February 21, 2012 - To see or not to see

ACIM workbook lesson #52:

Today is the second of a ten-day review of the first lessons. For a guide to this review, and a short description of each of the five, go to this link: http://acim.org/Lessons/lesson.html?lesson=52

Glacier National Park
photo by Aaron Springston

[Marsha's thoughts]

We who are practicing metaphysicians often hear words like these: "Get real! Face facts! Pull your head out of the sand!" I usually just smile and say, "You may be right", and politely wander away. Trying to explain my actions to the spiritually-deaf ear would be akin to explaining purple to a blind child. But if I were asked to do that, it would have to be through feeling the color and allowing that sight to pass to the sightless. And so rather than explaining -- or worse, arguing! -- I will feel Love, the spiritual reality, while allowing the material argument to pass through and be gone. I have not always been so easy to get along with! Recently I've had a chance to spend time with an old friend who will be moving far, far away. A number of years ago, she and I had an altercation which was deeply interconnected to lots of areas in our friendship. If either she or I had held onto the past, we wouldn't share the palpable Oneness we feel today. As this lesson tells us, it's not a choice of seeing past or present, but a choice to see or not to see. Where I've chosen to shade my thoughts with unreality, I will choose again and flow in Oneness with God.

 Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Spiritual causation is the one question to be considered, for more than all others spiritual causation relates to human progress. The age seems ready to approach this subject, to ponder somewhat the supremacy of Spirit, and at least to touch the hem of Truth's garment." 

Science & Health Page 270:22-27

February 20, 2012 - Illusion to Reality

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 of each of the five, go to this link: http://acim.org/Lessons/lesson.html?lesson=51

[Marsha's thoughts]

In the first 50 days of the year, we have started to recognize what is reality and what is illusion. We have learned that what we think we see is actually taking the place of true vision. By realizing that nothing means anything, we are giving ourselves permission to drop beliefs and accept spiritual facts. Everything I think I see is colored with judgment, both mine and others. This judgment has given me whatever meaning I've placed on anything. These meanings make no sense and cannot be understood because they have been interpreted through erroneous thought and belief. By seeing through the illusions we've made, we free ourselves to see Truth. When we accept that these thoughts mean nothing, we let go of the self-importance we've attached to everything we think. Then we are able to release them and replace them with the inner knowing that is God. When I become upset, it is never for the reason I think. In order to justify these incomprehensible beliefs, I have made up a complex defense system of attacks and  retreats which only serve to leave me 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:

“Spiritual perception brings out the possibilities of being, destroys reliance on aught but God, and so makes man the image of his Maker in deed and in truth.” 

Science & Health Page 203:13-16

February 19, 2012 - Sustained by Love

ACIM workbook lesson #50:

“I am sustained by the Love of God.”

Heather Sustained
photo by Aaron Springston

[Marsha's thoughts]

When an animal looks at us lovingly, do we ever wonder if we need to comb our hair or if we have spinach in between our teeth? This loving glance is pure in many ways which our human love seems to lack. I look to my dog(s) to show me the way to express and to feel the Love that is God. In order to recognize that "I am sustained by the Love of God", I must give up all previous notions of what love is. I once heard a mother say of her child that she had to love him, but she didn't have to like him. I think we often have this idea about God's Love, too. Yes, we'll tell ourselves, God loves me -- but there's a nagging suspicion that it's only because He has to. But this idea never existed in divine Love. Can we even begin to imagine a Love that just is? I certainly want to. I want to know this Love of God and allow it to sustain me constantly, not just when I don't know what to do and reach out in desperation. Today I'm feeling out of sorts for no particular reason. So I think I'll take a walking meditation, stilling my mind and feeling nothing but the air around me. And pretty soon I know there will be a hint of Love coloring my mood. A taste is all it takes for me to want to throw off the shackles of ennui and swim in a sea of all-sustaining Love.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

In the following Psalm one word shows, though faintly, the light which Christian Science throws on the Scriptures by substituting for the corporeal sense, the incorporeal or spiritual sense of Deity:-- Psalm XXIII

[DIVINE LOVE] is my shepherd; I shall not want. [LOVE] maketh me to lie down in green pastures: [LOVE] leadeth me beside the still waters. [LOVE] restoreth my soul [spiritual sense]: [LOVE] leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for [LOVE] is with me; [LOVE'S] rod and [LOVE'S] staff they comfort me. [LOVE] prepareth a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: [LOVE] anointeth my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house [the consciousness] of [LOVE] for ever.

Science & Health Page 577:31-18

February 18, 2012 - All day

ACIM workbook lesson #49:

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

 "Heather in Fall"
Photo by Aaron Springston

When someone says that God is speaking to them, it is commonly thought that they are schizophrenic or unbalanced in some way. This is because we have come to believe that our material brains are the center for ideas and thoughts, and that anything else is some form of supernatural brouhaha.  With the understanding that divine Mind is the creator of all things spiritual, and that ideas are a product of this Mind, then it is easier to understand that it's natural; that we can and do hear God's voice all the time. The cacophony in our mind often drowns out the voice of the divine Mind. By training ourselves to quiet this constant chatter which we have become accustomed to accepting as a normal aspect of our material existence, we allow peaceful inner knowing to be heard. This Voice of God is always present, everywhere, for anyone to hear. But so often we are afraid to listen. Do you remember the last time you "just knew" something, but didn't follow through with it, pushing your intuition aside in favor of what we call common sense? These instances might be something minor in nature, or they may be something which would have resulted in a major shift in events. To know our spiritual nature as an idea of divine Mind is to know that the intelligence of the universe is ours for the listening. To allow ourselves to hear from spiritual sense is to hear God's Voice all through the day.

