Listening

"Great Salt Flats"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #275

“God's healing Voice protects all things today.”

Yesterday, I wrote about a movie about a man who had a blow to the head which left him in a happy state. What I did not mention was that when his wife passed on, he was upset because he wasn't upset. He wanted to cry for his wife, but he didn't feel there was any reason to do so. In order to feel grief, he allowed an operation to take away the blood clot in his brain which had supposedly caused his joyous demeanor. Afterwards, he was back to his old unhappy self, being mean and miserly and able to cry. The questions this story brought to me were multiple, but mainly I wonder why we feel the need to grieve. Is this some sort of duality belief or a learned behavior which demands we are sad in certain situations? Have we become accustomed to extremes of emotions to convey that we are caring human beings? Perhaps peace of mind in any situation comes from that healing Voice for God protecting me from grief and other unnecessary human beliefs. I shall continue to listen for answers.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Faith, if it be mere belief, is as a pendulum swinging between nothing and something, having no fixity. Faith, advanced to spiritual understanding, is the evidence gained from Spirit, which rebukes sin of every kind and establishes the claims of God."

Science & Health Page 23:14-17

Scatter Joy

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Lesson #274

“Today belongs to love. Let me not fear.”

I saw a movie in which a character was hit in the head, developed a blood clot, and became happy all the time. Since happiness cannot be contained and overflows with no expectations, wonderful things began to happen. He ran a very large, money-making-oriented company, which had always catered to the prospering of the business not the contentment of the employees. After he became happy, he built a daycare center, gave everyone raises in salary, and began to see money as a tool rather than a goal. Then his children became angry because the company wasn't making as much money and they were afraid. While he recognized what was important in life, his children wanted him to go back to his money-based way of living, fearing they wouldn't have enough. He was living Love; they were living fear. We see it every day, don't we? I vow today to support every act of Love-based living I see. While we can't set out to eradicate fear, we can scatter joy and happiness, and watch Love blossom.

Mary Baker Eddy quote: 

"As human thought changes from one stage to another of conscious pain and painlessness, sorrow and joy, — from fear to hope and from faith to understanding, — the visible manifestation will at last be man governed by Soul, not by material sense."

Science & Health Page 125:12-16

Stillness and Peace

photo courtesy of Chris Fischer

ACIM Lesson #273

“The stillness of the peace of God is mine.”

I've mentioned before -- actually more than once -- that a neighborhood situation with turkey vultures nesting in our wooded hollow has been a cause for disagreement amongst residents. The issue has raised its head again and I have the choice of being upset or being at peace. When I was first told of the situation, memories of harsh actions flooded back into thought, but by the time a local newspaper asked for my opinion, I was able to accept everything as it is, and recognize that my thought about the matter is the only thing I can change. As this lessons states: “If we give way to a disturbance, let us learn how to dismiss it and return to peace.” It’s nice to know that if I get lost in the insanity, I have the choice of returning to tranquility!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Mind demonstrates omnipresence and omnipotence, but Mind revolves on a spiritual axis, and its power is displayed and its presence felt in eternal stillness and immovable Love.”

From Retrospection and Introspection Page 88-89

Higher Enjoyments

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Lesson #272

“How can illusions satisfy God's Son?”

Often we think that illusions will bring us satisfaction. Perhaps we've been brainwashed by classic songs and movies. From prospective soul mates to the dreamed-of perfect surroundings, we're compelled to keep searching for the completeness we feel we do not have. There may be  moments we think we've found it, but a circumstance can change and we're back where we started. I have a friend who refers to this as "filling up the God hole". He says that's why he drinks and smokes and flits from woman to woman, trying to fill the emptiness. Even though it's recognized for what it is, he finds it too hard to turn within for the fulfillment he so relentlessly seeks. To paraphrase a Bible verse: That which I don't want, I do; that which I do want, I don't. Today I will remember to forget what I don't want and hold thought to what I do!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Higher enjoyments alone can satisfy the cravings of immortal man.”

Science & Health Page 60:31-32

Are We Ready For Truth?

photo from Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #271

“Christ's is the vision I will use today."

Are we finally ready for the truth? People aver that we can’t take the truth. I’m told this about everything from extraterrestrial life to religious doctrine. I think we can take it. People say if the truth be told about everything, society would break down. Perhaps that’s a good thing, huh? Maybe our upheavals stem from the feeling that we’re being lied to everywhere we turn. The total eclipse of the full moon turned my thoughts to these things. In the not-that-far-ago past, the sight of a disappearing moon which turns red and reappears would have caused many fear-based reactions. But the truth sets us free and we can joyfully look up and say “Wow!”. I’m ready!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Truth, independent of doctrines and time-honored systems, knocks at the portal of humanity.” Science & Health Page vii:13-15

Seeing With Love

Glacier National Park
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #270

“I will not use the body's eyes today.”

