July 18, 2012 - I Am Free!

A Course in Miracles Lesson #199

“I am not a body. I am free.”

http://acim.org/Lessons/lesson.html?lesson=199

"Light Show Aaron"
photo by Heather Magnan

Today's idea has always intrigued me. Perhaps that's because it's like a seemingly-unsolvable puzzle, one of those intricate knots with an object in the middle which you're trying to extricate. Then when you see the solution, you wonder what seemed so impossible! And if you put the puzzle away and don't look at it for a long while, you forget what you knew, until something reminds you of the answer. That's what these studies do for me: they remind me of what's been forgotten. So today I will look to divine Mind for discernment. Infinite intelligence is my heritage as a child of God. I pray to release all beliefs I have concerning reality, and allow inner knowing to show me Truth.

"The term Mind and body I understand to mean God and man; man the manifestation and embodiment of Mind is the body of Mind; is the Infinite aggregation of spiritual ideas forever held, controlled, and governed by the law of Life, harmony, and completeness, so man was never born, never had a claim, never sinned, never left heaven, but is spiritual, perfect, harmonious and eternal. This understanding is the savior to our belief of body, the law of recovery of every and any claim of error.

There is just one God and one body.

I am the image and likeness of God; no mortal mind can confine this image in a mortal body, harm or touch it in any way, Mind has set me free from every error. Divine Love fills every avenue, flows through every channel and removes every obstruction.

Man has no material body through which to express anything; his body is the body of God."

[This is an excerpt from an article entitled "Body" by Mary Baker Eddy, filed in the Congressional Library, January 19, 1886, found by Lyda Sandifer Hord]

http://www.christianscience.org/MBEBody.htm

This material is copyrighted by Marsha Havens, Eureka Springs, Arkansas. All rights reserved. All writings, other than quoted material from A Course in Miracles or Mary Baker Eddy are the personal interpretation and understanding of the author

July 17, 2012 - Peace through connectivity

Unknown Photographer

A Course in Miracles `Lesson #198

“Only my condemnation injures me.”

It seems impossible to stay away from thoughts of condemnation. To listen to the news during an election year in the United States is more than sufficient to bring up thoughts of doom. When we let go of the belief of separation, this condemnation is put into its proper perspective. If I can manage to be still and know what/who I truly am, then there is no reason for thinking in this way. Truly forgiving is recognition that there is nothing to forgive. While it may be tempting to jump up on our high horses and expound on the rightness and the wrongness of these external events, this justification is only of our own beliefs. Mortal mind, ego, tells us that we know this is real and we must do something about it. And by this I don't mean to say that things can't or shouldn't be done about what we see going on around us in this world. But listening and allowing ourselves to be led is much more productive than going off on a tangent, proposing fantastic things of our imaginations, and telling people how they should change their ways and everything will be better. The internet is known as the world-wide web, and that is quite an analogy for the Oneness which we are as spiritual beings. The instant and constant connection we all have with each other through this web of connectivity is there for the recognition of it. It's akin to flipping the switch for light in a dark room. If we don't know that's possible, we don't know to do it, and so continue to sit in the dark. But when we sit with quiet expectation that our inner knowing will supply us with all answers, we may just find ourselves walking over to that unknown element and turning on the light! Whereas, sitting in condemnation of yourself and others for not knowing what to do offers no help other than keeping everyone in the dark. Let's recognize now there is no condemnation outside of our own. As Jesus tells us, "The kingdom of heaven is within you." Today I will remember that the kingdom of hell also resides there. Which will I choose? It seems foolish to think there is a choice!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“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 and Health Page 264:15-18

This material is copyrighted by Marsha Havens, Eureka Springs, Arkansas. All rights reserved. All writings, other than quoted material from A Course in Miracles or Mary Baker Eddy are the personal interpretation and understanding of the author.

July 16, 2012 - How do you see Yourself?

"Montana Lake"
photo by Aaron Springston

A Course in Miracles Lesson #197

“It can be but my gratitude I earn.”

