February 14, 2012 - Mind

Principia students studying daily
 CS Lesson in Mongolia
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM workbook lesson #45:
“God is the Mind with which I think.”

[Marsha's thoughts]
The idea that Mind is God has been one of my favorite topics to explore in Christian Science. Actually, this week's study topic for Christian Scientists all over the world is Mind. This topic is explored through citations from the Bible and correlative readings from Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures, by Mary Baker Eddy. The knowledge that there are countless people studying the same topic and readings is a unifying practice in the Science of The Christ. Also, a consistent unity is shown through the study of A Course in Miracles workbook lessons, bringing us together in thought. We are learning to listen for divine Mind's guidance, to listen for the still, small voice of God, to know and to express that knowledge through our actions and words. The demonstration of this truth which is gained through listening can be observed in many ways. One of my favorites is to simply be still when I've misplaced something. Rather than rushing about looking for it, I will sit down and clear my mind of everything. On the occasions this clearing happens, I'm soon smiling as I walk directly to the 'lost" item. This is what these practices are about: getting out of our own way to "hear" spiritually, metaphysically, with Mind as our intelligence and only guidance.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:
“Every concept which seems to begin with the brain begins falsely. Divine Mind is the only cause or Principle of existence. Cause does not exist in matter, in mortal mind, or in physical forms.” Science & Health Page 262:28-32

February 13, 2012 - Seeing through Light

ACIM workbook lesson #44:

"God is the Light in which I see."

Zion National Park
photo by Aaron Springston

[Marsha's thoughts]

Seeing everything in Light, in God, brings us happiness and peace. Reflecting that Light to others shows them that they, also, are this harmony. When viewed as the image and likeness of God, this light is easily seen as the essence of everyone. A few simple words, expressing what we are seeing, brings joy to those we come into contact with every day. A compliment shared with someone in the grocery store or library may be just the encouragement they need at that moment. Shining the light of Oneness from within brings with it big blessings! I think we all know at least one someone whose expression of Love seems to be a bit contrived. It's been my observation (both in others and within myself!) that these loving expressions must be sincere, not simply something we decide to say to make someone feel good. So today I will be feeling the joy which comes from seeing everything through Light, and giving heart-felt expression to that joy, blessing the world.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Spiritual vision is not subordinate to geometric altitudes. Whatever is governed by God, is never for an instant deprived of the light and might of intelligence and Life."

 Science & Health Page 215:11-14

February 12, 2011 - Source and Sight

ACIM workbook lesson #43:

"God is my Source. I cannot see apart from Him."

Glacier National Park
photo by Aaron Springston

A recurring point of semantic difference between A Course in Miracles writings and the works of Mary Baker Eddy is the use of the word ego. In ACIM, "ego" is synonymous with Mrs. Eddy's "mortal mind". When the word is used in Science & Health, it's used with a capital "E", signifying the Only. For example, "When will the ages understand the Ego, and realize only one God, one Mind or intelligence?" (S&H Page 204:19-21) It seems to me that the realization of this idea, that there is one source, one vision,one Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, one Life, Truth, one Love -- with that single realization lies infinite peace and harmony. And this from today's ACIM lesson, "You cannot see apart from God because you cannot be apart from God." This statement solidifies our position of Oneness and allows us to assert these facts fearlessly as a child of God. Continuously I will ask myself how God sees a situation, person, place. Do I truly think that God sees one person as holier than another? Does God see one bird as more beautiful than another, one tree more special? I think not. So neither will I.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“In viewing the sunrise, one finds that it contradicts the evidence before the senses to believe that the earth is in motion and the sun at rest. As astronomy reverses the human perception of the movement of the solar system, so Christian Science reverses the seeming relation of Soul and body and makes body tributary to Mind. Thus it is with man, who is but the humble servant of the restful Mind, though it seems otherwise to finite sense. But we shall never understand this while we admit that soul is in body or mind in matter, and that man is included in non-intelligence.  Soul, or Spirit, is God, unchangeable and eternal; and man coexists with and reflects Soul, God, for man is God's image.”

Science & Health Page 119: 25-6

February 11, 2011 - Strength and Vision

ACIM workbook lesson #42:

“God is my strength. Vision is His gift.”

