April 21, 2015 - Sit Quietly in the Light

"Spring, White River"
photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #111

Review of: #91 “Miracles are seen in light." #92 "Miracles are seen in light, and light and strength are one.”

I’ve spent most of a day laughing about the actions of people in regard to a local non-discrimination ordinance. Some folks think it should be repealed and are being very vocal about this. They are trying to spread fear amongst people by telling us that if this ordinance is in effect, men can go into women’s public restrooms and subject our children to abuse. As though this isn’t ridiculous enough, one of their videos promoting this viewpoint features a new minister in our town. It turns out he’s a serial rapist who spent over 20 years in prison. So they’ve had to pull their video from the pages of social media and do a bit of backtracking. There is so much craziness surrounding this that I have become almost overwhelmed with giggles every time I see something new. I am reminded time and again, in so many ways, to simply sit quietly with the light and allow things to unfold. Therein is strength!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Love inspires, illumines, designates, and leads the way. Right motives give pinions to thought, and strength and freedom to speech and action. Love is priestess at the altar of Truth. Wait patiently for divine Love to move upon the waters of mortal mind, and form the perfect concept."

Science & Health Page 454:18-23

April 20, 2015 - True Self

"Bryce Canyon"
photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #110

“I am as God created me.”

During a conversation with friends, someone asked me how I could have come through a particularly traumatic time without some form of therapy. I hadn't really thought about this, but only knew that I had accepted reality over illusion. The reality is that I am as God created me. The illusion is all the stories I encountered which could affect how I feel about myself and others. Let's say you have just found out about something which happened in the past. This something changes many material truths you believed, including your name, age, and heritage. What reaction would you have? Perhaps your initial response would be anger. People would say this is a normal reaction to betrayal. With the realization that you are as God created you, this situation is seen to have absolutely nothing to do with your true Self, allowing the hurtful illusion to dissipate as mist hit by sunlight. Our hurt feelings, our fears, can disappear into their native nothingness, being replaced with the Truth of Being. "I Am as God created me." Anything other than our true creation is changeable. Today I choose unchanging, eternal Truth!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“In divine Science, man is the true image of God. The divine nature was best expressed in Christ Jesus, who threw upon mortals the truer reflection of God and lifted their lives higher than their poor thought-models would allow.”

Science & Health Page 259:6-9

April 19, 2015 - Active and Quiet Rest

"Around the Bend"
painting by Carol Dickie

ACIM Workbook Lesson #109

“I rest in God.”

Since the closing of my gallery at the end of 2014 and the changes in my mobility, I haven’t been to many social events. Today I went to an art show which a dear friend was having at a lake-front house in an idyllic setting. Not only did I revel in her beautiful art, but I saw many artists and friends whom I hadn’t seen in quite some time. It was inspiring and invigorating and I’m glad I went. These last few months of relative solitude have enabled me to rest in God more easily than ever before. I found that this rest was not disrupted by the cacophony of mortal thought which bombarded me out in the world. It was with gratitude that I watched and felt people’s loving care and fearful worries being expressed. I suddenly realized any number of ways I can be of service in the world by allowing the experience of God to flow through me. I am grateful for the rest — both quiet and active!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“…when we realize that immortal Mind is ever active, and that spiritual energies can neither wear out nor can so-called material law trespass upon God-given powers and resources, we are able to rest in Truth, refreshed by the assurances of immortality, opposed to mortality."

Science & Health Page 387:8-12

April 18, 2015 - Unified Thought

"Dogwood Canyon"
photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #108

“To give and to receive are one in truth.”

"One thought, completely unified, will serve to unify all thoughts." This is a sentence from today's ACIM lesson. The spiritual reality we are learning about allows this idea to be not only possible, but probable! During practice periods we are advised to hold out to others what we would have for ourselves. For instance: "To everyone I offer quietness. To everyone I offer peace of mind. To everyone I offer gentleness." Today I will open my heart to receive all the good which is innately mine. This reception opens avenues to share in unexpected ways. I will offer to others everything I want for myself: peace, happiness, joy, contentment, satisfaction, grace, love. Freely I have received, freely I will give.

