December 17, 2012 - What Do I Choose To See?

ACIM Workbook Lesson #351

"My sinless brother is my guide to peace.

My sinful brother is my guide to pain.

And which I choose to see I will behold."

One of our local artists tells me that she went to Crystal Bridges, the fabulous museum here in Northwest Arkansas. When I asked her how she liked it, she told me many wonderful things about it, but then said that she had gotten depressed at one point. This feeling had come about when she saw another local artist who was also there. This other artist said to her that she felt hopeless because she realized that no matter how good she was, she would never be as good as the people they were seeing on the walls there! And these words from the other artist had thrown her into a funk, putting quite a damper on her enjoyment of the day. Yikes!! I'm not going into the erroneous thought I see coming from that statement. But let's look at how this relates to today's lesson. If I see the statement-maker as sinless, whatever she says is also harmless. Her words cannot bring me pain or suffering of any sort. She is the pure Idea of God. Her words can only be translated into my depression if that's what I perceive. When I see her as she really Is, there is no need for pain, depression, or blame. She can't ruin my day. Only my thoughts toward her can do that for me. As this story was related to me, these are the things I thought toward the teller. These thoughts replaced all the incredulous ones which first came to me. I chose peace, even though my first reaction was to jump on my soapbox and tell her why she was wrong!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Final deliverance from error, whereby we rejoice in immortality, boundless freedom, and sinless sense, is not reached through paths of flowers nor by pinning one's faith without works to another's vicarious effort. Whosoever believeth that wrath is righteous or that divinity is appeased by human suffering, does not understand God."

Science & Health Page 22:23-28

December 16, 2012 - Silence is Golden

"Lake Leatherwood"
photo by Gerry Toler

ACIM Workbook Lesson #350

"Miracles mirror God's eternal Love. To offer them is to remember Him, And through His memory to save the world."

Once, while on a long car trip with five children, I told one of the young people, "Everything that goes through your mind doesn't need to come out of your mouth." I remember this well, because I took the advice to heart and often would remind myself to examine the need to speak. As the years have passed, it seems I have forgotten this integral touchstone. A few days ago, a reminder presented itself in a way I couldn't ignore. While pontificating about something I'm sure I felt was important, in mid-sentence I lost my voice. The enforced silence which has ensued allows reflection on many things.  Am I being overly critical in looking at the actions of others? Am I making assumptions that I know why someone said or did things? In silence and humility, I seek purity.  It's easy to fall into self-righteous indignation and holier-than-thou thought. What I am finding is that I've slipped into ways of thinking which are not in concordance with the teachings I  follow. In this realization, the goal will be to check the thought, hence negating the necessity of wondering if it should come out of my mouth! But knowing the need for silence, I will seek out moments, hours, perhaps days of this precious commodity which is always present, within.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The miracle of grace is no miracle to Love. Jesus demonstrated the inability of corporeality, as well as the infinite ability of Spirit, thus helping erring human sense to flee from its own convictions and seek safety in divine Science."

Science & Health Page 494:15-19

December 15, 2012 - Miracle of Love

"Colorado Peace"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #349

"Today I let Christ's vision look upon all things for me and judge them not, but give each one a miracle of love instead."

Science fiction, the speculation of how life will be in the future, has always fascinated me. The serene surroundings of those who neither want nor need is very appealing! A place where there is no room for anger and warlike behavior because all actions are filled with Love, where the rare disagreement is settled through the decision of a "fair witness". The utopia which ensues in this atmosphere seems so simple. It feels as though these dreams of future perfection are here with us now. They are being realized in a myriad of ways. Do an internet search on good deeds, or Age of Aquarius, or peaceful living, if you feel the need for affirmation that this reality is with us here and now. I recently saw a movie in which a 102-year-old woman said these words: "We ain't what we should be, we ain't what we gonna be, but at least we ain't what we were." The major shifts in thought that we're experiencing is making many people uncomfortable. Some tell me that they feel restless and discontented. I think this is a symptom of the shift we're experiencing. It is tempting for many to cover these feelings of distress with alcohol and drugs, perhaps even with extreme physical activity. I urge you to fear not, but to hold thought steadily to the good and True. Follow your intuition to find ways to assuage this discontent. I see now that nothing can keep the miracle away, no matter how hard we try.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The Science Jesus taught and lived must triumph over all material beliefs about life, substance, and intelligence, and the multitudinous errors growing from such beliefs.”

