Cheers to Us!

photo credit: Chris Fischer

ACIM Workbook Lesson #114

Review of:  #97 "I am spirit." #98 "I will accept my part in God's plan for salvation."

Knowing that we are Spirit, and understanding what that means, allows us to live by divine law rather than material belief.  It's difficult to accept that we are so much more than we ever thought! We tend to continue behaviors which are comfortable, rather than opening up to a whole new paradigm of thought and action. Today I’d like to salute all people who have stood up to material laws and worked to end inhumane practices, from Joan of Arc to Elkhart Tolle. Also today I want to salute each and every one of you who aren’t afraid to express divine Love in all action and thought. Accepting our part as an emanation of Spirit brings a freedom to activity before unknown. The willingness to leave the old ways and embrace Oneness in every moment opens us to the grand adventure of Life. Cheers to us! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Question. — What are the demands of the Science of Soul?

Answer. — The first demand of this Science is, ‘Thou shalt have no other gods before me.’ This me is Spirit. Thou shalt have no intelligence, no life, no substance, no truth, no love, but that which is spiritual.”

Science & Health Page 467:1-7

Reflection in Multifarious Form

photo credit: Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #97 “I am spirit.”

I've been reading and studying the works of Bicknell Young. This fascinating man was the nephew of Brigham Young, the renowned Mormon leader. I can only imagine his family's surprise when he discovered the teachings of Mary Baker Eddy in the late 1800s, and then went on to gain fame speaking and writing about Christian Science during the next few decades. He's the proverbial person, dead or living, whom I'd choose to sit down with for an evening. These sentences about Spirit are part of what pique my interest to know every thought he ever had! "Consciousness is Spirit. It does not become spiritual nor is it spiritualized. Nor does the evolution of consciousness mean a rising above or a purification from anything; it is the ceaseless unfoldment of infinity." Thank you, Mr. Young!

Mary Baker Eddy quote: “Identity is the reflection of Spirit, the reflection in multifarious forms of the living Principle, Love.” Science & Health Page 277:20-22

I Am Spirit

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #97

“I am spirit.”

I've been reading and studying the works of Bicknell Young. This fascinating man was the nephew of Brigham Young, the renowned Mormon leader. I can only imagine his family's surprise when he discovered the teachings of Mary Baker Eddy in the late 1800s, and then went on to gain fame speaking and writing about Christian Science during the next few decades. He's the proverbial person, dead or living, whom I'd choose to sit down with for an evening. These sentences about Spirit are part of what pique my interest to know every thought he ever had! "Consciousness is Spirit. It does not become spiritual nor is it spiritualized. Nor does the evolution of consciousness mean a rising above or a purification from anything; it is the ceaseless unfoldment of infinity." Thank you, Mr. Young!

Mary Baker Eddy quote: “Identity is the reflection of Spirit, the reflection in multifarious forms of the living Principle, Love.” Science & Health Page 277:20-22

April 24, 2014 - Accepting Your True Self

ACIM Workbook Lesson #114

Review of:  #97 "I am spirit."

#98 "I will accept my part in God's plan for salvation."

The knowledge that we are Spirit and the understanding of what that means allows us to live by divine law rather than material belief.  It's difficult to accept that we are so much more than we ever thought! We tend to continue behaviors which are comfortable, rather than opening up to a whole new paradigm of thought and action. As an example of our resistance to change: In the 1970s, IBM wanted to change the traditional keyboard on typewriters. The setup is based on something which is no longer valid, and many of the most-used letters are assigned to fingers which are typically the least-used. Also, why wouldn't we want to exchange the question mark and the slash mark, saving oodles of shifts in the process? The option of testing a new keyboard was given to those of us who had purchased an IBM Selectric typewriter. The hoped-for improvements were cancelled because the great majority did not want to change. Will we accept the changes which  come with the admission that we are really, truly spiritual? What a grand adventure we have in store!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Question.--What is the scientific statement of being?

Answer.--There is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter. All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all. Spirit is immortal Truth; matter is mortal error. Spirit is the real and eternal; matter is the unreal and temporal. Spirit is God, and man is His image and likeness. Therefore man is not material; he is spiritual.”

