Liberal, Conservative, Moderate??

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #152

“The power of decision is my own.”

I received a call from a political pollster which has left me confused about more than a few things. Mainly, I’m wondering when three words in particular began to imply varying degrees of lunacy. Here are the words, with a short definition: Liberal - open to new behavior or opinions and willing to discard traditional values. Conservative - holding to traditional attitudes and values and cautious about change or innovation. Moderate - average in amount, intensity, quality, or degree. These words and their definitions do not convey the extreme meaning which the news media apparently wants us to feel. When I was asked by the pollster which I considered myself to be, I was speechless. But then I threw caution to the wind and answered boldly, remembering what I write about every day: change of thought, seeing a new world where illusions appear to be, living fearlessly as Love!

Mary Baker Eddy quote: “Progress takes off human shackles. The finite must yield to the infinite. Advancing to a higher plane of action, thought rises from the material sense to the spiritual, from the scholastic to the inspirational, and from the mortal to the immortal.” Science & Health Page 256:1-5

Letting Loose the Lies

photo credit: Christopher Fischer

ACIM Workbook Lesson #151

“All things are echoes of the Voice for God.”

What is truth? Everywhere we look, it seems we have been and are being told lies. Religion, science, politics, the news media, advertisements, history — the list goes on. If we know something is a lie, why would we cling to it so adamantly?? It seems we prefer to live in a world of lies rather than to take a step into the great unknown world of Truth. And then we ask, How do we know what is Truth in a world of lies? That, dear Ones, is why we must listen within. Today’s Course in Miracles workbook lesson describes this as “echoes of the Voice for God”. We are told that all things are these echoes. But what of the lies we just spoke of? Those are all material, mortal, ego-based beliefs. The reality of our existence is covered up so thoroughly we have forgotten how to experience it. But we are remembering, aren’t we? Infinite Mind never hides Its voice! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“As the reflection of yourself appears in the mirror, so you, being spiritual, are the reflection of God. The substance, Life, intelligence, Truth, and Love, which constitute Deity, are reflected by creation; and when we subordinate the false testimony of the corporeal senses to the facts of Science, we shall see this true likeness and reflection everywhere.”

Science & Health Page 516:2-8

Going Viral With Love!

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #150

Review of: #139 "I will accept Atonement for myself." #140 "Only salvation can be said to cure." The main thought to hold to in this review: “My mind holds only what I think with God."

On the last day of our ten-day review, I am thinking about the main theme for this review: "My mind holds only what I think with God". I'd like to see this thought "go viral" today! We've all seen the contagious nature of fear in the web of our existence, but its opposite is infectious, too! Today as we enjoy every moment of this day, let's eradicate all erroneous, fearful thoughts we may witness with the balm of Love. And why are we able to do such a thing? Because of Truth: “Nothing real [Love] can be threatened. Nothing unreal [fear] exists. Herein lies the peace of God.”

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Human hate has no legitimate mandate and no kingdom. Love is enthroned.”

Science & Health 454:9-10

Learning a New Language

photo credit: Gerry Toler

ACIM Workbook Lesson #149

Review of: #137 "When I am healed I am not healed alone." #138 "Heaven is the decision I must make." The main thought to hold to in this review: “My mind holds only what I think with God.” 

We’re learning the language of Spirit through our study of divine metaphysics. For instance, the word "Spirit”, as I used it in the last sentence, has an entirely different meaning from its use on the Ghost Tours at the Crescent Hotel! The capitalization of the word Spirit not only indicates a synonym for God, but incorporates all the other nuances which are a part of its spiritual interpretation. For instance: Spirit is tangible; Spirit is substance. It "blesses the multiplication of its own pure ideas". (MBE) As with the learning of anything new, this new language requires practice for it to become second-nature to us; allowing the incorporation of these ideas into our lives without specific thought of doing so. As we bring this Truth to our illusionary beliefs, we begin to understand that healing is universal, and that heaven is within. Have a joyous day everyone!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:    

“God is Spirit; therefore the language of Spirit must be, and is, spiritual.” 

