May 8, 2014 - More Than Meets the Eye

Photo by Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #128

"The world I see holds nothing that I want."  

The topic of today's ACIM lesson is one of those which could cause you to say, "Thanks, but no thanks!!" But before you close the door, really think about what this means. It isn't asking you to give up enjoyment of everyday life. On the contrary! It's asking you to look past the world which is the creation of mortal mind, to the world of divine Mind. By setting aside the unrealities of belief, we are breaking the same kind of thought barriers which had to be set aside for humanity to realize the world was round. When asked to see everything with new eyes, to dare to stretch past belief and learned behavior, we may be frightened or confused. In this state of mind, our "ego" can tell us that it's all just nonsense and it's better to stay with what is well-known. But is it? If you feel -- really feel, deep inside, that there must be more to this existence than meets the human eye, then you will want to know what that is. We are capable of so much more than we realize. The veil is getting thinner! 

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

May 7, 2014 - One Love

ACIM Workbook Lesson #127

“There is no love but God's”

Many self-help books talk of the many faces and facets of love. In divine metaphysics, there is no division in Love. Love does not judge. No one is more worthy than another. No one is more able than another when it comes to expressing Love. Love may not appear to be a factor in the world we witness daily. We see love that's variable and hate that is solid. But we are learning the unreality of changing love and abiding hate. Reality is the Love which is God. Today's ACIM workbook lesson asks us to affirm this often today: "I bless you, brother, with the Love of God, which I would share with you. For I would learn the joyous lesson that there is no love but God's and yours and mine and everyone's." My awareness of this true Love allows me to experience it. It is always present, and I'm learning to be, too.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Love is infinite. Therefore all that really exists is in and of God, and manifests His love.”

Science & Health Page 340:12-14

May 6, 2014 - Living Love

ACIM Workbook Lesson #126

"All that I give is given to myself."

Walking home from work today, I passed a man who responded to my greeting by saying he was "hanging in there, but he didn't know why." He looked forlorn and dejected. This is, of course, a judgment on my part. In examining what I'd like to give today, I see that the only true thing which can be given is Love. When we give and live Love, there is nothing else to think about. Before I give anything today, I will ask myself, Is this what I want to receive? If it's not, then I'd best not give it. But my realization that God is Love, that Love is all there is, allows me to slip into that sweet space of living from Truth. Truth is following the dictates of divine Mind, living from Spirit, expressing the Love which is our essence. I will send this message to others without questioning their motives. Keeping my motives pure is my business. Speculating on that of others' -- NOT my business!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“We cannot fathom the nature and quality of God's creation by diving into the shallows of mortal belief. We must reverse our feeble flutterings--our efforts to find life and truth in matter--and rise above the testimony of the material senses, above the mortal to the immortal idea of God. These clearer, higher views inspire the God-like man to reach the absolute centre and circumference of his being.” Science & Health Page 262:9-16

May 5, 2014 - Quietness Syndrome

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photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #125

"In quiet I receive God's Word today."

Attention deficit disorder: ADD. Even those who aren't taking drugs to keep themselves in line often say they are afflicted with this disorder. If you get right down to it, aren't we all? Doesn't it seem our "normal" state of mind wants to flit about from one topic to another, gathering steam as we really get into all the avenues we are led in thought as one triggers yet another? The thing I find unfortunate, is that people really think they have no choice. Like anything else, it takes practice. You have to want a quiet mind in order to attain one. I know I've said it before, but watch that first thought of the day. It can set the tone for everything which comes after it. Refusal to start the day with worrisome things is a choice we have. Choose the quiet mind over the busy one. And choose again whenever needed. Sow meditation, plant peace, reap quiet. Namasté!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The ‘still, small voice’ of scientific thought reaches over continent and ocean to the globe's remotest bound. The inaudible voice of Truth is, to the human mind, ‘as when a lion roareth’. … Then is the power of Truth demonstrated,--made manifest in the destruction of error.”

Science & Health Page 559:8-16

May 4, 2014 - I Am One

ACIM Workbook Lesson #124

"Let me remember I am one with God."

Does the topic of today's ACIM lesson make you nervous? Perhaps there's a feeling that God won't like it if you think this -- much less if you say it! Somewhere along the path of Christian theology it was decided that Jesus is God and by this he took care of everything for us; all we have to do is believe and give ourselves to him. It's my understanding that Jesus was here to tell us he was one with God and so are we. Does this mean we are God? In the same way that a ray of sunlight is the sun, yes. It can't be said that it's the actual sun, but it certainly is the expression of it. A ray of sunlight is the experience of the sun, if you will. And we are the expression and experience of God. One with God; one with each other; one with everything. Let's spend some time contemplating that today. Say right out loud: "I Am one with God!" Let's not be afraid to think it and ask ourSelves exactly what that means. And don't forget to expect an answer!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Principle and its idea is one, and this one is God, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent Being, and [Its] reflection is man and the universe."

Science & Health Page 465:17-1

May 3, 2014 - Utopia Now

ACIM Workbook Lesson #123

"I thank my Father for His gifts to me."

Don't we all love new beginnings? Every symbolic new beginning we experience gives hope that it truly will be one this time. We yearn for peace and plenty, purity of heart and environment, joy, satisfaction. But we keep forgetting the spiritual Principle which guarantees this reality, simply for our perception of it. Sometimes we catch glimpses of what it could be like. For instance, I witnessed a man and woman in their 70s cavorting like teenagers in giddy expectation of exchanging marriage vows.Their happiness in this new beginning was infectious! A true new beginning is at hand -- your hand and mine, today, right now.  I will not be distracted by ego-based taunting to play the game being enacted all around us. I will look through the temptation to stay stuck in the muddle of material belief by giving energy to the lower propensities. Raising thought above what cries out so loud for attention, I'll see the beginning in every situation. If there is no end, can there be a beginning? Ah -- ever-flowing forever. Now!

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

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