May 2, 2014 - All I Want ...

ACIM Workbook Lesson #122

"Forgiveness offers everything I want."

In celebration of the start of our May Festival of the Arts in Eureka Springs, I attended three events. The first was a celebration of new technology in regard to time-lapse photography. By loading an app onto your iPhone or iPad, you are able to point said device at a book of photographs and see them come to life, as fog drifts over a valley or water falls from a mountain. Wow! Next, I visited a downtown hotel which holds the distinction of every floor being a ground floor, as they all back up into a mountain. Nestled in this paradise is an outdoor spa where we were treated to a lovely musician singing and playing guitar while we visited and enjoyed a beautiful evening. Then off to a show for local potters. What a wonderful group of artists were gathered there! I tell you this because I was noticing any number of people who have had conflicts in past years, peacefully enjoying each others' company. I noticed it because there were two people whom I have held grievances toward, and I didn't even think about that until late in the evening. At that point, I started looking around and realized that none of us were living in the past, but were accepting each other for what we are right now. I'm reminded of a quote from "Einstein's Dreams": "Those who live in the past are condemned to live there alone." Our realization of connectivity releases illusions of separation. I like oranges, you like apples. So what? Our commonality rests in the Oneness of our true being. That's a constant reality!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Divine Love always has met and always will meet every human need.”

Science & Health Page 494:10-11

May 1, 2014 - Be Happy!

ACIM Workbook Lesson #121

“Forgiveness is the key to happiness.”

In today's ACIM workbook lesson, we are asked to think of someone we don't like. Then we are to find some bit of light in them and let it grow until we feel the goodness which they inherently are as an expression of divine Love. After we have allowed this feeling to grow, we are asked to think of someone we like and transfer that good feeling to them. In doing this, we then realize there is no difference in these people. All feelings of separation are released in the realization of our unity. So-called forgiveness is the letting go of false beliefs in various forms of separation, This type of forgiveness is very powerful. It heals. When we are filled up with Love, there is no room for anything else, and it is our only reality. Every interaction we have today will be an opportunity to deny separation and realize unity. Let's be happy!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The depth, breadth, height, might, majesty,and glory of infinite Love fill all space. That is enough!

Science & Health Page 520:3-5

April 30, 2014 - All Is Well

A Course in Miracles Lesson #120

Review of: #109 "I rest in God."

#110 "I am as God created me."

A friend recommended that I read, Dying to be Me: My Journey from Cancer, to Near Death, to True Healing by Anita Moorjani. Although this title would be sufficient to turn me away from it when seen on a bookshelf, I trust my friend and immediately delved into the beautiful story. One of the important points made in this book is something that is recognized in our studies: Sickness is not your fault. Often new-age teachings tell us that past thoughts and actions create karma which returns to you in terrible ways. Ms. Moorjani assures us that this is not the case. Although many factors may be involved in physical illness, blaming yourself and seeking absolution has nothing to do with true healing. The recognition that you are pure Love, the knowledge that you are connected to everything, the joy which comes from acceptance of yourself just as you are -- this understanding of your being is what allows the body to be well. It doesn't matter what caused it, what "stage" the problem has advanced to, what mortal predictions are on the table -- nothing matters but the acceptance of yourself as a product of Love. When feeling the purity of Oneness, all material thought must be silenced. We can stop striving and start Being. When slipping into this space of pure Love, nothing else matters. And all is well.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Mortal mind must part with error, must put off itself with its deeds, and immortal manhood, the Christ ideal, will appear.”

Science & Health Page 430:3-5

April 29, 2014 - Truth Trumps Error

photo by Jim Young

A Course in Miracles Lesson #119

Review of: #107 "Truth will correct all errors in my mind."

#108 "To give and to receive are one in truth."

