January 31, 2012 - I am not a victim

ACIM Workbook Lesson #31:

"I am not the victim of the world I see"  

Glacier National Park photo
by Heather Magnan

[Marsha's thoughts]

It seems to me that the more I feel victimized, the more I'm victimized! I say this jokingly, but it's true. For instance, recently I have felt put-upon by my landlord, the city, and any number of decisionmakers involved in the renovation of the street in front of the gallery.  I had accepted the proposed disruption of business and decided to enjoy some stay-at-home days to do yard work during our unseasonably warm weather. While doing just that, I discovered that they are not doing the work on the street, and that I had shut down for no reason. During the two hours following this discovery, I must admit to some attack thoughts directed towards those in charge. And also during this period of time, any and every project I started to do around the house was thwarted, for various reasons. So I took my Corgi, Chili-dog, and we walked around a peaceful little lake in the woods. The sunshine and exercise washed away any worries as to how things would progress -- or not!  Shortly after returning home, I received a phone call from someone who wanted to purchase a drum they had seen in the gallery last fall. I wonder what events would have transpired if I'd chosen to rattle cages in connection with the business situation. I feel certain I could have created any number of disruptive scenarios in which I could star! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Man is tributary to God, Spirit, and to nothing else. God's being is infinity, freedom, harmony, and boundless bliss."

Science & Health Page 481:2-4

January 29, 2012 - God Is All

ACIM workbook lesson #29:

 "God is in everything I see".

Aaron Shooting Deer
photo by Heather Magnan

[Marsha's thoughts]

To see God in everything entails utilizing a sight other than what we're accustomed to using. The material basis of our thought leaves little room for seeing spiritually. This is why our study includes so many exercises which help us to let go of learned beliefs concerning the purpose of everything we see with our material eyes; to release what we think we know about those things.  When we are able to do that, then we leave the way open for spiritual sight. We are able to see that God is everywhere, because  God Is. This Is-ness is omnipresent, no matter what we think about it, so we don't have to make anything happen; we need only take off our blindfolds and see Truth.  This is why it helps me to think of God as Love.  For me, it's easy to see the idea of Love being expressed in everything I see. I can see Love being everywhere, just as sunshine is. And if something happens to obscure that light, such as clouds, I still know it's there, just as potent and perfect as ever. No matter how I perceive things to be with these material eyes and thoughts, the true idea of Spirit, God, Love, is there waiting for me to remember it.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"God fashions all things, after His own likeness. Life is reflected in existence, Truth in truthfulness, God in goodness, which impart their own peace and permanence. Love, redolent with unselfishness, bathes all in beauty and light. The grass beneath our feet silently exclaims, "The meek shall inherit the earth." The modest arbutus sends her sweet breath to heaven. The great rock gives shadow and shelter. The sunlight glints from the church-dome, glances into the prison-cell, glides into the sick-chamber, brightens the flower, beautifies the landscape, blesses the earth. Man, made in His likeness, possesses and reflects God's dominion over all the earth. Man and woman as coexistent and eternal with God forever reflect, in glorified quality, the infinite Father-Mother God."

Science & Health Page 516:9-23

January 28, 2012 - I will see differently

ACIM workbook lesson #28:

"Above all else, I want to see things differently."

Altai Mountains in Mongolia
photo by Aaron Springston

Years ago I had friends who were . expecting their first baby, and they thought it would be interesting to teach it the "wrong" things -- such as, blue would be red, a table might be called a chair, maybe a dog would be a cat. That would certainly be seeing things differently! And I can see that there is a correlation in their planned mis-information and the illusions and limitations we have set up for ourselves in our world.  Today's lesson asks us to give up any notions we have concerning the meaning of anything and everything. By doing this, we enable ourselves to drop what we've always thought about a particular item -- a chair perhaps -- and allow ourselves to be open to what it is and what it is for. Won't it be fun to find out where this exercise will take us?!  When we begin asking what things are for, rather than telling them what they are, based on our previous thoughts of them, interesting answers may be coming our way. I love this exercise and have fun with its applications. For instance, the way we, as a society, punish wrong-doing: Does our present system of retaliation and retribution actually accomplish anything? In reading a book, "The Buddhist and the Terrorist", an alternative to the treatment of a murderer is explored. This book is one of many which encourage me to see differently, to see myself as God sees me, to continue asking mySelf how that sight is gained and kept, to practice the Presence in every moment.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The objects cognized by the physical senses have not the reality of substance. They are only what mortal belief calls them." Science & Health Page 311:26-28

January 27, 2012 - One thing do I desire ---

ACIM workbook lesson #27:

"Above all else, I want to see."

