TAKE FIVE!

Welcome! For a start here are five articles I have written. The Christian Science Publishing Society gave me permission to make them available to everybody. Thousands of inspiring texts, thousands of minutes of audio are available to subscribers to the website JSH-Online. 

1

Beyond surface into the depth of spiritual thought!

The quest for something deeper

Depth and surface are central to contemporary dicussions about virtual reality, movies, computers, and television. Depth and surface also relate to such social issues as body image and plastic surgery, visual impressions and contrived images, simulations and fakes. A question common to all of these phenomena is, Is there anything of durable worth beneath the surface?

2

This article deals with grief.

Life means movement

There is a parable that Jesus told that is dear to me, since it took on special meaning while I was struggling after the unexpected death of a close family friend in a drowning accident. Twenty-one is not the age at which one usually leaves this planet, and terrible grief filled our home for weeks. But travelers we all are, and as we grieved, the idea of traveling on gave me hope for spiritual progress and a new outlook.

3

Life is never static, we are never stuck - all is movement and change.

Where does change come from?

Now I have at least one answer to the question, "Where does change come from?" And I find the answer best expressed in words from Science and Health: "Infinite Mind creates and governs all, from the mental molecule to infinity. This divine Principle of all expresses Science and art throughout His creation, and the immortality of man and the universe. Creation is ever appearing, and must ever continue to appear from the nature of its inexhaustible source" (p. 507).

I've given myself a multifaceted assignment since that stroll in Berlin. I'm making it a daily practice to look for change and not accept inertia in myself or others. I refuse to define anyone as being in a static state, but instead I try to discern the person's spiritual qualities—and to expect the unexpected good in them. I want to be more interested in newness than "in the same old story" and to side with renewal rather than inertia

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4

Here is a toast to everyone with a talent!
That is: A toast to everyone!

Offer your talent to the world

In essence, talking about talents is closely linked to talking about place, which is truly expressive of our individuality more than anything else. Our place is who we are—and if you look at famous individuals whom we admire for their talents, you can easily see how their individuality, the expression of their talents, carved out their place in time and history. So place is a demonstration of individuality that comes to light by our using our talents. Our individual, original being unfolds our place. And as unique as our talents are, so is our place, because we are truly unlike anyone else.

5

For everyone who studies - for BA, MA, Ph.D. students, for researchers and professors, for the inquisitve of heart

Deep think: To study well

Science and Health states that "Academics of the right sort are requisite. Observation, invention, study, and original thought are expansive and should promote the growth of mortal mind of itself, out of that is mortal" (p. 195). I've found that the four actions indicated in that passage apply to all creative thinkers, artists, and inventors whose work I know well. For example, Russian composer Igor Stravinsky, by observing sound, listening and learning from his own musical experience, launched a remarkably inventive period that spanned several decades. Expanding upon the Russian experience, he invented new patterns of rhythm and tone organization, which led him to further study and exploration in many directions. Stravinsky's original musical thoughts were aided by his childlike, adventurous spirit. But he also drew on his considerable experience with music-making. His explorations of other sound worlds continued throughout his career.

The example of Stravinsky and other artists tell me to never understimate the quiet strength of observation, which bridges to invention, study, and original thought. Whenever I feel short on inspiration, those four terms--observation, invention, study, and original thought—remind me that inspiration comes in different ways. Each of the four modes of discovery are important in helping to expand one's thought—and this line of thinking continues to support my own creative endeavors, as modest as they may be.