. Such a help in delving more deeply into our religion and the thing I like most about your latest is the thought that we need to act upon what Jesus says--not just read about it.
Thank you very much.

Class taught by early worker said...

I've observed in reading your website that you tend to read the early CS writers and I agree with you. I do, too. To me, they presented divine truths as they were inspired, as they lived and proved them. They did not water down things to appeal to a larger audience which is the impression I get from reading many of the articles in today's periodicals. And of course, workers who served our Leader were bound to have gleaned much from being around someone so God-inspired as she.
Emma Shipman is one of my favorites. A wonderful metaphysician.
Thanks for all you are giving.

Best regards from Germany said...

Dear Author,
I find your humility quite impressive, and just this morning was reading something Paul says (The New English Bible, Colossians, chapter 2) whichI wish to share: "Therefore, since Jesus was delivered to you as Christ and Lord, live your lives in union with him. Be rooted in him; be built in him; be consolidated in the faith you were taught; let your hearts overflow with thankfulness. Be on guard; do not let your minds be captured by hollow and delusive speculations, based on traditions of man-made teaching and centered on the elemental spirits of the universe and not on Christ."
For some reason, this made me think of your latest posting.
I very much enjoy your blog.