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 [Its] creation, and the immortality of man and the universe. Creation is ever appearing, and must ever continue to appear from the nature of its inexhaustible source. Mortal sense inverts this appearing and calls ideas material. Thus misinterpreted, the divine idea seems to fall to the level of a human or material belief, called mortal man. But the seed is in itself, only as the divine Mind is All and reproduces all--as Mind is the multiplier, and Mind's infinite idea, man and the universe, is the product. The only intelligence or substance of a thought, a seed, or a flower is God, the creator of it. Mind is the Soul of all. Mind is Life, Truth, and Love which governs all." 

Science & Health Page 507:24-8

February 17, 2012 - No Fear

ACIM workbook lesson #48:

"There is nothing to fear."

Photo from watermark on it

In thinking about the things that we fear, it seems they all have to do with lack and separation. Fear stems from the idea that we can be separated from the joy and love, peace and security, which we feel in a particular instance. I remember when my son left home for a boarding school at the tender age of fourteen. I was so sad that I felt I'd never laugh again. I literally couldn't imagine happiness, as everything I looked at reminded me he was gone. After a week or so of living in this maudlin state, I realized I was thinking of him as though he were dead. This led me to examine that avenue. What if he was dead? Wouldn't the love we felt still be alive? Of course, I would miss being around him, enjoying his company -- just as I was missing him right now with 300 miles of physical separation. This seeming loss was caused by separation. So I examined  what it is that allows us to be together no matter where we seem to be in this world. And that something is Love. The Love that we both are as the reflection of the one God is a connection which cannot be broken by any set of material circumstance. When I'm really feeling the security of divine Love, I'm reminded of the way a baby is swaddled in a blanket. The closer and tighter the swaddling is, the more secure the baby feels. Divine Love swaddles us in its ever-present protection. While we may seem to face uncertainties and losses, "Nothing real can be threatened. Nothing unreal exists. Herein lies the peace of God." (ACIM text)

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The Apostle John says: 'There is no fear in Love, but perfect Love casteth out fear. . . . He that feareth is not made perfect in Love.' Here is a definite and inspired proclamation of Christian Science." 

Science & Health Page 410:17-21

February 16, 2012 - My strength is not mine

ACIM workbook lesson #47:

"God is the strength in which I trust."

"Child in Mongolia"
photo by Aaron Springston

[Marsha's thoughts]

I am reminded of the strength two women utilized in order to commit these writings to paper, in a form that could be reproduced and kept alive for others to be reminded of Truth. In order to preserve the words for posterity, Mary Baker Eddy spent years writing, revising, editing that which came through her. Helen Schucman was an unwilling vessel for the Word, but she allowed it to fill her and flow onto paper for the benefit of all. Where does this strength come from, which enables people to start such world-wide changes in thought? I know that Mrs. Eddy gave the whole credit for every revelation 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 she was writing. At least once she stated that she had no idea what Science & Health said, and that's why she read it daily. She stated her writing was divinely inspired. While today's vernacular would refer to this as "channeled", I think there's much to be said for the notion that everything is channeled! Loosing the bonds of materialism allows us see in ways we didn't know existed. Then every moment we are a channel for Truth!

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

February 15, 2012 - Blameless, sinless, free

ACIM workbook lesson #46:

“God is the Love in which I forgive.”

Heather at Glacier National Park
photo by Aaron Springston

[Marsha's thoughts]

We are first told in today's workbook lesson that God does not forgive because there is no condemnation. I easily acknowledge the idea that God does not forgive because there is no need -- indeed, no concept of such! -- as forgiveness is letting go of separation, and how can the One know of such an idea? Unfortunately, it seems I can know of this illusion of thought! A number of years ago, two close friends of mine became embroiled in a difference of perceptions which escalated to the point of one of them leaving the community and the spiritual ties we had with each other. A few months ago, one of these friends showed up in my art gallery and it was as though we'd never had the separation we imagined. We had a lovely visit, with promises of keeping in touch. But this has not happened. Upon reflection, I feel that he wanted an apology from me, and I didn't think there was anything to apologize for. Today's lesson prompts me to do some deep searching concerning my actions. I see that now I would find a way to not "take sides". I regret having done so and wonder what may have transpired had I not. But that is past and there is no need to wonder about it. What I do wonder about is what will be said in the letter of apology I will write him today! The inspiration will come while practicing today's lesson of forgiveness and Love. And whatever it brings will be freeing to us both -- and us All!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"'God is Love.' More than this we cannot ask, higher we cannot look, farther we cannot go. To suppose that God forgives or punishes sin according as His mercy is sought or unsought, is to misunderstand Love and to make prayer the safety-valve for wrong-doing."

Science & Health Page 6:17-22