The Christ Idea

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #353

"My eyes, my tongue, my hands, my feet today Have but one purpose; to be given Christ To use to bless the world with miracles."

The use of the word "Christ" need not put off anyone who is not a follower of Jesus. Both Mary Baker Eddy and A Course in Miracles define The Christ in many ways. One of my favorites is this from Science & Health: "Christ is the true idea voicing good, the divine message from God to men speaking to the human consciousness." Every day is full of opportunities to bring Christ to a situation by listening to spiritual sense. When thinking about today's topic, I couldn't help but think about a media-perpetrated debate about the color of Santa Claus' skin. If we bring Christ to this or any other situation, there is no need to take sides, as there are none. Skin color, gender, sexual orientation -- the multitude of dualities we choose to subscribe to, all meant to blind us to our unity -- none of them mean anything when brought to Christ, or spiritual sense. Let's hold to spiritual Truth when faced with erroneous mortal thought. It certainly makes life much simpler!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The illumination of Mary's spiritual sense put to silence material law and its order of generation, and brought forth her child by the revelation of Truth, demonstrating God as the Father of men.” Science & Health Page 29:27-29

Choosing Love

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #352

"Judgment and love are opposites. From one Come all the sorrows of the world. But from The other comes the peace of God Himself."

If I’m not peaceful, I must be choosing separation and exhibiting judgment. I’ve found this to be a good gauge in all areas of life. By noticing whether I feel agitated, perhaps nervous or angry, or if I’m calm and joyful, gives me the clues to recognizing if my thought is being ruled by emotions and beliefs or if I’m allowing a higher thought to be channeled through me. During the five years I spent attending a metaphysical gathering in our town, I had plenty of practice in recognizing these differences. You know how we often refer to people “pushing our buttons”, meaning that we get angry about most everything they say! During these meetings, there were numerous people I felt caused these reactions in me. Through years of examining my thoughts and reactions, I’m beginning to understand the source of peace, and it’s the same place I find its opposite: within.  Changing my thought from judgment to Love becomes a reward in and of itself, as I find the pure peace which has aways seemed so fleeting. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Teach them that their being is sustained by Spirit, not by matter, and that they find health, peace, and harmony in God, divine Love.” Science & Health Page 416:32-2

What Am I?

photo credit: Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #351

"My sinless brother is my guide to peace. My sinful brother is my guide to pain. And which I choose to see I will behold."

A popular introspective question is: Who are you? This query elicits responses such as: I'm a mother, a lawyer, or something having to do with what a person does. But these answers, which have to do with our day-to-day actions, do not begin to address what we are. Today's lesson starts a 10-day examination of the question, What am I? To answer this we are looking to our inner Self, freed from the beliefs we hold about what we should be, or want to be, or what others think we are, leaving us bare of physical trappings which distract from the unchanging answer to this question. Recognizing our selves as consciously living divinity frees us to perform our function as the expression of Love. We don't have to wait to be anything, for we already are!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The death of a false material sense and of sin, not the death of organic matter, is what reveals man and Life, harmonious, real, and eternal.” Science & Health Page 296:10-13

Shadows

photo credit: Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #350

"Miracles mirror God's eternal Love. To offer them is to remember Him, And through His memory to save the world."

When a person lives far away from you and you have not communicated with them for quite some time, it’s easy to convince yourself that hard feelings from the past are dead and gone and you can rest easy knowing that you have forgiven them. But when they call you up unexpectedly and you hear their voice again, memories tend to flood back in and suddenly you remember exactly why it is you’re happy not to have spoken to them for 20 years! And so I am happy to read today’s topic and embrace the memory of divine Love rather than my ego-ridden memories of words and actions I thought had been released. I’ve reached the point in pondering the event where I’m smiling when I think of this dear old woman, and hopefully, very soon, I’ll be seeing her as I’ll be seeing myself: as an expression of Love, a thought of Mind, a whisper of Spirit.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The miracle introduces no disorder, but unfolds the primal order, establishing the Science of God’s unchangeable law. Spiritual evolution alone is worthy of the exercise of divine power.” Science & Health Page 135:6-10

The Miracle of Love

"Protennoia"
creation of Sandy Wythawai Starbird

ACIM Workbook Lesson #349

"Today I let Christ's vision look upon all things for me and judge them not, but give each one a miracle of love instead."

