May 1, 2014 - Be Happy!

ACIM Workbook Lesson #121

“Forgiveness is the key to happiness.”

In today's ACIM workbook lesson, we are asked to think of someone we don't like. Then we are to find some bit of light in them and let it grow until we feel the goodness which they inherently are as an expression of divine Love. 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 the realization of our unity. So-called forgiveness is the letting go of false beliefs in various forms of separation, This type of forgiveness is very powerful. It heals. When we are filled up with Love, there is no room for anything else, and it is our only reality. Every interaction we have today will be an opportunity to deny separation and realize unity. Let's be happy!!

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, 2014 - All Is Well

A Course in Miracles Lesson #120

Review of: #109 "I rest in God."

#110 "I am as God created me."

A friend recommended that I read, Dying to be Me: My Journey from Cancer, to Near Death, to True Healing by Anita Moorjani. Although this title would be sufficient to turn me away from it when seen on a bookshelf, I trust my friend and immediately delved into the beautiful story. One of the important points made in this book is something that is recognized in our studies: Sickness is not your fault. Often new-age teachings tell us that past thoughts and actions create karma which returns to you in terrible ways. Ms. Moorjani assures us that this is not the case. Although many factors may be involved in physical illness, blaming yourself and seeking absolution has nothing to do with true healing. The recognition that you are pure Love, the knowledge that you are connected to everything, the joy which comes from acceptance of yourself just as you are -- this understanding of your being is what allows the body to be well. It doesn't matter what caused it, what "stage" the problem has advanced to, what mortal predictions are on the table -- nothing matters but the acceptance of yourself as a product of Love. When feeling the purity of Oneness, all material thought must be silenced. We can stop striving and start Being. When slipping into this space of pure Love, nothing else matters. And all is well.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Mortal mind must part with error, must put off itself with its deeds, and immortal manhood, the Christ ideal, will appear.”

Science & Health Page 430:3-5

April 29, 2014 - Truth Trumps Error

photo by Jim Young

A Course in Miracles Lesson #119

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

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

Do you think this Truth we're learning about is difficult to understand? One person tells me he thinks 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. But this present way of thought is a matter-based belief system. The spiritual Truth we're uncovering has always been a part of us,  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. It's a dedicated discipline to see and feel 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, 2014 - Clear Thought

"Ozarks" photo by Dale Johnson

ACIM Workbook Lesson #118

Review of: #105 "God's peace and joy are mine." #106 "Let me be still and listen to the truth."

News sources were bombarding us with predictions of high winds and tornadoes. I know this because everyone I saw told me about it!  While in our beautiful Carnegie Public Library, the attendant was very nervous, flitting about, even talking to herself. When I was checking out my chosen books and movies, I asked her what was wrong. She told me she was upset about the weather and stated she wished it would just get bad and go past and be done. I assured her we had never had a tornado in Eureka Springs and she was quite safe in these mountains. In thinking about this, I marvel at how readily we receive into our consciousness warnings of destruction and other erroneous beliefs. On the other hand, we balk at the admission, or even the possibility, that spiritual goodness trumps error every time. 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. Viewing life in its harmonious reality is known in divine Science as "knowing the Truth". It's hard to do this if I'm thinking about horrible "what-ifs" that may occur. As usual, I have a choice. And if I'm not happy with that choice, guess what? I get to choose again!! For this, I am most grateful.

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, 2014 - What's in My Consciousness?

ACIM Workbook Lesson #117

Review of: #103 "God, being Love, is also happiness." #104 "I seek but what belongs to me in truth."

