January 13, 2015 - Why Am I Afraid?

photo by Richard Quick

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #13

“A meaningless world engenders fear.”

What is it about a meaningless world which would make us afraid? Today's lesson discussion tells us this: "A meaningless world engenders fear because I think I am in competition with God." So often we act as though we're in charge and that we must tell God what needs to happen. We bargain and cajole to get our way, then get angry with God when we don't. We blame God when anything less than our idea of good comes our way. We thank God when we get our way, perhaps in a boastful or self-satisfied way. All these actions are symptoms of the separation we feel. Allowing everything to be meaningless is similar to letting go of an addiction! Interesting symptoms may show up when we decide to give up the beliefs to which we have grown accustomed. To see everything without the meaning we have given it can be frightening, but it doesn't need to be. The more we practice giving up strong opinions, or by-rote actions, rituals, or other habitual behaviors, the more sensible it seems. While realizing the meaninglessness of these ways we've taken on as our story, let's not be afraid of any rogue thoughts of fear which may seem to assault us. They can be acknowledged as symptoms of a clearing away of self to allow our Self to be demonstrated. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The Hebrew Lawgiver, [Moses], slow of speech, despaired of making the people understand what should be revealed to him. When, led by wisdom to cast down his rod, he saw it become a serpent, Moses fled before it; but wisdom bade him come back and handle the serpent, and then Moses' fear departed. In this incident was seen the actuality of Science. Matter was shown to be a belief only. The serpent, evil, under wisdom's bidding, was destroyed through understanding divine Science, and this proof was a staff upon which to lean. The illusion of Moses lost its power to alarm him, when he discovered that what he apparently saw was really but a phase of mortal belief." 

Science & Health Page 321:5-18

Marsha Havens

January 12, 2015 - What's Meaningful?

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #12

“I am upset because I see a meaningless world.”

Today's lesson asks us to witness events without giving them any meaning. By not assigning meaning to everything, we allow ourselves to see the Truth which is hidden by our personal interpretations. When we allow Spirit (God) to manifest through us -- which is our native state as the experience and expression of God -- we open ourselves to the field of all possibilities. We then become a blank slate for Love to write on. Who's to know where this will lead us? To quote Rumi: "Out beyond ideas of rightdoing and wrongdoing, there is a field. I'll meet you there".

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Nothing is real and eternal,--nothing is Spirit,--but God and His idea. Evil has no reality. It is neither person, place, nor thing, but is simply a belief, an illusion of material sense." 

Science & Health Page 71:1-5

January 11, 2015 - I Dream of Utopia

Yellowstone National Park
photo by Aaron Springston 

ACIM Workbook Lesson #11
“My meaningless thoughts are showing me a meaningless world.”

I had a sleeping dream of Utopia. There was no need to speak, as we knew each others' thoughts. We had no fear, as our thoughts were uncluttered and pure. Everywhere I looked there were happy people, busy at tasks which would benefit everyone. There was no need for television or radios, as we knew everything, and it was Good. At one point, I thought I was lost in the woods, but that was impossible because others sensed my confusion and were there immediately to lead me to a safe and beautiful home. While traveling on a road, suddenly the way was filled with huge boulders and ancient fallen trees. But to the left side there was a field filled with beautiful flowers, and a pathway leading to my destination. All needs were met before I knew of them, and there was the most wonderful sense of peace. I will hold to these beautiful feelings today, while seeing the meaningless basis of my thoughts and desires.
Mary Baker Eddy quote:
“Sleep and apathy are phases of  the dream that life, substance, and intelligence are material. The mortal night dream is sometimes nearer than are the thoughts of mortals when awake. The night-dream has less matter as its accompaniment. It throws off some material fetters. It falls short of the skies, but makes its mundane flights quite ethereal.”

Science & Health Page 249:24-30

January 10, 2015 - Disappearing Beliefs

ACIM Workbook Lesson #10
“My thoughts do not mean anything.”

