Being Here Now

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #171 Central Theme: "God is but love and therefore so am I. " Review of:  #151 "All things are echoes of the Voice for God." #152 "The power of decision is my own."

“Wild” is the title of a book and a movie I thought were great.  It's the story of a confused and sad young woman who hikes the 1000-mile Pacific Crest Trail. She’s not sure why she's doing it, but knowing she can't go on with the destructive way she's been living. In the past, there have been many times I've wished I could change parts of my life, but I don't feel that way anymore. A line from this movie exemplifies why that is: "What if all the things I did are the things that got me here?" There's no place I'd rather be; there are no other children I'd rather have; I love my friends; I love my pets! If I had the chance to go back and take out parts of my life -- parts which I wouldn't want put up on a movie screen -- I wouldn’t do it.  I am learning the differences (and the sameness) in and between loving and being Love. I’m learning how being the experience of divine Mind is as individual as I Am. What an adventure!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Individuals are consistent who, watching and praying, can 'run, and not be weary; . . . walk, and not faint,' who gain good rapidly and hold their position, or attain slowly and yield not to discouragement.”

Science & Health Page 254:1-5

Merciful, Just, and Pure

"Moab"

ACIM Workbook Lesson #170 “There is no cruelty in God and none in me.”

The belief in separation fosters fear. Fear and cruelty go hand in hand. We think we’re defending ourselves, our loved ones, values which are of importance to us, our way of life. To this defensive end, we are willing to attack others in both our words and actions, not listening to the voice of sanity which divine Mind is forever supplying. This sentence from today’s workbook lesson explains many actions: “It is their enemies who are unreasonable and insane, while they are always merciful and just.” As I witness attack thoughts around me today, I will remember that those propounding such ideas believe they are justified in their defenses, and I will see them as a child of Love, praying they realize it, too.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“And we solemnly promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus; to do unto others as we would have them do unto us; and to be merciful, just, and pure.” Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures, Page 497:24-28

Amazing Grace

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #169

“By grace I live. By grace I am released.”

“Grace is acceptance of the Love of God within a world of seeming hate and fear.” [ACIM] In having an anything-goes conversation with a group of friends, it became apparent that we have different ways of talking to people with whom we disagree. In recent months, I have made an extreme effort to listen to others rather than immediately responding with admonitions and corrections of what I deem to be erroneous thought. I’ve written in the past that a favorite statement in such situations is, You may be right about that. This is something I don’t say anymore. Usually in the face of “alternative facts” I will say something like, If that’s true, we need to do something about it. And then I’ll suggest we research the topic and begin a dialogue about it. This has opened up a whole world of communication I would not normally be willing to have. “By grace I live. By grace I am released.” [ACIM] These conversations feel like amazing grace to me!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The miracle of grace is no miracle to Love.” 

Science & Health Page 494:15

Claiming Grace

photo credit: Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #168

 in Miracles“Your grace is given me. I claim it now.”

I remember a young woman who came in my gallery one evening and told me that she loved art, but that she didn't have any talent because she had been sexually abused as a child. I smiled at her and she said, No, really, every day for years and years! I told her I wasn't smiling about what she had said or what had been done, but I was smiling at the part of her which had never been touched by any of this. I told her everyone has tons of talent and for her to continue trying things until she found something she really loved -- and then keep on doing it! Her eyes lit up as she listed things she loved and wanted to do. By practicing kindness when faced with hardness of heart, meekness when those around us are aggressive, loving those who seem unlovable, and paying it forward at every opportunity, we acknowledge the grace which is our true heritage. By this, we learn what it feels like, not just what it means.

Mary Baker Eddy quote: “What we most need is the prayer of fervent desire for growth in grace, expressed in patience, meekness, love, and good deeds." Science & Health Page 4:3-5

One Life

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #167 “There is one life, and that I share with God.”

This topic reminds me of being in the market check-out line when the kid sacking groceries was trying on the checker's glasses. He says he doesn't know how anyone can see through them, and she tells him they're reading glasses and he'll find out some day.  He says, "I hope God comes before that happens." The checkout lady says, "That's horrible! No, that's wonderful. No ..." At this point, I also was somewhat speechless! She had interpreted his comment to mean he hoped he died before he lost his 20/20 vision. But upon reflection, he could have meant other things -- perhaps "the rapture"?? The whole conversation reflected our muddled, confused thought. He was assuming that getting older requires a loss of sight, she was assuming he wanted to die before he was old, he was believing God was somewhere separate from him — well,  erroneous assumptions are rife.  Rather than wonder what their conversation meant, I looked at my Life, realizing that to relish every moment is enough.  Using the word Life as a synonym for deity helps me see that there is no separation and I can relax into the ever-constant wonder of Love!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Nature voices natural, spiritual law and divine Love, but human belief misinterprets nature. Arctic regions, sunny tropics, giant hills, winged winds, mighty billows, verdant vales, festive flowers, and glorious heavens, — all point to Mind, the spiritual intelligence they reflect. The floral apostles are hieroglyphs of Deity. Suns and planets teach grand lessons. The stars make night beautiful, and the leaflet turns naturally towards the light.” Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures Pages 240:1-9

The Gift of Joy

photo credit: Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #166 “I am entrusted with the gifts of God.”

