August 6, 2014 - Am I Worthy?

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #218

Central Theme: “I am not a body. I am free. For I am still as God created me.” Review: #198 “Only my condemnation injures me.”

"I'm not worthy!" When certain comedians said this in a silly movie, it seemed funny. But when I hear this coming from people in everyday conversations, even though they don't use these exact words, it's tempting to tell them that they are very much worthy!! This evening, I had dinner with a group of people who were going to the Passion Play here in Eureka Springs. One woman stated that she had mixed feelings about the play because no one was "good enough" to play the part of Jesus. She felt it was presumptuous and arrogant for anyone to do so. As you can imagine, it was all I could do to keep a smile on my face and not disrupt this gathering of people who were here to learn more about our sweet town. But I did. And I said a quick, silent affirmation of our goodness as the expression of God, the image of Mind, the reflection of Love. Jesus was here to teach us about our true Being, for which I am very grateful. 

Mary BakerEddy quote:

"And we solemnly promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus; to do unto others as we would have them do unto us; and to be merciful, just, and pure." 

Science & Health Page 497:24-27

August 16, 2012 - Choose Again

"Bird at Heart"
Primal Image by
Sandy Wythawai Starbird

 A Course in Miracles Lesson #228

“God has condemned me not. No more do I."

One of the most wonderful things about these teachings is the recognition of our ability to "choose again".  Just because we have chosen a direction which does not serve us doesn't mean we must always repeat the behavior which brings us unhappiness or pain. It seems that a major impediment to releasing all these mistaken dreams is our desire to keep all the good dreams while letting go of the bad. I really want to get rid of memories of painful, fearful circumstances, but I'd rather hold on to lots of nice ones! Is there any difference? Isn't it all a material dream of pain and pleasure, life and death, duality after duality? Spiritual sense sees only this perfect oneness. It sees no condemnation or reason for blame. I want to see with these eyes. And that is a key to this seeing: a desire to do so. If we don't want to let loose painful thoughts, we won't. If we want to relive hurts and betrayals, we will. In conversations with others, it is repeatedly brought to my attention how much people cherish being right in situations. It seems that is a great source of satisfaction, this being right. But isn't that simply a perception of events? What is right? What is wrong? For me, rightness is peace. Does a decision to act in a certain way bring a feeling of peace? If it does, then I go forward with that action. So often decisions are nothing more than self-satisfied dogma on our part. We might think: This is the way it's always been for me, and I like it that way, and I'm going to keep it that way. And so we do. Even if the repetitive actions bring us sadness and conflict, we have decided that this is "right" and we must stick by our guns (what a horrible saying that is!) and continue on in this way whether it brings peace and happiness or the opposite. Let's remember to see ourselves as God sees us today, knowing that we are guiltless, sinless, pure.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Now is the time for so-called material pains and material pleasures to pass away, for both are unreal, because impossible in Science. To break this earthly spell, mortals must get the true idea and divine Principle of all that really exists and governs the universe harmoniously. This thought is apprehended slowly, and the interval before its attainment is attended with doubts and defeats as well as triumphs.”

Science & Health Page 39:23-30