Science & Health Page 117:6-7

Spiritual Activism

photo credit: Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #148

Review of: #135 "If I defend myself I am attacked." #136 "Sickness is a defense against the truth." The main idea to hold to in this review: “My mind holds only what I think with God.”

I know many people who wear the hat of social activist. They have worked for years to improve our environment, politics, and the multitude of things in need of advancement. Some have told me they are tired of the fight. I am extremely grateful to each and every one of you who work to clean up rivers, who are passionate about producing uncontaminated food, who stand up to various tyrants and declare, "The emperor has no clothes!" Not a single person has told me that they're tired of the physical effort involved in these projects; it's the butting up against thought stuck in strong opinion, or that which is fueled by hate and fear, which is frustrating to them. This is where our metaphysical advice can be helpful: Don't try to change anyone else's mind, only your own. More and more of us are witnessing Truth brought to seemingly impossible situations, and we're finding that new avenues of action appear when this is done. There is no need to defend ourselves or proclaim our own strong opinions in support of this Truth. Knowing it, within our own selves, is sufficient!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“As when an acid and alkali meet and bring out a third quality, so mental and moral chemistry changes the material base of thought, giving more spirituality to consciousness and causing it to depend less on material evidence.” 

Science & Health Page 422:14-18

Life is Good!

photo credit: Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #147

Review of: #133 "I will not value what is valueless." #134 "Let me perceive forgiveness as it is." The main thought to hold to in this review: “My mind holds only what I think with God.”

Today has been spent in gratitude for every little thing! I love going to my monthly book club meeting, but tonight I skipped it. The reason I'm writing about this is because it illustrates listening to an inner voice. There are about ten small reasons I felt the need to stay home. Alone, none of these things could keep me from my favorite group of women, but as the reasons kept coming to thought, I stopped and examined what was bringing them. Without going into the details of the miasma of thought processes involved in canceling this anticipated engagement, I feel that to ignore them would be turning my back on intuition -- or that still, small voice in my heart. As I sit on my screened-in porch and watch the rain clouds and the birds playing on the wind gusts, I am grateful for many things, including the love and understanding of good friends.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Spiritual sense, contradicting the material senses, involves intuition, hope, faith, understanding, fruition, reality.” 

Science & Health Page 298:13-15

Optical Illusion of Consciousness

photo credit: Mawuena Davies

ACIM Lesson #146

Review of: #131 "No one can fail who seeks to reach the truth." #132 "I loose the world from all I thought it was." The main thought to hold to in this review: “My mind holds only what I think with God.”

This Albert Einstein quote has played in my thought all day. I share it with you: "A human being is a part of the whole called by us 'the universe,' a part limited in time and space. He experiences himself, his thoughts and feelings, as something separate from the rest - a kind of optical illusion of consciousness. This delusion is a kind of prison for us, restricting us to our personal desires and affection for a few persons nearest to us. Our task must be to free ourselves from this prison by widening the circle of understanding and compassion to embrace all living creatures and the whole of nature in its beauty." - Albert Einstein

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Science reveals only one Mind, and this one shining by its own light and governing the universe, including man, in perfect harmony.”

Science & Health Page 510:28-31

Oh, The Changes We've Seen!

Eureka Springs, Arkansas
unknown photographer

ACIM Workbook Lesson #145

Review of: #129 "Beyond this world there is a world I want." #130 "It is impossible to see two worlds." The main thought to hold to in this review: “My mind holds only what I think with God.”

