March 24, 2012 - Happiness is my function

"What??"
Photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #83
Review: “My only function is the one God gave me.” and “My happiness and my function are one.”

[Marsha's thoughts]
Conflict resolution. Conflict transformation. How much time and energy do we spend in attempting to negate conflict between others and/or within ourselves? We can make lists of the merits of our choices, we can role play and put ourselves in others' places in a situation, we can enlist therapists to help us out. There are lots of ways to search for the door out of conflict. I have found the only true way to leave it behind is to realize that such a thing does not exist anywhere other than in our thought. Anyone who has ever tried to calm fighting siblings knows the process can be daunting no matter how you approach it! I'll always remember a time when my boys were around 8 and 10 years of age. Their disagreements had advanced to the point where I saw no way out other than to give one of them away! One day, during a particularly intense bout, I gave up and sat down in my bedroom to have a good cry. Next to my chair was a stack of Christian Science Sentinels, the weekly publication which gives us practical metaphysical writings. I reached down and pulled one from the middle of the stack and opened it up to an article about brothers fighting! I don't remember anything about the content, other than it was just what I needed for the situation. And I remember the solution had to do with having no strong opinions. By letting go of my I'm-right-you're-wrong attitude, I was able to lead them to the same way of thought, by living it, not just telling them what they should do. Living Love creates bridges which bring us together in peace. Trust that your function and your happiness are your God-given right, and don't be afraid to open up and see what unexpected ways they will manifest.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:
“God has endowed man with inalienable rights, among which are self-government, reason, and conscience. Man is properly self-governed only when he is guided rightly and governed by his Maker, divine Truth and Love.”
Science & Health Page 106:7-10

March 23, 2012 - Light of the World

ACIM Workbook Lesson #82

Review: “The light of the world brings peace to every mind through my forgiveness”

“Let me not forget my function.”

Heather, Yellowstone, Sunrise
photo by Aaron Springston

[Marsha's thoughts]

We all share the same light which brings peace to every mind. It's easy to forget that this is true. Darkness often feels as real as light, but it's a mirage. We can go around telling people about light, but that doesn't take away the darkness in a room. By bringing light to a situation, no matter how small the flame, the darkness is dispelled as surely as if the sun were shining. And we're like the rays of light from the sun. We are an emanation of the One light, the same essence, with the same function. It seems easy to forget this function. Unhappy circumstances in life can make us think we've lost our light. But that can't happen. An eclipse may cover the sun beams temporarily, but they are still there, shining as brightly as ever, although unseen by some. And so it is our function to remember what our true being is. We are Love with a capital "L"! By our remembrance of this Source our function is fulfilled. Our light glows and grows, illuminating peace.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“One infinite God, good, unifies men and nations; constitutes the brotherhood of man; ends wars; fulfils the Scripture, "Love thy neighbor as thyself;" annihilates pagan and Christian idolatry,--whatever is wrong in social, civil, criminal, political, and religious codes; equalizes the sexes; annuls the curse on man, and leaves nothing that can sin, suffer, be punished or destroyed.”

Science & Health Page 340: 23-29

March 22, 2012 - Self Importance

ACIM Workbook Lesson #81:

Review: "I am the light of the world"

"Forgiveness is my function as the light of the world."

Photo by Aaron Springston

[Marsha's thoughts]

I just watched an episode of Modern Family in which Claire has lunch with an old college friend. Her friend has a very successful career and an exciting life as a single woman. Claire is a jealous and wants to show off her three kids and husband of seventeen years so she takes her friend home to meet them. Her handsome husband is inexplicably wearing a big fake mustache and is trapped in a port-a-potty placed there by the water company during work on the lines. Her oldest daughter is having a loud altercation with her boyfriend. Her other daughter and her son have been recycling in the neighborhood and have the kitchen filled with semi-empty bottles of alcohol. The son is in his underwear because he spilled booze all over himself, while the daughter is chasing a rat around the house which came in with the boxes. So much for self-importance, huh? Most of us probably have a silly story about a situation that backfired when we've wanted to show off in some way. When we stop and think about these feelings and what is behind them, it's easy to see how this desire to be "special", to be better than someone else, is at the core of every disagreement and conflict in the world.  With the understanding that we are all the reflection of Love, each demonstrating our individuality within this realm of unity, it becomes possible to let go of false images of self-importance and relax into the perfection of this experience we know as life. By doing so, we are the light of the world. By seeing ourself in others and others in ourself, we fulfill our function of forgiveness, letting go of ideas and beliefs which foster this misconception of difference and embracing Love as our common denominator.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Self-forgetfulness, purity, and affection are constant prayers."

Science & Health Page 15:26-27

March 21, 2012 - Problems Solved

ACIM workbook lesson #80:

"Let me recognize my problems have been solved."

Spring in Eureka
Photo by Melanie Myhre

[Marsha's thoughts]

The realization that there is only one problem, which is our seeming sense of separation, and that since it is impossible to be separated from our source our problem is already solved since it never existed in anyway other than belief, is such a freeing notion! It doesn't matter if the "problem" is one of a child who is making choices we feel sure will cause him and others pain and sadness, or if a sickness seems to hold us in its grip, or a financial struggle of some sort appears to be keeping us captive, all these maladies of sense are one and the same to the metaphysical principle which negates them. And that's what this lesson tells us today. This knowing that we're a reflection of God, actualized by our emanation as Life, Truth, Love, Spirit, Soul, Mind, Principle, lets us live with no limits in our human existence. In my lifetime, I've seen this divine principle work in so many ways. This seeing beyond the material picture to the spiritual truth allows us to live Truth rather than erroneous material belief. What a relief!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"It is ignorance and false belief, based on a material sense of things, which hide spiritual beauty and goodness. Understanding this, Paul said, 'Neither death, nor life, ... nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God.'

This is the doctrine of Christian Science:that divine Love cannot be deprived of its

manifestation, or object; that joy cannot be turned into sorrow, for sorrow is not the master of joy; that good can never produce evil; that matter can never produce mind nor life result in death. The perfect man -- governed by God, his perfect Principle -- is sinless and eternal.

Harmony is produced by its Principle, is controlled by it and abides with it. Divine Principle is the Life of man. Man's happiness is not, therefore, at the disposal of physical sense. Truth is not contaminated by error. Harmony in man is as beautiful as in music, and discord

is unnatural, unreal."

Science & Health Page 304:3-21

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