October 6, 2012 - How Do We See Freedom?

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #279

“Creation's freedom promises my own.”

"Aaron in Mongolia"
unknown photographer

Isn't it interesting to think of preconceived notions! For instance, when we are acquainted with someone but have never been in their home, we may imagine their surroundings as we communicate via modern technology. When a loved one tells us about an experience, we "see" them in that situation and fill in the picture in interesting ways. When we think about God, images may come to mind which are no more than fairy tales and other myths remembered. When we are told we are free, we have images of what that means. And so what do we think about our imagined bondage? I know I live with limiting beliefs every day, and it often seems impossible to be released from them. As children we are told not to talk to strangers, to be careful lest we fall, to be afraid of God, to live in certain ways in order to gain the approval of others -- the list goes on. We think a multitude of rules and beliefs must be obeyed in order to survive and thrive, and when we start to realize most of these so-called rules have nothing to do with our true existence, it can be frightening -- and exhilarating! The freedom of our true creation is seen through a change in our perception of reality. Taking ourselves out of the prison of preconceived notions allows the Love we are to show through our actions in sublime ways. And we glimpse freedom.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Omnipotent and infinite Mind [God] made all and includes all. This Mind does not make mistakes and subsequently correct them.”

Science and Health Page 206:28–30

October 5, 2012 - Quantum Entanglement

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #278

“If I am bound, my Father is not free.”

"World Cup in South Africa"

At times, the miasma of materiality seems overwhelming. It's easy to feel bound by illnesses and painful injuries, financial burdens, grief, and the many beliefs we see as reality. Our lives and the events in them may appear to have a beginning and an end. Physicists tell us of a perspective known as quantum entanglement, in which particles separate yet remain connected, duplicating reactions to stimuli even though they no longer occupy the same space. In a book by Dan Cowan, "Mind Underlies Spacetime", he explains, "...this direct connectedness occurs because each real entity is already everywhere." This perfectly explains our Oneness with All That Is, and this understanding of our permanence in God frees us from fear of human circumstance. This omnipresence is our perfect identify, without boundaries, which we express more every day as our understanding of it increases. What expansion in thought awaits us today? I invite contributions from you on the blog, or in reply to this email.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The admission to one's self that man is God's own likeness sets man free to master the infinite idea. This conviction shuts the door on death, and opens it wide towards immortality. The understanding and recognition of Spirit must finally come, and we may as well improve our time in solving the mysteries of being through an apprehension of divine Principle. At present we know not what man is, but we certainly shall know this when man reflects God.”

Science & Health Page 90:24-31

October 4, 2012 - Change is Good

"Breaking Free"
photo by Aaron Springston

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #277

“Let me not bind Your Son with laws I made."

I've repeated the phrase "change is good" so much that a friend gave me a change purse with that saying on it! We are all loosing bonds which hold us to thought that simply is not working. We're changing everything in our experience, from the way we shop to the way we love.  As we examine the beliefs we live by, we realize we can be a law unto ourselves. The fears that have followed us throughout our lives have shaped our view of ourselves and everything around us. But a universal shift in thought is upon us and we're each feeling it in our own way. The understanding that we don't have to be bound by any material belief because our true identify is spiritual is bringing us to a tipping point in consciousness realization. This freedom will be absolutely experienced. When? Well, as we're not slaves to time, why not now!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The supposed laws which result in weariness and disease are not His laws, for the legitimate and only possible action of Truth is the production of harmony. Laws of nature are laws of Spirit; but mortals commonly recognize as law that which hides the power of Spirit. Divine Mind rightly demands man's entire obedience, affection, and strength. No reservation is made for any lesser loyalty. Obedience to Truth gives man power and strength. Submission to error superinduces loss of power.”

Science & Health Page 183:16-25

October 3, 2012 - This is MY dream ...

"Alice in a Maze"
from Disney movie

ACIM Workbook Lesson #276

“The Word of God is given me to speak.”

