November 29, 2012 - Ho Ho Ho!

"Night Blooming Cirrus"
photo by David Roll

ACIM Workbook Lesson #333

“Forgiveness ends the dream of conflict here.”

The dream of conflict spoken of here reminds me of the myth of Santa Claus and how conflicted I was when it was expected that I participate in it. When my son was two and I was expecting my second child, I announced to a friend that I wasn't going to do the Santa-thing. She told me that was a terrible thing to do to children and gave me many reasons why I shouldn't do away with their belief in this massive illusion. And so in the face of this hysteria, I gave in and perpetuated the suppositional conflict within myself. This is a perfect example of all the illusion we willingly put on ourselves, isn't it? The spirit of Christmas is defined in many superficial ways, and it seems the most blatant of these is Santa Claus. It is used in the same way religion tends to use God. If you are good, if you don't cry, if you don't pout, then Santa/God will give you certain things. If you break these rules, you'd better watch out! Yes, Santa is fun and yes God is good. And there are so many ways to celebrate the goodness which is innately ours through our inseparable Oneness with God! So let's face up to what is real and true about our Life. There is so much to celebrate in that perfect experience!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The suppositional warfare between truth and error is only the mental conflict between the evidence of the spiritual senses and the testimony of the material senses, and this warfare between the Spirit and flesh will settle all questions through faith in and the understanding of divine Love.”

Science & Health Page 288:3-7

November 28, 2012 - Things Into Thought, or Thoughts into Things?

"Snowbird Sunrise"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #332

“Fear binds the world. Forgiveness sets it free.”

Many mind-over-matter systems are a part of our society. In the 1800's, mesmerism and hypnotism were thought to be the route to changing our physical experience and getting us what we want. Today we have "The Secret" and other systems telling us how to get the mate of our dreams, hot cars, and other material desires. Some may think that the way of thought we're studying here falls into the same category, because we are "resolving things into thoughts". Here is an example of how it differs: Let's say we need a place to live. How do we think about this in order to manifest it in our existence? By understanding the substance of an idea! What are the spiritual qualities of this place to live, this house, this home? What does it represent? Some of the qualities of home could be warmth, comfort, peace, safety, beauty, love, hospitality. So the thought of "home" is really a spiritual idea, and these qualities of home already exist in our individual consciousness. We don't have to go out and find them, because they're already a permanent part of our being. We can express all these qualities included in the concept of home no matter where we are. And when we express these qualities, we are cherishing our spiritual home, and this blessing is extended to others as well. As we consistently express these and other spiritual qualities, we won't be surprised when every need we have is supplied.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Divine Science, rising above physical theories, excludes matter, resolves things into thoughts, and replaces the objects of material sense with spiritual ideas.”

Science and Health Page 123:12-15

November 27, 2012 - Radical Reliance

photo by Heather Magnan

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #331

“There is no conflict, for my will is Yours.”

I am reminded of many friends and loved ones who consider themselves victims, at the mercy of drugs and alcohol. With the proliferation of prescription drugs, I must include those dear imbibers in this group, too.  In hoping to find fixes for various maladies, we turn to drugs for cure. Seeking a way out of depression and sadness and fear, we turn to so-called recreational drugs to hide. The drugs taken for cure of disease rarely do more than mask symptoms and bring about other interesting side effects. The drugs we use to hide from ourselves usually work for a while, but then we're left in a deeper well than we were before. I've found the only way through this despair is a radical reliance on the Truth of our Being -- going within, if you will. Resting in the One. Relying on Love. Living in Truth. This is where healing is found, in this single-minded realization that my will is God's, and God's will is mine. There is nothing to fear when we see the truth in the acronym for that word: False Evidence Appearing Real.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The flesh and Spirit can no more unite in action, than good can coincide with evil. It is not wise to take a halting and half-way position or to expect to work equally with Spirit and matter, Truth and error. There is but one way--namely, God and His idea--which leads to spiritual being. The scientific government of the body must be attained through the divine Mind. It is impossible to gain control over the body in any other way. On this fundamental point, timid conservatism is absolutely inadmissible. Only through radical reliance on Truth can scientific healing power be realized.”

Science & Health Page 167:20-3

November 26, 2012 - Love More

"Loving and Learning in Mongolia"
photo by Justin Myers

ACIM Workbook Lesson #330

“I will not hurt myself again today."

