December 12, 2013 - The Gift of Love

photo by Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #346

"Today the peace of God envelops me,

And I forget all things except His Love."

Have you ever felt a moment when it seemed that time stood still? These sentences from today's ACIM lesson brought back a remembrance in me: "What I seek today transcends all laws of time and things perceived in time. I would forget all things except Your Love." A number of years ago I experienced a breach of time when I first saw a man who later became my very good friend. I was playing the organ at a Sunday morning service when he walked in and sat down. As I looked over at him, it was as though time didn't exist. Everything was still, and yet it felt like eons rushed through me. My material interpretation of this event was that I knew this man from forever; that he was the one I'd been waiting for. I see the event today as something different. Our meeting opened a portal, if you will. I became aware of a doorway I could step through where nothing existed other than the Love which is God. What a gift! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote: "Eternity, not time, expresses the thought of Life, and time is no part of eternity. One ceases in proportion as the other is recognized."

Science & Health Page 468:26:30

December 11, 2013 - Giving and Receiving Miracles

"Eureka Springs B&B"
photo by Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #345

"I offer only miracles today,

For I would have them be returned to me."

Today I received a phone call from a friend whose first words were, "Do you think we live in a police state?" Of course, said I. These are the types of conversations I walk away from face-to-face, but since he had just had this realization and was upset, I stayed with him on the subject. While I did express more strong opinions than I generally like to admit I have, the conversation was, for the most part, a cry for him to return to Love. I see our current mortal, mental state as a reflection of the fear we harbor; a fear which is fed by most everything in daily life. I talked to him of tipping points, and mass consciousness, and our true consciousness as an expression of God. We could banter back and forth for a very long time the material conditions, causes, solutions of this existence. But to get to the heart of it all takes spiritual sense, which cannot be gleaned from intellectual exercises. And that's where I see the miracle: the revelation which reveals the omnipresence of God, good. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Christian marvels (and marvel is the simple meaning of the Greek word rendered miracle in the New Testament) will be misunderstood and misused by many, until the glorious Principle of these marvels is gained."

Science & Health Page 474:11-15

December 10, 2013 - The Gift of Love

"Harding Spring, Eureka Springs"
photo by Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #344

"Today I learn the law of love; that what I give my brother is my gift to me."

For the past few days, I've been navigating the maze involved in setting up an on-line shopping site for my gallery. It's a fun and exciting project, but those times I've needed to phone tech support have been challenging. For the most part, I've kept in mind the precepts related in today's lesson, that the love and kindness I express to my brother is a gift to me. Being open-hearted has made most seeming impasses a mere stepping stone. But today, after hours of trying to set up payment methods, the last step seemed simple but the form I was filling out wouldn't cooperate! I was stymied by entering my birthday on an application. It kept telling me I needed to correct it when I was typing it exactly as they asked. While talking to Ray at Pay Pal tech support, we ascertained that this was a glitch in their application process. This time it wasn't me being tempted to throw up my hands in frustration, but the tech guy. Rather than join in his tirade about his company, I made a suggestion about how he might help them fix these problems. I told him he was important and he shouldn't be silent when he had solutions. We ended our chat with him talking about his plans for the holidays. What a lovely gift this was -- and not just because I got my form submitted!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Finite mind manifests all sorts of errors, and thus proves the material theory of mind in matter to be the antipode of Mind. Who hath found finite life or love sufficient to meet the demands of human want and woe,--to still the desires, to satisfy the aspirations? Infinite Mind cannot be limited to a finite form, or Mind would lose its infinite character as inexhaustible Love, eternal Life, omnipotent Truth."

Science & Health Page 257:22-29

December 9, 2013 - No Sacrifice Necessary

ACIM Workbook Lesson #343

"I am not asked to make a sacrifice

To find the mercy and the peace of God."

What if all I need do to find the peace of God is to stop thinking habitual limiting thoughts? Let's say someone wants to change a personal relationship which we've had for some time. What comes to mind is when my son was 14 and woke up one morning and said he didn't belong here, in this town, going to this school. My first thoughts were ones of blame -- toward myself and him. Why would he want to leave? What have I done to cause him to feel this way? Now we're years past the time this happened, and it's easy to look back and see that his going away to school was the best thing that could have happened for both of us. But at the time it felt devastating. This is the type of feeling we so often bring to our lives when we look at a situation from an egotistical standpoint. But with an acceptance and the loving assurance that all is well, these relationships ebb and flow, yielding to the peace of God which is ever-present, and which is found with a release of personal sense. All we need give up are long-held beliefs in the way we want situations to be. What a joy to give up personal agendas, preconceived notions of how things should be, and to welcome the Love which is God! I feel no sense of sacrifice in this trade-off!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

" The divine hand led me into a new world of light and Life, a fresh universe — old to God, but new to His “little one.” It became evident that the divine Mind alone must answer, and be found as the Life, or Principle, of all being; and that one must acquaint himself with God, if he would be at peace." Retrospection and Introspection Page 27:29-4

December 8, 2013 - No Secrets

"Winter"
photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #342

"I let forgiveness rest upon all things, For thus forgiveness will be given me."

