September 3, 2013 - The Panoply of Love

"St, Louis Zoo Penguins"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #246

“To love my Father is to love His Son."

One of my favorite Mary Baker Eddy quotes is, "Clad in the panoply of Love, human hatred cannot reach you." I've always thought of that statement as meaning that the human hatred of others cannot reach me. I now see that it precludes the hatred I may feel toward others, also. It's very easy for me to think that I don't hate anyone or anything. Actually, it's a word I have pruned from my vocabulary and simply do not use. BUT if I am irritated by another's actions or words, or if I replay a past situation in my mind which caused anger in the past, or if I allow criticism to gnaw at me and I think of retaliatory statements which could have been made -- isn't that human hatred? Wearing this cloak of Love calms these nagging feelings and thoughts. I know that if I'm wearing the armor of Love, hatred cannot enter from inside or out!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"God is universal; confined to no spot, defined by no dogma, appropriated by no sect. Not more to one than to all, is God demonstrable as divine Life, Truth, and Love; and His people are they that reflect Him -- that reflect Love."

Miscellaneous Writings 1883-1896 Page 150

September 2, 2013 - Peace Within

"Great Wall of China"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACiM Workbook Lesson #245

“Your peace is with me, Father.  I am safe."

Today's statement of peace and safety may seem downright silly to some people. While we know that peace is a choice within our own selves, we really want that peace to spread to every corner of the world. And while we can affirm our safety, it seems heartless to see war-torn countries as a place of peaceful safety. So we set up a guilt trip for ourselves and won't allow ourselves to feel peace and safety because we think that would be selfish. But wait a minute! There is no separation in the essence of our Being.  While I can't change what anyone else is thinking or feeling or experiencing, I can adjust my vision of reality. Every thought is important! We are all in this together, in every way, at every moment. Today I will make an effort to see everything through the eyes of God, with the vision of Love.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Spiritual living and blessedness are the only evidences, by which we can recognize true existence and feel the unspeakable peace which comes from an all-absorbing spiritual love.”

Science & Health Page 264:24-27

September 1, 2013 - No Danger

"Aaron in Altai Mountains"

ACIM Workbook Lesson #244

“I am in danger nowhere in the world."

Reading the above affirmation of our safety in any situation reminds me of many examples of this Truth. Often when we hear of material laws being usurped, we think of this as divine intervention.  Let's not think of this as God setting aside material law in favor of spiritual principle, but as the demonstration of how this Principle operates. Knowing the Truth of our Being enables us to put it into practice. This knowledge has also enabled me to peacefully know my son is safe during his numerous travels. He's been away from home since he was 14, and flitting around the globe on his own since he was 19. Friends have wondered how I can be so calm and free from worry about him. It's because I know where his safety lies -- as does he. The following Mary Baker Eddy poem is set to music as a hymn. I admit to singing it often, with gratitude for the reminder it has brought.

Mary Baker Eddy poem:

Mother's Evening Prayer

O gentle presence, peace and joy and power;

         O Life divine, that owns each waiting hour,

Thou Love that guards the nestling's faltering flight!

         Keep Thou my child on upward wing tonight.

Love is our refuge; only with mine eye

         Can I behold the snare, the pit, the fall:

His habitation high is here, and nigh,

         His arm encircles me, and mine, and all.

O make me glad for every scalding tear,

         For hope deferred, ingratitude, disdain!

Wait, and love more for every hate, and fear

         No ill, — since God is good, and loss is gain.

Beneath the shadow of His mighty wing;

         In that sweet secret of the narrow way,

Seeking and finding, with the angels sing:

         "Lo, I am with you alway," — watch and pray.

No snare, no fowler, pestilence or pain;

         No night drops down upon the troubled breast,

When heaven's aftersmile earth's tear-drops gain,

         And mother finds her home and heav'nly rest.

(Poems by Mary Baker Eddy, pp. 4, 5)

August 31, 2013 - Judge Nothing

"Mongolia - Top of the Mountain"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #243

“Today I will judge nothing that occurs."

