March 17, 2012 - Divine Principle

ACIM Workbook Lesson #76

“I am under no laws but God’s.”

Bath in the Wilds of Mongolia
photo by Aaron Springston

[Marsha's thoughts]

It hasn't been that many years ago when saying out loud the things we're studying about today would have caused quite a stir amongst the powers that be. Those who saw God in nature and celebrated that holiness were burned as witches. Those who realized their power as a reflection of God were thought of as egotists (at the very least!) and perhaps shunned by their friends and family. What a delicious feeling it is to be able to say what we feel and thereby celebrate the Truth of our being!  By putting into practice the laws of God, worlds which were invisible appear to us with increasing frequency. Yes, when we say and do things which could be construed as other-worldly, we may be chastised in some minor ways -- perhaps simply looked at askance by friends -- but that's nothing compared to the tortures inflicted in centuries past. I thank every single person who raised their voice in honor of Truth, fearlessly righting misperceptions in thought which had been passing for God's law. Many people try to change my mind about the metaphysics of divinity, thinking they are saving me from some judgment from above. They are doing what they think best, and I have no animosity toward them. Living free of made-up rules allows us to see and accept the rule of Spirit. Without false laws we can hear what Love is saying to us, we can feel the joy that is ours, and we can know that God never takes, but only gives.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Citizens of the world, accept the ‘glorious liberty of the children of God,’ and be free! This is your divine right. The illusion of material sense, not divine law, has bound you, entangled your free limbs, crippled your capacities, enfeebled your body, and defaced the tablet of your being.”

Science & Health Page 227:24-28

March 16, 2012 - Light is here -- now!

May Festival of the Arts poster
by Jeremy McGraw

ACIM workbook lesson #75:
"The light has come."
[Marsha's thoughts]
What a joyous lesson today's is! Our perseverance in dropping false testimony of the material senses is to be celebrated today! The light has come! Yes, we know it's always been there waiting for us to know it, but in our personal existence, it seems the light has come. Just as the sun (son?) has risen! Having just spent six days in solitude, interspersed with blissful gatherings of dear friends, I went back to work today. The first group of women who came in seemed to me to be overly critical of everything, and my usual posture of sending them Love was nowhere to be found. When they left, I laughed out loud at myself and the snooty reaction I had toward them! Here I am, all blissed-out and peaceful, taking offense because they aren't sharing that with me. This taking notice was essential in leaving those feelings behind. And by going forth with a laugh and a prayer of acknowledgement that the light has come, I was soon emanating the Love which dispels inharmony. The rest of the day was spent in happy interludes with people enjoying their vacation. There was a man who referred to his wife as an angel, often iterating ways she brought joy to their life. The light has come. There was the grandmother from Canada, meeting her daughter and granddaughter who were from South Texas. The stories they told me during our short time together were humorous and loving.  The light has come. There was the old hippie couple, visiting from a short distance away, where they live hidden and happy in the deep forest. The light has come. I could go on and on with stories of these manifestations of Light. May we all bask in this celebration today! There is no reason to wait to acknowledge that the light has come. Now is the time, and it's the time to receive this light by your demonstration of it, in whatever way that may be -- as long as it's in every way!
Mary Baker Eddy quote:
“Let us feel the divine energy of Spirit, bringing us into newness of life and recognizing no mortal nor material power as able to destroy. Let us rejoice that we are subject to the divine
'powers that be.' Such is the true Science of being. Any other theory of Life, or God, is delusive and mythological.” 
Science & Health Page 249:6-10

March 15, 2012 - Peaceful Reality

ACIM Workbook Lesson #74

“There is no will but God’s.”

Street in front of Eureka Thyme
Photo by Randal Thompson

[Marsha's thoughts]