The words attributed to Jesus teach us many things, not the least of which is how to be nice to each other. His two commandments were to love God above all else and to love our neighbor as ourself. I've often thought that we need to love ourselves more, because it seems so many of us are expressing the lack of love for ourselves in our actions toward others. Jesus also told us we are capable of so much more than we know. We are not powerless victims of circumstance. Power and dominion have become ugly words because of the things done to others by ruthless people. True power and dominion have to do with peace and grace and Love expressed. We are capable of more than we know. Let's not be afraid to express that power in healing every ill which seems so real to our material sense. We are spiritual Beings, expressions of God, perfect and whole, needing nothing to be added or taken away for that perfection to show forth and bless all mankind.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“In divine Science, man is the true image of God. The divine nature was best expressed in Christ Jesus, who threw upon mortals the truer reflection of God and lifted their lives higher than their poor thought-models would allow,--thoughts which presented man as fallen, sick, sinning, and dying. The Christlike understanding of scientific being and divine healing includes a perfect Principle and idea,--perfect God and perfect man,--as the basis of thought and demonstration.”

Science & Health Page 259:6-15

November 25, 2012 - Why Have Celebration Days?

"Aaron and Mom on
Graduation Day, 2009"

ACIM Lesson #329

“I have already chosen what You will.”

We have invented holidays to celebrate certain things -- such as, Memorial Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving. I used to think it was silly to do this. Why would we forget to be grateful, or be thankful for everyone who works hard to insure that things keep on keeping on, or to remember loved ones? But now I see we're simply trying to remember that every day should be the way these days of celebration are. The custom of celebrating birthdays seems odd, too. I love the way the Aboriginal people think of this. They see no reason to celebrate being a year older, but instead announce to loved ones when they have grown in some way, and this is reason for celebration. I have never wanted my children to make a big deal of mother's day or my birthday. I really feel that we honor each other every day, and occasionally things happen which make us appreciate each other even more. Recently my son posted on Facebook that I am his hero. It doesn't get much better than that! The leaving behind of our personal sense of will and the acceptance of the divine Will leaves nothing but Thanksgiving every day. For this I am grateful.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. [MBE's spiritual interpretation of this line from the Lord’s Prayer] Enable us to know,--as in heaven, so on earth,--God is omnipotent, supreme.”

Science & Health Page 17:1-3

November 24, 2012 - Cause and Effect

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #328

"I choose the second place to gain the first."

"Montana Morning"
photo by Aaron Springston

Our material conceptions of reality are, for the most part, the opposite of the Truth of Being. We see the cause of our present existence and circumstances to be a direct result of past actions. I was recently given a 20-page address on the subject of "Cause and Effect". It is a thorough and clear explanation of the only Cause and why we cannot be anything other than an Effect of It. On the surface, it seems that knowing what we are would preclude the assumptions of what we aren't. But we seem to need proof -- material proof that we are something other than human beings who are vulnerable to material so-called laws. And that is why every humble protest for Truth is important. By totally giving myself to the pursuit of knowing this Truth, every day becomes an adventure in transformation!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"There is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter. All is infinite Mind and its infinite manifestation, for God is All-in-all. Spirit is immortal Truth; matter is mortal error. Spirit is the real and eternal; matter is the unreal and temporal. Spirit is God, and man is His image and likeness. Therefore man is not material; he is spiritual.”

Science & Health Page 468:9-15

November 23, 2012 - A New Paradigm

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #327

"I need but call and You will answer me."

photo by Aaron Springston

Change is liberating! I think we hold onto traditions and memories in the hopes of keeping the past alive. The letting go of memories, which I'm witnessing in so many, is bringing peace and a new level of joy. One friend tells me of her beloved cat being at the vet's office, perhaps getting ready to pass on. In times past she would have been distraught, but is surprised that she is not! It's not that she loves any less, and perhaps she's expressing Love even more fully in her peaceful acceptance of what is. Another friend tells me she's going through a time of letting go -- without even being aware of what is being loosed! Isn't this great? We don't have to know what it is that's bothering us in order to be freed from it! This concept in itself is freeing, to have no need for analysis or so-called deconstruction, but to simply give yourself the gift of freedom. These are just two of the ways in which our call is answered and every need is supplied. I am so grateful for all of you who stand unafraid, welcoming the new paradigm!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"God is not influenced by man. The 'divine ear' is not an auditory nerve. It is the all-hearing and all-knowing Mind, to whom each need of man is always known and by whom it will be supplied."

Science & Health Page 7:20-22