September 22, 2014 - Gentleness

Mt. Timpanogos Goat
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #265

"Creation's gentleness is all I see."

Creation's gentleness is everywhere, but often is covered up by belief in harshness. More and more we're seeing animals showing us the way to being gentle with each other. In our realization of Oneness, we're beginning to understand that if violence is done to or by one, it's done to or by All. And we're allowing our thought to change from fear and anger to Love and gentleness. There may still be many people who want to stay with the old paradigm and say it's necessary for heinous acts to be committed. But there are more people everyday who realize the error of this and know it's possible for the lion to lay down with the lamb.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The new birth is not the work of a moment. It begins with moments, and goes on with years; moments of surrender to God, of childlike trust and joyful adoption of good; moments of self-abnegation, self-consecration, heaven-born hope, and spiritual love.” Miscellaneous Writings, 1883-1896, p. 15

September 21, 2014 - Unchanging Love

"Classic Car Parade"
photo by Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #264

“I am surrounded by the Love of God.”

Some days I feel like a used car salesman -- only selling different things in an art gallery. "What do I need to do to put this lovely Van Hollow Pottery platter in your home??!!" Recently, I really had fun with this. There was a young woman from a nearby college town who fell in love with one of our outstanding Ashiko drums. I gave her a deep discount so she could take it home. The fun banter the customers and I had going on made for a delightful, Love-filled day. It's easy to get grumpy when things don't flow smoothly, and it's easy to be happy when they do. Recognizing that I Am surrounded by the Love of God makes it easier to stay on an even keel, because this Love is something which does not change.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The very circumstance, which your suffering sense deems wrathful and afflictive, Love can make an angel entertained unawares.”

Science & Health Page 574: 27-30

September 20, 2014 - Pure Sight

"Gallery Stroll in Eureka Thyme"

ACIM Workbook Lesson #263

“My holy vision sees all things as pure.”

When I first started greeting the public in my capacity as a gallery proprietress, there were many things people said to which I reacted negatively. If someone criticized the art, I would feel defensive. When people talked about politics and such, I would feel annoyed and perhaps angry. I see these things differently now. I find myself simply witnessing what is said in regard to our art and artists, with no feeling one way or another toward their comments. If someone wants to talk about their strong opinions, I smile and change the subject, with no worry about what they may think. If I happen to fall into old thought patterns, that's okay. I acknowledge what has made me uncomfortable and give a nod of gratitude for the ability to choose again.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“When we learn that error is not real, we shall be ready for progress, ‘forgetting those things which are behind.’”

Science & Health Page 353:22-24

September 19, 2014 - No Differences in Love

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #262

“Let me perceive no differences today.”

William Blake says it well: "I am in you and you in me, mutual in divine Love". I understand this to mean that the perfection we are learning to see as ourselves also is everyone else. I often tell people “We’re all in this together”, but I think I’ll change it to “We are all this – together!” I love the study of the Science of Being! Every day, every moment, revelations of thought bring me to a deeper understanding of how this Truth sets us free. I am learning what it means when I affirm that that God is Mind, Spirit, Soul, Principle, Life, Truth, Love. It's a joy to expand thought to include myself in that definition, as a reflection of All that Is!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“With one Father, even God, the whole family of man would be brethren; and with one Mind and that God, or good, the brotherhood of man would consist of Love and Truth, and have unity of Principle and spiritual power which constitute divine Science.”

Science and Health Page 469:30–5

September 18, 2014 - Secure Refuge

photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACiM Workbook Lesson #261

“God is my refuge and security."

It's easy to feel my security comes from physical things and my refuge is my home. I feel so safe and happy and often find myself expressing gratitude out loud for the peace and comfort I find here. To say that "God is my refuge and security" is, I feel, saying the same thing, but even more expansively and inclusively. As I learn to trust what is invisible to the human eye but palpable deep within mySelf, peace becomes possible no matter what the circumstance. Of course, it's easy to forget and become caught up with hectic circumstances in daily life. But the process of discovering Truth is an adventure which is never-ending. That's why I love it so much! No matter how much I come to know, there is always more.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Citizens of the world, accept the ‘glorious liberty of the children of God,’ and be free! This is your divine right. The illusion of material sense, not divine law, has bound you, entangled your free limbs,

crippled your capacities, enfeebled your body, and defaced the tablet of your being.”

Science & Health Page 227:24-29

September 17, 2014 - Experience and Expression

"Aaron"
photo by Nick Franchi

ACIM Workbook Lesson #260

“Let me remember God created me.”

I Am the experience and expression of God. We are learning what that means and it's a wonderful adventure! For too many years, high officials of churches have tried to tell us that we are mortal sinners and the only way we can gain favor with God is to go through them, performing odd penances and other rituals which I feel certain have nothing to do with the Oneness we are embracing. God Is; I Am. There really isn't anything else to say, but yet there is so much! We have questions that seem unanswerable, but perhaps that's because we have been told there are many things we must simply accept because we can't understand. Through the study of divine metaphysics, we find there are no unanswerable questions. In this remembering, I find there are no dead ends where I must simply "believe", relying on blind faith alone. God is as close as I am to myself, and all answers lie within, available for the asking -- and, most importantly, for the listening!! Remembering what is true leaves me with a wonderful peace. I am most grateful.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Infinite Mind creates and governs all, from the mental molecule to infinity. This divine Principle of all expresses Science and art throughout His creation, and the immortality of man and the universe. Creation is ever appearing, and must ever continue to appear from the nature of its inexhaustible source. Mortal sense inverts this appearing and calls ideas material. Thus misinterpreted, the divine idea seems to fall to the level of a human or material belief, called mortal man. But the seed is in itself, only as the divine Mind is All and reproduces all--as Mind is the multiplier, and Mind's infinite idea, man and the universe, is the product. The only intelligence or substance of a thought, a seed, or a flower is God, the creator of it."

Science & Health Page 507:24-6

September 16, 2014 - Pure Eyes

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #259

“Let me remember that there is no sin.”

In these "remember" lessons, I have been making an effort to forgive myself the things I continue to feel guilty for and about. There are only a few, but they recur in thought like the moon making an orbit. Today while talking to a friend, she told me how it took her a long, long time to forgive someone who accused her of terrible things years ago. After we finished talking I wondered if we ever truly forgive as long as we remember the occurrence. I have a feeling that some day I won't remember these things I hold onto today, they will simply be gone from thought because God is "of purer eyes than to behold iniquity", and I'm a reflection of that perfection. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Question: Is there no sin?

Answer: All reality is in God and His creation, harmonious and eternal. That which He creates is good, and He makes all that is made. Therefore the only reality of sin, sickness, or death is

the awful fact that unrealities seem real to human, erring belief, until God strips off their disguise. They are not true, because they are not of God.”

Science & Health Page 472:23-30