June 4, 2015 - Smile and Enjoy Peace

"Strawberry Full Moon"
photo from Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #155

“I will step back and let Him lead the way.”

When to speak, when to act, when to remain silent and listen? It’s not always easy to stay quiet about something we have passionate feelings toward. Sharing what we’ve learned is a good thing, but pushing our attitudes on others, particularly if they’re not ready to hear them, serves no purpose other than furthering conflict. I recently had a lovely day with old friends who have very strong opinions about a number of things in this life. It was quite an opportunity to step back and ask myself what I’m looking for. If I want a life of strong opinions and sport-arguing, I could join in the banter. If I choose to be led by divine Mind, I can enjoy listening to the conversations of strong-minded individuals and still maintain inner peace. I don’t feel the need to make my views known or to correct what I feel is wrong. What fun to smile and enjoy the peace!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Spiritual sense, contradicting the material senses, involves intuition, hope, faith, understanding, fruition, reality." Science & Health Page 298:13-15

June 3, 2015 - Simple Seekers For Truth

photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #154

“I am among the ministers of God.”

As I ponder what it means to be a minister of God, many thoughts come to mind. First I think of my half-brother, Little George Havens, traveling evangelist. He was quite short and very flamboyant! I can still hear him singing, to the tune of Battle Hymn of the Republic, "The circuit ridin' preacher traveled through the mire and mud; preached about the fiery furnace and of Noah and the flood". What a character he was! He spend his life spreading the Word of God as he knew it. And he helped countless people find hope along the way. But did he ever listen for the voice for God, or did he just recite what he had come to believe as Truth? That, I can't say. We can only know our own heart, not others'. And so today I will examine my motives in my interactions. Am I truly listening for that still, small voice when I respond to life's situations? That's a question I'll ask more than once today!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Millions of unprejudiced minds--simple seekers for Truth, weary wanderers, athirst in the desert--are waiting and watching for rest and drink. Give them a cup of cold water in Christ's name, and never fear the consequences.”

Science & Health Page 570:14-17

June 2, 2015 - Offering the Light of Peace

photo from Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #153

“In my defenselessness my safety lies.”

Defenselessness is strength; defensiveness is weakness. This is probably backwards from what we have always thought, and it may feel wrong because we’ve been taught to defend ourselves as thoroughly as possible. Ask yourself how you felt, what you did, the last time someone disagreed with you, perhaps vehemently. If you began a verbal defense, listing all the reasons you were right, you may have been left feeling many negative emotions such as anger. On the contrary, any time I’m able to witness events and calmly watch and listen, I’m able to say something simple such as, You may be right — and walk away, happily and peacefully. We are told in this workbook lesson that we will not see the light until we offer it to others and they take it; then we will recognize it as our own. How lovely is that! I look forward to the opportunities for seeing peace today.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Truth and Love enlighten the understanding, in whose ‘light shall we see light;’ and this illumination is reflected spiritually by all who walk in the light and turn away from a false material sense.”

Science & Health Page 510:9-12

June 1, 2015 - You Decide

photo by Gerry Toler

ACIM Workbook Lesson #152

“The power of decision is my own.”

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it." How many times have we heard that saying or something similar? But what about if it IS broken? We certainly don't want to admit any of our time-honored traditions are broken, maybe because we have no idea how to "fix" them. It seems religion has been broken since its inception, but no one will admit it. I suppose it's a power trip which keeps everyone stuck in dogma and ritual, repeating mistaken thought because leaders tell us to do so. Fear holds us bound to these ways of life, too. I know some think they need to go through the rituals just in case there is a hell they would burn in forever if they fail to be baptized or follow some other ritualistic act. I'm not picking on Christianity here -- at least not only it! All religions seem to rely on fear to perpetuate their beliefs, and even the more gentler disciplines are suspect at times. So what is the truth about these things? One of the statements in today's lesson says: "Truth can have no opposite. Nothing but the truth is true, and what is false is false." As I go through this day, I shall listen for Truth with no counterpart. What an interesting day this shall be!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The point for each one to decide is, whether it is mortal mind or immortal Mind that is causative. We should forsake the basis of matter for metaphysical Science and its divine Principle.”

Science & Health Page 195:11-14

May 31, 2015 - Echoes of Truth

from the garden and camera of
Chris Fischer

ACIM Workbook Lesson #151

“All things are echoes of the Voice for God.”

