May 6, 2013 - Giving is Receiving

ACIM Workbook Lesson #126

"All that I give is given to myself."

What do we think we are giving? Here are a few examples of what we often give: good advice, scornful judgment of another's actions, support for loved ones, opinions which we hope will change the world. This list could go on and on. In examining what I'd like to give today, I see that the only true thing which can be given is Love. Anything else is but a material opinion in some form. Even what we think of as forgiveness is a mortal concept which generally includes stipulations. There may be an implication that I'm forgiving you because I'm a better person than you are. Oh my! But we know that forgiveness is the key to the door of truth, so how do we forgive without material trappings? Love! When we give and live Love, there is nothing else to think about. Before I give anything today, I will ask myself, Is this what I want to receive? If it's not, then I'd best not give it. But my realization that God is Love, that Love is all there is, allows me to slip into that sweet space of living from Truth, which is expressing the Love which is our essence.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“We cannot fathom the nature and quality of God's creation by diving into the shallows of mortal belief. We must reverse our feeble flutterings--our efforts to find life and truth in matter--and rise above the testimony of the material senses, above the mortal to the immortal idea of God. These clearer, higher views inspire the God-like man to reach the absolute centre and circumference of his being.” Science & Health Page 262:9-16

May 5, 2013 - Quiet

Alta
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #125

"In quiet I receive God's Word today."

Here is a quote from today's ACIM workbook lesson: "Today He speaks to you. His Voice awaits your silence, for His Word can not be heard until your mind is quiet for a while, and meaningless desires have been stilled. Await His Word in quiet. There is peace within you to be called upon today, to help make ready your most holy mind to hear the Voice for its Creator speak."

In quiet contemplation, I say nothing else concerning today's topic. If you want to read this lesson in its entirety, here's the link:

http://acim.org/Lessons/lesson.html?lesson=125

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The ‘still, small voice’ of scientific thought reaches over continent and ocean to the globe's remotest bound. The inaudible voice of Truth is, to the human mind, ‘as when a lion roareth’. … Then is the power of Truth demonstrated,--made manifest in the destruction of error.”

Science & Health Page 559:8-16

May 4, 2013 - Realizing Oneness

Mugs Poster
by John Rankine

ACIM Workbook Lesson #124

"Let me remember I am one with God."

The recognition that we are one with God has a calming effect. It seems that those of us who think we are in charge of everything around us tend to be excited and often angry. Currently, I'm observing reactions to an art installation in Eureka Springs. There are three-by-four-foot posters plastered on blank walls around town .These posters depict 130 of our local artists making silly faces. The point of the project is to let people know they aren't stuffy, boring people and that we are a fun town. Midway through the month, the general public will be given markers to draw on the posters, further bringing frivolity to these black and white posters. I have no strong opinions about this art installation. I think the artist who thought up and enacted this idea is a wonderfully creative man whom I admire. Not everyone in town feels this way! Once again, we come back to individual perceptions and interpretations from belief and past experiences. Art and the creation and enjoyment of it is a wonderful litmus test of our ability to realize our Oneness with God and, hence, everyone and everything. I love observing people's reactions to various forms of art in our gallery. Now I'm enjoying watching the emotions these large mug shots are bringing to the surface in friends and loved ones. As the ACIM lesson tells us: "Today we see only the loving and the lovable. We see it in appearances of pain, and pain gives way to peace. We see it in the frantic, in the sad and the distressed, the lonely and afraid, who are restored to the tranquility and peace of mind in which they were created." And I will remember my Oneness with God and everyone as a reflection of that divine Mind which created us.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The eternal Elohim includes the forever universe. The name Elohim is in the plural, but this plurality of Spirit does not imply more than one God, nor does it imply three persons in one. It relates to the oneness, the tri-unity of Life, Truth, and Love. Man is the family name for all ideas,--the sons and daughters of God. All that God imparts moves in accord with Him, reflecting goodness and power.”

Science & Health Page 515:16:24

May 3, 2013 - New Beginnings

"Lilies and Bee"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #123

"I thank my Father for His gifts to me."

