April 21, 2013 - What is a miracle?

"Bryce Canyon"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #111

Review of: 

#91 “Miracles are seen in light."

#92 "Miracles are seen in light, and light and strength are one.”

When I first encountered A Course in Miracles writings, I was bothered by the use of the word "miracle". In Christian Science, I have learned that what we tend to think of as a miracle is actually the demonstration of divine law. In most cases, when someone says, "It's a miracle", there's the implication that material laws have been set aside for something unbelievable to happen. There is often the assumption that God has intervened and caused things to occur which otherwise wouldn't have. So I would cringe when hearing the word miracle. I have come to see that A Course in Miracles is using the word miracle in much the same way as Mary Baker Eddy refers to it. It is the demonstration of divine Principle, which is seen by replacing material illusions with spiritual sense. This experience is referred to in Science and Health as being "not supernatural, but supremely natural". I love that we are seeing ourselves as complete beings, utilizing the so-called sixth sense in everyday life, and not being surprised when "miraculous" things happen! When we wash away the dust of material belief, the light of Truth can shine through, giving us strength where we before thought we were weak. The light of holiness and goodness, the light of God, gives us every right idea we need to advance in our individual way. We need not worry about which road to take when we trust our inner knowing, our intuition, our true Self.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The miracle introduces no disorder, but unfolds the primal order, establishing the Science of God's unchangeable law."

Science & Health Page 135:6-8

April 20, 2013 - Nothing Changes in Truth

"Bryce Canyon"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #110

“I am as God created me.”

During a conversation with friends, someone asked me how I could have come through a particularly traumatic time without some form of therapy. I hadn't really thought about this, but only knew that I had accepted reality over illusion. The reality is that I am as God created me. The illusion is all the stories I encountered which could affect how I feel about myself and others. So let's say you have just found out about something which happened in the past. This something changes many material truths you believed, including your name, age, and heritage. What reaction would you have? Perhaps your initial response would be anger. People would say this is a normal reaction to betrayal. With the realization that you are as God created you, this situation is seen to have absolutely nothing to do with your true Self. Then this hurtful illusion can dissipate as mist hit by sunlight. Our hurt feelings, our fears, disappear into their native nothingness, being replaced with the Truth of Being. "I Am as God created me." Anything other than our true creation is changeable. Today I choose unchanging, eternal Truth!

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.”

Science & Health Page 259:6-9

April 19, 2013 - I Rest in Love

"Mongolia Sunset"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #109

“I rest in God.”

To rest in God frees us from all planning and worry about possibilities.To give away all belief in and living from past experience clears the way to knowing God. To know God means to know ourselves, and to demonstrate Truth in our every thought and action. Although I find this spiritual practice invigorating, not everyone feels the same. I know people who think they would be giving away their individuality if they let go of their personal history. I find the opposite to be true. When I lose a sense of personal responsibility, when I let go the beliefs I've had about certain circumstances, there is a pure empty space in thought. This space is now free to recognize what was already there: Love. Divine Love. This Love is unchanging, whether we acknowledge Its existence or not. Only by relaxing into this infinity of Love can we rest in God. Through this yielding we can trust that the answers we need will be known to us, because they are always there, if we but listen.

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

April 18, 2013 - Grateful Givers and Receivers

"Yellowstone National Park"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson 108

“To give and to receive are one in truth.”

Most of the people I know are givers. They give time and money to causes they love and support. They give  time and energy to family and friends. They give of themselves generously, always stepping up when anyone is in need. I could fill a book with the ways they give. But many of these wonderful people aren't comfortable receiving. Whether it's a compliment, or a helping hand when they're having problems, or a gift when they're in need, they often refuse the offerings -- or accept them with a bit of unease or perhaps guilt. The duality of these feelings is negated with the understanding of today's lesson, which tells us that giving and receiving are one in truth. "One thought, completely unified, will serve to unify all thoughts." This is a sentence from today's lesson. Reading this brings to mind instances when it has been demonstrated in daily life. For instance, when a situation seems volatile -- perhaps people are on the verge of a major disagreement -- practice peace in your thought and actions and watch its effect. This is because there is only one Cause, hence the effect is unified by that Cause. This unifying cause is the spiritual Principle which governs everything, when seen for what it is: Truth. Today I will open my heart to receive all the good which is innately mine. This reception opens avenues to share in unexpected ways. I will offer to others everything I want for myself: peace, happiness, joy, contentment, satisfaction, grace, love. Freely I have received, freely I give.

