Undoing False Ideas

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #9

“I see nothing as it is now.”

“Are all the topics as random as the first ones have been”? This is the question I was asked by a person who recently began receiving my daily writing. I realized that her question made a good point, which is addressed in the text of the current workbook lesson: "the recognition that you do not understand is a prerequisite for undoing your false ideas." We are accustomed to expecting that everything we learn is for a specific purpose, and when we encounter concepts such as these, they may seem to be random, even meaningless. And that is the point, isn't it? By relieving ourselves of the beliefs we have accumulated, we're opening thought for something different. I've heard it said that what we think of as thinking is merely the rearranging of our prejudices. Hum -- that's something to think about! What an exciting adventure we have awaiting us each day, as we begin to glimpse the difference in what we seem to know through material sense and the reality of Spirit.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“We must silence this lie of material sense with the truth of spiritual sense.” Science & Health Page 318:12-13

January 7, 2014 - Seeing with New Eyes

"Mountaintop Moment in Mongolia"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #7

“I see only the past.”

The preparation to accept Truth mainly consists of learning how to forget meanings we have placed on things. 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 the understanding he gained to the knowledge we are gleaning in our metaphysical studies. Today's lesson brings to mind something he said about the baby turkeys. Without teaching of any sort, the young birds innately knew which creatures and situations in the woods were potentially harmful to them. Instinctual behavior is resting within us all, but we, as humans, have found ways to override this knowing with beliefs based on what others tell us and what we have learned from past experiences. It seems our domesticated animals have also lost their inner knowing, to some extent, picking up on our human 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. I will listen for Truth in each situation, doing my best to hear.

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