Oh Happy Day!

photo credit: Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #51 Today we begin a ten-day review of the first lessons. For a guide to this review, and a short description, go to this link: http://A Course in Miracles.org/Lessons/lesson.html?lesson=51 

The first 50 lessons in A Course in Miracles workbook show us how to determine the difference in reality and illusion. We have learned that what we see with material sense is colored with belief and judgment. We have been experimenting with dropping the meanings placed on things, thereby allowing spiritual facts to become evident.  Everything I see is colored with judgment, both my own and that of others. This judgment has given me whatever meaning I've placed on anything. As these meanings make no sense  -- because they have been interpreted through erroneous thoughts and beliefs -- they cannot be understood. When we learn to look through these illusions, we free ourselves to see Truth. If we accept that our thoughts mean nothing, we allow ourself to release the self-importance we've attached to things. When we are able to release these thoughts, we can replace them with the ideas of Mind. We also have been asked to see that when we become upset, it is never for the reason we think. In order to justify these incomprehensible beliefs which we have set up, we make up a complex defense system of attacks and retreats, which only serve to leave us in a state of disharmony. I don't want this crazy fantasy to be my life! I want to follow the leadings of Love, to hear through Spirit, to see with Soul, to live Life!

Mary Baker Eddy quotes

“The universe of Spirit reflects the creative power of the divine Principle, or Life, which reproduces the multitudinous forms of Mind and governs the multiplication of the compound idea man.” 

Science & Health Page 507:15-18

True Love

photo credit: Heather Peters

ACIM Workbook Lesson #50: “I am sustained by the Love of God.”

The images our ego projects and calls love are but a shadow of the Love which is our focus today. Most of us have believed the false image of love which this life has taught us. The songs we sing, the movies we watch, the things we expect from love, these do not begin to tell us what it means to be sustained by Love. To quote today’s lesson: “Put not your faith in illusions. They will fail you. Put all your faith in the Love of God within you; eternal, changeless and forever unfailing. This is the answer to whatever confronts you today. Through the Love of God within you, you can resolve all seeming difficulties without effort and in sure confidence. Tell yourself this often today. It is a declaration of release from the belief in idols. It is your acknowledgment of the truth about yourself.” ACIM

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“A misplaced word changes the sense and misstates the Science of the Scriptures, as, for instance, to name Love as merely an attribute of God; but we can by special and proper capitalization speak of the love of Love, meaning by that what the beloved disciple meant in one of his epistles, when he said, ‘God is love.’” Science & Health Page 319:27-1

Deep Listening

photo credit: Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #49:

"God's Voice speaks to me all through this day."

I know a few people who spend every waking hour watching television, listening to radio, cruising the internet — in other words, constantly filling up their thoughts with the cacophony of outside influences. They seem a bit fearful of meditation, yoga, sitting quietly doing nothing, or even talking with friends. I also know someone who is often expounds his strong opinions, berating others and loudly telling anyone who will listen what is wrong with the world. How can I hear divine Mind’s guidance if I’m feeding a whirlwind in my head? I wonder what would happen if every single person in this world took a few minutes before beginning their day, using those moments to quietly affirm their essence as a reflection of Love, vowing to return to that place of peace as often as possible throughout the day, living from the heart in every action taken and word spoken. As we know, we can’t change anyone else, only ourselves. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Infinite Mind creates and governs all, from the mental molecule to infinity. This divine Principle of all expresses Science and art throughout creation, and the immortality of man and the universe." Science & Health Page 507:24-28

Piano Lessons With Chili Dog

Chili-Dog 

ACIM Workbook Lesson #48: "There is nothing to fear."

