May 3, 2015 - Thanksgiving

"Peony"
photo by Chris Fischer

ACIM Workbook Lesson #123

"I thank my Father for His gifts to me."

Today is a day of thanks, a day of gratitude for all that we are learning and realizing in daily life. If looked at in day-to-day increments, it may not seem we are gaining in understanding, but when looking back through the years, it seems remarkable! This was brought home to me as I attended a 45-year-class reunion of high school graduation. Being with all these old friends and acquaintances brought back memories that had been long-forgotten. Listening to others tell stories of their lives, their jobs, their children and grandchildren, brought great thankfulness to my heart. I love where I've been and I love where I'm going. I am grateful for my friends and family, past, present, and future. The excitement which each day brings is cause for gratitude, and I plan to express it in my actions toward others and myself. The flowers blooming are a perfect reminder of the beauty of life and thankfulness for growth. Let's go forward today and scatter joy!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Gratitude is much more than a verbal expression of thanks. Action expresses more gratitude than speech."

Science & Health Page 3:25-26

May 2, 2015 - Peaceful Living

photo courtesy of Chris Fischer

ACIM Workbook Lesson #122

"Forgiveness offers everything I want."

Immediately after reading the above-quoted topic, I read this: “We do ourselves a great disservice when we let the bitter opinions of others mingle and subvert our own thoughts.” (Dodinsky) This brought to mind one of the Four Agreements as interpreted by Don Miguel Ruiz: “Don’t take anything personally.”  It seems as though these two thoughts summarize exactly what I’m feeling right now. And these thoughts are followed up by Gandhi’s wisdom: “If we could change ourselves, the tendencies in the world would also change. As a man changes his own nature, so does the attitude of the world change toward him.” Namastè

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Hold thought steadfastly to the enduring, the good, and the true, and you will bring these into your experience proportionably to their occupancy of your thoughts." 

Science & Health Page 261:4-7

May 1, 2015 - The Forgiving Mind

"White River in Beaver, Arkansas"
photo from Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #121

“Forgiveness is the key to happiness.”

We are told in today’s ACIM lesson that “forgiveness is the key to happiness”. The unforgiving mind is sad, torn with doubt, confused, afraid, angry, weak, blustering, afraid of every sound and more afraid of stillness; terrified of darkness, but more so of approaching light. Recently I went with a friend to see the movie “Cinderella”. It was a visual treat, full of fun transitions and beautiful scenes. The wicked stepmother and her daughters exhibited all of the characteristics of an unforgiving mind, while Cinderella held to what her mother had taught her: courage and kindness. Because of her loving disposition and compassion, she was shown the way out of drudgery by a fairy godmother. In the final scene, she tells her stepmother she forgives her and, of course, lives happily ever after. Some people think of this as a silly story, something made up in order to give ourselves false hope, but I’ve seen some real-life fairy tales in action. When I attend an event and feel wicked-stepmother energy and sweet-princess energy, I’m going to go sit by Cinderella!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The depth, breadth, height, might, majesty, and glory of infinite Love fill all space. That is enough!

Science & Health Page 520:3-5

April 30, 2015 - All is Well

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Lesson #120

Review of:

#109 "I rest in God."

#110 "I am as God created me."

A friend recommended that I read, Dying to be Me: My Journey from Cancer, to Near Death, to True Healing by Anita Moorjani. Although this title would be sufficient to turn me away from it when seen on a book shelf, I trust my friend and immediately delved into this beautiful story. One of the important points made in the book is something that is recognized in our studies: Sickness is not your fault. Often new-age teachings tell us that past thoughts and actions create karma which returns to you in terrible ways. Ms. Moorjani assures us that this is not the case. Although many factors may be involved in physical illness, blaming yourself and seeking absolution has nothing to do with true healing. The recognition that you are pure Love, the knowledge that you are connected to everything, the joy which comes from acceptance of yourself just as you are -- this understanding of your being is what allows the body to be well. It doesn't matter what caused it, what "stage" the problem has advanced to, what mortal predictions are on the table -- nothing matters but the acceptance of yourself as a product of Love. When feeling the purity of Oneness, all material thought must be silenced. We can stop striving and start Being. When slipping into this space of pure Love, nothing else matters. And all is well.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Mortal mind must part with error, must put off itself with its deeds, and immortal manhood, the Christ ideal, will appear.”

Science & Health Page 430:3-5

April 29, 2015 - Correcting Error?

photo courtesy of Chris Fischer

ACIM Lesson #119 Review of: #107 "Truth will correct all errors in my mind." #108 "To give and to receive are one in truth."

It seems there are any number of errors to correct in this world. It’s quite a relief to discover that I only need to correct them in my mind, not in the fearful and angry minds I witness around me. If I look at these actions with horror, or disgust, or anger, or fear, I have become a part of them and share in them. If I look on others as Love, there is forgiveness. By making such statements in public, I run the risk of someone telling me I don’t know what I’m talking about — and, perhaps, they won’t be using words quite so kind! There is a young woman who makes video talks about these teachings. Today I witnessed someone attack her in the comments section of youtube. If the speaker and the listeners are willing to give this man energy in retaliation and defense, we are accepting this attack within ourselves. If we give him forgiveness and love, honoring him as he is, where he is in thought, realizing we are all One in Truth, then we give this back to ourselves. Therein lies correction!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Because Truth is infinite, error should be known as nothing. Because Truth is omnipotent in goodness, error, Truth's opposite, has no might.”

Science & Health Page 329:21-24

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