How is it possible to "judge nothing that occurs"? This practice of non-judgment is a constant meditation with me, and I must admit I often feel like a failure at it. (Which in itself is a judgment!) This basic metaphysical precept of letting go and letting God, realizing that we of our own selves know nothing, facilitates giving up judgment because how can we judge what we do not know? And so I will continue to make note that my opinion is simply that: an opinion, not a Universal Truth. I thank Mr. Shakespeare for a thought that is in the front of Science & Health: "There is nothing either good or bad, but thinking makes it so."

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 and Health Page 467:9-13

August 30, 2013 - First Thoughts, Clear Thoughts

"Mongolia Morning"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #242

“This day is God's. It is my gift to Him."

To give this day to God is to listen for intuition to lead the way. Starting our day with clear, spiritual thought allows this intuition to be heard more easily, without that back-and-forth volley we fall into when weighing the possibilities of our actions. I'm not sure how people manage who must begin to speak to others when they first wake up. As a child, I found it upsetting to be forced to talk first thing in the morning. Even then, I innately knew that silence, a certain centering, needed to occur before facing the cacophony of daily life. I have no ritual to these moments; no set prayers or by-rote actions, but simply a clearing of thought and acceptance of what comes. The practice of turning every thought away from worrying and wondering "what-if" is sufficient to supply me with everything I need to walk this path. And it's exciting to see what will unfold!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Emerge gently from matter into Spirit. Think not to thwart the spiritual ultimate of all things, but come naturally into Spirit through better health and morals and as the result of spiritual growth.”

Science & Health Page 485:13-16

August 29, 2013 - Celebrate Wisdom

"Mount Timpanogos"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #241

“This holy instant is salvation come."

Let's celebrate today by remembering seers whose words have awakened the knowledge of salvation within us. These are people whose words are so familiar they have become a natural part of our conversations and thoughts. I want to commemorate today the wisdom passed to us by John Lennon, Emerson, Shakespeare, Rumi, and others. Today I remember those whose words have encouraged me to live Truth, through knowing I'm not the only one who feels this way. And while visiting these words I love, I will know that salvation is not only something to be desired, but that it is here, now, for the remembering.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“When sufficiently advanced in Science to be in harmony with the truth of being, men become seers and prophets involuntarily, controlled not by demons, spirits, or demigods, but by the one Spirit. It is the prerogative of the ever-present, divine Mind, and of thought which is in rapport with this Mind, to know the past, the present, and the future.

Acquaintance with the Science of being enables us to commune more largely with the divine Mind, to foresee and foretell events which concern the universal welfare, to be divinely inspired,--yea, to reach the range of fetter-less Mind.”

Science & Health Page 84:7-18

August 28, 2013 - No Fear

"Aaron at Zion National Park"
photo by Heather Magnan

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #240

“Fear is not justified in any form."

Living familiar patterns as we move through our days, saying the same things, thinking the same thoughts -- all these habits seem to bring us comfort. Even if we're experiencing disharmony, we often fear change. We may say, "Something told me I should do so-and-so". We often hear this calling, this inner voice leading us toward a different path than we're on, but we feel it takes courage to walk a road less or never traveled, and so we settle. To settle for anything which brings us less than joyful existence is to dishonor ourselves, which is to dishonor God. The next time I think I'm feeling this thing we call fear, I'll choose to interpret the emotion as excitement about what will come next!

Mary Baker Eddy quotes:

“Walking in the light, we are accustomed to the light and require it; we cannot see in darkness. But eyes accustomed to darkness are pained by the light. When outgrowing the old, you should not fear to put on the new. Your advancing course may provoke envy, but it will also attract respect.”

