November 2, 2013 - Return Home

"South Africa"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #306

“The gift of Christ is all I seek today.”

When hearing the word "repent", many things may come to mind. My most favored definition is "return home". This meaning has nothing to do with confessing sins in order to receive absolution, nothing to do with being sorry for actions, nothing to do with guilt, nothing to do with begging forgiveness. Returning home allows us to see, hear, and feel with the sense of God. We are returning to our original state of being and remembering we never went away. So this idea of repenting, or returning home, is only a matter of letting loose anything which is unlike Love. We are the image and likeness of God. God is Love. We are Love. This is a state we cannot leave, but we can lose sight of this perfect peace. Today I will see the Love that is God, the Love that I am, in everything and everyone.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Heaven is not a locality, but a divine state of Mind in which all the manifestations of Mind are harmonious and immortal, because sin is not there and man is found having no righteousness of his own, but in possession of ‘the mind of the Lord,’ as the Scripture says.”

Science & Health Page 291:13-18

November 1, 2013 - Pure Peace is Ours

photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #305

“There is a peace that Christ bestows on us.”

The ten workbook lessons we are delving into (301-09) ask the question: What is the second coming? We are learning that this is an internal awakening. It involves seeing and feeling the never-beginning, never-ending Truth of our being. This burgeoning understanding has brought me the peace which intellectual reasoning never did. I see the world as a loving place, filled with people who care about each other and their environment. In the past, most every day numerous people would tell me why they felt the world was a hate-filled place. Now it's a rarity. Have they changed or have I? Is there a difference if we're all One? Love = Peace = Harmony. Feel the Love!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:[This is from the Glossary, where she gives us the spiritual significance of terms.]

"Japhet (Noah’s son): A type of spiritual peace, flowing from the understanding that God is the divine Principle of all existence, and that man is His idea, the child of His care." 

Science & Health Page 589:8-11

October 31, 2013 - Clear Sight

"Zion National Park"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #304

“Let not my world obscure the sight of Christ.”

Throughout the ages, we have been given hints as to unrealized possibilities. As attested by powerful mythological characters, we have longed for the ability to change what seems to be the reality of situations in and around our personal existence. The world tells us that we are victims of circumstance, with life being experienced at the whim of luck, this being either good or bad. Every time we hear a story telling of something we think is impossible, but which contains outcomes so beautiful we wish it could be true, let's contemplate the fact that there are no limits. Who knows what we're capable of doing? We seem to exceed expected outcomes in every avenue of existence. Wasn't it said that running a mile in less than four minutes was impossible? Today I set free any thought of limitation, any assumptions I may have as to what's what, and by doing so open the inner ways of sight.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Truth never destroys God's idea. Truth is spiritual, eternal substance, which cannot destroy the right reflection. Corporeal sense, or error, may seem to hide Truth, health, harmony, and Science, as the mist obscures the sun or the mountain; but Science, the sunshine of Truth, will melt away the shadow and reveal the celestial peaks.”

Science & Health Page 299:24-30

October 30, 2013 - One God, One Mind

"Lake Leatherwood, Eureka Springs"
photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #303

“The holy Christ is born in me today.”

These writings often contain words which elicit negative reactions in many of us. Perhaps these reactions can be set aside by letting go of preconceived meanings and learned dogma.  I reiterate that there is One God, and no need of thinking in terms of my god and your god. There is only One God. Only our interpretation of what that means allows for a belief in many ruling principles. So let's release these thoughts and see where that takes us! "The Christ is born in me today" is the acknowledgement that the presence of God is within. Please, please, change these words into whatever feels right to you. And please, please don't allow these words' connotations to turn you away from the Love which you are. And if you feel disoriented and sort of happily confused, don't fear that either! This giddiness is part of the shift to this beautiful realization of God within! Embrace it and be free!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“CHRIST: The divine manifestation of God, which comes to the flesh to destroy incarnate error.”

