Augudy 19, 2014 - Remembering Love

"Monarch Butterfly"
painting by Judith Ann Griffith

ACIM Workbook Lesson #231

“Father, I will but to remember You."

Love is one of my favorite synonyms for God. Today as I remember Love, I also remember a lovely documentary entitled, "Wings of Life". At one point, it's described as a love story from flowers to pollinators. Adding to my love affair with this movie is its narration by Meryl Streep. The flowers multiply in beauty, with gratitude to the bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and bats. I pause to think of what spurs me to express more goodness and Love. There are so many things which fill my heart: people, music, nature -- movies like this one! Similar to my quest to be with those who help my being, I will stay with entertainment which brings beauty and grace to life, turning away from inanities and programing designed to disturb the senses. Following the law of divine Love satisfies -- and I am grateful.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Jesus aided in reconciling man to God by giving man a truer sense of Love, the divine Principle of Jesus' teachings, and this truer sense of Love redeems man from the law of matter, sin, and death by the law of Spirit,--the law of divine Love.”

Science & Health Page 18:6-11

August 18, 2014 - The Seeds of Peace

Yoga in Park City, Utah

ACIM Workbook Lesson #230

“Now will I seek and find the peace of God."

I read about an interesting experiment. Two people were placed face to face. One was instructed to smile as happily as possible, and the other was asked to retain a neutral look. In most of the cases, the person who was supposed to stay neutral couldn't keep from smiling, too. Happiness, joy, peace are all spiritual attributes which shine forth through us as the expression of God. They are infectious, don't you think? Let's broadcast this seed far and wide today and watch it grow!

 Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“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 17, 2014 - Peace is the Path

ACIM Workbook Lesson #229

“Love, which created me, is what I am."

Few of us have no regrets when we look back on our lives. Sometimes it's tempting to replay instances in our minds and think of ways we could have done things differently. Thich Nhat Hanh is a Vietnamese man who lost his family during the war in the 60s. He has spent his life practicing peace and showing others how to do the same. He helps American Viet Nam veterans forgive themselves. He tells them that no matter how badly they feel, it will never bring back the lives that were lost, but that there are many ways in which to help people today, right here and now. He shows us how to be the Love which we are. Peace Is the Path, he tells us. I want to follow that Path, without looking back.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way. Right motives give pinions to thought, and strength and freedom to speech and action. Love is priestess at the altar of Truth. Wait patiently for divine Love to move upon the waters of mortal mind, and form the perfect concept. Patience must 'have her perfect work.'" 

Science & Health Page 454:18-24

August 16, 2014 - No Condemnation

photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #228

“God has condemned me not. No more do I."

Imagine growing up in a home with a  parent who was very solid in his belief in God and faithfully attended a church based in traditional theological dogma. This way of thought included a belief in original sin and all the ritual you must go through in order to try to win the grace of God. Now let's imagine that your other parent is a Christian Scientist who teaches you that God is Love and you don't have to do anything to earn that Love, because you are an emanation of it. We have two parents whose views of spirituality are as opposed as they can be when talking about the exact same thing from different perspectives. I think it's very possible that you might turn away from both of these teachings, perhaps declaring that there is no God. This was Robin Williams' situation. I would love to know more about it!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Now is the time for so-called material pains and material pleasures to pass away, for both are unreal, because impossible in Science. To break this earthly spell, mortals must get the true idea and divine Principle of all that really exists and governs the universe harmoniously. This thought is apprehended slowly, and the interval before its attainment is attended with doubts and defeats as well as triumphs.”

Science & Health Page 39:23-30

August 15, 2014 - Holy Instant of Release

"Glacier National Park"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #227

“This is my holy instant of release.”

Why do some people seem to have an emptiness which can't be filled? We see beautiful, talented people who fall into depression and can't seem to find the way out. To think an actor like Robin Williams can be anything other than happy is beyond my imagination. I wish I could give him a "holy instant of release", but that's something which must be found individually. To a mind as busy as his must have been, it would be very difficult to see past his thoughts to that holy instant. Once again, dear Robin, you inspire me. I will double my times of quietness and think of you while I release the illusions of my existence. I acknowledge I know nothing, I ask to be empty, and filled with Love.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“If Life or Soul and its representative, man, unite for a period and then are separated as by a law of divorce to be brought together again at some uncertain future time and in a manner unknown, — and this is the general religious opinion of mankind, — we are left without a rational proof of immortality. But man cannot be separated for an instant from God, if man reflects God. Thus Science proves man’s existence to be intact."

Science and Health Page 306:11-20

August 14, 2014 - Hurry Home!

ACIM Workbook Lesson #226

“My home awaits me. I will hasten there.”

What does it mean that "my home awaits me"? How does this affect my existence? Accepting the Truth of my being has many surprising consequences. One side effect is a heightened sense of Oneness, evidenced by a refinement in communication. We see this sharing of thought in the animal kingdom. It can be observed when watching birds fly in formation, or your dog expecting you home five minutes before you get there, or any number of observations we allow into our awareness. With each stretching past our accepted limitations, fresh insights will appear. Many of us are frightened by this new/old way of living.  Most people I know well are embracing these changes and reveling in the synchronistic events and enhanced perceptions. We are changing out thought about the purpose of the world, and living in the kingdom of God, which is within. Therein lies the safety of home.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Take heart, dear sufferer, for this reality of being will surely appear sometime and in some way. There will be no more pain, and all tears will be wiped away. When you read this, remember Jesus' words, "The kingdom of God is within you." This spiritual consciousness is therefore a present possibility.”

Science & Health Page 573:27-2

August 13, 2014 - One Thing

ACIM Workbook Lesson #225

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

The Biblical quote which advises me to love God above all else and seek nothing other than to know divine Love is the basis for the way I want to live. Recently, I've re-dedicated myself to this way of life by resolving to only see, speak, hear, and repeat good. I knew this would be challenging. Today, while at the farmers' market, I overhead someone say something which I deemed to be horribly bigoted and ignorant. While it's not a temptation for me to repeat the story to anyone else, it has been a challenge to keep from repeating it to myself! In analyzing this scenario, I see that if I weren't judging it to be awful, I wouldn't feel the need to keep condemning him for saying it. Hence, it's my judgment of the situation which wants to keep it alive in my thought. No judgment, no condemnation, no need to replay it for myself or anyone else! Sounds simple, huh?

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"All nature teaches God’s love to man, but man cannot love God supremely and set his whole affections on spiritual things, while loving the material or trusting in it more than in the spiritual."

Science & Health Page 140:7-14