September 28, 2012 - I see with a Single Eye

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #271

“Christ's is the vision I will use today."

"Mount Timpanogos Flowers"
photo by Aaron Springston

Most of us have noticed how what we place our attention upon affects our experience. Perhaps you just got a new car, and you see the same model everywhere you look. It's not surprising that we see what our attention directs, but it is surprising to me that we are so adamant about keeping our sight tuned to things which no longer serve us. A friend was recently telling me that after retirement from his job as an airplane mechanic, he had yet to find anything that interested him as much. He related that photography and bluegrass music intrigued him for a while, but then that passed and he was left disinterested once again. Upon reflection, this seems a natural progression. Only something which stirs us deeply and is a never-ending unfoldment can be the passion of a lifetime. For me, the learning to let go of the many perceptions I have of how things seem to be -- or how I think they ought to be -- is a passion. The leaving behind, even to a minuscule degree, of these beliefs, and the replacement of them with the vision of God, is an adventure which allows every moment of this existence to be exciting and new. What my attention is fixed upon is what I see. So today I see through the eyes of the One, and I will do this by having a single eye focused only on the Truth of Being. And if past experience has shown me anything, thought is consumed by what appears before my eyes!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Agassiz, through his microscope, saw the sun in an egg at a point of so-called embryonic life. Because of his more spiritual vision, St. John saw an "angel standing in the sun." The Revelator beheld the spiritual idea from the mount of vision. Purity was the symbol of Life and Love.”

Science & Health Page 561:5-10

September 27, 2012 - Listen. See. Be.

Fabric Creation of
Sandy Wythawai Starbird

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #270

“I will not use the body's eyes today.”

Being part of the art community in Eureka Springs brings many opportunities to see through others' eyes into the depth of their connection to All That Is. I love talking to these artists in the Eureka Thyme Family and seeing their reflections come to life in physical form! And from these reflections emanate energies seen to all who are willing to look within. Love is the creator and Love is the appreciator. In these times of shifting thought, many of us are frightened by the feelings and insights we are having. Our artists lead the way fearlessly because they are accustomed to allowing other-dimensional energy into their experience. But even those used to being this conduit for spirit are feeling a difference in the flow. It could be interpreted as a blockage, but it can also be the calm before the deluge of never-before-felt creation. As their egos move away from center stage, something else is opening up and bringing forth guidance. And by the act of looking upon these palpably loving works of Art, I am taken to other realms of sight. The expressions take me past the obvious into the ethereal. Every instance of this "seeing through the veil" brings us closer to our goal of seeing that way all the time. Slipping into the silence between thoughts, seeing past the obvious, hearing within -- all this and more seek our awareness. Listen, See, Be.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Spiritual vision is not subordinate to geometric altitudes. Whatever is governed by God, is never for an instant deprived of the light and might of intelligence and Life.”

Science & Health Page 215:11-13

September 26, 2012 - I see Christ's face

Ken and Sandy Starbird
photo by Judy Rhodes

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #269

“My sight goes forth to look upon Christ's face.”

This face of Christ which is spoken of in today's lesson is everywhere. Although the words Christ and Jesus are often synonymous, they are not always. Jesus was a man who was here to show us the Truth of our Being. Christ is the Sprit, God (if you will) which is the essence of everything. The Christ, The Universe, Harold -- it really doesn't matter what you call It, because It simply Is. So this face of Christ that we are looking at today is what you see when you look in the mirror, what you see when you look at your loved ones, what you see when you look at your so-called enemies -- it is everything, minus the material beliefs and learned behaviors. Some people tell me that it's impossible to see through this material miasma, that we can't let go and freely see in a way other than we're accustomed to doing. I say why not?? Well, I've just had a two-hour conversation with a friend who told me lots of reasons why not! And every one of them was the same: fear. I questioned him relentlessly when one of these "reasons" would surface. It seems he's afraid of leaving a hole in his ego; almost as though he fears he would implode if anything is taken away -- whether it's serving him or making him miserable, it makes no difference. Although he isn't ready to accept any definition of forgiveness I could come up with, he was able to admit a possibility of being at peace within himself. And I look upon God's face.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The eternal Truth destroys what mortals seem to have learned from error, and man's real existence as a child of God comes to light.”

Science and Health Page 288:31–1

September 25, 2012 - What is -- is.

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #268

“Let all things be exactly as they are.”

