March 26, 2013 - Cynicism Hides Light

"Joyous Child in Mongolia"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #85

Review: "My grievances hide the light of the world in me." and "My salvation comes from me."

Cynicism hides the light of the world very effectively. As a small child, I freely expressed joy in everything and to everyone, but slowly and thoroughly this joy was quieted by rules and other forces of conformity. By the time I was a teenager, cynicism had taken over my every action. This is a definition of cynicism: "An attitude of scornful or jaded negativity, especially a general distrust of the integrity or professed motives of others." During the 60s and 70s, although it was heralded as the Age of Aquarius, the free love that permeated our atmosphere was actually a charade of the Love I had felt as a small child. We made fun of those who weren't like us, and by doing so became unsure of what we were. There was an attitude of disdain which came with our superiority. We knew our government was wrong, as were our parents, most teachers, and the majority of our peers. It's no wonder that a major magazine's cover declared that God was dead, because materialism and cynicism had killed any expression of real Love. I was convinced that to have children would be a travesty, as this world was no place for humans to be. Nearly half a century past those turbulent times, I see wonderful changes in all of us. Everyone I know realizes that Love is a force within us which can't be quieted; that fear can never be as powerful as Love; that there is no reason to pretend only the foolish think this way. More people every day are waking up to the Truth of their being, living the salvation of this realization, and not allowing anything to hide this light. Any day now everyone will awaken to their function as a living ray of this Love, and we won't be afraid of it. It is our heritage! We have denied it as long as we can. The Truth is alive within us and it only takes recognition to bring it to fruition. Let's live our salvation today!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"'Thy kingdom come:' let the reign of divine Life, Truth, and Love be established in me, and rule out of me all sin [erroneous thoughts of separation]; and may Thy Word enrich the affections of all mankind, and govern them!"

Daily Prayer from the Church Manual

March 25, 2013 - Love and Grievances

"Made It To the Top - Mongolia"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #84

Review: “Love created me like Itself.” and “Love holds no grievances.”

During extremely busy times in our tourist town, I sometimes feel like I'm suffering from overload after a day of talking to hundreds of people. Spring break is one of those times, as there are also many children involved in this give-and-take flow of energy and information. A day I particularly remember is one when I didn't want to talk to another person. I had retreated to my space behind the checkout counter, trying to look pleasant, but not truly feeling it. Then a family came in with a number of children, and a feeling of dread came over me. The dad had a small child, around a year old, on his shoulders. The baby was fussy and sort of crying as his dad came up to me and started asking questions about where to eat dinner. I began talking to the baby -- answering the dad's questions, but looking at the whining child. Suddenly joy spread through my chest -- and the baby started to giggle, too! No more was I a tired mortal wishing I could be somewhere else. And the baby suddenly seemed to realize he had the best seat in town and he was the loved of Love. Whew! Am I glad that spell was broken!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The rich in spirit help the poor in one grand brotherhood, all having the same Principle, or Father; and blessed is that man who seeth his brother's need and supplieth it, seeking his own in another's good. Love giveth to the least spiritual idea might, immortality, and goodness, which shine through all as the blossom shines through the bud. All the varied expressions of God reflect health, holiness, immortality-- infinite Life, Truth, and Love."

Science & Health Page 518:15-22

March 24, 2013 - Happy Funciton

"Say What??"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #83

Review: “My only function is the one God gave me.” and “My happiness and my function are one.”

Conflict resolution. Conflict transformation. How much time and energy do we spend in attempting to negate conflict between others and/or within ourselves? We can make lists of the merits of our choices, we can role play and put ourselves in each others' place in a situation, we can enlist therapists to help us out. There are lots of ways to search for the door out of conflict. I have found the only way to truly leave it behind is to realize that such a thing does not exist anywhere other than in our thought. Anyone who has ever tried to calm fighting children knows the process can be daunting no matter how you approach it! I'll always remember a time when my boys were around 8 and 10 years of age. Their disagreements had advanced to the point where I saw no way out other than to give one of them away! One day, during a particularly intense bout, I gave up and sat down in my bedroom to have a good cry. Next to my chair was a stack of Christian Science Sentinels, the weekly publication which has given us practical metaphysical writings for more than a hundred years. I reached down and pulled a copy from the middle of the stack and opened it up to an article about brothers fighting! I don't remember anything about the content, other than it was just what I needed. I also remember sitting there and thinking of all the reasons I loved them, and then thinking of what it meant that they were the image and likeness of  divine Love. It came to me that I was exhibiting an I'm-right-and-you're-wrong attitude. While that day was not the last time they had disagreements, it was the last day I was in total despair over their actions. Living Love creates bridges which bring us together in peace. Trust that your function and happiness are your God-given right, and don't be afraid to open up and see what unexpected ways this function will be manifested.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“God has endowed man with inalienable rights, among which are self-government, reason, and conscience. Man is properly self-governed only when he is guided rightly and governed by his Maker, divine Truth and Love.”

Science & Health Page 106:7-10

March 23, 2013 - Shine

"Yellowstone National Park Morning"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #82

Review: “The light of the world brings peace to every mind through my forgiveness” and “Let me not forget my function.”

