April 11, 2015 - What Will?

"Spring in the Ozarks"
photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #101

“God’s Will for me is perfect happiness.”

This Course in Miracles topic was posted by Auntie Patricia on her Facebook page.  Patricia Robinette has recorded all 365 lessons which can be found on youtube with her reading them in her own delightful way. But I digress. Someone commented to her social media entry saying that they didn't want God's will because they wanted their own will. It's interesting how we react to statements which seem, on the surface, to take something away from our own self. I've come to see that doing God's will IS my will. When I'm doing what I think of as my own free will, more often than not I'm simply regurgitating some long-held belief or performing a by-rote action. Can there be free will in a brainwashed mind? No one likes to think they're being controlled, for sure! But perhaps we have it backwards.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The power of the human will should be exercised only in subordination to Truth; else it will misguide the judgment and free the lower propensities. It is the province of spiritual sense to govern man. Material, erring, human thought acts injuriously both upon the body and through it." 

Science & Health Page 206:4-9

April 10, 2015 - All is Well

photo courtesy of Jodie English

ACIM Workbook Lesson #100

“My part is essential to God’s plan for salvation.”

"Salvation and forgiveness are the same. They both imply that something has gone wrong; something to be saved from, forgiven for; something amiss that needs corrective change; something apart or different from the Will of God." I've had numerous thoughts about today's lesson, and have started to write about it in many ways, but none of them feel right. So I'm going to step back and let you tell me what this means to you today. Love to each and every one ---

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Harmony is produced by its Principle, is controlled by it and abides with it. Divine Principle is the Life of man. Man's happiness is not, therefore, at the disposal of physical sense. Truth is not contaminated by error. Harmony in man is as beautiful as in music, and discord is unnatural, unreal.”

Science & Health Page 304:16-21

April 9, 2015 - Led By Spirit

photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #99

“Salvation is my only function here.”

When David Hoffmeister was "called" to go on the road and talk to people about the teachings of a Course in Miracles, he didn't know how he would have the funds to do this. He was told by Spirit that all his needs would be supplied, but he didn't believe that. He found himself trying to teach Jesus about the laws of supply and demand.  David is a man with excessive formal education, including knowledge of economics, and so he felt certain that Jesus simply didn't understand how the world worked. We tend to think of people like Buddha and St Francis and Jesus as being beggars of sorts. They didn't make a lot of money, but trusted in the Universe to provide. David was being asked to rely on Spirit to articulate this new/old curriculum. He was being led to teach using everything available -- music, dance, lectures, gatherings -- to help others express deep Love and peace.  The reign of peace has begun, and many people are fighting against it. Let's not be concerned with that. Let's put our energy where it will grow -- on this peaceful transition. Christ consciousness is coming out of hiding and we're being called to help everyone see (by way of our own sight) that this is not some esoteric thing that must be kept secret. It's to be shouted from the rooftops! Fear not, shine your light, call forth witnesses to this light -- and above all, don't tone down your joy!

[Many David Hoffmeister videos may be found on youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6g--bfDLRd8]

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Love giveth to the least spiritual idea might, immortality, and goodness, which shine through all as the blossom shines through the bud.”

Science & Health Page 518:19-21

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