May 19, 2015 - One Cause

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #139:

"I will accept Atonement for myself."

Atonement is one of those words which often triggers uncomfortable feelings. Visions of atoning for sins can be pretty creepy, especially when it's possible we may have committed said sins, possibly without even knowing it!  That's the way the concept of atonement has come to be interpreted by many. Some have decided that we're all born sinners and we must spend our life finding ways to atone for that. We are learning that sin is anything which separates us from the Love which is God. Simple, huh? Atonement is accepting our Oneness as the expression and experience of God. It may sound like a form of sacrilege to say you're one with God. I say it's sacrilege not to! To acknowledge God as the only Cause, and to see ourselves as the effect of that Cause, is to accept our at-one-ment with All that Is. What could be more humble? I will accept this reality today, and see everyone I meet in this light. Namaste' ~~~

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

May 18, 2015 - No Choices in Truth

photo by Chris Fischer from his garden

ACIM Workbook Lesson #138

“Heaven is the decision I must make.”

Years ago, I knew a young woman who would often fall to her knees and beg God to forgive her and not send her to hell. At the slightest transgression, she would verbally do this! She wouldn’t always fall to the ground, but even a simple verbal request was always a surprising event for everyone in her presence. She also would tell me I was going to hell for numerous reasons, one of which was because I didn’t believe in it. She told me that was the devil’s greatest victory, convincing people there was no such place. I remember mentioning that Jesus told us the kingdom of heaven was within, and she said yes, that it was within Jesus; not us. Nowadays, I would probably tell her this was the ego’s biggest victory to think this was so! I’d probably have a discussion with her about there being no choice because we have made up hell believing there must be an opposite for everything. I might even tell her that the acceptance of Truth obviates any need for choosing heaven, because there is only Truth with no opposite. Hum — maybe I should just decide this for myself and let it Be!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The great miracle, to human sense, is divine Love, and the grand necessity of existence is to gain the true idea of what constitutes the kingdom of heaven in man.” Science & Health Page 560:12-15

May 17, 2015 - All You Need Is Love

photo by Aaron Springston

ACIM Workbook Lesson #137

“When I am healed I am not healed alone.”

Love heals. We hear this so often, it's probably become somewhat of a cliché. We may think that nothing can heal the ills of the world, much less something as intangible as love. What if love were the most powerful force in the universe? Not just an emotion called love, but an omnipotent, gentle presence which is a synonym for Source. What if experiencing this Love was sufficient to heal every thought of evil or sickness or misery which has ever been imagined? Then we'd all be lining up to get some of this stuff, don't you think? And it's even easier than that. We only need get out of our own way to see what has always been there. Love heals.

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

"One moment of divine consciousness, or the spiritual understanding of Life and Love, is a foretaste of eternity.”

Science & Health Page 598:23-25

May 16, 2015 - Letting Truth Be

ACIM Workbook Lesson #136:

photo by Chris Fischer

“Sickness is a defense against the truth.”

Many new-age thought systems try to find reasons for disease, then work to get rid of the "problem" which is causing you to be unwell. This is something which has no place in quantum thought.  When Mary Baker Eddy realized the nothingness of matter and the substance of Spirit, not many were willing to imagine the possibility until they saw physical proof. The healing which comes about through this understanding is not a manipulation of matter, but a yielding of erroneous belief to the Truth of creation by divine Mind. The Catch-22 is that if you are trying to heal something, you can't. But if you're knowing the Truth of existence, and that knowledge becomes more than just wishful thinking, the changeability of matter is shown in ways which we think of as healing. Knowing that there is nothing to be healed, that all is perfectly reflected as a creation of divine Mind, therein lies the healing. Going to the core of yourSelf and recognizing that your consciousness is One with Spirit, that is what brings an all-encompassing joy and peace which makes us happy to release false belief. Once that is gone, Truth shines forth in all Its magnificence! To learn more about this, here is the link to today's ACIM workbook lesson: http://acim.org/Lessons/lesson.html?lesson=136

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“Truth has a healing effect, even when not fully understood.”

Science & Health Page 152:7-8

May 15, 2015 - No Defense

"Artrageous Parade"
photo from Richard Quick

ACIM Workbook Lesson #135

"If I defend myself I am attacked."

The last topic we pondered had to do with forgiveness. In my discourse on this, I opened with the words “righteous indignation”. It occurred to me that this topic was pertinent to some of the happenings in our town which centered around an election having to do with  discrimination and civil rights. So I posted my words to Facebook to see what reactions might come back to me. In rereading the post, I see that either “side” could think I was pointing a finger at them. I was actually pointing a finger at myself. I don’t feel the need to defend my way of thought with anyone who thinks I’m wrong. It’s an interesting experience, witnessing events without blame or excuses. The main thing I need be mindful of is thinking I have answers, as this will close my mind to hearing Truth!

Mary Baker Eddy quote:

“The time for thinkers has come. Truth, independent of doctrines and time-honored systems, knocks at the portal of humanity.” 

Science & Health Page vii:13-15

May 14, 2015 - As It Is

"Chris & Mary's Garden"
photo by Chris Fischer

ACIM Workbook Lesson #134

"Let me perceive forgiveness as it is."

Righteous indignation: There's a lot of it going around, don't you think? Maybe I notice it so much because it's alive and well-established within me. Maybe I'm too quick to jump on my high horse and adopt a holier-than-thou attitude. It seems there are so many injustices which need righting. We have been told that forgiveness is looking the other way and doing nothing. I see forgiveness as looking past the illusion of separation from others to the realization of our unity. With this view, I can set aside my stories of right and wrong and open thought to the reality of Love as a palpable healing force. How wonderful to feel a kinship with everyone and everything, knowing that minus illusions of belief, we are all the same. What a joy to be finding our voice!

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.”

Science & Health Page 454:18-21

May 13, 2015 - Shared Value

City Art in Eureka
photo by Richard Quick 

ACIM Workbook Lesson #133

"I will not value what is valueless."

To quote Joel Goldsmith: ”Groups of people who have shared spiritual Love are bound together for eternity." These words float into my mind often. There are so many people who live in our little town whom I feel I've always known. People are drawn here, usually having no idea why, wondering if their friends are right and they’ve lost their minds. And perhaps they have. When we quit listening to the practiced beliefs of our mind and begin to hear what seems to be an other-worldly calling, we have lost a material outlook in exchange for a spiritual perception. I value every bit of lovingkindness I feel and see expressed. Anything else is valueless, a call for love, unrequited until the way is cleared for the flow to reach it. Let’s scatter joy today!!

Mary Baker Eddy quotes:

“Everything good or worthy, God made. Whatever is valueless or baneful, He did not make,--hence its unreality.”

Science & Health Page 525:20-22