April 2, 2012 - Seeing in Light is strength

Glacier National Park
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson 92

“Miracles are seen in light, and light and strength are one.”

[Marsha's thoughts]

Prayer, in Christian Science, is an affirmation of Truth and a denial of erroneous thought. By consistently turning in humble quietness to hear the inner guidance which is always there, we are enabled to look through the material pictures which before we thought to be truth. The law of Love is so gentle that it is often not discerned in the face of the harshness of human existence. For instance, when listening to a symphony the instruments blend together, forming either harmony or discord, according to the composer's vision. So it is for our personal experiences. For many years it was thought that good and evil were separate realities, vying for our attention and influencing us according to which was stronger. By the realization that God is All, that anything unlike God, good, is a material illusion perpetrated by thought, we are able to see through the darkness into the reality of Light. Through this illumination, everything is seen differently. The strength which comes from this Truth is manifest in every aspect of our experience. We no longer are helpless victims of life's circumstance, but have the choice of seeing the miracle. Join with me in demonstrating this Truth. Something as simple as finding a lost object can show you how seeing in light clears the way to true sight. For instance, if you've lost your keys, instead of rushing about looking every possible place they could be, try seeing in the light. Sit down, quiet your mind, know that you are One with this light, and see what thought comes to you. I have had so many moments of experiencing where this light takes me, walking immediately to the spot I need to be. Let's see through the illusion and feel how powerful we are!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The brain can give no idea of God's man. It can take no cognizance of Mind. Matter is not the organ of infinite Mind. As mortals give up the delusion that there is more than one Mind, more than one God, man in God's likeness will appear, and this eternal man will include in that likeness no material element. As a material, theoretical life-basis is found to be a misapprehension of existence, the spiritual and divine Principle of man dawns upon human thought and leads it to "where the young child was," --even to the birth of a new-old idea, to the spiritual sense of being and of what Life includes. Thus the whole earth will be transformed by Truth on its pinions of light, chasing away the darkness of error."

Science & Health Page 191:1-15

April 1, 2012 - Miracles are seen in Light

ACIM Workbook Lesson 91

“Miracles are seen in light.”

Loveland Pass in Colorado
photo by Aaron Springston

[Marsha's thoughts]

Material vision is dimmed by any number of events and circumstances which cause us to believe that darkness is as real as light. I love the first paragraph of today's workbook lesson and quote it here: "It is important to remember that miracles and vision necessarily go together. This needs repeating, and frequent repeating. It is a central idea in your new thought system, and the perception that it produces. The miracle is always there. Its presence is not caused by your vision; its absence is not the result of your failure to see. It is only your awareness of miracles that is affected. You will see them in the light; you will not see them in the dark." Having just spent a wonderful time with friends, lunching in the amazingly beautiful atmosphere on the deck of a local Mexican restaurant, it occurs to me that not everyone would think the circumstances to be perfect! Seen in light, there were beautiful parakeets talking to us and dancing to the Latin-flavored music. There was water flowing amidst beautiful plants, a cool breeze blowing through warm sunshine, and great food which was obviously created and served with love. Seen through the darkness of thought which finds fault with everything would change the experience into a series of challenges which mortal mind could interpret as bothersome, at best. The birds cheerful chattering from their lovely cage could be seen as raucous and distracting. The water rushing from the pond -- well, I can't imagine how it could be interpreted as anything other than charming, but I feel certain someone could find fault! The sweet breeze blowing across the lovely flower-filled deck might be seen a pollen-filled and irritating. The food could be interpreted as over- or under-spiced and perhaps too foreign tasting to suit the pallet. The inspirations of Spirit and Love set us in the ideal stead to enjoy every moment in its spiritual perfection. Let's go forth and scatter Light!

Mary Baker Eddy quote: [From the Glossary:]

“URIM. Light. The rabbins believed that the stones in the breastplate of the high-priest had supernatural illumination, but Christian Science reveals Spirit, not matter, as the illuminator of all. The illuminations of [the] Science [of the Christ] give us a sense of the nothingness of error, and they show the spiritual inspiration of Love and Truth to be the only fit preparation for admission to the presence and power of the Most High.”

Science & Health Page 596:11-19

March 31, 2012 - No problems

ACIM Workbook Lesson #90

Review: “Let me recognize the problem so it can be solved.” and “Let me recognize my problems have been solved.”

