Light and Joy and Peace

photo credit: Heather Peters

ACIM Workbook Lesson #93

“Light and joy and peace abide in me.”

So-called hate groups have increased by 14% in this country over the past year. A man named Tony McAleer describes himself as being beaten and bullied as a child; bitter and isolated as a teenager. He became involved in one of these groups while seeking a connection with others. To quote him: "When you're starving and somebody keeps feeding you what you think are your favorite foods, even though it's junk food, there's going to be a while where you're not going to get up from the table." He continued to practice violence and anger until after the birth of his daughter. He said that was the first time in his life he had felt connected to another human being, and he started to want to change. He has now organized  a group called "Life After Hate" and is helping others to build relationships with people. He says if we are to counter these groups, we must get to a place where empathy outweighs fear. That is what we are realizing through these studies, too. "Light and joy and peace abide in me" -- and in everyone!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Light is a symbol of Mind, of Life, Truth, and Love, and not a vitalizing property of matter. Science reveals only one Mind, and this one shining by its own light and governing the universe, including man, in perfect harmony.."

Science & Health Page 510:27-1

Open Mind, Open Heart

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #53

Today is the third of a ten-day review of the first lessons. 

http://acim.org/Lessons/lesson.html?daily_lesson=53

Today I had an interesting interlude with my mechanic. I had taken my car in for some minor work and when I went to pick it up, he started talking about the “news”. He told me he listened to it all day long while he worked on cars. When I told him I never listened to news, but read it instead, he started telling me things he felt I needed to know. Fortunately, earlier in the day I had taken a lenten vow of giving up the need to respond to thought which I find disagreeable; rather than responding, I would listen with compassion, seeking to understand. The things he was telling me were so outlandish I asked him if he was sure they were true. He was convinced of their veracity, and I assured him that if these things are so, we need to do something to change them. I also told him how I tried not to have strong opinions because they closed my mind to anything else. After an interesting chat, he told me he was going to charge disagreeable customers a “Marsha tax” — that he was going to charge them more so he could charge me less. Even though I hope this isn’t true, it made me feel good that we engaged in a productive conversation despite our differences of opinion! I am very grateful —

Mary Baker Eddy quote: “It should be thoroughly understood that all men have one Mind, one God and Father, one Life, Truth, and Love. Mankind will become perfect in proportion as this fact becomes apparent, war will cease and the true brotherhood of man will be established.” Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures Page 466:9-13

December 2, 2011 - One Mind

ACIM Lesson #336
"Forgiveness lets me know that minds are joined."[Marsha's thoughts]

Elusive by Diana Harvey

I'm so glad this is our lesson today! I read this following a day in which a longstanding, mutually-profitable business relationship has ended. My first reactions were entirely ego-based: What have I done wrong? What has she done wrong? What could I have done differently? Is she crazy?? So when I read the words, "Forgiveness lets me know that minds are joined", I really wanted to understand this seemingly illusive concept. But it's not a concept, it's the Truth. Concepts seems to be illusive; Truth just stands smiling contentedly. I don't know where this seeming separation will take us, but I'm excited to find out! We are both being freed to go forward in ways we wouldn't be able to find together. When she comes to mind, I will not dwell on any thoughts of unease we have put on each other. I will see her beautiful art and know only the beauty she Is. Our minds are joined, and I allow forgiveness to show me this union.Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"In reality, the more closely error simulates truth and so-called matter resembles its essence, mortal mind, the more impotent error becomes as a belief. According to human belief, the lightning is fierce and the electric current swift, yet in Christian Science the flight of one and the blow of the other will become harmless. The more destructive matter becomes, the more its nothingness will appear, until matter reaches its mortal zenith in illusion and forever disappears. The nearer a false belief approaches truth without passing the boundary where, having been destroyed by divine Love, it ceases to be even an illusion, the riper it becomes for destruction. The more material the belief, the more obvious its error, until divine Spirit, supreme in its domain, dominates all matter, and man is found in the likeness of Spirit, his original being."

Science & Health Page 97:5-20