August 21, 2014 - Guided by Divine Mind

photo by Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #233

“I give my life to God to guide today."

I have made a vow to myself to only "see, hear, and repeat good". Here's a seemingly harmless repetition that was an example of  mindlessly repeating something for the sake of conversation. One of our local woodworkers makes exquisite boxes which we sell in the gallery. His art is also available at a world-class museum store in a neighboring town. A man had come in looking for his work and was very upset because we had so few boxes available. He grumbled that the museum didn't have many and he had expected more from the artist's hometown. When this particular artist came in to bring us more little boxes, I unthinkingly told him about the encounter with the potential customer who went away in a huff. Why did I do this?? As soon as the "story" was out of my mouth, I realized I was repeating something that was totally unnecessary. This is but one example of how easy it is to jabber for no reason. If I were allowing myself to be guided by divine Mind, I never would have considered repeating such a thing. I'm learning!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“When we fully understand our relation to the Divine, we can have no other Mind but His,--no other Love, wisdom, or Truth, no other sense of Life, and no consciousness of the existence of matter or error. The power of the human will should be exercised only in subordination to Truth; else it will misguide the judgment and free the lower propensities. It is the province of spiritual sense to govern man.”

Science & Health Page 205:32-7

August 20, 2014 - All Through the Day

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photo by Arthur Lau-Sed 

ACIM Workbook Lesson #232

“Be in my mind, my Father, through the day."

A favorite writing by Bicknell Young begins by telling me that if I don't bring God into my experience first thing in the morning, it may be difficult or even impossible to have It with me throughout the day. Of course, I'm tempted to think, But wait a minute, God is always with me! And while this is, of course, true, it is not the case when we allow consciousness to be ruled by mortal mind. So when we ask God to be in our mind through the day, what we're actually asking is for our material self to be transparent enough to allow divine Mind to be in the forefront.  When I wake up in the morning, rather than planning my activities of the day, I will contemplate the meaning of God. I'll see myself as the expression and experience of divine Mind and see what unfolds!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Mortal mind is the acknowledged seat of human motives. It forms material concepts and produces every discordant action of the body. If action proceeds from the divine Mind, action is harmonious.”

Science & Health Page 239: 23-27

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