Science & Health Page 43:23-25

December 14, 2012 - No Cause for Fear/Anger

"Bob, the Cat"

ACIM Lesson #348

"I have no cause for anger or for fear, For You surround me. And in every need that I perceive, Your grace suffices me."

                  

As these words of today's lesson have swirled through my head, I keep coming back to an event which demonstrates this truth. Our family had a wonderful cat named Bob. While I'm not going to tell the Story of Bob in this writing, one part of his time with us stays with me: It has to do with having no cause for anger or for fear. When our household welcomed a Corgi puppy, Chili, it wasn't an easy time for the cats of the house! After an encounter with Clili, in which Bob's ear was ripped by a herding nip, this cat called Bob moved outside. When Chili would go outside, occasionally he would challenge Bob by growling and rushing at him. Bob would flop over on his back, squirming happily, while purring and smiling at the dog! Bob never exhibited any fear or anger; he never retaliated with his claws; he simply dissipated the anger with Love. When he was outside with his paws in the dirt, he seemed to be centered in nature, knowing what to do at all times in order to either avert or evaporate danger. Bob lived the Love which is God. There was only happiness and contentment surrounding him. Bob "got It"!! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote: "The great miracle to human sense is divine Love, and the grand necessity of existence is to gain the true idea of what constitutes the kingdom of heaven in man. This goal is never reached while we hate our neighbor." 

Science & Health Page 560: 11-13

December 13, 2012 - Anger/judgment Denounced

"Aaron in Colorado"

ACIM Workbook Lesson #347

"Anger must come from judgment. Judgment is the weapon I would use against myself, to keep the miracle away from me."

There are many reasons I'm grateful to my children. When they were very young it seemed they could push all the buttons which brought forth anger in me. Through their instruction, I've learned that no one can make me angry. Anger is an internal emotion which has no cause other than within myself. And the ability to rid myself of anger is also within myself. Because of my dear children, the desire to be loving and free of destructive emotions was stronger than my need to have them. This realization freed us all from the negative and hurtful results which would boil up from time to time. There are so many wonderful things which have resulted from the interactions my boys and I experience. I am very grateful for the opportunity to love and live with them. Thank you, Aaron and Dylan, for everything!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Material man is made up of involuntary and voluntary error, of a negative right and a positive wrong, the latter calling itself right. Man's spiritual individuality is never wrong."

Science & Health Page 491:7-10

December 12, 2012 - Auspicious Date

"Somewhere in Mexico"
photo by Richard Quick

ACIM Lesson #346

"Today the peace of God envelops me, And I forget all things except His Love."

On this most auspicious date in history, 12/12/12, many people are awaiting the change in consciousness and perception which has been predicted. Planets are aligning and many material phenomenon are happening which supposedly portend great change. We who have been studying and practicing divine metaphysics have seen this change occurring within ourselves for quite some time. Perceptions change moment-by-moment as we realize our true Being as a reflection of God. Not only do we see this Truth in ourselves, but in everything and everyone. It's not that we're changing, but the way we're all seeing is changing. We're developing the spiritual realization which puts material senses in their proper place: behind us. So I encourage you to not be afraid if things which were invisible are becoming visible. Embrace change. Let's do what Apple entreated us to do years ago: Think Different!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The true history of the universe, including man is not in material history but in spiritual development. Inspired thought relinquishes a material, sensual, and mortal theory of the universe, and adopts the spiritual and immortal."

 Science & Health Page 547

December 11, 2012 - What is a Miracle?

"South Africa Misty Morning"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIMWorkbook Lesson #345

"I offer only miracles today,

For I would have them be returned to me."

When I first began reading ACIM writings, the word "miracle" bothered me very much. As a student of Christian Science, I had learned that a miracle, as we think of it, is non-existent, because all these wonderful things are natural occurrences. And so there are actually no such things as miracles, only a revealing of the perfection that Is. But, as with many words, it is only the meaning we have placed upon them that makes them good or bad. Now I choose to think of miracles as anything which reveals the omnipresence of God, good. By this I can freely offer miracles to others and accept them in turn. God's goodness is reflected in my actions and everyone else's. This I embrace whole-heartedly. Giving and receiving; receiving and giving. What a lovely cycle!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Christian marvels (and marvel is the simple meaning of the Greek word rendered miracle in the New Testament) will be misunderstood and misused by many, until the glorious Principle of these marvels is gained."

Science & Health Page 474:11-15