November 29, 2013 - Ending Conflict

photo by Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook  Lesson #333

“Forgiveness ends the dream of conflict here.”

When there is something we feel conflicted about, we can examine it and resolve it through forgiveness. I am reminded of the feeling of conflict I felt surrounding the myth of Santa Claus. When my son was two and I was expecting my second child, I announced to a friend that I wasn't going to do the Santa charade. She told me that was a terrible thing to do to children and gave me many reasons why I shouldn't do away with their belief in this massive illusion. And so I gave in and perpetuated this suppositional conflict within myself. This is a perfect example of all the illusion we willingly put on ourselves, isn't it? The spirit of Christmas is defined in many superficial ways, and it seems the most blatant of these is Santa Claus. It is used in the same way religion tends to use God. If you are good, if you don't cry, if you don't pout, then Santa/God will give you certain things. If you break these rules, you'd better watch out! Yes, Santa is fun and yes God is good. And there are so many ways to celebrate the goodness which is innately ours through our inseparable Oneness with God! There is so much to celebrate in the reality of this beautiful life! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The suppositional warfare between truth and error is only the mental conflict between the evidence of the spiritual senses and the testimony of the material senses, and this warfare between the Spirit and flesh will settle all questions through faith in and the understanding of divine Love.”

Science & Health Page 288:3-7

November 28, 2013 - Gratitude

ACIM Workbook Lesson #332

“Fear binds the world. Forgiveness sets it free.”

On this Thanksgiving Day, 2013, I'm with Snoopy and Charlie Brown!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Gratitude is much more than a verbal expression of thanks. Action expresses more gratitude than speech." Science & Health Page 3:25-26

November 27, 2013 - Awaken to Peace

"Bryce Canyon"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #331

“There is no conflict, for my will is Yours.”

"Conflict is sleep, and peace awakening". I love this line from today's ACIM lesson. Today begins a series of ten teachings geared to help us understand what the ego, which is spoken of so often in these lessons, actually is. If the thoughts we are having cause us conflict, they are of the ego -- or mortal mind, as Mary Baker Eddy refers to it. If there is harmony and peace, then our thoughts are God's ideas. Actually, there is nothing other than divine Idea; everything else is illusion That is why erroneous thought is considered unreal. The only reality is God. Either God is All or God is not. Hearing statements like this is when that little ego kicks in and makes a fuss. How can that be, it says? What about me?? Don't be afraid to tell it to be still. It is, after all, unreal. The silence that replaces the clamor holds the harmony of Being. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"When advanced to spiritual being and the understanding of God, man can no longer commune with matter; neither can he return to it, any more than a tree can return to its seed. Neither will man seem to be corporeal, but he will be an individual consciousness, characterized by the divine Spirit as idea, not matter."

Science & Health Page 76:12-17

November 26, 2013 - Oneness Heals

"A New Day"
photo by Sandy Starbird

ACIM Workbook Lesson #330

“I will not hurt myself again today.”

I hurt myself by believing in separation more than unity. This feeling of aloneness is manifested in many ways in our daily life. Perhaps we think everyone is out to get us, or maybe we feel like no one knows what's best other than us. There are quite a number of ways we assert our specialness and keep ourselves separate from God, hence from everyone. Sometimes this separation is manifest in ugly ways. Maybe something is said to another which we wish we could take back, or perhaps anger flares suddenly and we feel guilt over our feelings and shame about the outcome. There are a multitude of human actions we may regret. The acceptance of our heritage as a child of divine Love allows us to forgive and choose again. For this, I am grateful.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Error begins by reckoning life as separate from Spirit, thus sapping the foundations of immortality, as if life and immortality were something which matter can both give and takeaway/.”

Science & Health Page 259:6-15

November 25, 2013 - Thy Will Is Done

Ozark Winter Sunrise
photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #329

“I have already chosen what You will.”

How many years I spent searching for love, grasping at brightly colored baubles and bangles, not realizing that I am Love and nothing can be more beautiful and complete than that. Seeing wholeness and unity where I once saw separation, therein lies the peace sought. Looking back, I remember thinking and saying that I'd be happy if I could only be content. Nothing ever seemed to be enough and I found false contentment in marijuana and alcohol. The illusionary peace which came from material soporifics was a hiding place for a while, but eventually I had to emerge and face what it was that kept me restless. When nothing ever seems to be enough, perhaps it's because we need it All. And that Allness can only be found in one place, and that place is not contained in changing, temporal life. This study which teaches me the meaning of reality also fills me with a calm before unknown. I am very grateful!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Will, as a quality of so-called mortal mind, is a wrong-doer; hence it should not be confounded with the term as applied to Mind or to one of God’s qualities.”

Science & Health Page 597:24-26

November 24, 2013 - Material Sense or Spiritual Ideas?

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #328

"I choose the second place to gain the first."

Many mind-over-matter systems are part of our society. In the 1800's, mesmerism and hypnotism were thought to be the route to changing our physical experience and getting us what we want. Today we have "The Secret" telling us how to get the mate of our dreams and hot cars and such. Some may think that the way of thought we're studying here falls into the same category, because we are "resolving things into thoughts". Here is an example of how it differs: Let's say we need a place to live. How do we think about this in order to manifest it in our existence? By understanding the substance of an idea! What are the spiritual qualities of this place to live, this house, this home? What does it represent? Some of the qualities of home could be warmth, comfort, peace, safety, beauty, love, hospitality. So the thought of "home" is really a spiritual idea, and these qualities of home already exist in our individual consciousness. We don't have to go out and find them, because they're already a permanent part of our being. We can express all these qualities included in the concept of home no matter where we are. And when we express these qualities, we are cherishing our spiritual home, and this blessing is extended to others as well. As we consistently express these and other spiritual qualities, we won't be surprised when every need we have is supplied.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Divine Science, rising above physical theories, excludes matter, resolves things into thoughts, and replaces the objects of material sense with spiritual ideas.”

Science and Health Page 123:12-15

November 23, 2013 - All Need Supplied

"Altai Mountains, Mongolia"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #327

"I need but call and You will answer me."

Change is liberating! I'm seeing many people releasing the past, and it's bringing them peace and a new level of joy. One friend tells me of her beloved cat being at the vet's office, perhaps getting ready to pass on. In years past, she would have been distraught, but is surprised that she is not. It's not that she loves any less, and perhaps she's experiencing love even more fully. Another friend tells me she's going through a time of letting go -- without even being aware of what is being released! Isn't this great? We don't have to know what it is that's bothering us in order to be freed from it. This concept in itself is liberating! To have no need for analysis or so-called deconstruction, but to simply give yourself the gift of freedom -- what a joy! These are just two of the ways in which our call is answered and every need is supplied. I am so grateful for all of you who stand unafraid, welcoming the new paradigm!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"God is not influenced by man. The 'divine ear' is not an auditory nerve."

Science & Health Page 7:20-21