Nothing can be imaged forth in form unless it exists in consciousness. What??  I know, I know. You may say you had never heard of such and such disease until you got it. Well, collective consciousness counts, too. Yikes! So how do we keep from contracting every disease and imaging forth all the horrors of the world? This is exactly what Gary Renard tells us in "The Disappearance of the Universe" and what Mary Baker Eddy means by "there is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter". When we put more faith in matter than Spirit, then, yes, we are subject to every little quirk of the universe. But the realization of Truth puts us under no government but that of divine Mind, God. It may seem that it would be impossible to come out from under the tent of materiality in favor of Spirit. I've had enough glimpses to know it is indeed very possible. But it takes work. When you listen to detailed stories of disease, it become embedded in consciousness. I'm never surprised when something jumps out of that vast forever, but I do negate it in thought -- to the best of my ability. And practice does make perfect, so I won't give up!

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.”

Science & Health Page 312:16-19

April 26, 2014 - Happiness is the Way

ACIM Workbook 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. I saw an old friend in the grocery store whose 13-year-old daughter, an only child, died in a terrible way. 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 mourning. She said she had to pretend to be happy at first, but then began doing things her daughter loved doing and found that it made her happy, too. She thinks of her happiness as honoring her sweet child's life. I felt humbled in her presence. It caused me to examine my motives when I'm less than joyous. And I realize that happiness is indeed the way.

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, 2014 - New Heaven, New Earth

ACIM Workbook Lesson #115

Review of: #99 "Salvation is my only function here."

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

The beauty of nature inspires me to be more aware and in tune with the rhythm of Life. Leaving habitual behaviors behind opens us to new-old thought and the experiences which come with this spiritual sight. 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 farmers' 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 it 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 Farmers' Market also casts a vote. I want food produced 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. Now we're remembering it, and discovering heaven Within. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Were this new heaven and new earth terrestrial or celestial, material or spiritual? They could not be the former, for the human sense of space is unable to grasp such a view.”

Science & Health Page 572:28-2

April 24, 2014 - Accepting Your True Self

ACIM Workbook Lesson #114

Review of:  #97 "I am spirit."

#98 "I will accept my part in God's plan for salvation."

The knowledge that we are Spirit and the understanding of what that means allows us to live by divine law rather than material belief.  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. As an example of 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 valid, and many of the most-used letters are assigned to fingers which are typically the least-used. Also, 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. Will we accept the changes which  come with the admission 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, 2014 - Divine Law or Material Rules?

photo by Steve Shogren

ACIM Workbook Lesson #113

Review of:

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

#96 "Salvation comes from my one Self."

As a society, it seems we have gone overboard with rules, don't you think? 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. Love cannot be legislated. So many of the laws we are expected to live by have no purpose other than to satisfy the control freaks who made them. Personal government is not dictated by material laws. No matter how many mandates we make in the name of safety, there will still be trees that fall down without prior notice. When we are governed by divine Law, which is heard when listening to that "still, small voice" within, we truly can live by the Golden Rule of doing unto others as we would have them do unto us. Living by this rule of Oneness results in a peaceful feeling. If uneasiness is bouncing around in my chest, it's time to wonder why! I want to be governed by the intuitive feeling which comes from listening with 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.”

Science & Health Page 18:1-3

April 22, 2014 - Peace and Joy Are Yours

ACIM Workbook Lesson #112:

Review of:

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

#94 "I am as God created me."

I met a woman today who was very busy. As she rushed about the laundry mat she talked non-stop. At one point, she said, A woman's work is never done. And a bit later she told me it was good to be busy, because if you weren't busy, you would be thinking too much, and that would make you unhappy. Wow. And I suppose she's right, if your thought is muddled and circular and leading nowhere other than fear and guilt. How grateful I am to have a spiritually-centered curriculum which leads me to peace, joy, and harmony. I sent her peace while we talked. I send it to you now! Namaste'.  

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The harmony and immortality of man are intact. We should look away from the opposite supposition that man is created materially, and turn our gaze to the spiritual record of creation, to that which should be engraved on the understanding and heart “with the point of a diamond” and the pen of an angel."

Science & Health Page 475:13-22

April 21, 2014 - Divine Principle

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've learned that what we tend to think of as a miracle is actually the unfolding 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 this term in much the same way as Mary Baker Eddy refers to it. It is the revealing 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. 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, 2014 - Resurrection

ACIM Workbook Lesson #110

“I am as God created me.”