Glacier National Park photo by Aaron

[Marsha's thoughts]

Today someone said to me, "There's only two powers, and she's chosen the wrong one." I had to step back and wonder how it felt to believe in such a duality as this. Once we've split power into a loving God and Its evil twin, some seriously hard-to-let-go images have taken hold in our mind. And so when I'm thinking of today's lesson throughout the day, I won't concentrate on the myriad of ways we've constructed to cloud our vision, but I'll ask to see with my True sight, as God sees. And when I wonder how that seeing can be mine, I'll go to the definition of God given in the Christian Science textbook, which is cited after this T. S. Eliot’s quote which also reminds me what "seeing" is. This is from the poem Little Gidding: “We shall not cease from exploration, / And the end of all our exploring / Will be to arrive where we started / And know the place for the first time.”

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

Question.--What is God?

Answer.--God is incorporeal, divine, supreme, infinite Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, Love."

Science & Health Page 465:6-8

January 26, 2012 - Attack thoughts are unreal

ACIM workbook lesson #26

"My attack thoughts are attacking my invulnerability."

Glacier National Park photo by Heather Magnan

[Marsha's thoughts]

In the introduction of the Course in Miracles textbook is the following statement: “Nothing real can be threatened. Nothing unreal exists.” At first glance this may seem to make no sense! But when you think of reality as being the creation of divine Love, the image and likeness of God (Love), and this being all that is real, then the unreality of anything unlike God, good, is exposed as nonexistent, unreal. This realization that all attack comes from within is an eye-opener! When we worry about lack of money, or possible illness, or what our neighbor might do, these are thoughts which seem to attack our invulnerability.  Actually our invulnerability as a reflection of God cannot be attacked, but we certainly can think of ourselves as weak and victims of life's circumstances. Through a conscious choice to reject the unreality of material existence and claim our heritage as powerful spiritual beings, unafraid to stand up and declare our Oneness with God and all Its creation, we are able to transcend the fears we have thought to be inevitable. What a new world is being unveiled in this process of living Truth!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Every law of matter or the body, supposed to govern man, is rendered null and void by the law of Life, God. Ignorant of our God-given rights, we submit to unjust decrees, 

and the bias of education enforces this slavery." 

Science & Health Page 380:32-4

January 25, 2012 - Why are we doing this?

Day 25

Today's ACIM workbook lesson is:

 "I do not know what anything is for".

[Marsha's thoughts]

The Starbird Show at Eureka Thyme

Today's lesson comes at a particularly pertinent time for me, in which I'm examining why I'm selling art. In Northwest Arkansas, we have recently had an amazing museum open its doors. This has prompted much speculation amongst art dealers as to what affect this will have on us. We are being advised that many buyers will be flooding into our area, with expectations of world class art, and that we should raise our prices to show them that we are capable of competing on a global level. This doesn't feel right to me. And so today's lesson of "I do not know what anything is for" is a perfect format for the questioning I'm doing as to why I'm selling art. I've always asked prospective buyers to go with how the piece they're considering makes them feel. Does it bring a smile to your face? Will it add beauty and grace to your life? If it does, it's worthy of a place in your home. And from the other side, the artists we represent bring forth their art from Love. One of our artists describes her style as abstract naturalism. Her love of nature glows forth in every painting she brings to canvas. Another artist births what she sometimes calls primal images. These fabric creations are profoundly moving.. For me, they bring forth emotions which perhaps have been hiding for years.But this is neither here nor there. When this art comes forth, it is not examined for what it does for the artist or for the appreciator of it. When I put it on the wall it is not placed there because of how much money it will bring in. My exercise today is to allow everything to Be, with Love expressed all around, and to let its real meaning and purpose come forth without my personal meaning being projected onto it.

Mary Baker Eddy's spiritual interpretation of this line of the Lord's Prayer:

'Give us this day our daily bread'

"Give us grace for today; feed the famished affections." Science & Health Page 17:4-5

January 24, 2012 - My Own Best Interests?

ACIM workbook lesson #24:

"I do not perceive my own best interests”

Glacier National Park
photo by Heather Magnan

[Marsha's thoughts]

How joyous to watch our children demonstrate the ideas we're studying! When my oldest son graduated from college two-and-a-half years ago, he moved to a large city which has the type of snow he most loves for skiing. After applying for and being turned down for numerous jobs, including bread delivery in the wee hours of the morning, he finally found a job doing graphic design grunt work at minimum wage. In the time he's been with that company, he's advanced to the position of multimedia producer, and has had appreciable raises in salary and work satisfaction. The training he has received at this job is the main reason he's caught the eye of a television station in a nearby resort town. By allowing himself to be open to the field of all potentiality, he is now working at his "dream job". This has come about because he had no plans or goals he was abiding by, but he has learned that following his heart never leaves him where he started. Join with me today in thinking of times you have listened within, when you were "leaning on the sustaining Infinite", and found yourself someplace you could never have planned!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, today is big with blessings."

Science & Health Page vii:1-2

January 23, 2012 - Peaceful harmony

ACIM workbook lesson #23:

"I can escape from the world I see by giving up attack thoughts."

