Metaphizzies
Metaphysical Society explores all things ‘beyond the physical'
By Kathryn Lucariello, Carroll County News
EUREKA SPRINGS - In its simplest sense, the term “metaphysics,” coined by the Greek philosopher Aristotle, means “beyond the physical,” and that is the core subject matter of a new group that recently formed in Eureka Springs: the Arkansas Metaphysical Society. (ARMS)Started by three members of the First Church of Christ, Scientist, otherwise known in Eureka Springs as the Christian Science Society and Reading Room, the metaphysical society is a separate, non-related group that meets weekly to discuss whatever metaphysical topics come up.
Jim Young, Marsha Havens and Carol Peacock said they were sitting around one evening talking about spiritual subjects and realized they “wished for opportunities to talk more and with others,” Carol said.
Thus the idea for the Arkansas Metaphysical Society was born.
Although the group bears some resemblance to Christian Science in subject matter and meets in the basement of the Christian Science building, it is totally separate from Christian Science and does not describe itself as a Christian group.
“Christian Science is a philosophy involving metaphysical principles as taught by Jesus,” said Marsha, who was raised in it.
Coming from a Christian Science background, the group's three founders see Jesus as the ultimate metaphysician.
“People think metaphysics is not Christian,” said Jim, “but if you want to understand the teachings, it's the scientific study of the workings of Jesus.”
“The Sermon on the Mount - all these principles are metaphysical,” said Marsha. “The loaves and fishes was a pure act of higher thought creation, walking on water, moving mountains, healing people - he was here to teach us how to do that and more. He said everything I do you can do, and more.”
“We welcome anyone of any denomination - or not,” said Jim.
Carol said the purpose of the group is to “further explore consciousness, the opportunity for a group of individuals to enlighten each other with their own ideas and results of explorations.”
“Getting together with people is inspiring, individually and collectively,” said Marsha. “It's exciting, delving into areas we haven't thought about.”
“It's inspiration, insight and enlightenment,” Jim said.
The three said metaphysics informs everything they do, from Marsha's starting her Eureka Thyme gallery with 100 inspired artists who magnify the sense of divinely inspired love, to Carol's inspired paintings, to Jim's photography and writing.
Topics in the group arise spontaneously and range from the meaning of evil, to how thoughts create reality, to spiritual healing. Group members have suggested future topics such as soul retrieval, metaphysical healing and the Akashic Records.
A fundamental principle of the discussions, however, is that a person's experience is a matter of perception.
“Metaphysics is a very simple shift in perspective,” Jim said. “Someone hollers at you, and you can say, ‘They abused me,' or you can say, ‘That person is crying for help.'”
“Metaphysics is how we interpret actions, also,” Marsha said. “One person can think a roller coaster is fun and exciting; another can think it's stressful and bad.”
The group has more than 250 members on the email list, but during any given week, around 20 people attend.
Participants come from all walks of life and a variety of healing and spiritual backgrounds, among them chiropractic, massage therapy, Eastern mysticism, Reiki healing, inspired art and those from traditional religious backgrounds.
“Those in the group have an insatiable curiosity, an openness, a thirst for understanding, and maturity of great magnitude,” Jim said.
“There's an openness and trust among all these people and they're letting out their true feelings with no fear of doing that,” Carol said.
“We are all each other's teachers,” said Marsha.
The group meets every Monday at 6:30 p.m. in the basement of the Christian Science Society at 68 West Mountain in Eureka Springs. All are welcome.