What does the Easter story mean to you? I see it as a tale which illustrates the death of false beliefs and the resurrection of thought to the Truth of being. Jesus was here to teach us that we are all the children of God, that we are all capable of far more than we realize, and that we are all immortal. And he did teach these things, but people have diluted the message throughout the years. You would think such a lesson of power and freedom would grow in thought rather than dissipate, but it has not. At this point in time, we seem satisfied living a mortal life of fear and guilt. Perhaps it's easier than accepting the majesty of our Being. I'm not sure why we don't jump up and down in celebration of Truth! Truth is that we are not mortal sinners, but rather immortal reflections of All that Is. We crucify ourselves on the cross of belief and stay there because we don't know how to get down. Jesus told us to know the Truth and be freed. This Truth is that the kingdom of heaven is Within. No one needs to help us down, we don't need anyone to clear the path to God, because it's already here inside, waiting to be found. Today I want to celebrate more than just having good food and people who love me. I want to look deep within and find what Jesus told me was there, and be grateful for that knowledge.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Resurrection: Spiritualization of thought; a new and higher idea of immortality, or spiritual existence; material belief yielding to spiritual understanding.”

Science & Health Page 593:9-11

April 19, 2014 - Let Go and Rest

ACIM Workbook Lesson #109

“I rest in God.”

To rest in God frees us from all planning and worry.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 open to recognize what has always been there: Love. Divine Love. This is our power: the ability to accept the good that is there for us, the ability to rest in God. 

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, 2014 - Unified Thought

ACIM Workbook Lesson #108

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

"One thought, completely unified, will serve to unify all thoughts." This is a sentence from today's ACIM lesson. The spiritual reality we are learning about allows this idea to be not only possible, but probable! During practice periods we are advised to hold out to others what we would have for ourselves. For instance: "To everyone I offer quietness. To everyone I offer peace of mind. To everyone I offer gentleness." 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 will give.

Mary Baker Eddy quotes:    

"A musician demonstrates the beauty of the music he teaches in order to show the learner the way by practice as well as precept. Jesus’ teaching and practice of Truth involved such a sacrifice as makes us admit its Principle to be Love."  

Science & Health Page 79:30-32

April 17, 2014 - Ascension

ACIM Workbook Lesson #107

“Truth will correct all errors in my mind.”

Every prayer, every meditation, every expression of divine Mind is magnified exponentially. We have the power to change the world through ourselves. Every interaction identifies us with either a world of love or of fear. The Love which heals 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 what a difference a simple interaction will make in someone's life. A single word or a smile may turn 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

April 16, 2014 - Sharing Silence

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #106

“Let me be still and listen to the truth.”

We are advised today to "be still and listen" for Truth. We are also told that for every five minutes we spend listening, a thousand minds are opened to the Truth we hear. Don't you feel we are very close to a tipping point in spiritual discernment? Every thought we have is important, especially during difficult times. When events occur which bring forth strong negative emotions in people, it is even more important to hold thought to this Truth which is heard in silence. Listening, hearing, receiving, and giving the Truth which is God is my job today and every day!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The effects of Christian Science are not so much seen as felt. It is the 'still, small voice' of Truth uttering itself. We are either turning away from this utterance, or we are listening to it and going up higher. Willingness to become as a little child and to leave the old for the new, renders thought receptive of the advanced idea. Gladness to leave the false landmarks and joy to see them disappear,--this disposition helps to precipitate the ultimate harmony. The purification of sense and self is a proof of progress. ‘Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.’”

Science & Health Page 323:28-8

April 15, 2014 - Am I Blocking Joy?

photo by Chris Fischer

ACIM Workbook Lesson #105

“God’s peace and joy are mine.”