The changes we have witnessed in our lifetime have been exciting and (to take a phrase from the ‘70s) mind blowing! Decades ago, when we were told about the Age of Aquarius and recently when 2012 was explained as a shift in consciousness, I'm not sure we thought there would be any real change in our lives. Those who are looking for purely material reasons to explain the huge changes in everything from politics to weather are feeling helpless and overwhelmed. Looked at from a different perspective, we see that changes are necessary in order to facilitate the realization of this new earth we are ready to embrace. As with any shift in thought, some are afraid and working to keep the old ways. But it is impossible to "see two worlds" and, once again, I choose Love!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“During this final conflict, wicked minds will endeavor to find means by which to accomplish more evil; but those who discern Christian Science will hold crime in check. They will aid in the ejection of error. They will maintain law and order, and cheerfully await the certainty of ultimate perfection.”

Science & Health Page 96:31-4

A World of Love

photo credit: Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #144 Review of:

#127 "There is no love but God's."

#128 "The world I see holds nothing that I want.”

And the main thought to hold to in this review:

“My mind holds only what I think with God.”

Thinking about love and perception brings to mind the story a friend once told about a relative who had been married seven times. This man seemed to feel he was a  failure at love for having been divorced so many times, so he was very much surprised when an uncle told him it was a wonderful thing! Why would you say that?, everyone wanted to know. The uncle said, How wonderful that seven women have loved you enough to marry you! This is an example of a slight shift in perception making a huge difference to everyone involved, don't you think? Seeing the world through the love of God shows us reality which looks nothing like what we've become accustomed to seeing. A world of judgment and fear is not one which holds an interest for me.  If "my mind holds only what I think with God", that world doesn't exist -- and I see a world of Love.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“God is individual, incorporeal. He is divine Principle, Love, the universal cause, the only creator, and there is no other self-existence.” 

Science & Health Page 331:18-20

Non-existent Dictators

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #143: Review of:

#125 "In quiet I receive God's Word today."

#126  "All that I give is given to myself."

And the main thought to hold to in these review: “My mind holds only what I think with God.”

Two things which, in reality, do not exist -- mortal mind, as termed by Mary Baker Eddy, and ego as it's called in A Course in Miracles -- want you to think you would no longer be you if you admit that you are unified in Oneness. What if free will does not exist unless you DO embrace this unity and give up what you think of as individuality? I'm beginning to see that I have no will of my own if I'm simply regurgitating well-rehearsed lines from the history of my life. I'm starting to glimpse the freedom which comes from throwing off the chains I have bound myself with throughout a lifetime of fears and learned behavior. The false beliefs which dictate our actions was illustrated by a story told me by a dear friend. He thought his stepmother had never liked him, then one day he found out she was almost deaf. With this realization, he saw that the actions he had interpreted as slights to him were actually moments of confusion on her part. He now sees their relationship in a totally different way, viewed from this new understanding. Today I will quietly listen for that still, small voice which frees me from long-held beliefs!

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 480:2-4

Living Love

Creation of Sandy Wythawai Starbird

ACIM Workbook lesson #142: Review of: #123 "I thank my Father for His gifts to me." #124 "Let me remember I am one with God."

I rarely leave the beautiful, liberal-thinking village in which I live, but occasionally I must, and recently was one of those times. As I sat in a waiting room with dilated eyes, the other five or six patients began a conversation which quickly turned to politics and related subjects. At one point, it was revealed that everyone in the room had a gun and that most of them carried them on their person. As I already had my eyes closed, I didn't open them. I'll just say the conversation deteriorated to the point of my almost running from the room when my name was called to proceed down the hall! We are in the midst of a great shift in consciousness, which also means a good deal of holding on to the past and a fear of the future. My daily work toward recognizing and living Love is called into practice often in this time of political drama. Let's all be grateful that we are one with Love, while knowing that our only mind is divine. By doing so, the fear of change will banish as quickly as the fear of falling off the edge of the earth did centuries ago!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Identity is the reflection of Spirit, the reflection in multifarious forms of the living Principle, Love.” 