Do you think this Truth we're learning about is difficult to understand? One person tells me he thinks it's incomprehensible unless you've had years of study and training. Another says she's not smart enough to "get it". Yet another says she's not up for the hard work this way of living entails. I've been thinking about this quite a bit. Is it true? Does it take some special dispensation, some quantum gift from beyond, some unraveling of DNA, years of study perhaps? I suppose we think it takes a long time to change our thought because it's taken us a long time to think in the ways we presently do. But this present way of thought is a matter-based belief system. The spiritual Truth we're uncovering has always been a part of us,  It's our birthright as a child of God. The part that takes practice is leaving the erroneous teachings of a lifetime behind. The easy part is the realization that Truth is always within us, just waiting to be discovered. And with this discovery comes a renewal of our mind, a rediscovery of the Truth we've always known, which easily pushes aside false beliefs. So, no, I don't think it's hard work. But it is dedicated work. It's a dedicated discipline to see and feel as Love. Not through Love, not with Love, but as Love. That is our essence. That is our Truth. Let's keep it simple!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Because Truth is infinite, error should be known as nothing. Because Truth is omnipotent in goodness, error, Truth's opposite, has no might. Evil is but the counterpoise of nothingness. The greatest wrong is but a supposititious opposite of the highest right. The confidence inspired by Science lies in the fact that Truth is real and error is unreal. Error is a coward before Truth. Divine Science insists that time will prove all this. Both truth and error have come nearer than ever before to the apprehension of mortals, and truth will become still clearer as error is self-destroyed.”

Science & Health Page 329:21-31

April 28, 2014 - Clear Thought

"Ozarks" photo by Dale Johnson

ACIM Workbook Lesson #118

Review of: #105 "God's peace and joy are mine." #106 "Let me be still and listen to the truth."

News sources were bombarding us with predictions of high winds and tornadoes. I know this because everyone I saw told me about it!  While in our beautiful Carnegie Public Library, the attendant was very nervous, flitting about, even talking to herself. When I was checking out my chosen books and movies, I asked her what was wrong. She told me she was upset about the weather and stated she wished it would just get bad and go past and be done. I assured her we had never had a tornado in Eureka Springs and she was quite safe in these mountains. In thinking about this, I marvel at how readily we receive into our consciousness warnings of destruction and other erroneous beliefs. On the other hand, we balk at the admission, or even the possibility, that spiritual goodness trumps error every time. When our minds are busy with worries and repetitive thoughts, when we're voicing our concerns either orally or mentally, it's very difficult to hear the still, small voice of Truth. Viewing life in its harmonious reality is known in divine Science as "knowing the Truth". It's hard to do this if I'm thinking about horrible "what-ifs" that may occur. As usual, I have a choice. And if I'm not happy with that choice, guess what? I get to choose again!! For this, I am most grateful.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Lips must be mute and materialism silent, that man may have audience with Spirit, the divine Principle, Love, which destroys all error.”

Science & Health Page15:11-13

April 27, 2014 - What's in My Consciousness?

ACIM Workbook Lesson #117

Review of: #103 "God, being Love, is also happiness." #104 "I seek but what belongs to me in truth."

Nothing can be imaged forth in form unless it exists in consciousness. What??  I know, I know. You may say you had never heard of such and such disease until you got it. Well, collective consciousness counts, too. Yikes! So how do we keep from contracting every disease and imaging forth all the horrors of the world? This is exactly what Gary Renard tells us in "The Disappearance of the Universe" and what Mary Baker Eddy means by "there is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter". When we put more faith in matter than Spirit, then, yes, we are subject to every little quirk of the universe. But the realization of Truth puts us under no government but that of divine Mind, God. It may seem that it would be impossible to come out from under the tent of materiality in favor of Spirit. I've had enough glimpses to know it is indeed very possible. But it takes work. When you listen to detailed stories of disease, it become embedded in consciousness. I'm never surprised when something jumps out of that vast forever, but I do negate it in thought -- to the best of my ability. And practice does make perfect, so I won't give up!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“...God is Love, and without Love, God, immortality cannot appear. Mortals try to believe without understanding Truth; yet God is Truth.”

Science & Health Page 312:16-19

April 26, 2014 - Happiness is the Way

ACIM Workbook Lesson #116

Review of: #101 "God's Will for me is perfect happiness." #102 "I share God's Will for happiness for me."

As sage words tell us: There is no way to happiness; happiness is the way. I saw an old friend in the grocery store whose 13-year-old daughter, an only child, died in a terrible way. When I asked her how she was doing, she said she was doing great for the most part; that there were a few tough days, but she knew it was dishonoring her sweet child's memory to spend her time in mourning. She said she had to pretend to be happy at first, but then began doing things her daughter loved doing and found that it made her happy, too. She thinks of her happiness as honoring her sweet child's life. I felt humbled in her presence. It caused me to examine my motives when I'm less than joyous. And I realize that happiness is indeed the way.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Upon this stage of existence goes on the dance of mortal mind. Mortal thoughts chase one another like snowflakes, and drift to the ground. Science reveals Life as not being at the mercy of death, nor will Science admit that happiness is ever the sport of circumstance."

Science & Health Page 250:28-1