February 19, 2013 - Pure Love

"Andy Bickerton with Kapoochie and Harry"

ACIM Workbook Lesson #50:

“I am sustained by the Love of God.”

When an animal looks at us lovingly, do we ever wonder if we need to comb our hair or if we have spinach in between our teeth? Their loving glance is pure in many ways which our human love seems to lack. I look to my dog(s) to show me the way to express and  feel the Love that is God. In order to recognize that "I am sustained by the Love of God", I must give up all previous notions of what love is. I once heard a mother say of her child that she had to love him, but she didn't have to like him. I think we often have this idea about God's Love, too. Yes, we'll tell ourselves, God loves me -- but there's a nagging suspicion that it's only because He has to. But this idea never existed in divine Love. Can we even begin to imagine a Love that just is? I certainly want to. I want to know this Love that is God and allow it to sustain me constantly, not just when I don't know what to do and reach out in desperation. Today I'm feeling out of sorts for no particular reason. So I think I'll take a walking meditation, stilling my mind and feeling nothing but the air around me. And pretty soon I know there will be a hint of Love coloring my mood. A taste is all it takes for me to want to throw off the shackles of ennui and swim in a sea of all-sustaining Love.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Psalm XXIII 

[DIVINE LOVE] is my shepherd; I shall not want. [LOVE] maketh me to lie down in green pastures: [LOVE] leadeth me beside the still waters. [LOVE] restoreth my soul [spiritual sense]: [LOVE] leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake.Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for [LOVE] is with me; [LOVE'S] rod and [LOVE'S] staff they comfort me. [LOVE] prepareth a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: [LOVE] anointeth my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house [the consciousness] of [LOVE] for ever.

Science & Health" Page 578: 3-18

February 18, 2013 - I Will Listen

"Aaron in Mongolia"
unknown photographer

ACIM Workbook Lesson #49:

"God's Voice speaks to me all through this day."

When someone says that God is speaking to them, it is commonly thought that they are schizophrenic or unbalanced in some way. This is because we have come to believe that our material brains are the center for ideas and thoughts, and that anything else is some form of supernatural brouhaha.  With the understanding that divine Mind is the creator of all things spiritual, and that ideas are a product of this Mind, then it is easier to understand that it's natural; that we can and do hear God's voice all the time. The cacophony in our mind often drowns out the voice of the divine Mind. By training ourselves to quiet this constant chatter -- which we have become accustomed to accepting as a normal aspect of our material existence -- we allow peaceful inner knowing to be heard. This Voice of God is always present for anyone to hear. But so often we are afraid to listen. Do you remember the last time you "just knew" something, but didn't follow through with it, pushing your intuition aside in favor of what we call common sense? These instances might be something minor in nature, or they may be something which would have resulted in a major shift in events. To know our spiritual nature as an idea of divine Mind is to know that the intelligence of the universe is ours for the listening. To allow ourselves to listen through spiritual sense is to hear God's Voice all through the day!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Infinite Mind creates and governs all, from the mental molecule to infinity. This divine Principle of all expresses Science and art throughout [Its] creation, and the immortality of man and the universe. Creation is ever appearing, and must ever continue to appear from the nature of its inexhaustible source. Mortal sense inverts this appearing and calls ideas material. Thus misinterpreted, the divine idea seems to fall to the level of a human or material belief, called mortal man. But the seed is in itself, only as the divine Mind is All and reproduces all--as Mind is the multiplier, and Mind's infinite idea, man and the universe, is the product." Science & Health Page 507:24-4

February 17, 2013 - Separation Anxiety?

"Aaron in South Africa"
photo by Heather Magnan

ACIM Workbook Lesson #48:

"There is nothing to fear."

In thinking about the things that we fear, it seems they all have to do with lack and separation. Fear stems from the idea that we can be separated from joy and love, from peace and security. I remember when my son left home for a boarding school at the tender age of fourteen. I was so sad that I felt I'd never laugh again. I literally couldn't imagine happiness, as everything I looked at reminded me he was gone. After a week or so of living in this maudlin state, I realized I was thinking of him as though he were dead. This led me to examine that avenue. What if he was dead? Wouldn't the love we felt still be alive? Of course, I would miss being around him, enjoying his company -- just as I was missing him with 300 miles of physical separation. A Rumi quote helped break this illusion: "Goodbyes are only for those who love with their eyes. For those who love with heart and soul there is no separation." What is it which allows us to be together no matter where we seem to be?  Love. The Love that we are as the reflection of the one God is a connection which cannot be broken by any set of material circumstance. When I'm really feeling the security of divine Love, I'm reminded of the way a baby is swaddled in a blanket. Divine Love swaddles us in its ever-present protection. While we may seem to face uncertainties and losses, "Nothing real can be threatened. Nothing unreal exists. Herein lies the peace of God." (ACIM text)

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The Apostle John says: 'There is no fear in Love, but perfect Love casteth out fear. . . . He that feareth is not made perfect in Love.' Here is a definite and inspired proclamation of Christian Science."

Science & Health Page 410:17-21

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