After being testy with someone during a phone call, I thought of Bicknell Young’s writing wherein he says that if you don't bring God into your experience first thing in the morning, it may be impossible to do so the rest of the day. He explains that although divine Mind is always with us, it's like electricity and if we don't plug into it, then it is of no benefit. After bluntly, perhaps rudely, expressing my opinion to someone, I realized I had awakened to the roar of motorcycles in the hills, grumbling to myself a bit about their presence in our town, and then became busy with things and did not take time to meditate and open thought to divine Love. I don't like feeling disgruntled and I don't want to spend another moment in that state! Reading today's ACIM workbook lesson and seeing these words, "The quiet of today will bless our hearts...", I recognize that the quiet of today is waiting withIn and nothing going on outside can disrupt that peace. I will plug into the Source which fills my consciousness and rest in Love, letting everything be as it is, without my judgments!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Spiritual vision is not subordinate to geometric altitudes. Whatever is governed by God, is never for an instant deprived of the light and might of intelligence and Life.”

Science & Health Page 215:11-13

Come Together Right Now

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #269

“My sight goes forth to look upon Christ's face.”

Acknowledging that everything and everyone we look upon is the face of divine Love takes our perception to another level. In this sight, we do not need to see race or nationalism of any sort, gender issues are neutralized, there are no political parties with which to wave flags, no enemies nor allies to side with. I see beautiful things happening in our world. Long-held beliefs are being released in favor of an open-hearted acceptance of everyone as they are, not as we want them to be. Our new perceptions of Life are a conscious choice, breaking free of habits and old thought patterns which have held us in bondage for far too long. Let’s celebrate our new-found sight today!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The eternal Truth destroys what mortals seem to have learned from error, and man's real existence as a child of God comes to light.”

Science and Health Page 288:31–1

Let It Be

photo by Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #268

“Let all things be exactly as they are.”

What if everything that bothered us didn’t? What would life be like if we “let things be exactly as they are”, in Truth, without the interpretations we have given them? This thought shift may seem impossible at times, but we are learning that it is an easy transition when we decide to release our specialness. By forgetting all beliefs of creation, whatever that may be, we can let all things be exactly as they are. We can see how things are, rather than how we think they are when we give up our specialness and return to Love. Each one of these workbook lessons is a step toward freedom! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Human sense may well marvel at discord, while, to a diviner sense, harmony is the real and discord the unreal.”

Science & Health Page: 563: 1-3

Effectual States of Mind

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #267

“My heart is beating in the peace of God"

Living the "peace of God" may seem like a fantasy to those who abide by the laws of materiality. Some think that in order to live this way they would have to be delusional, or stick their heads in the sand, or deny reality in favor of wishful thinking. But many of us see this state of mind in another way! As we learn about the peace which is the Truth of being, we are able to live it in all of daily life, and thereby we see that our ”heart is beating in the peace of God". That state of mind does more for the world than all the preaching we may be tempted to do!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“More effectual than the forum are our states of mind, to bless mankind”

Pulpit and Press, p. 87

Calm, Exalted Thought

photo by Christopher Fischer

ACIM Workbook Lesson #266

“My holy Self abides in you, God's Son.”

Peace is a state of mind. We can feel the epitome of peace in the midst of turmoil. At other times, we may be in an outer oasis of stillness but, due to our tumultuous state of mind, be anxious and upset. It helps me to know that we are all the "son of God". With this realization, I am able to see everything through the eye of divine Love. This is not to say that I'm always calm. Sometimes I forget I am the idea of God, and that everyone else is, too. At those times, who knows how I may be interpreting events! In a state of forgetfulness, I am at the mercy of material belief, being swayed by thought systems which were put in place long before my appearance in this world. But when I remember my holy Self, things appear differently to me. And there is peace.

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

Creation's Gentleness

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #265

"Creation's gentleness is all I see."

Creation's gentleness is everywhere, but often is covered up by belief in harshness. More and more we're seeing animals showing us the way to being gentle with each other. In our realization of Oneness, we're starting to see that if violence is done to or by one, it's done to or by All. We're allowing our thought to change from fear and anger to Love and gentleness. There may still be many people who want to stay with the old paradigm and say it's necessary for heinous acts to be committed along with retaliation in kind. But there are more people everyday who realize the error of this and know it's possible for the lion to lay down with the lamb.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The new birth is not the work of a moment. It begins with moments, and goes on with years; moments of surrender to God, of childlike trust and joyful adoption of good; moments of self-abnegation, self-consecration, heaven-born hope, and spiritual love.” Miscellaneous Writings, 1883-1896, p. 15

Panoply of Love

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #264

“I am surrounded by the Love of God.”