For the past few weeks, there have been repairs to the "underground" going on in front of my gallery. Eureka Springs is unique in many ways. One of those ways is the fact that certain streets were raised in order to allow the flow of water and mud during rain storms to pass underneath them. In effect, there is empty space under some of our sidewalks and streets. An underground wall in front of Eureka Thyme is in the process of being repaired right now. We are a tourist town, and the month of March has traditionally been the start of the "season", with spring break in surrounding areas bringing us masses of people. The weather is warm, the flowers are blooming, and my gallery is closed. The attached photo shows how far they are from finishing these repairs! Numerous people have said they can't believe how calm I'm being about all of this. What good would it do to be otherwise, I ask? But today's lesson is much needed and I will often repeat these words from it: "I am at peace. Nothing can disturb me. My will is God's. My will and God's are one. God wills peace for His Son." Throughout this seeming ordeal I have held to the spiritual fact that all involved will be open to hearing intuition guide them in this endeavor. Every time the situation crosses my mind, I will turn to the words of today's lesson and also the writings of Mary Baker Eddy. This week's Christian Science Lesson is entitled "Matter" and its elucidation of what reality is soothes me. And all is well.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“God gives you His spiritual ideas, and in turn, they give you daily supplies. Never ask for tomorrow: it is enough that divine Love is an ever-present help; and if you wait, never doubting, you will have all you need every moment. What a glorious inheritance is given to us through the understanding of omnipresent Love! More we cannot ask: more we do not want: more we cannot have.”

Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, Page 307

March 14, 2012 - Willpower?

ACIM Workbook Lesson #73

“I will there be light.”

Heather on Skateboard
photo by Aaron Springston

[Marsha's thoughts]

So much is said about willpower and its role in the control of ourselves. And there is always more to be said and written about the subject because of its changeable nature. Human willpower is another belief which we can set aside in favor of the power of Soul, Spirit, Mind. Whether it's cessation of a habit, better diet, more exercise -- the list is quite long in what we should and shouldn't be doing with our bodies -- all of these things are subordinate to the laws of Spirit, the principle of Life. For some reason, I've gained quite a few pounds in the last couple of years. This is particularly surprising to me as I had slowly lost weight for a number of years and had reached what I thought of as my ideal size. This weight loss had not been premeditated and I thought of it as a byproduct of clearer metaphysical thought. So now that the weight is back, am I to think of it as muddy metaphysical thought? The temptation is certainly there to do such! But wouldn't this be looking at the problem rather than the solution? And I use these terms loosely as there is no problem, hence no solution! There is none if I am placing myself at the point of spiritual perfection, which is where we eternally are. Seeing my will as God's will, or the only will, is where I want to be in thought. Constantly stepping back from material circumstances and repositioning my sight on spiritual realities is the answer to every seeming problem or material question. So to me the statement, "I will there be light", is a constant reminder that light is all there is. Any darkness of thought is counteracted by this correction in perception. When I look in a mirror and see reflected back at me something I'd prefer not to see, I will remember my true reflection is one of Spirit. By returning my thoughts to this Truth, I will be led in ways of which reflect this true identity.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The power of the human will should be exercised only in subordination to Truth; else it will misguide the judgment and free the lower propensities. It is the province of spiritual sense to govern man. Material, erring, human thought acts injuriously both upon the body and through it."

Science & Health Page 206:4-9

March 13, 2012 - Paulo Coelho, "Aleph"

ACIM Workbook Lesson #72:

“Holding grievances is an attack on God’s plan for salvation.”

"Mongolian Journey"
photo by Aaron Springston

[Marsha's thoughts]

For those of you who are fans of Paulo Coelho there is cause for celebration! His latest book, "Aleph" gives me exactly what I've been wanting -- A good read! As in his most well-known book, "The Alchemist", he takes us on a spiritual journey which shows us that we are indeed not alone in either our fears or our realizations of Truth. This newest novel is described as his most personal, and from the little I know of Mr. Coelho's life, our main character seems to have many common characteristics with his creator. When he writes of spiritual progress feeling stagnant, I ache for him. These  sentences ask for remembrance: "It isn't what you did in the past that will affect the present. It's what you do in the present that will redeem the past and thereby change the future." What a vibrant, hopeful statement! And now is the time! What you do right now is the pivotal point in your life. Let go of any and all grievances of any kind. Notice your thoughts as they peek out at you during the day. Are they reinforcing old, often-painful beliefs, or are they leading you to salvation? In the lesson today, we learn that God did not create this body. God created everything that is real and eternal, and it's our realization of this true Self which brings us peace and harmony of being. I find novels such as those written by Mr. Coelho to be delightful! After the intense study of divine metaphysics, it's pure joy to read a book which speaks to these ideas so unabashedly. I urge each of you to write! Write in blogs, write letters to the editor, keep a journal -- anything and everything which solidifies our yearning to know Oneness needs to be written. It deserves a voice which contains no fear, no shame, only Truth.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Is Spirit the source or creator of matter? [The] Science [of the Christ] reveals nothing in Spirit out of which to create matter. Divine metaphysics explains away matter. Spirit is the only substance and consciousness recognized by divine Science. The material senses oppose this, but there are no material senses, for matter has no mind. In Spirit there is no matter, even as in Truth there is no error, and in good no evil. It is a false supposition, the notion that there is real substance-matter, the opposite of Spirit. Spirit, God, is infinite, all. Spirit can have no opposite."

