We Are Love

Sunrise - 1933

Maxfield Parrish 

What is love? As a personal value, love changes and shifts. Friendships end over disagreements, marriages fall apart, societies struggle to remain cohesive while accepting those who think differently. A Course in Miracles tells us that only perfect Love exists. This realization can change our material expectations of what constitutes love. When we see people in their true identity as spiritual expressions of Love, we understand that they share in the wisdom of the ages, because they are reflections of divine Mind. Plus, seeing others as the expression of Love, they can see themselves this way, too! When we recognize ourselves as complete, a shift occurs in the way we treat others. All problems, large and small, are symptoms of a basic misconception that we are fallen humans, separated from Love. The acceptance that we are Love, wholly and purely, starts a domino-effect which inevitably includes everyone in this shift of thought. Through this acceptance, our views shift from unreal beliefs of what we are, to the pure understanding of ourselves as One with All.

“From Love and from the light and harmony which are the abode of Spirit, only reflections of good can come. All things beautiful and harmless are ideas of Mind. Mind [Love] creates and multiplies them, and the product must be mental.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 280:4-8

“Meditation is the art of divine appreciation of the outer forms, because meditation gives us an understanding of the divine Love which produced the form. Meditation develops the insight which carries us from the outer form to its creative principle and then, with this new insight, the world is revealed as it really is.”
—Joel Goldsmith

“Love created me like itself. Today’s idea is a complete and accurate statement of what you are. This is why you are the light of the world. This is why God appointed you as the world’s savior. This is why the Son of God looks to you for his salvation. He is saved by what you are. We will make every effort today to reach this truth about you, and to realize fully, if only for a moment, that it is the truth.”
—A Course in Miracles W-67.1:1-6

No Grievance in Love

Photo credit: Don Matt

Some painful memories seem to stay with us. Throughout the years, certain events have re-played regularly in my mind. Although these re-runs are mostly gone now, there are current events which beg me to take offense. They jump up and down asking to be retold, wanting to hold me to them with emotions. To hold a grievance, we must live in the past. I remember a line from a little book by Alan Lightman called "Einstein's Dreams". He tells us that those who live in the past are condemned to live there alone. Habitually recounting what used to be, or wishing for what never was, or wanting what could have been — these thought processes are symptoms of holding grievances. A Course in Miracles tells us how forgetting that we are Love, forgetting that everyone is Love, forgetting that everything is Love, is holding a grievance. So today let’s return to Love -- a figurative return, as we remember that we never left, and neither has anyone else. This Love replaces all grievances in our thoughts, and by this process we are safely and peacefully at one with all.

“The circumstance, which your suffering sense deems wrathful and afflictive, Love can make an angel entertained unawares.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 574:27-30

“It is as sure that those who hold grievances will redefine God in their own image, as it is certain that God created them like Himself, and defined them as part of Him. It is as sure that those who hold grievances will suffer guilt, as it is certain that those who forgive will find peace. It is as sure that those who hold grievances will forget who they are, as it is certain that those who forgive will remember.”
—A Course in Miracles W-68.3:1-3

Sweeping Away Grievances

Finding and clearing out hidden grievances within ourselves is similar to cleaning away cobwebs from dark corners in our home. Perhaps we’re holding onto them simply because we’re afraid the story we’ve created for ourselves might fall apart if we let go any part of it. Maybe we’ve convinced ourself that we like our history, and don’t want to give any of it up — much less all of it! But what brilliance is hiding behind the cover of these grievance clouds? What light have we hidden behind the illusions created for ourselves and the world? I know something wonderful is there, just out of reach. So when an old story comes to mind, I will turn thought instead to contemplation of the wondrous Truth which flows in, out, and through me when I lift the veil created by my grievances. Now that's deep cleaning!


“The manifestation of God through mortals is as light passing through the window-pane. The light and the glass never mingle, but as matter, the glass is less opaque than the walls. The mortal mind through which Truth appears most vividly is that one which has lost much materiality--much error--in order to become a better transparency for Truth. Then, like a cloud melting into thin vapor, it no longer hides the sun.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 295:14-24

“From where you stand, you can see no reason to believe there is a brilliant light hidden by the clouds. The clouds seem to be the only reality. They seem to be all there is to see. Therefore, you do not attempt to go through them and past them, which is the only way in which you would be really convinced of their lack of substance.”
—A Course in Miracles W-69.5:1-4

A Cause For Celebration

Photo Credit: Aaron Springston 

A dear friend tells me that it has taken her seven decades to stop believing the things her parents told her about herself. They said she was ugly, stupid, worthless, and other hurtful damnations. She believed these things and they stayed with her, until being in a group with spiritually-aware people allowed her to see the truth about herself. She no longer feels unworthy of love and goodness. Hallelujah! Her salvation has come! How often do we believe lies about the reality of our being? We don’t realize we have chosen guilt for ourselves, but thankfully we are recognizing this and understanding that we have a choice. Nothing outside of our own self can save us; nothing from outside can bring us peace. The source of salvation and peace lies within. This acceptance is, indeed, a cause for celebration!

