April 8, 2015 - Follow Your Heart

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

ACIM Workbook Lesson #98

“I will accept my part in God’s plan for salvation.”

Pierre Dulaine wanted to be a ballroom dancer. After years of performing, he became a teacher. He was determined to bring ballroom dancing to the classrooms of New York City. No one wanted him to do this. Administrators, teachers, and especially students thought it was a horrid idea. He persisted and now his way of teaching is integral in more than 500 schools around the world. His idea is that if you can dance together, you can get along. He paired up kids by height, with no regard to nationality or gang affiliation or anything else. When these kids are dancing, they are happy and everything else falls away. It doesn't matter if their families have feuded for years or if someone hurt the other's feelings the day before. These students are being taught respect for themselves and others through dance. They must hold each other and cooperate in movement. They are taught to look into each others' eyes and learn the confidence to do so in daily life. Pierre Dulaine was led to do something everyone thought to be foolish and a waste of time. He has followed his heart and brought a gift of Love and peace and grace to thousands by doing so. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Spirit, God, gathers unformed thoughts into their proper channels, and unfolds these thoughts, even as He opens the petals of a holy purpose in order that the purpose may appear."

Science & Health Page 506:18-21

April 7, 2015 - Substance

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #97

“I am spirit.”

The knowledge that Spirit is our true substance allows us how to live beyond the belief that we are this body. The much-quoted "Our Deepest Fear" from Marianne Williamson's A Return to Love tells us that what we fear most isn't our inadequacies but our power. Here is the paragraph from the book: “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” These words will be a constant reminder to me today that I Am a reflection of God, and this will be demonstrated through knowing that I am Spirit, I am Soul, I am Life, I am Truth, I am Love, I am Mind, I am Principle.

Mary Baker Eddy quote: [This is from a dialogue between matter and Spirit. Spirit is speaking here]

“I am Spirit. Man, whose senses are spiritual, is my likeness. He reflects the infinite understanding, for I am Infinity. The beauty of holiness, the perfection of being, imperishable glory,--all are Mine, for I am God. I give immortality to man, for I am Truth. I include and impart all bliss, for I am Love. I give life, without beginning and without end, for I am Life. I am supreme and give all, for I am Mind. I am the substance of all, because I AM THAT I AM.”

Science & Health Page 252:32-8

April 6, 2015 - Know Thyself

ACIM Workbook Lesson #96

“Salvation comes from my one Self.”

A friend who is also a student of A Course in Miracles tells me she doesn't think these teachings should be presented to children. She thinks they wouldn't have a reason to live if they thought this way. I see it as just the opposite. It seems that the main problem young people are expressing is that they have no sense of self. I see with my own kids that knowing about their Self precludes them from worrying about the labels which may be put on them by others. Self knowledge fosters self confidence. There is much talk about bullying and labels which are used to taunt young people by their peers. Being a witness to what others do, but not becoming a part of it, is admitting the freedom of salvation. Not taking things personally is part of this freedom, but there's more than that. You must know what IS, not just what is not. Today I will delve deeper into Truth, knowing that the One Mind will show me what I need to know. I will look forward to interactions with young people, looking deep within and sharing salvation!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The point for each one to decide is, whether it is mortal mind or immortal Mind that is causative. We should forsake the basis of matter for metaphysical Science and its divine Principle."

Science & Health Page 195:11-14

April 5, 2015 - The Joys of Today and Every Day

"Picnic Bunny"
painting by Judith Ann Griffith

ACIM  Workbook Lesson #95

“I am one Self, united with my Creator.”

For many of us, the celebrations of Easter hold negative trigger words such as salvation, resurrection, crucifixion. When we look at the metaphorical meaning of those words, we can relax into an understanding which is different from the traditional story telling about the murder of Jesus. I’m not going to delve into those interpretations as you all know them as well as I — perhaps better, depending upon your religious background. No matter what we have believed, we’re asked to put down the sword and pick up the flowers, carrying forth the light of forgiveness and recognizing ourSelves in the light of the Christ, which is what Jesus was trying to tell us in his beautiful teachings. If you want to hear some lovely things about this vision, Britney Shawley has a chat on youtube where she speaks to the resurrection we can experience daily. Happy Easter everyone! May the bunnies bring you joy!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TscACpnru4s

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Resurrection: Spiritualization of thought; a new and higher idea of immortality, or spiritual existence; material belief yielding to spiritual understanding."

Science & Health Page 592:9-11

April 4, 2015 - Choose Again!

"White River"
photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #94

“I am as God created me.”

I am often amused by signs I see on billboards of churches. Today I was so appalled by one that a rude word came out of my mouth before I could stop it. On a return trip from a neighboring metropolis, I saw this in front of a small, country church: “Duct tape can mend anything, but God fixes it with nails. Happy Easter.” Perhaps I interpreted this as something other than what they meant it to be. Maybe I’m just on edge from being on the verge of defensiveness too much. Whatever the case, I was wrong. Today’s ACIM lesson reminds us to respond “You are as God created you” any time anyone irritates us. Too bad I wasn’t reminded of that yesterday. But it’s all right, because today I have a chance to choose again!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Sometime we shall learn how Spirit, the great architect, has created men and women in Science. We ought to weary of the fleeting and false and to cherish nothing which hinders our highest selfhood.”

Science & Health Page 68:4-9

April 3, 2015 - Light Materialized

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #93

“Light and joy and peace abide in me.”

Some days it's difficult to feel that light and joy and peace are abiding in me. During one of those times, I watched a documentary called "Queen of the Sun". In this film about bees, we are told that pollen is materialized light. I love that, don't you? When thought of in this way, it seems possible that we, too, are materialized light. As the reflection of God, that's exactly what we are! They also illustrate how the bee's light is freed through blocks of honeycomb, exquisitely shared with all as sweet, beautiful honey. And yet again, the light is freed through the illumination of beeswax candles. The freeing of light is cumulative with the bees, and we can experience the same thing as we unshackle the light and peace and joy within ourselves. Another lesson from the bees is the importance of community. Watching them working together for a common cause is uplifting and inspiring to me. It makes me want to join with my neighbors and do something important. But wait -- I'm doing that! What blesses one blesses all. My awakening to light and joy and peace is yours, too. Bees, people, trees -- as an idea of divine Mind, we're all in this together!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Light is a symbol of Mind, of Life, Truth, and Love, and not a vitalizing property of matter. Science reveals only one Mind, and this one shining by its own light and governing the universe, including man, in perfect harmony.."

Science & Health Page 510:27-1

April 2, 2015 - Light and Miracles

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #92

“Miracles are seen in light, and light and strength are one.”

I just saw a clip from a morning show where they were asking people questions about spirituality and religion. Most people they asked thought of themselves as spiritual but not religious. It seems the religious people were mainly looking for a sense of community and fellowship. An answer which was given often mentioned inclusiveness. People are looking for a spiritual group which will accept them as they are without trying to change them. People talked about doubt and said they needed groups of like-minded people to help them in times of loss and fear. It seems so simple for everyone to live together in Love, being kind, helping each other. Apparently it is not. Long-held beliefs cloud our vision and we fearfully try to pull others into our illusion. Today I will see the light of miracles everywhere I look, refusing to be pulled into darkness, even in jest.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“As a material, theoretical life-basis is found to be a misapprehension of existence, the spiritual and divine Principle of man dawns upon human thought and leads it to "where the young child was," --even to the birth of a new-old idea, to the spiritual sense of being and of what Life includes. Thus the whole earth will be transformed by Truth on its pinions of light, chasing away the darkness of error."

Science & Health Page 191:7-15