Why is it harder to see ourselves as God than to see God as ourselves? We are always projecting our silly ways onto God, thinking that we must earn forgiveness from the One which knows nothing of this mortal idea. We are so accustomed to projecting our feelings onto others that we don't realize we're doing this with our ideas of God, too! Correcting our perception allows us to give freely. Strength is found in this way of thought. We release illusions of victimhood and weakness when we replace them with Love. I haven't felt like a reflection of God lately. and hence haven't been acting as such. Today's words in the ACIM workbook lesson speak to why these feelings occur. Basically, we are accepting as truth outside forces opposed to our own inner knowing of Truth. As a result, I may expect praise and reciprocal action to come my way. Or perhaps I pat myself on the back for being so kind and giving, but then think bad thoughts about someone for not accepting my goodness and returning it to me in a way I expect. This is but an example of mistaken identity on my part. God does not conditionally give Love to us, withdrawing it if we don't return it or share it. When we accept ourselves as part of that One, we cannot do this either. Anytime we catch ourselves giving what we think of as forgiveness and then wondering why we haven't had gratitude lavishly poured out to us for the presents we think we've given, let's step back and see what our motives truly are. What is given of ourselves in Truth cannot be given falsely. It's easy to become confused in this world of duality. It becomes necessary to regularly examine our motives behind our acts. How often I have convinced myself that I'm acting from Love, when actually I'm just trying to get my way. Even though I know it's my true nature to express Love, God, often I find that what I'm calling love is no more than self-serving manipulations. So as I sit in prayerful meditation today, I ask to discern the difference. But, also, I will know that even when I forget my function, God has not. And since there is no outside force fighting against my true being, I am free to be as I Am.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Science will correct the discord, and teach us life's sweeter harmonies.”

Science & Health Page 60:27–28

July 15, 2012 - Moral or mortal Chemicalization

"Running in Forest Park, St. Louis, MO"
photo by Heather Magnan

A Course in Miracles  Lesson #196
“It can be but myself I crucify.”

It seems to me that this juncture in our studies could be ripe for a reaction of mortal mind, or ego, which Mary Baker Eddy termed chemicalization. During a twelve-day intensive class in Christian Science, I experienced this backlash in thought. Everything I was learning seemed silly and irrelevant. My supposedly logical mind came up with all sorts of reasons why I should turn away from the teachings of divine metaphysics and go back to the so-called safety of muddled material thought. This seeming-crises may manifest itself in numerous ways, but the basic experience is one of lapsing back into thoughts and actions which you relinquish during a change from material belief to spiritual understanding. In A Course in Miracles, it could be seen as the ego attempting to remain in control, keeping you from experiencing the salvation realized by accepting  Truth. This is the point in this course where we are repeatedly told that we are on the brink of realizing salavation, revelation, heaven. Let's not be afraid if the belief systems we have put into practice throughout the years begin to talk back to us in protest of our new way of thinking!  We have the tools to stand fast in our knowledge. We have each other as reminders in support. We have inner knowing to tap into for verification on our path. We can move onward, upward, inward, fearless and secure in Love.

Mary Baker Eddy quotes:
“Here let a word be noticed which will be better understood hereafter,--chemicalization. By chemicalization I mean the process which mortal mind and body undergo in the change of belief from a material to a spiritual basis. S&H Page 168:30

“What I term chemicalization is the upheaval produced when immortal Truth is destroying erroneous mortal belief. Mental chemicalization brings sin and sickness to the surface, forcing impurities to pass away, as is the case with a fermenting fluid.”
S&H Page 401:16

“Mortal error will vanish in a moral chemicalization. This mental fermentation has begun, and will continue until all errors of belief yield to understanding. Belief is changeable, but spiritual understanding is changeless.” S&H Page 96:21

July 14, 2012 - Walking in gratitude

"Overlooking South Africa"
photo by Aaron Springston

A Course in Miracles #195

“Love is the way I walk in gratitude.”

Today is not about being grateful to God, but because of God! Our previous lessons are showing us how to trust ourselves through the knowledge that we are the reflection of divine Mind.  We are gaining confidence in learning how to get out of our own way and rely on the wisdom which is heard through spiritual sense. A saying we often hear is "but for the grace of God there go I". Doesn't this say that God loves me more than that person over there? How could this be possible? It can't, because God is Love and requires nothing of us other than our awareness. And so today as I walk with Love, my gratitude will be because God is the source of all good, and there is nothing else but this goodness. If I am tempted to feel put-upon by circumstances, I will remember that I can choose again and think about this in another way. Not long ago I was upset with one of the artists in my gallery, and was chastising her about some behavior that didn't fit my idea of what she should be doing. As I was telling her why I was unhappy with the situation, she simply asked me why I should ever be unhappy about anything because I was, after all, living my dream. I thank her for putting this in perspective for me. Yes, I am grateful for this understanding and the unfoldment which comes of it continually. I remember my son once asked me when the last time was that anyone told me I was wrong. I am grateful for those wise enough to do so! Namaste'.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"We should examine ourselves and learn what is the affection and purpose of the heart, for in this way only can we learn what we honestly are. If a friend informs us of a fault, do we listen patiently to the rebuke and credit what is said? Do we not rather give thanks that we are "not as other men"? During many years the author has been most grateful for merited rebuke.”

