October 13, 2013 - The Hush of Heaven

"Les Brandt Decorates Wood Turned Pieces"

ACIM Workbook Lesson #286

“The hush of Heaven holds my heart today.”

When I look at the artists of Eureka Thyme, which is the gallery I coordinate in Eureka Springs, I see most of them living from the heart rather than the head. It is very inspiring to see so many people who understand what the "hush of Heaven" which holds their heart is! We had a show recently for a woodturner who didn't start practicing this particular art form until he retired a few years ago. Now he is lovingly busy every day creating a second life for trees which have fallen down in storms or been taken down by the necessity of our civilization. It's beautiful to watch him working with the wood he loves so much. I am blessed and grateful to be exposed to beautiful artists expressing Love. Thank you for sharing this beauty which is your life!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Having no other gods, turning to no other but the one perfect Mind to guide him, man is the likeness of God, pure and eternal, having that Mind which was also Christ."

Science & Health Page 467:13-16

October 12, 2013 - Awakening to Truth

"Horsehead Nebula"
from Hubble Telescope, NASA

ACIM Workbook Lesson #285

“My holiness shines bright and clear today.”

I've had the privilege of attending an art show which included an installation called "Cosmicpomorphic". The artist's daughter did an interpretive dance, set to original music, which beautifully explained the artist's thoughts while creating these paintings of "space-scapes". To me it spoke to the confusion we experience when being born into this illusory world. We move through life without a clue, enjoying some things and being terribly hurt by others. Then one day we realize that it is more than we think it is. We awaken to what has always been there: the kingdom of heaven within our own selves. I truly feel we are on the verge of a mass awakening. Yes, many people are fighting against such a thing, in fear that they might lose control. Laughable, isn't it? What control?? Today I accept my true holiness! This awakening has always been possible. Let's have the willingness to accept it!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“We must form perfect models in thought and look at them continually, or we shall never carve them out in grand and noble lives. Let unselfishness, goodness, mercy, justice, health, holiness, love—the kingdom of heaven—reign within us, and sin, disease, and death will diminish until they finally disappear”

Science & Health Page 248:25-32

October 11, 2013 - Changing Thoughts That Hurt

"Utah Fall"
photo by Aaron Springston

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #284

“I can elect to change all thoughts that hurt.”

I know a woman who is in her 90s. Since her husband passed on, she has been unhappy with everything around her. Holidays only remind her of times they shared, and she's sad they're gone. The changing of seasons brings grief for various husband-related reasons. She doesn't enjoy meals or celebrations of any sort because she can't share the time with him. We have spoken numerous times about this, as she talks about him a lot. Every time she relates her grief, I remind her of her happiness. I don't think she knows it's all right to be happy. She feels she would dishonor him by having fun without him. I see it as the opposite: the dishonor is in the turning from joy to sadness in the name of love. Today I will examine the thoughts I have that hurt. Is it possible to change the pain to quiet joy by a slight shift in thought about the situation? I look forward to finding out! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“It is self-evident that we are harmonious only as we cease to manifest evil or the belief that we suffer from the sins of others. Disbelief in error destroys error, and leads to the discernment of Truth”

Science & Health Page 346: 13-16

October 10, 2013 - Utopia

"Happy Bird"
Primal Image
by Sandy Wythawai Starbird

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #283

“My true Identity abides in You.”

Imagine the utopia of life lived in the acceptance of our true Identity as a creation of divine Mind. When we see that we are a reflection of God, Love, when we understand that our essence is Truth, then we are able to accept our Identify and demonstrate that truth in daily life. One of the most valuable tools I have found is the ability to say, "I was wrong." Or perhaps the necessary allowance is admitting that I'm not always right! Small distinction there, but it seems more difficult. Nevertheless, Divine Mind guides and governs us all, when we allow it.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Human thought never projected the least portion of true being. Human belief has sought and interpreted in its own way the echo of Spirit, and so seems to have reversed it and repeated it materially; but the human mind never produced a real tone nor sent forth a positive sound.”

Science & Health Page 126:8-14

October 9, 2013 - Peace, Love, Now

"Peace in Mongolia"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #282

“I will not be afraid of love today.”

"Imagine" by John Lennon

Imagine there's no heaven

It's easy if you try

No hell below us

Above us only sky

Imagine all the people

Living for today... 

Imagine there's no countries

It isn't hard to do

Nothing to kill or die for

And no religion too

Imagine all the people

Living life in peace... 

You may say I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will be as one 

Imagine no possessions

I wonder if you can

No need for greed or hunger

A brotherhood of man

Imagine all the people

Sharing all the world... 

You may say I'm a dreamer

But I'm not the only one

I hope someday you'll join us

And the world will live as one

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“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.”

Science & Health Page 454:21-23

October 8, 2013 - Open Thought to Change

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #281

“I can be hurt by nothing but my thoughts.”

Today's ACIM lesson begins a ten-day examination of "What is the Holy Spirit". The Holy Spirit is the memory of what you are, what you always have been, what you always will be. This becomes clear when interference is cleared, allowing us to hear this gentle presence speaking within our consciousness.  How this will be heard is as individual as you are. Our Oneness doesn't dictate that we are all the same. On the contrary! We are led in ways we couldn't have concocted in our own mind. Divine Mind is quite another story, where everything is limitless in scope. Let's grow with our new perception, expressing spiritual completeness in daily experience. That's the Holy Spirit!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Spirit, God, gathers unformed thoughts into their proper channels, and unfolds these thoughts, even as He opens the petals of a holy purpose in order that the purpose may appear." 

Science & Health Page 506:18-21

October 7, 2013 - No Limits

"Sunset on the Delaware River"
photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

A CIM Workbook Lesson #280

"What limits can I lay upon God's Son?"

We all know of instances which seem miraculous to material sense. The most profound one which comes to me is of a woman born without eyes, yet she could see. We are able to understand this phenomena on many levels. Materially we could say that she is mind reading, "seeing" what others think about colors and placement of furniture and such things. Spiritually we know that we are all One, and hence know everything because we reflect all that Is. Both of these concepts can seem impossible while we're stuck in the day-to-day illusions we accept as real. Let's start out with small practice sessions to see where expansion of thought can take us. I enjoy giving my dog commands without speaking or gesturing. This is much easier than trying to open my thought to what he has to say! Animal communication is one of my daily goals as I work towards the clarity which comes with letting go of erroneous thought. Kinship with all Life. Namaste ~~~~

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The everlasting I AM is not bounded nor compressed within the narrow limits of physical humanity, nor can He be understood aright through mortal concepts. The precise form of God must be of small importance in comparison with the sublime question, What is infinite Mind or divine Love?"

Science & Health Page 256:13-18