I don’t usually listen to the radio, but there was an occasion where I was bombarded by one for a couple of hours. This forced exposure graphically brought into focus how insane the content was! The songs were totally inane and yet mesmerizing, the commercials were mostly for drugs and disease, the news -- yikes!! It may seem that we are being brainwashed from every direction, including collective consciousness, but this is the illusion. This illusion is not the consciousness of Love which is God. Love permeates everything, leaving no room for anything else to intrude. Nothing but this Love truly has power.  "Clad in the panoply of Love, human hatred cannot reach me." (MBE) "I am surrounded by the Love of God." (ACIM) When I am tempted to be mesmerized by material sense, I will remember what  is True: I am surrounded by the Love that is God, which is my essence, my essential Being. So I needn't try to see or feel this Love, because it is what I Am.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The very circumstance, which your suffering sense deems wrathful and afflictive, Love can make an angel entertained unawares.”

Science & Health Page 574: 27-30

Beyond the Appearance

photo courtesy of Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #263

“My holy vision sees all things as pure.”

In the past, I would try to avoid those who have a tendency to rant and rave about the behavior of others. Now, although I do not seek out their company, I can listen to them and see beyond the appearance to the Truth. They may be berating their neighbor for some action or another, but I can see the call for Love and allow myself to say, “You may be right about that”, or something similar. I don’t need to agree or disagree, I do not need to correct their actions, but I do need to correct my perception. If they appear to be angry, I needn’t attempt to change that or love that, but I do need to change my thought and remember that they are, in truth, only Love and Its reflection. “I do not need to love the appearance, I need to love the reality beyond the appearance.” (ACIM) There is a lovely innocence involved in seeing through the eyes of Spirit!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“When we learn that error is not real, we shall be ready for progress, forgetting those things which are behind.”

Science & Health Page 353:22-24

The Unity of Principle

creation of Sandy Starbird

ACIM Workbook Lesson #262

“Let me perceive no differences today.”

I saw a totally white hummingbird in my yard! I had never seen one before and perceived it to be really special. Seeing this lesson topic causes me to examine if I feel this way about people, too. It is difficult to not perceive people and things as good or bad, pretty or plain, and other made-up designations I’ve learned to use throughout my life. I posted to Facebook that I’d seen this sweet bird and asked if anyone else had seen it, too. One woman had, and another brought me a beautiful book with the above painting in it. If you’re interested, the book is called Moon Dances and is written by Nancy Wood. These thoughts and this experience help me to look at everything through the eyes of divine Love, perceiving it all as the reflection of that Love, allowing myself to embrace the wonder and perfection of it all. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“With one Father, even God, the whole family of man would be brethren; and with one Mind and that God, or good, the brotherhood of man would consist of Love and Truth, and have unity of Principle and spiritual power which constitute divine Science.”

Science and Health Page 469:30–5

We are Harmless, Useful, Indestructible

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #261

“God is my refuge and security."

It's easy to feel my security comes from physical things and my refuge is my home. I feel so safe and happy and often find myself expressing gratitude out loud for the peace and comfort I find here. To say that "God is my refuge and security" is, I feel, saying the same thing, but even more expansively and inclusively. As I learn to trust what is invisible to the human eye but palpable deep within mySelf, peace becomes possible no matter what the circumstance. Of course, it's easy to forget and become caught up with hectic circumstances in daily life. But the process of discovering Truth is an adventure which is never-ending. That's why I love it so much! No matter how much I come to know, there is always more.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“All of God’s creatures, moving in the harmony of Science, are harmless, useful, indestructible.”

Science & Health Page 514:28-30

No Dead Ends - September 17, 2015

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #260

“Let me remember God created me.”

I Am the experience and expression of God. We are learning what that means and it's a wonderful adventure! For too many years, high officials of churches have tried to tell us that we are mortal sinners and the only way we can gain favor with God is to go through them, performing odd penances and other rituals which I feel certain have nothing to do with the Oneness we are embracing. God Is; I Am. There really isn't anything else to say, but yet there is so much! We have questions that seem unanswerable, but perhaps that's because we have been told there are many things we must simply accept because we can't understand. Through the study of divine metaphysics, we find there are no unanswerable questions. In this remembering, I find there are no dead ends where I must simply "believe", relying on blind faith alone. God is as close as I am to myself, and all answers lie within, available for the asking -- and, most importantly, for the listening!! Remembering what is true leaves me with a wonderful peace. I am most grateful.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Infinite Mind creates and governs all, from the mental molecule to infinity. This divine Principle of all expresses Science and art throughout His creation, and the immortality of man and the universe. Creation is ever appearing, and must ever continue to appear from the nature of its inexhaustible source.Science & Health Page 507:24-28

The Reflection of Perfection

photo from Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #259

“Let me remember that there is no sin.”

