April 30, 2012 - Meditating with St. Petersburg Quartet

Course in Miracles Lesson #120

Review of:

(109) I rest in God.

(110) I am as God created me.

"Heather in Portland, OR"
photo by Aaron Springston

[Marsha's thoughts]

I recently had the privilege of attending a performance of the St. Petersburg String Quartet in our small, acoustically-sound historic auditorium. Listening to classical music is my favorite meditation! Allowing nothing else to enter thought other than the uplifting calm which comes from losing myself in wordless music is perfection.  As with any meditation, at first various things came up in thought, which I acknowledged and released. By consistently doing this, at some point there was nothing other than the sense-filling strains of musical fulfillment. "I rest in God". This experience was further enhanced by the performance of an 11-year-old girl named Claire Luan Wells. This sweet child expertly plays both piano and violin. First of all, she played a solo on the piano and we were enthralled. Then she played the lead violin part along with the quartet, beautifully interpreting Vivaldi's Spring. Oh my! The quartet was seated, and she was standing, swaying, living the music which flowed out through her with a sweetness rarely witnessed. As she stood and played, barely taller standing than the adults were sitting, she took me to places I'd long forgotten. In reflection, I see that we need not be limited by age or experience. Everything is at our fingertips by virtue of our Oneness with all that is. If you wake up one morning with a feeling that you'd like to do something you've never done before, surrender to the impulse and see where it takes you. At this time of great changes and shifts in perceptions, we are being asked to accept that many possibilities exist which we never imagined. I feel this little girl piano/violin player is a perfect example of this. Allow yourself to be led wherever inner knowing guides. Embrace the knowledge that you are as God created you, rejoice in remembering everything you've forgotten, love out loud!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“God creates and governs the universe, including man. The universe is filled with spiritual ideas, which He evolves, and they are obedient to the Mind that makes them. Mortal mind would transform the spiritual into the material, and then recover man's original self in order to escape from the mortality of this error. Mortals are not like immortals, created in God's own image; but infinite Spirit being all, mortal consciousness will at last yield to the scientific fact and disappear, and the real sense of being, perfect and forever intact, will appear.”

Science & Health Page 295:5-15

April 29, 2012 - Truth Trumps Error

Aaron Hangin' in Oregon
photo by Heather Magnan

ACIM Lesson #119

Review of: (107) Truth will correct all errors in my mind. (108) To give and to receive are one in truth.

[Marsha's thoughts]

Many people have been telling me they think this Truth we speak of is difficult to understand. One person says it's incomprehensible unless you've had years of study and training. Another says she's not smart enough to "get it". Yet another says she's not up for the hard work this way of living entails. So I've been thinking about this quite a bit lately. Is it true? Does it take some special dispensation, some quantum gift from beyond, some unraveling of DNA, years of study perhaps? I suppose we think it takes a long time to change our thought basis because it's taken us a long time to think in the ways we presently do. Most of us have 12 to 20 years of formal education as proof that it's difficult to learn everything we need to know. Maybe that's why we tend to balk at what could be a lifetime of work. But wait a minute! What is with this "lifetime" business? Aren't we floating in eternity? I feel that we already know all there is to know. It's our birthright as a child of God. The part that takes practice is leaving the erroneous teachings of this lifetime behind us. The easy part is the realization that Truth is always within us, just waiting to be discovered. And with this discovery comes a renewal of our mind, a rediscovery of the Truth we've always known, which easily pushes aside false beliefs. So, no, I don't think it's hard work. But it is dedicated work. A dedicated discipline to seeing and feeling as Love. Not through Love, not with Love, but as Love. That is our essence. That is our Truth. Let's keep it simple!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Because Truth is infinite, error should be known as nothing. Because Truth is omnipotent in goodness, error, Truth's opposite, has no might. Evil is but the counterpoise of nothingness. The greatest wrong is but a supposititious opposite of the highest right. The confidence inspired by Science lies in the fact that Truth is real and error is unreal. Error is a coward before Truth. Divine Science insists that time will prove all this. Both truth and error have come nearer than ever before to the apprehension of mortals, and truth will become still clearer as error is self-destroyed.”

Science & Health Page 329:21-31

April 28, 2012 - Peace, be still ...