I’ve spoken often of things I have learned from my dog. Today I’ve had yet another revelation, courtesy of Chili Dog. For the past couple of months, he has had physical problems which kept him from easily jumping into the car. Even though the impairment is gone now, he was still wary of stairs or the hop into the car. While visiting one of our favorite walking spots today, I was thinking about his fear and how to guide him past it, when it came to me that I had been doing the same thing. Although I began playing the organ and electronic piano at local churches more than a year ago, I have steadfastly held to the belief that I couldn’t play a conventional piano. I had all sorts of reasons for this, convincing myself they were true. As the lightbulb went on over my head today, I opened all the car doors and sat in the driver’s seat, quietly feeling gratitude, and Chili built up the courage to vault into the car. I drove straight to the beautiful upright Baldwin piano I have insisted I can’t play and fearlessly did so. Woo-hoo!!

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

Channeling Truth

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #47:

"God is the strength in which I trust."

Mary Baker Eddy spent years writing, revising, and editing the revelation of divine Science which was published in 1875. Helen Schucman received the message of A Course in Miracles and committed years of her life to its transcription, which was presented in book form in 1976. From where did the strength come, which enabled these women to facilitate a world-wide change in thought? I know that Mrs. Eddy ascribed full credit to God. She understood that no matter how erudite and learned she had become, (despite no formal education), that there was no way mortal mind could know the divine realities of which she wrote. At least once she stated that she had no idea what Science & Health said, and that's why she read it daily. Some would describe both of these books as being "channeled" writings. I think there's much to be said for the notion that everything is channeled! We are learning to release the bonds of materialism, allowing ourselves to be channels for Truth. Thank you Mary, and Helen, and every other honest seeker for Truth who has demonstrated the fortitude to birth new thought. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote: "The revelation of Truth in the understanding came to me gradually and apparently through divine power. When a new spiritual idea is borne to earth, the prophetic Scripture of Isaiah is renewedly fulfilled: 'Unto us a child is born, . . . and his name shall be called Wonderful.'" Science & Health Page 109:22-27

Forgiveness Through Love

Drawing by Lynn Horist

ACIM Workbook Lesson #46:

“God is the Love in which I forgive.”

[I wrote this last year and was most surprised to find that I have done what I wanted to do last year!] We are asked to close our eyes and search our mind for things which we have not forgiven. It doesn’t matter if it’s a small unforgiven experience or a great big unforgivable event — we are asked to examine ourselves and identify these instances. We are preparing to forgive ourselves! Divine Love is the love which we are giving and getting in this forgiveness, not the human love which puts parameters on its flow. What we extend, we are. When I see the people I am withholding forgiveness from, I don’t want to think of their actions which I feel justify my feelings. I still blame someone from 50-plus years ago, a sweet woman who gave my pet turtle a bath and it died. I don’t want to think of that incident every time I see her or hear her name! I want to release my mind from these illusions, extending Love because I am Love!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

 "'God is Love.' More than this we cannot ask, higher we cannot look, farther we cannot go." Science & Health Page 6:17-18

Limitless Idea of Infinite Mind

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #45: “God is the Mind with which I think.”

On this beautiful day when the world celebrates love, I would like to quote words from an Eckhart Tolle talk: “To feel empathy with another human, to feel love or lovingkindness, isn’t an emotion. Emotion is the neediness of attachment to another human being, but the outflow of lovingkindness or love towards another human is not a turbulence; it’s a deep thing that comes out of the recognition that the consciousness that I am is the essence of who you are, also. So what I love in you is consciousness loving itself.” Today I will make a point of thinking of people who are expressing divine Love in various activities, living a life of grace, and let them know how important they are to me and others. Happy Valentine’s Day to us all!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote: “Love alone can impart the limitless idea of infinite Mind.” Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures Page 510:18-19

Seeing Through Divine Love

photo credit: Alden Stallings

ACIM Workbook Lesson #44

"God is the Light in which I see."