Science & Health Page 468:8-15

August 22, 2013 - Thank Goodness We're Spiritual!

"China, 2009"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #234

“Father, today I am Your Son again.”

Let's not allow thoughts of gender bias or time constraints to prejudice our focus today. There never was a time when we were separated from God, and gender has no place in what divine Mind has created. As I say goodbye to a treasured friend who is moving away, I realize this Truth more than ever. We share more than a few years' worth of memories. We share eternity. That is, after all, what Oneness is, isn't it? Sometimes I think it may be too difficult to wrap my brain around this we-are-one thing. And sometimes it feels the same with saying goodbye: it's just too difficult to examine closely. And for mortal mind, it is too much. Thank goodness we're spiritual! With this knowledge, I am free to examine how divine Mind sees the situation. No separation, no loss, all One. What a great opportunity to practice feeling this Truth! Namaste', dear One.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Life is without beginning and without end. Eternity, not time, expresses the thought of Life, and time is no part of eternity. One ceases in proportion as the other is recognized. Time is finite; eternity is forever infinite. Life is neither in nor of matter. What is termed matter is unknown to Spirit, which includes in itself all substance and is Life eternal. Matter is a human concept. Life is divine Mind.”

Science & Health Page 568:26-4

April 24, 2013 - What Does it Mean to be Spirit?

"Mt. Timpanogos Shadows"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #114

Review of: 

#97 "I am spirit."

#98 "I will accept my part in God's plan for salvation."

Many authors and visionary thinkers have told us that we are not human beings having a spiritual experience, but spiritual beings having a human experience. The acknowledgement that "I am Spirit" IS "accepting my part in God's plan for salvation"! The knowledge that we are Spirit and the understanding of what that means, this brings acceptance through demonstration of Truth and Love. It's difficult to accept that we are so much more than we ever thought! We tend to continue behaviors which are comfortable, rather than opening up to a whole new paradigm of thought and action. To illustrate our resistance to change, in the 1970s, IBM wanted to change the traditional keyboard on typewriters. The setup is based on something which is no longer used, and the most-used letters are assigned to fingers which are typically the least-used! And why wouldn't we want to exchange the question mark and the slash mark, saving oodles of shifts in the process? The option of testing a new keyboard was given to those of us who had purchased an IBM Selectric typewriter. The hoped-for improvements were cancelled because the great majority did not want to change. Who's to know what changes will present themselves with the admittance that we are really, truly spiritual? What a grand adventure we have in store!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Question.--What is the scientific statement of being?

Answer.--There is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter. All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all. Spirit is immortal Truth; matter is mortal error. Spirit is the real and eternal; matter is the unreal and temporal. Spirit is God, and man is His image and likeness. Therefore man is not material; he is spiritual.”

Science & Health Page 468:8-15

April 7, 2013 - I Am Spirit

"South Africa Sunrise"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #97

“I am spirit.”

Once again today's workbook lesson takes me to the seven synonyms for God as given in Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy. Those are: Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, Love. And I, as a reflection of this thing called God, embody all of these synonyms within the truth of my being. Seeing Spirit as our true substance shows us how to live beyond thought which holds us in the belief that we are this body. Seeing beyond this mental image of ourselves caged in matter allows a breaking free within us. The much-quoted "Our Deepest Fear" from Marianne Williamson's A Return to Love tells us that what we fear most isn't our inadequacies but our power. Here is the paragraph from the book: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” These words will be a constant reminder to me today that I Am a reflection of God, and this will be demonstrated through knowing that I am Mind, I am Spirit, I am Soul, I am Principle, I am Life, I am Truth, I am Love.

Mary Baker Eddy quote: [This is from a dialogue between matter and Spirit. Spirit is speaking here]

“I am Spirit. Man, whose senses are spiritual, is my likeness. He reflects the infinite understanding, for I am Infinity. The beauty of holiness, the perfection of being, imperishable glory,--all are Mine, for I am God. I give immortality to man, for I am Truth. I include and impart all bliss, for I am Love. I give life, without beginning and without end, for I am Life. I am supreme and give all, for I am Mind. I am the substance of all, because I AM THAT I AM.”

Science & Health Page 252:32-8