In these "remember" lessons, I have been making an effort to forgive myself the things I continue to feel guilty for and about. There are only a few, but they recur in thought like the moon making an orbit. Today while talking to a friend, she told me how it took her a long, long time to forgive someone who accused her of terrible things years ago. After we finished talking I wondered if we ever truly forgive as long as we remember the occurrence. I have a feeling that some day I won't remember these things I hold onto today, they will simply be gone from thought because God is "of purer eyes than to behold iniquity", and I'm a reflection of that perfection. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Question: Is there no sin?

Answer: All reality is in God and His creation, harmonious and eternal. That which He creates is good, and He makes all that is made. Therefore the only reality of sin, sickness, or death is

the awful fact that unrealities seem real to human, erring belief, until God strips off their disguise. They are not true, because they are not of God.”

Science & Health Page 472:23-30

Remember to Remember

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #258

“Let me remember that my goal is God.”

I had a friend who died from cancer. She was always busy doing things. I once asked her if she ever had any quiet time and she honestly told me that she didn't want any because then she would have to think. Many traumatic events had happened in her life, including the violent deaths of her parents and tragic passing of her children. Maybe our thoughts are constantly occupied by collecting material possessions, or perhaps we simply need the busyness of daily life to keep us from thinking about painful memories, but in either case we rarely allow ourselves the quiet we need to hear Spirit. We fear the unknown and think that these things around us are what we need, rather than looking beyond them to the Truth which heals our fear. We may use alcohol and drugs to cover up the turmoil for a little while, but lasting peace only comes through knowledge of Love. Sometimes love is used as a soporific, placating our desire for an all-encompassing Love with no beginning nor end. Today I will remember to remember what I have forgotten, which is only found within.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“This scientific sense of being, forsaking matter for Spirit, by no means suggests man’s absorption into Deity and the loss of his identity, but confers upon man enlarged individuality, a wider sphere of thought and action, a more expansive love, a higher and more permanent peace.” Science & Health Page 265:10-15

What Do I Want To Be?

Utah Sunset
photo courtesy of Nick Franchi

ACIM Workbook Lesson #257

“Let me remember what my purpose is.”

What is my purpose? I'm sure we were taught as young children to have goals, to want to "be" something, to have a life plan. I never did very well at that, and I'm sure many of you didn't either. It never felt right to decide what should be and then do everything possible to make that happen. So when I'm told that my purpose is to discard all my beliefs and listen inwardly, to allow myself to know God and have that as my one goal -- well, I'm just delighted!! My purpose is to know God, and thereby to know myself as an expression of divine Mind. I want to understand what it means to be animated by Spirit, led by Soul, guided by Principle, and to shine forth with Life, Truth, and Love. What a lofty, yet simple, goal! One thing have I desired ...

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Spirit, God, gathers unformed thoughts into their proper channels, and unfolds these thoughts, even as He opens the petals of a holy purpose in order that the purpose may appear.”

Science & Health Page 506:18-21

Quiety Notice Insanity - September 13, 2015

Mr. Timpanogos Goat
photo taken by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #256

“God is the only goal I have today.”

We are learning to differentiate between Love and fear. Sometimes we’ve become so accustomed to thinking in fearful ways that it’s difficult to see it. We may want to keep fear-filled behaviors, perhaps thinking that they serve a necessary purpose.  When we realize erroneous thought within ourselves, often we’ll start trying to talk ourselves out of it and attempt to change our minds. This seldom works for anyone. Many end up with guilt because they can’t change their thought; some may even turn away from a spiritual path because they feel like failures. Don’t!! It’s sort of like meditation. If we try to stop all thought and can’t, we may become agitated and give up a very worthwhile activity. But if we can quietly accept that thoughts we don’t want are running amok in our head, acknowledge them and let them go — well, we have a chance of attaining our goal of quietude. So it goes with this study, too. Let's not beat ourselves up or try to force a particular way of thinking.  Let’s quietly notice when we’re slipping into the insanity, laugh at ourselves, and go forward with joy!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“There is but one primal cause. Therefore there can be no effect from any other cause, and there can be no reality in aught which does not proceed from this great and only cause.”

Science & Health Page 207:20-22