Science & Health Page 583:10-11

October 29, 2013 - We Look Upon the Light

"Sunrise in the Ozarks"
photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #302

“Where darkness was I look upon the light.”

Haven't we all had times when we are recounting an event (probably in great detail) and someone insists that the details are other than what we remember?Our perceptions are nuanced by expectations and experiences. A mere hundred years ago, the things we speak of today would have been thought of as blasphemous.  Now we speak of quantum theory and metaphysics without fear. Others, looking through the lens of Spirit, give us confidence to admit that we see it, too! Remember "the emperor has no clothes"? If everyone were pretending not to see/feel this shift, then we might stay silent, too. But they're not! We are admitting to this shift, and we're shouting it from the pinnacle of our understanding. We look upon the light!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“EYES: Spiritual discernment,--not material but mental.”

Science & Health Page 586:3

October 28, 2013 - Sorrow Debunked

"Fall at Lake leatherwood"
photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #301

“And God Himself shall wipe away all tears.”

Kahlil Gibran had a life-long relationship with a woman named Mary Haskell. When he passed on, she was peacefully smiling while greeting the grieving people at his funeral. No one understood how this could be. At one point, she quoted words he had written to her during their platonic love affair: "You listen to so much more than I can say. You hear consciousness. You go with me where the words I say can’t carry you." How could she have sadness when the love they shared had always been experienced in thought rather than physical expression? She understood what we are learning about the true reality of our Being.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Take heart, dear sufferer, for this reality of being will surely appear sometime and in some way. There will be no more pain, and all tears will be wiped away. When you read this, remember Jesus' words, ‘The kingdom of God is within you.’ This spiritual consciousness is therefore a present possibility.”

Science & Health Page 573:28-2

October 27, 2013 = Only an Instant

Photo by Heather Magnan

ACIM Workbook Lesson #300

“Only an instant does this world endure.”

This is the last of the ten lessons which ask us the question, "What is the real world?" Is reality what we are told it is by the daily news? Is it what we learn in school? I remember how surprising and  embarrassing it was to learn that most of the American history we learned in school was no more than a myth perpetuated by men who wanted it to be that way. We are beginning to understand that spiritual Truth is not to be found within the religious institutions of our world. Everywhere we turn, there is a story that we have been told which has affected the way we view life. It is such a relief to know that we can leave behind all of these stories! It's freeing to understand we need do nothing but silently listen within ourselves to hear and know the Truth which is waiting for our awareness. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Life is divine Principle, Mind, Soul, Spirit. 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. Life is not limited. Death and finiteness are unknown to Life. If Life ever had a beginning, it would also have an ending.”

Science & Health Page 468:26-6

October 26, 2013 - I Am

"Ourside Eureka Thyme"

ACIM Workbook Lesson #299

“Eternal holiness abides in me.”

At this time of year, there are many masquerade balls and parties centered around pretending to be someone else. We revel in the excitement of becoming unrecognizable through costumes, face paint and masks. I've never been one to join in these activities, but have enjoyed watching others partake in make believe. And watching others watching these activities is interesting, too! Some people are terribly uncomfortable if they don't know who they're talking to. One of the most interesting reactions i've observed is people reacting to a girl dressed in geisha garb, not speaking, but simply smiling sweetly. We all seem to react in different ways to illusion. And isn't it fun trying to figure out which is which!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“How are veritable ideas to be distinguished from illusions? By learning the origin of each. Ideas are emanations from the divine Mind. Thoughts, proceeding from the brain or from matter, are offshoots of mortal mind; they are mortal material beliefs. Ideas are spiritual, harmonious, and eternal. Beliefs proceed from the so-called material senses, which at one time are supposed to be substance-matter and at another are called spirits.”

Science & Health Page 88:9-16

October 25, 2013 - Loving Friends

"A Walk at Principia"
photo by Marsha Havens

ACIM Workbook Lesson #298

“I love You, Father, and I love Your Son.”