Don't we all love new beginnings? Every symbolic new beginning we experience gives hope that it truly will be this time; that the great shift in thought, in consciousness, has reached its tipping point, allowing the Utopia we so crave. We yearn for peace and plenty, purity of heart and environment, joy, satisfaction. But we keep forgetting the spiritual Principle which guarantees this reality, simply for our perception of it. Sometimes we catch glimpses of what it could be like. For instance, I witnessed a man and woman in their 70s cavorting like teenagers in giddy expectation of exchanging marriage vows.Their happiness in this new beginning was infectious! Also, a friend in The Netherlands has been sharing videos of their celebrations centered around the investiture of a new king. What a wonderful symbolic new beginning for the world, feeling a bit like Camelot with its reign of peace and beauty. My friend's joy in this event is palpable through the internet connection we share. The endlessly flowing giving-and-receiving action which divine Mind supplies is ours, right here and now. A true new beginning is at hand -- your hand and mine, today, now.  I will not be distracted by ego-based taunting to play the game being enacted all around us. I will look through the temptation to stay stuck in the muddle of material belief by giving energy to the lower propensities. Raising thought above what cries out so loud for attention, I'll see the beginning in every situation. But if there is no end, can there be a beginning? Ah -- ever-flowing forever. Now!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Gratitude is much more than a verbal expression of thanks. Action expresses more gratitude than speech.

Science & Health Page 3:25-26

May 2, 2013 - Holding Grudges?

"Washington, D.C."
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #122

"Forgiveness offers everything I want."

The forgiveness we speak of today is all-encompassing. This is more than just saying we don't hold a grudge against someone for something. The "forgiveness [which] offers everything I want" is born from the practice of realizing our unity with God, hence our Oneness with each other. By this understanding we can look past the multitude of forms which present themselves to us in the guise of reality, and, in looking through this veil, realize and demonstrate Truth. What more could we want other than peace, joy, love, contentment, bliss, appreciation, and satisfaction? And this larger, all-encompassing forgiveness reconciles any so-called differences we may have with each other, and also with anything we are holding against ourselves. Allowing divine Love to guide our every action and thought would free us to live differently from when our lives are dictated by material beliefs and habits. It's always amazing to me that some people choose to not speak to one another simply because they disagree about certain things. I like oranges, you like apples. So what? Our commonality rests in the Oneness of our true being. That's a constant reality!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need.”

Science & Health Page 494:10-11

May 1, 2013 - Love Fills All Space

"Pure Love"
photo by Aaron Springston

 ACIM Workbook Lesson #121

“Forgiveness is the key to happiness.”

In today's workbook lesson, we are asked to think of someone we don't like, someone who irritates us perhaps, someone we don't enjoy being around. In the time it takes to read the last sentence, we have chosen this person! Contemplate him. Meditate on her. Find some bit of light in them and let it grow until you feel the goodness, the God, which they inherently are. After we have allowed this feeling to grow, we are asked to think of someone we like and transfer that good feeling to them. In doing this, we then realize there is no difference in these people. All feelings of separation are released in this forgiveness, this realization of their Oneness with each other and ourself. By this process, we give and receive, understanding the unity in these seemingly separate acts. Whatever we give, we receive, because we already have the kingdom within us. So-called forgiveness is the letting go of false beliefs in various forms of separation, the understanding of the power contained in this realization, and the demonstration of that fact. Letting Love rule every aspect of our thought is forgiveness, because there is no room for anything but this Love when it is admitted as the only reality of our being. To paraphrase Mrs. Eddy, Love fills all space and there is nothing else to think about. That understanding is enough to allow happiness to reign!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The depth, breadth, height, might, majesty,and glory of infinite Love fill all space. That is enough!

Science & Health Page 520:3-5

April 30, 2013 - I Am Spiritual

"Portland Oregon"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #120

Review of:

#109 "I rest in God."

#110 "I am as God created me."

When people ask me to pray for them, they most often think that I'm asking God to help them. Some have told me they think I've got a direct line to divinity, and they have somehow missed the connection. This could not be further from the truth. The prayer which I utilize affirms the truth of our Being, combined with a listening to hear what should be affirmed. It's not an asking for a condition to be changed, but a knowing that there is no condition in God's reflection. We are created by divine Mind and reflect all that implies. This has nothing to do with matter. Our mortal mind often insists that this material existence is the reality of our being and any glimpse we may have of our spiritual perfection is but a mirage. The opposite is reality and our realization of this is what brings harmony. This form of prayer is also not a mind-over-matter type of healing. So when you ask me to pray for you, it's possible I'll say "God, help!". But that's only to clear my thought, allowing Truth to be foremost and error to melt away. I'll never say in prayer anything like, Please, God, heal Mary's cold. But I will say, What do I need to know about this situation? This is what Jesus was telling us. That's why his teachings were revolutionary. We are not material, we are spiritual. Some think we are unable to demonstrate this in our material form. And so that is true. But what is also true is that we are not really matter. This illusion can be dropped here and now, as we ascend past mortal belief into spiritual Truth. God has made us capable of this!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“God creates and governs the universe, including man. The universe is filled with spiritual ideas, which He evolves, and they are obedient to the Mind that makes them. Mortal mind would transform the spiritual into the material, and then recover man's original self in order to escape from the mortality of this error. Mortals are not like immortals, created in God's own image; but infinite Spirit being all, mortal consciousness will at last yield to the scientific fact and disappear, and the real sense of being, perfect and forever intact, will appear.”