(Here is a link to the entire commentary. I highly recommend its inclusion in your study.

http://acim.org/Lessons/lesson.html?lesson=23)

"Hawaii Sunrise" photo from
Aaron Springston

[Marsha's thoughts]

We hear talk of raising our vibrations, of activating our DNA strands, of various ways to remember our true Identity. All these effects are meant to lead us to an end result which is peaceful harmony, or to somehow take us back to the Cause of these effects. Could it be that all these ways from which we seek to attain "higher consciousness" can be realized from a giving up of attack thoughts? When we find ways of bridging the separation we have set up in our minds, will we then realize our Oneness and allow ourselves to get back to the garden from which we've never left? And so we practice today giving up attack thoughts in order to facilitate our realizations of this Oneness.  Attack thoughts are often obvious, but look out for the ones which wear a disguise! All thoughts which are not the emanation of God, Love, are attack thoughts. I Am the thought of God. Joy guides me in this realization!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"We reason imperfectly from effect to cause when we conclude that matter is the effect of Spirit, but a priori reasoning shows material existence to be enigmatical. Spirit gives the true mental idea. We cannot interpret Spirit, Mind, through matter. Matter neither sees, hears, nor feels. Reasoning from cause to effect in the Science of Mind, we begin with Mind, which must be understood through the idea which expresses it and cannot be learned from its opposite, matter. Thus we arrive at Truth, or intelligence, which evolves its own unerring idea and never can be coordinate with human illusions."

Science & Health Page 467:23-3

January 22, 2012 - Attack Thoughts

"Heather in Glacier National Park"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #22

"What I see is a form of vengeance."

The definition of the word vengeance is: "infliction of injury, harm, humiliation, or the like, on a person by another who has been harmed by that person; violent revenge." And part of today's commentary from the ACIM workbook lesson is: "Today's idea accurately describes the way anyone who holds attack thoughts in his mind must see the world. Having projected his anger onto the world, he sees vengeance about to strike at him. His own attack is thus perceived as self defense." When we see through the eyes of anything other than divine Love, we are seeing through the lens of mortal belief and all the erroneous thoughts which have clouded our sight in our lives. I shall strive to acknowledge this and release all attack thoughts, leaving empty this vessel to be filled with Love.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Truth destroys error, and Love destroys hate. Being destroyed, sin needs no other form of forgiveness." Science & Health Page 339:2-4

January 21, 2012 - I will see things differently

ACIM workbook lesson #21:

"I am determined to see things differently"

[Marsha's thoughts]

Today's lesson commentary asks us to examine our thoughts for varying degrees of anger, from irritation to rage -- although it makes it quite clear there is no difference in degrees. An emotional reaction I find myself having frequently is the facetious bless-her-heart attitude so often used. If something seems too ridiculous to ignore, yet I don't want to admit the seeming idiocy of it, this is an example of when I would bless someone's heart. This is no different from saying "boy is that dumb"! These feelings of superiority are another way of setting up a separation between me and God. By holding myself up as better, smarter, cooler, that same old separation of myself from others, and therefore from God, is put into action yet again. And so today whenever anything I feel, think, do sets off a feeling of uneasiness within me, I'll pause and ask to see God where my thought may see discord. Looking through the eyes of Love (God) precludes all erroneous thought and allows us to see as we are seen -- purely, as reflections of the only Father-Mother God.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Eyes: Spiritual discernment -- not material but mental. Jesus said, thinking of the outward vision, "Having eyes, see ye not?" [Mark 8:18]" Science & Health Page 586:3-6

January 20, 2012 - I see

ACIM Workbook Lesson #20

"I am determined to see"

Zion National Park
photo by Aaron Springston

[Marsha's thoughts]

The determination which I feel with regard to this certainty that I can see and will see comes forth because I want to see. Not because I'm forcing myself into some practice which goes against my nature, but because it is my true nature to see Truth. And the opposite blindness which surrounds me is not a natural, true state, but a learned one. One of our learned behaviors is to place blame on others for things they have said or done which we perceive as detrimental to us or others. When we see what truly is, we are able to simply witness these events, without apportioning blame or cause to them. By this lack of reasoning, we then see things as they really are, without placing our own, personal meaning on them. More and more often, I can simply say, "And so it goes ...".

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The question, "What is Truth," convulses the world. Many are ready to meet this inquiry with the assurance which comes of understanding; but more are blinded by their old illusions, and try to "give it pause. The efforts of error to answer this question by some ology are vain. Spiritual rationality and free thought accompany approaching Science, and cannot be put down. They will emancipate humanity, and supplant unscientific means and so-called laws” 

Science & Health Page 223:14-24

January 19, 2012 - I am not alone

ACIM Workbook Lesson #19

"I am not alone in experiencing the effects of my thoughts."