We have all witnessed people who are deeply unconscious, being totally led by ego and the baser instincts. When I said yesterday that God sees no difference in Mother Teresa and Adolph Hitler, I did not mean to say that heinous acts perpetrated by unconscious individuals should be ignored or accepted as inevitable. When we view others without judgment, this does not mean that their inhumane acts should be overlooked.  Defining injustice is not in and of itself judgmental. Seeing in the light of divine Love, which becomes our sight when we clear the channel for it, we are led in ways which strong opinion and bias would hide from view. We can be a transparency for this Love to shine through and illumine the darkness, simply by giving up things we never wanted in the first place.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The manifestation of God through mortals is as light passing through the windowpane. The light and the glass never mingle, but as matter, the glass is less opaque than the walls. The mortal mind through which Truth appears most vividly is that one which has lost much materiality — much error — in order to become a better transparency for Truth. Then, like a cloud melting into thin vapor, it no longer hides the sun.” Science & Health Page 295:16-24

Pure Sight

photo credit: Kailey Jones

ACIM Workbook Lesson #43: "God is my Source. I cannot see apart from Him."

From today's Course in Miracles lesson: "You cannot see apart from God because you cannot be apart from God." We are told time and again, and in many different ways, that it is impossible to be separated from divine Love, it is impossible to be separate from each other as we are all a reflection of divine Mind. On a regular basis, my ego tells me this couldn’t possibly be true. My so-called mortal mind informs me that my thought is higher than that person over there, and it’s tempting to feel a bit superior. I often tell people that God sees no difference in Mother Teresa and Adolph Hitler. This is easy to say, but a bit more difficult to truly understand. But that’s where our burgeoning understanding of Oneness is leading us: there is no difference in me and that guy over there! Today I will exercise my sight — my true sight — wherein I cannot see apart from my Source. Would I rather my sight be pure or convoluted? It seems like a no-brainer!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Man is more than a material form with a mind inside, which must escape from its environments in order to be immortal. Man reflects infinity, and this reflection is the true idea of God."

Science & Health Page 258:9-12

Re-Identification and Reinterpretation

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #42: “God is my strength. Vision is His gift.”

"Gut feelings" are often discounted as being invalid for any number of reasons. Some say they're nothing more than paranoid thoughts, others may think of them as wishful thinking, a few of us see them as reflections of divine Mind. I'm reminded today that we must reinterpret everything we see. Discord and inharmony can be changed in thought by re-identification and reinterpretation.  As an example, when we see train tracks coming together in the distance, we immediately reinterpret that into the truth of the situation. We know that those tracks aren't coming together and that it will not be dangerous to travel on the train which carries us toward that end. The metaphysical studies we've embarked upon are doing the same thing: teaching us to recognize misidentification and translate it into Truth. Love extending Itself is correct interpretation. Translating erroneous thought is our job!

Mary Baker Eddy quotes: “Rise in the strength of Spirit to resist all that is unlike good. God has made man capable of this, and nothing can vitiate the ability and power divinely bestowed on man.”  Science & Health Page 393:12-15

The Impossibility of Separation

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #41 

“God goes with me wherever I go.”

For years, I suffered all the symptoms of separation from God: depression, anxiety, worry, a sense of helplessness and loneliness. I also went through the typical material means to quiet these feelings, but none of them worked for long. Knowing ourselves as consciousness, melded like a drop of water with the ocean, or a ray of sunshine with its source -- that's the feeling we're hoping to remember. I say remember because it's something we've always known, but perhaps have forgotten. Peace, joy, happiness: these are ours in the kingdom of heaven within, no matter what the outward circumstances may appear to be. Take a deep breath and feel the Oneness!

Mary Baker Eddy quotes:

“Existence, separate from divinity, [divine] Science explains as impossible.” 

Science & Health Page 522:10-11

A Purer Vision

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #40:

“I am blessed as a Son of God."

A good friend called recently and told me she felt as though she had been punched in the face by God. Of course, I asked what she meant by this — as many different interpretations crossed my thought, mainly that she had awakened from the illusion! It turns out she had a toothache. So I immediately told her not to put that [expletive deleted] on God! We talked of definitions for God, specifically that we are the image and likeness of divine Love, and there is no way that this gentle Presence would ever punch us in the face. This particular friend is so receptive to Truth that she almost immediately felt better and has spoken with me often about the many instances wherein this new understanding has changed her outlook. What a joy it is to see someone open the door and not be afraid of the light!

