August 17, 2012 - You are Love

A Course in Miracles Lesson #229

{Unknown photographer}

“Love, which created me, is what I am."

To recognize that we are Love negates all of the illusory problems we believe we have. Seeing these words, I think upon conversations I've had with others in the past few days. All of these so-called problems, things seen as impediments to our progress or happiness, disappear as mist before sunshine when viewed through this Love which we are. One woman tells me her son thinks he knows it all, and he knows nothing. How close I came to laughing out loud at this one! If she realized her true self as Love, perhaps she'd see the situation from a different perspective entirely. I saw it as a power struggle over money, and suggested she spend everything so there would be nothing to fight over. She very seriously told me she had more money than she could spend. I gave her a business card and sent her away with Love. Then there is the dear old friend who visits and tells me of his physical maladies which are debilitating and undiagnosable and incurable. It sure looks like a job for the recognition of his true Being as a reflection of divine Love. He gets a hug from me and a big dose of Love! And there's the sweet friend who is fearful for her young daughter. She is shaking with emotion as I hold her tightly and silently affirm the safety inherent in all under the umbrella of our reality in Love. What a lovely gift awaits her in awakening to the ever-present, protection of Love.  And there's the new friend who isn't sure she's made the right choice in a recent major change in environment. The Love that she is, the Love that everyone she meets is, mingles in our hearts and finds a commonality in spite of material beliefs in irreconcilable differences. Everyone from Jesus to the Beatles have told us of this infallible solution called Love. Perhaps it's time to listen. In the past, I've been rather irritated when anyone would tell me solutions were to be found in a purer understanding of God. Today I will examine my motives and acts to see if I'm over it!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way. Right motives give pinions to thought, and strength and freedom to speech and action. Love is priestess at the altar of Truth. Wait patiently for divine Love to move upon the waters of mortal mind, and form the perfect concept. Patience must "have her perfect work." 

Science & Health Page 454:18-24

August 16, 2012 - Choose Again

"Bird at Heart"
Primal Image by
Sandy Wythawai Starbird

 A Course in Miracles Lesson #228

“God has condemned me not. No more do I."

One of the most wonderful things about these teachings is the recognition of our ability to "choose again".  Just because we have chosen a direction which does not serve us doesn't mean we must always repeat the behavior which brings us unhappiness or pain. It seems that a major impediment to releasing all these mistaken dreams is our desire to keep all the good dreams while letting go of the bad. I really want to get rid of memories of painful, fearful circumstances, but I'd rather hold on to lots of nice ones! Is there any difference? Isn't it all a material dream of pain and pleasure, life and death, duality after duality? Spiritual sense sees only this perfect oneness. It sees no condemnation or reason for blame. I want to see with these eyes. And that is a key to this seeing: a desire to do so. If we don't want to let loose painful thoughts, we won't. If we want to relive hurts and betrayals, we will. In conversations with others, it is repeatedly brought to my attention how much people cherish being right in situations. It seems that is a great source of satisfaction, this being right. But isn't that simply a perception of events? What is right? What is wrong? For me, rightness is peace. Does a decision to act in a certain way bring a feeling of peace? If it does, then I go forward with that action. So often decisions are nothing more than self-satisfied dogma on our part. We might think: This is the way it's always been for me, and I like it that way, and I'm going to keep it that way. And so we do. Even if the repetitive actions bring us sadness and conflict, we have decided that this is "right" and we must stick by our guns (what a horrible saying that is!) and continue on in this way whether it brings peace and happiness or the opposite. Let's remember to see ourselves as God sees us today, knowing that we are guiltless, sinless, pure.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Now is the time for so-called material pains and material pleasures to pass away, for both are unreal, because impossible in Science. 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 39:23-30

August 15, 2012 - Experiencing the Holy Instant

"Still Standing"
(Reality is That Which Does Not Change)
painting by Carol Dickie

A Course in Miracles Lesson #227

“This is my holy instant of release.”

I have been wondering what it is which keeps people from wanting to know God. It would seem there are many reasons, ranging from a misunderstanding of what deity actually is, extending to a fear of losing independence and individuality, and including simple embarassment from giving yourself to something which cannot be intellectually explained. Some of us want a quick fix and believe it would take too much time to understand something we've been taught is unknowable. Others of us feel unworthy of gaining favor from this great judgmental being, and run the other way. There are as many reasons as there are people, but ultimately it doesn't matter what we think about such things. Every moment is a holy instant whether we realize it or not. We can accept illusion as truth, deciding that the body is the ruling entity which sentences us to sorrow and pain. Or we can admit that there is more to this existence than meets the eye. This holy instant which is spoken of today is ours, now and eternally. We have few glimpses of it, as we've built up layers of materiality to conceal it. But it's always there. "This is my holy instant of release". Every moment is this holy instant, which we fearlessly claim now. Let's not worry about what is not, but let us focus on what Is. By recognizing illusion, the way is cleared to see Truth. The holy instant is my Life. I revel in it today!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The true idea of God gives the true understanding of Life and Love, robs the grave of victory, takes away all sin and the delusion that there are other minds, and destroys mortality.”

Science and Health Page 323:24–27

August 14, 2012 - True Home

"People in China - 2009"
photo by Aaron Springston

A Course in Miracles Lesson #226

“My home awaits me. I will hasten there.”

