March 21, 2015 - No Problem!

photo by Jim Young

ACIM Workbook Lesson #80

"Let me recognize my problems have been solved."

Yesterday we were told that our only problem is thinking we are separate from God. The understanding that it is impossible to be separated from our source solves that problem. 

The realization that our problem never existed in any way other than belief may seem ridiculous. Most of us can come up with a long list of what we consider to be our problems, and they all seem very real and troublesome. Once again, I am reminded of Don Miguel Ruiz's interpretation of ancient Toltec wisdom as he puts forth in "The Four Agreements". When he asks us to not take anything personally, he gives a rather startling example. He tells us that even if someone shoots you in the head, not to take it personally, because it's not your problem, it's theirs! Although this seems like an extreme example, there are many things we take so personally that we cannot forgive and release them. Next time I jump onto my "high horse" about something, I will remind myself that I am seeing someone as separated from their Oneness source and ask myself how this could be possible.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"This is the doctrine of Christian Science: that divine Love cannot be deprived of its manifestation, or object; that joy cannot be turned into sorrow, for sorrow is not the master of joy; that good can never produce evil; that matter can never produce mind nor life result in death. The perfect man -- governed by God, his perfect Principle -- is sinless and eternal."

Science & Health Page 304:9-15

March 20, 2015 - What's the Problem?

Unknown Photographer

ACIM Workbook Lesson #79

"Let me recognize the problem so it can be solved."

Are you a list maker? If you have a list of problems which need to be solved, it should be a relief to know there is only one problem and only one solution! If you watch or listen to news and feel overwhelmed by the problems of the world, it is a welcome respite to realize there is only one solution, and that solution is shown through a recognition of the problem. Actually, there is no need to think about a solution, you only need recognize that there is but one problem -- and that realization is, in itself, the solution. Every problem which seems to exist is the result of one thing: a belief in separation from God. I remember a friend had a poster in her office reminding the people who came in that the only reason she wanted to know their problem was as an identifier; after that, she only wanted to hear about solutions. Wayne Dyer wrote a whole book about it: There's a Spiritual Solution to Every Problem. The problem is that I believe I have separated from Source. The solution lies in that recognition!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Ontology receives less attention than physiology. Why? Because mortal mind must waken to spiritual life before it cares to solve the problem of being, hence the author's experience; but when that awakening comes, existence will be on a new standpoint."

Science & Health Page 556:25-30

March 19, 2015 - Choose the Miracle

"St. Patrick's Parade in Eureka Springs"
photo by Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #78

"Let miracles replace all grievances."

I'm so happy to see today's topic which asks me to choose one person and see them as God sees them, with pure eyes, rather than with all the muddled grievances I may be holding. A few days ago, I had a brief conversation with a woman which I found to be so distasteful that I nearly told her so! After we parted, I kept thinking of things I could have said to her -- none of which were coming from Love. The conversation recurred in thought until I realized what I was doing -- replaying the past and practicing what I could say to her in the future. Yikes! It was pretty clear I was choosing a grievance over a miracle. "Each grievance stands like a dark shield of hate before the miracle it would conceal." (ACIM Workbook Lesson #78) So although the conversation is still popping up in thought -- or else I wouldn't be writing about it! -- I now tell it that it isn't important, it's not my problem unless I choose to hold onto it. The miracle of forgiveness which is showing itself by this practice will shine forth when I clear the way. How do I love? Let me count the ways!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Human affection is not poured forth vainly, even though it meet no return. Love enriches the nature, enlarging, purifying, and elevating it. The wintry blasts of earth may uproot the flowers of affection, and scatter them to the winds; but this severance of fleshly ties serves to unite thought more closely to God, for Love supports the struggling heart until it ceases to sigh over the world and begins to unfold its wings for heaven."

Science & Health Page 57:22-30

March 18, 2015 - Softly Changing Beliefs

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #77

"I am entitled to miracles."

