December 18, 2011 - Judgment?

ACIM Lesson #352
"Judgment and love are opposites. From one
Come all the sorrows of the world. But from
The other comes the peace of God Himself."

finding of Kasumi Sakai's graduational thesis
(2003, Department of Psychology, Ritsumeikan University

[Marsha's thoughts]

Did you know that colors appear differently when placed on different background colors? I recently read an article about this which explained that the way we perceive a color is based on our education about color perception and how we've been conditioned to see color. Who knew?? As I struggled to grasp this fact, I realized it's the same with our perceptions of what reality is. Spiritual perceptions allow us to see beyond the seeming reality of our material senses. Interactions with others may be full of judgments and suppositions when we look at the situation with by-rote, learned behavior and the immediacy of emotions. But the Truth that comes from seeing from a different standpoint, from a spiritual perspective, allows an improved interaction with others. This is true because our human experience is the visible expression of our thinking. To see the world and others through the eyes of Love frees us to love as God Loves: purely, without a skewed view of the color and fabric of everything we see. Now I know what the expression "showing your true colors" means!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:
"Thought will finally be understood and seen in all form, substance, and color, but without material accompaniments."
Science & Health Page 310: 6:8

December 17, 2011 -- What I choose

ACIM Lesson #351

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

[Marsha’s thoughts]

Reflections
photography by Gerry Toler

One of our local artists tells me that she went to Crystal Bridges, the fabulous new museum here in Northwest Arkansas. When I asked her how she liked it, she told me many wonderful things about it, but then said that she had gotten depressed at one point. This feeling had come about when she met another local artist who was also there. This other artist said to her that she felt hopeless because she realized that no matter how good she was, she would never be as good as the people they were seeing on the walls there! And these words from the other artist had thrown her into a funk, putting quite a damper on her enjoyment of the day. Yikes!! I'm not going into the erroneous thought I see coming from that statement! But let's look at how this relates to today's lesson. If I see the statement-maker as sinless, whatever she says is also harmless. Her words cannot bring me pain or suffering of any sort. She is the pure Idea of God. Her words can only be translated into my depression if that's what I perceive. When I see her as she really Is, there is no need for pain, depression, or blame. She can't ruin my day. Only my thoughts toward her can do that for me. As this story was related to me, these are the things I thought toward the teller. These thoughts replaced all the incredulous ones which first came to me. I chose peace, even though my first reaction was to jump on my soapbox and tell her why she was wrong!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:
"Final deliverance from error, whereby we rejoice in immortality, boundless freedom, and sinless sense, is not reached through paths of flowers nor by pinning one's faith without works to another's vicarious effort. Whosoever believeth that wrath is righteous or that divinity is appeased by human suffering, does not understand God."
Science & Health Page 22:23-28

December 16, 2011 - Miracle of Love

ACIM Lesson #350
"Miracles mirror God's eternal Love.
To offer them is to remember Him,
And through His memory to save the world."

[Marsha's thoughts]

If you have a choice of being kind or right, be kind. These words have come back to me numerous times today, and I hope I've succeeded in being kind. I really, really wanted to be right!! One of these situations involves an artist represented by Eureka Thyme. This dear man had decided that a number of his pieces were missing from our inventory. He gave me a detailed list with over a thousand dollars worth of his art which he stated was not here. To find out if he was correct would have involved a detailed inventory, checking for each piece and for mis-numbered pieces -- in other words, a few hours of time. So rather than rush through this process when I had other things waiting for my attention, I paid him his percentage and told him I'd get back to him when I "found" them (which he assured me I would not do as they were not there). Now that I've taken the time to do this chore, all the "lost" pieces have been "found". Lots of things went through my head as far as being "right". I really wanted to say them, but what good would that do? That old adage "two wrongs don't make a right" is so very true. No matter what I said to him, it wouldn't give back to me what I thought of as "stolen time". I could get huffy and complain about it (which is, I suppose, what I'm doing here!), or I can change my view of it and look at it as a sweet affirmation that my system of checks and balances does work. So by this writing, I offer myself the miracle of seeing this situation through God's eyes. I offer him the miracle of no blame. I offer the world the miracle of recognizing the divine order which is expressed through everything around us. Namaste ~~~

Mary Baker Eddy quote:
"The miracle of grace is no miracle to Love. Jesus demonstrated the inability of corporeality, as well as the infinite ability of Spirit, thus helping erring human sense to flee from its own convictions and seek safety in divine Science."
Science & Health Page 494:15-19