Science & Health Page 295:5-15

April 29, 2013 - Truth Trumps Error

"Somewhere in Oregon"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #119

Review of:

#107 "Truth will correct all errors in my mind."

#108 "To give and to receive are one in truth."

Many people have been telling me they think this Truth we speak of is difficult to understand. One person says it's incomprehensible unless you've had years of study and training. Another says she's not smart enough to "get it". Yet another says she's not up for the hard work this way of living entails. I've been thinking about this quite a bit. Is it true? Does it take some special dispensation, some quantum gift from beyond, some unraveling of DNA, years of study perhaps? I suppose we think it takes a long time to change our thought because it's taken us a long time to think in the ways we presently do. Most of us have 12 to 20 years of formal education as proof that it's difficult to learn everything we need to know. Maybe that's why we tend to balk at what could be a lifetime of work. But wait a minute! What's with this "lifetime" business? Aren't we floating in eternity? I feel that we already know all there is to know. It's our birthright as a child of God. The part that takes practice is leaving the erroneous teachings of a lifetime behind. The easy part is the realization that Truth is always within us, just waiting to be discovered. And with this discovery comes a renewal of our mind, a rediscovery of the Truth we've always known, which easily pushes aside false beliefs. So, no, I don't think it's hard work. But it is dedicated work. A dedicated discipline to seeing and feeling as Love. Not through Love, not with Love, but as Love. That is our essence. That is our Truth. Let's keep it simple!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Because Truth is infinite, error should be known as nothing. Because Truth is omnipotent in goodness, error, Truth's opposite, has no might. Evil is but the counterpoise of nothingness. The greatest wrong is but a supposititious opposite of the highest right. The confidence inspired by Science lies in the fact that Truth is real and error is unreal. Error is a coward before Truth. Divine Science insists that time will prove all this. Both truth and error have come nearer than ever before to the apprehension of mortals, and truth will become still clearer as error is self-destroyed.”

Science & Health Page 329:21-31

April 28, 2013 - Peace, Stillness, Truth

"Montana Silhouettes"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #118

Review of:

#105 "God's peace and joy are mine."

#106 "Let me be still and listen to the truth."

When our minds are busy with worries and repetitive thoughts, when we're voicing our concerns either orally or mentally, it's very difficult to hear the still, small voice of Truth. This is why I always recommend meditation for people who tell me they are having problems sleeping. Not only must the mind be quiet for easy, peaceful falling into sleep, but the last thoughts we think before sinking into this other-worldly abyss are very important! We have been told by material practitioners of various disciplines that sound sleep is necessary for good health; that it facilitates healing in on-going ways which are necessary to our well-being. I've always felt this is true because we need to be quiet to hear the ever-present voice of Truth which is often drowned out by the constant chatter we allow into our heads. This listening mode of being is essential to health, because this health we speak of comes from listening to our true Self rather than the material beliefs of the ages.  Silencing our lips and thoughts to materialism allows Love to replace error, then peace and joy reign supreme in our existence. What a lovely byproduct!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Lips must be mute and materialism silent, that man may have audience with Spirit, the divine Principle, Love, which destroys all error.”

Science & Health Page15:11-13

April 27, 2013 - Letting Go of Stereotypes

"Bryce Canyon"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Lesson #117

Review of:

#103 "God, being Love, is also happiness."

#104 "I seek but what belongs to me in truth."

