Relaxing Into Silence

photo credit: richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #340

"I can be free of suffering today."

Perhaps you know someone who feels they are following their path, who works hard to make a living in this way, yet seems to fail at every turn? I have a friend who is fearfully wondering why this is, and so I ask her: Are you desiring success or are you finding ways to understand your Being as the expression of God? Are you joyful in everything you do? Are you grateful for every little thing which brightens your day? It seems to me that people are dropping their negative reactions and unfounded beliefs, but often are floundering because they have nothing to fill the void left from this letting go. I feel that some sort of active spiritual practice is necessary to facilitate a joyful existence. So my advice is to go to Sufi dances, or practice yoga, or study the teachings of something you feel demonstrates Truth. But most importantly, meditate. Make time to relax into the silence, regularly and as often as possible. And don't forget that five seconds of stillness, caught in between activity is priceless!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Who that has felt the loss of human peace has not gained stronger desires for spiritual joy? The aspiration after heavenly good comes even before we discover what belongs to wisdom and Love. The loss of earthly hopes and pleasures brightens the ascending path of many a heart. The pains of sense quickly inform us that the pleasures of sense are mortal and that joy is spiritual." Science & Health Page 265:25-30

December 6, 2014 - Be Glad!

ACIM Workbook Lesson #340

"I can be free of suffering today."

On this date last year, I wrote about a snow and ice storm we had which brought the holiday activities in our tourist town to a standstill. Today, we had lovely temperatures and a steady rain, Our Christmas Parade of Lights was postponed for a couple of weeks. A line from today's ACIM workbook lesson tells how I felt about all this: "Be glad today! Be glad! There is no room for anything but joy and thanks today." Each time someone came in the gallery expressing distress that the parade had been cancelled, I told them how happy I was that we were having a nice warm rain. On gray days, all the holiday lights look brighter! In the rain, there are reflections of them in the streets, on windows, and everywhere we look! What a joy it is to be in our sweet town with all the natural beauty and happiness flowing from every place. The gratitude I feel at the end of this peaceful, laid-back day is immense. And the Tour of Homes is tomorrow, and John Two-Hawks holiday concert, and many other reasons to be GLAD!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Mind: The only I, or Us; the only Spirit, Soul, divine Principle, substance, Life, Truth, Love; the one God; not that which is in man, but the divine Principle, or God, of whom man is the full and perfect expression; Deity,which outlines but is not outlined."

Science & Health Page 591:16-20

December 6, 2012 - Stillness is Priceless

"Snowbird in Colorado"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #340

"I can be free of suffering today."

Why is it that someone who feels they are following their path, who works hard to make a living in this way, seems to fail at every turn? I can't answer this question, but I can ask other questions! Are you desiring success or are you finding ways to understand your Being as the image and likeness of God? Are you expressing joy in everything you do? Are you grateful for every little thing which brightens your day? It seems to me that people are dropping their negative reactions and unfounded beliefs, but may be floundering because they have nothing to fill the void left from this letting go. I feel that some sort of active spiritual practice is necessary to facilitate a joyful existence. So my advice is to go to Sufi dances, or practice yoga, or study the teachings of something you feel demonstrates Truth. But most importantly, meditate. Make time to rest in quietude, regularly and as often as possible. And don't forget that five seconds of stillness, caught in between activity is priceless!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Who that has felt the loss of human peace has not gained stronger desires for spiritual joy? The aspiration after heavenly good comes even before we discover what belongs to wisdom and Love. The loss of earthly hopes and pleasures brightens the ascending path of many a heart. The pains of sense quickly inform us that the pleasures of sense are mortal and that joy is spiritual."

Science & Health Page 265: 25-30