Science & Health Page 452:7-12

August 27, 2013 - False Humility

"Eureka Springs Sunset"
photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #239

“The glory of my Father is my own"

Let not a "false humility" hide our light! So often we believe that we are not worthy to accept our divine nature as the image and likeness of God. I know that negative instances from my past tend to recur in thought, provoked by the most tenuous connection. A teacher's scorn, a friend's put-down, my own disappointment in myself -- these things seem to linger, arguing that I couldn't possibly be good enough to accept myself as a joint heir with Jesus.  But with every affirmation of Truth, with every revelation of divine Mind, I will remind myself once again that I Am That I Am.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The Divine Being must be reflected by man,--else man is not the image and likeness of the patient, tender, and true, the One 'altogether lovely;' but to understand God is the work of eternity, and demands absolute consecration of thought, energy, and desire.”

Science & Health Page 3:12-15

August 26, 2013 - God is Life

"China, 2009"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #238

“On my decision all salvation rests."

It seems we have too many decisions in daily life. Even the tea section in the grocery store has so many choices it can be daunting! And so when we are told that "On my decision all salvation rests", it's tempting to say "No thanks!" But this salvation spoken of here is received by one decision: to wake up and accept our own divinity. There are no considerations to mull over in this decision, there are no choices which are better than others, nor is there any reason for fear of failure. All duality, all choice, vanishes when we realize there is only one thing to desire: to know that God is Life. Not my life, or your life, but Life. From this understanding, everything is manifested in our experience from the freedom we have in knowing that the Love which is God is the only Principle of our existence.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“By interpreting God as a corporeal Savior but not as the saving Principle, or divine Love, we shall continue to seek salvation through pardon and not through reform…" Science & Health Page 285:23-26

August 25, 2013 - Creation

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #237

“Now would I be as God created me."

When we think of creation from our human, mortal mind standpoint, we resort to any number of preconceived notions. To look past material illusory opinions to pure spiritual ideas is to begin to understand how "God created me". We tell ourselves: I'm only human. I cannot be created in the image and likeness of God. If we accept the Adam and Eve story -- or any other material creation myths -- as the truth of our being, we live the dream of life in and of matter with all the limitations such life implies. The realization that we are an idea of God takes us to the threshold of  understanding Life. Today I will see all as this spiritual truth, omitting no one nor thing. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The mythical human theories of creation, anciently classified as the higher criticism, sprang from cultured scholars in Rome and in Greece, but they afforded no foundation for accurate views of creation by the divine Mind.”

Science & Health Page 255: 5-10

August 24, 2013 - Rulers of Thought

"Sunrise in Mongolia"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #236

“I rule my mind, which I alone must rule."

We are the rulers of our thought and have the ability to choose holding our thought to "the enduring, the good, and the true." I think of this as choosing Mind as my mind. In other words, rather than living by distressing blind belief, I choose to live in harmonious divine Science. Our best material intentions vacillate greatly according to many circumstances. A favorite quote of mine is, If you have a choice of being right or being kind, be kind. Every day we have numerous occasions to choose between being right and being kind. Today I will rule my mind by being aware of all the communications I have with others. Everything I say will be brought forth from a space which is not merely repetition of past beliefs and habitual responses, but from a consecrated inner listening. In accepting this gift of Truth from God, there can be no choice between being right or being kind. Because, after all, Love is all there is!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“God's thoughts are perfect and eternal, are substance and Life. Material and temporal thoughts are human, involving error, and since God, Spirit, is the only cause, they lack a divine cause. The temporal and material are not then creations of Spirit. They are but counterfeits of the spiritual and eternal.”

Science & Health Page 286:21-27

August 23, 2013 - I Am Love

photo by Heather Magnan

ACIM Workbook Lesson #235

“God in His mercy wills that I be saved."