I'm beginning to see the difference in changing my mind and releasing beliefs. If I change my mind about something, I'm more than likely exchanging one belief for another. I have always had a prejudice against the word "miracle". In Christian Science, I learned there are no such things because what we think of as miracles are simply the way that things ought to be. It is implied in material interpretations that a miracle sets aside a physical law and that this is done by a special compensation from God. But in divine metaphysics, it is the laws of Spirit which have been set aside by our material beliefs. So I am most delighted to see that slowly but surely I am releasing my material beliefs about this word -- and many other things! I'm not changing my mind about this, but letting go of my long-held beliefs about the definition of the word. Every day, fewer and fewer things cause me to cringe. It doesn't matter if it's a political opinion, a person's actions, or my understanding of what something means, I'm becoming softer, and it feels really good. I'm ready to accept all the goodness, no matter what it's named!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"A miracle fulfills God's law, but does not violate that law. This fact at present seems more mysterious than the miracle itself."

Science & Health Page 134:31-32

March 17, 2015 - Living Under Senseless Laws?

"Holiday Island Marina"
photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #76

“I am under no laws but God’s.”

Just where do we find these laws of God which we are under? Certainly they’re not in any book which has been written, even though these texts may be referred to as the word of God. I’m not trying to say that there isn’t some wonderful advice in these books. I particularly like Jesus’s words concerning commandments: love your neighbor as yourself and God above all else. How many wars could have been avoided by the simple realization that we are united in the Love which is God! Does it matter what historians or tyrants or mystical seers have dictated? Perhaps the world is not ready to live by the divine edict which can only be known within our consciousness. But I think we are.

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 227:24-28

March 16, 2015 - I Am Light

Ozark Foggy Morning
photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #75

"The light has come."

I am Muslim. I am Hindu. I am Christian. I am woman. I am man. I am gay. I am straight. I am everything and nothing. I am free! Perseverance in dropping false testimony of the material senses is celebrated today: The light has come! Of course, it has always been there, waiting for us to notice it. Having watched the movie "Gandhi" today, I am feeling as though anything is possible. Critical mass tipping point isn't 51%, because just a taste of goodness spreads exponentially, as all Reality must. The light has come. Thinking that we need a tribe in order to prosper, or that family is necessary for us to feel whole, or that a religion is needed to see God, these are all beliefs we have come to rely upon. We are seeing the Truth, and it has nothing to do with belief, dogma, or creed. The light has come. Let's join thought today in the realization that Love is all that is enduring. Other things pass away, but not this light which cannot be extinguished. The light has come!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Let us feel the divine energy of Spirit, bringing us into newness of life and recognizing no mortal nor material power as able to destroy. Let us rejoice that we are subject to the divine 'powers that be.' Such is the true Science of being. Any other theory of Life, or God, is delusive and mythological.” 

Science & Health Page 249:6-10

March 15, 2015 - Spiritual Ideas Give Daily Supplies

photo by Aaron Springston

ACiM Workbook Lesson #74

“There is no will but God’s.”

Recently I was asked to step outside my comfort zone and give a short interview on live television at an early morning hour. Neither public speaking nor early mornings are things which seem to come naturally to me! But, as with anything which promotes Eureka Springs and my gallery, Eureka Thyme, I immediately said I would do it. My preparation for this event consisted of holding thought to the spiritual Truth of Being. Any time a critical thought would enter regarding anything, I would correct it with one of Love and the Truth of the situation. In other words, how does God see this? Or as today's workbook lesson states: "There is no will but God's". Although I was feeling ready to go when I got out of bed at 2 a.m. this morning, as I went about my morning ablutions I started to get a bit nervous. In turning thought to God with an earnest plea asking what I need to know in this situation, it came to me to pick up a Christian Science Journal. I opened it at random and there was an article entitled, "Getting Out of the Small Pond" by Irmela Wigger. She tells of having two young ducks who were raised in her small pond. When it came time to move them to a larger pond, they refused to go. Every time they were offered the advantage of the larger pond, they would swim as quickly as possible back to shore. Then these words jumped out at me: "We can accept without fear the tasks God gives us, even if they demand that we break out of our comfort zone." I quickly saw that not only was I being supplied with this particular reading to break the spell of dread I was falling under, but that by listening I was receiving God's ideas and they were giving me everything I needed. With that, I proceeded forward to a delightful morning full of joy and sharing, for which I am very grateful.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“God gives you His spiritual ideas, and in turn, they give you daily supplies. Never ask for tomorrow: it is enough that divine Love is an ever-present help; and if you wait, never doubting, you will have all you need every moment. What a glorious inheritance is given to us through the understanding of omnipresent Love! More we cannot ask: more we do not want: more we cannot have.”

Miscellaneous Writings 1883–1896, Page 307