Mark in Mongolia
photo by Aaron Springston

[Marsha's thoughts]

How often I've felt it impossible to go on, as I'm sure you have, too. A child's illness, divorces and other endings, losing a business which is more than just a way to make money, parents' passing, lies uncovered, truths found out -- the situations which seem insurmountable, but never are. No, that's not right. If we really have no idea that God is our life, many things are too large to move past. I had a good friend whose daughters both died in tragic ways. Dear Betty just wanted to quit living, and so she did. First of all she stayed incredibly busy, so she wouldn't have time to think. Then she died of multiple cancers. During this time I would have given anything to impart to her today's lesson; to have the ability to show her what God sees. But only she could have done that. What I did was to offer her a cup of cold water in the form of God's Love. I showed it to her, I gave it to her, I let her know it was hers.  So today, dear friend, I think of you while I go about the day's activities, remembering that I have the strength of eternity and the infinite vision which I share with you and everyone in the Oneness of God, demonstrated as strength and vision by Its reflections. This cup I raise to you, Betty Lou!

Mary Baker Eddy quotes:

“Rise in the strength of Spirit [God] 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

February 10, 2012 - Never Alone

ACIM workbook lesson #41 

“God goes with me wherever I go.”

Somewhere near the Great Wall of China
photo by Aaron Springston

[Marsha's thoughts]
The acceptance of today's lesson opens our existence to a world of joy and peace, even if situations seem less than loving. A Bible verse tells us: If I make my bed in hell, Thou art there. In many belief systems, this would be impossible because heaven is God's place and hell is the devil's, both entities battling for our attention. In the teachings we are studying, as in Jesus' words, we learn that the kingdom of heaven is within. In our reality as children of God, there is nothing other than heaven, harmony. Heaven on earth is our natural state. The hell we so often find ourselves experiencing, although unnatural, seems to be a part of this material existence. These are the situations we are learning to see as unreal, and through this we know that we are the reflection of the One good, God. By this understanding, we are always with God, and God with us, because we are One.

Mary Baker Eddy quotes:

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

Science & Health Page 522:10-11

February 9, 2012 - Blessed

ACIM workbook lesson #40:

“I am blessed as a Son of God."

Glacier National Park
photo by Aaron Springston

[Marsha's thoughts]

It may seem difficult to think of ourselves as a blessed child of God. There are as many reasons for this as there are individualized thoughts concerning it. So I choose to not look at it from why I am not this Idea of God, but from why I Am. For me, it's easiest to see myself as Love. This Love is a synonym for God, so when I see myself as this Love, I am seeing myself as I was created spiritually in the likeness of that Oneness. One of my friends finds it difficult to envision Love, so he uses Mind. Of course, we are using human concepts here, even if we put a capital letter on them! We intellectually know what we mean, but sometimes it's hard to feel the meaning. But I trust that through continued meditation, prayer, and quiet contemplation that I will feel more and more this Truth of All that Is. Seeing ourselves in this vast way opens doors to places of peace and joy. Anyone who has visited the depths of depression knows what a relief it is to regain peace, and how ecstatic to feel joy. And while we're remembering this to be true of ourselves, we will know it is true with everyone. Namaste ~~~

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“God fashions all things, after His own likeness. Life is reflected in existence, Truth in truthfulness, God in goodness, which impart their own peace and permanence. Love, redolent with unselfishness, bathes all in beauty and light.” Science & Health Page 516:9-13

February 8, 2012 - Spiritually Whole

ACIM workbook lesson #39:

"My holiness is my salvation."

For you who are occasional readers of the workbook lessons, today would be a good time !

http://acim.org/Lessons/lesson.html?lesson=39

As is stated in this day's lesson, "No one needs practice to gain what is already his." It seems difficult to forget the materialism that is so engrained in our daily lives. In remembering that those illusionary teachings are the only thing hiding our True Selves, we needn't concentrate on forgetting these beliefs, but on remembering our wholeness! An instance came up today where I had a chance to see something differently. One of the Catch-22s of life in our tourist town is that many shopkeepers are not open in the winter. We don't get enough tourists to stay open, is the logic. But perhaps we don't get enough tourists because not enough of us are open. My fill-in shopkeeper tells me that a woman called to ask if we'd be open on a certain day in March. When she was told that we would, she said that we were the first positive response she'd gotten from the few she had called. My by-rote response would have been a complaint against others. But I stopped and thought about how I could respond from my holiness. What I saw was the whole town as vibrant and joyful, whole and free. Seeing everything in its spiritual signification leaves no room for missing pieces or lack of any kind. Where there is no blame, there is no guilt. No guilt equals salvation!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Who would stand before a blackboard, and pray the principle of mathematics to solve the problem? The rule is already established, and it is our task to work out the solution. Shall we ask the divine Principle of all goodness to do His own work? His work is done, and we have only to avail ourselves of God's rule in order to receive His blessing, which enables us to work out our own salvation.”

Science & Health Page 3:4-11