June 18, 2012 - Grace

ACIM Lesson #169

“By grace I live. By grace I am released.”

"To the top of the Mountain in Mongolia"
photo by Aaron Springston

We are taught today that grace cannot be learned, although it is the goal of learning. We are told that grace is laid at the prepared table, and this preparation is what we are doing in these metaphysically divine studies. It takes an open mind to be willing to wake up from the material existence we have accepted as reality. Through the total recognition that our only will is that which is one with God's, we ready ourselves for the revelations of Truth. It is often said that we need not strive for an understanding of God. You know the words: Let go and let God!  And this is certainly true. So what makes this simple, but not easy? I think it's because of the constant cacophony from physical senses, bombarding us every moment with how things are supposed to be.  Once again, we look for ways to tune in to Truth, God, and turn off these constant bombardments. And how else but through these studies which allow a clean slate to occasionally appear?  We feel the Presence and want it more and more. Mary Baker Eddy states, “Desire is prayer". So through our desire for this rest with God, the blissful quiet which has no purpose other than communion with the One, we live by grace and are released from the seeming reality around us, into our true Being as a reflection of God.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The fading forms of matter, the mortal body and material earth, are the fleeting concepts of the human mind. They have their day before the permanent facts and their perfection in Spirit appear. The crude creations of mortal thought must finally give place to the glorious forms which we sometimes behold in the camera of divine Mind, when the mental picture is spiritual and eternal. Mortals must look beyond fading, finite forms, if they would gain the true sense of things. Where shall the gaze rest but in the unsearchable realm of Mind? We must look where we would walk, and we must act as possessing all power from Him in whom we have our being.”

Science & Health Page 263:32-9

June 17, 2012 - Grace

A Course in Miracles Lesson #168

“Your grace is given me. I claim it now.”

"Heather, full of Grace"
photo by Aaron Springston

Accepting the grace that is ours involves giving it at every opportunity. Recently someone asked why it doesn't bother me to work closely with someone who seems hard to get along with -- for many reasons! I answered that I realize how miserable she must be to act in such a way. So I don't take her actions personally, nor do I claim them as a part of my existence. And what she thinks of me is absolutely none of my business!  Mary Baker Eddy’s spiritual interpretation of the Lord’s Prayer includes this correlation to "Give us this day our daily bread": "Give us Grace for today, feed the famished affections." Starving affections are a symptom of not accepting the Truth about ourselves and others as a creation of divine Mind. When someone seems agitated and angry, or defensive and irritable, the Grace which is ours is the antidote. By practicing kindness when faced with hardness of heart, meekness when all around us are aggressive, loving those who seem unlovable, and paying it forward in every action, we prepare ourselves to acknowledge the God-given Grace which is our true heritage. I simply say an inward Namaste', recognizing  that their divine essence and mine are absolutely the same. I've found that loving my neighbor as myself is cause for loving myself more -- which is a nice bonus!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“What we most need is the prayer of fervent desire for growth in grace, expressed in patience, meekness, love, and good deeds. To keep the commandments of our Master [Jesus] and follow his example, is our proper debt to him and the only worthy evidence of our gratitude for all that he has done. Outward worship is not of itself sufficient to express loyal and heartfelt gratitude, since he has said: "If ye love me, keep my commandments."

[Those commandments being: Love God above all else and your neighbor as yourself.]

Science & Health Page 4:3-10

June 16, 2012 - One Life

"One in Soccer"
photo by Aaron Springston

A Course in Miracles Lesson #167

“There is one life, and that I share with God.”