A dear friend and I have recently had a few readjustments in our working and personal relationship. This is the same type of adjustment which we occasionally experience within our own thought. If thinking needs to be purged of error, we do so. And I feel the same way about this friendship. When we are willing to accept our Oneness with divine Love, there is no way anyone can do or say anything which offends us. This beautiful acceptance allows for avenues to open which we may not have seen otherwise. Perhaps we are blinded by "senseless journeys ... and artificial values". I'm pleased to go forward with renewed thought and purpose in this ever-expanding friendship. When there was joking mention made of winning the way back to friendship, we both knew there was no necessity for anything as dualistic as winning or losing when it comes to Love. Namaste, dear Friend ~~~ 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Love never loses sight of loveliness. Its halo rests upon its object. One marvels that a friend can ever seem less than beautiful. Men and women of riper years and larger lessons ought to ripen into health and immortality, instead of lapsing into darkness or gloom.”

Science & Health Page 249:3-7

October 24, 2013 - Forgiveness is The Gift

photo by Dale Johnson

ACIM Workbook Lesson #297

“Forgiveness is the only gift I give.”

"Everything I give, I give myself." "Forgiveness is the only gift I give." I have a dear friend who glows with inner beauty and Love. She recently told me that she has realized she has no guilt. All the things she had blamed herself for are gone. Most of us feel bad about something we've said or done in the past. I know I do. By following my friend’s beautiful example, I hope to feel this grace which is God, and through this feeling I can watch all blame and pain disappear,  being replaced with the peace and joy which is my heritage.

 Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“True prayer is not asking God for love; it is learning to love, and to include all mankind in one affection.”

No and Yes, p. 39:17-18

October 23, 2013 - True Voice

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #296

“The Holy Spirit speaks through me today.”

One day in the gallery, there were ten or so people happily enjoying the peaceful beauty of our space. Suddenly, we heard shouting outside. It was someone yelling out his window at another driver. Immediately -- and I mean immediately!! -- we all burst into laughter! It was so wonderful. What a beautiful shift in thought that none of us saw anything either right or wrong with this behavior, but we did see how ridiculous it was -- in a funny way! Wow. I was and am awestruck by the way this felt. Later in the day, a woman asked me if I was going to take "early ascension"! Now that was a conversation!! All of these signs and wonders are very exciting as we watch and meld into this shift of consciousness which is being evidenced everywhere! As a movie on quantum physics asks us: How far down the rabbit hole do you want to go? Hum -- I'm not sure we have a choice!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Eloquence re-echoes the strains of Truth and Love. It is due to inspiration rather than to erudition."

Science & Health Page 88:26-27

October 22, 2013 - Fear or Love?

"Through the Barn"
photo by Jerry Dupy

ACIM Workbook Lesson #295

“The Holy Spirit looks through me today.”

I am caught by a phrase in today's ACIM workbook lesson: "Fear appears in many different forms, but love is one." Yet another reason to live in love rather than fear! Fear is ever-changing and appears in as many forms as we can have thoughts. Whew! I recently went through a period of fear. I hadn't realized what was happening until my son visited and brought it to my attention. I had become -- or was fast beaming! -- a nervous nellie, if you will. When did I start to think in this fearful manner? I'm not sure, and it doesn't matter. No need to deconstruct and correct error! When erroneous thought is discovered, no matter what the bent, all it takes is the leaving behind which can happen in the time it takes to giggle! And then turn to Love. It truly is One. Individually, together, all One.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The seasons will come and go with changes of time and tide, cold and heat, latitude and longitude. The agriculturist will find that these changes cannot affect his crops. The mariner will have dominion over the atmosphere and the great deep, over the fish of the sea and the fowls of the air. The astronomer will no longer look up to the stars,-- he will look out from them upon the universe; and the florist will find his flower before its seed.”

Science & Health Page 124:21-28

October 21, 2013 - The Body is Neutral

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #294

“My body is a wholly neutral thing.”