Mary Baker Eddy quotes:    

"A musician demonstrates the beauty of the music he teaches in order to show the learner the way by practice as well as precept. Jesus’ teaching and practice of Truth involved such a sacrifice as makes us admit its Principle to be Love."  

--Science & Health Page 79:30-32

April 17, 2015 - Ascension

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #107

“Truth will correct all errors in my mind.”

Every prayer, every meditation, every expression of divine Mind is magnified exponentially. We have the power to change the world through ourselves. Every interaction identifies us with either a world of love or of fear. The Love which heals spreads through the web of Oneness. In the same way that we take personal responsibility for ourselves, our health, our well-being, we can take responsibility for a return to Love. It does matter what we do and what we think. We never know what a difference a simple interaction will make in someone's life. A single word or a smile may turn them away from reactive fear to healing Love. The Truth which corrects all errors in our mind is our ascension into heaven within. Never doubt that you matter, that you make a difference.  Allow silence and listening to guide you to your role in being the change you want to see. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Immortal ideas, pure, perfect, and enduring, are transmitted by the divine Mind through divine Science, which corrects error with truth and demands spiritual thoughts, divine concepts, to the end that they may produce harmonious results." Science & Health Page 259: 27-31

April 16, 2015 - I'm Full

Halloween at Eureka Thyme

ACIM Workbook Lesson #106

“Let me be still and listen to the truth.”

I'm full. I'm finished. I've had enough. These are phrases I've always had trouble with! Whatever my current tangent may have been -- smoking, drinking, reading, eating -- I've done almost everything to excess. There was a time I was somewhat proud of my "addictive personality". It's nice to relax out of those crimes against Self. It's still tough to give things up, especially when I feel they're not finished. Letting go of my art gallery is what I've mourned the last few months, but I think I'm done. Whether it's giving up a personal relationship, the passing of a loved one, the letting go of any cherished belief, it's always a freeing experience to come to peace with the emotions surrounding it. I may think I don't know what to do without a particular thing or person, but it always seems to be all right when looked at in retrospect. It takes a desire for inner silence and peace. Keeping a busy mind does nothing to fill the void I tried to stuff with everything other than Truth. I am most grateful for all which has led me to this parenthesis in eternity, and can hardly wait to see what tomorrow may bring!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Willingness to become as a little child and to leave the old for the new, renders thought receptive of the advanced idea. Gladness to leave the false landmarks and joy to see them disappear,--this disposition helps to precipitate the ultimate harmony. The purification of sense and self is a proof of progress.”

Science & Health Page 323:32-5

April 15, 2015 - Receiving and Giving

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #105

“God’s peace and joy are mine.”

Today we concentrate on the nature of giving and receiving. We have become accustomed to thinking of giving gifts for special occasions such as birthdays and holidays. Perhaps gifts are given as a form of compensation to those whom we appreciate because they are patrons of our business. Or maybe someone gave money to our favorite non-profit organization, so we give them a thank you gift. We may feel guilty if someone gives us a gift and we don't have anything for them. We have lots of beliefs about what should and should not be given and how we react to those offerings. It's difficult for many of us to accept gifts — perhaps it’s that old I'm-not-worthy syndrome rearing its head. I love these sentences from today's ACIM workbook lesson: "True giving is creation. It extends the limitless to the unlimited, eternity to timelessness, and love unto itself." To live our lives from this perspective allows us to express Love freely, with no fear of it being rejected or misinterpreted. It allows us to gently reach out to people we've just met with heartfelt expressions of empathy and compassion. We bloom in unexpected ways when "extending the limitless to the unlimited". It's ours to give and to receive, in an eternal loop of Love. There's no way to measure how far the ripples of our joy and peace may extend. My cup runneth over!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"The calm and exalted thought or spiritual apprehension is at peace. Thus the dawn of ideas goes on, forming each successive stage of progress." Science & Health Page 506:11-14