Divine Law or Material Rules?

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #113

Review of: #95 "I am one Self, united with my Creator." #96 "Salvation comes from my one Self."

As children, we are taught rules and why it is important to follow them. It seems to me we have gone overboard with rules. For instance, look at our tax laws! When we look to Spirit to guide and govern every action, there is no need for a multitude of laws to tell us what we can and cannot do. Take, for instance, laws which tell us how and who to love. There's a television series called "Big Love" which takes a look into the everyday lives of Mormon polygamists. In the United States, polygamy is illegal. When we hear accounts of cruel men with 20 wives and 100 children, it's tempting to agree with that decree, but when the beauty of deep Love is illustrated in a multiple-marriage situation, it seems not only plausible but admirable. Love cannot be legislated. And this takes us back to those rules we are taught to live by, the laws which we will be punished for breaking. Personal government is not dictated by statutes. No matter how many laws we make, there are still those who perpetrate horrendous acts. But when we are governed by divine Law, which is heard when listening to that "still, small voice" within, we truly can demonstrate the Golden Rule of doing unto others as we would have them do unto us. Living life by this rule results in a peaceful feeling. If uneasiness is bouncing around in my chest, it's time to examine my actions! Today I will be governed by the intuitive feeling which comes from listening through spiritual sense. Ah -- At-One-Ment!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Atonement is the exemplification of man's unity with God, whereby man reflects divine Truth, Life, and Love. Jesus of Nazareth taught and demonstrated man's oneness with the Father, and for this we owe him endless homage.” Science & Health Page 18:1-5

Peace Entertained Unawares

photo credit: Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #112: Review of: #93 "Light and joy and peace abide in me" #94 "I am as God created me."

We are, each and every one, the home of light and joy and peace — whether we remember this Truth or not! It would seem that events conspire to keep us from this peace. We’re rocking’ along being joyful and light, then bam! — something blows up on our car, or a loved one does something we deem wrathful, or our business falls apart, or — well, as we often say, it’s always something! I find comfort during these times by reminding myself that I don’t have to know what’s going to happen, I simply need to remember that the best possible outcome is there waiting for me to discover it. It’s not going to benefit anyone or anything if I innumerate every possible outcome, worrying about the pros and cons until I’m worn out and feeling hopeless. Instead I will rest in the knowledge that creative Mind is the principle which governs everything with the light of Love!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Think of this, dear reader, for it will lift the sackcloth from your eyes, and you will behold the soft-winged dove descending upon you. The very circumstance, which your suffering sense deems wrathful and afflictive, Love can make an angel entertained unawares.”

Science & Health Page 574:25-30

Rudyard Kipling Would Be Pleased!

ACIM Workbook Lesson #111 Review of:  #91 “Miracles are seen in light." #92 "Miracles are seen in light, and light and strength are one.”

What a miraculous time we live in! Innovations in technology are unprecedented, and the fruits of these changes are a constant source of amazement and amusement! Today a dear friend and I went to the movies and were awe struck by the 3D version of "The Jungle Book". In this dimensional technology, it is very easy to forget everything other than what is before your eyes — because it seems to be coming from your brain. We were in the jungle with talking animals and fantastic, exciting happenings! These rapidly-changing improvements from movie makers remind me of the ever-unfolding view of reality which we are realizing. Our burgeoning understanding of quantum physics and divine metaphysics is taking us to a new level of living, just as the movies we see today are on a whole other level than they were a few decades ago. What a wonderful time to be experiencing Life!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“What to material sense seems substance, becomes nothingness, as the sense-dream vanishes and reality appears.” Science & Health Page 312:5-7

True Image

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #110

“I am as God created me.”

During a conversation, I was asked how I could have come through a particular time without some form of psychological therapy. I hadn't considered that as an option, but in retrospect, I see that it was because I accepted reality over illusion. The reality is that I am as God created me. The illusion is all the stories I encountered which could affect how I feel about myself and others. Let's say you have just found out about something which happened in the past. This new knowledge changes many material truths you believed, including your name, age, and heritage. What reaction would you have? Perhaps your initial response would be anger. People would say this is a normal reaction to betrayal. With the realization that you are as Love created you, this situation is seen to have absolutely nothing to do with your true self, allowing the hurtful illusion to dissipate as mist hit by sunlight. Our hurt feelings, our fears, can disappear into their native nothingness, being replaced with the Truth: "I Am as God created me". Anything other than our true creation is changeable, and so today I choose unchanging, eternal Truth!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“In divine Science, man is the true image of God. The divine nature was best expressed in Christ Jesus, who threw upon mortals the truer reflection of God and lifted their lives higher than their poor thought-models would allow.”