I was in the grocery store check-out line. The kid sacking the groceries was trying on the checker's glasses. He tells us he doesn't know how anyone can see through them and the checker tells him they're reading glasses and he'll find out some day.  He says, "I hope God comes before that happens." The checkout lady says, "That's horrible! No, that's wonderful. No ..." At this point, I mentioned that I, too, was somewhat speechless. We interpreted his comment to mean he hoped he died before he lost his 20/20 vision. But upon reflection, he could have meant other things -- perhaps "the rapture"?? The whole conversation reflected muddled, confused thought in so many ways. For one thing, the assumption is being made that getting older requires a loss of close-up sight. Erroneous assumptions abound here! But ultimately the kid was right in hoping "God comes before this happens". This appearing of God doesn't require us to die, and it doesn't require some miraculous change in the way things are, it simply requires a change in our thought about reality. In this change, all sorts of things we thought to be law are seen to be illusion. I prefer to consider what Life is, rather than what it is not. After this event at the grocery store, I came home and watered my flower garden. The beauty of a sunset, combined with earthy scents, brought Life into focus. The fireflies began to come out and the scent of mint, anise hyssop, and wet earth took over my senses. I saw not only the unreality of erroneous material thought but the unnecessity of it. To be still and experience the beauty of this life is enough. All questions are answered in the stillness of yielding to All that Is. I Am that I Am. Amen ~~~

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Question: What is Life?

Answer: Life is divine Principle, Mind, Soul, Spirit. Life is without beginning and without end. Eternity, not time, expresses the thought of

Life, and time is no part of eternity. One ceases in proportion as the other is recognized. Time is finite; eternity is forever infinite. Life is neither in nor of matter. What is termed matter is unknown to Spirit, which includes in itself all substance and is Life eternal. Matter is a human concept. Life is divine Mind. Life is not limited. Death and finiteness are unknown to Life. If Life ever had a beginning, it would also have an ending.”

Science & Health Pages 468:26-6

June 15, 2012 - Spreading Joy!

A Course in Miracles Lesson #166

“I am entrusted with the gifts of God.”

"Peaceful Joy in Mongolia"
photo by Aaron Springston

I receive a lot of good-natured chiding for having a "Pollyanna" attitude.  Sometimes I'm chastised for being happy when others are sad. The following line from today's workbook lesson speaks to this: “For God entrusts the giving of His gifts to all who have received them. He has shared His joy with you. And now you go to share it with the world.” The action of happiness is profound. It affects everything, everyone around it. We all have stories of watching situations change when we touch them with peaceful joy. This doesn't mean we laugh in the face of misery. That is not compassion. But neither is being overly sympathetic while perpetuating the illusion.  To illustrate that I feel sadness just like you do, I've wept three times today. A young man's sudden death has been deeply moving to me. I recently received word that a relative who lives far away is succumbing to the ravages of multiple sclerosis. I haven't slept much in the last few days, so perhaps that's what precipitated the third bout of tears while telling a customer about a work of art.  Whatever the case, I tell you this simply to assure you that I feel sadness, that I am moved by daily life, and I hope to never lose the ability to empathize with others. But, also, I hope to always retain the ability to see past the form of sorrow and know the Truth of the situation. With all the emotional events of the past few days, I'll refrain from maudlin recounting of "what-ifs" and blame apportioning.  But when someone tells of a wonderful remembrance, I'll be there to share the joy. To carry a calm, buoyant feeling of happiness wherever we go is to bring healing to everything, everywhere. Whether it's a peaceful internal smiling or an outward giggling eruption, I invite you to join me today in the expression of Love, "giving living waters to the thirsty", and never fearing the consequences.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Whatever inspires with wisdom, Truth, or Love--be it song, sermon, or Science--blesses the human family with crumbs of comfort from Christ's table, feeding the hungry and giving living waters to the thirsty.”

Science & Health Page 234:4-8

June 14, 2012

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #165

“Let not my mind deny the Thought of God.”

"Washington D.C. Sunset"
photo by Aaron Springston

Most of us "deny the Thought of God" without even realizing it. To understand that we are spiritual right here and now is to accept this Thought of God. When I allow every moment to be a sweet yielding, a peaceful world is mine. I love this line from today's workbook lesson: “Sureness is not required to receive what only your acceptance can bestow." How cool is that??! We don't have to be sure of anything, we don't have to know anything, all we need do is be open to the Thought of God. When we are willing to accept everything as ideas of divine Mind, this breaks through our defense that we don't know enough to put this Truth into practice in daily life. There is no requirement other than a desire to expand thought, to be willing to live Truth. When we actively set aside all supposititious material laws, another way of living opens to us. We experience divine Love as a palpable force, and it shows us a peace deeper than we ever imagined. A single glimpse of eternity is sufficient to show us that's what's been missing in this existence. Today I will demonstrate spiritual reality and glory in its every manifestation!

