February 12, 2014 - Ego or ego?

"Colorado"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #43

"God is my Source. I cannot see apart from Him."

A recurring point of semantic difference between A Course in Miracles writings and the works of Mary Baker Eddy is the use of the word ego. In A Course in Miracles, "ego" is synonymous with what Mrs. Eddy terms "mortal mind". When the word is used in Science & Health, it generally has a capital "E", signifying the Only. For example, "When will the ages understand the Ego, and realize only one God, one Mind or intelligence?" (S&H204:19-21) It seems to me that the realization of this idea, -- that there is one source, one vision, one Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, one Life, Truth, one Love -- with that single realization lies infinite peace and harmony. And this from today's A Course in Miracles lesson, "You cannot see apart from God because you cannot be apart from God." This statement solidifies our understanding of Oneness and allows us to assert these facts fearlessly as a reflection of God. When I'm tempted to find fault, I will ask myself how God sees what I am judging. Do I truly think that God sees one person as holier than another? Does God see one bird as more beautiful or one tree more magnificent? I think not. So neither will I!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Man is more than a material form with a mind inside, which must escape from its environments in order to be immortal. Man reflects infinity, and this reflection is the true idea of God."

Science & Health Page 258:9-12

February 11, 2014 - Reinterpretation

"Mongolia"
photo by Aaron Springston

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #42:

“God is my strength. Vision is His gift.”

I'm reminded today that we must reinterpret everything we see. When we look around, what the human eye sees, what the human ear hears, is the false projection of Truth. Discord and inharmony is misinterpretation by us. By right identification and reinterpretation we can see with the "vision [which] is His gift". As an example in the material realm, when we see train tracks coming together in the distance, we immediately reinterpret that into the truth of the situation. We know that those tracks aren't coming together and that it will not be dangerous to travel on the train which carries us toward that end. We have been taught to translate many similar situations and do not fear them. The metaphysical studies we've embarked upon are doing the same thing: teaching us to recognize misidentification and translate it into Truth. God appearing as individual being is right interpretation. Translating erroneous thought is our job!

Mary Baker Eddy quotes:

“Rise in the strength of Spirit to resist all that is unlike good. God has made man capable of this, and nothing can vitiate the ability and power divinely bestowed on man.” 

Science & Health Page 393:12-15

February 10, 2014 - Heaven Within

"South Africa Sunset"
photo by Heather Magnan

ACIM Workbook Lesson #41 

“God goes with me wherever I go.”

Sitting quietly this morning with today's topic, many thoughts run through my mind. I smile at them and reach deeper within for silence. All seers and great teachers, such as Jesus, tell us the same thing: The kingdom of heaven is within. For years I knew this, but did not understand it. Without understanding, it is not a real knowing, but a blind belief. I suffered all the symptoms of separation from God: depression, anxiety, worry, a sense of helplessness and loneliness. I also went through the typical material means to quiet these feelings. None of them worked. It took a major wake-up call to break the spell, and I am so grateful to have answered it. When thinking that "God goes with me wherever I go", it's very easy to visualize a little angel on our shoulder, or someone walking beside us. This shows the importance of going deep within, silencing the interesting beliefs we have acquired in this existence. To know ourselves as consciousness, melded as a drop of water in the ocean, as a ray of sunshine with its source -- that's the feeling we're hoping to remember. I say remember because it's something we've always known, but perhaps have forgotten. Peace, joy, happiness: these are yours in the kingdom of heaven within, no matter what the outward circumstances may appear to be. Take a deep breath and feel the Oneness. 

Mary Baker Eddy quotes:

“Existence, separate from divinity, Science explains as impossible.” 

Science & Health Page 522:10-11

February 9, 2014 -

"Heather at Snowbird"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM  Workbook Lesson #40:

“I am blessed as a Son of God."

Today I send apologies to everyone I may have offended.  Our lesson topic emphasis joy and happiness. It tells us to remember and affirm this every ten minutes or so throughout the day. We can say things like "I am happy, peaceful, loving and contented." In thinking about these things, I realize that oftentimes I become too solitary and judgmental. And often I say things which are better left out of thought, and certainly shouldn't come out of my mouth! This will be my focus today. To remember things such as this: I Am blessed as a Child of God; I Am kind, loving, helpful, and compassionate. But I will also remember that my loving nature doesn't include critical thinking towards others. I love this quote a friend gave me, which is in the signature line of my emails: “One must see in every human being only that which is worthy of praise. When this is done, one can be a friend to the whole human race. If, however, we look at people from the standpoint of their faults, then being a friend to them is a formidable task." --`Abdu'l-Bahá

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Man is, and always has been, God's reflection."