Science & Health Page 259:6-9

Resting in Truth

photo credit: Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #109

“I rest in God.”

To rest in divine Mind frees us from all planning and worry. To give away all belief in and living from past experience clears the way to knowing Truth. To know Truth means to know ourselves, and to demonstrate Principle in our every thought and action. Although I find this spiritual practice invigorating, not everyone feels the same. I know people who think they would be giving away their individuality if they let go of their personal history. I find the opposite to be true. When I lose a sense of personal responsibility, when I let go the beliefs I've had about certain circumstances, there is a pure empty space in thought. This space is now open to recognize what has always been there: Love. Divine Love. This is our power: the ability to accept the good that is there for us, the ability to rest in God. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“…when we realize that immortal Mind is ever active, and that spiritual energies can neither wear out nor can so-called material law trespass upon God-given powers and resources, we are able to rest in Truth, refreshed by the assurances of immortality, opposed to mortality."

Science & Health Page 387:8-12

Giving and Receiving

photo credit: Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #108

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

Most of the people I know are givers. They give of their time and money to causes they support; they give love and affection to family and friends; they give of themselves generously, always stepping up when anyone is in need. But many of these wonderful people aren't comfortable receiving compliments, or taking a helping hand when they're having problems, or accepting a gift when they're in need. Why do they give so freely, but are uncomfortable accepting others’ offerings to them? This duality in thought is negated with the understanding of today's lesson, which tells us that giving and receiving are one in truth. "One thought, completely unified, will serve to unify all thoughts." [ACIM] This unification is the spiritual Principle which governs everything, when seen for what it is: Truth. Today I will open my heart to receive all the good which is innately mine, and this reception opens avenues to share in unexpected ways. I will offer to others everything I want for myself: peace, happiness, joy, contentment, satisfaction, grace, love. Freely I have received, freely I give!

Mary Baker Eddy quotes:    

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

--Science & Health Page 79:30-32

Corrected Thought

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #107

“Truth will correct all errors in my mind.”

Every prayer, every meditation, every expression of divine Mind is magnified exponentially. We have the power to change the world through ourselves. Every interaction identifies us with either a world of love or of fear. This healing Love spreads through the web of Oneness. In the same way that we take personal responsibility for ourselves, our health, our well-being, we can take responsibility for a return to Love. Every thought contributes to the whole! We never know what difference a simple interaction could make in someone's life. A single word or a smile may turn them away from reactive fear to healing Love. The Truth which corrects all errors in our mind is our ascension into heaven within. Never doubt that you matter, that you make a difference.  Allow silence and listening to guide you in your role of being the change you want to see! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Immortal ideas, pure, perfect, and enduring, are transmitted by the divine Mind through divine Science, which corrects error with truth and demands spiritual thoughts, divine concepts, to the end that they may produce harmonious results." Science & Health Page 259: 27-31

Be Still and Know

photo credit: Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #106

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

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

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. The purification of sense and self is a proof of progress.”

Science & Health Page 323:32-5

Extending the Limitless to the Unlimited

Photo credit: Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #105

“God’s peace and joy are mine.”

I love these sentences from today's ACIM workbook lesson: "True giving is creation. It extends the limitless to the unlimited, eternity to timelessness, and love unto itself." To live our lives from this perspective allows us to express Love freely, with no fear of it being rejected or misinterpreted. It allows us to gently reach out to people we've just met with heartfelt expressions of empathy and compassion. We bloom in unexpected ways when "extending the limitless to the unlimited". It's ours to give and to receive, in an eternal loop of Love. There's no way to measure how far the ripples of our joy and peace may extend. My cup runneth over!

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

Peace, Joy, Happiness

ACIM Workbook Lesson #104

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

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

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

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

Science & Health Page 226:14-17

Happy as a Butterfly

photo credit: Heather Peters

 ACIM Workbook Lesson #103

“God, being Love, is also happiness.”

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

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Soul has infinite resources with which to bless mankind, and happiness would be more readily attained and would be more secure in our keeping, if sought in Soul. Higher enjoyments alone can satisfy the cravings of immortal man.” Science & Health Page 60:28-1

Happiness is Our Natural State

photo credit: Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson # 102

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

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

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Harmony is produced by its Principle, is controlled by it and abides with it. Divine Principle is the Life of man. Man’s happiness is not, therefore, at the disposal of physical sense.” 

Science & Health Page 304:16-19

Perfect Happiness

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #101

“God’s Will for me is perfect happiness.”

Today's ACIM lesson states: "Today we will continue with the theme of happiness. This is a key idea in understanding what salvation means. You still believe it asks for suffering as penance for your 'sins.' This is not so. Yet you must think it so while you believe that sin is real, and that God's Son can sin." Were you taught that salvation involved some sort of penance for your sins? Most people were, in some form or fashion. I'm really not sure how theology has decided that we're sinners, because when I read the teachings of Jesus, I don't see that as being taught. For this reason (and many others), I'm most grateful for the teachings of Mary Baker Eddy and, also, A Course in Miracles. Both of these disciplines attempt to show us that we are the reflection of God. As Love's expression, we are the embodiment of happiness and joy! Anything unlike this harmony is but our misunderstanding. As we clear away these misapprehensions, we allow what we've always known, deep inside, to begin lighting our path. As we walk more surely, the illumination becomes brighter!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The Science of Mind disposes of all evil. Truth, God, is not the father of error. Sin, sickness, and death are to be classified as effects of error. Christ came to destroy the belief of sin. The God-principle is omnipresent and omnipotent. God is everywhere, and nothing apart from Him is present or has power." 

Science & Health Page 472:4-10

Happiness Arising

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #100

“My part is essential to God’s plan for salvation.”

Today we are urged to be fully present in the joy which is our inheritance as a reflection of God. When I hear the word joy, I tend to think of exuberant happiness, but quiet, peaceful happiness spreads joy, too. We've all had times in our lives when happiness doesn't seem to be present at all. At times like those, it's even more important to understand our part in all of this — and that is to express Love. In every situation, whether solemn or celebratory, our function is the same. Sometimes it seems too simple, doesn't it? All we need do is allow everything to be Love: to reflect it, to live it, to be it! A sentence from today's lesson says: "God's Will for you is perfect happiness." Wow! God wants me to be happy!! And not just wants me to, but tells me how to do this, if I will listen. Once again, quieting the material senses is the key to hearing guidance. There are so many ways to open up to spiritual sense. Let's listen and see what joyous ways we discover today!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Harmony is produced by its Principle, is controlled by it and abides with it. Divine Principle is the Life of man. Man's happiness is not, therefore, at the disposal of physical sense. Truth is not contaminated by error. Harmony in man is as beautiful as in music, and discord is unnatural, unreal.”

Science & Health Page 304:16-21

Holding On To The Dream

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #99

“Salvation is my only function here.”

It can be difficult to understand that salvation and forgiveness are a part of this material dream; that there is, in reality, nothing from which to be saved nor forgiven. The distinction between illusion and reality is essential to this understanding. Even a bit of understanding may not preclude a desire to hold onto unreality. I was shown an illustration of this reluctance while sleeping. I had a long and elaborate dream involving not being able to find nor help a loved one who was in trouble. There was snow so deep it couldn't be passed, along with many other impediments which produced anxiety and distress in my slumber. The dream seemed to go on forever. and I kept trying to climb out of it. But when I woke up, my first thought was of going back to sleep to see how the dream would end! As I was sliding back into sleep, the thought came to me that this wasn't necessary. Why should I care how it ended? Couldn't it end any way I wanted it to?? As I came back to conscious awareness, it occurred to me that this was a perfect analogy, illustrating our desire to hold onto illusions. From this perspective, I will notice my actions and thoughts today, looking at them from all sides to see if they are coming from God or my own personal ideas of how things should be. Remembering that God is All, and that I reflect this divine Love as my governing Principle, I gratefully accept this salvation today and always.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The starting-point of divine Science is that God, Spirit, is All-in-all, and that there is no other might nor Mind,--that God is Love, and therefore He is divine Principle.”

Science & Health Page 275 6-9

Looking Through Beliefs

"Cowboy Hat Chef of Thailand"
photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #98

“I will accept my part in God’s plan for salvation.”