"The world goes with us on our way to God." That statement in today's ACIM lesson is worth pondering. We believe we can hide our emotions and thoughts from others, simply by not saying anything. Where did we ever get that idea? I guess it's because we have spent so many years not listening inwardly. In an episode of the "Dog Whisperer" there was a dog fixated on attacking its own image in a mirror. This was not its only aggressive behavior, and the dog's person was afraid that it would attack someone or another animal any time it was outside. How did Cesar Milan stop this dog's aberrant behavior? By calming its owner. This woman was constantly in a state of fear and worry. The dog was mirroring her tense behavior. At first she had to pretend she was calm because she didn't know how to be that way! But as she watched the changes in her dog, she began to understand that her feelings and thoughts were being passed on to not only her dog, but to everyone around her. And so it is that "the world goes with us on our way to God."

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The spiritual reality is the scientific fact in all things. The spiritual fact, repeated in the action of man and the whole universe, is harmonious and is the ideal of Truth. Spiritual facts are not inverted; the opposite discord, which bears no resemblance to spirituality, is not real. The only evidence of this inversion is obtained from suppositional error, which affords no proof of God, Spirit, or of the spiritual creation. Material sense defines all things materially, and has a finite sense of the infinite."

Science & Health Page 207:27-4

December 7, 2013 - What is a Miracle?

"Cardinal Beauty"
photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #341

"I can attack but my own sinlessness, and it is only that which keeps me safe."

Today's lesson begins the next to the last section which is entitled, What is a Miracle? There is such confusion surrounding this topic, I will simply copy this beautiful introduction here. May it help you to see the miracle of grace, the miracle of Life, the miracle of Love.

"A miracle is a correction. It does not create, nor really change at all. It merely looks on devastation, and reminds the mind that what it sees is false. It undoes error, but does not attempt to go beyond perception, nor exceed the function of forgiveness. Thus it stays within time's limits. Yet it paves the way for the return of timelessness and love's awakening, for fear must slip away under the gentle remedy it brings.

A miracle contains the gift of grace, for it is given and received as one. And thus it illustrates the law of truth the world does not obey, because it fails entirely to understand its ways. A miracle inverts perception which was upside down before, and thus it ends the strange distortions that were manifest. Now is perception open to the truth. Now is forgiveness seen as justified.

Forgiveness is the home of miracles. The eyes of Christ deliver them to all they look upon in mercy and in love. Perception stands corrected in His sight, and what was meant to curse has come to bless. Each lily of forgiveness offers all the world the silent miracle of love. And each is laid before the Word of God, upon the universal altar to Creator and creation in the light of perfect purity and endless joy.

The miracle is taken first on faith, because to ask for it implies the mind has been made ready to conceive of what it cannot see and does not understand. Yet faith will bring its witnesses to show that what it rested on is really there. And thus the miracle will justify your faith in it, and show it rested on a world more real than what you saw before; a world redeemed from what you thought was there.

Miracles fall like drops of healing rain from Heaven on a dry and dusty world, where starved and thirsty creatures come to die. Now they have water. Now the world is green. And everywhere the signs of life spring up, to show that what is born can never die, for what has life has immortality."

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The miracle of grace is no miracle to Love."

Science & Health Page 494:15

December 6, 2013 - One Mind

"Eureka Springs Christmas"
photo by Dale Johnson

ACIM Workbook Lesson #340

"I can be free of suffering today."

In these teachings and in my writings there is much talk about "today". I've had someone ask me, Why are you going to do this today? Why not yesterday or tomorrow? Well, I really hadn't thought about that before, but I understand his consternation concerning this. Today is always, which would be now in no-time days. (I can hardly wait to see his reaction to this!) I have a lovely illustration of things coming together in now-time. We are having a snow and sleet episode in our mountain tourist town. The merchants are distraught because this is the time of year we save up for the slower winter months of January and February. The Christmas Festival started today and includes many fun events from now through the 25th. But everything has come to a standstill because of the snow. Today we were contacted by one of our town's marketing mavens and asked if we had on-line shopping sites which she could promote. I had just started to build one shortly before she contacted me! Talk about One mind! We really are all in this together.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Mind: The only I, or Us; the only Spirit, Soul, divine Principle, substance, Life, Truth, Love; the one God; not that which is in man, but the divine Principle, or God, of whom man is the full and perfect expression; Deity,which outlines but is not outlined."

