How does one spend 35 years wrongfully in prison, and come out with no bitterness? Watch an inspiring video of James Bain briefly telling his story.
Bain spent 35 years in a metal and concrete prison and shouldn't have.
Prisons take many different forms for different people. Some spend even longer time in health prisons, relationship prisons, and fear prisons. Bain's example, tenacity, and enduring hope and faith are examples for all to learn from. He came out of his ordeal in a right state of mind that will serve him well. He is not going to let the past weigh down his future. He truly is a free man, and was all along in many ways that others in similar situations are not. He never lost hope.
James Bain video
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About Me
- Evan Mehlenbacher
- I am a practitioner and teacher of Christian Science. From an early age I wanted to help others find spiritual healing for the problems they faced. After graduating from Stanford University and working with my dad in the family farming business for five years, I decided my heart was elsewhere. I left the business and went into the full time practice of Christian Science Mind-healing. For over 22 years I have been healing people of pain, suffering and disease through my prayers. I have written dozens of articles on spiritual healing that have been published in magazines and on the Internet. I teach a two week class annually on how to heal through Christian Science, and have a wonderful wife and two teenage children. I hope you stick around and enjoy this blog.
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7 comments:
Thanks, Evan. I teared over as I watched this, and I still have a lump in my throat. Evil is NOT more powerful than good.
Hi, Evan. Thank you for sharing this story. It is such a touching demonstration of the fidelity of Truth. From a CS perspective, though, I have a serious question I hope you don't mind addressing. The investigation into DNA is what led this man into exoneration in the human view. I would have thought that even "going there" would be giving matter (DNA) authority--not Spirit, but in this case, investigation into DNA has led to freedom, the demonstration of Truth. It would seem, then, that investigation into matter can lead to goodness. Would you be so kind and help me with this reasoning/perspective?Thank you!
Diane
Hi Diane,
Interesting question you pose! I have another question. Which came first, the DNA testing, or freedom in thought? I suggest that freedom in thought came first and the DNA outcome was simply a way the human mind could relate to, in this case, that verified the freedom the man already knew in his thought.
It's like healing a heart condition through prayer. The effect of the prayer is for the heart to restore back to it's normal condition. A materialist would look at the heart first, rather than the prayer, and say, "Oh, but look the heart repaired itself. Matter fixed the problem," without realizing that prayer made the change first in thought that led to the outward change in the heart.
All is thought...
Hope that helps.
Thanks for sharing this story and video Evan. I'd seen the story online, but not the video. His lack of bitterness and the look of peace on his face, in his smile said it all. A big help for me dealing with other forms of prison. And loved your response to Diane about the DNA!
Great lesson for us all. Recently, it's been coming to me that it really doesn't matter what the "scenery" or the setting is for our lives, a material prison, or a palace, it's all about consciousness.
Thanks again,
Sancy
Evan, I love your blog! It is such a great resource to turn to for inspiration. It is my written "daily lift." Thanks so much for maintaining it.
Regarding the DNA inquiry, perhaps deeper questioning is outside the scope of the purpose of this blog, but I'll go ahead and let you correct me if that's the case! That said.... I get your point about thought producing all, and in this case, the focus on freedom in thought led to the human result of DNA testing proving this man's innocence in human view.... But I cannot help but wonder about the very practice of investigation into DNA. Does the very act of doing that empower the notion that matter can indicate identity? Or is this a lesson in motive--i.e., looking to matter (DNA) to verify Truth is okay, whereas looking to matter (in any form) for healing and comfort is not okay???? What is the logic at play here? I ask not to push the envelope or to challenge the beauty of this man's freedom. I ask because I think it's a valid question for CS's to consider when voting in the future, and, I think, in the spirit of being a sincere seeker of Truth.
Thanks for any more thought you're willing to devote to this interesting topic!
Hi Diane,
You are bringing up many thought-provoking points. I have to say, when I posted the blog I wasn't posting it as a comment on DNA research really, just on the man's ability to forgive. You are touching on another big subject, which I suppose deserves it's own blog and discussion!
You are correct, that in spiritual healing, we dig into Spirit for the help, truth and healing we're looking for. And what we discover in Truth, transforms the human circumstance to a better end.
You say that "investigation into DNA is what led this man into exoneration..." I would hesitate to give all the credit to the DNA testing. The positive DNA results could very well have been the outcome of a righteous state of thought that came first. It could have been all effect, not cause. I don't know. It's like Elisha telling Naaman to go dip in the river Jordan 7 times to be healed of leprosy. The dipping in water was a very material act. But it wasn't the dipping that healed Naaman. It was Elisha's prayer that came first and paved the way for the dipping to heal him. Hmmm...much to think about.
Thanks for your thoughtfulness.
Evan,
Did you see the movie "Invictus"? It partially tells the story of Nelson Mandela, especially his later years (I think he is 93 years old now) and is about forgiveness. Mandela was imprisoned for 27 years, but while he was there he overcame bitterness and redefined his life to include forgiveness, an amazing story. Toward the end of his imprisonment when the South African govennment realized there was no hope for future racial segregation and injustice, it teamed with him to form a different, more just future for all South Africans. I think the same could be said of Branch Rickey who owned the Brooklyn Dodgers when major league baseball was integrated with Jackie Robinson. He was not the best black baseball player at that time by any means, but he was the one to partner with MLB and bring about a more just baseball society.
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