Getting to Know Dandelion

Upstate New York is flourishing with dandelions. A magnanimous carpet of soft yellow flowers is cheering spring weather forward—to the dismay of some lawn caretakers. Dandelions, in all their brightness, are seen by some people as pesky weeds, a blot in their picture perfect lawns.

It’s all a matter of interpretation.

Although no one begrudges a dandelion-less lawn, the pretty yellow flowers do not need to discombobulate our thought process. Everything our physical senses sees, hears, and feels is temporal. We can let it go and engage our spiritual senses which can detect and lead into the experience of that which is ongoing such as composure and calm, even getting to know the dandelion.

Dandelion is a hardy perennial. There are hundreds of species of dandelion. Some can grow to nearly 12 inches in height. Dandelions have deeply notched, toothy, spatula-like leaves that are hairless and rather shiny. The spatula-like leaves funnel rain to the root. The dark brown roots have one main tap root. The fleshy root is filled with a white milky substance that is bitter and slightly smelly. Dandelion flowers open with the sun in the morning and close in the evening.

Dandelion has been used in traditional Native American and Arabic medical systems. The leaves and roots are used fresh or dried in teas, capsules, or extracts. Dandelion use is generally considered safe however use should be discussed with your health care provider. Dandelion is a rich source of vitamins A, B complex, C, and D, as well as minerals such as potassium, iron, and zinc. Dandelion leaves add flavor to salads, sandwiches, and teas. The roots are used in some coffee substitute, and the flowers are used to make wines.

From 21^st Century Science and Health, “Nature voices spiritual law and divine Love, but the human mortal mindset misinterprets nature. Arctic regions, sunny tropics, coral reefs, the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, flowering deserts, and galaxies—all point to Mind, the spiritual intelligence they reflect. The floral apostles are hieroglyphs of Deity. Quantum mechanics, gravity, and the cosmos teach grand lessons. The stars make night beautiful, and the leaf turns naturally toward the light.”

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Wine and Bread Making

Archeologists have found evidence of wine being purposely made as far back as 12,000 years ago. To say this wine was made successfully is not completely true. People did not understand the fermentation process until the invention of the microscope followed by the pioneering scientific work of Louis Pasteur in the late 1860’s when yeast was identified as the living organism and agent responsible for alcoholic fermentation. Today, winemakers kill off any yeast in the juice and use isolated yeast strains in pure culture form to make consistent palatable wines. Also, a baker’s yeast has been identified to be utilized for good bread making.

Yeast is naturally everywhere. We can’t see it, but it’s in our homes, on the trees and plants, it floats in the air and we breathe it every day. Although ancient wine and bread makers didn’t know exactly why, they learned to keep a bit of good wine or a portion of good dough around to be used as starters for new batches.

Yeast is a type of leaven. Nelson’s Bible Dictionary states, “Leaven was a common Jewish metaphor for an invisible, pervasive influence.” Christ Jesus warned his disciples, “Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.” (Matt. 16:6, KJV) More modern Bibles have incorporated the discovery of yeast into their translations, for example “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” (NIV) The use of the word leaven signified that which could be seen, leftover wine or a piece of bread dough, however the word yeast signifies the need to beware of thoughts unseen.

We can see thoughts. We see thoughts of anger and happiness and as we fine-tune our ability to perceive thoughts, we allow our self to be influenced only by that which is conducive to our spiritual growth and understanding.

From 21^st Century Science and Health, “Mortals evolve images of thought. They may appear to the learner to be apparitions, but they are mysterious only because it is unusual to see thoughts, although we can feel their influence. Ghosts and strange noises brought out in a dark séance either involve pranks or they are images and sounds evolved involuntarily by human mind. Seeing is no less a quality of physical sense than is feeling. Here it can be asked, why is it more difficult to see a thought than to feel one? Education alone determines the difference. In reality there is no difference between seeing and feeling a thought.

“The term ‘sixth sense’ has been used to describe intuitive vision, or knowingness, when really it is first sense. Our intuitive perception discerns essential facts. Science enables a person to read the human mind, but not as a clairvoyant. Science enables one to heal through Mind, but not as a hypnotist.

“How do we distinguish real thoughts from illusive thoughts? By learning what is the starting point of the thought. Real ideas flow from the divine Mind. Unreal thoughts, coming from the brain or from auras, are extensions of the human mind; they are an accumulation of imprinted mortal beliefs and experiences. Ideas are spiritual, harmonious, and eternal.”

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Divine Science, also known as spiritual Science, gives us access to our natural state of spirituality, security, and welfare, as long as we keep the subscription active.

To actively access spirituality through divine Science, Science and Health counsels to, “Admit only those conclusions that you wish to be realized on the body… When the condition is present which you say induces disease, whether it is air, exercise, heredity, contagion, or accident, than pro-actively keep those unhealthy conclusions and fears out of thought. The issues of pain or pleasure must come through mind. Be on guard, do not abandon the mental post and do not forget that through divine help we can stop intrusive interruptions. Exclude from human mind all offending errors; then the body cannot suffer from them.”

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Pioneer a Healthy Consciousness

The word pioneer has the same Latin root as peon. During the 16^th through the 19^th century, pioneer was a military term referring to low-status pioneers who labored to clear paths, build roads, and dig trenches. In America, it wasn’t until the 19^th century when the word pioneer was applied to the land-clearing settlers as they transformed the width of the Continent into settled territory.

Paradoxically, pioneers entered land that was already settled by Native Americans. What was discovered was already discovered, just in a different form, no longer attractive to the majority of the population. It is therefore no surprise that pioneers follow pioneers to reestablish the spirit of discovery and universality—an ability to include a greater magnitude of thinkers and doers in an infinite plan.

Oftentimes, other people can be suspicious of pioneers who throw off the restraints of tradition, and the old-guard will protect themselves from the pioneer’s discoveries, even classifying the new as religious quackery. But, that which doesn’t change and develop becomes obsolete. However, the old-way is inadequate and petty as new spiritual solutions are developed. Amazingly, pioneers do not demand a radical conversion and rejection of the familiar rites but provide a fresh and inclusive outlook with a sense of a wider world.

We can pioneer a peaceful consciousness, a strong family, or a healthy work place.

Let the pioneer spirit flow freely.