Every day we’re exposed to situations and people which seem to beg for our judgment! I’ve been surprised recently to learn that some religions teach that this is a good thing for us to be doing, that they are telling their flocks to go forth and correct “bad” behavior. Even if I’ve never thought it was my place to save anyone, I certainly have judged others in a multitude of ways, both silently and vocally. It’s an easy habit to fall into, particularly when we’re trying to feel better about ourselves and, hence, think about how much better off we are than “they” are. But realizing that I’m okay makes it easier to admit that you’re okay, too! Setting my intention first thing in the morning in accordance with Love helps me to live in grace throughout the day, and every moment IS a miracle.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“A miracle fulfills God’s law, but does not violate that law. This fact at present seems more mysterious than the miracle itself.” Science & Health Page 132:31-1

Grace Suffices

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #348

"I have no cause for anger or for fear,

For You surround me. And in every need

That I perceive, Your grace suffices me."

I see a world bathed in peace and contentment. There are no conflicts because everything good and pure is done for the good of everyone, and nothing contrary can be done because we do not have such thoughts in the face of beauty and Love. There is no world of separation because we are all One and happily recognize this Truth. I have always felt as though there is a tipping point in mass consciousness, a point in which everyone sees their perfection and recognizes there is no difference in their own self and the self of that person over there. I feel like we're getting close!

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. This goal is never reached while we hate our neighbor." 

Science & Health Page 560: 11-13

Straighten My Mind

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #347

"Anger must come from judgment. Judgment is the weapon I would use against myself, to keep the miracle away from me."

I was contemplating anger recently, while attempting to wrap a thin copper wire full of LED lights on my Christmas stick (as I call a beautiful branch which I use as a table-top tree during the holidays). At one point, I felt like I was caught in a cat’s cradle, a string game which I always found frustrating as a child. In today’s workbook lesson, we are told to ask for our mind to be straightened. Rather than succumb to the irritation I was feeling toward myself for not completing my task in a Martha-Stewart-like fashion, I stopped and examined why this was bothering me. Well, it was because I didn’t want to be doing it! I was using my judgment as a weapon against myself by looking at a list of things I decided needed to be done and then rushing through to accomplish that end. This is definitely NOT in compliance with living in the moment, a way of life which I particularly enjoy, knowing that every detail will be attended to in a timely fashion when I surrender my plans to divine Mind. And so I did! And I’m happy and peaceful now. What a relief!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Material man is made up of involuntary and voluntary error, of a negative right and a positive wrong, the latter calling itself right. Man's spiritual individuality is never wrong."

Science & Health Page 491:7-10

Extending Peace

photo credit: Kailey Jones

ACIM Workbook Lesson #346

"Today the peace of God envelops me, And I forget all things except His Love."

I am so grateful for this topic today, telling me that the peace of God is all there is and reminding me of the all-encompassing power of Love. A few days ago I self-righteously engaged in the correction of a cousin who lives far away. He posted something to social media which I deemed to be inaccurate and I felt obligated to tell him why this was. He asked why I was being oppositional and I told him it was because his comments were incorrect and inflammatory. It seems I momentarily forgot that I cannot change anyone’s thinking but my own, and I regret doing so. Today I shall climb down off of my high horse and remember kindness is more important than my perception of right and wrong. Through forgiveness, I extend peace!

Mary Baker Eddy quote: "Love, redolent with unselfishness, bathes all in beauty and light. "

Science & Health Page 516:12-13

Miracles Everywhere

photo credit: Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #345

"I offer only miracles today,

For I would have them be returned to me."

"Do you think we live in a police state?" These were the opening words of a phone call. Yes, of course, was my response. These are the types of conversations I  generally walk away from, but since he had just had this realization and was upset, I stayed with him on the subject. While I did express more strong opinions than I generally am willing to admit I have, the conversation was, for the most part, a cry for him to return to Love. I see our current mortal, mental state as a reflection of the fear we harbor; a fear which is fed by most everything in daily life. I talked to him of tipping points, and mass consciousness, and our true consciousness as an expression of God. We could  go on and on about the material conditions, causes, and solutions, but to get to the heart of it all takes spiritual sense, which cannot be gleaned from intellectual exercises. And that's where I see the miracle: the revelation which reveals the omnipresence of divine Mind in every situation, no matter how dire physical sense tells us it is.

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 560:11-15

Universal Love

ACIM Workbook Lesson #344

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

A friend brought me an interesting question, which I’d never heard before. He said one of his friends had asked him to pray for them, that they had an incurable disease and they wanted his prayers. He explained to the person that he was an atheist and he couldn’t do that. They begged him to do so anyway. He called me wanting to know what to do, mainly wondering what to say to them in order to not hurt their feelings by refusing. I assured him it wasn’t necessary to believe in a big guy in the sky which would grant favor if he asked; that it was perfectly acceptable to tell his friend he would send good thoughts to the universe, or something along those lines. Anything which expresses love is a gift, and one which may be given in a multitude of ways. Honestly expressing love to those in need is a gift which circulates freely to them, back to us, and out to everywhere!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Truth has no consciousness of error. Love has no sense of hatred. Life has no partnership with death. Truth, Life, and Love are a law of annihilation to everything unlike themselves, because they declare nothing except God.” Science & Health Page 243:25-29

Love Without Expectations

ACIM Workbook Lesson #343

"I am not asked to make a sacrifice

To find the mercy and the peace of God."

