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© Rick E. Mannerino
Articles
| Rick E. Mannerino, C.S. |
| (858) 274-8758 |
SURF LESSONS
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE SENTINEL
AUGUST 11, 2008
AUGUST 11, 2008
____________________________________________________________
| rickem@flash.net |
A SOULFUL DEMO
THE CHRISTIAN SCIENCE JOURNAL
JULY 2009
JULY 2009
____________________________________________________________
Skip calmly stroked into the wave, stood up, and instinctively slid down an elegantly drawn line in the water. His
surfboard positioning -- slotting the board's rail in the sweet spot of the wave, just ahead of the curl -- reminded me of
a pelican as it glides down the wave's face, catching the updraft as the wave folds toward the beach. With impeccable
timing the pelican will position itself inches from the water, trapping the wave's wind current by keeping its wings
spread, enabling it to accelerate down the line of the wave in a graceful glide. For both the surfer and the pelican, the
efficiency of the glide is dependent on their poise and balance along the ocean's surging surface.
As I continued to watch Skip, it seemed to me I was observing the timelessness of Soul -- a demonstration of divine
strength, grace, and vitality that defied the stereotypes of age. No one, I thought, has to surrender freedom and joy
with the advancing of solar years. We don't have to accept for ourselves, or for others, a state of resignation to
slowing down and sinking with age -- or a state of apathy toward learning and experiencing new things. We have the
God-given dominion to reject thoughts that suggest our abilities can diminish, that our expression of divine Life can
somehow fade with time. Mary Baker Eddy got it right when she wrote, "Each succeeding year unfolds wisdom,
beauty, and holiness" (Science and Health, p. 246), and "Men and women of riper years and larger lessons ought to
ripen into health and immortality, instead of lapsing into darkness or gloom" (p. 248).
As a younger surfer, I couldn't help but be impressed with the lesson I took from that two-hour session. I hope
that in another 25 years I could "bring it" on a wave just as Skip had that evening. And why not? The thrill that I and
countless other surfers get from being in rhythm with nature, from taking in the beauty of God's creation, and
expressing Life's strength and grace and flexibility, knows no age or limitation. We're always in perfect harmony with
that Life -- free and limitless in our expression of it.
Humbled by his soulful demonstration, I watched Skip carry his heavy board from the beach, up the stairs to the
top of the bluff.
A COMMON REMARK REGARDING SPORTS, especially from coaches, is how people can learn many of life’s
lessons through athletics.
In my case, surfing large waves actually taught me how to become a better healer. Two simple spiritual
realizations have been important:
lessons through athletics.
In my case, surfing large waves actually taught me how to become a better healer. Two simple spiritual
realizations have been important:
• Overcoming fear—not being
impressed by appearances when
facing challenges.
• Being humble—getting myself
out of the way, and putting it all
in God’s hands.
impressed by appearances when
facing challenges.
• Being humble—getting myself
out of the way, and putting it all
in God’s hands.
Fear can feel like a major obstacle when you’re paddling out into the ocean on a surfboard. There’s a saying,
“There are no atheists in a foxhole.” Well, I also doubt that there are many atheists facing waves that are pushing 20
feet in height! Out in the surf, everything is super-sized—visually and in terms of force. But just like approaching a
case in Christian Science healing, you can’t allow yourself to be overwhelmed or intimidated by the size of the
waves. If you let fear, anxiety, and impossibility creep in, thinking that it’s all up to you instead of God, you sink.
Once, when I was surfing near San Francisco, the waves were immense and there was an abnormally strong
crosscurrent that was flowing parallel to the beach. The paddle out was more than a quarter of a mile. At the end of
one of my rides, the wave I was on swallowed me up. What followed was a severe pounding as I was ground through
the wave’s “rinse cycle.” I ended up pinned against a sandbar and struggled in every way humanly possible to get
away, to no avail. Four or five more waves passed over me. Soon I was out of air, on the verge of passing out, and
choking on water. In that moment, I surrendered any sense of personal control and mentally cried out to God,
“This one is all Yours, and make it quick!” Immediately, I was released from the sandbar and made it to the surface,
taking in each breath of air with gratitude.
Since that experience, there have been challenges on land where I’ve felt I’ve prayed, taking every possible
metaphysical and physical step, but the situation has not yielded healing results. Then, in complete humility I’ve
said, “OK, Father, I’m done. This one is Yours . . . I know You can deal with it.” Each time I’ve approached my
prayers this way, problems have been quickly resolved.
