Pointing Fingers

photo credit: Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #228

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

If I condemn another, I condemn myself — and it happens so easily! When condemning others, I always feel like I've "fallen off the wagon".  I remember a time when I found myself in a conversation wherein I was condemning the motorcycle riders who visit our town, and the woman I was chatting with was blaming another segment of our society for other things. Was my face red when I realized what I was doing! Pointing a finger at someone else always leaves three pointing back at myself. Rather than engaging in this type of verbal judgment, I will practice loving actively. Or perhaps it's gratitude which triggers a return to Love. Whatever the case, I will hasten to drop the inflammatory words and thoughts I sometimes experience. But if and when they happen, I will choose again!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Man is the idea of Spirit; he reflects the beatific presence, illuming the universe with light. Man is deathless, spiritual. He is above sin or frailty. He does not cross the barriers of time into the vast forever of Life, but he coexists with God and the universe.” Science & Health Page 266:27-32

I Am Worthy -- And So Are You~

photo from Alden Stallings

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 say this in a silly movie, it seems 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!! One 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 stop myself from jumping up on the table and shouting that we are all worthy!! But I didn’t. Instead, I inwardly offered an affirmation of our goodness as the expression of God, the image of Mind, the reflection of Love — along with a silent Namastè.

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

Turn on the Light!

photo from Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #198

“Only my condemnation injures me.”

It seems impossible to stay away from thoughts of condemnation. While it may be tempting to jump up on our high horse and expound on the rightness and the wrongness of external events, this justification is only from the standpoint of belief. Mortal mind, ego, tells us that we know this is real and we must do something about it. But listening and allowing ourselves to be led is much more productive than going off on a tangent and telling people how they should change their ways and everything will be better. The internet is known as the world-wide web, and that is quite an analogy for the Oneness which we share as spiritual beings. The instant and constant connection we all have with each other through our unity is there for the recognition of it. It's akin to flipping on the light switch in a dark room. If we don't know that's possible, we continue to sit in the dark. But when we sit with quiet expectation that our inner knowing will supply us with all we need, we may just find ourselves walking over to that unknown element and turning on the light! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The condemnation of mortals to till the ground means this, — that mortals should so improve material belief by thought tending spiritually upward as to destroy materiality.”

Science and Health Page 545:7-10 

July 17, 2014 - The Heart's Nutriment

ACIM Workbook Lesson #198

"Woman in Mexico"
photo courtesy of Creation Spirit

“Only my condemnation injures me.”

For the last several years, I've avoided one of my neighbors, who is 90-plus years old, because it seemed there was no such thing as a short visit. She would tell me things I didn't want to know about her family and other people, so I began to avoid her. This morning she was sitting on her porch and asked for help. Her phone was not working and it's connected to a Lifeline button which she can push if she needs help. As it was going to take some time to get the phone company there to reconnect her, I told her I'd come over every hour and make sure she was okay. Today she started talking about herself, from childhood through more recent times, and it was fascinating! She told me the happiest times of her life were picking cotton with her sisters in the 1930s on a farm in Mississippi. Every visit with her today brought new adventures from her life. When she would wander into condemnation of others, I would simply tell her I had to go now, but would be back soon and wanted to hear more stories about her -- not others. It was like watching a documentary -- and I'm glad I was tuned in! I'm happy to find out what I was missing by not being honest with her. I don't want to hear gossipy things about others, but hearing about her feelings and experiences was lovely. I'm grateful for this day with her.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The poor suffering heart needs its rightful nutriment, such as peace, patience in tribulation, and a priceless sense of the dear Father’s loving-kindness.”

Science and Health Page 365:31-2 

February 15, 2014 - I'm in Love!

photo by Stephen Shogren

ACIM Workbook Lesson #46:

“God is the Love in which I forgive.”

We are told in today's workbook lesson that God does not forgive, because there is no condemnation. Living in acknowledgement of our unity shows us a new paradigm, a different perception of what we call reality. The opposite of unity, separation, can be described as anything which separates us from the Love which is God. Our separation becomes very apparent on occasions such as Valentine's Day. Numerous people I know expressed their disgust for this sweet celebration day because they are not "in love". Someone even said, "Happy too-bad-you're-not-in-love Day!" I had to burst out laughing because I feel very much in Love! Every moment is an adventure in experiencing the Love which is my Source. I revel in waking up each day and spending time aligning thought with God. Through this centering, I feel as though I'm having a love affair with all of life. I relish solitude, as I find it easier to feel at-one-ment in silence rather than in the midst of constant conversation. After all, One is a whole number! With enough practice, I hope to have no need to forgive, because I have not condemned. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

 "'God is Love.' More than this we cannot ask, higher we cannot look, farther we cannot go. To suppose that God forgives or punishes sin according as His mercy is sought or unsought, is to misunderstand Love ..."

Science & Health Page 6:17-21

August 16, 2013 - Choose again

"Mongolia Sky"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #228

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

It seems so easy to condemn thoughtlessly. When this happens with me, I always feel like I've "fallen off the wagon". Oops, another condemnation! During a charity event recently, I found myself in a conversation where I was condemning a faction of tourists who visit our town, and the woman I was chatting with was blaming another segment of our society for other things. Was my face red when I realized what I was doing. Pointing a finger always leaves three pointing back at myself, and I really felt it tonight! For this reason, I will practice loving actively. Or maybe it's gratitude that will trigger a return to Love. Whatever the case, I will hasten to drop the inflammatory words and thoughts I experienced in this interlude. And I will choose again.

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

July 17, 2012 - Peace through connectivity

Unknown Photographer

A Course in Miracles `Lesson #198

“Only my condemnation injures me.”

It seems impossible to stay away from thoughts of condemnation. To listen to the news during an election year in the United States is more than sufficient to bring up thoughts of doom. When we let go of the belief of separation, this condemnation is put into its proper perspective. If I can manage to be still and know what/who I truly am, then there is no reason for thinking in this way. Truly forgiving is recognition that there is nothing to forgive. While it may be tempting to jump up on our high horses and expound on the rightness and the wrongness of these external events, this justification is only of our own beliefs. Mortal mind, ego, tells us that we know this is real and we must do something about it. And by this I don't mean to say that things can't or shouldn't be done about what we see going on around us in this world. But listening and allowing ourselves to be led is much more productive than going off on a tangent, proposing fantastic things of our imaginations, and telling people how they should change their ways and everything will be better. The internet is known as the world-wide web, and that is quite an analogy for the Oneness which we are as spiritual beings. The instant and constant connection we all have with each other through this web of connectivity is there for the recognition of it. It's akin to flipping the switch for light in a dark room. If we don't know that's possible, we don't know to do it, and so continue to sit in the dark. But when we sit with quiet expectation that our inner knowing will supply us with all answers, we may just find ourselves walking over to that unknown element and turning on the light! Whereas, sitting in condemnation of yourself and others for not knowing what to do offers no help other than keeping everyone in the dark. Let's recognize now there is no condemnation outside of our own. As Jesus tells us, "The kingdom of heaven is within you." Today I will remember that the kingdom of hell also resides there. Which will I choose? It seems foolish to think there is a choice!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“When we realize that Life is Spirit, never in nor of matter, this understanding will expand into self-completeness, finding all in God, good, and needing no other consciousness.”

Science and Health Page 264:15-18

This material is copyrighted by Marsha Havens, Eureka Springs, Arkansas. All rights reserved. All writings, other than quoted material from A Course in Miracles or Mary Baker Eddy are the personal interpretation and understanding of the author.