Science & Health Page 477:20-22

Thinking With Divine Mind

photo credit: Chris Fischer

ACIM Workbook Lesson #141:

Today begins a review of the last 20 lessons. Our main theme is: “My mind holds only what I think with God"  Review of:

#121 “Forgiveness is the key to happiness”

#122 “Forgiveness offers everything I want.”

There is a delightful little book called, The Holy Man, by Susan Trott. It is comprised of numerous scenarios recounted through a group of people who are waiting in line to see The Holy Man. They feel all their questions will be answered, all their problems solved, if only they can meet and speak with him. The irony is that when they are finally admitted to his home, he simply leads them through the house and out the back door. The beauty of the book is that everyone sees what they need to see from their interactions with others while waiting in the long line. We, too, have these aha moments while going about our day-to-day activities. The realization that our true thoughts are those we think with divine Mind brings a newness to everyday life. By releasing our by-rote reactions, we are free to practice forgiveness with every blameless thought we have. With this clean slate, who knows what insights will be ours? Like those people waiting to speak to The Holy Man, whom they believed had all the answers, we will be finding insight in every moment, simply by allowing ourselves to accept that we are One!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Life is divine Mind. Life is not limited.”

Science & Health Page 469:4-5

Remembering Who We Really Are

photo credit: Heather Peters

ACIM Workbook Lesson #140:

“Only salvation can be said to cure.”

Almost everyone has something they wish could or would be cured. Perhaps it’s an addiction to cigarettes, or maybe you have a relationship which is painful and you wish for resolution. Of course, there are the myriad of physical maladies which we are bombarded with daily, many of which are manifest in us or those we love. The multitude of magic potions given us to deal with these conditions are proof that none of them are a healing cure, only a temporary stop-gap put into place while we falter towards salvation. And this salvation spoken of is “the day when separation ends and we remember Who we really are.” (ACIM) Today let’s remember that illusions are not true, and we needn’t feel guilty for denying their veracity!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Salvation: Life, Truth, and Love understood and demonstrated as supreme over all.” Science & Health Page 593:20-21

United in the Oneness of Love

photo credit: Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #139:

"I will accept Atonement for myself."

Life is an unfoldment of consciousness. As today’s Course in Miracles workbook lesson tells us: “We have a mission here. We did not come to reinforce the madness that we once believed in. Let us not forget the goal that we accepted. It is more than just our happiness alone we came to gain. What we accept as what we are proclaims what everyone must be, along with us. Fail not your brothers, or you fail yourself. Look lovingly on them, that they may know that they are part of you, and you of them…Today accept Atonement, not to change reality, but merely to accept the truth about yourself, and go your way rejoicing in the endless Love of God.” As this day unfolds, with all its beauty and wonder, I shall allow myself to be the individual expression of divine Love, knowing what I see in others is what I see in myself and vice versa.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Atonement is the exemplification of man’s unity with God, whereby man reflects divine Truth, Life, and Love."

Science & Health Page 18:1-3

I'm In Heaven!

photo credit: Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #138

“Heaven is the decision I must make.”

Jesus told us that knowing the Truth would set us free. He also mentioned that the kingdom of heaven is within. With these ideas in mind, it seems possible to understand that the Truth he's speaking of is the inner knowing we all hold inside of us: the knowledge that we are holy. We really are the image and likeness of divine Mind, with all the perks that implies. We are the experience and expression of God! We have no function other than to live every moment in the acceptance of our holiness. As spiritual sight outshines material illusions, the kingdom of heaven is our only reality! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The great miracle, to human sense, is divine Love, and the grand necessity of existence is to gain the true idea of what constitutes the kingdom of heaven in man.” Science & Health Page 560:12-15

Love Heals

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #137

“When I am healed I am not healed alone.”