Science & Health Page 591:16-20

December 5, 2013 - Expect the Best!

"Beautiful Snow, Clear Roads!"

ACIM Workbook Lesson #339

"I will receive whatever I request."

"Let us resolve today to ask for what we really want, and only this, that we may spend this day in fearlessness, without confusing pain with joy, or fear with love." I've been thinking about this statement today, especially in relation to the weather forecast we have. For the past few days, everyone has been anticipating the worst possible scenario of ice and snow. People have been recounting horror stories from past ice storms and predicting a repetition. I see this as an extreme example of what we do in every day life. We have been taught to expect the worst in every situation and prepare for it. I often wonder what a utopia this world could be if only we would expect it. Isn't that why we all love Christmas so much? The expectation of peace, love and beauty is such an innate desire within us. Let's all feel the Love and visual white, fluffy snow!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Faith is higher and more spiritual than belief. It is a chrysalis state of human thought, in which spiritual evidence, contradicting the testimony of material sense, begins to appear, and Truth, the ever-present, is becoming understood."

Science & Health Page 297:20-24

December 4, 2013 - Only Thoughts

"Utah Sky"
photo by Aaron springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #338

"I am affected only by my thoughts."

When our nearly 100-year-old Christian Science church was on the Christmas Tour of Homes, a man came in and told me he knew lots of Baptist jokes, because that's what he was, but he only knew one Christian Scientist joke, and asked if I wanted to hear it. Of course I did! A little girl comes home from school and tells her mother that her teacher, Mrs. Smith, is sick. The girl's mom says, No, dear, she only thinks she's sick. A few days later the girl comes home and tells her mother that Mrs. Smith is still sick. The mother once again explains that Mrs. Smith only thinks she's sick. A few days later the little girl comes home and tells her mom that Mrs. Smith thinks she's dead. While I chuckled with him over this joke, I also told him that the reason it was really funny was because it was true! And then we had a big laugh!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The artist is not in his painting. The picture is the artist's thought objectified. The human belief fancies that it delineates thought on matter, but what is matter? Did it exist prior to thought? Matter is made up of supposititious mortal mind-force; but all might is divine Mind. Thought will finally be understood and seen in all form, substance, and color, but without material accompaniments. The potter is not in the clay; else the clay would have power over the potter. God is His own infinite Mind, and expresses all."

Science & Health Page 310:1-10

December 3, 2013 - Sinless, Pure, Free!

"Altai Mountains in Mongolia"
photo by Aaron Springston 

ACIM Workbook Lesson #337

"My sinlessness protects me from all harm."

The sinlessness which protects us from all harm, once again, refers to a realization of our unity with God. Remember we've defined sin as anything which separates us from the Love which is God? I have a very dear friend who was a Marine in the Viet Nam conflict. He spent two years in hell, at times shooting people with machine guns for so long he couldn't feel his arms. Even though he doesn't often speak of those days, his life has been a series of tragedies and illnesses. It could be said he's a victim of life's circumstances. I so often wish he could see his sinlessness as a child of Love. Only through the eyes of God can he be seen in this sinlessness. Left to material sense, there is blame, guilt, shame. I pray today that we recognize the untouched purity which is our birthright as the evidence and experience of God. Namaste' ~~~

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The sinless joy, — the perfect harmony and immortality of Life, possessing unlimited divine beauty and goodness without a single bodily pleasure or pain, —constitutes the only veritable, indestructible man, whose being is spiritual."

 Science & Health Page 76:22-26

December 2, 2013 - Sweeping Away Distortion

[photo of unknown origin]

ACIM Workbook Lesson #336

"Forgiveness lets me know that minds are joined."

"Forgiveness sweeps away distortion, and opens the hidden altar to the truth." Even looking at this sentence through the limited eyes of our mortal mind, it seems so beautifully true! I was just chatting with a friend who tells me that her neighbor is convinced there is a mountain lion in their country neighborhood. He's going through all sorts of interesting practices in an attempt to "insure their safety". I live in town and my next door neighbor has strobe lights going all night long off of his back porch in an attempt to deter turkey vultures from bedding down for the night in the trees surrounding his house. Both of these people are afraid for reasons only they know. I can join them, either by fearing along with them or thinking about how silly I believe their actions to be. Either way would exacerbate their fears. So knowing that our minds are joined by the virtue of our parent Mind, I choose forgiveness and allow love to replace any feelings of ridicule which may tempt me. Now that I've said it, let's see if I can do it!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"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 97:14-20

December 1, 2013 - Choose Salvation

[Source Unknown]

ACIM Workbook Lesson #335

"I choose to see my brother's sinlessness."

