July 12, 2013 - See Differently

"Great Wall of China"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #193

“All things are lessons God would have me learn.”

What I am learning today is this: "Forgive, and you will see this differently." Today's lesson reinforces yesterday's plan to cast away the sword hanging over our heads. In other words, any grudges we are holding are keeping us a prisoner to them. We often hear people say they can forgive but they can't or won't forget. This forgiving spoken of in today's writings is total; forgetting what/whoever we think has wronged us. Happiness and Love will be the law of the land, and we won't need anyone to tell us what is right or wrong. Haven't we always known this?

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The true Logos is demonstrably Christian Science, the natural law of harmony which overcomes discord, — not because this Science is supernatural or pre‐ternatural, nor because it is an infraction of divine law, but because it is the immutable law of God, good."

Science & Health Page 134:21-26

July 11, 2013 - Release Anger

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #192

“I have a function God would have me fill.”

Today we are advised to hold no one prisoner with our anger. By releasing them, we are made free. This is a perfect lesson for me today as I contemplate the words spoken in a town meeting. While I never felt what I would deem "active anger", I must admit some of the statements have replayed in my mind and caused a sarcastic chuckle or two. And so I have some feelings to release to fulfill my function. I have already written a letter to the editor and then discarded it. That was a nice release! If any words ask to be replayed mentally (as one woman's derogatory comment toward artists is doing right now!), I will replace it with the knowledge that we both reflect the same Love which is God. Any fearful illusions seeming to be true will be acknowledged and released, time and again if necessary, until they return to the nothingness from which they came. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Not to avenge one's self upon one's enemies is the command of almighty wisdom; and we take this to be a safer guide than the promptings of human nature. To know that a deception dark as it is base has been practiced upon thee, and yet not to avenge thyself, is to do good to thyself; is to take a new standpoint whence to look upward; is to be calm amid excitement, just amid lawlessness, and pure amid corruption."

Miscellaneous Writings Page 228

July 10, 2013 - I Am God's Child

Principia at the Great
Wall of China

ACIM Workbook Lesson #191

“I am the holy Son of God Himself.”

This day's lesson is such a tender affirmation of who we are. We think of our limited body and brain as this child of God, and then we begin to question why we are so unlike the Source which we supposedly reflect. Let's expand our mind beyond human assumptions of creation.By accepting ourselves as the spiritual idea of God, we claim our birthright as the "holy Son of God". To accept that we are really, truly spiritual allows us to put aside limiting beliefs and see through the illusions which have been created for us. This new-old thought cleanses the murky lens of our sight and allows knowledge to replace beliefs. Then we see our perfection as an idea of divine Mind, and live in the light of Love

.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Immortal and divine Mind presents the idea of God: first, in light; second, in reflection; third, in spiritual and immortal forms of beauty and goodness. But this Mind creates no element nor symbol of discord and decay. God creates neither erring thought, mortal life, mutable truth, nor variable love.”

Science & Health Page 503:20-25

July 9, 2013 - I Choose Joy!

"Joy in the Gobi Desert"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #190

“I choose the joy of God instead of pain.”

The idea that we have a choice between joy and pain may not be easy to accept. It might seem that if this is so, then any pain we are suffering is our own fault. But let's not allow mortal mind, or ego, to lay a guilt trip on us! The only thing we are guilty of is a mistaken perception, and for that there is immediate remedy: Change your thought! Knowing we are Mind's/God's idea brings us through the material illusion into the spiritual Truth of our being. The world has no power to cause anything, but we have been living as though it does. We have been taught that we are helpless victims of life's circumstances, and it can come as quite a shock to find out this is not true. When we awaken to the joy which is ours as the children of God, these things we think of as miracles show themselves to be the normal, everyday occurrences of our Life.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"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." 

Science & Health Page 323:32-4

July 8, 2013 - I Am Love

ACIM Workbook Lesson #189

“I feel the Love of God within me now.”

Feeling the Love of God may seem a daunting task. To "feel the Love of God within me now" is to see everything as God, Love, sees. With these eyes of Love, we see a world of beauty and innocence, brimming with goodness, hope, charity, compassion. Every day we are called upon to support each other. When people recount their difficulties, we can listen with the spiritual sense of Soul, and through this listening we will hear how to respond -- or not!  When we feel the Love of God within us (now!) we know what to say to those who need words, we know when to say nothing, and we have the freedom to do either. I look forward to hearing and seeing everything which presents itself today, not with my material, judgmental ears and eyes, but with the spiritual sense which is mine as a reflection of God.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way. Right motives give pinions to thought, and strength and freedom to speech and action. Love is priestess at the altar of Truth. Wait patiently for divine Love to move upon the waters of mortal mind, and form the perfect concept. Patience must "have her perfect work."

Science & Health Page 454:17-24

July 7, 2013 - Peace Is Mine -- Now!

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #188

“The peace of God is shining in me now.”

What a wonderful thing it is to realize that the peace we so crave has always been within, waiting for us to discover it. This peace of God is ours, now and always. The recognition of this fact is the meaning of enlightenment. It isn't necessary to seek for ways to change ourselves in order to experience this light. We're not being asked to change anything, to do anything differently; only to see the truth of our Being. I have a dear friend who moved to a remote area in an idyllic setting. There she sat herself down and read through the Course in Miracles book, in its entirety, three times! As I spoke with her on the phone recently, I felt a softness about her which has been growing for years. Its appearance isn't indicative of enlightenment to something new, but of knowing the Truth of her own Self. Some days I feel this same knowing about myself. Other days it seems impossible to climb out of the busy-ness which can hide this reality. One thing is for sure, laughter and joy are the keys to opening the door. The more joy which is shared, the easier it becomes to express the qualities of God, which come flowing through us with our recognition of what we truly are: Love!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Truth and Love enlighten the understanding, in whose "light shall we see light;" and this illumination is reflected spiritually by all who walk in the light and turn away from a false material sense.”

Science & Health Page 510:9-12

July 6, 2013 - What Blesses One Blesses All

"Aaron in Altai Mountains of Mongolia"

ACIM  Lesson #187

“I bless the world because I bless myself.”

If we have something and give it away, our material belief is that we don't have it any longer. The truth as we are learning through these studies tells us that giving will increase what we possess. We are also learning that things represent thoughts. And we are discovering that when we give ideas away they become stronger in our own mind. Form is often changed in what we have given and what we receive, but it never leaves us lacking. Thoughts and ideas cannot be lost, whereas material form is constantly changing. By allowing ourselves to bless ourselves, we bless the world. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“In the scientific relation of God to man, we find that whatever blesses one blesses all, as Jesus showed with the loaves and the fishes,--Spirit, not matter, being the source of supply.”

Science & Health, Page 206:15-18