September 22, 2013 - Gentle Sight

"Fall Foliage"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #265

Creation's gentleness is all I see.

The last couple of days, I've mentioned a motorcycle event in our little town. Many people think of this event as being very disruptive. Actually, it's been disturbing to me for the last few years. But this year I vowed to look at it with purer eyes and heart than previously. Today was the apex of the noise and hubbub and, to me, it was just another busy Saturday in Eureka Springs. As one of my friends said, "We live in a lively place! Isn't it fun!!" And so it was. As the day was coming to a close a big biker came in telling me as he entered that he didn't want anything; he was just waiting to get a tattoo downstairs. I started a conversation with him and learned he was a truck driver with a love for photography. He told me of the many photos he's taken, and how he walks out into the desert to find nature scenes which are out of the ordinary. We had a lovely chat and I saw a gentler side of him than what was outwardly presented. I'm very grateful for this sight!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The new birth is not the work of a moment. It begins with moments, and goes on with years; moments of surrender to God, of childlike trust and joyful adoption of good; moments of self-abnegation, self-consecration, heaven-born hope, and spiritual love.” 

Miscellaneous Writings, 1883-1896, p. 15

September 21, 2013 - Surrounded by Love

"World Cup, Germany, 2006"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #264

“I am surrounded by the Love of God.”

While sitting in my gallery with Steve Tyrell singing Frank Sinatra songs,  it's easy to feel surrounded by Love. As this is the first cool day in quite some time, I have the front door open to enjoy the fresh air and invite people to come in and see the great collection of art and fine craft we have. Suddenly, the calm is broken by raucous laughter. I look out to see a seemingly drunken man standing in the middle of the street, pretending he's directing traffic, while his friend takes photos of the performance. I nearly slip into judgmental mode, but refrain. I have vowed to see everyone through the eyes of God today. So I enjoy his antics as I sway to the sultry music filling the air. Shortly thereafter, the man in the street comes in with his friend. They rather sheepishly talk about what they were doing. The friend states that usually the man in the street is a quiet, subdued person who would never think of making a scene. As I watch them enjoying their vacation, I see that they truly are surrounded by the Love of God, too. I see the motorcycles roaring by as extensions of the fun-loving folks riding them. I take a deep breath and smile.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The very circumstance, which your suffering sense deems wrathful and afflictive, Love can make an angel entertained unawares.”

Science & Health Page 574: 27-30

September 20, 2013 - Pass by in Innocence

"Ozark Moon Set"
photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #263

“My holy vision sees all things as pure.”

The commentary in today's ACIM lesson asks us to "Let all appearances seem pure .. that we may pass them by in innocence ...". Wow! I want to do that, don't you?  This is a perfect time for me to practice seeing with my pure vision rather than my faulty material vision. Thousands of motorcycles are in town for a happening in a nearby area. In the past, I've seen them as a nuisance, disrupting peace and quiet in our serene village. I vow today to see with holy vision, pure and true. We really are One! 

Om ~~~~~~~~~~

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“When we learn that error is not real, we shall be ready for progress, ‘forgetting those things which are behind.’”

Science & Health Page 353:22-24

September 19, 2013 - We're All This -- Together!

"Ozark Moon"
photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #262

“Let me perceive no differences today.”

William Blake says it well: "I am in you and you in me, mutual in divine Love". I understand this to mean that the perfection we are learning to see as ourselves also is everyone else. I often tell people “We’re all in this together”, but I think I’ll change it to “We are all this – together!” I love the study of the Science of Being! Every day, every moment, revelations of thought bring me to a deeper understanding of how this Truth sets us free. I am learning more every day what it means that God is Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, Love. And it's a joy to expand thought to include myself in that definition, as a reflection of All that Is!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“With one Father, even God, the whole family of man would be brethren; and with one Mind and that God, or good, the brotherhood of man would consist of Love and Truth, and have unity of Principle and spiritual power which constitute divine Science.”

Science and Health Page 469:30–5

September 18, 2013 - Clearing the Clutter

"South Africa"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #261

“God is my refuge and security."

We all are in the process of getting rid of unnecessary things. The stuff we no longer need comes in different forms. They may be cluttering up our house and material surroundings. More importantly, we're clearing out thoughts and beliefs which no longer are needed in our newfound perception of reality. Recently my son, who is making his once-a-year visit with us, single-handedly carried everything out of a very large storage area in our house. I sat outside going through things and deciding what, if anything, should be kept. As with our mental clutter, there is very little which needs to stay. Tomorrow I will have a second going through of what I decided to keep.  Just as we accumulate more and more books and music and all sorts of things, so we also accumulate erroneous thought. Isn't it just as easy to hold on to Truth as it is error? Now is the time to do just that!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Citizens of the world, accept the ‘glorious liberty of the children of God,’ and be free! This is your divine right. The illusion of material sense, not divine law, has bound you, entangled your free limbs,

crippled your capacities, enfeebled your body, and defaced the tablet of your being.”

Science & Health Page 227:24-29

September 17, 2013 - I Reflect Divine Mind

"South Africa Sunset"
photo by Heather Magnan

ACIM Workbook Lesson #260

“Let me remember God created me.”

Today let us remember that I am a reflection of divine Mind. The Source of our being is Spirit. That is our essence. We are not material; we are spiritual. In its infinitude, divine Mind  knows nothing of the material beings we are portraying. As various sages have told us, "We're not material beings having a spiritual experience; we're spiritual Beings having a material experience." Today I will remember not to limit God through my expectations. One of my favorite books is "Practicing the Presence" by Joel Goldsmith. In it we are reminded that Truth is experienced in the stillness within our own selves. We hear this stillness when we quiet material senses. It needn't be for a long period, but it does need to be thorough. And so I will look for every opportunity to slip into a few moments of deep stillness, and let them spill over at their will.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Infinite Mind creates and governs all, from the mental molecule to infinity. This divine Principle of all expresses Science and art throughout His creation, and the immortality of man and the universe. Creation is ever appearing, and must ever continue to appear from the nature of its inexhaustible source. Mortal sense inverts this appearing and calls ideas material. Thus misinterpreted, the divine idea seems to fall to the level of a human or material belief, called mortal man. But the seed is in itself, only as the divine Mind is All and reproduces all--as Mind is the multiplier, and Mind's infinite idea, man and the universe, is the product. The only intelligence or substance of a thought, a seed, or a flower is God, the creator of it."

Science & Health Page 507:24-6

September 16, 2013 - Reality Awaits

"Mt Timpanogos Goat"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #259

“Let me remember that there is no sin.”

It certainly seems as though sin is a tangible thing in our world. We look at the news and see things which seem too horrible to be anything but. But, once again, this is the material illusion. The reality is God and the creation thereof. This creation is spiritual, everlasting substance, non-changing goodness. That is why there is no sin, because it is unreal. This same revealing of reality exposes other material discord as being mist to be seen through and dispelled. There is no magic potion which allows us to look past the mirage of sin. So many reports of our senses seem real until we look to the other side. And then what a treat we have in store for us! There is the reality of our Being, just waiting for us to discover it.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Question: Is there no sin?

Answer: All reality is in God and His creation, harmonious and eternal. That which He creates is good, and He makes all that is made. Therefore the only reality of sin, sickness, or death is

the awful fact that unrealities seem real to human, erring belief, until God strips off their disguise. They are not true, because they are not of God.”

Science & Health Page 472:23-30