Generally when we speak of departing this world, we are referring to the change we call death. In today's lesson, this departure refers to changing our mind about the purpose of the world. When I read the words, "... change of mind about the purpose of the world", a catch phrase is remembered: "Just say NO!!" Today I will just say no to any thought, any thing, which is not of God. When a thought makes me feel uneasy, I will challenge it and see what it looks like from a slightly different perspective. What does it mean that my home awaits me? I mean, really! How does this affect my existence? Certainly accepting the Truth of our being may translate into manifestation in many ways. Something I look forward to is communication without words. We see this sharing of thought in the animal kingdom. It can be observed in watching birds fly in formation, or your dog expecting you home five minutes before you get there, or any number of insights we may tap into on occasion. I truly feel we are all doing the best we can.  Sometimes this doesn't seem like enough to us, whether within ourselves or for others. With each stretching past our accepted limitations, fresh insights will appear. I watch those who are frightened of this new/old way of living. They find reasons to stand still, afraid  that things could be worse than they are. I see you, dear One, flying, leaving behind stuck thought and seeing from a higher perspective than you knew was possible. Today I change my mind about the purpose of the world, and live the kingdom of God which is within. Therein lies the safety of home. I'll see you there

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“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 573:27-2

August 13, 2012 - To Love Totally ...

A Course in Miracles Lesson #225

“God is my Father, and His Son loves Him.”

"Aaron in Germany - 2006"
photo by Mike Cheathum

The ebb and flow of divine Love does not mean that it comes and goes like the tide, but that there is an ever-present circulation between its Source and the creation of divine Mind. Divine creation includes you and me, our true Selves as the reflection of this Love. The admission to myself that there is only one thing I want, which is to know God, to understand the relation of myself to All that Is, allows me to also confess the Love I feel for God and all of Creation. I remember my son once told me he didn't understand why I had so many pets. At the time there were three dogs and three cats. But then he said that it was a good thing because I had too much love for just him and his brother, and if I didn't have the animals, I'd be leading them around town on leashes and patting them on the head. Although we laughed at this at the time, I see there was truth to his statement. We all have too much Love to be contained in any human relationship(s). The all-encompassing divine Love which we are reflecting must be given freely, but it is too huge to be satisfied in simply material expression. To love God is to express the ultimate in what we may have been limiting by our erroneous beliefs in the reality of Love. And releasing the full power of this divine Love is translated into loving actions and thoughts in everyday life. We need not plan to be kind and loving (as some I know seem to do), but by loving only God this expression is found in surprising ways! Leave notes on the blog with ways you have demonstrated this phenomenon! www.divinemetaphysics.blogspot.com

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Not materially but spiritually we know Him as divine Mind, as Life, Truth, and Love. We shall obey and adore in proportion as we apprehend the divine nature and love Him understandingly, warring no more over the corporeality, but rejoicing in the affluence of our God. Religion will then be of the heart and not of the head. Mankind will no longer be tyrannical and proscriptive from lack of love,--straining out gnats and swallowing camels.”

Science & Health Page 140:7-14

August 12, 2012 - "Compassion in Emptiness"

A Course in Miracles Lesson #224

"A Gathering of Friends"
photo by Marsha Havens

“God is my Father, and He loves His Son.”

The Dalai Lama always has such profoundly beautiful messages for us! He speaks of peace and love, reminding us of our true identify in such an unassuming and pure manner. His gleeful words never leave me where they found me, and for this I am most grateful. Not long ago I watched a DVD of his entitled "Compassion in Emptiness". As usual, every time I read or listen to him, another little chip falls away from any leftover hardness of heart I'm holding on to. This hardness could be in the form of anger, pain, sorrow, any negative emotions I've liked too much to let go. In this most recent DVD, he speaks to the importance of relationships based in honesty and trust. The joyfulness birthed in these relationships is essential to our liberation from fearful illusions. This peaceful happiness is the Truth of our Being. Let's not be afraid to share this with those we know -- and those we don't know! This trust and honesty the Dalai Lama speaks of isn't limited to those who have "earned" it. It isn't limited in any way. When today's ACIM lesson tells us that God is my Father, it means that God is everyone's Father, and by that revelation we are all the same, all worthy of goodness and love. So as we go through our daily activities, let's remember to treat everyone with the loving respect and courtesy with which we would afford a dearly beloved parent or child. Let kindness and joy spread to every person you come into contact with today, and everyday. And if you happen to forget what that feels like, pick up a DVD of the Dalai Lama and let him remind you!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Give up your material belief of mind in matter, and have but one Mind, even God; for this Mind forms its own likeness. The loss of man's identity through the understanding which Science confers is impossible; and the notion of such a possibility is more absurd than to conclude that individual musical tones are lost in the origin of harmony.”

Science & Health Page 216:30-5

August 11, 2012 - Freedom in Unity

"Colorado Wildflowers"
photo by Aaron Springston

A Course in Miracles Lesson #223

“God is my life. I have no life but His.”

The freedom which comes from admitting my unity with all of Creation came as a great surprise to me. The majority of my life I was insistent on doing it my way -- whatever that way happened to be. I rebelled at authority in any form and believed myself to be a nonconformist. Even the thought of such rebellion makes me chuckle at its silliness. Now I find that true freedom only comes from the acceptance of my being as a creation of divine Mind. In reading our subject for today's lesson, many remembrances of events and circumstances pass through my mind. "God is my life." I could say so much about this. But the cool breeze being swept in with the attic fan says it all. After numerous weeks of extremely hot weather conditions, we have cooler days, with a hint of fall in the atmosphere. The cool night air is exquisite.. Resting in this perfection is enough. One of my favorite expressions of gratitude is a Native American saying.  I reach out to everything, to all that is, with a silent "Thank You greatly!". I allow this feeling to flow through me as the cool air flows through this house. Life is good. Thank You greatly.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"God is divine Life, and Life is no more confined to the forms which reflect it than substance is in its shadow. If life were in mortal man or material things, it would be subject to their limitations and would end in death. Life is Mind, the creator reflected in His creations. If He dwelt within what He creates, God would not be reflected but absorbed, and the Science of being would be forever lost through a mortal sense, which falsely testifies to a beginning and an end.”

Science & Health Page 331:1-10