What is truth? Everywhere we look, it seems we have been and are being told lies. Religion, science, politics, the news media, advertisements, history — the list goes on. If these things are lies, why do we cling to them so adamantly?? It seems we prefer to live in a world of lies rather than to take a step into the great unknown world of Truth. And then we ask, How do we know what is Truth in a world of lies? That, dear Ones, is why we must listen within. Today’s Course in Miracles workbook lesson describes this as “echoes of the Voice for God”. We are told that all things are these echoes. But what of the lies we just spoke of? Those are all material, mortal, ego-based beliefs. The reality of our existence is covered up so thoroughly we have forgotten how to experience it. But we’re remembering, aren’t we? Infinite Mind never hides Its voice. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The substance, Life, intelligence, Truth, and Love, which constitute Deity, are reflected by creation; and when we subordinate the false testimony of the corporeal senses to the facts of Science, we shall see this true likeness and reflection everywhere.”

Science & Health Page 516:4-8

May 30, 2015 - There Is No Spoon

"New Dawn Rose"
photo from Chris Fischer

ACIM Workbook Lesson #150

Review of: #139 "I will accept Atonement for myself." #140 "Only salvation can be said to cure." The main thought to hold to in this review: “My mind holds only what I think with God."

In the movie, "The Matrix", there were some profound metaphysical principles addressed. I particularly liked when Neo is in what appears to be some sort of center for extraordinary behavior. He goes up to a person bending a spoon without touching it. Neo tries to bend the spoon with his mind, but cannot. He is told that the way to do this is through knowing the truth: The spoon is not there. This is what metaphysical healing is all about. Today's ACIM review tells us that the only cure is the understanding that there is no place where sickness can abide. In other words, the spoon is not there. If we are attempting to change a material condition through metaphysical practice, it's just like trying to bend the spoon with the power of your mind. Only by the knowledge of its unreality is it seen for what it actually is: an idea. We are all ideas of divine Mind. In that metaphysical reality, we are all One. What will this realization unfold in experience today? I am open to everything with no expectations whatsoever!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“What to material sense seems substance, becomes nothingness, as the sense-dream vanishes and reality appears.”

Science & Health 312:5-7

May 29, 2015 - Pollyanna, Lost and Found

photo from Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #149

Review of: #137 "When I am healed I am not healed alone." #138 "Heaven is the decision I must make." The main thought to hold to in this review: “My mind holds only what I think with God.” 

I received and am using my “new leg”! My first reactions were not good. I knew it would be hard work to get used to it and do the physical therapy they wanted me to do, and I rebelled, mentally. Although I was willing to be compliant with everyone’s requests, my heart wasn’t in it. And so I found the prosthetic to be heavy and hot and unwieldy and I didn’t want to have anything to do with it. Suddenly, I realized what I was doing. What had happened to my Pollyanna attitude? So I changed my thought. Where I had been thinking of it as heavy, I now see it as protective and secure. The heat and confinement of it is now a cozy, swaddled  feeling. The unwieldiness of it is just another opportunity to exhibit beauty and grace, perhaps not in a traditional way, but it’s a fun challenge! What a difference this has made in my progress! After all, “heaven is the decision I must make.”

Mary Baker Eddy quote:    

"God never ordained a material law to annul the spiritual law."

Science & Health Page 273:21-22

May 28, 2015 - Down the Rabbit Hole!

photo supplied by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #148

Review of: #135 "If I defend myself I am attacked."

#136 "Sickness is a defense against the truth." The main idea to hold to in this review: “My mind holds only what I think with God.”

These two review topics take us all the way down the rabbit hole! If you simply want feel-good, improve-your-relationships, make-more-money types of reading material, I suggest you stay away from this. And I don't mean that in an ugly way. I've found that a momentary recognition of the Truth of Being leads me to want more, but I've known many people who don't want to go there. And that's cool, too. The present beliefs we espouse and demonstrate in daily life are comfortable to us, and it can be hard to let them go. Sometimes we have held on to stubborn memories of the past for so long that we can't seem to dig our way out and up. These things can be frightening, especially if we've convinced ourselves we don't like change. So if you start to become afraid while trying on the new thoughts you are now having, realize that Love is all there is. Sing a Beatles song or two! Do anything you can to cultivate joy. Live life fully in the whirlpool of divine Love! Go all the way down the rabbit hole, knowing every step is sure when you walk with Love.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Mind, supreme over all its formations and governing them all, is the central sun of its own systems of ideas, the life and light of all its own vast creation; and man is tributary to divine Mind.”

Science & Health Page 209:5-8

May 27, 2015 - What is of Value?