The gist of today's lesson is that God's Love surrounds us and we are saved from any perceived dangers or problems. This lesson could be interpreted as God decides who is worthy of mercy and metes it out in proportion to our worthiness. This is, of course, not so. We recognize that God is Love, and that Love is not apportioned to one person more than another. For the last few days, I've been rebelling against cold symptoms. In my busy-ness, I did this mentally, more or less wishing them away. This is no more than a form of mental hypnotism, and this morning I awoke to very aggressive symptoms. Finally, I realized what I've been doing. This realization was enough to turn me to the law of divine Love. Having spent the day affirming what I Am as a reflection of this Love, rather than denying what I had been perceiving as the material reality of sickness, my outlook has changed. I'm no longer seeing myself as a sick mortal, but as the image and likeness of God; a creation of divine Mind. The belief in sickness and health is another way we set up separation through duality. I will go to sleep pondering what I Am as this reflection of Mind, not wondering about what I seem to be through the eyes of mortal belief.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The scientific unity which exists between God and man must be wrought out in life-practice, and God's will must be universally done. If men would bring to bear upon the study of the Science of Mind half the faith they bestow upon the so-called pains and pleasures of material sense they would not go on from bad to worse …”

Science & Health Page 202:3-9

August 22, 2013 - Thank Goodness We're Spiritual!

"China, 2009"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #234

“Father, today I am Your Son again.”

Let's not allow thoughts of gender bias or time constraints to prejudice our focus today. There never was a time when we were separated from God, and gender has no place in what divine Mind has created. As I say goodbye to a treasured friend who is moving away, I realize this Truth more than ever. We share more than a few years' worth of memories. We share eternity. That is, after all, what Oneness is, isn't it? Sometimes I think it may be too difficult to wrap my brain around this we-are-one thing. And sometimes it feels the same with saying goodbye: it's just too difficult to examine closely. And for mortal mind, it is too much. Thank goodness we're spiritual! With this knowledge, I am free to examine how divine Mind sees the situation. No separation, no loss, all One. What a great opportunity to practice feeling this Truth! Namaste', dear One.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Life is without beginning and without end. Eternity, not time, expresses the thought of Life, and time is no part of eternity. One ceases in proportion as the other is recognized. Time is finite; eternity is forever infinite. Life is neither in nor of matter. What is termed matter is unknown to Spirit, which includes in itself all substance and is Life eternal. Matter is a human concept. Life is divine Mind.”

Science & Health Page 568:26-4

August 21, 2013 - Leading with Divine Mind

"South Africa Morning"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #233

“I give my life to God to guide today."

There are so many examples I could give to illustrate today's lesson. In order to "give my life to God to guide today", it is imperative to stop micro-managing the details of daily life. Recently a number of art galleries had planned to go in together to contract for a rather expensive bit of advertising. At the last minute, one of the galleries stated they were not going to participate. Many hours of planning had gone into getting this put together, and it appeared it was not going to happen. When I was told of this situation, my response was that we needed to hold a positive outlook about this and know it was for the best. Within the hour, the gallery which was backing out indicated that they wanted a larger ad than we had contracted for, and they then volunteered to pay the difference in cost. Wow! When we leave behind mortal mind and listen to divine Mind, it's always a win-win situation!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“When we fully understand our relation to the Divine, we can have no other Mind but His,--no other Love, wisdom, or Truth, no other sense of Life, and no consciousness of the existence of matter or error. The power of the human will should be exercised only in subordination to Truth; else it will misguide the judgment and free the lower propensities. It is the province of spiritual sense to govern man.”

Science & Health Page 205:32-7

August 20, 2013 - Divine Mind as Reality

"CottonWood Canyon in Utah"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #232

“Be in my mind, my Father, through the day."

Someone told me that hopes hold us captive, and if we don't accept the "reality" of what we see around us, we are lost in dreams of what could be, with no hope of changing what is. He tells me that dreams are illusions. I am coming to see that the opposite is true. The material picture of good and evil warring with each other is what we have decided is true, and we hope and strive for good to win. With the burgeoning knowledge that divine Mind is the reality and mortal mind is the illusion, we are freed to do more than hope. The divinely endowed spiritual scientific consciousness within us is opened, and like a fountain the ideas we need flow forth. This consciousness is realized when we see that God is our Mind, not just in our mind. Our reality is the divine Mind which we reflect. What a freeing concept!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Mortal mind is the acknowledged seat of human motives. It forms material concepts and produces every discordant action of the body. If action proceeds from the divine Mind, action is harmonious.”