Love heals. We hear this so often, it's probably become somewhat of a cliché. We may think that nothing can heal the ills of the world, certainly not something as intangible as love. What if love were the most powerful force in the universe? Not just an emotion called love, but an omnipotent, gentle presence which is a synonym for God. What if this Love is sufficient to heal every thought of evil or sickness or misery which has ever been imagined? Then we'd all be lining up to get some of this stuff, don't you think? And it's even easier than that! We only need get out of our own way to experience what has always been there. Love heals!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"One moment of divine consciousness, or the spiritual understanding of Life and Love, is a foretaste of eternity.”

Science & Health Page 598:23-25

Defenses Against the Truth

photo credit: Chris Fischer

ACIM Workbook Lesson #136:

“Sickness is a defense against the truth.”

Many new-age thought systems try to find reasons for disease, then work to get rid of the "problem" which is causing you to be unwell. This is something which has no place in quantum thought.  When Mary Baker Eddy realized the nothingness of matter and the substance of Spirit, not many were willing to imagine the possibility until they saw physical proof. The healing which comes about through this understanding is not a manipulation of matter, but a yielding of erroneous belief to the Truth of creation by divine Mind. The Catch-22 is that if you are trying to heal something, you can't. But if you're knowing the Truth of existence, and that knowledge becomes more than just wishful thinking, the changeability of matter is shown in ways which we think of as healing. Knowing that there is nothing to be healed, that all is perfectly reflected as a creation of divine Mind, therein lies the healing. Going to the core of yourSelf and recognizing that your consciousness is One with Spirit, that is what brings an all-encompassing joy and peace which makes us happy to release false belief. Once that is gone, Truth shines forth in all Its magnificence! To learn more about this, here is the link to today's ACIM workbook lesson: http://acim.org/Lessons/lesson.html?lesson=136

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Truth has a healing effect, even when not fully understood.”

Science & Health Page 152:7-8

Defensive Reactions

photo credit: Jerry Dupy

ACIM Workbook Lesson #135

"If I defend myself I am attacked."

This lesson is all-encompassing in its explanations of what we tend to do in daily life. It speaks of the “folly of defense” as giving illusions reality and then attempting to handle them.  At least once a day, I will catch myself being defensive in reaction to something I hear from someone else, or an action on my part, or something from the past. Sometimes these defenses of mine cause me to hear a little voice in my head, that of my children when they were little, saying “crazy mom’s here, get out of the way!” Rather than thanking them for showing me my insanity, I probably got pretty defensive and went on and on in an attempt to justify myself. Nowadays when I hear their little voices in my memory, I am thankful for the reminder, then amused at my actions or reactions. And I choose again — gratefully!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The time for thinkers has come. Truth, independent of doctrines and time-honored systems, knocks at the portal of humanity.” 

Science & Health Page vii:13-15

Forgiveness As It Is

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #134

"Let me perceive forgiveness as it is."

In our material world, forgiveness has many faces. Perhaps someone tells us they're sorry and we say, That's all right. Or maybe someone has done something which stays on our mind as a transgression until we finally decide to forgive them, while thinking that we won't or can't forget. This is not what we're talking about today. Our topic involves the release of illusions, the acknowledgement that there is no reality in sin. I define sin as anything which separates us from the love which is God. I often think of the ancient Toltec wisdom as interpreted by Don Miguel Ruiz in his book, The Four Agreements. One of these agreements asks us not to take anything personally. This request speaks to "forgiveness as it is". He goes so far as to state that even if someone shoots you in the head, it's not your problem, it's theirs! What an interesting thought! This forgiveness acknowledges no blame in the first place, holds no grudge as there is no blame, and requires no forgiveness because there was no blame or grudge. As we learn to see life through spiritual sense, forgiveness takes on a different meaning for us. It becomes a peaceful acknowledgement of reality, and facilitates a letting go of the belief in separation. No blame, no guilt, all is forgiveness.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way. Right motives give pinions to thought, and strength and freedom to speech and action.”

Science & Health Page 454:18-21

What Do I Value?

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #133

"I will not value what is valueless."