At a gathering of women, the talk centered around stereotypes of people, how these have changed over the years, what keeps them alive, and how we really, truly think about such things. While the talk was stimulating and fun for all involved, we were looking at this from an entirely matter-based standpoint. No mention or thought was given to the reality of our Being and the fact that there truly is no difference in any of us. The way it seems is that we are all different. Our race, nationality, teachings, are said to combine to make us who we are. We supposedly have differences which are sometimes irreconcilable with others of our species. I'm reminded of something Isaac Asimov said in one of his novels. I don't have the exact quote, but it was to the effect that we, as humans, would not realize our unity until life was discovered on another planet; then it could be us against them. And this is the way it seems to be. This is why, in the study of metaphysical realities, we are so eager to let go of these beliefs which keep us shackled to thought which is stagnant. Living every moment in Love precludes thinking of others as different. Although it seems impossible that we could all live in this way, doing no harm to anyone or anything, always expressing our perfection as a reflection of God, it is not. This possibility is an actuality in the reality of our Being, which we're seeing more clearly every day. Love and happiness are our realities, and this Truth is seen clearly when the veil of material belief is lifted.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“...God is Love, and without Love, God, immortality cannot appear. Mortals try to believe without understanding Truth; yet God is Truth.”

April 26, 2013 - Happiness is the Way

"Montana Morning"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Lesson #116

Review of:

#101 "God's Will for me is perfect happiness."

#102 "I share God's Will for happiness for me."

As sage words tell us: There is no way to happiness; happiness is the way. We often witness people sabotage their own happiness in a myriad of ways. And, alternatively, we see people who insist on happiness even in the face of the most harsh experiences.  Many times a day we may be tempted to lose a peaceful, happy feeling because of the habit of thinking in unhappy ways. A friend told me a story of a state trooper, somewhere in the panhandle of Texas, wielding his authority in a petty and foolish way. When I hear things like this, I silently affirm the Truth of the situation: that this person is also a child of God. In this affirmation, it's implied what he is not: that is, the material illusion of tyranny he is putting forth. On the other hand, I could entertain thoughts of what is wrong with this policeman. But this would rob me of happiness! I could say, "I hate it when people do that." And that leaves me hating certain actions, rather than seeing the situation through spiritual sense. I would give away my happiness for unnecessary finger pointing. For every action which quashes happiness, there are multitudes which affirm its ever-presence. I ran into an old friend in the grocery store. Not long ago, she lost her 13-year-old daughter, an only child. When I asked her how she was doing, she said she was doing great for the most part; that there were a few tough days, but she knew it was dishonoring her sweet child's memory to spend her time in depressed mourning. And so she found ways to be happy, living Life as an affirmation of her daughter's Truth. I felt humbled in her presence. How dare I shoot down joy over nothing other than silly habitual thinking? I'd rather live Love instead!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Upon this stage of existence goes on the dance of mortal mind. Mortal thoughts chase one another like snowflakes, and drift to the ground. Science reveals Life as not being at the mercy of death, nor will Science admit that happiness is ever the sport of circumstance."

Science & Health Page 250:28-1

April 25, 2013 - New Earth Now

ACIM Lesson #115

Review of: 

#99 "Salvation is my only function here."

#100 "My part is essential to God's plan for salvation."

When viewing the perfection of all life, how it blends together in exquisite harmony, I am often inspired in ways to be more in tune with this tapestry. Once again, we need only let loose the things we do by rote, leaving habitual behaviors behind, in order to open ourselves to new-old thought and experience where that takes us. Perhaps inspired by Earth Day activities, my thoughts go to sustainable farms, organic and pure food, happy animals, pesticide-free vegetables! How wonderful to attend farmer's markets and actually talk to people who grow our food. In the last fifty years, the production of food has changed so drastically that most of our young people have no idea where food actually comes from. And, in too many cases, we don't want to know. Every decision I make at the supermarket casts a vote for the process involved in its production. Every dollar I spend at a Farmer's Market also casts a vote. I don't really want to give my dollars to corporations which give us food without Soul. I vote for food containing Love. Everything I consume will be nurtured with Love. As I release all guilt, as I see that forgiveness is there for the realization of it, new worlds become visible. The New Earth has always been here. And now we're remembering and demonstrating that knowledge in a myriad of ways.

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 39:21-30

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 23, 2013 - Divine Government

"Boston Harbor"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #113

Review of:

#95 "I am one Self, united with my Creator."

#96 "Salvation comes from my one Self."