Forgiveness is a choice. I remember years ago during a metaphysical society meeting someone saying, "Evil is a choice". She said this in relation to years of sexual abuse and psychological torture, perpetuated by the two people she should have trusted most as a child. She recognized that evil was a choice when she was presented with what seemed to be an overwhelming suggestion to do something similar to her infant child. In that moment, she realized she could choose. And she did. And now she chooses forgiveness in all aspects of her life. She has chosen to see her parents in the holy light of Love. She has chosen to live her life in peace, with a willingness to turn from past remembrances and see things in the reality of God's Love. She has chosen forgiveness for herself and her brother, knowing that we are One.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Reasoning from cause to effect in the Science of Mind, we begin with Mind, which must be understood through the idea which expresses it and cannot be learned from its opposite, matter. Thus we arrive at Truth, or intelligence, which evolves its own unerring idea and never can be coordinate with human illusions. If Soul sinned, it would be mortal, for sin is mortality's self, because it kills itself. If Truth is immortal, error must be mortal, because error is unlike Truth. Because Soul is immortal, Soul cannot sin, for sin is not the eternal verity of being."

Science & Health Page 467:29-7

November 30, 2013 - The Gift of Forgiveness

"Glacier National Park"
photo by Heather Magnan

ACIM Workbook Lesson #334

"Today I claim the gifts forgiveness gives."

Does the word "unforgivable" exist in your vocabulary? Do you think of certain acts as unforgivable? Maybe even something you did in your past remains unforgivable in your own mind. There are so many things we can hold against ourselves and others. An epiphany in thought can free you from the bonds of guilt and/or blame. The realization that God does not blame anyone for anything frees us to do the same. Allowing ourselves to see the world as God sees it -- because we are the evidence and experience of God -- sets up a whole new paradigm from the religious dogma which has been passed down for millennia. We needn't be afraid to claim our place as worthy and loved individual expression of divine Mind. We're learning to follow our heart rather than our brain -- and it sure feels Good!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"We acknowledge God's forgiveness of sin in the destruction of sin and the spiritual understanding that casts out evil as unreal. But the belief in sin is punished so long as the belief lasts."

Science & Health Page  497:9-11

November 29, 2013 - Ending Conflict

photo by Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook  Lesson #333

“Forgiveness ends the dream of conflict here.”

When there is something we feel conflicted about, we can examine it and resolve it through forgiveness. I am reminded of the feeling of conflict I felt surrounding the myth of Santa Claus. When my son was two and I was expecting my second child, I announced to a friend that I wasn't going to do the Santa charade. She told me that was a terrible thing to do to children and gave me many reasons why I shouldn't do away with their belief in this massive illusion. And so I gave in and perpetuated this suppositional conflict within myself. This is a perfect example of all the illusion we willingly put on ourselves, isn't it? The spirit of Christmas is defined in many superficial ways, and it seems the most blatant of these is Santa Claus. It is used in the same way religion tends to use God. If you are good, if you don't cry, if you don't pout, then Santa/God will give you certain things. If you break these rules, you'd better watch out! Yes, Santa is fun and yes God is good. And there are so many ways to celebrate the goodness which is innately ours through our inseparable Oneness with God! There is so much to celebrate in the reality of this beautiful life! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The suppositional warfare between truth and error is only the mental conflict between the evidence of the spiritual senses and the testimony of the material senses, and this warfare between the Spirit and flesh will settle all questions through faith in and the understanding of divine Love.”

Science & Health Page 288:3-7

November 28, 2013 - Gratitude

ACIM Workbook Lesson #332

“Fear binds the world. Forgiveness sets it free.”

On this Thanksgiving Day, 2013, I'm with Snoopy and Charlie Brown!

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

November 27, 2013 - Awaken to Peace

"Bryce Canyon"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #331

“There is no conflict, for my will is Yours.”

"Conflict is sleep, and peace awakening". I love this line from today's ACIM lesson. Today begins a series of ten teachings geared to help us understand what the ego, which is spoken of so often in these lessons, actually is. If the thoughts we are having cause us conflict, they are of the ego -- or mortal mind, as Mary Baker Eddy refers to it. If there is harmony and peace, then our thoughts are God's ideas. Actually, there is nothing other than divine Idea; everything else is illusion That is why erroneous thought is considered unreal. The only reality is God. Either God is All or God is not. Hearing statements like this is when that little ego kicks in and makes a fuss. How can that be, it says? What about me?? Don't be afraid to tell it to be still. It is, after all, unreal. The silence that replaces the clamor holds the harmony of Being. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"When advanced to spiritual being and the understanding of God, man can no longer commune with matter; neither can he return to it, any more than a tree can return to its seed. Neither will man seem to be corporeal, but he will be an individual consciousness, characterized by the divine Spirit as idea, not matter."