Laughter is contagious, don’t you think? Most of us have “gotten the giggles” and been unable to stop laughing. There are numerous videos on the internet where people are sharing laughter in the most joyous of ways. I particularly like one which shows people’s reactions when someone tells them they are beautiful. The sheepish grins which emerge and the eyes lighting up are sure to bring a smile to my face and an expansion of my heart no matter how many times I see it. Joy, laughter, happiness — these are given freely to us as a part of our divine heritage. Today I will make the most of every opportunity I have to give the gift of joy to others. I shall give this freely, with no reservations or restrictions!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Happiness is spiritual, born of truth and love. It is unselfish; therefore it cannot exist alone, but requires all mankind to share it." Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures Page 57:18-21

I Know Nothing

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #165 “Let not my mind deny the Thought of God.”

When I was a school-aged child, I never wanted to admit I didn't know things. Most of the education I received seemed more like a reminder, rather than learning new information. So when I didn't understand something because it actually seemed foreign, I wouldn't admit it. Only in the past few years have I been comfortable with the acknowledgement, “I know nothing”. Now it’s a wonderful relief and freedom to say those words -- both silently in prayerful humility and out loud as an odd sort of open confessional. I'm so grateful for this cleansing of false pride and egoism. I was full of self-importance. Now I welcome into my mind every thought that divine Mind has to offer me. I love this type of education!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Mind, joyous in strength, dwells in the realm of Mind. Mind's infinite ideas run and disport themselves. In humility they climb the heights of holiness.” Page 514:6-9

Science and Religion

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #164 “Now are we one with Him Who is our Source."

We hear much talk nowadays about the melding of science and religion. In their traditional meanings, this would be impossible. Religion has taken on too many facets to be purely the knowledge of God. On many levels, it has become more political than spiritual. Science, on the other hand, means knowledge, but since its definition includes rational explanations and predictable results, it has long been left out of spirituality. While typical religion may never qualify under this definition, the knowledge of God certainly does. When Mary Baker Eddy discovered the science of the Christ in the 1860s, she first called it moral science. In her 600 pages of explanation, this science is shown to meet all the criteria to be called such. In this time of rapidly shifting perceptions, many people are grasping what this means and embracing the beauty and perfection of it. Mary would be pleased!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“When the final physical and moral effects of Christian Science are fully apprehended, the conflict between truth and error, understanding and belief, Science and material sense…will cease, and spiritual harmony reign.” Science and Health Page 288:10–14

Leaving It Behind

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #163  "There is no death. The Son of God is free."

Some people may think of these ideas as platitudes designed to placate some of us with Pollyanna thoughts and wishful thinking. Personally, I see these teachings as much more. Actually, I see them as everything. A well-known author and seer wrote a book declaring there is a spiritual solution to every problem. He was much decried by many serious metaphysical students because he seemed to be admitting there are problems and then trying to solve them. I saw it as using the title to get people to read the book, and then showing them a purer way to think about all of this. Everything we see or read is interpreted by our brain based on past experience. This is what I so badly want to leave behind. This is the freedom I seek. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“This spiritualization of thought lets in the light, and brings the divine Mind, Life not death, into your consciousness.” Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures Page 407:26-29

Fairy Tales and Reality

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #162 “I am as God created me."

We all have a purpose. Some of us are sure of it, others feel they’re searching, and some don’t seem to know or care. One thing I know for sure, if we try to be something other than true to ourselves, things turn ugly. I have witnessed that within myself recently. I have espoused something which is not me, and I’m not sure what caused this lapse. But I will know, because I’m asking for this knowledge. In the meantime, I shall remember this from A Course in Miracles textbook: “…Fairy tales can be pleasant or fearful, but no one calls them true. Children may believe them, and so, for a while, the tales are true for them. Yet when reality dawns, the fantasies are gone. Reality has not gone in the meanwhile.” (ACIM: T170)

Mary Baker Eddy quote: “The substance, Life, intelligence, Truth, and Love, which constitute Deity, are reflected by His creation; and when we subordinate the false testimony of the corporeal senses to the facts of Science, we shall see this true likeness and reflection everywhere.” Science & Health Page 515:4-8

True Brotherhood

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #161 “Give me your blessing, holy Son of God.”