Mary Baker Eddy quote: "Man is, and always has been, God's reflection." Science & Health Page 471:17-18

Beyond the Illusion

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #39: "My holiness is my salvation."

“No one needs practice to gain what is already his.” (ACIM) We tend to forget that holiness is and always has been ours, simply for the acknowledgement of it. By experiencing our holiness, we extend it to everyone and everything. With the understanding that divine Mind is the state we can choose as our experience, we reach beyond our beliefs and see salvation. This state of Mind is the answer to anything we may ask. I am grateful for Life, Truth, and Love. I am grateful for everything leading to this point in time. Thank you greatly —- 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The periods of spiritual ascension are the days and seasons of Mind’s creation, in which beauty, sublimity, purity, and holiness — yea, the divine nature — appear in man and the universe never to disappear.”

Science & Health Page 509:24-28

Lulled by Illusions

photo credit: Heather Peters

ACIM Workbook Lesson #38: "There is nothing my holiness cannot do"

I love the first two sentences of today's ACIM lesson: "Your holiness reverses all the laws of the world. It is beyond every restriction of time, space, distance, and limits of any kind." Haven't you always felt this to be true? Isn't that the appeal of Harry Potter books and movies? We know -- we just know! -- that there is more to all this than meets the mortal eye. I get very excited when pondering these concepts! I'm so grateful to live in an age when we can write and talk about such topics. It hasn't been that long ago when people were thought subversive and perhaps crazy to speak of these concepts. I will spend today celebrating no limits to thought and dedicating myself to expansion!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Lulled by stupefying illusions, the world is asleep in the cradle of infancy, dreaming away the hours. Material sense does not unfold the facts of existence; but spiritual sense lifts human consciousness into eternal Truth." 

Science & Health Page 95:28-32

The Unity of Oneness

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #37

"My holiness blesses the world."

Today’s lesson asks us to accept that we are whole, because we are all reflections of Love, creations of divine Mind, One in Principle. Our purpose is to see this ever-present Truth in everything. When I am interacting with someone who is living in fear, someone who turns every situation into a threat, I will turn it around in my thought by seeing the situation through holiness. This allows me to release any desire to change someone's attitude. I can thereby suspend words of correction, allowing attack thoughts to dissipate.  I will live with Love and express holiness in words and actions as I move through this day, knowing that is my only purpose.

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?" "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 248:15-17 and 26-29

Holiness Now

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #36

"My holiness envelops everything I see."

In the 1970s, I spent a good deal of time in a bar called The Swingin' Door. I fell in love with Texas music and more than one musician. It was an interesting time in popular music history, with the Beatles still stirring our souls and disco bringing a canned cadence to music most of the people in my circles shunned. We were all sure we knew the secret to happiness, and holiness had absolutely nothing to do with it. As years passed in a blur, we found the alcohol and drugs no longer brought satisfaction. It took years for me to realize that holiness was found within and reflected outwardly in everything. What a long and interesting road it's been to this point. The gratitude I feel for Life is overwhelming!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Being is holiness, harmony, immortality. It is already proved that a knowledge of this, even in small degree, will uplift the physical and moral standard of mortals, will increase longevity, will purify and elevate character."

Science & Health Page 492:7-11

Unity of Principle

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook lesson #35

"My mind is part of God’s. I am very holy."

