March 25, 2014 - Break the Spell

ACIM Workbook Lesson #84

Review: “Love created me like Itself.” and “Love holds no grievances.”

During extremely busy times in our tourist town, I sometimes feel like I'm suffering from overload. Spring break is one of those times, as there are also many children involved in this give-and-take flow of energy and information. A day I particularly remember is one when I felt drained and didn't want to talk to another single person. I had retreated to my space behind the checkout counter, trying to look pleasant, but not truly feeling it. Then a family came in with a number of children, and a feeling of dread came over me. The dad had a small child on his shoulders and a few more swimming around his feet. The one he was carrying was fussy and sort of crying as the dad came up to me and started asking questions about where to eat dinner. I began talking to the baby -- answering the dad's questions, but looking at the whining child. Suddenly joy spread through my chest -- and the baby started to giggle, too! No more was I a tired mortal wishing I could be somewhere else. And the baby seemed to realize he had the best seat in town and he was the loved of Love. Whew! Was I glad that spell was broken!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The rich in spirit help the poor in one grand brotherhood, all having the same Principle, or Father; and blessed is that man who seeth his brother's need and supplieth it, seeking his own in another's good. Love giveth to the least spiritual idea might, immortality, and goodness, which shine through all as the blossom shines through the bud. All the varied expressions of God reflect health, holiness, immortality-- infinite Life, Truth, and Love."

Science & Health Page 518:15-22

March 24, 2014 - My Function is Happiness

"Principia Soccer'

ACIM Workbook Lesson #83

Review: “My only function is the one God gave me.” and “My happiness and my function are one.”

Conflict resolution. Conflict transformation. How much time and energy do we spend in attempting to negate conflict between others and/or within ourselves? We can make lists of the merits of our choices, we can role play and put ourselves in each others' place in a situation, we can enlist therapists to help us out. There are lots of ways to search for the door out of conflict. I have found the only way to truly leave it behind is to realize that such a thing does not exist anywhere other than in my thought. I'll always remember a time when my boys were around 8 and 10 years of age. Their disagreements had advanced to the point where I saw no way out other than to give one of them away! One day, during a particularly intense bout, I gave up and sat down in my bedroom to have a good cry. Next to my chair was a stack of Christian Science Sentinels, the weekly publication which has given us practical metaphysical writings for more than a hundred years. I reached down and pulled a copy from the middle of the stack and opened it up to an article about brothers fighting! I don't remember anything about the content, other than it was just what I needed. I also remember sitting there and thinking of all the reasons I loved them, and then thinking of what it means that they are  the expression of divine Love. It came to me that I was exhibiting an I'm-right-and-you're-wrong attitude. While that day was not the last time they had disagreements, they never again seemed so intense, and it was the last day I was in total despair over their actions. Living Love creates bridges which bring us together in peace. Trust that your function and happiness are your God-given right, and don't be afraid to open up and see what unexpected ways this function will be manifested.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“God has endowed man with inalienable rights, among which are self-government, reason, and conscience. Man is properly self-governed only when he is guided rightly and governed by his Maker, divine Truth and Love.”

Science & Health Page 106:7-10

March 23, 2014 - Radical Reform

ACIM Workbook Lesson #82

Review: “The light of the world brings peace to every mind through my forgiveness” and “Let me not forget my function.”

The small, mountain town I live in is very close-knit. Most of us know and love each other on a personal level. There was an Equinox concert recently which was a beautiful expression of this community we share. By the same token, when someone is hurting or in trouble, we pull together to help them. There is currently a situation where one of our well-known, well-loved men has run amok and surprisingly been involved in an act of violence toward his family. The event seems to be fueled by ego and alcohol. We all feel terrible for him and everyone involved -- including ourselves, individually, as we each have a link to him by way of various community events. He's been fired from his job and ostracized by many. I keep thinking of the story of an African tribe which purportedly has a unique way of rehabilitating wrongdoers. They all gather in the center of the village and recount, in great detail, the admirable things they know about the person. This process may take days. When everyone is done, they have a joyous celebration, bringing the person back into their fold. I can see this happening here. We all share the same light, which brings peace to every mind. We can talk about this light until the cows come home, but it won't dispel the darkness unless we actually spark a flame. I pray we find a way to healing through active Love.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“One infinite God, good, unifies men and nations; constitutes the brotherhood of man; ends wars; fulfils the Scripture, "Love thy neighbor as thyself;" annihilates pagan and Christian idolatry,--whatever is wrong in social, civil, criminal, political, and religious codes; equalizes the sexes; annuls the curse on man, and leaves nothing that can sin, suffer, be punished or destroyed.”

Science & Health Page 340: 23-29

March 22, 2014 - Self Importance?

ACIM Workbook Lesson #81

Review: "I am the light of the world" and "Forgiveness is my function as the light of the world."