Science & Health Page 76:12-17

November 26, 2013 - Oneness Heals

"A New Day"
photo by Sandy Starbird

ACIM Workbook Lesson #330

“I will not hurt myself again today.”

I hurt myself by believing in separation more than unity. This feeling of aloneness is manifested in many ways in our daily life. Perhaps we think everyone is out to get us, or maybe we feel like no one knows what's best other than us. There are quite a number of ways we assert our specialness and keep ourselves separate from God, hence from everyone. Sometimes this separation is manifest in ugly ways. Maybe something is said to another which we wish we could take back, or perhaps anger flares suddenly and we feel guilt over our feelings and shame about the outcome. There are a multitude of human actions we may regret. The acceptance of our heritage as a child of divine Love allows us to forgive and choose again. For this, I am grateful.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Error begins by reckoning life as separate from Spirit, thus sapping the foundations of immortality, as if life and immortality were something which matter can both give and takeaway/.”

Science & Health Page 259:6-15

November 25, 2013 - Thy Will Is Done

Ozark Winter Sunrise
photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #329

“I have already chosen what You will.”

How many years I spent searching for love, grasping at brightly colored baubles and bangles, not realizing that I am Love and nothing can be more beautiful and complete than that. Seeing wholeness and unity where I once saw separation, therein lies the peace sought. Looking back, I remember thinking and saying that I'd be happy if I could only be content. Nothing ever seemed to be enough and I found false contentment in marijuana and alcohol. The illusionary peace which came from material soporifics was a hiding place for a while, but eventually I had to emerge and face what it was that kept me restless. When nothing ever seems to be enough, perhaps it's because we need it All. And that Allness can only be found in one place, and that place is not contained in changing, temporal life. This study which teaches me the meaning of reality also fills me with a calm before unknown. I am very grateful!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Will, as a quality of so-called mortal mind, is a wrong-doer; hence it should not be confounded with the term as applied to Mind or to one of God’s qualities.”

Science & Health Page 597:24-26

November 24, 2013 - Material Sense or Spiritual Ideas?

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #328

"I choose the second place to gain the first."

Many mind-over-matter systems are part of our society. In the 1800's, mesmerism and hypnotism were thought to be the route to changing our physical experience and getting us what we want. Today we have "The Secret" telling us how to get the mate of our dreams and hot cars and such. Some may think that the way of thought we're studying here falls into the same category, because we are "resolving things into thoughts". Here is an example of how it differs: Let's say we need a place to live. How do we think about this in order to manifest it in our existence? By understanding the substance of an idea! What are the spiritual qualities of this place to live, this house, this home? What does it represent? Some of the qualities of home could be warmth, comfort, peace, safety, beauty, love, hospitality. So the thought of "home" is really a spiritual idea, and these qualities of home already exist in our individual consciousness. We don't have to go out and find them, because they're already a permanent part of our being. We can express all these qualities included in the concept of home no matter where we are. And when we express these qualities, we are cherishing our spiritual home, and this blessing is extended to others as well. As we consistently express these and other spiritual qualities, we won't be surprised when every need we have is supplied.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Divine Science, rising above physical theories, excludes matter, resolves things into thoughts, and replaces the objects of material sense with spiritual ideas.”

Science and Health Page 123:12-15

November 23, 2013 - All Need Supplied

"Altai Mountains, Mongolia"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #327

"I need but call and You will answer me."

Change is liberating! I'm seeing many people releasing the past, and it's bringing them peace and a new level of joy. One friend tells me of her beloved cat being at the vet's office, perhaps getting ready to pass on. In years past, she would have been distraught, but is surprised that she is not. It's not that she loves any less, and perhaps she's experiencing love even more fully. Another friend tells me she's going through a time of letting go -- without even being aware of what is being released! Isn't this great? We don't have to know what it is that's bothering us in order to be freed from it. This concept in itself is liberating! To have no need for analysis or so-called deconstruction, but to simply give yourself the gift of freedom -- what a joy! These are just two of the ways in which our call is answered and every need is supplied. I am so grateful for all of you who stand unafraid, welcoming the new paradigm!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"God is not influenced by man. The 'divine ear' is not an auditory nerve."

Science & Health Page 7:20-21