As little children, we are taught rules and why it is important to follow them. It seems to me we have gone overboard with rules. For instance, look at our tax laws!  When we look to Spirit to guide and govern every action, there is no need for a multitude of laws to tell us what we can and cannot do. Take, for instance, laws which tell us how and who to love. There's a television series called "Big Love" which takes a look into the everyday lives of Mormon polygamists. In the United States, polygamy is illegal. When we hear accounts of cruel men with 20 wives and 100 children, it's tempting to agree with that decree. But when the beauty of deep Love is illustrated in a multiple-marriage situation, it seems not only plausible but admirable. Love cannot be legislated. And this takes us back to those rules we are taught to live by, the laws which we will be punished for breaking. Personal government is not dictated by material laws. No matter how many laws we make, there are still those who perpetrate horrendous acts. But when we are governed by divine Law, which is heard when listening to that "still, small voice" within, we truly can demonstrate the Golden Rule of doing unto others as we would have them do unto us. Living life by this Rule results in a peaceful feeling. If uneasiness is bouncing around in my chest, it's time to wonder why! So today I will be governed by intuitive feeling which comes from listening through spiritual sense. Ah -- At-One-Ment!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Atonement is the exemplification of man's unity with God, whereby man reflects divine Truth, Life, and Love. Jesus of Nazareth taught and demonstrated man's oneness with the Father, and for this we owe him endless homage.”

Science & Health Page 18:1-5

April 22, 2013 - Calm Assertive Behavior

"Ozark Valley"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #112:

Review of:

#93 "Light and joy and peace abide in me"

#94 "I am as God created me."

Last year on this day, I wrote something which is a nice reminder to me this year. It concerns the giving up of strong opinions, not jumping up on my soapbox to expound upon things, and quickly admitting my mistake if I do happen to fall into the ego trap of self-importance. Part of today's lesson tells us that "light and joy and peace abide in me". I remind myself today that this is true, and examine what it is which leads me into forgetfulness of this fact. No longer do I react if someone has an opinion different from mine about politics, religion, or someone I love and respect. It is what it is, and I can happily say something like, "You may be right about that". The only things over which I fall into reactionary mode have to do with our environment -- things like hog farms and electric lines and wasting of resources and such. It would be very easy to insist that I'm right and you're wrong when a utility company wants to cut great swathes through our lovely wooded neighborhoods. And sitting with closed mouth and shielded eyes is not the response to many other situations either. I know there are divinely-inspired ideas waiting for me to discover them, showing me ways to act in defense of goodness and purity. I will today remember that "I am as God created me", while leaving behind self-righteous opinions, clearing the way for Truth to be heard.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Man is idea, the image, of Love; he is not physique. He is the compound idea of God, including all right ideas; the generic term for all that reflects God's image and likeness; the conscious identity of being as found in Science, in which man is the reflection of God, or Mind, and therefore is eternal; that which has no separate mind from God; that which has not a single quality underived from Deity; that which possesses no life, intelligence, nor creative power of his own, but reflects spiritually all that belongs to his Maker."

Science & Health Page 475:13-22

April 21, 2013 - What is a miracle?

"Bryce Canyon"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #111

Review of: 

#91 “Miracles are seen in light."

#92 "Miracles are seen in light, and light and strength are one.”

When I first encountered A Course in Miracles writings, I was bothered by the use of the word "miracle". In Christian Science, I have learned that what we tend to think of as a miracle is actually the demonstration of divine law. In most cases, when someone says, "It's a miracle", there's the implication that material laws have been set aside for something unbelievable to happen. There is often the assumption that God has intervened and caused things to occur which otherwise wouldn't have. So I would cringe when hearing the word miracle. I have come to see that A Course in Miracles is using the word miracle in much the same way as Mary Baker Eddy refers to it. It is the demonstration of divine Principle, which is seen by replacing material illusions with spiritual sense. This experience is referred to in Science and Health as being "not supernatural, but supremely natural". I love that we are seeing ourselves as complete beings, utilizing the so-called sixth sense in everyday life, and not being surprised when "miraculous" things happen! When we wash away the dust of material belief, the light of Truth can shine through, giving us strength where we before thought we were weak. The light of holiness and goodness, the light of God, gives us every right idea we need to advance in our individual way. We need not worry about which road to take when we trust our inner knowing, our intuition, our true Self.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The miracle introduces no disorder, but unfolds the primal order, establishing the Science of God's unchangeable law."

Science & Health Page 135:6-8

April 20, 2013 - Nothing Changes in Truth

"Bryce Canyon"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #110

“I am as God created me.”