We are asked today to see our perfection through seeing it in another. I am choosing someone I don’t particularly enjoy being around, and undoing the separation which has caused me to think of him as an enemy. I no longer want to replay past events and conversations. I don’t want to remember things which caused me to think I’m somehow better than him. I want to allow hard feelings to dissipate and fill up the void which is left with Love. This Love is the source of his being as much as it is mine and yours. I am the Love I want him to be. He is the Love I strive to understand and live. We are One whether I think so or not, so now is the time to allow myself to be blessed by his perfection. Namastè!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote: "It should be thoroughly understood that all men have one Mind, one God and Father, one Life, Truth, and Love. Mankind will become perfect in proportion as this fact becomes apparent, war will cease and the true brotherhood of man will be established." Science & Health Page 467:16-20

Fear or Love

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #160

“I am at home. Fear is the stranger here.”

“Fear is a stranger to the ways of love. Identify with fear, and you will be a stranger to yourself.” I’m sure most of you know someone who identifies with fear, turning every situation into a nervous drama. A minor incident from today’s wanderings comes to thought. I was in the media center of our library and a woman I’ve known for years was all atwitter about her first computer lesson. As she got up from the keyboard, she had a barrage of questions for the librarian, most of them fearful what-ifs. As I was choosing videos to check out, she came up to me and continued fretting about the computer, telling me she was afraid she would break it. I assured her that unless she took a baseball bat to it or threw water on it, she wasn’t likely to do it harm. I immediately noticed the contrast between this woman and a young woman whom I’d met earlier while doing laundry. She had moved to a strange town with two young children, knowing deep inside she was in the right spot. She was at home and she wore that loving knowledge for all to see. What a beautiful sight!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Let neither fear nor doubt overshadow your clear sense and calm trust, that the recognition of life harmonious — as Life eternally is — can destroy any painful sense of, or belief in, that which Life is not.” Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures  495:16-20 

Wonderment

"Wonderment"
created by Sandy Wythawai Starbird

ACIM Workbook Lesson #159

“I give the miracles I have received.”

A quote attributed to Albert Einstein says something like this: We can live as though nothing is a miracle or as if everything is a miracle. I, personally, have always leaned toward the side of wonderment, looking at life with rose-colored glasses and being tickled pink at the ever-changing miracle of life, as witnessed by trees and flowers and flowing water and all of nature. Today I’m enjoying the miracle of driving a car! Following a lower-leg amputation over two years ago, I didn’t drive for more than six months. The situation reminded me of when you lose electricity in your home for a period of time, then when it’s restored you’re so mindfully grateful! When I’m driving, I can actually feel my foot, although intellectually I know it’s the prosthetic one. People tell me this is “phantom pain”.  I think of it as a gift of Life. I'll nurture the feeling, and other inexplicable ones which are showing me Truth in all its forms and functions. I will continue to recognize the miracle so I can give it away!

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 560:11-16

A Clearer Transparency

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #158 “Today I learn to give as I receive.”

From today’s ACIM workbook lesson: “Thus do you learn to give as you receive…This lesson is not difficult to learn, if you remember in your brother you but see yourself. If he be lost in sin, so must you be; if you see light in him, your sins have been forgiven by yourself. Each brother whom you meet today provides another chance to let Christ's vision shine on you, and offer you the peace of God.” For more than two decades, I have practiced seeing light in my neighbor, Whit. Regular readers of this blog know of his shenanigans — and we have an update today. His quest for convincing the vulture population to move elsewhere has reached a new fervor which surprises even me. He has taken pipes from an organ and made a large gong, which he beats with his grandmother’s rolling pin, in an effort to drive off a valley-full of birds. I had an honest dialogue with him today, sparing no words in trying to help him examine things and be at peace. It could be said I’m being self-centered and grasping at my own peace. But I will remember that “if [I] see light in him, [my] sins have been forgiven by [myself].” My goal for today is to be a clearer transparency for this light to pass through. Namastè. 

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

Science & Health Page 538:11-13

One Moment of Divine Consciousness

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #157 “Into His Presence would I enter now.”

"Practicing the Presence" was the first book I read by Joel Goldsmith. In it, he reminds us that we already are and always will be "in his Presence", as this Course in Miracles lesson is reminding us today. The space "I enter now" is a shift in my perception, a change of my thought. This shift allows me to realize that I always was and always will be the experience and expression of God. I Am that I Am. If good news were reported in the media, they would be proclaiming universal yielding to Truth, because we're seeing it everywhere! That's what it's all about, huh? We are being "renewed by the transforming of our mind". We're transforming our mind into Mind and entering into the kingdom of heaven which is within. How wonderful to know we have that choice!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“One moment of divine consciousness, or the spiritual understanding of Life and Love, is a foretaste of eternity.” Science & Health Page 598:23-25

Leaving, With Joy

"Mongolia" PC: Aaron Springston

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #156

“I walk with God in perfect holiness.”

