April 28, 2015 - Peace, Stillness, Truth

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Course in Miracles Lesson #118 Review of: #105 "God's peace and joy are mine." #106 "Let me be still and listen to the truth."

When our minds are busy with worries and repetitive thoughts, when we're voicing our concerns either orally or mentally, it's very difficult to hear the still, small voice of Truth. This is why I always recommend meditation for people who tell me they’re having problems sleeping. Not only must the mind be quiet for easy, peaceful falling into sleep, but the last thoughts we think before sinking into this other-worldly abyss are very important! We have been told by material practitioners of various disciplines that sound sleep is necessary for good health; that it facilitates healing in on-going ways which are necessary to our well-being. I've always felt this is true because we need to be quiet to hear the ever-present voice of Truth, which is often drowned out by the constant chatter we allow into our heads. This listening mode of being is essential to health, because this health we speak of comes from listening to our true Self rather than the material beliefs of the ages.  Silencing our lips and thoughts to materialism allows Love to replace error, then peace and joy reign supreme in our existence. What a lovely byproduct!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Lips must be mute and materialism silent, that man may have audience with Spirit, the divine Principle, Love, which destroys all error.”

Science & Health Page15:11-13

April 27, 2015 - God = Love = Happiness!

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Lesson #117

Review of: #103 "God, being Love, is also happiness." #104 "I seek but what belongs to me in truth."

Nothing can be imaged forth in form unless it exists in consciousness. What??  I know, I know. You may say you had never heard of such and such disease until you got it. Well, collective consciousness counts, too. Yikes! So how do we keep from contracting every disease and imaging forth all the horrors of the world? This is exactly what Gary Renard tells us in "The Disappearance of the Universe" and what Mary Baker Eddy means by "there is no life, truth, intelligence, nor substance in matter". When we put more faith in matter than Spirit, then, yes, we are subject to every little quirk of the universe. But the realization of Truth puts us under no government but that of divine Mind, God. It may seem that it would be impossible to come out from under the tent of materiality in favor of Spirit. I've had enough glimpses to know it is indeed very possible. But it takes work. When you listen to detailed stories of disease, it become embedded in consciousness. I'm never surprised when something jumps out of that vast forever, but I do negate it in thought -- to the best of my ability. And practice does make perfect, so I won't give up!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“...God is Love, and without Love, God, immortality cannot appear. Mortals try to believe without understanding Truth; yet God is Truth.”

Science & Health Page 312:16-19

April 26, 2015 - Happiness is the Way!

Marsha at Film Festival
photo courtesy of Jay Vrecenak

ACIM Lesson #116

Review of: #101 "God's Will for me is perfect happiness." #102 "I share God's Will for happiness for me."

As sage words tell us: There is no way to happiness; happiness is the way. I’ve had a lovely time at our local Independent Film Festival! It’s wonderful to see old friends again. I’ve been hermit-ing for the last few months, enjoying solitude after a change in my physical circumstance in December. Many people are surprised that I’m this happy after losing a lower extremity, but I hold to the perfect happiness which is mine as the experience and expression of God. Happiness and peace never change, and when my ego tries to tell me otherwise, that misperception is quickly corrected when I allow it to be. For the ability to see past material belief, I am very grateful!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Upon this stage of existence goes on the dance of mortal mind. Mortal thoughts chase one another like snowflakes, and drift to the ground. Science reveals Life as not being at the mercy of death, nor will Science admit that happiness is ever the sport of circumstance."

Science & Health Page 250:28-1

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