On another occasion, I rushed to the beach after work and found a good channel, or rip current, that pulled me
out to sea with only 15 minutes of sunlight left. Just as I reached the outside peaks of the waves, a lone surfer was
paddling in toward the beach shaking his head. He told me that he’d been trying for over an hour to get to shore.
Moments later, a wave came through that pushed him in, so I figured I could go ahead.
Suddenly, I found myself alone with a thick blanket of fog and little visibility. I took off on a wave and “ate it”
(fell off my board) going down the wave’s face. Once I’d surfaced, I realized that I didn’t even know which direction
the beach was. (In normal conditions, once the sun is down you can see the lights on shore.) I had only one option—
turning to God for direction. The first step was to stop getting down on myself for being in this compromising
situation. Fearful thoughts about the possibility of spending the night drifting on the open water kept coming to
me. But I paused and prayed.
As soon as my thoughts became as quiet as my surroundings, I was able to ask, “Father, in which direction do I
need to paddle?” Then, I listened. The answer that came was to head toward my left. Fifteen minutes later, I was
greeted by a wave that rolled over my back and pushed me to shore.
What did I learn from that twilight trip to the beach? I’m sure I’m not the only one who has forged ahead with
enthusiasm, eager to take on a task, ignored the warning signs, and then landed in a rough spot. Good thing that
even those crazy moments can be opportunities to prove divine Love’s presence!
Good waves are the fruit of large storms, and riding them with dominion is an incredible rush—just as being a
witness to God’s active presence in the midst of “earth’s troubled, angry sea” is the ultimate thrill for me (Mary
Baker Eddy, Christian Science Hymnal, No. 253). This may require tenacity in paddling forward. But once the fog
of fear dissipates, it becomes easier to surf the natural flow of good.
“There are no atheists in a foxhole.” Well, I also doubt that there are many atheists facing waves that are pushing 20
feet in height! Out in the surf, everything is super-sized—visually and in terms of force. But just like approaching a
case in Christian Science healing, you can’t allow yourself to be overwhelmed or intimidated by the size of the
waves. If you let fear, anxiety, and impossibility creep in, thinking that it’s all up to you instead of God, you sink.
Once, when I was surfing near San Francisco, the waves were immense and there was an abnormally strong
crosscurrent that was flowing parallel to the beach. The paddle out was more than a quarter of a mile. At the end of
one of my rides, the wave I was on swallowed me up. What followed was a severe pounding as I was ground through
the wave’s “rinse cycle.” I ended up pinned against a sandbar and struggled in every way humanly possible to get
away, to no avail. Four or five more waves passed over me. Soon I was out of air, on the verge of passing out, and
choking on water. In that moment, I surrendered any sense of personal control and mentally cried out to God,
“This one is all Yours, and make it quick!” Immediately, I was released from the sandbar and made it to the surface,
taking in each breath of air with gratitude.
Since that experience, there have been challenges on land where I’ve felt I’ve prayed, taking every possible
metaphysical and physical step, but the situation has not yielded healing results. Then, in complete humility I’ve
said, “OK, Father, I’m done. This one is Yours . . . I know You can deal with it.” Each time I’ve approached my
prayers this way, problems have been quickly resolved.
On another occasion, I rushed to the beach after work and found a good channel, or rip current, that pulled me
out to sea with only 15 minutes of sunlight left. Just as I reached the outside peaks of the waves, a lone surfer was
paddling in toward the beach shaking his head. He told me that he’d been trying for over an hour to get to shore.
Moments later, a wave came through that pushed him in, so I figured I could go ahead.
Suddenly, I found myself alone with a thick blanket of fog and little visibility. I took off on a wave and “ate it”
(fell off my board) going down the wave’s face. Once I’d surfaced, I realized that I didn’t even know which direction
the beach was. (In normal conditions, once the sun is down you can see the lights on shore.) I had only one option—
turning to God for direction. The first step was to stop getting down on myself for being in this compromising
situation. Fearful thoughts about the possibility of spending the night drifting on the open water kept coming to
me. But I paused and prayed.
As soon as my thoughts became as quiet as my surroundings, I was able to ask, “Father, in which direction do I
need to paddle?” Then, I listened. The answer that came was to head toward my left. Fifteen minutes later, I was
greeted by a wave that rolled over my back and pushed me to shore.
What did I learn from that twilight trip to the beach? I’m sure I’m not the only one who has forged ahead with
enthusiasm, eager to take on a task, ignored the warning signs, and then landed in a rough spot. Good thing that
even those crazy moments can be opportunities to prove divine Love’s presence!