Walking with Love in perfect holiness implies a yielding, don't you think? This is something I wasn’t interested in doing, because it involved leaving behind definitions of myself, and that seemed like a loss. What finally got through to me was the realization I was not giving up myself, but releasing a mishmash of everything I had ever been told was me, combined with an erratic belief system I had decided for myself. When we add to those beliefs the hypnotism of media and the pull of mass consciousness, we're left with a rather convoluted idea of what we are. Little by little, I'm leaving beliefs and learned behaviors. Being present in the moment, giving my full attention to whatever may be in front of me, loving myself and everyone and everything in Its oneness -- this is what I see as walking with God. Accepting myself and everything as holy demands living without judgment. Simply witnessing events, perhaps with amusement, is certainly more fun!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“We must look where we would walk, and we must act as possessing all power from [It] in [which] we have our being.” Science & Health Page 264:10-12

Turn On The Lights!

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #155 “I will step back and let Him lead the way.”

We would all love to save the world, wouldn’t we? Yet we understand we can’t change someone else; that can only be done within the individual. But then again, I’ve found many people are simply regurgitating things they have heard all their lives, and when they find something which turns on a light (or rings a bell, if you will!) deep inside them, they suddenly want to know more about these ideas which have piqued their interest. It may seem as though we are not doing anything when we interact with a person, deeply listening for what they are saying. Often, we listen to another for the purpose of responding to their words. Listening allows true communication, not just our interpretation of what is being said. What’s the point of doing this? When we open ourselves to the leading of divine Mind, we may speak in surprising ways, lighting a fire in someone who didn’t realize they were ready for new knowledge. This makes me want to shout Hallelujah!

Mary Baker Eddy quote: “When we realize that there is one Mind, the divine law of loving our neighbor as ourselves is unfolded; whereas a belief in many ruling minds hinders man’s normal drift towards the one Mind, one God, and leads human thought into opposite channels where selfishness reigns.” Science & Health Page 205:22-27

Unprejudiced Minds

photo credit: Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #154 “I am among the ministers of God.”

In pondering what it means to be a minister of God, many thoughts come to mind. First I think of my half-brother, Little George Havens, traveling evangelist, who was quite short and very flamboyant. I can still hear him singing, to the tune of Battle Hymn of the Republic, "The circuit ridin' preacher traveled through the mire and mud; preached about the fiery furnace and of Noah and the flood". What a character he was! His life was spent spreading the Word of God as he knew it, and he helped countless people find hope along the way. But did he ever listen for the voice for God, or did he just recite what he had come to believe as truth? That, I can't say. We can only know our own heart, not others’, and so today I will examine my motives in my interactions. Am I truly listening for that still, small voice when I respond to life's situations? That's a question I'll ask more than once today!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Millions of unprejudiced minds--simple seekers for Truth, weary wanderers, athirst in the desert--are waiting and watching for rest and drink. Give them a cup of cold water in Christ's name, and never fear the consequences.” Science & Health Page 570:14-17

Light, Given and Received

photo credit: Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #153

“In my defenselessness my safety lies.”

This is my favorite topic of all! The reason I love this lesson so much is because I feel it pertains to absolutely everything we say, do, and feel in our daily existence. Obviously this topic could inspire the writing of a very large book, but now I shall give you a sentence from this lesson along with a short example of what they mean to me. “Defenselessness is strength; defensiveness is weakness.” How did you feel and what did you do the last time someone disagreed with you, perhaps vehemently? If you began a verbal defense, listing all the reasons you were right, you may have been left feeling many negative emotions such as anger. On the contrary, any time I’m able to witness events and calmly watch and listen, perhaps saying something simple such as, “You may be right”, then I am able to walk away happily and peacefully. We are told in this workbook lesson that we will not see the light until we offer it to others and they take it; then we will recognize it as our own. How lovely is that! I look forward to the opportunities for seeing peace today.

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

Free of Prejudice

South Africa - Aaron Springston PC

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #152

“The power of decision is my own.”

My parents considered themselves to be free of prejudice. After all, my dad had married a Chicano girl from South Texas, and in 1931 this was tantamount to marrying outside of "your race", which wasn't often done. I'll always remember a day when I was around 10 years old and we were riding in the car. My mom and dad were talking about Sammy Davis, Jr., a black man, marrying May Britt, a very white woman. I piped up and said, "I wouldn't mind marrying a black man". Dead silence ensued. Not another word was said until we got to our destination and my mom took me aside and told me never to say anything like that again. I didn't understand it then, and I don't understand it now. The difference is that now I have the option of making a decision to stand with Oneness as my only choice in Life. We are all the children of God. There is no decision to be made when you leave aside the strange human interpretations we have placed on everything in this world. So I will continue to strive to recognize what we have created in this illusive world, look through it to the other side, and live that as my reality. Namaste' to the World!

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 195:11-14