Finding One's Own

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #316

“All gifts I give my brothers are my own.”

I’m thinking of all the good that is being given and received by everyone, everywhere, and I’m thinking of all that goodness being given by and to me, right here, right now, all the time – Well, how far out is that??! After expressing this thought to someone, they said, "But what about the bad? Isn’t it given and received by everyone, and doesn’t it cancel out the good?" We could go through lots of conversations about these points, concerning the unreality of bad and the only-ness of good. But I don’t want to think in those ways any longer -- of right and wrong, good and bad -- so I won’t speak or write in those ways either. There is only One God, expressing only Itself. If we are the idea of God, there’s nothing else to consider. God is Love. We are Love and that’s a powerful principle by which to abide! “Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right doing, there is a field. I will meet you there.” Rumi

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“… that joy which finds one’s own in another’s good”

Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, p. 127

All For One and One For All!

photo credit:
Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #315

“All gifts my brothers give belong to me.”

When someone compliments us on something we have done, it feels like a gift, don't you think? Sometimes we'll feel like Snoopy when he levitates from pure joy! We're beginning to understand that any time anyone gives this gift to anyone, anywhere, it buoys us, too. When we open ourselves to the radiance of Love, which flows through all existence, we are carried along effortlessly and joyfully. We no longer expect the so-called murphy's law to be in effect, bringing us challenges rather than harmony. Instead, we allow all the goodness and knowledge of the universe to be ours, expecting nothing and welcoming everything. Every good thought we send out into the universe multiplies. The good we do for one is done for all!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The sun, giving light and heat to the earth, is a figure of divine Life and Love, enlightening and sustaining the universe.”

Science & Health Page 538:11-13

Breaking the Cycle

photo credit: Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #314

“I seek a future different from the past.”

Have you ever felt that you're a victim of life's circumstances? Someone I know repeatedly falls into similar types of dramatic victimization. He spends his waking hours worrying about what will happen in the future and blaming others for what has happened in the past. His perception of the world is one of expecting the worst in every case scenario. Our lesson today explains how we can break free of this debilitating way of thought. "From new perception of the world there comes a future very different from the past." [ACIM] Could it possibly be so simple? It hasn't been easy for me to change the way I think and to allow myself to live with no expectations, but the concept is certainly simple enough. As with any new skill we learn, it's a matter of practice. Every day is yet another chance to live this new/old thought as the experience of Love!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The human mind, imbued with this spiritual understanding, becomes more elastic, is capable of greater endurance, escapes somewhat from itself, and requires less repose. A knowledge of the Science of being develops the latent abilities and possibilities of man. It extends the atmosphere of thought, giving mortals access to broader and higher realms. It raises the thinker into his native air of insight and perspicacity.”

Science & Health Page 128:11-19

It's All About How You See It!

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #313

“Now let a new perception come to me.”

Our thought for today is very exciting! "Now let a new perception come to me." It's my understanding that everyone sees a rainbow differently, according to where they are when they view it. Isn't that a perfect metaphor for everything from politics to the clothes we put on our bodies? Where I am, in thought, is how I will perceive something. Things which I may think of as being for the good of everyone, someone else may see as the downfall of society. It's just a matter of how you look at it. A line from a movie comes to mind in which an octogenarian tells us that life is like a ride on a roller coaster. She says that some people think the ride is frightening and stressful; others see it as fun and exciting. I love this reminder, and there are so many times in our experience where we could go either way with our perception of a situation. How exciting to test my understanding as I go through this day!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The human mind will sometime rise above all material and physical sense, exchanging it for spiritual perception, and exchanging human concepts for the divine consciousness. Then man will recognize his God-given dominion and being."

Science & Health Page 531:10-14

An Idea of Divine Mind

"Bryce Canyon"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #312

“I see all things as I would have them be.”

If I told someone I want to give up the thoughts I think and think the thoughts of divine Mind, they might assume I am involved in a cultish-type of group. But I think of it as just the opposite! If I am making decisions based on past events and learned behaviors, then I have no freedom of thought. I am living by material restrictions and repeating thoughts dictated by human opinion, my own included. My desire to live as an idea of divine Mind opens me to an expansion of thought and action which has no limit. What an exciting world this is, when we go beyond set boundaries dictated by past education and see our way to a deeper education, facilitated by divine Love!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The supposed existence of more than one mind was the basic error of idolatry. This error assumed the loss of spiritual power, the loss of the spiritual presence of Life as infinite Truth without an unlikeness, and the loss of Love as ever present and universal."

Science & Health Page 479:5-10

Judgment Separates

"Eureka Springs"
unknown photographer

ACIM Workbook Lesson #311

“I judge all things as I would have them be.”

