September 29, 2014 - Satisfied With Illusions?

"Shibori Dancer"
created by Sandy Starbird

ACIM Lesson #272

“How can illusions satisfy God's Son?”

Today's topic causes me to pause and ask myself what illusions, if any, have worked for me over the years. During the "years that the locust ate", as I tend to think of a particular 20-year period, I generally felt happy, but never complete or fulfilled. Years of substance abuse, flitting from man to man, and activities which kept me busy but never satisfied are what I refer to as the lost years. Looking back, I hardly recognize that person. It's not that I was mean or horrible or anything, but I was living a drama-filled life, going from one disaster to another, finding solace by hiding in hedonistic pleasures. The peace which is found from wanting nothing other than to know God is astounding in its magnitude. When did I realize the emptiness and want to fill in the blanks with true substance? Ultimately, it doesn't matter because now is all we have! Let's go forward with joy into what awaits us this day!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Higher enjoyments alone can satisfy the cravings of immortal man. We cannot circumscribe happiness within the limits of personal sense. The senses confer no real enjoyment.”

Science & Health Page 60:31-3

September 28, 2014 - No Need to Wait

photo by Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #271

“Christ's is the vision I will use today."

Many times in these past few days I've thought how much easier it is to see with Christ's vision when I'm home alone rather than when being bombarded by questions and noise. I've been judgmental toward others for many reasons. There was the man who opened our front door and shouted a question, without as much as a nod of thank you when he got an answer. Or the countless people who exclaim how great it is to find locally-made things, and then rush through the gallery without even looking at anything. I've found myself falling into the mindless rush of those who speak without thought. Then I grab onto the lifesaver of Truth which is always there waiting for me to notice, and I realize it doesn't matter what's going on around me. Does God wait for things to calm down before seeing the perfection inherent in all Being? As a reflection of divinity, I shan't wait either!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“This dual personality of the unseen and the seen, the spiritual and material, the eternal Christ and the corporeal Jesus manifest in flesh, continued until the Master’s ascension, when the human, material concept, or Jesus, disappeared, while the spiritual self, or Christ, continues to exist in the eternal order of divine Science, taking away the sins of the world, as the Christ has always done, even before the human Jesus was incarnate to mortal eyes.”

Science & Health Page 334:12-20

September 27, 2014 - Spiritual Vision

"It's All About the Leaves"
creation from Sandy Wythawai Starbird

ACIM Workbook Lesson #270

“I will not use the body's eyes today.”

During these times of shifting thought, many of us are frightened by the feelings and insights we are having. I love working with artists, and one of the reasons is that they fearlessly allow multi-dimensional energy into their experience. By the act of looking upon their palpably loving works of Art, I am guided to other ways of seeing. Their artistic expressions take me past the obvious into the ethereal. Every instance of this "seeing through the veil" brings us closer to our goal of seeing that way all the time. Slipping into the silence between thoughts, seeing past the obvious, listening within -- all this and more seeks our awareness. Listen, See, Be.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Spiritual vision is not subordinate to geometric altitudes. Whatever is governed by God, is never for an instant deprived of the light and might of intelligence and Life.”

Science & Health Page 215:11-13

September 26, 2014 - Your Face

ACIM Workbook Lesson #269

“My sight goes forth to look upon Christ's face.”

As we begin to understand our Oneness as the expression and experience of God, we realize that every time we look in the mirror or greet a friend or stranger, we're seeing the face of Christ. Jesus was here to teach us many things, but it all boils down to the Oneness factor. All the great prophets have told us the same thing: We are all the children of God. What a beautiful day it is seeing everyone in this light! Everywhere we are seeing people being inclusive rather than focusing on their differences and watching them multiply. I'm very happy for this lesson today, at a time when there are thousands of people in town who seem to want things from life which have nothing to do with peace. I vow to see the face of Oneness everywhere today!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The eternal Truth destroys what mortals seem to have learned from error, and man's real existence as a child of God comes to light.”

Science and Health Page 288:31–1

September 25, 2014 - One Cause

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #268

“Let all things be exactly as they are.”

Today's Course in Miracles lesson perfectly states the basis of Christian Science healing. The spiritual, metaphysical Truth is that there is no cause for anything unlike good, God, as God is the only Cause. Anything unlike God, good, can be challenged with divine authority. Erroneous thoughts of any sort are the same as a dark closet in a light room. When you open the door, the dark doesn't escape into the light. The light dispels the darkness. And so it is with our realization of the unrealities which seem so solid. When we open the door and acknowledge the Truth, anything unlike God, good, simply dissipates before the certainty of light. I needn't judge or condemn any seeming error. I need only acknowledge the Truth of how things are.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Human sense may well marvel at discord, while, to a diviner sense, harmony is the real and discord the unreal. We may well be astonished at sin, sickness, death. We may well be perplexed at human fear; and still more astounded at hatred, which lifts its hydra head, showing its horns in the many inventions of evil. But why should we stand aghast at nothingness?”

Science & Health Page: 563: 1-7

September 24, 2014 - Peaceful Possibilities

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #267

“My heart is beating in the peace of God"

Living the "peace of God" may seem like a fantasy to those who abide by the laws of materiality. Some think that in order to live this way they would have to be delusional, or sticking their heads in the sand, or denying reality in favor of wishful thinking. But many of us don't! When you know the Truth of being, put it into practice in daily life, and watch the demonstration of it bloom in your every activity, your "heart is beating in the peace of God". And that state of mind does more for the world than all the preaching we may be tempted to do!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“More effectual than the forum are our states of mind, to bless mankind”

Pulpit and Press, p. 87

September 23, 2014 - Mastering Belief

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #266

“My holy Self abides in you, God's Son.”

Peace is a state of mind. We can feel the epitome of peace in the midst of turmoil. At other times, we may be in an oasis of stillness but, due to our tumultuous state of mind, be experiencing stress and upset. It helps me to know that we are all the "son of God". With this realization, I am able to see everything through the eye of divine Love. This is not to say that I'm always calm. Sometimes I forget I am the idea of God, and that everyone else is, too. At those times, who knows how I may be interpreting events! In a state of forgetfulness, I am at the mercy of material belief, being swayed by thought systems which were put in place long before my appearance in this world. But when I remember my holy Self, things appear differently to me. And there is peace.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“He that touches the hem of [the] Christ’s robe and masters his mortal beliefs, animality, and hate, rejoices in the proof of healing,—in a sweet and certain sense that God is Love”.

Science & Health Page 569: 11-14