March 20, 2012 - Solving Problems?

ACIM workbook lesson #79:

"Let me recognize the problem so it can be solved."

Aaron and Heather at The Principia
Photo by Marsha Havens

[Marsha's thoughts]

We, as humans, love to list and tell our problems to all who will listen. Some of us even make written lists in contemplation of the solving of these problems. Is this how to "recognize the problem so it can be solved"? Even though we may think that this action does some good, this is not what today's lesson is talking about. There are, in reality, no individual problems. The only problem is that we perceive ourselves as separate from God. Every seeming problem in the world is the result of this misinterpretation of reality. Hence, the solution lies in the realization that there is only one problem. The solution to this one problem is found in the recognition that we are Love's creation, reflecting only good, God. And so the answer has always been there waiting for us to see it: There is no separation from the One source. It can be difficult to accept this if you are a watcher and reader of so-called news. This system we have set up for ourselves which allows current events to be broadcast all over the world keeps us in a fear-filled state. This material substitute for our real oneness can be rather frightening. By internet and satellite connectivity we are allowed to see the horrors of material existence, constantly and conveniently. We become addicted and think it's necessary to know all these things. But what if we can know everything that is true without dualistic evidence? A few hours ago we had a lovely cleansing rain. After the rain, I threw open the windows and the sweetest breeze I've ever known passed through the house. I feel a similar pureness when I leave my heart open to Truth and Love, unfettered by testimony of the material senses. And I know peace.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Ontology receives less attention than physiology. Why? Because mortal mind must waken to spiritual life before it cares to solve the problem of being, hence the author's experience; but when that awakening comes, existence will be on a new standpoint."

Science & Health Page 556:25-30

March 19, 2012 - Seeing with Love

ACIM workbook lesson #78

"Let miracles replace all grievances."

[Marsha's thoughts]

Heather and Aaron in South Africa
Photographer unknown

Today's lesson asks us to choose one person and see them as God sees them, rather than with all the muddled grievances we may be holding. This person might be a co-worker who seems to find ways to undermine us regularly. Perhaps this person is a good friend whose behavior seems irritating to us. Maybe it's a neighbor who allows their dog to poop in our yard. Gosh, there are so many it's hard to choose just one!!  The circumstance really doesn't matter though, because when we choose to see the miracle of Spirit, the false testimony of material sense disappears. It seems that once we fall into the trap of expecting "bad" behavior from others, that's what we get! A fellow shopkeeper and I were discussing this last week. It seemed that the people coming into her place were careless with merchandise, loud, dull, and not contributing to the fun-loving atmosphere we strive to achieve in our sweet tourist town. And so do we get what we expect to receive? Can changing that expectation change the result? Or is the result the same and we're simply seeing it differently? I'm not sure it matters, as we're not seeing a result and trying to change it. We're seeing with God's eyes, and with that sight we are led to do what needs to be done, in every circumstance. It's been said in so many ways by so many people throughout time. Ghandi tells us to be the change we wish to see. Rumi tells us to be with those who help our being. Jesus tells us the kingdom of heaven is within. Say it any way you choose, while you see it with Love.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Human affection is not poured forth vainly, even though it meet no return. Love enriches the nature, enlarging, purifying, and elevating it. The wintry blasts of earth may uproot the flowers of affection, and scatter them to the winds; but this severance of fleshly ties serves to unite thought more closely to God, for Love supports the struggling heart until it ceases to sigh over the world and begins to unfold its wings for heaven."

Science & Health Page 57:22-30

March 18, 2012 - Celebrate!

ACIM workbook lesson #77

"I am entitled to miracles."

Aaron in Montana
Photo by Heather Magnan

[Marsha's thoughts]

Yesterday being St. Patrick's Day, I've been thinking about celebrations and the reasons behind why we do these things. Most if not all of them are based on some myth, which is usually fairly odd and far-fetched. Even those which are based on facts -- i.e., 4th of July, Independence Day -- carry with them some blatant prejudice and strange behaviors. So why do we do these things? It's all based on history of some sort, remembrances of past material events, and it usually involves a lot of drinking and so-called celebrating, and there is generally some sort of nationalism involved. Like today's St. Patrick's Day craziness -- what's up with that? Perhaps it's because we all want to believe in magical beings which will give us happiness and abundance. We tend to believe that these things are somewhere and that we can find them if we only get lucky enough to be at the end of the rainbow. Or everything will be great if we give our lives to Jesus so we can receive the kingdom. And don't forget about those birthday wishes coming true if we blow out the candles thoroughly! Maybe we celebrate so hard because we innately know all this good is ours simply for the acknowledgement of it, but we don't understand how to do that. These miracles we so desperately seek are the natural order of things, and can be had for the knowing of them. So we dance, drink, celebrate. We wildly strive to find what is already ours, which we would see if we only look within and acknowledge who we truly are. The miracle is God's law. Now that's something to celebrate!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"A miracle fulfills God's law, but does not violate that law. This fact at present seems more mysterious than the miracle itself."

Science & Health Page 134:31-32

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