As I read today's lesson -- which begins the first of ten lessons asking us, "What is the Last Judgment?" -- I think of ancient Toltec wisdom as shown to us by Miguel Ruiz in the Four Agreements. Two of these agreements lead us easily to non-judgment: "Don't make assumptions" and "Don't take anything personally". These suggestions always come to mind when I'm tempted to take offense by someone's statements or to apportion blame in any way. If I don't take anything personally, then I need make no assumptions as to others' motives. If I make no assumption about why someone says or does something, then I won't be thinking they are attacking me or anyone else. With the realization that there is no judgment in divine Love, no condemnation in the one Mind, no censure from Spirit, we are able to stop doing those things to ourselves and those we perceive as others. Our thoughts of separation are free to cease as we embrace Unity!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The earth’s diurnal rotation is invisible to the physical eye, and the sun seems to move from east to west, instead of the earth from west to east. Until rebuked by clearer views of the everlasting facts, this false testimony of the eye deluded the judgment and induced false conclusions.” Science & Health Page 121:17-22 

Holding Thought to Love

photo credit: Heather Peters

ACIM Workbook Lesson #310

“In fearlessness and love I spend today.”

From the moment we stand up and toddle we hear, Be careful, don't fall!! We instill fear and worry in our children even before they're born, don't we? Most mothers-to-be are worried about a myriad of things, and have been taught to believe it's necessary to do so. Everywhere we turn, there is something to fear. When I was a kid, the only things I was warned about in the woods were snakes, poison ivy, and perhaps an occasional wild carnivore. Nowadays, everything from ticks to the sun may attack us, and we go to great lengths to protect ourselves, putting poisons on our skin to avoid something we perceive to be worse. This is yet another example of the material illusions we have made for ourselves.  As I go through this day, I will notice what learned behaviors are ruling my life, holding me in fear rather than Love. The words of a great teacher come to mind: Perfect Love casts out fear!

Mary Baker Eddy quote: “Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring these into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts.”

Science & Health  Page 261:4-7

What If ...?

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #309

“I will not fear to look within today.”

Why would we fear to look within? Why would we fear seeing our true self? I think it's because we believe all the little horrible things we've done in our lives are what we'll be looking at. Perhaps we feel that to look within would involve some sort of life review which would require us to answer for every supposed sin we've committed. But what if we're looking within at our pure and perfect Self, as we are created by divine Mind? And what if, after we find what we've forgotten, we allow it to come forth and live with us, as us? In the process, we truly forgive ourselves for all of it, allowing thought to stay in the realm of Oneness, releasing guilt and fear, living only in Love. What if ...

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“For right reasoning there should be but one fact before the thought, namely, spiritual existence. In reality there is no other existence, since Life cannot be united to its unlikeness, mortality.” Science & Health Page 491:3-6

No Time Like The Present!

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #308

"This instant is the only time there is."

Numerous sayings about time come to thought when reading today’s topic: “Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why it is called the present.” (Kung Fu Panda) I'm also reminded of something Deepak Chopra said: "Time is something we have made up so everything doesn't happen all at once." Albert Einstein showed us that time is relative. Time spent in a dentist chair passes differently from time spent visiting with a dear friend. Later in life, Mr. Einstein came to believe that time was not just relative, but unreal! Here is a quote from him, written in a letter to a friend: "To those of us who believe in physics, this separation between past, present, and future, is only an illusion, if a stubborn one." So why do we limit ourselves with time? We always think we're too young or too old, or this physical malady will pass with time, or that we simply don't have time to do the things we want to do. When I realize that I'm not a mortal living in what seems to be now, but an immortal living in eternity, then some major shifts in perception can take place. Only "time will tell" what happens with that realization!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Never ask for tomorrow: it is enough that divine Love is an ever-present help; and if you wait, never doubting, you will have all you need every moment.” Miscellaneous Writings Page 307

No Conflict

photo credit: Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #307

“Conflicting wishes cannot be my will.”

When someone close to us has a problem, we tend to think of it as our own. We have been conditioned to think we can fix others, and if we don't try, we fear people will think we don't care. Then we're thrown into a quandary of feelings: love for them, perhaps embarrassment over their actions, worry about what will happen to them, concern over what others will think -- the list can be endless! When we are able to release these feelings and see everyone as the spiritual creation they truly are, we begin to release our sense of personal responsibility, while affirming their goodness as a reflection of divine Love.  Claiming as our own the thoughts of divine Mind frees us from the conflict imposed by material wishes!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“We cannot serve two masters nor perceive divine Science with the material senses.”

