August 11, 2014 - Shifting Thought

photo from Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #223

“God is my life. I have no life but His.”

We've recently started Part 2 of these ACIM workbook lessons. The first 220 days were exercises in giving up beliefs, habitual thoughts, inane or destructive actions, and numerous other things which have held us captive to sense. We now know how to differentiate between ego thoughts and the ideas of Mind. We're not afraid to listen and trust what we hear in that silence between the words. We've been exercising our spiritual sense, while quieting our physical senses. And now we want the "direct experience of Truth". Now we are ready to shift attention within ourselves, to the source Itself, letting go of any ritualistic words and dogma we have been harboring. We now understand what forgiveness is about: it's the understanding that there is nothing to forgive. We have also reached the point where we don't need specific times during the day to remind us to think about our nature as the expression of God. This shift from habitual, material thought to inspired, divine ideas is feeling more natural to us now. And so, today I see us as quietly devoted to the peace of God. Every time we silently turn whole-heartedly to God -- knowing that all is Mind, Truth, Love -- we remember more of our original Being. We feel a perfect peace which allows our actions and words to be those of divine Mind, without worry, with total trust, knowing that our lack of expectation frees us. To quote from today's lesson: "This year has brought us to eternity."

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"God is divine Life, and Life is no more confined to the forms which reflect it than substance is in its shadow. If life were in mortal man or material things, it would be subject to their limitations and would end in death. Life is Mind, the creator reflected in His creations. If He dwelt within what He creates, God would not be reflected but absorbed, and the Science of being would be forever lost through a mortal sense, which falsely testifies to a beginning and an end.”

Science & Health Page 331:1-10

August 12, 2014 - One Love Unifies

ACIM Workbook Lesson #224

“God is my Father, and He loves His Son.”

Today's Course in Miracles lesson tells me that God is my Father and He loves His Son. When we take away material gender-related terms, it's easier for some of us to know this is telling us that we are all reflections of creative Mind (God), and that divine Love is equally ever-present for all. There is no division by religion or any other so-called standard. There is no Love more readily bestowed on someone who fits the requirements to be called saint or sinner. This perfect Love is available to all, simply for the accepting of it. We really are all created equally!

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 340:21-29

August 10, 2014 - Seeing With God's Eyes

Judy's cabbage two weeks before
she brought it to me today

ACIM Workbook Lesson #222

“God is with me. I live and move in Him.”

Have you ever experienced a day which feels like a rainbow after the storm? Today was like that for me. I felt at home, at peace, in Love. I spent the day at the gallery where we had a show for my dear friend, Sandy. It was a celebratory affirmation of Life and everyone who walked in the door felt the joy. One man told me we should advertise ourselves as the "happiest gallery in Eureka". A friend brought me the most beautiful cabbage from her garden. A motorcycle racked its pipes right outside our door and I smiled an honest smile at him. I'm coming closer to living as Mary Baker Eddy advised: "I look upon the world with God's eyes and see it just as [She] sees it, and I refuse to see it in any other way." Woo-hoo!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"God: The great I am; the all-knowing, all-seeing, all-acting, all-wise, all-loving, and eternal; Principle; Mind; Soul; Spirit; Life; Truth; Love; all substance; intelligence."

Science & Health Page 587:5-8

August 9, 2014 - Peace To My Mind

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #221

“Peace to my mind.  Let all my thoughts be still.”

What does peace mean to you? Thinking back through the years, at different times, it's meant different things to me. When I was a child, I didn't want peace because that seemed boring: excitement and adventure was what I craved. As a young adult, I thought that having a husband and plenty of money would mean peace. Later on when I had children, I thought when they grew up I would have peace! Now I see that peace isn't a personal desire or activity: it's a state of Mind. No matter how busy I am today, there will be moments to treasure, slipping into the the space between the thoughts and knowing the peace which is eternally ours.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Willingness to become as a little child and to leave the old for the new, renders thought receptive of the advanced idea. Gladness to leave the false landmarks and joy to see them disappear,--this disposition helps to precipitate the ultimate harmony. The purification of sense and self is a proof of progress. ‘Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.’"

Science & Health Page 323:32-6

August 8, 2014 - Choosing Peace

ACIM Workbook Lesson #220

photo from Arthur Lau-Sed

Central Theme: “I am not a body. I am free. For I am still as God created me.” Review: #200 “There is no peace except the peace of God.”

Do you ever wonder how to choose peace rather than turmoil and negativity? I've recently found myself being cynical whereas I used to be a Pollyanna. I'm not going to waste time figuring out how this has happened, rather my time will be spent in choosing peace. When we need help, it shows up, and mine did when looking at last year's blog entry where I quoted a statement by Mary Baker Eddy. In it, she tells us the "secret"  of living the Science of the Christ. "It is seeing and hearing and repeating good only, at all times and under all circumstances, and in spite of everything that appears to the contrary." There is more to this statement than this (and it can be found in its entirety on the blog entry for August 6, 2013), but these words are what I will wake up thinking about and bring to mind continually throughout the day. This peace I aspire to is not for a select few, it doesn't run out, it's not difficult to access -- so just say "yes"!

Mary Baker Eddy quotes:

"Spiritual living and blessedness are the only evidences, by which we can recognize true existence and feel the unspeakable peace which comes from an all-absorbing spiritual love."

Science & Health Page 264:24-27

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