I love silly situation comedies, such as Modern Family.  A favorite episode is one where Claire has lunch with an old college friend. Her friend has a very successful career and an exciting life as a single woman. Claire is jealous and wants to show off her three kids and husband of seventeen years, so she takes her friend home to meet them. Her handsome husband is inexplicably wearing a huge fake mustache and is trapped in a port-a-potty placed there by the water department while they work on the lines. Her oldest daughter is having a loud altercation with her boyfriend. Her other daughter and her son have been recycling in the neighborhood and have the kitchen filled with semi-empty bottles of alcohol. The son is in his underwear because he spilled booze all over himself, while the daughter is trying to catch a rat which came in with the boxes. So much for self-importance, huh? Most of us probably have a silly story about a situation which backfired when we've wanted to show off in some way. If we stop and think about these feelings and what's behind them, it's easy to see how this desire to be "special", to be better than someone else, is at the core of every disagreement and conflict in the world.  With the understanding that we are all the reflection of Love, God, each demonstrating our individuality within this realm of unity, it becomes possible to release false images of self-importance and relax into the perfection of this experience we know as life. By doing so, we are the light of the world! Seeing ourself in others and others in ourself, we fulfill our function of forgiveness. We do this by giving up ideas and beliefs which foster the misconception that we are all different, and instead embrace Love as our common denominator.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Self-forgetfulness, purity, and affection are constant prayers."

Science & Health Page 15:26-27

March 21, 2014 - What, Me Worry?

ACIM Workbook Lesson #80

"Let me recognize my problems have been solved."

We now realize that our only problem is thinking we are separate from God. We also see that it is impossible to be separated from our source, so our problem is already solved by that knowledge. This realization that our problem never existed in any way other than belief is such a freeing notion! It doesn't matter if the "problem" is one of a child who is making choices we feel sure will cause him and others pain and sadness, or if a sickness seems to hold us in its grip, or a financial struggle of some sort appears to be keeping us captive. All these maladies of sense are one and the same to the metaphysical principle which negates them. And that's what this lesson tells us today. The knowing that we're a reflection of God, actualized by our emanation as Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, Love, lets us live with no limits in our human existence. In my lifetime, I've seen this divine Principle at work in so many ways. This seeing beyond the material picture to the spiritual truth allows us to live Truth rather than erroneous material beliefs. And it's a brand new world!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"This is the doctrine of Christian Science: that divine Love cannot be deprived of its manifestation, or object; that joy cannot be turned into sorrow, for sorrow is not the master of joy; that good can never produce evil; that matter can never produce mind nor life result in death. The perfect man -- governed by God, his perfect Principle -- is sinless and eternal."

Science & Health Page 304:9-15

March 20, 2014 - What's the Problem?

ACIM Workbook Lesson #79

"Let me recognize the problem so it can be solved."

Are you a list maker? If you have a list of problems which need to be solved, it should be a relief to know there is only one problem and only one solution! If you watch or listen to news and feel overwhelmed by the problems of the world, it is a welcome respite to realize there is only one solution, and that is shown through a recognition of the problem. Actually, there is no need to think about a solution, you only need recognize that there is but one problem -- and that realization is, in itself, the solution. Every problem which seems to be is the result of one thing: a belief in separation from God.  When something comes up which seems like a problem, I will (hopefully!) sit quietly and ask within, What is this problem? Then  will listen, expecting an answer. When the problem has been identified, I will ask what I need to know to solve it. In stillness, I will expect an answer. The key to this is getting out of the way by releasing my ideas about what the problems and solutions are. While this may seem impossible to do, I shall at least recognize the possibility of it happening. If nothing else, I will recognize that all these problems cannot possibly be solved on the level of form where they occur, as there are too many and they are too complex, changing and shifting with circumstances. It is enough that I acknowledge there is a metaphysical Principle upon which the logic of today's lesson is based. And I will admit that all I want is to know more of that One law.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Ontology receives less attention than physiology. Why? Because mortal mind must waken to spiritual life before it cares to solve the problem of being, hence the author's experience; but when that awakening comes, existence will be on a new standpoint."

Science & Health Page 556:25-30

March 19, 2014 - Seeing With Pure Eyes

ACIM Workbook Lesson #78

"Let miracles replace all grievances."

Today's lesson asks us to choose one person and see them as God sees them, with pure eyes, rather than with all the muddled grievances we may be holding. This person might be a co-worker who seems to find ways to undermine us regularly. Perhaps this person is a good friend whose behavior is irritating to us. Maybe it's a neighbor who allows his dog to poop in our yard. Gosh, there are so many, it's hard to choose just one!!  The circumstance really doesn't matter though, because when we choose to see the miracle of Spirit, the false testimony of material sense disappears. Once we fall into the trap of expecting "bad" behavior from others, that's what we get! A fellow shopkeeper and I were discussing this. It seemed that the people coming into her shop were careless with merchandise, loud, dull, and not contributing to the fun-loving atmosphere we are known for in our sweet little tourist town. We wondered if it's true that we get what we expect. Can changing our expectations change the result? Or is the result the same and we're simply seeing it differently? I'm not sure it matters, as seeing a result and trying to change it is not what this way of thought is all about. Our goal is to see with God's eyes, and with that sight we are led to do what needs to be done, in any and every circumstance. It's been said in so many ways by so many people throughout time. Ghandi asks us to be the change we wish to see. Rumi advises us to be with those who help our being. Jesus tells us the kingdom of heaven is within. There are many ways to say what you see with Love. How do I Love? Let me count the ways! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Human affection is not poured forth vainly, even though it meet no return. Love enriches the nature, enlarging, purifying, and elevating it. The wintry blasts of earth may uproot the flowers of affection, and scatter them to the winds; but this severance of fleshly ties serves to unite thought more closely to God, for Love supports the struggling heart until it ceases to sigh over the world and begins to unfold its wings for heaven."

Science & Health Page 57:22-30