November 18, 2012 - All I Can Lose Are Illusions

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #322

“I can give up but what was never real.”

"Geneva's Dinner"
photo by Marsha Havens

So often we don't realize we're holding on to illusions. We seem afraid that letting go of long-held beliefs will diminish us. Today's lesson explains how we cannot give up anything real, so there is nothing to fear. As I look at this world, many metaphors for this holding-on-letting-go action come to thought. The proliferation of storage sheds illustrates how we've fallen into the belief that we need more of everything. Most people I know are yearning for a more simple existence, in which needs are met in nurturing ways. We want real food, grown by people we know, with Love. We don't want knick-knacks to fill our shelves, but instead find meaningful objects which bring grace and beauty to our lives. These changes in material trappings exemplify the changes in our thought, whereby we strive to release illusive beliefs in exchange for the new/old ideas of Soul. Today I will recognize the difference in the unnecessary illusions which only serve to dull my sense, and the palpably glowing Ideas which nourish me.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Man is the idea of Spirit; he reflects the beatific presence, illuming the universe with light.”

Science and Health Page 266:27–29

November 17, 2012 - Heritage of Freedom

"Bird at Heart"
Sandy Starbird

ACIM Workbook Lesson #321

“Father, my freedom is in You alone.”

An old Kris Kristofferson song, "Me and Bobby McGee", has the line: Freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose. That seems forlorn on the face of it: I've already lost everything and have nothing left and so I guess that's supposed to be freedom. But then again, there's something to be said for nothing left to lose! Does it have to imply loneliness and emptiness? I don't think so. By not counting on another person, or yourself, or anything other than God to supply everything you need, there is an ultimate freedom in not worrying about what, who, where you'll be -- or anything else! Then you can happily follow that inner knowing which supplies you with the freedom to be open to anything and everything, without wondering or questioning your own motives or those of others. It's quite a delightful trip, this waiting with heart wide open to see what's coming next!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The enslavement of man is not legitimate. It will cease when man enters into his heritage of freedom, his God-given dominion over the material senses. Mortals will some day assert their freedom in the name of Almighty God. Then they will control their own bodies through the understanding of divine Science. Dropping their present beliefs, they will recognize harmony as the spiritual reality and discord as the material unreality.”

Science & Health Page 228:11-19

November 16, 2012 - Fake It 'Til You Make It

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #320

“My Father gives all power unto me.”

"Mongolia"
photo by Aaron Springston

The last phrase in the Eddy quote below reminds me of a popular new age saying that I've always liked: Fake it 'til you make it! Often we feel incapable of believing, much less understanding, that the reality of our being is limitless. We are capable of so much more than we realize. The word "power" has gotten a bad reputation because of people wielding material power over others and dominion being exercised in awful ways. But let's shed those notions and see its spiritual connotation. The power bestowed within us is a wonderful, beautiful thing! If we must, let's pretend that we are Love and nothing else. If we must fake it, let’s be certain that we will make it! It is something I will continue to do when I feel fear, or lack, or irritation with someone. My will and God's will are one and the same. I acknowledge that at every opportunity!

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 263:32-12

November 15, 2012 - Arrogance or Humility?

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #319

“I came for the salvation of the world.”

"Sunrise Silhouette"
photo by Heather Magnan

I love that this lesson reiterates that there is no arrogance in the realization that I am here for the salvation of the world! We tend to feel that our material reasoning, our contrived actions and reactions are humble. And, alternatively, we think the admission that we share the thought of God indicates arrogance. We are frightened of the powerful capabilities which are ours by virtue of this acceptance. It seems to me that thinking we can do it all on our own is the height of arrogance. The understanding that I can do nothing on my own, but that I am capable of anything when I allow my true Self to be expressed, is powerful. By this humble yielding to the divine which we are, we are admitting that what/who we are is indeed spiritual. not material. From this point, there are no limits and we are free to live in Truth.

Mary Baker Eddy quotes: “Millions of unprejudiced minds--simple seekers for Truth, weary wanderers, athirst in the desert--are waiting and watching for rest and drink.”

Science & Health Page 570:14-17

November 14, 2012 - A Present Possibility

"Top of the Mountain in Mongolia"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Lesson #318

“In me salvation's means and end are one.”

We're all in this together. I've said this so many times in so many situations. Yet it seems as though we all see things through different eyes. We are like satellites, rotating around something unseen, sometimes floating in unison, often bumping into each other and throwing our orbit out of sync. But we're all in this together. Let's leave out the "in": We're all this together. Occasionally this togetherness manifests itself as groups of people who commingle for the joy of being with each other. We may join together in book clubs, or study groups, perhaps sewing circles or various groups of people who come together in communion. This fellowship has been sought after since the beginning of time. Personally, I have no interest in being a part of any group simply to be with others. I want a communication which surpasses the ordinary. Let there be stunning honesty, inspiring exchanges, and Love shared. From this at-one-ment, this demonstrated Oneness with each other as reflections of God, salvation is realized as the means, the end, a present possibility.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Glory be to God, and peace to the struggling hearts! Christ hath rolled away the stone from the door of human hope and faith, and through the revelation and demonstration of life in God, hath elevated them to possible at-one-ment with the spiritual idea of man and his divine Principle, Love.”

Science & Health Page 45:16-21

November 13, 2012 - Follow and Rejoice!

"Sandy Wythawai Starbird"

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #317

“I follow in the way appointed me.”

For a number of years I have felt that I am beginning to yield my will to "follow in the way appointed me". Usually this yielding happens without thought, and I am happy to release strong opinions and other emotions which have in the past led to turmoil and difficulties. Reflecting on why many people, particularly those in public office and positions of leadership, seem to be so headstrong and often unhappy, has led me to the conclusion that they are not "following in the way appointed [them]". I look at friends who are following the path of Love. The joy which they leave in their wake is contagious! Those who have turned away from conventional life pursuits to follow their heart are listening to Truth and acting on what they hear. Now, some might say that everyone can't do this or there would be no one to deal with the day-to-day necessities, their lifework consisting of what many consider to be drudgery. I watch an individual close to me who works in a job which is considered to be such, and I see how he is happy because it's more than just a job. It's his ministry. He's always noticing ways to help others and bring joy to situations. He, too, is listening and following. I will not let this day leave me where it found me, as I follow and rejoice.

 Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“All the evidence of physical sense and all the knowledge obtained from physical sense must yield to Science, to the immortal truth of all things.”

November 12, 2012 - Does Bad Cancel Good?

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #316

“All gifts I give my brothers are my own.”

"Lake Leatherwood"
photo by Gerry Tolerg

When I think of all the good that is being given and received by everyone everywhere, and when I realize all of the goodness which I give to others is given to me – well, it makes me feel like Snoopy when he floats up into the air with happiness!! After expressing these thoughts to someone, they said, But what about the bad? Isn’t it given and received by everyone, and doesn’t it cancel out the good? We could go through lots of conversation about these points, concerning the unreality of bad and the reality of good. But I don’t want to think in those ways any longer-- of right and wrong, good and bad -- so I won’t speak in those ways either. There is only One God, expressing only Itself. If we are the idea of God, there’s nothing else to consider. God is Love. We are Love and that’s a powerful principle to abide by! “Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right doing, there is a field. I will meet you there.” Rumi

“… that joy which finds one’s own in another’s good”

Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, p. 127