April 25, 2015 - Changing Thought

photo from Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #115

Review of:  #99 "Salvation is my only function here." #100 "My part is essential to God's plan for salvation."

Imagine a world with no pain, no war, no lack. This is the world presented in a marvelous movie called, "The Giver". This scenario seems Utopian on the surface, but no one sees colors, or feels love, or knows joy. This world of sameness is set up to eliminate envy and greed, as these are feelings that lead to conflicts and war.  Jeff Bridges plays the giver of memories, as no one else knows the memories of past horrors or wonders. What do you think? Would it be worth it to have a perfectly comfortable and predictable world with no highs nor lows? Is this what we're trying to create for ourselves in giving drugs to anyone who steps outside of the so-called norm in society? What are we creating in our efforts to make everyone socially acceptable? Do you think the media is part of this plot to make sameness the only way to go? I feel like I'm asking you questions in an Oprah book club or something similar! This movie asks us: Is all the pain worth the glimpses of love we may experience.  I know many of us are willing to give up our belief in a hellish world of pain and reach within for heaven. I can see that many of us are finding bliss no matter what the outer circumstance, but a lot of people are frightened and resistant. We can't change anyone else, but we can change our own thought. If we really are One, this makes a difference!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Now is the time for so-called material pains and material pleasures to pass away, for both are unreal, because impossible in Science. To break this earthly spell, mortals must get the true idea and divine Principle of all that really exists and governs the universe harmoniously.” Science & Health Page 39:21-27

April 24, 2014 - Salute!

"Peach Blossom"
photo courtesy of Chris Fischer

ACIM Workbook Lesson #114

Review of: 

#97 "I am spirit."

#98 "I will accept my part in God's plan for salvation."

The knowledge that we are Spirit and the understanding of what that means allows us to live by divine law rather than material belief.  It's difficult to accept that we are so much more than we ever thought! We tend to continue behaviors which are comfortable, rather than opening up to a whole new paradigm of thought and action. Today I’d like to salute all people who have stood up to material laws and worked to end inhumane practices. We can look back in history and find many, such as Joan of Arc, Jesus, and thousands of lesser-known names. But today I want to salute each and every one of you who aren’t afraid to express divine Love in all action and thought. Accepting our part as an emanation of Spirit brings freedom of thought and action. The willingness to leave the old ways and embrace Oneness in every moment opens us to the grand adventure of Life. Cheers to you! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Question. — What are the demands of the Science of Soul?

Answer. — The first demand of this Science is, ‘Thou shalt have no other gods before me.’ This me is Spirit. Thou shalt have no intelligence, no life, no substance, no truth, no love, but that which is spiritual.”

Science & Health Page 467:1-7

April 23, 2015 - Too Many Rules

"Tsagaglalal"
Fabric Creation by
Sandy Starbird

ACIM Workbook Lesson #113 Review of: #95 "I am one Self, united with my Creator." #96 "Salvation comes from my one Self."

As a society, it seems we have gone overboard with rules, don't you think? When we look to Spirit to guide and govern every action, there is no need for a multitude of laws to tell us what we can and cannot do. Personal government is not dictated by material laws. No matter how many mandates we make in the name of safety, there will still be trees that fall down without prior notice. When we are governed by divine Law, which is heard when listening to that "still, small voice" within, we truly can live by the Golden Rule of doing unto others as we would have them do unto us. Living by this rule of Oneness results in a peaceful feeling. If uneasiness is bouncing around in my chest, it's time to wonder why! I want to be governed by the intuitive feeling which comes from listening with spiritual sense. Ah -- At-One-Ment!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Atonement is the exemplification of man's unity with God, whereby man reflects divine Truth, Life, and Love.”

Science & Health Page 18:1-3

April 22, 2015 - Namastè -- No Matter What!

ACIM Workbook Lesson #112:

"Robin in Nest"
photo by Chris Fischer

Review of: #93 "Light and joy and peace abide in me" #94 "I am as God created me."

In the movie, “Gandhi”, a Hindu man comes to the Mahatma and tells him that he is going to hell because he has killed a little boy. He is asked, Why did you do this? He replies because the Muslims killed his little boy. Gandhi tells him there is a way out of this hell, and that is to find a little Muslim boy whose parents have been killed and raise him as his own — as a Muslim. Forgiving ourselves is often the hardest thing to do. It helps to know we are the image of Love, the idea of God, the expression of Spirit. It’s easy to see that God which is Love would not condemn and has no need to forgive. Seeing ourselves as that reflection allows us to be the same. Namastè.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Man is idea, the image, of Love; he is not physique."

Science & Health Page 475:13-14

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