Science & Health Page 278:1-11

March 12, 2012 - Music Opens the Way

ACIM Lesson #71:

“Only God’s plan for salvation will work.”

Paul McCartney in Utah Summer 2010
photo by Aaron Springston

[Marsha's thoughts]

The above statement, taken without prior knowledge of what it means in these writings, absolutely smacks of everything from predestination to some fundamental religious teachings with all the punishment and consequence taught therein. Mrs. Eddy's definition of salvation  is, "Life, Truth, and Love understood and demonstrated as supreme over all." When looked at in this way, salvation is an ongoing event, realized when we part the veil of belief in separation from God. I recently attended a concert of area musicians who performed adeptly and from the heart. Music is of great benefit in assisting us to get out of our own way, to allow thought to progress past limited repetition of beliefs and habitual practices of rituals. Music is an aid which opens our thought to things we may have forgotten or never have known. I love to sit with an all-encompassing symphony orchestra, opening my mind to only the music, until at some point I feel there is nothing else in the world. I recall Wayne Dyer talking about muscle testing using different items. An organic banana allowed full strength in his son, where holding a CD of raucous music left him much weakened. Each of us enjoys different kinds of music, and there are many levels of this enjoyment. Something we would like with friends at a party won't be the same as the quiet strains of Bach which take us deeper within ourselves prior to meditation or writing. Find the music which opens you to hearing the messages Life, Truth, and Love are offering you. Surround yourself with this river of salvation and see where it takes you.

Mary Baker Eddy quotes:

“‘Now,’ cried the apostle, ‘is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation,’ – meaning, not that now men must prepare for a future world salvation, or safety, but that now is the time in which to experience that salvation in spirit and in life. Now is the time for so-called material pains and material pleasures to pass away, for both are unreal, because impossible in [the] Science [of the Christ]. To break this earthly spell, mortals must get the true idea and divine Principle of all that really exists and governs the universe harmoniously.”

Science & Health  Page 39:18-27

March 11, 2012 - Who will save us?

ACIM Lesson #70:

“My salvation comes from me.”

                                                                                                                    [Marsha's thoughts]

Happy Belize Man and his Happy Dogs
photo by Ramona Hambrick

Perhaps it's always been that we expect someone else to right the wrongs we see all around us. We point fingers and expect guilty parties to fix what wrongs we perceive to have been done. It's easy to expect someone else to do things, and then be disgruntled when "they" don't respond in the way we expect and hope. And so when we see someone step up and do whatever they can to alleviate pain, to bring the light of salvation to a situation, it's an occasion to rejoice! Today has been a day of such happiness for me. A group of women have been meeting monthly for eight years under the guise of a book club. We really just get together because of our fondness for each other, and the book leads us in discussions which are poignant, heartfelt, and personally meaningful in individual ways which are not always immediately discerned. Today we were witness to an astounding series of events which are being facilitated by one of our group who is a veterinarian. Five years ago, she vacationed in Belize, a beautiful tropical paradise. While there, she realized that many, perhaps most, dogs were left to fend for themselves, particularly when it came to reproduction -- or the stopping of it! She was led to return and spend a week spaying and neutering, and performing any other tasks which their limited budget and care facilities would allow. In the past five years, other veterinarians have joined the cause and there have been donations enabling the building of a facility from which these volunteers can do their work. What started out as one woman doing what she could has snowballed into many people sharing in an awareness (a salvation, if you will), of how to improve conditions for animals and humans alike. This wonderful woman has followed her heart, and through this action she has inspired others to do what they can, and more in return are doing the same. I see this as the perfect demonstration of living Love. Her love for and kinship with all things living is an inspiration to so many. The realization of this inner knowing and her fearless efforts to improve conditions for these animals and the ones who love them, this is the salvation we all hold within ourselves. And it blossoms when we set it free through our action.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“To ascertain our progress, we must learn where our affections are placed and what we acknowledge and obey as God. If divine Love is becoming nearer, dearer, and more real to us, matter is then submitting to Spirit. The objects we pursue and the spirit we manifest reveal our standpoint, and show what we are winning.” 

Science & Health Page 239:16-22