"Heather in Montana"
photo by Aaron Springston

A Course in Miracles Lesson #118

Review of:

(105) God's peace and joy are mine.

(106) Let me be still and listen to the truth.

[Marsha's thoughts]

When our minds are busy with worries and repetitive thoughts, when we're voicing our concerns either orally or mentally, it's very difficult to hear the still, small voice of Truth. This is why I always recommend meditation for people who tell me they are having problems sleeping. Not only must the mind be quiet for easy, peaceful falling into sleep, but the last thoughts we think before sinking into this other-worldly abyss are very important! We have been told by material practitioners of various disciplines that sound sleep is necessary to good health; that it facilitates healing in on-going ways which are necessary to our well-being. I've always felt this is true because we need to be quiet to hear the "still, small voice" that is ever-present, but often drowned out by the constant chatter we allow into our heads. This listening mode of being is essential to health, because this health we speak of comes from listening to our true Self rather than the material beliefs of the ages. One of "my" artists told me a lovely story of letting go and allowing. She has been hard at work creating new paintings for the May Festival of the Arts in Eureka Springs. She tells me that recently she wasn't able to sleep, that she was thinking perhaps she shouldn't even bother painting, it wasn't worth it, and other such things. Suddenly her computer awakened and she got up to see what was going on. There was an email from me telling her not to worry, that her show would be hung in its entirety and it would be wonderful! With this reassurance, she laid down and immediately went to sleep. I think this perfectly demonstrates how silencing our lips and thoughts to materialism allows Love to replace error, then peace and joy reign supreme in our existence.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Lips must be mute and materialism silent, that man may have audience with Spirit, the divine Principle, Love, which destroys all error.”

Science & Health Page 15:11-13

April 27, 2012 - Letting go of stereotypes

Heather or Aaron
Photo by one or the other

ACIM Lesson 117

Review of:

(103) God, being Love, is also happiness.

(104) I seek but what belongs to me in truth.

[Marsha's thoughts]

At a recent gathering of women, the talk centered around stereotypes of people, how these have changed over the years, what keeps them alive, and how we really, truly think about such things. While the talk was stimulating and fun for all involved, we were looking at this from an entirely matter-based standpoint. No mention or thought was given to the reality of our Being and the fact that there truly is no difference in any of us. The way it seems is that we are all different. Our race, nationality, teachings, are said to combine to make us who we are. We supposedly have differences which are sometimes irreconcilable with others of our species. I was reminded of something Isaac Asimov said in one of his novels. I don't have the exact quote, but it was to the effect that we, as humans would not realize our unity until life was discovered on another planet; then it could be us against them. And this is the way it seems to be. This is why, in the study of metaphysical realities, we are so eager to let go of these beliefs which keep us shackled to thought which is stagnant. Living every moment in Love precludes thinking of others as different. Although it seems impossible that we could all live in this way, doing no harm to anyone or anything, always expressing our perfection as a reflection of God, it is not. This possibility is an actuality in the reality of our Being which we're seeing more clearly every day. Love and happiness are our realities, and this Truth is seen clearly when the veil of material beliefs is lifted.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“...God is Love, and without Love, God, immortality cannot appear. Mortals try to believe without understanding Truth; yet God is Truth.”

Science & Health Page 312:16-19

April 26, 2012 - Happiness is the way.

"Heather on a Montana Morning"
photo by Aaron Springston

Course in Miracles Lesson #116

Review of:

(101) God's Will for me is perfect happiness.

(102) I share God's Will for happiness for me.

