Heather's Views:
Imagine
Dear Ones,
Dr. Ernest Holmes writes: "Never limit your view of life by any past experience. The possibility of life is inherent within the capacity to imagine what life is, backed by the power to produce this imagery, or Divine Imagination. It is not a question of failing or succeeding. It is simply a question of sticking to an idea until it becomes a tangible reality." Science of Mind, page 187
What encouraging words these are: "The possibility of life is inherent within the capacity to imagine what life is!" Is there anything that you can not imagine? There may be things that we claim that we can't imagine. But what happens in your mind when you are told , "Do not think about a purple penguin." For most of us, we have already begun thinking about it. Despite the fact that we have no reason to believe in purple penguins, our imaginations work so easily and effortlessly that we are immediately thinking about something that currently does not exist. This is a great gift.
During the Season for Non-Violence, we have been practicing ways to be more peaceful in our everyday lives. We are encouraged to think about the kind of world we want to live in. I want a world that works for everybody. I want a world of peace based on mutual respect and care. Can you imagine it? At the front of our sanctuary our sign reminds us to "Imagine." Are we willing to stick to imagine a peaceful world until it is our experience?
This month we will be singing John Lennon's beautiful song, "Imagine."
Imagine there's no heaven,
It's easy if you try,
No hell below us,
Above us only sky,
Imagine all the people
living for today...Imagine there's no countries,
It isn'"t hard to do,
Nothing to kill or die for,
No religion too,
Imagine all the people
living life in peace...Imagine no possessions,
I wonder if you can,
No need for greed or hunger,
A brotherhood of man,
Imagine all the people
Sharing all the world...You may say I'"m a dreamer,
but I'"m not the only one,
I hope some day you'll join us,
And the world will live as one.
I certainly agree with John Lennon that heaven and hell are not geographical places; they are states of consciousness. I am not against countries or possessions for that matter. I am quite fond of both. However, I am even more in favor of a bigger idea, an idea of unity, mother earth, respect for human life, prosperity, cooperation, compassion and connection. Whenever you sing, embrace the concept of peace fully with your imagination. Let'"s stick to this idea until it sticks to us.
Love,
Heather