Science & Health Page 471:17-18

February 8, 2014 - No Blame, No Guilt, Salvation

"Mark in Mongolia"
photo by Aaron

ACIM Workbook Lesson #39:

"My holiness is my salvation."

As stated in today's lesson, "No one needs practice to gain what is already his." It's easy to forget that holiness is and always has been ours for the simple acknowledgement of it. There are so many things in daily life telling us the opposite. But let's not put our attention on trying to forget these beliefs, but instead let's concentrate on remembering our wholeness as the image and experience of God! I'm reminded of a Catch-22 situation of life in our little tourist town. Many of our businesses are not open in the winter. Logic dictates that we don't get enough business to stay open, and so many do not. But perhaps we don't get enough business because not enough of us are open. Often people come in my gallery and ask why so many places are closed. My response could be a rather exasperated one, as I wish they were open. But looking at the situation from my holiness, I can cheerfully respond that I don't have any idea why they're closed, but I know why we're open! And while responding from my holiness, I can see a vision of the entire town as vibrant and joyful, whole and free. Seeing everything as complete leaves no room for missing pieces or lack of any kind. Where there is no blame, there is no guilt. No guilt equals salvation!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Who would stand before a blackboard, and pray the principle of mathematics to solve the problem? The rule is already established, and it is our task to work out the solution. Shall we ask the divine Principle of all goodness to do His own work? His work is done, and we have only to avail ourselves of God's rule in order to receive blessing, which enables us to work out our own salvation.”

Science & Health Page 3:4-11

February 7, 2014 - Recognition

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #38:

"There is nothing my holiness cannot do"

I love the first two sentences of today's ACIM lesson: "Your holiness reverses all the laws of the world. It is beyond every restriction of time, space, distance and limits of any kind." Haven't you always felt this to be true? Isn't that the appeal of Harry Potter books and movies? We know -- we just know! -- that there is more to all this than meets the mortal eye.  I get very excited when pondering these concepts! How grand it is that we have such a plethora of writings from people who know A Course in Miracles! What a treasure to have more than a hundred years' worth of detailed writing from the Christian Science movement! Through these tomes we find encouragement and support when we find it easier to bow to the pull of the material world, rather than walking through the veil to the Truth it is masking.  And what a fine tool the internet is for this study! A simple search on either discipline puts information at our fingertips in an instant. Tapping into our inner knowing has much the same result. There are lots of ways to practice recognizing intuition. And that's all it is: recognition. No one is without this ability. I play a word game online, Hanging With Friends. This is a great way to test your openness to the field of possibilities, as there are lots of choices and few chances. As with many decisions in life, if we choose based on material evidence, everything may seem to be a matter of luck. When we allow our holiness to guide us, there is only the peaceful certainty of Good.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Lulled by stupefying illusions, the world is asleep in the cradle of infancy, dreaming away the hours. Material sense does not unfold the facts of existence; but spiritual sense lifts human consciousness into eternal Truth." 

Science & Health Page 95:28-32

February 6, 2014 - Beyond the Material Horizon

"Eureka Deer"
photo by Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #37

"My holiness blesses the world."

We've been having exceptionally cold weather this winter. There is lots of snow with below freezing temperatures almost every day. While I was clearing snow from the driveway and feeding the wild birds today, my thought turned to friends who have farms and spend their days tending to animals and the multitude of chores which that entails. I feel such admiration for the dedication they exhibit daily in their lives. Their holiness blesses the world in ways I can only imagine. At first, I feel inadequate when thinking about all the things I could be doing to help wildlife and people who are cold and hungry. Then I realize that the act of seeing everything in its spiritual reality is my function. It is everyone's function. By our realization of spiritual Truth, we understand that everything is already complete and whole. I look forward to our expanding vision of new forms of existence which await us, just beyond the horizon of our material views.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"We are all sculptors, working at various forms, moulding and chiseling thought. What is the model before mortal mind? Is it imperfection, joy, sorrow, sin, suffering? Have you accepted the mortal model?" "We must form perfect models in thought and look at them continually, or we shall never carve them out in grand and noble lives." 

Science & Health Page 248:15-17 and 26-29