[Marsha's thoughts]

Such a wonderful world is opening up for us with the influx of this Truth concerning our thoughts! I highly recommend a book by J. Allen Boone, "Kinship with All Life". During the 50s, Mr. Boone realized that his dog knew when he was thinking about going for a walk, even before he made a move to get up from his typewriter. This caused him to explore many ideas concerning our interconnectedness. My ah-ha moment for this came when I was in our local office supply to make copies. There were a number of other people there for the same reason. When I commented on how busy they were, the owner told me it had been slow all day until a few minutes before. I began to notice various occurrences such as these and decided to take myself out of the lemming effect in order to save time. When I am getting ready to go to the library, grocery store, or other places people flock to in mass, I simply ask within if this is the right time to go. As often as not, my order of chores is rearranged when I listen for this guidance. It may seem that the impulse we receive from mass consciousness and the guidance we receive from inner listening would be hard to distinguish, one from the other. But paying attention to these callings teaches us to differentiate and follow where we need to be and when!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"...Truth is the light which dispels error. As mortals begin to understand Spirit, they give up the belief that there is any true existence apart from God."

Science & Health Page 282:32-3

January 18, 2012 - Not alone

ACIM Workbook Lesson #18

"I am not alone in experiencing the effects of my seeing."

A Mayan statue stands in Playa Del Carmen, on the Caribbean Coast
.Irael Leal/AP

[Marsha's thoughts]

Yesterday I expressed my desire to be alone in communion with Spirit. Today we  are asked to realize what an impossibility that is -- albeit for different reasons than the solitary need stated by this writer on Day 17. The connection between all Being through the omnipresence of our source cannot be denied. It can be ignored, but that doesn't make it go away. So every modicum of my "seeing" is experienced by all in this infinite web of eternal Life. And everyone's remembering Truth is mine, too. For these reasons, I no longer allow into my experience those who want to recount pain and injustice perceived in their lives. As one who used to take almost everything personally, I fully appreciate how this can consume thought, and how we seem to want commiseration of our feelings. So I find myself being with those who help my Being, while seeing more and more the metaphysical basis of all that Is.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"In the material world, thought has brought to light with great rapidity many useful wonders. With like activity have thought's swift pinions been rising towards the realm of the real, to the spiritual cause of those lower things which give impulse to inquiry. Belief in a material basis, from which may be deduced all rationality, is slowly yielding to the idea of a metaphysical basis, looking away from matter to Mind as the cause of every effect."

Science & Health Page 268:1-9

January 17, 2012 - Neutral

ACIM Workbook Lesson #17

"I see no neutral things".

Colorado Snow
photo by Aaron Springston

[Marsha's thoughts]

What I would give to live alone on a mountaintop, with no neighbors or roommates, with no job to go to or money to think about. What a nice life it would be to meditate, take long walks at any time of day, only cook when I want to, and not have social obligations. What a relief to not hear news or commercials from the media in any form. How nice to not go to church or board meetings or think about marketing of this town and its artists. How lovely to not deal with flat tires and fallen trees. And wouldn't it be sweet for non-profits to have all they need, for no one to be hungry, for everyone to know the true source of their well-being and not be afraid to shout it from the rooftops. Human thought has changed drastically through the centuries. It's changing now, too. I embrace it.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"To corporeal sense, the sun appears to rise and set, and the earth to stand still; but astronomical science contradicts this, and explains the solar system as working on a different plan. All the evidence of physical sense and all the knowledge obtained from physical sense must yield to Science [the knowledge of Christ-consciousness], to the immortal truth of all things."

Science & Health Page 493:2-8

January 16, 2012 - No neutral thoughts

ACIM Workbook Lesson #16

“I have no neutral thoughts.”

[Marsha's thoughts]

Reflections photo by Heather Magnan

[Marsha's thoughts]

Today's lesson stresses that every thought we have is either loving or fearful. Folklore treats this concept through fable and example. One which fits this Truth for the day is the story of "Which Wolf Do You Feed?" In this native American story, a young man is angry to the point of distraction. His grandfather tells him we all have a peaceful wolf and a violent wolf living inside us, and the one which grows is the one that we feed. By recognizing our thoughts as feeding peace or war, Truth or illusion, we start to see how our thinking affects our world. As we go through this day realizing that no thoughts are neutral, it will be interesting to notice how this makes us feel. Are we uneasy or at peace with the thoughts we are thinking? Which ones bring us peace? Which ones make us squirm? Today I will allow Love to rule, which will starve the negative and feed peace.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Christian Science explains all cause and effect as mental, not physical. It lifts the veil of mystery from Soul and body. It shows the scientific relation of man to God, disentangles the interlaced ambiguities of being, and sets free the imprisoned thought. In divine Science, the universe, including man, is spiritual, harmonious, and eternal. Science shows that what is termed matter is but the subjective state of what is termed by the author mortal mind."

Science & Health  Page 114:23-31

January 15, 2012 - Images of thought

ACIM Workbook Lesson #15

“My thoughts are images that I have made.”

[Marsha's thoughts]

I just saw a thought-provoking experiment in which a woman sat down at a table. They asked her to put her right arm on the table, resting it from the elbow to hand. They placed a barrier so she couldn't see her hand, and then put a rubber hand and arm in front of her, with the elbow ending at her body. Then the person sitting in front of her used a soft paint brush to stroke both her hand (which she couldn't see) and the rubber hand, which she could see. She stated she was feeling a little odd because she was starting to feel as though the rubber hand in front of her was her own. When the paint brush stroker moved the brush to the rubber thumb, and not hers, she jerked back because the feeling was so odd. Then the man across the table pulled out a hammer and hit the rubber hand. You can imagine how the woman reacted! This showed us how, in a matter of two minutes, or less, a rubber hand became a human hand in the thought of this person. This is, in essence, what we've done with everything around us. Belief becomes our reality --and very quickly! So today I will see how quickly I can move away from beliefs and open my thought to the reality of Spirit.