One of the "tests" given in today's lesson for recognizing if something is valuable is to ask yourself if what you're valuing is changeable. What does not change? Certainly everything physical changes, often quite rapidly. Love, with a capital "L" doesn't change, although many of the fleeting things we call love do tend to change, grow, lessen, and even turn into other not-so-nice emotions. The next question we are asked is if we feel guilt in association with what we value? So now we have two tests to check for the reality of what we value: does it last and do we feel guilty in any way. I'm looking around the room right now and asking myself what do I value. Many things bring a smile, many things I enjoy seeing and remembering the events and people associated with them -- but value? No, I don't value anything in here as much as I value the love of my dog and mine for him. I'm beginning to understand that Life, Truth, Love are mine as a reflection of divine Mind, and that these are universally shared through the Principle of Spirit and Soul. I'm recognizing this existence in everything and seeing that loss is, indeed, gain.

Mary Baker Eddy quotes:

“Break up cliques, level wealth with honesty, let worth be judged according to wisdom, and we get better views of humanity.”

Science & Health Page 239:7-10

The Gift of Free Thought

photo credit: Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #132

"I loose the world from all I thought it was."

Many people feel there isn't time to study the Principle they long to embrace. We tell ourselves that we must live in the "real world" and that leaves little time for spiritual quests. With a slight shift in thought, it becomes apparent that reality isn't what we've always believed it to be. When this happens, we don't need to set aside specific time in order to practice a spiritual discipline. Without the downer of constantly repeating what we don't want in our lives, by refusing to dwell in fear and dread, we have a lot more time to hold thought to "the enduring, the good, and the true". (S&H Page 261:4) By allowing this new way of thinking to become a present reality, I am coming a step closer to understanding where Mrs. Eddy was standing when she said, "The divine understanding reigns, is all, and there is no other consciousness." Every glimpse I have of this divine reality is a moment of freeing the world from the bondage of my thought. What a gift!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"In the Apocalypse it is written: 'And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.' In St. John's vision, heaven and earth stand for spiritual ideas, and the sea, as a symbol of tempest-tossed human concepts advancing and receding, is represented as having passed away. The divine understanding reigns, is all, and there is no other consciousness."

Science & Health Page 536:1-9

Bad Luck/Good Luck - Who Knows?

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #131

"No one can fail who seeks to reach the truth."

There is a story of a farmer who used an old horse to till his fields. One day, the horse ran away and when the farmer's neighbors sympathized with the man over his bad luck, the farmer replied, "Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?" A week later, the horse returned with a herd of horses from the hills and this time the neighbors congratulated the farmer on his good luck. His reply was, "Good luck? Bad luck? Who knows?" The farmer's son attempted to tame one of the wild horses, fell off, and broke his leg, Everyone thought this very bad luck, but not the farmer, whose only reaction was, "Bad luck? Good luck? Who knows?" Then war broke out and the son didn't have to fight because of his broken leg. Bad luck, good luck -- who knows? It's wonderful to be open to Life with no expectations, not thinking in terms of good and bad, letting Love live through us!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Harmony is produced by its Principle, is controlled by it and abides with it.” Science & Health Page 304:16-17

Choices

"Self and self"
creation of Sandy Wythawai Starbird

ACIM Workbook Lesson #130

"It is impossible to see two worlds."

There is a world of Love, and there is a world of fear. I cannot see them both at the same time. You would think the choice between these two would be simple, but fear is often insidious and I may not realize it’s guiding my choices. I can't know the world of Spirit when I'm thinking from the standpoint of mortal sense. I can't love my neighbors when I'm judging them. I can't hear that "still, small voice" when my thought is full of chaotic chatter. These dualities represent the two worlds we wish to embrace simultaneously, but find we cannot. Everything I do, or say, or think, places me firmly in one world or the other. Moment by moment, I choose what to accept as truth. By consistently turning thought away from ego-based concepts and looking to spiritual interpretations, I am choosing the world I want to see. And if I'm not comfortable with what I'm seeing, guess what? I can choose again!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The visible universe and material man are the poor counterfeits of the invisible universe and spiritual man.”