As sage words tell us: There is no way to happiness; happiness is the way. I've witnessed  events in the last few days which illustrate sabotage of happiness or, alternatively, grabbing ahold of happiness and not letting go, even in the most harsh of experiences. How many times a day are we tempted to lose a peaceful, happy feeling because of the habit of thinking in unhappy ways. I heard a story of a state trooper, somewhere in the panhandle of Texas, wielding his authority in a petty and foolish way. When I hear things like this, I silently affirm the Truth of the situation: that this person is also a child of God. In this affirmation, it's implied what he is not: that is, the material illusion of tyranny he is putting forth. On the other hand, I could entertain thoughts of what is wrong with this policeman. But this would rob me of happiness! I could say, "I hate it when people do that." And that leaves me hating certain actions, rather than seeing the situation through spiritual sense. And so I've given away my happiness for unnecessary finger pointing. For every action which quashes happiness, there are multitudes which affirm its ever-presence. I ran into an old friend in the grocery store. Last fall she lost her 13-year-old daughter, an only child. When I asked her how she was doing, she said she was doing great for the most part; that there were a few tough days, but she knew it was dishonoring her sweet child's memory to give her life to mourning. And so she found ways to be happy, living Life as an affirmation of her daughter's Truth. I felt humbled in her presence. How dare I shoot down joy over nothing other than silly habitual thinking? I'd rather live Love instead!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Upon this stage of existence goes on the dance of mortal mind. Mortal thoughts chase one another like snowflakes, and drift to the ground. [The] Science [of The Christ] reveals Life as not being at the mercy of death, nor will [this] Science admit that happiness is ever the sport of circumstance."

Science & Health Page 250:28-1

April 25, 2012 - Be Aware. Now is the Time!

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #115

Review of: "(99) Salvation is my only function here.

(100) My part is essential to God's plan for salvation."

Germany, 2006
photo by Aaron Springston

[Marsha's thoughts]

I've been enjoying videos of the awesome BBC series entitled "Life", with David Attenborough  as narrator. When viewing the perfection of all life, how it blends together in exquisite harmony, I am often inspired in ways to be more in tune with this tapestry. Once again, we need only let loose the things we do by rote, leave habitual behaviors where we found them, in order to open ourselves to new-old thought, and experience where that takes us. Today my thought goes to sustainable farms, organic and pure food, happy animals, pesticide-free vegetables! How wonderful to go to farmer's markets and actually talk to people who grow our food. In the last fifty years, the production of food has changed so drastically that most of our young people have no idea where food actually comes from. And, in too many cases, we don't want to know. Every decision I make at the supermarket casts a vote for the process involved in its production. Every dollar I spend at a Farmer's Market also casts a vote. I don't really want to give my dollars to a corporation which give us food without Soul. I vote for food with Love. Everything I consume will be nurtured with Love. As I release all guilt, as I see that forgiveness is there for the realization of it, new worlds become visible. The New Earth has always been here. And now we're remembering and demonstrating that knowledge in a myriad of ways.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"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. This thought is apprehended slowly, and the interval before its attainment is attended with doubts and defeats as well as triumphs.”

Science & Health Page 39:18-30

April 24, 2012 - I Am Spirit. What does that mean?

A Course in Miracles Lesson #114

Review of: (97) I am spirit. (98) I will accept my part in God's plan for salvation.

"Mount Timpanogos"
photo by Aaron Springston

[Marsha's thoughts]

Many authors and visionary thinkers have told us that we are not human beings having a spiritual experience, but spiritual beings having a human experience. The acknowledgement that "I am Spirit" IS "accepting my part in God's plan for salvation"! The knowledge that we are Spirit and the understanding of what that means, this brings acceptance through demonstration of Truth and Love.  After writing about "rules" yesterday, today I, of course, have come upon two articles specifically about rules and have received one phone call where the caller was really questioning how understanding divine government allows us to be free. It seems change can be difficult. Perhaps this is why we find it hard to accept that we are so much more than we ever thought! We go along with the same behaviors, whether they're serving us or not, staying with the comfortable rather than opening ourselves to the field of all possibilities. For example, look how tied to the arrangement of our typing keyboards we are! I remember in the 1970s, IBM wanted to change the keyboard. They informed us it was not the most expedient  arrangement of letters -- not by a long shot!! They told us how many of the most-used letters were assigned to fingers which were typically used the least, such as the little and ring finger. And there would be other changes, too. Such as exchanging the question mark and the slash. Why do we need to use the shift key for something which is used so much more than the other symbol? This option of testing a new keyboard was given to those of us who were on record as having IBM Selectric typewriters. Their project was cancelled for lack of interest. With that story in mind, I will stay aware today, watching and listening for ways to transform existence through an awareness of my true Identity.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Question.--What is the scientific statement of being?

Answer.--There is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter. All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all. Spirit is immortal Truth; matter is mortal error. Spirit is the real and eternal; matter is the unreal and temporal. Spirit is God, and man is His image and likeness. Therefore man is not material; he is spiritual.”

Science & Health Page 468:8-15