Have you withheld peace and joy from someone? You may wonder how this could be done, but every time I hold a grievance about someone, or have feelings of separation stemming from things I think have been done to  me, I withhold peace and joy. And every time I withhold this harmony from others, I block it from myself. While we may know intellectually that God's gifts of peace and joy are continually being supplied to us, we may not be able to receive them fully for many reasons. But, basically, those reasons come down to one thing: I'm not giving and so I can't receive. By removing  the dams we have set up which are blocking this flow, we  allow them to go out to others as they are rushing in to us. Yes, God's peace and joy are mine. But I must give to receive."True giving is creation. It extends the limitless to the unlimited, eternity to timelessness, and love unto itself." ACIM

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The calm and exalted thought or spiritual apprehension is at peace. Thus the dawn of ideas goes on, forming each successive stage of progress." Science & Health Page 506:11-14

April 14, 2014 - Peaceful Computers

ACIM Workbook Lesson #104

“I seek but what belongs to me in truth.”

I hate computers! This is not something I would say, and that's so because I've learned what happens if you do: they hate you back. I'm saying this semi-jokingly, but a lot of you have probably experienced this phenomenon. If we get frustrated and tense, this translates into blocked ability to know what's going on. I often tell people to think like a computer. Appreciate seeing what it has to teach you, and listen for instruction on how to learn. Computers are actually very zen-like machines, don't you think? My experience with computers is generally very meditative. If I'm not achieving the results I want, it's tempting to throw up my hands and give up. That's the time to sit quietly and ask for the knowledge which divine Mind always is providing. Once again, we're asking ourselves to be still and know. Silence mortal mind and hear divine Mind. This is part of "what belongs to me in truth": peace, joy, happiness -- the kingdom of heaven which is within. Ommmm ~~~~

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“God has built a higher platform of human rights, and He has built it on diviner claims. These claims are not made through code or creed, but in demonstration of "on earth peace, good-will toward men."

Science & Health Page 226:14-17

April 13, 2014 - If You're Happy and You Know It ...

ACIM Workbook Lesson #103

“God, being Love, is also happiness.”

I know a man who insists he's never known happiness. He also says he doesn't have any idea what love feels like. Yet he has a twinkle in his eye and is usually smiling. I'm pretty sure he's happy, but just doesn't recognize what that means, perhaps grasping for something he feels is always just out of reach. And I would guess he feels love, too, but thinks it's supposed to bring on an epiphany of some sort. Personally, I feel intense rushes of love from something as purely beautiful as seeing the first flock of butterflies in the spring. A group of swallowtails frolicking in my flower bed is more than enough to break open my heart and leave me feeling the Love which is God. Remembering my friend lament the lack of love in his life, remembering the butterflies' grace which passes to me, I will think twice before I pass by any divine Idea without drinking in its happiness. Love and happiness are our divine heritage as the expression of God. God is Love, and so are we!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Soul has infinite resources with which to bless mankind, and happiness would be more readily attained and would be more secure in our keeping, if sought in Soul. Higher enjoyments alone can satisfy the cravings of immortal man.”

Science & Health Page 60:28-1

April 12, 2014 - Happiness, Your Natural State

ACIM Workbook Lesson # 102

“I share God’s Will for happiness for me.”

We all know people who seem to be chronically sad, don't we? I needn't recount the circumstances of those individuals, as I'm sure you know a few, too. They share a commonality of repeatedly replaying sad and distressing events in their thought and conversation. I have a few sad memories which pop into my head occasionally. When this happens, there's a choice: I can relive the event mentally and/or verbally and thereby keep it alive. Or I can acknowledge that it's still in my thoughts, but it is not the Truth of my Being. Yes, it happened (whatever it is). It's part of my material history. But my spiritual reality has not been touched by it. The peace brought by this understanding is priceless. I can be happy. Even in the midst of things which we may not think of as particularly joyful , we can give ourselves permission to be happy. It is, after all, our natural state of Being!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"An ill-attuned ear calls discord harmony, not appreciating concord. So physical sense, not discerning the true happiness of being, places it on a false basis. Science will correct the discord, and teach us life's sweeter harmonies."

Science & Health Page 60: 24-28