May 26, 2012 - Changing Thought

A Course in Miracles Lesson #146

Review of:

#131 "No one can fail who seeks to reach the truth."

#132 "I loose the world from all I thought it was."

The main thought to hold to in this review:

“My mind holds only what I think with God.”

"Blacksnake in Nearby Woods"
photo by Christopher Fischer

When I read today's review and saw the words, "I loose the world from all I thought it was", my mind immediately went to something I've decided to believe about spiders. I never watch doom-and-gloom television shows, and steadfastly refuse to listen to people's stories of their fear of nature and its consequences. But recently I saw a short snippet of a video about brown recluse spiders, which are prevalent in our area. The narrator of this video was telling us how spiders don't attack unless they're surprised or bothered in some way, and they showed a clip of a spider resting on a stack of wash cloths with a person's hand going toward them. Yikes!! Well, that image has stuck in my mind to the extent that I look for spiders on every towel or washcloth I touch. And the odd thing is, I try to pretend I'm not doing this! Who do I think I'm fooling? Myself? God? This is the type of fearful living which I refuse to acknowledge, but yet I'm doing it. Now, I can choose to analyze this behavior and rationalize that I don't worry about spiders in other places so why here? But that's all it would be: a material rationalization, trying to convince myself there's nothing to fear. So in following today's teachings, when this thought comes to my mind, I'll ask myself what God thinks about spiders. And that's how I'll think of them, too, because "my mind holds only what I think with God". If I'm to "loose the world from all I thought it was", doesn't this include fears and worries about what-if situations? Our review tells us we cannot fail when seeking to reach the truth of Being. I rejoice as these pure spiritual ideas replace any fearful thoughts which may intrude. Harmonious actions are assured in this space where I realize the nothingness of material beliefs and the Truth of spiritual reality, leaving me free to live Love right out loud!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Science reveals only one Mind, and this one shining by its own light and governing the universe, including man, in perfect harmony. This Mind forms ideas, its own images, subdivides and radiates their borrowed light, intelligence, and so explains the Scripture phrase, "whose seed is in itself." Thus God's ideas "multiply and replenish the earth." The divine Mind supports the sublimity, magnitude, and infinitude of spiritual creation.”

Science & Health Page 510:28-6

May 25, 2012 - Perspective

A Course in Miracles Lesson #145
Review of:
#129 "Beyond this world there is a world I want."
#130 "It is impossible to see two worlds."

The main thought to hold to in this review:“My mind holds only what I think with God.”

"Perspective"
photo by Aaron Springston

This is a time of rapid change in thought. Most everyone I meet senses that something important is in the air. I notice myself doing things differently without planning a change. For instance, I realized that most of the time when I wash dishes, it could be done in a big bowl in the sink, with the wastewater dumped out the back deck for the benefit of the forest. And if the dishwashing detergent is too harsh for the plants, then I need to change to something else!  This is a small example of how we're being led to do everyday activities in more harmonious and environmentally-friendly ways. Think about it! Aren't you evolving into more You? As we are all becoming aware of unseen realities, we're also becoming more of ourSelves. We're doing things we never considered possible in the past. A good friend, who is a veterinarian, is allowing herself to communicate with animals on an entirely different level than when she started her career.  I know a woman who gardens and is experimenting with talking to the deer and other animals who want to eat her vegetables. We are all waking up to new ways of living -- or is it  old ways of Being?! When my mind "holds only what I think with God", the world I see and experience is one of common ground amongst everyone and everything. We are not different, you and I. We may have convinced ourselves that the material differences we see in each other make us separate, as well they may. But look past all of that to your heritage as a child of God. Let go of preconceived notions about how things are or should be. Let's allow ourselves this freedom of thought -- and see where it takes us!
Mary Baker Eddy quote:
“When will the ages understand the Ego [note capitalization], and realize only one God, one Mind or intelligence?”
Science & Health Page 204:19-20

May 24, 2012 - What do I want?

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #144

Review of:

#127 "There is no love but God's."

#128 "The world I see holds nothing that I want.”

And the main thought to hold to in this review:

“My mind holds only what I think with God.”