Science & Health Pages 8:28-3

July 13, 2012 - Open with no expectations

 A Course in Miracles Lesson #194

“I place the future in the Hands of God.”

"Adventures in Mongolia"
photograph by Aaron Springston

Being open to anything with no expectations is what "placing the future in the Hands of God" means to me. It has taken years to get to this point. I used to be a worrier, too. I remember the feeling. When I would be waiting for a loved one to come home and they would be late, the worry was so intense that I couldn't stand myself! I remember at one point I just started thinking that the worst had happened, that this truck-driving husband had died on the road and I'd never see him again. This seemed to be easier to accept than all the what-ifs involved in the waiting and wondering game. Whew, am I glad that's over! Today, if I made a list of things I could worry about, it would be far longer than it was back in the day when I would imagine insane scenarios. But it doesn't matter now, because I only want to know one thing: the nature of God and what my part is in that relationship. Everything else is incidental to this understanding. When something comes up which requires a decision, I go to God. Not in a pleading or asking-what-I-should-do type of way, but in a quiet, listening way, affirming my Oneness with God and my unity with everything and everyone. And through this prayerful acquiescence and acknowledgement, answers and solutions come to thought. Now I'll admit that sometimes I say, And what am I supposed to do with that? But waiting and trusting has become second nature, and I'm no longer fearful of the silence or of the answer. It is stated in this lesson that if we see this yielding to God for the deliverance it is, we won't be hesitant to give it our wholehearted effort in order to make it a part of us. Eventually it will become the thought that rules our mind, a habit in our problem solving, a quick reaction to temptation. In other words, this trust will permeate our every thought and action, allowing us to see the world as a friend rather than the opposite. What a beautiful Life!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The ancient prophets gained their foresight from a spiritual, incorporeal standpoint, not by foreshadowing evil and mistaking fact for fiction,--predicting the future from a groundwork of corporeality and human belief. When sufficiently advanced in Science to be in harmony with the truth of being, men become seers and prophets involuntarily, controlled not by demons, spirits, or demigods, but by the one Spirit. It is the prerogative of the ever-present, divine Mind, and of thought which is in rapport with this Mind, to know the past, the present, and the future.”

Science & Health Page 84:3-13

July 12, 2012 - Disappearing swords

"Transportation in the Gobi"
photo by Aaron Springston

A Course in Miracles Lesson #193

“All things are lessons God would have me learn.”

Does God really want me to learn anything? Of course not, because Deity  knows nothing of learning, any more than It knows of pain or sorrow or death. What I am learning today is this: "Forgive, and you will see this differently." Today's lesson reinforces yesterday's plan to cast away the sword hanging over our heads. In other words, any grudges we are holding are keeping us a prisoner to them. "I will forgive, and this will disappear" is my favorite sentence in lesson #193. We often hear people say they can forgive but they can't or won't forget. This forgiving spoken of in today's writings is total; forgetting whatever we think has wronged us. The thought of wrong-doing will not hang around to be brought out and re-lived for ourselves and others. I've often said that the collective consciousness shift which is taking place right now will be such a thorough change of thought that we won't even realize it has happened. It will simply be a brand new world of harmonious being. Those who fought the change will not even know they have changed! But happiness and Love will be the law of the land, and we won't need anyone to tell us what is right or wrong. Haven't we always known this?

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Accompanying this scientific consciousness was another revelation, even the declaration from heaven, supreme harmony, that God, the divine Principle of harmony, is ever with [us], and [we] are His people. Thus man was no longer regarded as a miserable sinner, but as the blessed child of God. Why? Because St. John's corporeal sense of the heavens and earth had vanished, and in place of this false sense was the spiritual sense, the subjective state by which he could see the new heaven and new earth, which involve the spiritual idea and consciousness of reality. This is Scriptural authority for concluding that such a recognition of being is, and has been, possible to men in this present state of existence,--that we can become conscious, here and now, of a cessation of death, sorrow, and pain. This is indeed a foretaste of absolute Christian Science. Take heart, dear sufferer, for this reality of being will surely appear sometime and in some way. There will be no more pain, and all tears will be wiped away. When you read this, remember Jesus' words, "The kingdom of God is within you." This spiritual consciousness is therefore a present possibility.”

Science & Health Page 573:13-2

This material is copyrighted by Marsha Havens, Eureka Springs, Arkansas. All rights reserved. All writings, other than quoted material from A Course in Miracles or Mary Baker Eddy are the personal interpretation and understanding of the author.