"Mortals evolve images of thought." "Mortal mind sees what it believes as certainly as it believes what it sees. It feels, hears, and sees its own thoughts. Pictures are mentally formed before the artist can convey them to canvas. So is it with all material conceptions." Science & Health Page 86:13 and 86:29:1

January 14, 2012 - Meaningless?

ACIM Workbook Lesson #14

“God did not create a meaningless world.”

PHoto by Aaron Springston

The last few days we've been seeing the world as meaningless and examining how that affects us. Today we are asked to see that this meaningless world was not created by God. This means that everything in this material world is not a creation of God. How can that be? We've been told that God created everything, is in everything, and it is good. But that can't be true because we see so many things which aren't good! How can this be explained? Some choose to deny God, perhaps with thoughts of a devil which is as powerful as any god we've ever imagined. Some of us may say that God created both good and bad to give us choices in this testing ground we live in. The possibilities are limitless when it comes to trying to make sense of the confusion surrounding spiritual beliefs. In our study, we're seeing that God did create everything, and it is all Good, but that this creation is spiritual, not material. Our true selves are spiritual; our material selves are but another belief, an illusion, which we are living. When we distance ourselves from the concept that life is in matter, we are able to realize that our true selves have a divine origin. We can know that we are not governed by mental influences over which we have no control, and then we are free to live the Love which is our true heritage as the children of God.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“When will the error of believing that there is life in matter, and that sin, sickness, and death are creations of God, be unmasked? When will it be understood that matter has neither intelligence, life, nor sensation, and that the opposite belief is the prolific source of all suffering? God created all through Mind, and made all perfect and eternal.” Science & Helth Page 205:7-13

January 13, 2012 - Meaningless fear

ACIM Workbook Lesson #13

“A meaningless world engenders fear.”

Photo from Aaron Springston

[Marsha's thoughts]

What is it about a meaningless world that would make us afraid? Today's lesson discussion tells us this: "A meaningless world engenders fear because I think I am in competition with God." So often we act as though we're in charge and that we must tell God what we want in order for it to be done. We bargain and cajole to get our way, then get angry with God when we don't. We blame God when anything less than our idea of good comes our way. We thank God when we get our way, perhaps in a boastful or self-satisfied way. All these actions are symptoms of the separation we feel. Allowing everything to be meaningless is similar to letting go of an addiction! Interesting symptoms show up, such as irritableness when giving up caffein. Today I repeatedly found myself thinking less than charitable and loving thoughts toward people I barely know. For instance, while reading on Facebook about the problems the daughter of an old friend was having, I thought to myself how she had brought them on herself. I immediately stopped and questioned my motives, uncovering the remembrance of a perceived painful period of antagonism between people I love. And then I stopped and remembered the reasons I love and appreciate these dear old friends. Let's not be afraid of any rogue thoughts that may seem to assault us, but simply acknowledge them as symptoms of a clearing away of self to allow our Self to be demonstrated.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The Hebrew Lawgiver, [Moses], slow of speech, despaired of making the people understand what should be revealed to him. When, led by wisdom to cast down his rod, he saw it become a serpent, Moses fled before it; but wisdom bade him come back and handle the serpent, and then Moses' fear departed. In this incident was seen the actuality of Science. Matter was shown to be a belief only. The serpent, evil, under wisdom's bidding, was destroyed through understanding divine Science, and this proof was a staff upon which to lean. The illusion of Moses lost its power to alarm him, when he discovered that what he apparently saw was really but a phase of mortal belief." 

Science & Health Page 321:5-18

January 12, 2012 - Upset?

ACIM Workbook Lesson #12

“I am upset because I see a meaningless world.”

[Marsha's thoughts]

Have you ever felt that when something is upsetting it should be avoided, or we should look for the cause and change it, or -- in the most extreme reaction -- put the blame on someone else, as it couldn't possibly be our own fault? And so, if we give no meaning to anything, if we see a meaningless world, and then become upset by this void, we may be tempted to try to figure out why this is happening. Today's lesson asks us to witness events without giving them any meaning, neither good nor bad, thereby leaving ourselves blank to see what Truth comes through in place of our personal feelings. So if we find this upsetting, let's not act upon these feelings; instead, let's witness what happens without placing an interpretation on it. When we allow Sprit [God] to manifest through us, which is our native state as a reflection, the image and likeness of God -- we open ourselves to the field of all possibilities. All these years of speculation on the nature of time and space, the episodes of Star Trek and Bewitched that have caused us to dream of "what if", our fascination with magicians and Harry Potter -- in honor of all these things, let's work to create a blank slate for Love to write on. Who's to know where this will lead us? To quote Rumi: "Out beyond ideas of rightdoing and wrongdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there".