Heather in Montana
photo by Aaron Springston

One of our review subjects leads to quite a bit of questioning and discussion: "The world I see holds nothing that I want." That seems to be saying that I shouldn't enjoy this beautiful life which unfolds every day. For instance, today was the most glorious day, with perfect temperatures and mild breezes energizing me as I played in the flower garden. Everything from cooking and cleaning to playing Scrabble with an old friend was blissfully full of joy and love. How could that not be something that I want? As the other part of our review tells us, "There is no love but God's." Everything I experienced today was demonstrating the spiritual reality of my existence. It wasn't what I was doing that caused these feelings, but these feelings caused the perception of the experience. Not everyone would enjoy digging in the dirt, and scrubbing the floor, and chopping vegetables, and being outscored in a game of Scrabble! But it was my experience unfolding in an individual way which reflected this Love that is God, which allowed "my mind [to] hold(s) only what I think with God". It's this demonstration of Love which brings the experience. And the great thing about this is that we won't ever be at the end of these experiences! It's an eternal unfolding of Love, God. This unfoldment brings unpredictable adventures in harmony when we listen and follow the still, small voice within. Although it's all a joy to experience, it's not the activity which I want, it's the Love being expressed with it. So I can truthfully say, "The world holds nothing that I want", because what I want is the Love, allowing the rest to unfold. I can hardly wait to start another day, fresh with the full breath of Life creating my every moment.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“When the divine precepts are understood, they unfold the foundation of fellowship, in which one mind is not at war with another, but all have one Spirit, God, one intelligent source, in accordance with the Scriptural command: "Let this Mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus." Man and his Maker are correlated in divine Science, and real consciousness is cognizant only of the things of God.”

Science & Health Page 276:4-11

May 23, 2012 - "Be Impeccable in your Word"

ACIM Workbook Lesson #143:

Review of:

#125 "In quiet I receive God's Word today."

#126 : "All that I give is given to myself."

And the main thought to hold to in these review:

“My mind holds only what I think with God.”

"Heather Shining Light in Washington D.C."
Photo by Aaron Springston

Once again I am reminded of the Toltec wisdom as translated by Miguel Ruiz in The Four Agreements. The first agreement is, "Be impeccable in your word." It has been a number of years since I've read this book and am not sure of where he takes us with this agreement, but in reading today's review those words came to thought. Being impeccable in our word usually means to do what we say we're going to do, to be honest, to speak truth. The latter definition, to speak truth, is so often qualified by words such as "whatever is true for you". This is one of those new-age axioms which is a combination of a qualifier and a cop-out. People say things such as, "My truth may not be your truth." In the material world, this is very much so. But in the world we're learning of, the spiritual reality of our being, there is only one Truth. Mortal mind, ego, fights against this because it tells us if there is only one truth, then we wouldn't have individuality, we would be giving up free will, we would all be the same. Looked at from another perspective, perhaps that's what happens to us when we steadfastly believe the material concepts which have been fed to us every day of our life. What if our true freedom comes from being open to the reality of Spirit? On the chance that this could be true freedom, it certainly seems worth a try, doesn't it? When observing our environment, the miasma of materiality rules everything. To quietly "receive God's Word" seems to me to be the ultimate in being "impeccable in my word". I won't have to rely on deciphering what's right and wrong, truth and lie, or any other gauge I've set up for determining what to do. I need only be aware of what "my mind holds" with God. By this awareness and expression thereof, I allow myself to give and receive with every thought and action. There is no room for anything else when I fill my thought with Truth.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“There is but one I, or Us, but one divine Principle, or Mind, governing all existence; man and woman unchanged forever in their individual characters, even as numbers which never blend with each other, though they are governed by one Principle. All the objects of God's creation reflect one Mind, and whatever reflects not this one Mind, is false and erroneous, even the belief that life, substance, and intelligence are both mental and material.”

Science & Health Page 511:11-19

May 22, 2012 - Hearing Truth as clearly as music

ACIM Workbook lesson #142:

Review of :

#123 "I thank my Father for His gifts to me."

#124 "Let me remember I am one with God."

And our main thought to hold in these review lessons:

"My mind holds only what I think with God."

"No Baggage"
photo by Aaron Springston

There is someone I like very much whom I've heard ugly stories about. It doesn't matter how much I try to put these tales away from thought, they come back every time I see or think of her. Why do I think of that first, before all the wonderful times we've shared together and the stimulating conversations we've had? That's mortal mind ruling again! It took me a while to really understand the quote which I paraphrase here: "That which I don't want, I do; that which I do want, I don't." But it seems to pertain to just about everything, doesn't it?  When I think about this woman's supposed deeds, I don't want to give them any credence, but there they are, wiggling into being, time and again. But isn't this what we're studying? The thought we're holding to throughout these lesson reviews certainly pertains to my situation. Does Love see this woman as subject to bouts of mean-spirited behavior? Wouldn't this behavior be the lie about her and not her true Being?  Isn't this gift from God which we talk of today the ability to think and be as God is? We have the God-given right to be pure in every thought and deed. This is our Oneness demonstrated; our gift from God. And I feel sure this woman is not the only person or thing which causes a knee-jerk reaction in my thinking. So I'll notice that today. And I won't simply tell myself that I shouldn't think like that, but I'll gently correct myself, turning thought to the Truth which shows her to be the pure reflection of Love, too. In seeing her as such, I won't blame myself for actions which may be mirroring hers. My reaction toward her will not bring me feelings of guilt, only acknowledgement that I'm giving power to error, and that's not what my mind holds when thinking with God. As Mary Baker Eddy posits, before we decided on a false sense of things, perhaps we heard impressions of Truth as easily as we hear musical tones. Let's listen for them together today.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Before human knowledge dipped to its depths into a false sense of things,--into belief in material origins which discard the one Mind and true source of being,-- it is possible that the impressions from Truth were as distinct as sound, and that they came as sound to the primitive prophets. If the medium of hearing is wholly spiritual, it is normal and indestructible.” 

