July 5, 2013 - Arrogant or Humble?

"Adventure in Mongolia"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #186

“Salvation of the world depends on me.”

Admittance that salvation of the world depends on me may sound arrogant, but the opposite is true. The realization that we are united with God and all that Is -- that's humbling. It's easy to get this concept backwards, believing if we recognize our oneness with God, we are displaying braggadocio. It looks to me as though that is humility. The boastful behavior comes about with a misplaced idea of our heritage, insisting that we're not worthy, that we're weak humans, that we have no choice as to our circumstance. It's arrogant to think your material beliefs are more valid than the ideas of God. Never question what right you have to think this way. It's your birthright!

Mary Baker Eddy quote: "God creates all forms of reality. His thoughts are spiritual realities. So-called mortal mind — being non-existent and consequently not within the range of immortal existence — could not by simulating deific power invert the divine creation, and afterwards recreate persons or things upon its own plane, since nothing exists beyond the range of all-inclusive infinity, in which and of which God is the sole creator. Mind, joyous in strength, dwells in the realm of Mind. Mind’s infinite ideas run and disport themselves. In humility they climb the heights of holiness."

July 4, 2013 - Independence

"Fireworks"
by Aaron Springston

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #185

“I want the peace of God.”

This is a day of celebration in the United States. On July 4th we celebrate Independence. Today's lesson tells us that if we want the peace of God, it is ours. The reason for this is that peace is our birthright as a child of God. If we don't experience this peace, it's because we don't really want it. So today I will celebrate my independence from thoughts which bind me to old ways which do not bring peace nor freedom. I will throw off the shackles of belief and celebrate the freedom which living my true heritage brings. I won't concentrate on what I am not, but what I Am. I Am a reflection of divine Mind. Woo-hoo!! Let the celebration begin!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"A few immortal sentences, breathing the omnipo‐tence of divine justice, have been potent to break despotic fetters and abolish the whipping-post and slave market; but oppression neither went down in blood, nor did the breath of freedom come from the cannon’s mouth. Love is the liberator."

Science & Health Page 225:16-22

July 3, 2013 - Key to the Door of Truth

"Glacier National Park"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #184

“The Name of God is my inheritance.”

Not only have we chosen names to delineate things, but we have preconceived notions about what those things represent. These names and our ideas about what they mean separate us from each other: they de-unify us. We think learning is knowing what these things are, and we study to find out everything about them. While we need these symbols, these names, to communicate in the world we have made, we keep getting glimpses of true communication -- and, if you're like me, you want more! Watching birds fly in formation is but one way we get a taste of something beyond what we, as humans, believe to be communication. Rather than learning more about these illusion of names and notions, I'd rather work toward understanding that everything real is a shared unity with God. The knowledge that the confusion we are faced with in daily life is not true creation, this is the key to the door of Truth. Therein we find peace.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“In the Scriptural allegory of the material creation, Adam or error, which represents the erroneous theory of life and intelligence in matter, had the naming of all that was material. These names indicated matter's properties, qualities, and forms. But a lie, the opposite of Truth, cannot name the qualities and effects of what is termed matter, and create the so-called laws of the flesh, nor can a lie hold the preponderance of power in any direction against God, Spirit and Truth.”

Science & Health Page 177:15-24

July 2, 2013 - What is God's Name?

"Aaron in China"

ACIM Workbook Lesson #183

“I call upon God's Name and on my own.”

What is God's name? Certainly it is different things to different people. That's part of the separation we speak of so often. All the names that represent individuality and differences need to be forgotten. Perhaps, like me, you want to think of God as Love. Omnipresent Love.  I also use the seven synonyms given for God by Mary Baker Eddy. These words build upon each other and totally define Deity. Each word alone does not do the job, but when you start to see the connection in these synonyms, there is an overwhelming All-ness which begins to be understood. Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, Love. These seven words combine to give us a gift. This gift grows as it is accepted and practiced within our mind. Through this material insight, we are able to see a bit of our spiritual reality. Translate the word God in any way it feels correct within yourself. You can't go wrong!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Question: What is God?

Answer: God is incorporeal, divine, supreme, infinite Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, Love.

Question: Are these terms synonymous?

Answer: They are. They refer to one absolute God. They are also intended to express the nature, essence, and wholeness of Deity. The attributes of God are justice, mercy, wisdom, goodness, and so on.

Question: Is there more than one God or Principle?

Answer: There is not."

Science & Health Page 465: 8-17

July 1, 2013 - Be Still and Go ...

"Bryce Canyon"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #182

“I will be still an instant and go home.”

This lesson is asking us to quiet all the hubbub in our existence for just an instance, in order to feel the peace of God which is ours. And so I will today pause for many instants. I will sink deeper into the wonder of Truth, knowing all else is but a made-up dream of existence. When I hear anything which might cause me to think in a defensive way, I'll remember what is true and what is imagined. If the world has decided to live in an attack mode, defending against everything which it deems to be harmful, I will do my part in bringing in the dawn of Truth by accepting spiritual reality and rejecting material myth. An instant is all it takes to feel the presence of God!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“As mortals begin to understand Spirit, they give up the belief that there is any true existence apart from God.”

Science & Health Page 282:30-32

June 30, 2013 - We're All In This Together

"Bryce Canyon"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #181

“I trust my brothers, who are one with me.”

[To hear Auntie Patricia read the introduction to the next 20 lessons, and today's lesson, go to: acimessentials.com]

Reading today's topic reminds me of something Marianne Williamson jokingly said: I can't stand fundamentalists; they're so judgmental! And I'm also reminded of how judgmental I was when seeing a man outside my gallery who was carrying a sign saying something about anyone who marries a divorced woman is an adulterer. I have since examined why this man's actions were so disturbing to me. Perhaps it's because I'm thrice-divorced. Perhaps it's because I perceive him to be a religious zealot and I'm afraid I'm one, too. Whatever the reasons are, I am uncomfortable with my feelings toward him, so I know they need to change. We are learning that if something is disturbing to us, we need to look within and root out the cause. It's easy to forget that we are all in this together. It's hard to see past the stories we've chosen for ourselves in this life.  Some of these guises are delightful, some are hideous, but they're all make believe. I will work to rid myself of needless notions, while looking inward to Truth.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“I saw the love of God encircling the universe and man, filling all space, and that divine Love so permeated my own consciousness that I loved with Christlike compassion everything I saw.”

"We Knew Mary Baker Eddy" Page 68

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