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Nothing is real and eternal,--nothing is Spirit,--but God and His idea. Evil has no reality. It is neither person, place, nor thing, but is simply a belief, an illusion of material sense." 

Science & Health Page 71:1-5

January 11, 2012 - Utopia

ACIM Workbook Lesson #11

“My meaningless thoughts are showing me a meaningless world.”

Glacier National Park
photo by Aaron Springston

[Marsha's thoughts]

I dreamed last night of Utopia. We had no need to speak as we knew each others thoughts. We had no fear as our thoughts were uncluttered and pure. Everywhere I looked there were happy people, busy at tasks which would benefit everyone. There was no need for television or radios as we knew everything, and it was Good. Once I thought I was lost in the woods, but that was impossible because others sensed my confusion and were there immediately to lead me to a safe and beautiful home. When traveling on a road, suddenly the way was filled with huge boulders and ancient fallen trees. But to the left side there was a field filled with beautiful flowers, and a pathway leading to my destination. All needs were met before I knew of them. There was the most wonderful sense of peace. I will hold to these beautiful feelings today, while seeing the meaningless basis of my thoughts and desires. 

Mary Baked Eddy quote:

“Sleep and apathy are phases of the dream that life, substance, and intelligence are material. The mortal nightdream is sometimes nearer the fact of being than are the thoughts of mortals when awake. The night-dream has less matter as its accompaniment. It throws off some material fetters. It falls short of the skies, but makes its mundane flights quite ethereal.” 

Science & Health Page 249:24-30

January 10, 2012 - My thoughts mean nothing

ACIM Workbook Lesson #10

“My thoughts do not mean anything."

Glacier National Park
Photo by Aaron Springston

[Marsha's thoughts]

The realization that our thoughts mean nothing is such a freeing concept to me! If we fall into the habit of believing that every thought we have will cause us harm, it's easy to get stuck in analyzing these thoughts and wondering what pitfalls will manifest because of them. Humility is a word which keeps coming to mind as I read today's lesson. We are accustomed to believing that everything we think and do is important, and it seems hard to admit our thoughts mean nothing. Sometimes it is even difficult to admit we don't know or understand things in daily life, so how can we admit that our own thoughts mean nothing? For me, it's a matter of realizing that my true self isn't contained in this body, and any thoughts which are based in materialism are changeable. And so I can humbly admit that my thoughts, even those which seem to be pretty good ones, are not 

"founded on the divine rock". With this humble admission, I am happy to see the beliefs of a lifetime dissipate, leaving me open to the divine ideas which are my true reality as a child of God. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote: 

"Human thoughts have their degrees of comparison. Some thoughts are better than others. A belief in Truth is better than a belief in error, but no mortal testimony is founded on the divine rock. Mortal testimony can be shaken. Until belief becomes faith, and faith becomes spiritual understanding, human thought has little relation to the actual or divine. A mortal belief fulfills its own conditions."

Science & Health Page 297:24-32

January 9, 2012 - I do not understand anything

ACIM Workbook Lesson #9

“I see nothing as it is now.”

Photo by Aaron Springston

[Marsha's thoughts]

Today's lesson tells us, "the recognition that you do not understand is a prerequisite for undoing your false ideas." What a relief, huh? Last night I attended a talk on quantum physics which addressed a number of fairly complex concepts. The talk lasted an hour and a half and at the conclusion the speaker asked if there were any questions. There wasn't a single one. It could be perceived we knew it all, or maybe we didn't want to know about any of this, or perhaps we didn't know enough to ask questions! When we first hear a concept like today's topic, "I see nothing as it is now", it may seem nonsensical. But the more we study and talk about these ideas, they start to seem not only possible, but plausible. As Mary Baker Eddy tells us in the below quote, it takes the practice of turning away from matter to Spirit to develop the spiritual sense which allows us to understand the concepts we're hearing about. What an exciting adventure we have waiting for us each day as we learn to understand the difference in what we've learned through material sense and the reality of Spirit.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"If the disciple is advancing spiritually, he is striving to enter in. He constantly turns away from material sense, and looks towards the imperishable things of Spirit. If honest, he will be in earnest from the start, and gain a little each day in the right direction, till at last he finishes his course with joy."

Science & Health Page 21:9-14

January 8, 2012 - Let go of the past

ACIM Workbook Lesson #8

 “My mind is preoccupied with past thoughts.”