Science & Health Page 213: 30-4

May 21, 2012 - "The Holy Man" by Susan Trott

A Course in Miracles Workbook lesson #141:

Today begins a review. Our main theme is:

“My mind holds only what I think with God" Specifically we remember #121 and 122: “Forgiveness is the key to happiness”, and “Forgiveness offers everything I want.”

South African Life
photo by Aaron Springston

I am reminded of a delightful little book called, "The Holy Man" by Susan Trott. It is comprised of numerous scenarios recounted by and through a group of people who are waiting in line to see the Holy Man. They feel all their questions will be answered, all their problems solved, if only they can meet and speak with him. The irony is that when they are finally admitted, he simply leads them through the house and out the back door. The beauty of the book is that everyone comes to see what they need to see from their interactions while waiting in the long line and through their reflections on life. In pondering today's workbook lesson, it occurs to me that this is true of us, also. The realization that my true thoughts are those I think with God brings a newness to everyday life. By releasing my practiced thoughts of events and interactions today, I will be able to see without judgment. This is the meaning of forgiveness, which I will practice with every thought I have. If I'm thinking purely with God, I needn't place meaning on anything I experience today. With this pure slate, who knows what insights will be mine? As with those waiting to speak to someone they think has all the answers, I will be finding answers in every moment, simply by the allowing myself to accept that I am One with God. As such, all the answers are mine, without even asking.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“God creates all forms of reality. His thoughts are spiritual realities. So-called mortal mind--being nonexistent and consequently not within the range of immortal existence--could not by simulating deific power invert the divine creation, and afterwards recreate persons or things upon its own plane, since nothing exists beyond the range of all-inclusive infinity, in which and of which God is the sole creator. Mind, joyous in strength, dwells in the realm of Mind. Mind's infinite ideas run and disport themselves. In humility they climb the heights of holiness.”

Science & Health Page 513:26-9

May 20, 2012 - Healing thought

A Course in Miracles workbook lesson #140:

“Only salvation can be said to cure.”

"Bryce Canyon"
photo by Aaron Springston

Today's lesson is a culmination of what we've been studying for the last few days. No matter what "ills" appear to be in our lives, there is no law which says we are condemned to suffer. There is no reason for us to pick ourselves apart and try to figure out what's wrong in our thought. We needn't place blame or experience guilt for having transgressed some material law. We only need realize Truth. This truth is that we're one with God. We are spiritual and reflect only Spirit. It's a mistaken belief that we are victims of heredity, or subject to communicable disease, or any of the myriad problems which seem to be so real in our collective and individual thought. It can be very difficult to take ourselves out of the perpetual loop of dis-ease. We have commercials in various media telling us what's wrong with us, friends and strangers love to relate their maladies, and we're taught through our educational system that we must beware almost everything we encounter. So it can seem impossible to realize this Truth in our life, while living amongst this constant flow of erroneous thought. So everytime we turn away from material illusion into the shining perfection of ourselves, as seen through the spiritual sense we're developing, we should celebrate! Each revelation is a step toward salvation from this trap of victimhood. Only the understanding of what is truth and what is illusion can lift us past the thoughts which hold us trapped in sickness and the disharmony of our existence. And it's not by trying to rid ourselves of illusion that we are freed; it's by knowing what Truth is. Knowing what it is and allowing it to be first in our thought -- no, the only reality in our thought. And by filling ourselves with Truth, error has no room in thought and disappears into the nothingness which is its only reality. Now that's something to celebrate!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Many imagine that the phenomena of physical healing in Christian Science present only a phase of the action of the human mind, which action in some unexplained way results in the cure of disease. On the contrary, Christian Science rationally explains that all other pathological methods are the fruits of human faith in matter,--faith in the workings, not of Spirit, but of the fleshly mind which must yield to [the] Science [of the Christ]. The physical healing of Christian Science results now, as in Jesus' time, from the operation of divine Principle, before which sin and disease lose their reality in human consciousness and disappear as naturally and as necessarily as darkness gives place to light and sin to reformation. Now, as then, these mighty works are not supernatural, but supremely natural. They are the sign of Immanuel, or 'God with us,'--a divine influence ever present in human consciousness and repeating itself, coming now as was promised aforetime, ‘To preach deliverance to the captives [of sense], And recovering of sight to the blind, To set at liberty them that are bruised.’"

Science & Health Page xi:9-21