Good waves are the fruit of large storms, and riding them with dominion is an incredible rush—just as being a
witness to God’s active presence in the midst of “earth’s troubled, angry sea” is the ultimate thrill for me (Mary
Baker Eddy, Christian Science Hymnal, No. 253). This may require tenacity in paddling forward. But once the fog
of fear dissipates, it becomes easier to surf the natural flow of good.
ONE SUMMER EVENING at Pacific Beach as I paddled back
into the surf to catch another wave, I noticed a fellow surfer
riding toward me in a classic soul-arch stance: upright, back
arched, chest out, hips forward, like a matador when a bull
makes a pass. The surfer's technique was unlabored and elegant,
like nothing I'd ever seen before. After another glance, I
realized he was one of surfing's legends, Skip Frye, a wave-riding
master in his mid-sixties whose skills and innovation in shaping
surfboards have influenced several generations of the sport.
With his long hair, sun-seasoned face, and quiet demeanor, he
might go unnoticed on a beach boardwalk. But in the San Diego
surf, among a crowded lineup of wave seekers, he stood out as
the maestro.
into the surf to catch another wave, I noticed a fellow surfer
riding toward me in a classic soul-arch stance: upright, back
arched, chest out, hips forward, like a matador when a bull
makes a pass. The surfer's technique was unlabored and elegant,
like nothing I'd ever seen before. After another glance, I
realized he was one of surfing's legends, Skip Frye, a wave-riding
master in his mid-sixties whose skills and innovation in shaping
surfboards have influenced several generations of the sport.
With his long hair, sun-seasoned face, and quiet demeanor, he
might go unnoticed on a beach boardwalk. But in the San Diego
surf, among a crowded lineup of wave seekers, he stood out as
the maestro.
| Photo by Katharine H. Lee |
A SURE REWARD
CHRISTIAN SCIENCE SENTINEL
DECEMBER 13, 2010
DECEMBER 13, 2010
WHEN FACED WITH A CHALLENGE, we may be confronted with thoughts of failure or doom. In many cases it
feels like an adversarial voice is telling us to just give up! But in my experience as a healer, I've learned that failure
is never an option. As long as one keeps working and praying -- even if there is no material evidence of
improvement -- the victory is always assured.
Looking back, I can honestly say I grew up thinking that someday I would be a Christian Science practitioner.
But that "someday" came a lot sooner than I'd anticipated.
When I graduated from college, my sole focus was to get a place at the beach and surf. And I found myself doing
just that in Northern California, while working at a Christian Science nursing facility. This was where the
foundation of my Christian Science practice found its masonry. Being employed in an organization whose sole
purpose was healing through the Christ, I could see how little suggestions would try to disrupt those whose work
was to support the healing environment. For my part, I often dealt with concerns that I was wasting my education
and potential by working in the kitchen/dining room and gardens there.
But it felt so right to be working and studying where I was. I realized how grateful I was for all that Mary Baker
Eddy and the early Christian Science pioneers endured and withstood for us to have this practical Science today. I
realized I could not simply leave the preservation and advancement of this wonderful truth to others. During this
period there was much spiritual growth that convinced me that someday I would enter the practice. But again, I
thought "someday" meant later on in life, when I'd become financially established.
By that point, I was already comfortable with Christian Science healing. After working at the nursing facility, I
went to grad school and spent five years working at financial institutions. And I never passed up the opportunity to
heal. If I noticed someone who was suffering and not getting relief through traditional methods, I would step out
and offer them an alternative. I never listened to the adversarial voice that said, "Oh, this could be awkward,
bringing up healing through Christ!" or, "Are you nuts? They're just going to think you're crazy!"
What was beautiful about moving forward in spite of those negative thoughts was proving to those who had
never heard of Christian Science -- or who had heard only a negative stereotype of it -- that there is no greater help
than God. When someone is healed of something that seemed so real and impossible to overcome before, they will
talk about it to others, demonstrating the true definition of a referral business.
Ultimately, the healing that made me realize I should move forward in the public practice was of a co-worker's
cat. Her veterinarian had given her the news that her cat must be put to sleep because an incurable disease was
eating away the skin on the cat's head and causing inhumane suffering. When I noticed my co-worker crying in the
lunchroom after she got the news, I offered an alternative to her current approach, if she chose not to give up on
the cat.
After one Christian Science treatment, the cat ate for the first time in a couple of weeks, which was encouraging
to its owner. After a second treatment, the cat's wounds closed up, and the skin and hair on its head grew back
shortly thereafter. The cat was soon back to its healthy self. Coming from a different religious background from
mine, my friend saw this as a miracle and told everyone who would listen, which resulted in a few more
opportunities for healing.