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

June 13, 2012 - Now, we are One

A Course in Miracles Lesson #164

“Now are we one with Him Who is our Source."

"Aaron and Heather in Montana"
unknown photographer 

Today our little town is saddened by the  passing of a young man who has been a part of this community for most of his 28 years. Every time he comes to mind, I see his mother. A few short months ago, this beautiful woman said goodbye to a daughter not much older than her son. There could be nothing worse than losing a child. When my oldest son went to boarding school at the tender age of 14, I missed him so much I felt as though I'd never smile again. I couldn't imagine feeling joy. At some point, I realized I was feeling the same way I would if he had died. So I examined that. Mary Baker Eddy reminds us that if we think someone is dead because of a mistaken communication, we react in the same way as we would if they were truly gone from our lives. And so I looked at why I was so sad. I would miss talking to him, laughing with him, watching him play soccer. Everything I came up with ultimately was a self-serving feeling on my part. It had nothing to do with him! When someone dies at a young age, we hear people say they feel bad because this person isn't going to get to do the things they "should have". Who are we to judge? None of us know what happens when we leave this plane of existence. We have made up all sorts of interesting and down-right odd things about this change, but none of us really knows. But as we study and practice today's thought of "Now are we one with Him who is our Source", we come closer to understanding what that means! NOW are we one; not sometime in the future, but now. And it doesn't matter if that is in this lifetime or sometime before or after what we're doing now. We are learning to let go of before, after, and even now, because they're all human measures we've made up for various reasons. They have nothing to do with the Is-ness which we are. And that Is-ness doesn't recognize yesterday or tomorrow, life or death, because all is an emanation of Mind, and Life is eternal, without time or space, or illusion of form. So as difficult as it may be for everyone to feel joy at this point, I have decided to do it for them. When they come to mind, I will acknowledge them as emanations of Love, a fire which can never be put out. I recall that the woman who loved Kahlil Gibran sat smiling peacefully at his funeral. When asked how she could do that, she replied that she felt closer to him than she ever had before. ("The Beloved Prophet") Let's all feel this inseparable nearness as we acknowledge our Unity.

“As mortals gain more correct views of God and man, multitudinous objects of creation, which before were invisible, will become visible. When we realize that Life is Spirit, never in nor of matter, this understanding will expand into self-completeness, finding all in God, good, and needing no other consciousness.”

Science & Health Page 264:13-19

June 12, 2012 - Life is timeless

A Course in Miracles Lesson #163

“There is no death. The Son of God is free.”

"Heather at Lake - Sunset
photograph by Aaron Springston

There are many meanings, both literal and metaphorical, which come to mind when thinking of the word "death". The first thought which came to me upon reading today's topic was the death we experience when we are born into this existence. Suddenly our spiritual sense is deadened by the deluge of materialistic stimuli which constantly bombards us. In this forgetting of the Truth of our Being, life becomes very uncertain. We vacillate between multitudes of inharmonious circumstances, until we recognize our relation to divine Mind. Then we begin to see glimpses of eternity. We start to realize the unreality of time and space. I think we've always known this. Perhaps it's part of the dissatisfaction so often felt when "feeling out of sight for the ends of being and ideal grace." (Browning)  We know there's something more than this, and we keep grasping at what it might be. This takes us many places in our search for freedom from the belief that we have no choice in this existence. We have the choice of waking up! Today's lesson gives many examples of how we allow death to be stronger than life. To wake up from this dream of erroneous thought, let's switch on the light of Truth. Then we are able to see that we have it backwards. There is no need to fear this life which can only end in death. Instead we'll allow ourselves to see through the veil we have hung to hide the truth of our being. With this sight will come the understanding of Life as timeless.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The chief stones in the temple of Christian Science are to be found in the following postulates: that Life is God, good, and not evil; that Soul is sinless, not to be found in the body; that Spirit is not, and cannot be, materialized; that Life is not subject to death; that the spiritual real man has no birth, no material life, and no death.”

Science & Health Page 288:20-25