I'm glad we're getting past the thought that something must be "wrong" with the body in order for it to be cast off. I've had two friends who died in their 50s with no physical cause. One of these people was traveling, stopped at a hotel, laid down on the bed and was gone. As this was an unattended death, all the legal protocol were followed and it was determined that there was no physical reason at all for her passing. I think this is great! The new realms of thought we're accessing allow many old beliefs to be abandoned -- finally! How many material laws have imprisoned us with unlocked doors? This body as a wholly neutral thing is an empty vessel waiting to be filled up with thought. Let's make sure that it’s thought independent of erroneous learning and dogma. Everything is important; nothing is important -- neutrality.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The elements and functions of the physical body and of the physical world will change as mortal mind changes its beliefs. What is now considered the best condition for organic and functional health in the human body may no longer be found indispensable to health. Moral conditions will be found always harmonious and health-giving. Neither organic inaction nor overaction is beyond God's control; and man will be found normal and natural to changed mortal thought, and therefore more harmonious in his manifestations than he was in the prior states which human belief created and sanctioned.”

Science & Health Page 124:32-10

October 20, 2013 - Love Trumps Fear

photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #293

"All fear is past and only love is here."

I love to watch the television show, Master Chef. In it, home cooks are called upon to compete in cooking a variety of dishes. They may be asked to cook something as basic as perfect sunny-side-up eggs. Or maybe they are given a box of exotic food and must come up with a palatable dish using ingredients they may never have worked with before. Now there is a show called Master Chef Junior. Children aged 8 to 13 compete in the same format. These fearless children are amazing! Recently they were given a box with "bad" foods in it. There was liver, kidneys, snails, brussel sprouts, blue cheese, and a few other smelly things. As they were making interesting creations from the ingredients, one 9-year-old was asked if she was afraid of the ingredients and cooking them. No, she most definitely was not. When asked if she was afraid of anything, she answered yes, that she was afraid of clowns! What a perfect illustration of trusting yourself and, alternatively, the fear of illusion! Love and fear are opposites. Which do you choose?

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The Apostle John says: 'There is no fear in Love, but perfect Love casteth out fear. . . . He that feareth is not made perfect in Love.' Here is a definite and inspired proclamation of Christian Science."

Science & Health Page 410:17-21

October 19, 2013 - Happy Outcomes

"Romeo in the Birdbath"
photo by Randal Thompson

ACIM Workbook Lesson #292

“A happy outcome to all things is sure.”

In 1999, I took my young boys on a 3,000-mile road trip. We made no reservations at hotels and had no definite plans -- other than to attend women's World Cup soccer games and look for miniature golf courses. In preparation for this trip, I spent a lot of time studying the science of Mind and bringing thought into alignment with the metaphysical Principle. On this trip, we witnessed many happy outcomes, but the most dramatic was on the first day. I had worn glasses to see at a distance for more than 30 years and suddenly found I could see without them. I enjoyed this freedom until a number of years later. When renewing my driver's license, I found that glasses were needed again. Although I complied with the law and obtained glasses, I steadfastly refused to accept this prognosis as reality. The next time I applied for renewal, there were no restrictions as to sight. Instances such as this affirm my conviction to live single-mindedly, with God as my only goal, expecting happy outcomes.

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.”

Science & Health Page 203:3-5

October 18, 2013 - Stillness and Peace

"Moonrise Over the Ozarks"
photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #291

“This is a day of stillness and of peace.”

This still and peaceful day is a perfect backdrop for the thoughts we are holding today. It's a beautiful day in the Ozarks.  The peace is easily felt in the splendor of a fall day. I am grateful for the words in A Course in Miracles. I am grateful for the writings of Mary Baker Eddy and her determination to demonstrate the Science of The Christ. These words point toward the Truth of our Being. They assure us that Truth is eternally discoverable by anyone willing to see. These writings show us how to move away from the learned behaviors of a lifetime. By living in Light, we share it with all -- especially children, who have not been indoctrinated in material belief as heavily as we have. The stillness and peace of nature aids in leading me to the door of Truth. Thank You greatly -------

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Certain moods of mind find an indefinable pleasure in stillness, soft, silent as the storm's sudden hush; for nature's stillness is voiced with a hum of harmony, the gentle murmur of early morn, the evening's closing vespers, and lyre of bird and brooklet." 