"Green Ozarks"
photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #147

Review of: #133 "I will not value what is valueless." #134 "Let me perceive forgiveness as it is." The main thought to hold to in this review: “My mind holds only what I think with God.”

"I can forgive but I'll never forget." How often have we heard those words? I can honestly say that nothing stands out in my mind which seems unforgiveable. I think the realization that we're all doing the best we can in any given situation has been a freeing thought for me.  Perhaps recognizing what is of value and what is valueless is a factor in forgiveness, also. Nothing is of value if it's changeable and transient. Reality is that which does not change. Nothing else really matters. I spoke with a distant relative who told me she was so sad that I “didn’t have anybody”. I had to laugh, knowing that the mind which thinks with the divine has Everybody!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Everything good or worthy, God made. Whatever is valueless or baneful, He did not make, -- hence its unreality."

Science & Health Page 525:20-22

May 26, 2015 - Feelings

photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Lesson #146

Review of: #131 "No one can fail who seeks to reach the truth." #132 "I loose the world from all I thought it was." The main thought to hold to in this review: “My mind holds only what I think with God.”

How do we know if our actions express divine consciousness or if we're simply doing things because we think we should? I read a book which contained a good test to help us know the difference. Doing involves planning and following steps to get us from here to there. Being, on the other hand, doesn't mean that we just sit around and do nothing, but that we follow our feelings while staying in the present moment. The author, Anita Moorjani, says that she can tell the difference by looking at the emotions behind her everyday decisions. If her actions are the result of fear, she is in the doing mode But if everything she does is driven by passion and a zest for living, then she is Being. As an example, she gives the process of buying a house. There are many steps and plans you might make when deciding between two places, but the ultimate decision would be how you feel about one of them. Let’s listen to our hearts today as we go about the business of life. By doing so, we will live Life!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The divine Mind supports the sublimity, magnitude, and infinitude of spiritual creation.”

Science & Health Page 511:5-6

May 25, 2015 - Unseen Realities

photo by Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #145

Review of: #129 "Beyond this world there is a world I want.  #130 "It is impossible to see two worlds." The main thought to hold to in this review: “My mind holds only what I think with God.”

This is a time of rapid change in thought. Most everyone I meet senses that something important is in the air. As we are becoming aware of unseen realities, we're also experiencing more of ourSelves. We're doing things we never considered possible in the past. We are all waking up to new ways of living -- or is it  old ways of Being?! When my mind 'holds only what I think with God', the world I see and experience is one of common ground amongst everyone and everything. We are not different, you and I. We may have convinced ourselves that the material differences we see in each other make us separate, as well they may. But look past all of that to your heritage as an expression of divine Mind. Release preconceived notions about how things are or should be. Let's allow ourselves this freedom of thought -- and see where it takes us!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“When will the ages understand the Ego [note capitalization], and realize only one God, one Mind or intelligence?”

Science & Health Page 204:19-20

May 24, 2015 - Breath of Life

photo from Chris Fischer

ACIM Workbook Lesson #144

Review of: #127 "There is no love but God's." #128 "The world I see holds nothing that I want.” And the main thought to hold to in this review: “My mind holds only what I think with God.”

One of our review topics opens the door to passionate discussion: 'The world I see holds nothing that I want'. That sentence could be interpreted as saying I shouldn't enjoy the beautiful life which unfolds every day. For instance, today was the most glorious day, with perfect temperatures and mild breezes energizing me as I played in the flower garden. Everything from cooking and cleaning to playing Scrabble with an old friend was blissfully full of joy and love. How could that not be something that I want? The other part of our review tells us, 'There is no love but God's'. Everything I experienced today demonstrated the spiritual reality of my existence. Not everyone would enjoy digging in the dirt, and scrubbing the floor, and chopping vegetables, and being outscored in a game of Scrabble! But it was my experience unfolding in an individual way which reflected this Love which is God, allowing”my mind [to] hold(s) only what I think with God". It's living Love which brings the experience. A great thing about this is that we won't ever be at the end of these experiences! It's an eternal unfolding of Love, God. This unfoldment brings unpredictable adventures in harmony when we listen and follow the still, small voice within. Although it's all a joy to experience, it's not the activity which I desire, it's the Love being expressed by it. So I can truthfully say, 'The world holds nothing that I want', because what I want is to know Love, allowing experience to unfold. I can hardly wait to start another day, fresh with the full breath of Life creating my every moment.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“When the divine precepts are understood, they unfold the foundation of fellowship, in which one mind is not at war with another, but all have one Spirit, God, one intelligent source…”

Science & Health Page 276:4-8

May 23, 2015 - Still, Small Voice

photo courtesy of Chris Fischer

ACIM Workbook Lesson #143:

Review of: #125 "In quiet I receive God's Word today." #126  "All that I give is given to myself." And the main thought to hold to in these review: “My mind holds only what I think with God.”