[Marsha's thoughts]

Glacier National Park
photo by Heather Magnan

There are so many things we're told are impossible! And usually we don't even try to do them because of these beliefs. For instance, I was always told you couldn't pop popcorn with olive oil because the smoke point was too low. One day I decided to try and found that it works beautifully. For years humans thought the sun revolved around the earth, until someone realized the true nature of celestial movement. Every day thought changes on what is nourishing for our bodies and what is harmful. None of these things are important in our pursuit of the new-old thought which we are learning to embrace in our daily lives. What is important is what is true, not what is false. When we place our intention on the Truth of our Being, all the erroneous thoughts and false landmarks in our existence simply fall away. They are no longer of importance to us and are replaced by the "new wine" which could not fit into the old, full bottles of our existence before the realization that we have filled ourselves with false ideals. So today I am not afraid to empty myself of past thoughts which have filled my mind, and open up to the true thoughts from Mind, God.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Divine Science does not put new wine into old bottles, Soul into matter, nor the infinite into the finite. Our false views of matter perish as we grasp the facts of Spirit. The old belief must be cast out or the new idea will be spilled, and the inspiration, which is to change our standpoint, will be lost." Science & Health Page 281:27-1 

January 7, 2012 - Past memories

ACIM Workbook Lesson #7

 “I see only the past.”

"Heather at Butterfly World"
Photo by Aaron Springston

[Marsha's thoughts]

 Our preparations to accept the Truth mainly consists of ways to forget the meaning we have placed on things from past experience and learning. In yesterday's writings, I mentioned a man named Joe Hutto who spent a year living with wild turkeys and seeing the world from their perspective. I related this understanding he gained to the understanding we are aiming for in this metaphysical study. Today's lesson brings to mind something he said about the baby turkeys. He noticed that they knew, without teaching of any sort, which creatures and situations in the woods were potentially harmful to them. I found this to be further proof that when we listen inwardly, we have all the answers. This instinctual behavior is resting within us all, but we, as humans, have found ways to override these knowings with false beliefs based on what others tell us and what we have learned from past experiences. And if we notice our domesticated animals, they have come right along with us! They have lost their inner knowing, to some extent, and have picked up on our fears and doubts.  With these thoughts in mind, I will strive to be more like a young wild animal, with no preconceived notions about what is presented to me today!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The history of error or matter, if veritable, would set aside the omnipotence of Spirit; but it is the false history in contradistinction to the true.” 

Science and Health, Page 521:29-2

January 6, 2012 - Vision

ACIM Workbook Lesson #6

“I am upset because I see something that is not there.”

Glacier National Park
photo by Aaron Springston

[Marsha's thoughts]

I love incorporating events in daily life into my study of divine metaphysics. Last night I watched a documentary called "My Life as a Turkey". I found it to be profound in many ways, but today I relate it to our practices in seeing the unreality of everything we have come to think of as real. For more than a year, Joe Hutto lived with a flock of 16 wild turkeys which he incubated and bonded with while they were still in the eggs. He didn't just live with them as you and I might; he was with them 24 hours a day to the exclusion of seeing any humans. He spent his days walking the woods as part of the flock, seeing through their eyes, speaking their language, striving to match their awareness of nature and their ability to live totally in the moment. The dedication and Love expressed by this man is wonderfully inspiring to me. By his all-encompassing need to understand nature, to be a part of it without any learned beliefs he may have acquired in his life, he shows me what is possible when you approach a discipline with a "single eye". It is this singularity of purpose which we are learning to recognize in our study of both A Course in Miracles and Christian Science. I want to know God as much as Joe wanted to know turkeys. He gave it his all, and so will I!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Close your eyes, and you may dream that you see a flower,--that you touch and smell it. Thus you learn that the flower is a product of the so-called mind, a formation of thought rather than of matter. Close your eyes again, and you may see landscapes, men, and women. Thus you learn that these also are images, which mortal mind holds and evolves and which simulate mind, life, and intelligence. From dreams also you learn that neither mortal mind nor matter is the image or likene of God, and that immortal Mind is not in matter." S&H P71

January 5, 2012 - Other Reasons

ACIM Workbook Lesson #5

“I am never upset for the reason I think.”

[Marsha's thoughts]

A few hours before reading today's message, a friend shared with me a step into peace and out of worry which she experienced over the holidays. One of her daughters was very upset with her, for reasons which are not important to this writing. And my friend chose to not make those reasons important to her either. She was aware that her beloved daughter was upset, but she was also aware that she couldn't fix it. She knows that her peace doesn't depend on any outside source. When similar incidents occur in my life, I do take the time to examine my motives in the situation, and to realize that "Truth is not contaminated by error." As long as I am living in Truth, no amount of erroneous thought can affect my natural state of harmony. So I don't worry about why I may be upset, but reach to the other side of this emotion to realize the One reason I am at peace.

"Harmony is produced by its Principle, is controlled by it and abides with it. Divine Principle is the Life of man. Man's happiness is not, therefore, at the disposal of physical sense. Truth is not contaminated by error. Harmony in man is as beautiful as in music, and discord is unnatural, unreal."

Science & Health Page 304:17-22

January 4, 2012 - True Meaning?

ACIM Workbook Lesson #4

“These thoughts do not mean anything. They are like the things I see in this room [on this street, from this window, in this place].” 