Christian Science versus Pantheism Page 3:8-13

October 17, 2013 - Happiness Now!

"Mongolian Shaman II"
created by Sandy Starbird

ACIM Workbook Lesson #290

“My present happiness is all I see.”

The last ten lessons have been showing us how it's possible to live outside human belief systems. We have pondered the recognition and practicality of spiritual sense. It feels right that today we allow ourselves to be present with happiness! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Earth has little light or joy for mortals before Life is spiritually learned. Every agony of mortal error helps error to destroy error, and so aids the apprehension of immortal Truth. This is the new birth going on hourly, by which men may entertain angels, the true ideas of God, the spiritual sense of being.”

Science & Health Page 548:9-16

October 16, 2013 - Love Living the Present

"South Africa Sunset"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #289

“The past is over. It can touch me not.”

This is one of the reasons I love the business of selling art. Every day I meet new people. Knowing nothing about them when they walk in the door, when they leave we’ve made a mini-friendship based on what we have learned about each other in a few minutes. It’s pure and clean and nothing matters but the in-the-moment experience we've shared in this small Love-filled area.  Through these daily meetings, I’m seeing this now-ness being demonstrated time and again. It enables me to forget my past when I constantly live in the present. And when others try to take me to the past (whether it’s theirs or mine), I am learning ways of bypassing these trips. While in this present-moment bliss, I don't allow myself to wander through memory land. And I won't let others bring it into my existence while in the realm of Eureka Thyme. I love the serene otherworld we create within these walls. It’s helping me see the now in every moment, and the nothingness of moments gone by.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“As the crude footprints of the past disappear from the dissolving paths of the present, we shall better understand the Science which governs these changes, and shall plant our feet on firmer ground. 

Science & Health Page 224: 4-7  

October 15, 2013 - No Blame

"Utah Sky"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #288

“Let me forget my brother's past today.”

During this time when the United States' government has "shut down", it's easy to develop a holier-than-thou attitude toward a great many public figures and politicians. And so when today's lesson tells us that our brother "cannot be less holy than can I, and you cannot be holier than he" -- well, there is much reason to pause and ponder before we point fingers. This is another instance where I will think of Mahatma Gandhi's famous words: "Be the change that you wish to see in the world." His example of non-violent civil disobedience was a wonderful example for us all. His words and Mary Baker Eddy's quote which follows will be my constant meditation as I go through this day -- and the next!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"One infinite God, good, unifies men and constitutes the brotherhood of man; ends wars; fulfills the Scripture, "Love thy neighbor as thyself;" annihilates pagan and Christian idolatry,--whatever is wrong in social, civil, criminal, political, and religious codes; equalizes the sexes; annuls the curse on man, and leaves nothing that can sin, suffer, be punished or destroyed."

Science & Health Page 340:23:30

October 14, 2013 - One Goal

"Basin Spring Fantasy"
photo by Gerry Toler

ACIM Workbook Lesson #287

“You are my goal, my Father. Only You.”

In the early 1900s, people flocked to Eureka Springs for the healing waters. Thousands of people in need found their way here, as they still do today. People are drawn to our town, often without knowing why. I love watching transformation of circumstance as people's thought changes from focusing on the problem to relaxing into Truth. In varying degrees, we are all realizing that true healing comes when we release our beliefs in things and open ourselves to feeling the presence of Love. When this is our only desire, when there is no other need or want, new perceptions become visible and viable. Often it takes extreme conditions to cause us to seek the understanding of our unity with God. But isn't it sweet when we skip that step and fall straight into the Love!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“All nature teaches God's love to man, but man cannot love God supremely and set his whole affections on spiritual things, while loving the material or trusting in it more than in the spiritual.”

Science & Health Page 326:8-11