Two things which, in reality, do not exist -- mortal mind, as termed by Mary Baker Eddy, and ego as it's called in ACIM -- want you to think you would no longer be you with the admission that you are One with all that Is. What if free will does not exist unless you DO give up what you think of as individuality and embrace Oneness? I'm beginning to see that I have no will of my own if I'm simply regurgitating well-rehearsed lines from the history of my life. I'm starting to glimpse the freedom which comes from throwing off the chains I have bound myself with through a lifetime of fears and learned behavior. A dear friend related a story about thinking his stepmother had never liked him. Then one day he found out she was practically deaf, and the actions he had interpreted as slights to him were actually moments of confusion on her part. He now sees their relationship with the freedom of understanding. Today I will quietly listen for that still, small voice which frees me.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“There is but one I, or Us, but one divine Principle, or Mind, governing all existence; man and woman unchanged forever in their individual characters, even as numbers which never blend with each other, though they are governed by one Principle. All the objects of God's creation reflect one Mind, and whatever reflects not this one Mind, is false and erroneous, even the belief that life, substance, and intelligence are both mental and material.”

Science & Health Page 511:11-19

May 22, 2015 - Let Me Remember ...

"Dancing With The Shadow Self"
creation of Sandy Wythawai Starbird

ACIM Workbook lesson #142: Review of: #123 "I thank my Father for His gifts to me." #124 "Let me remember I am one with God."

I love “Dancing With The Stars”! I only started watching it a couple of years ago, and have found it to be not only entertaining, but a lovely reminder that we all have the same fears and insecurities, and the same possibility of greatness. Through this twice-yearly show which lasts a number of weeks, I have gotten to know some of the most amazing people. There is a beautiful 72-year old singer, a woman who dances like no one’s watching and exhibits the joy of a young child. I’ve recently been particularly inspired by a man missing an arm and a leg who has made it to the finals of this demanding show. This season we have also been introduced to the child of well-known movie stars, a young woman who was convinced by the media that she wasn’t pretty. They said horrid things about her and she had no idea how beautiful and graceful she was, but she has discovered her gifts through dancing in this show. What a heart-expanding experience it is for these participants and all of us who watch them discover more about their true Self. I know I’m ready to dance!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The human sense of Deity yields to the divine sense, even as the material sense of personality yields to the incorporeal sense of God and man as the infinite Principle and infinite idea, — as one Father with His universal family, held in the gospel of Love.”

Science & Health Page 576:31-4

May 21, 2015 - Love, Happiness, Forgiveness

photo courtesy of Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #141: Today begins a review of the last 20 lessons. Our main theme is: “My mind holds only what I think with God"  Review of: #121 “Forgiveness is the key to happiness” #122 “Forgiveness offers everything I want.”

I’ve been spending time in the offices of a prosthetic company, getting fitted and adjusted and learning how to use this interesting appendage. While sitting in the waiting room, I’ve met a number of angry and sad people. One woman blames her husband for wrecking the motorcycle she was riding on, another woman blames herself for a lifestyle which brought about the loss of a limb, a man is angry because he can’t continue his former lifestyle. I never ask anyone questions; these stories come pouring forth. Of course, not everyone is unhappy. There’s the man who is using this circumstance as a way to find another wife. He’s been married five times and is looking forward to the sixth!  I sit there smiling and doing my best to think loving thoughts. They all probably think I’m on heavy drugs — haha! Forgiving is the undoing of the denying of Love. Forgiving clears the false image and opens my mind to Love. If I can manage to live this forgiveness within myself, I am extending it to a world in need of Love. Namastè!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“God creates all forms of reality. His thoughts are spiritual realities.”

Science & Health Page 514:8-9

May 20, 2015 - Celebrate!

photo from Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #140:

“Only salvation can be said to cure.”