Science & Health Page 239: 23-27

August 19, 2013 - The Low of Love

"A Trail Through the Wilderness"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #231

“Father, I will but to remember You.

Love is one of my favorite synonyms for God. Today as I remember Love, I also remember a lovely documentary entitled, "Wings of Life". At one point, it's described as a love story to pollinators, from the flowers. As an added bonus, it's narrated by Meryl Streep. While the flowers multiply in beauty and gratitude to the bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and bats, I pause to think of what spurs me to multiply goodness and Love. There are so many things -- people who fill my heart, music which quickens spirit, and watching movies like this one! In the same vein of being with those who help my being, I will fill entertainment time with beauty and grace, turning away from inanities and programing designed to disturb the senses. It feels right, following the law of divine Love.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Jesus aided in reconciling man to God by giving man a truer sense of Love, the divine Principle of Jesus' teachings, and this truer sense of Love redeems man from the law of matter, sin, and death by the law of Spirit,--the law of divine Love.”

Science & Health Page 18:6-11

August 18, 2013 - Peace Within

"Ozark Sunset"
photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #230 

“Now will I seek and find the peace of God."

Although the peace we say we want is ours for the acceptance of it, sometimes it seems difficult to clear the way for it to shine through us. Someone was telling me how difficult they find it to know -- to really know! -- that it is safe to walk the streets of Eureka Springs. Of course, it doesn't matter what I say to her, she must find this peace within herself. It was brought home to me when I left the gallery after dark and walked down a little side street to my car. There's quite a bit of nightlife on this street and lots of people hanging out who could be thought of as frightening. As I was passing one of the bars, a man was walking toward me in what seemed to be a drunken manner. As we got close to each other, he reached his hand out to the side, I did too, and we had a short clasp of hands and a nod and a smile. Not a word was spoken, but it was a perfect moment of peace! Priceless ---

Mary Baker Eddy quote: “Spiritual living and blessedness are the only evidences by which we can recognize true existence and feel the unspeakable peace which comes from an all-absorbing spiritual love.”

Science & Health Page 264:24-27

August 17, 2013 - I Am Love

"Rocky Mountain Trail"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #229

“Love, which created me, is what I am."

Very few of us have no regrets when we look back at our lives. Sometimes it's tempting to replay them in our minds and think of ways we could have done things differently. Thich Nhat Hanh is a Vietnamese man who lost his family during the war in the 60s. He has spent his life practicing peace and showing others how to do the same. He helps American Viet Nam vets forgive themselves. He tells them that no matter how bad they feel, it will never bring back the lives that were lost. But they can help people today. He shows us how to be the Love which we are. Peace Is the Path, he tells us. I want to follow that Path, without looking back.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way. Right motives give pinions to thought, and strength and freedom to speech and action. Love is priestess at the altar of Truth. Wait patiently for divine Love to move upon the waters of mortal mind, and form the perfect concept. Patience must 'have her perfect work.'" 

Science & Health Page 454:18-24

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

August 15, 2013 - Released to See

"Wildflowers in the Rockies"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #227

“This is my holy instant of release.”

What it is which keeps people from wanting to know God? It would seem there are many reasons, ranging from a misunderstanding of what deity actually is, extending to a fear of losing independence and individuality, and including simple embarrassment from giving yourself to something which cannot be intellectually explained. Some of us want a quick fix and believe it would take too much time to understand something we've been taught is unknowable. Others of us feel unworthy of gaining favor from this great judgmental being, and run the other way. There are as many reasons as there are people, but ultimately it doesn't matter what we think about such things. Every moment is a holy instant whether we realize it or not. Let's not worry about what is not, but let us focus on what Is. By recognizing illusion, the way is cleared to see Truth. I relax into it today!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“If Life or Soul and its representative, man, unite for a period and then are separated as by a law of divorce to be brought together again at some uncertain future time and in a manner unknown, — and this is the general religious opinion of mankind, — we are left without a rational proof of immortality. But man cannot be separated for an instant from God, if man reflects God. Thus Science proves man’s existence to be intact."

Science and Health Page 306:11-20