October 2019
by Martha Creek ( Reprinted from a Healing publication in 2006)
We were coming up on two years of bonus life--almost two years past what any doctors or anybody thought my dad could live, and the days and nights were now very intense. My successful and acclaimed career was now in a new arena: Rev. Caregiver. While it seemed a little too natural sometimes, at times it seemed strangely foreign and stressful.


I vacillated between wanting him to live and wanting him not to, if it meant suffering. Cancer, another cancer, another cancer, bleeding ulcer, collapsing lungs, no sleep, crushing medicines and praying they will go through the feeding tube, breathing treatments.... "Why, when, how, how long?" My mind needed to know!
The internal "shoulds" were endless. And always in the recesses of my mind was the wondering if this is my personal cross to bear: "Ending suffering is up to me." It is a belief of mine I have had since early childhood, when I innocently bought into the illusion that I could change someone else's experience, could change the world, could change what is and/or what would be. I adopted a delusional/mistaken paradigm of what healing is and what is possible.
Thankfully, I was on a strong spiritual foundation built through a myriad of principles and practices I had experienced, including Unity's core principle of "there is only one power and one presence in the universe and in my life--and it is good." Does that mean that I have to actually apply that truth in this situation?
Religious Science studies and practices taught me to "change my life by changing my mind." Great idea and no easy task, particularly when loved ones are in the picture. I would have to transcend the appearances and build some understanding for the emotional aspects always at play through my human nature.
I had been practicing "The Work" of Byron Katie for several years, and so for months, literally, I spent hours sitting in the hospital with Daddy, questioning, questioning, witnessing story after story, and so many of my beliefs held in mind collapsed into the truth of reality. Repeatedly I discovered that nothing, no thing that stressed me, was true. Wow! How could this be? Peace is possible even in the very intense situations.
As a result, I had a heightened capacity to be with my dad, my family and even his medical teams--fully present, highly effective, and peaceful, regardless of what the latest test result or drama was in some critical and intense moments. I was living in a state of gratitude and faith that life is the way it is supposed to be--just not what I preferred sometimes.
"When you realize the boundlessness of your essence, there is nothing to heal. When you realize the perfection of what is--healing is realized."  
~ Martha Creek
One night the spiritual pop quiz came. Had I really healed this?
My youngest brother Randy showed up at our small house in a drunken, or well-past drunken, state in the middle of the night. He was loud, threatening to kill me and to take over the care of the family. He was as wildly incapacitated as I've ever seen throughout a progressive twenty years of alcoholism. Let's just say, it was no little thing. Or was it? Could it be that this, too, was "for me"?
My mother began crying, wailing, yelling--afraid, worried, angry, and completely confused about what to do. My dying dad lay on the bed in the silence that was his default of 70 years.
I was very present to it all--grounded in reality and aware of options. I waited and waited for an internal reaction, the judgments, the stressful thoughts, and the only thing I could see was the innocence in each of these people. Equal, yes, equal: life/death, crying/laughing, courageous/frightened, yelling/silence, angry/happy and needing/contented. There was no anxiety. It was all welcomed. I was able to observe mind, the polarities, the spectrum, the thinking, the emotions, the allure to react, without actually being influenced by it.
"People talk about self-realization, and this is it! Can you just breathe in and out? To hell with enlightenment! Just enlighten yourself in every moment. Can you just do that? Then, eventually, it all collapses. The mind finds a home in the heart. The mind merges with the heart and comes to see that it is not separate. The mind finds a home in the heart and it rests. It cannot be threatened, scolded or frightened away. Until the stories are met with understanding, there is no peace. Only love and understanding heal."  
~ Byron Katie
In the moment, I noticed--I am breathing, I am filled with the presence of something greater than me or this situation, and aware of no need for anything to be different than this moment. From a place of clarity and real peace, I noticed I could actually assist in this situation. I was in a less anxious presence, calmer and empowered to change what I can, and clear to accept what I cannot. Accepting that reality. Knowing the difference. Grace. Strangely, the entire scene shifted. Randy became quiet, momma became quiet and I hugged them both. It was over. Rising and passing as it always does. When the mind/projector is clear, so is the projection.
Let peace begin with me. Healing is an inside job. I can end suffering in one place--my own mind. From that place, I am available to assist and serve others. In dialogue with Neale Donald Walsh one time, I asked, "What is my purpose in life?" He smiled and responded, "Heal the space you are in." Great advice it turns out. God helps me to apply it anytime I am conscious of it. It is truly an inside job.
Apparently, my spiritual work continues as long as I have a pulse. Step by step through the thinking I go. Informed by experience and the teachings that remain solid foundation anytime I apply them.
Greatest of love,
Martha Creek

Martha Creek

502-905-0783

www.marthacreek.com


 

"When you realize the boundlessness of your spiritual inheritance, nothing shall be lacking in all your world."  
~ Charles Fillmore
"Be a lamp, or a lifeboat, or a ladder. Help someone's soul heal."  
~ Rumi
"Real healing occurs, when you make room for it all."  
~ Pema Chodron
Special Gift Box 2
My October 2019
Special Gift to You.

And here is my special gift to you this month.
Click on the box to open your gift.


Martha's on Pinterest!

Follow all of the latest Martha Creek inspirational quotes and imagery from Uppa Creek Art.

New Feature! Talk with Martha

You can now schedule an appointment for your own personal phone session with Martha.

Click here to schedule time with Martha.
10% off your first order on RedBubble!

Use the link below to receive a 10% discount off your first order of Martha Creek merchandise at Redbubble.  Click  here.


Upcoming Events with Martha Creek

Guest Speaker for Sunday Services and Self-Inquiry Workshop in San Francisco, CA
Sunday, October 6 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm PDT
Unity of San Francisco

Self-Inquiry Workshop in New York City, NY
Saturday, October 12 @ 1:00 pm - 4:00 pm EDT
Unity of New York - St. Michael's Parish

Guest Speaker for Sunday Services in New York City, NY
Sunday, October 13 @ 11:00 am - 12:30 pm EDT
Unity of New York - Symphony Space

Guest Speaker for Sunday Services and Self-Inquiry Workshop in Palo Alto, CA
Sunday, November 10 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm PST
Unity of Palo Alto

Guest Speaker for Sunday Services and Self-Inquiry Workshop in Milwaukee, WI
Sunday, November 17 @ 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm CST
Spiritual Living Center of Greater Milwaukee
To view all events in 2019, click here.

Please consider a donation to continue the teachings of Martha Creek.



or visit  PayPal.Me/marthacreek if you want to see these teachings and principles reach the world.

You do not need a Paypal account to make a donation. You can use your debit or credit via PayPal if you don't have a Paypal account. If you choose to send a check, please send it payable to Martha Creek and send it to PO Box 1081, Louisville KY 40201.
Watch, Inquire, & Listen!


Check out Martha Talks!
For a complete list of Martha's events, please visit 
STAY CONNECTED: