I Dreamed of Utopia

"The Lantern Bearers"
by Maxfield Parrish

ACIM Workbook Lesson #11

“My meaningless thoughts are showing me a meaningless world.”

I vividly remember a sleeping dream from a few years ago. In it, we had no need to speak, as we knew each others' thoughts. We had no fear, as our thoughts were uncluttered and pure. Everywhere I looked there were happy people, busy at tasks which would benefit everyone. There was no need for television or radios, as we knew everything, and it was Good. At one point, I thought I was lost in the woods, but that was impossible because others sensed my confusion and were there immediately to lead me to a safe and beautiful home. While traveling on a road, suddenly the way was filled with huge boulders and ancient fallen trees, but to the left side there was a field filled with beautiful flowers, and a pathway leading to my destination. All needs were met before I knew of them. And there was the most wonderful sense of peace. I will hold to these beautiful feelings today, while seeing the meaningless basis of my ego-driven thoughts and desires. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Sleep and apathy are phases of the dream that life, substance, and intelligence are material. The mortal night dream is sometimes nearer the fact of being than are the thoughts of mortals when awake. The night-dream has less matter as its accompaniment. It throws off some material fetters. It falls short of the skies, but makes its mundane flights quite ethereal.” 

Science & Health Page 249:24-30

Wiping Out Error

photo credit: Gerry Toler

ACIM Workbook Lesson #10 “My thoughts do not mean anything.”

It may seem insulting to yourself, demeaning even, to think all day long that your thoughts do not mean anything. But this exercise is helping us to release the untrue thoughts of separation, freeing us to welcome divine Mind’s all-encompassing Idea. Are there some instances in your life where you felt you said or did the wrong thing, and this situation repeats in your thought all too often? Maybe you think you don’t look good, or aren’t smart enough, or made wrong decisions, or were gullible, naive, or just plain foolish. These thoughts mean nothing, and releasing them leaves us with a clean slate, allowing Truth to rewrite our story. The goal is to be just as Love created us, allowing any other thoughts to return to the nothingness from which they came. What a beautiful, peaceful day we shall have!

Mary Baker Eddy quote: 

“Truth bestows no pardon upon error, but wipes it out in the most effectual manner.”  Science & Health Page 11:17-18

Undoing False Ideas

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #9

“I see nothing as it is now.”

“Are all the topics as random as the first ones have been”? This is the question I was asked by a person who recently began receiving my daily writing. I realized that her question made a good point, which is addressed in the text of the current workbook lesson: "the recognition that you do not understand is a prerequisite for undoing your false ideas." We are accustomed to expecting that everything we learn is for a specific purpose, and when we encounter concepts such as these, they may seem to be random, even meaningless. And that is the point, isn't it? By relieving ourselves of the beliefs we have accumulated, we're opening thought for something different. I've heard it said that what we think of as thinking is merely the rearranging of our prejudices. Hum -- that's something to think about! What an exciting adventure we have awaiting us each day, as we begin to glimpse the difference in what we seem to know through material sense and the reality of Spirit.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“We must silence this lie of material sense with the truth of spiritual sense.” Science & Health Page 318:12-13

Evolution in Thought

photo credit: Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #8

 “My mind is preoccupied with past thoughts.”

In my lifetime, I have seen a huge evolution in thought! A video story set in Australia in the 1950s has reminded me of how far we’ve come. (For you video buffs, it’s called A Place to Call Home.) It’s beautiful to see what beliefs we have given up, replacing them with Love rather than fear. For instance, we had many closed-minded ideas about people of different skin color marrying each other, not to mention the barriers imposed by religious separation and gender. People had to live through electrical shock treatment and its aftermath to “cure” homosexuality or hysteria. Natural acts, such as giving birth, were thought of as a disease which needed to be managed in torturous ways. We’ve come a long way in dispelling erroneous thought and replacing it with what we now see as advanced thinking! What if we’re meant to advance even further? We’ll never know until we are able to divest ourselves of the shackles holding us in place, and listen to the guidance of divine Mind inspiring us to heights never before imagined!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Our false views of matter perish as we grasp the facts of Spirit. The old belief must be cast out or the new idea will be spilled, and the inspiration, which is to change our standpoint, will be lost." Science & Health Page 281:28-1 

Frozen in Thought

photo credit: Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #7

 “I see only the past.”

Most of us have changed quite a bit from the time we were small children, both in looks and the way we think. While pondering today's lesson, I realized that I have done a disservice to any number of people by holding them frozen in time within my thoughts. I know that everything is colored by past experience, and I'm willing to release these feelings in order to catch a glimpse of Life without prejudice. While the two people I've had difficulty seeing with the grace of forgiveness have, undoubtedly, changed in many ways, my thoughts about them have not. I've mentioned these two situations in past writings, and there is no need to reinforce my judgments further by repeating the circumstances, but there is reason for me to examine why I'm so dedicated to blaming them for their actions. Why does it bother me so much? Why am I taking it personally? These are questions I am now willing to turn over to Holy Spirit, yielding to divine Love and its all-encompassing presence.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The history of error or matter, if veritable, would set aside the omnipotence of Spirit; but it is the false history in contradistinction to the true.” 

Science and Health, Page 521:29-2

Individual Interpretations

"Dancing with the Shadow Self"
created by Sandy Starbird

ACIM Workbook Lesson #6

“I am upset because I see something that is not there.”

While we may not be able to apply these ideas to every faction of our daily life, we are beginning to understand how such a thing could be possible. For example, if we wake up in the morning and are upset about something which happened  in our sleeping dream, it only takes a moment to shake off the feeling of fear or anxiety as we affirm the illusory nature of it. In our waking dreams, we often experience upset in many forms because we have accepted the illusion of separation from divine Love and each other. Perhaps we’re feeling sad or depressed; maybe we’re unhappy or have a bit of ennui following us around. Whatever form it takes, it matters not if the upset is small or large, it is all a mistaken interpretation of the reality of our being. Often it is distressing to think we have a choice in these feelings, as we don’t want to think this is our own fault. I will strive to not apportion blame to others or to myself, but rather to release upsetting emotions the way I would a bad dream. I'm willing to admit I don't know why or how these feelings come to me, but I can open my mind to All that Is, moving into a new world created by Love.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Mortal mind is constantly producing on mortal body the results of false opinions; and it will continue to do so, until mortal error is deprived of its imaginary powers by Truth, which sweeps away the gossamer web of mortal illusion.” Science & Health Page 403:16-20

Natural Harmony

photo credit: Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #5

“I am never upset for the reason I think.”

We often think in terms of something upsetting us, and then we usually build up reasons why we are justified in this reaction. Today we are asked to forget about any reason for feeling hurt, or angry, or irritated. This topic reminds me of a movie,  "Where Do We Go Now?”, which is set in a small village in Lebanon. It starts out with a group of women, Christian and Muslim, making their weekly visit to the side-by-side cemeteries where their husbands and sons are buried. This movie is a combination of musical comedy and tragedy. I won't give away the ending as you may want to enjoy this fine film, but I will say that these women find a unique way of stopping their men from fighting over religious beliefs. When I think back on their disagreements (about what I deem to be nothing), I wonder if they are truly upset over what they think they're upset about! It seems that sometimes we're distraught because things are changing, new ideas may be causing us to see everything in a different light, and perhaps we're afraid of the necessary shifts which are staring us in the face. I pray to not fear change, nor to wonder what others think of me for leaving behind anything which binds me to anger in any form. The harmony for which we long is waiting for us!

Mary Baker Eddy quote: "Harmony in man is as beautiful as in music, and discord is unnatural, unreal."

Science & Health Page 304:20-21

Divesting Thought of False Trusts

created by Sandy Starbird

ACIM Workbook Lesson #4

“These thoughts do not mean anything. They are like the things I see in this room [on this street, from this window, in this place].” 

The fun exercises of the early lessons in the Course in Miracles Workbook are baby steps at the beginning of our journey. Through them, we are learning to examine our thoughts and see that they are meaningless, thereby freeing us to release them and let our mind be healed through this new way of viewing the world. We are examining what we think is important and then asking ourselves what exactly that means, and any thought that is not an extension of Love is meaningless. Our identity is defined by our ego thoughts about ourself and the world. Even if these thoughts hurt us, we tend to cherish them, to the point of reliving them over and over. To "let go and let God" requires a willingness to see everything around us simply as it is, with no long-held beliefs being expressed toward anything, having a willingness to listen inwardly for Truth. I look forward to an epiphany of universal understanding, in which we will cease from meaningless thoughts and yield to omnipotent Mind. The ability to see reality as spiritual, not material, is visible to all who choose to awaken to this knowledge. What an exciting thought!

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 

Innate Knowledge Within

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #3

“I do not understand anything I see in this room

[on this street, from this window, in this place].”

The workbook lessons we’re studying are designed to develop spiritual sense. It's difficult, if not impossible, to recognize Spirit if we think we know and understand everything through our material senses. Exacerbating this difficulty is our reluctance to admit that we don’t understand anything — much less everything! We are taught from childhood that it's good to know and understand things, and to be able to figure out what we don't know or understand. Today's lesson, which asks us to admit we don't know anything, might be thought of as a dumbing-down process, but this is not the case.  We're simply learning to look within for an innate knowledge which resides there.  While the knowledge we've amassed can serve us well in this world, let's not allow it to preclude a deeper knowing which is only audible when the material senses are stilled.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"God's ideas reflect the immortal, unerring, and infinite. The mortal, erring, and finite are human beliefs, which apportion to themselves a task impossible for them, that of distinguishing between the false and the true. Understanding is a quality of God ..." 

Science & Health Page 505:26-5

How Do I See

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #2 

“I have given everything I see in this room [on this street, from this window, in this place] all the meaning that it has for me.”

Isn't it wonderful that we have the ability to interpret events in any way we choose? Many people think of a rainy day as bad weather; others see it as the beauty of water returning to the earth to perform its function; some see it simply as a peaceful calm with its grey-dumpling clouds! Christmas is seen by many as a stressful time when they spend too much money and end up doing things they would rather not. Others enjoy the beauty of lights and decorations while relaxing with family and rejoicing in the meaning of Christmas. I give these examples simply to illustrate how we place different meanings on situations and our perceptions of objects. That is why we’re being asked to examine the meaning we have placed on everything, in preparation for releasing these beliefs, allowing our purified minds to glimpse reality and hunger to see more!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The only fact concerning any material concept is, that it is neither scientific nor eternal, but subject to change and dissolution." Science & Health Page 297:16-19

A New Earth

ACIM Workbook Lesson #1

“Nothing I see in this room [on this street, from this window, in this place] means anything.”

A new year brings excitement as we dream of how everything can change and be made new. I listen to and read the writings of Eckhart Tolle regularly, and A New Earth is one I frequently revisit. The idea that we are transcending the thoughts which bind us, evolving to another level of consciousness, is very exciting! The possibility of stepping out of habitual thought and living in the present moment can be frightening to those of us who are accustomed to living for the future. Perhaps with the busy-ness of our thinking we have lost connection with our sense of being, the intelligence which is more than thoughts in our head. It is time to move into another stage of evolution, allowing consciousness to release our addiction to circular thinking. For humanity to go on we must transcend the mind, going beyond the compulsion to think, realizing a deeper level of being. This evolutionary transformation of consciousness is no longer a luxury, but a necessity if we are to survive. Giving up beliefs and interpretations which we have assigned to everything clears the way for the thought-expanding ideas which will lead us to exactly where we need to be, doing what needs to be done. What an exciting time to be alive! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The enslavement of man is not legitimate. It will cease when man enters into his heritage of freedom, his God-given dominion over the material senses."

Science & Health Page 228:11-13

Scattering Joy!

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #365 "This holy instant would I give to You. Be You in charge. For I would follow You,  Certain that Your direction gives me peace."

The last day of the year! When people make decisions on how they will change their lives, it’s always an exciting time, full of hope and expectations. We love to dream of how we will become “better”, and often are disappointed in ourselves when this doesn’t happen the way we have dictated. I think one of the problems with these resolutions is that we want to take away things from ourselves, but have nothing to fill the space left behind. So I’ve decided not to attempt to delete anything from my existence, but to add heaping helpings of Truth instead! I vow to be aware of every morsel of media I put into my mind, knowing we are what we think. Although I strive to stay away from judgmental thoughts and actions, the freed space in my mind will be listening for ways to productively cleanse our environment, fill needs I witness around me, and scatter joy freely! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The image of Spirit cannot be effaced, since it is the idea of Truth and changes not, but becomes more beautifully apparent at error’s demise.” Science & Health Page 542:5-7             

______

Restored to Sanity

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #364

"This holy instant would I give to You. Be You in charge. For I would follow You, Certain that Your direction gives me peace."

"We are restored to sanity, in which we understand that anger is insane, attack is mad, and vengeance merely foolish fantasy." [ACIM] As the end of this year draws near, many of us reflect on events and plan ways to improve ourselves in the year to come. In the past few weeks, I have allowed myself to slip into thoughts of fear and the negativity which it breeds. What a comfort it is to know that we are all here to walk hand in hand to the light! When we stumble on the way, there are others who will lift us up. This Oneness we speak of so often doesn’t exclude anyone. It matters not if we know this fact or not, because the unity of Mind provides a constant stream of divine ideas, just waiting for us to imbibe. I am extremely grateful to know that we’re all together on this path, sometimes faltering, sometimes running, but ever moving toward understanding! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“We are all sculptors, working at various forms, moulding and chiseling thought. What is the model before mortal mind? Is it imperfection, joy, sorrow, sin, suffering? Have you accepted the mortal model? Are you reproducing it? Then you are haunted in your work by vicious sculptors and hideous forms...To remedy this, we must first turn our gaze in the right direction, and then walk that way. We must form perfect models in thought and look at them continually, or we shall never carve them out in grand and noble lives.” Science & Health Page 248:12

Only Good Can Come of This

photo credit: Dale Johnson

ACIM Workbook Lesson #363 "This holy instant would I give to You. Be You in charge. For I would follow You, Certain that Your direction gives me peace."

Only good can come of this. A friend told me this years ago and I find great comfort in affirming the veracity of this statement. At a meeting of Course in Miracles students, a wise man said that the whole world has quite an opportunity at this point in time. Rarely does a person appear who can be such an expansive teacher, showing us exactly what the ego of mortal man is, mirroring this error of thought so precisely for everyone. Within my own microcosm I can remember many times when I had to hit the depths of despair in order to rise and fly free, leaving behind shackles I hadn’t fully realized existed. And only good came of it. Namasté, to us all!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Whatever enslaves man is opposed to the divine government. Truth makes man free.” Science & Health Page 225:2-4

Love is Reflected in Love

painting by Betty Johnson

ACIM Workbook Lesson #362

"This holy instant would I give to You. Be You in charge. For I would follow You, Certain that Your direction gives me peace."

I often mention in these writings that it seems as though animals are showing us how to live true to our Self. Not only do they mirror back to us any emotions we may be secretly harboring, they show us how to communicate more effectively through telepathy and actions, rather than words. Although my dog exhibits numerous behaviors I find baffling, I continue to see positive behavior changes in him as I become more honest and calm in my own actions. In watching "The Dog Whisperer", I have gained many insights into the reasons our dogs often seem neurotic and out of control. It always comes back our thought. Calm, assertive behavior is the mantra of Cesar Milan. Assertive doesn't mean aggressive. It involves a certainty which is only attained through listening to an inner knowledge, which is only heard in quiet, calm moments. These moments express the eternal holy instant in which our natural state shines through with the certainty of peace. And Love is reflected in love.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Let us rid ourselves of the belief that man is separated from God, and obey only the divine Principle, Life and Love. Here is the great point of departure for all true spiritual growth."Science & Health Page 91:5-8

Safe in Love's Leading

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #361 "This holy instant would I give to You. Be You in charge. For I would follow You, Certain that Your direction gives me peace."

I have been reminded today of ways we perhaps ask amiss for what it is we want. We, as humans, have a tendency to focus on what we don’t want, rather than what we do want — don’t you think? I remember a teacher once telling me to reinforce behaviors in our children rather than trying to turn them away from things we do not want them doing. For example, if you say, “Don’t play in the street”, all they hear is “play in the street”. I see similar behavior in ways we affirm our safety in different situations. Rather than knowing that we are all a product of divine Mind and by listening we are led in paths of safety and harmony, we tend to want to defend against the dangers we see around us. With this in mind, my goal is to listen — to listen quietly, inwardly, for that still, small voice which tells me when to slow down the car, when to delay leaving the house, what to do in any and every situation. I am one with and inseparable from divine Love, I need only remember this glorious fact!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"It is only by acknowledging the supremacy of Spirit, which annuls the claims of matter, that mortals can lay off mortality and find the indissoluble spiritual link which establishes man forever in the divine likeness, inseparable from his creator."

Science & Health Page 491:12-16

Peace is My Purpose

photo credit: Alden Stallings

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #360

"Peace be to me, the holy Son of God. Peace to my brother, who is one with me.

Let all the world be blessed with peace through us."

Let it go. Just breathe. We hear these instructions when learning how to break the hold of distress and open ourselves to peace. It took me years to realize that someone or something wasn't "making" me upset, it was my perception and interpretation and reaction to things which caused these feelings. Even with this realization, it's sometimes difficult to not get caught up in the craziness of the world. When I find myself becoming agitated about anything, I will remind myself to "let all the world be blessed with peace through us." After all, I can't change anything but my own self, and how wonderful that it’s the most important thing to do!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Let us learn of the real and eternal, and prepare for the reign of Spirit, the kingdom of heaven,—the reign and rule of universal harmony, which cannot be lost nor remain forever unseen."

Science & Health Page 208:20-24

Peace Like a River - Happy Christmas

photo credit: Stephen Shogren

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #359 "God's answer is some form of peace. All pain is healed; all misery replaced with joy. All prison doors are opened. And all sin is understood as merely a mistake."

Peace like a river. As I read the above words. this is what keeps coming to mind. Peace like a river. On this beautiful Christmas morning, I allow all imprisoning beliefs to leave my mind, while welcoming Love through the Science of the Christ. The Christ that we celebrate today flows through each and every thing there is. It leads us to healing in all thought and deed. It keeps us happy, safe, wholly directed by eternal Truth to green pastures and quiet repose. Peace like a river, flowing before and around us, pulling and pushing wherever we need to be. I won't fight the flow. I'll float and rest in the Christ consciousness which we celebrate today. This Spirit which permeates everything is recognized by me for what it is: God's answer.

Mary Baker Eddy quote: I celebrate Christmas with my soul, my spiritual sense, and so commemorate the entrance into human understanding of the Christ conceived of Spirit, of God and not of a woman—as the birth of Truth, the dawn of divine Love breaking upon the gloom of matter and evil with the glory of infinite being.

I love to observe Christmas in quietude, humility, benevolence, charity, letting good will towards man, eloquent silence, prayer, and praise express my conception of Truth’s appearing." Miscellany Page 262

Walking in the Light

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #358 "No call to God can be unheard nor left unanswered. And of this I can be sure; His answer is the one I really want." 

Today's lesson helps us understand that there is no need for audible prayer, constant pleadings, repetitious affirmations, or anything else which falls under the heading of talking to God. Everything is already known to this divine Principle, and we can't tell It anything — but we can listen! Through this listening we remember who we are and thereby become aware of our purpose. There is nothing other than the Love which is God, and when we yield to this fact, wonderful things happen! This yielding consists of refraining from worry and wondering about "what-ifs". In order to keep erroneous thought from taking over, we can hold to spiritual Truth — such as, God is Love, or I am the expression of Love. That is enough!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Truth and Love enlighten the understanding, in whose “light shall we see light;” and this illumination is reflected spiritually by all who walk in the light and turn away from a false material sense.” Science & Health Page 510:9-12 

Truth Confers Harmony

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #357

"Truth answers every call we make to God,

Responding first with miracles, and then

Returning unto us to be itself."

Most people I know are enjoying the beauty of the holidays, many even peacefully! But I've spoken with a few people today who are disenchanted with the commercialism and materiality associated with these times, and they're all too happy to tell others just how upset we should be, too! Although I don't want to be upset and, actually, refuse to be, I do want to spread peace and joy to those who can't or won't feel this harmony. I really wish I could spoon feed them and make them be as happy as can be! Unfortunately, there's no magic potion to cause this to happen. But there is a divine Principle which allows Truth to be heard and felt within ourselves, and shared through the miracle of forgiveness. The story of the Christmas miracle is the story of the daily miracle, the Truth, living within each of us, waiting for expression in the reality of Life!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Truth is affirmative, and confers harmony. All metaphysical logic is inspired by this simple rule of Truth, which governs all reality." 

Science & Health Page 418:20-22