I jumped into the practice soon afterward. My savings had recently been wiped out, so I did not have a financial
parachute at that point -- and I had plenty of grad school debt and other financial obligations. But I was holding on
to a clear promise, revealed through prayer, that I could not be punished for doing God's work. Divine Love
certainly takes care of Her own! After a year of being in the full-time healing practice, I was confident that my
financial needs would be met, and submitted my application for listing in The Christian Science Journal. It was a
privilege to prove that sustenance and financial inflow do not necessarily come from society's traditional avenues.
Today, I can say that my practice is secure and I am supplied with everything I need. I often think of Mrs.
Eddy's clear affirmation "Only a firm foundation in Truth can give a fearless wing and a sure reward" (Message to
The Mother Church for 1901, p. 2). When taking on a new case or reviewing the state of my practice, I know that
the sure reward is the outcome of healing through Christ's divine Principle. Going against the grain of popular
belief and entering the public practice of divine metaphysics has proved to be a very rewarding career.
feels like an adversarial voice is telling us to just give up! But in my experience as a healer, I've learned that failure
is never an option. As long as one keeps working and praying -- even if there is no material evidence of
improvement -- the victory is always assured.
Looking back, I can honestly say I grew up thinking that someday I would be a Christian Science practitioner.
But that "someday" came a lot sooner than I'd anticipated.
When I graduated from college, my sole focus was to get a place at the beach and surf. And I found myself doing
just that in Northern California, while working at a Christian Science nursing facility. This was where the
foundation of my Christian Science practice found its masonry. Being employed in an organization whose sole
purpose was healing through the Christ, I could see how little suggestions would try to disrupt those whose work
was to support the healing environment. For my part, I often dealt with concerns that I was wasting my education
and potential by working in the kitchen/dining room and gardens there.
But it felt so right to be working and studying where I was. I realized how grateful I was for all that Mary Baker
Eddy and the early Christian Science pioneers endured and withstood for us to have this practical Science today. I
realized I could not simply leave the preservation and advancement of this wonderful truth to others. During this
period there was much spiritual growth that convinced me that someday I would enter the practice. But again, I
thought "someday" meant later on in life, when I'd become financially established.
By that point, I was already comfortable with Christian Science healing. After working at the nursing facility, I
went to grad school and spent five years working at financial institutions. And I never passed up the opportunity to
heal. If I noticed someone who was suffering and not getting relief through traditional methods, I would step out
and offer them an alternative. I never listened to the adversarial voice that said, "Oh, this could be awkward,
bringing up healing through Christ!" or, "Are you nuts? They're just going to think you're crazy!"
What was beautiful about moving forward in spite of those negative thoughts was proving to those who had
never heard of Christian Science -- or who had heard only a negative stereotype of it -- that there is no greater help
than God. When someone is healed of something that seemed so real and impossible to overcome before, they will
talk about it to others, demonstrating the true definition of a referral business.
Ultimately, the healing that made me realize I should move forward in the public practice was of a co-worker's
cat. Her veterinarian had given her the news that her cat must be put to sleep because an incurable disease was
eating away the skin on the cat's head and causing inhumane suffering. When I noticed my co-worker crying in the
lunchroom after she got the news, I offered an alternative to her current approach, if she chose not to give up on
the cat.
After one Christian Science treatment, the cat ate for the first time in a couple of weeks, which was encouraging
to its owner. After a second treatment, the cat's wounds closed up, and the skin and hair on its head grew back
shortly thereafter. The cat was soon back to its healthy self. Coming from a different religious background from
mine, my friend saw this as a miracle and told everyone who would listen, which resulted in a few more
opportunities for healing.
I jumped into the practice soon afterward. My savings had recently been wiped out, so I did not have a financial
parachute at that point -- and I had plenty of grad school debt and other financial obligations. But I was holding on
to a clear promise, revealed through prayer, that I could not be punished for doing God's work. Divine Love
certainly takes care of Her own! After a year of being in the full-time healing practice, I was confident that my
financial needs would be met, and submitted my application for listing in The Christian Science Journal. It was a
privilege to prove that sustenance and financial inflow do not necessarily come from society's traditional avenues.
Today, I can say that my practice is secure and I am supplied with everything I need. I often think of Mrs.
Eddy's clear affirmation "Only a firm foundation in Truth can give a fearless wing and a sure reward" (Message to
The Mother Church for 1901, p. 2). When taking on a new case or reviewing the state of my practice, I know that
the sure reward is the outcome of healing through Christ's divine Principle. Going against the grain of popular
belief and entering the public practice of divine metaphysics has proved to be a very rewarding career.
____________________________________________________________