The realization that my thoughts mean nothing is such a freeing concept! If we fall into the habit of believing that every thought we have will cause us harm, it's easy to get stuck in analyzing these thoughts and wondering what pitfalls will come to us because of them. Humility is a word which keeps coming to mind as I read today's lesson. We are accustomed to believing that everything we think and do is important, and it seems hard to admit our thoughts mean nothing. Sometimes it is even difficult to admit we don't know or understand things in daily life, so how can we admit that our own thoughts mean nothing? For me, it's a matter of realizing that my true self isn't contained in this body, and any thoughts which are based in materialism are changeable. So I can humbly admit that my thoughts (even those which seem to be pretty good ones!) are not "founded on the divine rock". With this admission, I am happy to see the beliefs of a lifetime dissipate, leaving me open to the divine ideas which are my true reality as a child of God.
Mary Baker Eddy quote:
"Human thoughts have their degrees of comparison. Some thoughts are better than others. A belief in Truth is better than a belief in error, but no mortal testimony is founded on the divine rock. Mortal testimony can be shaken. Until belief becomes faith, and faith becomes spiritual understanding, human thought has little relation to the actual or divine."
Science & health Page 297:24-30

January 9, 2015 - I Don't Understand

"Thai Beach"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #9
“I see nothing as it is now.”

Today's lesson tells us, "the recognition that you do not understand is a prerequisite for undoing your false ideas." What a relief, huh? I'm reminded of attending a talk on quantum physics wherein a number of fairly complex concepts were addressed. The talk lasted an hour and a half and at the conclusion the speaker asked if there were any questions. There wasn't a single one. It could be perceived we knew it all, or maybe we didn't want to know about any of this, or perhaps we didn't know enough to ask questions! When we first hear a concept like today's topic, "I see nothing as it is now", it may seem nonsensical. But the more we study and talk about these ideas, they start to seem not only possible, but plausible. As Mary Baker Eddy tells us in the below quote, it takes the practice of turning away from matter to Spirit to develop the spiritual sense which allows us to understand the concepts we're hearing about. What an exciting adventure we have waiting for us each day as we learn to understand the difference in what we seem to know through material sense and the reality of Spirit.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:
"If the disciple is advancing spiritually, he is striving to enter in. He constantly turns away from material sense, and looks towards the imperishable things of Spirit. If honest, he will be in earnest from the start, and gain a little each day in the right direction, till at last he finishes his course with joy."
Science & Health Page 21:9-14

January 8, 2015 - Memories or Truth?

"Altai Mountains in Mongolia"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #8
“My mind is preoccupied with past thoughts.”

Many of us, including me, pride ourselves on our effort to live in the moment. I know I'm pleased with myself when I don't get lost in planning or dreaming about the future; equally so when I don't let myself get trapped in the past by memories and regrets. Today's lesson tells us that we are always seeing things from past experiences, which precludes any thoughts of Truth from entering our consciousness. Can this be true? When we think about the past, we are really thinking about nothing but illusions. In doing so, we block ideas which are lurking around the edges, waiting for us to clear our mind and let them in. As long as we believe what we're thinking is important, we are blocking any progress in allowing truth to enter. About the time we acknowledge this, our ego-mortal-mind jumps up and tells us that this is ridiculous. Hence, the necessity for exercising our spiritual muscles! Hope you're having as much fun with this metaphysical therapy as I am!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:
"Our false views of matter perish as we grasp the facts of Spirit. The old belief must be cast out or the new idea will be spilled, and the inspiration, which is to change our standpoint, will be lost." Science & Health Page 281:28-1

January 7, 2015 - Living in the Past?

"Yellowstone Moon"
photo by Aaron Springston

A Course in Miracles Workbook Lesson #7
“I see only the past.”

In these exercises, we are learning that everything we think about objects, people, ourselves, is related to the past. 

[If you want to know more about this idea, here is a link: http://acim.org/Lessons/lesson.html?lesson=7]

I'm finding this lesson particularly interesting in light of my missing foot. I used to have a bunion on this foot. I still feel it and want to stretch my toes apart to relieve this pain. Talk about seeing the past!! Or I find myself using this invisible foot to push the shoe off my other foot. Or perhaps I'll use it to shut a door, and then I'm surprised when my foot goes through the door. I feel certain that this new version of myself will be most informative in my metaphysical studies. When Mary Baker Eddy tells us of the unreality of matter, it's intellectually possible to grasp this -- but it's far more difficult to really understand, to honestly say we know what she means. Every glimpse I have of Truth spurs me on to open myself to know (gnow?) more. There is One Mind, One Life, One Love -- and I am the expression and experience of that One. Namaste ~~~

Mary Baker Eddy quote:
"The history of error or matter, if veritable, would set aside the omnipotence of Spirit; but it is the false history in contradistinction to the true.”
Science and Health, Page 521:29-2