“Salvation seems to come from anywhere except from you. So, too, does the source of guilt. You see neither guilt nor salvation as in your own mind and nowhere else. When you realize that all guilt is solely an invention of your mind, you also realize that guilt and salvation must be in the same place. In understanding this you are saved.”
—A Course in Miracles W-70.1:2-6

“Innocence and Truth overcome guilt and error.”  
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 568:1

Filling the Empty Space in. Life

There have been three movie versions of A Star is Born. My personal favorite is the one with Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. The movie brings back memories of all the alcoholic/drug addicts who have been friends, along with all the incredibly talented Texas musicians I’ve loved. Whew! And this has led me to think about this thing we call will power. I’m not sure there is such a thing in our material sense of things. We say addiction is a disease, and that’s probably true, as it’s an acute sense of dis-ease which is felt in the throes of addictive behavior. An ex-heroin addict once told me he was trying to fill the “God hole” in his life. The religions he has tried to embrace did not fill his need, and he repeatedly turned to drugs. At one point I was addicted to many substances, and it was the illness of a child which caused me to want to change enough to struggle to do so. The study of the Science of Christ satisfied that longing in my life. Discovering A Course in Miracles closed the deal in my search for a happy existence. For this, I am thankful with all my heart.

“The power of the human will should be exercised only in subordination to Truth; else it will misguide the judgment and free the lower propensities. It is the province of spiritual sense to govern man. Material, erring, human thought acts injuriously both upon the body and through it."
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 206:4-9

“Your picture of the world can only mirror what is within. The source of neither light nor darkness can be found without. Grievances darken your mind, and you look out on a darkened world. Forgiveness lifts the darkness, reasserts your will, and lets you look upon a world of light. We have repeatedly emphasized that the barrier of grievances is easily passed, and cannot stand between you and your salvation. The reason is very simple. Do you really want to be in hell? Do you really want to weep and suffer and die?”
—A Course in Miracles W-73.5:1-8

Giving the Gift of Peace and Love

Dulaine Dancing Students

Pierre Dulaine wanted to be a ballroom dancer. After years of performing, he became a teacher. He was determined to bring ballroom dancing to the classrooms of New York City. No one wanted him to do this. Administrators, teachers, and especially students thought it was a horrid idea. He persisted and now his way of teaching is integral in more than 500 schools around the world. His idea is that if you can dance together, you can get along. He paired up kids by height, with no regard to nationality or gang affiliation or anything else. When these kids are dancing, they are happy and everything else falls away. It doesn't matter if their families have feuded for years or if someone hurt the other's feelings the day before. These students are being taught respect for themselves and others through dance. They must hold each other and cooperate in movement. They are taught to look into each others' eyes and learn the confidence to do so in daily life. Pierre Dulaine was led to do something everyone thought to be foolish and a waste of time. He has followed his heart and brought a gift of Love and peace and grace to thousands by doing so.

You will first dream of peace, and then awaken to it. ²Your first exchange of what you made for what you want is the exchange of nightmares for the happy dreams of love.
—A Course in Miracles T-13.VII.9:1-2

“Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way. Right motives give pinions to thought, and strength and freedom to speech and action. Love is priestess at the altar of Truth. Wait patiently for divine Love to move upon the waters of mortal mind, and form the perfect concept. Patience must ‘have her perfect work.’”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 454:18-24

Let’s Stop the Madness

 

Mahatma Gandhi famously said to a rioting crowd: “I am a Muslim, a Christian, a Buddhist, a Jew — and so are you!” In the Book of Galatians we are told of the teachings of Jesus: “There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female…” If only everyone in the world acknowledged this truth. The worldwide persecution of people for their nationality, religion, gender, and who-knows-what-else, is rising. I can’t change how that guy over there thinks, but I can change how I see things. Instead of blaming, perhaps even hating, those perpetrating atrocities in the name of power, let’s see them as they were born: the pure reflection of Love. Anything else is an illusion they are living. We tend to think it will take some sort of physical force to break through the hate, but actually Love is the only power capable of that.

“You are what God created or what you made. ²One Self is true; the other is not there. Try to experience the unity of your one Self. Try to appreciate Its Holiness and the love from which It was created. Try not to interfere with the Self which God created as you, by hiding Its majesty behind the tiny idols of evil and sinfulness you have made to replace It. Let It come into Its Own. Here you are; This is You. And light and joy and peace abide in you because this is so.”
—A Course in Miracles W-93.9:1-8

“Millions of unprejudiced minds — simple seekers for Truth, weary wanderers, athirst in the desert — are waiting and watching for rest and drink. Give them a cup of cold water in Christ’s name, and never fear the consequences. What if the old dragon should send forth a new flood to drown the Christ-idea? He can neither drown your voice with its roar, nor again sink the world into the deep waters of chaos and old night. In this age the earth will help the woman; the spiritual idea will be understood. Those ready for the blessing you impart will give thanks. The waters will be pacified, and Christ will command the wave.”
—Mary Baker Eddy - Science & Health Page 570:14-25