Alice in Wonderland has been presenting herself to me from multiple avenues. Alice repeats many times in many circumstances that this is just a dream. She says, "This is MY dream and you can't hurt me." Sometimes it's a self-righteous, "This is MY dream and I can wake up any time I want." But yet, she continues to be victimized in various ways. Even though she knows the Truth, she can't seem to demonstrate it! I've always felt a kinship with Alice, as I'm sure many of you do, too. I think the Course in Miracles lesson for today could have been an inspiration to Alice. To speak this Word is to live it. But until we understand these words, we don't have a chance of speaking (living) them. Let's allow these harmonies to take possession of human consciousness and thereby find our way to Truth, just like Alice.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Let discord of every name and nature be heard no more, and let the harmonious and true sense of Life and being take possession of human consciousness.”

Science and Health Page 355:11-14

October 2, 2012 - Loving, Living, Life

"A Parenthesis in Eternity"
photo by Aaron Springston

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #275

“God's healing Voice protects all things today.”

So many human emotions seem precious. The fragile feeling which envelopes us following the loss of a loved one isn't often thought of as something to cherish. In times past, I may have wished this feeling away. Now, I choose to honor it as one of the exquisite experiences we are granted in this beautiful plane of existence we call life. As with love, we are told life is fleeting. That we should grab hold and not let go, because there is a finite amount of it. Our human experience of life and love does seem to come and go with the wind, and it can feel just as hard to hold onto. From the view of mortal mind, this is so. When looked at from our humanness, there is no predicting when we will cease to experience life or love. Accepting ourselves as spiritual Beings allows an expanded viewpoint of our experiences. Yes, they are to be savored. But enlarged perceptions of existence bring us something different. Knowing that our real selves constantly share divine, never-ending Love causes me to want to experience that here and now. And so I'll listen for this healing Voice we are told of, because an inner knowing tells me of its Truth.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Faith, if it be mere belief, is as a pendulum swinging between nothing and something, having no fixity. Faith, advanced to spiritual understanding, is the evidence gained from Spirit, which rebukes sin of every kind and establishes the claims of God."

Science & Health Page 23:14-17 

October 1, 2012 - Love, not fear, allows Peace

"Mt. Timpanogos Goat"
photo by Aaron Springston

A Course in Miracles Lesson #274

“Today belongs to love. Let me not fear.”

Hundreds of thousands of motorcycles enjoy the beauty of our Ozark Mountain roadways. There is a nearby event which draws them to northwest Arkansas in these numbers. For many of us (including merchants in downtown Eureka Springs) it’s a trying time. It seems that as the noise level heightens, the light atmosphere of peace and beauty we’ve become accustomed to becomes a bit heavy with anger and irritation. The powers that be inform us we should be happy to have the money that comes to our area from this influx. And so many of our residents grit their teeth with a smile as they dole out food and booze and jewelry to this seemingly hedonistic crowd. But if this day belongs to Love -- as I know it does, because there is truly nothing else -- then I want to see with the eyes of Love,  past the leathers and loudness, into the core of Being in which we all share this Love. And so I will see my way to closing the door on irritation and opening another one to harmonious music and laughter, looking deeper into this than possible with the material senses. I'm sure you have many opportunities to do the same!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“We must look deep into realism instead of accepting only the outward sense of things.”

Science and Health Page 129:22–24

September 30, 2012 - Stillness is Mine

"Shibori Dancer"
fabric creation by
Sandy Wythawai Starbird

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #273

“The stillness of the peace of God is mine.”

We have many experiences which bring a taste of the stillness of the peace of God. I love the quiet moments watching a sunset, or sitting in the woods listening to its sounds, or that sublime moment when slipping quietly to sleep. Recently a friend asked me to listen to and give an opinion on a CD having to do with alien beings controlling our actions on the planet Earth. Although much of what was said could be considered rhetoric of the conspiracy-theory crowd, the main theme was the Principle we are studying and hearing from various avenues. This Truth involves turning away from the illusion and seeing reality. While the woman on this recording was telling us that lizard people were controlling our actions, she also advised to not be frightened or give it too much importance, but to focus on Love and see through any supposed power these creatures may have. What a wonderful metaphor! It certainly is no more outlandish than the Adam and Eve story or any other legend meant to show us the difference between the illusion and the Truth. And so as I go through this day hearing all the insanity, I know it can only disturb my tranquility if I give it more power in thought than I give the stillness of peace.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Mind [God] demonstrates omnipresence and omnipotence, but Mind revolves on a spiritual axis, and its power is displayed and its presence felt in eternal stillness and immovable Love.”

From Retrospection and Introspection Page 88-89