May 8, 2015 - Looking Through the Illusion

"No Looking Back"
created by Sandy Starbird

ACIM Lesson #128

"The world I see holds nothing that I want."  

The topic of today's ACIM lesson is one which could cause you to say, "Thanks, but no thanks!!" But before you turn away, really think about what this means. It isn't asking you to give up enjoyment of everyday life. On the contrary! It's asking you to look past the world which is the illusion of mortal mind, and see the creation of divine Mind. In looking through the unreality of beliefs, we are breaking the same kind of thought barriers which had to be set aside for humanity to realize the world was round. When asked to see everything with new eyes, to dare to stretch past belief and learned behavior, we may be frightened or confused. In this state of mind, our "ego" can tell us that it's all just nonsense and it's better to stay with what is well-known. But is it? If you feel -- really feel, deep inside, that there must be more to this existence than meets the human eye, then you will want to know what that is. We are capable of so much more than we realize. The veil which hides reality is getting thinner! 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Belief in a material basis, from which may be deduced all rationality, is slowly yielding to the idea of a metaphysical basis, looking away from matter to Mind as the cause of every effect." 

Science & Health Page 268:6-9

May 7, 2015 - One Love

from the garden of Chris Fischer

ACIM Workbook Lesson #127

“There is no love but God's”

Self-help books talk of the many faces and facets of love. In divine metaphysics, there is no division in Love. Love does not judge. No one is more worthy of receiving than another. No one is more able than another when it comes to expressing Love. Love may not appear to be a factor in the world we witness daily. We see love which is variable and hate that is solid, but we are learning the unreality of changing love and abiding hate. Reality is the Love which is God. Today's ACIM workbook lesson asks us to affirm this often today: "I bless you, brother, with the Love of God, which I would share with you. For I would learn the joyous lesson that there is no love but God's and yours and mine and everyone's." My awareness of this true Love allows me to experience it. It is always present, and I'm learning to be, too.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Love is infinite. Therefore all that really exists is in and of God, and manifests His love.”

Science & Health Page 340:12-14

May 6, 2015 - What Am I Giving?

"Self and self"
by Sandy Wythawai Starbird

ACIM Workbook Lesson #126

"All that I give is given to myself."

Today brings an examination of what it is I’m giving. I would hope I’m giving happiness, peace, love, compassion — but sometimes I give judgment, condemnation, self-righteous thoughts, and false forgiveness. It’s all too easy to forgive in a way which is nothing more than a way of thinking that I’m superior and, in some way, better than the forgiven one. This is akin to the “back-handed compliment”, the way people may say “thank you very much” when they are not thanking someone but, rather, making a point of feeling slighted in some way by another’s actions. The forgiveness I give may be a charitable act on my part, an act I may withhold as punishment to them and self-aggrandizement for myself. I am working toward understanding this thing called forgiveness. I ask myself, How would Love look on this? What would Mind think about this? Today I will strive to see through the veil of belief which dictates how I should interpret others’ actions. 

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“We must reverse our feeble flutterings--our efforts to find life and truth in matter--and rise above the testimony of the material senses, above the mortal to the immortal idea of God. These clearer, higher views inspire the God-like man to reach the absolute centre and circumference of his being.” Science & Health Page 262:11-16

May 5, 2015 - Nurturing a Quiet Mind

photo provided by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #125

"In quiet I receive God's Word today."

Attention deficit disorder: ADD. Many who haven’t been diagnosed with this disorder often say they are afflicted with it. If you get right down to it, aren't we all? Doesn't it seem our "normal" state of mind wants to flit about from one topic to another, gathering steam as we go down all the avenues we are led in thought, as one triggers yet another? The thing I find unfortunate is that people really think they have no choice. As with anything else, it takes practice to calm thought. You have to want a quiet mind in order to attain one. I know I've said it before, but watch that first thought of the day. It can set the tone for everything which comes after it. Refusal to start the day thinking about worrisome things is a choice we have. Choose the quiet mind over the busy one, then choose again whenever needed. Sow meditation, nurture quiet, reap peace!!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“We must silence this lie of material sense with the truth of spiritual sense.”

Science & Health Page 318:12-13

May 4, 2015 - Experience and Expression

photo by Arthur Lau-Sed

ACIM Workbook Lesson #124

"Let me remember I am one with God."

Does the topic of today's ACIM lesson make you nervous? Perhaps there's a feeling that God won't like it if you think this -- much less if you say it! Somewhere along the path of Christian theology it was decided that Jesus is God and, because of this, he will take care of everything for us; all we have to do is believe and give ourselves to him. It's my understanding that Jesus was here to tell us he was one with God and so are we. Does this mean we are God? In the same way that a ray of sunlight is the sun, yes. It can't be said that it's the actual sun, but it certainly is the expression of it. A ray of sunlight is the experience of the sun, if you will, and we are the expression and experience of God. One with God; one with each other; one with everything. Let's spend some time contemplating that today. Say right out loud: "I Am one with God!" Let's not be afraid to think it and ask ourSelves exactly what that means. And don't forget to expect an answer!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"Principle and its idea is one, and this one is God, omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent Being, and [Its] reflection is man and the universe."

Science & Health Page 465:17-1

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