February 16, 2013 - Strength Unveiled

"Naadam Festival in Mongolia"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #47:

"God is the strength in which I trust."

I am reminded of the strength two women utilized in order to commit to paper these teachings we study. To preserve the words for posterity, Mary Baker Eddy spent years writing, revising, editing Science & Health. While Helen Schucman wasn't asking for the revelation presented in A Course in Miracles text, she allowed it to fill her and flow onto paper for the benefit of all. Where does this strength come from which enables people to facilitate such world-wide changes in thought? I know that Mrs. Eddy ascribed full credit to God. She understood that no matter how erudite and learned she had become, (despite no formal education), that there was no way mortal mind could know the divine realities of which she wrote. At least once she stated that she had no idea what Science & Health said, and that's why she read it daily. She said her writing was divinely inspired. Today's vernacular would refer to this experience as being "channeled". I think there's much to be said for the notion that everything is channeled! Loosing the bonds of materialism lets us see in ways we didn't know existed. This freedom allows us to be a perpetual channel for Truth. What a great side effect!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The revelation of Truth in the understanding came to me gradually and apparently through divine power. When a new spiritual idea is borne to earth, the prophetic Scripture of Isaiah is renewedly fulfilled: 'Unto us a child is born, . . . and his name shall be called Wonderful.'"

Science & Health Page 109:22-27

February 15 2013 - No Condemnation

"Ozark Snow Shower"
photo by Chip Ford

ACIM Workbook Lesson #46:

“God is the Love in which I forgive.”

We are told in today's workbook lesson that God does not forgive, because there is no condemnation. Oneness and separation: these are two words often used to describe how we are experiencing our daily life. Living in acknowledgement of our unity with All That Is shows us a new paradigm, a different perception of what we call reality. Separation can be described as anything which separates us from the Love which is God. An instance of this type of chasm comes to mind. A number of years ago, two of my closest friends became embroiled in a difference of perception which escalated to the point of one of them leaving our spiritual community. Some time ago, this friend showed up in my gallery and it was as though we'd never experienced the separation we imagined. Although I haven't heard from him since that time, when he comes to thought, I feel nothing but fondness toward him. Seeing myself as a reflection of God allows me to see things with eyes void of condemnation; hence, no need to forgive! The freedom given to myself is given to him. What a wonderful flow of Love is this thing we call forgiveness!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

 "'God is Love.' More than this we cannot ask, higher we cannot look, farther we cannot go. To suppose that God forgives or punishes sin according as His mercy is sought or unsought, is to misunderstand Love ..."

Science & Health Page 6:17-21

February 14, 2013 - God is Infinite Mind

"Morning Study in Mongolia"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #45:

“God is the Mind with which I think.”

The idea that God is Mind has been one of my favorite topics to explore in Christian Science. Mind is one of the weekly lessons studied by students of Mary Baker Eddy's discovery. This exploration is facilitated by her textbook, Science & Health with Key to the Scriptures. The knowledge that there are countless people studying the same topic and reading the same citations is unifying in its practice. Also, a consistent unity is shown through the study of A Course in Miracles workbook lessons, which also brings us together in thought. We are learning to listen for divine Mind's guidance, to listen for the still, small voice of God, to know and to express that knowledge through our actions and words. Divine Mind is ever-present. I tend to remember this fact when I'm in need of help, such as when I've misplaced something. Rather than rushing about looking for it, I find it more productive to sit down and clear my mind of everything. On the occasions this clearing happens, when I remember to do this and can get out of my way, what fun it is to "just know" where to look! I love this new/old thought which is showing us Soul where we've only known material sense, with Mind as our omniscient guide.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Every concept which seems to begin with the brain begins falsely. Divine Mind is the only cause or Principle of existence. Cause does not exist in matter, in mortal mind, or in physical forms.” 

Science & Health Page 262:28-32

February 13, 2013 - Seeing Truth

"Zion National Park"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #44

"God is the Light in which I see."

Seeing everything in Light, in God, brings us happiness and peace. Reflecting that Light to others shows them that they are also this harmony. When viewed as the image and likeness of God, this light is easily seen as the essence of everyone. A few simple words, expressing what we are seeing, brings joy to those we come into contact with every day. A compliment shared with someone in the grocery store or library may be just the encouragement they need at that moment. Shining the light of Oneness from within brings with it big blessing! I think we all know at least one someone whose expression of love seems to be a bit contrived. It's been my observation (both in others and within myself!) that these loving expressions must be sincere, not simply something we decide to say to make someone feel good. So today I will be feeling the joy which comes from seeing everything through Light, and giving heart-felt expression to that joy, blessing the world.