Science & Health Page 337:22-24

Imagine That!

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #129

"Beyond this world there is a world I want."

To the uninitiated in this way of thought, the above sentence may appear to refer to a world experienced at the change we call death. The "beyond" spoken of here is made manifest through the death of old beliefs and a rebirth in new thought. Wouldn't it be great if we lived in a world where loss is impossible, where love lasts forever, where hate does not exist, and vengeance has no meaning? What if we had no misunderstandings, nor hard feelings between people, because we didn't blame others for thinking differently than we do? Our world is wonderful in many ways, but there are also horrors beyond words, and this is what causes people to lose faith in this thing we call God. We have created an un-God-like world and blame an unknown deity for what we think we cannot change. What if we're wrong and what we see is not true creation? Imagine that!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“That which material sense calls intangible, is found to be substance. What to material sense seems substance, becomes nothingness, as the sense-dream vanishes and reality appears."

Science & Health Page 312:3-6

The Veil is Thinning

"Bryce Canyon"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Lesson #128

"The world I see holds nothing that I want."  

The topic of today's ACIM lesson is one which could cause you to say, "Thanks, but no thanks!!" But before you turn away, really think about what this means. It isn't asking you to give up enjoyment of everyday life. On the contrary! It's asking you to look past the world which is the illusion of mortal mind, to see the creation of divine Mind. In looking through the unreality of beliefs, we are breaking the same kind of thought barriers which were set aside for humanity to realize the world was round. When asked to see everything with new eyes, to dare to stretch past belief and learned behavior, we may be frightened or confused. In this state of mind, our "ego" may tell us that it's all just nonsense and it's better to stay with what is well-known. But is it? If you feel -- really feel, deep inside -- that there must be more to this existence than meets the human eye, then you will want to know what that is. We are capable of so much more than we realize. The veil which hides reality is getting thinner! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"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 268:6-9

Love is Infinite

ACIM Workbook Lesson #127

“There is no love but God's”

Self-help books talk of the many faces and facets of love. In divine metaphysics, there is no division in Love. Love does not judge. No one is more worthy of receiving than another. No one is more able than another when it comes to expressing Love. Love may not appear to be a factor in the world we witness daily. We see love which is variable and hate that is solid, but we are learning the unreality of changing love and abiding hate. Reality is the Love which is God. Today's ACIM workbook lesson asks us to affirm this often today: "I bless you, brother, with the Love of God, which I would share with you. For I would learn the joyous lesson that there is no love but God's and yours and mine and everyone's. Every instant when I catch a glimpse of this true Love is a moment to treasure!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Love is infinite. Therefore all that really exists is in and of God, and manifests His love.”

Science & Health Page 340:12-14

What Am I Giving?

creation by
Sandy Wythawai Starbird

ACIM Workbook Lesson #126

"All that I give is given to myself."

Today’s topic brings an examination of what it is I’m giving. I would hope I’m giving happiness, peace, love, compassion — but sometimes I give judgment, condemnation, self-righteous thoughts, and false forgiveness. It’s all too easy to forgive in a way which is nothing more than a way of thinking that I’m superior and, in some way, better than the forgiven one. This is akin to the “back-handed compliment”, the way people may say “thank you very much” when they are not thanking someone but, rather, making a point of feeling slighted in some way by another’s actions. The forgiveness I give may be a charitable act on my part, an act I may withhold as punishment to them and self-aggrandizement for myself. I am working toward understanding this thing called forgiveness. I ask myself, How would Love look on this? What would Mind think about this? Today I will strive to see through the veil of belief which dictates how I should interpret others’ actions. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“We must reverse our feeble flutterings--our efforts to find life and truth in matter--and rise above the testimony of the material senses, above the mortal to the immortal idea of God. These clearer, higher views inspire the God-like man to reach the absolute centre and circumference of his being.” Science & Health Page 262:11-16

Silencing Material Sense

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #125

"In quiet I receive God's Word today."