December 15, 2011 - Miracle of Love

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #349

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

"Colorado Peace"
photo by Aaron Springston

Science fiction, the speculation of how life will be in the future, has always fascinated me. The serene surroundings of those who neither want nor need anything is very appealing! A place where there is no room for anger and warlike behavior because all actions are filled with Love, where the rare disagreement is settled through the decision of a "fair witness". The utopia which ensues in this atmosphere seems so simple. It feels as though these dreams of future perfection are here with us now. They are being realized in a myriad of ways. Do an internet search on something like good deeds, or Age of Aquarius, or peaceful living, if you feel the need for affirmation that this reality is with us here and now. I recently saw a movie in which a 102-year-old woman said these words: "We ain't what we should be, we ain't what we gonna be, but at least we ain't what we were." I agree that we have made extreme shifts in thought during the last few hundred years. I know that in the last 20 years my way of looking at things has done an about face. I see now that nothing can keep the miracle away, no matter how hard we try.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The Science Jesus taught and lived must triumph over all material beliefs about life, substance, and intelligence, and the multitudinous errors growing from such beliefs.”

Science & Health Page 43:23-25

December 14, 2011 - Bob "got It"!!

ACIM Lesson #348

"I have no cause for anger or for fear,

For You surround me. And in every need

That I perceive, Your grace suffices me."

 

Bob, the Cat

[Marsha's thoughts]

As these words have swirled through my head today, I keep coming back to a recent event which demonstrates this truth. Some of you know that our wonderful tabby-point cat, Bob, passed on recently. While I'm not going to tell the Story of Bob in this writing, one part of his time with us stays with me when I think of having no cause for anger or for fear. When our household welcomed a Corgi puppy, Chili, it wasn't an easy time for the cats of the house! After an encounter with Clili, in which Bob's ear was ripped by a herding nip, this cat called Bob moved outside. When Chili would go outside, occasionally he would challenge Bob by growling and rushing at him. Bob would flop over on his back, squirming happily, while purring and smiling at the dog! This was after he had been attacked by this young dog. Bob never exhibited any fear or anger; he never retaliated with his claws; he simply dissipated the anger with Love. Now this never happened in the house, but outside with his paws in the dirt, he seemed to be centered in nature, knowing what to do at all times in order to either avert or evaporate danger. Bob lived the Love which is God. There was only happiness and contentment surrounding him. Bob "got It"!!

 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The Science Jesus taught and lived must triumph over all material beliefs about life, substance, and intelligence, and the multitudinous errors growing from such beliefs.”

Science & Health Page 43:23-25

December 13, 2011 - Gratitude

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #347

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

"Aaron in Colorado"
photo by Heather Magnan

There are many reasons I'm grateful to my children. When they were very young it seemed they could push all the buttons which brought forth anger in me. Through their instruction, I've learned that no one can make me angry. Anger is an internal emotion which has no cause other than within myself. And the ability to rid myself of anger is also within myself. Because of my dear children, the desire to be loving and free of destructive emotions was stronger than my need to have them. This realization freed us all from the negative and hurtful results which would boil up from time to time. There are so many wonderful things which have resulted from the interactions my boys and I experience. I am very grateful for the opportunity to love and live with them. Thank you, Aaron and Dylan, for everything!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

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

Science & Health Page 491:7-10

December 12, 2011 - Love is All

ACIM Lesson #346
"Today the peace of God envelops me,
And I forget all things except His Love."
 [Marsha's thoughts]


"Grotto Spring"
photo from Gerry Toler

It seems we usually have today's lesson backwards! It's so easy to forget that Love is all there is. It's so easy to be caught up in our daily activities which seem to preclude the peace of God. I occasionally find myself slipping away from a morning activity which centers me for the day, which I can return to at moments during the day to bring myself back to the space I want to abide. For me this starting point consists of prayer, study, meditation. I choose a citation from this morning meal to carry with me throughout the day. From this remembrance, much inspiration is with me at all times. And so any time (such as now!) when I've let these morning musings be shortened or pushed aside entirely, I redouble my dedication to making this space for myself. Even if it means getting up at 5 o'clock, I vow to do it!


Mary Baker Eddy quote:
Daily Prayer
"Thy kingdom come. May the reign of divine Truth, Life, and Love be established in me. And rule out of me all sin, and may Thy word enrich the affections of all mankind, and govern them."
From the Church Manual