Mary Baker Eddy quote: "Undisturbed amid the jarring testimony of the material senses, [divine] Science, still enthroned, is unfolding to mortals the immutable, harmonious, divine Principle -- is unfolding Life and the universe, ever present and eternal."

Science & Health Page 306:25-29

February 12, 2013 - Ego or ego?

"Colorado View"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #43:

"God is my Source. I cannot see apart from Him."

A recurring point of semantic difference between A Course in Miracles writings and the works of Mary Baker Eddy is the use of the word ego. In A Course in Miracles, "ego" is synonymous with Mrs. Eddy's "mortal mind". When the word is used in Science & Health, it generally has a capital "E", signifying the Only. For example, "When will the ages understand the Ego, and realize only one God, one Mind or intelligence?" (S&H204:19-21) It seems to me that the realization of this idea, -- that there is one source, one vision, one Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, one Life, Truth, one Love -- with that single realization lies infinite peace and harmony. And this from today's A Course in Miracles lesson, "You cannot see apart from God because you cannot be apart from God." This statement solidifies our understanding of Oneness and allows us to assert these facts fearlessly as a reflection of God. When I'm tempted to find fault, I will ask myself how God sees what I am judging. Do I truly think that God sees one person as holier than another? Does God see one bird as more beautiful or one tree more magnificent? I think not. So neither will I!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“In viewing the sunrise, one finds that it contradicts the evidence before the senses to believe that the earth is in motion and the sun at rest. As astronomy reverses the human perception of the movement of the solar system, so Christian Science reverses the seeming relation of Soul and body and makes body tributary to Mind. Thus it is with man, who is but the humble servant of the restful Mind, though it seems otherwise to finite sense. But we shall never understand this while we admit that soul is in body or mind in matter, and that man is included in non-intelligence.  Soul, or Spirit, is God, unchangeable and eternal; and man coexists with and reflects Soul, God, for man is God's image.”

Science & Health Page 119: 25-6

February 11, 2013 - Here's to you, Betty Lou!

"Mongolia Mountaintop"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Lesson #42:

“God is my strength. Vision is His gift.”

Often I've felt as though it's impossible to go on, as you perhaps have, too. A child's illness, divorces and other endings, the impending loss of a business which is more than just a way to make money, parents' passing, lies uncovered, truths found out -- the situations which seem insurmountable, but never are. No, that's not right. If we really have no idea that God is our life, many things are too large to move past. I had a good friend whose daughters both died in tragic ways. Dear Betty just wanted to quit living, and so she did. First of all she stayed incredibly busy, so she wouldn't have time to think. Then she died of multiple cancers. During this time I would have given anything to impart to her today's lesson; to have the ability to show her this "Vision which is His gift". But only she could have done that. What I did was to offer her a cup of cold water in the form of God's Love. I showed it to her, I gave it to her, I let her know it was hers.  So today, dear friend, I think of you while I go about the day's activities, remembering that I have the strength of eternity and the infinite vision which I share with you and everyone in the Oneness of God. This cup I raise to you, Betty Lou!

Mary Baker Eddy quotes:

“Rise in the strength of Spirit to resist all that is unlike good. God has made man capable of this, and nothing can vitiate the ability and power divinely bestowed on man.” 

Science & Health Page 393:12-15

February 10, 2013 - Never Alone

"Principia Group in Mongolia"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #41 

“God goes with me wherever I go.”

The acceptance of today's lesson opens our existence to a world of joy and peace, even if situations seem less than loving. A Bible verse tells us: "If I make my bed in hell, Thou art there." In many belief systems, this would be impossible because heaven is God's place and hell is the devil's, both entities battling for our attention. In the teachings we are studying, as in Jesus' words, we learn that the kingdom of heaven is within. In our reality as children of God, there is nothing other than heaven, harmony. Heaven on earth is our natural state. The hell we so often find ourselves experiencing, although unnatural, seems to be a part of this material existence. These are the situations we are learning to see as unreal, and through this we know that we are the reflection of the One good, God. By this understanding, we are always with God, and God with us, because we are One.

Mary Baker Eddy quotes:

“Existence, separate from divinity, [divine] Science explains as impossible.” 

Science & Health Page 522:10-11