January 24, 2014 - Clearing the Way to Peace

ACIM Workbook Lesson #24:

"I do not perceive my own best interests.”

A number of years ago the art gallery that I run was on the verge of closing. We needed more business and I had exhausted every avenue I could think of to save it. And then I stopped thinking. It had seemed impossible to exchange worry for inner knowing (or gnowing, as a dear friend says -- equating inward knowing to Gnosis). After I stopped wondering about all the "what-ifs", after I stopped worrying about financial obligations, after I stopped imaging worst-case scenarios, something happened. The words of Mary Baker Eddy transformed before my eyes, as well-loved verses took on new meaning. Meditations brought peace before unknown. And things began to happen in relation to Eureka Thyme in ways I would never have imagined, much less planned. I tell you this story to remind myself of the feeling that surrounded that time. I was in awe, and joyous, and at peace. As I'm sure you know, once you've tasted that, you want it all the time!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"To those leaning on the sustaining infinite, today is big with blessings."

Science & Health Page vii:1-2

January 23, 2014 - Escape to Freedom

"Ozark Winter Sunset"
photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #23:

"I can escape from the world I see by giving up attack thoughts."

I'm really tempted to tell you about all the attack thoughts I've been having lately toward coal companies and chemical producers, but I won't. (Actually, I just wrote two pages and then deleted them!) I won't do that to you, because feeding your attack thoughts does nothing to take mine away. This fertilizing of attack thoughts can be found everywhere, from coffee shops to churches, and it doesn't do a single thing to change the world. We are told today that the only way out of fear that will ever succeed is giving up attack thoughts. If the world we see is an effect, the only way to change this hallucination is to alter the cause: our thought. Some may ridicule this idea, and for those who do I only ask them if any of the material manipulations have ever in all of history affected a change? Did our civil war free the slaves? It was a beginning, of course, but many people stayed in bondage long past when laws were enacted. It takes a change of thought. Let's free ourselves today -- and forever! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Legally to abolish unpaid servitude in the United States was hard; but the abolition of mental slavery is a more difficult task. The despotic tendencies, inherent in mortal mind and always germinating in new forms of tyranny, must be rooted out through the action of the divine Mind." Science & Health Page 225:22-28

January 22, 2014 - Love is Reflected in Love

Zion National Park
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #22

"What I see is a form of vengeance."

One of the definitions for vengeance is: "Punishment inflicted in retaliation for an injury or offense; retribution." And part of the commentary from this ACIM workbook lesson is: "Today's idea accurately describes the way anyone who holds attack thoughts in his mind must see the world. Having projected his anger onto the world, he sees vengeance about to strike at him. His own attack is thus perceived as self defense." When we see through the eyes of anything other than divine Love, we are seeing through the lens of mortal belief and all the erroneous thoughts which have always clouded our sight. Today I'm going to be aware of this and release all attack thoughts, leaving empty this vessel to be filled with divine Love.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Truth destroys error, and Love destroys hate. Being destroyed, sin needs no other form of forgiveness." Science & Health Page 339:2-4

January 21, 2014 - No Degrees of Anger

"January Sunset"
photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #21:

"I am determined to see things differently"

Today's lesson commentary asks us to examine our thoughts for varying degrees of anger, from irritation to rage -- although it makes it quite clear there is no difference in degrees. An emotional reaction I find myself having is the facetious "bless her heart" statement so often used -- at least in the southern part of the U.S.! If something seems too ridiculous to ignore, yet I don't want to admit I'm being judgmental, this is the time when I would bless someone's heart in this back-handed way. These feelings of superiority are another way of enforcing the illusion of separation. By holding myself up as better, smarter, cooler, I put into action that same old separation of myself from others, and therefore from God. Please, don't think I'm saying this phrase should never be used! It's all in the tone as to whether you are showing compassion or sarcasm. Today I will be a sentinel and whenever anything I feel, think, or do sets off a feeling of uneasiness within me, I'll pause and ask to see God where my thought may see discord. Looking through the eyes of Love (God) precludes all erroneous thought and allows us to see as we are divinely seen -- purely, as reflections of the only Father-Mother God.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Seeing is no less a quality of physical sense than feeling. Then why is it more difficult to see a thought than to feel one? Education alone determines the difference. In reality there is none." Science & Health Page 86:20-24

January 20, 2014 - Blame or Witness?

"Sunburst at Zion National Park"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #20

"I am determined to see"

One of our learned behaviors is to place blame on others for things they have said or done which we perceive as detrimental to us or others. When we see what truly is, we are able to simply witness these events, without apportioning blame or cause to them. By this lack of reasoning, we then see things as they really are, without placing our own, personal meaning on them. More and more often, I can simply witness, without wondering why.

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Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The question, 'What is Truth', convulses the world. Many are ready to meet this inquiry with the assurance which comes of understanding; but more are blinded by their old illusions, and try to 'give it pause'. The efforts of error to answer this question by some ology are vain. Spiritual rationality and free thought accompany approaching Science, and cannot be put down. They will emancipate humanity, and supplant unscientific means and so-called laws” 

Science & Health Page 223:14-24

January 19, 2014 - Of Tipping Points and Private Thoughts ...

"Mongolia"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #19

"I am not alone in experiencing the effects of my thoughts."

Does it bother you to think that there are no private thoughts? How often has someone come to mind, then the phone rings and there they are? There are many things we consider to be coincidence leading us to the truth of our connectivity, but we insist on finding reasons it can't be true. One of my favorite stories, the 100th monkey theory, is constantly being "debunked". And that's all right, because we are always seeing ways in which our thoughts pass to others with no spoken words. Once again, animals are our proving ground. If you call your dog to you, yet truly believe he won't come, watch and see what happens! If we say we want world peace, yet fill our thought with violence-filled movies and dooms-day conjectures about everything, are we truly choosing peace? Every thought is important. That tipping point (which many say does not exist) is getting closer all the time. I feel that's why such violence and craziness is happening everywhere: fear of losing control, fear of change, fear of Love. Let's live as though every thought DOES make a difference!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"...Truth is the light which dispels error. As mortals begin to understand Spirit, they give up the belief that there is any true existence apart from God."

Science & Health Page 282:32-3

January 18, 2014 - We're All In This Together

Kapoochie

ACIM Workbook Lesson #18

"I am not alone in experiencing the effects of my seeing."

I've learned many things from Cesar Milan, The Dog Whisperer. And I'm reminded of his teachings when I read today's words which tell me that what I see, what I understand, is not mine alone.  We can observe how our tensions and fears are imaged upon canine companions. It becomes very obvious as we see aberrant behavior turned harmonious when countered with a calm, assertive demeanor. This change in thought shines from you and reflects back from all around you. It's easier to see it in dogs, as they're so transparent. They just lay it out there like it is, no pretense, no excuses! My dog is a great gauge for testing where I am in thought. Also, by watching his way of soaking up my feelings, I more readily understand and accept how all thought affects all thought. We can find a multitude of ways to witness this kinship with all life. I look forward to noticing how these exhibitions will play out today. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"In the material world, thought has brought to light with great rapidity many useful wonders. With like activity have thought's swift pinions been rising towards the realm of the real, to the spiritual cause of those lower things which give impulse to inquiry. Belief in a material basis, from which may be deduced all rationality, is slowly yielding to the idea of a metaphysical basis, looking away from matter to Mind as the cause of every effect."

Science & Health Page 268:1-9