"Fun in Mongolia"
unknown photographer

What is, is. Some people have told me they don't like this saying, or that they don't know what it means, or that it makes no sense. But that's not going to stop me from saying it, because saying it helps me to mean it!  I don't want to look for a cause for anything unlike good, it just is. Nor will I justify ugly thoughts and actions from myself. What is, is. BUT I will recognize that there is only One Cause and that single One Cause is the only Source of any effect realized in our lives. The spiritual, metaphysical Truth of all that is IS All That Is! There is no cause for anything unlike good, God, and so its seeming reality can be challenged with divine authority. Erroneous thoughts of any sort are the same as a dark closet in a light room. When you open the door, the dark doesn't escape into the light. The light dispels the darkness. And so it is with our realization of unrealities which seem so solid. And when we open the door and acknowledge the Truth, anything unlike God, good, simply dissipates before the certainty of light. I needn't judge or condemn anything I see or do. I need only acknowledge the Truth of how things are.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Man and his Maker are correlated in divine Science, and real consciousness is cognizant only of the things of God.”

Science and Health Page 276: 9-10

September 24, 2012 - Changing Thought

"Eureka Fairy"

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #267

“My heart is beating in the peace of God"

I've become acquainted with four wonderful women who meet here every year for vacation. They have made lots of friends in past stays, and I was very pleased when they invited me to their place for dinner. While listening to their happy banter, it became clear that they think Eureka Springs is utopia, in that no one lives in "reality" here. I certainly can see why they think that, as we seem to have a different sense of time, of what is and is not "appropriate" -- and then there's that total sureness that we're on the "right track". Living the "peace of God" may seem like a fantasy to those who abide by the laws of materiality. Some think we're delusional, or sticking our heads in the sand, or denying reality in favor of wishful thinking. But that's okay! When you know the Truth of being, put it into practice in daily life, and watch the demonstration of it bloom in your every activity, your "heart is beating in the peace of God". And that state of mind does more for the world than all the preaching we may be tempted to do!

“More effectual than the forum are our states of mind, to bless mankind”

Pulpit and Press, p. 87

September 23, 2012 - Seeing Through the Illusion

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #266

“My holy Self abides in you, God's Son.”

"A Happy Customer"

Our tourist town is known for its friendly and helpful shopkeepers. Numerous times a day people mention to me how nice everyone has been to them. Upon reflection, I see that it’s easy to be nice to those who are nice to us. And so I look forward to the occasional "tough cookie" who will allow me to see if I'm truly looking past the illusion! Recently, a woman was in my gallery who had nothing but complaints and she wanted to tell me about them in detail. At one point, she was expounding on how awful her husband was. As I didn't want to hear this, I made an attempt at ending the conversation by asking her if she liked her husband. She looked startled and said, Why yes, I do!! And I said, Well, that's all that really matters. For a moment, at the very least, the mesmerism was broken and she was in another reality. One of my favorite stories that Wayne Dyer tells is of walking on the beach and meeting someone who has just moved to the neighborhood. The person asks what people are like there, and he asks in return what the people are like where she came from. She replies that everyone is kind and it was a great place to live. He tells her that's pretty much what she'll find there, too. At another time he's walking on the beach and the same scenario occurs, but this time the person responds that the place they left was filled with rude, stand-off-ish people. He responds, That's pretty much what you'll find here. With that in mind, I will express my holy Self and expect nothing other than that to be bounced back from all I meet. And when it's not, I'll listen expectantly for something which will break the spell!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“He that touches the hem of Christ’s robe and masters his mortal beliefs, animality, and hate, rejoices in the proof of healing,—in a sweet and certain sense that God is Love”.

Science & Health Page 569: 11-14

September 22, 2012 - Gentleness is Realized in Action

"Angelo Drumming in Eureka"
photo by Richard Quick

ACIM Lesson #265

“Creation's gentleness is all I see.

Gentleness and joy are realized in numerous ways, and one of my favorites is a drumming which occurs at the slightest provocation in Eureka Springs.  When one drum is played, the others vibrate in happy unison. When a number of people come together in a joyous activity, they too join the vibration in Oneness objectified. It's a gently powerful experience to be a part of this, and playing a drum is not necessary to feel the unity of the gathering. Like birds dipping and diving without running into each other, while they joyfully play with a freedom which seems hard for us to experience, the rhythms of the drum circle metamorphosize as the two-hour melding progresses. The gentleness which is expressed in these loudly happy gatherings is surprising. At first glance, it may sound like a meaningless cacophony. But if you sit with it for a while, it opens a space within not often noticed. And so, dear friends, let's be on the lookout for experiences which open us to feeling the reality of Oneness. And gentleness isn't always a fuzzy kitten. It could be a roaring symphony!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The new birth is not the work of a moment. It begins with moments, and goes on with years; moments of surrender to God, of childlike trust and joyful adoption of good; moments of self-abnegation, self-consecration, heaven-born hope, and spiritual love.” Miscellaneous Writings, 1883-1896, p. 15