Every instance of turning away from material illusion and seeing with the spiritual sense we're developing is a cause for celebration! Each revelation is a step toward salvation from the trap of victimhood. The knowledge of what is Truth and what is illusion lifts us past the thoughts which hold us trapped in sickness and disharmony. It's not by trying to rid ourselves of illusion that we are freed; it's by knowing what Truth is. With Truth as the only reality in our thought, error has no room to take hold and it disappears into the nothingness which is its only reality. Now that's something to celebrate!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The physical healing of Christian Science results now, as in Jesus' time, from the operation of divine Principle, before which sin and disease lose their reality in human consciousness and disappear as naturally and as necessarily as darkness gives place to light and sin to reformation. Now, as then, these mighty works are not supernatural, but supremely natural."

Science & Health Page xi:9-15

May 19, 2015 - One Cause

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #139:

"I will accept Atonement for myself."

Atonement is one of those words which often triggers uncomfortable feelings. Visions of atoning for sins can be pretty creepy, especially when it's possible we may have committed said sins, possibly without even knowing it!  That's the way the concept of atonement has come to be interpreted by many. Some have decided that we're all born sinners and we must spend our life finding ways to atone for that. We are learning that sin is anything which separates us from the Love which is God. Simple, huh? Atonement is accepting our Oneness as the expression and experience of God. It may sound like a form of sacrilege to say you're one with God. I say it's sacrilege not to! To acknowledge God as the only Cause, and to see ourselves as the effect of that Cause, is to accept our at-one-ment with All that Is. What could be more humble? I will accept this reality today, and see everyone I meet in this light. Namaste' ~~~

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

May 18, 2015 - No Choices in Truth

photo by Chris Fischer from his garden

ACIM Workbook Lesson #138

“Heaven is the decision I must make.”

Years ago, I knew a young woman who would often fall to her knees and beg God to forgive her and not send her to hell. At the slightest transgression, she would verbally do this! She wouldn’t always fall to the ground, but even a simple verbal request was always a surprising event for everyone in her presence. She also would tell me I was going to hell for numerous reasons, one of which was because I didn’t believe in it. She told me that was the devil’s greatest victory, convincing people there was no such place. I remember mentioning that Jesus told us the kingdom of heaven was within, and she said yes, that it was within Jesus; not us. Nowadays, I would probably tell her this was the ego’s biggest victory to think this was so! I’d probably have a discussion with her about there being no choice because we have made up hell believing there must be an opposite for everything. I might even tell her that the acceptance of Truth obviates any need for choosing heaven, because there is only Truth with no opposite. Hum — maybe I should just decide this for myself and let it Be!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The great miracle, to human sense, is divine Love, and the grand necessity of existence is to gain the true idea of what constitutes the kingdom of heaven in man.” Science & Health Page 560:12-15

May 17, 2015 - All You Need Is Love

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #137

“When I am healed I am not healed alone.”

Love heals. We hear this so often, it's probably become somewhat of a cliché. We may think that nothing can heal the ills of the world, much less something as intangible as love. What if love were the most powerful force in the universe? Not just an emotion called love, but an omnipotent, gentle presence which is a synonym for Source. What if experiencing this Love was sufficient to heal every thought of evil or sickness or misery which has ever been imagined? Then we'd all be lining up to get some of this stuff, don't you think? And it's even easier than that. We only need get out of our own way to see what has always been there. Love heals.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"One moment of divine consciousness, or the spiritual understanding of Life and Love, is a foretaste of eternity.”

Science & Health Page 598:23-25

May 16, 2015 - Letting Truth Be

ACIM Workbook Lesson #136:

photo by Chris Fischer

“Sickness is a defense against the truth.”

Many new-age thought systems try to find reasons for disease, then work to get rid of the "problem" which is causing you to be unwell. This is something which has no place in quantum thought.  When Mary Baker Eddy realized the nothingness of matter and the substance of Spirit, not many were willing to imagine the possibility until they saw physical proof. The healing which comes about through this understanding is not a manipulation of matter, but a yielding of erroneous belief to the Truth of creation by divine Mind. The Catch-22 is that if you are trying to heal something, you can't. But if you're knowing the Truth of existence, and that knowledge becomes more than just wishful thinking, the changeability of matter is shown in ways which we think of as healing. Knowing that there is nothing to be healed, that all is perfectly reflected as a creation of divine Mind, therein lies the healing. Going to the core of yourSelf and recognizing that your consciousness is One with Spirit, that is what brings an all-encompassing joy and peace which makes us happy to release false belief. Once that is gone, Truth shines forth in all Its magnificence! To learn more about this, here is the link to today's ACIM workbook lesson: http://acim.org/Lessons/lesson.html?lesson=136

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Truth has a healing effect, even when not fully understood.”

Science & Health Page 152:7-8