Aaron and Heather at The Principia
photo by Marsha Havens

[Marsha's thoughts]

I love these lessons which tell us there is no problem other than the multitude of beliefs in separation we have promulgated for ourselves. The solution is simply a matter of realizing that our seeming problems are solved as soon as we know the unreality of them. Such an idea may seem silly to someone who doesn't accept the unreality of the material world. I guess these concepts seem natural to me because nothing made sense when I looked at it from various standpoints put forth by mortal mind. Concepts from the natural sciences to astrology always seemed to have big holes in their veracity. I listened to the facts taught us in school and thought, "What's wrong with this picture?" In time, I came to understand that it was an innate knowing that in truth we are spiritual, not material. Basically, knowledge and understanding come with a yielding of material belief. And I love letting this yielding guide me in every endeavor! Throughout today, certain "problems" concerning an old and dear friend kept coming to mind. I recently spoke with a family member of hers who has not seen her for quite some time. She is worried about my childhood friend who now lives far away. And the worries seem valid, as there are things which need attended to and they are being neglected. The situation has deep roots running through the history of this family relationship. I feel like it could be picked apart from every angle and no solution would be found. And so when this sweet family came to mind today, I would simply see them as happy, responsive to each other, and willing to love. By staying away from all the "what-ifs" of this situation, by not holding onto visions of past hurts on both sides, by only seeing the family as God sees them, whole and perfect, all worries are chased from my thought. Each remembrance of them is pure and sweet, requiring no fixing or adjustment from me or anyone else. By realizing God's law of adjustment, we see that it is already done, with nothing needed on our part other than recognition.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Human reason and religion come slowly to the recognition of spiritual facts, and so continue to call upon matter to remove the error which the human mind alone has created.”

Science & Health Page 173:25-28

March 30, 2012 - Stuck in the past? Never ---

ACIM Workbook Lesson 89

Review: “I am entitled to miracles.”

and “Let miracles replace all grievances.”

[marsha's thoughts]

Aaron Happy in the Moment
Photographer unknown

At a recent meeting of our book club, we discussed a book which dealt with a young woman who had lived in foster care all her life. We talked about the "problems' which seem inherent in a child who is not loved unconditionally, who is perhaps abused in multitudes of ways. It's the general belief in this world that some things are too horrendous to get over; that we will be plagued with certain conditions forever, no matter what. On "The Dog Whisperer", which I have and will mention often in these writings, Cesar Milan tells us he rehabilitates dogs and trains people. I love hearing him talk of dogs living in the moment. When he is helping people understand a dog who seems maimed by past experiences in its life, he repeatedly tells the people that feeling sorry for the animal helps no one. Our thought and action hold animals (and people) in the same thought system which put them there in the first place! How can this be? The dog is hurting and we're being asked to deny that? Yes!! This is why we learn in the study of metaphysics that it is necessary to give up all beliefs -- not just those we deem to be "bad", but all material beliefs. By letting them go and replacing them with an openness of thought which allows us to hear the Truth of our Being, we experience the so-called miracle which is the natural order of Life. It may not seem logical to say that we can simply release feelings of fear and anger. They seem very real to us, but if we stop and examine them, do they have any purpose other than holding us where we are? One dog Cesar worked with had at one time slid on the floor into a glass door. The dog was now afraid to walk on any floor without a carpet. Upon investigation of its people's reactions, they immediately exacerbated the fears by petting and commiserating and talking about what a horrible experience it had been. They held the fear in thought by acts they thought of as compassion. What Cesar explains is that dogs live in the moment. Period. Unless they're held in that space by everyone around them. And so are we. How easy it is to replay unhappy circumstances and bring more into our experience by expectations of them. We tell ourselves that bad things come in threes, that this is a "bad day", that Murphy's Law is in effect (one of my personal pet peeves!). And we think we have no choice. Our pets are wonderful teachers for us. I'm so grateful for every experience which shows me the difference in belief and reality.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“MIRACLE:  That which is divinely natural, but must be learned humanly; a phenomenon of [the] Science [of the Christ].