Science and Health Page 167:11-12

Question Values

photo courtesy of Angela McNeal

ACIM Workbook Lesson #306

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

To learn this course requires willingness to question every value that you hold. To allow the sun to shine into your mind, to allow grace to be your natural state, to learn this course and have your mind healed from shadows and fear and limitation, requires you to be willing to question every value you hold. We tend to think it’s a good thing to hold strong opinions on any number of things, like politics. It may seem I’m saying we shouldn’t work for social reform, that we shouldn’t stand up to wrong-doers, that we should become the proverbial doormat. I think that giving up the things which make us angry, the things for which we become fighting mad, enables us to open ourselves to this gift of the Christ, this Love which guides us to do meaningful work in ways we haven’t realized, because strong mindsets were hiding them. I think it will be an interesting exercise to take note of the thoughts I have which keep me from the gift of divine Love. I hope you’ll join me!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Christ is the true idea voicing good, the divine message from God to men speaking to the human consciousness.” Science & Health Page 332:9-11

Bathed in Light - November 1, 2015

photo credit: Gerry Toler

ACIM Workbook Lesson #305

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

You've probably heard of, or witnessed, accounts of people facing the direst of situations calmly, with a seeming other-worldly sense of peace. I experienced one of these situations when visiting with a couple who were learning how to cope with the change we call death. When I walked into their home, the first thing I felt was an all-encompassing peace. My dear friend related how inspired she was by the leaves falling from the trees in their regular autumnal cycle. She told me how they take care of themselves. She never rakes them up into piles, but allows them to go where they need to be, and there they change to whatever form is required of them -- soil, protection for seedlings, shelter for insects and small animals. She sees perfection in this plan and knows that the same perfection is taking place in all existence. I am grateful to have experienced this deep and quiet peace with them. The peace of God is there for all, no matter what the material circumstance. The gift of Love satisfies the hungering senses, it calms fear, it allows us to release the ties which bind us to material existence, giving us more than we knew was possible.

Mary Baker Eddy quote: “Life is reflected in existence, Truth in truthfulness, God in goodness, which impart their own peace and permanence. Love, redolent with unselfishness, bathes all in beauty and light.”

Science & Health Page 516:9-13

Perception is a Mirror

photo credit: Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #304

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

When my oldest son was in school, we watched a movie that both he and I thought was hilarious. Shortly afterwards, he took the movie over to a friend's house and shared it with her and her mother. The mother thought the movie was a tragedy and cried through most of it. This perfectly illustrates a part of today's workbook lesson: "Perception is a mirror, not a fact. What I look on is my state of mind, reflected outward." Isn't that the truth!! I’m sure we can all remember times when you and someone interpreted things totally differently. I will try to remember this dichotomy when someone looks at something in a way I do not understand. Today I will strive to clear my mind, in order to allow Truth to melt away illusion.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Corporeal sense, or error, may seem to hide Truth, health, harmony, and Science, as the mist obscures the sun or the mountain; but Science, the sunshine of Truth, will melt away the shadow and reveal the celestial peaks.”

Science & Health Page 299:26-30

Resurrect Gratitude Daily!

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #303

“The holy Christ is born in me today.”

Hearing that the holy Christ is born in me today will probably bring something to mind within your thought system. Some will think, oh good! Some may feel this is a blasphemous thought, and then others will feel a sense of relief, knowing that this means that Love can rule in our thoughts and actions with no worries of whatever else may be going on around us. To me, I think, Ah, the second coming is being born right now, just as soon as I get out of Its way! A dear friend made a profound statement this evening, which seems appropriate in connection with this lesson: Resurrect Gratitude Daily!! Is this not the second coming? The moment-by-moment rebirth of Love, gratitude, joy, beauty, harmony, and all that The Christ embodies opens us to the unity of Life. Sharing this gift is as individual as we are, and as timely as our interactions. Freely I have received, freely I give!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Having no other gods, turning to no other but the one perfect Mind to guide him, man is the likeness of God, pure and eternal, having that Mind which was also in Christ.”

Science & Health Page 467:13-16

Paradigm Shift

photo credit: Chris Fischer

ACIM Workbook Lesson #302

“Where darkness was I look upon the light.”

Haven't we all had times when we were recounting an event  and someone insists that the details are different than what we remember? Our perceptions are nuanced by expectations and personal experiences, including our understanding of these teachings. A mere hundred years ago, the things we speak of today would have been thought of as blasphemous. What a relief to openly speak about quantum theory and metaphysics without fear! Any bookstore will have an abundance of books by people looking “upon the light”, and they give us confidence to admit that we see it, too! Remember the story of ”the emperor has no clothes"? If everyone were pretending not to see and feel this paradigm shift, then we might stay silent, too. But they're not! We are joyfully acknowledging this shift, and we're shouting it from the pinnacle of our understanding. We look upon the light!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“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.” Science & Health Page 323:32-4

The Second Coming?

