June 29, 2013 - Set Free by Grace

"Ozark Mountains"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #180

Central Theme: "God is but love and therefore so am I."

Review of:

#169 "By grace I live. By grace I am released."

#170 "There is no cruelty in God and none in me."

For me, preparation for reception of Grace has but one essential quality: silence. Whether you call it meditation, prayer, communion, listening, it matters not. Be kind to yourself. Allow your heart to hear. There's a Joel Goldsmith book entitled "Practicing the Presence" which contains wonderful words speaking to this subject. One analogy he gives is of a person sitting in the dark and declaring that electricity gives light. Of course this is true, but we're still sitting in the dark until we flip the switch and make a connection with the source of the light. He states that nothing is going to happen to us, regardless of how many affirmations of truth we know or repeat, unless we attain the consciousness of that truth and realize our Oneness with the Source. I am particularly struck by the two statements in today's review: "By grace I live. By grace I am released" and "There is no cruelty in God and none in me." Recently I had a conversation with a friend in which it was disclosed that her in-laws and her husband had been abused by their father. The father has passed away and the three children, now in their 60s, suffer in numerous ways from these past actions. The mother knows this, but won't admit it happened. If only she could do this for her beloved children, they could all be set free. Everyone knows, but no one will acknowledge it. "By grace I live. By grace I am released." This grace is ours whether anyone gives it to us or not. This mother does not need to release her children, but they don't know this and so they remain trapped. How many situations do we feel ensnared by, when in actuality nothing can keep us in bondage. All we need do is realize our source is God. Nothing else matters.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"As aforetime, the spirit of the Christ, which taketh away the ceremonies and doctrines of men, is not accepted until the hearts of men are made ready for it."

Science & Health Page Page 131:22-25

June 28, 2013 - Life is Deathless

Aaron at Yellowstone

ACIM Workbook Lesson #179

Central Theme: "God is but love and therefore so am I."

Review of:

#167 "There is one life, and that I share with God."

#168 "Your grace is given me. I claim it now."

We are so happy to know and accept the fact that Life is deathless! But then we try to turn that immortality into material life. We imagine ourselves going on into the "afterlife" in this body, with these feelings, seeing others whom we know in their bodies, with their individuality as humans intact. And we are very upset if we think this may not be what we will experience. We have decided to think it's comforting to imagine that life through the "pearly gates" will be just like this -- only better! No one of us knows exactly what will happen after the change we call death. But by listening to those who have more experience than I do in such matters, I am gaining a sense of what seems plausible and what doesn't. And one thing I'm absolutely sure of is that there is nothing to fear. What an adventure it will be!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

In the illusion of Illusion of death, mortals wake to the knowledge of two facts: (1) that they are not dead; (2) that they have but passed the portals of a new belief."

Science & Health Page 251:8-11

June 27, 2013 - Friends

"Between Friends"

ACIM Workbook Lesson #178

Central Theme: "God is but love and therefore so am I."

Review of:

#165 "Let not my mind deny the Thought of God."

#166 "I am entrusted with the gifts of God."

Gathering with others is a lovely way to be reminded of the Truth inherent in us. The Thought of God isn't our thinking about God, but our listening to the Thought which is God. I love to talk with others and hear how these images of divine Mind shine through the myths we have created for ourselves in daily life. More and more we are realizing what is True and what is simply habitual thinking, perpetuated by repetition. And how do we know if it's coming from the one Source or our mortal, limited thinking? Does it make my heart sing and my mind feel at peace? Does it bless all equally, along with me? Or do I feel an uneasiness which I can't exactly pinpoint? Maybe there's a feeling of importance and superiority. These last two things are sure indicators that the thoughts are coming from my limiting sense of ego and not the One Mind, God.  Today I want to "Be with those who help [my] being." Rumi 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“How empty are our conceptions of Deity! We admit theoretically that God is good, omnipotent, omnipresent, infinite, and then we try to give information to this infinite Mind. We plead for unmerited pardon and for a liberal outpouring of benefactions. Are we really grateful for the good already received? Then we shall avail ourselves of the blessings we have, and thus be fitted to receive more. Gratitude is much more than a verbal expression of thanks. Action expresses more gratitude than speech.”

Science & Health Page 3:17-27

June 26, 2013 - Mesmerizing Things

"Performance in Thorncrown Chapel"

ACIM Workbook Lesson #177

Central Theme: "God is but love and therefore so am I."

Review of:

#163 "There is no death. The Son of God is free."

#164 "Now are we one with Him Who is our Source."