We all share the same light which brings peace to every mind. It's easy to forget this is true. Darkness often feels as real as light, but it's a mirage. We can go around telling people about light, but that doesn't take away the darkness in a room. By bringing light to a situation, no matter how small the flame, the darkness is dispelled as surely as if the sun were shining. We're like the rays of light from the sun. We are an emanation of the One light: the same essence, with the same function. Unhappy circumstances in life may cause us think we've lost our light, but that can't happen. An eclipse may cover the sun beams temporarily, but they are still there, shining as brightly as ever, although unseen by some. Our function is to remember our true being. We are Love with a capital "L"! By our remembrance of this Source, our function is fulfilled. Our light glows and grows, illuminating peace.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“One infinite God, good, unifies men and nations; constitutes the brotherhood of man; ends wars; fulfils the Scripture, "Love thy neighbor as thyself;" annihilates pagan and Christian idolatry,--whatever is wrong in social, civil, criminal, political, and religious codes; equalizes the sexes; annuls the curse on man, and leaves nothing that can sin, suffer, be punished or destroyed.”

Science & Health Page 340: 23-29

March 22, 2013 - Self Importance?

"Colorado Night"
photo by Mawuena Davies

ACIM Workbook Lesson #81

Review: "I am the light of the world" and "Forgiveness is my function as the light of the world."

I love silly situation comedies; Modern Family, in particular.  A favorite episode is one in which Claire has lunch with an old college friend. Her friend has a very successful career and an exciting life as a single woman. Claire is jealous and wants to show off her three kids and husband of seventeen years, so she takes her friend home to meet them. Her handsome husband is inexplicably wearing a big fake mustache and is trapped in a port-a-potty placed there by the water company while they work on the lines. Her oldest daughter is having a loud altercation with her boyfriend. Her other daughter and her son have been recycling in the neighborhood and have the kitchen filled with semi-empty bottles of alcohol. The son is in his underwear because he spilled booze all over himself, while the daughter is trying to catch a rat which came in with the boxes. So much for self-importance, huh? Most of us probably have a silly story about a situation that backfired when we've wanted to show off in some way. When we stop and think about these feelings and what's behind them, it's easy to see how this desire to be "special", to be better than someone else, is at the core of every disagreement and conflict in the world.  With the understanding that we are all the reflection of Love, God, each demonstrating our individuality within this realm of unity, it becomes possible to let go of false images of self-importance and relax into the perfection of this experience we know as life. By doing so, we are the light of the world. By seeing ourself in others and others in ourself, we fulfill our function of forgiveness, letting go of ideas and beliefs which foster this misconception of difference and embracing Love as our common denominator.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Self-forgetfulness, purity, and affection are constant prayers."

Science & Health Page 15:26-27

March 21 2013 - Problem Solved

"Mongolia Climb"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #80

"Let me recognize my problems have been solved."

We now realize that our only problem is thinking we are separate from God. We also see that it is impossible to be separated from our source, so our problem is already solved by that knowledge.  This realization that our problem never existed in any way other than belief is such a freeing notion! It doesn't matter if the "problem" is one of a child who is making choices we feel sure will cause him and others pain and sadness, or if a sickness seems to hold us in its grip, or a financial struggle of some sort appears to be keeping us captive. All these maladies of sense are one and the same to the metaphysical principle which negates them. And that's what this lesson tells us today. The knowing that we're a reflection of God, actualized by our emanation as Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, Love, lets us live with no limits in our human existence. In my lifetime, I've seen this divine Principle at work in so many ways. This seeing beyond the material picture to the spiritual truth allows us to live Truth rather than erroneous material beliefs. And it's a brand new world!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"This is the doctrine of Christian Science:that divine Love cannot be deprived of its manifestation, or object; that joy cannot be turned into sorrow, for sorrow is not the master of joy; that good can never produce evil; that matter can never produce mind nor life result in death. The perfect man -- governed by God, his perfect Principle -- is sinless and eternal."

Science & Health Page 304:9-15

March 20, 2013 - Solving Problems?

"Mongolia"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #79

"Let me recognize the problem so it can be solved."

We, as humans, love to tell our problems to all who will listen. Some of us even make written lists in contemplation of the solving of these problems. Is this how to "recognize the problem so it can be solved"? Even though we may think this action does some good, this is not what today's lesson is talking about. There are, in reality, no individual problems. The only problem is that we perceive ourselves as separate from God. Every seeming problem in the world is the result of this misinterpretation of reality. Hence, the solution lies in the realization that there is only one problem. The solution to this one problem is found in the recognition that we are Love's creation, reflecting only good, God. And so the answer has always been there waiting for us to see it: There is no separation from the One source. It can be difficult to accept this if you are a follower of the so-called news. The system we have set up for ourselves which allows current events to be broadcast worldwide tends to keep us in a fear-filled state. By internet and satellite connectivity we are constantly and conveniently bombarded with a prejudiced view of the world. We become addicted and think it's necessary to know all these things. But what if everything I need to know is brought to me without my searching? Much like a lovely, cleansing rain, after which I throw open the windows and invite the sweet breeze into the house. I feel a similar pureness when I leave my heart open to Truth and Love, unfettered by testimony of the material senses. And I know peace.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Ontology receives less attention than physiology. Why? Because mortal mind must waken to spiritual life before it cares to solve the problem of being, hence the author's experience; but when that awakening comes, existence will be on a new standpoint."

Science & Health Page 556:25-30