August 7, 2014 - Freedom

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #219

Central Theme: “I am not a body. I am free. For I am still as God created me.” Review: #199 “I am not a body. I am free.”

Have you ever dreamed you could fly? My favorite freedom dream is one of running fast, sometimes leaving the ground and floating in mid-stride. Although I haven't had this recurring dream for some time, I can still fell the perfection of it. As I watch people dance and use their bodies in other life-affirming ways, I marvel at the beauty and grace expressed in these activities. Just as physical boundaries are broken and new records set, there is more to come in this so-called physical existence. We are learning of the limitlessness of God's ideas, of which we are One.   What is your highest ideal of freedom? 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"This mortal is put off, and the new man or real man is put on, in proportion as mortals realize the Science of man and seek the true model." Science & Health Page 408:22-26

August 6, 2014 - Am I Worthy?

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #218

Central Theme: “I am not a body. I am free. For I am still as God created me.” Review: #198 “Only my condemnation injures me.”

"I'm not worthy!" When certain comedians said this in a silly movie, it seemed funny. But when I hear this coming from people in everyday conversations, even though they don't use these exact words, it's tempting to tell them that they are very much worthy!! This evening, I had dinner with a group of people who were going to the Passion Play here in Eureka Springs. One woman stated that she had mixed feelings about the play because no one was "good enough" to play the part of Jesus. She felt it was presumptuous and arrogant for anyone to do so. As you can imagine, it was all I could do to keep a smile on my face and not disrupt this gathering of people who were here to learn more about our sweet town. But I did. And I said a quick, silent affirmation of our goodness as the expression of God, the image of Mind, the reflection of Love. Jesus was here to teach us about our true Being, for which I am very grateful. 

Mary BakerEddy quote:

"And we solemnly promise to watch, and pray for that Mind to be in us which was also in Christ Jesus; to do unto others as we would have them do unto us; and to be merciful, just, and pure." 

Science & Health Page 497:24-27

August 5, 2014 - Gratitude All Around

ACIM orkbook Lesson #217

Central Theme: “I am not a body. I am free. For I am still as God created me.” Review: #197 “It can be but my gratitude I earn.

Gratitude is usually thought of as an outward action to be given, not received. But we have learned that what we give IS what we receive, and this is so with gratitude, also. Salvation often implies a thing to be sought after and earned through attrition of some sort. The salvation we speak of today is a realization that we are Love (God), that the thanks we give is a perpetual realization of this Being that we are, and by this knowing we live in Love and unending gratitude of All that Is.  This understanding brings us to the Truth of Being. The understanding of Truth is salvation, for which I am very grateful.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“One kind of faith trusts one's welfare to others. Another kind of faith understands divine Love and how to work out one's ‘own salvation, with fear and trembling.’ ‘Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief!’ expresses the helplessness of a blind faith; whereas the injunction, ‘Believe . . . and thou shalt be saved!’ demands self-reliant trustworthiness, which includes spiritual understanding and confides all to God.”

Science & Health Page 23:23-31

August 4, 2014 - Come Down From There!

ACIM Workbook Lesson #216

Central Theme: “I am not a body. I am free. For I am still as God created me.”Review: #196 “It can be but myself I crucify.”

It's easy to fall into erroneous thought. A friend recently caught me attacking others and crucifying myself. We were discussing sales in the gallery and I made a blanket statement, which I must admit I've made more than once. I stated that people were willing to spend lots of money on clothing to adorn their bodies, but they weren't willing to spend that same money to buy art and adorn their soul. My dear friend piped up and told me I was wrong. She said that purchasing clothing might well be adorning their soul every bit as much as art would bring grace to their lives. I'm very grateful, dear Mary Ann, for your insight which has opened my eyes to the crucifixion I had set up for myself. And I thank another friend for helping me see by sending me the following quote. Thank you both. Namastè.

Bicknell Young quote:

"Your cross is your own consciousness of evil, nothing more; and it has been on this cross that you have nailed yourself all these years. You crucify yourself, at the same time call to be taken down from the cross. It is up to you." From an article entitled "Finance", 1917

August 3, 2014 - Releasing the Future

"In-The-Moment Squirrels"
photo by Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #215

Central theme: "I am not a body. I am free. For I am still as God created me." Review: #195 "Love is the way I walk in gratitude."

Today's review tells us to release the future: What does that mean? We've learned that we must release the past in order to live in the present. "Those who live in the past are condemned to live there alone." (Einstein's Dreams, by Alan Lightman) But what of releasing the future? Does that mean we can't make plans and have dreams of what we'd like to do? No, of course not. It simply means that we mustn't allow those "what-if" situations to control us. If we take the future to the level of overwhelming worry, affecting our every moment in the present, then it's time to release it! I feel there is nothing wrong with thinking about the past or the future, unless it begins to be our focus and affects our every action. No fear of the future nor regret in the past places me in the now. I revel in finding out what that means!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“As the crude footprints of the past disappear from the dissolving paths of the present, we shall better understand the Science which governs these changes, and shall plant our feet on firmer ground.”

Science & Health Page 224:4-7

August 2, 2014 - Empty Thought

"Eureka Thyme Window"
photo by Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #214

Central theme: "I am not a body. I am free. For I am still as God created me." Review: #194 "I place the future in the Hands of God."

I used to think that "placing the future in the hands of God" meant losing control and being an automaton of some sort. I'm coming to realize that just the opposite is true. One example of being well-served by listening is when I had the thought that a deer was going to run out into the road. I applied the brakes and sure enough, the deer dashed across the road in front of me. Another time of yielding to divine Mind had to do with the impending closure of my beautiful art gallery and all the events which occurred , allowing us to stay open and thrive. I'm so grateful to be learning how to empty thought of needless chatter, enabling spiritual sense to be heard!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“We cannot fill vessels already full. They must first be emptied. Let us disrobe error. Then, when the winds of God blow, we shall not hug our tatters close about us.”

Science & Health Page 201:13-15

August 1, 2014 - Seeing With New Eyes

"Deer in Lilies"
photo by Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #213

Central Theme: “I am not a body. I am free. For I am still as God created me.” Review: #193 “All things are lessons God would have me learn.”

Today's review is of a lesson which tells us numerous times to "Forgive, and you will see this differently." See what differently? Everything! Seeing through the eyes of unified goodness, God, will change my outlook from one of sense perception and learned belief. No longer will I put meaning on something because that's the way I've always thought about it. Giving up how I feel about death, for instance, allows celebration of Life to replace sadness for my perceived loss. It may be a bittersweet celebration at first, but as I feel the reality of our Oneness, I can allow myself to stop missing someone, because we are never apart. If I've been missing someone because they've moved away, or gone through the change we call death, or any of the many reasons we feel separated from ones we love, we are never separated by more than the thought which caused the rift in our connection. And I learn peace.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Sorrow has its reward. It never leaves us where it found us. The furnace separates the gold from the dross that the precious metal may be graven with the image of God." 

Science & Health Page 66:30-1