A good friend has struggled with depression all her life. She feels her existence has been a series of horrible events, occasionally interrupted by happy times which inevitably end in pain. In an attempt to escape this existence, she has turned to alcohol, drugs, and God. But the judgmental God she sees makes deals with her, and never deems her worthy of favor. Repetition of the past seems to be in her thought constantly, affecting her every action. By accepting today's lesson, which tells us that we are actually holy as a reflection of God, feelings of hopelessness and sadness can disappear in an instant. Through the release of  personal history, we are free to learn the reality of our spiritual Self, which is unending, uninterrupted good. It's a beautiful thing to see someone realize divine Mind as a palpable presence! To misquote a well-known Bible verse: Let this Mind be you, which was also Christ Jesus. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“With one Father, even God, the whole family of man would be brethren; and with one Mind and that God, or good, the brotherhood of man would consist of Love and Truth, and have unity of Principle and spiritual power which constitute divine Science.” Science & Health Page 469:30-5

Adamant Peace

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #34:

"I could see peace instead of this."

Peace is inherent in every seemingly volatile situation. Tell this to someone who has been involved in a violent attack and they will scoff at you — at the very least. It’s my understanding that one in every three calls to the police in our area involves domestic abuse. I can only assume this is a woman calling concerning a man's actions, although that isn't always the scenario. I know I can’t change anyone other than within my own thought. By this peaceful resolution within myself, I may be guided to take particular actions in my world, or I may be led to quietly know the Truth about us all and, by that knowing, facilitate peace. I wish I could quiet everyone's mind so they wouldn't need to lash out at others. Hum -- maybe I can, right here within me! Do I really understand Oneness? I certainly do want to.  

  

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

Seeing in a New Light

Painting by Carol Dickie

ACiM  Workbook Lesson #33: "There is another way of looking at the world."

  

Everywhere we look, huge changes are occurring. Let us not be afraid to look at traditional values in a new light! New ways of looking at old words, such as The Lord's Prayer, give us new insights and understanding. In the late 1800s, Mary Baker Eddy gave us a spiritual interpretation of this well-known prayer. Here is a beautiful modern-day interpretation by Peter Russell, which I feel is helpful in facilitating our shifting perception.

Peter Russell's Contemporary Lord's Prayer

Our essential Being, that dwells within,

'I am' is thy name.

May thy true nature be revealed.

May thy knowing inform our daily lives,

As it does our inner Being.

Nourish us today with thy Presence.

Release us from any judgment we have held against ourselves,

As we release others from judgments we've held against them.

Let us not be tempted to seek solace in worldly things.

Liberate us from that which veils the truth.

For it is in our Being that we find your Presence,

The Source of all good, the home of all joy,

Eternally, and without change.

So be it.

http://www.peterrussell.com

Mary Baker Eddy quote: "Our Father-Mother God, all harmonious, Adorable One. They kingdom is come; thou art ever present. Enable us to know, -- as in heaven, so on earth, -- God is omnipotent, supreme. Give us grace for today; feed the famished affections. And Love is reflected in love. God leadeth us not into temptation, but delivereth us from sin, disease, and death. For God is infinite, all power, all Life, Truth, Love, over all, and All." Science & Health, Page 16:27-15

The Camera of Divine Mind

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #32: “I have invented the world I see.”

A few years ago, a woman made two rather large purchases from my gallery, writing me checks on an account which was frozen due to a pending divorce from her husband. Apparently, she had been having a last fling in our town and I was not the only one who received "bad" checks. I sent her numerous loving notes, trying to help her to feel better about herself. I called her on the phone once and that didn't go well, so I went back to sending her a note every few weeks. At one point, she wrote me a letter and signed it, "your friend". About four months after her original purchases, I received money orders for the entire amount she owed. Most people thought there would be no way to collect this debt without resorting to legal means, but every time I thought of her, it was with kindness, seeing her true nature as a child of Love. I refused to think of her the way others described similar situations and the people who were involved. When doubt would creep in, I would replace it with an assurance of good. This is the world I wish to see, and so I do. Having a Pollyanna attitude doesn’t mean you do nothing, rather it’s expecting the best and being led in ways to facilitate that end!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The crude creations of mortal thought must finally give place to the glorious forms which we sometimes behold in the camera of divine Mind, when the mental picture is spiritual and eternal.” Science & Health Page 264:3-7