Listening can be difficult, even under the most conducive of circumstances. I have a dear friend who has had such a hard time listening that she would often interrupt me (and others) in mid-sentence to say something totally unrelated to the topic -- or, perhaps, to ask about the same thing that you were explaining when she interrupted. One day I decided she needed to know how difficult it was to have a conversation with her, and so I told her what I had observed. The results have been marvelous! Not only has she begun to listen to what's going on around her, she has noticed that many people do not, and she is happy to have changed herself. Yippee!!  So I shall follow my own lead and tell myself that I'm often interrupting divine Mind with my busy brain. Let's hope I'm as good of a student as my sweet friend!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“We must silence this lie of material sense with the truth of spiritual sense.”

Science & Health Page 318:12-13

One With All That Is

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #124

"Let me remember I am one with God."

Does the topic of today's ACIM lesson make you nervous? Perhaps there's a feeling that God won't like it if you think this -- much less if you say it! Somewhere along the path of Christian theology it was decided that Jesus is God and, because of this, he will take care of everything for us; all we have to do is believe and give ourselves to him. It's my understanding that Jesus was here to tell us he was one with God and so are we. Does this mean we are God? In the same way that a ray of sunlight is the sun, yes. It can't be said that it's the actual sun, but it certainly is the expression of it. A ray of sunlight is the experience of the sun, if you will, and we are the expression and experience of God. One with God; one with each other; one with everything. Let's spend some time contemplating that today. Say right out loud: "I Am one with God!" Let's not be afraid to think it and ask ourSelves exactly what that means -- and don't forget to expect an answer!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Principle and its idea is one, and this one is God, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent Being, and [Its] reflection is man and the universe."

Science & Health Page 465:17-1

Open-Hearted Living

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #123

"I thank my Father for His gifts to me."

I was chatting with a local health care professional who recently had open heart surgery. He tells me that many of the people in the "zipper club" (as a group of bypass patients call themselves) are anything but open-hearted. He says many people are angry that their life has changed so much. He told me that some don't want to go forward, but rather spend time and energy wanting their old lifestyle back. I find this difficult to understand. Having gone through a life-changing physical event, I found the major changes to be exhilarating and exciting. The name "open heart" would cause me to smile every time I thought of it, leading me to open myself to everything that life has to offer and bringing a new appreciation -- and I'm sure it has for many, as it has for the beautiful man with which I shared this conversation. I open my heart to happiness, safety, comfort, certainty of purpose, and peace so perfect it can never be upset. I am grateful, moment-by-moment, for all that I am learning and seeing demonstrated in daily life. Thank you greatly!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Gratitude is much more than a verbal expression of thanks. Action expresses more gratitude than speech.

Science & Health Page 3:25-26

Forgiveness Reconciles Differences

photo credit: Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #122

"Forgiveness offers everything I want."

The forgiveness we speak of today is all-encompassing. It is more than just saying we don't hold a grudge against someone for something. The "forgiveness [which] offers everything I want" is born from the practice of realizing our unity with God, hence our Oneness with each other. By this understanding we can look past the multitude of forms which present themselves to us in the guise of reality, and, in looking through this veil, realize and demonstrate Truth. What more could we want other than peace, joy, love, contentment, bliss, appreciation, and satisfaction? Forgiveness reconciles any so-called differences we may have with each other and vanishes anything we are holding against ourselves. Allowing divine Love to guide our every action and thought frees us to live differently from when our lives are dictated by material beliefs and habits. Our commonality rests in the Oneness of our true being. That's a constant reality!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need.”

Science & Health Page 494:10-11