What if all I need do to find peace is to stop thinking habitual, limiting thoughts? Let's say someone wants to change a personal relationship which we've had for some time. An example is when my son was 14 and he told me he didn't belong here, in this town, going to this school. My first thoughts were ones of blame -- toward myself and him. Why would he want to leave? What have I done to cause him to feel this way? Looking back, I see that his going away to school was the best thing that could have happened for both of us, but at the time it felt devastating. Living with the certainty that all is well, yielding to the intuitions given by divine Love, allows relationships to ebb and flow with nourishing experiences.  What a joy it is to give up personal agendas and preconceived notions of how things should be,  welcoming Love without the expectations we so often have of others! I feel no sense of sacrifice in this trade-off!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“…divine Principle never repents, but maintains the claim of Truth by quenching error. The pardon of divine mercy is the destruction of error.” Science & Health Page 329:24-26 

Knowing the Truth

"Self and self"
created by Sandy Wythawai Starbird

ACIM Workbook Lesson #342

"I let forgiveness rest upon all things,

For thus forgiveness will be given me."

I am amazed that it is so difficult to accept myself for what I truly am! In Christian Science, this acceptance is often called "knowing the Truth”; in A Course in Miracles, it is known as forgiveness. Of course, there are many other ways to define this, but it's all semantics. What it boils down to is not just talking about this Principle, but really, truly knowing it! We are not material, we are spiritual. Spiritual perception is reality; material illusion is just that. I can talk about this until the cows come home, but it doesn't make it true in this reality I’ve created unless I quit talking and begin knowing! Our learned behavior is strong, but not as strong as Truth. Ego, mortal mind, wants us to stay with what seems real. I've convinced myself it is real and it seems impossible to release this fallacy, but I shall hold to the Truth of spiritual reality until the false falls away. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

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

Science & Health Page 207:27-4

No Defense in Love

photo credit: Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #341

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

From today's introduction to the next workbook lessons: "A miracle is a correction. It does not create, nor really change at all. It merely looks on devastation, and reminds the mind that what it sees is false." Today starts a ten-day study of "What is a Miracle?" The need to defend and attack cannot come from the reflection of God. Divine Love does not need to defend itself or fear anything, as it knows nothing of such things. The world we live in was made to hide the innocence which is our Being. Viewed through the miracle of forgiveness, we see a world different than one viewed through the eyes of revenge and retribution. I may see a dream of darkness, but Truth is light. You may be interested in reading more. If so, here is a link: http://acim.org/Lessons/lesson.html?lesson=341

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

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

Science & Health Page 494:15

Relaxing Into Silence

photo credit: richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #340

"I can be free of suffering today."

Perhaps you know someone who feels they are following their path, who works hard to make a living in this way, yet seems to fail at every turn? I have a friend who is fearfully wondering why this is, and so I ask her: Are you desiring success or are you finding ways to understand your Being as the expression of God? Are you joyful in everything you do? Are you grateful for every little thing which brightens your day? It seems to me that people are dropping their negative reactions and unfounded beliefs, but often are floundering because they have nothing to fill the void left from this letting go. I feel that some sort of active spiritual practice is necessary to facilitate a joyful existence. So my advice is to go to Sufi dances, or practice yoga, or study the teachings of something you feel demonstrates Truth. But most importantly, meditate. Make time to relax into the silence, regularly and as often as possible. And don't forget that five seconds of stillness, caught in between activity is priceless!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Who that has felt the loss of human peace has not gained stronger desires for spiritual joy? The aspiration after heavenly good comes even before we discover what belongs to wisdom and Love. The loss of earthly hopes and pleasures brightens the ascending path of many a heart. The pains of sense quickly inform us that the pleasures of sense are mortal and that joy is spiritual." Science & Health Page 265:25-30

A Crysalis State of Thought

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #339

"I will receive whatever I request."

Years ago, I had an acquaintance who was in a horrendous automobile accident. The first thing he said to me when I spoke with him afterwards was, I always knew I’d be in a bad wreck. There are people who would say this statement was a premonition of the future; others would say he caused the situation because he thought about it with intense energy. Other thought systems may blame a person for their illnesses and the trauma in their lives, perhaps saying they have chosen these paths for themselves to make up for a past life or to learn something they need to know. This is why I love our teachings so much: It just doesn’t matter! We are learning what our true self is, without the beliefs and fears and supposititious realities we believe to be truth. And that is all that matters! We are learning to know ourselves as the experience of Mind, the reflection of Love, the interpretation of Truth. What a peaceful path to walk! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote: "Faith is higher and more spiritual than belief. It is a chrysalis state of human thought, in which spiritual evidence, contradicting the testimony of material sense, begins to appear, and Truth, the ever-present, is becoming understood." Science & Health Page 297:20-24

Exalted Thought

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #338

"I am affected only by my thoughts."