"Glacier National Park"
photo by Aaron Springston

[Marsha's thoughts]

Sometimes I think I can trick myself into not placing meaning on things. For instance, I'll decide that if I see something I've never seen before, I won't put any extraneous meaning to it. Wrong! I just saw a photo of an animal I'd never seen before. My first thought was of how cute it looked, then I decided it was a squirrel -- nope, too small; it must be a chipmunk -- and on and on. It seems impossible to see something and not put some sort of meaning onto it. We suppose ourselves to be creators, and that our thought brings forth what is before us. But what is this thing we see? It can seem to be a pretty picture or an ugly one, according to what thoughts we have about it. And that's what we're practicing seeing beyond! Let's place no meaning, neither "good" nor "bad" on anything. To "let go and let God" requires a willingness to see everything around us just as it is, no long-held beliefs being expressed toward anything, and to have a willingness to listen inwardly for the Truth.  I look forward to the day of a universal epiphany of understanding that thought is, in its truest form, Spirit. That time of seeing reality as spiritual, not material, is visible to all who awaken to its knowledge. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The artist is not in his painting. The picture is the artist's thought objectified. The human belief fancies that it delineates thought on matter, but what is matter? Did it exist prior to thought? Matter is made up of supposititious mortal mind-force; but all might is divine Mind. Thought will finally be understood and seen in all form, substance, and color, but without material accompaniments. The potter is not in the clay; else the clay would have power over the potter. God is His own infinite Mind, and expresses all."

Science & Health  Page 310:1-10 

January 3, 2012 - Understanding Nothing

ACIM Lesson #3

“I do not understand anything I see in this room

[on this street, from this window, in this place].”

Photo by Aaron Springston

[Marsha's thoughts]

This year we have practiced releasing meanings which we have placed on everything, while seeing the unreality of these meanings. Today we can relax and admit we don't understand anything! All scholarly beliefs are yielding to the knowledge and understanding which are revealed when we allow ourselves to be led by God. This listening, this following of intuition, and the demonstration of what we hear moment by moment, is the other-dimensional way of life which we are living in this age of the acknowledgement of enlightenment. Our native state is one illumined by this Truth.  Overwhelming material beliefs are the only things which keep us separated from Truth. These daily exercises are developing our spiritual perception. Our desire to release erroneous mortal thoughts clear the way for us to see ourselves as God's Idea.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"God's ideas reflect the immortal, unerring, and infinite. The mortal, erring, and finite are human beliefs, which apportion to themselves a task impossible for them, that of distinguishing between the false and the true. Objects utterly unlike the original do not reflect that original. Therefore matter, not being the reflection of Spirit, has no real entity. Understanding is a quality of God ..." Science & Health Page 505:26-5

January 2, 2011 - Changeable Beliefs

ACIM Lesson #2
“I have given everything I see in this room [on this street, from this window, in this place] all the meaning that it has for me.”

Photo by Aaron Springston

[Marsha's thoughts]
Isn't it interesting how the meaning we give something can be entirely different from the meaning someone close to us has given it? And how often we can become embroiled in disagreements stemming from these different perceptions and meanings we affirm to be truth! Recently I wrote a transition piece about Bob the Cat which was published in our local paper. This was done, from my viewpoint, with no thought other than the love that our neighborhood felt for this exceptional animal. But one of my neighbors felt that she was slighted in my depiction of the role she played in Bob's life. The meaning she and I had placed on a number of things soon became evident. As I mulled these differences over, I vowed not to make any assumptions about how she was feeling. By not placing any meaning on her reactions, I was able to walk away from our discussion with no hurt feelings on my part. So does this mean that I won't be interpreting anything and putting it in writing? Obviously not! But it does mean I will continue to work daily, moment by moment, to see through pure eyes, devoid of changeable material beliefs, and glowing with Love.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:
"Erroneous belief is destroyed by truth. Change the evidence, and that disappears which before seemed real to this false belief, and the human consciousness rises higher. Thus the reality of being is attained and man found to be immortal. The only fact concerning any material concept is, that it is neither scientific nor eternal, but subject to change and dissolution."
Science & Health Page 297:12-17

January 1, 2012 - Meaning?

ACIM Lesson #1

“Nothing I see in this room [on this street,

from this window, in this place] means anything.”

Photo by Aaron Springston

[Marsha's thoughts]

Everything is important; nothing is important. The much-repeated Buddhist axiom is the first thing which comes to mind when reading today's lesson. We tend to place meaning and importance on everything around us, in varying degrees of intensity, with good and bad connotations. We set up a dualistic situation with absolutely everything, and then we tell ourselves that it's necessary. People often say that if we didn't have bad, we wouldn't know and appreciate good. How would we know what light was if we didn't have dark as a contrast? I think it's worth giving it a try, don't you? Let's allow it to just Be and see if we don't appreciate how wonderfully perfect it all Is! Let's not worry when things are harmonious, wondering how long it can last. But rather, let's accept what's happening around us without placing a meaning on it. The freedom gained from this abandonment of preconceived notions is our heritage.

 Let's not be shy about claiming it!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The enslavement of man is not legitimate. It will cease when man enters into his heritage of freedom, his God-given dominion over the material senses."

Science & Health Page 228:11-13