March 29, 2012 - The Law of Light

Heather in the Light
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #88:
Review -- "The light has come."
"I am under no laws but God's"
[Marsha's thoughts]
It has recently come to my attention that a number of people whom I know and am frequently in contact with seem to be incapable of making a decision. They often need confirmation that their beliefs about a situation are worthy of them, and so they wait for someone else to tell them they think that way, too, and then they can give their opinion. This need for validation is not a rare condition. I believe I may have suffered from it at points in my life. The tools we have at our disposal from the study and practice of divine metaphysics tend to let us walk past the temptation to feel so self-important that we're afraid to be wrong. While it's usually thought of as low self-esteem which causes this, it seems to me that it's valuing your own believed-forever image of yourself over your true image in the likeness of God. Letting go many long-practiced ways of life facilitates our recognition of the light which has come, the Truth which is known within. And with the peaceful recognition of these things, we know the Truth which sets us free. This God-felt spiritual sense allows us to speak without fear. I love listening to divine Mind rather than chasing in circles with mortal mind! It's more interesting, it frees me from worry and doubt, it leads me in fascinating paths, it teaches peace.
Mary Baker Eddy quote:
"There is no material truth. The physical senses
can take no cognizance of God and spiritual Truth. Human belief has sought out many inventions, but not one of them can solve the problem of being without  the divine Principle of divine Science. Deductions from material hypotheses are not scientific. They differ from real Science because they are not based on the divine law."
Science & Health Page 273:2-9

March 28, 2012 - Light Expressed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #87

Review: “I will there be light.” and “There is no will but God’s.”

[Marsha's thoughts]

"Top of the World in Mongolia"
photo by Aaron Springston

Last evening, there was a reception in my gallery, Eureka Thyme, for people who are in town for a meeting of the state Keep America Beautiful group. My temptation was to be embarrassed by the large and ugly hole in front of the gallery. There are orange cones, sandbags, black plastic filled with last week's rain, and a general air of destruction. But as I've chosen to look at it as free advertising, drawing attention to my shop, I also chose to look past the war-zone look of it all to the pure goodness reflected by everyone involved. Interestingly, not a single one of the party attendees said anything about the mess, but only complimented us on our beautiful town, the great gallery space, and the wonderful food provided for them. The Light being expressed by the people I met at this event was palpable! One woman, with whom I felt an immediate affinity, was not only the leader of her local beautification program but had spearheaded an unusual art show. The Arkansas State Hospital is committed to the treatment of mental illness. This woman inaugurated an art show featuring works from the patients. She said most of the people there had nothing but the clothes on their back when they came to the facility. This amazing art show and sale is benefiting them in many ways. Not just by increasing self-esteem, but putting some cash back for them upon their release. She said this has helped them to want to get better, as many stay all their life for fear of returning to the "real world". How inspiring it is to meet people who are following inner guidance in the bringing of light to the world! Today I vow to listen deeply and follow through on what I hear!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The admission to one's self that man is God's own likeness sets man free to master the infinite idea. The understanding and recognition of Spirit must finally come, and we may as well improve our time in solving the mysteries of being through an apprehension of divine Principle. At present we know not what man is, but we certainly shall know this when man reflects God.”

Science & Health Page 90:24-32

March 27, 2012 - Sing Your Song!

Happy Camels in Mongolia
Photo by Aaron Sspringston

ACIM workbook lesson #86
Review: "Only God's plan for salvation will work.". "Holding grievances is an attack on God's plan for salvation."
[Marsha's thoughts]
In the original introduction of these two lessons a couple of weeks ago, I wrote that we should all be writing! I'd like to amend that a bit today. Whatever activity you can do to take you to a space of no-thought, this is what I'd like to encourage! In listening to what I think of as free-form piano playing of the new-age variety, it struck me how important it is to be singing your song, whatever form that may take. For those of you who think you "don't have any talent" I would suggest you follow your heart in trying something new, or examine what you are doing and see it as expression of inner knowing. Piano lessons began for me at the age of four. By the time I went to college, playing was so engrained that it was like speaking. But it was always structured interpretation from pages of music. Never once had I just sat down and played without thought. Four years ago, I did. Something pulled me to the piano and a tune came out. It's a simple tune which mutates here and there, with interesting progressions and surprises. It's never the same, and it never leaves me where I started. It has beautiful healing notes which appear when they are needed. Now it seems another tune or two are getting ready to be born. We all have a song to sing, an expression in some way of the Divine. These expressions give us something which mere education cannot. It's a purely divine voice which requires a yielding of material senses in order to hear and reproduce. It may be prose, or poetry, or music, or painting. But don't forget it might be words said to a loved one, or vegetables grown with love, or the salvation of an animal from misery when you adopt it. The forms this Love demonstrated will take when we get out of its way are without number. Just as we are the ideas of God, so are these emanations which shine through us. Priceless!
Mary Baker Eddy quote:
"Salvation: Life, Truth, and Love understood and demonstrated as supreme over all."
Science & Health Page 593:20-21