July 17, 2014 - The Heart's Nutriment

ACIM Workbook Lesson #198

"Woman in Mexico"
photo courtesy of Creation Spirit

“Only my condemnation injures me.”

For the last several years, I've avoided one of my neighbors, who is 90-plus years old, because it seemed there was no such thing as a short visit. She would tell me things I didn't want to know about her family and other people, so I began to avoid her. This morning she was sitting on her porch and asked for help. Her phone was not working and it's connected to a Lifeline button which she can push if she needs help. As it was going to take some time to get the phone company there to reconnect her, I told her I'd come over every hour and make sure she was okay. Today she started talking about herself, from childhood through more recent times, and it was fascinating! She told me the happiest times of her life were picking cotton with her sisters in the 1930s on a farm in Mississippi. Every visit with her today brought new adventures from her life. When she would wander into condemnation of others, I would simply tell her I had to go now, but would be back soon and wanted to hear more stories about her -- not others. It was like watching a documentary -- and I'm glad I was tuned in! I'm happy to find out what I was missing by not being honest with her. I don't want to hear gossipy things about others, but hearing about her feelings and experiences was lovely. I'm grateful for this day with her.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The poor suffering heart needs its rightful nutriment, such as peace, patience in tribulation, and a priceless sense of the dear Father’s loving-kindness.”

Science and Health Page 365:31-2 

July 16, 2014 - One in Gratitude

ACIM Workbook Lesson #197

“It can be but my gratitude I earn.”

We tend to project our own feelings onto God, don't you think? I guess it's part of our illusionary training to see Source as anthropomorphic, and so it's easy to put conditions and limitations on forgiveness and gratitude. Seeing myself as a reflection of God is a great first step in developing spiritual sense, but it's easy to think that God is a reflection of me! I may feel that I can never forgive certain things because they're just too bad. But God "is of purer eyes" than to see these things. So there is nothing to forgive when I'm living in Oneness. My beliefs may tell me I'm grateful that things aren't as bad as they could be, but God's creation is only good. And so anything unlike God, good, is unreal. Mortal mind, or ego, would tell me many other stories, but I choose to listen to Truth. My gratitude, your gratitude, God's gratitude -- it's all One and the same, as is the Love which conveys it!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“When man is governed by God, the ever-present Mind who understands all things, man knows that with God all things are possible."

Science & Health Page 180:25-27

July 15, 2014 - Secure in Love

photo by Nick Franchi

ACIM Workbook Lesson #196

“It can be but myself I crucify.”

This is the point in these Course in Miracles workbook lessons where we are repeatedly told that we are on the brink of realizing salvation, revelation, heaven. The belief systems we have put into practice throughout the years may begin to talk back to us in protest of our new way of thinking. Fear not! We have the tools to stand fast in our knowledge. We have each other as reminders in support. We have inner knowing to tap into for verification on our path. We can move onward, upward, inward, fearless and secure in Love.

Mary Baker Eddy quotes:

“Mortal error will vanish in a moral chemicalization. This mental fermentation has begun, and will continue until all errors of belief yield to understanding. Belief is changeable, but spiritual understanding is changeless.” S&H Page 96:21-24

July 14, 2014 - The Gift of Gratitude

"Water Lily at OMS"
photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #195

“Love is the way I walk in gratitude.”

The previous lessons in this workbook have been helping me to see that I am the reflection of divine Love -- and showing me what to do with that knowledge. I am gaining confidence in learning how to get out of my own way, relying on the wisdom which is heard through spiritual sense. Today is not about being grateful to God, but because of God! God is Love. To experience and demonstrate this Love, nothing is required of me other than my awareness of it. When facing circumstances which feel difficult, I will look at them under the microscope of Love, honestly wanting to know the Truth of the situation. In gratitude, I open my eyes to whatever may be revealed.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"We should examine ourselves and learn what is the affection and purpose of the heart, for in this way only can we learn what we honestly are. If a friend informs us of a fault, do we listen patiently to the rebuke and credit what is said? Do we not rather give thanks that we are "not as other men"? During many years the author has been most grateful for merited rebuke.”

Science & Health Pages 8:28-3

July 13, 2014 - One Thing

"Milky Way in Utah"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Lesson #194

“I place the future in the Hands of God.”

It takes practice to let go. A mere 20 years ago, I still thought I was in control. It took a child's illness for me to realize I didn't have the power to make things all right. In the space it took to hear a diagnosis, I had a change of heart. I'm sure I went through all the emotions associated with this kind of thing: sorrow, anger, blame, and so on. But I knew deep down that there was only one answer. "One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple." (Psalms:27:4) Sometimes I forget this. I'm happy to have this reminder today!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Prayer cannot change the unalterable Truth, nor can prayer alone give us an understanding of Truth; but prayer, coupled with a fervent habitual desire to know and do the will of God, will bring us into all Truth. Such a desire has little need of audible expression. It is best expressed in thought and in life."

Science & Health Page 11:28-32

July 12, 2014 - Letting it Go

"Ancient Enigma"
clay creation of Ken Starbird

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #193

“All things are lessons God would have me learn.”

Any grudges I am holding are being held over my own head. I saw someone today whom I hadn't thought about in a long, long time. Immediately when I saw her, the grudges I held, the blame I apportioned, came to mind. But I stopped and thought about why it had ever mattered so much in the first place. The immediate conclusion was that I had felt self-righteous in the situation. I had taken actions and words personally AND had made assumptions about the reasons for her behavior. Now I look back and see that it just doesn't matter. Any hurt that I thought had been inflicted on me was nothing but my self-important response. Almost immediately I began to wonder if she thought badly of me. Then I realized that didn't really matter either. I'm not responsible for what anyone else thinks, only myself. As a good friend tells me time and again, It's none of my business what anyone thinks about me! I'm so happy to have released yet another perceived pain. Namasté ~~~

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The true Logos is demonstrably Christian Science, the natural law of harmony which overcomes discord, — not because this Science is supernatural or preternatural, nor because it is an infraction of divine law, but because it is the immutable law of God, good."

Science & Health Page 134:21-26

Julyl 11, 2014 - Forgiveness is the Avenger

ACIM Workbook Lesson #192

“I have a function God would have me fill.”

This function I am to fill is forgiveness. How often have you heard it said that we must remember some horrendous event, that we must never forget? Throughout the ages, we've heard these words (or something similar) so often that we think there is a mandate telling us that this is the way to handle our hurt. From the Holocaust to 9/11, these words resound over and over in memory. By releasing this type of fear and hatred and disgust, we clear the way for something else to appear: the reality of our Being, the wholeness of this Life, the beauty of Love. This is not a weakness, but the ultimate strength. Today I want to build on this until it overtakes me. I want to know Truth until illusion is pushed away. In mercy I find freedom. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Not to avenge one's self upon one's enemies is the command of almighty wisdom; and we take this to be a safer guide than the promptings of human nature. To know that a deception dark as it is base has been practiced upon thee, and yet not to avenge thyself, is to do good to thyself; is to take a new standpoint whence to look upward; is to be calm amid excitement, just amid lawlessness, and pure amid corruption."

Miscellaneous Writings Page 228