Mary Baker Eddy quotes:

“Giving does not impoverish us in the service of our Maker, neither does withholding enrich us.” 

Science & Health Page 79:30-32

April 17, 2013 - Truth Corrects Error

"Illusions on a Bridge"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #107

“Truth will correct all errors in my mind.”

I heard an interesting analogy today concerning the body's immune system and the world's ability to heal itself. Each and every one of us are a cell in the immune system of the universe. Every thought we think is either contributing to the unified health of our planet or the propagation of fear and terror. Every prayer, every meditation, ever reaching out through inward listening is magnified exponentially. We have the power to change the world through ourselves. Every interaction brings us closer to a world of love or a world of fear. This Love which heals us personally spreads through the web of Oneness. In the same way that we take personal responsibility for ourselves, our health, our well-being, we can take responsibility for a return to Love. It does matter what we do and what we think. We never know when an interaction with someone else will make the difference in that person's life which turns them away from reactive fear to healing Love. The Truth which corrects all errors in our mind is our ascension into heaven within. Never doubt that you matter, that you make a difference.  Allow silence and listening to guide you to your role in being the change you want to see. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Immortal ideas, pure, perfect, and enduring, are transmitted by the divine Mind through divine Science, which corrects error with truth and demands spiritual thoughts, divine concepts, to the end that they may produce harmonious results." Science & Health Page 259: 27-31

April 16, 2013 - Listen, Hear, Receive, Give

"Mount Timpanogos in Utah"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #106

“Let me be still and listen to the truth.”

People often say that if God existed we wouldn't have such horrors in this world. It seems obvious that God has nothing to do with this material illusion we live. This is our ballgame. What God created is our true Self, which is Spirit: never born and never dying. Does this mean that we're on our own in this material existence, with no divine guidance to look to in times of trouble? On the contrary. We are a reflection of the pure and perfect. We are all the loved of Love, no matter whether some of us appear to be innocent and others look guilty of heinous acts. We are advised today to be still and listen to the truth. We are also told that for every five minutes we spend listening, a thousand minds are opened to the Truth we hear. This morning I told someone that I felt we were very close to the tipping point and every thought we have is important. I feel that more than ever right now! When events occur which bring forth strong negative emotions in many people, it is even more important to hold thought to this Truth which is heard in silence. Listening, hearing, receiving, and giving the Truth which is God is my job today and every day. Namaste'.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The effects of Christian Science are not so much seen as felt. It is the 'still, small voice' of Truth uttering itself. We are either turning away from this utterance, or we are listening to it and going up higher. Willingness to become as a little child and to leave the old for the new, renders thought receptive of the advanced idea. Gladness to leave the false landmarks and joy to see them disappear,--this disposition helps to precipitate the ultimate harmony. The purification of sense and self is a proof of progress. ‘Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.’”

Science & Health Page 323:28-8

April 15, 2013 - Peace & Joy Are Mine

Photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #105

“God’s peace and joy are mine.”

Today we concentrate on the nature of giving and receiving. We have become accustomed to thinking of giving gifts for special occasions such as birthdays and holidays. Perhaps gifts are given as a form of compensation to those whom we appreciate because they are patrons of our business. Or maybe someone gave money to our favorite non-profit organization, so we give them a thank you gift. We may feel guilty if someone gives us a gift and we don't have anything for them. We have lots of beliefs about what should and should not be given and how we react to those offerings. It's difficult for many of us to accept gifts. There's that old I'm-not-worthy syndrome rearing its head. I love these sentences from today's workbook lesson: "True giving is creation. It extends the limitless to the unlimited, eternity to timelessness, and love unto itself." To live our lives from this perspective allows us to express Love freely, with no fear of it being rejected or misinterpreted. It allows us to gently reach out to people we've just met, with heartfelt expressions of empathy and compassion. We bloom in unexpected ways when "extending the limitless to the unlimited". It's ours to give and to receive, in an eternal loop of Love. There's no way to measure how far the ripples of our joy and peace may extend. My cup runneth over!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The calm and exalted thought or spiritual apprehension is at peace. Thus the dawn of ideas goes on, forming each successive stage of progress." Science & Health Page 506:11-14