During a conversation with friends, someone asked me how I could have come through a particularly traumatic time without some form of therapy. I hadn't really thought about this, but only knew that I had accepted reality over illusion. The reality is that I am as God created me. The illusion is all the stories I encountered which could affect how I feel about myself and others. So let's say you have just found out about something which happened in the past. This something changes many material truths you believed, including your name, age, and heritage. What reaction would you have? Perhaps your initial response would be anger. People would say this is a normal reaction to betrayal. With the realization that you are as God created you, this situation is seen to have absolutely nothing to do with your true Self. Then this hurtful illusion can dissipate as mist hit by sunlight. Our hurt feelings, our fears, disappear into their native nothingness, being replaced with the Truth of Being. "I Am as God created me." Anything other than our true creation is changeable. Today I choose unchanging, eternal Truth!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“In divine Science, man is the true image of God. The divine nature was best expressed in Christ Jesus, who threw upon mortals the truer reflection of God and lifted their lives higher than their poor thought-models would allow.”

Science & Health Page 259:6-9

April 19, 2013 - I Rest in Love

"Mongolia Sunset"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #109

“I rest in God.”

To rest in God frees us from all planning and worry about possibilities.To give away all belief in and living from past experience clears the way to knowing God. To know God means to know ourselves, and to demonstrate Truth in our every thought and action. Although I find this spiritual practice invigorating, not everyone feels the same. I know people who think they would be giving away their individuality if they let go of their personal history. I find the opposite to be true. When I lose a sense of personal responsibility, when I let go the beliefs I've had about certain circumstances, there is a pure empty space in thought. This space is now free to recognize what was already there: Love. Divine Love. This Love is unchanging, whether we acknowledge Its existence or not. Only by relaxing into this infinity of Love can we rest in God. Through this yielding we can trust that the answers we need will be known to us, because they are always there, if we but listen.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The miracle of grace is no miracle to Love. Jesus demonstrated the inability of corporeality, as well as the infinite ability of Spirit, thus helping erring human sense to flee from its own convictions and seek safety in divine Science"

Science & Health Page 494:15-19

April 18, 2013 - Grateful Givers and Receivers

"Yellowstone National Park"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson 108

“To give and to receive are one in truth.”

Most of the people I know are givers. They give time and money to causes they love and support. They give  time and energy to family and friends. They give of themselves generously, always stepping up when anyone is in need. I could fill a book with the ways they give. But many of these wonderful people aren't comfortable receiving. Whether it's a compliment, or a helping hand when they're having problems, or a gift when they're in need, they often refuse the offerings -- or accept them with a bit of unease or perhaps guilt. The duality of these feelings is negated with the understanding of today's lesson, which tells us that giving and receiving are one in truth. "One thought, completely unified, will serve to unify all thoughts." This is a sentence from today's lesson. Reading this brings to mind instances when it has been demonstrated in daily life. For instance, when a situation seems volatile -- perhaps people are on the verge of a major disagreement -- practice peace in your thought and actions and watch its effect. This is because there is only one Cause, hence the effect is unified by that Cause. This unifying cause is the spiritual Principle which governs everything, when seen for what it is: Truth. Today I will open my heart to receive all the good which is innately mine. This reception opens avenues to share in unexpected ways. I will offer to others everything I want for myself: peace, happiness, joy, contentment, satisfaction, grace, love. Freely I have received, freely I give.

Mary Baker Eddy quotes:

“Giving does not impoverish us in the service of our Maker, neither does withholding enrich us.” 

Science & Health Page 79:30-32

April 17, 2013 - Truth Corrects Error

"Illusions on a Bridge"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #107

“Truth will correct all errors in my mind.”

I heard an interesting analogy today concerning the body's immune system and the world's ability to heal itself. Each and every one of us are a cell in the immune system of the universe. Every thought we think is either contributing to the unified health of our planet or the propagation of fear and terror. Every prayer, every meditation, ever reaching out through inward listening is magnified exponentially. We have the power to change the world through ourselves. Every interaction brings us closer to a world of love or a world of fear. This Love which heals us personally spreads through the web of Oneness. In the same way that we take personal responsibility for ourselves, our health, our well-being, we can take responsibility for a return to Love. It does matter what we do and what we think. We never know when an interaction with someone else will make the difference in that person's life which turns them away from reactive fear to healing Love. The Truth which corrects all errors in our mind is our ascension into heaven within. Never doubt that you matter, that you make a difference.  Allow silence and listening to guide you to your role in being the change you want to see. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Immortal ideas, pure, perfect, and enduring, are transmitted by the divine Mind through divine Science, which corrects error with truth and demands spiritual thoughts, divine concepts, to the end that they may produce harmonious results." Science & Health Page 259: 27-31