It is estimated that we have more than 50,000 thoughts every day. As I heard Wayne Dyer tell us in one of his outstanding talks, the problem with this is that the thousands of thoughts we have today are the same ones we had yesterday! Waking up from the circular thinking in which we are trapped requires an honesty we’re not accustomed to practicing. I know habitual thought is not an easy habit to break, but the desire to do so is the first step. Just like changing any behavior, you have to want to change or you never will. How can we begin to think differently? We can’t simply stop thinking, but we can exchange the trivial musings for substantial ideas. As Eleanor Roosevelt once said: “Great minds discuss ideas; average minds discuss events; small minds discuss people.” As I go through this day, I’ll often ask myself: What would Eleanor think? Namastè, each and every One! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“My angels are exalted thoughts, appearing at the door of some sepulchre, in which human belief has buried its fondest earthly hopes. With white fingers they point upward to a new and glorified trust, to higher ideals of life and its joys.” Science & Health Page 299:1-11

United in Mind

"Thailand"
photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #336

"Forgiveness lets me know that minds are joined."

[Today’s lesson is so beautifully perfect that I am simply going to post it here!]

“Forgiveness is the means appointed for perception's ending. Knowledge is restored after perception first is changed, and then gives way entirely to what remains forever past its highest reach. For sights and sounds, at best, can serve but to recall the memory that lies beyond them all. Forgiveness sweeps away distortions, and opens the hidden altar to the truth. Its lilies shine into the mind, and call it to return and look within, to find what it has vainly sought without. For here, and only here, is peace of mind restored, for this the dwelling place of God Himself.

In quiet may forgiveness wipe away my dreams of separation and of sin. Then let me, Father, look within, and find Your promise of my sinlessness is kept; Your Word remains unchanged within my mind, Your Love is still abiding in my heart.” [ACIM workbook lesson #336]

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The nearer a false belief approaches truth without passing the boundary where, having been destroyed by divine Love, it ceases to be even an illusion, the riper it becomes for destruction. The more material the belief, the more obvious its error, until divine Spirit, supreme in its domain, dominates all matter, and man is found in the likeness of Spirit, his original being."

Science & Health Page 97:14-20

Choose Forgiveness - December 1, 2015

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #335

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

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

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Let Truth uncover and destroy error in God’s own way, and let human justice pattern the divine.”

 Science & Health Page 542:17-21

The Gift of Forgiveness

Image Created by
Judith Ann Griffith

ACIM Workbook  Lesson #334

"Today I claim the gifts forgiveness gives."

An event which remains unforgiven within myself is brought to mind every time I see a turtle crossing the road. When I was quite young, I was sent to get the mail from the box which was located across the highway from our house. As I was going to the mailbox, I met a turtle coming toward me as he crossed the road. I thought I'd get the mail and then pick him up and take him across on my way back. Before I completed my task and turned back, a car came by and hit the turtle. The regret in not picking it up immediately, the guilt for "failing" to safely carry it across the road, these feelings recur every time I see a turtle. In recounting this event, I realize there is no need to examine our lives and be sorry and beg forgiveness. To accept the gift of forgiveness, we need only clear our minds of blame and accept Love with an open heart!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“…the spiritual recompense of the persecuted is assured in the elevation of existence above mortal discord and in the gift of divine Love.”

Science & Health Page 97:1-3

A Return in Thought to Love

"Mexico"
photo by Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook  Lesson #333

“Forgiveness ends the dream of conflict here.”

My youngest son and I have fallen into the habit of fixing a nice meal and watching Master Chef Junior. Recently when we sat down to do this, the Hulu website seemed to be malfunctioning to the point of causing me to call customer service. In the past, I have dreaded phone calls to techies, which can be fraught with conflict, whether from my ignorance or their arrogance. I vowed to return to Love in my thought before picking up the phone and contacting them. I was quickly connected with someone, who passed me on to someone else, who sent me to his supervisor, who told me I needed to talk to the first person I spoke with. The good side of this was that it happened quickly, with much laughter and good will on all our parts, and the illusion of a problem being fixed within a few minutes. I am grateful for the tools which allow me to be absolutely certain that all is well, without expectation of what comes next!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

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

Science & Health Page 288:3-7