I've been asked numerous questions about yesterday's writing concerning the mesmeric quality of lyrical music. As synchronicity would have it, I was some place today for almost two hours where classic rock music was playing. Probably 90-percent of the lyrics had to do with separation: wanting something you can't have, having something you don't want, feeling lost and lonely -- or worse. One person tells me that it's a good thing to have music remind us that we're not alone in feeling horrible. To mortal sense, I'm sure this is so. But that's what we're trying to break away from with the realization of our true identify as a reflection of divine Mind. And so I will choose to soar with the sounds of songs without words. Every thought is important. Let me not be a parrot! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“When the final physical and moral effects of Christian Science are fully apprehended, the conflict between truth and error, understanding and belief, Science and material sense ,,, will cease, and spiritual harmony reign.”

Science and Health Page 288:10–14

June 25, 2013 - I'm a Sponge -- Are you?

"Super-moon over the Ozarks"
photo by Arhur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #176

Central Theme: "God is but love and therefore so am I."

Review of: #161 "Give me your blessing, holy Son of God."

#162 "I am as God created me."

While playing in my flower garden this evening, my neighbor was washing his car with his radio turned up all the way. I was reminded of how music with lyrics is mesmerizing and quite an effective form of brainwashing! It easily drowns out the "still, small voice" of inner knowing. As a student of Christian Science, I am learning to turn thought away from that which I do not want to be a part of me. My years spent as a court reporter showed me that I'm a mental sponge. Many times, after listening to testimony about disease, typing it, proofreading it, I would then have those very symptoms myself. And so I practice keeping thought in line with what I want to experience in my life. When I'm riding in the car, I prefer the company of Wayne Dyer or Eckhart Tolle or someone I can have a stimulating interaction with! Today I will be super-aware of what I'm bringing into my consciousness. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring these into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts." 

Science & Health Page 251:4-7

June 24, 2013 - Joy is Contagious!

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #175

Central Theme: "God is but love and therefore so am I."

Review of: #159 "I give the miracles I have received."

#160 "I am at home. Fear is the stranger here."

I'll always remember a man who came in the gallery and told me that he thought Eureka Springs was stuck in a time warp. He seemed to think this was a detrimental thing. And so, I thought about that. Of course, it's not wise to be stuck in the past, so I asked him if that's what he meant. Yes, he said, but even more than that he found the people here to be oblivious to the "outer world". He actually asked if we watched television and had computers here! He said that everyone he had met was happy, and if we knew what was going on in the world we wouldn't be. Wow!! I really liked that he saw us in this way, but, as we know, it's more than that. I know lots of happy people who are aware of what's going on "out there". Perhaps this is what is meant by "being in this world but not of it". This happiness we exhibit is being shared unselfishly with all who wander into our world. We give our acceptance of Life to everyone we meet. With the understanding that God is love and so am I, there is nothing to fear. To live Love is to claim peace and express it in every action and thought. This man caused me to examine what it is which allows us to live this way, and I'm happy with what I see! And I'd be willing to bet he's had a few thoughts along these lines, too! He's probably out there scattering joy just like we're doing here in Eureka. It's contagious!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Beauty, wealth, or fame is incompetent to meet the demands of the affections, and should never weigh against the better claims of intellect, goodness, and virtue. Happiness is spiritual, born of Truth and Love. It is unselfish; therefore it cannot exist alone, but requires all mankind to share it.”

Science & Health Page 57:15

June 23, 2013 - Never Alone

photo by Heather Magnan

ACIM Workbook Lesson #174

Central Theme: "God is but love and therefore so am I."

Review of:

#157 "Into His Presence would I enter now."

#158 "Today I learn to give as I receive."

My thoughts are occupied by the palpable sadness expressed to me today by a woman. She is in a loveless relationship with a manipulative person. As she told me a short version of her story, it unfolded that she wouldn't leave because she didn't want to be alone. And she quoted Eudora Welty: "We are the breakers of our own heart." Looking back at my own life and how often I broke my own heart, I'm very aware of where she's coming from. I remember never leaving one man until I had another one waiting. I remember the restlessness and fear of loneliness that would drive me to the bars. By the understanding of our unity, by feeling the Oneness within, I'm no longer afraid of the silence. Whereas it used to be loud and fearful, it's now quiet and peaceful. I know some people think that to have God as your best friend is pretty boring. I don't!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

[This is from the glossary of S&H, where she gives spiritual interpretations to biblical things]

"Japhet (Noah’s son) A type of spiritual peace, flowing from the understanding that God is the divine Principle of all existence, and that man is His idea, the child of His care."