NYC from the Brooklyn Bridge
photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #301

“And God Himself shall wipe away all tears.”

There are any number — perhaps thousands — of wonderful teachings in this world. I have always leaned toward a non-dualist teaching which doesn’t leave me asking questions which are answered with non-answers such as, “you just have to believe”. These ten workbook lessons are under the heading of “What is the Second Coming”. This term has long been interpreted from a material standpoint, with expectations a human form appearing and then everything will be all right. ACIM and MBE assure us that everything is all right here and now, and that we don’t have to wait until some future time or event to bring us happiness and peace. One of the phrases in workbook lessons tells us the second coming “restores the never lost”. In other words, everything we are searching for is ours already! Our judgment in a dualistic world reflects back to us our losses and griefs, and the understanding of unity allows us to choose a brand new world of Love, and all our tears are wiped away. 

For a short explanation of this lesson, I would recommend this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWGt8ODgr-A

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

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

Science & Health Page 573:28-2

What is the Real World?

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #300

“Only an instant does this world endure.”

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

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Life is divine Principle, Mind, Soul, Spirit. Life is without beginning and without end. Eternity, not time, expresses the thought of Life, and time is no part of eternity. One ceases in proportion as the other is recognized. Time is finite; eternity is forever infinite. Life is neither in nor of matter. What is termed matter is unknown to Spirit, which includes in itself all substance and is Life eternal. Matter is a human concept. Life is divine Mind. Life is not limited. Death and finiteness are unknown to Life. If Life ever had a beginning, it would also have an ending.”

Science & Health Page 468:26-6

Divesting Thought of False Trust

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #299

“Eternal holiness abides in me.”

When you ask someone who/what they are, the answers typically will be name, profession, perhaps astrological sign, and things of this sort. We are learning that we embody something entirely different from our history and the material stories which have acted as our identity. I heard a story today which was described as a tale of “betrayal bordering on fraud”. Apparently a young woman came to town a couple of years ago and got a job in a popular restaurant. Everyone likes her, she’s very competent, and has helped the business to grow. It has recently come to light that she is not who she says she is. Whereas everyone thought she was from somewhere in the Hebrides and knew the story she had told of herself, now it seems she made everything up and she’s “not who she said she was”. Upon hearing this, I had to laugh! As my friend told me of people’s reactions to this fantasy, I stopped her and said that we shouldn’t make assumptions about any of this. What if she had something traumatic happen and wanted a brand new start, so she went all the way with a complete change of her story? Whatever the case, I hope that all involved can put their ego-based reactions aside and listen with their heart, letting Love lead their actions, with their intention set for a good result!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“To divest thought of false trusts and material evidences in order that the spiritual facts of being may appear, — this is the great attainment by means of which we shall sweep away the false and give place to the true.” Science & Health Page 428:8-12

Love Without Fear

"Marsha and The Junes"

ACIM Workbook Lesson #298

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

I grew up in a small town and have lived all my life in close proximity to it, and so there are many people I’ve known for decades. Looking back at my dearest friends through the years, most of us have grown apart, finding that we no longer share the same viewpoints or interests. This outgrowing has seemed to be a natural progression in life, and treasured relationships which have endured are deep and sweet. Someone I’ve known for years and liked very much, although we were never close, killed herself recently. It’s a natural response to wonder if we could have made a difference, and I remind myself that I am doing just that with every loving thought and every extension of appreciation and gratitude.  I am grateful for this burgeoning understanding which allows me to love without fear, to extend a hand when needed, and never fear the consequences. Namaste!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

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

Science & Health Page 249:3-7

Giving Forgiveness and Getting It

photo from Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #297

“Forgiveness is the only gift I give.”

Today’s topic turns my thoughts to wondering what it is which causes people to “get their feelings hurt” by the actions and words of others. One of the sentences from today’s workbook lesson is “Everything I give, I give myself.” I communicated with a young woman today who was very upset by something a mutual friend had said to her. She couldn’t seem to get it out of her mind and was telling of possible responses she could have made, the responses she did make, and what she thought about him, all from the perspective of being abused and denigrated by his words. While the principles of today’s lesson moved through my mind, I didn’t feel it wise to mention them to her at this point. But I did quote one of the Four Agreements having to do with not taking anything personally. Whatever anyone says or does truly has nothing to do with us, unless we choose to make it so. If I am tempted to get all het up about something, I hope to remember this advice!

 Mary Baker Eddy quote:

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

No and Yes, p. 39:17-18