To the uninitiated in this way of thought, the topic for today could be interpreted as asking us to accept some sort of predestination. We who are familiar with this study, know it is not. I once heard Deepak Chopra say that there is no free will as long as we are being held by the beliefs of a lifetime. For this reason, we are asked time and again to look through the meaning we have placed on things and allow ourselves to think with divine Mind, feel from the leadings of Love, and create from the depths of Soul. It seems no one likes to be told what to do. I spoke with a woman today who was upset with her daughter for "bossing her around". When we are yielding to divine Principle, it doesn't seem to matter what dictates are put before us: they either feel right and we follow them, or they don't and we don't! To me, that's accepting God's plan.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

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

Science & Health Page 506:18-21

I Am Spirit

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #97

“I am spirit.”

I've been reading and studying the works of Bicknell Young. This fascinating man was the nephew of Brigham Young, the renowned Mormon leader. I can only imagine his family's surprise when he discovered the teachings of Mary Baker Eddy in the late 1800s, and then went on to gain fame speaking and writing about Christian Science during the next few decades. He's the proverbial person, dead or living, whom I'd choose to sit down with for an evening. These sentences about Spirit are part of what pique my interest to know every thought he ever had! "Consciousness is Spirit. It does not become spiritual nor is it spiritualized. Nor does the evolution of consciousness mean a rising above or a purification from anything; it is the ceaseless unfoldment of infinity." Thank you, Mr. Young!

Mary Baker Eddy quote: “Identity is the reflection of Spirit, the reflection in multifarious forms of the living Principle, Love.” Science & Health Page 277:20-22

Salvation Found in Oneness

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #96

“Salvation comes from my one Self.”

Yesterday we pondered what our one Self is. Today we are contemplating how salvation comes from this knowledge. I know I have been saved much grief by the realization that my mind doesn’t need to be busy all the time. Relaxing of the mind is as important (if not more) than resting the body. For one thing, the practice of quieting the mind is integral to listening. I've found that when thought is jumping about, it's impossible to truly listen to anything. One thought leads to another, and before you know it, you've gone all around the world and have no idea what's happening right in front of you. By the same token, if I expect to understand from the point of spiritual discernment, it's pretty darn hard to do if my own self won't be quiet long enough to concentrate on a simple sentence in a book. This is always a good indicator me: If I can't read and digest what I've read, then I'd best have a "time out" to still my monkey mind from its busy-ness! What a peaceful, harmonious world this will be when we all take time to quiet self-importance and listen for Self-knowledge!

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

I Am One Self

photo credit: Chris Fischer

ACIM Workbook Lesson #95

“I am one Self, united with my Creator.”

You are the presence of God. Does this statement make you uneasy? Perhaps traditional theology has taught you that such an idea is sacrilege. Maybe you simply feel too inferior to accept yourself as Godlike. It's not so difficult to say that you are one with everything. We're happy to feel a connection with all things and often go to retreats and workshops which help us feel this unity. But what does this thing called Oneness really mean? It could be taken wholly on a material basis, and you might say that we're all the same in our physical makeup of minerals and flesh, etc. You might be willing to go a step further and say we're all the same because God made us in Its image and likeness. Does it make you cringe to call God It rather than He? We're accustomed to anthropomorphizing God, making deity like us rather than the other way around. As we learn to accept and embrace our identity as the experience and expression of God, we find we can proudly announce our goodness, our wholeness, even our perfection. This honors God and Its creation in a way that self-conscious deprecation or self-righteous pride cannot. It's a beautiful day to explore what all this means in daily practice!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"God, without the image and likeness of [Itself], would be a nonentity, or Mind unexpressed. [It] would be without a witness or proof of [Its] own nature. Spiritual man is the image or idea of God, an idea which cannot be lost nor separated from its divine Principle."

Science & Health Page 303:25-30

What Am I?

photo credit: Nick Franchi

ACIM Workbook Lesson #94

“I am as God created me.”

Have you ever sat quietly and asked, "What am I?" Other than listening, only one thing is required: Give up any belief of what you think you are. By focusing on what is rather than what isn't, we are learning to understand our connection to God. As I go about my activities today, the seven synonyms for God, as given in Science & Health by Mary Baker Eddy, will be with me along with the ACIM topic which is, "I am as God created me." These synonymous terms for God are Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, Love. If a situation comes up in which I'm tempted to express irritation, I will think: I Am as Love created me. If I don't understand something, I will declare: I Am as Mind created me. This will be a lovely challenge to think of myself in these ways! What a fun day it will be!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Sometime we shall learn how Spirit, the great architect, has created men and women in Science. We ought to weary of the fleeting and false and to cherish nothing which hinders our highest selfhood.”

Science & Health Page 68:4-9